標籤: NBA

Popular sports analyst Bill Simmons doesn’t like the Houston Rockets’ excitement as the NBA playoffs approach, and even he believes head coach Ime Udoka is not a fan of this roster.

Entering the season, the Rockets were viewed by many as a serious threat to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the West. They had an elite defense, a good young core, and added future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant to give them the scorer they were lacking.

For most of the season, they have been a top four team in the conference. However, they seem to be slowly faltering. Lost 6 of their last 10, including potential playoff rivals, the San Antonio Spurs, the Los Angeles Lakers (twice), and the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.

His recent play has dedicated NBA fan and expert Bill Simmons very concerned, and he expanded on his thoughts during a new edition of his The Ringer podcast.

Are the Rockets on a tear after Kevin Durant burner phone rumors?

“The body language doctor is terrified of,” Simmons began. The popular podcaster claimed that the Rockets have bad vibes, and that he thinks they are “the most disconnected of the playoff teams.” The biggest evidence of why he feels that way was a key moment during this week’s 110-108 overtime loss to the Timberwolves.

After a bad turnover at the end of regulation, All-Star Alpern Sengun made an incredible play by running back and getting a big block. He moved so far that he lost his balance, fell on his face and got a cut on his lip. Yet instead of his teammates getting excited about the game, Reed Shepard gave him a “Good job, dude, like it’s the end of the first quarter.”

Simmons also noted how Durant and his other Rockets teammates did not show much support after the game. He said, “That team is not on the same page. I don’t like the vibes. Something is really wrong.”

Then he took the matter a little further. There are suggestions that Ime Udoka has done one of the worst coaching jobs in the NBA this season, and questions over his lack of late-game adjustments.

Simmons said, “The feelings are terrible. I don’t think he really likes the team that much. And if you want to go into the whole conspiracy theory, they haven’t been the same since the KD Burner stuff during the All-Star break.”

Earlier this season a conspiracy surfaced on an X account owned by Durant that featured group chat conversations criticizing Rockets teammates as well as other players and coaches around the league.

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

Who will get the first pick in the 2026 NBA Draft? This is a question that has become a big point of discussion this season due to the massive amount of tanking around the NBA. Although the lottery isn’t until May 17, we’re looking at the teams that are actually most worthy of the No. 1 overall pick.

Let’s take a look at our list of the five teams most worthy of winning the NBA Draft Lottery and getting the right to the top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

1.Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies are the most eligible team for the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Ja Morant’s injuries and his questionable commitment to the game have really put this team in a position where it needs a rebuild. So, the organization correctly acknowledged that by trading away Desmond Benn and later Jaren Jackson Jr. We’ve seen what Memphis can do for the likes of Jaylen Wells (39th overall pick in 2024) and Cedric Coward (11th overall pick in 2025), they know how to maximize player development. Plus, the city of Memphis deserves a new franchise cornerstone that it can rally behind. On top of all that, the NBA would certainly like to see that the team that wins the NBA Draft Lottery is not the team that has basically played double-digit games this season.

2. Washington Wizards

Placing the Washington Wizards here instead of the Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets or Utah Jazz would draw criticism. In our view, Indiana doesn’t need a top pick in a tremendous down year when they have Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam and Ivica Zubac. We also do not believe that Utah’s multi-year tanking plan spearheaded by Danny Ainge should be rewarded. Instead, magicians are more qualified. AJ Diabantsa or Cameron Boozer could enter a core that already includes Trae Young, Bilal Koulibaly and Alex Sarr. Even what happens to Anthony Davis is excluded. Washington has already positioned itself to become an Eastern Conference contender next season ahead of the NBA trade deadline.

3. Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings aren’t intentionally tanking, it’s just an organization that is worryingly badly run and coached. Sacramento is actually the worst NBA team in the entire 2025-26 NBA season, but they haven’t had a head coach willing to go to extremes to improve the team’s NBA Draft Lottery odds, as we saw in March. Typically, this would make Sacramento the most eligible team for the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. That said, given how owner Vivek Ranadive has run the team, landing in Sacramento would be detrimental to the potential of any top prospect.

4.Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls haven’t exactly been a well-run organization in recent years, that’s good. The least you can say in defense of this franchise is that it clearly isn’t at the levels we’ve seen from the Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers this year nor the likes of the Utah Jazz over the past few seasons. Chicago also isn’t resting its star player for the rest of the year like the Milwaukee Bucks. Of the teams that will have realistically top-10 lottery prospects, Chicago is one of the few that has remained mildly competitive at least through the second half of the season. At the same time, there is a desire to see a generational talent land in Chicago and potentially transform an aging franchise.

RELATED: Chicago Bulls HC addresses UNC Tar Heels rumors

5. Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks received universal praise last year for acquiring the unprotected rights to the New Orleans Pelicans’ first-round selection in the 2026 NBA Draft. Fast forward to now, there is about a 25 percent chance that it will become one of the top four. Meanwhile, the Hawks are headed for a top-six seed in the Eastern Conference with player development in the success of Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu. Atlanta won the NBA Draft Lottery a few years ago, but Zachary Rissacher was one of the worst prospects to go No. 1 overall in recent memory. It’s an exciting idea to imagine this rising Hawks team winning the draft lottery again and adding AJ DiBantsa to play alongside Johnson and Dyson Daniels.

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

一份瘋狂的報告顯示，一名冒充成人電影明星的男子詐騙了 NFL 和 NBA 球員數千美元，而他也因類似罪行入獄。

週四深夜，《The Athletic》報導了一個沒人能猜到的故事。顯然，美國國家橄欖球聯盟球員協會聯繫了代表數百名球員的經紀人，提醒他們，他們的客戶可能是夸梅因·傑裡爾·福特巧妙計劃的受害者。

據《The Athletic》報道，本月，這位來自喬治亞州佈福德的 34 歲男子被喬治亞州北區美國檢察官辦公室指控為 9 項電信詐欺罪、7 項電腦詐欺罪、1 項存取設備詐欺罪、4 項嚴重身份盜竊罪和 1 項性交易罪。

美國檢察官辦公室聲稱，雖然福特此前因竊取運動員和名人的信用卡號碼而服刑，但據稱他在 2020 年 11 月再次嘗試了這項計劃。在這起案件中，他冒充成人電影明星來吸引 NFL 和 NBA 球員的興趣。然後，他還冒充蘋果公司的客戶服務代表，並能夠訪問運動員的“用戶名、密碼或多因素身份驗證碼”，這樣他們就可以獲得從假冒角色發送的影片。

在獲得這些資訊後，福特就能夠取得運動員的信用卡和金融卡數據，並花費數千美元購買個人物品。然而，到了 2021 年，這個在監獄裡開始的計畫發生了瘋狂的轉變。

檢察官聲稱，該罪犯再次冒充成人電影明星，招募、欺騙和脅迫一名婦女與多名運動員進行商業性行為。福特撒謊說這些行為將促進她的模特兒生涯。然後，他向運動員做廣告，與該女子發生性關係，協商報酬，然後從中提成。

福特威脅這名女子參與該計劃，並讓她在未經同意的情況下秘密拍攝這些遭遇，以用於敲詐勒索計劃。

福特在 2019 年 3 月因類似計劃被定罪後，於 2022 年 1 月出獄。在那次陰謀中，他入侵了屬於運動員和說唱歌手的 100 多個蘋果帳號。他被判犯有電腦詐欺和嚴重身份盜竊罪，並花費了近 325,000 美元的被盜資金。

Jason Burgos 於 2017 年獲得新聞學學位後，擔任多個網站的撰稿人，其中包括 MMA Sucka … 關於 Jason Burgos 的更多信息

一份疯狂的报告显示，一名冒充成人电影明星的罪犯骗走了 NFL 和 NBA 球员数千美元。

周四深夜，《The Athletic》报道了一个没人能猜到的故事。显然，美国国家橄榄球联盟球员协会联系了代表数百名球员的经纪人，提醒他们，他们的客户可能是夸梅因·杰里尔·福特巧妙计划的受害者。

据《The Athletic》报道，本月，这位来自佐治亚州布福德的 34 岁男子被乔治亚州北区美国检察官办公室指控为 9 项电信欺诈罪、7 项计算机欺诈罪、1 项访问设备欺诈罪、4 项严重身份盗窃罪和 1 项性交易罪。

美国检察官办公室声称，虽然福特因窃取运动员和名人的信用卡号码以维持自己的生活方式而入狱，但据称他在 2020 年 11 月又重新参与了该计划。在这起案件中，他冒充成人电影明星来吸引 NFL 和 NBA 球员的兴趣。然后，他还冒充苹果的客户服务代表，并获得“用户名、密码或多因素身份验证码”的访问权限，以便他们可以从假角色获取视频。

获得这些信息后，福特就能够获取运动员的信用卡和借记卡数据，并花费数千美元购买个人物品。然而，到了 2021 年，这个在监狱里开始的计划发生了戏剧性的转变。

检察官声称，该罪犯再次冒充成人电影明星，招募、欺骗和胁迫一名妇女与多名运动员进行商业性行为。福特撒谎说这些行为将促进她的模特生涯。然后，他向运动员宣传这名女子，协商报酬以换取与该女子发生性关系，然后从中抽取佣金。

福特威胁这名女子参与该计划，并让她在未经同意的情况下秘密拍摄这些遭遇，以用于敲诈勒索计划。

福特在 2019 年 3 月因类似计划被定罪后，于 2022 年 1 月出狱。在那次阴谋中，他入侵了属于运动员和说唱歌手的 100 多个苹果账户。他被判犯有计算机欺诈和严重身份盗窃罪，并花费了近 325,000 美元的被盗资金。

Jason Burgos 于 2017 年获得新闻学学位后，担任多个网站的撰稿人，其中包括 MMA Sucka … 关于 Jason Burgos 的更多信息

金州勇士隊正處於危機之中，因為過去幾週他們的情況並不順利。

唯一能拯救他們的是史蒂芬·庫裡的回歸，他仍在養傷膝蓋。最近有報案稱，他將在未來幾天開始參加全面的訓練。

儘管狀態低迷，但庫裡保持著積極的心態，甚至還和媒體開玩笑。此外，他似乎並沒有拒絕關於他最喜歡的話題之一的談話：高爾夫。

NBA記者Leigh Ellis向這位兩屆MVP講述了他幾年前參加大師賽的經歷。當被問及他的最終得分時，柯瑞給出了巧妙的回答。

「我不會親吻並講述這件事。我在第一洞就抓到了小鳥。我想確保我看到了球場的其餘部分，但我保證，在那之後我會度過美好的一天，」柯瑞在艾利斯發布的影片中說道。

這位 37 歲的後衛被廣泛認為是 NBA 最好的高爾夫球手，有些人甚至聲稱他可以成為職業球員。

艾利斯還問柯瑞，他願意用什麼NBA榮譽來換取大師賽的綠夾克。

「我會用我的三分球比賽勝利之一進行交易。我有兩個，所以我贏得了一個備用。但這不是一個平等的交易，」四屆冠軍微笑著回答。

柯瑞多年來一直是職業業餘錦標賽的常客，同時也鼓勵其他 NBA 球員嘗試高爾夫。

當洛杉磯湖人隊的勒布朗詹姆斯去年終於開始這項運動時，他甚至向他發出了歡迎訊息。

與此同時，柯瑞本賽季只打了 39 場比賽，他將在參加全面訓練之前加強個人場上訓練。

洛杉磯快艇隊見證了科懷·倫納德本賽季打出了職業生涯中最好的籃球，這幫助他們走出了一個看似大得無法挖出來的洞。

本賽季迄今為止，倫納德已經參加了快艇隊 73 場比賽中的 57 場，並且需要參加快艇隊最後 9 場比賽中的 8 場，才有資格獲得賽季末 NBA 獎項。除了2025年11月因右腳踝扭傷缺席10場比賽外，倫納德一直相對健康，但由於左腳踝扭傷，他不得不在第四節缺席幾場比賽。

在底特律活塞隊後衛凱德·坎寧安（Cade Cunningham）肺部衰竭並將無限期缺席後，NBA關於賽季結束時必須有65場比賽才能獲得獎項的規則受到了很多批評。坎寧安本季出賽61場比賽，帶領底特律活塞隊取得東部最佳戰績，場均貢獻24.5分、5.6籃板、9.9助攻和1.5抄截。

從各方面來看，他都是 NBA 最佳陣容球員和 MVP 候選人，但如果他沒有回歸並打至少四場比賽達到 65 場比賽，就沒有資格獲得 NBA 賽季末獎項。

週三晚上的比賽結束後，科懷·倫納德被問及對 NBA 65 場比賽後獲得賽季結束獎資格的看法。

「我認為這對聯盟來說很棒，我想，試圖阻止人們只是坐著，」倫納德說。 「但就像我之前說的，我不認為這條規則會改變任何人在受傷的情況下打球的方式。我認為，如果你處於持續的疼痛中，或者你試圖控制疼痛，那麼僅僅試圖完成一場比賽是沒有意義的。事情就是這樣。最健康的人打球，這就是球的滾動方式。”

由於科懷·倫納德在攻防兩端的出色表現，他本賽季一直在討論入選最佳陣容和最佳防守陣容。他對此表示讚賞，並且並不認為這是理所當然的，儘管在獲得這些獎項之前他還有一些工作要做。

「這太棒了，」倫納德補充道。 「這些都是個人榮譽，聯盟中的每個人都在為成為 NBA 最佳陣容或最佳防守陣容、年度最佳防守球員、進步最快球員和 MVP 而努力，就像你說的那樣，所以當你能夠獲得其中一項榮譽時，你就知道從某種意義上來說，你的努力得到了回報。”

本季倫納德為快艇場均貢獻28.3分、6.3個籃板、3.6次助攻和2.0次搶斷，投籃命中率為50.4%，三分命中率為38.4%，罰球命中率為90.1%。

這位快艇球星還連續 49 場比賽得分至少 20 分，這是目前 NBA 連續得分第二長的紀錄，僅次於俄克拉荷馬城雷霆隊球星謝伊·吉爾吉斯-亞歷山大。倫納德連續得分20分也是30歲以上球員中最長的。

不久前，西雅圖地區只有北美四大運動中的兩支球隊。雖然西雅圖水手隊和西雅圖海鷹隊擁有很大的份額，但西雅圖超音速隊的回歸是球迷希望看到的。在獲得 NBA 球隊之前，這座城市首先迎來了 NHL 的擴張球隊西雅圖海妖 (Seattle Kraken) 在氣候承諾球館 (Climate Pledge Arena) 打球，看起來他們很快就會實現超音速隊的夢想。

NHL 和 NBA 球隊聯手合作的想法對西雅圖來說很有意義，而 Kraken 的執行長 Tod Leiweke 似乎已經準備好在 NBA 可能擴張的傳言中實現這一目標。

為了回應 NBA 在西雅圖的擴張，Kraken 和 One Roof Sports and Entertainment 首席執行官托德·雷維克 (Tod Leiweke) 表示，“我們將提出一份囊括一切的投標。” pic.twitter.com/mrCffCMkeN

— KING 5 體育 (@KING5Sports) 2026 年 3 月 25 日

Kraken 最初的成功對於西雅圖的曲棍球界來說是一個偉大的標誌。他們在第二年進入季後賽，並在第一輪擊敗了衛冕史丹利杯冠軍科羅拉多雪崩隊。看起來他們可能會走上他們的擴張隊伍維加斯黃金騎士隊的道路，但他們未能複製最初的成功。

海妖隊在 2025-26 賽季再次下滑，距離季後賽席位還有 5 分之差。他們看起來不太可能及時恢復並進入 2026 年季後賽，而管理團隊在休賽期還有一些工作要做，以使他們成為季後賽的有力競爭者。隨著第四支球隊來到這座城市爭奪球迷的喜愛，海妖隊可能會優先考慮趕上海鷹隊和水手隊，或者冒著落後於可能贏得這座城市的潛在NBA球隊的風險。

It doesn’t matter who wins in the end and who gets the last shot a shining momentWith the NCAA Championship trophy raised in the air, March Madness is always a great time for NBA Draft prospects to start making a name for themselves before the full pre-draft cycle begins.

Performing well and shining in the spotlight can make a difference in the lives of many of these collegiate players, and if you don’t believe it, just ask Donte DiVincenzo.

This year’s 2026 NBA Draft class figures to be one of the deepest, most talented groups we’ve ever seen enter the league at once, and the list of standouts from this year’s tournament is already long after the first weekend.

AJ DiBantsa and BYU didn’t win their first-round game, but NBA scouts across the country have begun labeling them as the clear favorites for the No. 1 pick. Obviously, his 35-point, 10-rebound performance without missing a game didn’t hurt him in any way in this No. 1 pick argument.

Cameron Boozer continues to make headlines with Duke winning his first two games, and the same can be said about Houston freshman guard Kingston Flemings, who looks to punch his ticket to the Final Four with two more wins just seven minutes from his campus.

And then there are several other names that emerged during the first weekend of the tournament – ​​Darius Acuff Jr. clearly dominated social media content and led all players in scoring in Arkansas’ first two games.

March Madness is in full swing, and the Sweet 16 begins Thursday night. Looking at the remaining 16 teams, there are plenty of prospects and stories, but here are the four NBA Draft prospects making the most noise that are worth keeping an eye on this weekend.

West Region: Darius Acuff Jr. – Arkansas

No player has been more impressive than Darius Acuff Jr. during the latter stages of the college basketball season and through his first two games of March Madness.

Whenever Arkansas needs a basket, Acuff is there to deliver, and he did just that in that thrilling second-round game against High Point that came down to the final few possessions.

Acuff finished the game with 36 points, scoring 12 of the Razorbacks’ 16 points in the final five minutes of the game. It seems like this guy lives and performs in the biggest moments, which is why he has fans all over the country anticipating a Sweet 16 matchup with Arizona, a team that many think can win the entire tournament.

Not only has Acuff scored 60 points in his two tournament games to lead all players offensively, but he is shooting nearly 46 percent from 3-point range in March Madness. He will now face Arizona’s Jaden Bradley, one of the best guard defenders in the country. This is must-see basketball Thursday night in San Jose.

East Region: Taris Reed Jr. – UConn

Before the NCAA Tournament started, we highlighted Tyrese Reed Jr. as one of the most interesting draft prospects moving forward and could find himself a first-round pick depending on how he performs for UConn.

Well, the UConn center played pretty well against Furman in the first round, dropping 31 points and 27 rebounds. Yes, you read that right – 27 rebounds. Reed joined Tom Gola (1995), Elvin Hayes (three times; 1966 and 1968), and Jerry Lucas (twice; 1960 and 1961) as the only players to record a 30-point, 25-rebound game in NCAA Tournament history.

In their next matchup against a much stronger-willed UCLA team, Reed had 10 points and 13 rebounds, bringing his tally to 41 points and 40 rebounds through the Huskies’ first two tournament games. Since 1971, only four players have had at least 40 points and 40 rebounds through two games: Bill Walton (1972 – UCLA), Hakeem Olajuwon (1983 – Houston), Tim Duncan (1997 – Wake Forest), and now Tyrese Reed Jr.

This is a list to be a part of and it’s the beginning of Reed’s rise. Tom Izzo coaching against Dan Hurley is entertainment in itself, but if you need another reason to watch UConn’s Sweet 16 game, it should definitely be for Reid.

By the time June comes around, we can discuss Reed as the best center prospect in this draft class, assuming he doesn’t return to college with several major zero offers that will likely come his way.

Midwest Region: Keaton Wagler – Illinois

Since Illinois is one of the top offensive teams in the country, individual performance often gets overlooked for the Illini. However, Keaton Wagler has been a standout freshman for Illinois this season, and if not for his consistent play and timely shots throughout the season they would not have been in the Sweet 16.

In his two games against Penn and VCU, Wagler scored a combined 32 points on 12-of-24 shooting, including 6-of-12 from 3-point range. Not only is he shooting very efficiently from everywhere on the court, but he has also recorded 12 rebounds and nine assists during his first two tournament games.

When it comes to NBA Draft prospects, Wagler won’t blow you away like the athletic and dynamic players at the top of the board will, but he is developing a very consistent, honest approach on the offensive end of the court, and his length provides a lot of advantages to becoming a tall scoring guard on the perimeter at the next level.

This Sweet 16 matchup against Houston is a great opportunity for Wagler to raise even more eyebrows of NBA personnel, as how he attacks his opponent’s strong defense and handles pressure will be two key elements of a potential Illinois upset in the Cougars’ backyard.

South Region: Morez Johnson Jr. – Michigan

It was difficult to choose between Moraes Johnson Jr. and Yaxel Lendeborg for this spot in the South Zone. Lendeborg was a player we highlighted as a highly touted draft prospect before the tournament started, and he scored 25 points in Michigan’s Round of 32 game against St. Louis.

While Lendeborg is the player most likely to go in the lottery out of these two Wolverine prospects, there is a lot to like about Johnson, and NBA scouts are monitoring him closely as one of the late-season players to consider before things fully kick off with the draft cycle.

Johnson is a big-bodied forward who does almost all of his damage in the paint, and that has allowed Lendeborg to thrive. Not only can Johnson be a double-double threat, but he is extremely efficient when it comes to finishing around the rim, shooting nearly 64 percent from the floor in the tournament.

As good as Lendeborg and others on Michigan’s roster are, Johnson is likely the key for this team to cut down the net in Indianapolis. Every successful college team has that one guy who can be labeled as the stabilizer and who really steps up when his team needs it.

Johnson is that player for Michigan, and his play is getting a lot of attention when it comes to the talent selections hovering around the outside of the lottery.

The Los Angeles Lakers are just a few weeks away from the playoffs and have won nine of their last 10 games, including a 137-130 win against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Nearly everyone on the team is playing at a high level, led undoubtedly by Luka Doncic, who has averaged close to 40 points in his last 10 contests, LeBron James and Austin Reaves.

One player who is benefiting from the Lakers’ surge is Bronny James. He may not be able to perform in big numbers like his teammates, but his confidence in his game has increased.

The young James said his stint with the South Bay Lakers in the G League has been a big factor continual improvementAs the OC Register’s Benjamin Royer reports.

“I like to go out there and play my game and be as aggressive as I can, so that when I get these minutes here, I’m comfortable playing with Luka, Braun, AR and everybody else,” the 21-year-old guard said.

I asked Bronny James about G’s travels and his goal-oriented process with South Bay:

“I like to go out there and play my game and be as aggressive as I can be, so that when I get some minutes here, I’m comfortable playing with Luka, Braun, AR and everyone else.” https://t.co/ENGUPpFbBv

– Benjamin Royer (@thebenroyer) 26 March 2026

In 12 games with South Bay, he averaged 15.3 points on 54.6% shooting, 3.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.3 steals.

Lakers coach JJ Redick will be the first to point out that young James, who is on a two-way contract, has been playing remarkably well recently.

“He has a lot of confidence right now,” Redick said in a video posted by Royer.

“He’s had a great season in South Bay. He’s been the best player every time in our stay-ready games the last three or four weeks. There’s a bounce in his step right now. It comes from that confidence.”

The second-year playmaker, whose athleticism and defensive skills also earned praise from Redick, contributed four points, one rebound, one assist, two steals and one block in 13 minutes off the bench against the Pacers.

Anything is gravy for the Los Angeles Clippers at this point in the season; Whatever they accomplish from here will already be such a huge win when taking into account where they have to start the 2025-26 NBA season. This Clippers team started the season losing 21 of their first 27 games, and looked like a complete bust. But then Kawhi Leonard turned in arguably his most impressive self to date and saved the Clippers from deep.

At the time of writing, the Clippers’ record is 36-36, meaning they have won 30 of their last 45 games. This is a team that cannot be underestimated, as LA has been stopped in its tracks by not making the slightest of roster changes before the trade deadline.

Now, the Clippers have faced a difficult situation recently. But they still went 9-5 in the month of March and managed to reach the eighth seed in the Western Conference – a scenario that would seem absurd to any fan of the team if this news had been delivered in mid-December.

But with everything going well for the Clippers, especially considering where they are coming from, some fans will be anxiously waiting for the other shoe to drop. After all, this is the Clippers franchise; There may have been some good moments in the team’s history, but bad luck somehow gets in the way of the franchise.

Ultimately, this is the scenario that any Clippers fan would dread as the start of the postseason and play-in tournament approaches.

Clippers’ nightmare scenario: Kawhi Leonard gets hurt before play-ins

As mentioned earlier, the fact that the Clippers have managed to rise from the dead in this way is already a huge win for the franchise. Never mind that the Clippers would blow up another first-round pick in the middle of the first round, the Oklahoma City Thunder. The fact that they have a chance to not accept a lottery pick is already a big win.

The Paul George business already has sunk costs. He invested a lot of resources on a team that had two to three years of competition experience and in the end, injury problems became too much for the team to overcome.

It would be a cruel twist of the knife if somehow, injury problems become the thing that prevents the Clippers from exceeding their lofty expectations once again.

Leonard, in particular, is the healthiest he has been in years. Last season there were signs that the 34-year-old star was in decline and that his career was on the decline. He had some memorable outbursts in the playoffs, but no longer appears to have the superstar ability to carry teams.

But Leonard’s knees look healthier than ever; In fact, it has been his ankles that have been giving him the most problems all season. For someone who has struggled with chronic knee problems, Leonard’s health has been quite a gift. It would be a shame if Leonard, knock on wood, somehow re-aggravates his knee problems that will keep him out of playing a tournament game or two for the Clippers.

Leonard’s injury problems in the playoffs are well documented. He tore his ACL in 2021, when it looked like the Clippers had the best chance to win the title. In 2023, George tore his meniscus after battling tooth and nail against the Phoenix Suns in the first round amid injury. And then in 2024, when the Clippers got a new lease of life with James Harden, Leonard was a strong player in his own right and was a non-factor in a six-game series loss against the Dallas Mavericks.

If Leonard suffers a serious injury, nothing could go wrong for the Clippers. This is the scenario that would cause the sky to fall outside the Intuit Dome and would put quite a spin on what has been a fun rollercoaster of a season for LA.

Clippers’ nightmare matchup scenario: LA slips to 10th, faces Stephen Curry-led Warriors

As far as matchups go, the Clippers should remain firmly entrenched within the seven to 10 range in the Western Conference postseason picture. They are 7.5 games behind the sixth-place Houston Rockets in the win-loss column at the time of writing, which is impossible to accomplish with 12 games remaining in the season.

The Clippers can still reach the seventh spot, giving them homecourt advantage in 7/8 play-in games. It’s suited for LA; They are 20-15 at home, and if they lose, they have another chance to make the playoffs in another home game against the winner of the 9/10 matchup.

However, the Clippers are closer to falling to 10th place than reaching seventh place. They are 3.5 games behind the Phoenix Suns, while they are just two games ahead of the struggling Golden State Warriors. There’s a chance the Clippers still move up to the 10th seed, especially as they have three games remaining against the Dubs (one) and ninth-place Portland Trail Blazers (two).

LA will want to avoid slipping to tenth place, as they will be forced to fight for their postseason lives on the road against one of two teams with a winning record at home. The Clippers are just 16-21 away from the Intuit Dome, which is far from the worst, but it’s not the most promising either.

What will be even more disappointing will be that the Clippers will be playing against a Warriors team in the 9/10 play-in game as Stephen Curry returns from injury. Now, there is nothing concrete yet about when Curry will be able to return.

But the Dubs are hopeful he can play before the season ends. And Curry, given how battle-tested he is, is not someone the Clippers want to face in a do-or-die situation on the road.

The 2025-26 season isn’t even remotely going as planned for the Golden State Warriors. After the 2025 NBA Playoffs gave the franchise hope that if they could get everyone healthy in time for the playoffs, they could compete with the best, the Warriors’ injury problems have worsened this season.

Jimmy Butler tore his ACL, sending Stephen Curry’s co-star to recover – largely destroying the Warriors’ title hopes. They traded for Kristaps Porzingis, who has been missing regular time due to illness. Moses Moody has suffered a nasty knee injury which is sure to keep him out for a while. And now, even Curry is battling persistent knee troubles, which has cast such a huge cloud of uncertainty over the team.

Still, as the old saying goes, it’s not over until it’s over. The Warriors are still in the postseason picture, and unless they are eliminated, there is a chance they can make things difficult for at least the San Antonio Spurs or the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.

At this point, qualifying for the playoffs in any capacity is already a huge win. This season is long lost for the Dubs, and there is no way they can force Curry to return before his body is ready.

That said, this is the Warriors’ dream seeding and matchup scenario heading into the 2026 NBA Playoffs.

Warriors dream scenario: Earn the eighth seed, Stephen Curry gets healthy

At the time of writing, the Warriors have a record of 34–38, as their difficult month of March (they went 3–9 in the calendar month) has caused their decline in the Western Conference standings. They find life extremely difficult without Curry, as they don’t have enough fire and star power to survive in a loaded conference without their best player, making life easier for the rest of the roster.

Now, discussing the shortcomings of the roster is not the subject of this article. But to summarize, the Warriors have a roster full of role players and support players that can’t increase their production as much when their best player is gone, leading to a lot of inconsistencies from game to game.

And Curry’s return doesn’t seem imminent; While the Warriors are insisting he is on track with his recovery, he was not able to participate in 5-on-5 scrimmages over the weekend, while the team initially hoped he would. This knee injury may be more serious than the Dubs have indicated, although that shouldn’t be a surprise considering Curry is 38 years old.

But unless Curry is sidelined for the rest of the season, the Warriors hope they can keep things competitive in the play-in tournament picture. If Curry is ultimately ruled out of the play-in tournament game, it is safe to say that the Dubs will not be favored in any way in any games against other potential play-in teams in the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers.

However, if Curry returns, it changes the equation drastically in the Warriors’ favor. Curry is a big-game player who has gone through every battle imaginable during his NBA career, and there is no way he should be fazed in a game. There will be concerns about his form when he returns from injury, but he has performed brilliantly in the past after returning from a long absence.

Curry will get the Warriors offense humming once again; Without running around the court to create space, the Dubs’ offense becomes stagnant and inefficient and overly reliant on making difficult shots. With Curry’s return, his teammates have reduced responsibilities, and they can move back into more comfortable supporting roles, restoring balance to the team.

If Curry comes back for the Warriors in the next week or so, it’s even better for the Warriors. This gives them a better chance of avoiding the dreaded 9/10 play-in tournament games. The Dubs’ play-in history isn’t very encouraging, so it’s important to give themselves a better chance of reaching the playoffs by giving them two chances to qualify instead of just one.

The Dubs are just two games behind the Clippers for eighth place in the conference, and that’s a deficit they can make up with 10 games remaining in the season.

The game against the Suns is very winnable at the moment; Injury problems have also hit the Suns badly, with Dillon Brooks and Mark Williams, who were key players for the team, currently on the mend. The Suns have been playing below .500 basketball in the month of March, and the Warriors can certainly give them a run for their money – especially with Curry back.

The blueprint for the Warriors to make the playoffs in this dream scenario is clear: They must earn the eighth seed (very possible with four games remaining against the Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards and Sacramento Kings, and a key matchup against the Clippers), defeat the Suns, and have a tough contest against the inexperienced San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.

Now, the Warriors will be heavy underdogs in the playoff series against the Spurs. But Golden State is currently winning the season series against San Antonio (2-1). The caveat is that the Dubs had won these two wins before Butler’s season-ending injury. Still, this suggests he may remain with the Spurs in some capacity.

The potential playoff series against the Spurs also feels like a passing of the torch moment. As anyone may remember, a young, improved Warriors team led by Curry faced the Spurs in the 2013 NBA Playoffs and were defeated in a six-game first round playoff series.

Now, it’s the turn of the young, rising Spurs to face a more experienced team that is at the end of its competitive phase – which could be a fitting bookend to the true end of this Warriors dynasty.

On Tuesday evening, the Denver Nuggets continued their winning ways with a narrow road win over the Phoenix Suns. This game probably came a little closer than fans wanted, but ultimately, Denver was able to muster enough to secure the victory.

Nikola Jokic filled the stat sheet in this one, scoring 23 points with 17 rebounds and 17 assists as well as the game-winning bucket, and also made history, recording the fifth-fastest triple double on record.

After the game, Jokic had a strong reaction to the accomplishment.

“It just happens,” Jokic said, according to the former NBA on Twitter.

NBC Sports sideline reporter Grant Liffman quipped, “It happens often.”

Making NBA history has become routine for Jokic during his future Hall of Fame career, as he has set countless records for both the Nuggets franchise and the league as a whole.

Currently, the Nuggets are trying to add a second ring to their trophy case, having failed to make it past the second round of the NBA Championship since the 2022–23 season. Jokic hasn’t looked like himself since returning from a knee injury earlier this season, leading some to wonder if the team has him back too soon, but over the past few games he’s started to look closer to the MVP version of himself, continuing his impressive performance against the Suns on Tuesday.

The Nuggets are now 45-28 on the season, good for fourth place in the coveted Western Conference playoff picture, a half game behind the Minnesota Timberwolves.

In any case, Denver will next take the field on Wednesday evening for a home game against the Dallas Mavericks.

Bam Adebayo hails Las Vegas as “second home” As NBA expansion discussions heated up this week, the NBA is moving forward with plans to add franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle.

According to ESPN, the NBA Board of Governors has approved a vote to formally begin exploring expansion in the two markets, an important step toward potential league growth. Shortly after the news, Adebayo spoke with reporters about the possibility of playing in Las Vegas.

“If I get a chance to play in Vegas, I get to go to my second home a little bit, so that will be nice.”

Adebayo’s ties to Las Vegas extend beyond basketball. He has been in a relationship with A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces for over a year, which has linked him to the city that has become a growing hub for professional sports.

When asked if Las Vegas could support an NBA team the same way fans support the Aces, Adebayo pointed to the unparalleled loyalty already established within the WNBA fanbase.

“I can see them supporting me like that. I don’t know about any other team. It’s a good thing because the Aces fans are really true to the Aces, so I don’t know how it’s going to happen. If they start winning like the Aces, maybe.”

Bam Adebayo on the opportunity to play in Las Vegas and whether Aces fans will support the NBA team 👀

“If I get a chance to play in Vegas and get a chance to visit my other home a little bit, that would be cool. I can see them supporting me like that. I don’t know about any other team. It’s a fine line… https://t.co/0ada2DmLdX pic.twitter.com/IheTXV2g0Q

– Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) 25 March 2026

Bam Adebayo’s arrival in Las Vegas leads to Heat’s climb up the East standings

Buoyed by the success of hosting the NBA Summer League and recent NBA Cup championship events, Las Vegas has emerged as a leading candidate for expansion along with Seattle. The city has also demonstrated strong support for other major franchises in the NFL, NHL and WNBA.

For now, Adebayo’s focus remains on the Miami Heat and their effort to build momentum heading into the season. Miami currently sits in 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings at 38-34 after a five-game losing streak, including a 136-111 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday.

The 28-year-old continues to power the Heat on both ends of the floor as the team tries to climb the Eastern Conference standings. Miami is 2.5 games behind the fifth-seeded Toronto Raptors (40-31).

Miami begins a two-game road trip against the Cleveland Cavaliers (45-27) on Wednesday at 7:30 PM ET and then face them on Friday night at 7:30 PM ET on NBA TV.

The NBA Board of Governors approved a vote Wednesday to explore the possibility of adding two new expansion franchises specifically in the Las Vegas and Seattle markets, the league announced.

As part of the standard process for exploring expansion, the NBA will evaluate all aspects of each potential market, including hearing proposals from potential ownership groups that want to start an expansion franchise.

As the vote was finalized with NBA governors and stakeholders in New York on Wednesday, Silver addressed the ongoing speculation about what the expansion means for the league as a whole. While Silver was clearly very optimistic about the expansion aspect in his press conference, he also made it clear that nothing is a given when it comes to this topic.

“There’s absolutely a possibility that we may not be able to expand. That’s why we were careful to say ‘explore the process.’ It’s also possible that we may expand into one market and not two. For two, or zero markets,” Silver said.

There is much more to a potential expansion than just the formation of a new franchise, and Silver acknowledged as much in his press conference in New York City on Wednesday afternoon.

In terms of why a level of skepticism still exists for the possibility of a Las Vegas and Seattle expansion, the NBA Commissioner explained that owners would still need to approve the final transaction, and real-world issues that arise could potentially push back the timing of the final expansion.

Silver said, “Why that might not happen, at least standing here today, I don’t see anything in the relatively short-term future of this league that would indicate that there wouldn’t be a lot of interest in those markets and the board would continue to be supportive going forward. I should say, at the right time, it would require three-quarters of the owners supporting it.” “But we will not be moving forward at this step, and in fairness to interested parties, that was one of the reasons we wanted to make this formal announcement, because wherever those prices land, it is a huge undertaking.

“Normally, it’s not just a single owner. It’s a group that requires financing, arena planning, etc. So, where the uncertainty for me lies in the issues outside the league. There is huge instability in the world at the moment, and we may ultimately conclude for reasons completely out of our control that it is not the right time to expand. That is something we should postpone and revisit at a later time.

“That’s really our warning.”

A potential final vote for expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle will be held later this year, which would officially take the league from 30 to 32 teams. In doing so, a team from the Western Conference would move into the Eastern Conference to balance the league at 16 teams on the opposite end.

It is expected that either the Minnesota Timberwolves or the Memphis Grizzlies will move east, with the Timberwolves seen as the likely favorite in this scenario.

As the formal expansion process officially begins, further updates on NBA expansion will be provided by Silver and the league office at a later date.

The NBA investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard is still ongoing. The Clippers reportedly attempted to circumvent the NBA salary cap by paying money to Leonard through a bankrupt company called Aspiration. No verdict has been reached on the scam; However, the Clippers may lose Leonard.

Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix joins Rachel Nichols on Open Floor to discuss the NBA’s investigation into the Clippers. Although nothing has been disclosed by the NBA, there is a possibility that Leonard’s contract could be voided.

“It is relevant as [Kawhi Leonard]contract,” Mannix said. “If [the NBA] Decides that ‘Hey, we can void Kawhi’s contract because we deem it invalid because of how this all came together.’ There’s a lot – I mean, there’s as much discussion about anything in the NBA right now. Anything. “Every field I go to, I hear about it, every conversation I have with league and team officials, this comes up.”

This would not be the first time that the NBA has canceled a contract. In 2000, the NBA voided Joe Smith’s contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves after circumventing the salary cap. There is precedent for a voided contract, and the Clippers could face similar penalties with Leonard.

Other possible penalties for Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers

There are other potential penalties for Leonard and the Clippers. If the NBA gets things wrong with Los Angeles, the organization could be stripped of multiple first-round selections, fined a large amount of money, and face a suspension or worse in the basketball personnel department.

With Minnesota, the NBA stripped the organization of five first-round selections, fined the organization $3.5 million, and suspended Timberwolves executives Kevin McHale and Glenn Taylor. The Clippers could face a similar punishment that would cripple the organization’s future.

As far as Leonard is concerned, the biggest penalty would be to cancel the contract with the Clippers, but suspension or fine cannot be ruled out. It all depends on what the NBA finds in its investigation. If the NBA voids the superstar’s contract, it would likely spark a bidding war in free agency, if not his future in jeopardy.

It’s unclear when the NBA will reveal its findings and potential penalties, but the Clippers may be on the verge of a watershed moment in team history. If the NBA decides to give up, it will have a huge impact on Los Angeles’ future and set the organization back for a long time.

It would start with Leonard’s contract being voided, which would shock the NBA.

READ MORE: Rumor opens door to Spurs and Kawhi Leonard reuniting this summer

Austin Konensky is a sports writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and college football. His work…More about Austin Konensky

洛杉磯快艇隊最近一直在努力保持在西部季後賽積分榜上的地位，最近在主場以井噴的方式擊敗了密爾瓦基公鹿隊。自始至終，科懷·倫納德都打出了可以說是他職業生涯中最好的籃球，他繼續在防守端恐嚇對手，同時在進攻端以令人難以置信的效率得分。

進入本賽季，圍繞快艇隊的大新聞是巴勃羅·托雷（Pablo Torre）的指控，稱快艇隊試圖通過一家現已破產的名為 Aspiration 的公司向倫納德輸送資金，以規避 NBA 工資帽。 NBA目前已介入調查此事，但尚未就醜聞做出裁決。

最近，《體育畫報》的 NBA 記者克里斯·曼尼克斯猜測，如果事情沒有按照快艇隊希望的方式發展，會發生什麼。

「他們可能會決定廢除科懷的合同，因為我們認為它無效……」曼尼克斯在 X（前 Twitter）上接受 NBA Base 採訪時說道。

「我去的每一個球場、我與聯盟和球隊官員的所有對話中都會聽到這個問題，」他補充道。

對於目前幾乎將所有競爭機會與倫納德聯繫在一起的快艇隊來說，這肯定是個世界末日。快艇老闆史蒂夫鮑爾默和倫納德本人一直否認這些指控。

NBA上一次出現類似的情況是在2000年代初期，涉及喬史密斯和明尼蘇達灰狼隊，多次停賽，並失去了一個首輪選秀權。

無論如何，快艇隊接下來將在周三晚上主場對陣多倫多暴龍隊。

When the San Antonio Spurs selected Victor Wembanyama with the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, it changed their franchise forever.

Widely considered the best prospect since LeBron James 20 years ago, Wembley has somehow been better than advertised for the Spurs, racking up a list of accolades that could include Defensive Player of the Year and even MVP at season’s end if he’s able to meet the minimum game threshold.

But how valuable is Vembanayama in the eyes of the Spurs and talent evaluators around the NBA? Well, according to The Ringer’s Bill Simmons’ opinion on his eponymous podcast, he would prefer Wembey over all four top picks in this year’s class.

“Hypothetically, would you prefer Wemby or the top two picks in this draft? By far Wemby,” Simmons said. “Here’s a better question: Wembey or the top three picks in this draft? I’d still take Wembey. Wembey or the top four picks in the draft. I get them all. I might even take Caleb Wilson. I’d still take Wembey.”

So what would it take to pry Wembanyama away from the Spurs in terms of 2026 NBA Draft capital? Well, Simmons gave his number, keeping in mind that if he was to take home the “Alien” phone, he’d need an entire starting lineup’s worth of rookie stars.

“The answer to that is the top five picks in this draft,” Simmons said. “Now I have your attention. Now I can have Peterson and Acuff. I can have Caleb Wilson, DiBuntsa and Boozer. I have the entire starting five for Wembley. Now I’m thinking about it.”

Unfortunately for Simmons, there is no Voltron-style trade that could secure San Antonio Peterson, Acuff, Wilson, DiBantsa and Boozer, so the Spurs will have to stick with Wembanyama as their franchise cornerstone for now. Luckily, few fans in San Antonio will be bothered by that fact, because when you have a player who can become the best player to ever play the game, your future looks pretty bright.

This season has been nothing short of a pleasant surprise for the Boston Celtics, but as fans and pundits gear up for the NBA Playoffs in the final stretch of the regular season, it’s fair to wonder if their luck could worsen due to seeding effects.

Currently, Boston’s 47–24 record would keep them as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. If the season ended today, they would have faced a play-in team in the first round of the tournament. While there is no doubt that they will be able to overtake their opening opponent, the Celtics’ real nightmare could come in the second round if they fall in the standings.

As good as the New York Knicks are, the team that resides in Massachusetts should fear the most from the Detroit Pistons.

With the return of Jayson Tatum, the team is still learning how to play with each other and finding ways to integrate the veteran back into the fold. As a result, it would be less advantageous for them to fall to the No. 4 seed and face a team that boasts one of the league’s best defenses and thrives on a physical offensive style that likes to generate contact.

The Celtics’ recent 102-92 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves featured a similar dynamic. Despite being without Anthony Edwards, the T-Wolves outscored the opponent 26–15 in the final quarter and earned an effort-driven victory, limiting Setlex’s 3-point shooting in the process.

“So tonight was not an example of what we’ve been doing all season,” Jaylen Brown told Jay King of The Athletic. “We’ve been a hard-playing team, we’ve rebounded aggressively, and we’ve matched the level of physicality. I think Minnesota overcame that tonight. But it’s a good wake-up call. We get back into it, we look at it, learn from it and move forward.”

The Celtics should avoid a second-round showdown with the Pistons.

Detroit is without point guard Cade Cunningham due to a collapsed lung, but they hope to have him back once the playoffs begin. Through the first 71 games of their season, the Pistons have posted the association’s second-best defensive rating, while also attempting the second-most free throws per game.

Players like Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren are willing to play at a high level of physicality. It is not known how comfortable Tatum will be in such a matchup, or whether the Celtics have created enough consistency with him to compete against the team with the East’s best record.

If the Cleveland Cavaliers were to leapfrog Boston and claim the second or third seed, the second-round pick could theoretically force a meeting between the Celtics and Pistons. It may not be likely, but it could cut his season short.

The Knicks are a better matchup, regardless of home-court advantage

New York is clearly a contender and could be a threat to defeat Boston in the series for the second year in a row. But it can be argued that this year’s Celtics group is more balanced, assuming Tatum remains available. Even if the Knicks end up with home-court advantage in a potential second-round showdown, their style of play may be more manageable for Boston to deal with.

Like the Celtics, New York attempts 3-pointers at a high clip and boasts defensive strengths that primarily concern the opposing wing rather than centers. Both teams will likely play a close series, but Boston may have a solid chance to advance.

The Celtics have already dashed many expectations, but the wrong draw could end the franchise’s quest for a 19th championship.

Creighton recently announced that coach Greg McDermott will retire at the end of the season, ending his illustrious 16-year career with the program.

McDermott led the Bluejays to 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, including a memorable run to the Elite Eight in 2023. He was hired by Creighton in 2010 and compiled a record of 365–188.

He produced countless players during his long tenure, some of whom made it to the NBA. On Tuesday, he reunited with two of them: his son, Sacramento Kings forward Doug McDermott, and Charlotte Hornets center Ryan Kalkbrenner.

The elder McDermott posed for a photo with him at the Spectrum Center Posted with pride It’s on X.

“These two made me a great coach! It was so fun to see them share the court at an NBA game!” McDermott wrote.

Both of them made me a great coach! It’s so fun to see them share the court in an NBA game!! #RDJ pic.twitter.com/eRbVhYzUZy

– Coach McDermott (@cucoachmac) 25 March 2026

The Hornets defeated the Kings 134–90. Kalkbrenner had six points, four rebounds and two blocks, while the younger McDermott had nine points and two assists.

The Bluejays missed the NCAA Tournament this year after a 15–17 record, including 9–11 in the Big East.

Other Creighton alumni who played for the elder McDermott and went on to make it to the NBA are Dallas Mavericks guard Ryan Nembhard, Boston Celtics guard Baylor Shearman, New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Alexander, and former NBA players Justin Patton, Khary Thomas, and Ty-Shawn Alexander.

“I am extremely proud of the young men who have proudly worn the Bluejays’ uniform and represented our program in a first-class manner. It was especially gratifying to watch their growth on and off the playing field,” McDermott, 61, said in his statement about his retirement.

He also had stops at Wayne State, North Dakota State, Northern Iowa and Iowa State.

Alan Huss, who had two stints as an assistant coach at Creighton, will take over the program.

The Denver Nuggets have been a Western Conference powerhouse for years. They have made the playoffs in seven consecutive seasons, and they won the NBA championship in 2023. They have also made the Conference Finals and are one of the most consistent teams in the league in head coach David Adelman’s first full season as the team’s bench boss.
He has a cast of stars capable of stepping up and dominating the playoffs, but the Nuggets haven’t played at that level during the regular season.

Denver has 10 games remaining in the season and are tied for fourth place with the Minnesota Timberwolves. While there was no reason to think Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon would lead the Nuggets past the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the regular season and clinch the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, they certainly have the talent and all-around game to take the No. 2 seed. However, he has been ignored by the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers. As a result, they are left fighting for homecourt advantage against the Timberwolves.

It’s important for the Nuggets to earn home-court advantage

If there is no change in the standings, the Nuggets and Timberwolves will meet in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Based on their records and the way each team has played this season, the Denver-Minnesota series has all the makings of a seven-game battle.

This may be the best thing for the Nuggets, as Jokic will be forced to focus on the business at hand. He is a dynamic leader and has been with the Nuggets throughout his illustrious 11-year career. Joker is a fantastic all-around center, but he is also an avid race horse owner and may be distracted by the biggest races because he loves that sport so much.

The battle between the Nuggets and Timberwolves will feature Jokic battling against Julius Randle, and there will almost certainly be a battle of attrition between those two big men as they fight for key rebounds and position below the boards. Jokic is the better player and will likely get the edge, but he will need Murray to get the job done against Anthony Edwards. Murray is certainly a dynamic player and the challenge of facing Edwards will probably be his best effort, but in the end Edwards will have the upper hand.

Jokic and Murray have impressive numbers

Jokic is averaging 28.0 points, 12.6 rebounds, 10.6 assists and 1.5 steals per game. With 25.1 points and 7.1 assists per game, Murray is clearly a sensational partner on offense. Edwards is averaging 29.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game for the Timberwolves, while Randle is scoring 21.0 points and bringing in 6.8 rebounds per game.

That’s why finishing fourth and gaining home-court advantage is important for the Nuggets. If they slip ahead and Minnesota gets the lead, it will be a nightmare for the Nuggets.

The Nuggets may also fall behind the Rockets and slip to sixth place

The Nuggets had just a half-game lead over the sixth-place Houston Rockets heading into Wednesday’s schedule. If the Rockets surpass the Nuggets and Denver moves up to sixth, a showdown with the red-hot Los Angeles Lakers will follow. The Lakers have won nine of their last 10 games and slowing down Luka Doncic will clearly be a top priority for the Nuggets defense. Doncic is averaging 33.4 points per game and is connecting on 47.4 percent of his shots.

Austin Reaves and LeBron James are key cogs in the Lakers’ offense as they average 23.5 and 21.0 points per game, respectively. The Lakers are playing their best basketball of the season and will be a tough matchup for the Nuggets. It won’t just be about Jokic and Murray if the Nuggets make it past the first round.

They will need a lot of production from Gordon, Peyton Watson and Tim Hardaway Jr. if they want to overtake the Lakers. Gordon is contributing 16.6 points and 2.5 rebounds per game, while Watson and Hardaway are averaging 14.9 and 13.8 points, respectively.

Falling to sixth place and meeting the Lakers may be another nightmare for the Nuggets.

It almost certainly can’t get any worse for the Nuggets. They have a four-game lead over the seventh-place Phoenix Suns, and that’s something Jokic and company want to avoid. Finishing seventh means participation in the Western Conference Play-in Tournament, and if they win the first play-in game it would almost mean a loss for the Spurs.

The rested No. 7 seed would have to meet the rested No. 2 seed in the first round, and that would be a nightmare for the Nuggets. It is very unlikely that luck will favor the team, but it is within the realm of possibility.

一项新的传言表明，一位特定的新秀正在产生巨大的动力，有望在 6 月份的 NBA 选秀中以状元秀的身份与印第安纳步行者队、布鲁克林篮网队或华盛顿奇才队等球队合作。

随着 NBA 常规赛接近尾声，最大的新闻之一就是争夺积分榜垫底，但出于错误的原因。虽然抽签的目的是阻止球队在状元秀中陷入困境，但 NBA 最差的球队之间仍在争夺 6 月份的状元签。

虽然落后在 NBA 并不是什么新鲜事，但目前的情况比大多数年份都要糟糕，因为预计将参加 2026 年 NBA 选秀的新秀阵容非常强大。因此，即使一支球队没有获得第一顺位选秀权，前三名的选秀权也可能会获得改变球队的天赋。

随着赛季进入最后几周，步行者队、篮网队和奇才队目前拥有赢得状元秀的最佳赔率（14% 的机会）。随着 NCAA 锦标赛的如火如荼地进行，关于谁将成为第一的讨论一如既往地激烈。据 ESPN 的 Jeremey Woo 报道，看起来这将是一名球队在第一轮就被淘汰的球员。

AJ Dybantsa 有望成为 2026 年 NBA 选秀状元秀？

“根据最近几周与 NBA 消息人士的对话，AJ Dybantsa 最有可能成为状元秀，”Woo 在一篇新的股票观察草稿文章中写道。

在整个大学篮球赛季中，这位杨百翰大学新生一直被视为六月的潜在状元秀。他在全国得分榜上领先（25.5分），并带领美洲狮队在 NCAA 锦标赛中诞生。不幸的是，他们在首轮就被德克萨斯州淘汰。

直到最近，堪萨斯球星达林·彼得森 (Darryn Peterson) 还被认为是最有希望首发的球员，因为他为 NBA 做好了准备。不幸的是，伤病和对他对松鹰队奉献精神的质疑损害了他在许多选秀专家中的声誉。如果步行者队、篮网队或奇才队获得状元签，这两者都是不错的选择。

Jason Burgos 于 2017 年获得新闻学学位后，担任多个网站的撰稿人，其中包括 MMA Sucka … 关于 Jason Burgos 的更多信息

With only 10 games remaining before the playoffs, the New York Knicks look ready to take on the challenge of advancing to the NBA Finals. New York has won six consecutive games. And their top-five offensive and defensive ratings are a testament to their success, with both trending in recent times. Additionally, many of the Knicks’ critics, who as recently as last week were warning about their poor road trip to the NBA Finals, were silenced when Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons suffered an untimely concussion.

While the Knicks themselves are unlikely to be focused on other teams’ roster developments, those around the team have likely turned their attention to advantageous matchups in the playoffs.

How the Knicks should approach the Eastern Conference playoff brackets

Ultimately, no Eastern Conference foe is that scary for New York at the moment. The Knicks have played well against most of the top teams except the Pistons. But if they had to choose, it’s probably the Boston Celtics at least Desirable match. Granted, New York is 2-1 against Boston this season (without Jayson Tatum). And the Celtics are still figuring out how to play with Tatum in their lineup. But Tatum is unlikely to continue shooting so poorly (38.5% from the floor and 29.3% on 3-pointers, both career lows). And Boston probably has the biggest lead of any other Eastern Conference contender.

However, the Knicks’ path to the NBA Finals appears to be easier now than it was a week ago. And the Knicks’ previous nightmare matchup has likely shifted into their dream scenario. Detroit suddenly looks a lot more attractive without Cunningham. Still, the Pistons are a hard-nosed, gritty team. They still have several talented and athletic defenders. And if Cunningham is out they’ll probably want to make the game even more physical.

It’s important to note that there is no guarantee that Cunningham will miss any games in the second round. And the second round is the earliest the Knicks could possibly face the Pistons. But given Cunningham’s potential limitations due to a lack of conditioning, as well as the options in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Pistons suddenly look like their best second-round matchup.

And while it’s a long shot that New York will face Detroit in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, it is possible. The Pistons are five games ahead of the Celtics with 11 games remaining.

Which Eastern Conference rival offers a dream first-round matchup?

Before turning their attention to the second round, the Knicks must deal with a first-round opponent. Considering the odds, New York should probably prefer to face the Atlanta Hawks. Agreed, this is probably the best team of the group. But many other teams are performing poorly for various other reasons.

The Philadelphia 76ers have the highest ceiling—and the lowest floor. They can and probably will be a mediocre team at best. But the chances of Paul George returning to his old form are slim, however slim, as is the possibility of Joel Embiid returning from injury. And if it works, the 76ers might be a little too dangerous for comfort.

The Orlando Magic offer the same ruthless toughness that makes Detroit an ineffective matchup, albeit with much less cohesion. The Miami Heat and head coach Erik Spoelstra have historically been very good at playing in the postseason. And the Charlotte Hornets are just too young, talented and free for any team want Even to face.

So, in an ideal world, the Knicks would remain in the third seed, Atlanta would remain in the sixth seed, and Detroit would drop to the second seed. And while that path may be incredibly unlikely, the silver lining is that a healthy Pistons team is the only Eastern Conference foe the Knicks have to handle this year. And it appears Detroit is unlikely to return to full strength.

So, minus the Pistons from the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference, the Knicks have a very clear path through the East. And while it’s incredibly important that the Knicks avoid losing anyone, it’s also possible to think that if they stay locked in that no one can beat them in the East. Still, New York should expect its dream matchups to make life easier.

With the NBA 2K26 Season 6 release date coming soon, new patch notes are likely to arrive before the Season 6 update. Overall, this brand new season brings new content in various modes like MyCAREER and MyTEAM. Additionally, it brings new content for other modes like The W. Without any further delay, let’s take a look at the NBA 2K26 Season 6 release date and patch notes.

NBA 2K26 Season 6 Release Date

Don’t miss the exclusive NBA 2K26 content pack available to GTA+ members!

Join GTA+ now to gain access to playing NBA 2K26 + bonus content! 👇https://t.co/o4RGTrRnNu pic.twitter.com/GwdGZ6RNhG

– NBA 2K (@NBA2K) 20 March 2026

NBA 2K26 Season 6 release date is Friday, April 3, 2026 8am PT/11am ET.

Like a normal NBA 2K season, players can expect to see new content in MyCAREER and MyTEAM. Additionally, there will be a brand new Season Pass, filled with 80 free rewards that you can earn over time. Check back with us when Season 6 launches to see all the rewards.

NBA 2K26 Season 6 Patch Notes

At the time of writing, the developers have not yet revealed any updates or patch notes for Season 6. Earlier this month, the developers released a new patch to combat cheaters. But I think we can expect to see things that revolve around gameplay and different modes.

What to expect in season 6?

As previously mentioned, Season 6 will come with a new Season Pass that includes rewards for MyTEAM and MyCAREER. Luckily, you don’t have to play both modes to earn XP. If you like MyCAREER, all you have to do to earn MyTEAM rewards is play MyCAREER. Additionally, we can expect another Pro Pass, which will bring even more rewards when purchased.

Additionally, the new season will likely include new content for W Mode, including seasonal and weekly challenges. We may also see more community builds, as well as an update to MyTEAM Mobile.

Courtside report for Season 6 should be coming soon. We can expect to hear more details about the season’s cover athlete as well. Stay tuned for the latest report, which should come before the season ends.

Overall, that covers everything you need to know about the NBA 2K26 Season 6 release date and patch notes. We are looking forward to a brand new season full of rewards for players. If you’re looking for more NBA 2K content, try redeeming the latest locker code. Also, watch last week’s episode of NBA 2KTV to earn some VC.

Finally, for more gaming and NBA news, visit ClutchPoints. Also, subscribe to our own gaming newsletter for more weekly updates.

The Brooklyn Nets have their sights set on the top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. With 10 games left in the regular season, the rebuilding squad is ranked No. 3 in the draft lottery standings. If the season ended today, the Nets would have a 52.1 percent chance of being picked in the top four and could fall no lower than seventh.

Many of the draft’s top prospects will square off on Wednesday and Thursday during the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. With that, here are the top four players Nets fans should keep an eye on.

4. Keaton Wagler – PG/SG, Illinois

Wagler has been the biggest surprise of this year’s draft cycle. A three-star recruit and the No. 261 player in the Class of 2025, according to 247 Sports’ composite rankings, he wasn’t on the radar of most draft analysts this summer. Fast forward six months, and he’s made his way into the top-10 of mock drafts.

Wagler’s excellent shooting, ball-handling and high-level playmaking cannot be denied. While the freshman is a limited athlete, his speed, finesse and high-IQ have allowed him to flourish as a dominant creator. The 6-foot-6 guard is averaging 17.8 points per game while shooting 40.8 percent on 10.1 three-point attempts per 100 possessions. He has been one of the most efficient facilitators in the class, averaging 4.4 assists per game with a 2.48 assist/to ratio.

Despite concerns about his limited versatility and ground athleticism, Wagler is able to get to the rim using ball screens, shot fakes and change-of-pace moves. His rim frequency and efficiency have been in line with other top guard prospects, as he has attempted 4.1 close-tos per 36 minutes and converted at a 58.5 percent clip.

The Nets may be hesitant in taking another lead ball-handler with a limited athletic profile after selecting Igor Demin eighth overall last June. However, if they fall at the low end of their lottery range, Wagler should be included in the conversation.

Wagler’s limited athleticism has led to some struggles against more athletic, physical safeties. After Illinois’ impressive first and second round wins over Penn and VCU, it will face a tough test against Houston’s top-ranked defense on Thursday at 10:05 pm EST.

3. Darius Acuff Jr. – PG, Arkansas

Acuff may be the biggest player in this year’s class since the beginning of tournament play. The freshman led Arkansas to the SEC Championship and became the first player to lead the conference in points and assists per game since Pete Maravich in 1969–70. He is averaging 30.2 points and 7.2 assists while shooting 50.5 percent from the field and 48.6 percent in three SEC Tournament appearances and two NCAA Tournament games.

It’s no exaggeration to call Acuff the most talented offensive player in this year’s class. He’s an elite shooter, converting at a 44.6 percent clip on 9.1 three-point attempts per 100 possessions with a mix of catch-and-shoot and pull-up looks. The 6-foot-3 guard is also a talented court-mapper and decision-maker, averaging 6.5 assists and committing only 2.2 turnovers per game (3.01 est/to).

But as good as Acuff’s offense has been, its defensive shortcomings are hard to ignore. He struggles to defend at the point of attack or navigate off-ball actions. Many have questioned whether Acuff’s size would fit at the combine at 6 feet 3 inches, and the NBA has moved away from undersized guards who need to hide on defense. The front office will have to decide whether Acuff’s ridiculous shooting season is an outlier or his bottom line, and whether it outweighs his shortcomings on the other end.

Brooklyn has strayed away from drafting smaller guards during Shawn Marks’ tenure. The Nets GM pointed to positional size as the main selling point of the team’s 2025 class. Still, Acuff’s aggressive production and ability to thrive on the biggest stage is attractive. After scoring 36 points on 11 of 22 shooting during a second-round win over High Point, Acuff and Arkansas will face No. 1-seed Arizona on Thursday at 9:45 p.m. EST.

2. Kingston Flemings – PG, Houston

Flemings headlined the second tier of guard prospects behind Kansas star Darrin Peterson for most of the season. The Houston star’s 6-foot-4 frame, elite athleticism and two-way versatility will give him a strong claim for the No. 5 spot on the draft board.

Flemings is the most explosive guard in this year’s class. He creates advantages with ease and consistently takes advantage of his paint touch. The freshman has been an adequate finisher (57.3 percent on close twos) while posting elite numbers as a mid-range shooter (44.4 percent on far twos) and playmaker (5.2 assists per game, 2.85 ast/to ratio). Considering his defensive value, NBA front offices should jump on the idea of ​​bringing him into their building.

Fleming’s low three-point volume will give some scouts pause. He has attempted just 5.6 threes per 100 possessions. However, he has converted at a 38.8 percent clip. His efficiency from the mid-range and free-throw line (84.3 percent) may ease any concerns.

Houston defeated Idaho and Texas A&M in the first two rounds of the tournament. Fleming faces a much tougher challenge Thursday against Wagler and third-seeded Illinois.

1. Cam Boozer – PF/C, Duke

According to many metrics, Boozer has been the best player in college basketball this season. The 6-foot-9 standout has made his historic mark from high school and the AAU circuit to Duke. He averaged 22.4 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists on .563/.398/.787 shooting splits while leading the Blue Devils to a 34–2 record.

Boozer has posted a +19.45 box plus/minus, the second-highest of any college player in the last 16 years, trailing only former Duke star Zion Williamson (+20.1, 2018-2019).

The star freshman is widely considered a safe bet in the top three of the draft. Boozer has led Duke’s offense with his steady ball-handling, passing and shooting. He consistently makes the right reads with the ball in his hands while dominating as an interior scorer and showing promise as an outside shooter. Although he has been an elite defensive rebounder, his ground athleticism and above average lateral speed have raised questions about his NBA outlook.

Boozer was shaky during Duke’s narrow first-round win over Siena. However, he bounced back with a stellar performance in the second half during a decisive second-round win over TCU. They face a tough test against St. John’s and reigning Big East Defensive Player of the Year Zubie Ejiofor on Friday at 10 PM EST.

A new rumor suggests that an elite prospect is generating a lot of momentum to land with teams like the Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets or Washington Wizards as the No. 1 pick in June’s NBA Draft.

One of the biggest stories as we approach the end of the NBA regular season, for all the wrong reasons, is the race to the bottom of the standings. While the lottery was created to prevent franchises from having to take the top overall pick, there is a battle going on between the NBA’s worst teams to get the top pick in June.

While tanking is nothing new in the NBA, right now it is worse than most years because there is a very strong class of prospects declaring for the 2026 NBA Draft. So even if a team doesn’t get the No. 1 overall pick, a top-three selection could yield franchise-changing talent.

As we enter the final week of the season, the Pacers, Nets, and Wizards currently have the best chances (14% chance) to win the No. 1 pick. The NCAA Tournament is underway and the discussion is going on about who will be No. 1. And according to ESPN’s Jeremy Wu, it looks like it will be the same player whose team was eliminated in Round 1.

AJ DiBantsa the new favorite to go No. 1 in the 2026 NBA Draft?

“Based on conversations with sources around the NBA in recent weeks, the prospects are leaning toward AJ DiBuntsa as the No. 1 pick,” Wu wrote in a new Draft Stock Watch article.

Throughout the college basketball season, BYU’s freshman has been viewed as a potential No. 1 pick in June. He led the nation in scoring (25.5 points) and led the Cougars to a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Unfortunately, they were eliminated by Texas in the opening round.

Until recently, Kansas star Darrin Peterson was viewed as the favorite to go first because of his NBA-ready game. Unfortunately, injuries and questions about his dedication to the Jayhawks have hurt his standing with many draft experts. Any one of these guys would be a great option if the Pacers, Nets or Wizards land the No. 1 pick.

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

The Boston Celtics have been up and down lately, losing at home to the Anthony Edwards-less Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday evening. It’s been some tough games for star Jayson Tatum, who recently suffered a brutal shooting night during a road win over the Memphis Grizzlies, and was ineffective once again in the loss to Minnesota.

However, one person who isn’t concerned with Tatum’s declining shooting numbers is former NBA wing Iman Shumpert, who took to ESPN to urge calm.

“I don’t think the Celtics should resort to feeling like this is a ‘make sure he fits in’ type of situation. … When May 1 comes, he’ll be ready,” Shumpert said, according to First Take on X, formerly of Twitter.

To reach May 1, the Celtics will have to get through the first round of the playoffs, which may not be an easy task considering the way some of the teams at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings are playing at the moment.

However, it is certainly unreasonable for fans to assume that Tatum will be able to regain his prime form immediately upon stepping onto the court following ten months of rehabilitation from his Achilles injury. Most importantly, Tatum has shown the ability to move relatively well laterally, and although he is still scratching the rust off his outside jumper, he seems to be fitting in well with his Celtics teammates so far.

Boston is currently the number two seed in the Eastern Conference, but they will have some work to do to stop the New York Knicks, who are playing their best basketball at the right time.

The Celtics take the field for a tough home game next Wednesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Kansas was eliminated from the second round of the NCAA Tournament after a two-point loss to St. John’s, 67-65, at Viejo Arena on Sunday.

Dylan Darling made the biggest shot of his career, sinking the game-winning layup as time expired to save the No. 5 Red Storm against the No. 4 Jayhawks.

One man who knows all about making an iconic shot in March Madness is former Kansas star Mario Chalmers. He made his name known in the college world in 2008 by missing a three-pointer against Memphis to send the title game into overtime. The Jayhawks ultimately won 75–68, earning their third national trophy.

Chalmers carried his championship pedigree to the NBA by winning back-to-back rings with the Miami Heat.

When asked by Bleacher Report what is more difficult to win between the NCAA Tournament and the NBA Finals, Chalmers had an easy answer.

Chalmers said, “I would have to say college just because it’s one-and-done. That one-and-done game you get every time. It took us three years to get to that (championship).”

“In the NBA, it’s a seven-game series. Getting there is definitely the hard part, but once you get there, you have to win four times, so you have more opportunities.”

Mario Chalmers says winning the NBA Finals was easier than winning the NCAA Tournament

Chalmers is a 2-time NBA champion with the Miami Heat and won the 2008 national championship with the Kansas Jayhawks. pic.twitter.com/zO9y4mtw5N

– Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) 23 March 2026

Kansas was on the verge of losing to the Tigers, who were led by Derrick Rose. But Kansas backed Chalmers and Darrell Arthur. Rose split his free throws with 10.8 seconds left in regulation, leading to Chalmers’ game-tying three-pointer.

Chalmers finished with 18 points, three rebounds, three assists and four steals and was named Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament.

His clutch bucket will always be remembered as one of the greatest shots of the NCAA Tournament. There is no debate on that.

On Monday night, the Milwaukee Bucks surprisingly waived Cam Thomas after Thomas had a falling out with the Brooklyn Nets following the trade deadline. The Bucks waived Thomas on March 23, meaning he is ineligible to play in the postseason because he was waived after the March 1 playoff eligibility waiver deadline.

Nonetheless, Thomas is free to sign with any NBA team, provided those teams register interest in him. At this point, Thomas’ stock is at its lowest, and it would be worrisome to other teams that the Bucks, a team that is hungry for talent, gave up on a player who at one time averaged 24 points per game.

But of course, just because Thomas didn’t live up to expectations in Milwaukee doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a future in the NBA now. All he has to do is land in a team with a solid infrastructure and some patient teaching that can allow him to become the best version of himself.

Thomas’ ability to score the basketball is evident, as his 3,822 career points in 257 games (88 starts) are nothing like trying to luck out. But he’s facing a crossroads in his career, and choosing his next team, if he even gets a choice, will be key in determining whether he can serve as a microwave scoring piece in the NBA and pick up where he left off during the 2023-24 season or whether he’s bound to spend a few years overseas.

Here are some teams that make some sense as potential destinations for Thomas.

4. Sacramento Kings

In terms of strict fit on the court, this is not a good destination for Thomas at all. The Kings still have a glut of guards, and the last thing they need is to further clog the roster and make their logjam at those positions worse. Furthermore, the Kings are already closely monitored, and integrating Thomas’ brand of basketball into a team that is already in disarray won’t be the easiest.

The Kings also have Malik Monk and DeMar DeRozan still active, and Thomas won’t be good enough to be guaranteed touches from those players.

But the Kings haven’t exactly focused on building a team that fits together, and perhaps they’ve become the latest team to look to Thomas to try to get his career back on track.

Sacramento can give him all the chances to score. Will this result in beautiful basketball? not even close. Would it be hilarious to see the Kings try this? Absolutely.

3. Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers have been devastated by injuries at the end of the 2025-26 season and have led to their decline in the NBA standings. Somehow, they’re still in seventh place in the East, meaning they’re still a long way from making the playoffs even with Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid improving.

The good news is that Paul George is likely to return in the 76ers’ next game. The bad news is that it’s not clear exactly when Maxi will return. Another bad news is that Philly is missing a lot of Jared McCain, as their guard depth has been so depleted amid injuries that they’ve had to bring in Cameron Payne and play him heavy minutes.

Although Thomas can’t help the 76ers make one last attempt at the postseason, he can at least help them clinch the sixth seed in the conference. Philly is simply hungry for a shot-maker of Thomas’ level, and he would make VJ Edgecombe’s life a lot easier amid the team’s lack of offense.

2. Miami Heat

The Heat are in the midst of a tough five-game losing streak, and the last thing the team needs is to undergo a major change and bring in Thomas – another high-usage player. They are struggling to find balance at the moment, as they have had to bring 2026 NBA All-Star Norman Powell off the bench.

But the Heat culture is famous for developing untested players and turning them into winning contributors. He helped Duncan Robinson, Max Strus, Gabe Vincent and Caleb Martin, all of whom were part of their 2023 NBA Finals team, earn millions and millions of dollars when every other team in the NBA wasn’t sold on his ability to contribute.

What Thomas needs most is structure, and the Heat organization should help provide him with that.

Signing Thomas doesn’t mean he has to play anyway; Miami could simply bring him in, have him train with the team and acclimate to the team’s system, and get him ready for next season if they like what they see from the 24-year-old guard.

1. Indiana Pacers

With the departure of Benedict Mathurin via the Ivica Zubac trade, there could be an opportunity on the Pacers bench for a microwave scorer like Thomas. The problem is that Thomas is two inches shorter than Mathurin, and he is not even on the same level as the Los Angeles Clippers guard as a rebounder and defender.

But Thomas is a proven bucket-getter, and head coach Rick Carlisle has had success in the past with smaller guards who can score points in groups. Monta Ellis flourished under Carlisle. Trey Burke and Yogi Ferrell played some of their best basketball under Carlisle.

Thomas has not found any legitimate mentor for his career. The Nets quickly released him, as they did not want to give him a big contract last offseason. The Bucks gave their roster spot to Pete Nance, a wing who fits in with the team more easily.

Carlisle knows his way around Thomas’ playing style at guard, and Indiana, at least through the 2025-26 season, could give him a chance to prove if he can fit into what the team is building. The Pacers are under no pressure to win this season anyway, so they may simply hand the keys to Thomas as an audition to see if he’ll have a role on the team next season.

Cam Thomas’ stock has fallen off a cliff, and the Milwaukee Bucks decided to remove the 24-year-old guard from the roster, ahead of Monday night’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers. After waiving Thomas, the Bucks converted Pete Nance’s contract to a standard contract.

There’s no doubt that Thomas, who averaged 24 points per game two seasons ago, is a fantastic one-on-one scorer. But a lot of doubts have arisen over the years regarding their ability to function within a winning ecosystem. And the Bucks’ decision to cut him when they weren’t in a competitive position is telling of how Thomas is currently viewed.

According to Keith Smith of Spotrac, considering the timing of Thomas’ waiver, he will no longer be eligible to play in the 2026 NBA Playoffs. That’s because the Bucks waived the explosive scoring guard after the March 1 playoff eligibility waiver deadline. If an NBA team registers interest in him he is eligible to sign with an NBA team.

One would think that a team with nothing to lose could turn the odds in their favor. But both the teams with losing records, Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks, left him, due to which a big crisis loomed in his career path.

Where does Cam Thomas go from here after being waived by the Bucks?

Thomas may function best in a system where his worst habits are reined in and his strengths are maximized. He’s a great shot-maker, and he can set up balls in a pinch. If there’s any team that can get the best out of Cam Thomas, it’s the Miami Heat.

The Heat rarely play on-ball screens, so they rely on creating space through quick movements and one-on-one play. And in Miami, Thomas will be forced to learn how to play defense and team basketball. Perhaps going there will revive his career.

Victor Wembanyama achieved an incredible feat with his performance in the San Antonio Spurs’ clash against the Miami Heat on Monday night.

Vembanyama is going through the third season of his NBA career with the Spurs. He has made serious strides as one of the top players in the league, leading the team back into playoff contention.

In 26 minutes of action, Vembanyama filled the stat sheet. He finished with a stat line of 26 points, 15 rebounds, five blocks and four assists. He made 11 of 22 shots from the field, including 1 of 7 from beyond the arc and 3 of 3 from the free-throw line.

This performance allowed him to make NBA history. Before turning 23, he scored a record 4,000 points and 600 blocks, the first player to do so in the last 40 seasons.

Spurs star Victor Wembanyama is the first player in the last 40 NBA seasons to:

4,000+ points.
600+ blocks.

Before turning 23 🤯 pic.twitter.com/sMR0KIMy7Z

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 23 March 2026

Victor Wembanyama, how the Spurs played against the Heat

Victor Wembanyama continues to make serious noise as a young superstar, leading the Spurs to an emphatic 136-111 win over the Heat.

Rebounding and inside scoring made the difference in this matchup. The Spurs won both categories after grabbing 62 rebounds and scoring 60 points inside the paint. It wasn’t the same for the Heat as they only grabbed 38 rebounds and scored 40 points inside the paint.

Six players scored in double figures for San Antonio in the win, including Wembanyama. Dylan Harper delivered a strong performance with 21 points, six assists, four rebounds and two blocks. He made 9 of 14 shots overall, including 3 of 5 from downtown. Keldon Johnson finished second with 21 points and six rebounds, Stephon Cassel had 19 points and seven rebounds, De’Aaron Fox added 14 points and six assists, while Harrison Barnes provided 13 points and three rebounds.

San Antonio improved to a 54–18 record on the season and second place in the Western Conference standings. They are above the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets, while trailing the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Riding a six-consecutive win streak, the Spurs will be looking forward to their next matchup. They remain on the road when they take on the Memphis Grizzlies on March 25th at 8PM ET.

The top five picks in the 2026 NBA Draft will be all rookies, but Darius Acuff Jr. is not projected to be one of them. A potentially historic crop of talent, coupled with serious defensive concerns, is causing the Arkansas star to land a little further down the board in most mocks. However, one of the all-time great college basketball head coaches has no concerns about Acuff transitioning to the next step.

“Acuff is one of the top two or three players in the country,” Duke icon and five-time national champion Mike Krzyzewski told “The Pat McAfee Show” on Monday. “He’s got a man’s body. He’s ready for the NBA. And he loves pressure.”

“Darius Acuff is one of the top two or three players in the country..

He’s ready for the NBA and he loves the pressure.”

coach’s #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/YZUbTBSRk1

– Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) 23 March 2026

The 19-year-old guard has been electric during the season and is captivating fans through the Razorbacks’ first two games of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. He scored a combined 60 points on 20 of 41 shooting and also dished out 13 assists versus Hawaii and High Point. Acuff is a tremendous offensive talent who has been compared to Hall of Famer Allen Iverson.

He can punish opponents at the rim or behind the 3-point line (44.6 percent from downtown), solidifying Coach K’s declaration that he is well-prepared for the Association. Considering the ease with which he gets buckets, not to mention his aforementioned strong physique, Darius Acuff Jr. should be able to perform against NBA competition. Still, teams that are selecting early in the draft may be hesitant to rely on his defense.

The unanimous All-American and SEC Player of the Year made a splash at High Point on Saturday, but he faced little resistance against the Panthers on the other end of the field. Mediocre or even subpar defenders can thrive if they are potent enough offensively, but no one can be a complete liability in that department. Acuff probably has the strength and athleticism to reach an acceptable standard. Can he prove that much before June?

The Sweet Sixteen showdown with Arizona provides the perfect opportunity. However, honestly, if he can lead Arkansas to victory over the No. 1 seed in the West Region, the defensive issues won’t matter to officials. Acuff will attempt to extend his landmark campaign on March 26 inside the SAP Center in San Jose, California.

週一晚上，邁阿密熱火隊迎戰聖安東尼奧馬刺隊，由於常規賽只剩下 11 場比賽，球隊希望能夠打破四場比賽的頹勢。隨著熱火隊希望克服連敗的痛苦，尤其是在之前的七連勝之後，讓我們來看看球隊的季後賽會是什麼樣子。

當談到東部聯盟的排名時，很難說邁阿密應該排在哪裡才能獲得最佳對決，因為從現在到常規賽結束，很多事情都可能改變。從一號種子底特律活塞隊（51勝19負）到四號種子克里夫蘭騎士隊（44勝27負），差距七場半，而波士頓塞爾提克隊和紐約尼克隊之間的差距要小得多。

再看東部中游球隊，五號種子多倫多暴龍隊（39勝31負）和十號種子夏洛特黃蜂隊（37勝34負）僅相差兩場半，熱火隊以38勝33負的戰績排在第九位。

「當你說你必須培養一些勇氣時，你必須經歷它，」斯波爾斯特拉在周六輸給休斯頓火箭隊後透過X（以前是Twitter）上的Heat Central說道。 「當你覺得每一次控球都很重要，而勇氣的一部分就是你必須經歷一些痛苦。所以我們現在正在經歷一點痛苦，這會偷走我們。這會讓我們變得更好，我們將專注於為週一的強硬對手做好準備。”

斯波教練更多地講述瞭如何尋找“勇氣”

「當你說你必須培養一些勇氣時，你必須經歷它。這是有後果的。當你感受到這些情緒並感覺每一次擁有都很重要時。勇氣的一部分是你必須經歷一些痛苦…… https://t.co/6EZBv3SFWq pic.twitter.com/pdsRdiGf4y

— 熱力中心 (@HeatCulture13) 2026 年 3 月 22 日

以下是一些「夢想」場景，可能對邁阿密季後賽來說是個好兆頭：

熱火隊以六號種子身份避免參加錦標賽，在季後賽面對尼克隊

第一種情況可能是實現熱火隊本賽季主要目標（即退出附加賽）的最佳方案。在參加錦標賽並在過去三個賽季中獲得第八名之後，球隊厭倦了停滯不前，因為邁阿密已經公開表示不想在那裡結束。

在這裡，熱火隊獲得了令人垂涎的第六名，目前他們還差一場比賽，並面對排名第三的尼克隊，這支球隊比波士頓塞爾提克隊或克里夫蘭騎士隊更有利。邁阿密和紐約在本賽季的系列賽中各贏了兩場，這讓巴姆·阿德巴約、諾曼、泰勒·赫羅、安德魯·威金斯等球員有機會將其打造成一場競爭激烈的系列賽。

紐約隊有可能再次跌出第三名，但對於熱火隊來說，這是目前最好的情況，在連續三個賽季參加附加賽後，進入第六號種子，並獲得比其他球隊更好的對決。儘管如此，由賈倫布倫森、卡爾安東尼唐斯等人領導的球隊仍然很危險，但他們的缺陷在賽季末已經暴露出來。

熱火隊再次以八號種子身份迎戰活塞隊

我知道這是一件有趣的事情，但請聽我說完。人們完全理解熱火隊希望錯過參加附加賽的比賽，這一點已經被多次說過，尤其是球隊隊長阿德巴約。

「我們看到了我們的能力，」阿德巴約在輸給休斯頓後說道。 「我們稍微鬆開了繩子，但我們反擊了，並把它變成了一場比賽……我們知道我們想要從（入圍賽）中得到什麼，這些比賽是毀滅性的，但我們仍然有機會。”

巴姆·阿德巴約對今晚比賽的全部看法：

「我們看到了我們的能力，顯然我們以 10 分領先……我們稍微鬆開了繩子，但我們奮起反擊，把比賽變成了一場比賽……”

「我們知道我們想從（參加比賽）中得到什麼，這些比賽是毀滅性的，但我們仍然… pic.twitter.com/2wen7FaTo6

— 熱領域 (@WadexFlash) 2026 年 3 月 22 日

然而，如果他們連續第四個賽季以第八種子身份結束，這可能會為邁阿密帶來相對有利的局面。如前所述，要避免的對決是對陣波士頓和克利夫蘭，熱火隊在過去幾個賽季中在規模和比賽方式上遇到了很大的麻煩。

談到底特律，熱火隊以 2-1 贏得了本賽季的系列賽，最近一場勝利發生在 3 月 8 日，而一場失利是在 11 月 29 日，邁阿密以 138-135 落敗。這場比賽對熱火隊來說是個好兆頭，儘管他們是一號種子，但他們的防守效率排名第六，限制了活塞隊的進攻。

現在，這並不是要求熱火隊故意成為第八種子，這意味著他們必須參加可怕的附加賽並再次獲得第八名。相反，如果邁阿密無法進入第六種子，這可能是一個光明的一面，儘管底特律仍然是一支強大的球隊，成為第一個種子是有原因的。

無論如何，熱火隊的最終結果還有待觀察，球隊希望在周一晚上對陣馬刺隊的比賽中反彈。

Many different players from different backgrounds have reached NBA stardom over the years, but historically, the best of the best players played in the McDonald’s All-American Game at the end of their high school careers before reaching the top level of basketball. However, the NBA has never before had so much foreign talent dominate the league.

Five of the consensus top six players currently in the NBA came from abroad or were not born in the United States. Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic and Victor Vembanyama are all European, and reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is Canadian. In fact some of the greatest American NBA players were not recruited well enough to play in the McDonald’s All-American Game, including Kawhi Leonard, Stephen Curry and Donovan Mitchell. Even Cade Cunningham, an All-American selection, didn’t get a chance to play in the game when it was canceled due to COVID-19.

That means there isn’t the usual All-American turned All-NBA talent at the top of the league, but some of the NBA’s best players have their basketball roots tied to the McDonald’s All-American Game. So, how did the best NBA players who played in the McDonald’s All-American Game actually fare against the best high school basketball players in the country?

Note: All US statistics for McDonald’s found here.

The best American hooper in the world currently is Anthony Edwards. His basketball talent had been evident since his high school days, but he was not his usual dominant self in the McDonald’s All-American Game. That doesn’t mean he was bad. He was actually highly efficient (62.% from the field) on his way to scoring 12 points.

Fans have become used to the Minnesota Timberwolves star lighting up the scoreboard nightly. The 12 points he scored were tied for the eighth most in the 2019 game, and this was despite playing the most minutes (21) of all the participants. A poor performance by his standards did not prevent Edwards from becoming the number one overall pick. He put up big numbers at Georgia and is still getting better year after year.

LeBron James was the most hyped prospect in NBA history. He went straight into the league as the number one player after his high school career at St. Vincent-St. Mary. So, it should be no surprise that the kid from Akron made it to the McDonald’s All-American Game. In fact, his performance at the 2003 event was rated the best performance in the history of the sport.

Already labeled the pick, James filled up the stat sheet with 27 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and six steals. That point total is tied for the seventh-best mark in the history of the game, and the six steals are tied for third-most all-time. James has long been an extremely versatile player who can do everything on the basketball court, which is why he is one of two McDonald’s All-American Game MVPs on this list.

Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

With his running mate Jayson Tatum sidelined for almost all of this season, Jaylen Brown has a chance to remind fans what he can do as the top option. He was one of the top players in high school and was arguably the top scoring threat in the country during his high school days. Brown was the Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Georgia.

However, Brown did not necessarily perform well in the 2015 McDonald’s All-American Game. He had only nine points in that contest. However, he added six rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and two steals, proving that he is a versatile player. The Browns’ defense really got Cal fans excited in this game. Brown thrives at the point of attack and can help on defense, and his steal/block totals showed that.

Another 2025 McDonald’s All-American named Jalen Brunson performed even better than Brown in the All-Star Showcase, at least in the scoring department. The Villanova-bound guard had only six points. He proved he can impact the game in other areas, even in sports where basketball isn’t a downer.

Brunson, just 6 feet 2 inches tall, had seven rebounds. He also added four assists. Brunson is a courageous player who dominates the field and plays bigger than himself. This became clear in 2015 itself.

Kevin Durant is also responsible for one of McDonald’s greatest All-American performances ever. Playing in the game in 2006, Durant had 25 points, five rebounds and four assists, resulting in co-MVP honors with Chase Budinger. Budinger only had 11 points, so it was controversial whether the MVP was split.

Still, this was just an example of Durant beating out the only recruit ranked higher than him, Greg Oden. Oden also went on to become the number one ranked player, although Durant was the first freshman to win Naismith Player of the Year honors. Oden became one of the greatest NBA draft picks of all time, while Durant still stands as one of the best players in NBA history.

Devin Booker was excelling on the basketball court at a young age. This was perhaps most evident when he became the youngest player to score more than 60 points in an NBA game. He scored 70 runs for Phoenix Suns at the age of just 20. Even before this, Booker had played in the McDonald’s All-American Game.

However, his scoring in that game was a far cry from what fans saw in his iconic 70-point performance. In the 2014 All-American Game, Booker had only eight points. He couldn’t find his stroke, as he only made 37.5% of his shots. Unfortunately, Booker didn’t do anything else. The only other statistic he recorded was a single assist.

James Harden has become one of the greatest scorers and greatest facilitators in NBA history. The guard who was recently traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers is ninth on the all-time scoring list with 29,160 points. The 36.1 points per game he scored in 2018–19 are the most in a season for any player not named Wilt Chamberlain or Michael Jordan. In recent years, Harden has also developed his game to become a multi-time assist leader.

He did not necessarily showcase his offensive talents in the 2007 McDonald’s All-American Game. With only eight points, 19 players scored as many or more points than him. He made only one assist in total.

Bam Adebayo just scored 83 points, the second most ever in a single game. The Miami Heat center was far from the first player fans would have anticipated such a scoring explosion, but his ability to put the ball in the basket has long been underestimated. Adebayo can put the ball on the floor and create rebounds. He also has an ever-improving jump shot.

Adebayo’s scoring was underestimated since the 2016 McDonald’s All-American Game. He scored 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Josh and Frank Jackson took co-MVP honors, but Adebayo’s performance was commendable.

Tyrese Maxey had a solid game in the 2019 McDonald’s All-American Game. He made half of his field goal attempts for a total of 13 points in just 19 minutes. This was better than his draft classmate Anthony Edwards, who ultimately went first overall in the NBA Draft.

The success of the Maxi comes as little surprise. After all, he was a Kentucky recruit, and John Calipari did nothing but get the best at the guard position at the time. Now, Maxi has become one of the best scorers in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Karl-Anthony-Towns, New York Knicks

The 2014 NCAA recruiting class was loaded with centers. Jahlil Okafor and Myles Turner were the top two big men in the class. Ultimately, Karl-Anthony Towns would prove to be the best pivot man from his class, as he became the number one pick and established himself as the best 3-point shooting center in NBA history.

Although he was highly recruited, he was not the top big man upon high school graduation, and his McDonald’s All-American performance did not do him much good. Towns had just six points in 19 minutes in that game.

Recently, the NBA announced it would void a technical foul on Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic during the team’s win over the Orlando Magic over the weekend. The technical foul would have been Doncic’s 16th incident of the year, which would have required an automatic suspension, but Doncic’s post-game clarification about the technical foul may have played a role in the league’s decision to void it.

One person who doesn’t agree with the league’s decision is former NBA great DeMarcus Cousins, who recently went on FanDuel’s “Run It Back” show to express his thoughts.

“My issue is not with Luka Doncic. … If it’s Draymond Green, he’s not getting canceled,” Cousins, formerly of Run It Back on X, claimed on Twitter.

Indeed, Golden State Warriors power forward Draymond Green has gained quite a reputation as an argumentative player with referees, the other team, and sometimes with his Warriors teammates. This certainly plays a role in his perception, although some have argued that it actually works in the opposite way and gives the star long leeway when it comes to arguing with officials during games.

Doncic, meanwhile, is known to be a frequent complainer in his own right, facing heavy criticism from fans and pundits for his frequent scathing criticisms of referees, which often comes at the expense of playing defense or getting back in transition. However, Saturday’s case was a little different, as the technical foul originated from an interaction between Doncic and Magic big man Goga Bidaatje, with Doncic later claiming that Bidaatje booed his family, which led to the altercation.

In any case, Lakers fans are certainly happy that the technical foul was canceled and Doncic will be able to prepare for Monday night’s game against the Detroit Pistons, in which Los Angeles will try for its tenth consecutive win.

Fans will know the results of the NBA vote in the coming days employed Forming teams in Las Vegas and Seattle by the 2028–2029 season.

Expansion has always been on the NBA’s agenda, especially with its continued success and expanding reach. It has been at the forefront of globalization in sports, possibly including the introduction of NBA Europe.

It was recently reported that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver would be working with FIBA ​​to launch a league similar to soccer in Europe, specifically in major cities.

NBA insider Mark Stein, however, does not agree with the idea, expressing concern on the “All-NBA Podcast” that the league may be biting off more than it can chew.

“I’ve spent a lot of time watching soccer in England, and I’m just trying to imagine NBA Europe franchises in London and Manchester that would essentially be expansion teams. You know, start-up teams. It’s different when you’re talking about Real Madrid and Barcelona going from the EuroLeague to NBA Europe,” Steen said.

“Those teams have a history. Those teams already have a fan base. They’ll obviously bring immediate credibility to NBA Europe. But a large portion of NBA Europe is in cities that don’t currently have basketball. And how is that going to work if the talent level isn’t good?”

Some are already concerned that competition will weaken if the NBA expands to Las Vegas and Seattle. So what’s more if NBA Europe moves forward? Silver and FIBA ​​are reportedly planning to start with a 12-team or 16-team league.

Europe’s talented players may spurn the NBA to stay closer to home. At the start of the current season, 71 Europeans were part of the opening-night roster, the most in league history.

In January, the NBA held two games featuring the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic in Berlin and London. Meanwhile, Paris has hosted five Games since 2020.

The Memphis Grizzlies enter the 2026 NBA Draft with two first-round picks and the first selection of the second round. It all depends on the Indiana Pacers maintaining their tank lead over the Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets. However, as the standings settle over the last few weeks of the regular season, every front office executive expecting a lottery selection will participate in at least one NCAA Sweet Sixteen square-off.

Franchise-changing talent fills the bracket, and for an organization with great drafting depth, even first-round prospects deserve a hard look. EVP Zach Kleiman’s scouting department should prioritize these three matchups to understand how the Grizzlies should utilize their top-5, top-20 and top-33 selections this summer.

Duke, St. John seems one-sided

This matchup provides one of the widest scouting ranges in the area. All eyes will be on Duke freshman Cam Boozer, a unanimous top-five pick whose evaluation is more about confirmation than discovery. Boozer’s mix of size, experience and offensive polish makes him the safest bet among this group, and a deep tournament run will only strengthen that position.

However, what the Grizzlies need to take away from this matchup goes far beyond Duke’s star. Evans, Ngongba and Sarr all enter the Sweet Sixteen with something to prove. Each is in danger of falling out of the lottery without a strong showing in March, which creates urgency and opportunity for a team pick at the end of the first round.

On the St. John’s side, Zubie Ejiofor and Dillon Mitchell represent the kind of motivated prospects that scouts love to track in high-risk environments. Playing as underdogs against a Duke roster loaded with lottery talent, both players have the platform to make a financial leap if they can take advantage of the moment. The Grizzlies would be well served to evaluate how each performs under pressure and against specific competition.

About Arkansas vs Arizona All Stars

This matchup is less about star power and more about volume scouting. The Razorbacks and Wildcats offer a mix of high-end guard play and international size, filling two clear needs for the Grizzlies’ future roster. Basically, the convergence of Darius Acuff Jr. and Melek Thomas against Koa Peat, Braden Burries and Motijes Krivas offers an extended look at players who could fit into Tuomas Isalo’s rotation at multiple positions.

Acuff Jr. and Thomas are certainly explosive scorers. His matchup against Arizona’s perimeter defense will serve as an important assessment of how his play translates against a high-level structure. Pete, in particular, is the type of versatile frontcourt player the Grizzlies could attract if they opt to insure Zack Eddy. On the other hand, can Arkansas stop anyone without a foul?

This is the type of game where front offices can identify fit-based targets rather than pure upside. Memphis should pay particular attention to players who can contribute within a defined role. Trayvon Brazil and Jaden Bradley, both second-round projections, could move into the late first-round conversation with strong performances in a game of this magnitude.

Houston, Illinois is in depth

If the goal is to evaluate competitive translatability, this is the key match. Houston’s Kingston Flemings and Chris Cenac taking on Illinois’ Keaton Wagler and Tomislav Ivicic presents a series of straightforward, NBA-caliber positional battles. These are the types of face-to-face assessments that often hold more importance than raw statistical outputs.

But this game may ultimately be decided by the level of the second round. Joseph Tugler vs. Kylen Boswell and Milos Uzan vs. Andrej Stojakovic represent four players who could swing a deep, high-stakes NCAA Tournament game and, in doing so, dramatically change their draft trajectory.

Zvonimir Ivicic is the real wild card of the game. When locked down, Illinois’ great power becomes a force that security struggles to contain. When isolated, he may remain missing for long periods of time without registering any meaningful impact. This inconsistency is a red flag for any team investing in a guaranteed contract, and it’s likely worth valuing him as a late second-round selection or undrafted free agent option. Well, until the Sweet Sixteen slugfest against Cenac changes that narrative.

The tank-season situation of the NBA Draft will take care of itself in the final weeks of the regular season. What requires active management right now is an intelligence gathering operation ahead of one of the team’s most consequential draft nights in recent memory. The Grizzlies aren’t just looking for talent; They are assessing the risk across multiple choices.

Two first-rounders and the 31st pick give Memphis flexibility. The Sweet Sixteen gives the front office a clear view of who deserves them.

The Sacramento Kings put up a bit of a fight against the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday night and came out on top 126-122 thanks to an explosive 32-point scoring night from Malik Monk, who had to play a big role for the team after Nick Clifford left early.

While Monk’s huge play will draw most of the headlines on the night for the Kings, the consistently solid play of their starting center, Maxime Renaud, should not go unnoticed among fans. Renaud, who is in the midst of an incredible rookie campaign, had another stellar performance himself, recording 22 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, while missing only three of his 13 shot attempts.

Renaud has gone under the radar for most of the season, and his disappearance from rookie festivities during All-Star weekend is puzzling for Kings veteran DeMar DeRozan. In fact, according to Frankie Cartocelli of Sacktown Sports, DeRozan is “pissed off” that he did not receive an invitation to the Rising Stars Game.

Now, DeRozan is urging Renaud to continue working hard so he can make the All-Rookie team.

“Don’t tell him, but from my perspective, I want him to make the All-Rookie team,” DeRozan said, per Brandon Nunes of Sacktown Sports.

Maxime Renaud making the most of his opportunity with the Shorthanded Kings

Renaud is showing himself as a keeper for this poor Kings team as he has made the most of his opportunity amid Domanotas Sabonis’ injury-plagued season. On the season, the rookie from France is averaging 13.8 points and 8.6 rebounds per game as a starter, which is quite a steal to get the 42nd overall selection of the 2025 NBA Draft.

Should the Kings decide to completely rebuild and sell off their veterans, especially Sabonis, Renaud should get even more consistent opportunities to achieve double-doubles like he has been doing.

Brook Lopez made history during the Clippers’ Saturday matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. López set a career milestone, becoming the tenth player to score 18,000 points and 2,000 blocks. But what’s even more impressive is that he is the only player in NBA history to score 18,000 points, 2,000 blocks and 1,000 three-pointers.

The feat is notable for López, who is in his eighteenth season in the league. Recently Lopez did an interview of endscape Mark talked about doing whatever he can to help Spears and the Clippers win.

“I’m ready for whatever my team needs from me,” Lopez said. “That’s always been my approach throughout my career. And obviously, the same applies here. I’ve been doing the same thing regardless of my role. So, I knew I would definitely be ready. I knew whenever the time came I would be ready, ready.”

Brook Lopez is known for revamping her game by adding the three-point shot. Midway through his career, López attempted only 31 three-pointers during his first eight seasons in the NBA, but he quickly transformed himself into one of the better three-point shooting big men in the association.

In an interview with The Athletic in 2022, he explained why he added three-point shooting to his game as he talked about his summer routine that ultimately supercharged his three-point shooting mechanics.

“We just realized we wanted to get better,” Lopez said in the article. “Finally we took the time. ‘Okay, we’re trying to get better? How do we do that?’ We’re playing a lot on the perimeter, that’s where we can help the team improve.

Lopez’s shooting ability and his defensive ability are important elements in the Clippers’ winning puzzle.

The team has undergone a massive turnaround after a 6-21 start. They are now 34-36, ahead of the Golden State Warriors in the play-in tournament as the ninth seed.

休斯敦火箭队巨星凯文·杜兰特在职业生涯后期继续为他的名人堂简历增添色彩，而他在周六晚上对阵迈阿密热火队时取得的成就可能是他最伟大的成就。杜兰特在对阵热火队的比赛中拿下个人第 27 分，超越迈克尔乔丹的职业生涯 32,292 分，在 NBA 历史得分榜上排名第五。

凭借这个角球三分，凯文·杜兰特超越迈克尔·乔丹，成为 NBA 历史得分榜第五位 🔥pic.twitter.com/ItsOYrwo8e https://t.co/pY739bp1da

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 2026 年 3 月 22 日

很少有球员能够达到乔丹在其传奇职业生涯中所取得的成就，这就是为什么这对杜兰特来说是一个如此巨大的成就。杜兰特已经被称为 NBA 历史上最具杀伤力的得分手之一，现在他的得分排名前五，证明了这一说法。

在超越乔丹成为历史得分榜第五位之后，杜兰特现在将目光投向科比·布莱恩特的 33,643 分职业生涯得分，他可能会在 2026-27 赛季的某个时候进入第四位。卡尔·马龙（36,928）、卡里姆·阿卜杜尔-贾巴尔（38,387）和勒布朗·詹姆斯（43,241，仍在增加）在杜兰特职业生涯的这个阶段可能都遥不可及。

杜兰特时代的许多球员都将乔丹视为联盟历史上最伟大的球员，其中包括这位16次入选全明星的球员。这就是为什么杜兰特仍然敬畏地看到自己的名字与包括乔丹在内的所有篮球传奇人物并列。

“能够与一些曾经打过比赛的伟大球员处于同一类别，真是太酷了，”杜兰特最近通过 NBA.com 说道。 “他们为游戏添加了很多东西，激励我坚持这么久。”

1月18日，当杜兰特在对阵新奥尔良鹈鹕队的比赛中超越德克·诺维茨基，跻身历史得分榜第六位时，杜兰特表示，与诺维茨基这样的“传奇”一起跻身这份榜单是“疯狂的”。

“我想继续不断进步，继续攀登排行榜，看看我的成绩如何。到目前为止，这真是太棒了，”杜兰特说。

让所有这些职业生涯后期成就更加令人惊叹的是，杜兰特在 2019 年 NBA 总决赛中跟腱受伤并缺席了整个 2019-20 赛季后，继续像 NBA 最好的球员之一一样打球。

很少有运动员能够在跟腱受伤后重返他们喜爱的运动并且仍然具有影响力。杜兰特不仅做到了这一点，而且他的整体产出和价值在受伤前后都没有改变。

杜兰特创造了篮球历史上获得最多荣誉的职业生涯之一，尤其是当你将他在奥运会上为美国队取得的成就算在内时，并且在历史得分榜上超越乔丹再次提醒人们杜兰特有多么传奇。

作为 NBA 老将的儿子，最大的优势之一就是很早就知道如何开展职业生涯。杜克大学球星卡梅隆·布泽尔在准备 2026 年 NBA 选秀时就考虑到了这一点。

与大多数顶级新秀不同，布泽尔声称，当他在选秀中听到自己的名字时，他并不关心。这位 18 岁的年轻人表示，他所关心的只是与合适的团队配合，为自己提供构建有意义的职业生涯的最佳机会。

“对我来说，无论是进入第 1 位还是第 15 位，更重要的是健康状况，”布泽尔在《The Athletic》节目中说道。 “我只是想拥有一个漫长的职业生涯。我从哪里开始并不能真正决定我将在哪里结束或结束。所以显然，我看到人们说什么，我看到什么，但从现在起十年后这并不重要。对我来说，这只是积累日子。成为最好的我。是的，一切都会好起来的。“

布泽尔的父亲卡洛斯·布泽尔在杜克大学效力三年后，享受了 13 年的 NBA 职业生涯。卡洛斯·布泽尔的职业生涯始于克利夫兰骑士队的二轮秀，之后大部分时间效力于犹他爵士队和芝加哥公牛队。

尽管卡梅隆·布泽尔尚未正式宣布，但他明确表示正在准备参加 2026 年 NBA 选秀。除了全国冠军之外，一旦布泽尔正式获得 2026 年伍登奖，他将在杜克大学的一个赛季中完成几乎所有可能的事情。

布泽尔是 2025 届毕业生中公认的前三名新秀，他在选秀前也保持着类似的立场。一些预测显示他的排名最高为第三，每个人都希望他的名字成为六月份宣布的前五名之一。

The biggest advantage of being the son of an NBA legend is that you already know how to build a career. Duke star Cameron Boozer is keeping that in mind as he prepares for the 2026 NBA Draft.

Unlike most top prospects, Boozer claims he doesn’t care when he hears his name called in the draft. The 18-year-old said he only cares about fitting in with the right team to give himself the best chance of building a meaningful career.

“For me, whether I move up one spot or move up to 15th, it’s more about getting fit,” Boozer said, via ‘The Athletic.’ “I just want a long career. Where I start doesn’t really determine where I end up or where I end up. So obviously, I look at what people say, I look at anything, but 10 years from now it won’t matter. For me it’s just about stacking up the days. Being the best version of me. And yes, everything will be okay.”

Boozer’s father, Carlos Boozer, enjoyed a 13-year NBA career after spending three years at Duke. Carlos Boozer began his career as a second-round pick of the Cleveland Cavaliers before spending most of his time with the Utah Jazz and Chicago Bulls.

Although he hasn’t made it official yet, Cameron Boozer is apparently preparing to enter the 2026 NBA Draft. In addition to a national championship, Boozer will accomplish almost everything possible in one season at Duke after officially receiving the 2026 Wooden Award.

Boozer, a consensus top-three recruit in the class of 2025, held a similar stance ahead of the draft. Some projections have him as high as third overall, with everyone expecting his name to be among the first five announced in June.

旧金山——当我有机会与金州勇士队边锋吉·桑托斯交谈时，他的一天才刚刚过半。

他刚刚做完一次长时间的按摩，在与视频团队一起拍摄了更长的宣传片后，他稍微松了口气。在此之前，他和勇士队结束了一场激烈的清晨球队训练，这是他们在经过六场四场比赛的浓缩篮球赛后的第一次训练。

当桑托斯将他身高 6 英尺 7 的身体酸痛地坐在我对面的椅子上时，如果他决定打电话来接受这次采访，我就不会责怪他。尤其是因为他之后还要进行训练、举重训练和另一场投篮训练。

但当我开始提出问题，桑托斯开始回答这些问题时，我发现自己忘记了他最近的生活是多么忙碌和疲惫。桑托斯的举止和他的回答都没有让我想起一位在过去四场比赛中只打了 149 分钟的球员，这是他年轻职业生涯中最多的。只是一个笑嘻嘻的家伙谈论着进入 NBA 所付出的所有努力。

因此，我问了桑托斯一个本赛季大部分时间都在我脑海中萦绕的问题。当他从一个板凳末端、依赖比赛的角色球员变成史蒂夫·科尔最信任的球员之一，以及一个值得他在三月初签下的为期三年、价值 1500 万美元的续约球员时，这个问题就一直在酝酿。

所有这些积极性从何而来？

“[It comes from] 桑托斯告诉 ClutchPoints：“我又回到 NBA 了。我很喜欢这么说。”我不记得谁曾经告诉我这句话，但有人对我说，NBA 最糟糕的一天是其他地方最好的一天。所以对我来说，只要来到这里，即使这是糟糕的一天，我脸上也会永远挂着微笑，为新的一天做好准备。”

吉·桑托斯对篮球的热爱从哪里开始

对于桑托斯来说，能够在 NBA 度过美好的一天，以及之后的一天，是梦想成真。他最初的梦想是看着他的父亲戴维森 (Deivisson) 在巴西新巴斯克特 (NBB) 职业联赛中打球。

“这会让我爱上篮球，”桑托斯谈到他在巴西职业联赛中观看父亲比赛的记忆时说道。

那些日子里，桑托斯会坐在他的母亲卢辛奈德旁边，等待比赛的最佳时机冲上球场。由于观看比赛的球迷并不多，桑托斯可以在球场空旷的一侧运球和投篮，而另一侧正在进行比赛。但这并不意味着比赛不能爆满。当他们这样做时，他们会大声喊叫。

“我记得第一次听到球迷高喊他的名字时，”桑托斯回忆道。 “我当时想，哦，那太好了。就像，每个人都这样叫我的名字？我希望有一天能像他一样。”

桑托斯追随父亲的脚步，追求职业生涯中对篮球的热爱。但他实现篮球梦想的旅程却充满不确定性。

圣克鲁斯和发展联盟的第一步

当勇士队在 2022 年 NBA 选秀中以第 55 顺位从巴西队选中桑托斯时，根据前金州勇士队后卫、巴西传奇人物莱安德罗·巴博萨 (Leandro Barbosa) 的建议，他基本上是事后才被选中的。

当时的卫冕冠军球队正在围绕他们最近的乐透选秀权来规划他们后斯蒂芬·库里的未来，桑托斯在金州勇士队的时间表中占据一席之地的机会很小。

年仅 20 岁、骨瘦如柴的 185 磅重的他，如果能够参加夏季联赛，对桑托斯和球队来说将是一场胜利。但他确实完成了夏季联赛，并为自己赢得了一份与位于圣克鲁斯的勇士发展联盟附属机构的合同。这才是他的发展真正开始的地方。

圣克鲁斯的教练告诉桑托斯，如果他想留下来，他必须做的前两件事就是增加体重并放弃球权。

185 磅对于他们在桑托斯预见的 3D 翼来说太轻了。虽然桑托斯在巴西以控球后卫的身份声名鹊起，但他必须通过打无球来在发展联盟中声名鹊起。通过切割、砍砍和在角落里定位。基本上，他的篮球自我在身体和精神上进行了彻底的重新配置。

“最难的部分 [of that transition] 桑托斯回忆道，“当时我并不明白这没有问题。”“当我来到这里时，我以为我必须在发展联赛中得到30分，所以我 [could] 进入 NBA。但这对圣克鲁斯的工作人员来说是一件很棒的事情……他们只是来找我，就像你不需要得分很多一样。你只需要以正确的方式打球并充满活力。寻找斯蒂芬 [Curry] 等等。所以我就是这么做的。”

适应美国的文化冲击

将“寻找斯蒂芬”铭刻在你的大脑中是在勇士队中扮演角色的好方法。但为了获得给库里传球的机会，桑托斯首先必须上场到库里旁边。

因此，桑托斯在发展联盟的第一年就是通过举重和调整比赛来在无球状态下茁壮成长。几天来，他将五分制篮球的原则牢牢地灌输在他的脑海里，同时还增加了他的卡路里含量，并为 NBA 项目重新调整了他的饮食习惯。

随着必须重新配置他的游戏，文化冲击也随之而来。对于桑托斯来说，语言障碍并不是太大的问题，但另一方面，气氛却是一种调整。

“在美国，人们比巴西更冷，”桑托斯解释道。 “在巴西，我们对每个人都非常包容。在街上，你随便找到一个人。你和他们聊了一会儿，然后你就已经走进了他们的家，他们为你做晚饭，然后你就成了朋友。在这里，每个人都更多地过着自己的生活，做自己的事情。”

当然，桑托斯将面临很多令人愉快的文化冲击。

桑托斯回忆起有一次设备经理推出了他最喜欢的鞋款 Nike GT Cut 的两种配色时，他笑了。桑托斯原以为他只能选择 GT Cut 中的一款，直到设备经理说这两款都适合他，令他惊讶的是，他很高兴。当桑托斯得知演出还配备了他想要的尽可能多的袜子时，消息才变得更好。

但美国个人主义的冷漠却令人难以接受。回到巴西，桑托斯已经习惯了赛前充满喧闹音乐和喜庆舞蹈的更衣室。但在圣克鲁斯，只有 AirPods 和耳机。

不管怎样，桑托斯在发展联盟的磨练一直是帕特·斯宾塞所钦佩的。斯宾塞是桑托斯在圣克鲁斯和现在勇士队的长期队友，他记得两人在圣克鲁斯和旧金山之间来回的疲惫跋涉。他记得他们在追求获得 NBA 合同的目标时所进行的所有晚餐和长时间的谈话。

对于斯宾塞来说，看到桑托斯达到目前的水平很特别。

“他来到这里时脚步沉重，还有点婴儿肥，”斯宾塞告诉 ClutchPoints。 “他改变了自己。最努力的人之一……你可以回去看看照片，看看他改变了自己的身体有多大。只要投入工作，所以，很特别。”

在史蒂夫·科尔的轮换阵容中赢得一席之地

在发展联盟的努力工作让桑托斯在 2024 年在圣克鲁斯队主宰了上场时间后，在科尔的替补席上获得了一席之地。然而，在一支拥有吉米·巴特勒和德雷蒙德·格林这样的边锋和前锋的竞争球队中，上场时间并不多，导致上场时间稀缺。

但桑托斯坚持到底。他问史蒂夫·科尔他需要做什么才能打球，他告诉他要充满活力地打球。当机会到来时，桑托斯立即听从了科尔的话。自从巴特勒因伤赛季报销后，桑托斯在25场比赛中场均贡献14.0分、5.6个篮板和3.6次助攻，成为金州勇士队在看似不可靠的时期最可靠的球员之一。因此，他在赛季中期续约。

助理教练特里·斯托茨注意到桑托斯在进攻上的飞跃，即他的控球、一对一技巧和投篮。但这位长期担任 NBA 教练的人也指出了桑托斯在一切都还不确定的情况下所做的工作。这是一个令人印象深刻的飞跃，因为从未向他承诺过这个机会。

“要继续努力，即使你不一定有机会展示它。当你不参加比赛时，但你仍然在训练中、下班时间等类似的情况下努力，这样当机会来临时，你就能够利用它。”

桑托斯添加的不仅仅是原始统计数据和数字。他的微笑给更衣室带来了欢乐。由于他的艰辛旅程，他赢得了人们的尊重。它具有感染力和明显性，在克尔眼中，产生了影响。

“我会推荐所有巴西人去更衣室，”科尔说。 “巴西有一种精神、活力和欢乐的文化。巴博萨有，安德森·瓦莱乔有。你能感觉到。桂是如此纯粹。他为来到这里所做的一切，人们都看到了。他们尊重他，欣赏他。然后那个微笑，生活的快乐，打篮球的快乐，这对更衣室产生了巨大的影响。”

吉桑托斯的下一步

至于这位 23 岁的巴西人实现 NBA 梦想后的下一步，桑托斯仍然有一些目标。他想要赢得NBA总冠军。这不仅是为了他自己，也是为了让库里能够获得他的第五枚总冠军戒指，帮助他成长过程中的一位篮球偶像实现更伟大的 NBA 不朽。

但他也希望有一天成为一名全明星。即，第一位巴西全明星。桑托斯知道，这是一个崇高的目标，但他对此充满热情。

“我知道这很艰难，有很多工作要做，”桑托斯说。 “说这是一个目标很容易，但与此同时，我也在工作。我会尽我所能，努力成为其中的一部分。” [the All-Star game]”。

因此，尽管桑托斯并没有满足于自己目前的处境，但在 NBA 的每一天仍然是一种祝福。毫不奇怪，工作保持不变。桑托斯离开采访时，我问他下一步要去哪里，他指着举重室。

“要继续努力！明天我们将对阵森林狼队！”桑托斯一边冲着下一个约会，一边头晕目眩地说道。

舊金山——當我有機會與金州勇士隊邊鋒吉·桑托斯交談時，他的一天才剛剛過半。

他剛做完一次長時間的按摩，在與影片團隊一起拍攝了更長的宣傳片後，他稍微鬆了口氣。在此之前，他和勇士隊結束了一場激烈的清晨球隊訓練，這是他們在經過六場四場比賽的濃縮籃球賽後的第一次訓練。

當桑托斯將他身高 6 英尺 7 的身體酸痛地坐在我對面的椅子上時，如果他決定打電話來接受這次採訪，我就不會責怪他。尤其是因為他之後還要進行訓練、舉重訓練和另一場投籃訓練。

但當我開始提出問題，桑托斯開始回答這些問題時，我發現自己忘記了他最近的生活是多麼忙碌和疲憊。桑托斯的舉止和他的回答都沒有讓我想起一位在過去四場比賽中只打了 149 分鐘的球員，這是他年輕職業生涯中最多的。只是一個笑嘻嘻的傢伙談論著進入 NBA 所付出的所有努力。

因此，我問了桑托斯一個本賽季大部分時間都在我腦海中縈繞的問題。當他從一個板凳末端、依賴比賽的角色球員變成史蒂夫·科爾最信任的球員之一，以及一個值得他在三月初簽下的為期三年、價值 1500 萬美元的續約球員時，這個問題就一直在醞釀。

所有這些積極性從何而來？

“[It comes from] 桑托斯告訴 ClutchPoints：「我又回到 NBA 了。我很喜歡這麼說。」我不記得誰曾經告訴我這句話，但有人對我說，NBA 最糟糕的一天是其他地方最好的一天。所以對我來說，只要來到這裡，即使這是糟糕的一天，我臉上也會永遠掛著微笑，為新的一天做好準備。 」

吉·桑托斯對籃球的熱愛從哪裡開始

對桑托斯來說，能夠在 NBA 度過美好的一天，以及之後的一天，是夢想成真。他最初的夢想是看著他的父親戴維森 (Deivisson) 在巴西新巴斯克特 (NBB) 職業聯賽中打球。

「這會讓我愛上籃球，」桑托斯談到他在巴西職業聯賽中觀看父親比賽的記憶時說道。

在那些日子裡，桑托斯會坐在他的母親盧西奈德旁邊，等待比賽的最佳時機衝上球場。由於觀看比賽的球迷不多，桑托斯可以在球場空曠的一側運球和投籃，而另一側正在進行比賽。但這並不意味著比賽不能爆滿。當他們這樣做時，他們會大聲喊叫。

「我記得第一次聽到球迷高喊他的名字時，」桑托斯回憶道。 “我當時想，哦，那太好了。就像，每個人都這樣叫我的名字？我希望有一天能像他一樣。”

桑托斯追隨父親的腳步，追求職業生涯中對籃球的熱愛。但他實現籃球夢想的旅程卻充滿不確定性。

聖克魯斯和發展聯盟的第一步

當勇士隊在 2022 年 NBA 選秀中以第 55 順位從巴西隊選中桑托斯時，根據前金州勇士隊後衛、巴西傳奇人物萊安德羅·巴博薩 (Leandro Barbosa) 的建議，他基本上是事後才被選中的。

當時的衛冕冠軍球隊正在圍繞他們最近的樂透選秀權來規劃他們後史蒂芬·庫裡的未來，桑托斯在金州勇士隊的時間表中佔據一席之地的機會很小。

年僅 20 歲、骨瘦如柴的 185 磅重的他，如果能夠參加夏季聯賽，對桑托斯和球隊來說將是一場勝利。但他確實完成了夏季聯賽，並為自己贏得了與位於聖克魯斯的勇士發展聯盟附屬機構的合約。這才是他的發展真正開始的地方。

聖克魯斯的教練告訴桑托斯，如果他想留下來，他必須做的前兩件事就是增加體重並放棄球權。

185 磅對於他們在桑托斯預見的 3D 翼來說太輕了。雖然桑托斯在巴西以控球後衛的身份聲名鵲起，但他必須透過打無球來在發展聯盟中聲名鵲起。透過切割、砍砍和在角落定位。基本上，他的籃球自我在身體和精神上進行了徹底的重新配置。

「最難的部分 [of that transition] 桑托斯回憶道，「當時我並不明白這沒有問題。」「當我來到這裡時，我以為我必須在發展聯賽中得到30分，所以我 [could] 進入 NBA。但這對聖克魯斯的工作人員來說是一件很棒的事情……他們只是來找我，就像你不需要得分很多一樣。你只需要以正確的方式打球並充滿活力。尋找史蒂芬 [Curry] 等等。所以我就是這麼做的。 」

適應美國的文化衝擊

將「尋找史蒂芬」銘刻在你的大腦中是在勇士隊中扮演角色的好方法。但為了獲得給柯瑞傳球的機會，桑托斯首先必須上場到柯瑞旁邊。

因此，桑托斯在發展聯盟的第一年就是透過舉重和調整比賽來在無球狀態下茁壯成長。幾天來，他將五分制籃球的原則牢牢地灌輸在他的腦海裡，同時也增加了他的卡路里含量，並為 NBA 項目重新調整了他的飲食習慣。

隨著必須重新配置他的遊戲，文化衝擊也隨之而來。對桑托斯來說，語言障礙並不是太大的問題，但另一方面，氣氛卻是一種調整。

「在美國，人們比巴西更冷，」桑托斯解釋道。 「在巴西，我們對每個人都非常包容。在街上，你隨便找到一個人。你和他們聊了一會兒，然後你就已經走進了他們的家，他們為你做晚飯，然後你就成了朋友。在這裡，每個人都更多地過著自己的生活，做自己的事情。”

當然，桑托斯將面臨許多令人愉快的文化衝擊。

桑托斯回憶起有一次設備經理推出了他最喜歡的鞋款 Nike GT Cut 的兩種配色時，他笑了。桑托斯原以為他只能選 GT Cut 中的一款，直到設備經理說這兩款都適合他，令他驚訝的是，他很高興。當桑托斯得知演出還配備了他想要的盡可能多的襪子時，消息變得更好。

但美國個人主義的冷漠卻令人難以接受。回到巴西，桑托斯已經習慣了賽前充滿喧鬧音樂和喜慶舞蹈的更衣室。但在聖克魯斯，只有 AirPods 和耳機。

不管怎樣，桑托斯在發展聯盟的磨練一直是派特·史賓塞所欽佩的。史賓塞是桑托斯在聖克魯斯和現在勇士隊的長期隊友，他記得兩人在聖克魯斯和舊金山之間來回的疲憊跋涉。他記得他們在追求獲得 NBA 合約的目標時所進行的所有晚餐和長時間的談話。

對於斯賓塞來說，看到桑托斯達到目前的水平很特別。

「他來到這裡時腳步沉重，還有點嬰兒肥，」史賓塞告訴 ClutchPoints。 “他改變了自己。最努力的人之一……你可以回去看看照片，看看他改變了自己的身體有多大。只要投入工作，所以，很特別。”

在史蒂夫·科爾的輪換陣容中贏得一席之地

在發展聯盟的努力工作讓桑托斯在 2024 年在聖克魯斯隊主宰了上場時間後，在科爾的替補席上獲得了一席之地。然而，在一支擁有吉米·巴特勒和德雷蒙德·格林這樣的邊鋒和前鋒的競爭球隊中，上場時間並不多，導致上場時間稀缺。

但桑托斯堅持到底。他問史蒂夫·科爾他需要做什麼才能打球，他告訴他要充滿活力地打球。當機會到來時，桑托斯立即聽從了科爾的話。自從巴特勒因傷賽季報銷後，桑托斯在25場比賽中場均貢獻14.0分、5.6個籃板和3.6次助攻，成為金州勇士隊在看似不可靠的時期最可靠的球員之一。因此，他在賽季中期續約。

助理教練特里·斯托茨注意到桑托斯在進攻上的飛躍，即他的控球、一對一技巧和投籃。但這位長期擔任 NBA 教練的人也指出了桑托斯在一切都還不確定的情況下所做的工作。這是一個令人印象深刻的飛躍，因為從未向他承諾過這個機會。

「要繼續努力，即使你不一定有機會展示它。當你不參加比賽時，但你仍然在訓練中、下班時間等類似的情況下努力，這樣當機會來臨時，你就能夠利用它。”

桑托斯添加的不僅僅是原始統計數據和數字。他的微笑給更衣室帶來了歡樂。由於他的艱辛旅程，他贏得了人們的尊重。它具有感染力和明顯性，在克爾眼中，產生了影響。

「我會推薦所有巴西人去更衣室，」科爾說。 「巴西有一種精神、活力和歡樂的文化。巴博薩有，安德森·瓦萊喬有。你能感覺到。桂是如此純粹。他為來到這裡所做的一切，人們都看到了。他們尊重他，欣賞他。然後那個微笑，生活的快樂，打籃球的快樂，這對更衣室產生了巨大的影響。”

吉桑托斯的下一步

至於這位 23 歲的巴西人實現 NBA 夢想後的下一步，桑托斯仍然有一些目標。他想要贏得NBA總冠軍。這不僅是為了他自己，也是為了讓柯瑞能夠獲得他的第五枚冠軍戒指，幫助他成長過程中的一位籃球偶像實現更偉大的 NBA 不朽。

但他也希望有一天能成為全明星。即，第一位巴西全明星。桑托斯知道，這是一個崇高的目標，但他對此充滿熱情。

「我知道這很艱難，有很多工作要做，」桑托斯說。 “說這是一個目標很容易，但同時，我也在工作。我會盡我所能，努力成為其中的一部分。” [the All-Star game]」。

因此，儘管桑托斯並沒有滿足於自己目前的處境，但在 NBA 的每一天仍然是一種祝福。毫不奇怪，工作保持不變。當桑托斯離開採訪時，我問他下一步要去哪裡，他指著舉重室。

「要繼續努力！明天我們將對陣灰狼隊！」桑托斯一邊衝著下一個約會，一邊頭暈目眩地說。

我们获得了 NBA 2K26 2KTV 第 24 集的答案，以帮助玩家在本周末赚取一些免费 VC。对于该系列的新手来说，NBA 2KTV 是由亚历克西斯·摩根和克里斯·曼宁主持的每周游戏内节目。总体而言，该节目包含对真实玩家和开发者的采访、粉丝亮点等各种各样的内容。不过我们也了解到，大家看2KTV都是为了通过每集回答问题来获得VC。因此，为了您的方便，我们列出了《NBA 2K26 2KTV》第 24 集的所有答案。

NBA 2K26 2KTV 第 24 集 答案

1. 传奇体育
2. 2025年
3. 任何
4. 灰熊队
5. 5v5
6. 快速随机播放
7. 5
8. 雷
9. 任何
10. 任何
11. 3

总的来说，这包括 NBA 2K26 2KTV 第 24 集的所有答案。要回答问题，您只需按下与您要选择的答案相匹配的按钮即可。问题在每一集中随机出现，因此您必须观看整集才能找到全部问题。在 2KTV 中正确回答问题通常会奖励玩家 VC，尽管有时您可能会获得其他东西。

2KTV 的新剧集通常在周五发布，不过过去也有例外。此外，剧集长度也有所不同，具体取决于剧集本身的内容量。

幸运的是，开发者喜欢在每一集中提供免费赠品（有时更多）。因此，即使您不使用指南，您仍然可以获得至少一项或多项免费奖励。因此，请收听 2KTV，因为没有理由不赚取一些免费的 VC。

最后，如需了解更多游戏和 NBA 新闻，请访问 ClutchPoints。此外，请订阅我们的游戏通讯以获取更多每周信息。

This weekend we found NBA 2K26 2KTV Episode 24 Answers to help players earn some free VC. For those new to the series, NBA 2KTV is a weekly in-game program hosted by Alexis Morgan and Chris Manning. Overall, the show features a wide variety of content ranging from interviews with actual players and developers, fan highlights, and more. However, we also understand that everyone watches 2KTV to get VCs by answering questions in each episode. So, we have listed all NBA 2K26 2KTV Episode 24 Answers for your convenience.

NBA 2K26 2KTV Episode 24 Answers

1. Legend Sports
2. 2025
3. Any
4. Grizzlies
5. 5v5
6. fast shuffle
7. 5
8. thunder
9. Any
10. Any
11. 3

Overall, this includes all the answers for NBA 2K26 2KTV Episode 24. To answer a question, you simply press the button that matches the answer you want to choose. The questions appear randomly in each episode, so you’ll have to watch the entire episode to find them all. Answering questions correctly in 2KTV usually rewards the player with VC, although sometimes you can earn something more.

New episodes of 2KTV are typically released on Fridays, although there have been exceptions in the past. Additionally, episode lengths vary, depending on the amount of content within the episode.

Luckily, the developers like to give away a few freebies (sometimes more) in each episode. So even if you don’t use any guides, you’ll still earn at least one or more free rewards. So, tune in to 2KTV, because there’s no reason not to earn some free VC.

Finally, for more gaming and NBA news, visit ClutchPoints. Also, subscribe to our gaming newsletter for more weekly updates.

目前尚未有女性担任过 NBA 球队的主教练，但 ESPN 的安德拉亚·卡特 (Andraya Carter) 认为这种情况很快就会改变。这位篮球分析师列出了几位她认为可能是第一个领导职业男子篮球教练组的现任教练，并告诉 SiriusXM NBA 广播电台的大卫·谢泼德，贝基·哈蒙、道恩·斯塔利和尼尔·艾维最为突出。

“有一些，你提到了贝基·哈蒙。道恩·斯塔利，她对尼克斯队的职位非常开放，并一度接受过采访。这是两位我非常感兴趣的顶级教练，无论他们最终是否能在男子球队获得机会。尼尔·艾维是 [another] 其中之一是我关注的巴黎圣母院。 ……如果这是她感兴趣的机会……那可能是我的前三名，”卡特在广播中说道。

哈蒙是 WNBA 拉斯维加斯王牌队的现任主教练。最近，她帮助他们成为WNBA历史上第二支在四年内赢得三个冠军的球队。斯特利曾在南卡罗来纳州执教 Aces 巨星阿贾·威尔逊 (A’ja Wilson)，这是她执掌斗鸡队女子篮球项目的第 18 个赛季。 2019 年孟菲斯灰熊队聘用艾维，她成为 NBA 教练组中第九位女性。

卡特的名单还不止于此。她接着喊出了其他几位候选人，包括洛杉矶湖人队助理教练林赛·哈丁。

“显然，卡拉·劳森（Kara Lawson）在波士顿凯尔特人队有过经验。她现在在杜克大学做得很好，所以，当我想到那里有一些交叉时。林赛·戈特利布（Lindsay Gottlieb）在 NBA 中有过一些经验，现在在南加州大学。……我的脑海中浮现出一些第一个名字……林赛·哈丁……她自己就是一名出色的球员。我们可以在某个时候看到她领导一支 NBA 或男子大学篮球队，”卡特补充道。 “谁知道呢？”

虽然尚不清楚第一位领导 NBA 员工队伍的女性会是谁，但卡特认为不乏优质的选择。这似乎只是在正确的时间出现了正确的机会。

目前尚未有女性擔任 NBA 球隊的主教練，但 ESPN 的 Andraya Carter 認為這種情況很快就會改變。這位籃球分析師列出了幾位她認為可能是第一個領導職業男子籃球教練組的現任教練，並告訴 SiriusXM NBA 廣播電台的大衛·謝潑德，貝基·哈蒙、道恩·斯塔利和尼爾·艾維最為突出。

「有一些，你提到了貝基·哈蒙。道恩·斯塔利，她對尼克斯隊的職位非常開放，並一度接受過採訪。這是兩位我非常感興趣的頂級教練，無論他們最終是否能在男子球隊獲得機會。尼爾·艾維是 [another] 其中之一是我關注的巴黎聖母院。 ……如果這是她感興趣的機會……那可能是我的前三名，」卡特在廣播中說道。

哈蒙是 WNBA 拉斯維加斯王牌隊的現任主教練。最近，她幫助他們成為WNBA史上第二支在四年內贏得三次冠軍的球隊。斯特利曾在南卡羅來納州執教 Aces 巨星阿賈威爾遜 (A’ja Wilson)，這是她執掌鬥雞隊女子籃球項目的第 18 個賽季。 2019 年孟菲斯灰熊隊聘用艾維，她成為 NBA 教練團中第九位女性。

卡特的名單還不止於此。她接著喊出了其他幾位候選人，包括洛杉磯湖人隊助理教練林賽·哈丁。

「顯然，卡拉·勞森（Kara Lawson）在波士頓凱爾特人隊有過經驗。她現在在杜克大學做得很好，所以，當我想到那裡有一些交叉時。林賽·戈特利布（Lindsay Gottlieb）在 NBA 中有過一些經驗，現在在南加州大學。……我的腦海中浮現出一些第一個名字……林賽·哈丁·哈丁·哈丁。或男子大學籃球隊，」卡特補充道。 “誰知道呢？”

雖然尚不清楚第一位領導 NBA 員工隊伍的女性會是誰，但卡特認為不乏優質的選擇。這似乎只是在正確的時間出現了正確的機會。

萨克拉门托国王队、布鲁克林篮网队或华盛顿奇才队的潜在球队救世主还远未锁定在 6 月的 NBA 选秀中。

上个月交易截止日期之后，NBA 最大的新闻之一是，几支球队几乎没有采取任何措施来掩盖这样一个事实：他们都在努力争取选秀中的前三顺位之一。虽然摆烂并不是什么新鲜事，而且 NBA 彩票的创建就是为了试图遏制这种策略，但今年有所不同，因为 2026 年的新秀绝对是堆积如山。

Cam Boozer、Darius Acuff Jr.、Kingston Flemings、Darryn Peterson 和 AJ Dybantsa 等年轻球员让 NBA 高管们争先恐后地在第一轮比赛中较早地获得了其中一位。大多数篮球专家预计 NCAA 锦标赛的所有五位球星都会参加今年的赛事。然而，在大学体育运动中，现在是不同的时期。

在名字、形象和肖像交易的时代，与仅靠奖学金打球的日子相比，大学明星赚得惊人。迪班萨就是其中之一。根据赛季前的各种报道，这名新生据称从他在杨百翰大学的零承诺中赚取了 5 至 700 万美元。

AJ Dybantsa 的妈妈将决定他是否参加 NBA 选秀

在主要大学校园里再当一年的国王是一种吸引力，这在几年前是不存在的。因此，明星球员在大一结束后进入NBA选秀不再是一种保证。然而，周四美洲狮队在 64 强中输给德克萨斯州后，当被问及决定选秀的时间表时，迪班萨给出了令人惊讶的回答。

“主要是我妈妈，”他谈到谁将真正做出决定时说道。 “她有点像大老板。只要和她谈谈，看看她会说什么。”

• AJ Dybantsa 数据：25.3 分、6.8 篮板、3.7 助攻、1.1 助攻

对于像篮网队、国王队和奇才队这样的球队来说，这肯定会带来不可预测的因素，他们肯定会认真考虑在前锋上使用他们六月份的状元签。迪班萨声称他将在“未来几周内”做出决定，并首先想与家人讨论此事。

如果迪班萨选择留在杨百翰大学，那么这将是网队、国王队和奇才队的精英前景，他们很有可能在六月获得前三顺位选秀权。 AJ Dybantsa 在得分方面领先全国（场均 25.3 分），拥有令人印象深刻的运动能力，身高 6 英尺 9 英寸，得分多才多艺。

Jason Burgos 于 2017 年获得新闻学学位后，担任多个网站的撰稿人，其中包括 MMA Sucka … 关于 Jason Burgos 的更多信息

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

距离在内华达州拉斯维加斯举行的 WWE WrestleMania 42 只剩下几周时间，WWE 也将组织并举办一年一度的传统名人堂仪式。已有几位著名人士入选，此次促销活动现已引入 NBA 传奇人物丹尼斯·罗德曼 (Dennis Rodman) 成为又一位名人堂入选者。

ESPN 的沙姆斯·查拉尼亚 (Shams Charania) 于 2026 年 3 月 20 日星期五早些时候证实，丹尼斯·罗德曼 (Dennis Rodman) 将在摔角狂热 42 周末期间入选 WWE 名人堂。 2026 年名人堂成员现在包括斯蒂芬妮·麦克马洪 (Stephanie McMahon)、AJ·斯泰尔斯 (AJ Styles)、Demolition (Axe & Smash) 和罗德曼 (Rodman)。

“据 ESPN 消息人士透露，篮球名人堂成员丹尼斯·罗德曼将于 4 月入选 WWE 名人堂。罗德曼于 1997 年首次亮相 WCW，并在 1998 年 NBA 总决赛期间与浩克·霍根一起跳过训练，与浩克·霍根一起参加摔跤比赛。罗德曼两次获得 HOF。”查拉尼亚写道。

罗德曼于 1997 年和 1998 年参加了 WCW Bash at the Beach。他与 Hulk Hogan 合作，包括在 1998 年与篮球老将卡尔·马龙和 WCW 的 Diamond Dallas Page 对抗。

罗德曼经常被认为是 NBA 有史以来最伟大的篮板手之一。他因效力芝加哥公牛队和底特律活塞队而闻名。罗德曼在 20 世纪 90 年代与迈克尔·乔丹和斯科蒂·皮蓬并肩发挥了重要作用。 64 岁的罗德曼也因其在 WWE 和 WCW 之外的表现而闻名。 2023 年，他多次亮相 AEW，甚至在 All Out PPV 中担任 The Acclaimed 的一角。

消息人士透露，丹尼斯·罗德曼将于四月入选 WWE 名人堂 @ShamsCharania。

罗德曼也入选了篮球名人堂。 pic.twitter.com/f8CvWDxMwj

— ESPN (@espn) 2026 年 3 月 20 日

With just a few weeks left for WWE WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, Nevada, WWE is also set to organize and host its annual traditional Hall of Fame ceremony. With several notable inductees already announced, the promotion has now introduced NBA legend Dennis Rodman as another Hall of Fame inductee.

ESPN’s Shams Charania previously confirmed on Friday, March 20, 2026, that Dennis Rodman, best known in the wrestling circuit for his numerous WCW matches as a member of the nWo in the 1990s, will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame during WrestleMania 42 weekend. The 2026 Hall of Fame class now includes Stephanie McMahon, AJ Styles, Demolition (Axe & Smash) and Rodman.

According to ESPN sources, “Crossover: Basketball Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in April. Rodman debuted in WCW in 1997 and famously skipped practice for a wrestling match with Hulk Hogan during the 1998 NBA Finals. Two HOFs for Rodman,” Charania wrote.

Rodman was involved in the WCW Bash at the Beach in both 1997 and 1998. He teamed with Hulk Hogan, which included a match against fellow basketball legend Karl Malone and WCW’s Diamond Dallas Page in 1998.

Rodman is often considered one of the greatest NBA rebounders of all time. He is best known for his stints as part of the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons. Rodman played an important role in the 1990s alongside Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Rodman, 64, is also known for his appearances outside of WWE and WCW. In 2023, he made a few appearances in AEW and was even in The Acclaimed’s corner at the All Out PPV.

Dennis Rodman will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in April, sources say @shamscharania.

Rodman is also in the Basketball Hall of Fame. pic.twitter.com/f8CvWDxMwj

– ESPN (@espn) 20 March 2026

对于圣安东尼奥马刺队来说，2026 年 NCAA 锦标赛感觉像是一次有趣的练习，可能会加深他们的核心。当大学世界陷入单败篮球的美丽混乱时，阿拉莫市的目光牢牢地盯着地平线。他们正在寻找下一个变革型人才，与他们现有的核心人员并肩作战。这不仅仅是一次侦察之旅。寻找缺失的 DNA 将使这支传奇球队重新回到篮球世界的顶峰。疯狂三月的硬木是测试下一代勇气的终极实验室。

圣安东尼奥使命

2025-26 NBA 赛季是马刺队的发展里程碑和来之不易的教训之一。他们所展现的才华被年轻球员不可避免的成长痛苦所打断。胜负一栏（51-18）反映了球队继续围绕其建立自己的身份的内部成长。这意味着多才多艺的组织进攻和不懈的防守动力。

球迷们在任何一个晚上都看到马刺队与西部联盟的精英队竞争。当然，在艰苦的八十二场比赛中保持稳定仍然是最后的边界。有一种明显的感觉，马刺队的基础已经稳固。我们将看看管理层是否能够确定具体的技能组合，将这些竞争性的努力转化为持续的季后赛威胁。

识别缺失的成分

当我们展望 2026 年 NBA 选秀时，马刺队可以采取手术而不是绝望。他们应该关注能够补充其既定支柱的潜在客户。当然，他们与老鹰队进行了选秀权交换，这可能会让他们进入后期乐透区。这使得识别“连接者”和“专家”原型的价值变得非常重要。

毫不奇怪，马刺队一直重视高篮球智商、防守多样性和无私的比赛方式。也就是说，现代 NBA 需要一定程度的投篮创造和内线深度，以打破纪律严明的防守。 2026 年的毕业生提供了一系列令人着迷的前景，他们可能不是头条新闻“三巨头”。然而，这些孩子还拥有在运动密集的系统中茁壮成长的特定技能，并为深入季后赛提供必要的深度。

亚克塞尔·伦登堡 (密歇根州)

如果说有一位球员的统计数据和运动能力让人尖叫“圣安东尼奥”，那就是来自密歇根州的亚克塞尔·伦登堡。这位多才多艺的前锋已经成为本赛季的数据宠儿。 Lendeborg 是典型的连接器。他身高 6 英尺 9 英寸，能够影响比赛的各个方面，而无需将球作为主要选择。观看他在比赛期间的高低盘和防守轮换将是效率和空间意识的大师级课程。

对于马刺队来说，伦德堡代表着完美的战术配合。他拥有控制大量换防进攻的纪律性，以及拉开球场或篮下终结的进攻手感。他在压力下的镇定和对篮板的不懈努力使他成为可以立即进入马刺轮换阵容的新秀。

托马斯·豪，佛罗里达州

现代侧翼的发展需要长度、横向速度和新兴的外线投篮的结合。佛罗里达州的托马斯·豪今年已经证明了所有这些。哈夫是一位精力充沛的运动员，在转型期表现出色。当然，他在半场纪律方面也表现出了显着的进步。作为一名能够压制多个位置的多才多艺的后卫，这一点尤其正确。在三月份的高压环境中，他的致胜表现的能力将受到密切关注。

马刺队有着将运动型侧翼发展为精英双向威胁的传奇历史。目前，豪拥有符合组织发展理念的原始工具和竞争热情。他的防守本能已经处于很高的水平。如果他能够在深度锦标赛中表现出稳定的远距离击球，那么他将成为圣安东尼奥球队寻求增强外线深度的不可抗拒的选择。

布雷登·伯里斯 (亚利桑那州)

亚利桑那野猫队的布雷登·伯里斯 (Brayden Burries) 是这三人中的最后一位。这位后卫的基本能力和得分本能可能是马刺第二阵容中缺失的火花。伯里斯是一位精致的组织核心，他按照自己的节奏进行比赛。他从来不会因防守压力或重大时刻而感到不安。使他成为圣安东尼奥马刺队如此引人注目的前景的是他出色的身体控制能力以及他以老将成熟的方式驾驭挡拆的能力。

在疯狂三月期间，他的得分效率和决策能力将是他最大的名片。他具有独特的能力，既可以充当主要发起者，也可以充当无球威胁。马刺队一直优先考虑能够提前两步思考比赛的后场球员。伯里斯的严谨作风与这种模式完美契合。他的体力和高智商的地板比赛相结合，使他成为一名应该无缝融入银黑队文化的球员。

洛杉矶湖人队有充分的理由在周四晚上对阵迈阿密热火队的比赛中保持轻松，尤其是在前一天晚上在休斯敦经历了艰苦的比赛后。但卢卡·东契奇不会让湖人队输球。

湖人队在周三晚上艰难战胜休斯敦火箭队后于凌晨 5 点进入迈阿密。卢卡·东契奇、勒布朗·詹姆斯和奥斯汀·里夫斯都对比赛“有疑问”，但最终还是参加了比赛。这位斯洛文尼亚后卫统治了当晚，为湖人队赢得了一场大胜。

卢卡·东契奇在周四的比赛中30投18中、三分球17投9中、罚球19投15中，拿下60分、7个篮板、3次助攻和5次抢断。

据Stathead称，这是NBA历史上第一次有球员在一场比赛中得到至少60分、至少9个三分球和至少5次抢断。

卢卡·东契奇今晚对阵热火队：

60分
9 个三分球
5次抢断

NBA 历史上第一位记录这种统计数据的球员。 pic.twitter.com/5GKEfV0Hbe

— 托默·阿扎利 (@TomerAzarly) 2026 年 3 月 20 日

东契奇首节拿下12分，第二节9分，第三节19分，第四节20分。

湖人以134-126击败热火，东契奇的湖人队友给了他一些急需的帮助。勒布朗·詹姆斯在这场胜利中拿下19分、15个篮板、10次助攻的三双，奥斯汀·里维斯得到18分，马库斯·斯玛特得到13分。

这是东契奇职业生涯第三次得到至少60分，也是他自2024年作为达拉斯小牛队成员得到73分以来的第一次。这也是东契奇职业生涯第九次在一场比赛中得到至少50分。

The Los Angeles Lakers had every reason to take it easy in Thursday night’s game against the Miami Heat, especially coming off a tough game in Houston the night before. But Luka Doncic did not let the Lakers lose.

The Lakers arrived in Miami at 5 a.m. following a tough win against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night. Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reeves were questionable to play, but they ended up playing in the contest. It was the Slovenian guard who dominated the night en route to a big win for the Lakers.

Luka Doncic finished Thursday’s game with 60 points, seven rebounds, three assists and five steals, while shooting 18-of-30 from the field, 9-of-17 from three and 15-of-19 from the free throw line.

According to Stathead, this is the first time in NBA history that a player has recorded at least 60 points, at least nine three-pointers and at least five steals in a game.

Luka Doncic tonight vs. Heat:

60 points
9 3-pointers
5 theft

The first player in NBA history to record such a statline. pic.twitter.com/5GKEfV0Hbe

-Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) 20 March 2026

Doncic recorded 12 points in the opening quarter, nine points in the second, 19 points in the third and 20 points in the fourth quarter.

The Lakers defeated the Heat 134-126, and Doncic’s Lakers teammates gave him some much-needed help. LeBron James recorded a 19-point, 15-rebound, 10-assist triple-double in the win, while Austin Reaves added 18 points and Marcus Smart scored 13 points.

It marked Doncic’s third career game of at least 60 points and his first since scoring 73 points as a member of the Dallas Mavericks in 2024. This marked the ninth time in Doncic’s career that he has scored at least 50 points in a game.

It may be hard to remember now, but the Golden State Warriors once had high expectations for the 2025-26 season. Their 2025 NBA playoff run ended in the second round, but that was mostly due to Stephen Curry’s hamstring injury, which the Dubs did not force him to return prematurely.

However, the Warriors’ injury problems went from bad to worse this season. In fact, his injury situation has been straight up one of his nightmares. First, an errant pass from Brandin Podziemski caused Jimmy Butler to go down with a torn ACL. And now, Curry is dealing with persistent knee problems that are unlikely to go away, considering he is already 38 years old.

The Dubs then complicated matters by acquiring Kristaps Porzingis, a man who is battling a chronic illness, and veteran big man Al Horford is also sidelined. Same goes for Moses Moody.

As a result, the Warriors have fallen off a cliff, and are now the 10th-place team in the Western Conference with a 33-36 record. This isn’t at all what the Dubs imagined their 2025-26 season would look like, and given the uncertainty surrounding Curry’s injury status, there doesn’t appear to be much hope available for the team as far as their competitive dreams this year go.

The Warriors will be hoping to make the most of Curry’s final comeback and at least qualify for the playoffs. However, things can always go from bad to worse in the NBA.

Warriors’ nightmare scenario: Finish 10th, lose 9/10 play-in games

If there’s a silver lining to the Warriors’ current situation, it’s that they’ll have to try and lose on purpose so they’re completely out of the play-in tournament picture. The Dubs are only 13 games into the season, and they are 8.5 games ahead of the 11th-place Memphis Grizzlies in the win-loss column.

Not only is this an insurmountable loss for the Grizzlies, but Memphis also has no incentive to do so given that they have embarked on a major rebuild.

However, it only provides cool comfort. They have gone just 2-8 in their last 10 games. They’re putting together a ragtag group on a nightly basis, and they’re playing in the background most nights. Curry is close to returning, but there is no specific timeline yet for when he will be back.

Another good news is that the rest of the Dubs’ schedule isn’t too difficult. According to Tankathon, they have the 22nd toughest schedule left, with only six of their last 13 games coming against teams above .500. However, the Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers, both the teams they are battling for in the battle for the eighth seed, somehow have easier schedules.

Combined with this and Curry’s absence, it is difficult to support the Warriors as a favorite for the eighth or ninth seed. The Clippers have faced another tough stretch (at least it feels like they have), and Benedict Mathurin will be sidelined indefinitely, but they have Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland healthy. Meanwhile, the Blazers have Deni Avdija leading the way, as he has played in all of their last six games.

Getting the 10th seed would be a nightmare for the Warriors. For starters, it will force them to play their 9/10 play-in games on the road. This season, the Warriors have a 14–21 record away from Chase Center (compared to 19–15 at home). Facing a must-win situation without the support of the home crowd doesn’t sound very attractive.

Of course, the Warriors have the advantage of experience compared to the Blazers, and once Curry returns, they can definitely go head-to-head with the Clippers. The Warriors have gone a combined 2-5 against those two teams this season.

So in short, they are facing the teams they have struggled against this year, in a do-or-die situation, with the potential to do so on the road. And if they ultimately win those 9/10 games, they will have to win one more game, once again on the road, to book a first-round matchup against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

Still, it’s much more attractive than the nightmare scenario, which is that they’ll be eliminated from the postseason without a single win to their name. It’s just a sign that the end of an era for the Warriors is truly here, as if it hasn’t already arrived.