The Houston Astros have faced some tough situations recently. After finishing in first place at the beginning of the year, they are now in last place in the American League West with a 10–18 record. Despite a ridiculously good offense, their pitching has repeatedly lost them games.

In fact, their offense has been one of the best (if not the best). Best) in MLB. The club ranked sixth in home runs (35), fifth in batting average (.259), fourth in RBI (136), slugging percentage (.436) and OPS (.782), and third in on-base percentage (.346). It is a historic disappointment for Astros fans that such a good offense has barely managed 10 wins across the board.

But the crown jewel of that Houston offense – the one hope that fans can cling to – has been the performance of Yordan Alvarez. And, oh my god, has it been good.

Picture painted by metrics

Alvarez has had a great start to 2026. The 28-year-old slugger is in bad form, leading MLB in home runs with 11 through 28 games. In fact, Alvarez leads MLB in every important hitting statistic (expect second place in slugging percentage) with a .353/.464/.755 slash line and an earth-shattering 1.219 OPS.

The craziest part? Expected metrics are even better. His xwOBA (.556), xBA (.381) and xSLG (.871) are all in the 100th percentile of MLB hitters. This means Alvarez is performing worse than he should and is still the best offensive player in the league. Nobody can do what he is doing now.

Batting run value is a Statcast metric that specifies the run impact on each pitch, hit or plate appearance based on its outcome. A positive number indicates production above average while a negative number would indicate production below average. This is the total for the entire season.

For context, in 2022 when New York Yankee Aaron Judge broke the American League record for home runs with 62, he had a stellar +90 BRV. Alvarez is on pace to have a +118 BRV.

the ever present question of stability

Like most things in life, baseball is a game that more than anything else asks whether something is sustainable. In most cases, the answer is no. And the same thing is true here also to a great extent. Alvarez probably won’t keep up these ridiculous statistics.

Perhaps.

That being said, if he accomplishes what he’s on pace to do: 224 hits, 64 home runs and 150 RBI. Needless to mention, Alvarez is on pace for 139 walks (both intentional and not). Those are historical numbers. Apart from the fact that Álvarez would hold the American League home run record, no player in all of MLB history has ever had a stat line like this.

You’ll notice I didn’t answer the stability question. The main reason for this is to prevent the dream of being an offensive powerhouse like Alvarez from ending. It would be incredible to see a player lose like that, especially with how young he is. It’s easy to forget that the slugger is only 28 years old.

Whether or not he finishes the season with Houston is another question entirely. He has already been the subject of trade rumors with the San Diego Padres (a club searching for a high-impact bat) and, although the Astros would be crazy to trade him, the club is not looking so attractive. Started the year last in the AL West with a 10–18 record.

Who knows what the future holds for Alvarez? It’s impossible to predict the future — especially in baseball — but the Houston slugger certainly looks formidable to start the 2026 season. No matter how this ends up, Alvarez will be fun to watch.

President Trump offered a hearty congratulations to Rory McIlroy on Sunday after the Irish golfer defended his title and made consecutive wins at the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National.

McIlroy became the fourth player in history to win consecutive green jackets, joining golf immortals Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods.

Trump praised the two-time defending champion for maintaining composure under intense pressure during the final round, which featured some spectacular shots around Amen Corner and quite a dramatic finish.

Trump wrote on his Truth social media platform, “Congratulations to Rory McIlroy on another great championship, The Masters! He performed tremendously well under extreme pressure, something very few people would even think possible.”

“With each year, Rory becomes more and more of a legend!”

Highlighting the exceptional quality of today’s professional golfers, the President said he looks forward to seeing McIlroy compete at Doral in two weeks for the PGA Tour Cadillac Championship.

Congratulations, Rory McIlroy! 🏆 https://t.co/HeGiIJkI0x pic.twitter.com/YD6wjkQXTq

– White House (@whitehouse) 12 April 2026

Trump praises Rory McIlroy’s historic comeback win at Augusta

McIlroy finished with a 71 in the final round and won by one shot at 12-under par, giving him a dominant week leading after every round.

Still, it was not without drama. Rory saw his 6-stroke lead after his record-setting two-round pace completely evaporated on Saturday. And he had to hold off a hard-charging Scottie Scheffler, who drove his birdie putt on 17 about a half-inch to the right, which might have forced a playoff.

McIlroy’s repeat victory comes a year after completing the career Grand Slam with his first Masters title.

The president also posted a photo of Rory and his father out for a round of golf at the Trump International Golf Club in Florida.

Trump’s message is another sign that McIlroy is getting international attention for his incredible success. The golf phenom will look to continue his quest for a true calendar-year Grand Slam at the 2026 PGA Championship, which begins on May 14.

No golfer has won the modern golf Grand Slam (all four professional majors) in one calendar year. In 1930, amateur legend Bobby Jones achieved what is universally recognized as golf’s only true calendar-year Grand Slam. He won four major championships of his era.

In 2000, Woods won the US Open, The Open Championship and the PGA Championship (three majors in one year). He then won the 2001 Masters and held all four major titles simultaneously in two calendar years.

But this is not the technical definition of a Grand Slam, and it famously became known as the “Tiger Slam”.

Rusty Weis is a lifelong fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Dallas Cowboys and Xavier Musketeers. He has been writing professionally… More about Rusty Weiss

On Wednesday evening, the Los Angeles Lakers got back into the win column as they closed out their East Coast swing with a road win over the Indiana Pacers. Although the game came closer than necessary down the stretch, there was still a solid performance from the Lakers, led by Luka Doncic, who scored 43 points in the game.

Doncic has been on an absolute heater for the Lakers in recent weeks, and following the Pacers’ win, ESPN NBA insider Dave McMenamin revealed the latest piece of history the star has accomplished.

“Luka Doncic is the first player to average 40 points over a six-game span since Michael Jordan in 1986,” McMenamin reported on Twitter, citing a report by ESPN’s Matt Williams.

In fact, Doncic has been obliterating the competition the last few games for the Lakers, consistently troubling opposing defenses with his step-back threes and other highlight plays.

Los Angeles recently saw its nine-game winning streak end at the hands of the Detroit Pistons earlier this week, but they bounced back in solid fashion on Wednesday, blowing a 20-point lead in the first quarter and eventually allowing Indiana to get back into the game, but things slowly wore off.

The Lakers are now 47-26 on the season, which is good for third place in the Western Conference playoff picture, a spot they are currently in the running for. Los Angeles will now return home for a much easier schedule, with their next two games against the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards.

The Nets game is scheduled to begin at 10:30 PM ET on Friday from Crypto.com Arena.

The Houston Rockets set a new record against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on Wednesday. However, they would like it to be erased as soon as possible.

The Rockets lost to the Timberwolves 110–108 in overtime, blowing a 13-point lead in extensions. According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, citing ESPN, this was the largest lead in overtime in NBA history.

Siegel at the

Julius Randle was the hero for Minnesota, sinking the game-winning jumper with 8.8 seconds remaining. Due to frustration with the officiating, particularly regarding Naz Reed’s ejection in overtime, Randle made an offhand comment following their win.

The Timberwolves improved to 45-28, while the Rockets, who are 2-4 in their last six games, fell to 43-29.

Kevin Durant led Houston with 30 points, three rebounds, eight assists and two steals. He had a chance to steal the win for the Rockets when Randle was fouled on a shot attempt with 3.3 seconds remaining. However, Durant missed the first freebie. He was 23 of 23 from the line before him.

He intentionally missed the second, but Houston never got the chance, allowing the Timberwolves to escape with an improbable victory.

Siegel said, “This is going to be the nail in the coffin for the Rockets this season. What a disaster.”

This is no time for a recession for the Rockets, as they chase homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

They will visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.

Zuffa Boxing has signed a multi-year broadcast deal with Sky Sports, marking a major change in how boxing will be shown in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The agreement, announced on March 18, 2026, ensures that all Zuffa Boxing events will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, as well as being available on Streaming Now. The deal includes a commitment to stage a minimum of five events each year in the UK. This comes less than two months after Zuffa Boxing held its first show. The promotion is backed by TKO Group Holdings, Saudi company Sela and Chairman Turki Alalshaikh.

Zuffa Boxing is expanding rapidly with major support

Zuffa Boxing launched earlier this year and has already held four events at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas. The promotion includes leadership from Dana White and Nick Khan.

The initial fight card included top names such as Jay Opetia. Fighters such as Umar Dzembekov and Efe Ajagba scored knockout wins during those events.

The promotion also made headlines outside the ring by signing Connor Bain from Matchroom Boxing. That move ended Benn’s long link with promoter Eddie Hearn and signaled Zuffa’s intention to compete at the top level of boxing.

Sky Sports deal ends long Matchroom era

The deal with Sky Sports ends Matchroom Boxing’s long-standing exclusive relationship. Sky has broadcast boxing for over 30 years, covering major bouts involving stars such as Frank Bruno, Mike Tyson and Anthony Joshua.

Dana White said the deal reflects the importance of the UK market.

“The UK has played such an important role in the history of boxing. The fans there are some of the most loyal and passionate in the world. When you talk about boxing in that region, Sky Sports has always been the home of legendary boxing bouts. There is no bigger or better platform to showcase the best boxing in the UK. This is a huge milestone for Zuffa Boxing.”

Sky Sports chief executive UK and Ireland Jonathan Licht also spoke about the deal.

“Sky Sports has been a long-term partner of boxing for over 30 years. Zuffa Boxing has exciting plans for the sport, and we share the same ambition when it comes to bringing the best fights to our customers. We look forward to a new era where we will use our platform to create stars and showcase elite boxing talent here in the UK and internationally.”

First event and 2026 schedule confirmed

The first event under the new deal will be Zuffa Boxing 05: Cortes vs. Garcia on April 5, 2026 at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas.

Andres Cortes will face Aridson Garcia in the main event. On the undercard, Mark Magsayo faces Feargal McCrory.

Zuffa Boxing will release its full 2026 schedule in the coming weeks. The plan includes at least five events in the UK under the Sky Sports agreement.

After having a career night against the Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks star Josh Hart revealed the real reason he’s had such a great game — and you won’t guess why.

He responded to the Knicks’ celebratory post after defeating the Pacers on Twitter. The Knicks reported that Hart joined elite company by scoring more than 30 points while making more than 90% of his shots.

“Because it’s Mike and Ike’s night,” Hart replied, tagging the iconic candy brand’s official X account.

The Mike & Ike Gift Night was held at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, when the Knicks took on the Pacers. Fans were given T-shirts and this inspired Hart.

Josh Hart had the best night of his career as the Knicks blew out the Pacers.

The Knicks played their final four games against the Pacers on March 17. They defeated Indiana, winning by 26 points and were led by Hart.

In 26 minutes on the floor, Hart scored 33 points while making 12 of 13 shots. He was also perfect from behind the three-point line, and made all five shots. He also made four out of five free throws. Additionally, Hart recorded seven rebounds and five assists. He also had two steals in the game.

For context, Hart is averaging 12.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game during the 2025-26 season. His statistics are a bit behind last season’s, but he is averaging about eight minutes less per game.

OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns also contributed 26 and 22 points, respectively. Jose Alvarado was also integral, scoring 16 points and making half of his shots.

The Knicks will now travel to Brooklyn to play the Nets on Friday, March 20. Like the Pacers, the Nets are also out of the playoffs. His record is 17-51.

Currently, the Knicks are in third place in the Eastern Conference. They sit behind the Detroit Pistons (49-19) and Boston Celtics (45-23).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kawhi Leonard has been the best version of himself this season, scoring career-highs while being his usual, efficient self all over the court. But the LA Clippers star may miss out on NBA awards this season.

Named an NBA All-Star for the seventh time in his NBA career, Leonard has averaged 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.0 steals per game in 53 games this season. He missed only 14 games this season, 10 of which came in November due to a sprained right ankle.

Leonard has unfortunately been ruled out of Monday night’s game against the San Antonio Spurs, which will be his 15th game this season. This means Leonard can only miss two more games before becoming ineligible for season-ending NBA awards.

As things stand, Kawhi Leonard is set to make an All-NBA team as well as an All-Defensive team, but missing two more games would put him on the list of stars who are already ineligible to join those teams.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, LeBron James and Stephen Curry are all among the players who are not eligible to win awards at season’s end, and several others are not far behind them.

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic cannot miss any more games or he will be ineligible to win. Both Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic can miss only five more games before they are no longer eligible. San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama has played in 52 of the Spurs’ 67 games so far, leaving them with only two games of qualification left.

Last week, Kawhi Leonard reported what would allow him to have a career-year in his 14th season.

“The guy up there and I are just able to play the game,” the Clippers star explained to ClutchPoints. “The offseason was good for me, I was able to just work. Just praising him, work ethic and believing. Just trying to get better at the game. Not worrying about the outcome. Whether it’s working on my shot, handle or passing, just being aggressive and making mistakes.”

The Clippers only have 15 games remaining this season, including two back-to-back sets. Leonard has played nine back-to-back sets already this season, displaying a level of confidence in his health that the Clippers medical staff may not have seen in years past.

Monday night’s game between the LA Clippers and San Antonio Spurs is scheduled to begin at 7 PM PST on NBC.

Sacramento Kings guard DeMar DeRozan couldn’t believe it when he recently learned he had passed NBA legend Tim Duncan on the all-time scoring list.

Just a few days later, he achieved another impressive feat.

DeRozan finished with a season-high 41 points, including a three-pointer, 11 assists and three steals, to lead the Kings to a 116-111 victory over the Utah Jazz at Golden 1 Center on Sunday. They improved to 18-51.

According to StatMuse, the 36-year-old guard is the oldest player in NBA history to reach that number in a game.

DeRozan has been a bright spot amid another disappointing campaign in Sacramento. He has been a consistent weapon since signing with the team on a three-year, $74 million contract through 2024.

He is averaging 18.8 points – his lowest since the 2012–2013 season – 3.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists this season. Although his numbers have dropped, he still remains a lethal threat on offense, especially during clutch situations.

The Kings have now won three consecutive games and are 4-1 in their last five meetings.

When DeRozan entered the league as the ninth overall pick out of USC in 2009, not many expected him to be among the top 20 scorers. But through his consistency, work ethic and desire, he has maintained his legacy.

If he improves his scoring in the final stages, he will average at least 20 points for the 13th consecutive year.

DeRozan also has a strong chance to surpass NBA icons Dominique Wilkins and Oscar Robertson for 16th place on the all-time scoring list by the end of the season.

The Kings host the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday.

In years past, facing the Charlotte Hornets meant only two things: 1. It’s an automatic win and 2. The Stars don’t have to play hard.

But fighting hornets is no longer an easy task these days. The Stars will have to bring their A-game to keep up with Charlotte’s high-octane offense led by LaMelo Ball.

Ball has always had talent, but due to injuries he has struggled to stay on the field. This season, he stayed healthy, reminding everyone that he is still one of the premier players in the league.

Ball accomplished another historic feat in their win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, as he became fastest player To reach 900 three-pointers in NBA history. Ball accomplished the feat in just 287 games, breaking Duncan Robinson’s previous record of 305 games.

LaMelo Ball just added another historic shooting mark to his resume!

The Hornets star is now the fastest player in NBA history to reach 900 career 3-pointers, doing so in just 287 games.

Melo’s deep range, fearless pull-ups and consistent green light from beyond the arc… pic.twitter.com/NjUGLnKXN7

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 12 March 2026

Just imagine how much faster Ball would have done it had he not missed so many games.

He finished with 30 points and six three-pointers, including one in front of the Kings’ bench. After this, he spent some quality time with Russell Westbrook and Malik Monk.

LaMelo blanks the corner 3 in front of the Kings bench, and Russell Westbrook and Malik Monk are laughing on the bench (with replay) pic.twitter.com/jvlkoLASlH

– MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) 12 March 2026

Any guesses on what Ball told them?

With Ball, who is averaging 19.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.1 steals, at the helm, the Hornets have become a threat in the Eastern Conference. They are 8-2 in their last 10 games. At one point, they had a nine-game winning streak, their longest since the 1997–1998 season.

Of course, the 24-year-old Ball isn’t doing it alone. The arrival of Kon Knuppel has certainly boosted the Hornets, while Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate have provided steady support. Adding Coby White at the trade deadline was a smart move.

Barring any unexpected setbacks, the Hornets are finally on track to end their nine-year playoff drought.

While the Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo had a historic night by scoring 83 points against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday, March 11, the NBA star is giving credit to his girlfriend, WNBA star A’Ja Wilson.

During a press conference after the game, Adebayo made sure to thank Wilson who was present to witness his historic feat.

“She was complaining about how I got 10,000 points and she wanted me to wait until I got 83 points. [points] “His first game here is very special,” Adebayo told the press.

Wilson was not only present to witness that magical night when Adebayo had the second-highest scoring game in NBA history with 83 points, but he also credits him for everything he did for him.

He said of his girlfriend, “The behind-the-scenes footage, the workouts and the conversations are very inspiring. Obviously, you see what she does and you’re inspired by her every day.” “I’m grateful to have her in my life.”

Adebayo beat his basketball idol, the late Kobe Bryant, who had previously scored 81 points in a single game and ranked No. 2 behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game in 1962.

“Wilt, me, then Kobe,” Adebayo said after the game. “It sounds crazy.”

“For me, it was just staying calm, staying locked in and understanding that I could go on to do something special,” Adebayo said. “I didn’t think it was going to be 83. But to have this moment is surreal, because like I said, man, to be able to do it at home, in front of your mom, in front of your people, in front of the home fans, it’s a mark in history that will be remembered forever.”

Adebayo finished the night with impressive stats: 20 of 43 from the field, 36 of 43 from the foul line, 7 of 22 from 3-point range.

When the Miami Heat stepped into the Kasia Center for Tuesday night’s showdown against the Washington Wizards, little did they know that Bam Adebayo would make it a night no one would ever forget. While the game against the Wizards seems like an automatic win these days, if forgettable, Adebayo made sure it will be stored forever in everyone’s memory bank as he exploded for a historic 83 points in the Heat’s 150-129 victory.

Adebayo shot 20-43 from the field (7-22 from deep) and 36-43 from the free-throw line, as the Wizards couldn’t stop him from scoring points even when double- or triple-teamed. The rest of the Heat team wanted Adebayo to chase this record and he did just that.

While Adebayo knows it is his name that will be in the record books, he gave credit to all To help make history, both on the Heat squad as well as on a higher note.

“Man, I wish I could have experienced it twice. I credit God, my family, my teammates. This crowd. They kept feeding me the ball,” Adebayo told Kelly Sacco of FanDuel Sports Network.

Bam Adebayo on losing 83 points in a game:

“Man, I wish I could relive it twice, I give God credit.” pic.twitter.com/JNg9Vy6f6w

– SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) 11 March 2026

The entire Heat roster helped Bam Adebayo make history

It was especially clear in the fourth quarter that the Heat team had only one thing on its mind: getting Adebayo the basketball. They were force-feeding him rocks, even if he was double- or triple-teamed. They were deliberately annoying the wizards. They were setting screens to block the ball for him, and they were also letting him handle the ball out of the backcourt.

Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra should also be credited for making Adebayo’s historic scoring night possible. Some coaches would remove him from the game and the game would be out of reach for the opponents, but Adebayo remained in the game and the fans got what they paid good money to see.

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.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is on social media after Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo went out for an astonishing 83 points on Tuesday.

Adebayo scored in a 150-129 win over the Washington Wizards and broke Lakers icon Kobe Bryant’s record for the second-highest scoring game in league history.

While many were celebrating Adebayo’s historic accomplishment, some also mocked James, saying he had predicted a career night for the Heat star.

To recall, James once said in an interview that he knew Bryant was going to explode that night when he scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors in 2006.

@CookedByMatt said, “LeBron predicted Bam’s 83-piece.”

@MrEggyWeggy said, “LeBron called it! He predicted this performance earlier today.”

@iam_johnw echoed, “LeBron will come out and say he predicted Bam’s 83-point game.”

@Jasonb9990 wrote, “I’m sure LeBron predicted this before the game even started.”

“Do you guys think LeBron predicted Bam’s 83 points?” asked @artoftheleague.

@realhenryobrien posted, “Since the Lakers haven’t hinted yet, LeBron can say he watched the Heat-Wizards game and predicted Bam would score 83 points.”

James probably didn’t anticipate that he would be the butt of jokes on Tuesday. They should blame Adebayo.

The three-time All-Star, James’ teammate on Team USA, finished with 20 of 43 field goals and 36 of 43 free throws on what was arguably the most random night in league history. Even Nostradamus with advanced analytics couldn’t have predicted Adebayo’s 83-point special.

Well, perhaps the best way for James to counterattack is to score 84 points when he returns to action.

EDGEFIELD, La. (KSLA) – At around 5:30 a.m. on Mar. 5, many residents of north Louisiana reported feeling a shaking sensation throughout their homes.

Confirmation from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) says that there was a magnitude 4.9 earthquake north of Edgefield, La. off of US-71 with a depth of about three miles.

[INTERACTIVE MAP]

This is the second largest earthquake in the history of Louisiana, the first being the 5.3 magnitude earthquake that occurred in Grand Isle, La. on Feb. 9, 2006.

FIRST ALERT COVERAGE:

Those who felt the earthquake are encouraged to report it here. As of 10:30 a.m. Thursday morning, at least 1,100 people in the ArkLaTex report having felt the quake.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Copyright 2026 KSLA. All rights reserved.

LeBron James continues to rewrite the record books, and his latest milestone puts him in rarest company in Los Angeles Lakers history. During Saturday night’s 129-101 win over the Golden State Warriors, “The King” officially joined Kobe Bryant as the only players to record 1,000 three-pointers in a Lakers uniform.

James needed only one triple to enter the contest, and he didn’t keep the fans at Chase Center waiting long. They started the game strong and reached 1,000 points after trailing by three in the first quarter. By the time the final buzzer sounded, James sat at 1,002 career triples for the franchise, trailing only Bryant’s famous mark of 1,827.

The 41-year-old superstar finished the night with an impressive 22 points, seven rebounds and nine assists. He hit 7 of 13 shots from the field, including 4 of 6 from downtown. While Luka Doncic handled most of the scoring with 26 points, James provided a steadying veteran presence that allowed Los Angeles to surge ahead in the second half.

The win was a collective effort for the Lakers, who improved to 35–24 on the season. DeAndre Ayton dominated the paint with four points and 10 rebounds, while the team’s perimeter defense limited the Warriors to just 27% shooting from deep.

Reaching this milestone further cements James’ legacy in the Purple and Gold. While he is already the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, achieving this specific feat with the Lakers highlights his continued excellence and adaptation since arriving in 2018.

As the Lakers push to clinch a higher seed in the Western Conference, they will need this version of James, who can still dominate play from beyond the arc, to make a deep playoff run.

The Orlando Magic lost 113-108 to the Houston Rockets on Thursday night after giving up a 19-point lead in the second half, but Desmond Benn’s historic February continued despite the loss.

Ben scored 30 points in 38 minutes, adding six rebounds, four assists and two steals. He shot 12-for-19 from the field and 6-for-10 from 3-point range, without attempting any free throws, finishing with a team-high plus-9 rating.

After the game, Magic writer Josh Cohen wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Ben had entered rare statistical company.

“In the month of February, @OrlandoMagic’s Desmond Benn became the sixth player in @NBA history to score over 250 points, while shooting over 59 percent from the field overall and over 49 percent from 3-point range (min. 10 3-point attempts).”

@OrlandoMagicDesmond Benn became the sixth player @nba History of scoring over 250 points while shooting 59-plus percent from the field overall and 49-plus percent from 3-point range (minimum 10 3-point attempts) in the month of February. pic.twitter.com/LdpCQZ7eXZ

– Josh Cohen (@Josh_Cohen_NBA) 27 February 2026

Cohen said Benn joins Kevin Johnson, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Karl-Anthony Towns and John Collins as the only players to accomplish the feat in February.

Desmond Benn’s historic February puts him in line with LeBron James, Kevin Durant

The milestone puts the Orlando Magic guard alongside two of the most prolific scorers of the modern era in LeBron James and Kevin Durant, underscoring the efficiency of Bane’s month-long span. Durant, who powered Houston in Thursday’s matchup, scored 40 points with eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. He made 14 of 28 shots from the field and converted all 10 of his free throws in 40 minutes.

In 11 games in February, Ben has averaged 24.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.6 steals per contest. He is shooting 59.1% from the field and 49.3% from 3-point range during that span, while logging 33.9 minutes per game. His 84.3% mark from the free-throw line reflects the scoring balance that has fueled Orlando’s offense all month.

On the season, the 27-year-old guard is averaging 20.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 48.6% from the field and 39.1% from beyond the arc in 58 games. He is converting a career-high 91.4% of his free-throw attempts in 34.1 minutes per night.

Despite Benn’s efficiency, Orlando couldn’t stop Houston’s late push. The loss dropped the Magic to 31–27 as they continued a four-game homestand.

The Magic will try to regroup on Sunday when they host the NBA’s top team Detroit Pistons (43-14) at 6:00 pm ET. While there was a setback against Houston, Benn’s historic February production places him among elite company and provides Orlando a steady offensive anchor heading into the final stretch of the regular season.

There is little debate that Victor Wembanyama has become one of the NBA’s top players in his third season. The 23-year-old’s stellar performances have earned the San Antonio Spurs the status of legitimate contenders. Is that enough to make him the league’s youngest-ever MVP?

Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson thinks so.

“He is a great facilitator to help his team win [as anybody]” Johnson said before Thursday’s matchup with the Brooklyn Nets. “The individual stuff that is recognized as the best or most valuable is offense, defense, boards and everything that comes in between. He is at the forefront for [each of] They. And there are other guys in the league who do that, too. I haven’t delved into it, but I definitely think it’s in the conversation. It would be difficult for anyone to make a logical argument as to why he is not in that conversation.”

Wembanyama’s two-way contributions have led the Spurs to the NBA’s third-best record (42–16).

Victor Wembanyama enters MVP conversation as he leads Spurs ascension

The French phenom is averaging 24.0 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists on .503/.353/.812 shooting splits. Offensively, he is one of six players averaging more than 24 points on 50 percent or better shooting, along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant and Austin Reaves.

Meanwhile, Vembanyama continues to wield historic influence defensively. He leads the NBA with 3.9 steals (steals + blocks) per game, and 0.8 ahead of the next highest player (Scotty Barnes: 3.0). According to CleaningTheGlass, the Spurs allow 10.6 fewer points per 100 possessions on the court versus off, which is the NBA’s second-largest defensive rating swing, behind only Rudy Gobert (-12.7).

According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Wembanyama currently has the fifth-best MVP odds at +3300, behind Gilgeous-Alexander (-190), Jokic (+300), Cade Cunningham (+1400) and Luka Doncic (+2000). The Spurs star can only miss three more games to maintain his eligibility.

Talisman Anthony Edwards was once again the star man for the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Portland Trail Blazers, finishing the game with 34 points, four assists and four rebounds. However, it was also a historic night for Jaden McDaniels, who became the eighth player in NBA history to record a 13-3-1-2-5 statline.

McDaniel ultimately finished with 29 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and five blocks for the Timberwolves. This statistic was previously posted by a select group of players, the most recent being Victor Vembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs, who did so against the Los Angeles Clippers in 2024, according to a post on X by Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.

Other names on the list are Anthony Davis, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Lamar Odom and Chris Webber, who did it twice. Despite this, the Timberwolves returned to form after a poor performance against Philadelphia, losing only 124–121 to the Trail Blazers.

McDaniels went 12 of 16 shooting and missed 5 of his 6 three-point attempts. He became the first player in NBA history to record at least 25 points on 75 percent shooting, five three-pointers, five blocks and three steals in a single game.

The matchup itself was a tough one with about 15 lead changes. Anthony Edwards led Minnesota’s scoring with 25 points in the first half.

Returning from a one-game suspension, Rudy Gobert dominated the paint with 19 rebounds, 10 points and two blocks. Off the bench, Donte DiVincenzo added 19 points via five three-pointers, helping the Wolves shoot an impressive 17 of 35 from deep.

Of course, the Trail Blazers were valiant throughout as Jrue Holiday top-scored with 22 points, while Jerami Grant added 21 points and Scooter Henderson provided inspiration off the bench with 19 points, six rebounds and five assists. The Timberwolves next face the Los Angeles Clippers, while Portland faces the Chicago Bulls, who are hoping to close the gap on the .500 mark.

ATLANTA – In 24 minutes of playing time, everyone was reminded of what Jonathan Kuminga can do when he gets the opportunity to play.

Athleticism. Driving on slopes. Selflessness.

Forget everything that happened in the last months after the Golden State Warriors made the trade. Kuminga always had the skills to make an impact in wins, but at some points he was not given much of a chance to do so. With the Hawks, he will be able to do that, and he showed it in his debut against the Washington Wizards.

His first shot came in transition, when he sidestepped his defender and drove into the lane for a layup. His next production was a dunk in transition. From there, he got into a rhythm and started knocking down three-pointers over defenders.

Jonathan Kuminga’s first bucket as Hawk! pic.twitter.com/xY2hhDBrJ2

– Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) 25 February 2026

Kuminga finished the game with 27 points, seven rebounds and four assists. No Hawk debuted with 25+ points in less than 30 minutes.

“I got confidence from my teammates,” Kuminga told reporters after the game. “They told me not to worry about anything. Just go out there and be you. Everything will be OK. I had a lot of people in my ear telling me to go, be you, play basketball. The first two minutes I was just thinking about it, but after that, everything was good.”

Head coach Quin Snyder always talks about the fundamental things the Hawks need to do to win games. Pass the ball, defend and run. Kuminga surpassed all those standards in his debut.

Snyder said, “Things we talked about as a team were obviously a focal point. Playing with the pass, that’s what you’ve heard me say since October, and he really demonstrated it right away to the point where I told him it was OK to shoot, too. But he allowed himself to come into the game, how he connected with his teammates and let the game come to him. I think it shows a lot of maturity on his part and how he feels about the group.” Let’s do it.

His teammates were looking forward to playing with him for the last few days and he did not disappoint them. All four of his assists came in the first quarter, and there were a few chances when he could have taken an open shot, but instead, he sent the extra pass.

“Another guy that’s going to put pressure on the rim, put him in the paint,” Nickell Alexander-Walker said. “His willingness to pass and fit within the system. To have fun with everybody. He was always locked in and vocal throughout the game, so it was good for him to come out and do that.”

The noise that was around Kuminga easily shut down every rumor and every negative report about him in a single night. If there were a statue for smiling, Kuminga would lead the night in that category.

“For people who really know me, all my teeth are out. I’m smiling, I’m laughing all the time,” Kuminga said. “Since I’ve been here, just being with the guys, I’ve developed a bond with them. Good people, good team. We all want to win. Winning comes with joy, so as long as we’re all out there enjoying ourselves, it’ll help us win games.”

This was just the beginning, but it was a good start for Kuminga. For people to really move forward, they just need a change of scenery to become the best version of themselves. It seems like this is exactly what Kuminga needed, and he could be with a team that can help him get to where he wants to go in his career.

Kuminga isn’t going to score 27 points in 24 minutes every game. He won’t have 12 shot attempts. He knows this, but his entire focus is on winning.

“It doesn’t matter if I go out there and hit two shots. As long as it’s impacting us to win, that’s what really matters,” Kuminga said.

There are conflicts at the end of the game, and then a complete meltdown. The Brooklyn Nets fell into the latter category during Sunday’s 115-104 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

Jordi Fernandez’s team looked in control after taking a 102-91 lead with eight minutes remaining. The Hawks defeated the Nets 24–2 to end the game during their worst collapse of the season.

Brooklyn shot 1 of 15 from the field with five turnovers during the decisive period of the game.

“Unacceptable,” Fernandez said. “We played well, a very good brand of basketball, staying connected, defending, taking the lead as a team with the first and second groups… but we have to find a better way to close out games. I have confidence in the starters. I know how good they are, and that’s not what I want from them. We played a very good game until 5:30, and then it goes away. So, it’s tough because wins matter in the NBA. You have to compete and play to win. “It happens, and it didn’t happen.”

After a solid start, Brooklyn’s rookie backcourt of Nolan Traore and Egor Demin has struggled. However, Sunday’s collapse highlighted the late-game shortcomings of Michael Porter Jr. as the Nets’ No. 1 option.

Michael Porter Jr. disappeared during Nets vs. Hawks horror collapse

Porter posted 18 points on 8 of 16 shooting with six assists and two turnovers in three quarters. However, he was invisible in the final frame, going scoreless on 0-of-3 shooting with no assists as rookies Demin and Traoré handled most of Brooklyn’s on-ball responsibilities.

Meanwhile, Hawks star Jalen Johnson took the lead down the stretch, scoring 14 of his 26 points in the final frame on 6-of-8 shooting.

While Porter has long fueled the Nets’ offense, he has struggled as a closer. In 65 clutch minutes this season, the star forward has shot 12-of-38 (31.6 percent) from the field and 4-of-24 (16.7 percent) with two assists and four turnovers.

Porter’s limitations as a ball-handler and self-creator have been most apparent during tight games, when defenses are most busy and primarily switching. Without a high-level shot creator behind them, Brooklyn’s offense has fallen short when it matters most.

The Nets have posted the league’s worst clutch record (5-19) and second-worst clutch offensive rating (96.0).

After encouraging early performances, Traore and Demin also lost on Sunday. Over the course of three quarters, Traoré scored 10 points on 4-of-10 shooting with five assists and two turnovers. Demin had 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting with four assists and zero turnovers.

However, the rookie duo shot 0 of 7 while committing four turnovers in the final frame.

“You go through experience, and you learn,” Fernandez said of Traore and Demin’s late struggles. “Some rushed shots and turnovers… you’ve got to learn how to stay composed. You’ve got to learn how to get everybody involved [the right] Locations, how to take good shots, and we didn’t do that. So that’s the next game.”

While Sunday’s loss undoubtedly stung Brooklyn’s locker room, it continued the team’s lead in a tightly contested tank race. After four consecutive losses, the Nets have regained sole possession of third place in the draft lottery standings. They are tied in the win column and two games behind the Indiana Pacers in the loss column, who are in second place.

If the season ended today, Brooklyn would have a 14.0 percent chance of finishing No. 1, a 52.1 percent chance of finishing in the top four, and a 93.0 percent chance of finishing in the top six. The third lottery slot cannot fall below the seventh pick.

The Portland Trail Blazers entered Sunday looking to erase their previous defensive debacle. They saw the Denver Nuggets score an astonishing 157 points. That means Portland had less than 48 hours to quickly get their defense right against the Phoenix Suns.

The Blazers accomplished a rare feat in NBA history by losing 92-77 on Sunday.

According to OptaSTATS, this is the most defensive feat that Portland has achieved.

Impressive defensive moments from the Blazers

Camara’s block stood out as one of a surprising 11 swats for Portland. But he was also not considered the most impressive defensive performer.

Donavan Clingan captured that title – blocking four of the Suns’ attempts to advance. Wit Crazy and Robert Williams III both teamed up for a pair of blocks. Scooter Henderson and Jerami Grant also added a block each for the Blazers.

Clingan finished with 23 points and collected 13 rebounds for a double-double. Camara also had his double-double (12 points and 10 rebounds).

Grant led the Clingans with 23 points, while Henderson reached double figures with 11 points. Portland forced Phoenix to shoot a disappointing 36.5% from field goal range, including 25.7% in the three-point game. While the Blazers committed 21 turnovers, the Suns turned the basketball over 19 times.

The Sacramento Kings are signing a former top-10 draft pick amid a historic losing streak. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Killian Hayes has agreed to a 10-day contract with the Kings, who have lost a franchise-record 16 consecutive games.

Hayes, the No. 7 pick in the 2020 NBA draft, spent three seasons with the Detroit Pistons before they released him midway through the 2023-24 campaign. He signed with the Brooklyn Nets last season and spent most of his time with the team’s G League affiliate before a short NBA stint on a 10-day contract.

The 6-foot-5 point guard averaged 9.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists on 42/38/83 shooting splits in 27.0 minutes per game in six appearances with Brooklyn. However, the Nets decided not to re-sign Hayes at the conclusion of a 10-day deal.

Killian Hayes signs 10-day contract with Kings after Cavs G League stint

Hayes turned down interest from the EuroLeague this offseason and signed a contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers before training camp. The Cavaliers waived him and assigned him to their G League affiliate. He impressed during his G League tenure, averaging 22.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 8.4 assists and 1.6 steals on .474/.318/.804 shooting splits in 19 appearances.

Hayes should get a chance to prove his worth with the struggling Kings, who recently signed Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis and De’Andre Hunter out for the season.

With LaVine sidelined, Russell Westbrook has served as Sacramento’s starting point guard in recent games. Devin Carter has filled the point guard minutes on the second unit.

The Kings will travel to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday.

In 2026, LeBron James made the All-Star team for the 22nd time in his career, with coaches recognizing how impactful he is as a star, even though he hasn’t really been that great in the past for the Los Angeles Lakers. James has the most All-Star nominations in NBA history with 22, but as a wise imaginary man once said, “With great power comes great responsibility”.

Since James has made the All-Star Game 22 times, losses are bound to happen, even for a great guy like him. In 2026, his team, Team Stripes, fell short in the latest edition of the famous exhibition competition, giving them their 11th loss in All-Star Game history.

As HoopsHype reported on

Of course, this isn’t a statistic that was just posted in jest. The All-Star Game doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things, and outside of a few years (from 2020 to 2022), not many players even take the game seriously.

And as a result of making the All-Star Game every season, James has more opportunities to lose than everyone else. Not that losing 11 times in ASG is a big deal for someone who has made it 22 times.

Has Lakers star LeBron James played his final All-Star Game?

At age 41, it’s also an anomaly that James is still playing at such a high level that his All-Star Game participation can be argued on merit, unlike Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki in 2019, when they were the only participation nods.

It’s not at all clear if this is the Lakers star’s final season in the NBA. But if that’s the case, he may have just played his final All-Star Game, because there’s no way he’s going to miss the ASG next year if he’s active and healthy.