Auston Matthews could be traded this offseason. With the Toronto Maple Leafs missing the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs, Matthews has refused to commit to another season in Toronto until he is confident about the direction of the organization. The Maple Leafs star has been involved in NHL trade rumors, and they won’t be ending any time soon.

Below, we’ll take a look at five potential trade destinations for Matthews during the 2026 NHL offseason.

minnesota wild

If Matthews wants to win a Stanley Cup, the Minnesota Wild would be the best landing spot for him. Led by Matt Boldy, Brock Faber and Quinn Hughes, the Wild have the potential to make a deep run during the 2026-27 NHL season. Matthews would love to play with his Olympic teammates, so Minnesota should be on his list of preferred trade destinations.

san jose sharks

The San Jose Sharks are a rising organization in the NHL, and Matthews will turn them into contenders. Led by Maclin Celebrini, the Sharks are poised for contention for a long time after landing three top-3 picks over the past three years. Matthews will join San Jose with an eye on the Stanley Cup alongside Celebrini.

anaheim ducks

The Anaheim Ducks came out of nowhere during the 2025-26 NHL season, and they are here to stay. The Ducks have a strong young core with Cutter Gauthier, Leo Carlson and Mason McTavish. If Matthews wants to compete long-term, Anaheim is another good option. The Ducks will be in contention for the next decade and Matthews can lead them to victory in the Western Conference.

utah mammoth

The future is bright for the Utah Mammoth in the Western Conference. Utah has arguably the most movable assets of any organization in the NHL, giving the team flexibility moving forward. Matthews would love to join up with one of his Olympic teammates, like Minnesota, under Clayton Keller. Mammoth has the assets to accomplish this, but will they be Matthews’ preferred destination?

Los Angeles Kings

The Los Angeles Kings could be the top trade destination for Matthews. With the retirement of Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles is looking for another leader, and while Quinton Byfield is an up-and-coming player for the organization, Matthews will take it to the next level. The Maple Leafs superstar is from California, so he’d be happy to go home, too.

READ MORE: NHL Insider gives big update on Auston Matthews’ future with Toronto Maple Leafs

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

A new report suggests the Sacramento Kings or Los Angeles Clippers could take a risk with their top 10 selection in June and go after a star from national champion Michigan. But this is not Yaxel Lendeborg.

Over the weekend, both the Kings and Clippers found out where they will select in next month’s NBA Draft. The results were very different for the pair of California teams. Despite having strong chances to make the top four, Sacramento finished seventh overall. LA got a rare run of luck and won with the fifth overall pick.

The Clippers reached such a critical spot despite being playoff contenders this spring because of the bold trade they made that sent Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers for a top-four protected pick. When Indy finished with the fifth overall pick, the selection went to LA.

In the days since, various draft speculations have linked the Kings and Clippers to star prospects such as Darius Acuff Jr., Kingston Flemings, and Keaton Wagler. However, according to CBS Sports draft expert Adam Finkelstein, both teams could go in surprising directions with their picks at five and seven, respectively.

Finkelstein claims that after looking impressive at the NBA Draft Combine this week, Michigan big man Ade Mara is rapidly moving up draft boards, and the Clippers and Kings have the most obvious need for a center in which the Spaniard has “incredible size, rim protection, deceptive mobility, passing and touch.”

“It remains to be seen whether someone will pull the trigger at 5 or 7, but it is no longer viewed as unlikely, especially in that latter scenario,” Finklestein noted about the player who was originally projected to go much later in Round 1.

If any Michigan star advanced to the event, most basketball fans would assume it would be top star Yaxel Lendeborg. The senior was first or second to the national champions in points, rebounds, assists and steals.

But Mara is a beast at 7-foot-3 and 259 pounds. Its wingspan is 7 feet 6 feet and height is 9 feet 9 inches. Mara is a shot-blocking specialist who led the Big Ten with 2.6 blocks last season.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The Sacramento Kings were one of the biggest losers in the NBA Draft Lottery, falling two spots to seventh in the 2026 NBA Draft. Although this ended their hopes of bringing in a new face to the franchise, one executive thinks there may be another path forward for the team.

An unnamed NBA executive told Jake Fisher that he believes there is a long-term scenario where Sacramento could trade Domantas Sabonis to the Philadelphia 76ers for All-Star center Joel Embiid.

RELATED: Sacramento Kings coach’s salary revealed

Philadelphia has already made its first major change of this offseason by firing president of basketball operations Daryl Morey. While coach Nick Nurse is returning, it appears the franchise is looking to make more changes to the roster after another playoff crash.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if Embiid comes up in NBA trade rumors this summer. The 32-year-old is now three years removed from winning NBA MVP and hasn’t earned an All-Star selection since 2024. Given his history of poor performance in the playoffs, it is understandable why Philadelphia would want to move on from him.

Would the Kings be interested in a Joel Embiid trade?

While the 76ers are certainly willing to trade Embiid, it’s fair to question whether the Sacramento Kings would have any interest in acquiring him. The club is already projected to exceed the 2026-27 luxury tax, meaning an even heavier tax bill for owner Vivek Ranadive to pay for a team that isn’t even close to competing.

Swapping Sabonis for Embiid would mean adding an additional $12.4 million to the Kings payroll next season, with the cost increasing even more due to the luxury tax. It also doesn’t mean Sabonis’ contract expires in 2028 while Embiid will make $69.005 million in the 2028-29 season.

This doesn’t even account for the long-term durability risk Embiid poses. There is a real possibility that Sacramento could acquire the former NBA MVP and have his availability and contributions greatly reduced over the next two seasons. Even just two years into the deal, the Kings may be looking at a version of Embiid who is no longer able to play.

Financially, such a deal would make sense for the 76ers. They will commit less money to their starting center and Sabonis has a shorter contract. However, the All-Star center has his own history of shortcomings in the NBA playoffs and is a huge liability defensively. Overall, any trade seems unlikely as no team is interested in it.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

The Montreal Canadiens faced the Buffalo Sabers in Game 5 of their tied second-round series on Thursday night.

A hectic first period paved the way for a dominant effort from the Habs, not to mention a solid 6-3 win.

There’s a lot to discuss, so let’s dive into the highlights!

the way she goes

Buffalo opened the scoring thanks to an accidental bounce, leading to Jason Zucker’s first goal of the playoffs, but it must be said that Alexandre Texier had a chance to clear the zone before the goal, making it another early, unforced error.

Double deflection beats Dobbs, Sabers lead 1-0.

Jason Zucker’s first goal of the playoffs: pic.twitter.com/dURKfL4PXR

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 14 May 2026

As the elders foretold

As we discussed in the ad before Game 5, the first line has done a much better job of producing solid underlying numbers at 5v5, but their lack of goals at this point in the playoffs is absolutely unacceptable.

This may sound harsh, but such is life in professional sports.

The good news is that Cole Caufield scored his first 5v5 goal of the spring on Thursday night, immediately responding to the Sabres’ lucky bounce to tie the game at 1-1.

Unsurprisingly, fellow first liners Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkowski provided assistance.

Tie the game!

#GoHabsGo Respond with a goal via Cole Caufield, his first 5v5 goal of the playoffs!

Surprisingly, or not, Nick Suzuki provided assistance. pic.twitter.com/5BFEqHElfW

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 14 May 2026

luck returned

Although the Canadiens were unlucky and lost 1–0 early in the first period, they cannot claim that luck was solely on Buffalo’s side.

Alexandre Texier tied the game at 2-2 with another incredibly fortuitous layup. It was his third goal of the playoffs, with assists from Alexandre Carrier and Philippe Danault. As has been the case all year, Canadiens hockey included a heavy dose of excitement, along with a side order of chaotic defence.

Exactly how the Habs planned it.

The game was tied, as the puck hit Texier just wide of the net. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/EZPxbwcqTP

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 14 May 2026

Bananarama

Speaking of chaos, the Sabers re-established their lead shortly after on what can only be described as an incredibly weak goal on Jacob Dobbs.

To Dobbs’ credit, he has clearly been the team’s most valuable player in the playoffs, but there’s no doubt that the entire team groaned when Kostas Helenius scored with a weak wrist shot from distance.

It was just a bad goal, but it was also the Sabers’ first three shots in a row. Dobbs rebounded nicely in the latter part of the frame, but it was clearly a tough start for the 24-year-old netminder.

Three goals on three shots for the Sabres.

Dobbs would like the last one back, it was tough. pic.twitter.com/Z2pI6zSS7f

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 14 May 2026

Faaaaaaaaaair be

As the game began, Dobbs settled in well, and provided excellent goaltending while the Sabers applied pressure in the second period.

Jacob Dobbs showed great patience to prevent Thompson from getting separated. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/XaAa19mBwT

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 15 May 2026

phenom

As per tradition, it didn’t take long for the leadership to disappear.

This time, it was phenom Lane Hutson who carried all the burden, giving up an easy goal to veteran Josh Anderson, his third of the playoffs.

No matter how many times I’m lucky enough to witness Hutson’s magic, her ability to command everyone’s attention never ceases to amaze me. If there were a metric for creating time and space for teammates in the offensive zone, I’m sure Hutson would be among the league leaders.

I’d venture to say he’d probably be No. 1 with a bullet, but I digress.

To be fair to the Sabres, they aren’t the first to be charmed by Lane Hutson.

A great pass sets up Josh Anderson’s goal. Game tied again. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/iUZm3KGZab

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 15 May 2026

It wouldn’t be a true Canadiens hockey game without an unfair dose of adversity. That’s when hubs are at their best.

Ideally, they won’t have to be in a situation where their back is against the wall before they can find a rhythm, but some things in the game are ideal.

All that matters is that the Canadiens play well when the game is on the line, as evidenced by Ivan Demidov’s nice flurry that resulted in Jake Evans’ first springtime goal.

Eva…Jake Evans!!!! pic.twitter.com/OaR4VjaACC

– TVA Sports (@TVASports) 15 May 2026

opening the floodgates

From that point on, the Sabers continued to explode, but mainly because the Canadiens refused to apply the brakes.

Instead of maintaining their lead, they went overboard and this resulted in a flurry of goals.

Suzuki extended the lead to 5–3 with a powerplay goal, although Slafkowski deserves credit for offering a great assist.

Nick Suzuki makes it 5-3 #GoHabsGo!

The Habs made the most of their only power play of the game, with a big assist from Juraj Slafkowski. pic.twitter.com/A9r1ackTeW

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 15 May 2026

rookie effect

Demidov, a player who has had difficulty creating scoring chances in recent games, enjoyed his best game of the playoffs, adding a goal to his assist midway through the third period.

Game 5 was really a case of the Canadiens firing on all cylinders from an offensive standpoint, which bodes well for the upcoming matchup against the Sabres.

A sweet Ivan Demidov gives SNIPE #GoHabsGo 6-3 lead!

What do you think about that save by Lane Hutson at the blue line? pic.twitter.com/hrmi4dLRkk

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 15 May 2026

Game 6 between the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabers is scheduled for Saturday, May 16 at 8 PM ET.

All Montreal Canadiens stats are 5v5, via Natural Stat Trick, unless otherwise noted.

Mark has been covering the Habs for over a decade. He previously worked for the Journal Metro, The Athletic, The… More about Mark Dumont

Sacramento Kings coach Doug Christie was also hired after a 22-win season after posting a .368 winning percentage in 134 career games. This decision may be related to the cheap price Sacramento is paying for its head coach.

According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, Christie is considered the lowest-paid head coach in the NBA, with an average annual salary of $2 million.

For comparison, Steve Kerr is currently the highest-paid NBA coach with $17.5 million and Erik Spoelstra makes about $15 million per season with the Miami Heat. The going rate is often between $8 to $10 million per year, as evidenced by Taylor Jenkins receiving a $10 million salary this offseason to become the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Since taking over as head coach of the Kings in the middle of the 2024–25 NBA season, Christie has one of the worst win totals (49) among active NBA head coaches.

With the Kings currently projected to be above the NBA’s luxury tax line for the 2026-27 season, it wouldn’t be surprising to see owner Vivek Ranadive cut costs elsewhere. While Christie has not proven himself to be an NBA-caliber coach, he has shown loyalty to the franchise and appears to be the most cost-effective option for a rebuilding team.

However, there is a long-term risk here. As we’re seeing with the Portland Trail Blazers under new owner Tom Dundon, making money with coaches can damage a franchise’s reputation.

While there are top-tier assistant coaches who make more than $1 million per season, Christie’s salary clearly indicates that the Kings are unwilling to make significant investments in their coaching staff.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

The possibility of Paolo Banchero being traded out of Orlando this summer is very high, according to a new report.

While the Orlando Magic star hasn’t been the dominant force the team needed as a former No. 1 pick, the 23-year-old is still a very talented player. He showed this with his 38 and 45-point performances in the playoff series against the Detroit Pistons. However, it cannot be denied that he has been the face of a team that has suffered first-round exits in three consecutive seasons.

For now, head coach Jamahl Mosley is taking the blame after being fired on Monday. However, an interesting report from ESPN NBA insiders Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst doesn’t look good for Banchero.

“They’re kind of a mess. Their ceiling isn’t very high with Paolo. Their roster construction is off right now,” said one East scout. “…It’s hard to see him leading his team.”

If scouts feel that way about Banchero, it’s likely Magic management feels the same way, especially considering they’ve played well without him during the season. If Orlando does boldly trade the 2022 No. 1 pick, let’s take a look at five teams that could target a trade.

dallas mavericks

Now that Masai Ujiri has been installed as the new president of the Dallas Mavericks, the team will certainly be aggressive in building the roster around last year’s No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg. The Mavs have the contracts to make a deal work, but they would have to give up some future first-round picks to garner interest from the Magic. If they do, the combination of Flagg and Banchero will excite Dallas fans for the next five years.

Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets desperately need a long-term face of the franchise. Their rebuild has been poor so far, and they don’t seem eager to make Michael Porter Jr. the heart of their roster. The Nets certainly have draft assets and interesting young talent. The big question is, does Orlando see a big upside in many of its first-round prospects from last June?

Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings will be aggressive in making changes to their roster this offseason after a disastrous 2025-26 campaign. They have two additional first-rounders in the upcoming draft, including two in 2027. What makes the Kings an interesting trade partner is that Orlando could return future first-rounder and three-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis.

Despite his age (just turned 30) and injury problems this season, the forward and first-rounder would be a nice return for Orlando. While Sactown have got a new young star in the deal.

phoenix sun

The Phoenix Suns made great strides in 2025-26 after being one of the most disappointing teams in the NBA a season ago. New head coach Jordan Ott implemented a more defensive-minded system that would certainly fit with Banchero, as he played for the Magic.

He won’t come cheap and may cost him some future first-round picks, but the combo of Banchero and Devin Booker could make Phoenix a force in the West for the next few years.

Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls are going through a major transformation. They have a new front office leader and are looking for a replacement for head coach Billy Donovan. Chicago also needs a proven star to be the face of this new era.

They definitely don’t want to trade Josh Giddy or Matas Buzelis. But they could offer multiple first-round picks, including one of their two potential selections in a stacked draft next month. It might not be enough to convince Orlando, but they could work out a pretty good trade package.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The Sacramento Kings were one of the few teams linked to NBA trade rumors in February with genuine interest in acquiring All-Star point guard Ja Morant. Months later, new information has shed light on why the deal fell through.

According to ESPN’s Tim McMahon and Michael C. Wright, the Kings were one of a select few teams involved in talks with Memphis before the NBA trade deadline. However, Sacramento wanted Memphis to include a first-round pick in any deal.

RELATED: Russell Westbrook Addresses Future With Sacramento Kings

• Yes Morant contract (Spotrac): $42.166 million cap hit (2026-27), $44.886 million cap hit (2027-28)

In the past, the Kings were widely viewed as a team likely to make a questionable deal to acquire an All-Star player. The most recent example of this came in the De’Aaron Fox trade, when they took less future assets to acquire Zach LaVine in a three-team deal with the San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls.

However, under general manager Scott Perry, it appears that the franchise is no longer willing to make such deals. It appears that Sacramento has legitimate interest in acquiring Morant, hoping a change of scenery will revitalize the All-Star point guard’s career. Apparently, based on this reporting, Sacramento wanted to be compensated by Memphis for taking over Morant’s contract and the injury and off-the-court risks that come with it.

“There will be teams that feel like they didn’t get what they wanted in the draft or free agency, and that’s when something might happen for Ja.”

Unknown Western Conference executive to ESPN on Ja Morant trade market this summer

Unsurprisingly, Morant’s trade value has declined in recent years. However, there is expected to be more interest in him this summer, with teams feeling more confident that they can add him to the team throughout the offseason rather than in a mid-season trade.

It’s also possible that Sacramento may no longer be one of those contenders. If the Kings land in the four to six range of the 2026 NBA Draft, they could take either Houston point guard Kingston Flemings or Arkansas point guard Darius Acuff Jr. In any case, the team will likely re-sign Russell Westbrook as a veteran mentor and have no need for Morant.

On the other hand, if Sacramento moves up in the 2026 NBA Draft lottery and acquires a wing like AJ DiBuntsa or Caleb Wilson, or potentially forward Cameron Boozer, there could be an even bigger incentive to acquire Morant for the next two seasons.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

Future Hall of Famer Russell Westbrook was a late addition to the Sacramento Kings roster ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season, signing a one-year deal in October. As he is now preparing to enter NBA free agency again, a comeback may be in the offing.

Speaking to reporters in his final press conference following Sunday’s regular season finale, Westbrook said he would play for the Kings again next season if he wanted back.

“If I’m welcomed back I’ll come back.”

Russell Westbrook on potentially re-signing with the Sacramento Kings via Shawn Cunningham)

• Russell Westbrook Stats (2025-26): 15.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 6.7 apg

When Westbrook signed with Sacramento, the expectation was that he would serve as the backup point guard behind the signing of free-agent Dennis Schroder. However, the 37-year-old guard ultimately overtook Schroder as Sacramento’s starter.

For the first time since his 21-game stint with the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2022-23 campaign, Westbrook averaged more than 15 points per game this season. He finished with his highest total in three-pointers made per game (2.0) since the 2016–17 season with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Westbrook was well-liked in the locker room and his veteran presence certainly proved an advantage to younger players like Dylan Cardwell, Maxime Renaud and Nick Clifford.

Given the possibility of the Kings landing the cornerstone guard with the top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, re-signing Westbrook could be the perfect way for the franchise to help ease the new player into a rebuilding team. Additionally, given Westbrook’s lack of interest in NBA free agency last summer, a return to a one-year minimum contract is a real possibility.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

Darcy Kuemper stopped all 19 shots to lead the Vancouver Canucks to a 4-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings at Rogers Arena on a brutal Thursday night.

According to NHL.com, the win snapped a four-game losing streak for Los Angeles and moved the Kings to within one point of the second Western Conference wild-card spot.

For the Kings, it was the consecutive wins needed for a team in the playoff race. Kuemper’s clean sheet was his 3rd of the season and the 39th shutout of his career.

For the Canucks, it looked like the franchise going through the rounds holding the rope. In fact, the score could have been worse. Kevin Lankinen made 34 saves, and that number tells only a part of it.

The Kings were bigger, heavier and more direct, and it continued to force the Canucks into defensive changes that made the shutout inevitable.

sovereign king

At 17:34 of the first period, Scott Laughton opened the scoring on a power play with a deflection in front, following a byfield shot from the right circle.

Earlier, Kuemper had put up a big stop on Teddy Blueger in the slot, and on reflection, that was the beginning and end of the night for the Canucks.

Moore made it 2-0 just 1:21 in on another tip puck across the crease. Artemi Panarin made it 3–0 with 39 seconds remaining after Adrian Kempe forced Jake DeBrusk into a neutral-zone turnover.

The Kings outshot the Canucks 32–12 over two periods, and Canucks coach Adam Foote said Los Angeles came out “big, heavy on the puck, and mean and hungry”. This looks exactly like the game was supposed to look like.

The Canucks never created enough offensive-zone time, and when they finally got a decent look late, Kuemper put aside a Drew O’Connor redirect from the top of the crease.

Soon after, Byfield finished it off with a goal into the empty net. Ordinary hockey defeated hopeful hockey.

familiar ending

The Canucks have now lost four in a row and end their eight-game homestand at 2-6-0. They have shut out 14 of their last 17, and it was the sixth time the club was shut out this season, including a fifth home shutout that set a franchise record.

For Canucks fans, now comes the hard part. It’s not just about losing. What little room this team leaves for itself once the game starts to tilt in the wrong direction.

在一个残酷的周四晚上，达西·库姆珀 (Darcy Kuemper) 挡住了他所面对的全部 19 次投篮，将温哥华加人队 (Vancouver Canucks) 在罗杰斯竞技场 (Rogers Arena) 以 4-0 输给了洛杉矶国王队 (Los Angeles Kings)。

据NHL.com报道，这场胜利结束了洛杉矶队的四连败，并使国王队距离西部第二外卡名额仅一分之差。

对于国王队来说，这是一支球队在季后赛中所需要的稳定胜利。库姆珀的零失球是他本赛季第三次零封，也是他职业生涯的第39次零封。

对于加人队来说，这看起来就像是一支靠着绳子坚持下去的球队。事实是，分数可能会更差。凯文·兰基宁完成了 34 次扑救，但这个数字只能说明一部分。

国王队的体型更大、更重、更直接，这不断迫使加人队进行防守转变，导致比赛不可避免。

统治国王

首节比赛进行到17分34秒时，拜菲尔德右圈射门，斯科特·劳顿(Scott Laughton)在前场偏转，在强力进攻中首开纪录。

在此之前，库姆珀在老虎机上对泰迪·布鲁格进行了一次大停留，回想起来，那是加人队当晚的开始和结束。

开场仅 1 分 21 秒，摩尔在禁区内再次投篮，将比分改写为 2-0。比赛还剩 39 秒时，阿德里安·肯佩 (Adrian Kempe) 迫使杰克·德布鲁斯克 (Jake DeBrusk) 出现中立区失误，阿特米·帕纳林 (Artemi Panarin) 将比分扩大为 3-0。

国王队在两节比赛中以 32-12 击败加人队，加人队主教练亚当·富特表示，洛杉矶队的表现“规模大，冰球多，而且刻薄且饥饿”。这听起来和游戏的样子一模一样。

加人队从来没有建立足够的进攻区域时间，当它最终确实获得了不错的后期表现时，库姆珀从折痕顶部挡开了德鲁·奥康纳的重定向。

不久之后，拜菲尔德打进空门将球终结。简单的曲棍球击败了充满希望的曲棍球。

熟悉的结局

加人队现已遭遇四连败，并以 2-6-0 的成绩结束了八场主场比赛。他们在过去17场比赛中输掉了14场，这是俱乐部本赛季第六次被淘汰，其中包括第五次主场被淘汰，追平了球队纪录。

对于加人队球迷来说，这是现在最困难的部分。这不仅仅是失去。一旦比赛开始向错误的方向倾斜，这支球队留给自己的空间就很小了。

The Orlando Magic have lost six straight games and will now host the Sacramento Kings on Thursday at the Kia Center. The losing streak came as the Magic played their best basketball this season en route to a seven-game winning streak.

They are still 10th in the East and within shooting distance of the playoff spots, and will now attempt to turn their fortunes around against a Kings team that has struggled to win in recent games as well. They have lost three of their last four matches and are struggling with several injuries themselves.

For the Magic, Jalen Suggs is on the official injury report due to illness. Suggs last played in a 105–104 loss against the Los Angeles Lakers, when he contributed 14 points and six assists. Orlando is also facing three other confirmed absences, although their injury list is shorter than the Kings’.

Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray, Russell Westbrook, and De’Andre Hunter have all rounded out the supporting cast.

Jalen Suggs vs. Kings injury status

Suggs’ potential absence means the Magic can once again rely on the indispensable production of Paolo Banchero to get them over the line. Suggs has not featured in the last two matches and has been a key presence for his team when fit.

He’s averaging 13.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game and his production will be a big miss despite the Kings’ weak lineup. Paolo Banchero, who is averaging 22.7 points, 8.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game, recently became the fifth player in franchise history to record consecutive 35-point games.

Regardless, with Franz Wagner also sidelined, fans will be hoping Suggs can return to the lineup. Despite their mixed performance, the Kings have plenty of talent to test in Orlando.

DeMar DeRozan is averaging 18.2 points on 49.2% shooting, while Malik Monk is going 39.7% from three-point field, but struggled against the Charlotte Hornets last time out. Devin Carter and Maxime Renaud have also been in points in recent weeks, and their production could prove key to Sacramento once again competing.

The Magic completely defeated the Kings in their last meeting, winning 131-94, and will once again be looking for a comfortable win given the extent of Sacramento’s absences.

magical injury report

Jalen Suggs – questionable (illness)

Anthony Black – out (left lateral abdominal strain)

Jonathan Isaac – Out (left knee sprain)

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

Kings injury report

Precious Achiuwa – Questionable (Lower Back Pain)

Killian Hayes – doubtful (swelling of left toe).

Nick Clifford – Out (middle left hamstring sprain)

Drew Eubanks – Out (left thumb UCL repair)

De’Andre Hunter – out (retina repair of left eye)

Zach LaVine – out (right fifth finger tendon repair)

Keegan Murray – out (left ankle sprain)

Domantas Sabonis – Out (left knee meniscus repair)

Russell Westbrook – Out (inflammation in right big toe joint)

The Charlotte Hornets had a strong performance from three-point territory to pick up an easy 134-90 win over the Sacramento Kings at the Spectrum Center on Tuesday.

The Hornets should have provided umbrellas before the game because they rained three-pointers on the Kings. Charlotte tied the franchise record with 26 long bombs.

Coby White and LaMelo Ball each had six three-pointers to lead the offense. Coby White scored 27 points on 9-of-12 shooting and five rebounds off the bench, while Ball had 20 points, six rebounds, eight assists and two steals.

Ball accomplished another impressive feat after passing Dell Curry to move into second place in most three-pointers in team history. Ball is now behind only Kemba Walker.

LaMelo Ball is making history in Charlotte

Ball moved into second place all-time in three pointers made for the Hornets pic.twitter.com/Fs3xt0ffpf

– NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) 25 March 2026

The Hornets improved to 38-34 and are on pace to end their nine-year playoff drought, the league’s longest active skid.

Fans praised the 24-year-old Ball for his hot shooting against the Kings.

@TheFLReaper said, “No matter how high you rate LaMelo, he’s still underrated.”

“No one in the league makes it look that effortless, and LaMelo Ball knows it. The step-back three with those moves is insulting to every defender alive at the moment,” @littledijah said.

“He’s great. We need the Hornets in the playoffs,” @TopShelfJam wrote.

@RenzWinford posted, “Deeply Melo. A boy.”

“LaMelo is making Hornets history with depth,” @braxson_grey commented.

After consecutive years on the sidelines, Ball has finally been healthy this season, and it’s no coincidence that the Hornets are playing their best ball in years.

With Ball, White, Kon Knueppel, Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate, Charlotte could make quite a stir in the playoffs.

On Tuesday evening, the Charlotte Hornets will host the Sacramento Kings as they look to continue their home winning streak. Kon Knueppel is on the injury report for the Hornets, currently listed as probable for the game due to lower back soreness. Here’s everything we know about Knueppel’s injury and his playing status against the Kings.

Kon Knueppel’s playing status against the Kings on Tuesday

Given his probable designation on the injury report, it seems more likely that Kon Nueppel will be able to suit up for the Hornets on Tuesday against the Kings. Knueppel played in Charlotte’s last game, a home blowout over the Memphis Grizzlies, and is putting together an excellent first season in the NBA, being viewed by many as the favorite to win the Rookie of the Year award over former Duke teammate Cooper Flagg.

The Kings have a crowded injury report for this game, as Nick Clifford, Drew Eubanks, De’Andre Hunter, Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray, Domantas Sabonis and Russell Westbrook are already out with various injuries. Meanwhile, Precious Achiuwa and Killian Hayes are listed as questionable, while Dequan Plowden is likely with a sore right foot.

Overall, the Hornets are starting to move closer to the play-in standings in the Eastern Conference due to their current five-game losing streak to the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic, although their chances of finishing in the top six of the Eastern Conference are beginning to diminish as the season reaches its home stretch.

It is extremely important that Service takes care of business against tank teams like the Charlotte Kings to maintain his standing in the standings.

Tipoff for the Hornets vs. Kings matchup is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET.

The NBA has fined Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond $25,000 following an incident during Thursday night’s 139-118 win over the Sacramento Kings, according to a report.

ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel shared the update Saturday on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“76ers center Andre Drummond has been fined $25,000 for making an offensive gesture on the field of play against the Kings.”

The league has not publicly disclosed additional details regarding the specific gesture, but the penalty has been added to the disciplinary actions given for conduct on the court this season.

Drummond contributed significantly to the win with 13 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three blocks in 24 minutes off the bench. He made 5 of 11 shots from the field and connected on all three of his attempts from beyond the arc, continuing efficient play in a reserve role.

Andre Drummond fined after Kings game as 76ers push up standings

The 32-year-old has appeared in 52 games this season, including 24 starts, and is averaging 6.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. He is shooting 47.6% from the field and a career-high 34.7% from three-point range, while logging 20 minutes per contest.

Philadelphia moved to 38-32 with the win and remains in a tight race in the Eastern Conference standings. The 76ers are currently in ninth place, 0.5 games behind the sixth-seeded Orlando Magic (38-31) and 1.5 games behind the fifth-seeded Toronto Raptors (39-30).

The team will look to keep the momentum going as they conclude their three-game road trip against the Utah Jazz (21-49) on Saturday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 9:30 pm ET as Philadelphia continues its effort to climb the standings at the end of the regular season.

The Brooklyn Nets have Noah Clowney on the injured list. The third-year forward missed Wednesday’s 121-92 loss to Oklahoma City with a sprained wrist. He was ruled out of Friday’s game with the New York Knicks.

Jordi Fernandez said Clowney likely will miss Sunday’s game with the Sacramento Kings. The Nets are already without Michael Porter Jr. (hamstring strain), Igor Demin (plantar fasciitis) and Deron Sharp (thumb surgery).

“I had to take him out because he was in so much pain. Sometimes, as I remember with De’Ron, I’d say, ‘Are you OK?’ And he wanted to play through it, and then I had to take him outside and look, and then he went back in, and all of a sudden, he needed surgery. And Noah, immediately when I saw he was in pain, I said, ‘Do you need a sub?’ And I’m asking guys to pick fouls to be able to get him out, and I ended up calling a timeout. That’s why he was very sad. He has sprained his wrist. He’ll be out tonight, most likely he’ll be out the next game, and then we’ll go from there.”

Clowney has appeared in 62 games with 56 starts this season, averaging 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists on .396/.333/.804 shooting splits.

Noah Clowney likely to join several key Nets sidelined for Kings matchup

Sunday’s Kings matchup will have a significant impact on the NBA’s draft lottery race. The Nets are in third place in the lottery standings entering the game. Sacramento is fourth with one more win than Brooklyn.

The Nets are coming off a five-game losing streak entering Friday’s matchup with the New York Knicks. They have posted the NBA’s worst offense during that span, sidelining Porter, Demin and Sharp, averaging 96.2 points on 39.7 percent shooting.

Meanwhile, the Kings have lost their last two games 4-1, dropping them from first to fourth in the lottery standings. After Thursday’s 139-118 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento will have two days off before the Brooklyn matchup.

The potential franchise defender for the Sacramento Kings, Brooklyn Nets, or Washington Wizards is a long way from being available in June’s NBA Draft.

One of the biggest stories in the NBA after last month’s trade deadline was that many teams were doing little to hide the fact that they were vying to get one of the top three picks in the draft. While tanking is nothing new and the NBA lottery strategy was created to curb this, this year is different as the 2026 class of prospects is absolutely stacked.

Young guys like Cam Boozer, Darius Acuff Jr., Kingston Flemings, Darrin Peterson and AJ DiBuntsa have NBA executives scrambling to lose their way to landing early in Round 1 of the draft. Most basketball pundits expect all five stars of the NCAA Tournament to enter this year’s event. However, these are different times in college sports.

In the era of name, image and likeness deals, college stars earn shocking sums of money for scholarships alone compared to their playing days. Dyabantsa is one of those players. According to various reports before the season, the newcomer is reportedly making $5 to $7 million from his zero commitments at BYU.

AJ DiBantsa’s mother will decide whether he enters the NBA draft

Being king for another year on a major college campus has an allure it didn’t have years ago. Therefore, star players jumping into the NBA Draft after their freshman year are no longer guaranteed. However, following the Cougars’ Round of 64 loss to Texas on Thursday, DiBantsa gave a surprising response when asked about the timeline for deciding on the draft.

“Mostly my mom,” he said about who would actually make the decisions. “She’s kind of a big boss. Just talk to her and see what she says.”

• AJ DiBuntsa Stats: 25.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.1 spg

This certainly puts an unpredictable element into the equation for teams like the Nets, Kings and Wizards, who are certainly taking a close look at using their top picks on the forward in June. Dyabantsa claimed that he would make his decision “in the next few weeks” and wanted to discuss things with his family first.

If Dyabantsa chose to stay at BYU, it would be an elite prospect off the board for the Nets, Kings and Wizards, who have a big chance to get a top-three pick in June. AJ DiBantsa led the nation in scoring (25.3 points per game), has impressive athleticism, and scoring versatility at 6-foot-9.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The Philadelphia 76ers face the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night and Joel Embiid is once again at the center of the injury report. He is listed as questionable due to a right oblique strain, putting the focus on the 76ers’ franchise star as the team looks to bounce back from the loss.

The 76ers enter the matchup at 37-32. They are ranked 9th in the Eastern Conference and are trying to stabilize their position in the playoff race. Meanwhile, Sacramento falls to 18-52. The Kings are ranked 15th in the West and continue to search for answers amid a poor season. Here’s everything we know from the injury report about Joel Embiid and his playing status against the Kings.

Embiid remains the anchor of the 76ers whenever he is on the field. He averaged 26.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 33 games. He is also shooting 49.5 percent from the field and 85.8 percent from the free-throw line.

Additionally, he continues to dictate matchups in the paint. He consistently attracts defensive attention and creates space for teammates. His scoring presence sets the tone for Philadelphia’s offense. It gives the team more structure and confidence when he plays.

joel embiid injury status vs kings

The 76ers’ injury report notes Embiid’s availability as particularly important. The league has suspended Paul George, while Tyrese Maxey (finger) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (elbow) are sidelined. Johnny Broom is also out. Philadelphia’s error chances are reduced if Embiid can’t play.

The Kings, on the other hand, have a lengthy injury report. Domantas Sabonis (knee), Zach LaVine (finger), and De’Andre Hunter (eye) are out. Keegan Murray (ankle) and Devin Carter (calf) also will miss the game, while Malik Monk (ankle) and Nick Clifford (hamstring) are questionable.

Embiid’s situation also tells a bigger story. He hasn’t been on the questionable list in quite some time, which is a sign of progress. Although he is unlikely to play, the update suggests that he will return soon.

So when it comes to whether Joel Embiid is playing tonight vs. the Kings, the answer leans towards ‘no’. His condition remains questionable, but signs point towards a return sooner rather than later.

De’Aaron Fox spent the first seven and a half years of his NBA career with the Sacramento Kings. 13 months after being traded to the San Antonio Spurs, there’s no doubt where the two-time All-Star’s attention lies, including when he returns to his former home.

“No, it’s just another game to me,” Fox said. “We’re worried about us. We’re worried about trying to win a championship.”

Fox’s tenure in Sacramento included two of the franchise’s best seasons in the last 20 years. The 2022–2023 team won the division championship with 48 wins. The following year, the Kings won 46. It was the organization’s most successful season since a 50-win campaign in 2004–05.

Fox reiterated, “Obviously, it’s nice to be back here because I get a chance to meet people I’ve seen for years. But, other than that, when we get between those lines, it’s a normal game.”

De’Aaron Fox comments on current Kings

Things are a lot different in Sacramento than they were in February of 2024, when a trade sent Fox to San Antonio. Kings star Domantas Sabonis is out the remainder of the season after undergoing meniscus surgery. Russell Westbrook, who started 51-18 in his most recent contest, a 132-104 loss to the Spurs, is now a key rotational player.

“I mean, obviously, the personnel and everything has changed, but I don’t see them any more than any other team,” Fox said.

At 18–52, the Kings have the worst record in the West after the loss to the Spurs. It’s a spot these Spurs are somewhat familiar with. Two years ago, they finished 22-60 with rookie Victor Vembanyama. Although Fox was still in Sacramento at the time, it’s a reality he sees through the eyes of his current and former teammates.

“In the rebuilding phase, I think the young guys (Kings) are playing well,” Fox said. “You want to be able to see it because, looking at where we were last year, the young guys are playing well.”

De’Aaron Fox reflects on the rise of the Spurs

The former Kentucky star played just over a month with the Spurs last season and played just five games with Wembley during that span. Two weeks after the Foxes arrived in San Antonio, Wembanyama was shut down for the remainder of the regular season due to a blood clot in his right shoulder. Less than a month later, the team decided to sideline Fox for the remainder of the year, dealing with a finger injury since training camp.

Through it all, the Spurs improved by 12 wins from the previous season.

“You get that experience, you get those reps, and then you come in the next season, try to hit the ground running,” the 28-year-old guard said.

With 19 points per game this season, Fox is second to Wembley among team scoring leaders and earned his second trip to the All-Star Game. Like the Kings, he is proving to be a major factor in the Spurs’ return to winning ways.

On Tuesday evening, the San Antonio Spurs continued their winning ways with a blowout win over the Sacramento Kings. The win gave the Spurs their 19th win in their last 21 tries and allowed them to keep pace with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference.

In this, the Spurs made an astonishing 41 assists, and also broke the franchise record of 25 threes.

After the game, point guard De’Aaron Fox, who was playing against his former team in the Kings, spoke about why San Antonio was able to enjoy so much success on Tuesday night.

X, formerly of Twitter, said, “We enjoy playing together,” he said, according to Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News. “We enjoy seeing each other succeed. It makes sharing the ball a lot easier.”

Indeed, the Spurs have shown a remarkable team chemistry this year, despite this being the first full season this group has been together.

Of course, the head of the snake is superstar Victor Wembanyama, who didn’t have to do all that much in Sacramento on Tuesday, but the Spurs’ front office deserves credit for building an elite supporting cast around the former number one overall pick, which includes Fox, last year’s Rookie of the Year Stephen Cassel and an assortment of solid three-and-D wings, not to mention this year’s rookie standout, Dylan Harper.

It’s extremely rare that teams make deep playoff runs on their first attempt in the postseason, but this Spurs team may be the exception to the rule, as Wembanyama estimates there will be many sleepless nights for whichever coaching staff is tasked with gameplanning against him in a postseason setting.

The Spurs next take the field against a potential playoff opponent in the Phoenix Suns on Thursday evening.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Utah Jazz suffered their third consecutive loss after falling to the Sacramento Kings 116-111 at Golden 1 Center on Sunday. The Jazz have now lost 10 of their last 12 games.

A loss to the Kings could be extra costly, as Isaiah Collier could miss some time. He suffered a knee injury midway through the fourth quarter and was ruled out of the remainder of the competition, as announced by the team on X.

Collier finished with 21 points on 9-of-21 shooting, five rebounds and three assists.

The 21-year-old guard has already missed 11 games this season due to a hamstring strain and a recent illness.

The Jazz have been criticized for suddenly benching players in the fourth quarter, including Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Bryce Sensabaugh, who were reportedly tanking in games to improve their chances of getting the top overall selection in the draft lottery.

The NBA has already fined Utah $500,000 for “conduct detrimental to the league.”

The severity of Collier’s knee injury is unclear, but fans are already skeptical.

@jhtem said, “45th fake injury in the last week.”

“Do you think anyone will believe this? Have some shame, you failure,” @hogsmeadd said.

@BubbaHubbaWubba said, “And you all are some people who lose games on purpose.”

@PatsFlamini wrote, “LMAO, get the fuck out of here.”

@Yooshiiiiiii_ commented, “F*** Isaiah Collier, destroy this player like the entire Jazz team.”

The Jazz fell to 20–48, trailing only the Kings, who improved to 18–51 for the worst record in the Western Conference.

Utah has never had the No. 1 overall pick since the draft lottery began in 1985.

Kawhi Leonard suffered an apparent ankle injury during the Los Angeles Clippers’ clash with the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night.

Leonard is in the 15th season of his NBA career, his seventh with the Clippers. He continues to shine as one of the top veteran stars in the league, wowing crowds with his elite two-way skills.

However, injuries have prevented him from reaching his true heights. And they have been exposed once again as Leonard suffered a left ankle injury in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter. This happened when he lost his balance and fell to the ground after trying to save an opposing player in defence. According to reporter Tomer Azarly, he went to the locker room because the team had decided he would miss the remainder of the game.

“Kawhi Leonard is out for the remainder of the Clippers-Kings game with a left ankle injury,” Azzarli wrote.

How the Clippers played against the Kings amid Kawhi Leonard’s injury

The Clippers sorely missed Kawhi Leonard’s presence in the fourth quarter. They lost 34–26 in that frame as they lost to the Kings by a final score of 118–109.

Four players scored in double figures for Los Angeles in the loss, including Leonard. He led the way with a stat line of 31 points, six rebounds and two steals. He made 13 of 23 shots from the field, including 2 of 6 from beyond the arc and 3 of 6 from the free-throw line. Darius Garland came next with 25 points and seven assists, Benedict Mathurin had 24 points and six rebounds, while John Collins provided 10 points and three rebounds.

Los Angeles fell to a 33–32 record on the season, finishing eighth in the Western Conference standings. They are above the Golden State Warriors and Portland Trail Blazers while trailing the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets.

The Clippers will look to bounce back in their next game at home. They will host the San Antonio Spurs as tip-off takes place on March 16 at 10 pm ET.

Well, the New Jersey Devils may have given up three leads, but they still came up with two points.

A back-and-forth affair between the Devils and the Los Angeles Kings ended in victory when Jack Hughes sealed the deal with the game-winning power play goal in the third period.

The Devils took a 1–0 lead on a goal off the stick of Cody Glass at 7:58 of the first period.

Arseniy Gritsyuk collected the loose puck on the right wall and fed the glass into the slot for a one-time chance, beating Anton Forsberg to give New Jersey a one-goal advantage.

Three minutes later, Nico Hischier scored on a rebound by Timo Meier to give the Devils a 2–0 lead in the first period.

New Jersey began the second period of attack. However, Dougie Hamilton sent the Devils to the early penalty kill after being whistled for interference.

On the Los Angeles power play, Anze Kopitar cut the Devils’ lead to 2–1 by hitting a backdoor pass from Bradent Clark.

Just over two minutes later, Artemi Panarin tied the game, skating the puck into the slot and passing it past Jake Allen to tie things at two.

The Kings scored three consecutive goals to take the lead at 11:43 of the middle frame. Clark walked to the Devils blueline with the puck on his stick and passed it to Taylor Ward at the top of the left circle, who beat Allen to give the Kings a 3–2 lead.

It didn’t take long for the Devils to tie the game in the third period.

Lenny Haminaho drove quickly to the Kings’ zone and took a good step to beat the defense. The Finnish rookie fed Gritsyuk backdoor, and Gritsyuk batted in the puck that was in mid-air and tied the game at three.

Quinton Byfield was later whistled for tripping, forcing New Jersey back on the power play for the third time. Hischier played well on the man advantage and the Devils regained the lead at 12:41 of the third period.

However, Haminaho’s puck was modest and the Devils were sent back to the PK, and Kopitar collected his second of the night to tie the game at four.

Kopitar’s second goal of the night saw him break the Los Angeles franchise record for points, the 1,308th of his career.

The Devils gained another man advantage after the whistle for holding Clarke.

Hughes took no time in giving the Devils their third lead of the night, scoring a goal on a FC-off draw to make the game 5–4 in favor of New Jersey.

Meyer deflected the empty-net goal to seal a 6–4 Devils victory.

Jake Allen made 27 saves on 31 shots and earned his 13th win of the season.

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

The LA Clippers are set to host the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night, the second game of a tough five-on-seven stretch for the Clippers.

Two-time NBA All-Star Darius Garland was on the Clippers’ injury report for Friday night’s game against the Chicago Bulls and did not play with what the team called “left toe injury management.” The Clippers are taking several precautions to ensure that Garland does not suffer any effects from surgery on his left toe in the offseason, as well as a sprain on his right toe earlier this season.

Everything we know about Darius Garland’s injury status for tonight’s game vs. the Kings.

Darius Garland’s injury status vs. Kings

Darius Garland was listed out for Friday night’s game against the Chicago Bulls, but is expected to be upgraded to “available” to play in Saturday night’s game against the Sacramento Kings. The LA Clippers are expected to make it official around 1pm PST when the official injury report is released.

Darius Garland hasn’t played in any back-to-backs since the Clippers acquired him in the trade deadline week deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers for James Harden. The Clippers guard has had his minutes limited in his return to action following a toe injury, but hopes to continue playing his way through it.

Darius Garland told ClutchPoints, “I’m just trying to stick with it. My teammates are picking me up, the coaches are telling me to stick with it. I’m just trying to get my rhythm back, get used to playing with everybody, get used to the system. I mean it’s been good, it’s been seamless. I’ve had issues with the minutes restriction, but it’s all good. I’m just talking about the medical staff and the coaches. Trying to listen and just go out there and play with a chip on my shoulder and work as hard as I can when I have those minutes.”

The Clippers are undefeated in the five games Garland has played so far, with the guard averaging 17.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.0 steals per game, while shooting 47.1 percent from the field and 45.9 percent from three.

So far, the Clippers have posted a 34–32 record, turning their season around to 28–11 since starting the season 6–21.

When it comes to the question of whether Darius Garland is playing tonight against the Kings, the answer is yes.

clippers injury report

The Clippers have four players listed on the injury report for Friday night’s game.

• Darius Garland (left toe injury management): out
• Bradley Beal (left hip fracture): Out
• John Collins (neck strain): out
• Yannick Konan Niederhauser (right Lisfranc ligament rupture): out

Kings injury report

The Clippers have nine players listed on the injury report for Friday night’s game.

• Patrick Baldwin Jr. (G League – Two-Way): Out
• Devin Carter (right calf soreness): out
• Drew Eubanks (left thumb soreness): out
• De’Andre Hunter (retinal repair of left eye): out
• Zach LaVine (right fifth finger tendon repair): out
• Malik Monk (right ankle soreness): doubtful
• Keegan Murray (sprained left ankle): Out
• Domantas Sabonis (left knee meniscus repair): outside
• Isaiah Stevens (G League – Two-Way): Out

The Sacramento Kings were defeated by the Charlotte Hornets 117-109 on Wednesday night. Friday’s game represents the second consecutive contest for the Clippers.

The New Jersey Devils (32-31-2) welcome the Los Angeles Kings (26-23-15) to the Prudential Center on Saturday night, following a loss to the Calgary Flames on Thursday.

New Jersey dropped two points to the Calgary Flames in disappointing fashion on Thursday.

They look to get back on track against the Kings who defeated the New York Islanders on Friday night.

Let’s dive into tonight’s matchup.

What to know vs Kings

– The Devils defeated the Kings 4–1 in November, as Dawson Mercer had two goals (1 SHG) and Nico Hischier had a goal.

-Jacob Markstrom recorded 43 saves on 44 shots in the win.

-Tonight’s tilt marks the first time the Devils will face the Kings with newly acquired forward Artemi Panarin.

2025-26 vs kings

NOVEMBER 1 LAK/9:00 PMET 4-1, W

March 14 Prudential Center/7:00pm TBD

devil vs king

All-time record: 43-58-11-4

All-time home record: 26-27-5-0

All-time road record: 17-31-6-4

Projected Devils Lineup*Forward

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

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: 280

Projected Kings Lineup*

Ahead

Artemi Panarin – Anze Kopitar – Adrian Kempe

Trevor Moore – Quinton Byfield – Alex Laferriere

Alex Turcotte – Scott Lawton – Jared Wright

Jeff Malott – Samuel Helenius – Taylor Ward

defenseman

Mickey Anderson – Drew Doughty

Joel Edmondson – Brandt Clark

Brian Dumoulin – Cody Ceci

goaltender

anton forsberg

Darcy Kuemper

*Lineup is subject to change

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

Watch: msgsn

radio: devils hockey net

next up

Saturday, March 14 vs LAK 7:00 PM
Mon. March 16 vs BOS 7:00 PM
Wednesday, March 18, NYR at 7:00 PMET
Friday, March 20th WSH at 7:00 PMET
Tuesday, March 24 at Dallas 8:00 PM

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

Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings will face each other on Tuesday night. The game could be competitive, but for all the wrong reasons as both teams are bottom of their conference. Sacramento is 15-50 and in last place in the Western Conference standings, while Indiana is 15-40 and in last place in the Eastern Conference standings. Both the Kings and Pacers are also struggling with injury problems. For the Pacers, Pascal Siakam is among the players on the injury report.

Siakam is struggling with a knee injury. Here’s everything we know about his injury status heading into tonight’s game against the Kings.

Watch NBA games live with fuboTV (Get access save $30)*

Kings vs. Pascal Siakam’s injury status

Siakam has been ruled out of the game because he is dealing with a right knee sprain, according to the NBA injury report. The Pacers will look to defeat the Kings despite their injury absence.

pacers injury report

The Pacers have 10 players listed on the injury report.

• Jarius Walker (right ankle sprain, mid-back soreness): Probable
• Ethan Thompson (G League Two-Way): Questionable
• Jalen Slauson (G League Two-Way): Questionable
• Taillon Peters (G League Two-Way): Questionable
• Andrew Nembhard (lower back pain, neck pain): Questionable.
• Pascal Siakam (right knee sprain): out
• Tyrese Haliburton (torn right Achilles tendon): out
• Jonny Furphy (right ACL tear): out
• TJ McConnell (sore right hamstring): out
• Ivica Zubac (left ankle sprain): Out

Kings injury report

The Kings have six players listed on the injury report.

• Dylan Cardwell (left ankle sprain): out
• De’Andre Hunter (retinal repair of left eye): out
• Zach LaVine (right 5th finger tendon repair): out
• Keegan Murray (sprained left ankle): Out
• Domantas Sabonis (left knee meniscus repair): outside
• Isaiah Stevens (G League Two-Way): Out

On Sunday, the Chicago Bulls faced a tough challenge against the Sacramento Kings. After a stellar game with 28 points, Collin Sexton left the game with a lower leg injury. In the end, the Bulls lost to the weak Kings 126–110.

However, there was one bright spot. Josh Giddy finished with a triple-double of 15 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Not only this, according to Casey Johnson of Chicago Sports Network, he managed to surpass Scottie Pippen for second place on the Bulls’ all-time triple-double list with 16.

This leaves Giddy behind Michael Jordan, who has 28.

Giddy was doubtful to play after recovering from a recent ankle injury. He did not play in the Bulls’ game against the Phoenix Suns on March 5, which Chicago won 105–103. Overall, Giddy is averaging 17.6 points, 8.5 assists and 8.3 rebounds per game. Overall, he has played 42 games this season.

Meanwhile, the Bulls are now 28-38. Also, they have lost eight of their last ten matches. Currently, Chicago is in the middle of a five-game road trip. On Tuesday they will travel to Golden State to play the Warriors. Then, they play the LA Lakers on Thursday, followed by the Clippers on Friday.

The Bulls will return to Chicago on March 16 to play the Memphis Grizzlies.

Giddy is in the middle of his second season with the Bulls. Last summer, he signed a four-year, $100 million deal, indicating he is considered a franchise player.

Pippen played with the Bulls from 1987 to 1998 and 2003 to 2004. He was a major catalyst for the six championships won from 1991 to 1998.

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.

GM Brad Treliving saved most of his work for the last moments of trade deadline day, making his second deal just below the buzzer at 3 p.m. ET. Pending unrestricted free agent Scott Lawton is headed to the Los Angeles Kings.

Like the earlier Bobby McMann deal, the Leafs did not secure a first-round pick for Laughton (nor were they expected to). They will settle for a conditional third-rounder from the Kings. If LA makes the playoffs this season it becomes a second-round pick. They are currently three points off the final wild card spot in the Western Conference.

Treliving had to give up Toronto’s 2027 first-round pick plus prospect Nikita Grebenkin when they acquired Laughton from the Philadelphia Flyers at last year’s trade deadline. This is clearly a huge net loss for Treliving. They traded a first-rounder and a good prospect for a third-round pick (or second at best). A big L for the tree.

Laughton spent one calendar year with his hometown team and recorded 10 goals and 16 points in 63 games. Was it worth the decline in draft position for Toronto? Not so much.

What does Scott Lawton bring to the LA Kings?

The reliable bottom-six forward brings experienced leadership and secondary scoring (at times) to the Kings. He also has a high hockey IQ and a serious, physical edge to his game.

This isn’t exactly the kind of move many were expecting from the Kings at the deadline, as the team was in desperate need of scoring. Laughton probably won’t bring them that.

The Kings have lost two offensive players in the last few weeks. Kevin Fiala is out for the season due to a fractured foot suffered during a game with Switzerland during the Olympics. Andrei Kuzmenko was lost for the foreseeable future after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus. The Kings lineup has yielded 32 goals. Then again, that’s not coming from Laughton.

They made their big move last month by acquiring Artemi Panarin from the NY Rangers. But it won’t be enough to save the Kings’ offense after the latest injuries, which ranks 29th in the NHL in goals per game.

As far as the Leafs are concerned, their final tally at the trade deadline is as follows:

Out: Nick Roy, Bobby McMann, Scott Laughton

IN: 2027 (or ’28) first rounder, 2027 second rounder, 2026 fourth rounder, 2026 fifth rounder + conditional third rounder

LOS ANGELES – During one of Marcus Smart’s first media sessions as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers at the beginning of the season, he revealed a saying he has for every game. That is, ‘the toughest team sets the rules.’ This essentially means that the more physical team dictates which way the game will go. The Lakers haven’t always done a good job of following that quote, but Rui Hachimura believes they have gotten better in recent games.

The Lakers dominated from start to finish in consecutive wins against the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings, respectively. A big part of those wins depended on the Lakers coming out on top early and asserting their will in terms of physicality. This includes playing tough defense, diving after loose balls, hitting hard on the glass and other little things that don’t always show up with statistics.

“I think when we did that in the game today [against the Kings]game [against the Warriors]I think we have created the atmosphere. That’s why we were able to control the whole game,” Hachimura said after the win against the Kings. “So I think things like that, we have to keep doing it. I think sometimes we do it and then we stop doing it. So we just have to keep doing it. We’ve got to make those plays and those little things. We have to keep building.”

Hachimura returned to the Lakers’ lineup against the Kings after a brief two-game absence due to illness. His game was somewhat solid, finishing with eight points while shooting 2-4 from the 3-point line in a little over 22 minutes.

He has been coming off the bench since returning from a calf injury in mid-January. Hachimura has appeared in 48 games, including 31 starts, averaging a little over 29 minutes per game. He averaged 11.7 points and 3.4 rebounds with splits of 50.1 percent shooting from the field, 44.1 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 74.5 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

But the Lakers’ overall toughness and physicality starts with smarts. He often sets the tone on the defensive end of the court, and is a big reason why head coach JJ Redick has opted to stick with Smart in the starting lineup following Hachimura’s return.

After the win against the Kings, Redick made sure to single out Smart for his impact on the game.

“I told the team afterward, I thought Smart’s defense … completely blew us away at different points in the game,” Redick said. “He finished with five steals, but he’s diving down the floor for loose balls. He’s starting the transition game for us. He switches to the five, sets him up perfectly. … He was another igniter for us.”

The Montreal Canadiens are reportedly involved in a trade discussion with the Los Angeles Kings, with Habs forward Patrik Laine at the center of a potential deal.

It’s rumor season, so we should take some of these reports seriously, but according to David Pagnotta, the Kings have drawn interest from other NHL teams in the line.

business discussion around #GoHabsGo Winger Patrik Laine has learned a little more, and I’m told #GoKingsGo Circling back to that. Other teams are also in the mix. We’ll see if Montreal retains 50% of his $8.7 million AAV, but expectations are high that he’ll be moved this week.

– David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) 3 March 2026

Pagnotta mentioned the possibility that the Canadiens could retain 50% of Line’s contract to facilitate a deal.

Line is on the final year of an eight-year contract that has an annual average value of $8.7 million, however, it is important to remember that if teams trade for him before the March 6 NHL trade deadline, they will not be in trouble for the entire contract.

Contracts are based on days a player has spent with a team, not entire years, and given that there will be 22% of the schedule left to play after the deadline, Line’s deal would only have a cap hit of $1.9 million, give or take a few thousand dollars.

This will make it a little easier to move the line, although it’s obviously not a straightforward situation given the line’s injury history and lack of success at 5v5.

Finding a new home for Patrick Lane

On the other side of the coin, Laine still has one of the best shots in the NHL, making him a very useful tool for a team looking to add a dominant presence on the power play. Los Angeles has one of the worst power plays in the league at 13.9% efficiency, which is only good for 28th in the league. This is one of the driving forces behind their disappointing season. For now, Los Angeles is looking for a Western Conference playoff sprint, but they are still in the race. They are just four points behind the Edmonton Oilers for the final wild card spot with a game in hand.

The Kings currently have plenty of cap space, about $11 million, meaning they don’t have to convince the Habs to retain some portion of the contract to ensure a deal.

The Canadiens only have $1.4 million in available money, making retention a less than ideal situation for a team that is also looking to upgrade some positions. If the Habs intend to deal Patrik Laine, and other teams insist on retention, they may look to a team like the Vancouver Canucks to facilitate a deal.

Mark has been covering the Habs for over a decade. He previously worked for the Journal Metro, The Athletic, The… More about Mark Dumont

Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings will face each other on Tuesday night. Devin Booker is dealing with a hip injury. Is Sans Tara playing tonight?

On February 21, it was reported that Booker would miss at least a week of action. It’s been over 10 days now, so is Booker ready to return? Here’s everything we know about Devin Booker’s injury status for tonight’s game vs. the Kings.

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Devin Booker’s injury status vs. Kings

Booker is not listed on the NBA injury report. Barring any potential setbacks, Booker is expected to be available against the Kings.

Phoenix will enter the game with a 34-26 record. The Suns are in seventh place in the Western Conference standings. The Kings are 14-48 and in last place in the West.

Phoenix is ​​in a good position to pick up a win. Booker’s expected return further reinforces that statement.

When it comes to the question of whether Devin Booker is playing tonight against the Kings, the answer is yes.

sans injury report

With Devin Booker available, the Suns have four players listed on the injury report.

• Khaman Malooch (right thumb sprain): Out
• Dillon Brooks (fractured left hand): Out
• Jordan Goodwin (left calf strain): out

Kings injury report

There are injury reports for six Kings players.

• Domantas Sabonis (left knee meniscus repair): outside
• Zach LaVine (left 5th finger tendon repair): out
• Dylan Cardwell (left ankle sprain): out
• De’Andre Hunter (retinal repair of left eye): out
• Keegan Murray (sprained left ankle): Out
• Isaiah Stevens (G League Two-Way): Out

LOS ANGELES – After a three-game losing streak, the Los Angeles Lakers managed to get back on track with consecutive blowout wins, most recently a 128-104 win against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday. During the Lakers’ loss, fans and media alike criticized him, and then started singing praises after the win, but Luka Doncic didn’t pay any attention to it.

After the Lakers’ win against the Kings, Luka Doncic talked about not thinking too far ahead and staying grounded while blocking out what outside voices have to say.

“Obviously it was two great wins. But we have to take it game by game,” Doncic said. “Obviously there’s a lot of noise outside. I try not to pay attention to that. We’ve got to go game by game and the last two games have been good.”

Doncic did his part in helping the Lakers get the narrow win. He finished with a game-high 28 points in 29 minutes while shooting 10 of 16 from the field, 4 of 8 from the 3-point line and 4 of 7 from the free-throw line. He also added five rebounds, nine assists, one steal and one blocked shot.

Earlier in the season, Doncic was a strong contender for the MVP award. Although those discussions have cooled off since then, it’s possible he finds himself back in the running depending on how the rest of the Lakers’ season goes.

Doncic currently leads the NBA in scoring with 32.6 points per game. He also averaged 7.7 rebounds, 8.6 assists and 1.4 steals while splitting 47.1 percent shooting from the field, 35.8 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 77.5 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

Following the Lakers’ win against the Warriors, head coach JJ Redick spoke about his confidence in the team still being able to reach the level of competitiveness he wants them to perform on a consistent basis. After the win against the Kings, he also admitted not to get too caught up in outside noise.

“The world has fallen for us 19 times. It’s part of the nature of this cycle,” Redick said. “As I’ve talked about every game, our players have bounced back and responded well throughout the season. We’re tied for fifth and a few games into the loss column and none of these teams are coming at us. We’re just going to keep playing to win.”

The Lakers’ next chance to add to their current winning streak is on Tuesday, March 3 against the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Los Angeles Lakers were so in control of Sunday night’s contest against the Sacramento Kings that it looked like Luka Doncic had to pull out a few tricks from the deepest recesses of his bag to entertain himself and the fans at Crypto.com Arena. With less than four minutes left in the third quarter, Doncic nailed an improbable three-pointer after a move that belongs more in streetball than in a professional basketball setting.

Doncic found himself pinned down by Kings defender Daquan Plowden and tried to hightail it to the basket. But as soon as he saw Plowden off balance, Doncic tried to step back for a three-pointer. Even he couldn’t match his speed and eventually slipped, but he still had control over the basketball. He then proceeded to dribble behind the line perform an inclined triple drill On the competition of Plowden.

“I did it on purpose. And the -1 mixtape? That’s what they were saying on the bench,” Doncic said in his postgame presser, via Khobi Price of the California Post.

Luka Doncic: “I did it on purpose. And 1 mixtape? That’s what they were saying on the bench.” https://t.co/mgJ6yaREa3 pic.twitter.com/rML58vYimu

– Khobi Price (@khobi_price) 2 March 2026

Doncic may have said he did it intentionally in jest, but it’s hard not to take him seriously at this point. After all, the Lakers were toying with the Kings all night, and that shot only proves that they were far ahead of them on the night.

Luka Doncic, Lakers bring good vibes

The Lakers have been a little inconsistent lately, and considering Deandre Ayton isn’t very happy with his role for the team, the vibes haven’t been too spotty. But this win over the Kings at least helped boost the morale of the entire team, and Doncic’s And-1 mixtape-esque shot served to further unify the team.

The Lakers will look to continue their winning ways on Tuesday when they take on the New Orleans Pelicans at home.

Sunday night brought some relief for the inconsistent Los Angeles Lakers, as they faced a terrible Sacramento Kings team on their home turf. As expected, the Lakers won a very easy 128–104 victory, with no suspense whatsoever, as the Purple and Gold essentially blew the game away in the first quarter, and ended the period with an 18-point lead (36–18).

The Lakers’ dominance paved the way for head coach JJ Redick to limit the minutes of his best players, including LeBron James, who played only 27 minutes on the night. This also opened up some trash-time minutes for fan favorite Bronny James, who draws oohs and ahhs every time he enters the game.

But while millions of people around the world cheer whenever Bronny gets some playing time, the 21-year-old guard has no bigger fan than his father, LeBron. And Sunday night, LeBron was in dreamland Bronny scored on a three off a dribble handoff from Edou Thirou as he was celebrating his son’s shot on the bench.

Lebron was loving this brony threesome 🔥 pic.twitter.com/v9SW4LJufe

– Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) 2 March 2026

These were Bronny’s only three points in six minutes of play of the night. He went 1-3 from the field and missed his only two-point field-goal attempt of the night for the Lakers.

The Lakers could take it a little easier right now…

The Lakers know every win matters, especially in the bloodshed of the Western Conference playoff picture. But they can at least take it a little easier the next few days, especially with the game coming up against the hapless New Orleans Pelicans.

Not a single Lakers player played 30 minutes or more on Sunday, and they’ll have to take more care of that kind of business, as their tendency to play high-leverage games increases the wear and tear on their star players.

The deficit is mounting while Ja Morant watches from the sidelines. Sure, the team’s 2026 NBA Draft Lottery odds are improving, but it would be easy for FedEx Forum’s most loyal fans to mentally check out for the rest of the season. They shouldn’t do it, for the same reasons Tuomas Isalo can’t. The Memphis Grizzlies have been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons recently, but there is still a lot at stake heading into the last few weeks of the season.

Although the expectations of the NBA playoffs have almost faded, this round is certainly the most important evaluation period of the Zack Kleiman era. The front office needs answers before committing significant financial capital to its young core, and the court is currently loaded with players auditioning for their NBA future.

GG Jackson is getting paid

GG Jackson has been one of the most compelling players in the league, let alone the roster. After all he is still one of the youngest players in the NBA. Now operating without Jaren Jackson Jr., the former South Carolina standout is averaging 17.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 steals/blocks while shooting 47.8% from beyond the arc. The 21-year-old has been one of the few bright spots of February, essentially starring in a new version of the Desmond Bain-Jarren Jackson Jr. role.

Heavy usage, varied shot creation and increased defensive responsibility are expected for the remainder of the season. Jackson will not replace Ja Morant; No one can do that in Memphis, but the Grizzlies really need to determine what that will be. The front office is facing an important financial decision regarding Jackson’s second contract.

Their current performance suggests a valuation north of $10 million annually, which moves them out of the mid-tier exception zone and into a long-term commitment. These final games are an audition for a big payday.

pin a point

Putting the Ja Morant trade drama aside, Tuomas Isalo also needs clarity at the backup point guard spot. Neither Cam Spencer nor Scottie Pippen Jr. made this an easy decision; Jevon Smalls and Walter Clayton Jr. still need developmental reps. Ty Jerome seems more suited to an off-ball role. The Grizzlies are effectively sitting at six point guard options and absolutely zero certainty.

Pippen Jr. brings toughness, fight and an obvious appreciation for the city. He’s exactly the kind of player a rebuilding team wants in the locker room. The problem is one of uniformity. He just hasn’t demonstrated it enough yet. Economics also make the decision feel urgent. Only $350,000 of Pippen Jr.’s $2.4 million contract for next season is guaranteed. That leverage clearly puts Memphis out there, but it also means these final weeks are effectively an effort.

Spencer has shown that he can be one of the best shooters on the planet, although he continues to struggle defensively and handle actual point guard duties for extended stretches. If he can’t run the show, maintain elite shooting efficiency, and become a little more solid as an offensive guard, Spencer’s minutes will dry up once the roster is healthy. Putting in some work won’t be enough to demand a second contract next summer, especially if Darius Acuff or Kingston Flemings is drafted by Memphis.

Ty Jerome is struggling with emotions

Ty Jerome didn’t sign up for a full-scale rebuild. The wily 28-year-old veteran took a deal expecting a competitive team around him, and instead, he’s headed to a season that has lost most of its expected key pieces. Jerome suffered most of the season due to an off-season injury, but nobody got the better of him. No buyer’s remorse yet, but the Grizzlies and the rest of the NBA need something before the summer arrives.

Hopefully Isalo will provide a lot of opportunities. Maximizing the value of Jerome’s expiring $9.2 million deal before the NBA Draft would help everyone going into blank-slate situations. A strong finish alleviates those lingering injury concerns and potentially turns a lousy contract into a long-term asset over time.

tough times for taylor hendricks

The Grizzlies have had their big men hit for too long, and the problems continue. Even incomplete minutes could help the front office determine whether Hendricks fits in with the oft-injured Zach Eddy. Unfortunately, according to Isalo, the Grizzlies did not find the right circumstances to make the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade piece a profitable situation.

“I mean, with every player, whether it’s a steady situation, most of the time for a player like Taylor, it’s going to come down to the puck. It’s getting ahead of your own man, then making good decisions, and developing the skill set of finishing at the rim or finding those open shooters. He was in a tough situation (against the Golden State Warriors). Kyle Anderson started late for the game, and Taylor was a starter after being with the team for a very short time. “Got into the new situation. I thought he did a great job there without even practicing it. Obviously, that’s the big situation (with Jack Eddy).”

expandable evaluation

The Grizzlies are considering a series of roster decisions that will define the franchise’s financial outlook. Hendricks, Jackson and Jaylen Wells are all extension-eligible, meaning their future roles need to align with the salary cap investment. This creates a natural hierarchy with Ty Jerome and Cedric Coward slotting into the wing/off-ball rotation.

Kleiman’s front office can’t afford to enter into extension talks by guessing. Memphis needs data. Players need representatives. They need to know who will fit in with who when the core finally returns.

Losses may dominate the box score, but the evaluation season is not meaningless. For the Grizzlies, the next few weeks will decide everything from the backup point guard job to future contracts. The future of the franchise is essentially being decided on stage every night. For fans who care about what happens next, there’s a lot to see.

When the Vegas Golden Knights took on the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday night, they did so without five key regular players – Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, Mark Stone, Noah Hanifin and Shea Theodore. If you think this would be a recipe for disaster, you would be partially right.

“[We knew] “We needed everybody to step up and play a good, hard game,” Colton Sissons said after the 6–4 win.

And that’s exactly what happened.

The Golden Knights entered the third period trailing the Kings 2–1, but scored three goals in 4:14. Despite missing the salary cap total of $46,275,000, the Golden Knights managed to hold off a defensively strong division rival by six.

What changed in the third period?

“I’m not quite sure,” Sissons admitted after the game. “We obviously made some attacks, and we were able to capitalize on our opportunities… Things can change quickly in this game, especially after such a long hiatus.”

The Golden Knights broke the ice at 10:59 of the first period. Reilly Smith made a great play on a 2-on-1 with Tanner Lazinski and Pavel Dorofeyev near the wall. Lazinski’s shot went wide, but the puck took an awkward jump off the end board and Dorofeyev slammed it home.

The Kings responded on the first power play at 14:31. Artemi Panarin sent a centering pass to Quinton Byfield in the slot, who put it past Adin Hill.

The Kings took the lead at 14:44 of the second period. Kaidan Korczak turned the puck over after driving into the offensive zone, and Adrian Kempe tipped it to Artemi Panarin the other way. Panarin received a cross-ice pass past Anze Kopitar; Kopitar sent a touch-pass to running back Kempe, who finished the game.

In the third period, everything changed. Both teams got their looks, but the Golden Knights converted more of them.

The Golden Knights tied it at 8:07 of the third period. Adin Hill sent a stretch pass to Brayden Bowman, who made a play along the wall to get the puck to Colton Sissons. Sissons entered the field, played catch with Bowman and dodged Anton Forsberg.

The Golden Knights took the lead at 11:16 of the third minute. Colton Sissons drove into the zone, but was pushed off the puck by Joel Armia. Brandon Saad reached him first, turned back and fired a shot. Mikey Anderson got in the way, but Saad blocked the rebound and beat Anton Forsberg from distance.

Just 1:05 later, the Golden Knights doubled their lead. Reilly Smith went coast-to-coast; After moving into the offensive zone, he dodged Brandt Clark and Joel Edmundson, protected the puck and covered the backhand.

The Kings made it a one-goal game at 13:26 of the third minute. Andrei Kuzmenko took a hit into the back of the net to tie the game and Quinton Byfield scored his second goal of the night.

The Golden Knights restored their two-goal lead on the power play at 15:59 of the third, after Jeremy Lauzon drew a penalty. Tanner Lazinski found Pavel Dorofeyev back-door for his second goal of the game.

The Kings pulled Anton Forsberg for an extra attacker with 3:39 remaining in regulation, and it paid off. Adrian Kempe set up Brandt Clark for a one-timer, and the defenseman scored from the point.

After once again trailing by only one goal, the Kings again pulled Forsberg for an extra attacker. However, this time, they could not make the change. Tomas Hertl forced a turnover, and Ivan Barbashev hit the empty net.

Despite missing five of their most important offensive players, the Golden Knights rallied for another third period comeback and an all-important regulation victory over a division rival.

“That’s what good teams do,” Pavel Dorofeyev said after the game. “No matter what, they embrace each other. Maybe we looked a little different on paper tonight, but we’re still the Golden Knights.”

Hannah Kirkel is a beat writer who covers the Vegas Golden Knights for Vegas Hockey Now on SportsNote. She studied more about Hannah Kirkel

The Houston Rockets took on the hapless Sacramento Kings in quick action on Wednesday night. They already had a 27-point lead at halftime, and as a result, some of their best players, including Alpern Sengun and Kevin Durant, did not have much need to play extended minutes. But compared to the Kings, the Rockets stars didn’t need to play much time to do their damage.

In fact, in their win over the Kings, Sengun recorded his third triple-double of the 2025-26 campaign, averaging 26 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists in annihilation of the shorthanded Sacramento frontline. In doing so, the Rockets star made a little history.

Despite only being 23 years old, Seungun now has the 10th-most 25/10/10 games by a center in NBA history, as reported by the Real App account on X (formerly Twitter).

Sengun remains the Rockets’ primary offensive center, and has served as the team’s de facto point guard this season amid an injury to Fred VanVleet. There have been tough moments for Sengun and the Rockets this season, but the Turkish star is at his best – a wrecking ball of a scorer in the paint who can make his teammates better by using his focus to create incredible looks.

All’s reportedly good for the struggling Rockets

Even though a lot of trouble is brewing for the Rockets this season, they somehow sit in third place in the Western Conference. It’s a testament to their high performance levels on a game-to-game basis that they remain one of the best teams in a stacked conference, even amid the team’s ridiculous inconsistencies.

It was the kind of win the Rockets needed – a solid win that allowed their best players to play fewer minutes than usual, especially as they faced a tough game against the Orlando Magic for the second straight match.

The Dallas Mavericks are set to take on the Sacramento Kings on Thursday. However, it appears the club are already aware of the designation of star rookie Cooper Flagg and newly acquired veteran Khris Middleton for this competition.

Reports indicate that Flagg has officially been ruled out of the game against the Kings, while Middleton is listed as questionable, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. Flagg will miss his fifth consecutive game for the Mavericks. PJ Washington has also been ruled out on the injury report.

“The Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg (left midfoot sprain) will miss his fifth consecutive game on Thursday when Sacramento visits Dallas…Dallas has also ruled out PJ Washington (ankle) and listed Khris Middleton (shoulder) as questionable.”

While Flagg is still dealing with a foot injury, according to Steen, he is still in the running for the Rookie of the Year award. With his return to the air, Steen reminded fans that the 65-game rule does not apply to the Roy Award.

“Cooper Flagg last played for Dallas on Feb. 10, but has missed a total of eight games this season. Also: Remember, the NBA’s 65-game rule does not apply to the Rookie of the Year race.”

The 19-year-old phenom has played 49 games in his debut season in the league. He has been as advertised so far, playing at point guard and averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game, shooting 48.2% from the field and 30.2% from beyond the three-point line.

The Mavericks will continue to monitor Cooper Flagg’s injury in the coming days. Meanwhile, the franchise can reveal the official status of Khris Middleton ahead of the clash against the Kings on Thursday night.

The San Antonio Spurs released several injury updates ahead of Saturday’s matchup against the Sacramento Kings as they prepare to continue their strong effort atop the Western Conference standings.

San Antonio (39-16) will host Sacramento (12-45) at 5:00 pm PT, looking to extend their current seven-game winning streak to end a two-game homestand. Meanwhile, the Kings enter the contest trying to break a franchise-record 15-game losing streak.

According to the Spurs’ injury report released on Saturday, Harrison Ingram (G League – two-way) and Stanley Umude (G League – two-way) are listed as questionable. David Jones Garcia (G League – Two-Way) is out. Veteran center Mason Plumlee is also out of his return to competition. Lindy Waters III is listed as questionable with left knee hyperextension.

Spurs list Lindy Waters III questionable, Mason Plumlee out vs. Kings

The 28-year-old Waters last appeared in San Antonio’s 112-103 win over the Orlando Magic on Feb. 1. He played two minutes in that contest and recorded a turnover as his only statistic. In 28 games this season, Waters is averaging a career-low 1.9 points in 6.8 minutes per game, while shooting 35.2 percent from the field and 31.9 percent from beyond the arc. His current usage rate also marks a career low.

Plumlee, 35, joined the Spurs on a 10-day contract after being traded from the Charlotte Hornets to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a deal involving Ousmane Dieng and later being waived by Oklahoma City. The veteran center last played on December 22 in a 139–122 loss to Charlotte, finishing with five points and five rebounds on 2-4 shooting in 10 minutes. He later underwent surgery to treat a right groin injury and was sidelined.

In 14 appearances this season, including two starts, Plumlee is averaging 1.9 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 8.9 minutes per game, while shooting a career-high 75 percent from the field.

With several rotations and depth pieces to deal with injuries, the Spurs will aim to keep the momentum going against a struggling Kings team to stop their skid.

The Orlando Magic had a stellar performance coming out of the All-Star break, posting a 131–94 win over the Sacramento Kings while setting a franchise record for 3-pointers.

Orlando connected on 27 of his 50 attempts from beyond the arc, showcasing ball movement, spacing and confidence all night. Leading the charge was Paolo Banchero, who imposed his will early and finished with 30 points, six assists, five rebounds, one steal and one block in 32 minutes. He shot 10 of 21 from the field, 5 of 7 from 3-point range, and 5 of 5 from the free-throw line.

After the game, Banchero pointed to execution and belief as keys to the record-setting performance.

“Yeah, it’s a good, good way to start this back half of the season after the break by getting a three-point record,” Banchero said. “That’s a good sign and yeah, I think we did a good job like I said, finding the advantage and then playing from there and finding the open man.”

He credited the team’s scoring ability from long range.

“I think we did a good job of letting the defense react to what we were doing and then getting a guy open, finding that guy, and then whoever it was – stepping into their shot and hitting it with confidence,” Banchero said. “I thought guys didn’t shy away from threes today. When they’re open, guys let it fly, including me, you know, just being confident in the shot, staying with the results and today they were hitting at a high level.”

Paolo Banchero’s aggression, defense fuel franchise 3-point night vs. Kings

Banchero also emphasized his mindset entering the competition.

“I’m just trying to come out, impose my will, be aggressive,” he said. “As you said, there are a lot of important games coming up, so I think everybody on the team understands that just coming out, doing whatever we have to do to win these games.”

Head coach Jamahl Mosley paired offensive explosion with defensive intensity.

“I really think it was our defense that was making some early, easy offensive looks,” Mosley said. “We were able to get down low, attack the basket, and then we were able to spray out for set three on legs. I thought our guys did a great job of sharing it out, moving it up, trusting the pass and just trusting our teammates.”

Mosley credited preparation and spacing for the franchise milestone.

“I thought it was great,” he said. “I think the guys did a great job in practice yesterday, understanding what shots we were going to get against this team. Our coaches did a great job of setting these guys up in the right situations, in the right spots, and guys were confident and comfortable and ready to get their feet wet and make shots.”

Magical Defense Increases Stealing Process as West Coast Tour Continues

He also praised Banchero’s tenacity.

Mosley said, “I like how he settled into the game, started being very aggressive early on, started getting down low, attacking the basket when she was open, stepping into a shot, letting people know how they were guarding him.” “I thought they did a great job of finding teammates, but overall on our team I think we did a great job of trusting our defense to carry our offense, and that’s why the ball was bouncing the way it was.”

The defensive pressure was evident in the box score. The Magic recorded 13 steals in Sacramento. The team’s PR account shared that this is the fifth consecutive game in which Orlando has recorded at least 10 steals, the third-longest in franchise history. The longest streak of games with 10 or more steals is seven, set from January 29 to February 18, 1994.

The activity at that end helped promote transition opportunities and early attack, reinforcing Mosley’s emphasis on creating rhythm and confidence in defence.

With the win, Orlando improved to 29–25, and moved within a half game of the sixth-seeded Philadelphia 76ers (30–25) in the Eastern Conference. The Magic continue their West Coast trip against the Phoenix Suns (32-24) on Saturday at 5:00 PM ET on NBA TV.

The Orlando Magic etched their place in the record books with an easy 131-94 win over the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on Thursday.

The Magic rained down three-pointers on the Kings, scoring 27 in total, setting a new franchise record for a single game.

orlando broke old team record Courtesy of Jett Howard with 2:33 left in the fourth quarter. For good measure, he added another three-pointer with 33 seconds remaining.

Jett Howard’s trey sets franchise-record 26 threes in a single game for Magic 🔥pic.twitter.com/uXY5kdLEsR

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 20 February 2026

Paolo Banchero made 5 of 7 shots from long range and finished with a game-high 30 points. He also had five rebounds and six assists.

Howard, Anthony Black and Tristan Da Silva each had four three-pointers, while Desmond Benn, Jalen Suggs and Devon Carter each had three three-pointers. Mo Wagner added a three-pointer.

Overall, the Magic went 27 of 50 from beyond the arc.

This may simply be an aberration, as Orlando is averaging just 11.5 three-pointers this season while shooting at a 34.2% clip, tied with three other teams for the league-worst percentage.

He was just three three-pointers away from breaking the league record of 29 long bombs set by the Boston Celtics against the New York Knicks in 2024 and the Milwaukee Bucks versus the Miami Heat in 2020.

The Magic were also part of another team record – sort of – as they handed the Kings their 15th consecutive losing streak, the longest in franchise history.

Black scored 20 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals, while Benn had 17 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Orlando improved to 29-25, while Sacramento fell to 12-45.

The Magic will look to continue their impressive shooting from deep on Saturday against the Phoenix Suns.

薩克拉門托國王隊正在進入另一場重建，作為市場上最有可能的賣家之一，進入 NBA 交易截止日期。雖然他們有不少老將可供選擇，但最受關注的全明星球員是中鋒多曼塔斯·薩博尼斯。

《The Athletic》的薩姆·阿米克報導說，主要表示有興趣收購薩博尼斯的三支球隊是菲尼克斯太陽隊、芝加哥公牛隊、多倫多猛龍隊和華盛頓奇才隊。

當然，任何潛在交易都存在幾個複雜的因素。薩博尼斯去年 11 月遭遇半月板撕裂，導致他缺席了兩個月的比賽。雖然他最近回到了國王隊的球場，但截至 1 月 23 日，他在一場比賽中的上場時間仍然沒有超過 21 分鐘。任何收購他的球隊都可能希望對他的膝蓋進行徹底檢查，並看到他恢復到場均上場 30 分鐘以上的狀態。

金錢也是一個真正的問題。對於一名最適合作為季后賽競爭者的第三選擇的球員來說，薩博尼斯的薪水和對他的長期財務承諾限制了追求者的數量以及薩克拉門託的任何潛在回報。

• 多曼塔斯·薩博尼斯合同（Spotrac）： 上限達到 4233.6 萬美元（2025-'26），上限達到 4547.2 萬美元（2026-27），上限達到 4860.8 萬美元（2027-'28）

阿米克指出，每個人都在關注潛在交易的球隊是猛龍隊。多倫多需要讓這筆錢發揮作用，但其中可能包括 RJ Barrett，他在接下來的兩個賽季中欠下 5730 萬美元。正如阿米克指出的那樣，巴雷特最初是由國王隊總經理斯科特·佩里在紐約做出這些決定時選中的。

多倫多有可能將巴雷特和中鋒雅各布·珀爾特爾打包進薩博尼斯的交易中。然而，目前還不清楚國王隊是否願意承擔欠珀爾特爾的長期資金，珀爾特爾一直在努力保持健康，合同期到2029-30賽季，平均年薪為2802萬美元。

馬特·約翰遜 (Matt Johnson) 是《Sportsnaut》雜誌《NFL》和《大學橄欖球》的高級編輯。他的工作包括每週 NFL 和大學……有關馬特·約翰遜的更多信息