Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has said he does not feel "disrespected" by Mauricio Pochettino claiming he wants to manage the club again and insisted he hopes it happens one day.

Pochettino, now in charge of the United States men's national team, last month reiterated his desire to take charge of Spurs in the future after spending 5 years in north London up to 2019, reaching the Champions League final that year and securing four top-four finishes in the Premier League.

Although the 53-year-old remains focused on leading the USMNT into next year's World Cup finals -- to be staged in the United States, Mexico and Canada -- but his comments come at a time when Postecoglou is under mounting pressure with Tottenham languishing in 14th place in the Premier League table after losing 15 of their 29 games.

Spurs travel to Chelsea on Thursday before hosting bottom club Southampton ahead of a Europa League quarterfinal tie against Eintracht Frankfurt which may have a significant bearing on whether Postecoglou remains in charge.

He will have one year remaining on his contract this summer, although the club have an option to extend by a further season.

Asked about Pochettino's desire to return and the timing of his comments, Postecoglou said on Wednesday: "Mauricio, if he wants to come back one day, I hope it happens for him. We all have dreams and aspirations and if that's what he wants. You're suggesting that he's trying to put pressure on me?

"Well, I don't feel disrespected. I think if you ask Mauricio that question directly, you'd get a pretty clear answer as to what his intent was. Again, nothing from me to sort of be consumed with. I'm more focused on trying to make sure we win tomorrow night."

Sources have told ESPN that Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, Fulham manager Marco Silva and Brentford's Thomas Frank are among the possible candidates to replace Postecoglou, although the club currently remain fully supportive of the 59-year-old.

Discussing the ongoing speculation, Postecoglou said: "I don't deal with it, mate. I know what my responsibilities are. I'm sure if the club decides to go in a different direction there's some outstanding candidates out there for it. And you know what, maybe someone will think, 'Ah Ange Postecoglou's not a bad coach, maybe we'll take a punt on him'. It doesn't rock my world.

"It doesn't consume me. I'm here, I'm passionate about what we're doing. I was brought in to change the way the club plays, rejuvenate the squad, bring success, I'm focused on that. That's what I'll keep doing."

Brazil striker Richarlison is back in training following a calf problem but is unlikely to face Chelsea.

Kevin Danso (hamstring) and Dejan Kulusevski (foot) are both absent for the club's next three games at least.

LONDON -- The expectation on Bukayo Saka to revive Arsenal's season has grown with each passing week and against Fulham, it took him just seven minutes to begin answering the call.

Tuesday night's 2-1 win over Fulham showcased the before and after. In what has become customary during the absences of Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and others, the Gunners labored for long periods against a Fulham side requiring five changes to freshen up weary legs following an FA Cup quarterfinal defeat to Crystal Palace. Their only breakthrough came via a deflected first-half strike from makeshift forward Mikel Merino.

There was a palpable sense of drift inside Emirates Stadium. Only the headstrong dreamers still cling to the belief Liverpool can be caught in the Premier League title race, and the rest cast a lingering eye towards a UEFA Champions League quarterfinal clash with Real Madrid, which begins next week.

They need reinvigorating in attack and an injection of self-belief after a chastening period which exposed shortcomings in Arsenal's squad set to be addressed this summer by new sporting director Andrea Berta, watching on here from the director's box flanked by managing director Richard Garlick and executive vice chairman Tim Lewis.

Until then, the responsibility rests on Saka's shoulders. And this was a fine way to start, introduced to raucous applause on 66 minutes and finding the net with his fifth touch after a 100-day absence following hamstring surgery.

"He lifted the stadium, the energy and [it is] great to have him back," said Gunners boss Mikel Arteta.

The finish was a simple one, stooping to meet a sublime Gabriel Martinelli flick at the far post, but the impact felt greater. Arsenal have lacked a cutting edge, and here it was, with Rodrigo Muniz's stoppage-time reply for Fulham ensuring Saka's intervention was the match-winning moment.

The contrast between the team's profligacy before the international break compared with Saka scoring through his only shot of the night is marked. He celebrated with Sam Wilson, the club's lead physical performance coach, who has overseen his rehabilitation.

"We all love this kind of recognition and gestures because it goes beyond the professional side of it and there is a connection there that is so necessary and to be able to appreciate as well the amount of work and stress as well and responsibility that they have to go through," said Arteta.

"There are probably a lot of times where it's just those two alone at the training ground together when maybe he's getting back on the grass and kind of getting back closer to fitness."

Saka's career is littered with statistical milestones, and here was another: the 23-year-old has now scored and assisted 10 or more goals across all competitions in each of the last three seasons. He is the first Arsenal player to do so since Alexis Sánchez between 2014 and 2017.

And yet, with Madrid in mind, Arsenal's display prompted a debate over what could have a bigger impact on Arsenal's fate: Saka's return or any lengthy absence for Gabriel Magalhães?

The Brazilian's center-back partnership with William Saliba is the bedrock of this Arsenal side, and the sight of him limping off with a hamstring problem early in the first half felt decidedly destabilising.

One second half moment summed up the concern. Jakub Kiwior -- Gabriel's replacement -- was slow on the uptake, and Adama Traoré nipped in ahead of him, bursting forward only to ignore a square pass to the unmarked Raúl Jiménez and fire a shot so wayward it went out for a throw-in.

Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé or Rodrygo are unlikely to be so wasteful. Muniz also missed from inside the six-yard box after good work from fellow substitute Alex Iwobi before he squeezed a shot past Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya via a deflection off Saliba.

Injuries have been a persistent theme this season, so much so that a manager notorious for his meticulous planning has found it difficult to strategize from one week to the next.

"You're scratching your head," he said. "I know in the next few games, [it will be] the same.

"But at the same time, it's been a great learning experience for us and all the coaches and staff to manage that situation. At the end, the players are going to react to how we react to it.

"If you start to feel sorry for yourself and say, 'Ah, it's impossible, how are we going to do this?', it will be impossible, but these boys, they don't give you the reason to act like that."

Saka may need to add even more potency to Arsenal's attack to offset a weaker Arsenal defense if Gabriel misses out against Real. Jurriën Timber was also substituted 13 minutes from the end with a knee problem, the same area of the body affecting two more defenders, Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White.

Martinelli had one of his more industrious evenings and was unfortunate not to add a goal of his own -- a late effort ruled out correctly for offside -- but it was Saka's reemergence that offers the biggest hope that Arsenal can still end this season on a high.

NOTTINGHAM, England -- Anthony Elanga chose a muted celebration after his wonderful solo goal against Manchester United, but the smile that crept over his face gave away the quiet satisfaction of scoring against his former club.

Who could blame him? Man United decided Elanga wasn't good enough when he was allowed to move to Nottingham Forest. A key part of manager Nuno Espirito Santo's revolution at the City Ground, he'll probably be playing in the Champions League next season.

Forest's 1-0 win over United -- earned thanks to Elanga, their flying Swedish winger -- cemented their place in the Premier League's top four. After a 13th league defeat of the season, Elanga's former Man United teammates are facing the prospect of finishing the season in the bottom half of the table for the first time since 1990.

"All you want to do is keep on improving, coming here is about playing and developing," Elanga told TNT Sports after helping Forest to their first league double over United in more than 30 years. "I appreciate Manchester United so much as I learned a lot there. I am enjoying my football and I want to keep on going."

It's players like Elanga who show just how hard it will be for manager Ruben Amorim to turn United around. It's not just about finding good players -- it's about finding players who are able to thrive at United.

"In Manchester United, you don't have the time," said Amorim, when asked about Elanga's impact at Forest. "I will not have the time. We have to get it right fast. You are not talking about players that didn't play for Manchester United. They were here playing for Manchester United. Here, the pressure is too big sometimes."

There was barely any dissent from supporters when Elanga moved to Forest for 15 million in 2023. If anything, it was viewed as a good deal for an academy graduate who had been at the club since the age of 12.

But away from the glare of the Old Trafford spotlight, he's flourished. His goal against United was his sixth in the league this season. It was by far his best. After picking up the ball deep in Forest's half, his explosive pace took him 85 metres in under nine seconds. After that, he still had the strength to shrug off Alejandro Garnacho and the calmness of mind to coolly pass his finish into the net.

"It is about attacking the space and getting to the opposite goal as quickly as I can," said Elanga. "I saw the space and I believe I'm one of the fastest players in the league. The finish is something I have been trying to work on. Left foot or right foot, I am quite comfortable with both feet this season."

It was the type of thrilling attacking play that United fans have missed for a while. Most would probably gladly have Elanga back in the squad, particularly after watching Garnacho have a miserable game against Forest in which he was wasteful with his passing and shooting.

Elanga's step up since leaving United isn't isolated. Marcus Rashford has looked a better player at Aston Villa and, after scoring twice against Preston North End on Sunday, is preparing to play in the Champions League quarterfinals next week. Antony, who left on loan in January with Rashford, has impressed at Real Betis.

"We are we are talking about a lot of players that come from Manchester United and they are doing right, but they had the chance here," said Amorim. "Sometimes you don't have time and you should have time for these kids to develop, but for that you need a strong base to support all these kids.

"If you don't have that strong base, we are not going to help our kids. So they had their chances and sometimes football is like that, the pressure of playing from Manchester United is really big."

Decisions on Elanga, Rashford and Antony aren't necessarily mistakes, but they do provide a warning for Amorim ahead of a summer in which he will hope to make wholesale changes.

New signings come with a risk -- particularly at United -- and it's damning that of all the players who have come through the door since the last title in 2013, only Bruno Fernandes is considered a successful investment. That needs to change quickly if United are going to challenge for the Premier League again.

Fernandes is still comfortably United's best player. He had an off night against Forest and the result was that Amorim's team created very little.

Despite facing 23 shots, Matz Sels didn't have much to do to keep his 13th clean sheet in the league this season. Diogo Dalot hit the crossbar with a looping header in the first half and Murillo cleared Harry Maguire's bundled shot off the line in the last minute of stoppage time. That was about all United had to show for nearly 70 percent of possession.

"We created some chances but we could create more with the possession that we had, we reached the final third a lot of times," said Amorim. "We need to be better in that final third because that is really important to score goals and you have a lack of those. In the final third, we were not good enough."

United defended well and dominated the ball, but it was only when Maguire was thrown on as an emergency centre forward that they looked consistently dangerous.

It was more proof, if any was needed, that adding goals to the squad in the summer will be vital to Amorim's hopes of making a step forward next season.

That, though, will require making the right decision on the right player at the right time. And as Elanga has shown since making the move to Forest, it's easier said than done.

Phoenix Suns coach Mike Budenholzer didn't have much time to wax nostalgic Tuesday as he faced his former team in Milwaukee for the first time since getting fired as the Bucks' coach two years ago.

But as much as he tried focusing on keeping his injury-riddled team alive in the playoff chase, Budenholzer couldn't deny this game was a little different from a typical regular-season contest.

"Yeah, I mean, I'm human," Budenholzer said after the Suns' 133-123 loss.

Budenholzer led the 2020-21 Bucks to the franchise's first NBA title in half a century, but he was fired two years later after Milwaukee posted the league's best regular-season record but got upset 4-1 by the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs.

Milwaukee posted the most combined regular-season and playoff wins of any team during Budenholzer's tenure and had the league's best regular-season record in three of his five seasons. He posted a 271-120 regular-season record and a 39-26 playoff mark with the Bucks.

"I've always said it was a great five years here in Milwaukee," Budenholzer said. "I'm forever appreciative to the organization, to the players, to the fans here. The people here were great to me. It's tough to lose tonight. I want to keep the focus on my guys, my team. But I've said it a million times: It was five great years here."

The Bucks didn't air a video salute to Budenholzer but did post a "Welcome Back, Coach Bud" message on the video board during the first timeout. Budenholzer was busy talking to his team at the time and said after the game he didn't notice it.

"I thought they were going to play like a video for him," said Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who won two MVP awards during Budenholzer's Milwaukee tenure. "They didn't, which was surprising to me. I felt like they should."

The only remaining Bucks who played on Budenholzer's last Milwaukee team are Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton. Portis wasn't in the building Tuesday because he's still serving his 25-game suspension for testing positive for the painkiller tramadol.

Antetokounmpo noticed one unusual aspect about playing against his former coach.

"It's definitely weird seeing him complain about plays that I do, charges and blah-blah-blah, push-off and all that," Antetokounmpo quipped. "And it's the stuff that he loved when I did it when we were on the same team and won a championship together."

Since Budenholzer spent last season away from coaching, this marked the first time he had returned to Milwaukee as part of a visiting team. He coached against his old team for the first time since his firing on March 24, when Devin Booker's jumper with 2.4 seconds left gave the Suns a 108-106 victory over the Bucks in Phoenix.

The Suns haven't won a game since while dealing with injuries to Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, who didn't play Tuesday. Phoenix is 11th in the Western Conference standings -- one spot away from qualifying for the play-in tournament.

That's what made Tuesday's game so important.

The Suns instead lost their fourth straight and fell two games behind ninth-place Dallas and 1 games behind 10th-place Sacramento. Phoenix forced 20 turnovers but allowed Milwaukee to shoot 68.9% from the floor, the highest single-game shooting percentage by any NBA team since March 1998, according to Sportradar.

"My gut is they had one of those nights," Budenholzer said. "I thought defensively our effort, our (will to) compete was at a very high level. ... The basket was big for them tonight."

MILWAUKEE -- Giannis Antetokounmpo told his Milwaukee Bucks teammates they were fighting for their lives.

They responded by shooting for the highest single-game percentage by any team this century.

Milwaukee snapped a four-game skid by shooting a franchise-record 68.9% (51-of-74) from the floor in a 133-123 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night. No team had shot for that high a percentage in a game since March 13, 1998, when the LA Clippers shot 69.3% (61-of-88) in a 152-120 triumph over the Toronto Raptors.

"I kept saying to my teammates, 'We're fighting for our lives. We're fighting for our lives,'" Antetokounmpo said. "They think I'm joking, but I'm not joking. We're fighting for our lives right here. Every win counts."

The Bucks are sixth in the Eastern Conference standings and on track for their lowest playoff seed since 2018. They were coming off a 145-124 loss to Atlanta in which they allowed the most points they'd given up all season. They don't know when -- or if -- seven-time All-NBA guard Damian Lillard will return from the deep vein thrombosis in his right calf that has him taking blood-thinning medication.

So they needed a win badly. They responded by making shot after shot.

Each of the eight Bucks who took the floor Tuesday shot at least 50%. Antetokounmpo had 37 points, 11 assists and 6 rebounds while shooting 12-of-18, but he wasn't a one-man gang.

Ryan Rollins shot 8-of-10 overall and 5-of-7 from 3-point range while scoring 23 points. Brook Lopez celebrated his 37th birthday by shooting 10-of-13 and scoring 22 points. The Bucks made a season-high 58.6% of their 3-point attempts (17-of-29).

"I think we were a bit disappointed in our offense the past few games," Lopez said. "I think we got back to moving it, sharing it, trusting it, really taking advantage of our size in transition, getting the ball into the paint and just playing off that."

Antetokounmpo, as usual, led the way.

"I knew coming into this game, whenever I see cracks, I've got to take them because I'm not going to have a lot of opportunities to be aggressive," Antetokounmpo said. "When I don't have cracks, probably somebody's going to be wide open, so I've just got to look to the right or the left of me and make the right play."

As well as the Bucks shot the ball, they nearly blew a 21-point second-half advantage. Phoenix had reduced the margin to four points before Rollins hit a 3-pointer with 1:09 left to get the Bucks out of danger.

Phoenix stayed close because Milwaukee committed 20 turnovers. The Suns took 18 more shots than the Bucks and outscored them 24-3 in second-chance points.

"My gut is they had one of those nights," Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said. "I thought defensively our effort, our [will to] compete was at a very high level. ... The basket was big for them tonight."

The Bucks followed a similar script Sunday, when they shot 69% in the first half but still trailed 82-75 at the break because of their eight turnovers and struggles on defense.

"We're so close to being an incredible offensive team," Bucks coach Doc Rivers said. "We shoot 70% the first half the other night. We shot 68.9 tonight. If we can rebound the ball and take care of the ball, we've got a chance to break out and make a hell of a run here. We really do."

At least this time, the Bucks found a way to win -- even if it took a record performance.

"I definitely needed a win," Antetokounmpo said. "I think when you win, you enjoy your sleep better. You enjoy your food better. You enjoy spending time with your kids and everything better. You enjoy interacting with your teammates more. I'm a sore loser. I'm not going to lie. We definitely needed a win."

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The last time Stephen Curry and Golden State played in Memphis, he was held without a field goal and the Warriors lost by 51 points.

Curry didn't recall the frustration from that loss in December. And there was no repeat Tuesday night.

Curry fired up 3-pointers throughout the game, connecting on a dozen from long range on the way to a 52-point performance as the Warriors beat the Grizzlies 134-125.

"I had actually forgotten," Curry said when asked if the teams' previous game was motivation. "I was just kind of more focused on how big this game was for us."

The victory moved Golden State past Memphis into fifth place in the Western Conference, and benefitted the Warriors in two areas. Golden State won the season series 3-1, in essence giving the Warriors a two-game lead over the Grizzlies in the standings.

Curry connected on his first five shots, including four 3-pointers, and was 11-of-16 by halftime, including 8-of-10 from distance. His 32 points in the first half gave the Warriors a lead, but they had to hold on for the victory.

It was Curry's 27th game with at least 10 made 3s, by far the most in league history (former teammate Klay Thompson is second with nine), according to ESPN Research.

Curry said he felt rejuvenated after taking a week off late last month, recovering from a left pelvic bruise. He is still wearing a pad to protect the injury, but the time off cleared his mind and helped him physically.

"I feel in a good rhythm," he said. "The week off helped. The tank is pretty full."

Curry's scoreline of 52 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists marked the first time a Golden State player hit those marks since Rick Barry (64 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists) against Portland on March 26, 1974.

As part of Curry's night, he also passed Jerry West and moved into 25th place on the NBA all-time scoring list.

"I got a little emotional about that," Curry said of passing West. "It was special. In his memory. What he meant to our organization, the league, to the world of basketball. ... That's the logo."

Warriors coach Steve Kerr characterized Curry's performance as "incredible." Kerr, who has seen plenty of Curry's spectacular nights couldn't believe one shot in the second quarter, turning away from the court in disbelief.

"Fifty-two points with people draped all over him, all game long," Kerr said, later adding: "I've been watching this for 11 years, and actually longer before I became his coach. ... You get a real sense of just the magnitude of his talent.

"The guy is amazing to watch."

But as special as the night was, a longtime teammate put it in perspective when asked if it was Curry's best game.

"Hell, no. No chance," Draymond Green said. "I've played with him for 15 years. I can't quite recall the best one off the top of my head, but that ain't it."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

DENVER -- The Minnesota Timberwolves overcame a career- and NBA-best 61-point triple-double performance from Nikola Jokic to outlast the Denver Nuggets 140-139 in double overtime on Tuesday night.

Jokic's 61 points -- the most by a player in the NBA this season -- were also the most points in a triple-double in NBA history. Jokic, who played 52 minutes, 38 seconds, also had 10 rebounds and 10 assists. He didn't leave the court after halftime.

"Nikola came up to me after the third quarter and said, 'Coach, I'm good. Leave me in there. I don't want to come out. Let me just keep playing,'" Nuggets coach Michael Malone said afterward. "He was in a good rhythm, obviously -- 61 points, 10 assists, 10 rebounds, 2 steals. The guy is Superman."

Said Jokic: "Coach asked me a couple times [if I wanted to come out] but I was feeling good."

The Timberwolves sealed the win on a pair of Nickeil Alexander-Walker free throws with 0.1 left, concluding a wild sequence in which Russell Westbrook stole the ball on one end in the closing seconds, missed a layup and then fouled Alexander-Walker in the corner. The Timberwolves guard made two free throws and missed the third one on purpose.

"He's a guy that hates to lose," Malone said of Westbrook. "So he may not want to hear any of that stuff because he's a perfectionist and he's a competitor. And knowing the way I do, he's probably going to put a lot of this on him. But we lost tonight. The Denver Nuggets, we as a collective group lost a game tonight, not one player."

Westbrook left the arena before the Denver locker room was open to media.

"Obviously, I feel awful for Russ," Malone said. "That last play we get the turnover, we don't convert, and then the foul. It was not from a lack of effort or care.

"Sometimes it goes like that, and that's why we've just got to be strong. We've got to be resilient."

The big question: Should the Nuggets have not attempted the layup and pulled the ball back out to run down the clock?

"It's tough. You've got a two-on-one break," Malone said. "As a coach, am I up on the sideline yelling, 'Don't go?' We've got a layup. But it's easy to say that (pull the ball out) in hindsight, because we missed a layup. ... He (Westbrook) is a tough kid, and I think he knows that everybody in that locker room's got his back."

Jokic was asked if he will speak to Westbrook about the sequence.

"Why? It happened. It's basketball. I'm pretty sure he didn't want to foul. It happens," he said.

Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 34 points to go along with 10 rebounds and 8 assists. He had 10 points entering the fourth quarter and has scored 25 or more in seven consecutive games against Denver.

"He just took off and that's what superstars do and that's why he's a special person and a special player in this league," Jokic said.

Jokic hit two free throws with 13.9 seconds left to tie it at 112 in regulation. He dropped in a floater with 7.3 seconds left to knot it at 125 in the first overtime.

"Nikola Jokic, he might be the best basketball player that I have ever seen close up, besides myself," cracked Edwards. "He is incredible. The MVP race is tough. I don't know. He had 60. That is crazy."

The game had a playoff intensity and featured 21 lead changes. The Timberwolves have won six straight over the Nuggets, including the playoffs, as Jokic became the second player in NBA history to lose with a 50-point triple-double, following Wilt Chamberlain in 1963.

The Timberwolves were without Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo, who were suspended one game by the league for their roles in an on-court altercation against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday.

Denver didn't have Jamal Murray (hamstring) or Michael Porter Jr. (personal reasons).

Jokic finished 18-of-29 from the field, including six 3-pointers. His 61 points were the second most in a game in Nuggets history (David Thompson had 73 in 1978), and the most given up to an opponent in Timberwolves history.

A wild play ensued near the end of the second overtime when Jokic was fouled by Jaden McDaniels during a jump ball. Jokic made one free throw to give the Nuggets a 139-138 lead.

The Nuggets dropped to 18-3 at home when tied or leading after the first quarter. They led by 16 in the opening quarter.

ESPN Research and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Less than two weeks to go in the NBA regular season but there's plenty still to play for. Teams are snapping up postseason spots but the race to avoid the play-in tournament is changing by the day. Things remain especially tough in the Western Conference, where the teams between third and eighth place are all separated by at least two games.

At the bottom end of the standings, several teams are straddling the fine line between a strong finish and improving their lottery chances for the No. 1 draft pick in a stacked class of prospects led by Duke freshman phenom Cooper Flagg.

With only a handful of games left, players are trying to meet the criteria for postseason honors while also making their case for the top awards such as MVP, Rookie of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year.

Our NBA insiders give their takes on where things stand in our latest Power Rankings and what to watch in the few remaining weeks of the season.

Note: Team rankings are based on where members of our panel (ESPN's Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Michael Wright, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Ohm Youngmisuk and Chris Herring) think teams belong this season.

Previous rankings: Preseason | Oct. 30 | Nov. 5 | Nov. 13 | Nov. 20 | Nov. 27 | Dec. 4 | Dec. 11 | Dec. 18 | Dec. 25 | Jan. 1 | Jan. 8 | Jan. 15 | Jan. 22 | Jan. 29 | Feb. 5 | Feb. 12 | Feb. 26 | Mar. 5 | Mar. 12 | Mar. 19 | Mar. 26

Jump to a team:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTA | WAS

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

• 2024-25 record: 63-12

• Previous ranking: 1

• Next games: vs. DET (Apr. 2), @ HOU (Apr. 4), vs. LAL (Apr. 6), vs. LAL (Apr. 8)

The Thunder's blowout of the Bulls on Monday meant that Oklahoma City has clinched the best cross-conference record in NBA history. The Thunder are 28-1 against Eastern Conference teams this season, the lone blemish coming in their visit to Cleveland. The previous best cross-conference record was 27-3, achieved by the 2015-16 Warriors, 2006-07 Mavericks and 1999-2000 Lakers. -- Tim MacMahon

2. Cleveland Cavaliers

• 2024-25 record: 60-15

• Previous ranking: 2

• Next games: vs. NYK (Apr. 2), @ SA (Apr. 4), vs. SAC (Apr. 6), vs. CHI (Apr. 8)

The Cavs already secured the third 60-win season in franchise history and can tie the team record for wins by going 6-1 down the stretch. That's secondary, of course, to making sure they hold on to the No. 1 seed in the East, up four games on the Celtics, who have won 14 of their past 15. And only one of Cleveland's last seven games is against a team out of the postseason picture (San Antonio). -- Dave McMenamin

3. Boston Celtics

• 2024-25 record: 56-19

• Previous ranking: 3

• Next games: vs. MIA (Apr. 2), vs. PHX (Apr. 4), vs. WAS (Apr. 6), @ NYK (Apr. 8)

If the Celtics win out, there's a small chance they could catch the Cavaliers for the top spot in the East. But what is by far more important for the Celtics over the next couple of weeks is whether they can get into the playoffs healthy. Boston is more than confident in its chances of going toe-to-toe with any team if it has its full complement of talent. -- Tim Bontemps

4. Houston Rockets

• 2024-25 record: 49-27

• Previous ranking: 4

• Next games: vs. UTAH (Apr. 2), vs. OKC (Apr. 4), @ GS (Apr. 6)

Despite Houston missing a chance to become the second team in the West to clinch a postseason spot, coach Ime Udoka is more concerned with the Rockets staying healthy, consistent and leaning into their physicality to routinely turn defense into offense. Houston is also looking at ways to improve its half-court offense ahead of the playoffs and can lean on its league-leading offensive rebounding. The upcoming schedule should serve as strong preparation for the postseason with Houston set to close against five expected West playoff participants. -- Michael Wright

5. Denver Nuggets

• 2024-25 record: 47-29

• Previous ranking: 5

• Next games: vs. SA (Apr. 2), @ GS (Apr. 4), vs. IND (Apr. 6)

The Nuggets have a lot on the line in their final six games as they aim to finish among the top-four teams in the West. Nikola Jokic is still in a two-man race for MVP with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and will probably need a big finish to overcome the recent five-game stretch he missed due to injury. But perhaps the most important thing for the Nuggets is their health and making sure Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon are ready for the playoffs. No matter the seeding, Denver has a shot to come out of the West as long as those three remain healthy. It's worth noting the last team to beat the West-leading Thunder (currently on a 10-game win streak) were the Nuggets. -- Ohm Youngmisuk

6. Los Angeles Lakers

• 2024-25 record: 46-29

• Previous ranking: 7

• Next games: vs. GS (Apr. 3), vs. NO (Apr. 4), @ OKC (Apr. 6), @ OKC (Apr. 8)

The Lakers have qualified for the postseason through the play-in tournament in three of the past four seasons. With L.A. in the No. 4 spot in the West with seven games remaining in the regular season, LeBron James and the Lakers are dead set on holding their positioning and making the playoffs outright. "Our mission is to lock in a playoff spot," James said. "We don't want to have to play in the play-in, so we understand what's at stake." -- McMenamin

7. Golden State Warriors

• 2024-25 record: 44-31

• Previous ranking: 9

• Next games: @ LAL (Apr. 3), vs. DEN (Apr. 4), vs. HOU (Apr. 6), @ PHX (Apr. 8)

Since acquiring Jimmy Butler III before the trade deadline, the Warriors' goal has been clear -- get the sixth seed or higher and stay out of the play-in. The Warriors don't want to risk an improved second half of the season in a potential single-elimination predicament and would rather have an invaluable week off before a first-round seven-game series. Curry told ESPN earlier this season that he feels the Warriors can beat anyone in a series because of their championship experience. Add Butler to the mix and they're confident they can make a run. -- Youngmisuk

8. Indiana Pacers

• 2024-25 record: 44-31

• Previous ranking: 11

• Next games: vs. CHA (Apr. 2), vs. UTAH (Apr. 4), @ DEN (Apr. 6), vs. WAS (Apr. 8)

Can the Pacers hold the No. 4 seed? The Pacers have stayed hot while the injury-riddled Bucks dropped from fourth to sixth in the standings, setting Indiana up for potential home-court advantage in their first-round series. The Pacers also have a two-game lead over No. 5 Detroit and will have five of their final seven games at home entering the playoffs, giving them an edge as a top-four seed. -- Jamal Collier

9. Memphis Grizzlies

• 2024-25 record: 44-32

• Previous ranking: 8

• Next games: @ MIA (Apr. 3), @ DET (Apr. 5), @ CHA (Apr. 8)

The Grizzlies sent shock waves through the NBA when they fired head coach Taylor Jenkins so close to the end of the regular season. Now, let's see how Memphis plays under interim coach Tuomas Iisalo, a former Finnish professional player and coach of Paris Basketball in 2023-24, where he won the EuroCup on the way to being named coach of the year. After utilizing an offense built mostly by recently fired assistant Noah LaRoche, Memphis will try to incorporate more of Iisalo's pick-and-roll tactics to optimize guard Ja Morant. Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman said he expects "clarity of direction" down the stretch, but the team is 0-3 since Jenkins' dismissal. -- Wright

10. Minnesota Timberwolves

• 2024-25 record: 44-32

• Previous ranking: 10

• Next games: @ BKN (Apr. 3), @ PHI (Apr. 5), @ MIL (Apr. 8)

Can the Wolves get out of the play-in? Minnesota, like every other team surrounding them in the standings, wants to avoid the play-in tournament and grab a top-six seed. The Wolves, on a three-game winning streak, sit at No. 7 in the standings but are tied with the No. 6 Grizzlies in games back (19.5). However, they sit only half a game ahead of the No. 8 Clippers. After a double-overtime win versus Denver on Tuesday night, the road gets easier for Minnesota, with a road trip against Brooklyn and Philadelphia to close out the week. -- Collier

11. New York Knicks

• 2024-25 record: 48-27

• Previous ranking: 6

• Next games: @ CLE (Apr. 2), @ ATL (Apr. 5), vs PHX (Apr. 6), vs. BOS (Apr. 8)

The biggest thing the Knicks are focused on over these final two weeks is star guard Jalen Brunson's health as he recovers from an ankle sprain sustained last month. The team is also hoping backups Deuce McBride and Cam Payne can return soon after missing some time, and for Mitchell Robinson to get back into form after his prolonged absence. But Brunson getting back in time for a handful of regular-season games to feel comfortable heading into the postseason -- something he said he's hoping to do -- would be ideal. -- Chris Herring

12. LA Clippers

• 2024-25 record: 43-32

• Previous ranking: 12

• Next games: vs. NO (Apr. 2), vs. DAL (Apr. 4), vs. DAL (Apr. 5), vs. SA (Apr. 8)

The Clippers are fighting to get to the sixth seed and avoid the play-in. But the most important thing for the Clippers is once again making sure Kawhi Leonard is healthy entering the playoffs. When Leonard missed the first part of the season, he and the Clippers said they wanted to do everything they could to ensure the superstar doesn't get hurt in the playoffs like he has the past two occasions. They've been holding Leonard out of back-to-backs, but luckily, they have only one back-to-back remaining, consecutive home games against Dallas. -- Youngmisuk

13. Detroit Pistons

• 2024-25 record: 42-33

• Previous ranking: 14

• Next games: @ OKC (Apr. 2), @ TOR (Apr. 4), vs. MEM (Apr. 5), vs. SAC (Apr. 7)

Having almost clinched a top-six spot in the East and a direct return to the playoffs for the first time since 2019, the Pistons are focused on seeding over the remainder of the regular season. Catching the Pacers for home-court advantage in the first round could be difficult since Indiana has a two-game lead in the standings and holds the head-to-head tiebreaker, but Detroit will want to stay ahead of the reeling Bucks for fifth. That tiebreaker won't be decided until the season's final weekend when the teams play a home-and-home set. -- Kevin Pelton

14. Milwaukee Bucks

• 2024-25 record: 41-34

• Previous ranking: 13

• Next games: @ PHI (Apr. 3), @ MIA (Apr. 5), @ NO (Apr. 6), vs. MIN (Apr. 8)

Damian Lillard's health is the biggest thing to watch in Milwaukee, which dropped four straight games before their win against the Suns on Tuesday night and has fallen to No. 6 in the standings since the superstar's absence. Any chance of the Bucks making a deep postseason run hangs on whether Lillard can return this season. The emerging chemistry between Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, the highest-scoring duo in the league, is something the Bucks will sorely need in the postseason. -- Collier

15. Atlanta Hawks

• 2024-25 record: 36-39

• Previous ranking: 16

• Next games: @ DAL (Apr. 2), vs. NYK (Apr. 5), vs. UTAH (Apr. 6), @ ORL (Apr. 8)

Atlanta will want to prioritize not overworking Trae Young, who's been day-to-day lately with right Achilles tendonitis. Beyond that, the Hawks are also focusing on getting backup big Clint Capela (left hand injury) back soon should they reach the playoffs. The Hawks will be circling their two remaining games with the Magic, whom Atlanta is incredibly likely to face in the play-in matchup for the No. 7 seed. The two teams, who have been swapping spots in the standings all season, are neck-and-neck in games back. -- Herring

16. Dallas Mavericks

• 2024-25 record: 37-39

• Previous ranking: 19

• Next games: vs. ATL (Apr. 2), @ LAC (Apr. 4), @ LAC (Apr. 5)

The Mavs will at least get a glimpse of general manager Nico Harrison's vision of the NBA's biggest and most dynamic frontcourt down the stretch. Anthony Davis (adductor strain) and Daniel Gafford (knee sprain) recently returned from extended injury absences, and Dereck Lively II (ankle stress fracture) is on the verge of doing so. Davis has averaged 14.3 points and 6.8 rebounds in four games since returning, chipping off rust while dealing with a minutes restriction. Gafford had 17 points and 7 rebounds in 19 minutes during Monday's loss to the Nets, his first game back. -- MacMahon

17. Sacramento Kings

• 2024-25 record: 36-39

• Previous ranking: 15

• Next games: @ WAS (Apr. 2), @ CHA (Apr. 4), @ CLE (Apr. 6), @ DET (Apr. 7)

Despite losing six of their past seven games, the Kings are still clinging to the 10th and final play-in spot in the West. Durant's injury improves Sacramento's chances at postseason play as they are 1 games ahead of the Suns. But the head-to-head tiebreaker is up for grabs on the last day of the regular season as they face off in Sacramento. Between now and then, the Kings' more favorable schedule makes them BPI's favorites to reach the play-in in 85% of simulations. -- Pelton

18. Orlando Magic

• 2024-25 record: 37-40

• Previous ranking: 18

• Next games: @ WAS (Apr. 3), vs. ATL (Apr. 8)

The Magic are locked in a battle for seeding in the play-in tournament as they've slipped behind the Hawks for seventh. If they fall any lower, advancing with a single play-in win would be off the table. Orlando and Atlanta will play twice in the season's final five games, starting Tuesday at Amway Arena. The Magic have gone 5-2 in their past seven games but haven't made up any ground on the Hawks. -- Pelton

19. Chicago Bulls

• 2024-25 record: 34-42

• Previous ranking: 21

• Next games: vs. POR (Apr. 4), @ CHA (Apr. 6), @ CLE (Apr. 8)

Keep your eyes on Josh Giddey entering free agency. The Bulls' recent surge allowed them to briefly set their sights on moving up in the standings for the East play-in tournament before settling back to No. 10 this week, but the most important thing to watch down the stretch will be how Giddey finishes the season. His numbers have been impressive since the All-Star break and, along with Coby White, he's given the Bulls a backcourt to build around. However, Giddey's finish, including during any postseason, will be key to proving he is a different player than the one who got benched in Oklahoma City in last season's playoffs. -- Collier

20. Phoenix Suns

• 2024-25 record: 35-41

• Previous ranking: 17

• Next games: @ BOS (Apr. 4), @ NYK (Apr. 6), vs. GS (Apr. 8)

Will Kevin Durant's sprained ankle dash any hopes of the Suns making at least the play-in tournament? Before Durant got hurt in a blowout loss to the Rockets, handing them their third loss in a row, Phoenix had won five out of six. They're only 1 games behind the No. 10 Kings, whom they face on the last day of the season. But with Durant sidelined at least a week and with upcoming games against the Celtics, Knicks, Warriors and Thunder, it seems as though the sun is beginning to set on Phoenix's season. -- McMenamin

21. Miami Heat

• 2024-25 record: 34-41

• Previous ranking: 23

• Next games: @ BOS (Apr. 2), vs. MEM (Apr. 3), vs. MIL (Apr. 5), vs. PHI (Apr. 7)

After following up a 10-game losing streak with a five-game winning streak, Miami has given itself a chance to get back into the 7-8 play-in game. For Miami, getting into the playoffs means avoiding having two unprotected picks out in the future. -- Bontemps

22. Portland Trail Blazers

• 2024-25 record: 33-43

• Previous ranking: 20

• Next games: @ TOR (Apr. 3), @ CHI (Apr. 4), vs. SA (Apr. 6)

A four-game losing streak has probably taken the possibility of the Blazers reaching the play-in tournament off the table. They're 3 games back from the Kings and would also have to pass the Suns to finish at No.10 in the standings. At some point soon, Portland's focus may shift to finishing as high in the lottery as possible. The Blazers and Spurs will most likely enter the lottery eighth and ninth, with that order to be determined. The two teams play Sunday in Portland. -- Pelton

23. New Orleans Pelicans

• 2024-25 record: 21-54

• Previous ranking: 27

• Next games: @ LAC (Apr. 2), @ LAL (Apr. 4), vs. MIL (Apr. 6), @ BKN (Apr. 8)

Bad news on the injury front continues for New Orleans, which announced Monday that star forward Zion Williamson (backbone contusion) and guard CJ McCollum (right foot bone contusion) would miss the remainder of the season. There's also a chance that three other players -- Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy III, and Herbert Jones -- could miss at least part of next season recovering from injuries that ended their 2024-25 campaign. With injuries derailing this team's season early, the Pelicans need to finish 2024-25 with an eye on the draft and roster construction to fill in expected gaps they'll have to start next season. -- Wright

24. San Antonio Spurs

• 2024-25 record: 31-44

• Previous ranking: 22

• Next games: @ DEN (Apr. 2), vs. CLE (Apr. 6), @ POR (Apr. 6), @ LAC (Apr. 8)

San Antonio will need a miracle to nudge its way into the play-in tournament, but that doesn't mean the Spurs won't close out the season fighting hard to make that a reality. The problem is that four of San Antonio's eight opponents down the stretch own records of .500 or better, and the Spurs close the regular season with five road outings. Despite playing without Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox, the Spurs still have several young players auditioning for future roles. It's worth watching whether Stephon Castle will cement what appears to be a Rookie of the Year season. -- Wright

25. Toronto Raptors

• 2024-25 record: 28-48

• Previous ranking: 25

• Next games: vs. POR (Apr. 3), vs. DET (Apr. 4), @ BKN (Apr. 6)

While Toronto won't get to see what Brandon Ingram looks like with this group before the end of the season, the Raptors are getting chances to see Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley together, after the two of them have rarely shared any court time because of injuries since Quickley arrived last season. After being eliminated from the postseason on Tuesday night, the Raptors can at least use their last few games to see what that duo could look like moving forward. -- Bontemps

26. Brooklyn Nets

• 2024-25 record: 25-51

• Previous ranking: 24

• Next games: vs. MIN (Apr. 3), vs. TOR (Apr. 6), vs. NO (Apr. 8)

Even as Brooklyn remains in striking distance of the tanking Sixers for the NBA's fifth-worst mark -- and the 10.5% chance at the top pick in the lottery -- it's clear that first-year Nets coach Jordi Fernandez is trying to squeeze whatever he can out of this group. The Nets just won back-to-back games (against the Wizards and Mavericks) for the first time since the All-Star break. -- Herring

27. Philadelphia 76ers

• 2024-25 record: 23-53

• Previous ranking: 26

• Next games: vs. MIL (Apr. 3), vs. MIN (Apr. 5), @ MIA (Apr. 7)

After Brooklyn pulled off back-to-back victories, Philadelphia now holds a "lead" over the Nets for fifth place in the NBA's draft lottery standings -- a massively important position for the 76ers to be in, given their pick needs to fall inside the top six spots to avoid sending it to the Thunder. Finishing fifth, rather than sixth, will give Philadelphia a nearly two-thirds chance of keeping the pick. This is the main focus for Philadelphia over the next week and a half. -- Bontemps

28. Charlotte Hornets

• 2024-25 record: 19-56

• Previous ranking: 28

• Next games: @ IND (Apr. 2), vs. SAC (Apr. 4), vs. CHI (Apr. 6), vs. MEM (Apr. 8)

More than anything, Charlotte -- even after its Monday win over Utah -- will want to stay positioned in the bottom three of the league's standings to grab the top lottery odds along with the Jazz and Wizards. With LaMelo Ball (ankle and wrist) ruled out for the rest of the season, and the club sitting two games worse than the Pelicans in the overall standings, the Hornets seem increasingly likely to finish where they want to be: at the bottom. -- Herring

29. Washington Wizards

• 2024-25 record: 16-59

• Previous ranking: 30

• Next games: vs. SAC (Apr. 2), vs. ORL (Apr. 3), @ BOS (Apr. 6), @ IND (Apr. 8)

With seven games remaining in the season, the Wizards have to ensure that they have the best lottery odds in what is expected to be a loaded draft. They're approaching 60 losses on the season and are in a dead heat with Utah to finish with the worst record, with Charlotte not far behind. The three worst records will earn 14% odds for the top overall pick. While Washington wants to get youngsters like Alex Sarr quality experience down the stretch, it's imperative to maintain the highest odds for the No. 1 pick. -- Youngmisuk

30. Utah Jazz

• 2024-25 record: 16-60

• Previous ranking: 29

• Next games: @ HOU (Apr. 2), @ IND (Apr. 4), @ ATL (Apr. 6)

One of John Stockton's assist records has been broken by rookie Isaiah Collier. Collier, who dished out seven assists in Monday's loss to the Hornets, now has 419 assists for the season, breaking Stockton's previous franchise record for a rookie of 415. The No. 29 pick in last year's draft would need 15,388 more assists to break Stockton's NBA career record. -- MacMahon

LOS ANGELES -- The first seven games of the Los Angeles Dodgers' 2025 season have seen them play in two continents, face two reigning Cy Young Award winners and navigate two elaborate pregame ceremonies.

Major League Baseball's traditional Opening Day was only five days ago, and yet it seems as if the Dodgers have already done it all -- except lose.

On Tuesday night, they came from behind to beat the languishing Atlanta Braves 3-1 and improve to 7-0, tying the 1933 New York Yankees of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig for the best start to a season for a reigning champion. Only two Dodgers teams have started a season on a longer winning streak, and both instances -- in 1940 and 1955 -- occurred when the franchise was still in Brooklyn.

The current Dodgers did it by overcoming both Tarik Skubal and Chris Sale. They did it despite beginning their season more than 5,000 miles away, in Japan. They did it with either Mookie Betts or Freddie Freeman or -- as was the case from the Tokyo Dome -- both absent from the lineup more than half the time. And they did it while shouldering the pressure and expectations of one of the most star-studded rosters in their sport's history.

"All that stuff. It's tough to win a handful of ballgames, let alone all of them," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, whose team has stayed just ahead of the 6-0 San Diego Padres in the National League West. "I think we just do a really good job of resetting."

The Dodgers have yet to fully click. But a theme has developed through their first seven contests: solid pitching and timely hitting. Their .864 OPS with runners in scoring position is the seventh highest in the majors, despite not yet unveiling their best lineup. Their 2.25 ERA ranks fourth, even though Roki Sasaki and Tanner Scott -- two of their biggest offseason pitching acquisitions -- have dealt with early struggles.

On Tuesday, Dustin May took the mound for the first time in more than 22 months and set the tone early, limiting the Braves to only an unearned run -- on an errant throw from Betts while attempting to turn a double play -- through five innings.

May, 27, grabbed the fifth spot in the Dodgers' rotation largely because Tony Gonsolin was beset by a back injury late in spring training. Not long ago, May wasn't sure if he'd ever make it back. In July, May was roughly a month away from returning from flexor tendon surgery and a Tommy John revision. Then a piece of lettuce got stuck in his throat at an Arizona restaurant, a freak occurrence that caused a serious tear in his esophagus, sent him to the emergency room, necessitated abdominal surgery and ended his 2024 season before it began.

May started Tuesday's outing by striking out each of the first three batters he faced. The Braves, who have scored just nine runs while starting their season 0-6, didn't do much else over the next four innings. By the end of it, May felt gratified to learn that his devastating arsenal -- a hellacious sweeper, a bowling ball sinker and an upper-90s fastball -- still plays against major league hitters.

Mostly, though, he felt relief.

May had experienced nerves while making his major league debut in 2019 and pitching in the World Series in 2020, but this one, he said, felt "way more heavy."

"The debut, the World Series and all that stuff is -- not expected, but you're there in the moment, and everything is going on, you know it's coming," May said. "This -- I didn't know if I was going to come back, so it was a huge, huge sigh of relief."

May departed after 81 pitches with a 1-0 deficit, but the Dodgers finally broke through against Sale an inning later. And the decisive blow was once again provided by Betts, who teamed with Sale to win the World Series as a member of the Boston Red Sox in 2018. With one on and none out in the bottom of the sixth, Betts got a 1-1 slider out over the plate and lofted it over the left-field fence for his third homer in four games, all of which have driven in the go-ahead run.

Three Dodgers relievers -- Alex Vesia, Blake Treinen and Scott, who pitched an encouraging ninth inning -- did the rest, making the Braves MLB's lone winless team.

Betts has joined the likes of Freeman and Shohei Ohtani, among others, in setting an early tone for these Dodgers, either through their words or their actions. The messaging has been consistent since the onset of spring training: What they accomplished last fall, claiming the franchise's first full-season championship since 1988, did not matter. Chasing the regular-season wins record of 117 is irrelevant. All that matters, Betts and others have consistently preached, is maximizing each day. And for the first seven games of 162, the Dodgers have.

"They're not settling for just the one ring," first-year Dodgers outfielder Michael Conforto said. "They're hungry. I think it's just engrained in the group of guys they had last year. They made it a point, for the new guys that are here, to just understand the mindset to go out there and win every single day, not take any days off, and just be able to get after it. That's the expectation."

NEW YORK -- Giancarlo Stanton, one of the first known adopters of the torpedo bat, declined Tuesday to say whether he believes using it last season caused the tendon ailments in both elbows that forced him to begin this season on the injured list.

Last month, Stanton alluded to "bat adjustments" he made last season as a possible reason for the epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow, he's dealing with.

"You're not going to get the story you're looking for," Stanton said. "So, if that's what you guys want, that ain't going to happen."

Stanton said he will continue using the torpedo bat when he returns from injury. The 35-year-old New York Yankees slugger, who has undergone multiple rounds of platelet-rich plasma injections to treat his elbows, shared during spring training that season-ending surgery on both elbows was a possibility. But he has progressed enough to recently begin hitting off a Trajekt -- a pitching robot that simulates any pitcher's windup, arm angle and arsenal. However, he still wouldn't define his return as "close."

He said he will first have to go on a minor league rehab assignment at an unknown date for an unknown period. It won't start in the next week, he added.

"This is very unique," Stanton said. "I definitely haven't missed a full spring before. So, it just depends on my timing, really, how fast I get to feel comfortable in the box versus live pitching."

While the craze of the torpedo bat (also known as the bowling pin bat) has swept the baseball world since it was revealed Saturday -- while the Yankees were blasting nine home runs against the Milwaukee Brewers -- that a few members of the Yankees were using one, the modified bat already had quietly spread throughout the majors in 2024. Both Stanton and former Yankees catcher Jose Trevino, now with the Cincinnati Reds, were among players who used the bats last season after being introduced to the concept by Aaron Leanhardt, an MIT-educated physicist and former minor league hitting coordinator for the organization.

Anthony Volpe, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt and Austin Wells were among the Yankees who used torpedo bats during their season-opening sweep of the Brewers.

Stanton explained he has changed bats before. He said he has usually adjusted the length. Sometimes, he opts for lighter bats at the end of the long season. In the past, when knuckleballers were more common in the majors, he'd opt for heavier lumber.

Last year, he said he simply chose his usual bat but with a different barrel after experimenting with a few models.

"I mean, it makes a lot of sense," Stanton said. "But it's, like, why hasn't anyone thought of it in 100-plus years? So, it's explained simply and then you try it and as long as it's comfortable in your hands [it works]. We're creatures of habit, so the bat's got to feel kind of like a glove or an extension of your arm."

Stanton went on to lead the majors with an average bat velocity of 81.2 mph -- nearly 3 mph ahead of the competition. He had a rebound, but not spectacular, regular season in which he batted .233 with 27 home runs and a .773 OPS before clubbing seven home runs in 14 playoff games.

"It's not like [it was] unreal all of a sudden for me," Stanton said.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone described the torpedo bats "as the evolution of equipment" comparable to getting fitted for new golf clubs. He said the organization is not pushing players to use them and insisted the science is more complicated than just picking a bat with a different barrel.

"There's a lot more to it than, 'I'll take the torpedo bat on the shelf over there -- 34 [inches], 32 [ounces],'" Boone said. "Our guys are way more invested in it than that. And really personalized, really work with our players in creating this stuff. But it's equipment evolving."

As players around the majors order torpedo bats in droves after the Yankees' barrage over the weekend -- they clubbed a record-tying 13 homers in two games against the Brewers -- Boone alluded to the notion that, though everyone is aware of the concept, not every organization can optimize its usage.

"You're trying to just, where you can on the margins, move the needle a little bit," Boone said. "And that's really all you're going to do. I don't think this is some revelation to where we're going to be; it's not related to the weekend that we had, for example. Like, I don't think it's that. Maybe in some cases, for some players, it may help them incrementally. That's how I view it."