標籤: props

The Los Angeles Lakers not only beat the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night; He defeated them. While Luka Doncic made headlines with his game-winning block, the Lakers had that edge thanks to the high-IQ game of Austin Reaves and some veteran guidance from Marcus Smart.

With the game hanging in the balance, Reeves found himself at the charity stripe. Instead of the usual routine, Smart pulled the young guard aside with some very specific instructions.

“I told him to miss it,” Smart explained after the 127-125 overtime win. “I said listen, don’t go out there, don’t do your routine. As soon as you get the ball, one dribble if anything, but shoot it quickly. Nobody’s expecting it, they’re not going to have time to time it.”

“He read one side well.”

Marcus Smart on Austin Reeves’ heads-up play at the free throw line

(via @SpectrumSN)pic.twitter.com/uKBo2vbZXS

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 15 March 2026

Reeves executed the plan to perfection. He deliberately suppressed free throws, caught the Nuggets off guard, and “read the single side” forcing the Los Angeles Lakers to tie the game and force overtime. It was the kind of savvy play that doesn’t always show up in the box score but wins games against elite competition like Denver.

The game capped a great night for Reeves, who led all scorers with 32 points on an efficient shooting performance of 12-of-21. His backcourt partner, Smart, was equally important, providing 21 points and five steals while serving as a defensive orchestrator. Their combined efforts supported Doncic’s 30-point triple-double and helped neutralize Nikola Jokic’s 24-point, 16-rebound masterclass.

For head coach JJ Redick, it’s a dream to see his veteran leader and rising star collaborate on such a nuanced game. The Lakers are proving they have more than just star power; He has the situational awareness needed to grind out tough matches against the best players in the West.

Steve Kerr and the Golden State Warriors did not lead once in a 104–97 loss against All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder, after erasing a 14-point deficit. The Thunder regained the lead before putting the Warriors away in the fourth quarter. Kristaps Porzingis played only his second game since his trade from the Atlanta Hawks, but it was Gilgeous-Alexander who drained a dagger-3 down the stretch.

Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 27 points on 6-for-15 from the floor and 14-of-15 from the free-throw line, which came during Kerr’s postgame media availability. Kerr criticized Gilgeous-Alexander’s approach, which was a subject of debate among many NBA circles; However, warriors are prominent Coach gives credit to reigning MVP.

“Well, he’s incredibly smart, and he knows how to make contact, and it’s all within the rules,” Kerr said. “I don’t have a problem with Shai; I have a problem with the rules. As a league, too much off-arm – we hardly allow defenses to protect the ball.

So, if you allow the offensive player to push off-arm to create space, it becomes really difficult defensively because you can’t get your arm inside. If you put your hand in, everyone in the league will do what Shai does, what James Harden does. They’ll put a hook on your arm and it’s all part of the rules.”

For Warriors’ Steve Kerr, the rule change is important, rather than blaming Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the foul.

“More power to all the individual players, but as a league, we need to adapt and adjust,” Kerr said. “Players, year after year, take advantage of the rules, and they’re smart; they know what they’re doing.”

“My wife has one of those.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wasn’t a fan of Jalen Williams’ outfit 🙂

(via @sports center)
pic.twitter.com/vvUAweL5x0

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 8 March 2026

Gui Santos’ double-double (22 points, 11 rebounds) led the Warriors. Brandin Podziemski finished with 17 points, six assists and six rebounds, and Draymond Green added 16 points, five assists and two steals.

Mike Dunleavy on Warriors Kristaps Porzingis

Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy does not consider Kristaps Porzingis a rental, citing the 7-foot center as an important part of his team’s future. According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater and Ramona Shelburne, despite Porzingis’ health setbacks over the past two seasons, Dunleavy addressed the veteran center’s future with the team.

“We see him as more than a rental,” Dunleavy said. “We think he can help our team this year, improve our playoff position, and then moving forward that’s what we’re looking for.”

The Warriors conclude their three-game road trip on Monday against the Jazz.

Charlotte Hornets veteran Miles Bridges talked about the addition of Coby White as he is feeling a gap off the bench since his team’s trade deadline move with the Chicago Bulls. The Hornets’ White made his debut against his former team, finishing with 10 points, four assists, three rebounds and one steal in Charlotte’s 131–99 blowout win.

Bridges discusses how White arrived brings something new he told the Hornets, according to Rod Boone of The Observer.

“Just a dynamic veteran guard off the bench. He’s doing a great job. He can score 20-30. [points] Every night if he wanted to, but just having him as the sixth man, it’s great for us,” Bridges said. “He’s playing in his hometown. Therefore, it should feel extra good for him and be comfortable. We’re trying to make him comfortable with our team and we’re happy to have him.”

Miles Bridges says he feels a difference in how Hornets fans have stepped up their support for the team this season.

“It’s a different environment,” Bridges said. “We’ll go to away games, to their team [crowd] Be loud, encourage them, and we didn’t have that at home either. Some people came forward. Now, it seems like everyone is showing off, showing us love. But salute to those fans who were with us earlier, and salute to those fans now.”

Asked Miles Bridges about the surrounding environment #Hornets Basketball in the city. “It’s a different environment,” he said.

He also praised Coby White on how he is fitting in: pic.twitter.com/yvSHsafVJJ

– Rod Boon (@rodboon) 28 February 2026

The Hornets will host the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday.

Coby White reacts to Bulls reunion after Hornets trade

Facing his former team for the first time since his trade, Hornets’ Coby White reacted to his recent Bulls reunion. Before the trade to the Hornets, White’s only team in his entire NBA career has been the Bulls.

You can imagine how White felt. return to the windy city According to CHSN, he said, for the first time as a member of the visiting team.

“You don’t really know what an impact you have on people. And what an impact people have on me. I get applause and whatever, but there are so many people out here tonight, wearing my jersey, calling my name,” White said. “For me, it’s just trying to be in the moment. And just trying to stay grounded. It’s so rewarding to find out how many people we impact through this beautiful game.”

“It’s so humbling to know how many people you impact through this beautiful game we play.”

The support Coby White felt upon returning to Chicago tonight pic.twitter.com/WqZPPQyYXi

– Bulls on CHSN (@CHSN_Bulls) 25 February 2026

The Hornets are now on a four-game winning streak.

After missing much of February due to a calf injury and knee management, Joel Embiid returned after the All-Star break for the Philadelphia 76ers against the Indiana Pacers, where he scored 27 points in 26 minutes in a 21-point win over the Indiana Pacers.

Does Embiid look 100 percent back to his MVP form? No, he looked like someone who hadn’t played a basketball game since February 7th, but even though it took him a step or two longer to get up and down the court, he still gave Jay Huff and company fits on both ends of the court.

One fan who was particularly impressed by Embiid’s return? Former Villanova Wildcats basketball head coach Jay Wright, who took to social media to celebrate “The Process” for his efficiency and intensity on the court.

“To be out for so long and come back with efficiency and intensity is incredible talent!!” Wright wrote. “Joel Embiid, a unique talent, Sixers.”

To be out for so long and come back with efficiency and intensity is incredible talent!! a unique talent @JoelEmbiid @sixers. https://t.co/rLfnPiLWRK

– Jay Wright (@CoachJayWright) 25 February 2026

The most successful basketball coach in the Greater Philadelphia area this century, Wright has been the apple of 76ers fans’ eyes since his first national championship win on the main line, with his 2022 retirement leading many to believe he will make the jump to the pro level for the first time in his career. While so far, that leap hasn’t been made, the fact that Wright remains a 76ers fan has fans in the comments section urging him to return to the bench in place of Nick Nurse, where he can unlock Embiid’s “efficiency and intensity.”

Will this happen? Only time will tell, but if Embiid continues to play like his efforts against the Pacers, the 76ers could get their own banner before “The Process” joins Wright in retirement.

Despite Anthony Edwards winning MVP, Kawhi Leonard stole the spotlight at the NBA All-Star Game. Leonard later earned much praise. According to First Things First, from former Boston Celtics player Antoine Walker.

“I thought Kawhi Leonard was awesome. To be a hometown guy, in front of your fans… we need to make this game very competitive again.”

“I thought Kawhi Leonard was awesome. To be a hometown guy, in front of your fans… we need to make this game very competitive again.”

Antoine Walker was a big fan of the way Kawhi played in the All-Star Game 🔥

(via @FTFonFS1)

pic.twitter.com/Dl7uu6rOiF

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 17 February 2026

The NBA All-Star Game format consisted of four games: World vs. Stars, Stars vs. Stripes, and World vs. Stripes. Notably, during the World vs. Stripes game, Leonard scored 31 points and shot 11 of 13 from the field, leading the Stripes to a 48–45 win.

Based on his All-Star Game performances, Leonard is now a seven-time NBA All-Star (2016, 2017, 2019–2021, 2024, 2026). Notably, he was named the All-Star Game MVP in 2020. This year, Leonard is averaging 27.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.

While Leonard has performed well individually, the Clippers are currently 26-28 and in 10th place in the Western Conference standings. Additionally, Leonard has been dealing with injuries and inflammation recently in his left knee.

Adding to the challenges this season, Leonard’s accomplishments attracted media attention amid the NBA’s scrutiny bypassing the salary cap With the help of defunct company Aspiration.

Leonard has been playing with the Clippers since 2019, the same year he won the NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors. In the 2021 playoffs, he tore his ACL, causing him to miss the 2022 season. The following year, additional knee problems sidelined him.

Walker played 13 NBA seasons (1996 to 2008), was a three-time All-Star with the Celtics, and won the 2006 NBA Championship with the Heat.