分類: 综合

Sometimes, you have to do everything in your power to stop a player from scoring. During the Oklahoma City Thunder’s game against the Orlando Magic, guard Alex Caruso lost his shoe while playing. However, the game was still in progress, giving the guard no time to put his shoe back on.

With the game still going on, Caruso used everything to his advantage… even his shoes. As Magic forward Tristan da Silva was going up for a layup, the Thunder guard went up and went for the block with his shoe.

Although it was a strange sight to see, it was also an illegal maneuver according to NBA rules. Caruso was convicted of a technical foul for his actions. Additionally, the Thunder guard was also called for goaltending, meaning da Silva’s shot attempt would count as a basket.

The Thunder won 113–108 in a hard-fought match against the Magic. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander again led the Thunder with 40 points on 14-for-27 shooting from the field, 28 of which came in the second half. Caruso finished with only two points, but he also finished with eight rebounds and two steals. Caruso scored +19 in 23 minutes off the bench.

After the game, Caruso admitted that if he had known the basket would count, he would not have used his shoe.

“I had never been in that situation before,” Caruso said. The Oklahoman After the game. “And, I don’t know, it came to me. I just thought I’d block it, and I honestly don’t know what I thought the call would be. I didn’t know it would be a goaltending and a technique. If I had known that, I probably wouldn’t have done it because it’s a three point. It’s an automatic bucket, and he didn’t even put the ball above the rim.”

With the win, the Thunder have secured a postseason berth. They play the Brooklyn Nets tomorrow.

The Atlanta Hawks have spent much of the 2025-26 season navigating a landscape of transition and change. Following the historic trade in January that sent franchise icon Trae Young to the Washington Wizards, the team initially struggled to find its footing. However, under the steady hand of Quin Snyder, Atlanta has gone on an impressive ten-game winning streak dating back to late March. They are currently 37-31 and are the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. Thus, the Hawks are playing their best basketball of the year.

Jalen Johnson has developed into a legitimate All-Star. He’s racking up triple-doubles with terrifying frequency. Meanwhile, Dyson Daniels has closed the perimeter. This recent success has changed the energy in the A’s. However, the front office knows the move from a play-in hopeful to a true contender. They must take advantage of their upcoming draft assets.

missing pieces

Despite the current winning streak, there are still clear areas of improvement on the Hawks roster that the 2026 NBA Draft can address. Young’s departure leaves a huge void in high-level shot creation and long-term backcourt stability. This is especially true given that McCallum is serving as an experienced bridge forward. Atlanta needs a dynamic perimeter threat who can facilitate and score at all three levels to complement Johnson’s point-forward talents.

Additionally, while Onyeka Okongwu remains a defensive stalwart, the team could benefit from more elite wing depth. They may also be looking for a versatile forward who can provide both floor spacing and defensive switchability. Onsi Saleh and the scouting department aimed to find a high-impact talent who would fit the modern, versatile identity Snyder was building. They need a player who can thrive in a fast-paced, high-assist system that currently leads the NBA in points per game.

Darrin Peterson, Kansas

If the Hawks are looking for a key backcourt successor, look no further than Kansas guard Darrin Peterson. Standing at 6 feet 5 inches tall, Peterson is considered one of the most talented guard players to enter the draft in the last few years. He compares highly with some of the league’s most elite three-point scorers. Despite dealing with minor hamstring problems early in the season, his performance for the fourth-seeded Jayhawks has not been stellar. He has an innate ability to reach his spots, using picturesque footwork and devastating changes of pace to leave defenders in the thrashings.

For Atlanta, Pettersson’s ability to knock down a high volume of threes and manipulate defenses with the pick-and-roll would be a perfect fit. Watching him go through the pressure of the East Region will reveal if he has the mental toughness to lead a backcourt at the next level.

AJ DiBantsa, BYU

Certainly, the Hawks have found a star in Johnson. However, adding a jumbo wing like BYU’s AJ Dybantsa could create one of the most dangerous forward tandems in the Eastern Conference. Dyabantsa is a 6-foot-9 scoring machine with a 7-foot wingspan and athleticism that almost seems inappropriate. He has spent this season lighting up the scoreboard. This included multiple 40-point outbursts that solidified his status as the potential number-one overall pick. His offensive range is also astronomical. He can easily pull up from mid-range or use his elastic body type to acrobatically finish at the rim.

Yes, critics have pointed to his defensive consistency. Still, the physical tools for a lockdown appearance are in place under Snyder’s tutelage. If DiBantsa can lead the Cougars on a deep run, he could force the Hawks to do whatever it takes to get on the board.

Cameron Boozer, Duke

For those who value a high-floor prospect with an unmatched win history, Duke’s Cameron Boozer is the perfect name. At 6 foot 10 inches and 250 pounds, Boozer has been the driving force behind the Blue Devils receiving the number one overall seed in the tournament. He’s a rare prospect who combines elite physicality with warp-speed basketball IQ. Boozer can process the floor like a ten year veteran. His inside-outside scoring versatility and magnetic hands on the glass make him a double-double threat every night.

For the Hawks, he represents a plug-and-play asset who makes an impact on wins through elite rebounding, pinpoint outlet passing and under-rated defensive versatility. As he leads Duke into the battle for the East Region, scouts will want to see how his strength and skill-set work against some of the most athletic giants in the country. Adding a player of Boozer’s maturity would immediately stabilize Atlanta’s frontcourt for the next decade.

seize the moment

There are whispers about the 2026 draft class in the same manner as those about the famous 2003 group. Now, March Madness is the ultimate proving ground for these future stars. For the Hawks, the tournament represents a live-action scouting report for the pieces that will define their future. Whether it’s Peterson’s excellent shot-making, DiBantsa’s raw athletic ceiling, or Boozer’s disciplined dominance, the talent available is transformative.

The Hawks have shown they can win now. However, to win big they will have to choose wisely when the clock is ticking. As these prospects take the floor under the bright lights, the path back to the top of the Eastern Conference becomes clearer with every bucket and every defensive stop.

While this season has been a rough one for the Sacramento Kings, Russell Westbrook, in his 18th year, has continued to work hard and help become a leader for the younger players around him. In the process of doing so, Westbrook has also continued to add to his legacy, and that’s what he did on Tuesday night against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.

Westbrook, the NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles, has added another major feat to his list of accomplishments as he moves past Mark Jackson (10,334) and Steve Nash (10,335) into fifth place on the league’s all-time assist leaderboard with 10,336 career assists and counting.

This puts Westbrook in the all-time top five in assists along with LeBron James (11,090), Jason Kidd (12,091), Chris Paul (12,552), and John Stockton (15,806).

Westbrook recently became the first guard in NBA history to surpass 9,000 career rebounds.

Despite playing with a handful of teams in the latter stages of his career, Westbrook has continued to play at a high level, and the 37-year-old guard is proving that retirement is not on his mind just yet.

Although the Kings are one of the NBA’s worst teams at 18-51 heading into Tuesday night games, Westbrook has had arguably his best season in the last three years.

In 62 games this season, excluding the Kings’ game against the Spurs, Westbrook has averaged 15.4 points, 6.6 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 42.8 percent from the floor. His six triple-doubles this year rank fifth among all players, and two of them have come in his last three games.

Coincidentally, the Kings have done well in achieving their triple-double-like identity with Westbrook, as they have won four of their last five games entering Tuesday night’s game in Sacramento.

The records and accolades speak for themselves, and Westbrook has plenty of records that prove he is a surefire Hall of Famer. This is his latest accomplishment that adds a whole new layer to his greatness as one of the best passers in NBA history.

March is the month when legends are forged in college basketball’s brightest lights. For the Milwaukee Bucks, this is the best scouting ground. As the 2026 NCAA Tournament begins, the basketball world has its eyes on young developments that will soon impact the fate of NBA contenders. The atmosphere is electric, and the stakes are existential. For an NBA team looking to revitalize their rotation, this tournament is a high-stakes audition.

It’s a unique thing to see a kid carrying the weight of the campus on his shoulders while NBA scouts write notes in the shade. For the Bucks, it’s certainly about finding the missing pieces of a championship puzzle that’s starting to look a little frayed around the edges.

Cream City Rollercoaster

The 2025-26 season has been difficult and often disappointing for Milwaukee. The Bucks are in 11th place in the Eastern Conference with a 28-39 record. Despite the Herculean efforts of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who continues to put up MVP-caliber numbers, the supporting cast has struggled to maintain consistency. The defensive identity that once defined this team has slipped to 24th in the league. Similarly, crime has also often remained stable. It is ranked lowest in terms of points per game.

Under Doc Rivers, the Bucks have shown glimpses of their former talent. However, 8 defeats in their last 10 matches have underlined the dire need for change. The Fiserv forum crowd is restless. As the possibility of the postseason bubble bursting increases, the focus has naturally shifted toward the draft as the primary vehicle for redemption.

Missing Links of Deer District

Heading into the 2026 NBA Draft, Jon Horst and the Bucks front office should prioritize NBA-ready talent over raw, long-term projects. The roster is crying out for dynamic wing depth and a lead guard who can take the playmaking burden off Giannis. Milwaukee’s defensive rating is a clear red flag. That means they need prospects with high defensive IQ and the physical tools to switch to multiple positions.

The modern NBA demands versatility and shooting, two areas where the Bucks have looked dangerously weak. The Bucks must be surgical in their evaluation as they navigate a complicated pick-swap situation with the Pelicans and Hawks. They need to find players who can deliver strong performances from day one and provide the spark this aging center is sorely lacking.

Nate Ament, Tennessee

One name that every Bucks fan should write down on their bracket is Nate Ament out of Tennessee. Standing 6 feet 10 inches tall with a guard’s shooting touch, Ament represents the prototype of the modern NBA forward. After a rough start to his college career, Ament has absolutely exploded over the last two months of the season. He is adept at navigating in space and has developed a bad habit of making contacts. His staggering 7.5 free throw attempts per game recently prove this point.

For Milwaukee, Ament’s ability to stretch the floor and make timely cuts will be a godsend. His three-point percentage is also up. Additionally, his size will allow the Bucks to play big without compromising speed or shooting.

Kingston Flemings, Houston

If the Bucks are looking for a player who can turn a defensive stop into a fast-break highlight in the blink of an eye, Houston’s Kingston Flemings is that guy. Flemings is considered one of the fastest and most explosive athletes in this draft class. He’s a north-south blur who finishes above the rim with terrific authority. Playing under Kelvin Sampson, he has been molded into a defensive-first culture. That should make him a plug-and-play fit for a Milwaukee system that needs to rediscover its seriousness.

Flemings isn’t just a dunker either. Rather, he is a mid-range specialist who can also hit the long ball when the defense is weak. His ability to navigate passing lanes and stick to his man on the ball will provide an immediate upgrade to the Bucks’ perimeter defense.

Darrin Peterson, Kansas

Finally, we have to talk about Kansas’ Darin Peterson. The 6-6 scoring machine entered the year as the consensus number one overall prospect. Yes, his stock has fluctuated due to health concerns and Kansas’ late-season struggles. Still, his ceiling is as high as anyone else in the class. Peterson is perhaps the most polished offensive prospect to reach the college ranks in years. He simply has a scoring arsenal that allows him to get buckets from anywhere on the floor.

For a Bucks team that ranks 28th in scoring, adding a weapon like Peterson would be like adding high-octane fuel to a sputtering engine. There have been whispers about his intensity. However, there’s no better place to silence the critics than the NCAA Tournament. If Peterson puts in a dominant performance and shows that “Mamba mentality” scouts are looking for, he becomes the ultimate prize for a team like Milwaukee.

The Indiana Pacers may have just etched their name in the franchise record books, but it’s certainly not a reason anyone in Indianapolis wants to celebrate. On Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks handed the Pacers a 136–110 loss, Indiana’s 14th consecutive loss. This disappointing stretch officially sets a new franchise record for the longest losing streak in Pacers history, surpassing the mark held since the late 1980s.

It has been a tough journey for head coach Rick Carlisle and his team, who remain the only team in the NBA without a win since the All-Star break. The absence of superstar guard Tyrese Haliburton, who is out for the season with a torn Achilles, has left a huge void that the roster can’t easily fill. Without their primary playmaker, the Pacers’ offense looked disjointed and tired, a trend that continued against a surging Knicks team.

Even with the Knicks missing star point guard Jalen Brunson due to an ankle injury, the home team’s depth was too much to handle. Karl-Anthony Towns dominated the interior, while Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby provided consistent pressure on the wings. New York jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, taking advantage of an Indiana defense that has struggled to make stops during this historic slide.

Jarace Walker tried to keep things competitive for the Pacers, but the lack of veteran support, coupled with Pascal Siakam’s knee problem, made it an uphill battle from the starting point. As the final buzzer sounded in New York, the reality of the 15-54 record began to set in. While the team is clearly in evaluation mode, falling into such a historic rut is a tough pill to swallow for fans. Indiana will head home the next day, looking for any way to stop the bleeding before this record grows even longer.

Oh my god, the Jared McCann trade is the gift that keeps on giving to the Philadelphia 76ers; Not quite in the way many fans would have expected.

While the red, white and blue are improbably winning without their Big 3, thanks to the big play of a different random player in every outing, McCann is thriving in Oklahoma City, looking like the player Thunder fans saw during his rookie campaign but never thought would be on their team next season.

And the worst part? Mark Dangeault’s willingness to run plays through McCann highlighted how poorly the 76ers utilized the Duke sharpshooter during his sophomore season.

Discussing his experience with Thunder veterans setting screens for him, McCann said he always loved watching Joel Embiid screen for Tyrese Maxey in two-man games, but he rarely had that chance until landing in Oklahoma City.

“It’s crazy. When I was in Philly, I used to do this with Joel Tyrese, and I was like, ‘Dang, it’s really cool out there,'” McCain said, via Justin Martinez. “So it’s really fun to be able to be a part of it. Playing with Hart, J-Will and Chet, they’re all elite legends. I’m excited to play with them.”

Jared McCain asked if he had played with a big man who could make the screening a major play, like Isaiah Hartenstein:

“It’s crazy. When I was in Philly, I used to do this with Joel Tyrese and I was like ‘Dang, it’s really cool there.’ So to be able to be a part of it… pic.twitter.com/vTsyiC1P4u

– Justin Martinez (@Justintohoops) 17 March 2026

Now understandably, these comments did not sit well with many 76ers fans, who flooded Martinez’s comment section with demands for Nick Nurse’s job. Some called him incompetent, others suggested he should be “blown in the sun”, and others still took a step further, requesting a clean house, including president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and even the Harris Blitzer Group, which has long been the subject of ridicule for its cap-skirting tactics.

Will the 76ers get the last laugh? Technically, McCann is only averaging 11.4 points per game in Oklahoma City, or about four fewer points than his run in Philadelphia in 2024-25, but as he becomes more comfortable and his minutes continue to increase, that number will increase in no time, making any talk of “overselling” difficult to swallow.

As a rookie last season, Bronny James’ plan was always to spend plenty of time with the South Bay affiliate of the Los Angeles Lakers in the G League.

Now in his second year in the NBA, it’s been a similar story for him. James played in 18 games for South Bay last season, and he’s tied for 18 games this year with less than a month left in the regular season.

Based on the Lakers’ depth chart, there doesn’t appear to be much room in the rotation for the second-year guard. It always made sense that he was going to get more opportunities to develop his game in the G League.

As Bronny James juggles the shuffle between the Lakers and South Bay, one of the things he’s working on is trying to find a balance between finding his shot and being a playmaker for his teammates. At the urging of both Lakers head coach JJ Redick and South Bay head coach Zach Guthrie, James has focused on finding his shot when the opportunity arises.

“They always tell me they want me to be as aggressive as possible and try to score,” James told ClutchPoints in an exclusive interview. “That’s been my mentality all the time now. If they give it to me, I’ll take a bucket. If not, just put it back in space and make a play. Not really thinking too much and just playing basketball.”

This work is in progress. As a point guard, James has a natural penchant for moving the ball and getting his teammates involved. Last year, he averaged 4.6 assists per game while in the G League. This season, he has slightly less than four assists. During his first two games with South Bay, he posted back-to-back games of eight assists.

This was followed by a streak of seven games where he averaged 5.3 assists per game. With the Lakers, James has had two games with six assists this season. He walks a good path for all players trying to become a successful guard in the NBA. It’s all about finding your shot, and finding the right balance between keeping the offense humming and getting scoring opportunities to your teammates.

“I think it’s just staying aggressive. I’m looking for my shot first and if the defender comes in front of me, I make the pass,” James said. “Just play your game and experience the defense while the game is going on.”

Bronny James’s G League development with South Bay

While opportunities with the Lakers are few and far between, there is ample playing time available for James in the G League. By mid-March, he had appeared in 18 games with South Bay, equal to his total appearances from the previous season.

His average has been 13.3 points, which is less than 18.6 points a year ago. Their total number has decreased slightly; 3.0 rebounds compared to 4.4 and 3.8 assists compared to 4.6. But their efficiency has improved. James is shooting 48.7 percent from the field, up from 41.9 percent last year. And his 3-point efficiency has gone from 33.6 percent to 34.4 percent.

It’s a balanced approach for James, which is a byproduct of the game being slow for him, as well as playing with a talented South Bay team.

“Yeah, I would say so. We have a lot of talent on our team so it’s an easy job for me,” James said. “I’m trying to do everything I can to win, whether it’s getting buckets or facilitating or playing defense.”

One way James’ time with South Bay has helped his development is the chance to play with his ‘be ready’ Lakers teammates in live game action. He has suited up with Edou Thirou, Dalton Knecht, Kobe Bufkin, Drew Timme, Chris Mannon and Nick Smith Jr. This group often scrimmages against each other in ‘Be Ready’ games after Lakers practice.

This is a group that doesn’t often see the court on a regular basis in the NBA, but playing together with South Bay gives them an opportunity to build togetherness and implement what the Lakers’ coaching staff wants to see from their development.

“I like to get my teammates involved because they’re all really talented and they can get buckets,” James said. “So I don’t have to be the only one trying to score the whole game. It’s definitely an easier job when I’m playing with them.”

Bronny James’ outlook on the rest of the season

While the Lakers certainly aspire to make a strong showing in the NBA playoffs, South Bay has emerged as a contender itself once the G League postseason begins. They recently set a franchise record of 12 consecutive wins, and they hold sole possession of first place in the G League’s Western Conference standings.

James is likely to play a much bigger role in South Bay’s postseason run than the Lakers, provided he is deployed when the G League playoffs begin at the end of the month. He’s already looking forward to a possible partnership with the group.

“We’re ranked No. 1 in the Western Conference right now,” James said. “We’re on a winning streak, and I think we can go very far in the playoffs. Do whatever it takes to win. I think it’s good for my development.”

The G League Finals are set to conclude just before the NBA Playoffs begin. Should South Bay get that far, it’s probably safe to assume James will be on the roster. And then he’ll be back in time for a potential playoff run with the Lakers.

And no matter which team he is with, he will bring his same winning mentality.

“I think it’s just coming out and doing whatever the coach needs. If I came back to the Lakers, it would be the same thing,” James said. “Just playing a role and excelling at it. I have different roles on both of my teams, so whatever it is, just doing it at a high level.”

San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet has been a constant for the team throughout the season, stepping up in the absence of Victor Wembanyama. He found himself starting for the All-Star big man on several occasions this season, which he jokingly talked about white noise podcast.

“Vic was out for a while and then he was back on minutes restriction and coming off the bench,” Kornett said. “And we were doing pretty well. And nobody really asked me how I felt about it. I don’t know if you’re familiar with Wally Pipp. It was fun too because there was the All-Star thing going on and it felt like I was the starter on the team. I saw a lot of votes going the other way.”

Wembanyama returned to the Spurs lineup this season after playing only 46 games in the 2024–2025 season due to deep vein thrombosis. He made one appearance earlier this season in his third year in the league, but was slightly derailed by a calf strain. After being out for a few weeks, he returned in time for the in-season tournament and Christmas Day games versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the Spurs coaching staff moved him off the bench out of an abundance of caution. Instead, Luke Cornet began managing Vembanyama’s minutes following the injury.

The Spurs were actually able to remain competitive in the Western Conference without Wembanyama, posting a 10–5 record in 15 games without him this season. Kornet certainly played a role, averaging 6.7 points and 6.2 rebounds on 65% from the floor.

Former US President Barack Obama is currently promoting the upcoming inauguration of the Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center, which is scheduled to be inaugurated on June 19. To promote this, the 44th US President posted an extremely hilarious video on X featuring none other than Anthony Edwards, which ended in a challenge to ANT.

Obama said that he would like the second head-to-head game between the two to be played on their home court after the Presidential Center opens. The Minnesota Timberwolves talisman, in turn, posted an indifferent response to the challenge on Twitter.

More in a minute https://t.co/3M4jU0LeRM

– Anthony Edwards (@anthonyedwards) 17 March 2026

“In a minute OG,” he wrote, apparently promising to make an appearance at the Obama Presidential Center as well, as was also suggested in the original clip.

In it, Obama can initially be seen trying to shoot a clip before running out of the house to find Edwards.

“I can’t believe I’m still dealing with this. Oh, you want some of this,” he says, and the two proceed to play a game of basketball.

“I see what’s happening with your jumpshot,” ANT claimed, before Obama referenced an old clip in which ANT promised to be ‘the truth’.

“I remember you told me you’re true. I’m not sure you’ve got the range. It’s the money, oh come on,” he says when his shot bounces off the rim. Obama then promised to ‘fix things’.

When Obama asks Edwards a direct question, the two proceed to share a hilarious moment.

“What do you call a person who doesn’t mind losing?”

“A sore loser,” he replies before promising that the next game will be at the Obama Presidential Center.

“The next one will be on my home court, the Obama Presidential Center on the South Side of Chicago. We’re going to open the Obama Presidential Center to all visitors this summer, even Anthony Edwards,” he said.

Needless to say, with Edwards, who is currently out due to injury, also promising to attend the event, fans can expect another showdown between the two icons.

The Detroit Pistons will be without star point guard Cade Cunningham for the remainder of Tuesday night’s contest against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena in Washington.

The former Oklahoma State Cowboys star played just five minutes in the first half of the Wizards game before leaving the locker room due to an apparent upper body issue.

“Pistons star Cade Cunningham is battling back spasms and will not return for tonight’s game against the Wizards,” ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel shared via a social media post on Twitter.

The 24-year-old Cunningham totaled six points while shooting 2-for-3 from the field with two rebounds and one steal and one turnover before exiting the game.

This story is being updated.

The Miami Heat face the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night and Bam Adebayo is once again on the injury report. The Heat have listed Adebayo as questionable because of right calf tightness, making Miami’s All-Star big man the focus of attention as the team tries to bounce back from its most recent loss.

Miami enters the matchup at 38-30, No. 7 in the Eastern Conference. The Hornets, meanwhile, are 34-34, 10th in the East and also trying to bounce back from a loss. With both teams fighting for position in the playoff and play-in race, Adebayo’s availability has become increasingly important.

Adebayo remains a cornerstone of Miami’s lineup. Over the course of 60 games, he is averaging 20.0 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists while shooting 44.4 percent from the field. He’s also converting 32.3 percent from three-point range and 77.4 percent from the free-throw line. Additionally, the versatile big man contributed 1.2 steals and 0.7 blocks per game, making an impact on both ends of the floor.

When Adebayo is on the court, the Heat operate with more defensive stability and interior presence. His ability to solidify the paint while facilitating the offense provides Miami with a reliable foundation on both ends.

Bam Adebayo Injury Status vs. Hornets

UPDATE: After being listed as “doubtful” due to right calf tightness, he has been downgraded to “doubtful” for the contest. The star said during shootaround before Tuesday’s game against the Hornets that he was “playing down” the issue.

According to The Miami Herald, Adebayo said, “I’m playing through it. But it got to a point that I had to sit down.”

With a tough schedule coming up after the contest in Charlotte, Adebayo may be well served to sit out the games with his calf injury and prepare for the challenge of the games ahead. Spoelstra talked about being “responsible” for Adebayo’s injury.

“We want to make sure he’s feeling good. So we’ll be responsible for that. He’ll continue to get treatment around the clock. If he’s not able to go, Kel’El will step in there and then other guys will obviously have to step up,” Spoelstra said.

The Heat’s injury report includes several additional names. Terry Rozier and Andrew Wiggins are out, while Nikola Jovic and Pelle Larsson are listed as probable. Tyler Herro, Jaime Jacquez Jr., Kaspars Jakuccionis, Drew Smith and Kel’El Ware are all available despite minor injuries.

For Charlotte, the Hornets’ injury report lists PJ Hall, Antonio Reeves and Tidjane Salaun out.

Still, Adebayo’s status remains the most important factor for Miami moving forward. The Heat will look to regain momentum, while the Hornets aim to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference play-in race.

So when it comes to the question of whether Bam Adebayo is playing against the Hornets tonight, the answer is uncertain. His final standing will depend on pre-game evaluation as Miami looks to get back into the win column.

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo went through an injury scare in Sunday’s 134-123 win over the Indiana Pacers, with concerns over whether the issue would keep the player out for some time. The basketball world is worried about what the injury status of Bucks forward Antetokounmpo will be, with the latest report revealing the timeline of when he will miss time.

According to Shams Charania, Antetokounmpo is dealing with a “left knee hyperextension and bone bruise,” as the team will evaluate him in a week.

“Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo has been diagnosed with a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise and will be reevaluated in a week, sources tell ESPN,” Charania, formerly of the

Antetokounmpo has missed his fair share of time this season, as he has played 36 games, averaging 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game, while shooting 62.4 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc.

A look at when the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo got hurt

Antetokounmpo suffered a concussion with less than four minutes left in Sunday’s aforementioned win over the Pacers, landing awkwardly after a spin and posterizing dunk. He would play only 23 minutes in the contest, recording 31 points on 11 of 22 shooting from the field, along with 14 rebounds and eight assists.

Giannis with spin and poster. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/KtGawn8yUo

-Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) 15 March 2026

According to Eric Nehm of The Athletic, Milwaukee head coach Doc Rivers would talk about Antetokounmpo’s injury after the game, where he speculated that he “overextended his left knee” on the dunk.

Knowing what has been revealed, Rivers was right on the money, as Antetokounmpo will miss at least a week, with the next game potentially available on March 25 on the road against the Portland Trail Blazers. That is followed by a home game against the San Antonio Spurs on March 28, in which the team currently holds a 28–39 record, placing them in 11th place in the Eastern Conference.

The situation continues to worsen on the injury front for the Memphis Grizzlies.

Another Grizzlies player has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2025-26 NBA season, as Santi Aldama was recently injured due to knee problems. He will no longer see action on this campaign.

“Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama underwent a successful arthrosporic procedure and received an orthobiological injection today to relieve discomfort in his right knee. He will miss the remainder of the 2025-2026 season and is expected to be healthy for the start of the 2026-2027 season,” ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, formerly of the Ax, shared via a social media post on Twitter on Tuesday.

It has been over a month since Aldama last played a game, which was a February 4 meeting with the Sacramento Kings. The 25-year-old big man finished his fifth season in the league with averages of 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists through 43 games, including 11 starts – all career highs.

Memphis entered Tuesday in 11th place in the Western Conference standings with a 23-44 record, 9.5 games out of last place in the conference play-in tournament picture. Given the long odds for the Grizzlies to make the play-ins, let alone the NBA Playoffs, the decision to have Aldama undergo a procedure before the season ends rather than in the summer seems like a smart move.

Aldama was joined on the sidelines by guards Scottie Pippen Jr., Zach Eddy and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, all four of whom were ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.

Meanwhile, GG Jackson and Olivier-Maxence Prosper can be expected to enjoy solid minutes amid this development on Aldama, who was a first-round pick by the Utah Jazz in 2021.

Despite the NBA canceling the Magic City promotion, the crowd came to life for TI’s halftime performance during the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic game.

While some NBA fans were in a somber mood after the NBA decided to cancel the Magic City promotion, the ATL icon’s performance made them forget – even if only for a few minutes. TI performed his latest single, “Let ‘Em Know”, which came out in January, which got the crowd standing, dancing and rapping along to the lyrics.

The Hawks’ primary owner, Jami Gertz, has ties to the Magic City as he was the producer of a five-part documentary that honored the club’s legacy, and how it influenced hip-hop, Black culture, and the city of Atlanta.

“After the work we did to create ‘Magic City: An American Fantasy,’ this collaboration and theme night is very meaningful to me,” Gertz said when the promotion was announced. “The iconic Atlanta institution has had such an incredible impact on our city and its unique culture.”

Some NBA fans were very happy with the infamous strip club’s partnership with the Hawks as they are both prominent parts of the culture. While some fans were excited for the collaboration, which would have started with last night’s game, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver shut down the promotion.

“When we learned of the Atlanta Hawks’ scheduled promotion, we reached out to Hawks leadership to better understand their plans and reasoning,” Silver said in a statement. “While we appreciate the team’s vision and their desire to move forward, we have heard significant concerns from a wide range of league stakeholders, including fans, partners and employees. I believe canceling this promotion is the right decision for the broader NBA community.”

While some Hawks fans were disappointed, the franchise respected the NBA’s decision.

“Although we are deeply disappointed by the NBA’s decision to cancel our Magic City Night promotion, we fully respect its decision,” the Hawks said in a statement. “As a franchise, we are committed to celebrating the best of Atlanta – with authenticity – in ways that continue to unify and bring us closer together.”

BOSTON – “MVP, MVP, MVP.” That’s what Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown heard as he approached the free throw line in the fourth quarter of the Green team’s 120-112 win over the Phoenix Suns on Monday night. Brown delighted the home crowd at TD Garden with a game-high 41 points – on 50% shooting – along with five assists and four rebounds.

The five-time All-Star played tirelessly against the Suns, constantly attacking the rim and forcing the referees to make call after call. This offensive aggression resulted in a career-high 21 free throws and allowed Brown to take all the MVP cheers while standing alone at the charity stripe.

“It’s pretty cool, not gonna lie,” Brown said of the MVP chants he received. “It’s just amazing to be at this point in my career and be able to get that love from the fans.”

Loud MVP chant for Jaylen Brown: pic.twitter.com/2PVsLxBjcH

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 17 March 2026

Brown deserved every scream from the Boston faithful, as he recorded a game-high 18 points in the final frame alone. He was also responsible for the biggest momentum shift of the contest, which came when he cleanly stole the ball from Suns star Devin Booker, giving an easy lead to Celtics star Jayson Tatum on the other end with 3:05 remaining in the fourth quarter. This limited the Suns’ lead to just one and forced a timeout – they never recovered and the Celtics went on a 10–1 run to close out the win.

“I think even now over the last few games, I’ve adjusted my game, and I’m still getting better at my ability to make plays, seeing the floor, taking my time, all those things, still continuing to improve,” Brown said at the podium.

While Brown thoroughly enjoyed the love he earned from Celtics fans on Monday, he may have enjoyed even more the support he received on a cold Sunday morning on the streets of South Boston.

The longtime Celtics participated in Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade for the first time and were surrounded by fans that exceeded the capacity of the TD Garden.

“I was at Southee’s yesterday and I got some MVP chants,” Brown recalled. “I think it might have been a little nicer.”

Jaylen Brown joins Southee St. Patrick’s Day Parade ☘️ pic.twitter.com/p3vBPLwn4u

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 15 March 2026

Although Brown is being serenaded with MVP chants throughout Beantown, that doesn’t mean he’ll be taking home the Michael Jordan Trophy. Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the favorite and his Oklahoma City Thunder have the advantage of having the best record in the NBA.

This will likely keep Brown from becoming the first Celtics MVP in four decades, yet he still has some history to chase. After lighting up the sun, the Georgia native is just 23 points away from entering the top-10 of the Celtics’ all-time scoring list. With a 23-point outing, he would be right behind his partner in offense Tatum on the historical leaderboard.

Tatum said of his on-court partnership with Brown, “We can count on each other in the biggest moments, the biggest games, the biggest situations, we’ve been through them all together.”

Following the 45-23 Celtics are the injury-hit Golden State Warriors, whom they host on Wednesday night during a primetime showdown. And while this contest likely won’t provide Brown with a big enough stage to further his MVP case, it will give him a chance to continue his stellar season and keep the Celtics in contention for the playoffs.

“I’m proud of my team, I’m proud of myself,” he said. “I always felt that if given the chance, I could become one of the top players in the world and I think I have to demonstrate that this season. Now my focus is on preparing for the playoffs.”

Washington, DC – Entering Tuesday night’s home date with the Detroit Pistons, the Washington Wizards have the NBA’s second-longest losing streak at 12 games. They also have the second-worst record (16-51), but four-time All-Star Trae Young is showing why next season will be different.

After Monday’s 126-117 loss to the Golden State Warriors, rookie wing Will Riley told ClutchPoints how 27 years old He has transformed the Wizards’ offense since making his debut for the team on March 5.

I asked Will Riley how Trae Young has impacted him as a player and the offense in general:

“Yeah, he’s an amazing player. It’s crazy to see it in person, I used to watch him all the time. Seeing the reads he makes shows how much attention he brings. The attention he brings… pic.twitter.com/43TLFAsX4v

-Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) 17 March 2026

“Yeah, he’s an amazing player. It’s crazy to see it in person, I used to watch him all the time,” said the 20-year-old. “Just seeing the reads he brings shows how much focus he brings. The focus he brings allows him to find us on time and on target, so it opens up a lot of opportunities for everyone. He’s an amazing person and great teammate, too.”

Young is averaging 6.2 assists in just 20.8 minutes for Washington, which equates to one assist every 3.35 minutes. The former All-NBA honoree averaged an assist every 3.1 minutes for the Atlanta Hawks as he led the NBA with 11.6 dimes in 36 minutes in the 2024-25 campaign.

Young’s work so far with the Wizards doesn’t guarantee he’ll lead the league in assists again next year, but it is a preview of things to come. The former Oklahoma Sooner is using his offensive toughness to create open looks for the “Wiz Kids,” which makes their job easier and helps their development.

Will Riley reveals Trae Young opened ‘doors’

Riley also talked about what he has learned from Young so far.

“Reading off ball screens has been a main point of emphasis… making reads, snaking, being aggressive, trying to score first… it’s opened up a lot of new doors for me…” he said.

According to former Hawks G League scout Dylan Murphy, snacking is a pick-and-roll maneuver “in which the ball-handler moves away from his original direction between the screener and the screener’s defender.” Learning that move adds to Riley’s already deep bag of moves, like spins and fadeaways.

An example of how Young “opened new doors” for Riley was executing a hockey assist (pass for assist) on his three-point shot in the second quarter. Young brought the ball up the court before second-year guard Bilal Coulibaly set a screen on the logo and swung to the basket. During the roll, Young threw the ball towards Koulibaly, causing the defense to collapse inside. then the next player passed it A wide-open relay in the corner, who swept all three.

Beautiful sequence right here 🤌 pic.twitter.com/Uc02NxzIlr

– Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) 17 March 2026

Head coach Brian Keefe referenced the game post-game when describing his favorite offensive moments from Young, Koulibaly and Riley, each of whom led the team with 21 points.

“I thought there were some good moments there. We had some good connections where the ball was moving, Trae was getting two, there was a play earlier when he hit Bilal on the short roll and he passed it to Will Riley,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons Trae is here, when he gets two he makes the right play. I thought we played him pretty well… You could see the passing skills of all three of them tonight.”

Young left Monday’s game with a quad contusion and was out on Tuesday, but he at least showed why Washington acquired him in five contests with the team in January. While no one knows how long he’ll last, giving the young core open looks and showing him new tricks provides invaluable experience.

For now, the Wizards are losing as much as possible to maximize their draft lottery odds as they try to get lucky in a class with superstar prospects Darin Peterson, AJ DiBuntsa and Cam Boozer. After hosting Detroit on Tuesday, they will do the same on Thursday before hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday.

Detroit Pistons forward/center Isaiah Stewart recently suffered a Grade 1 left calf strain and will miss some time, the team announced Tuesday morning. Stewart is undergoing treatment and will miss at least the Pistons’ next four games.

Preparations are on to re-evaluate them in a week.

This means the Pistons will be without their defensive tackles on Tuesday and Thursday against the Washington Wizards, on Friday at home against the Golden State Warriors and on Monday, February 23 at home against the Los Angeles Lakers.

The good news for the Pistons is that it is not a significant injury, and Stewart should be able to return after resting and receiving treatment for a week or two, assuming he doesn’t suffer any setbacks in his recovery. Stewart is also the only key Pistons player to place himself on the injury report, leaving the team with options to replace his production.

However, the Pistons only have a 3.5-game lead over the Boston Celtics for the 1-seed in the Eastern Conference.

The race for the top spot in the East has suddenly become a major topic of discussion, with the Celtics adding back Jayson Tatum and winning seven of their last 10 games. On the other end, the Pistons have struggled recently, going just 3-5 in their last eight games, including a 119-108 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Sunday.

With back-to-back games against the tanking Wizards, Detroit has a clear path to two wins in a row to try to steady the ship.

Unfortunately for the Pistons, this is an injury that has been bothering Stewart for quite some time. The big man has battled a calf issue all season, and head coach JB Bickerstaff recently alluded to it following his team’s loss on Sunday.

Bickerstaff said of Stewart, “It’s something he’s dealing with. It’s getting worse.” “He gutted it out in the last game and I think you could see he was favoring it late… It’s something we’ll take our time with.”

Although Detroit announced that Stewart will be reevaluated in a week, it is fair to assume they will keep him out longer to ensure he is 100 percent before the playoffs and the end of the regular season. After all, he is instrumental in the team’s defensive identity.

Without Stewart, Paul Reed, Ron Holland II, and Javonte Green will all have increased roles off the bench. Reed has now moved into the role of backup big man behind Jalen Duren in Stewart’s absence.

In 55 games this season, Stewart has averaged 10.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game, while shooting 54.1 percent from the floor. Only he and Wizards big man Alex Sarr have recorded at least 90 blocks this season while playing less than 1,300 minutes.

The Memphis Grizzlies will be without a key contributor for the remainder of the season, as guard Scottie Pippen Jr. has season-ending toe surgery.

According to ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel, Pippen underwent a successful sesamoidectomy on Tuesday to relieve discomfort in his right big toe. The procedure will sideline him for the remainder of the 2025–26 campaign, although he is expected to make a full recovery in time for the start of the 2026–27 season.

“The Grizzlies’ Scottie Pippen Jr. underwent a successful sesamoidectomy today to relieve discomfort in his right big toe.

Pippen will miss the remainder of the season and is expected to be ready for the start of the 2026-27 season.

Pippen last appeared on March 7 in Memphis’ 123–120 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. In that outing, he recorded 11 points, three rebounds, three assists and one steal while shooting 4-for-7 from the field and 2-for-3 from the free throw line, including a three-pointer in 23 minutes.

Scottie Pippen Jr.’s season-ending surgery adds to Grizzlies’ season-ending struggles

The 25-year-old just finished his fourth NBA season and third with Memphis, providing steady production in a limited sample size. In 10 games, including six starts, Pippen averaged 11.4 points, 4.7 assists and 2.2 rebounds per game. He also posted a career-high 1.9 steals per contest while shooting 44.8% from the field, 31.3% from beyond the arc and a career-best 78.3% from the free throw line in 21.2 minutes per game.

His absence increases the challenges for the Grizzlies team going through a difficult period at the end of the season. Memphis currently has a 23-44 record and is on an eight-game losing streak.

The Grizzlies will try to regroup when they return home to open a two-game homestand against the Denver Nuggets (41-27) on Wednesday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:30 pm ET as Memphis looks to stabilize its rotation and end the season on a strong note despite Pippen’s absence.

The New York Knicks face the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night and Jalen Brunson is at the center of the injury report. The Knicks initially listed Brunson as questionable due to right ankle injury management and a cervical strain, putting New York’s star guard firmly in focus as the team looks to extend a three-game win streak.

However, as of Tuesday morning, the team has downgraded their point guard to questionable for the Pacers game.

The Knicks entered the matchup at 44–25, No. 3 in the Eastern Conference. Indiana, meanwhile, is 15-53, 15th in the East, and trying to break a brutal 13-game losing streak. The Pacers have had a tough season. The losses have been huge. The momentum has disappeared. Every game now feels like an attempt to arrest the decline.

Brunson continues to be the engine of the Knicks’ offense. He is averaging 26.3 points and 6.6 assists in 64 games, while shooting 46.4 percent from the field and 37.6 percent from three. His control of pace and late-game shot creation have fueled New York’s rise.

When he plays, Nix operates with structure and confidence. Without him, the offense may stagnate at key moments.

Knicks injury report: Jalen Brunson status vs. Pacers

Several additional names are included on the Knicks’ injury report. Miles McBride is out with a core muscle injury, while Trey Jameson III is also out on a two-way deal. Several players are listed as questionable, including Obi Toppin, Ethan Thompson, Jalen Slauson and Ben Shepard.

As for Indiana, the Pacers’ injury report is once again long.

Tyrese Haliburton is out with a torn right Achilles tendon. Jonny Furphy is out with a right ACL injury. Ivica Zubac, Quenton Jackson, TJ McConnell, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith and Taillon Peters are all listed as questionable due to various injuries and actions.

Still, Brunson’s situation remains the biggest story. The Knicks will continue to make progress if he plays while Indiana tries to end a brutal stretch.

So when it comes to whether Jalen Brunson is playing tonight against the Pacers, the answer is no.

On Tuesday, the Denver Broncos made a splash in the trade market by acquiring wide receiver Jaylen Waddle from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for hefty draft compensation that also included a first-round pick in this year’s draft. The move gives Bo Nix and company another explosive downfield weapon to pair next to Courtland Sutton, and signals the team’s full commitment to winning now after making an appearance in the AFC Championship Game this year.

Another big name that many think could be on the trade market this year is Philadelphia Eagles head AJ Brown, and now, more information is emerging from NFL insider Diana Russini of The Athletic about whether or not Denver expressed any interest in him before nixing the Waddle deal.

“Despite speculation, I’ve been told the Denver Broncos never expressed interest in trading for AJ Brown. They always had their eye on Jaylen Waddle. Sean Payton and Bo Nix are getting a new threat,” Russini, formerly of the X, told Twitter.

It remains to be seen if the Eagles will actually want to trade Brown after a tumultuous relationship with the receiver over the past few seasons, which culminated in the booing of the home fans when he dropped a key pass in the playoffs against the San Francisco 49ers last year.

Meanwhile, the Broncos’ offense, which couldn’t do anything in blizzard-like conditions against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, now has another proven downfield threat who is a nightmare for opposing defenses in open space.

Giving up multiple draft picks is no small price to pay, but if Waddle can stay healthy and produce, it could pay huge dividends for Denver as they try to make another deep playoff run next year.

New York – The New York Knicks conducted a coaching search last season to improve their approach to individual games, the season as a whole, and the playoffs. Despite the results delivered by former head coach Tom Thibodeau, Mike Brown received the reins because the organization felt he could both identify and implement needed improvements.

The Knicks defeated the Golden State Warriors 110-107 on Sunday night, and sent their fans home victorious from Madison Square Garden. But, regardless of the results, Brown was clearly frustrated with the team’s process throughout the game. While not named “Defensive Player of the Game”, he told reporters that the focus and physicality of his group was unacceptable for starting four of their last five games.

“One thing I tell them is that on an experienced team that has won and has a very high level of experience, I should not be calling two timeouts in the first six minutes of a ball game,” Brown shared in disappointment after the only-score win. “And I’m not talking about the X’s and O’s. So, this group knows it. They understand it. Now we have to do it.”

Last season, despite discouraging lineup data, the Knicks took their starting five of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart to the Eastern Conference Finals. Once the Indiana Pacers took a 2–0 lead, New York insisted on starting Mitchell Robinson instead of Hart.

Brown began his first season with Robinson, but reinstated Hart in late December. The coach told reporters on Sunday that he was not considering a change at the moment, but that “it’s not too late to do anything” at this point in the season.

“If I felt the need, I would do it. I’m not thinking of it right now,” Brown said. “I’m not focused on each individual because, like you said, we started different guys at different times. … We can play better. I know about myself and every guy in that locker room, every person in that locker room, expects more. And somehow, some way, we’ve got to figure it out.”

Does it make sense to trade Mikal Bridges if the Knicks are winning?

Leaving Mikal Bridges on the bench in crunch time has become a trend for the Browns. The starting wing spent the final seven minutes of the game against the Warriors on the sidelines. Veteran sharpshooter Landry Shamet once again took the fifth spot in the lineup. This is at least the seventh game this season the Browns have finished without Bridges, testing the Knicks’ locker room ethos that sacrifice is necessary to win.

It was not Brown or any other Knicks player who decided to trade five picks in the first round for Bridges. Or to offer him the four-year, $150 million extension he signed last offseason. But even if Bridges is performing better than average for his career, it’s still difficult to evaluate those decisions objectively.

New York’s front office transformed a laughing stock into a contender in four seasons, without ever losing. They essentially just traded two first-round picks in three transactions that brought them Brunson, Towns, and Anunoby.

It makes sense that the team took an unprecedented gamble and traded five picks for Bridges. The rest of their roster was also assembled in an unconventional manner. This is the same braintrust that was ridiculed for making Brunson the first player without an All-Star appearance to receive $100 million from a team that did not draft him.

Bridges needs to improve his aggression on both ends of the floor. But this is to help the Knicks win games, not the previous trades.

The Detroit Pistons are currently leading the Eastern Conference standings for most of the season behind the elite play of All-NBA talent Cade Cunningham. They’re on a revenge tour after being eliminated in the first round by the New York Knicks last May, looking like the most dominant team in the East as the NBA playoffs approach.

With 15 games remaining in their regular season schedule and a 3.5-game lead over the Boston Celtics, six of those games come against sub-.500 teams as the Pistons hope to retain their No. 1 seed through the end of the year. This would ultimately pit them against the No. 8 seed in the East following the conclusion of the play-in tournament.

As things stand, potential first-round opponents for the Pistons include the Heat, 76ers, Hornets and Hawks, with teams like the Bucks and Bulls watching from the outside. Let’s take a look at best-case matchup scenarios for the Detroit Pistons for the 2026 NBA Playoffs.

Pistons’ 2026 NBA Playoffs – Dream Scenario

If the Pistons hope to avoid the New York Knicks in the playoffs once again, they are right where they need to be with the No. 1 seed and on the other side of the bracket. If the season ended today, the Pistons would face the winners of No. 9 Atlanta Hawks vs. No. 10 Charlotte Hornets and No. 7 Miami Heat vs. No. 8 Philadelphia 76ers.

Between the Hornets and Hawks, the Pistons have held a perfect record against both teams in five meetings. They would face each team once more before the season ended and two of those five games would be won by double digits. While the Hornets have certainly gained some strength during this second half of the season, the games between Atlanta and Detroit were much closer in nature as the Hawks have a more consistent front court and defensive effort.

The Pistons have gone 3-0 against the Philadelphia 76ers this season, so they should meet in the first round, especially with Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid sitting due to injury. The Miami Heat are actually the only team out of the four possible play-in selections to beat Detroit, most recently doing so on their home field in March. This will likely be Detroit’s last choice as an opponent for the first round pending any changes in the current standings.

Detroit’s path to the NBA Finals

Unless the Knicks fall in the standings before the end of the season, the Pistons will face the winner of the No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. the No. 5 Orlando Magic. The Pistons would face the Magic once again before the end of the season, leading the season series 2–1, earning both wins by double-digit margins. While the Magic have wins over them, Detroit is a much deeper team and could ultimately stifle Paolo Banchero’s production with their big men during a seven-game series.

The Cavaliers have been one of the Pistons’ biggest opponents this season, finishing their season series at 2–2, stealing a game by a double-digit margin on the road in Detroit early in the season. The Cavs also won the latest meeting during this past part of the season, so Detroit would benefit greatly from Orlando upsetting Cleveland and have a much easier matchup in the quarterfinals.

From there, the Pistons could face a team like the No. 2 Boston Celtics, No. 3 New York Knicks, or No. 6 Toronto Raptors if they are able to pull off an upset. Obviously, facing the lowest possible seed would benefit the Pistons the most, but eventually the time will come when they will have to defeat their biggest rival.

The Pistons are a combined 6-1 against the Knicks and Celtics this season, and are largely confident in their ability to win a seven-game series against any Eastern Conference opponent this season. They have gone 32-11 overall and 18-5 at home against Eastern Conference teams this season, so if the Pistons are able to clinch this No. 1 seed and continue their dominance in the NBA Playoffs, they should be the favorite to emerge in the NBA Finals.

The San Antonio Spurs are on the rise again as Victor Wembanyama continues to lead the way. Wembley has become the centerpiece of this San Antonio team that is now headed to the NBA playoffs. Under Mitch Johnson, the Spurs improved to 50–18 after a 119–115 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. He keeps raising expectations with every performance. The streak reached two games. The message felt more intense. This team is no longer rebuilding. is increasing.

This moment is weighty. The Spurs have missed the postseason every year since 2019–20. Now, they are one of the biggest stories in the league. Wembanyama made that clear after the game, as shared by Spurs beat writer Jeff Garcia. “Meaning development. It’s still not enough. I want to reach at least 60 to balance out my rookie season,” he said. The words landed like a challenge. Fifty wins matter. But for Vembanyama it is only an outpost.

Victor Wembanyama demands more as Spurs hopes rise

Vembanyama is not just producing. Instead, he is setting the standard. Their focus has shifted beyond numbers to culture. Via Jeff Garcia He said, “A big thing for me is to hold everybody that works with me to that standard. I’m talking to everybody… I have to surround myself with the best people possible and hold them to that standard.” As a result, that tone has shaped the locker room.

Meanwhile, Mitch Johnson has provided structure in his first full season since Gregg Popovich moved into a front office role with the Spurs. As a result, the system looks much clearer. Roles feel defined. And belief is real.

Plus, history adds context. The Spurs last reached 60 wins in 2016–17 and finished 61–21 before losing in the conference finals. At the time, that mark felt like the standard. For some time it seemed a distant thing. However, now it seems possible again.

So far, the Spurs have already taken a big step forward. However, Vembanyama is looking ahead. If this team is already at 50 wins, what will happen when they reach their ceiling in the NBA Playoffs under the bright lights?

Recently, the Oklahoma City Thunder continued their winning ways with an easy home win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. It was a tough afternoon for star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but he still found a way to extend his streak of 20-plus point games with late scores and free throws.

One topic of conversation around the Thunder revolves around SGA’s ability to “foul bite”, a term that Reggie Miller recently took issue with during an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show.

“I don’t understand what ‘fallbaiting’ is. We didn’t say that about [Michael Jordan]And MJ went to the line 10+ times… learn and adapt,” Miller said, according to X, formerly of The Dan Patrick Show on Twitter.

In fact, many historically great players like Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and others made a living at the free throw line and constantly found ways to manipulate the rule book to draw fouls.

While fans may take issue with rules overly punishing defensive players, Gilgeous-Alexander and other master foul drawers should not receive criticism for taking advantage of the rule book and using their skills to draw fouls. It’s fair to say that the reason Gilgeous-Alexander shoots more free throws than most other players is not because he is a more “ethical” player than them.

Meanwhile, the Thunder have resumed their dominance on the NBA scene after a brief hiatus in SGA’s absence, but they will need to continue winning to defeat the San Antonio Spurs, who have won 18 of their last 20 games.

The Thunder will next take the field against the Orlando Magic on Tuesday evening.

Minnesota Timberwolves star guard Anthony Edwards recently underwent an MRI for what the team was labeling as “right knee soreness,” and the imaging revealed swelling in the right knee.

As a result, Edwards will miss at least the team’s next four games and will be reevaluated in 1-2 weeks. The Timberwolves announced Tuesday that further updates on the star’s progress will be provided as they become available.

This is a significant blow for Edwards and the Timberwolves, especially considering the team has been struggling for some time.

Since winning five straight games in March, Minnesota has lost four of its last five games, including a 116-103 loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday.

Edwards will now miss games against the Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers and Boston Celtics before the teams possibly provide another update on his status.

Although the Timberwolves have gone 6–4 in their 10 games without Edwards this season, all six of their wins have come against teams with losing records. Five of Minnesota’s next six games will be against teams currently in playoff position or in the play-in region of their conference standings.

Without Edwards, Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch will now turn to Julius Randle to lead the Wolves without Edwards on the court, and newly acquired Ayo Dosunmu will see an increased role in the backcourt alongside swingman Donte DiVincenzo.

However, Edwards’ production cannot be replicated, as his All-NBA-like season may now be in jeopardy.

In 58 games this season, Edwards has averaged 29.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, while shooting 49.2 percent from the floor and 40.2 percent from 3-point range.

To qualify for end-of-season honors and accolades like the All-NBA teams, Edwards must play in at least seven of the Wolves’ final 14 games of the regular season. If Edwards is unable to return when he is reevaluated by medical personnel next week, he will cut it close to the 65-game minimum for awards.

The Timberwolves are currently 41-27 on the season, two games above the play-in zone in the Western Conference standings before Tuesday’s game against the Phoenix Suns.

As new majority owner Mark Walter continues to put his stamp on the Los Angeles Lakers, the organization recently made the interesting appointment of former NCAA Championship coach Tony Bennett as an NBA Draft advisor to general manager Rob Pelinka. With March Madness approaching and the Lakers having their first round pick, there are some NBA Draft prospects teams should keep an eye on within the next month.

It’s no secret that the Lakers need a viable, long-term option at center. The DeAndre Ayton experiment has had mixed results, and while Jaxson Hayes has done a commendable job, he is at his best as an energetic guy off the bench. The Lakers could also use size on the wings.

That said, here are some of the top prospects who will play in March Madness that the Lakers should target in the 2026 NBA Draft.

1. Morez Johnson Jr. – PF/C, Michigan

Think of Johnson a bit like the current Jared Vanderbilt, with a better offense and a little more size. Johnson is exactly the kind of player the Lakers should target in the draft. He is able to slide between power forward and center, which is currently Vanderbilt’s role for the Lakers.

Johnson has been an impressive defensive player for Michigan this season, and he is projected to be drafted in the late first round should the Lakers land him. He is a versatile defender with the ability to cover the wings and then drop down and attack bigger players.

But where he excels is also on the offensive end. He’s a skilled finisher around the basket, and he’s shooting 66.7 percent from 2-point range. But not only this. He has shown he can space the floor with his 41.7 percent shooting from the 3-point line. His 3-point shot is something he has worked on since he didn’t attempt a single three as a freshman last year.

Johnson should be the Lakers’ main priority in the draft. With late selections in the first round, you may draft based on positional need rather than the best player available.

2. Jaden Quaintance – C, Kentucky

Quaintance is probably the best center prospect that may be available in the NBA Draft. He is just a puzzle. For one, it’s not yet clear whether he intends to declare for the draft or intends to return to school. Second, he has been dealing with a major knee injury that has kept him out for most of this season. In fact, his status is in doubt for Kentucky’s upcoming March Madness appearance.

But should Quaintance declare for the draft, he should be a top-two prospect for the Lakers in a worst-case scenario. The only thing is that he will need a little bit of luck to land at his projected draft spot. However, that could happen if teams are cautious about his injury situation.

Injury is definitely a risk, but the benefits almost outweigh it. He is still incredibly young and in the mold of a true center. During his freshman year at Arizona State, he showed the ability to become a true defensive anchor in the paint, averaging 2.6 blocked shots. On the offensive end of the court, he performs well around the basket. He would be a perfect fit as a threat playmaker for a playmaker like Luka Doncic.

If he were healthy, there’s no chance we’d be discussing the Lakers potentially taking him at the end of the first round. But it always happens that off-chance teams get scared due to injury and he slips away, as has happened with many players in the past. If Quinton is available when the Lakers select you, take him and don’t look back.

3. Patrick Ngongba II – C, Duke

In any other year, Ngongba would definitely be a lottery pick. A mobile big man with high potential who plays defense and even has a bit of play in his game. Definitely pick the lottery. But this is not a normal draft. Most experts consider 2026 to be one of the best draft classes in recent memory. This could benefit the Lakers because it means Ngongba will slide to the end of the first round.

If one of the above prospects is unavailable, Ngongba wouldn’t be a bad pick for the Lakers in the NBA Draft. He is still raw and can gain some strength before entering the NBA. But the talent is there. Their offensive skill-set works well with Doncic as the primary ball-handler.

On defense, Ngongba is a rim protector, which will benefit the Lakers a lot. He also has the ability to play strong post defense and dominate one-on-one situations. He competes well and has blocked an average of 1.1 shots this season.

However potentially worrying is Ngongba’s current injury situation. He was sidelined for the ACC Tournament, and his status for the NCAA Tournament is not 100 percent certain yet. Just keep an eye on if he declares for the NBA Draft.

4. Florrie Bidunga – C, Kansas

Bidunga is potentially one of the more impactful players in the draft due to his size and strength. The players mentioned above are probably better long-term prospects, but if they are all off the board by the time the Lakers make their selection, the front office needs to take a long, hard look at Bidunga.

His offensive game is more in line with Luka Doncic. He’s a finisher at the rim. He would be a perfect compliment to a playmaker like Doncic who is always ready to throw a lob pass. Bidunga is adept at pick and roll as well as roller. He’s shooting 64.5 percent from the field this season, all 2-point attempts. He moves the ball very well.

Defensively, he is an anchor in the paint. Apart from being a strong man defender, he is also a good weakside defender. He may also find success switching to the perimeter. Of his 9.2 rebounds this season, 6.1 are on the defensive end.

Bidunga’s ceiling is probably lower than other players on this list, but he is without a doubt a big man in an NBA rotation. He’s not flashy or anything like that, he just gets the job done. Profile of a strong big man. He is definitely someone who should be on the Lakers’ radar in terms of NBA Draft prospects.

5. Isaiah Evans, G/F, Duke

While most of the players on this list are bigs, the Lakers also need a 3&D wing with size. Evans is potentially among the top players in the draft who fits that profile. Should he declare for the draft, he would likely be available in the Lakers’ draft range as well.

Evans is in the midst of a breakout season, averaging 14.9 points and shooting 36.5 percent from the 3-point line as a full-time starter. He doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective offensively, another attribute needed to play with Doncic.

On the defensive end, he is a strong on-ball defender and has the skills to become the main point defensive player of attack. Imagine him as a potential starting wing in the NBA one day based on his ability on both ends of the court.

The upcoming draft is really based on the Lakers’ choices. Obviously if one slips in the lottery, all bets are off and you become the best player available. But if it comes to a situation of need, any one of the five players listed above should perform well. This is a deep draft, and assuming all of the above announcements, at least one of them should be available if the Lakers select.

One thing that New York Knicks superfan Ben Stiller will be keeping an eye on as his favorite NBA team plays the Indiana Pacers again is the injury report.

The Knicks beat the Pacers on Friday, March 13, 2026, but the lineup may be different this time. The Pacers are getting healthy, and Stiller is aware of it.

He posted a GIF of Luke Skywalker in a bacta tank in the fifth Star Wars film, The Empire Strikes Back, with the caption, “The Pacers starters are beginning to emerge from their hyperbaric chambers since the last Knicks game….”

The Pacers’ starters are beginning to emerge from their hyperbaric chambers since the last Knicks game… pic.twitter.com/s3F9vrOMpz

– Ben Stiller (@benstiller) 17 March 2026

Unfortunately, the Pacers have had to deal with a long list of injuries this season. Several players were questionable for their last game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Injury report for the Knicks and Pacers before their game on March 17

However, their fortunes could turn just in time for the Pacers’ latest game against the Knicks. The latest injury report shows that players like Micah Potter, Obi Toppin, Ben Shepard, Quenton Jackson, TJ McConnell, Andrew Nembhard, Ivica Zubac and Aaron Nesmith are questionable for the game due to their various injuries.

However, it is doubtful that Pascal Siakam will be able to play. He is currently struggling with a right knee sprain and will need more time to recover.

As for the Knicks, they have very few players on the injury report. However, one of them is guard Jalen Brunson, the driving force of the offense, who is questionable for the game. However, Mitchell Robinson is doubtful. Miles McBride is still out after undergoing surgery for a core muscle injury.

Currently, the Pacers have the worst record in the NBA at 15-53. Still, the game is important for the Knicks, who currently sit in third place in the Eastern Conference. They are just five games behind the Detroit Pistons (48-19). The Boston Celtics are among them with a record of 45–23.

The Lakers and Rockets met for the first time since DeAndre Ayton and Clint Capela took aim at each other in the media and social media. The Lakers won 100–92, and neither player had a major impact on the game or the season. Still, Ayton got the last laugh with the win, and because he outshined Capela when he was on the floor, this rivalry doesn’t look to be slowing down either.

The reason Ayton had the last laugh on Capela was that he finished with a +/- of 11, other than the fact that the Lakers won. He was quoted as saying, “I’m no Clint Capela!” The context was that Ayton did not want to catch lobs on offense and instead wanted to do more of that.

The quote went viral when Ayton criticized Capela and his skills and Capela clapped back. He said, “You got 2 of the best floor generals in the game, my dog ​​Lockin.” Then he added two crying and laughing emojis.

It’s worth noting that Ayton may have a point about his offensive skill set being wasted in the Clint Capela role, but Capela, in his prime, was far superior to Ayton at rebounding and defense. On the other hand, the Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers spent seven years figuring out how to maximize that skill set in a way that really helped their championship chances.

Ayton’s career has been defined by talent that was perhaps not wasted, but certainly unevenly applied. This isn’t exactly what you want from a player who the Suns selected first overall ahead of players like Luka Doncic, Jaren Jackson Jr., Trae Young, Mikal Bridges, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Brunson.

The Suns got the most out of Ayton and he helped them reach the NBA Finals. This also led to him earning a max contract, but questions about his effort level have persisted and not gone away throughout his tenure with three different teams. Having a defined role like Capela could do him some good in the long term.

The Cleveland Cavaliers announced Monday night that Jarrett Allen will miss the team’s upcoming three-game road trip due to knee tendinitis, extending his absence to 18 days since the injury. The Cavs are 2-3 without February’s Eastern Conference Player of the Month in their lineup, and there is reason to be uncomfortable. The setback is believed to be minor, but it would have been at least two weeks since Allen last suited up.

“I still think it’s a day-to-day thing,” Cleveland head coach Kenny Atkinson said Sunday afternoon. “That’s where we are with it. I wish I could get more specifics. But I don’t expect it to be long-term. He’s just dealing with some serious tendinitis, and sometimes that happens during the season, right?

“Especially after his stretch and his usage. So I’m thinking it’ll just be a short break, and we’ll get him back in the team soon.”

In two of the Cavs’ last three games, they have given up 128 and 130 points to the Orlando Magic and Dallas Mavericks. The first player shot 51.8% from the field with 37 attempts at the free-throw line, and the second shot 52.9% from the field with 27 attempts at the charity stripe, which is a sign of a bad habit.

Much of the problem can be blamed on a defense that is not consistently protecting the perimeter, with Allen lacking a key rim protector. Combine those two factors, and it’s difficult to keep opponents in check.

Cavs All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell said after a “bad loss” to the Mavs about the need to improve on defense, “Especially now that we don’t have JA in there, sometimes, we’re five short.” “[We have to be better at] To be able to defend, and if we lose, [making] [right] Rotating, and then, keeping them away from the glass. Although we sometimes play small ball, that is no excuse. I think this is the biggest thing. I think our defense was the only issue.

Cavs defense needs improvement

After losing a game against the Orlando Magic last week, James Harden had a similar message: Cleveland needs to be better on that side of the field.

“Communication, knowing who we’re protecting,” Harden said. “The matchup changed possession-by-possession. This team did a really good job, and they do it every game, of putting the ball in the paint, and we didn’t have any resistance. [The Magic] Shot an incredible percentage at the basket, and got to the line multiple times. Something we can fix, something we can control.”

“I think early on, we let them get to the rim too easily,” Keon Ellis said. “They’re a rim team, so I think that’s how they’ve got to roll at first… Maybe if it’s going to be close in a short period of time, they have to think about shooting it to try to slow it down. It’s probably at first because they want to get to the rim, so they’ll drive and drive and drive. Try to get them live from the outside.”

According to the star duo, this Cavs group has too much talent to worry about putting the ball in buckets.

Harden said, “Offensively, we’re very talented. Defensively we need to get better.” “We can score with the best of them. It’s important to get consistent stops and rely on our defense to win games.”

“I mean, I’m not really worried about the offensive piece,” Mitchell said. “We had 16 turnovers for 25 points; it affects your transition defense. You can’t get set even when we have Evan [Mobley] At 5. But I think the biggest thing is just stopping the ball and then staying in our rotation. It’s just the finer details, and we have to get better.”

Mobley has had success when Allen has been absent, but he has also been able to rely on perimeter players generally holding their own. Mitchell specifically pointed this out on Sunday, but Cleveland hasn’t been able to put anyone up front for a week. This results in overhelp, which takes teammates out of their spots and ultimately allows opponents to touch the paint.

From there, they are either scoring, getting to the free throw line, or kicking out to shoot or initiate a swing-swing sequence. The Cavs start scrambling, and then it becomes a world of hurt.

“You can look at my postgame comments against Orlando, OK? Very, very similar,” Atkinson said. “I think it’s a very similar game. Much more generous on the defensive end. And I just told guys, it starts with that first unit. Not very good defensively. They never felt us out. They got comfortable. They got confidence, and then, it’s the same kind of story, right? We’ve got really good defenders in that lineup, so an unforgivable defensive effort today.

“Give credit to Dallas. I just thought their energy level was higher. But, when your energy level isn’t there — sometimes you have games where it’s not there — now you have to use your kind of savvy and experience and be in the right position. You might not have a game where you’re super active, and that happens, but there were a lot of mental breakdowns.”

In addition to praising Max Strus for a great comeback effort and start to the season, Atkinson used his entire press conference to discuss the defense.

He himself also reflected on whether Cleveland should have switched groups from 1-to-5 as a challenge to prepare for the playoffs, because “we don’t normally do that.” But describing this effort as passable feels like a real red flag at the end of the season.

“We showed four or five clips where we’re not touching them,” Atkinson told ClutchPoints in the press room. “In a switching defense, you have to control the screener. You have to slow down the screener, right? You have to stay on the ball. We’re playing man-to-man, but it was like, we were in a zone because we were so different. And in the NBA, if teams are so comfortable, the shots are easier. They’re not worn out physically, so they’re fresher to make shots.”

Take care of basketball matters too.

“I’ll just say the last thing I knew the focus wasn’t there [there]I think we had 12 live-ball turnovers,” Atkinson said. “Some of those were differentials. Some of those were the lineup. Maybe I threw some in there by not shooting enough, so that was a big part of it too.

“Live-ball turnovers are death. I hope this doesn’t sound too harsh, but they are. If you have a live-ball turnover above the free-throw line, it’s probably going to be a layup. You can’t prevent it.”

Cavs have been banged up again, but depth needs to shine defensively

It should be noted that Sam Merrill has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, and Jaylon Tyson injured his ankle last Friday in Dallas. They are key pieces of the perimeter.

However, Ellis is known for his ball pressure and technique, and Dean Wade is a top defender with his versatility, so the Cavs should be outmatched very easily.

Mitchell and Harden have the right message, but they need to hold up their end of the bargain in this case too.

At times, Cleveland’s wings behave a little more loosely due to the frontcourt threats behind them. And although this defensive drop off over Allen’s absence from the lineup may be a bit much for one player, it undoubtedly underlines his importance to the team.

The Sacramento Kings could be without Malik Monk again on Tuesday night as they host the San Antonio Spurs, with the veteran guard officially listed as questionable due to a right ankle sprain.

Sacramento (18-51) released their latest injury report on Tuesday morning ahead of the 7:00 pm PT matchup, confirming Monk’s status as uncertain after missing the team’s last three games. His availability remains an important storyline for a Kings roster already dealing with multiple absences.

The 28-year-old Monk last played in Sacramento’s 114-109 win over the Indiana Pacers on March 10. He logged just 11 minutes before being sidelined with an ankle injury and finished with four points on 2-for-4 shooting. Since then, the Kings have gone 2-1, including consecutive wins over the Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz over the weekend.

Despite the recent wins, Monk’s absence has limited Sacramento’s depth in the backcourt. He is averaging 12.6 points, 2.7 assists and 1.7 rebounds per game this season, his lowest scoring output since joining the Kings in the 2022-23 campaign. He is shooting 43.7% from the field, 39.6% from beyond the arc and 87.8% from the free-throw line in 53 appearances, while averaging 22 minutes per contest.

Kings shorthanded vs. Spurs as Malik Monk’s status uncertain

The Kings’ injury report remains extensive beyond Monk. Devin Carter (right calf injury), Drew Eubanks (left thumb UCL tear), De’Andre Hunter (left eye retinal repair), Zach LaVine (right fifth finger tendon repair), Keegan Murray (left ankle sprain) and Domantas Sabonis (left knee meniscus repair) have been ruled out.

San Antonio (50-18) enters the matchup as one of the top teams in the Western Conference, presenting a tough challenge for a short-handed Sacramento team. Spurs have maintained strong form throughout the season and will look to take advantage of the Kings’ poor rotation.

Monk’s final status is expected to be determined closer to tipoff as Sacramento evaluates his recovery from an ankle sprain.

Houston Rockets All-Star forward Kevin Durant is one of the greatest scorers in NBA history, but he has never recorded a 60-point game. His career-high score is 55, but his pace and legacy are far more important for the 19-year-old veteran. Only Los Angeles Lakers All-Star LeBron James can match Durant’s longevity and dominance as Kevin approaches his second decade in the association.

According to Michael Lee of The Ringer, Durant explained why he was never interested in scoring 60 points in a game.

“I’m in this for the long term, man,” Durant said. “I just want to win the game and go home. I know it’s been a talking point for me: ‘You don’t have 60, 70.’ You can’t just look at a 60-point game and say, ‘That’s what KD is all about.’ You have to look at my entire career and analyze what I actually did to understand the type of player I am. I like it that way.

“It’s like a story that way. I didn’t want to be a flash in the pan. I just wanted to be consistently great. I don’t have a 60, but that’s a lot of stats I’ve made up on my own.”

Durant is the only player in NBA history to finish a season with 56.0/40.4/91.9 percent shooting splits, a feat he accomplished in 2022-23. Kevin says it’s a testament to the sacrifices he’s made to pursue his career, abandoning friends, partying and having fun. However, in order to persist, he realized that he had left nothing behind.

Kevin Durant on his NBA scoring legacy

Rockets All-Star Kevin Durant was double-teamed by the Lakers in Monday’s 100-92 loss. That’s the kind of treatment you get when you’re one of the game’s elite scorers. Durant finished with 18 points on 8-for-16 shooting.

Aside from Lakers All-Star LeBron James, Durant is the only NBA player to average 25+ points for such a long period of time, which is indicative of his consistent approach.

As Lee said, “He and LeBron are the only players to average at least 25 points for more than 12 seasons.” “Durant has never played a game in which he made more than 19 field goals and averaged fewer than 19 shots per game in his career. On the night he scored a career-high 55 points, he took only 28 shots. On the night he scored a career-high 55 points, he took only 28 shots.

He reached 32,000 points in fewer games than any player other than Jordan. To which Durant asked, “What’s more important to some people – that or 60 points?” Durant remains the youngest NBA scoring champion and the youngest player to win three consecutive scoring titles.

Durant has always played the long game.

The Brooklyn Nets-Portland Trail Blazers matchup at Barclays Center on Monday was a forgettable late-season game for many. However, for the Israeli basketball community, it was a night they will never forget. Trail Blazers All-Star Danny Avdija faced off against Nets rookies Ben Saraf and Danny Wolf, marking the first time that three Israelis shared the court during an NBA game.

Avadiya got a strong reaction The 17,030 fans in attendance said they “felt like they were back in Tel Aviv” after the 114–95 Portland victory. The 25-year-old player said that there was a lot of tuning at home.

Avdija said, “I know there were a lot of people at home watching the game tonight. It’s amazing.” “It’s a big deal to me especially [since Ben and I] Grew up next to each other. Like 20 minutes away from each other. It’s amazing to watch him score and thrive in the league. Danny too… I was definitely surprised to see Barclays Center packed. It means a lot to me. I don’t have words to explain how much support he gave me and my teammates. I’m very happy to have this crowd behind me. I’m glad they saw us play tonight.”

Denny Avdija on the support he got from the Brooklyn crowd last night:

“I was definitely surprised to see a packed Barclays Center. It means a lot to me. I don’t have words to explain how much they supported me. I’m so happy to have this crowd behind me.” pic.twitter.com/tPyLgMwM71

– Eric Slater (@erikslater_) 17 March 2026

Denny! Denny! Denny! 🥹🗣️ pic.twitter.com/nOykrVQv2V

-Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) 16 March 2026

Avdija has had a breakout season, leading the Trail Blazers to the Western Conference play-ins. The All-Star forward has averaged 24.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists in 53 appearances.

Deni Avdija shares court with Nets rookies Ben Saraf, Danny Wolf in Brooklyn

Meanwhile, Saraf and Wolf are attempting to carve out roles with the rebuilding Nets after being selected No. 26 and No. 27 in June’s draft. Saraf said his relationship with Avdija began last year when his Ratiopharm Ulm team faced the Trail Blazers during the NBA preseason.

“Since then, we have been in touch all the time… it was great [facing Deni tonight]. “I was waiting for this game for a long time,” Saraf told reporters. “He is a great person, a very good friend of mine. especially with danny wolf [playing]Very. Three Israelis on the court at the same time. This was something very special… [Deni’s] had a huge impact [on basketball in Israel]. Everyone in Israel followed him throughout the year. Everyone was supporting. Israelis know how big a deal it was to have the first Israeli All-Star. it was very big. So, we are all very happy for him.”

Saraf struggled in his rookie season bouncing between the NBA and G League. However, the 6-foot-6 guard has played his best basketball recently, averaging 11.8 points and 4.8 assists on 53.1 percent shooting in his last four appearances. He scored a season-high 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting while dishing out four assists on Monday.

“[Ben’s] “Maybe this newbie is going through things like I did,” Avdija said. It’s probably fatigue, and it’s probably not knowing how to take care of the body, but it looks like he’s doing a good job. It seems like he is very tough and hard nosed. He knows how to play basketball. I’m always here for him, but I think he’s doing really good.

Wolf, who grew up in Illinois, became a naturalized Israeli citizen and played for the national team at the 2023 FIBA ​​U20 European Championship. After a breakout season at Michigan, he showed encouraging flashes as a rookie with Brooklyn.

Wolf averaged 9.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 54 appearances. The 21-year-old said he could “100 percent” imagine himself playing alongside Avdija and Saraf on the Israeli national team “if the opportunity arises.”

Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez, who rose through the NBA ranks after coming to the United States from Spain, talked about the importance of Monday’s game.

“Yeah, it’s special,” Fernandez said. “When the U.S. and other countries outside of Europe can be represented here with three players, it means the world, and it’s a special day that everyone has to enjoy. And I think they already are… I don’t know Danny, but I’m sure he’s excited to play. I know Ben and Danny are. And it’s cool. This is one of the two times we’ll see it, and hopefully for many years to see how these guys move forward.” “Obviously Denny’s having a career year and getting better and better over the years. And it’s so interesting to see them play against each other.”

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been in a state of struggle lately, having lost four of their last five games following Sunday’s big loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder. It was a particularly bad game for big man Rudy Gobert, who was .23 and scored only two points in the loss.

However, despite that setback, Gobert remains arguably the second most important player on Minnesota’s roster behind Anthony Edwards due to his continued defensive excellence.

Recently, the Frenchman got 100% real on whether he envisions retirement in the near future, and what he hopes to accomplish before it’s all said and done.

“I think it’s still a long way off. Yeah, I think it’s still a long way away,” Gobert said, according to Prime Video Sports France on YouTube. “…For now, I’m really focused on the present moment. To be an NBA champion, that’s a goal – yes, champion. Best defender in history, four times.”

Gobert is actually already one of the best defenders in league history, having played a host of elite saves during his tenure with both the Minnesota and Utah Jazz. His offensive skills, or lack thereof, have caused headaches for both fans throughout his career, but that still doesn’t diminish how incredibly important a player he has been to many successful teams.

Meanwhile, the Timberwolves will have to do some soul-searching if they want to realize Gobert’s championship dreams, as the team has now lost four of its last five games, and all four losses have come in unexpected ways.

Minnesota’s offense has been sporadic during the skid, and it’s safe to say that Gobert likely isn’t the solution to that problem.

The Timberwolves next face off against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday evening.

On Monday evening, the Atlanta Hawks picked up their tenth consecutive win with a home win over the Orlando Magic. It was an excellent game for guard Nickell Alexander-Walker, who set a career high with 41 points on nine three-pointers, and Jalen Johnson recorded his 13th triple double of the season in the win.

The basketball world has begun to pay attention to the Hawks now that they have posted their longest winning streak since their 60-win season in 2014-15, and one person joining in the praise is former NBA wing Chandler Parsons, who went on FanDuel’s “Run It Back” show to express his thoughts.

“This is the hottest team in the NBA right now… They’re playing their best basketball at the right time,” Parsons said, according to Axe, formerly of Run It Back, on Twitter.

Indeed, NBA teams typically try to prepare in March and April to play their best basketball, which is what the Hawks have been able to do over the past few weeks, losing just one game since the All-Star break.

Atlanta currently sits in eighth place in the Eastern Conference at 37-31, but is just 1.5 games out of the fifth seed, which could be very well within reach if the team continues its winning ways.

Through it all, Johnson has continued to establish himself as a rising superstar following his first All-Star appearance, and Alexander-Walker looks poised to compete for the Most Improved Player of the Year award. If he wins it, he will be the second consecutive Hawks player to win the award, joining Dyson Daniels.

The Hawks will next take the field against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday evening as they look to take their win streak to 11.

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter John Legend got a chance to meet San Antonio Spurs stars Victor Wembanyama and Harrison Barnes ahead of the team’s win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday, March 16.

The Spurs shared a photo of the legend and his son, Miles Theodore Stephens, taking a selfie with Wembley and Barnes after the game. Of course, they were coming off a win, so Vembanyama and Barnes were smiling.

Given Legend’s celebrity status, it’s no surprise that he sat courtside with his son during the game. He and his son were enjoying the game as the Spurs overcame the deficit to win their 50th game of the year.

Victor Wembanyama leads Spurs to win number 50

Early on, things were not looking good for the Spurs against the Clippers. They fell behind 17-3 just minutes after the game started, but they didn’t hold on for long.

Ultimately, San Antonio came out on top with Stephen Cassel’s 23 points. Wemby had 21 points, a team-leading 13 rebounds and two assists. Barnes also scored eight points in 18 minutes off the bench.

Currently, the Spurs are in second place in the Western Conference behind the 53–15 Oklahoma City Thunder. Fortunately, they have a seven-game lead over the Los Angeles Lakers, who are in third place in the conference.

The team the Spurs just beat, the Clippers, is .500 at 34-34. This puts them in eighth place in the Western Conference and on the verge of playoff contention.

Wembley is having one of the best seasons of his career. In his third year, he averaged 24.3 points (at the top of his career), 11.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. He also averages one steal and three blocks per game.

He was the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft. Vembanyama has since become a focal point for Spurs, and he is the team’s leading scorer during the 2025–26 season.

Former NBA player Kendrick Perkins made one of the boldest calls of the season, and it immediately put Victor Wambayama and the San Antonio Spurs front and center against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Speaking on First Take, Perkins didn’t hold back from discussing the NBA Finals picture. He went beyond praise. He made a prediction that caught the attention of the entire league.

“The San Antonio Spurs are going to win the NBA Championship.”@kendrickperkins Doubles down on Spurs, knocks Thunder out of playoffs pic.twitter.com/g9bs08Wpqw

– First Tech (@FirstTech) 17 March 2026

Perkins said, “You all know how I feel about the Oklahoma City Thunder. That’s my home away from home, but damn, I’m going to say it again on national television, the San Antonio Spurs are going to win the NBA championship this year.”

That statement came down hard. This challenged the growing perception that the Thunder were the team to beat in the West. It also elevated a young Spurs group that continues to grow behind Victor Wembanyama.

Perkins did not stop here. He said, “I don’t pay attention to all this, they don’t have experience to talk about.” “They’re going to have home court advantage all the way to the conference finals.” His confidence reflects how San Antonio has played. The energy is real. Trust is being built.

Victor Vembanyama sits at the center of it all. Perkins praised his development as a complete power forward. “I like how he’s found that balance… first of all being a big guy, then being a guy who is a star and a leader in his role,” he said. Growth is visible every night.

However, Spurs are not dependent on any one player. Stephen Cassel has developed into a steady facilitator. Their two-man chemistry continues to improve. “Having Stephen Cassel, they have that,” Perkins explained, pointing to their playoff-ready connection.

Meanwhile, veterans like Harrison Barnes and De’Aaron Fox bring experience and composure. This system is based on what Perkins called “agenda free basketball”. Anyone can move forward. Any moment can change.

So as the race to the NBA Finals heats up, one question now looms large: Are the Spurs really ready to prove Kendrick Perkins right and defeat the Thunder when it matters most?

On Monday evening, the Boston Celtics continued their winning ways with a narrow home win over the Phoenix Suns. The Celtics were led by Jaylen Brown, who scored an impressive 41 points on the evening, while Jayson Tatum also remains in form amid his return from an Achilles tear.

Recently, ESPN NBA analyst and former Celtics great Kendrick Perkins expressed his thoughts in “First Take” on why Boston should be viewed as the favorite to come out of the Eastern Conference this year.

“The Boston Celtics are coming off the Eastern Conference. … The way Jayson Tatum has looked since returning from that Achilles injury … I see [them] And I’m saying that’s what this couple has proven right here,” Perkins said, according to X, formerly @lockedupjb on Twitter.

In fact, Tatum and Brown have a plethora of playoff experience, both positive and negative, on their resumes, capped by their championship run in the 2024 season, in which Brown won NBA Finals MVP honors.

Meanwhile, Tatum isn’t looking like the full version of himself right now, as should be expected as he recovers from Achilles surgery after nearly a year off, but Celtics fans should still be encouraged by how much progress he’s made from where he started a week ago against the Dallas Mavericks.

The Eastern Conference, despite its reputation, is loaded with talent this year, and Boston will have some challengers, including the Detroit Pistons and the team that beat them last year, the New York Knicks.

However, if Boston doesn’t suffer one of their infamous playoff meltdowns this year, the team clearly has the talent to compete with anyone, not just in the Eastern Conference, but in the entire NBA.

When the Los Angeles Lakers signed free agent Marcus Smart over the summer, they were determined to prove he could still compete for a championship contender. And while his team hasn’t been consistent enough this season to earn that label, Smart and the Lakers have the third-best record in the Western Conference standings. Marcus knows he is fortunate to still have an NBA career.

According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, after helping the Lakers earn a 127-125 overtime win against the Denver Nuggets, Smart reflected on his 2022 injury that resulted in him nearly losing his right arm.

“I was taken to the ER and lost a lot of blood,” Smart told ESPN. “I passed out. …That’s how I lost a lot.”

Smart, who missed the game-winning shot against the Lakers during his time with the Boston Celtics in 2018, regained consciousness after receiving 20 stitches.

“The doctor looked me in the eyes and told me, ‘I don’t know how you still use your right hand,'” Smart said. “‘You should thank God sincerely every day.'” The piece of glass that had cut into his hand was just millimeters away from ceasing its use completely.

“They said it fit perfectly between every tendon in my hand without causing any damage,” Smart said. “And they had to leave the extra piece in, because they said it would cause more damage if we took it out.”

That piece of glass is still in Smart’s right hand.

“For six years after the incident with the glass, I still had the glass in my hand and I used to play with it. And there were times when my hand would go numb because of it. Many times, in many games, I couldn’t control it. I had to play and there were times when I was shooting the ball and just, I had no feeling in the arm, in the hand.”

Still, the 32-year-old Smart can impact wins at a high level, which he proved by finishing with 21 points and five steals against the Nuggets.

Marcus Smart criticizes Lakers haters

Lakers veteran Marcus Smart hasn’t let the haters stop him. Reflecting on the most horrific injury of his career, Smart had time to reflect on those who do not consider the Lakers a legitimate threat to win a title.

“Basically, we’re tired of listening to people,” Smart said. “I know I am. And if you’re competitive, if you have any kind of competitor in you, you’re going to get tired of that too. So you want to try to prove them wrong.”

The Lakers beat the Rockets 100-92 on Monday, extending their winning streak to six.

On Monday evening, the Atlanta Hawks picked up their tenth consecutive win with a comfortable home win over the Orlando Magic. The game was originally named “Magic City Night”, which was supposed to be a collaboration between the team and a local adult entertainment establishment, but the NBA ultimately canceled the promotion after criticism from San Antonio Spurs big man Luke Kornet.

However, despite this, many fans in attendance showed support for the venue anyway, as described by the Associated Press.

The Associated Press reported via ESPN, “Support or not, plenty of Hawks fans were dressed the same way. Magic City gear, both official and unofficial merchandise, was a common sight throughout the crowd. Among those proudly wearing club sweatshirts was Hawks principal owner Jami Gertz, who sat near halfcourt watching Atlanta cruise to a 124-112 victory.”

Gertz has ties to the Magic City, having previously produced a documentary about the iconic nightlife establishment.

Meanwhile, on the court, the Hawks had their most impressive performance of the season on Monday, defeating an Orlando team that was on a seven-game winning streak in its own right, and extending their own run to ten consecutive wins.

The hero was Nickell Alexander-Walker, who continued his Most Improved Player of the Year campaign with 41 points on nine three pointers, while Jalen Johnson recorded his 13th triple double of the year and second consecutive.

The Hawks are now just a game and a half out of the top six in the East, which would mean missing out on the play-in tournament altogether.

Atlanta will next take the field on Wednesday evening for a road game against the Dallas Mavericks as they look to take their streak to 11. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET.

Recently, Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart raised eyebrows when he claimed he was pressured to return to the lineup prematurely while he was injured during his stint with the Memphis Grizzlies. Smart was a member of the Grizzlies for two seasons before joining the Washington Wizards and then the Lakers.

According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Smart said, “I wanted to be 100%, give it everything I got.” “As I’m still working out and getting ready, they’re just like, ‘No, your doctor said you’re ready now.’ And I’m like, ‘I hear what my doctor said, but… this is how I feel.’ Yes, the finger is fine after surgery. But physically, no.”

Now, McMenamin reports that “when contacted by ESPN about Smart’s claims, the Grizzlies had no comment.”

If those claims prove true, it certainly wouldn’t look good for the Grizzlies and their medical staff, although Smart acknowledged that the finger was fine from a surgical standpoint.

The Grizzlies are in full-on tank mode at the moment, having recently removed their starters from a game against the Philadelphia 76ers in the fourth quarter to ensure a loss, and many believe the team will once again explore trade scenarios for point guard Ja Morant this summer after they sent Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz at the trade deadline.

Meanwhile, Smart has fit in well with the Lakers, who are currently on a six-game winning streak, having defeated the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night.

It remains to be seen if the Grizzlies will ever break their silence on Smart’s claims, but for now, this doesn’t bode too well for the franchise.

The Los Angeles Clippers lost to the San Antonio Spurs 119–115, and Kawhi Leonard’s absence quickly became the main story. The star forward missed the game and his absence was felt at key moments at both ends of the field. According to Tomer Azzarly of ClutchPoints, Kawhi Leonard is day-to-day with the injury, but is expected to travel with the Clippers on their upcoming three-game road trip. The update offers some optimism, although questions still remain as the team tries to stabilize its season.

The Clippers are now 34-34 and in 8th place in the Western Conference. The team has lost two consecutive games, even though it has won seven of its last 10 games. Still, the defeat to Spurs highlighted a familiar issue. Without Leonard, execution becomes less reliable late in games. Crime slows down. The defense loses some lead. In such tough matches, it’s the little things that decide everything.

Leonard remains the engine of this team. He is averaging 28.3 points per game, while shooting 50.1 percent from the field and 37.8 percent from beyond the arc. His efficiency and control shape the Clippers’ identity. When he plays, everything looks sharp. When he sits, the margin for error diminishes exponentially.

Road trip pressure increases for Clippers

Now comes a serious turn. The Clippers suffered back-to-back losses against the New Orleans Pelicans before taking on the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night. Both teams sit near the bottom of the Western Conference, but the Clippers can’t take any matchup lightly.

If Leonard returns, the Clippers will regain balance. Ball movement improves. Confidence awakens. If he remains marginalised, the pressure shifts to the supporting cast. As the playoff race gets tighter, each possession will carry more weight.

This road trip may shape their trajectory. Can the Clippers stay afloat while managing Kawhi Leonard’s injury, or will this stretch test their limits at the worst time?

Madness is finally upon us. Now, the Dallas Mavericks find themselves at an important crossroads that extends far beyond the final score of a single tournament game. This franchise has never been afraid to swing for the fences. Thus, March Madness represents a live-action scouting laboratory where tomorrow’s stars are groomed under the fire of pressure to win or go home. Dallas is looking to reload, searching for that missing piece that can enhance their current core. They need to turn a roster of high-potential talent into a legitimate perennial powerhouse in an unforgiving Western Conference.

As we look towards the 2026 NBA Draft, scouting departments have their sights set on the hardwood. They will evaluate which prospects have the specific blend of mental toughness and physical dominance needed to thrive under the bright lights of American Airlines Center.

2025–26 season recap

It’s been a season of identity search in Dallas. The brilliance of a roster’s brilliance is often overshadowed by its growing pains in transition. Sitting at 23-46 as of mid-March, the Mavericks find themselves out of the playoff picture. They are currently at the bottom of the Western Conference standings. Despite excellent individual efforts from Cooper Flagg, the supporting cast has struggled to find consistency. The mid-season departure of experienced leadership and a defensive rating that ranked in the bottom half of the league has led to a long winter in North Texas.

There have been moments when the offensive flow seemed unstoppable, especially in high-scoring wins over teams like Cleveland and Memphis. However, the lack of a secondary perimeter creator and reliable wing depth has ultimately hindered their ability to close out tight games.

Draft needed for 2026

As the front office turns its attention toward the 2026 NBA Draft, the onus is on finding a dynamic, high-end guard. They need someone who can eventually replace the aging and often sidelined Kyrie Irving and provide a lethal scoring punch with Flagg. Yes, the Mavericks have established a solid foundation in the frontcourt with Derek Lively II and Daniel Gafford. Nevertheless, the periphery remains a clear area of ​​concern. Specifically, Dallas needs a player who can break down defenses in the half-court and hit contested shots when the shot clock stops.

Head coach Jason Kidd has always prioritized high-IQ players who can guard multiple positions. That means any potential lottery selection has to show more than just aggressive nature. The goal is to find a versatile playmaker who won’t be a liability on the defensive end. This will ensure that the next era of Mavericks basketball is built on a balanced and durable roster.

Darrin Peterson, Kansas

If you’re looking for a pure, pure scorer who can set a stadium on fire in a matter of seconds, look no further than Darrin Peterson. The Kansas standout this year has been a revelation. He has demonstrated three-level scoring ability that makes him arguably the most sophisticated perimeter prospect in the 2026 class. Peterson has drawn legitimate comparisons to some of the league’s most creative offensive engines.

What makes him particularly interesting for Dallas is his comfort level playing both on and off the ball. He can serve as the primary starter or shift to catch-and-shoot opportunities. Versatility that would pair perfectly with Flagg’s point-forward tendencies. During March Madness, scouts will be keeping an eye on whether his efficiency holds up against the sophisticated defensive schemes of tournament play. However, his current trajectory shows he is becoming a star who can thrive in the Mavericks system.

Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas

There is a certain “it factor” that Darius Acuff Jr. brings to the floor. That combination of swagger and skill has brought the Arkansas Razorbacks back into the national conversation. Leading the SEC in both scoring and assists, Acuff is the quintessential modern floor general. He plays with a pace and tempo that constantly keeps defenders off balance. He is adept at using deceptive handles and elite body control to find his spots regardless of defensive pressure.

For the Mavericks, Acuff represents a potential long-term solution at the point guard spot. He can facilitate for others and also be a threat to drop 30 points on any given night. Of course, questions remain about his defensive consistency. However, his offensive ceiling is undeniably high. A deep performance in the NCAA Tournament will only solidify his status as a top-five talent that Dallas’ top brass can’t ignore.

Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville

A trio of prospects worth watching include Mikel Brown Jr. His basketball IQ and steady hand have been the driving force behind Louisville’s resurgence. Brown is a traditional playwright in the best sense of the word. He has the rare ability to manipulate the defense with his eyes and deliver accurate passes to teammates. He doesn’t just play games; He organizes it. Brown rarely gets troubled by high-pressure situations or aggressive full-court presses. His shooting numbers have seen a significant increase this season. This makes him a dual-threat weapon that demands respect beyond the arc.

For Dallas, Brown provides a level of composure and secondary playmaking that can unlock the full potential of their offensive sets. Seeing how he handles the pace in the high-stakes environment of March Madness will be the ultimate litmus test for his readiness to step into a high-usage role at the professional level.

The Philadelphia 76ers face Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night, and Joel Embiid is once again at the center of the injury report. The 76ers have listed Embiid as out with a right oblique strain, making Philadelphia the franchise star the focus of attention as the team looks to extend a two-game winning streak.

The 76ers enter the matchup at 37-31, No. 9 in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Nuggets are 41-27, in 5th place in the Western Conference and looking to bounce back from a recent loss against the Los Angeles Lakers. With both teams pushing for momentum, Embiid’s absence looms large.

Embiid remains the 76ers’ anchor when available. In 33 games, he is averaging 26.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists, while shooting 49.5 percent from the field, 31.8 percent from three and 85.8 percent from the line. He also adds 1.1 blocks and 0.6 steals per game.

When Embiid plays, the 76ers operate with far more structure and interior dominance. His ability to command double teams and control the paint shapes Philadelphia’s entire offensive system.

joel embiid injury status vs nuggets

The 76ers’ injury report includes several additional names. Jonny Broom is out as his right knee recovers from surgery. Paul George is out due to league suspension. Tyrese Maxey is out with a strained right tendon, while Kelly Oubre Jr. is out with a left elbow sprain. Dellen Terry is listed as questionable due to a left shoulder problem.

As for Denver, the Nuggets have several players listed out on the injury report. Those names include Jabari Walker, Darron Holmes II, Curtis Jones and KJ Simpson on G League assignment. Peyton Watson is also out with a right hamstring strain.

Still, Embiid’s absence remains the biggest story in this matchup. The 76ers will try to maintain their momentum even without their star. The Nuggets, meanwhile, aim to respond after the loss.

So when it comes to the question of whether Joel Embiid is playing tonight against the Nuggets, the answer is no. Their rightward bias will keep them on the sidelines. As a result, Philadelphia will need to adjust in an important inter-conference matchup.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks will play on Tuesday night. However, Giannis Antetokounmpo is struggling with an injury.

Giannis was on the injury report before being available for Milwaukee’s game on Sunday against the Indiana Pacers, a game the Bucks won 134–123. However, Antetokounmpo suffered an injury during the matchup.

Here’s everything we know about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury status for tonight’s game vs. the Cavs.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury status vs. Cavs

Giannis is dealing with a left ankle sprain. The Bucks superstar is questionable to play on Tuesday night, according to the NBA injury report.

Milwaukee is hoping to pull off an upset win. The 28-39 Bucks are in 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings. Meanwhile, the Cavs are 41-27 and in fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

It goes without saying, but Antetokounmpo’s final injury status will be important for the Bucks as they look to upset the Cavaliers. However, when it comes to the question of whether Giannis Antetokounmpo is playing tonight vs. the Cavs, the answer is probably.

bucks injury report

The Bucks have five players listed on the injury report for Tuesday night’s game.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo (sprained left ankle): Questionable.
• Ousmane Dieng (illness): doubtful
• Myles Turner (right calf strain): doubtful
• Alex Antetokounmpo (G League Two-Way): Out
• Cormac Ryan (G League Two-Way): Out

Cavs injury report

The Cavs have six players on the injury report.

• Jaylon Tyson (left ankle soreness): Probable
• Sam Merrill (left hamstring tightness): doubtful
• Jarrett Allen (right knee tendonitis) out
• Craig Porter Jr. (left groin strain): out
• Tyrese Proctor (right quadricep strain): out
• Olivier Sarr (G League two-way): out

The Minnesota Timberwolves face the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night and Anthony Edwards is once again at the center of the injury report. The Timberwolves have ruled out Edwards because of right knee soreness, putting the focus on Minnesota’s franchise star as the team looks to bounce back from a recent loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Minnesota enters the matchup at 41-27, No. 6 in the Western Conference. The Suns, meanwhile, are 39-29, in 7th place in the West and looking to end a two-game losing streak. With both teams battling for a playoff position, Edwards’ absence could significantly impact the outcome.

Edwards has been the focal point of Minnesota’s offense this season. Through 58 games, he is averaging 29.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting 49.2 percent from the field. He is also converting an efficient 40.2 percent from three-point range and 79.6 percent from the free-throw line. Additionally, the All-Star guard contributed 1.4 steals and 0.8 blocks per game, showcasing his two-way impact.

When Edwards is on the floor, the Timberwolves operate with far more offensive firepower. His ability to create shots from all three levels and take over possession late in the game makes him one of the most dynamic scorers in the league.

Anthony Edwards injury status vs. Suns

The Timberwolves’ injury report includes several additional names. Additionally, Jon Beringer, Enrique Freeman, Julian Phillips and Zion Pullin are out on G League assignment. Meanwhile, Naz Reed is listed as questionable with a right shoulder injury.

As far as Phoenix is ​​concerned, the Suns have not yet submitted their official injury report.

Still, Edwards’ absence remains the biggest story in this matchup. Minnesota will try to regroup without its leading scorer. Additionally, Phoenix will look to take advantage and break their losing streak.

So, when the question comes whether Anthony Edwards is playing tonight against the Suns, the answer is no. Pain in his right knee will sideline him. As a result, the Timberwolves will need to adjust. This remains an important Western Conference matchup.

Jaylen Brown had another strong performance for the Boston Celtics as they defeated the Phoenix Suns 120-112 on Monday at the TD Garden.

He and Devin Booker were face to face, but the final decision was Brown’s. He scored 41 points on 10 of 20 shooting and added four rebounds and five assists. Brown made 21 attempts from the free-throw line, and nearly outscored the Suns on his own.

In a video posted by Daniel Donabedian of ClutchPoints, he acknowledged the “MVP” chants he received from the crowd. He also shared this similar experience When he went to South Boston for St. Patrick’s Day.

“I was at Southee’s last night or yesterday, and I got some ‘MVP’ chants. I think that might have been a little nice,” the five-time All-Star said.

Brown, 29, who grew up in Georgia, said he enjoyed celebrating the special day for the first time.

Brown said, “I didn’t know it was a big deal. It felt like there were a million people there. It was cold, it was early in the morning, but it felt like the whole town was drunk.”

“I had a good time, just going out and saying hello to people from Boston and things like that. It’s great. Plus, I have some Irish in my blood. It made it more surreal.”

Jaylen Brown on MVP chant starting tonight:

“It’s awesome.”

And how was his parade experience in Southie yesterday:

“It felt as if the whole city was drunk.” pic.twitter.com/4iqjPrqpY1

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 17 March 2026

The one-time Finals MVP has made himself a Beantown darling since the Celtics selected him as the third overall pick in 2016.

If he leads the Celtics to their second championship in three seasons, of course, the entire city of Boston will be even more intoxicated.

The calendar has changed in mid-March. For the basketball world, that means only one thing: the high-octane, heart-stopping drama of the NCAA Tournament. However, for Mike Dunleavy Jr. and the Golden State Warriors front office, the brackets are a scouting map for a franchise at a critical crossroads. As the “Big Three” era enters its final stretch, the Dubs are looking for the next foundational pillar to keep the Chase Center rafters busy with new banners. This year’s tournament field is absolutely loaded with top talent. The Warriors also have the potential to be a mid-lottery selection. As such, the stakes have never been higher. The pressure is on to find a player who can blend high-IQ playmaking with the modern athleticism needed to survive in the increasingly young, fast-paced Western Conference.

patience and uncertainty

It has been a rollercoaster of a 2025-26 campaign for the Warriors. They are currently 32-35 and in ninth place in the Western Conference. Despite having Jimmy Butler alongside Stephen Curry, the team has struggled with consistency and health throughout the winter months. Undoubtedly, Curry remains a force to be reckoned with. He is averaging 27.2 points per game, but the supporting cast has often been up and down.

Certainly, the emergence of Brandin Podziemski as a reliable starter and the veteran leadership of Draymond Green have kept the Dubs in the play-in hunt. However, a series of minor losses in early March have highlighted the narrow margin of error on this roster. They are a team that can beat anyone on any night. Still, they often found themselves outmatched by the length and depth of emerging powers of the West such as Oklahoma City and San Antonio.

identification of missing piece

It’s clear that the warriors’ shopping list starts with size, versatility and specific connective tissue. The front office could pursue a veteran-style prospect with immediate impact. Alternatively, they could opt for a raw, high-ceilinged wing that can carry the torch once the current stalwarts hang up their sneakers. The Warriors’ defensive rating has been in the middle of the pack this season. His comebacks have often been his weakness. They need a player who can operate within Steve Kerr’s complex offensive system. They’re looking for someone who can pass, cut and shoot.

That said, the Dubs also desperately need a physical presence who can replace multiple positions and protect the rim. The Class of 2026 offers an attractive mix of “ready-made” college stars and “one-and-done” physical specimens. This makes this March Madness the ultimate proving ground for the Warriors’ next big swing.

Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan

If the Warriors are looking for a prospect that screams “Warriors DNA,” look no further than Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg. The 6’9 forward has been a statistical darling this season. He ranks second in the nation in box plus/minus and has emerged as a Swiss Army knife for the Wolverines. Lendeborg is a high-end processor who facilitates from the high post, crashes the glass with tenacity, and blocks shots at a elite rate.

This March, he will lead a top-seeded Michigan team that relies heavily on his ability to hold down the defense while opening sets on the other end. For a Golden State team that values ​​quick decision-making, Lendeborg fits like a glove. He doesn’t need 20 shots to dominate a game, and his defensive versatility will allow him to fit in perfectly in those small-ball lineups.

Nate Ament, Tennessee

On the other end of the spectrum is Nate Ament. He’s a 6’10 wing from Tennessee who represents the kind of high-upside gamble the Warriors may need to reinvent their future. Ament is the quintessential modern NBA wing. He is long, fluid and capable of scoring from all three levels. Yes, his performance has been up and down during his new campaign. Still, his flashes of talent are undeniable. He has the ability to shoot over defenders and the lateral quickness to be a disruptive force on the perimeter.

During the tournament, all eyes will be on how Ament handles the physical pressure of postseason play. If he can prove that his jumper is consistent and his defensive motor is active, he becomes an attractive option for the Warriors.

Thomas Hoff, Florida

Finally, the Warriors will have to keep a close eye on Florida’s Thomas Hoff as the Gators look to defend their national title. The 6’9-inch Hoff is a tireless competitor who does the dirty work that winning teams require. He is a dynamic finisher at the rim and a disruptive defender who can switch to guards or battle in the trenches with big men. Unlike some of the more heralded prospects, Hog excels in a role that doesn’t require the ball in his hands. This makes him an ideal fit for a Golden State roster that already features high-usage producers like Curry and Butler. His tenacity on the offensive boards and his superior perimeter shooting make him a plug-and-play candidate. Hoff has been good enough to contribute from day one. In a tournament where every possession is a battle, Hough’s ability to impact the game through his effort and intelligence will be a major storyline for NBA scouts.

draft strategy

The 2026 NBA Draft will be a defining moment for Mike Dunleavy Jr. and the Warriors. Whether they choose Lendeborg’s sophisticated, high-IQ game, Ament’s limitless ceiling, or Hoff’s battle-tested patience, they must strike gold. This March Madness is a live audition for the next chapter of Golden State Warriors basketball.

The franchise cannot afford to make safe picks that result in bench warmers. They need a difference-maker who can bridge the gap between their storied past and uncertain future. As the tournament begins, these three prospects will have a chance to prove that they belong in the blue and gold. The Warriors are watching, and so should you.

For the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, March isn’t just about bracket chaos. This is a high-risk scouting mission. As the 2026 NCAA Tournament draws to a close, the basketball world’s eyes have turned to blue-chip stars and Cinderellas alike. However, Sam Presti and his staff are looking for something a little more surgical. They are looking for the final pieces of a dynastic puzzle that has been carefully assembled over years of calculated moves.

In the 2026 NBA Draft cycle, the stakes seem even higher as the talent pool is filled with athletes who fit the Thunder’s unique schematic DNA. This is where dreams are either forged in the fire of the Big Dance or extinguished by the pressure of the bright lights. For a team with the draft capital of Oklahoma City, each March Madness possession is a data point in a much larger, more ambitious blueprint.

title defense

All things considered, the 2025-26 NBA season is still shaping up to be another masterpiece for the Thunder. Apart from the occasional setback, this campaign has been defined by the blanket dominance of their roster. Currently sitting at the top of the standings with an incredible record of 53-15, Oklahoma City has completely transformed into the league’s most fearsome juggernaut. We’ve seen Shai Gilgeous-Alexander further cement his status as MVP. He takes charge of a team that ranks first in the NBA in both defensive rating and net rating. Besides him, Chet Holmgren has been a defensive revelation. Meanwhile, Jalen Williams has developed into a secondary playmaker of the highest order.

However, even with the best record in the league and the momentum of the defending champion, the Thunder are never satisfied. Long season experience has shown that OKC’s core is elite. That said, adding more depth on the wing and securing a knockdown perimeter threat could be an insurance policy to ensure this title window remains open for a decade.

lost contact

As we look towards the 2026 NBA Draft, the Thunder’s philosophy remains focused on the concept of positionless basketball. Because they are currently winning at such a high clip, Oklahoma City will pick up a pick in the middle to late part of the first round thanks to previously understood trades. This means Presti is looking for value and high-floor connectors rather than a consensus top three flashy names. When Presti enters the war room, he is looking for players who can grab rebounds, push breaks and make correct guesses without hesitation.

In this upcoming class, the Thunder are likely prioritizing athletes who enhance the talent of those around them while maintaining significant defensive switchability. The goal is to find a prospect who can succeed in the high-low activities that run alongside Chet or perhaps a tenacious point-of-attack defender who can ease the workload on the starting backcourt. This will ensure the bench remains just as lethal as the starting five.

Braylon Mullins, Connecticut

Braylon Mullins has emerged as one of the most intriguing names for a team like Oklahoma City. That’s mainly because he addresses the one thing every contender can never have enough of: elite girth gravitas. As a standout for UConn, Mullins has spent the season proving that he is more than a catch-and-shoot threat. He has shown an advanced ability to navigate screens and move at a pace that keeps defenders in a constant state of panic. For the Thunder, Mullins represents an ideal plug-and-play asset. He can fit into the second unit and immediately provide spacing that allows SGA and Jalen Williams to operate in the paint with zero interference.

They’ll be shot under a split microscope in the pressure cooker of March Madness. However, it is his underrated defensive tenacity and blue-collar approach to the game that truly reflects the OKC culture. If he can maintain his efficiency while leading a deep tournament run with the Huskies, he becomes almost an ideal mid-round target.

Braden Burries, Arizona

There is perhaps no player in the mid-round conversation who fits the OKC archetype more naturally than Brayden Burries. Arizona’s versatile guard has a game defined by poise and technical proficiency. Burris is a player who has a strong frame that allows him to absorb contact on drives and a high release point that makes his mid-range game nearly vulnerable. What makes him a mouth-watering prospect for Oklahoma City is his dual-threat ability as both a scorer and secondary initiator. He has the vision to find open teammates when defenses collapse. This trait fits perfectly into Mark Daigneault’s “everyone is a passer” system.

During this tournament, scouts will be paying close attention to how he handles specific physical defenders. However, Burris has already shown the ability to perform well in big moments. He manages the game with a level of maturity that is rare for his class. This makes him exactly the kind of high-ceiling, low-volatility prospect the Thunder have successfully developed in the past.

Keaton Wagler, Illinois

If the Thunder are looking for a defensive disruptor, Illinois’ Keaton Wagler is a sleeper pick. Every savvy analyst keeps him on his radar. Wagler has built a reputation as a player who has the lateral quickness to block lead guards and the length to harass wing scorers. This would make him a seamless addition to an OKC defense that is already one of the best in the league. However, it’s not just his point-of-attack defense that impresses. He has also shown a growing offensive game featuring smart cuts and a reliable corner three-pointer. This makes him a quintessential 3-and-D prospect with great playmaking.

In the high-stakes environment of March Madness, Wagler’s ability to shut down an opponent’s best player while contributing to a fluid offensive flow will be his biggest selling point. An attribute that matches perfectly with the unselfish, tough identity that has turned Oklahoma City into the gold standard of the modern NBA.

ATLANTA – It seems like in sports you only get respect when you beat good teams. Over the past few weeks, the Atlanta Hawks have been performing consistently well, but some people don’t want to validate that after looking at the teams they have beaten.

Brooklyn twice. Washington twice. Dallas. Three teams that are more concerned with their lottery chances than winning games at this point in the season.

The real test for the Hawks would come against the Orlando Magic, who were also on a seven-game winning streak. Just like the Hawks did to almost all of their opponents during their streak, they did the same to the Magic, defeating them 124-112 and extending their streak to 1o games.

Players have heard the conversation, and they knew it was a big win to add to their collection, but it was also big enough to silence the doubters.

“It was a real test against a playoff team,” said Nickeil Alexander-Walker. The discussion is going on that ‘we did not defeat anyone.’ At the end of the day, these are NBA players. These are NBA teams. I will never disrespect whoever they put in front of me. Still, as a team, with how they were progressing, how they went into Miami, and having important games in mid-April, we were aware of the situation.

“Just continuing to handle our business. Over the course of these 10 games, we have approached it as true professionals and with respect for the game.”

During this 10-game stretch, the Magic were arguably the toughest team the Hawks faced on paper, but that didn’t trouble them at all. They came out firing on all cylinders, and it was Alexander-Walker who set the tone early, finishing the first quarter with 14 points.

It was bleeding in the second quarter, and from the 5-minute mark until the end of the game, the Hawks were ahead by double digits. The Magic tried to counterattack several times throughout the game, but the Hawks made a big blow. This is what they have done to all the teams who have tried to go on a winning streak, and it shows how they are handling adversity.

“It shows that we’re still growing. It’s resulting in wins right now, and even when we’re going through our losses, our main objective is to continue to get better, to continue to move forward, to continue to play for each other. I’m proud of this group. We still have a long way to go, but we’ll keep taking it one game at a time and stay focused on that.”

Any night with this team can be anyone’s night, and this time, it was Alexander-Wacker, as he finished with 41 points. When the Hawks needed a bucket, he was there. He was there when the Magic tried to sneak back in. And he reminded everyone to remain calm.

NAW drills their 9th three and then hits “CALMA” 😮‍💨😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/snuymEveAV

– Atlanta HaWWWWWWWWWWWks (@ATLHawks) 17 March 2026

“He knew that when he got here, we were going to ask a lot of him on a lot of levels,” Quin Snyder said. “I think his aggressiveness offensively has been really important.”

“Sometimes your nights go like this. The focus was In right terms Alexander-Walker said, “Being aggressive at the right time. It was an important game, and I knew I just had to come out and give it my all. That’s what was on my mind. Just be aggressive, be yourself, try to help the team win, and that’s what it turned out to be.”

It’s uncertain how long this winning streak will continue, but the Hawks are building good habits at the right time, whether they win or lose. This will largely reveal what kind of basketball they are playing in April and how long they can play beyond that.

Player agent Rich Paul will once again be raising quite a few eyebrows after his latest bold move in regards to the NBA.

Paul, who represents Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James caught attention since then launch His podcast with former ESPN host Max Kellerman led many to point out a conflict of interest.

On the latest episode of “Game Over”, Paul revealed his true feelings about being the so-called Big Three in the NBA.

“I just think, we talk about the Big Three, right? The Big Three Is advanced. the big three Is Not three big name players. The Big Three in today’s NBA are the president/general manager, the coach, and the star player. This is where the Big Three are focused. When you have that, it spreads throughout the team,” Paul said.

While the star-studded trio has long been a part of the league, it came to the forefront negatively in 2010, when James teamed up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on the Miami Heat. He won two championships.

Now, the 41-year-old James has a talented trio on the Lakers with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

Paul said he was willing to turn the team’s second-best player into a “great team president” and the third-best player into a “great coach.”

“First of all, it depends on who the second best player is. If the second best player could be the first best player, like (Jason) Tatum or (Jaylen) Brown, then the answer is no. But if the second best player is not an All-NBA-caliber player, then the answer is yes,” Paul explained.

Paul expressed some outrage in January when he said the Lakers should trade Reaves to improve their roster.

James, who has been with Paul Klutch Sports since 2012, distanced himself from the comments.

In the first half of the Houston Rockets’ 100-92 loss against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night, things were going pretty routine for superstar Kevin Durant. He scored 16 points in the first 24 minutes of the game as the Rockets took a six-point lead at 57–51. But at least it can be said that Durant’s sophomore season did not go according to plan.

The Lakers mixed up their coverage on Durant, as he challenged other Rockets players to beat him. After Alperen Sengun’s exit, this appeared to be a more viable strategy than ever. And it worked; Durant was held scoreless for the first 23 or so minutes of the second half, with his only two points during this period coming with just 30 seconds remaining in the game.

This disappearing act was nerve-wracking for one of the NBA’s best scorers, and as a result, he received some hearty mockery on social media – especially from bettors.

X user @DoYourHomeworkJ wrote, “What Kevin Durant just did is criminal, he’s crazy. Watching it at halftime I was like yes, this shit is easy. This guy had 0 points in the second half. A 2 point shot with 30 seconds left doesn’t count you’re terrible.”

@KimCarloCastro said, “Durant is being praised and lauded only because he got scared of the double team. And scored just 2 wasted points in the second half.”

@KingSenay added, “Kevin Durant only scored 2 points in an entire half of close games? You can’t tell me these players are paid.”

@PayMe_inPizza expressed, “Kevin Durant Hamburger Helper Hair is gonna talk about our bullshit too. You sold us out for a few more bucks, you scored 2 points in the entire second half. You’re the fuck king, you’re an idiot, you’re an idiot.”

The Lakers deserve credit for locking up Durant, but rational basketball sense never mattered to bettors who lost out on a spectacular pay day.

The Filipino blood is strong in this.

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and tennis sensation Alex Eala reunited in South Beach ahead of their return to action at the Miami Open.

Ella visited Spoelstra at the Kasia Center on Monday, three years after they first met. Ella first saw the NBA in person when the Miami Heat defeated the New York Knicks in 2023. It was extra special because Spoelstra recorded his 700th career win during that game.

Since then, it seems as if there has been an osmosis of talent, as 20-year-old Ella has steadily risen through the ranks, including a decisive win over world No. 2 Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals of last year’s Miami Open.

The Heat posted the reunion between Spoelstra and Ella, now ranked No. 29 in the world, on Instagram.

The caption read, “Just two powerhouses taking the Philippines to the highest level. Good luck at the Miami Open, @alex.eala.”

Fans were thrilled to see the legendary coach and the tennis star bond over their shared lineage.

@britannycarandang said, “When two of our favorite Filipino sports figures meet, it’s so heartwarming 🌸❤️.”

“And they meet again. Coach Spo owes you, Alex. 🔥 He said if you come back next year, he’ll watch you play,” @albertclydeandia said.

“Pinoy Pride!” Added @miacorsiga.

“Wow! Flying so high, Alex!” Posted by @kitty_jandi.

“Elite link-up,” @danielscales1 commented.

“This is my brand! 🔥,” @jge_____ wrote.

Apart from Swiatek, Ella also defeated Madison Keys and Jelena Ostapenko at the Miami Open last year, marking her breakthrough on the WTA Tour.

She also made history by becoming the first Filipino to win a main draw match at a Grand Slam by defeating Clara Toson at the US Open in 2025.

Spoelstra, meanwhile, has led the Heat to three championships. They are 7-3 in their last 10 games and will face the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday.

Kristaps Porzingis gave Golden State Warriors fans a ray of hope by having his best performance since joining the team at the trade deadline.

He helped the Warriors beat the Washington Wizards 125-117 at Capital One Arena on Monday, scoring 30 points on 8-of-13 shooting in 26 minutes off the bench. He also had five rebounds, four assists, two steals and three blocks.

If healthy, Porzingis remains a reliable two-way force. He certainly displayed it against the Wizards, and showed how he can be a strong player for the Warriors alongside Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green.

When asked about playing with Curry, who is still recovering from a knee injury, Porzingis didn’t hide his enthusiasm.

“He’s the GOAT. You know what I mean? To play with somebody like that, it’s going to be incredible,” Porzingis said on NBC Sports Bay Area.

“Obviously, playing against him, I know what type of player he is and how much seriousness he brings. It opens up everything for everybody. Hopefully, he’ll be back with us soon.”

“How excited are you to play with Steph Curry in the near future?”

Kristaps Porzingis: “This is the GOAT… It would be incredible. Obviously, playing against him, I know what type of player he is and how much seriousness he brings.”

(via @NBCSWarriors)pic.twitter.com/JtHEoUfeZW

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 17 March 2026

Porzingis and Curry have yet to share the floor in Golden State, as the two-time MVP has been out of commission since suffering a knee injury against the Detroit Pistons in January.

Porzingis, meanwhile, is dealing with a strange illness that has limited him to just 21 games this season. He averaged 16.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.

The Warriors acquired Porzingis from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga, finding him a perfect fit for their system.

Monday night marked the 31st regular season matchup between two of the greatest small forwards to ever play the game of basketball, as LeBron James and Kevin Durant prepared to do battle once again. In the end, James earned his 20th regular season win over Durant after the Los Angeles Lakers blocked Durant en route to a 100–92 victory.

Durant faced an aggressive Lakers defensive scheme designed to take the ball out of his hands, and as a result he was limited to two points in the second half. This led to a late-game surge from LA, allowing them to build a more comfortable cushion against the third seed in the Western Conference.

After the game, James gave Durant the greatest form of respect Having said that, it’s difficult to guard every version of the Rockets star and in every single game, he gets as much respect as the Lakers gave him on Monday.

“Every edition. He’s getting better and better,” James said via @ohnohedidnt24 on X (formerly Twitter). “We had a fight in the finals, too. Even when he was younger, when it was him and Russ and James, he was never good at basketball.”

“Is there a version of Kevin? [Durant] Would you say he’s the toughest player you’ve had to guard?”

LeBron James: “Sh*t, every version. He keeps getting better… He’s never been great at basketball.”pic.twitter.com/4SF0BiWzEE

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 17 March 2026

Lakers star LeBron James highlights major problem for Rockets

James said in his post-game comments that defending Durant becomes more difficult when he is allowed to go one-on-one – which he was not on Monday night.

James added, “He was extremely dynamic in Golden State because you can’t have a lot of bodies on him all the time because of the threat of Steph (Curry) and Klay (Thompson).”

“Any time you can’t put that many bodies in front of a great player who has the ability to score the ball, it’s very challenging.”

A first-round matchup between James and Durant is likely, especially with the competition for spots three through six in the West standings so tight.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic just got the best of NBA legend Kobe Bryant.

Doncic led the Lakers to their sixth straight win in defeating the Houston Rockets 100-92 at Toyota Center on Monday. He had a game-high 36 points on 14-of-27 shooting, six rebounds, four assists and two steals.

It was a strong follow-up to his courageous performance against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday, in which he scored the game-winning bucket, 127-125, in overtime. He finished with a triple-double of 30 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists.

Oh, he also dropped 51 points in Thursday’s 142-130 win at home over the Chicago Bulls.

According to ESPN Insights, Doncic has averaged 37.8 points in his last six games. Most in team history Bryant’s 39.5 points in a six-game span since the 2011–2012 season.

Luka Doncic has averaged 37.8 PPG over his last six games, the most by a Lakers player over a 6-game span within a season since Kobe Bryant (39.5) in 2011–12. pic.twitter.com/eom3aR50Iv

– ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) 17 March 2026

While he is more of a passer than Bryant, Doncic can easily make it on offense when needed. After all, he is the league’s leading scorer with 32.8 points – the second-highest total in his career. He is on his way to winning his second scoring title.

The 27-year-old star has often praised Bryant, the two-time scoring champion, for being an inspiration, including mentoring him during his freshman year.

“I remember meeting him for the first time before I started my NBA season. One thing he said was, ‘Look, you’re European, they’re going to come after you.’ You know, he was right,” Doncic told Yahoo! Shared in a report. Sports’ Bruno Felix.

The Lakers improved to 43–25 and moved into third place in the Western Conference, surpassing the Rockets.