Minnesota Teams

The Timberwolves host the Portland Trail Blazers tonight, so if you're looking for something to do, that's your Friday night game. No score yet — tip-off is still ahead. Minnesota has been one of the better teams in the Western Conference this season, so this is a good chance to tune in if you've been meaning to catch a game.

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NFL

Free agency is still the main story, and ESPN graded 16 moves with an "A" out of more than 60 signings and trades this offseason — so teams are making deals, some smart and some not. Quarterback Kenny Pickett signed with the Carolina Panthers, drawn in by head coach Dave Canales; Pickett is a former starter looking to resurrect his career after struggling in Pittsburgh. The Atlanta Falcons also picked up safety Sydney Brown in a trade from the Philadelphia Eagles without giving up much — analysts liked that deal for Atlanta.

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NBA

LeBron James just tied Robert Parish's all-time record for most games played in NBA history at 1,611 games — he'll break it with his next appearance, which is a big deal because it means he's been healthy and playing at an elite level longer than anyone ever has. The Oklahoma City Thunder, this year's reigning NBA champions, are in Washington D.C. to play the Wizards on Saturday but announced they won't be visiting the White House, citing a "timing issue." Meanwhile, there's an NBA rule requiring players to appear in at least 65 games to be eligible for awards like MVP, and several big names — including Kawhi Leonard — are in danger of falling short.

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MLB

Spring training is wrapping up, and a few names worth knowing heading into the 2026 season: Detroit has a rising young star drawing attention, and the New York Yankees still haven't sorted out their shortstop situation. Pittsburgh's Paul Skenes — last year's breakout young pitcher — is already getting buzz as a favorite to lead the league in several pitching categories this season. Opening Day is right around the corner.

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NHL

The Colorado Avalanche became the first team to officially clinch a playoff spot this season — they're in, everyone else is still fighting. There's a big 11-game Saturday slate with real playoff implications across the league, so this weekend matters a lot for the bubble teams. The Buffalo Sabres have been one of the surprise stories of the season, charging into the top three of the latest power rankings.

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College Sports

March Madness is delivering the drama. Kentucky's Otega Oweh hit a 50-foot buzzer-beating three-pointer to beat Santa Clara — one of those shots you'll see on highlight reels for years. Duke, the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament, had a scare against Siena before pulling away — a reminder that no one is safe in March. In an upset for the ages, tiny High Point University knocked off Wisconsin, with a seventh-year senior named Chase Johnston becoming an overnight folk hero for his three-point shooting.

Purdue's Braden Smith also broke the all-time NCAA career assists record, passing Bobby Hurley's mark with his 1,077th assist — meaning he's set up more baskets than any college player in history. North Carolina lost in the first round for the second straight year, and there are now real questions about whether their coach, Hubert Davis, is on the hot seat (his contract buyout would cost the school a significant amount to end early).

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Other Sports

In golf, Sungjae Im holds a one-shot lead at the Valspar Championship heading into the weekend, with Jordan Spieth lurking after a late rally in round two. Im hasn't won on the PGA Tour since 2021, so he'll be hungry to close it out. In soccer, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will miss about six weeks with an injury, which is bad timing — he'll likely sit out the Champions League quarterfinals against Bayern Munich.