Spencer Strider, the Atlanta Braves fireballer just 369 days removed from undergoing his second Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery, was back on a major league mound – and making strikeout history once again.

Strider became the fastest starting pitcher to 500 career strikeouts Wednesday when he punched out Addison Barger in the fifth inning, and pitched into the sixth, showing much of the arsenal that made him one of the game’s most dynamic performers on the mound before his right elbow failed him again.

His first start of 2025 ended when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. led off the sixth with his first home run of the year, followed by a walk to Anthony Santander. Still, his 97 pitches thrown represented a massive victory given the last time he left a mound with his elbow cooked, just more than a year ago.

‘As long as he feels good, there’s no more determined or dedicated guy than him in the world,’ Braves manager Brian Snitker told reporters after Toronto defeated Atlanta 3-1. ‘He’ll continue to build on this. He’s come a long way to get to the point he’s on a major league mound again.’

His last time out in a game that counted came in his second start of 2024, and on April 13 he underwent a second ligament replacement along with the insertion of an internal brace. Ever curious of mind and diligent in his work, Strider was throwing bullpen sessions early in spring training, and had reached 90 pitches in a rehab start for Class AAA Gwinnett.

Wednesday, it was time to take the mound for real, at Toronto’s Rogers Centre.

The results were mixed but largely positive: Strider’s fastball topped out at 97.9 mph in the first inning and hovered in the 95 mph range thereafter. It dipped to 94 mph in the third, when he gave up consecutive hits to Bo Bichette and Guerrero, whose RBI double gave Toronto a 1-0 lead. He needed 27 pitches to complete the third, putting him at 60 overall.

But Strider, 26, found a second wind. He retired eight in a row in pitching clean fourth and fifth innings, and his strikeout of Barger came in just his 335th career inning, setting a new standard. And perhaps Atlanta manager Brian Snitker got a little greedy sending him out for the sixth.

Guerrero won a seven-pitch battle, sending a spinning full-count slider over the wall in left and after Santander walked, Strider was lifted.

Strider viewed the Guerrero at-bat as a microscosm of his mixed day: Jumping ahead 0-2 with a pair of well-executed sliders, followed by an inability to finish off one of the game’s greatest hitters.

‘Five two-strike pitches in one at bat. Oh for five,’ says Strider. ‘A lot of uncompetitive and poorly executed two-strike pitches. To not execute in those situations is frustrating, and it’s essential to my success and the team’s success.’

Indeed, the Braves are now 5-13, a grim start for a club that’s reached the playoffs seven consecutive seasons, and a punchless offense is largely to blame. Atlanta struck out 19 times, including 10 in five innings against Chris Bassitt.

‘We’re better than that,’ says Snitker, ‘but we’re not until we are.’

The offensive funk dampened the silver lining of Strider’s return, even as it marked a significant step forward for a pitcher who struck out a major league-high 281 batters in 2023, when he won 20 games. He led the majors with 483 strikeouts between 2022 and ’23.  

The huge strikeout numbers weren’t totally there on Wednesday, though a punchout an inning against just one walk will play. As his season unfolds, Strider’s stuff should tick upward.

For now, serving notice that he’s nearing return to the dominant pitcher he was will have to do.

‘He’s doing things nobody’s ever done. He’s extremely important to our club and to our rotation,’ says Snitker, whose club claiemd a wild card spot while Strider mended last season .’When you lose a guy like that – we made it work once. It’s just good to have him back.

‘He’s an unbelievable competitor and I’m just glad to have him back where I can look at him every day.’

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The NBA postseason is a grind, essentially a two-month micro season during which things can change very quickly.

It’s often the consistent teams, or the ones that catch fire and get hot or the ones carried by stars that end up with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.

This season, there is no shortage of stars, with a pair of Most Valuable Player candidates in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets carrying their teams. The Los Angeles Lakers will be entering their first playoffs of the LeBron James-Luka Dončić era. But, can anyone catch the defending champion Boston Celtics?

Here are nine storylines to watch headed into the 2025 NBA playoffs:

Eastern Conference

Do the Celtics have what it takes to repeat?

In terms of roster construction, the answer is unequivocally yes; this is essentially the same group that rolled through last postseason. Boston closed the season on a 29-6 run since Jan. 29. The Celtics were able to stagger the way they rested players in the final weeks. This team has a clear identity and shooters to space the floor. They have as good a chance as any to be the first team to repeat since the Warriors did seven years ago.

Will the Cavaliers, Knicks, or anyone else present a legitimate challenge?

This one feels like it’s up to the Cavs. The Celtics swept the Knicks in the four games they played this season, by an average margin of 16.3 points. The Pacers were hot down the stretch, but Indiana struggles on the glass. The Bucks, who closed the season on an eight-game winning streak, may get Damian Lillard (deep vein thrombosis) back during the postseason, so they’d be a team to watch.

Cleveland, meanwhile, split its four games with Boston, and all were close. The Cavs (first in the NBA in offensive rating; 121.0) have the spacing and offensive firepower to match Boston’s (second; 119.5).

Will any Play-In team in the East make a deep run?

Frankly, it’s tough to see any team posing a real threat. But if one were to pull it off, it would be the Magic, who finished the season strong, and tied for the NBA’s top defensive rating over the last 15 games, allowing 108.1 points per 100 possessions. As crazy as it sounds, there are times when Paolo Banchero almost looks like a young LeBron James, but Orlando’s offense simply stagnates too much. The Magic struggle to hit 3s (ranking dead last in 3-point makes per game at 11.2, and percentage at 31.8%), all of which makes it tough to see Orlando outscoring Boston or Cleveland in the first round.

How will the up-and-coming Pistons fare after breakthrough season?

Despite winning 44 games, 30 more than they did last season, the Pistons may still be a year or two from seriously contending for a conference championship. Detroit was decidedly average on offense, ranking 14th in rating (114.6). The team’s reliance on Cade Cunningham for shot making could allow the East’s better defenses to clamp up on him, and make other Pistons players beat them. Tobias Harris and Malik Beasley need to step up.

Western Conference

Are the Thunder ready to take the next steps?

Best record in the NBA (68-14). MVP candidate in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32.7 points, 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals per game). One of two teams to finish in the top five in offensive and defensive rating and the only team in the top three in both. Talent throughout the rotation with seven players averaging double-figures (SGA, Jalen Williams, Lu Dort, Chet Holmgren, Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe, Isaiah Hartenstein). Well coached (Mark Daigneault and staff). But the big question facing the Thunder: Can this iteration, which has just one playoff series victory and has not advanced beyond the conference semifinals, make the leap to the NBA Finals and NBA champion?

Does LeBron James have a deep run left, alongside Luka Doncic?

The Lakers were 20-17 in mid-January and were one of the best teams in the league the rest of the season, going 30-15 while acquiring Luka Doncic just before the trade deadline. The Lakers have flaws with limited versatility. Still, it’s LeBron James and Doncic and a solid supporting cast. The Lakers improved defensively, and Doncic provides an offensive dimension that few players possess. How many more deep playoff runs does the 40-year-old James have? And is Doncic just the player to help him get there?

A lot is at stake for the Nuggets

The Nuggets are two seasons removed from winning a title, but more pressing: they are about a week from firing head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth. To call it unusual timing is an understatement. A lot is at stake. Ownership is intent on winning another championship with All-NBA center Nikola Jokić playing like an MVP. He became the third player to average a triple-double in a season (29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, 10.2 assists per game) and the first player to finish in the top three in points, rebounds and assists in the same season. Interim coach David Adelman also is auditioning for the full-time gig.

How much can Jimmy Butler help the Warriors?

There’s no question Jimmy Butler, the Warriors’ all-in trade deadline acquisition, made Golden State better offensively and defensively. The Warriors were flailing at 25-26 on Feb. 6 and had to go 23-8 just to get the seventh seed and a spot in the play-in game. An offense led by Steph Curry and Butler and a defense led by Draymond Green and Butler is not your typical No. 7 seed. Not with that championship pedigree. Tuesday night’s play-in victory over the Memphis Grizzlies — in which Butler poured in a game-high 38 points — proved just how much value he can bring.

The West is loaded

Minnesota is the No. 6 seed — after reaching the West finals last season. The fifth-seeded Los Angeles Clippers put together an under-the-radar 50-win season. The Grizzlies were in second place at the midway point of the season, but finished eighth. Then, there’s Houston, the No. 2 seed. The Rockets won 52 games, the most the franchise has won since 2019, and they almost are overlooked despite a tremendous season. Whoever advances to the Finals from the West needs to beat quality team after quality team after quality team.

The Washington Commanders were one of the stories of the 2024 NFL season with their turnaround into NFC runners-up behind NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels at quarterback.

The team’s made more moves in the offseason to improve, acquiring wide receiver Deebo Samuel and tackle Laremy Tunsil in moves to surround Daniels with a better supporting cast.

Now, the franchise has its sights set on a potential new home for Daniels and the team in Washington, D.C.

The Commanders are close to a deal to build a new stadium at the old RFK Stadium site, per multiple reports. Mark Segraves of NBC4 was the first to report the news.

A completed deal would bring the franchise back to Washington, D.C., at the location it played at from 1961 to 1996. The team currently plays at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.

A new stadium is something Commanders owner Josh Harris has prioritized dating back to last offseason.

‘It’s taking up a lot of my own mind space to find our next home,’ Harris said in August 2024.

Mayor Muriel Bowser stated the 2026 budget is ready for the D.C. Council and any details on stadium spending will be included in that document. The District is currently facing $410 million in budget cuts imposed by Congress, which could impact potential spending.

Phil Mendelson, D.C. Council chairman, told the Washington Post that the council had not been informed or consulted on negotiations with the Commanders.

“I find it disturbing that the mayor believes a unilateral approach is the best course, especially when ultimately the council has to give approval,” he said to the Post.

Specifics of a potential deal have not been confirmed by either side.

Harris is a native of Chevy Chase, Maryland, located a couple miles from the Maryland-D.C. border. He led the investment group that bought the Commanders from Daniel Snyder for $6.05 billion in 2023. He also is part of the group that owns the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and NHL’s New Jersey Devils.

The NHL playoff bracket is now complete.

The Montreal Canadiens clinched the second wild-card seed in the Eastern Conference with a 4-2 victory against the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday night. The Canadiens head to the playoffs for the first time since their 2021 trip to the Stanley Cup Final. They’ll face the Washington Capitals in the first round.

Montreal needed only one point to clinch but got two goals from Kaiden Guhle, sandwiched around Nick Suzuki’s 30th goal of the season, which made it 2-1 in the second period. Carolina’s Tyson Jost cut the deficit to 3-2 in the third period, but Jake Evans put the game away with an empty-netter.

Lane Hutson tied an NHL record for rookie defensemen with his 60th assist.

The Hurricanes were resting Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, Jordan Staal, Jordan Martinook, Jackson Blake, Jaccob Slavin and Jalen Chatfield. Coach Rod Brind’Amour’s son, Skyler, made his NHL debut.

The Columbus Blue Jackets were officially eliminated after a season in which they came close to a playoff spot, despite the offseason death of Johnny Gaudreau.

The NHL announced two opening playoff games (see below) and said it would release the full schedule on Thursday.

Here’s a look at the NHL playoff picture:

When do the NHL playoffs start?

The NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs will begin on Saturday, April 19. Two games were announced (times p.m. ET):

St. Louis Blues at Winnipeg Jets, 6 | TNT | truTV | Max | Sling
Colorado Avalanche at Dallas Stars, 8:30 | TNT | truTV | Max | Sling

The full schedule will be released on Thursday.

Who’s in the NHL playoffs?

Eastern Conference: Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens
Western Conference: Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights, Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues

NHL Eastern Conference playoff bracket

Key: M – Metropolitan Division. A – Atlantic Division. WC – wild card

Washington (M1) vs. Montreal (WC2)
Carolina (M2) vs. New Jersey (M3)
Toronto (A1) vs. Ottawa (WC1)
Tampa Bay (A2) vs. Florida (A3)

The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth. 

NHL Western Conference playoff bracket

Key: C – Central Division P – Pacific Division. WC – wild card

Winnipeg (C1) vs. St. Louis (WC2)
Dallas (C2) vs. Colorado (C3)
Vegas (P1) vs. Minnesota (WC1)
Los Angeles (P2) vs. Edmonton (P3)

The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth.

Who can clinch Wednesday?

The Canadiens will clinch a playoff berth if they get one point against the Hurricanes. Update: The Canadiens beat the Hurricanes to make the playoffs.

NHL games today (Wednesday, April 16)

Carolina at Montreal, 7
Anaheim at Winnipeg, 7
Detroit at New Jersey, 7:30 | TNT | truTV | Max | Sling
Dallas at Nashville, 8
Vegas at Vancouver, 10
Edmonton at San Jose, 10:30

NHL Eastern Conference standings 2024-25

(through games of April 16; c-clinched conference title; x-clinched playoff berth; y-clinched division title; z-eliminated from postseason contention)

Metropolitan Division

c-Washington Capitals (111 points)
x-Carolina Hurricanes (99)
x-New Jersey Devils (91)

Atlantic Division

y-Toronto Maple Leafs (106)
x-Tampa Bay Lightning (102)
x-Florida Panthers (98)

Wild card

x-Ottawa Senators (95)
x-Montreal Canadiens (91)

Missed the playoffs: z-Columbus Blue Jackets (87), z-Detroit Red Wings (85), z-New York Rangers (83), z-New York Islanders (82), z-Pittsburgh Penguins (78), z-Buffalo Sabres (77), z-Philadelphia Flyers (76), z-Boston Bruins (76)

NHL Western Conference standings 2024-25

(through games of April 16; p-clinched Presidents’ Trophy; x-clinched playoff berth; y-clinched division title;z-eliminated from postseason contention)

Central Division

p-Winnipeg Jets (116)
x-Dallas Stars (106)
x-Colorado Avalanche (102)

Pacific Division

y-Vegas Golden Knights (110)
x-Los Angeles Kings (105)
x-Edmonton Oilers (101)

Wild card

x-Minnesota Wild (97)
x-St. Louis Blues (96)

Missed the playoffs: z-Calgary Flames (94), z-Vancouver Canucks (90), z-Utah Hockey Club (89), z-Anaheim Ducks (80), z-Seattle Kraken (76), z-Nashville Predators (68), z-Chicago Blackhawks (61), z-San Jose Sharks (52). Note: The Sharks have clinched the best draft lottery odds.

When does the NHL regular season end?

The NHL regular season is scheduled to end on Thursday, April 17, with seven games.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline which provides confidential 24/7 support by dialing 9-8-8.

A trial date has been set in the wrongful death lawsuit filed against Stanford by the parents of Katie Meyer, the soccer goalie who died by suicide March 1, 2022.

The case is set to go to trial April 13, 2026, according to a document the Santa Clara County Superior Court of California posted online – almost 2½ years after the civil lawsuit was filed.

Meyer helped lead Stanford to the NCAA championship in 2019. She was 22 at the time of her death, only months before she was set to graduate.

The lawsuit was filed Nov. 23, 2022. The Meyers’ accusations revolve around a formal disciplinary charge leveled against Meyer by Stanford. Her diploma was placed on hold three months before her scheduled graduation after Meyer either intentionally or accidentally spilled hot coffee on a Stanford football player.

Meyer received a formal written notice charging her with a “Violation of the Fundamental Standard by spilling coffee on another student,’ the night before her body was found in her dorm room, according to the lawsuit.

Over the past two years, attorneys for Meyer’s parents and Stanford have wrangled over an assortment of issues, including what evidence might reveal and what evidence still exists.

Former Major League Soccer forward Aaron Boupendza died after falling from the 11th floor of a building in China on Wednesday, as announced by the Gabonese soccer federation.

Boupendza, a native of Gabon, joined FC Cincinnati during the summer of 2023 for a reported transfer fee of $7 million. Boupendza scored seven goals in 24 appearances before his contract with FC Cincinnati was terminated in August 2024.

After his time with FC Cincinnati, Boupendza joined Rapid București in Bucharest, Romania, for a season before moving to Zhejiang FC in China in 2025, scoring four goals in six appearances.

‘We are saddened to hear of the tragic passing of former FC Cincinnati forward Aaron Boupendza earlier today at his home in China,’ FC Cincinnati said in a statement. ‘Our hearts go out to his family, friends, and loved ones. He was a loved member of the FC Cincinnati family, and we offer our condolences to all who knew him.’

Gabon president Brice Oligui Nguema reportedly has personally reached out to express his heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of Aaron Boupendza, acknowledging the loss of a talented athlete and a beloved individual.

Aaron Boupendza career

Aaron Boupendza was born in 1996 and was a Gabonese professional soccer player with a career that spanned through multiple leagues. He also represented the Gabon national team.

Some of Boupendza’s achievements include winning the Gabon Championnat National D1 with CF Mounana in 2015, being a top scorer in the Turkish Super Lig during his time with Hatayspor in 2020-2021, winning the Qatar FA Cup with Al Arabi in 2022, and helping FC Cincinnati win the Supporters’ Shield during the 2023 season.

At a certain point not long ago in the pre-draft process, the link between quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the New York Giants and the third overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft appeared broken. 

Then news broke Monday that Giants’ brass and head coach Brian Daboll were flying to Colorado for a private workout Thursday with Sanders, shortly before the first round kicks off. 

“It’s interesting, because I was kind of at the point where I was feeling like I could basically close the door on the Giants taking a quarterback, specifically Shedeur, at number three,” The Ringer and Spotify NFL draft analyst Todd McShay told USA TODAY Sports. 

The consensus is that the Tennessee Titans will take quarterback Cam Ward first overall, followed by the Cleveland Browns picking two-way star and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter second. 

USA TODAY Sports’ ace draft expert Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz predicted the Giants would take Sanders at No. 3 overall in his latest mock draft. So let’s examine what New York’s last-minute check-in – unusual at this point in the process – with the son of Hall of Famer and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders really means. 

How involved is Giants owner John Mara? 

McShay had a couple of conversations Sunday afternoon and evening as Rory McIlroy wrapped up his career grand-slam and won the 2025 Masters that left him with the impression Sanders was still in play for the Giants. 

The information McShay received was that the Giants would still likely be taking Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, largely considered the top overall prospect in this year’s class, at No. 3. But the workout with Sanders indicated to McShay that there is at least one prominent decision-maker in the organization pushing Sanders. 

“Now what I don’t know is, is this an ownership thing? Which could very often be the case,” McShay said. 

For two years, the Giants played second-fiddle on the New York tabloids’ back pages to the New York Jets and the Aaron Rodgers Experience. Getting an opportunity to bring in a player with name recognition and following like Sanders could be appealing beyond football matters.

“The exposure, and his father and the commercials probably has some appeal,” McShay said. 

Giants general manager Joe Schoen said the late workout was a matter of how the calendar worked out this year; the Giants don’t normally conduct private workouts prior to a prospect’s pro day, and Colorado’s pro day was April 4.

‘We’ll be open to all options,’ Schoen said Wednesday. ‘Those type of strategy sessions have been ongoing and talking through different scenarios. We’re always going to be open.’

Northjersey.com, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported Wednesday that the visit with Sanders was part of a three-day trip. The Giants are also holding private workouts with former Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe and former Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough.

Would Giants trade back up for Shedeur Sanders? 

The same day outlets reported on the Giants’ brass checking out Sanders again, another visit caught the eyes of those around the league – that Carter was visiting with the New England Patriots, who hold the fourth overall selection. A team bringing in a prospect of Carter’s caliber who could fall to them isn’t necessarily noteworthy, but the timing is interesting. 

And it is certainly the season of smokescreens, McShay noted. 

“Just because they pass on Shedeur (at No. 3 overall) doesn’t mean they can’t move back up, though,” McShay said. 

The Giants hold the second pick of the second round (34th overall) and could use that as leverage to trade into the middle of the first round. The Pittsburgh Steelers, who need a quarterback and pick 21st, could be in play for Sanders should the New Orleans Saints not take him ninth overall. Teams that want Sanders but not at a top-10 price would likely have to jump Pittsburgh to snag him. 

Do Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston signings impact thinking? 

Unlike the Steelers, this year’s victim of Rodgers’ waiting games, the Giants have two viable, veteran starting options they signed earlier in the offseason. Russell Wilson is on a two-year deal, and Jameis Winston is slated to be the backup. 

“I don’t think Russell and Jameis have anything to do with whether they’re going to take Shedeur at three or another quarterback at 34 or trading back into the first round,” McShay said. 

The Giants are taking a quarterback third, 34th or somewhere in between, McShay believes. But don’t expect him to play immediately. 

That gives Daboll the flexibility to start a veteran and not “have to deal with the rollercoaster and ups-and-downs” that come with starting a rookie Week 1. Veteran leadership and a supporting cast around him will help whoever the new quarterback is to learn the ropes. Circumstance or readiness will eventually press him into action while creating excitement about the future. 

“But what the real purpose would be is give him time, don’t force him to the fire, don’t let him take a shot to his confidence, and develop in the right way,” McShay said.  

Winning now but an unknown future

The day after the season ended, Mara essentially laid out an ultimatum for Schoen and Daboll: win in 2025 or lose your job. 

McShay likes to put himself in the seat of the general manager or the head coach for each team as he’s forecasting. 

“There is a human element to this, right? If they don’t go and win some games this year, the Mara family, no matter how much they love Joe and Brian, they got to (let them) go,” McShay said. “And Joe and Brian would be the first to tell you they know the rules.” 

Which is why the brass have a lot riding on the next week, from the time they board a plane to the Rocky Mountains, to the time they turn in their draft card on April 24.