At the heart of the investigation are earnings generated at three iconic Italian venues, Monza, Imola, and Mugello, with the probe spanning five years from 2020 to 2024, as reported by Nicoletta Tempera of Bologna-based outlet il Resto del Carlino.

Why F1 Drivers Owe Tax in Italy

Italian law treats racing drivers as self-employed workers, meaning that any income they generate in Italy is subject to local taxation. The teams, in turn, are legally responsible for deducting and remitting that tax on their drivers' behalf, a process known as withholding.

The specific mechanism at issue, called "ritenuta alla fonte," applies to both driver salaries and sponsorship revenue tied directly to Italian race events. While this obligation has existed for years, enforcement has historically been patchy. Authorities are now pushing for full retroactive compliance going back to 2020.

How the Investigation Started

The investigation gained momentum after a formal complaint was filed in June last year by Alessandro Mei, a Bologna-based attorney. His case drew on research conducted by tax specialist Emilio De Santis, whose earlier findings in 2020 had been significant enough to trigger questions on the floor of the Italian parliament.

Mei has been vocal about why he pursued the matter. "There is no doubt that athletes earning income in Italy, regardless of where they live, must declare and pay taxes in Italy," he said, noting the case was too significant to ignore.

He has also brought in regional governments from Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Tuscany to support the push for compliance around the affected circuits.

What F1 Drivers and Teams Could Face

The financial exposure is significant. Beyond the back taxes themselves, Italian law allows for criminal charges when the amount evaded exceeds €50,000, with potential penalties including heavy fines and prison terms of up to five years. While few expect anyone to end up behind bars, the tax agency has made clear it intends to recover every euro it believes it is owed.

No drivers or teams have been publicly named at this stage. The investigation remains ongoing, and with the 2026 Formula 1 season resuming at the Miami Grand Prix on May 3, it is a story the paddock will be watching closely.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the Racing section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Despite missing Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the underdog Lakers have defeated the Rockets, who just got Kevin Durant back from a knee injury. While the Lakers are missing their two best scorers, LeBron James and the Lakers’ productive bench have made the series look like a mismatch.

In Game 1, Luke Kennard filled the void with a playoff career-high 27 points, while LeBron added 19 points and 13 assists. Game 2 was expected to be harder with Durant returning for his first playoff matchup against James since 2018.

But King James showed his greatness again. He finished with 28 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, while Kennard stayed hot with 23-point outing. After the final buzzer, Smart was asked about James’ performance, and he didn't overthink his answer.

"Greatness," Smart said. "His IQ of the game. There are times where things get out of control and he's still calm. We appreciate him."

Marcus Smart when asked about what he saw from LeBron James tonight:

“Greatness. His IQ of the game. There are times where things get out of control and he’s still calm. We appreciate him.” pic.twitter.com/0v6StXzovQ

— LakersMuse (@LALMuse) April 22, 2026

Smart led the Lakers with 25 points on 8-of-13 shooting, adding seven assists and two rebounds. His defensive presence was also on point, as he recorded five steals. Smart has taken on a much larger scoring role with Doncic and Reaves out, and he is delivering the best way possible.

Earlier in the postgame, he also credited the team’s depth, saying, "We continue to elevate each other. We understand that we are down [Luka and AR], but we got other players on this bench and other guys that can play".

On the other side, Durant's playoff slump continues. With this latest loss, he hasn't won a postseason game since 2023, bringing his losing streak to seven games.

However, Doncic is back to light drills, but he won't be ready for Game 3, which starts Friday at 8:00 p.m. ET on Prime Video. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Lakers don’t expect him to return at all during this series, especially since the team is playing well under James. Even if Doncic does return sooner than expected, he would likely be on a minutes restriction.

Related: Lakers' LeBron James Draws Attention After Alperen Sengun Moment During Playoff Game

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

LeBron James led the team with an impressive double-double (19 PTS, 12 AST) and made history in the process. The 41-year-old has to carry the burden of leadership in Game 2 as well, with the Rockets also getting Kevin Durant back after he missed the first game with a knee injury.

James has had an impressive performance through the first three quarters, putting up 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

He also had a heated moment on-court after aggressive off-ball defense from the Rockets, which led to him scoring a three-pointer against Alperen Sengun before trash-talking the Turkish center on his way down the court.

LeBron three over Alperen Sengun

Shared some words after pic.twitter.com/xZGsGpMxYi

— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) April 22, 2026

"Oh, what have you done?" said one fan.

"How can this guy not be the greatest ever?" said one excited LeBron fan.

"Rockets have awakened the beast, and if that's true, then James alone can take the game away," said another fan.

"The look on KD’s face at the end says everything you need to know," said one fan about the reaction shot at the end.

The Lakers are hoping to take a 2-0 lead in this game and hold a 74-68 lead after three quarters. Durant has been helping the Rockets keep pace with the Lakers, scoring 20 points on 5-6 shooting in the first 24 minutes of the contest.

James has unlocked a new gear in the Playoffs, clearly empowering his teammates to make crucial contributions. Luke Kennard has shown up as a scorer in both games, with Marcus Smart having a strong Game 2 performance as well.

The Lakers have to beat the Rockets by committee before Reaves or Doncic returns, with reports suggesting Doncic will most likely miss the entire first round before being able to play again.

This moment from James is a reminder to his opponents that he's still a major threat they can't afford to antagonize. He averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists this season.

Related: Lakers' Gesture For Luka Doncic in Game 2 After Return From Europe

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Baylor product was all over the hardwood for the Sixers, ending the night with an impressive stat line of 30 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals in 35 minutes of play. More impressively, he shot 60% on floor as well as from beyond the three-point line.

He led a strong Philadelphia performance that also saw Tyrese Maxey put up 29 points, nine assists and two steals. Paul George, Kelly Oubre and Andre Drummond also scored double digits to put Boston away.

The league adds to the 2026 Rookie of Year finalist's stellar show by noting him as the youngest player to bag 30+ points and 10+ rebounds in a postseason game at 20 years and 266 days old.

🏆 TUESDAY'S FINAL SCORES 🏆

VJ Edgecombe becomes the youngest player in NBA history to total 30+ PTS and 10+ REB in a postseason game as the Sixers win Game 2 on the road to tie the series at 1-1 in Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs presented by @Google!

Tyrese Maxey: 29 PTS, 9 AST,… pic.twitter.com/aOAmJvM2UV

— NBA (@NBA) April 22, 2026

While his performance tonight won't have any impact on his chances to win ROTY, it's clear how Edgecombe transformed the Sixers from a team stuck in a rut to a position where they can vie for a deep postseason run.

On the other hand, Jaylen Brown's 36 points was the only bright spot in a Boston Celtics squad that failed to make their shots. The hosts only made 39.3% of their shot attempts, with their 26% shooting clip from beyond the arc hurting their chances of securing the win.

Game 3 will be held at the Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 24 at 7 PM ET. Fans can watch the action on Prime Video.

Related: 76ers' Joel Embiid Reacts to Game 2 Win Over Celtics

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Such is the case for the NBA, where major offseason storylines will directly affect 2026-27 fantasy basketball values. Potential blockbuster trades, injury recovery, and the coaching carousel all impact usage and production, creating fantasy winners and losers across all categories. With so much at stake, fantasy managers have no choice but to follow the headlines.

Here are the storylines that can have the biggest 2026-27 fantasy basketball offseason impact.

Trade Rumors That Could Reshape Fantasy Values

Kawhi Leonard’s Potential Move?

Leonard hasn’t directly said that he wants to be traded. But his frustrations with the Clippers are well known, and their play-in tournament exit this spring can’t have helped. The veteran’s departure would further open the door for Darius Garland, whose fantasy value surged late in the season after he was traded to Los Angeles. Bennedict Mathurin would also get more usage, and his fantasy value hinges on playing time.

Jarrett Allen’s Leaving the ‘Land?

There’s a lot riding on the current Cavaliers playoff run, with James Harden joining the mix and Donovan Mitchell being up for a contract extension. We’ve talked before about Allen getting a production boost on a new team. But this trade would also benefit current teammate Evan Mobley, who is a sleeper when it comes to efficient scoring and defensive stats.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Looming Exit?

Of course, Giannis’s departure would have a massive impact because of his production on both ends of the court. However, the Bucks have a long list of pending free agents and are expected to be sellers this offseason. That makes it a bit difficult to readily know who would play more minutes if the Greek Freak exits. Managers need to stay glued to this storyline as it develops.

Rookie Development and Injury Recovery Timelines

Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles

Haliburton started playing 5-on-5 in early April, so he appears to be on course for a return next season. His return would potentially impact Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell’s playing time, although both of them missed significant time with injuries in his absence. Indiana will also have a top draft pick due to their downer 2025-26 season. Managers may want to hold off on rostering any Pacers until a more concrete roster plan is formed.

Jimmy Butler’s ACL

Butler’s season-ending injury dealt a real blow to Golden State’s playoff hopes, even as Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody stepped up to fill the void. (And then Moody himself sustained his own season-ending injury.) Podziemski isn’t expected to have a decreased role when Butler returns since he has solidified himself as a key Warriors playmaker. De’Anthony Melton was also a big contributor, although he could move in the offseason and be a fantasy contributor elsewhere.

Ja Morant’s UCL

This one is tricky since Morant is also in the thick of trade rumors. His own fantasy value wouldn’t increase much in a trade because of his injury history. Players like Santi Aldama and Ty Jerome, on the other hand, are projected to have increased roles and heightened fantasy value next season. Their usage will become more solidified with Morant completely out of the picture.

Coaching Changes and New Systems

Billy Donovan Leaves the Bulls

The Bulls are in a transition period both on the court and in the front office, and Donovan apparently didn’t want to be part of it anymore. He leaves behind a rebuilding roster with moldable young talent in Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey. Both players are emerging fantasy assets, but managers should keep an eye on who Chicago brings in to take the reins next.

Doc Rivers Booted from Bucks

As we said before, big changes are coming in Milwaukee. That process was jump-started in April by Rivers’ dramatic exit. With a coaching spot vacant and several players on the move, Buck’s players are highly volatile fantasy pieces. Managers need to follow all the offseason hullabaloo to get a good idea of what kind of team Milwaukee will be next season.

Steve Kerr, Future Unknown

Kerr has said he wants to be on the Warriors’ sideline as long as Steph Curry keeps playing. His group hug with Curry and Draymond Green casted doubt on his return. (Plus, Green seems convinced Kerr is done.) The Warriors have generated a lot of fantasy value over Kerr’s tenure, especially over the five-year run of 57-plus regular-season wins. Players like Curry, Green, Butler, and Podziemski will still have high fantasy value. It’s harder to determine who will emerge as a sleeper if a new coach takes over.

The Bottom Line on 2026 NBA Offseason Storylines for Fantasy

These storylines are all open-ended. They also give an early window into fantasy value creation and destruction heading into 2026-27. Managers must stay on top of big storylines into July as trade rumors and draft moves reshape rosters and fantasy outlooks. The more you follow the headlines, the more ready your fantasy roster will be for the 2026-27 season.

2026-27 Fantasy Basketball Offseason Questions, Answered

Which NBA offseason storylines will have the biggest impact on 2026-27 fantasy basketball?
Potential blockbuster trades, new coaching systems, rookie development arcs, and key injury recoveries top the list. Each has the power to dramatically shift usage and category production.

How should dynasty managers use these offseason storylines?
Monitor rumored trades and coaching hires closely to buy low on players entering favorable situations or sell high on those facing reduced roles.

When will these storylines start affecting 2026-27 fantasy rankings?
The 2026 NBA Draft, free agency, and training camp will provide the most concrete information. Advanced managers are already adjusting boards based on current rumors.

Are rookie development storylines important for 2026-27 fantasy?
Yes. High-upside rookies entering key development windows can deliver immediate fantasy contributions if they earn significant minutes in training camp.

Which position groups are most affected by 2026 offseason storylines?
Wings and bigs in crowded rotations are especially sensitive to trades and coaching changes, while guards benefit most from new offensive systems.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the Fantasy section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Franchise superstar Luka Doncic is unfortunately expected to miss the entire series after a late-season hamstring injury. Doncic spent the last few weeks in Europe to try and find recovery methods that could accelerate his return timeline, returning to Los Angeles on Monday.

Doncic returns to the Lakers sideline in street clothes as injured players do. He will now be cheering the team alongside injured backcourt star Austin Reaves. However, his return to Crypto.com Arena led the Lakers to make a heartfelt gesture to recognize the incredible season Doncic had with the team.

During a first-quarter timeout, the Lakers presented Doncic with the awards he earned for leading the NBA in scoring for the 2025-26 season (33.5 PPG) and winning Player of the Month in March.

The Lakers presented Luka Doncic with trophies for the 2025-26 scoring title and being named the Western Conference Player of the Month for March during a first quarter timeout pic.twitter.com/aRpS76YUIi

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 22, 2026

This is the second scoring title of Doncic's career, winning his first one in 2023-24 with the Dallas Mavericks. That season also saw Doncic make his first NBA Finals appearance, so the Slovenian guard will hope lightning can strike twice so he can now lead the Lakers to a deep postseason run.

Doncic averaged 33.5 points, 8.3 assists, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game over this season.

The 27-year-old guard was also awarded the trophy for his incredible performances in March, averaging 37.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 2.3 steals in 16 games.

These awards highlight the form Doncic had found himself in at the end of the season, making himself a late-season MVP candidate before injury ruined his push. Despite winning an appeal with the NBA to keep himself eligible for end-of-season awards despite playing just 64 games, Luka was snubbed from the finalists for this season's MVP.

Doncic is widely expected to return to the All-NBA First Team for his contributions this season, but he'll feel hard done by the missed opportunity to win MVP, and potentially missed opportunity to compete in the postseason if the Lakers can't eliminate the Rockets without him in the first round.

Related: Rui Hachimura’s Message After Luka Doncic Update

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The 76ers have rookie guard VJ Edgecombe to thank for leading them to tie the series to 1-1. Edgecombe had 30 points, 10 rebounds and two steals while shooting a very efficient 6-for-10 from deep. He had help from All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey, who had 29 points and nine assists.

After the win, the 76ers will play Games 3 and 4 in front of their home fans at the Xfinity Mobile Arena on Friday.

Joel Embiid Was Energized by the 76ers' Win

Embiid has shown his support while he's away from the team, as he recovers from an emergency surgery for appendicitis. On X, the one-time MVP had a simple reaction to the 76ers' performance.

"LFG," Embiid posted.

LFG

— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) April 22, 2026

Noah Levick of NBC Sports Philadelphia revealed before Game 2 that Embiid has started his post-appendectomy fitness and conditioning regimen. The organization has not provided a date for his return to play.

Amid his absence, the young backcourt duo of Edgecombe and Maxey has stepped up to lead Philly. Before Game 2, the rookie guard had an honest take on Embiid's injury status. According to him, he has no clue when the NBA star will return, but the team remains focused and determined to do its best against the Celtics.

“We wanna win. Regardless if he’s gonna play or not. We wanna win. We don’t want our season to be over. I mean, it would be great if we keep winning and he comes back, you know? But the most important thing is his health,” Edgecombe said.

“We don’t wanna rush him and I hope nobody is rushing him in that sense. I just hope he goes through whatever he has to go through to be 100%.”

The 76ers were able to have a bounce-back game after their 123-91 loss in Game 1. The team missed the offensive production from Embiid. Maxey had 21 points, but struggled to make shots, only knocking down 25.0% shooting from deep. Edgecombe also had a challenging playoff debut, and finished with 13 points on 37.5% shooting.

Philly hopes to extend their postseason run to allow Embiid to return to the lineup. With his absence, the team has divided his minutes between Adem Bona and Andre Drummond.

Related: 76ers Announce Joel Embiid Injury Update After Missing Game 1 Against Celtics

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Instead, the night took a troubling turn midway through the second quarter. With 8:57 remaining, Wembanyama drove into the lane before losing balance and crashing face-first onto the hardwood following contact with Jrue Holiday.

His chin struck the floor hard, and he remained down momentarily, visibly dazed. He eventually made his way to the locker room but was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game.

The Spurs confirmed he had entered the NBA’s concussion protocol, with the team continuing to evaluate the severity of the injury. After the game, head coach Mitch Johnson confirmed to reporters that Wembanyama suffered a concussion, with further testing expected on Wednesday, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

According to Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports, the timeline for his return could extend across multiple games, potentially ruling him out for the rest of the series.

“The average NBA recovery time for a concussion is 7-10 days,” O’Connor wrote. “7 days would be Game 5. 10 days would be Game 7.”

Victor Wembanyama's fall sure looked like a concussion. Knocked out cold after his chin hit the ground. The average NBA recovery time for a concussion is 7-10 days. 7 days would be Game 5. 10 days would be Game 7.

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnor) April 22, 2026

The potential absence is a significant blow for San Antonio, which went on to lose Game 2 following his exit. Wembanyama has been central to the Spurs’ rise this season, leading the team to the No. 2 seed while averaging 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3.1 blocks in 65 games.

He opened the series with a dominant Game 1 performance, recording 35 points, including five three-pointers, and appeared positioned for a standout postseason run. The injury also came shortly after he was presented with the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award on Tuesday night.

Game 3 is set for Friday, as the series shifts to Portland, with tip-off scheduled for 10:30 pm ET.

Related: Luka Doncic Dealt Bad News Before Game 2 Against Rockets

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The veteran center left the Atlanta Dream and signed a one-year contract with the Sun, which, by 2027, is expected to lead to a transfer to her hometown team, the Houston Comets.

Griner is feeling emotional in this new chapter of her career. She said signing with the Sun was an easy decision because of the sentimental value.

“Actually, there’s a young girl who used to be a ball kid out here, and I’ve watched her kind of grow up throughout my career,” Griner said via IX Sports.

“It’s just moments like that that are sweet. You remember them, and when you’re making a decision about where to go, where to be, the community to be in — all those things go into it, and it just made it easier for me.”

The ten-time All-Star will be playing with extra sentiment for the Sun, partly because of her own family. Griner took to Instagram to share her mindset heading into the new season and training camp. She revisited the beginning of her WNBA career, watching her draft night together with her son, Bash.

View this post on Instagram

Griner’s seven-minute video takes viewers on a trip down memory lane, starting from her time at Baylor to when she was drafted first overall by the Phoenix Mercury in 2013.

She shared how excited she was to play in Phoenix despite having limited knowledge of the city. She also included clips and stories from her first championship while playing with Diana Taurasi, whom she called “my GOAT.”

Her IG post garnered message of support from fans.

"My wife and I will support every game and look forward to seeing on the Houston WNBA team……🔥🔥🔥," said one commenter.

"Thank you for being authentically you! A true legend and future HOF 🫶🏼," another one wrote.

The training camp has begun for Griner and the Sun. They will have two pre-season games. First is against the Toronto Tempo and second one is against the New York Liberty who is also their opening night assignment.

Related: Brittney Griner Apologizes to New Sun Teammates at Practice

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Vandersloot suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2025 after tearing her ACL in their seventh game of the campaign. She has since been working hard in her rehab with the objective of coming back at some point in the upcoming season.

Vandersloot recently spoke with Julia Poe of the Chicago Tribune. She discussed her road to recovery and her commitment to the Sky. The conversation inevitably led to Vandersloot’s thoughts on Reese.

The Sky suspended Reese for half a game at the tail end of the 2025 season. This is after she made comments deemed detrimental to the team. During that same interview, Reese said that the Sky could not “rely on Courtney to come back at the age that she’s at.”

Vandersloot responded by saying in a subsequent interview that, “contrary to what people say or think, my age is actually not a factor.”

Vandersloot, who is now entering her 14th season with the Sky, had a lot more to say about the incident in her sit-down with the Chicago Tribune.

“I’ll say it didn’t feel good,” Vandersloot said of Reese’s comments. “I think at first it was an emotional thing, you know? There was an emotional response to it. And the more I think about it, I understand what she was trying to say.

“Do I think that it was necessary she said that? No. I think that was the biggest thing for me. But it was more big picture for me because I didn’t even really know the comments that she said about me until way later in the day. I just thought that it could have been handled differently.”

Vandersloot said that she has never reached out to Reese since the incident. The 36-year-old also claims that Reese’s fame has made this whole issue much bigger than it actually is.

“Listen, this kind of stuff happens — I wouldn’t say frequently — but it happens in sports,” Vandersloot said. “It’s not unheard of. We were just under a microscope because of Angel and her following. It just is what it is.”

Vandersloot and the Sky are now intent on moving on. Reese was a big loss, but the five-time All-Star is confident that the team will manage without her. Vandersloot emphasized how much she values loyalty among her teammates.

“The biggest thing in our conversations was we wanted people that were 100% bought in on the Chicago Sky,” Vandersloot said. “That’s how we addressed free agency. Whether it was a free agent or making a trade, we wanted to make sure that this was a place they wanted to be long-term.

“It wasn’t ‘if this, if that,’ one foot in, one foot out. That’s how the conversation shifted, understanding that we’re trying to build something and to do that we need complete buy-in from everyone.”

Related: Atlanta Dream Players Share Honest Opinion of Angel Reese

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Jalen Brunson and company led by 12 points entering the fourth quarter, but the Hawks clawed their way back to turn things around. New York made just nine points in 10 minutes in the fourth, while Atlanta scored 22 in the same span.

A CJ McCollum layup gave the Hawks a 101-100 lead with 2:08 left to play, and Atlanta never trailed again after that.

McCollum led the way for Atlanta with 32 points on 12-of-22 shooting, along with three rebounds, six assists, two steals and one block. Jonathan Kuminga added 19 points off the bench.

For the Knicks, Brunson finished with 29 points and seven assists, while Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in 18 points and eight rebounds.

The game wasn't without issues, though. In fact, there were two missed calls in the contest that both benefited the Knicks.

According to the NBA's Last Two Minute Report, Towns should have been called for an offensive foul for hitting Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker as he was trying to chase Brunson during an inbound play with 10.2 seconds remaining.

Towns used his lower body to get in the way of Alexander-Walker, who fell to the ground following the hit. Brunson was left unguarded, received the inbound pass and drained a triple to cut the Hawks' lead to just one, 107-106.

"Towns (NYK) extends his lower body into Alexander-Walker's (ATL) path and delivers contact as he sets the screen," the L2M report explained, noting that it was an incorrect non-call.

The other mistake occurred with 5.2 seconds left on the clock while McCollum was shooting a free throw. Video replay showed Mikal Bridges going over the 3-point line before the Hawks star shot his free throw, which should have been called a lane violation.

Had it been called, McCollum would have gotten another free throw. Instead, the referees missed it and the Knicks got one final shot to win the game, although they failed.

Considering how close the game was, it would have been disastrous for the Hawks. Fortunately, they were still able to come out on top and avoided falling into a 2-0 hole.

Related: Magic Johnson Sends Clear Message to Lakers After Game 1 Win Against Rockets

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Doncic suffered his injury on April 2. At that point, the Lakers had just five games remaining in the regular season and had already secured their spot in the playoffs. The injury came at an unfortunate time and cast a dark cloud over an otherwise remarkable campaign for Doncic.

Doncic was nothing short of incredible in his first full season with the Lakers. He led the entire NBA in scoring with 33.5 points per game on 47.6% shooting. The five-time All-NBA guard also averaged 7.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 1.6 steals. He also knocked down 4.0 triples per game on a 36.8% clip.

Doncic, however, received some unwanted news on Monday. Unfortunately, the 26-year-old was not named a finalist for this season’s Most Valuable Player award. The NBA announced that Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are the Top 3 candidates for the coveted MVP title.

Redick addressed the news ahead of Tuesday’s game. The Lakers coach shared his brutally honest reaction to the NBA snubbing Doncic as an MVP finalist.  

"Disappointed,” Redick said. “I think he deserved to be there and I think all three guys that did end up being finalists had strong cases. A lot of this, unfortunately, is media momentum.

“Sometimes a team, I guess we underperformed even though we didn't have any expectations coming into the year. But I guess we underperformed for a couple months despite him getting Player of the Month one of those months. The media momentum just never got built."

The Lakers are reportedly not expecting Doncic to return in the first round. There is still hope, though, that he will be able to come back if L.A. advances to the next round.

The Lakers enter Tuesday's game up 1-0. Another win will put them in a strong position to take down the Rockets in the series as this first-round matchup shifts to Houston for Games 3 and 4.

Related: Lakers Coach JJ Redick Addresses Luka Doncic Development Before Game 2

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Reaves had the best season of his career and showed flashes of being an All-Star. He appeared in 51 games, averaging 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists on 49.0% shooting. Lakers fans campaigned for him to be part of the All-Star Game, but he was snubbed.

Austin Reaves is Progressing Well for the Lakers

Reaves isn't the only injured star for the Lakers. The team is also missing Luka Doncic's production, as he was out due to a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. Fortunately for the team, the undrafted guard has started to show positive progress in his recovery.

Redick spoke to reporters on Tuesday and gave them a crucial update about Reaves.

“Austin [Reaves] has started a return to play [progression] but we don’t have a timeline update on him,” he said.

Additionally, he mentioned earlier that Reaves has begun working out one-on-one as part of his recuperation. That will be followed by 3-on-3 and a 5-on-5 workouts, depending on his progress.

“Austin [Reaves] has started a return to play [progression] but we don’t have a timeline update on him,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said before Game 2, following @ShamsCharania’s report that Reaves has begun 1-on-1 drills with his oblique strain.

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 22, 2026

On Monday, both injured stars joined the team's practice. However, they did not have intense sessions and just had shooting practices in the gym. ESPN's Shams Charania also reported on Tuesday that Reaves is progressing better than Doncic.

"The sense around the Lakers is that Austin Reaves is actually the one that's further along than Luka Doncic in their respective rehab processes," Charania said. "I am told Austin Reaves has started 1 on 1 on court work. The Lakers are not expecting Luka Doncic to be back in this series. He is out indefinitely, but Austin Reaves is making some progress on the court."

Shams:

"The sense around the Lakers is that Austin Reaves is actually the one that's further along than Luka Doncic in their respective rehab processes. I am told Austin Reaves has started 1 on 1 on court work. The Lakers are not expecting Luka Doncic to be back in this series.… pic.twitter.com/Yx4hrt8An8

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) April 21, 2026

The Lakers were able to hold their own without Reaves and Doncic in Game 1 against the Rockets. LA took advantage of Houston not having their best player, Kevin Durant, play due to injury.

Luka Kennard's excellent night has given the squad a 1-0 series lead. The former Duke star had 27 points on 100% 3-point shooting, giving the Lakers a 107-98 win. LeBron James also played an all-around brand of basketball, finishing with 19 points, eight rebounds and 13 assists.

Related: Austin Reaves Nears Return To Lakers Lineup As Luka Doncic Sidelined Indefinitely

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Matt Ryan is one of the best players to ever don a Falcons jersey. He played for the Dirty Birds from 2008 to 2021, spent some time with the Indianapolis Colts, and returned to the organization that drafted him, where he now serves as president of football operations since January this year.

The numbers speak to Ryan's greatness, not just within the Falcons community but across the entire NFL. He won the season MVP and Offensive Player of the Year awards in 2016. He was also named to the Pro Bowl four times.

His peak coincided with Manning, who is a legend in his own right. The latter played all his NFL seasons with the New York Giants. However, he did not win an MVP like Ryan.

A random Falcons fan account called Falcons & Fantasy Football, with more than 6,000 followers on X, tried to stir up conversation by pitting the two legendary quarterbacks against each other. The post now has 2.8 million views.

Hot take: Matt Ryan was a better QB than Eli Manning… people just worship rings. Agree or nah? 👀

— Falcons & Fantasy Football (@Falcons_Fantasy) April 21, 2026

The account fished for reactions, but what it got was a response from Manning himself, who shut down the conversation. Manning ratioed the original post, and his reply now has 3.2 million views.

I will ponder this while I play with my rings… https://t.co/yvK2CaQ7I2

— Eli Manning (@EliManning) April 21, 2026

Unfortunately for Ryan and his fans, he does not have the ultimate honor every franchise quarterback strives for in their career. Manning, on the other hand, won two Super Bowls and earned two Super Bowl MVP awards.

Some X users on the original post are siding with Manning.

"I hate to do this to you, but… Matt Ryan helped give up a 28-3 lead to the Pats in the Super Bowl. Eli Manning BEAT the Pats in the Super Bowl, TWICE. Eli is winning this fight," a top reply reads.

Another emphasized how rings are everything.

"Stupid debate. The rings are what people remember. Wanna be remembered as an all time QB? Make it to the mountain top."

Related: NFL Legend Tom Brady Announces Move Away From Football

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Reed Sheppard led the team in scoring with his 20 points, but it's clear that Houston needs Durant's gravity and scoring to keep the Rockets competitive against a team that ranked first in field goal percentage in the regular season at 50.2%.

Durant had to sit out of the series opener due to a bruise on his knee tendon, and the team is understandably careful with the 37-year-old's health so he can keep performing at the top level.

Fans worried about the status of their star forward received great news when ESPN's leading NBA insider Shams Charania reported on the team's decision to play the two-time Finals MVP in Game 2.

Breaking: Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant has been cleared to return for Game 2 against the Los Angeles Lakers after missing Game 1 due to a knee tendon bruise, sources tell @ShamsCharania. pic.twitter.com/TijDBfkzrb

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 22, 2026

The Rockets badly need Durant's offensive dominance. His scoring takes defensive attention from the rest of the Lakers. It also allows Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson more room to operate on the floor.

Durant will be a tough defensive assignment for JJ Redick and the Lakers. The 2013-14 regular season MVP averaged 26.8 points on 55.2% shooting in the four playoff games he started for the Phoenix Suns last year.

Related: Final Injury Report for Rockets-Lakers Game 2: Will Kevin Durant, Luka Doncic Play?

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Tatum produced a 19-point, 14-rebound double-double with nine assists, a steal and two three-pointers. Jaylen Brown went off for a game-high 36 points with five triples.

This still wasn’t enough for the Celtics, though. Rookie VJ Edgecombe (30 points, 10 rebounds) and Tyrese Maxey (29 points, nine assists) led the charge for the 76ers in Tuesday's big win.

Tatum, however, was able to make some history in their Game 2 loss. He knocked down two triples in the game to climb the leaderboards in postseason three-pointers.

The NBA took to social media to announce Tatum’s latest career milestone.

“Congrats to @jaytatum0 of the @celtics for moving up to 10th on the all-time playoff 3-POINTERS MADE list!” the NBA posted on X.

Congrats to @jaytatum0 of the @celtics for moving up to 10th on the all-time playoff 3-POINTERS MADE list!

NBA Playoffs presented by @Google pic.twitter.com/DIjz0Rs5XP

— NBA (@NBA) April 22, 2026

Tatum just passed two-time NBA champion J.R. Smith to move into the Top 10. The Celtics star is now just 20 triples behind Danny Green for ninth all-time.

Tatum’s next chance to add to his tally will be on Friday in Game 3. This series now shifts to Philadelphia for Games 3 and 4. The Celtics will need to win at least one of those games to reclaim home-court advantage in this Eastern Conference first-round series.  

Related: Celtics' Jayson Tatum Nearing Rare NBA Postseason Scoring Milestone

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Cunningham admitted that she wasn’t entirely happy with her new deal. She later clarified her comments by explaining that her issue is with the length of the new one-year contract. Cunningham expressed her desire to remain in Indiana for the long haul.  

The 29-year-old also made it clear that it wasn’t about the money, although the deal's dollar figure has not been made public.

Fever head coach Stephanie White has now shared her reaction to the issue at hand. The former WNBA Coach of the Year admitted that she did not even know about Cunningham’s podcast comments.

Talking to the press at training camp on Tuesday, Cunningham said that she wants to have her own home and “to get established in a place like Indiana.”

White offered her support to Cunningham.

"Look, it's part of the business," White said, via Kareem Copeland of ESPN. "Players, they want to know where they're going to be, of course. They want to know where they are. And organizations want to make sure that they're making the right decisions for now and for the long term.

“So, clarifying that is important, certainly, but at the same time, they're human beings. They feel things and they want things just like all of us. All of us want job security, right?"

White played in the WNBA, too, before she transitioned into coaching. This is why she is familiar with the uncertainty that comes with being a professional basketball player. To a certain extent, White knows exactly what Cunningham is going through at this point in her career.

Apart from wanting to establish her roots in Indianapolis, Cunningham also discussed her personal relationships with her Fever teammates. This is also one of the biggest reasons why she wants to stay in Indiana for more than just one year.

“When you find a group of girls who really make you fall in love with basketball again, and you enjoy it and you enjoy them -- not only on the court, but off the court -- you want to hold on to that,” she said.

It is clear that for Cunningham, her tenure with the Fever goes way beyond basketball. It has become deeply personal for her.  

Related: Fever Rookie Raven Johnson Reacts to Stephanie White's Comments

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Razorbacks had a respectable run during March Madness, making it to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Arkansas’ season came to an end after losing to Tommy Lloyd and his No. 1-seeded Arizona Wildcats, 109-88.

With senior forward Trevon Brazile (13.0 points per game) graduating, Acuff Jr. appearing likely to enter the 2026 NBA Draft and Arkansas’ other star freshman, Meleek Thomas (15.6 points per game), already declaring early for the draft, Calipari will be without his three top scorers from last season.

Malique Ewin is a forward who was fifth on the team in scoring (9.8 points per game) last season. The Berkmar High School graduate originally committed to the Ole Miss Rebels, arriving as a top-100 recruit by 247Sports Composite rankings in the 2022 class. After spending one season in Oxford, the 6-foot-10 forward transferred to South Plains Community College, spending a season in Levelland, Texas.

Ewin leveraged his No. 1 junior college player ranking by 247Sports into a stint with the Florida State Seminoles. The big man spent 2024-25 playing in Tallahassee before joining Calipari and his Razorbacks. Ewin shot an efficient 59.7% from the field, secured 5.7 rebounds and swatted 1.1 blocks in 21.0 minutes per game in Fayetteville.

On Tuesday, On3’s Joe Tipton reported that the three-time Naismith College Coach of the Year Award winner will be without Ewin next year, as he is entering the 2026 NCAA men’s college basketball transfer portal. He enters the portal with a “do not contact” tag, implying that he has already found his home for the 2026-27 men’s college basketball season.

“Arkansas big man Malique Ewin is entering the @TransferPortal,” Tipton wrote on Instagram. “With a ‘do not contact’ tag, he told @On3. The 6-10 senior averaged 9.8 PPG, 5.7 RPG and 1.1 BPG this season. He will need a waiver to gain an additional year of eligibility.”

View this post on Instagram

The Razorbacks will have to retool for the 2026-27 season if they wish to recreate similar success from last year.

Related: Arkansas Makes Historic John Calipari Announcement on Friday

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the College section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Wembanyama has been the main focus for the Spurs, carrying them in Game 1 on Sunday. He led the team with 35 points and five rebounds on 83.3% shooting from downtown. His impressive playoff debut gave the team the needed energy to set the tone of the series.

Unfortunately for the Spurs, Wembanyama headed back to the locker room in Game 2.

Victor Wembanyama Suffered an Injury in Game 2

Wembanyama had the ball in the post, and Blazers guard Jrue Holiday was defending him. As the Spurs star tried to make a spin move to evade the defense, Holiday pulled the chair on the young star. The 2026 Defensive Player of the Year lost his balance and fell on the floor.

His head bounced on the floor, and he did not get up for a while. When he was able to recover, however, he struggled to get on his feet. The team had to take him out of the game to check on his condition.

PUTS

Victor Wembanyama acaba de ir pro vestiário depois de bater o rosto no chão da quadrapic.twitter.com/h0urTYEKSU

— NBA do Povo 🏀🇧🇷 (@NBAdoPovo) April 22, 2026

There are concerns over Wembanyama's potential injury. Since it was a hard fall on the ground, there's a chance that the Spurs star suffered a concussion. Shortly after he left the game, ESPN's Shams Charania reported on X that the Spurs have ruled Wembanyama out of the game due to concussion protocol.

Spurs star Victor Wembanyama has entered concussion protocol and is out for remainder of Game 2 vs. Portland.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 22, 2026

Wembanyama finished the game playing 11:41 minutes. He also had five points and four rebounds against the Blazers. Head coach Mitch Johnson put Luke Kornet in the place of the injured star.

Losing Wembanyama is an unfortunate thing to happen for the Spurs. He is the team's No. 1 option on offense and also controls San Antonio's defense. Before tipoff, the team presented the Defensive Player of the Year award to the 22-year-old NBA star.

Wembanyama became the youngest player to earn the DPOY award when it was revealed on Monday. He is the fourth in Spurs history, joining Alvin Robertson (1986), David Robinson (1992) and Kawhi Leonard (2015, 2016).

The Spurs are hoping that Wembanyama's concussion injury will not be serious. The team needs his presence on both ends in their postseason run, as they try to compete for a championship.

Related: Victor Wembanyama Makes NBA History in Playoff Debut For Spurs

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

So the breakout teams conversation is not about who made noise late in the season. It is about which teams are about to change tiers. That shift drives everything. Minutes. Usage. Confidence. Opportunity.

Team context is still the biggest edge in fantasy. It always has been.

Some rosters are about to take a real step forward. That creates value before the market adjusts.

Eastern Conference Teams Poised for Breakouts

Young Cores Ready to Take the Next Step

Start with the Orlando Magic.

They are no longer just promising. They are organized. The offense has structure. The defense already travels. Paolo Banchero is trending toward high-usage star territory, and that has an impact on everyone else. Franz Wagner benefits from cleaner looks and more playmaking responsibility. Jalen Suggs continues to rack up defensive stats in a system that supports it.

That is how breakout teams create multiple fantasy winners.

The Detroit Pistons fit here as well.

This is about stability. Cade Cunningham already produces. The difference next season could be efficiency and spacing. If that improves, the assist numbers climb and the turnovers stabilize. Jalen Duren becomes more valuable in a structured offense. Rebounds stay high. Easy scoring chances increase.

The Indiana Pacers stunk this season because of injuries, but they still qualify.

Tyrese Haliburton is expected back in 2026-27 and he drives elite offense. That lifts everyone. Wings get clean perimeter looks. Bigs get easy finishes. When pace and efficiency meet, fantasy production spikes across the roster. That trend is not slowing down.

Western Conference Teams Set for Major Leaps

Contenders and Rebuilders with Clear Upside

Look at the Oklahoma City Thunder.

They are already good. That is not the point. The next step is consolidation. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander anchors usage, but the real shift comes from internal growth. Chet Holmgren expanding offensively changes the ceiling. Jalen Williams continues to fill every category. Depth becomes clarity. That is where fantasy value rises.

The Houston Rockets are another team to monitor closely.

Young cores tend to jump quickly once roles settle. Alperen Şengün is central to everything. His passing alone creates fantasy advantages. The injured Fred VanVleet is expected to return and carries volatility. But volume scoring matters. If efficiency ticks up even slightly, he becomes a much stronger asset.

Then there are the San Antonio Spurs.

This one is obvious and still important. Victor Wembanyama changes categories by himself. Blocks. Rebounds. Scoring. As the supporting cast improves, his efficiency and assist numbers follow. That lifts the entire team’s fantasy profile. Secondary players become viable. That is how a breakout team reshapes a league.

Fantasy Strategy for Breakout Team Targets

Dynasty Trades, Redraft Targets, and Monitoring Plan

The goal is not to chase last year’s numbers. It is to anticipate next year’s roles.

Start by targeting secondary pieces on these teams. Not the obvious stars. The players who benefit from improved structure. Wings who get cleaner looks. Bigs who get easier touches. Guards who see usage stabilize.

On the Magic, that means looking beyond Paolo Banchero and identifying where the next jump comes from. On the Pistons, it is about trusting that efficiency gains will follow better spacing. On the Rockets, it is about betting on role clarity.

Dynasty managers should be aggressive now. This is where pricing is still reasonable.

Redraft managers should build a watch list. Summer league matters. Training camp matters more. Preseason rotations tell the real story.

Breakout teams do not hide. They show it early.

The Bottom Line on 2026-27 Fantasy Basketball Breakout Teams

The biggest fantasy swings rarely come from individual surprises. They come from team growth.

The Magic and Pistons are moving toward structure and efficiency. The Thunder and Rockets are building on championship aspirations (and for the Thunder, repeats). The Spurs have a foundation that already tilts categories.

That is where the value is created.

Watch the minutes. Watch the usage. Watch how coaches talk about roles once the offseason settles. Those details shape the next wave of fantasy winners.

The edge comes from getting there first.

2026-27 Fantasy Basketball Breakout Teams Questions, Answered

Which NBA teams are most likely to break out in 2026-27?
Teams with young rising cores, improved spacing, or new coaching philosophies that will drive usage spikes for their key players.

How do breakout teams create fantasy winners and losers?
Players on these teams often see major minute and usage increases, boosting category production, while players on declining or stagnant teams lose opportunity.

Should dynasty managers target players on projected breakout teams?
Yes. Buying into these teams early can deliver significant long-term value before the market fully prices in their improvement.

When will these breakout team projections become clearer?
The 2026 NBA Draft, free agency, summer league, and training camp will provide the most concrete information on roles and usage.

Are there specific position groups that benefit most from team breakouts?
Wings and bigs in spacing-friendly systems, along with guards in new offensive schemes, tend to see the largest fantasy gains when their team takes the next step.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the Fantasy section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

He made a remarkable climb through four levels of the system before debuting last September. He delivered three impressive regular‑season starts, striking out 16 hitters over 14 innings with a 3.21 ERA. That performance earned manager John Schneider’s trust and positioned him as a key part of the franchise’s future.

However, Yesavage carried the heaviest workload of his professional career last year, and his right arm did not fully recover heading into camp. He has spent the entire season on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder impingement.

Yesavage has been on a rehab assignment for most of April, and on Tuesday he made his fourth rehab start at Triple-A, one that could have been his final outing before returning to the MLB roster.

Unfortunately for the Blue Jays, it did not go as planned. Yesavage struggled significantly, allowing four runs and issuing four walks. He failed to make it out of the third inning, collecting just seven total outs.

Even though rehab results are not the clear priority, the lack of command was concerning, and what made matters worse was a noticeable velocity dip. After sitting at 94.9 mph in the first inning, his fastball dropped to 93.7 mph (h/t Thomas Hall of Blue Jays Nation). He threw only 37 strikes out of 64 pitches.

Trey Yesavage didn't make it out of the 3rd inning in his latest AAA rehab start, departing with just 1 out and the bases loaded.

2.1 IP, 2 H, 4 R (2 ER), 4 BB, 2 K & 64 pitches (37 strikes)

We'll see how #BlueJays decide to handle Yesavage's next steps from here.

— Thomas Hall (@Hall_Thomas_) April 21, 2026

Now the Blue Jays have a legitimate decision to make. They could rush him back to the rotation because their depth has been gutted, with Jose Berrios, Shane Bieber and Cody Ponce all on the injured list, or they could send him out for another rehab start and hope for better execution on all fronts.

Neither option is ideal for a team entering Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels with a 9-13 record and struggling to stay competitive. Toronto needs Yesavage to be a stabilizing force, but his latest outing makes it clear the organization must balance urgency with caution as they decide his next step.

Related: Blue Jays Make Decision Before Diamondbacks Game

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Johnson spent five years at South Carolina, serving as a starter for three seasons. She played a pivotal role in securing the Gamecocks' national championships in 2022 and 2024.

As a senior during the 2025–26 season, she averaged 9.9 points, 5.1 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game. She demonstrated remarkable efficiency, hitting 48.6% of her shots from the field and 39.8% from 3-point range.

Her impressive play earned her All-American honors from the Associated Press. She also secured the SEC Defensive Player of the Year award. 

Before the 2026 season begins, the Fever are introducing their three new rookies to the local community. On Monday, the team took to X to announce an upcoming meet-and-greet event, headlined by Johnson. It will also feature the team’s other two rookies, Justine Pissott and Jessica Timmons.

"Come meet our rooks 🏀," the Fever wrote in an X post. "Raven Johnson, Justine Pissott and Jessica Timmons will be at @7BrewCoffee at 6411 E 82nd St. this Thursday!"

Come meet our rooks ☕️👋

Raven Johnson, Justine Pissott and Jessica Timmons will be at @7BrewCoffee at 6411 E 82nd St. this Thursday! pic.twitter.com/e7nNknrjjy

— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) April 20, 2026

This is an exciting opportunity for Fever fans who want to meet Johnson and the rest of her co-rookies.

The Fever selected Pissott in the second round with the 25th overall pick. The 6-foot-4 guard-forward played her final three collegiate seasons with the Vanderbilt Commodores. 

As a senior in the 2025-26 season, she averaged 11.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. She converted 42.2% of her 225 3-point attempts. Her sharpshooting helped lead Vanderbilt to the Sweet 16, the regional semifinals of the NCAA tournament.

In the third round, Indiana drafted Alabama Crimson Tide standout Timmons with the 40th overall pick. The 5-foot-8 guard spent three years with the Crimson Tide. Like Pissott, Timmons is a reliable shooter.

During her senior year last season, Timmons provided Alabama with high-volume scoring. She averaged 16.3 points per game, shot 84.6% from the free-throw line, and made 39.4% of her 3-point shots. Timmons was named a second-team All-SEC selection.

With a fresh and exciting crop of talent, the Fever are looking ahead to a promising 2026 season. The addition of Johnson, Pissott and Timmons marks a new era for the team that strives to stand out. Each player has displayed their shooting ability and versatility, which can contribute to a franchise dedicated to pursuing a title.

Related: Caitlin Clark Makes Opinion of Former Fever Coach Very Clear

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The 2026-27 fantasy basketball undervalued players conversation is not about who finished strong. It is about who is being discounted right now. Narrative gets loud this time of year. Small samples. Injuries. Role confusion. All of it creates opportunity.

That NBA window does not stay open long.

Some of these players will look obvious by August. Right now, they do not. That is the edge.

Undervalued Guards to Target This Offseason

Playmakers and Scorers Being Overlooked

Start with Darius Garland.

There has been noise around usage and fit. It is overblown. The ball still finds him. The assists remain steady. The scoring dips have more to do with context than decline. When things stabilize, so does the production.

Immanuel Quickley falls into a similar category. Role fluctuations late in the year have pushed him down early boards. That tends to correct. He creates offense. He gets to the line. If the minutes normalize, the numbers follow quickly.

Then there is Scoot Henderson.

The inefficiency gets the headlines. The usage gets overlooked. Guards who control possessions eventually turn that into production. It may not be perfect, but the points and assists volume is real. That matters in fantasy.

Tyus Jones is the quieter version of this. He does not dominate the ball, but he maximizes it. Low turnovers. Steady assists. If he lands in or remains in a stable role, he becomes one of those players who outperforms his draft slot every time.

Wings Being Discounted Despite Clear Upside

Three-and-D Profiles with High Floors

Wings are where undervaluation tends to hide.

Herbert Jones is a perfect example. The scoring is not loud. The impact is. Steals. Blocks. Efficiency. Those categories win weeks. If the offensive role grows even slightly, he moves from useful to essential.

Jalen Williams should not be discounted, but he still is in some formats. Consistency does that. It also wins leagues. Points, rebounds, assists, defensive stats. He does a little of everything, and nothing about his role suggests a drop.

Keegan Murray is another name to watch. The shooting swings drive perception. The underlying role stays steady. Volume plus minutes usually wins out over time. When the shot stabilizes, the value rises fast.

Franz Wagner fits here, too. Not flashy enough for some. Not inefficient enough to hurt you. He scores. He handles. He fills categories quietly. Those players tend to be undervalued every offseason.

Bigs Flying Under the Radar

Stretch and Defensive Anchors with Stable Minutes

Bigs are often mispriced because their value looks simple.

It is not.

Jarrett Allen continues to be one of the steadiest options in fantasy. Rebounds. Blocks. Efficiency. Every year, there is a reason people think he will slip. Every year, he produces.

Alperen Şengün carries a different profile. Playmaking bigs take time to fully trust. That hesitation creates value. Assists from the center spot change roster construction. If the usage holds, the upside is significant.

Nic Claxton remains tied to role perception. When he plays starter minutes, he delivers defensive stats at a high level. That skill set does not go out of style. It becomes more valuable when teams lean into switching and rim protection.

And do not overlook Naz Reid again in this context. Stretch bigs who can score efficiently and rebound enough often sit in that middle tier. That is where value lives. One role bump, and he jumps quickly.

The Bottom Line on 2026-27 Fantasy Basketball Undervalued Players

The market is not wrong. It is just early.

Darius Garland and Immanuel Quickley are being discounted because of short-term noise. Herbert Jones and Keegan Murray fall into the category of players who do more than people realize. Jarrett Allen and Nic Claxton keep proving that consistency still matters.

These are buy-low windows.

They close quickly once summer league starts, once rotations get discussed, once preseason roles become obvious. That is when the market corrects.

The next 60 to 90 days will bring clarity. The best managers will already be positioned before that happens. And that is usually the difference.

2026-27 Fantasy Basketball Undervalued Players Questions, Answered

Why are certain players being undervalued heading into the 2026-27 fantasy basketball season?
Recent narrative noise, injury recovery timelines, or small-sample dips have lowered their early ADP even though projected roles point to strong rebound value.

Which position groups currently contain the most undervalued players?
Guards with playmaking upside, versatile wings, and bigs with modern skill sets are being discounted the most despite clear paths to fantasy production.

Should dynasty managers target these undervalued players now?
Yes. The offseason is the ideal window to buy low before summer league and training camp reset market perceptions.

How do role stability and projected usage factor into these undervalued targets?
The players highlighted here have the clearest paths to stable minutes and usage once offseason moves are finalized, making them higher-floor options than raw upside plays.

When will these undervalued players likely see their ADP rise?
Summer league performance, training camp battles, and preseason usage will quickly correct market perceptions and push values higher.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the Fantasy section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Knueppel was a large reason for Charlotte’s turnaround. The 6-foot-6 guard averaged 18.5 points per game, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 81 games in his rookie season. The Wisconsin Lutheran High School graduate was an electric shooter, going 42.5% from behind the arc while averaging 6.4 made three-pointers per game.

Knueppel made a total of 273 threes on the season, which barely edged out teammate LaMelo Ball’s 272. The number also shattered Sacramento Kings guard Keegan Murray’s previous rookie record (206 in 2022-23). Typically, a rookie season like that would lead to an inevitable 2026 NBA Rookie of the Year Award for the Hornets guard, but the award has been the subject of contentious debate.

The Dallas Mavericks’ No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Cooper Flagg, is the reason. The 6-foot-9 forward had a sensational season, averaging 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game in 70 games. Flagg provided strong defense and highlight-reel dunks all year and has made the Rookie of the Year Award a toss-up heading into awards season.

On Tuesday, The Sporting News announced it had selected Knueppel for the Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award. The Sporting News was established in 1886 and is considered the oldest surviving sports publication in the United States. The publication has morphed since its primarily baseball-centric origin and has been one of the most respected sports publications in the United States for a century. Although it ceased print operations in 2012, it remains and operates as a global digital sports media company.

"Kon Knueppel is The Sporting News Rookie of the Year 🏆," The Sporting News wrote on X. "He was a key reason why the Hornets were able to improve by a stunning 25 wins..." - @StephNoh"

Kon Knueppel is The Sporting News Rookie of the Year 🏆

“He was a key reason why the Hornets were able to improve by a stunning 25 wins…” - @StephNoh pic.twitter.com/s25keyh3ei

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) April 21, 2026

The 2025-26 NBA Awards are released during the 2026 NBA Playoffs, typically later in late April and May.

Related: Mavericks React to Cooper Flagg Announcement After One NBA Season

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Although they are no longer the Astros of old, who won two World Series in four appearances from 2017-22, they still have a handful of key players from those teams. Arguably the most notable and synonymous with the team's rise to prominence is second baseman, Jose Altuve.

The 35-year-old has an MVP to his name, nine All-Star selections and has also won the Silver Slugger Award seven times. While he may not have the speed on the basepaths or pop at the plate that he once had, he has been a mainstay in the Astros lineup.

On Tuesday, the Astros revealed that Altuve had hit a major milestone few players have reached. As shared to X, Tuesday's bout with Cleveland marked Altuve's 2,000th career MLB game.

"GOAT 2K," wrote the Astros on x.

GOAT 2K.#ChaseTheFight x @budweiserusa pic.twitter.com/aU1xR7HghL

— Houston Astros (@astros) April 21, 2026

Coming into Tuesday's game, Altuve was hitting .281 with three home runs and eight RBI on the season.

Altuve signed with the Astros in 2007 out of Venezuela and debuted in 2011. He has spent the entirety of his 16-year MLB career in Houston, boasting a career batting average of .303, knocking in 897 RBI and also belting 258 home runs despite being just 5-feet-6 inches tall.

It's unclear how much baseball he has left in the tank, but he will forever be a great underdog success story.

Related: Blue Jays' John Schneider Reveals Addison Barger News Before Angels Game

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The former WNBA Coach of the Year joined the Fever ahead of the 2025 season with high hopes. Unfortunately, injuries to Caitlin Clark and other key players got in the way of White’s debut season.

White, however, still led the team to the Commissioner’s Cup title in 2025. The Fever also progressed to the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs despite dealing with a full-blown injury crisis.

With a Clark-led, fully healthy roster heading into the new season, White is expected to deliver even better results.

The Fever also spent a lot of money during the offseason. They committed millions of dollars to their players following the establishment of a new collective bargaining agreement.

Aliyah Boston’s four-year, $6.3 million extension is the richest contract in WNBA history. The Fever also signed Kelsey Mitchell to a one-year, $1.3 million supermax contract. Fever stars Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham also signed new deals, although the value of their contracts have not been made public.

White admits that the amount of money flying around is staggering.

“It’s just baffling hearing those numbers,” White said, via Fever reporter Scott Agness. “It’s crazy. I’m so thankful that this league is where we are right now — to still be a part of it and to see these things come to fruition.”

The team’s offseason decisions on player contracts have left White perplexed. However, she is also adamant that it was the right move.

“These players deserve it,” she continued. “They have they have been a part of a tidal wave of changing the landscape of the game. I’m thankful that they are living in this moment. And I’m thankful that I’m still part of it.”

Related: Caitlin Clark Makes Opinion of Former Fever Coach Very Clear

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Ortega was brutally honest about his recollection of the relationship’s failure, revealing that the cracks appeared almost immediately. 

“Not to sound bad, right, but like I think she got lucky at the right time in my life,” Ortega stated, explaining that he was vulnerable after leaving his longtime coaches and starting a new slate. 

Watch the full podcast episode here:

He admitted that the reality of the pairing set in quickly.

“Shortly into that, I was like, ‘Damn, I f— up’” he told Cruz. 

Despite this early realization, Ortega did not end things. He confessed that his ego prevented him from walking away because he feared public ridicule after recently leaving his previous family. 

“I knew four months in [the relationship wouldn’t work],” Ortega revealed.

He described the ensuing two-plus years as a period where he kept up a facade of happiness to avoid looking foolish, a decision he now deeply regrets.

Ortega and Cortez began dating in 2020, quickly becoming one of the UFC’s most visible “power couples.” 

They were reportedly engaged, bought a house together, and even wore matching tattoos, including Ortega famously having Cortez’s name inked on his lip.

However, behind the glossy social media posts, Ortega describes a reality filled with late-night arguments and a complete lack of peace.

According to Ortega, his mother saw the danger immediately and warned him that he would “never be at peace.” He admits he initially dismissed her concerns as jealousy over him leaving his previous family unit, but he eventually realized the warning was prophetic. 

Fighting Volkanovski Amidst ‘Horrible’ Chaos

The alleged dysfunction bled directly into Ortega’s professional career and arguably compromised his performance inside the Octagon. He specifically cited his grueling featherweight title fight loss against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 266 in September 2021 as a period of intense personal distress:

“Training camps were horrible, like the Volkanovski fight, horrible. Arguing, or the dumb nonsense at like three, four in the morning,” Ortega detailed. 

Despite fighting Volkanovski in what was a “Fight of the Year” candidate, he now implies his preparation was severely sabotaged. 

He eventually had to force Cortez out of his life, recalling, “I gave myself a Christmas present and just said you got to leave on Christmas.” 

The Pereira Factor and Moving On

Ortega’s confession comes months after Cortez was in a brief relationship with former light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira (via ESPN MMA and SportsCenter on Instagram):

View this post on Instagram

On Cruz’s podcast, he suggested that Pereira, who also split with Cortez, is now seeing the same behavior he endured.

“I think now, guys, like even Alex Pereira, like all these people, they’re starting to realize that like, okay, I put her on a pedestal, and the world is like, ‘Oh, my God,’ and then now that they’re realizing who she is, they’re like ‘Oh, nevermind,’” Ortega observed.

Ortega is now remarried to Stephanie Roberts, the mother of his children, and seems to have found the peace his mother always wanted for him. 

He concluded his recollection of his failed relationship with an admission of fault, not for the breakup, but for ignoring his instincts and his family out of sheer ego.

"It needed to happen in my life," he stated. "All these things that happened are because of my decisions."

As of right now, Cortez has not responded to Ortega’s podcast rant. Time will tell whether or not she is willing to tell her side of the story.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the MMA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

He was bruised initially on a headfirst slide at home and later in a collision while playing the hot corner. Understanding McKinstry’s long-term importance to the club, the Tigers moved him to the 10-day injured list to ensure he recovers properly. It could also serve as a needed reset.

While he continued to provide solid defense all around the diamond, he had gotten off to a slow start offensively, posting a .209 batting average, .261 on-base percentage, .586 OPS, one home run and five RBIs across his first 14 games.

McKinstry is clearly capable of much more. Last season, he reached his full potential, making his first All-Star appearance and taking home a Silver Slugger Award. Detroit needs him in the lineup if it hopes to make a third straight postseason appearance this year.

Fortunately for the Tigers, McKinstry has already progressed in his rehab. The club announced updates on all of their injured players before Tuesday’s series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers, and McKinstry was included on the report.

The Tigers announced that he is completing rehab work daily and, most importantly, has resumed light baseball activity, his first time doing so since suffering the hip inflammation last week (h/t Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic).

Tigers medical update: Justin Verlander is scheduled to throw a bullpen tomorrow

Zach McKinstry is in Lakeland and doing light baseball activity pic.twitter.com/mO11Q5b6Fa

— Cody Stavenhagen (@CodyStavenhagen) April 21, 2026

It remains unclear whether McKinstry will require a rehab assignment, and that will depend on how long he remains on the injured list. Still, this is a clear step in the right direction.

The Tigers have been on a roll, winners of eight of their last 10 games, and if McKinstry returns sooner rather than later, they can once again find themselves positioned as one of the best teams in the American League. His return will only strengthen a roster that is trending in the right direction.

Related: Phillies Lose Player to Tigers Before Cubs Game

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Griner, entering her 13th season, is a 10-time WNBA All-Star. She has won two Defensive Player of the Year awards and one WNBA championship. The 6-foot-9 center has led the WNBA in blocks eight times and in scoring twice. She is widely regarded as one of the league’s most dominant players.

Griner spent the first 11 years of her professional career with the Phoenix Mercury. There, she flourished and evolved into a top-tier rim protector and scoring presence. She moved to the Atlanta Dream for the 2025 season but struggled. The WNBA star posted career lows of 9.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.

Reflecting on her time with the Dream, Griner said the transition was challenging. She admitted that adjusting to Atlanta took a mental toll on her, especially after spending years in Phoenix. However, she expressed confidence about her move to Connecticut. She said she feels “really good about this” and that she’s in the “right place” now.

While settling in Connecticut, the transition hasn’t been entirely without hiccups. At one point in training camp, Griner accidentally shouted “Suns” while breaking a team huddle. The slip-up was a confusing nod to the NBA's Phoenix Suns. It relates to her many years playing for the Phoenix Mercury.

View this post on Instagram

Griner immediately apologized to her new "Sun" teammates after they corrected her. She told them she was just saying “Suns” because “it’s the plural of us (players).” Griner promised, “I will not mess that up” again. And as a gesture of goodwill, added, “Dinner’s on me.”

She also later commented on the Instagram post, saying, “My bad, yo 😂😂😂 I’m weak.”

After spending nearly 300 days in a Russian prison for drug-related charges, Griner returned to the WNBA in 2023. She earned back-to-back All-Star honors in 2023 and 2024. In those two years, she averaged at least 17.5 points and 6.3 rebounds each season.

Griner is expected to be one of the Sun’s primary defenders and rebounders this season. Her size, experience and skills make her a unique asset to a team aiming to make some noise in the WNBA this year.

The Sun started training camp on Sunday with 17 players on the roster. They will need to cut the roster to 12, plus two developmental players, before the season opener on May 8.

Related: WNBA Star Brittney Griner Sends Message After Off-Court Move

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Milwaukee still owns a 12-9 record, yet the club would almost certainly be in a better position if Jackson Chourio were in its everyday lineup. The 22-year-old outfielder has been sidelined since landing on the 10-day injured list just before Opening Day due to a fractured left hand. He has missed all 21 games this season.

Chourio sustained the injury when he was hit by a pitch during the World Baseball Classic while playing for Team Venezuela. He continued to play in the tournament, but once he returned to the Brewers, X-rays revealed structural damage.

Since then, Chourio has made steady progress in his recovery. The Brewers have taken a cautious approach, as the small-market club views him as a future superstar. Before ever appearing in an MLB game, Chourio signed an eight-year, $84 million contract extension, at the time a record for a player who had yet to make his big-league debut.

As Milwaukee prepared for its series opener against the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday, manager Pat Murphy spoke with reporters and announced a significant update on Chourio’s status.

Murphy revealed that Chourio had finally progressed to hitting and was scheduled to take batting practice on the field Wednesday. This is likely his final major hurdle before beginning a rehab assignment, and he remains on track to return in early May (h/t Jack Stern of Brewer Fanatic).

Brewers injury updates from Pat Murphy:

- Kyle Harrison is seen as 100% healthy, but they'll manage the pitch count carefully tonight after the long layoff between outings.
- Jackson Chourio is scheduled to hit on the field tomorrow. Andrew Vaughn has started swinging a bat.
-…

— Jack Stern (@ByJackStern) April 21, 2026

It is a huge development, as hitting has been the biggest obstacle due to the nature of a hand fracture.

When Chourio returns, he will look to resume providing his all-around impact. Last season, he posted a .270 batting average, .308 on-base percentage, .770 OPS, 21 home runs and 21 stolen bases.

The Brewers believe he can be a franchise-changing presence, and his return could not come at a better time for a team trying to win another division title.

Related: Brewers Make Unexpected Decision After Christian Yelich’s Injury

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Key Facts at a Glance

Where Can You Buy the Air Jordan 7 'Olympic'?

To put it plainly, you're going to have to pay a pretty penny to grab a pair of the Air Jordan 7 'Olympic.' I love this sneaker, but on StockX, my size 14 is going for $750. That ain't gonna happen.

GOAT has more sizes in stock and a wider price range, from around $88 in certain GS or smaller sizes up to over $1,000 for the most sought-after men's pairs. If your size lands in that friendlier middle range, GOAT is the play for getting a pair without emptying the savings account.

What Makes the AJ7 'Olympic' Stand Out?

It's all about the history. The 1992 Dream Team connection. The nod to Barcelona and MJ's Olympic No. 9 on the heel instead of No. 23 pushes it over the top.

The white leather upper with metallic silver overlays, gold branding, and Obsidian/True Red accents pulls directly from the 1992 Team USA jersey. The huarache-style inner sleeve and geometric outsole pattern keep the rest of the AJ7 DNA intact, but that "9" on the heel is the detail that separates this pair from every other Jordan ever made.

Why Does It Still Matter?

The sneaker hasn't been released in 12 years. Couple that with the sparse number of AJ7s available for retro and it drives the validity of this colorway all the more.

The 2012 retro was the last official run, and resale has only tightened since. With no 2026 Olympic 7 retro on the calendar and Jordan Brand leaning into other Olympic-themed AJ7 stories instead, the pairs out there now are going to keep climbing.

Should You Buy the Air Jordan 7 'Olympic'?

If you have an option or opportunity to buy these–and it won't cause you to miss a car payment–you'd be crazy not to grab them if you love sneakers.

This is a gold medal grail in every sense of the phrase. The AJ7 Olympic sits at the intersection of design, history, and basketball lore in a way almost no other sneaker in the Jordan catalog does. If your size and wallet line up, you do not want to pass.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the Style section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Fantasy Baseball Prospect Watch: Top Call-Up Candidates

In recent weeks top fantasy baseball prospects like Konnor Griffin and Ryan Ward received in-season promotions and made their major league debuts, but player slumps and unexpected injuries are causing major league teams to look to their farm systems for reinforcements.

Players Forcing MLB Teams’ Hands

J.J. Bleday, Reds, Outfielder

Including Bleday, who has 1,339 big league at bats, in this article might be a stretch. The former first round pick struggled against major league pitching but he is tearing it up in Triple-A (.338 BA, 1.078 OPS in his first 74 at bats).

Lujames Groover, Diamondbacks, 1B/3B

Groover is coming into this season and was named the Pacific Coast League Player of the Week for April 6-12, 2026. He’s grooving with a .917 OPS and 22 RBI in his first 21 games of the 2026 season.

Ryan Waldschmidt, Diamondbacks, OF

Waldschmidt has been fast tracked through the Diamondbacks’ minor league system since being a first-round pick in the 2024 draft. His strikeout rate is a bit elevated compared to last season, but Waldschmidt has scored 19 runs and is batting .338 in his first 21 games.

Justin Foscue, Rangers, 1B/2B

At 27 years old Foscue’s days as a top prospect may be behind him and he has a .059 BA in 51 big league at bats, but with a .300/.367/463 slash line in his first 19 Triple-A games, he may get another chance to join the Rangers before too long.

Payton Tolle, Red Sox, SP

Tolle had a great spring, but the Red Sox had him start the season in Triple-A, where he’s averaging 11.4 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9.

Robby Snelling, Marlins, SP

I’m not loving Snelling’s 4.3 BB/9 in his four minor league starts this season but with a 1.89 ERA and 0.947 WHIP he’ll likely join the Marlins’ main roster relatively soon.

JR Ritchie, Braves, SP

Like Snelling, Ritchie needs to keep his walks in check. He has a microscopic 0.99 ERA and a 1.024 WHIP in five Triple-A starts.

Connor Prielipp, Twins, SP

Prielipp is yet another top fantasy baseball prospect who has a walk rate above four (4.6 BB/9) this season, but he’s been able to maintain a sparkling 2.30 ERA and a modest 1.213 WHIP in 15.2 IP in Triple-A this season.

Logan Henderson, Brewers, SP

Henderson, who finished last season on the IL due to elbow inflammation and was dealing with elbow soreness in spring training, has pitched well for the Brewers’ Triple-A affiliate in limited action this season. Henderson has a 0.71 ERA and 17 Ks in his first 12.2 IP.

Stash Strategy for These 2026 Prospect Watch Standouts

Redraft vs. Dynasty Guidance

Treat your redraft and dynasty fantasy baseball team’s roster as a work in progress and monitor minor league hitters and pitchers here and here.

Triple-A players obviously have the best chance of receiving an in-season promotion. However, if a Double-A player is especially hot and a big-league team has a need for a player with their skillset, they’ll also have a good chance of being promoted.

Make targeting top fantasy baseball prospects who are already on their respective MLB team’s 40-man roster a priority. An MLB team doesn’t have to make a corresponding roster move if they want to add a player already on their 40-man roster.

Service time manipulation had been a hot button topic between owners and players in the past. Some small market teams would often delay promoting their top young talent so that they could squeeze an extra year of control over a player before they’d be allowed to become a free agent.

With new incentives in place, allowing for teams to receive an extra draft pick if a rookie finishes top three in Rookie of the Year or top five in MVP/Cy Young voting before arbitration eligibility, MLB teams have been more likely to have top prospects make their Opening Day rosters. Teams have been actively promoting top fantasy baseball prospects this season, making stashing top prospects who appear close to being major league ready a good strategy.

Upcoming Call-Up Watch List for the Next 7-14 Days

Prospects to Monitor Closely

Payton Tolle, Red Sox

With Sonny Gray hitting the IL due to a hamstring strain, Tolle is the probable starter for the Red Sox against the Orioles on Saturday April 25th. If Tolle pitches well, he might stick in the Red Sox rotation even after Gray’s return. Brayan Bello has struggled (6.75 ERA), and you never know if Garret Crochet’s recent struggles might be due to a yet undetected injury.

Connor Prielip, Twins

With Mick Abel on the IL due to elbow inflammation, the Twins have added Kendry Rojas to their rotation. If Rojas falters, (and he has walked just under five batters per nine IP so far this season), the Twins might opt to promote Prielip. Ty Langenberg, who has been very effective pitching for the Twins’ Double-A affiliate this season, is also a name to keep on your watch list as a potential add to your dynasty roster. He has a 20:3 K:BB across his first 16.2 IP this season.

Robby Snelling, Marlins

With Janson Junk struggling in his last two starts and Snelling dealing in the minors he’s likely to join the Marlins starting rotation before long.

Ryan Waldschmidt, Diamondbacks

Jordan Lawlar hitting the IL has created a path for Waldschmidt to join the Diamondbacks outfield.

JJ Bleday, Reds

The Reds aren’t getting any offensive production from their outfield and for a team that plays their home games in a hitters park they have scored the fifth fewest runs so far this season. They’ve got nothing to lose in adding Bleday to their main roster. Bleday has a career .914 OPS in 31 at bats at the Great American Ballpark.

Fantasy Baseball Prospects: Strategy Moving Forward

Infusing your fantasy baseball rosters with top fantasy prospects can help ignite your fantasy team’s production but keep in mind that for every Sal Stewart, who is tearing the cover off the ball, there’s a Carson Benge, who is in danger of being sent down to the minor leagues. Temper your expectations when it comes to rostering fantasy baseball prospects. However, if you regularly monitor minor league player statistics and keep up with the latest MLB news, you’ll be able to identify the next wave of emerging fantasy baseball prospects and the MLB teams needing roster improvements.

2026 Fantasy Baseball Prospect Watch: Questions Answered

Which prospects are making the strongest case for a 2026 call-up?
Several Triple-A standouts are posting elite metrics and forcing MLB teams’ hands. The full watch list ranks them by urgency and fantasy upside.

When could these prospects be called up?
Projected call-up windows range from the next 7-14 days to early May, depending on team needs and performance.

Should managers stash these prospects in redraft leagues?
Yes in deeper formats; the recap provides exact roster spot priority and drop thresholds.

How do these prospects affect waiver-wire strategy right now?
Add the highest-priority stash candidates immediately while they are still available in most leagues.

What is the long-term fantasy outlook for these 2026 prospect watch standouts?
Many carry elite ceilings and could become cornerstone pieces in dynasty leagues if they sustain their early success.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the Fantasy section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Reese spent her first two WNBA seasons in Chicago, where she emerged as one of the top players in the league. Although the Sky failed to make the playoffs in both years, Reese still earned two All-Star appearances, averaging 14.1 points on 42.1% shooting, 12.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game for her career. And one Dream guard is certainly excited to add her to the team.

Jordin Canada spent her first six WNBA seasons with the Seattle Storm and Los Angeles Sparks, winning two WNBA championships and earning two All-Defensive First Team selections. She joined the Dream in 2024 and has spent the past two seasons in Atlanta. In 2025, she remained a key contributor, averaging 11.2 points on 39.6% shooting, 3.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game.

On Tuesday, Canada spoke to the media during a training camp press conference, discussing Atlanta’s acquisition of Reese. The guard also addressed Reese’s intensity and attitude, admitting that it is something the Dream “really needed.”

"With Angel, just being who she is, her intensity, her grit that she brings, the energy that she brings, and her attitude, I think that’s something that we really needed that she’s bringing in," Canada said. "And just her playmaking ability and her being able to rebound. Everybody loves the double-double queen... That'll add to the arsenal as well.”

🎥| Jordin Canada on having Angel Reese on the team

“…with Angel, just being who she is, her intensity,…, her attitude I think that’s something that we really needed that she’s bringing in, and just her playmaking ability…”

[via MTMV Sports Network yt] pic.twitter.com/slGviHFnP3

— angel reese source (@ar5source) April 21, 2026

Reese, Canada and the Dream will open the 2026 WNBA season on May 10, hitting the road to face the Minnesota Lynx.

Related: Caitlin Clark’s Former Iowa Teammate Made Available for Indiana Fever, WNBA

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

However, Clark knows full well that many people who came before her helped lay the roots of the franchise. One of those individuals is Lin Dunn.

Dunn joined the Fever in 2004 as a member of the coaching staff. She was promoted to head coach in 2008. It was Dunn who was sitting at the helm when the Fever won their first and only WNBA championship in 2012.

As a Fever coach, Dunn holds a record of 135-103 in seven seasons.

Dunn retired from coaching in 2014. However, she eventually decided to take on an assistant-coaching role with Kentucky for 6 years.

Dunn reunited with the Fever in 2022, this time as the organization’s new general manager. It was Dunn who selected Clark first overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft.

In October 2024, Dunn was moved to a senior advisor position, with Amber Cox taking over as the new GM. Dunn remains connected with the Fever today as a special consultant. In fact, the 78-year-old was spotted at training camp on Tuesday, cheering for the team.

The Fever posted a clip from practice that showed a brief interaction between Clark and Dunn. After hitting a three-pointer from the corner, Clark celebrated in front of Dunn, who gave the two-time All-Star her nod of approval.

View this post on Instagram

Clark took to the comments section of the post to make her opinion of Dunn very clear.

“Lin is my everything,” Clark wrote.

Clark has been with Dunn throughout the former’s time with the Fever. She has clearly formed a bond with the Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer.

Dunn will continue to support the squad in 2026, while providing key insight throughout the campaign. She remains a central and well-loved figure within the organization.

Related: Fever Rookie Raven Johnson Reacts to Stephanie White's Comments

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Let’s be honest: the worst part of camping is the midnight trek to a distant trailhead bathroom. And when you do finally reach that public bathroom, it's probably filled with spiders (and that's the best-case scenario my imagination has served up). For those looking for privacy and convenience for their travel bathroom needs, I've found just the deal.

Right now, Walmart is selling the Portale Foldable Camping Toilet Set with Privacy Tent for just $56. That's 50% off the retailer's strikethrough price of $111.

Gone are the days of using portapotties at the beach or glorified outhouses at camping grounds. This foldable set comes with a portable toilet and privacy tent that reviewers say is easy to set up and a "must-have" for travel. It's the ultimate convenience for those wanting an instant travel bathroom.

Key Features:

• Enhanced Comfort: Features an elongated 12-inch bucket toilet seat, providing a wider and higher experience similar to a home toilet for increased user comfort
• Robust Durability: Constructed from premium ABS plastic, this lightweight 4.8-pound portable toilet supports a substantial load capacity of 450-500 lbs
• Spacious Privacy: Includes a pop-up tent that measures 47.2 x 47.2 x 74.8 inches and is made from 170T silver-coated polyester with UPF 50+ that offers sun protection and eliminates shadows/silhouettes; comes with stakes and wind ropes for added stability
• Ventilated Design: The privacy tent has a large zippered top opening and a zippered side window to facilitate better ventilation, aiding in heat and odor dissipation
• Compact Portability: The entire kit, including the ergonomic folding toilet and privacy tent, collapses into a compact 22-inch storage bag for easy transport
• Versatile Functionality: This multi-functional design serves as a portable toilet or trash can, suitable for various outdoor activities and emergencies: Use it for camping, festivals, sports events, beach trips, backyard parties, or as a makeshift shower (just remove the toilet and affix a hose to the vent)

Rave Reviews: 4.7/5 Stars

With over 150 reviews, Walmart buyers give this privacy tent with toilet a strong average rating of 4.7 stars out of five. Reviewers say it's easy to assemble, lightweight, and perfect for travel. They also appreciate its affordability.

A recurring comment in the reviews was to watch the video (I'm assuming a link is sent with the assembly instructions) on how to take down and return the set to its storage bag. Several reviewers mentioned being frustrated until they learned how to properly disassemble the whole setup.

Below are a few excerpts from the reviews of happy buyers.

• "If you go camping, this is a must! Very easy to install and use! When I took it out the other campers were hesitant. But after the first day everyone asked me to leave a link. Easy to assemble and store. Light and easy to carry."
• "It was well packaged and I thought it was easy to assemble. Very good and safe for adults as well as a four-year-old. Everything was provided except toilet paper and towels. Good quality overall."
• "This product is a great invention! The tent is easy to pitch. The bathroom is great! Sturdy, comfortable and long lasting! Trash bag compatible. Buy, buy, buy!"

Portale Foldable Camping Toilet Set with Privacy Tent, $56 (Was $111) at Walmart

More Walmart Deals Worth Checking Out:

• Walmart’s $9 ‘Beyond Comfortable’ Slip-On Clogs Are Temperature-Regulating & 50% Off
• Walmart’s $120 Electric Scooter Is 48% Off, Folds Quickly, and Reaches 19 MPH
• Walmart $7 Fleece Sweatshirts Are Lightweight, Comfortable, and 53% Off
• Walmart's $200 Pop-Up Canopy Tent Is Now $90 — 'Super Easy to Set Up' in Minutes

Pop-Up Tent With Toilet: Why We Love It

We love this foldable tent with toilet because it’s the ultimate "peace of mind" purchase. It's easy to set up, provides privacy, and folds flat enough to slide under a car seat. Whether you're using it as a changing room at the beach, a portable shower at the lake, or a private restroom deep in the woods, it brings a level of home comfort to the wild that's hard to find for under $100.

The Bottom Line

While a standard tent handles your sleep, this kit handles your sanity. At a 50% discount, you’re essentially paying for the peace of mind that comes with skipping the spider-filled outhouse and the long midnight treks. If you have a road trip, music festival, or camping excursion on the 2026 calendar, grabbing this $56 bathroom solution is the smartest investment you’ll make in your own comfort.

This purchase qualifies for free shipping. Walmart says it is "final sale" and not eligible for returns.

Related: Amazon’s $10 UPF 50+ Sun Shirts Are ‘Super Lightweight’ & 60% Off

Related: Nike’s $160 Futuristic & 'Gorgeous' Air Max Sneakers Are Now Just $78

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the Deals section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Fever coach Stephanie White was delighted when the team scooped up Johnson in the first round of the draft. She was on the phone with the reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year immediately after the Fever drafted her, and White was clearly excited with the team’s latest recruit.

On Tuesday at training camp, White had more praise for her rookie.

White had nothing but good things to say about Johnson, particularly with what she brings to the table on the defensive end.

“Well, I mean, certainly what we knew is that she's a bear on the defensive end of the floor,” White said of Johnson. “You know, she's got great active hands. You know, she doesn't seem to get in mismatched situations because of her activity level on the defensive end.

“Her arms are like forever long. And she's, you know, just working her way into figuring out the playbook. She's a high-level communicator, so she does a really good job of communicating, especially with us on the sideline asking questions.

“She wants to know what she needs to do to continue to get better, and I think that that's a great start.”

View this post on Instagram

Johnson caught wind of her coach’s comments. The 5-foot-8 guard shared the video on her Instagram stories, along with a subtle reaction.

“❤️🤞🏾” Johnson captioned her post.

Johnson clearly appreciates the confidence White has in her. The rookie will now have to prove why White is so high on her and why the Fever used their first-round pick on her.

Johnson won two national championships with the Gamecocks in college. As a senior, the AP All-American guard averaged 9.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 triples per game.  

Related: Fever Facing Backlash After Unexpected Raven Johnson Move

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Los Angeles enters Tuesday’s game with a 1-0 series lead after defeating Houston at home in Game 1 on Saturday night.

In Saturday’s victory over the Rockets, Luke Kennard led the way for the Lakers as he recorded 27 points, four rebounds and three assists while LeBron James added 19 points, eight rebounds and 13 assists of his own.

Now Los Angeles will try to use home court to their advantage once again on Tuesday as they try to take a commanding 2-0 series lead with a victory over the Rockets.

On the other side, Houston enters Tuesday’s contest trailing 0-1 in the series after losing on the road to the Lakers in Game 1 on Saturday night.

Alperen Sengun led the way for the Rockets in Saturday’s loss as he ended the game with 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists while Amen Thompson recorded 17 points, 7 rebounds and seven assists.

While both teams are looking to pick up a victory in Game 2 on Tuesday night, both squads may be without multiple key players due to injuries.

Rockets Injury Report: Will Kevin Durant Play?

For the Rockets, they have three players listed on their injury report, including star forward Kevin Durant.

Houston has listed Durant as questionable due to a right knee contusion and he is in danger of missing his second consecutive contest due to the injury.

Kevin Durant is officially listed as QUESTIONABLE for Game 2: pic.twitter.com/rejXzwLzgm

— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) April 20, 2026

If Durant is sidelined once again, Reed Sheppard and Josh Okogie could both continue to have larger roles while the Rockets will likely rely on Sengun and Thompson to carry the load offensively.

The Rockets have ruled out Fred VanVleet as he continues to recover from a torn ACL while Steven Adams will miss the remainder of the season while recovering from ankle surgery.

Lakers Injury Report: Will Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves Play?

On the other side, the Lakers have two players listed on their injury report as they have ruled out both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

Los Angeles has ruled out Doncic due to a left hamstring strain as he will miss his seventh consecutive contest and he is expected to miss at least one more week with the injury.

Lakers’ injury report for Game 2 vs. Houston: pic.twitter.com/9pGZHFpChr

— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) April 20, 2026

The Lakers have also ruled out Reaves due to a left oblique strain as he will also miss his sixth straight game.

With both Doncic and Reaves still sidelined, James, Kennard and Rui Hachimura will likely all continue to have larger roles.

Fans can catch Game 2 of the first-round series between the Rockets and Lakers from Los Angeles on Tuesday night at 10:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

"Gerrit Cole will make his next rehab start on Thursday with High-A Hudson Valley, with Carlos Rodón following on Friday," Joyce reported.

Rodon is set to begin his rehab assignment on Friday. Cole's next rehab start will be on Thursday. Although Cole already began his rehab assignment, reports have suggested that Rodon will still return first.

Gerrit Cole will make his next rehab start on Thursday with High-A Hudson Valley, with Carlos Rodón following on Friday.

— Greg Joyce (@GJoyce9) April 21, 2026

Cole is recovering from Tommy John surgery. The Yankees are proceeding with extreme patience. Rodon is also recovering from an elbow injury, but he did not have Tommy John surgery. Assuming no setbacks occur, it seems as if Rodon will return first. However, things could change.

Regardless, both starters are getting closer to returning to New York's starting rotation. At 13-9 overall and in first place in the American League East, the Yankees have played a respectable brand of baseball this season. They have not let the injuries play too big of a role in their overall performance.

With that being said, the ball club will not complain about Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon returning to the rotation.

Yankees' 2026 Starting Pitching

Max Fried has continued to lead the rotation. The southpaw currently holds a 2.97 ERA through five starts.

Cam Schlittler has performed well, turning in a stellar 1.95 ERA in his five outings. Other starters such as Will Warren (2.49 ERA) and Ryan Weathers (3.18 ERA) have also found success. The Yankees have a respectable amount of pitching depth, and some difficult decisions will need to be made once Cole and Rodon do return.

The Yankees are sixth in team ERA, fourth in WHIP, 10th in opponents batting average and 10th in total strikeouts. New York's pitching has been especially impressive considering the fact that two of the better starters in the league have yet to appear in a game in 2026.

The Yankees will provide further updates on Cole and Rodon's injury statuses as they are made available. As for Tuesday night's game between the Yankees and Red Sox, first pitch is scheduled for 6:45 PM EST in Boston.

Related: 5 Greatest New York Yankees Pitchers of All Time

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Collier sustained an ankle injury, which was later diagnosed as a Grade 2 tear of three ligaments in her left ankle and a muscle in her shin. She ended up undergoing surgery in January for both her left and right ankles.

Collier finished the 2025 season as the runner-up for the Most Valuable Player title behind Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson. Collier averaged 22.9 points on 53.1% shooting, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.6 steals, 1.5 blocks and 1.5 triples per game.

When Collier underwent surgery in January, the initial diagnosis was that she was set to miss four to six months. This meant that the five-time All-Star would not be available for the start of the new WNBA season in May.

The Lynx shared an update on Collier on Tuesday, and there has been a significant development in her road to recovery. The team announced the news via a press release on its website.

“Collier underwent successful surgery on her left ankle on March 24. Her rehabilitation is progressing as expected, and the current timeline for a return to on-court activities is early June. Further updates on Collier’s progress will be provided when available,” the release read.

As it turns out, Collier required another procedure on her left ankle in March. The silver lining, however, is that there appears to have been no setback in her original timetable.

Collier, who signed a massive $1.4 million, one-year supermax contract with the Lynx in free agency, is expected to resume on-court activities in early June. This aligns with the four-to-six-month timeframe given in January.  

Based on this latest update, Collier could potentially make her debut sometime in June. She would have missed roughly one month of the season by then. However, she would still have ample opportunity to make up for lost time for the rest of the campaign.

Related: Napheesa Collier Signs 1-Year Supermax Deal, Returns to Lynx: Report

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

While U.S. Soccer officials insist that the immediate impact on tournament preparation is minimal, the move has drawn significant criticism for its timing and potential long-term impact.

In a recent segment of his show Unleashed, Eric Wynalda didn't hold back on the current state of U.S. Soccer. While the departure of Crocker just months before the World Cup is a major blow, Wynalda suggests a much bigger shock is waiting in the wings.

Eric Wynalda Questions Pochettino's Future

According to Wynalda, the real "sting" will come immediately following the tournament. 

"If you think this stings that Matt Crocker left us two months before a World Cup, two minutes after the World Cup is over, we'll find out where Mauricio Pochettino has already agreed to coach."

He claims that USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure is essentially a short-term arrangement, alleging that the U.S. Soccer Federation isn't even the one footing his bill. 

Instead, Wynalda suggests that private ‘pseudo-owners’ are subsidizing Pochettino's salary, leaving the manager with little to no loyalty to the federation itself.

"But let's face it, we've been played. That's how this works. We actually have a manager, Mauricio Pochettino, who the U.S. Soccer Federation isn't even paying for. He's got relationships with billionaires, and they have influence on his decision-making, by the way. That's why he loves the movie Miracle."

"But the truth is, the U.S. Soccer Federation isn't paying Mauricio Pochettino. There's, I don't know, pseudo-owners who are subsidizing his salary. What does he owe the U.S. Soccer Federation? Nothing. He's doing a job."

View this post on Instagram

Wynalda ended by suggesting that the recent leadership changes are only the beginning of a larger shift.

"And by the way, if you think this stings that Matt Crocker left us two months before a World Cup, two minutes after the World Cup is over, we'll find out where Mauricio Pochettino has already agreed to coach. Because guess what? It's just a [expletive] job."

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the Soccer section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Talladega is next up on the schedule, a wildcard weekend. Without win-and-in, the dynamic of these superspeedway races has changed. Will we see a surprise winner, and will effect the Chase in a meaningful way?

Right now, these are the 10 best drivers in the Cup Series. Perhaps that will change at Dega, but these are the drivers and teams who have been trending up, for the most part, these last few weeks.

10. William Byron - Hendrick Motorsports (-1)

While William Byron managed to score a top-10 finish at Kansas, that was not the entire story. For most of the race, prior to overtime, Byron was average at best. He sits at 7th in the points and will try to bounce back at Talladega.

9. Bubba Wallace - 23XI Racing (+1)

For Bubba Wallace, the last two weeks went well. Bristol and Kansas have provided a nice bounce back after a couple of disappointing races at Darlington and Martinsville. Wallace is hoping to climb the point standings once again, and a win at Talladega would do a lot for his efforts.

8. Brad Keselowski - RFK Racing (-)

Mr. Steady this season. Brad Keselowski is perhaps the most consistent driver in the Cup Series this season. He picked up another top-10 finish and was hovering right around the back half of that group for most of the race. The entire RFK Racing group has been very evenhanded this season. Will they find winning speed soon?

7. Christopher Bell - Joe Gibbs Racing (-)

Since he was more or less dumped in overtime, Christopher Bell isn't going to get dinged for his P20 finish at Kansas. He stays put this week right here at No.7 because he otherwise had a very strong race. Bell has yet to win this year, but he's had great speed at times already.

6. Chase Elliott - Hendrick Motorsports (-1)

Chase Elliott is no stranger to winning at Talladega. We will see if he is able to get the job done this Sunday. For Elliott, it's been a solid season so far. He won at Martinsville and is 6th in the points. Another top-10 finish has Elliott looking good almost halfway through the regular season.

5. Kyle Larson - Hendrick Motorsports (+1)

Since Kyle Larson was so fast and led so many laps at Kansas, I had to move him above Elliott this week. Larson notoriously has a bad relationship with superspeedways, so this might be a lost week for the No. 5 team. Then again, any stage points or strong finish that might come of this race will only be bonuses.

4. Ryan Blaney - Team Penske (-2)

Where was the speed from Team Penske at Kansas? Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano, Logano even more so, were stuck in the back all day long. No speed, no ability to improve it during the race. Just a dud of a race overall. So, Blaney falls two spots for his first real hiccup of the year.

3. Ty Gibbs - Joe Gibbs Racing (-)

Seven straight top-10 finishes for Ty Gibbs. He barely held on there at the end in overtime with a P9. Gibbs is a legitimate championship threat this season. It feels like he is likely to win almost every week at this point. They are almost always one or two adjustments away from making a real run at the lead.

2. Denny Hamlin - Joe Gibbs Racing (+2)

Heartbreak for Denny Hamlin in overtime once again. He loses at Kansas to Tyler Reddick, but he can't even enjoy the win as a team owner because of how close he was to winning. Hamlin settled for P4, but he wanted a lot more. Led the most laps, won a stage, so Hamlin moves up this week.

1. Tyler Reddick - 23XI Racing (-)

No one is taking this top spot from Tyler Reddick unless something major happens for multiple weeks in a row. Reddick can seemingly do no wrong and has now won three races rom the pole this season, four if you count Atlanta where qualifying was rained out. If Reddick is on the pole, is that a sign he's on his way to victory?

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the Racing section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Since quarterback Patrick Mahomes took over as a starter in 2018, the worst finish Kansas City has had was the AFC championship. Mahomes has been a revelation for the Chiefs, winning three Super Bowls (2020, 2023, 2024), Super Bowl MVP awards and two MVP awards (2018, 2022).

Justin Fields was traded to the Chiefs from the New York Jets in March for a seventh-round pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. The Jets tied the Arizona Cardinals, the Tennessee Titans and the Las Vegas Raiders for the worst record in the league (3-14) last season. Fields performed admirably, throwing for 1,259 yards on a 62.7% completion percentage with seven touchdowns and one interception.

Fields is expected to be Mahomes’ backup in 2026, and part of the unwritten rules for a backup quarterback in the NFL is to have a strong relationship with the team, especially the starting quarterback. During a press conference on Tuesday, Fields discussed his relationship with Mahomes. He also shared his excitement for the upcoming season, noting that he and Mahomes have not talked much and that he plans to learn from the 6-foot-2 quarterback.

"Yeah, I mean, of course, Coach Reid — he’s been in the NFL for a long time," Fields said. "He has had a lot of success and, you know, is very smart. So that was, of course, a deciding factor for me, an exciting factor when I came here. And then, of course, Pat — I kind of, we of course knew of each other, but we didn’t really communicate before coming here — so I’m excited to learn from him. I’m already kind of picking his brain a little bit and just observing how he goes about things in the meeting room and on the field and stuff like that. I’m excited to learn and excited, of course, to work with Coach Reid, EB and all the guys on offense."

#Chiefs QB Justin Fields says Andy Reid was a “deciding factor” in his decision to join the team.

Fields added on working alongside Patrick Mahomes: “I’m already kind of picking his brain a little bit and just observing how he goes about things in the meeting room, on the field,… pic.twitter.com/SEYRJ6EOpZ

— KC Sports Network (@KCSportsNetwork) April 21, 2026

Kansas City has two picks (No. 9, No. 29) in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, which begins on April 23.

Related: Andy Reid Reveals Impact of Xavier Worthy's Injury on 2025 Season

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Still, Boozer was a key piece for the Blue Devils during his freshman season, even stepping into the starting lineup during March Madness after guard Caleb Foster went down with an injury. In 38 games, including 11 starts, Boozer averaged 7.7 points on 50.0% shooting, 2.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 22.8 minutes per game. Despite the disappointing end to the season, Boozer is set to return to Durham for 2026-27, where he will be joined by a former Big Ten star.

John Blackwell, a 6-foot-4 junior guard out of Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, was a three-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class (247Sports). While his overall ranking was not particularly high coming out of high school, he was ranked as the No. 29 combo guard in his class and the No. 3 prospect in the state of Michigan.

Blackwell spent his first three college seasons with the Wisconsin Badgers, earning an immediate role off the bench as a freshman. He saw his minutes increase in each of the next two seasons, with this past year marking his best, as he averaged career highs of 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while earning third-team All-Big Ten honors.

But following his junior year, Blackwell entered the NCAA transfer portal, looking to take his talents elsewhere for his senior season. And on Tuesday, he announced on social media that he will be joining Duke, choosing the Blue Devils over UCLA, Illinois and Arizona.

"Let’s do it! #TheBrotherhood," Blackwell wrote on Instagram.

Boozer quickly took notice of his new teammate’s decision, sending a message to Blackwell in the comments with four devil emojis: “😈😈😈😈.”

View this post on Instagram

Duke fans have reason to be excited for the 2026-27 season, but they are still awaiting decisions from two of their biggest stars, including Boozer’s twin brother, Cameron Boozer, who is expected to head to the NBA, and guard Isaiah Evans.

Related: Duke’s Isaiah Evans Reacts to Career Decision on Tuesday

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the College section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The biggest reason appears to be the eye-watering ticket prices, which have made the U.S. opener one of the most expensive matches of the entire tournament. While other World Cup games have sold out quickly, many fans seem unwilling to pay premium prices just to watch the USMNT kick off its campaign in Los Angeles.

The pricing of the tickets has been a point of contention amongst fans for a long time now and with the World Cup just a few months away, the reality of shunning away fans with sky high prices is slowly settling in.

A Disaster in the Making?

For a tournament match involving the host nation, the buzz around the United States opener has been surprisingly quiet. The June clash with Paraguay in Los Angeles was supposed to be one of the hottest tickets of the summer, but instead it has become one of the few matches where demand does not seem to match the hype.

A big part of the problem is simple: fans think the prices are outrageous. FIFA put the U.S. opener near the very top of its pricing scale, asking supporters to pay several times more than what fans are paying for many other group-stage games. Instead of creating excitement, it seems to have pushed a lot of people away.

That has left the opener in an awkward spot. While other matches in Los Angeles are selling faster, the U.S. game has been stuck with large amounts of inventory still available. There are signs that some fans are choosing to save their money for later matches instead, especially games in cities where tickets are cheaper and easier to justify.

The resale market is also telling a story. Plenty of fans who already bought seats appear to be trying to get rid of them, with some listings now dropping below the original price. That is not something you normally see for what should be one of the marquee games of the tournament.

There may also be a bigger issue at play here. FIFA may have overestimated how much casual American fans are willing to spend to watch the USMNT, especially in Los Angeles where international fanbases often outnumber local support. Unless prices come down, there is a real chance the tournament opener could have far more empty seats than anyone expected.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the Soccer section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

As the West's No. 4 seed, Los Angeles handled the fifth-seeded Rockets 107-98 on Sunday, and they carry a 24-16 all-time postseason record in this matchup into the next one. The win was good. The injury picture surrounding it, not so much.

Both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves sat out Game 1, and neither has a clear return date. That pushed LeBron James into a heavier load at 41 years old. He held up well, posting 19 points on efficient shooting, 13 assists and eight rebounds across 38 minutes. The Lakers got the result, but leaning that heavily on LeBron every night is a balance that has its limits.

ESPN's Shams Charania offered an update on Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves during a recent appearance on NBA Today, and the news was a mixed bag.

"The sense around the Lakers is that Austin Reaves is actually the one that's further along than Luka Doncic in their respective rehab processes," Charania said. "I am told Austin Reaves has started 1-on-1 on-court work. The next step for him is to continue to go through the progressions of 3-on-3 and 5-on-5."

Reaves is dealing with an oblique injury, and the early April timeline pointed to a four-to-six-week recovery window. If he stays on track, a return late in this series or at the start of the next round is a realistic possibility. Doncic's hamstring situation is a different story entirely.

"The Lakers are not expecting Luka Doncic to be back in this series," Charania added. "He is out indefinitely."

That's a significant blow for a team built around the NBA's leading scorer this season. For now, the rest of the roster has to carry the weight.

In Game 1, they did a decent job of it. LeBron controlled things as the primary option, Luke Kennard and the rest of the starters contributed steadily, and the defense held Houston to just 37.6 percent shooting while the Lakers converted 60.6 percent of their own attempts.

A nine-point win looks clean on paper, but the game stayed closer than those numbers suggest. Turnovers and poor rebounding kept giving the Rockets extra possessions, and Houston made them pay enough to stay in it.

Those are fixable issues, but with Doncic out indefinitely and Reaves still working his way back, the Lakers cannot afford to keep handing opponents lifelines.

Related: Lakers Face Uncertainty as Jeanie Buss Addresses LeBron James Retirement Decision

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

With this result, Chelsea has dropped to 7th in the league table with 48 points, and their chances to qualify for the Champions League next season have been hindered massively.

Chelsea only has four Premier League games left this season, and the highest possible number of points the team can finish on in the league table is 60 points. This can highly favor Manchester United, who are third in the Premier League table.

Manchester United defeated Chelsea 1-0 away from home over the weekend, which positioned them as one of the first teams to qualify for the Champions League next season, alongside Arsenal and Manchester City.

Has Manchester United Qualified for the Champions League?

Following Chelsea's loss to Brighton tonight, Manchester United has still not qualified for the Champions League next season, but they are very close.

The result puts them in a very good position to qualify for the Champions League if they continue to win their upcoming games, and it will depend on teams between 4th and 11th to drop points in the next games.

Brighton's win over Chelsea puts them 6th with 50 points, and they have four games left. The maximum number of points Brighton can finish on is 62 points, only four points more than where Manchester United sits now.

In the next matchweek, Manchester United needs two more wins to secure Champions League football next season. They play Brentford next Monday and then Liverpool at home on May 3, 2026.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the Soccer section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The teams that finish in the top five positions of the Premier League table qualify for the Champions League next season.

Arsenal and Manchester City have qualified for the Champions League next season, with Arsenal currently on 70 points after 33 games and Manchester City on 67 points after 32 games played.

Manchester United is third with 58 points, but is only five points away from securing Champions League football next season.

Chelsea has dropped to 7th in the league table with 48 points, and Brighton, who have just beaten them, has overtaken them by sitting 6th with 50 points.

Can Chelsea Still Qualify for the Champions League After Losing to Brighton?

Yes, Chelsea is still in contention to qualify for the Champions League next season after losing to Brighton in the Premier League tonight.

Chelsea and Brighton have four league games left this season, with Brighton now having a higher chance of qualifying for the Champions League than Chelsea.

Chelsea will not only need to win all four of their remaining Premier League games, but also hope that Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool, and Brighton drop points in the next few matchweeks.

The maximum number of points Chelsea can finish on this Premier League season is 60 points. Manchester United (3rd) and Aston Villa (4th) are on 58 points, and Liverpool (5th) is on 55 points; all three teams have five league games left this season.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the Soccer section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

However, some advanced stats tell us a different story. Our current list of “Bad Luck Hitters” features players whose contact at the plate hasn’t translated to the box score. Sure, that’s frustrating now. But there are signs these slumps won’t last forever.

Strap in, fantasy owners. It’s time to let the fancy stats tell you if a hitter can break out of his slump, and what that means for your fantasy roster moves.

Meet the Metrics

Simply looking at “hits” and “home runs” won’t tell you if a hitter can get back on track. Get to know the math-y stuff before meeting our list of unlucky sluggers.

Batting Average vs. xBA

You already know what batting average is. Expected batting average (xBA) measures the likelihood of a hit based on a batter’s exit velocity and launch angle. This metric cuts the defense out of the picture, showing the quality of a hit rather than the outcome.

wOBA

Run-of-the-mill On-Base Percentage (OBP) treats all ways of getting on base equally. (Walks are the same as hits are the same as being hit by a pitch, etc., etc.) “Weighted On-Base Average (wOBA) assigns different values to ways a hitter can get on base. So, a player who walks a lot won’t have the same wOBA as a player who is on base the same number of times for actual base hits.

The league average for wOPA is around .319 in early 2026, according to Statcast.

xwOBA

“Expected Weighted On-Base Average.” This measures the quality of contact, not the outcome of a hit. Exit velocity of a line drive instead of whether said line drive is caught, for example. Statcast puts the league average for this metric at .323.

What This Means for Unlucky Hitters

The gap between wOBA and xwOBA and its relation to batting averages tells us which hitters are crushing the ball, but unfortunately, hitting right into the defense’s gloves.

The skill and power are there, but boy are these players not getting rewarded for it.

The Naylor Brothers: A Family Affair of Misfortune

Josh Naylor’s Elite Underperformance

We’ve highlighted the first baseman’s slow start and .174 batting average before. What we haven’t looked at is his .232 xBA or his .294 xwOBA. Naylor’s still hitting the ball hard, it’s just going straight into a fielder’s mitt.

This is the definition of a “luck gap.” But if this Seattle Mariner keeps keep hitting hard, the ball should eventually drop his way.

Bo Naylor’s Contrast

Josh’s younger brother is in a slightly different boat. The Cleveland Guardians catcher has a low batting average of .143, but his plate discipline gives him a solid walk rate. This suggests his tepid .208 on-base percentage will normalize rapidly once his .203 wOBA catches his .355 xwOBA.

Ke’Bryan Hayes and Kyle Manzardo: Advanced Metric Darlings

Why Hayes is a Statistical Outlier

Hayes’ “luck gap” is a real marvel. He possesses a ghastly .071 batting average, while his xBA is .231. The gap between his wOBA (.108) and his xwOBA (.290) are the highest in the league, according to Statcast.

With such a large gap in overall stats and quality, it’s no wonder fantasy managers are wary of rostering him. (But more on your fantasy moves a little later.)

Why Manzardo’s Correction Will Be Swift and Impactful

Manzardo’s .182 average and .157 wOBA don’t reveal his balanced approach at the plate. It also doesn’t show his .285 xwOBA. The Guardians infielder went 8-for-23 (.347) over a six-game span in mid-April, so his luck appears to already be turning around.

Busting the Superstar Slumps: Acuna and Witt

Don’t Panic on Ronald Acuna Jr.

Most managers already know Acuna is a high-risk fantasy pickup. That made most owners sweat when he slashed .167/.273/.222 in March. But the slugger appears to be finding his groove and a little like, and the gap between his wOBA and xwOBA has shrunk to -.071.

Don’t Give Up on Bobby Witt Jr.

Witt’s .287 batting average and .370 on-base percentage are fine. His .329 wOBA and .379 xwOBA suggest he could be better. Since he went 8-for-20 over his most recent five-game stretch (.400), Witt’s luck is already trending in the right direction.

Fantasy Trends for These 2026 Hitters

What do all these decimals and digits mean?

That the "correction" for these fantasy baseball bad-luck hitters is a matter of when, not if. History dictates that hitters with large gaps in these metrics in early April typically see a massive spike in production come May and June.

In the fantasy world, these hitters could be discounted right now since they aren’t meeting their ADPs. When their quality at-bats start yielding better results, their prices will go up.

Owners should buy low on players like Manzardo who are turning the corner. They should also hold players like Naylor, whose high contact rate promises better results as the season continues.

The Bottom Line for These Bad Luck Hitters

Your fantasy baseball sluggers may be struggling out the gate. But a gap in their advanced metrics can tell managers which hitters are destined to bust their slumps.

Fantasy managers should keep these stats in mind when they tweak their rosters, to either buy low on a slow starter or hold a hitter whose luck is turning around.

Your 2026 Bad Luck Hitter Questions Answered

What is the difference between wOBA and xwOBA?
wOBA measures actual production based on outcomes, while xwOBA estimates expected results using contact quality. A higher xwOBA than wOBA signals bad luck and likely positive regression.

Is Josh Naylor a buy-low candidate in 2026?
Yes. His expected stats far exceed his actual production, indicating strong underlying performance that should normalize over time.

Why is Ronald Acuna Jr. struggling so far?
It’s largely BABIP-driven. His underlying metrics remain elite, suggesting the results should improve as luck evens out.

Should I drop Bo Naylor for a hotter catcher?
No. His plate discipline and expected metrics suggest better production ahead, making patience the better play.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the Fantasy section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Cowboys' biggest struggles last year came on the defensive side of the ball. They ranked 30th in total yards per game allowed (377) and 32nd in points per game allowed (30.1).

Owner/general manager Jerry Jones dove into the offseason looking to make improvements. Two of the biggest moves included signing safety Jalen Thompson to a three-year, $33 million deal and trading a 2027 fourth-round pick to the Green Bay Packers for EDGE Rashan Gary.

However, with the 2026 NFL Draft approaching, the Cowboys may be looking to make another move. Bleacher Report's Alex Kay predicts Dallas will trade for New York Giants EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux.

"New York isn't likely to garner any offers better than a late-Day 2 or early-Day 3 pick for his services," Kay wrote. "Dallas has several draft picks in this range it could use to make a run at Thibodeaux, including Nos. 92 and 112 overall... Trading for Thibodeaux is the type of gamble the Cowboys must make if they are going to make significant defensive strides in 2026 following last year's abysmal showing."

Thibodeaux appeared in 10 games for the Giants last season, racking up 25 tackles, 2.5 sacks, five tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits, 11 pressures and two pass deflections. It wasn't an extremely productive year, but his 11.5 sacks back in 2023 do show the ability to have more of an impact.

As Kay noted, it likely wouldn't take more than a mid-round pick to acquire him, making it a low-risk move. The Cowboys also wouldn't be tied to the pass rusher long-term. Thibodeaux is set to hit free agency after the 2026 season, playing on a $14.75 million fifth-year option.

A move like this could give Dallas a much-needed boost off the edge, adding a young playmaker to their defensive front before the 2026 season.

Related: Micah Parsons Reacts After Cowboys Announcement on Monday

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Besides the fun, liberating experience they offer when cruising down the street, one of the main reasons I’d pick an electric scooter is portability, especially when compared to bicycles, which are bulkier and more susceptible to theft.

E-scooters are your best bet when you need to move quickly through crowded areas, get across campus, or speed up your short commute to work.

If that's you, Walmart has the Kalorace folding electric scooter on sale for 48% off right now, dropping it from $229 all the way down to $120 (plus shipping) in the S8 pattern. Plus, you can choose either blue or red wheel accents.

Reviews: What Buyers Say About This Foldable E-Scooter

With its 350-watt motor, this scooter can handle 15-20 degrees of incline on hills, reach a maximum speed of 19 mph, and support riders up to 265 pounds, so we like it as a reliable option for most adults or teens. Its battery takes 4-5 hours to fully charge, and that offers a range of 16-20 miles per charge.

About 90% of this scooter's first three dozen ratings on Walmart's website were perfect, with a solid average of 4.8 stars out of 5.0.

“I'm a big guy, and it actually moves me around easily,” one reviewer wrote. “The suspension actually works surprisingly well, and the drum brake will slow you down quickly. Overall, it's a great scooter for the price and is fun to ride to work."

Kalorace Electric Scooter, $120 (was $229) at Walmart

More E-Scooter and E-Bike Deals at Walmart

• $120 Electric Scooter Folds in 3 Seconds, and Reaches 19 MPH
• $1,100 Electric Mountain Bike Is Now $360, and It Reaches 25 MPH

Other Reasons We Like This Deal

• Safety Features: The brakes allow you to slow down or stop safely, preventing accidents, while the headlights are great for visibility, especially during evening commutes.
• Smart App Control and LED Display: Using the dedicated App, you can control everything from your smartphone: set a custom maximum speed, switch ride modes, lock/unlock scooter, control headlights, or manage cruise control. If using a phone is not an option, you also have an LED display that lets you monitor your power, headlights, speed, and more.
• Comfortable on Most Terrains: Its 8-inch honeycomb tires are suitable for gravel, tarmac, and grass. This makes it a great choice for both on-roading and light off-roading, and perfect for commuting. Depending on your needs, you also have three riding modes to choose from.
• Portable and Foldable: The scooter measures 42 by 17 by 43 inches and weighs only 27 pounds, which makes transportation and storage a breeze. A foldable design lets you easily carry it around, store it in the trunk of a car, or carry it with you on public transport.

The Bottom Line

For only $120, you're getting an environmentally friendly commuter scooter that can handle most daily terrains and make it nearly 20 miles on a single charge. So, why take the car when you can easily bypass local traffic and not worry about parking spots or gas?

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the Deals section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.