From the start to the end of the G League season, rookie Bronny James improved.

And James, the 55th pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the 2024 NBA draft, proved his worth as a G League player and potential everyday NBA player.

Considering where and how he started and where he is finishing – the G League South Bay Lakers’ season is over – with the chance to get playing time with the Los Angeles Lakers in the final two weeks of the NBA regular season, Bronny James’ rookie season was a success filled with growth and promise under a hypercritical spotlight typically not directed at a late second-round pick.

“It was obvious to me from the moment I started spending time with him on the court this summer, he was certainly going to be an NBA player, and I still believe that. He’ll be an NBA player,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said after a March 20 game against Milwaukee in which Bronny James scored 17 points, his highest output in an NBA game.

On March 24, James posted a career G-League high 39 points on super-efficient 14-for-21 shooting, including 4-for-8 on 3-pointers, plus seven rebounds, four assists and four steals in a victory against Santa Cruz.

“The biggest area of improvement is probably just his playmaking, and I don’t mean that just in terms of passing,” Redick said. “But just his ability to play on and off the ball as a decision-maker, either a scorer or a passer. And with that, his confidence level and level of aggression has grown. For a young player, those are two really important things.”

For his 18-game G League season, he averaged 18.6 points, 4.8 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.7 steals and shot 41.6% from the field, 33.6% on 3-pointers and 76.9% on free throws. Of the 374 players who appeared in at least 18 G League games, James was 43rd in scoring and was one of nine players to average at least 18 points, 4.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds.

Here are G League stats of other players drafted in the second round last year (stats through Monday’s games):

• Cam Christie, 46th pick: 16.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals, 40.2% field goal shooting, 30.2% 3-point shooting, 80.5% free throw shooting in 40 games.
• Antonio Reeves, 47th pick: 24.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.4 steals, 47% field goal shooting, 41.6% 3-point shooting, 80% free throw shooting in 11 games.
• Tristen Newton, 49th pick: 16.5 points, 6.7 assists, 6.3 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 40.5% field goal shooting, 33.9% 3-point shooting, 76.7% free throw shooting in 34 games.
• Anton Watson, 54th pick: 12.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 44.1% field goal shooting, 31.9% 3-point shooting, 65.1% free throw shooting in 37 games
• Cam Spencer, 53rd pick: 23.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.0 steals, 53.8% field goal shooting, 49.3% 3-point shooting, 76.5% free throw shooting in eight games.
• Kevin McCullar Jr., 56th pick: 11.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.7 steals, 39.3% field goal, 22.2% 3-point shooting, 78.8% free throw shooting in 13 games.

A holistic approach is required when examining James’ 2024-25 season spent in the G League and the NBA. When he was drafted in June, he was just 11 months removed from sudden cardiac arrest while working out on USC’s campus the summer before his freshman season for the Trojans.

To work through the mental and physical challenges of a life-threatening medical event and get back to the player he was on track to become – which was a first-round pick – time was also a necessity.

Outside James, his family, his representation and the Lakers, patience was in short supply, and critics pounced immediately after James’ entry into pro basketball didn’t yield the kind of production that screamed “He’s an NBA player.”

In his first two G League games, he was 4-for-19 from the field and 0-for-6 on 3-pointers, and he didn’t play much for the NBA’s Lakers. But he finished strong. He scored at least 30 points three times in the G League and showed potential as a scorer, shooter and playmaker. In his final nine G League games, he has improved on his season averages: 22.6 points, 5.3 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game while shooting 44.7% from the field, 36.7% on 3s and 82.6% on free throws.

He has limited NBA playing time but his 17-point, five-assist, three-rebound performance against Milwaukee revealed what’s possible.

“His confidence is growing,” Redick said. “You mentioned the word comfort. That’s certainly there for him, and the next step is just becoming like an elite, conditioned athlete because when he does that with his physical tools and just like his burst and his handle, we think he’s going to be an above-average to a really good NBA shooter. He’s going to have a chance to really make an impact.”

The plan was to develop James into an everyday NBA player over the course of multiple seasons, which is not unusual for a second-round pick.

“Just putting my head down and working,” Bronny James told reporters. “I feel like that’s the only thing that I can control right now – going in every day and staying ready to play, staying ready to learn. Getting the work in after hours, early mornings, stuff like that.

‘Just all the controllables that I can do myself. There’s not really much I can do of people, random people, talking about me every day. So I can’t really do much about that. So I just go in the gym and work, put my head down and try to get better every day.”

Through intense scrutiny – and not because of anything he did – that included a verbal feud between his dad and ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, Bronny James has proven himself worthy of a second-round pick and a more-than-capable G League pro with the possibility of developing into an everyday NBA player.

“Since day one, I’ve just been impressed with the person that he is and to deal with the (expletive) because of who his dad is and just keep a level head about it and be a class act says a lot about him, says a lot about that family and the way LeBron and Savannah have raised him,” Redick said.

Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt

Legendary soccer star Lionel Messi was the main attraction in Los Angeles late Wednesday night, but it was an up-and-coming striker who stole the spotlight and handed Inter Miami its first defeat of 2025. 

Los Angeles FC’s Nathan Ordaz, a 21-year-old homegrown talent, scored a goal in the 57th minute to help LAFC beat Messi and Inter Miami in the first leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday night at BMO Stadium. 

Messi was unable to score and deliver a highlight moment for Inter Miami, which saw a seven-game win streak — and a nine-match unbeaten streak to begin the 2025 season — end. 

Messi missed two free kick opportunities in the first half and another in the final minute of the match, appearing to show some rust in his second game back from a strained left adductor. He started and played the entire game for the first time since he sustained the recurring injury strain against Atlanta United on March 16. 

Messi also missed shots toward the net in the 79th and 86th minutes, facing a familiar foe in LAFC’s Hugo Lloris — the French goalie on the losing end to Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar. 

While Messi was the star attraction, Ordaz proved to be main difference with his second-half goal. Ordaz remained in the game after avoiding a red card in the first half following a brief kerfuffle with Inter Miami defender Maxi Falcón in the 27th minute. 

“It’s a red card here, in China and on the moon,” said first-year Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano, Messi’s former teammate with Barcelona and Argentina, after losing for the first time in his career after 10 games. 

Both teams will meet again in the second leg at Inter Miami on April 9 at 8 p.m. ET. They’ll both play MLS games this weekend before then: LAFC will visit the Houston Dynamo on Saturday night and Inter Miami will host Toronto FC on ‘Sunday Night Soccer.’

However in the second leg, Inter Miami will be without Sergio Busquets — arguably the club’s best player after Messi and ahead of Luis Suarez — after the midfielder picked up another yellow card. 

“Obviously, we didn’t have the best night. But in the end, it’s the first leg. We have the next game next week,” Mascherano said. “We will see. I believe we can do the right things to reach the semifinal.” 

Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and other members of the Golden State Warriors watched Messi play, one night before visiting LeBron James, Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers. 

David Beckham, who starred for the Los Angeles Galaxy before co-owning Inter Miami, watched the match sitting close to the FS1 broadcast booth. 

American music legend Lionel Richie, Mexican-American singer Becky G, reality TV star Kendall Jenner, former UFC champion Chuck Liddell and Messi’s Argentine national team coach Lionel Scaloni were also among those in attendance. 

Check out these highlights from USA TODAY Sports:

LAFC’s Nathan Ordaz scores goal: LAFC 1, Inter Miami 0 

LAFC forward Nathan Ordaz, 21, scored a right boot in the 57th minute to help his side take a 1-0 lead against Messi and Inter Miami. 

Ordaz’s goal comes with some controversy: He avoided a red card and remained in the game after a kerfuffle with an Inter Miami player in the first half. 

Halftime recap: Inter Miami 0, LAFC 0 

Lionel Messi appears fit and spry, but not as sharp as he’d like to be after missing two free kicks during a scoreless first half between Inter Miami and LAFC in the first leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal. Inter Miami has controlled possession for the most part in the match, while LAFC has also missed out on three opportunities before halftime. 

A turning point in the first half: LAFC forward Nathan Ordaz was issued a yellow card, not a red card, after appearing to slap Inter Miami defender Maxi Falcón in the 27th minute. LAFC avoided an ejection and playing with just 10 players for the rest of the match. 

Messi misses second free kick in 37th minute: Inter Miami 0, LAFC 0 

Two free kicks, and two misses by Messi in Los Angeles. Messi’s kick in the 37th minute was lofted into the hands of LAFC goalie Hugo Lloris for his first save of the game. Messi was tripped by LAFC defender Eddie Segura to create the opportunity. 

Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, David Beckham attend LAFC vs. Inter Miami game

Lionel Messi misses free kick in 16th minute: Inter Miami 0, LAFC 0 

Lionel Messi was unable to score on a free kick in the 17th minute for Inter Miami against LAFC goalie Hugo Lloris. It’s the first time Lloris (France) is defending against Messi since the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar.

Messi dribbles his way to free kick: Highlight

Check out this highlight dribble up the pitch by Messi, which ended with Inter Miami’s Luis Suarez being tripped up by LAFC defender Igor Jesus to create the free-kick opportunity.

What time does LAFC vs. Inter Miami match begin tonight? 

LAFC and Inter Miami will kickoff at 8:30 p.m. local time in Los Angeles, or 11:30 p.m. ET and 12:30 a.m. Wednesday in Argentina. The game will be played at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. 

How to watch LAFC vs. Inter Miami match on TV, live stream? 

The match will be available on FS1 in English and ViX in Spanish in the United States. 

Will Messi be in Inter Miami’s starting lineup? 

Messi is a starter for Inter Miami in tonight’s match.

Messi scores goal in latest return from injury 

Messi scored a goal two minutes after coming off the bench for Inter Miami in the second half of the club’s 2-1 win against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night. 

Messi played about 45 minutes in his first match in 13 days at the time. He was diagnosed with a low-grade adductor strain in his left thigh after feeling discomfort in Inter Miami’s match at Atlanta United March 16. Messi did not join Argentina for World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay March 21 and Brazil March 25.

‘The most important thing is that he finished the game against Philadelphia very well… After the game and everything I’ve been able to talk to him about, he was very good, happy to be able to have good feelings,” Mascherano said after the Philly game. 

Messi kisses World Cup trophy during event with Patrick Mahomes 

Messi and the World Cup trophy reunited with a kiss during an event Sunday night in Los Angeles promoting the 2026 tournament alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino and fellow adidas athlete Patrick Mahomes, quarterback of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs. 

Messi attends David Beckham’s birthday party in Miami 

Messi was joined by his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and their wives for David Beckham’s 50th birthday party celebration Saturday night in Miami before flying to Los Angeles the next day.

Messi bodyguard banned from Inter Miami sidelines 

Popular Inter Miami security guard Yassine Cheuko (known on social media as ‘Messi’s bodyguard’) will no longer roam the sidelines during games, USA TODAY reported Tuesday. 

Inter Miami vs. LAFC preview 

Under Mascherano, the former Barcelona and Argentine teammate of Messi, Inter Miami has been unbeaten in nine consecutive games to start the 2025 season — not bad for a first time head coach. 

Inter Miami is on a seven-game win streak with eight wins and a draw across all competitions. They are first in the MLS Eastern Conference with 13 points in the standings. They reached the Champions Cup quarterfinals by beating Sporting Kansas City and Jamaica Cavalier FC. 

LAFC is in the Champions Cup quarterfinal after ousting the Colorado Rapids and Columbus Crew in earlier rounds of the tournament. But LAFC enters the match with four losses in their last five games. LAFC sits in eighth place with nine points in the MLS Western Conference standings. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers, with their shrewd strategy of deferred contracts, don’t have the highest salary obligations in Major League Baseball this season, after all.

That distinction belongs once again to the New York Mets, according to MLB’s present-day calculations, obtained by USA TODAY Sports.

The Dodgers, thanks to heavily deferred contracts to Shohei Ohtani and some of their biggest stars, have an opening-day payroll of $321.3 million, second to the Mets’ payroll of $323.1 million.

The Dodgers’ secret is the deferred payments that dramatically lower the present-day value of the contracts. Led by the bulk of Ohtani’s 10-year, $700 million contract, the deferrals also lower the club’s luxury tax commitments and penalties.

Ohtani is deferring $68 million of his $70 million annual salary, lowering his present-day value to $28.2 million of cash obligations to the Dodgers this year. It leaves Ohtani as only the 18^th highest-paid player in baseball as calculated by the MLB Labor Relations Department in 2025. He’s the second-highest paid player on his team behind Tyler Glasnow’s $30 million salary, 14^th overall in baseball.

It’s similar to the other heavily-deferred contracts negotiated by the Dodgers. Blake Snell, who signed a five-year, $182 million free-agent deal this winter, has a present-day contract value of $26.825 million instead of $36.4 million. Teoscar Hernandez’s three-year, $66 million contract costs the Dodgers $13.45 million instead of $22 million. Mookie Betts’ present-day value is $26.15 million instead of $30.4 million, and Freddie Freeman’s contract is worth $23.35 million in present-day value instead of $27 million.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, whose 12-year, $325 million contract contained a $50 million signing bonus and is backloaded, is valued at $14.166 by MLB this season instead of the 12-year average of $27.083 million.

The Boston Red Sox, who signed Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120 million deal, also followed suit this winter by structuring his deal with heavy deferrals. They have just $25.93 million in present-day salary obligations owed to him this year instead of $40 million. Bregman deferred $60 million of his contract, $20 million annually that will be paid from 2035-2046.

The wave of deferred contracts throughout baseball leaves Juan Soto of the New York Mets as baseball’s highest-paid player. He signed a record 15-year, $765 million contract in December with no deferrals. His salary is calculated at $61.875 million this year by MLB, easily the highest in baseball history, and nearly $20 million higher than Zack Wheeler of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Here are the top 10 salaries in baseball this season according to MLB’s present-day valuations:

Highest paid MLB players 2025

(In MLB’s calculated present-day value)

• Juan Soto, Mets: $61.875 million
• Zack Wheeler: $42 million
• Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers: $40 million
• Aaron Judge, New York Yankees: $40 million
• Anthony Rendon, Los Angeles Angels: $38.571 million
• Carlos Correa, Minnesota Twins: $37.333 million
• Mike Trout, Angels: $37.116 million
• Gerrit Cole, Yankees: $36 million
• Jose Altuve, Houston Astros: $33 million
• Corey Seager, Rangers: $32.5 million

While the Dodgers don’t have a single player among the top 10 salaries in present-day value, their cross-town neighbors have two of the top seven salaries in Trout and Rendon. Rendon, who doesn’t have any deferred payments in his contract and is out for the season, will earn $10 million more than Ohtani, according to MLB’s calculations.

Ohtani, of course, earns more than any player in baseball history in endorsements, estimated at more than $100 million.

The cash obligations certainly reflect a massive difference between the large market and small market clubs, which could lead to a work stoppage after the 2026 season.

There are nine teams who have salary obligations of at least $200 million, with the Mets and the Dodgers the only teams above $300 million, but there are seven teams below $100 million.

The Miami Marlins have the lowest payroll in baseball at just $52.993 million, which is $269.26 million less than the Mets.

The five teams below $100 million this year: Pirates ($87.6 million), White Sox ($82.3 million), Rays ($79.2 million), Athletics ($73.1 million) and Marlins ($67.4 million).

Highest MLB team payrolls 2025

1. Mets – $323.1 million
2. Dodgers – $321.3 million
3. Yankees – $293.5 million
4. Phillies – $284.2 million
5. Blue Jays – $239.6 million
6. Rangers – $220.5 million
7. Atlanta – $214.8 million
8. Padres – $208.9 million
9. Cubs – $196.3 million
10. Diamondbacks – $195.3 million

While the NL East has three of the top seven payrolls in baseball, the AL East has three of the top 12 and NL West has four of the top 14. The divisions with the most payroll parity belong to the AL and NL Central.

The Detroit Tigers have the highest payroll ($143.19) in the AL Central, which is only the 17th-highest in baseball, with four of the five teams separated by only $44 million. The Cubs have the highest payroll in the NL Central ($196.3 million), which is about $55 million more than the runner-up St. Louis Cardinals ($141.4).

The Dodgers lead all of baseball with 13 players earning at least $10 million this season, while Sandy Alcantara ($17.3 million) is the lone player on the Marlins earning more than $4.5 million. They have only seven players even making $1 million, with everyone else on the team earning $831,000 or less.

Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale

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Since the New York Yankees clubbed a franchise-record nine home runs against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, the baseball world has taken notice of the uniquely shaped ‘torpedo’ bats that several players were using in the game.

While the bats are legal and aren’t exactly brand new, the Yankees’ slugfest drew attention to baseball’s evolving technology and its widespread use across the league.

‘I feel like it’s a little overplayed,’ Hall of Fame pitcher CC Sabathia told USA TODAY Sports. ‘The bats are three years old. I’ve been working in the Yankees organization. … When we did the presentation a couple of years ago, I didn’t think anything of it.’

Sabathia pointed at the Brewers’ pitching as the obvious factor rather than the bats, considering Milwaukee gave up 47 runs in its first four games.

‘The bats had nothing to do with it, it was really their pitching,’ Sabathia said.

The Yankees hit four home runs in the first inning off Brewers starter Nestor Cortes on Saturday, starting with three consecutive homers on three pitches. Their nine home runs broke the franchise record of eight and was one short of the MLB record, 10 homers in a single game accomplished by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1987.

After the 20-9 loss, Brewers pitcher Trevor Megill ripped into the bats, referring to them as ‘terrible,’ and suggested that if they were illegal, MLB would let it slide because ‘it’s the Yankees.’

Sabathia considered that comment sour grapes.

‘There was a lot of excuses going on from the guys with the Brewers, but they were throwing balls right down the middle,’ said Sabathia, who will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York this summer.

‘I think that I could have probably got a hit the day that Nestor was pitching, when they hit the nine homers.’

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The Washington Capitals have another Alex Ovechkin goal to celebrate but not much else.

Ovechkin scored a 5-on-3 power play goal Wednesday night for the 892nd goal of his career. He needs three more goals to pass Wayne Gretzky and become the NHL’s all-time leader.

Otherwise, Carolina dominated in a 5-1 home victory that clinched the Hurricanes a playoff berth. They scored three power-play goals to hand the Capitals their fourth loss in five games. Washington goalie Logan Thompson didn’t return after the first intermission because of an upper-body injury and he’ll be re-evaluated when the team gets home.

The game got of hand at the end with several scrums and eight misconducts. The teams will meet again in eight days and could be playoff opponents in the second round.

Ovechkin and the Capitals will return home for a Friday game against the Chicago Blackhawks. He has 15 goals in 25 career regular season games against Chicago.

Highlights from Wednesday’s Capitals-Hurricanes game:

Alex Ovechkin stats today

The Capitals captain played 20:10 and finished with one goal, on a 5-on-3 power play, on four shots.

Final score: Hurricanes 5, Capitals 1

The victory clinches a playoff berth for the Hurricanes. Alex Ovechkin gets another goal, but the Hurricanes dominate on the scoreboard, particularly their power play. Things got feisty at the end, and the teams will meet again on April 10.

Another scrum

With 5:34 left, players square off again. Brandon Duhaime, Nic Dowd, Mark Jankowski and Tyson Jost get misconducts. Washington will get an eventual power play, but first Connor McMichael and Jalen Chatfield fight.

Capitals-Hurricanes scrum

With the Hurricanes on a power play, Tom Wilson gets a double minor for roughing and a misconduct. He’s out of the game. So is Logan Stankoven (misconduct)

Capitals-Hurricanes score: Jackson Blake scores again

The Hurricanes win a faceoff. The puck comes to Jackson Blake, who stickhandles in and roofs a backhander past Charlie Lindgren. That’s Carolina’s third power-play goal of the game. Hurricanes 5, Capitals 1

Hurricanes go on power play

Jakob Chychrun called for slashing.

Third period underway

The Capitals open with an abbreviated power play. Carolina kills it off.

Alex Ovechkin stats

He has one goal, four shots, four other shot attempts in 14:34 of ice time through two periods.

End of second period: Hurricanes 4, Capitals 1

Capitals goalie Logan Thompson doesn’t come out because of an injury. Charlie Lindgren gives up a Logan Stankoven goal, but the Capitals tighten up and Alex Ovechkin scores a 5-on-3 power play goal. Washington outshoots Carolina 12-6 in the period.

Alex Ovechkin goal

He takes advantage of a 5-on-3 power play and scores on a one-timer from above the left faceoff circle. That’s goal No. 892, leaving him needing three goals to break the record. It’s his 39th goal of the season and his 323rd career power-play goal. Hurricanes 4, Capitals 1

Capitals get power play

Taylor Hall in the penalty box again. There’s 1:33 left in the second period. Alex Ovechkin doesn’t connect on two shots, but a Brent Burns penalty makes it 5-on-3.

Alex Ovechkin blocked

Brent Burns blocks an Alex Ovechkin shot off a faceoff. The Hurricanes are playing tight defense against him.

Frederik Andersen saves

Martin Fehervary and Trevor van Riemsdyk take long shots against Frederik Andersen, but the goalie freezes the puck before Alex Ovechkin can get a rebound.

Capitals-Hurricanes score: Carolina piling on

This time it’s Logan Stankoven, who was part of the Hurricanes’ second Mikko Rantanen trade. Jack Roslovic makes a nice pass to spring him.

Logan Thompson injury update

The Capitals announce that goalie Logan Thompson left the game because of an upper-body injury. He’s doubtful to return

Alex Ovechkin stopped

Alex Ovechkin. sent in alone, tries to go high over Frederik Andersen’s glove but is stopped.

Second period underway

Charlie Lindgren now in the Capitals’ net after Logan Thompson gave up three goals. Thompson has given up 13 goals over the last three games.

Alex Ovechkin stats

Alex Ovechkin has one shot and no points in 7:51 of ice time.

End of first period: Hurricanes 3, Capitals 0

Carolina is always tough to play against, and the Capitals have the disadvantage of playing on back-to-back nights. The Hurricanes outshoot Washington 12-5. Carolina, which already connected twice on the power play, will have an abbreviated one to start the second period.

Capitals go back on power play

Taylor Hall is called for tripping. Washington’s Logan Thompson makes a sliding toe save on Mark Jankowski. Connor McMichael takes a penalty and it’s 4-on-4.

Capitals go on power play

Hurricanes kill it off. No shots for Washington. Carolina’s Seth Jarvis is stopped on a short-handed chance.

Capitals-Hurricanes score: Carolina get another PPG

Seth Jarvis gets this one, his 30th goal of the season. It looks a lot like an Alex Ovechkin goal, a one-timer from the left faceoff circle. Shayne Gostisbehere gave Jarvis the pass. Hurricanes 3, Capitals 0

Capitals-Hurricanes score: Carolina gets power-play goal

Washington’s Lars Eller is called for interference. Jackson Blake scores on a rebound at 10:11. Hurricanes 2, Capitals 0

Capitals-Hurricanes score: Carolina takes lead

Carolina’s Sean Walker scores after Frederik Andersen makes a big save on Aliaksei Protas at the other end of the ice. Hurricanes 1, Capitals 0

Alex Ovechkin gets chance

Pierre-Luc Dubois sets up Alex Ovechkin near the front of the net, but he shoots wide.

Game underway

Alex Ovechkin needs three goals to tie Wayne Gretzky and four to beat his goal record.

When is Alex Ovechkin’s next game? Capitals vs. Hurricanes start time

The Capitals play the Hurricanes at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Where to watch Capitals vs. Hurricanes game

The game is being aired by TNT and truTV.

How to stream Capitals vs. Hurricanes game

The game can be streamed on Max and Sling.

Capitals vs. Hurricanes date, start time, where to watch

• Game Day: Wednesday, April 2, 2025
• Game Time: 7 p.m. ET
• Location: Lenovo Center (Raleigh, North Carolina)
• TV Channel: TBS, truTV
• Live Stream: Sling TV – Watch Now!

How many games do Capitals have left?

After this game, the Capitals have seven games left in the regular season.

Alex Ovechkin linemates

Coach Spencer Carbery told reporters the lineup will the same except for Logan Thompson going in net. Ovechkin will skate with Pierre-Luc Dubois and Tom Wilson. Newcomer Ryan Leonard will skate with Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas.

OviCast on truTV

TNT Sports is producing an alternative telecast – The OviCast – featuring an isolated camera on Ovechkin for the duration of Wednesday’s game. It will air on truTV and Max. The OviCast will display Ovechkin’s live stats, his historical numbers and on-ice audio from the NHL on TNT broadcast. The OviCast also will be used in Sunday’s game.

Alex Ovechkin goal Tuesday moves him up lists

Ovechkin’s goal Tuesday vs. the Bruins moved him atop two all-time lists: He overtook Gordie Howe (415) for the most goals after age 30 in NHL. He also passed Phil Esposito (240) and tied Gretzky (241) for most first-period goals.

Alex Ovechkin goals at Hurricanes arena

Ovechkin has scored 31 times at Lenovo Center.

Alex Ovechkin goals vs. Hurricanes

Ovechkin has 51 goals in 91 career regular-season games against the Hurricanes, including one in an earlier meeting this season. 

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