Bam Adebayo did the unthinkable on Tuesday night when he scored 83 points in the Miami Heat’s 150-129 win over the Washington Wizards. Despite scoring the second-most points ever in a single NBA game, Washington head coach Brian Keefe didn’t seem too impressed with Adebayo’s performance at the end of the contest.

The 49-year-old head coach credited Adebayo for playing well in the first half of the game. However, during the post-game press conference, Keefe explained that as the game progressed, it began to feel like a fake basketball game, especially in the fourth quarter.

“I give [Adebayo] Credit to the first half, Keefe said. “He hit the ball brilliantly, he scored really well with the ball… [The Heat] Obviously kept him in the game. You know, there were a lot of wrong calls. 16 free throws in the fourth quarter…

“He still got some free throws from 40 feet to the rim. I can’t explain some of those calls… The turnovers and the offensive rebounds, the possession game was definitely important. We only lost the game by seven in the second half, but the fourth quarter turned into a real basketball game.”

“The fourth quarter turned into a real basketball game.”

Wizards head coach Brian Keefe dropped 83 points on his team’s Bam Adebayo 😳

(via @WashWizards)pic.twitter.com/XfrN11UuWM

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 11 March 2026

The Wizards coach also pointed to Turnov and offensive rebounding as major reasons for Washington losing the game. Washington turned the ball over 23 times compared to the Heat’s 16, while on the offensive end the team was outscored four times for 15. Ultimately, Keefe claimed that it was a mistake for him and his team to allow Adebayo to take control of the game.

36 of Bam Adebayo’s 83 points came from the free-throw line, a new NBA record for most free throws made in a single contest. The 28-year-old center recorded 21 points from beyond the three-point line, while shooting 31.8% from deep. The remaining 26 points scored by Adebayo came within two-point range, the majority of which were within the key. He also recorded nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block.

Bam Adebayo took the NBA world by storm by scoring 83 points against the Washington Wizards, which is now the second most points ever recorded in a single game. He’s now in the history books between Wilt Chamberlain and Kobe Bryant, and that’s something no one can take away from him.

There are still people who will try to discredit what he did, and that’s been happening a lot since he made history. One reason for this is that he surpassed Bryant, and some people think it is outrageous that he broke his record, especially the way he did it.

Lou Williams, who had the chance to play with and against Bryant, had a message for those who are complaining about Adebayo’s historic night.

“If you’re a true Kobe Bryant fan, and you respect Kobe Bryant, you know that Kobe Bryant constantly hunted records and history, and he wanted those things,” Williams said on the Run It Back show. “That’s what we sign up for. We sign up to be competitive, that’s who we are. So if you really respect Kobe Bryant, you know he has a Mamba mentality. I promise you, he was going to get those 100 points; he wasn’t thinking about Wilt Chamberlain. He was thinking about getting a record. That’s who he was as a competitor.

“If you’re a true Kobe Bryant fan, and you respect Kobe Bryant, you know that Kobe Bryant constantly chased records and history.”

Lou Williams complained about fans dropping Bam Adebayo’s 83 points and Kobe’s 81 points.

(via @RunItBackFDTV)pic.twitter.com/ays4lp8Za3

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 11 March 2026

“For anyone watching this, it’s just disrespectful to Kobe Bryant, who just has a history of being revisionist. That guy wanted to take everybody’s head off. So if you respect him, cherish him, and love him the way you do, know that he would have hunted anybody down.”

Bryant was definitely the ultimate competitor, and he was going to do anything to win. That’s why Williams thinks people shouldn’t complain about Adebayo, because Bryant would have done the same if he had the chance.

While many NBA veterans celebrated Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo’s historic 83 points, a fair share of the negativity originated from fans of the Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant. It was Bryant’s 81 points that Adebayo surpassed, and count former Lakers forward and Bryant’s former teammate Robert Horry as someone who wasn’t exactly thrilled with the performance.

During a segment on Spectrum Sportsnet, Robert Horry criticized Bam Adebayo’s 83 points during the Heat’s win against the Washington Wizards, citing the alleged manner in which he accomplished the historic feat.

Horry said, “83 points is impressive. But it gets to a point where you have to respect the game. And I think there were moments in this game where it wasn’t respected.” “83 points is a lot, I appreciate the effort, and it’s going to go down as the second-most points in the game. But it’s like you always say on certain things, there should be an asterisk by it, I’m putting an asterisk by it. It’s still a lot. I’m not taking anything away from Bam, it’s a lot.”

There is no doubt that what Horry was referring to was the end of the game in which the Heat intentionally fouled to extend the game and gain additional possessions to help Adebayo break Bryant’s record.

Adebayo’s historic night gives him the second-most points scored by an individual player behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 100. He is now only one of three players to reach 80 or more points in a single game. Meanwhile, there are a few players who have hit 70 and above, including current players Luka Doncic, Devin Booker, Joel Embiid, Donovan Mitchell and Damian Lillard as well as former players Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, David Robinson and David Thompson.

Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo delivered one of the most historic scoring performances in NBA history on Monday night, but ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith directed most of the post-game discussion toward the Washington Wizards’ defense following Miami’s 150-129 win.

Adebayo scored 83 points – the second-highest scoring total in NBA history – leading the Heat to their sixth consecutive win, drawing widespread reaction throughout the league. During Tuesday’s broadcast of ESPN’s First Take, Smith criticized the Wizards’ defensive effort, arguing that Washington offered little resistance as Adebayo put up points all night.

Smith made his comments while discussing the game with co-host Chris Russo.

“It’s not Bam Adebayo’s fault. Brother had 31 points in the first quarter, he had 43 points at halftime, he had 62 points in three quarters, he had 70 points with nine minutes left. It’s not his fault the Washington Wizards suck. It’s not his fault you really got him a career night because he hasn’t put up much resistance in a while.”

Adebayo’s scoring progression reflects the dominance referenced by Smith. The 28-year-old started the game with 31 points in the first quarter and reached 43 points at halftime. He had 62 points entering the fourth quarter and crossed the 70-point mark with nine minutes remaining.

“It’s not like that [Bam’s] The blame is that the Washington Wizards suck. …I’m not blaming Bam Adebayo for this. Congratulations to him. This is his moment.”

—@stephensmith On 43 free throw attempts in Bam Adebayo’s 83-point performance 🏀 pic.twitter.com/vEEFAxwHKh

– First Tech (@FirstTech) 11 March 2026

Stephen A. Smith says Wizards defense ‘tainted’ Bam Adebayo’s historic 83-point game

Smith also suggested that the circumstances surrounding the conclusion of the game contributed to the historic score.

“Then you’re talking about the Cats that are deliberately hitting people with fouls to get more possessions to give Bam Adebayo a chance at the record and things like that. Obviously he’s tarnished it, it’s not his fault. He went out there and did what he was supposed to do. And even though he didn’t shoot 50% from the field – last time I checked, shooting 48% from the field. 47% shots aren’t bad either. He shot 20 out of 43, right? It wasn’t like he shot 13 for 43.

Adebayo finished the night with 83 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks in 42 minutes. He shot 20 of 43 from the field, 7 of 22 from three-point range, and 36 of 43 from the free-throw line, while posting a team-best plus-20 rating.

Smith compared the performance to Kobe Bryant’s famous 81-point game in 2006, noting the difference in reaction from opposing defenses.

“When Kobe did that, he did it in the flow of his game and in the game itself. It got to the point where they were giving him the rock because they knew Kobe was going for it. He made 28 of 46 shots, 7 of 13 threes, he was in attack mode. I know Toronto Raptors coach Sam Mitchell… what did he say? We did everything, we doubled him. We did everything we could. We changed the guards on that.

Smith says Heat star should be celebrated

Smith followed up his criticism of the Wizards by defending Adebayo’s performance.

“Obviously that was not the case with Bam Adebayo last night. But you can point the finger [Erik] Spoelstra, you can point the finger at his teammates, you can point the finger at how brutal the Washington Wizards were last night and it will be a stain on their franchise for years to come. But you can’t blame Bam Adebayo because obviously he was doing it and knew it from the first quarter because he had never seen a game like this in his life.

Despite Smith’s criticism of Washington, he stressed that Adebayo’s accomplishment deserves recognition.

“But this is a day where he should be celebrated because he’s one of those good guys who grabs his lunch bill and comes to work every day and does his best… Congratulations to him. This is his moment.”

The performance added another milestone to Adebayo’s season. Through 58 games, the Heat center is averaging 20 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.1 steals, while shooting 44.8% from the field and 32.9% from three-point range.

Miami improved to 37-29 with Monday’s win, extending its winning streak to six games and moving into the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference standings.

Victor Wembanyama may be one of the NBA’s best players, but he’s also a basketball fan like the rest of us. That’s why Wembley, like many people around the world, was watching Bam Adebayo’s historic 83-point performance for the Miami Heat on Tuesday night, the second-highest scoring game in NBA history.

Adebayo, who made history on Tuesday night, has mesmerized NBA players, personnel and fans, leading to a variety of opinions regarding his 83-point game.

Some, such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, have saluted Bam’s performance, claiming it to be an “incredible” accomplishment. There are also those who are dismissing this performance and claiming that Adebayo did not properly score 83 points due to his 43 free-throw attempts.

And then there’s Wembanyama, who basically ignored what Adebayo did and didn’t actually give his opinion on the 83 points.

“Yeah, I saw (it),” Wembanyama said of Adebayo’s game on Tuesday night before a long pause. “We play in a league where there’s a lot of motivation to watch. But yes, I watched.”

“I think we play in a league where there’s a lot of motivation to watch… but yes, I watched.”

Wembey on whether Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game will propel him to chase the scoring record 🗣

(via @spurs)pic.twitter.com/gqQ7V4BBxz

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 11 March 2026

Of course, Wembanyama ended his answer in the most Wembey way possible and shrugged his shoulders and moved on to the next question about the San Antonio Spurs’ big 125-116 win over the Boston Celtics, which extended the Spurs’ winning streak to five games.

Although he’s not as animated or critical in his press conferences as Gregg Popovich was throughout his years with the Spurs, Wembanyama has never been one to share his full thoughts on things. He gives cryptic answers about his greatness, and that’s why we shouldn’t have expected anything different from his answer about Bam Adebayo on Tuesday night.

Perhaps Wembley leans one way or the other regarding Bam’s 83-point performance, but his answer was spot-on in the sense that he understands his opinion doesn’t really matter. Adebayo scored 83 points, whether people want to admit it or not, and for Wembley, this performance has no impact on him or the Spurs’ season.

That’s why his reply was short and sweet, with no additional context, sarcasm or anything of that nature.

Will Vembanyama use this as additional motivation to chase his scoring record? It’s certainly possible, but Wemby isn’t one to let the accomplishments of others dictate his career path.

Given the Spurs’ success this season and his own personal accolades, Wembanyama has more to worry about than Adebayo’s amazing performances for the Heat. And so, his response and shrug regarding Bam’s 83 points is exactly what one should have expected from Wembanyama.

The Miami Heat became the center of attention in the NBA world on Tuesday evening when center Bam Adebayo scored an astonishing 83 points in a home win over the Washington Wizards. The scoring explosion put Adebayo past Kobe Bryant, who famously scored 81 points 20 years ago, as the second-most points ever, behind only Wilt Chamberlain, who scored 100 points in a game.

Almost immediately after the game ended, some fans on the Internet, particularly Bryant and Los Angeles Lakers fans, began searching for ways to discredit Adebayo’s performance, with some pointing to the star’s over 40 free throw attempts in the game, as well as the fact that this outburst occurred against the tanking Washington Wizards.

Things got weird late in this one, with the Heat opting to keep Adebayo in the game in the blowout zone in an attempt to clinch the record. The Wizards then began calling fouls to put Adebayo’s Heat teammates on the line to prevent Adebayo from scoring, after which Miami players began intentionally missing free throws to get the ball back.

This is in contrast to Bryant’s game against the Raptors, in which the Lakers trailed for most of the evening and needed every one of the Star’s 81 points to win, leading some to conclude that Bryant’s historic game was more “moral” than the one produced by Adebayo.

While this may be true in the purest basketball terms, it shouldn’t take away from what Adebayo has accomplished. The Stars had 31 points in the first quarter alone, and it’s also important to note that 29 other teams play the Wizards, and none have come close to matching Adebayo’s output.

It is also worth remembering that Chamberlain was reported to have done a huge amount of stat-padding in his attempt to score 100 points, even having the opponent deliberately foul him to get him over the line.

Years from now, most fans will likely remember Adebay’s extremely difficult score, not the means by which he got there, even if they look a little sketchy at the moment.

Tuesday night was a career-high scoring night. Of course, Bam Adebayo’s 83 points lead to the win. But for the Chicago Bulls, they got the best from Matas Buzelis against the Golden State Warriors.

Overall, Bouzelis finished the game with a career-high 41 points as the Bulls defeated the Warriors 130–124 in overtime.

Afterwards, according to Casey Johnson of Chicago Sports Network, Bouzelis talked about his approach to the game.

“Just trying to be aggressive every day, every game,” he said.

“Just trying to be aggressive every day, every game.”

with Matas Buzzelis @KCJHope He dropped a career-high 41 points in the win over Golden State pic.twitter.com/A3N1JMrlq4

– Bulls on CHSN (@CHSN_Bulls) 11 March 2026

With 2:32 left in overtime, Bouzelis hit a key 3-pointer to put the Bulls in good position to win. Additionally, Bouzelis finished the game 16 of 28 from the field, 5 of 15 at the 3-point line, 4 of 5 at the foul line and six rebounds.

Meanwhile, Tre Jones came up with 22 points and five assists. Additionally, Josh Giddy finished with another triple-double with 21 points, 17 assists and 13 rebounds.

Additionally, three Bulls recorded double-doubles.

Leonard Miller had 17 points and 11 rebounds. Jalen Smith finished with 12 points as well as 12 rebounds. Nick Richards had 10 points and 10 rebounds.

With the win, the Bulls are now 27-38. On Thursday, they will travel to Los Angeles to complete their five-game road trip. First the match against the Lakers and then the match against the Clippers on Saturday.

On Monday, the Bulls return home to take on the Memphis Grizzlies.

Bouzelis was listed as probable on the NBA injury report due to a recent right ankle sprain.

Overall, Bouzelis played in 64 games and averaged 15.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

While some people are upset with Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game, New York Knicks superfan Ben Stiller celebrated it by giving a shout-out to Cam Payne.

During the game, Stiller reacted to Adebayo’s play by reposting Jalen Brunson’s reaction, simply writing, “Bro what.”

However, after the game, he thanked former Knicks and current Philadelphia 76ers guard Payne, who also had a great night on March 10. He scored 32 points with 10 assists and three rebounds. Payne made nine of his 10 shots and was perfect from downtown.

Stiller didn’t want his accomplishment to go unnoticed, so he responded to a post with his stats, writing, “In other news… go on cam,” along with an admiring hand emoji.

Bam Adebayo has 83-point game in Heat’s blowout win over Washington Wizards

On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, Adebayo had a career day when he scored 83 points. The Heat defeated the Washington Wizards 150–129.

The game was never really close. Miami led 40–29 after the first quarter and they led 76–62 at halftime. Despite the lead always being large, Adebayo continued to score.

His 83 points came after shooting 43 free throws, 36 of which were made. He also shot 20-43 from the floor, including 7-22 from behind the three-point line. Additionally, Adebayo had nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks. While the scoring was high, he also had five turnovers.

This game raised Adebayo’s average. He now has averages of 20 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. This is just shy of his career best in points (following the 2022–23 season, during which he averaged 20.4 points per game).

Adebayo is a former first round pick by the Heat in the 2017 NBA draft out of Kentucky. Throughout his career, he has been named to three NBA All-Star teams. In 2024, he was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team. He has also been named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team four times (from 2020 to 2023).

While many are celebrating Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game, some are disappointed, like Ice Cube’s son O’Shea Jackson Jr., who is upset that he beat out Kobe Bryant’s famous 81-point game.

Jackson He continued to post throughout the game, beginning with, “Kobe’s hate campaign is insane.”

He then called out the Heat and Adebayo for stat-padding. Jackson was not happy with the fact that the Heat allowed Adebayo to score in a big win over the Washington Wizards.

“Did they never have a lead? And then you give them the record for most free throws in a game. You’re intentionally committing fouls to manipulate the clock. And the refs are still giving the call!” Jackson wrote. “Shout out to whoever found that in the fantasy.”[,] But it was a collective effort by the league to get the Wilts record tonight and they missed. Adam Silver you are a wild MF.”

Fortunately, Adebayo could not break Wilt Chamberlain’s record-setting 100-point game. Jackson claimed that the NBA “tried too hard to break Wilt’s record” with Adebayo’s play. However, this did not happen.

Jackson claimed, “He showed us that he just has to choose on a given night.” “I have full hope [Victor Wembanyama] Finally doing it now. [Stephen A. Smith,] You better not disappoint me when you talk about this. Thank you very much [LeBron James] Don’t know how, but it’s you[ur] Mistake.”

Ultimately, Jackson’s perspective about the NBA “has really changed.” He’s upset, and now can’t even believe the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 3-1 comeback win against the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals.

Jackson concluded by saying that Kobe Bryant fans “would have loved and respected someone who took Kobe’s record because it would have been the closest they would have come to seeing Kobe.”

However, the NBA “created it and forced it to happen.” Jackson believes this was done in an attempt to “desecrate” the Bryant statue.

His love for Bryant is unwavering. Jackson said that Bryant “is still the best of any guard or perimeter player.” He just wishes the NBA wouldn’t make it clear that “a bunch of refs can decide whether you’re getting everything that’s called for you.”

Many people probably didn’t wake up today thinking, “This is the day Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo scores 83 points.”

On a random Tuesday, Adebayo recorded the second-highest scoring game in NBA history after dropping 83 points in a 150-129 win over the Washington Wizards at Kassite Center. He surpassed Kobe Bryant’s 81 points and is only behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 points.

Adebayo tied Bryant’s record with a free throw with 1:37 remaining in the fourth quarter.

81‼️

Bam Adebayo tied Kobe Bryant for the second-highest scoring performance in NBA history 🔥pic.twitter.com/jQ5t7vf5i8

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 11 March 2026

A few possessions later, he was fouled again. He broke Bryant’s record with two more charity hits, much to the delight of the crowd, who witnessed an unexpected event. iconic game.

Bam Adebayo scored his 82nd and 83rd points to surpass Kobe Bryant’s mark of 81 inside Kasia Center.

He is now the second highest scoring game in NBA history!

A moment Miami Heat fans will remember for a long time

(via @ZachWeinberger) pic.twitter.com/lRP5vohjoi

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 11 March 2026

Somewhere, Bryant is already preparing to get back at Adebayo.

It was fitting that Adebayo took over and broke Bryant’s record from the line as the five-time champion also tallied 81 points from the stripe.

Adebayo shot 20 of 43 from the field and 36 of 43 from the line. He also had nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks.

Adebayo isn’t exactly known as a high-volume scorer, so it was quite surprising that it was him who broke Bryant’s once-seemingly impossible feat. The three-time All-Star already had 70 points with seven minutes still left in the final period, and the excitement inside the venue grew with every Heat possession.

It’s not every day you get the chance to surpass an absolute legend, so Adebayo took it – and rightfully so. Because Bryant would be the first person to tell him that he should never miss an opportunity to do something great.

Bam Adebayo may not be far behind when it comes to scoring, but there’s a reason he’s a superstar in the world’s best basketball league. The Miami Heat star stunned the world after scoring 83 points, becoming the owner of the second-highest scoring game in NBA history, leading the team to a 150-129 win over the hapless Washington Wizards.

Although the Wizards did not represent the toughest opponents, especially as they were looking to lose games late in the season to earn better lottery odds, this accomplishment should not be underestimated. After all, only three players in NBA history have surpassed the 80-point mark, and Adebayo made it clear The way he carried himself after the game.

“You talk about how they don’t play defense but at the end of the day they’re an NBA team,” Adebayo told SportsCenter’s Scott Van Pelt.

SVP: “The Wizards’ defense is not their strength…”

Bam: “You talk about how they don’t play defense but at the end of the day they’re an NBA team”

Respect there! pic.twitter.com/LR3wc4ak8

– Oh no, he didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) 11 March 2026

Seriously, the Wizards aren’t a very good team. But they have capable defenders and players who are in the NBA for a reason. But for some unknown reason, the Washington Heat couldn’t stop the star from committing fouls, allowing him to score points when facing double or even triple teams late in the game.

The accomplishments of Heat star Bam Adebayo cannot be overstated.

Would Adebayo’s 83-point night mean more if he came against a team with a better record? Not necessary. Adebayo still had to go through hoops to score 83 points and the Wizards made him work for his buckets, especially during the second half.

Is it Adebayo’s fault the Wizards couldn’t stop him from hacking? What he was doing was his job. He made these field goals. He made those buckets. And it is his name that will forever remain in the NBA record books.

Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo broke Kobe Bryant’s mark of 81 points with a historic 83-point performance against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday.

He also broke the hearts of many Los Angeles Lakers fans.

There were some salty tears being shed at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday night, with Lakers fans criticizing the announcement made before the game between Los Angeles and the Minnesota Timberwolves that Adebayo had passed LA legend Kobe Bryant for the second-highest scoring performance in a single game in NBA history.

Lakers public address announcer Lawrence Tanter just announced Bam’s 83 points and called it a sad event. Cheers scattered throughout the LA home crowd. pic.twitter.com/0wYoYcJFN7

– David Mendez-Yapkowitz (@Dave_Yapkowitz) 11 March 2026

To say that Adebayo was on the field against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday evening would be an understatement. He made 20 of 43 shots from the floor and 7 of 22 on his attempts from behind the arc. The former Kentucky Wildcats star also performed well at the free-throw line, where he shot 36 of 43. They made more free throws from the foul line (29) than the Wizards attempted.

Of the thousands of players who have played in the NBA, he is now one of two in history to score at least 83 points in a game, along with Wilt Chamberlain, whose 100 points in 1962 remains the gold standard for single-game scoring feats.

Kobe’s 81 points in the 2006 game hold a special place in the hearts of Lakers fans, so at this point it’s a little hard for them to accept that someone in the modern era has topped the Black Mamba’s total score in that game against the Toronto Raptors 20 years ago.

The Lakers will visit Adebayo and the Heat on March 19, so this is a game where he can make a big statement to those bitter LA fans.

Bam Adebayo has been the talk of the town after owning the second-highest scoring game in NBA history after recording 83 points in a 150-129 win for the Miami Heat over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night. Adebayo is a career 16 points per game scorer, averaging just under 19 for the season entering Tuesday night, making him a fairly unlikely player to surpass Kobe Bryant’s 81-point masterclass.

But amid all the celebration of Adebayo’s historic effort, there are some who are putting the game under the microscope. Some are downplaying the 83-point night because it came against the hapless Wizards, a team that never stopped fouling Adebayo (Adebayo took 43 free throws and made 36 of them).

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka wondered how Adebayo, who is not one of the best scorers of all in the NBA, can score 83 – Which says a lot about the Wizards defense.

“The first thing you think of is, not because of him, but because of the way he played. I saw he only made six threes but 40 free throws or something like that, that tells the story right there… and the Washington Wizards,” Udoka said in his postgame presser via @big_business_ on Twitter.

Ime Udoka on Bam Adebayo’s 83-point night:

“The first thing you think about is how … not because of him but because of the way he plays. I saw he only made 6 threes but 40 free throws or something, that tells the story right there and … the Washington Wizards.” pic.twitter.com/PScqMKHBPv

– Ahmed/The Ears/IG: bigbizthegod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) 11 March 2026

(Contrary to what Udoka said, Adebayo made seven threes.)

Wizards’ defense was really suspect in Bam Adebayo’s 83-point night

Adebayo deserves all the credit in the world for all the buckets he made. He went 20-43 from the field and made 36 free throws. But how did the Wizards allow the Heat star to take so many free throws in the first place?

They couldn’t get possession on Adebayo all night, and even in the fourth quarter, they were hacking him almost every time they got the ball. Adebayo deserves all the praise, but the Wizards also deserve their fair share of jokers for their stellar defensive performance.

Bam Adebayo is the center of attention not only in NBA circles but also in the sports world after he recorded a feat that will forever engrave his name in the record books. On Tuesday night, Adebayo scored a eye-popping 83 points in the Miami Heat’s 150-129 win over the Washington Wizards and became the owner of the second-highest scoring game in the NBA (surpassing Kobe Bryant).

Adebayo started the game in an ideal way, as he already had 31 points by the end of the first quarter. He had 45 points at halftime, and that’s when he and the Heat started dreaming of making history – which they accomplished against the hapless Wizards.

The Heat star had nothing but a smile on his face and nothing but gratitude after scoring the second-highest scoring game in NBA history. And he remained grateful to the powers that be, as he posted a three-word message thanking a higher being after his historic effort.

“God is great 🙏🏾,” Adebayo wrote on his official account on X (formerly Twitter).

Heat star Bam Adebayo becomes center of attention

Even people who don’t follow the NBA religiously know about Adebayo’s 83-point effort. What a historic scoring night he had. Imagine being referred to in the same manner as Wilt Chamberlain and Kobe Bryant for the rest of your career. The Heat Star stands here after the destruction of the Wizards.

This is no less than an achievement by which millions of people will remember your name for the rest of time. It’s unlikely that Adebayo is now immortalized in the sports world because he was the player to crack the 80-point club in the NBA, which only has three members.

MIAMI – Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo was in the midst of a tremendous ups and downs Tuesday night, with many not expecting the 28-year-old’s performance against the Washington Wizards. Heat star Bam Adebayo scored an incredible 83 points, now the second-highest scoring game in NBA history, a feat he talked about after their 150-129 win over the Wizards.

Where does Adebayo’s special night begin? Adebayo hit several marks and milestones with an 83-point night, as it passed LeBron James’ 61 points as the most in Miami history, but it had to start somewhere.

Adebayo started off with a burst of 31 points in the first quarter, then finished the first half with 43 points, both franchise records for their respective ranges. It wasn’t until then that Adebayo realized something historic could happen, making record-setting free throws.

“Probably when I had 45 at halftime, my guys were pretty excited at halftime,” Adebayo said. “It was just being quiet and being within myself and realizing, like, ‘I can go do something special.’ I didn’t think it would be 83 years, but to have this moment is surreal… It’s a mark in history that will be remembered forever.”

When did Bam Adebayo think he could make history?

“Probably when I had 45 at halftime, my guys were very nervous at halftime. So for me, it was just staying calm and keeping myself locked in and understanding, like, ‘I can go do something special.'” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/RB6vZnaObl

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 11 March 2026

Bam Adebayo, now 83, has passed Kobe Bryant’s mark of 81 in 2006.

Bam Adebayo now has the second-highest scoring game in NBA history. Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 runs in 1962. #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/1R4njd9v1C

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 11 March 2026

His final statline is bonkers, as Adebayo recorded 83 points on 20 of 43 shooting from the field, seven of 22 from three-point range, 36 of 43 from the free-throw line, along with nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks.

However, it wasn’t until the second half that the team and Adebayo were looking for records, as the star was efficient in the first half, making 13 of 24 shots from the field, five of 11 from deep and 12 of 14 from the free-throw line.

Heat’s Erik Spoelstra scores 83 points on Bam Adebayo

As with the sports world’s reaction to the Heat’s captain scoring 83 points, it can’t be denied how important this moment was for the organization, especially with the team seeing Adebayo as the franchise’s flag bearer. Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra shared many thoughts after the historic night, saying he finally felt like a “fan” when Adebayo’s scoring total kept going up.

Spoelstra would go on to talk about what a “special moment” Tuesday night was for Adebayo.

“When LeBron scored 61, it was an incredible moment,” Spoelstra told ClutchPoints. “But you expect that, he’s one of the greatest scorers of all time, like Bam has prepared himself for it. And the thing you love about it, and why everybody roots for Bam, is that he does all the winning things. He does all the things that don’t get recognized. He puts his body out there, he’s available, he’s a strong competitor, and he’s gone through a stretch already in the season because “We’re running a different type of offense, and it took him a while to adjust to it, and he’s being criticized for it.”

“And then once he started getting comfortable, he’s one of the top offensive players in this league, and I think he’s legitimate, one of the top three, two-way players in this league,” Spoelstra continued. “But it was a special moment. It’s a moment I’ll never forget, and it’s just the reaction of his teammates and the coaching staff for him, because you love him, and you want great things for people you really love. And what a night it was, what a night it was for him, his family and the Heat Nation fan base.”

Erik Spoelstra was asked if the moment couldn’t have happened with anyone better than Bam Adebayo is considered the Heat’s flag bearer.

I’ll talk more about that moment and the history Adebayo made, as well as other Heat history like LeBron James scoring 61. #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/u009DutHGH

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 11 March 2026

Heat’s Bam Adebayo reveals he made history when it hit him

While Adebayo finished the 83-point Heat masterpiece, it didn’t really matter to her until after the contest, when she chatted with her friends and loved ones, especially her significant other, WNBA superstar A’Ja Wilson and her mother, Marilyn Blount. With tears streaming down his face, there was no denying how impressive it was to celebrate such an accomplishment with people who have seen him at his lowest ebb.

An emotional Bam Adebayo hugged his mother after scoring 83 points, the second-highest scoring game in NBA history, surpassing Kobe Bryant’s 81 points. #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/18mUatdFYX

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 11 March 2026

He will repeat the same sentiments at clutchpoints and feel that his name has now been immortalized with two in particular. As he finished with 83 points, which was more than Kobe Bryant’s 81 points in 2006, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain, who recorded 100 points in 1962.

“Coming into this league as a defender and a lob threat. I got really emotional,” Adebayo said with A’ja Wilson right next to him. “It had no effect on me until I hugged her [Wilson] And then I hugged my mom, because both of them and obviously my coaches, Ronnie Taylor, Kevin Graves, even Karen Butler, you know, those are emotional moments, because they see me at my lowest behind the scenes, they’ve seen me at my lowest, at my lowest, trying to figure out how to really pick myself up. And to have this moment and share it with all of them, it’s a very emotional moment, like I said, I wish I could relive it twice. So this is a special moment. Wilt, me, then Kobe, which sounds crazy.”

Asked Bam Adebayo how he took the moment. Finally, being with Wilt and Kobe was mentioned.

“Coming into this league as a defender and a lob threat. I got really emotional, it had no impact on me until I hugged him [A’Ja Wilson] And I hugged my mother…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/3BSAhavxd0

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 11 March 2026

Adebayo has firmly cemented his place in the history books with a historic game Since transferring to Miami, the team is now on a six-game winning streak, looking to continue that on Thursday night against the Milwaukee Bucks.

When Kevin Durant was asked about Bam Adebayo’s historic scoring explosion on Tuesday, he didn’t hesitate. The Houston Rockets superstar gave a powerful reaction after the Miami Heat center delivered one of the greatest individual performances ever in the league. Adebayo exploded for 83 points in Miami’s 150-129 win over the Washington Wizards, instantly rewriting the record books and sparking buzz throughout the NBA. For Durant, a player widely considered one of basketball’s purest scorers, the magnitude of the moment was clear as the Rockets star reflected on what the performance meant to the game.

As a result, the stunning explosion now ranks second on the NBA’s all-time single-game scoring list. Only Wilt Chamberlain’s famous 100-point game surpasses Adebayo’s, who surpassed Kobe Bryant’s iconic 81-point performance. Additionally, the key performance included sustained trips to the free-throw line, where Adebayo set a single-game record with 36 free throws on 43 attempts. As a result, the Heat rode that offensive explosion to a solid win over Washington, while the wider league reacted in disbelief at the historic statistical avalanche.

Durant, a four-time scoring champion, knows as much about getting buckets as anyone. The former 2013-2014 NBA MVP and two-time champion joined the Rockets in a blockbuster offseason trade from the Phoenix Suns and remains one of the most lethal scorers of all-time. His pedigree made praise for Adebayo’s historic 83-point performance Tuesday night echo across the league.

NBA on ESPN’s Vanessa Richardson

“Something we’ll always talk about.”

I asked Kevin Durant about Bam Adebayo’s 83 point game.

“Something we’ll always talk about.” pic.twitter.com/mRXm3XkBrY

– Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) 11 March 2026

The 37-year-old’s words reflected a league-wide reaction. When one of basketball’s greatest scorers approaches a performance with that level of reverence, it underlines the gravity of the moment. Adebayo’s 83-point masterpiece is now one of the defining achievements in NBA history.

The entire NBA world is stunned by Bam Adebayo’s historic scoring in the Miami Heat’s 150-129 win over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday. Adebayo, who entered the night averaging just under 19 points per game, made it his goal to destroy the Wizards’ defense. Buoyed by 31 points in the first quarter, the Heat star finished with 83 points on the night – surpassing Kobe Bryant’s 81 points, becoming the proud owner of the second-highest single-game scoring tally in NBA history.

Adebayo was brilliant from the start and the Wizards defense stood no chance. And by carving his name in the record books, he caught everyone’s attention — including Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, who reacted to Adebayo’s epic scoring night with a post on his official X account.

“Bam bam bam 💥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥,” James wrote.

It’s the kind of scoring performance that leaves anyone speechless, and as for James, he can only celebrate Adebayo’s historic effort using the onomatopoeia of the Heat star’s nickname. And at this point, words can’t even explain how unlikeable this game was.

Heat star Bam Adebayo shocked the NBA

Adebayo can score the Rock, and he has stepped up his game so much that he has become a comfortable scorer at all three levels. But no one expected him to surpass Bryant and become second in the list of highest-scoring games in NBA history.

The Heat star’s previous career high was 41 points in a game – in one game, he doubled that number and then some. He is averaging 16 points per game in his career. The Wizards were triple-teaming him from the backcourt. But none of that mattered, because Adebayo just had a laser and was automatic for stretches.

Congratulations to Heat Star for this wonderful achievement.

The Philadelphia 76ers provided the latest update on rookie guard VJ Edgecombe ahead of Tuesday night’s matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies, as the team deals with multiple injuries during a crucial stretch of the regular season.

Edgecomb is listed as questionable on the injury report with a lumbar injury after missing the team’s most recent game. Philadelphia (34-30) will attempt to stop its recent decline in the Eastern Conference standings when it hosts Memphis (23-40) on Tuesday at 7:00 PM ET.

The 20-year-old guard last appeared in the 76ers’ 131-91 loss to the San Antonio Spurs last Tuesday, when he suffered an injury. Edgecombe finished that contest with six points, four rebounds, two blocks, one assist and one steal in 20 minutes. He shot 2 of 9 from the field and 2 of 3 from the free-throw line before being taken out of the lineup for the next game.

Despite his recent absences, Edgecombe has been one of Philadelphia’s most productive young contributors during his rookie campaign. In 57 appearances this season, the guard is averaging 15.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game. He is shooting 42.7% from the field and 36.1% from 3-point range while logging 35.1 minutes per contest.

76ers battle injuries as VJ Edgecombe’s status remains uncertain

His potential availability comes at a critical time for Philadelphia, which has lost two consecutive games and four of its last six. The team dropped to the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference standings after a 115-101 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night.

Philadelphia has struggled to maintain continuity amid several key injuries. Tyrese Maxey is out with a sprained right finger, while former MVP center Joel Embiid is expected to be out at least a week with a strained right finger.

Those absences have put additional pressure on the rest of the 76ers’ rotation as they attempt to remain competitive in a tightly packed Eastern Conference race. The team has made a record of 4-6 in its last 10 matches.

Edgecombe’s status will likely be determined closer to tipoff as Philadelphia evaluates his recovery from a lumbar injury. If cleared to play, the rookie could provide needed backcourt production and defensive activity as the 76ers look to stabilize their lineup against a Grizzlies team trying to build momentum during the closing stretch of the season.

In recent weeks, Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic’s interactions with officials have been much discussed. Doncic committed his 15th technical foul of the season during the Lakers’ loss to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday, and was then fined by the NBA following the team’s win against the New York Knicks on Sunday.

The NBA announced Tuesday that Luka Doncic was fined $50,000 for making an inappropriate gesture toward officials during the Lakers’ game against the Knicks. The incident occurred when Doncic attempted to take a charge against Knicks forward Mohamed Diawara. As soon as Doncic hit the floor, no call was made and the Knicks easily got two points.

Doncic immediately turned toward the nearest referee and made a symbol with his hands that has been used jokingly by NBA players in the past to suggest that officials get paid when they don’t make certain calls.

The Lakers still have to win, and they have another big game against a good team on Tuesday as they host the Minnesota Timberwolves. But Doncic’s standoff with officials will clearly be worth monitoring. Another technical foul and he is automatically suspended for one game.

Before the Lakers’ win against the Indiana Pacers last Friday, head coach JJ Redick defended his superstar’s competitive fire during his recent conversation with officials.

Amidst all this, Doncic has been on a tear this season, averaging a league-leading 32.5 points. He is also leading the league in shot attempts at 22.0, 3-point attempts at 10.4, 3-pointers at 3.8 and free-throw attempts at 10.3.

Philadelphia 76ers fans may be having flashbacks of a brutal end to the 2024-25 season, as injuries have ravaged their roster, leaving them extremely vulnerable against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night. Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Joel Embiid, and Paul George all sat out, and as expected, they were defeated by the Cavs, 115–101, in a game that was not as close as the final score line would indicate.

What makes matters worse is that the ghost of a transaction that could haunt the 76ers franchise for some time is making its presence felt. Earlier in the night, the 76ers jumbotron showed the team’s almost unrecognizable starting lineup against the Cavs, with Cameron Payne starting at point guard amid the team’s injury problems. The problem, however, is that they put Payne’s photo on the graphic instead of showing it a picture of Jared McCain has been replaced in his place.

Yes – the same McCain the 76ers traded for with the Oklahoma City Thunder at the trade deadline last month.

Via Q Carlin of Sixers Wire:

I look at the jumbotron as the intro starts and…that’s not Cam Payne #sixers pic.twitter.com/m8QOtpzFlg

– Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) 9 March 2026

The 76ers could use Jared McCain right now

The 76ers believed they had enough safety depth to the extent that they were comfortable trading McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder for some draft picks.

However, in today’s NBA where injury problems are a daily occurrence, the 76ers could have maintained that depth at least until the end of the season. Instead, the 76ers decided to avoid the tax, trade some picks for McCain, and sacrifice a valuable young member of their core in the process.

Amidst the 76ers’ injuries, someone like McCann could step up and take on leadership responsibilities just as he did when he flourished during his rookie campaign. But now, with the Thunder benefiting from McCann’s excellent outside shooting, Philly has nothing but what they had, but no longer have.

The Chicago Bulls were watching a throwback performance from Collin Sexton on Sunday night, but the celebration was cut short. During a high-stakes matchup against the Sacramento Kings, the dynamic guard was forced to exit early due to a lower left leg injury. The Bulls immediately announced that Sexton would not return for the remainder of the game, leaving a large void in their rotation as he was warming up.

The Bulls announced that Collin Sexton (left lower leg injury) is out for the remainder of tonight’s game against the Kings. pic.twitter.com/YBgP0nf7O5

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 9 March 2026

Before the injury, Sexton was arguably the best player on the field. Returning to a bench role with Josh Giddy in the lineup, Sexton provided an immediate spark that the Kings simply could not contain. He scored 28 points in just 22 minutes of action and shot an efficient 9 of 12 from the field, including seven triples. His ability to get to the rim and finish through contact has been the hallmark of his season, and he was on a career pace the night before the failure.

Times are especially tough for a Bulls team trying to find consistency in the final stages of the season. While Sacramento has struggled mightily this year, Chicago needed every score from Sexton to keep pace in a high-scoring affair. Without him, the offensive burden fell back on Giddy and Ayo Dosunmu, but the loss of Sexton’s distinctive north-south pace was evident in the second half.

For Chicago, the hope is that the fusion is relatively minor. Sexton has been one of the few bright spots for the franchise recently, averaging over 20 points per game in his last five contests. The medical staff will likely evaluate him further on Monday to determine if he will miss any additional time. Given his importance to the second unit, the Bulls will need his return as soon as possible to maintain their offensive identity.

The Dallas Mavericks and Toronto Raptors face each other for an interesting showdown north of the border at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Sunday.

The Mavericks are looking to snap a six-game losing streak, while the Raptors are aiming to avoid losing their third consecutive game.

This will be the second and last time the Mavericks and Raptors face off in the 2025-26 NBA regular season, and possibly for the remainder of the campaign.

Meanwhile, the statuses of Cooper Flagg and Brandon Ingram have also been revealed for their respective teams.

“The Mavericks have upgraded Cooper Flagg and made him available for today’s game in Toronto. Brandon Ingram (illness) has also been made available to the Raptors,” NBA insider Marc Stein reported via a social media post on Twitter yesterday, an hour before the contest began.

Through his first 51 games in his NBA career, the former Duke Blue Devils star Flagg has averaged 20.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting 47.3 percent from the field and 29.4 percent from behind the arc.

Another former Duke basketball star, Ingram entered the Mavericks game with season averages of 21.9 points, 5.7 boards and 3.8 assists, while making 47.2 percent of his attempts from the field and 37.3 percent from 3-point field through 60 games.

In the first meeting between the Mavericks and Raptors this season, the Flag and Company topped the visiting Raptors on October 26, 139–129, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Flagg had 22 points on 8-for-14 shooting in that game, while Ingram also had 22 points on 10-for-16 shooting.

But can they make it five in a row?

The New Jersey Devils (32-29-2) host the Detroit Red Wings (35-21-7) in another back-to-back appearance this month. Earlier in the week, the Devils defeated the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs on consecutive nights.

Last night, they defeated their cross-town rival, the New York Rangers.

Now, the Dylan Larkin-less Red Wings come to Newark to see if they can stop the Devils’ four-game winning streak.

Let’s dive into tonight’s matchup.

What to Know vs. Red Wings

—Jersey is 21-5-1 when scoring first this season.

-New Jersey is having its best offensive performance this season, scoring six goals in a game for the first time this year.

-New Jersey extended its winning streak to four matches. The last time the Devils recorded a four-game winning streak was when the team recorded an eight-game winning streak from October 11, 2025, through October 26.

—Dawson Mercer recorded his 200th career point with his goal against the Rangers, while Luke Hughes’ assist on the goal was his 100th assist.

2025-26 vs Red Wings

11/24/25 W 4-3 vs Prudential Center

3/8/26 7:00 PM ET Prudential Center

4/11/26 5:00 PM ET Little Caesars Arena

Devils vs Red Wings

All-time record: 78-68-18

All-time home record: 45-30-9

All-time road record: 33-38-9

Projected Devils Lineup*

Ahead

Timo Meyer – Nico Hischier – Dawson Mercer

Arseny Gritsyuk – Jack Hughes – Connor Brown

Jasper Bratt – Cody Glass – Lenny Haminaho

Paul Couture – Nick Bjugstad – Maxim Tsyplyakov

defenseman

Jonas Seigenthaler – Dougie Hamilton

Luke Hughes – Jonathan Kovacevic

Brendan Dillon – Simon Nemec

goaltender

jake allen

jacob markstrom

*Lineup is subject to change

Current Injuries: Jack McEwen (upper body, out for the season)

2025-26 Total man-games lost: 269

Projected Red Wings Lineup*

Ahead

Alex DeBrincat – Andrew Copp – Patrick Kane

Emmitt Finn – Marco Casper – Lucas Raymond

Mason Appleton – JT Comper – Michael Brandsegg-Nygaard

James Van Riemsdyk – Michael Rasmussen – Dominic Shine

defenseman

Simon Edvinsson – Moritz Seider

Ben Rath – Justin Faulk

Albert Johansson – Axel Sandin-Pellica

goaltender

john gibson

cameron talbot

*Lineup is subject to change

How to watch the Devils game – 4:00 PM ET

Watch: espn

radio: devils hockey net

next up

Thu, Mar 12 vs CGY 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 14 vs LAK 7:00 PMET
Monday, March 16th BOS 7:00 PM

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls

LOS ANGELES – After a disappointing loss against the Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Lakers got back on track with a 1128-117 win against the Indiana Pacers on Friday. Luka Doncic led the Lakers with a game-high 44 points, but it wasn’t their offense that he wanted to talk about following the game.

Throughout the season, the media and fans alike have talked about Luka Doncic’s offensive game, but there has been very little mention of his defensive impact for the Lakers. So much so that it has actually become an underestimated part of his skill-set.

“I know people will never talk about it. Just trying to do my job,” Doncic said during his postgame press conference. “Trying to be more offensive, trying to be more engaged. Just trying to be better defensively.”

Doncic’s defense was certainly on display during the Lakers’ win against the Pacers. He finished with two blocked shots and three steals, including an impressive block where he hit Pacers guard Aaron Nesmith who thought he could get an easy look at the basket. The block immediately caused the Lakers’ fast break.

Doncic carries a huge offensive load for the Lakers, and he is very explosive when it comes to scoring the basketball. Perhaps that’s why it’s easy to overlook his defensive impact. But the numbers don’t lie. When it comes to regular rotation players, Doncic is second only to Jared Vanderbilt in defensive rating at 114.4, according to StatMuse.

Vanderbilt is easily one of the Lakers’ top defenders; You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who disagrees. But Doncic also deserves some credit for his role on the defensive end. And for head coach JJ Redick, it’s not just getting stops or steals or blocks that measures Doncic’s impact.

“I think he’s had really good stretches, and then sustainable stretches leading up to the game,” Redick said during his pregame press conference. “And then it seems like occasionally there’s a play where the engagement and effort isn’t there. There are times within the game where maybe one or two possessions happen. But I would say across the board, on our team, outside of maybe Marcus Smart, that’s the situation for our guys on that end of the field.”

“We have the numbers. When he switches on the ball, it’s the fewest of any player on our perimeter in terms of points per possession. So I think he’s done a good job. He’s shown he can control the basketball,” Redick continued. “He’s obviously one of the best wing defensive rebounders in the NBA. He’s able to generate steals and deflections. With some provocation, also taking charges. So he’s doing a lot of good things defensively.”

On the season, Doncic has appeared in 51 games, a little over 35 minutes per game. He is averaging a league-leading 32.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 1.5 steals while splitting 47.5 percent shooting from the field, 36.2 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 77.3 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

With the Miami Heat getting a crucial 128-120 win against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night, the team will be led by star performances from Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. Just as Herro’s sensational night for the Heat set the tone with Adebayo, it would be Jaime Jacquez Jr.’s performance that was eye-opening in more ways than one.

While Jacquez has had an impressive third season, making him one of the candidates for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award, the 25-year-old has recently displayed a new aspect that could be a permanent part of his game. As the UCLA product finished the game with 21 points on eight of 13 shooting from the field with four assists and two rebounds, he also made four of six shots from three-point range.

This will be the second time this month that Jaquez has made more than one three-point shot in a game, the last time Jaquez made multiple deep shots was on Jan. 19, before last Tuesday’s win over the Brooklyn Nets where he made two. Friday saw Jacquez get hot from beyond the arc, as his game involves getting into the paint or downhill from mid-range, he will be asked if he is specifically focusing on his deep shooting.

“No, not really. I’m just trying to continue my game,” Jacquez said via the team’s YouTube page. “And if I get shots, I just shoot them. I work on my threes every day. It’s something I constantly try to get better at. And shooting is not linear. You’ll have ups, you’ll have ups and downs… so just keep shooting with confidence.”

Heat’s Erik Spoelstra on Jaime Jacquez Jr.’s improvement

While the Heat is preparing for the playoffs, the team invites Jacquez to add another aspect to his game, but the player himself will say that this season, he focused too much on his three-point shot during the fall of his sophomore year. His strength is his downhill attack, if the three ball can be complimentary, it could work in Jaquez’s favor as head coach Erik Spoelstra talked about this improvement.

“I think it’s just a byproduct of Jaime being a great competitor. Does that mean he’s going to shoot four-on-six every night? I don’t know, but he wants to make an impact. And you have a game that feels like, Jaime is going to put his fingerprints on the game in some way or another,” Spoelstra said.

At any rate, Jaquez and Miami will look to continue that in the next game on Sunday against the Detroit Pistons.

The Orlando Magic travel to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in a cross-conference clash on Saturday afternoon, coming into this game on the back of two wins. The Timberwolves are in great form and looking for what would be their sixth consecutive win.

Both teams are worried about several injuries. Orlando forward Jonathan Isaac and Minnesota veteran Kyle Anderson both appear on the official injury report before the game, with each listed as questionable due to knee soreness.

The Magic will also be without Franz Wagner, who is out with a left ankle sprain, with Alex Morales and Colin Castleton both out on G League assignment.

*Watch NBA Games Live with fuboTV (Free Trial)*

Jonathan Isaac’s injury status vs. Timberwolves

Jonathan Isaac enters the game with a questionable designation due to soreness in his left knee. Orlando has quietly been one of the stronger defensive teams since the All-Star break, going 5-3 and posting the sixth-best defensive rating in the NBA over that span.

The Magic recorded an emotional 115-114 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, sealed by Wendell Carter Jr.’s last-second dunk. That win added Orlando’s league-leading total of six game-winners in the final 10 seconds this season.

Orlando will rely heavily on Paolo Banchero, who is developing into one of the league’s most complete young stars. Saturday’s game will mark Banchero’s 250th NBA appearance. He is one of only seven players to record at least 5,000 points, 1,500 rebounds and 1,000 assists in his first 250 games since the 1979–80 season, joining such legends as Larry Bird, LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Zion Williamson.

Even if Isaac ultimately sits out, Orlando will rely on Banchero to carry the offensive load as the team tries to pick up another win on the road.

Kyle Anderson’s injury status vs. Magic

Minnesota forward Kyle Anderson is also listed as questionable due to right knee soreness. The Timberwolves are entering this matchup in strong form.
They currently have a 40-23 record and are in third place in the West. Much of Minnesota’s success has been driven by its high-powered offense, which averages 119.0 points per game, the fourth-highest in the league.

That largely depends on Anthony Edwards, who will look to be the star for his team once again. The All-Star MVP is shooting 48.5% from the field and 37.4% from three-point range this season, while averaging 29.5 points per game.

magical injury report

Jonathan Isaac: doubtful (left knee soreness)

Franz Wagner: Out (left high ankle sprain; injury management)

Colin Castleton: Out (G League Two-Way)

Alex Morales: Out (G League Two-Way)

timberwolves injury report

Kyle Anderson: Questionable (right knee soreness)

Jon Beringer: Out (G League assignment)

Enrique Freeman: Out (G League Two-Way)

Zion Pullin: Out (G League Two-Way)

Victor Wembanyama has done some incredible things in his short NBA career, but his latest accomplishment against the Los Angeles Clippers may be his toughest yet. On Friday night, the San Antonio Spurs made a miraculous 25-point comeback to defeat the Clippers 116-112, but the victory clearly pushed the young superstar to his absolute limits.

After the game, Vembanyama was not shy about the effect the competition had on his body. “I was going to pass out right from the first quarter. …This was close to being the toughest game of my life. It probably didn’t feel like it, we played a very rough game yesterday against the most physical team in the league.”

“I thought I was going to pass out…it’s close to being the hardest game of my life.”

Victor Wembanyama explains how he feels after the Spurs’ 25-point comeback over the Clippers.

(via @nba)

pic.twitter.com/NpOXh7kFvs

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 7 March 2026

Despite exhaustion, Victor Vembanyama managed to dominate in limited action. The French sensation recorded 27 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks in just 22 minutes of play. He was clinical from the floor, making 11 of 21 shots overall and missing four of his nine attempts from beyond the arc. His rim protection in the closing minutes was the catalyst for the Spurs’ late surge, as he consistently converted shots and erased easy looks for Los Angeles.

The comeback was not a solo effort. Julian Champagnie stepped up with a huge 20-point performance, while De’Aaron Fox and Stephen Cassel provided the perimeter pressure needed to overcome the deficit. San Antonio trailed by nearly 25 points before their defense tightened up and Wembanyama took over on the interior.

By scoring a 38-point masterpiece against the Detroit Pistons just 24 hours ago, the 22-year-old big man is showing the world that he has the stamina to match his generational skill set. If this was the toughest game of his life, the rest of the league should be very concerned about what he does when he feels really fresh.

The Dallas Mavericks are very likely out of playoff contention for the remainder of this 2025-26 season, but there is a lot to look forward to with Cooper Flagg having a stellar rookie season.

That rookie season got a scare on Friday night when the Mavs took on the Boston Celtics. Early in the first quarter, Cooper went for a flag layup and was fouled, but he landed awkwardly and immediately grabbed his ankle in pain.

Flagg stood up with the help of his teammates and limped to the Celtics bench for a timeout.

It looked like Cooper Flagg injured his leg after going down after a foul. #nba #Different #celtics #MFFL #MFFLAGG pic.twitter.com/dTT7g2hARC

– ZeroChillSports (@ZeroChillSports) 7 March 2026

After the timeout, Cooper Flagg came back onto the floor, advanced to the free throw line, knocked down both free throws with ease, and remained in the game and played well without any problems.

Friday night’s game is the homecoming game for Maine native Cooper Flagg. He is the third player in NBA history from Maine to play in the NBA, joining current Detroit Pistons guard/forward Duncan Robinson as well as former Nets and Magic forward Jeff Turner.

“I think it’s great that his family is here,” Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said of Cooper Flagg’s return to the New England area. “Not just his mom, dad and brother, but other people will also be able to watch him play in person tonight. It’s exciting. Hopefully he can perform well and we understand that it’s not easy playing against this team, because they understand big games and big situations, and so it’s a big challenge for him.”

In seven minutes of the first quarter, the Mavs rookie finished the period with six points, one rebound and one steal on 2 of 5 shooting from the field.

The Washington Wizards watched Julian Reese have a breakout game on Thursday night, and afterward, the rookie opened up about the influence of his sister Angel Reese. While many fans arrived at Capital One Arena expecting the spotlight on Trae Young’s debut, the night quietly turned into a showcase for the young Wizards big man.

In his third NBA game, Julian Reese produced a surprising stat line. He scored 18 points on 5-of-7 shooting. He grabbed 20 rebounds. Ten came to the rescue. Ten became aggressive. He recorded two assists and one steal in 38 minutes. The Wizards ultimately lost to the Jazz 122-112, but the performance still attracted attention on the field.

Reese’s energy never waned. He chased every loose ball. He fought inside the paint. Under the bright lights of the arena, the Wizards played with rookie urgency and confidence. For a young player still finding his feet in the league, the moment felt significant.

After the game, Julian revealed that his sister Angel Reese played a major role in keeping him focused in the early stages of his career.

Wizards rookie Julian Reese reflects on sister Angel’s constant pressure

Speaking to reporters after the game, Reese talked about how closely Angel Reese monitors his progress. Even during the busy days of her career, she remains connected to every performance.

Julianne on her sister Angel:

“She hits me up before and after every game, just tells me what I need to do. Watches the games, tries to text me at halftime… Sometimes I let her get over me a little bit, just trying to tell her to let me do what I want. It’s great to have a sister… https://t.co/l4oro1zGed pic.twitter.com/KsxAfJbfAy

– Oh no, he didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) 6 March 2026

The Wizards youngster said, “She hits me up before and after every game and tells me what I need to do. Watches the games, tries to text me at halftime… Sometimes I let her go over me a little bit, just trying to tell her to let me do what I do.”

“It’s great to have a sister who is always there for me and tries to see the best for her brother, especially when he’s busy with what he’s doing. Love him to death.”

The quote revealed the bond behind the breakout. One brother or sister is pushing the other forward. A newbie proving he belongs.

And if Thursday night was any indication, the Wizards may have discovered something special. The question now seems simple: Was this just a breakout game, or the beginning of Julian Reese’s rise?

The Los Angeles Lakers received a somewhat encouraging update on center Deandre Ayton after he sat out Thursday’s 120-113 loss against the Denver Nuggets due to a knee problem.

Ayton’s night lasted only five minutes, during which the 7-footer collected two rebounds and missed his only field-goal attempt before heading to the locker room. The Lakers did not immediately rule him out, but ultimately he did not return.

After the game, head coach JJ Redick confirmed that Ayton’s early departure was due to left knee soreness, although the exact severity of the problem is unclear. Without his starting center, Redick adjusted the rotation by giving extended minutes to Jackson Hayes and deploying several small-ball lineups.

Hayes took advantage of his opportunity and produced 19 points, five rebounds and two assists in 27 minutes, while shooting 8 of 10 from the field. Los Angeles outscored Denver by seven points while Hayes was on the floor.

Ayton has been a regular presence in the lineup this season and has started more games than any other Laker. Over 54 games, he has averaged 12.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 0.9 blocks while shooting 66.7% from the field. However, injuries have occasionally hampered his campaigns. Of the eight games he has missed, five were related to knee problems, while four games early in the season were related to right knee soreness. He also sat out two games before the All-Star break due to the same issue.

Recent performance has also declined. In the seven games following the All-Star break, the 27-year-old averaged 9.9 points on 61.6% shooting and 7.6 rebounds, which is below his season production.

Los Angeles lost despite LeBron James’ historic milestone. The 23-year-old veteran passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most field goals made in NBA regular season history, recording the 15,838th basket of his career. James finished with 16 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals, shooting 7-for-11 (63.6%) from the field before leaving the closing moments with elbow trouble. Luka Doncic contributed 27 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.

Meanwhile, the Nuggets were paced by Nikola Jokic, who recorded his 23rd triple-double of the season with 28 points, 12 rebounds and 13 assists, while Jamal Murray also scored 28 points.

The Lakers, now 37-25, will turn their attention to Friday night’s home game against the Indiana Pacers, when Ayton’s status will become more clear.

The Los Angeles Lakers were giving the Denver Nuggets everything they could handle on Thursday night, even if their starting center Deandre Ayton had to leave after just four minutes with a knee injury. This made the Nikola Jokic matchup more difficult.

The Lakers almost had to deal with being shorthanded even more, because at one point in the fourth quarter, it looked like LeBron James was going to chase Ayton into the locker room with an early exit of his own.

With about four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, James made a hard layup in Jokic’s grill. However, the Lakers star didn’t go down easily; Actually, while doing this he fell on the ground and got injured in his left elbow.

California Post price via Khobi:

LeBron James was holding his left elbow after the fall. He is currently on the bench being tended to by his longtime coach. pic.twitter.com/Oy676TN19U

– Khobi Price (@khobi_price) 6 March 2026

James slammed his elbow into the camera, and was slow to get back to his feet. The Lakers then committed a foul to stop the game and then called a timeout to remove James from the field.

But with 2:05 remaining in the period, James returned to play, checking in for Rui Hachimura, with the Lakers trailing the Nuggets by just one, 112–111. In the end, the Lakers didn’t have enough to overcome the Nuggets. The good news is that James escaped serious harm.

Lakers can’t hit shots in tough times vs. Nuggets

The Lakers gambled that they would play short and make enough shots to counter the Nuggets led by Jokic. And it worked to some extent, as LA came back and made it a close game vs. the Nuggets. However, with the Lakers trailing by only three (114-111), they could not hit open shots – Marcus Smart hit two triples on back-to-back possessions.

It was Jokic who scored the dagger in the end, as he made a routine floater to give Denver a five-point lead that proved to be enough for a 120–113 victory.

The last thing the Los Angeles Lakers needed for Thursday night’s contest against the Denver Nuggets was for their thin frontcourt to become even weaker. But that’s exactly what happened, because according to Chris Haynes of NBA on Prime, Deandre Ayton was forced out of the game early with a knee injury and will not return to action.

It’s unclear exactly when Ayton suffered the injury, but at least the Lakers considered it serious enough to keep him from continuing with the injury that night. The true extent of the severity of Ayton’s injury should be revealed after the game when the Bahamian big man undergoes more testing.

Ayton played only four minutes before exiting; He recorded only two rebounds in that short amount of time he played against the Nuggets.

Without Ayton, the Lakers will have to rely even more on Jackson Hayes, and head coach JJ Redick may deploy a smaller unit to try to get Jokic on offense.

Of course, this also comes with its fair share of disadvantages; Jokic is the toughest cover in the association on the interior, and the Lakers will have to scramble to try to slow him down and send multiple defenders towards him – potentially opening up the floor for other Nuggets to do damage.

Lakers take small steps as Nuggets aim to stretch after DeAndre Ayton injury

No matter who covers him, Jokic is going to fill up the stat sheet. But the Lakers are at least getting him work on the defensive end. With Ayton out, Redick is really short, Marcus Smart is defending Jokic and trying to get in front of him in the post.

Smart, on the other hand, is getting a lot of open looks from beyond the arc. The Lakers are getting what they need on offense, and if that continues it’s up to them to shoot themselves to victory.

The Detroit Pistons entered Thursday night’s game against the San Antonio Spurs looking to make another statement. But things aren’t going according to plan, and not on the scoreboard, either.

Pistons guard Aussie Thompson left the game in the first quarter due to an ankle injury. According to NBA insider Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, his return is questionable.

Aussie Thompson has headed back to the Pistons locker room due to an apparent ankle injury.

Hope he is okpic.twitter.com/SBZ7FZ3McT

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 6 March 2026

Ausar had a strong start defensively for Detroit, blocking Victor Wembanyama’s shot on the opening possession. But after some time the situation became worse.

On the move to the tin, Thompson twisted my right ankle. He would head to Detroit’s locker room shortly thereafter. Thompson had played only two minutes in the Clash of the Titans, before leaving the game.

The Pistons began Thursday night’s game 45–15, on top of the Eastern Conference standings. Meanwhile, the Spurs are just 1.5 games behind Detroit in the hunt for the NBA’s best record, and second in the West.

Thompson has had a major impact on the Pistons’ success this season, especially on the defensive end of the floor. He entered the game averaging 1.9 steals per game, which ranked fourth in the NBA. However, his offensive game is still a work in progress. The former fifth overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft is averaging just 10.4 points per game while shooting just 57% from the charity stripe.

Detroit remained competitive immediately after Thompson’s injury. But as the first quarter wore on, the Spurs and Vembanyama imposed their will.

Wembley scored a game-high 12 points in the opening frame, as the Spurs took a 15-point lead.

There has been no update yet on Thompson’s condition.

Cooper Flagg made his winning return to the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday after suffering a recent foot injury. Not only did he come back, but he also came back with a vengeance.

According to Dallas Mavericks PR, Flagg scored his 1,000th career point against the Orlando Magic, putting him among players like LeBron James. It came on his first basket of the game.

Not only this, Flagg became the second youngest player to reach 1,000 points at the age of 19 years, 74 days. The last person to do so was LeBron James at 19 years, 41 days.

Cooper Flagg scored 1,000 career points with his first basket of the game tonight in Orlando.

At 19 years, 74 days old, the Montverde Academy (FL) alumnus became the second-youngest player in NBA history to reach the 1,000-point plateau, behind only LeBron James (19 years, 41 days). pic.twitter.com/aUSYLeZAQ5

— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) 6 March 2026

Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker round out the top five. Flagg has played in 49 games this season. Furthermore, he is averaging 20.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

Before Thursday, Flagg had missed eight games.

Meanwhile, Flagg remains the top rookie scorer in the NBA. Additionally, he has left his mark on the NBA landscape by achieving feats unseen from rookies. In December, Flagg became the youngest player to score 40 points in a game, scoring 42 points against the Utah Jazz.

Additionally, Flagg cemented his place among players like Michael Jordan and LeBron and became the third player to collect 750 points, 150 assists, 50 steals, and 30 blocks in his first 40 games.

In February, Flagg was selected to play in the NBA Rising Stars Game during All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles. However, he had to pull out due to injury.

Meanwhile, the Mavericks are 21-40 on an eight-game losing streak and have lost eight of their last ten games.

Boston Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum is aiming to return on Friday against the Dallas Mavericks after being upgraded on the team’s injury report for the first time all season.

He is officially listed as questionable to play against the Mavs.

Tatum, who has been working extremely hard to make his comeback from an Achilles injury suffered in last year’s playoffs against the New York Knicks, will now give the Celtics a huge boost a month before the end of the 2025-26 regular season.

Many were wondering when this moment would come for the 28-year-old superstar and now the answer has been found.

Friday will mark 298 days since Tatum suffered an Achilles injury in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Knicks, a moment that changed the trajectory of the Celtics franchise as we knew it. However, Tatum immediately dedicated himself to coming back stronger than ever, and his goal was always to return during the 2025–26 season.

After recently being cleared for full contact in 5-on-5 scrimmages and practice, it was only a matter of time before Tatum got the green light. When he steps onto the court for the first time this season on Friday at TD Garden, Tatum will face a very strict minutes restriction from head coach Joe Mazzulla and the medical staff.

Tatum recently took to social media after passing the 40-week mark in his recovery process, leading many to wonder if his season debut was imminent.

“40 weeks,” Tatum wrote. “I have really grown to appreciate this journey and have found time to pat myself on the back for doing well every day!”

Without Tatum this season, many expected the Celtics to take a step back, but All-Star wing Jaylen Brown has put this franchise in a position to compete for a championship, especially with his partner in crime back.

Brown has cemented himself in the MVP discussion this year, and he has led the Celtics to a 41-21 record ahead of Friday’s showdown with Dallas. Boston currently holds sole possession of the 2-seed in the Eastern Conference and is five games behind the Detroit Pistons for the top spot in the standings.

While he’s still technically listed as questionable for Friday’s game against the Mavs, all signs point towards the Celtics making it official and Tatum’s season debut to what will be a thrilled and sold-out crowd in Boston.

Tatum is back for the Celtics.

Harrison Barnes is generally the gold standard for NBA credibility. Before Tuesday night, the San Antonio Spurs forward had not missed a single professional basketball game since the end of 2021. But even the league’s most durable giants are no match for the dangers of the mid-day snooze.

In one of the most bizarre injury reports you’ll ever see, Barnes was a late scratch for Tuesday’s matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers. The reason was as simple as it was frustrating: Via AP News, he woke up with left ankle pain after a pre-game nap.

The temporary injury officially broke his incredible streak of 364 consecutive games played. The last time Barnes was eliminated from a competition was in December. 4, 2021, when he was a member of the Sacramento Kings. Since then, he has been a fixture on the court, and has provided a steady veteran presence for whatever team he has represented.

Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson had to adapt quickly without his experienced forwards, but the rest of the roster left no stone unturned. San Antonio completely destroyed a shorthanded Philadelphia team in a 131-91 blowout loss at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Devin Vassell led the scoring charge with 22 points, including six three-pointers, while rookie Dylan Harper provided a big spark off the bench with his 22 points.

Victor Wembanyama didn’t have to carry the heavy scoring load, but remained a defensive terror, finishing with 10 points, eight rebounds and six blocks in just 24 minutes. Stephen Cassel also had a stellar performance with a 15-point, 10-assist double-double, while De’Aaron Fox led the offense with 11 points and seven assists. Tyrese Maxey, on the other hand, put up a lone battle for the Sixers and finished with 21 points and eight rebounds.

It’s a tough way to end a great “Iron Man” race. Barnes was not sidelined due to a hard screen or a playoff foul; He was betrayed only by his own bed. While Spurs have dominated without him, they will soon need his consistency. Barnes has already been ruled out for the upcoming game against the Detroit Pistons, meaning the wait for his new streak to start continues.

The Portland Trail Blazers were looking to keep their momentum going against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night, but things took a turn for the worse late in the second quarter. Donovan Clingan, the Blazers’ towering rookie center, found himself ejected early after a hot moment leading to automatic elimination.

Donovan Clingan has been ejected from the game after being rated 2 in this game 😳

pic.twitter.com/5oxOF8iHpA

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 5 March 2026

With just over three minutes remaining in the first half and the Grizzlies leading 52–47, Clingan was running the ball at the top of the key. Memphis forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper was locked down defensively, getting tough and keeping his hands active in the rookie’s face. In an apparent attempt to create space or perhaps out of frustration from the physical pressure, the Klingon delivered a sharp elbow that caught Prosper, sending him falling to the floor.

The New Jersey Devils (30-29-2) host the Toronto Maple Leafs (27-24-10) tonight in the second half of a back-to-back situation.

Last night, the Devils continued their previous form and defeated the defending Stanley Cup Champions 5-1.

New Jersey is 4-6-0 in the second half of back-to-back games this season, with three more games left after Wednesday night.

In their last 10 games, the Maple Leafs are 3-6-1, with their last win coming before the Olympic break.

Let’s dive into tonight’s matchup.

What to Know vs. Maple Leaves

– New Jersey is 1-1-0 against Toronto this season and has defeated the Maple Leafs 6-5.

– Jack Hughes (3G) and Jesper Bratt (3A) lead the Devils with three points each against Toronto this season.

2025-26 vs. Maple Leafs

10/21/25 W 5-2 Scotiabank Arena

12/30/25 L 4-0 Scotiabank Arena

3/4/2026 7:00 PM ET Prudential Center

Devils vs. Maple Leafs

All-time record: 54-70-21-14

All-time home record: 29-27-15-6

All-time road record: 25-44-5-8

Projected Devils Lineup*

Ahead

Timo Meyer – Nico Hischier – Dawson Mercer

Jasper Bratt – Jack Hughes – Connor Brown

Arseny Gritsyuk – Cody Glass – Lenny Haminaho

Paul Couture – Nick Bjugstad – Maxim Tsyplyakov

defenseman

Luke Hughes – Brett Pesce

Jonas Seigenthaler – Dougie Hamilton

Brendan Dillon – Simon Nemec

goaltender

jake allen

jacob markstrom

*Lineup is subject to change

Current Injuries: Jack McEwen (upper body, out for the season)

2025-26 Total man-games lost: 269

Projected Maple Leafs Lineup*

Ahead

Bobby McMann – Auston Matthews – William Nylander

Matthew Neese – John Tavares – Max Domi

Mattias McSally – Nicolas Roy – Dakota Joshua

Steven Lorentz – Scott Lawton – Easton Cowan

defenseman

Morgan Reilly – Brandon Carlo

Simon Benoit – Jake McCabe

Oliver Ekman-Larsen – Philip Myers

goaltender

Joseph Voll

Anthony Stolarz

*Lineup is subject to change

How to watch the Devils game – 7:00 pm ET

Watch: ESPN+ | over the river

radio: devils hockey net

next up

Saturday, March 7 vs. NY Rangers, 3:00 PM
Sunday, March 8 vs. Detroit, 5:00 pm
Thu, Mar 12 vs CGY 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 14 vs LAK 7:00 PM

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls

If you close your eyes and listen carefully, you can almost hear the iconic “Roundball Rock” theme coming through your speakers again. NBC Sports is emphasizing the nostalgia factor, announcing a special “throwback” broadcast for the upcoming March 3 NBA matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers.

For one night only, the league is taking a trip back to the 1990s, and honestly, it couldn’t be a better time for fans feeling the fatigue of the modern streaming maze.

The network is reuniting the heavy hitters who defined the era of basketball television. Bob Costas will lead the play-by-play, joined by the legendary Doug Collins and the “Czar of the Telestrator” Mike Fratello. The trip down memory lane doesn’t stop at the booth either.

Jim Gray has returned to the sidelines, while Hannah Storm, Isiah Thomas and PJ Carlesimo will handle studio duties. To complete the vibe, the broadcast will include graphics packages and tape elements from the 1995–96 season.

While the presentation is old school, the talent on stage is the definition of new age. This matchup holds significance far beyond the broadcast booth. We all remember when Joel Embiid dropped a career-high 70 points on rookie Victor Vembanyama two years ago, but the landscape looks very different now.

Victor Wembanyama enters this contest averaging 23.7 points and a league-leading 11.2 rebounds per game, leading a San Antonio Spurs team that has remarkably won 11 straight games.

The Philadelphia 76ers, on the other hand, are finding their rhythm at the right time. Joel Embiid has scored at least 25 points in 12 consecutive games, and Tyrese Maxey is on pace to set a franchise record for career three-pointers.

The 76ers currently sit in sixth place in the Eastern Conference at 33-26, looking to keep their three-game winning streak alive against a dominant Spurs team. It will be a trip to see the game’s most modern unicorn framed by classic NBC aesthetics. Whether you’re there for the Wembanyama Blocks or Bob Costas’ storytelling, Tuesday night viewing is essential.

The Miami Heat will try to beat the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday without their top scorer, as Norman Powell was forced to exit early with a groin injury.

Powell, who was a late addition to the injury report, finished with three points on 1-5 shooting, three rebounds and two assists.

According to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, the 32-year-old Powell was bothered by a groin injury before the game, but decided to recover anyway.

“Norman Powell (right groin strain) is treated for the rest of the night. He was questionable with a groin problem and tried to play through it, but his night was over after 11 minutes,” Chiang wrote on the X.

The Heat will have to be more creative offensively to fill the void left by Powell, who is averaging 22.9 points on 47.5% shooting.

It would be a huge blow to Miami if Powell is sidelined for an extended period of time, especially as the playoffs approach.

Powell is having the best year of his career, earning his first nod to the All-Star Game and the Heat were right to sign him in the offseason. Many were confused as to why the Los Angeles Clippers let him walk after a breakout season.

If he remains out in the coming days, the Heat have enough depth to cover him. Tyler Herro’s recent return from a rib injury was also timely.

At the time of writing, the Heat are trailing the 76ers by a slim margin in the fourth quarter.

The Phoenix Suns snapped a three-game losing streak on Thursday and they have a lot to thank Royce O’Neal for. O’Neal broke the tie by hitting a dagger 3-pointer with one second remaining in the fourth quarter to give Phoenix a 113–110 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Suns played brilliantly in that game, leading to a wide-open try from deep by O’Neale, who finished the game with 13 points.

It all started with Grayson Allen attacking the Lakers’ defense, and when everyone’s attention was on him, he threw the ball to Collin Gillespie, who immediately passed the ball to O’Neal. Without hesitation, former Baylor Bears forward O’Neal launched a shot from behind the arc that found nothing but the bottom of the net.

Royce O’Neale leads with less than a second left 😳🍿

pic.twitter.com/LbNWE9B86Q

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 27 February 2026

There was still time left on the clock after O’Neal, but the Lakers could not convert a bucket after the timeout, as Austin Reaves missed a last-gasp 3-point attempt from the corner.

O’Neal finished his evening with 13 points with three triples, while Allen and Gillespie provided 28 and 21 points, respectively, for the Suns, who won despite missing star shooting guard Devin Booker and forward Dillon Brooks.

That shot from O’Neal also summed up the Suns’ unselfishness in the contest. He had 22 assists on 40 field goals and also hit a total of 22 3-pointers on 50 attempts from deep. It seemed a little easier for Phoenix to make outside shots from deep against the Lakers’ defense.

The Houston Rockets defeated the Orlando Magic in a hard-fought game, 113-108, at the Kia Center on Thursday. However, the victory may have been costly, as Jabari Smith Jr. left the game in the final minutes with an ankle injury.

Smith finished with 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting in 29 minutes.

In a video posted on X, the 22-year-old forward remained on the floor for a few seconds before getting up and limping on the bench.

It didn’t look good as Jabari Smith Jr. fell to the ground and they immediately grabbed his right ankle. #rockets #sarge @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/lc5oOCtLRO

– Big Sarge Media LLC (@BigSargeSportz) 27 February 2026

Although it was a good sign that Smith was able to walk on his own, it was still likely that he suffered a serious injury.

The Rockets cannot afford to lose him long-term, as he has been a vital part of the machine. Smith, who is on a contract year, has proven to be a reliable two-way player with his length, agility and athleticism. Despite his flexible physique, Smith is not afraid to get physical. He has also improved his outside shooting.

His frontcourt trio with Kevin Durant and Alpern Sengun is one of the most lethal in the NBA, with Smith serving as the ideal complement to his All-Star teammates.

With the win, the Rockets improved to 37–21. Durant led the way with 40 points and eight rebounds in the game. Sengun added 16 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Reed Shepard also performed with 20 points, including five three-pointers, three rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks off the bench.

The Rockets won their third consecutive game and will look to follow it up on Saturday against the Miami Heat.

The Milwaukee Bucks (26-31) are counting on Bobby Portis Jr. to bring energy every night, especially while the franchise’s key player Giannis Antetokounmpo is recovering from a calf injury. However, sometimes it is hard to turn off such intensity. The veteran forward remained locked-in during a historic and mysterious game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. Earlier he was surprised with a young fan for 14 rounds finally won the battle With a rock, via MisterBabbleX account.

Luckily, the Bucks didn’t leave without Portis amid their endless head-to-head showdowns at Fiserv Forum. They gave a young girl a story to share with all of her friends and classmates, and they even took out the W. Additionally, the 2021 NBA champion helped his team earn a 118-116 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers, continuing Milwaukee’s impressive February (8-3 this month). Overall, Portis had an incredible night.

Bobby Portis plays a young fan in the longest game of Rock Paper Scissors ever seen

Video via: https://t.co/g2brwaAZmL pic.twitter.com/srXzVwOGZr

– MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) 26 February 2026

When the 31-year-old breaks out the “crazy eyes” and takes the court, some might label him uneducated. Punching then-Chicago Bulls teammate Nikola Mirotic in the face in 2017 probably won’t help. However, the man clearly has a softer side. He was already a fan favorite, but after his hard-earned Rock, Paper, Scissors victory, Portis may have achieved legendary status in Cream City.

He aims to bring that same tenacity to Friday night’s contest against the inconsistent New York Knicks (37-22). Bobby Portis Jr. has been a key offensive spark plug for the team this season, averaging 13.2 points and 6.5 rebounds while shooting an impressive 45.1 percent from 3-point range. He’ll try to keep his hot streak going in Milwaukee. Perhaps another fan will challenge him before the game.

To say that the Chicago Bulls have been struggling lately would be an understatement, as the team is currently on a massive 10-game losing streak. Throughout all this, the Bulls have had to deal with a number of injuries, and the team once again has an injury report ahead of Thursday evening’s contest against the Portland Trail Blazers.

For this game, Jaden Ivey will be out due to left patellofemoral pain syndrome, while Anfernee Simmons will also be sidelined due to a left ulnar styloid fracture. Meanwhile, backup big man Jalen Smith is listed as questionable with a right calf strain, while Patrick Williams is also questionable with a right quadriceps strain.

Zach Collins will be out of the lineup after recent surgery.

The Bulls have had some injury improvements in recent weeks, with Josh Giddy returning from a hamstring injury and working his way into his normal minutes per night, but it still has done nothing to stop the Bulls’ bleeding in the last ten games, which has sent them well below the play-in line in the Eastern Conference.

At this point, some Bulls fans are already turning their attention toward the upcoming NBA Draft lottery, with many projecting the 2026 class to be one of the most talented in years. Chicago could certainly benefit from adding a blue-chip prospect to move forward along with Giddy and Matas Bouzelis.

Meanwhile, the Bulls amassed backcourt players at the trade deadline, which has resulted in unexpectedly disastrous results, though that chaos has been sidelined for the time being due to injuries to Simmons and Ivey.

In any case, the Bulls and Trail Blazers are scheduled to tip off from the United Center in Chicago on Thursday at 8:00 pm ET.

The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves on a two-game slump after a close loss to the Orlando Magic last time out and will visit the Phoenix Suns next Thursday. Los Angeles has done well in terms of availability in recent weeks and all three of LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are expected to be fit.

However, Rui Hachimura is on the official injury report along with Jackson Hayes, with Hachimura listed as questionable and Hayes as probable. Hachimura is dealing with an illness, while Hayes is dealing with a right ankle sprain.

Along with these two, Bronny James and Edou Thiero have also been included, whose exit has been confirmed.

Rui Hachimura injury status vs Suns

Given that Rui Hachimura is questionable on the injury report, his availability will likely be a game-time decision. He came off the bench to score 10 points and two steals against the Magic and could prove useful off the bench once again.

Meanwhile, the Suns are still missing Dillon Brooks, Devin Booker, Cole Anthony and Haywood Highsmith. The Lakers (34-23) have dropped to sixth place in the tightly packed Western Conference after suffering consecutive losses, including a loss to the Boston Celtics.

Meanwhile, the Suns (33-26) have dropped to seventh in the standings after losing seven of their last ten games. Hachimura is averaging 11.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per game and will add another threat against a team that has been largely depleted.

Phoenix currently leads the season series 2–1, making this fourth and final meeting important for potential postseason tiebreaker scenarios.

Lakers injury report

Rui Hachimura: doubtful (illness)

Jackson Hayes: Probable (right ankle; sprain)

Bronny James: Out (G League – On Assignment)

Edou Thirou: Out (G League – On Assignment)

sans injury report

Cole Anthony: Out (not with team)

Devin Booker: Out (right hip; strain)

Dillon Brooks: Out (left arm; fracture)

Jordan Goodwin: Out (left calf; strain)

Haywood Highsmith: Out (right knee; injury management)

Much like Jack Hughes and Team USA faced Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, the New Jersey Devils (28-28-2) visited the Pittsburgh Penguins (29-15-2) without Sidney Crosby.

Crosby was injured in Canada’s semi-final match against Finland and could not mount a tough challenge in the gold medal game. As a result, the Penguins placed him on injured reserve, and he would be absent for approximately four weeks.

The Devils are chasing the Penguins head-to-head in an unlikely quest for the playoffs. As the NHL schedule resumes after another boring, punchless loss last night, the Devils will be looking to find any kind of score tonight against Pittsburgh.

Let’s dive into tonight’s matchup.

What to Know vs Penguins

– The Devils and Steel City face off for the second of four matches this season after the Jersey side defeated the Pens in a 2-1 shootout win at the Rock on November 8.

-Arseny Gritsyuk scored the only goal in regulation against Pittsburgh on November 8, while Paul Cotter (GDG) and Jesper Bratt both scored in the shootout round.

-Jake Allen got the win between the pipes against Pittsburgh and stopped both of Pittsburgh’s shootout attempts.

—Bratt has 28 career points (8G-20A) in 31 career games against Pittsburgh, the second-most points of his career against a single opponent (vs. PHI – 29).

—Looking Back…Dawson Mercer earned his first career NHL hat trick against Pittsburgh in April of 2022–23.

-In points… Nico Hischier is first in the NHL with 687 face-off wins this season, while Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby is second with 649 face-off wins in 2025-26, per Jan. 7.

—The Devils and Penguins have both recorded three games without a win.

2025-26 vs penguins

11/8/25 SOW 2-1 Prudential Center

1/8/26 L 4-1 PPG Paints Arena

2/26/26 7:00 PM ET PPG Paints Arena

4/9/26 7:00 PM ET Prudential Center

devils vs penguins

All-time record: 131-112-17-6

All-time home record: 70-49-13-2

All-time road record: 61-63-4-3

Projected Devils Lineup*

Ahead

Timo Meyer – Nico Hischier – Dawson Mercer

Jasper Bratt – Jack Hughes – Connor Brown

Arseny Gritsyuk – Cody Glass – Lenny Haminaho

Paul Couture – Nick Bjugstad – Maxim Tsyplyakov

defenseman

Brett Pesce – Jonathan Kovacevic

Jonas Seigenthaler – Dougie Hamilton

Brendan Dillon – Simon Nemec

goaltender

jacob markstrom

jake allen

*Lineup is subject to change

Current injuries: Jack McEwen (upper body, out for the season), Luke Hughes (separated shoulder).

2025-26 Total man-games lost: 263

Projected Penguins Lineup*

Ahead

Avery Hayes – Ricard Raquel – Ben Kindel

Igor Chinakhov – Tommy Novak – Evgeni Malkin

Anthony Mantha – Ben Kindel – Justin Brazeau

Connor Dewar – Blake Lizotte – Noel Acciari

defenseman

Parker Wotherspoon – Eric Carlson

Samuel Girard – Kris Letang

Ryan Shea – Connor Clifton

goaltender

stuart skinner

artur silov

*Lineup is subject to change

How to watch the Devils game – 7:00 pm ET

See: MSGSN

Radio: Devils Hockey Net

next up

Saturday, February 28 at St. Louis 5:00 PM
Tuesday, March 3 vs. Florida, 7:00 pm
Wednesday, March 4 vs. Toronto, 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 7 vs. NY Rangers, 3:00 PM
Sunday, March 8 vs. St. Louis, 5:00 PM

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls