Some seasons have just begun while others are near their close. Here’s what went on in professional sports in the past week…
NBA: Regular season winds down into final week as contenders face injury news
Los Angeles Lakers superstar guard Luka Dončić suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain at the end of a blowout loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2, ruling him out indefinitely. Dončić‘s hamstring injury typically requires a month-long recovery process, and with the MVP candidate sitting one game short of the NBA’s 65-game requirement for postseason awards, he is projected to be absent from not only the rest of the regular season, but also MVP and All-NBA consideration. Dončić traveled to Spain to receive accelerated treatment that will hopefully hasten his return to action and is also petitioning for an exception to the 65-game rule.
The Lakers suffered another huge loss when guard Austin Reaves was announced to miss four to six weeks with a Grade 2 left oblique injury. Reaves, who was in the midst of a career season averaging 23.3 points and 5.5 assists on 49% shooting, is questionable for the playoffs. The Lakers are currently fourth in the West with a 50-28 record.
Guard Jaden Ivey was waived by the Chicago Bulls on March 30, citing detrimental conduct to the team after he voiced anti-gay sentiments on social media. Ivey, who was already shut down for the rest of the season due to injury, referred to the NBA’s celebration of Pride Month as “unrighteousness” amidst videos regarding religion.
Golden State Warriors superstar point guard Stephen Curry returned to action on April 5 against the Houston Rockets, following a knee injury that sidelined him for 27 games. Despite dropping 29 points on a 26 minute restriction, the Warriors fell short in their comeback attempt, losing 117-116.
MLB: Season continues through week two
Los Angeles Angels right fielder Jo Adell robbed three home runs from the Seattle Mariners on April 4 to preserve a 1-0 win for his team. Adell made leaping efforts to pull back balls launched by Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh in the first inning, first baseman Josh Naylor in the eighth and shortstop J.P. Crawford in the ninth.
New York Mets superstar left fielder Juan Soto was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right calf strain suffered in an April 3 victory over the San Francisco Giants. Soto is expected to miss two to three weeks after straining his calf while running from first base to third in the first inning.
19-year-old shortstop Konnor Griffin made his major league debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 3 in a 5-4 win over the Baltimore Orioles. A highly touted prospect becoming the first teenager to play in the big leagues since Juan Soto in 2018, Griffin went 1/3 and lined an RBI double in his debut, showing promising signs of fulfilling Pittsburgh’s hopes from when they drafted him ninth overall in the 2024 MLB Draft.
NHL: Back-to-back Stanley Cup-winning Panthers eliminated from playoff contention
The Florida Panthers were mathematically eliminated from the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs after a 9-4 loss on April 4 to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Panthers had made three consecutive Stanley Cup finals since 2023 and were back-to-back defending champions from 2024 and 2025. Injuries to captain Aleksander Barkov, Brad Marchand and Seth Jones derailed any hopes of a three-peat.
NFL: Free agency moves ahead of the draft
The Las Vegas Raiders signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins on a guaranteed $20 million deal for 2026, including a club option for $80 million in two years. Cousins will join a quarterback room that is expecting to add Heisman Trophy winner and national champion quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
2019 Defensive Player of the Year and two-time All-Pro corner Stephon Gilmore announced his retirement from the NFL after 13 years in the league. Gilmore won DPOY and earned his All-Pro selections with the New England Patriots. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 2012 and spent time with the Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings.
