The first rule of the playoffs is to stay in the playoffs, but that’s easier said than done. As the first round rages on in both the NHL and NBA here’s a round-up of the eliminated teams and the squads who could be next.

Free agency adds intrigue to training camp: Teams use camp to evaluate their talent, making it the perfect place to identify roster holes…and the athletes outside the franchise who could fill them. A few big-name free agents remain unsigned: defensive juggernaut Natasha Cloud, WNBA legend Tina Charles, and international icon Emma Meesseman.

The top storylines to know as the NBA postseason tips off.

The NBA playoff field is almost locked in. Here's how the postseason works.

Two games in, and the NBA Play-In Tournament is already doing what it does best — stirring up chaos. Official playoff berths are on the line, and the high-stakes hoopla has only just begun.

WNBA free agency has lived up to the hype, with a myriad of moves coming after the official signing period opened on Saturday. All that action has set the stage for tonight’s 7 p.m. ET three-round entry draft in NYC. Keep those notifications on — women’s basketball never sleeps.

The NBA postseason picture is taking shape ahead of the regular-season finale on Sunday. And while the Eastern Conference middle-of-the-standings traffic jam is intriguing, the league MVP race is providing the real drama. The culprit? A little something called the 65-game rule. Let’s discuss.

Whether it’s Angel Reese’s jaw-dropping trade to the Atlanta Dream or the free agent frenzy that’s only just begun, the WNBA keeps making headlines ahead of its milestone 30th season. No time to waste — let’s hoop right to it.

As the last of the women’s confetti falls, it’s time for the men’s championship, tonight at 8:50 p.m. ET. No. 1 seed Michigan dismantled No. 1 Arizona 91–73 in Saturday’s Final Four to book their spot in the title game, taking on No. 2 UConn, who outlasted No. 3 Illinois 71–62. Here’s what you need to know ahead of tipoff.

The No. 1 UCLA Bruins are national champions after yesterday’s 79–51 shellacking of fellow No. 1 seed, South Carolina. Childhood dreams were realized, iconic crossovers occurred, and a pair of leather pants came in clutch — let’s relive the magic from this Bruins masterclass.

The Final Four is the pinnacle of college basketball, and this year’s men’s slate is fascinating. First up, an unexpected matchup between No. 2 UConn and No. 3 Illinois tips off at 6:09 p.m. ET, followed by a heavyweight bout between No. 1 seeds Arizona and Michigan at 8:49 p.m. ET. Winners advance to Monday’s national championship — no pressure.

The coin has spoken, and the Portland Fire own the No. 1 pick in today’s 3:30 p.m. ET WNBA expansion draft. The Fire and Toronto Tempo will alternate picks in the snake-style, two-round draft, building their inaugural rosters by selecting up to 12 players each from the league’s 13 existing teams.