In the Carolina Hurricanes’ final game at Lenovo Center of the regular season, they delighted their fans as they defeated the Boston Bruins (and the referees) with a 6–5 overtime victory to capture the Metropolitan Division.

As the game began, Eric Robinson was taken out of the lineup in favor of Nicolas Deslauriers, but the Hurricanes appeared a bit disjointed defensively. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour had put the defensive lines into the old blender, pairing Jakob Slavin with Shayne Gostisbeer, K’Andre Miller with Jalen Chatfield, and Alexander Nikishin with Sean Walker. It was a rare opportunity for Nikishin to play to his natural side, and ultimately it was the only pair to remain unbeaten in the following frames.

With the Bruins’ first shot of the game, Hampus Lindholm found the back of the net. However, the lead was short-lived as the Hurricanes scored twice in 1:34 – one by Andrei Svechnikov, who scored his 30th goal of the season, matching his career high, and one by K’Andre Miller.

Goaltender interference: Disappointed, but not surprised

Shortly thereafter, Morgan Geikie tied the game, and before the period ended, Geikie scored his second of the game. However, the second goal was strange for the former Hurricane. As the puck was turned in by goaltender Brandon Bussey, it appeared that David Pastrnak had collided with him making contact inside his crease.

Brind’Amour took time to review the play before deciding to challenge it for goaltender interference, but it ultimately remained on the boards. The official ruling from the NHL on the play was that Pastrnak’s contact had no impact on Bussey’s ability to play his position.

…I disagree, but it is what it is – and it’s not surprising that the Hurricanes were betrayed by the goalie interference decision.

In the final seconds of the frame, the Hurricanes got a power play with literal goaltender interference, as Mark Kastelic got a pass on Bussy and knocked him down. This prevented a power play goal in the second period, but that was…ironic.

The storm ends Swayman’s streak and his night among the pipes

However, the Hurricanes got a boost in the second period, as they managed to score three goals in less than 10 minutes – a power play goal from Logan Stankoven, a goal from William Carrier, and a goal from former Bruin Taylor Hall. The scoring explosion led to a goaltender swap for the Boston Bruins as Joonas Korpisalo came in to relieve Jeremy Swayman. Heading into the game, Swayman had won nine straight games while allowing three or fewer goals.

Then, the hits started coming for the Hurricanes. And they came through hard work.

With a little more than a minute remaining in the second period, Geikie scored another goal – bringing the game to within a minute, scoring the second hat trick of his career, and the first in the building he once called home.

Less than thirty seconds later, 5’10” Seth Jarvis hit the corner boards after a big hit from 6’7” Nikita Zadorov. Head athletic trainer Doug Bennett came onto the ice to assist the Hurricanes’ leading goalscorer, but after a moment, he was able to leave for the locker room under his own power.

The Hurricanes’ bruiser, Nicolas Deslauriers, was not a fan of the hit and began squabbling with the Bruins’ defenseman, but it failed to generate a fight in the third frame. Deslauriers earned a single shift in the third period, which overlapped with Zadorov’s shift, but did not generate a fight.

Hurricanes compete with eternal rival, referee in third period

While Jarvis returned to the ice at the beginning of the third period, the Hurricanes lost Chatfield, who had returned to the top pairing after the first period, due to a lower body injury.

A little more than halfway through the period, Stankoven took a high-stick into the back of the Bruins’ net, leaving him bloodied. At first, it was believed that it was friendly fire from classmate Jackson Blake, but it was soon revealed that it was from Charlie McAvoy.

Whenever an injury occurs during a game and is not immediately called, a penalty may still be awarded after footage has been viewed. The Hurricanes presented their side, but the referee still failed to make a decision.

Less than 20 seconds later, Pavel Zacha tied the game with a feed from McEvoy.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, Jordan Martinook was later sent to the penalty box for interference on Jonathan Espirot, who ran into the Hurricanes winger, who was stationary at the blue line to stay onside.

The Hurricanes killed penalties, and neither team managed to get on the string again in regulation, which soon led to overtime, giving both teams a point in the standings – just what the Hurricanes needed to clinch the Metro Division.

An overtime goal worth remembering

With 3:47 remaining in the extra frame, Jakob Slavin scored his first goal of the season, topping a spectacular sequence of playmaking from Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho as he put it in with a backdoor snapshot.

With the win on the night and the division, the Hurricanes swept the final Storm Surge of the season. Slavin was pushed to center ice for a group hug, and his helmet was grabbed by Nikishin and paraded over the end of Svechnikov’s stick.

Tradition means a lot to Raleigh, and the Hurricanes made sure their fans got another taste of it with a full celebration after the game.

(PSST, if you want to see the Bruins’ perspective on the game, be sure to check out Jack Studley’s article on Boston Hockey Now!)

Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on SportsNote. Painting Stories…More About Rachel Barclay

In the Carolina Hurricanes’ final game at Lenovo Center of the regular season, they delighted their fans as they defeated the Boston Bruins (and the referees) with a 6–5 overtime victory to capture the Metropolitan Division.

As the game began, Eric Robinson was taken out of the lineup in favor of Nicolas Deslauriers, but the Hurricanes appeared a bit disjointed defensively. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour had put the defensive lines into the old blender, pairing Jakob Slavin with Shayne Gostisbeer, K’Andre Miller with Jalen Chatfield, and Alexander Nikishin with Sean Walker. It was a rare opportunity for Nikishin to play to his natural side, and ultimately it was the only pair to remain unbeaten in the following frames.

With the Bruins’ first shot of the game, Hampus Lindholm found the back of the net. However, the lead was short-lived as the Hurricanes scored twice in 1:34 – one by Andrei Svechnikov, who scored his 30th goal of the season, matching his career high, and one by K’Andre Miller.

Goaltender interference: Disappointed, but not surprised

Shortly thereafter, Morgan Geikie tied the game, and before the period ended, Geikie scored his second of the game. However, the second goal was strange for the former Hurricane. As the puck was turned in by goaltender Brandon Bussey, it appeared that David Pastrnak had collided with him making contact inside his crease.

Brind’Amour took time to review the play before deciding to challenge it for goaltender interference, but it ultimately remained on the boards. The official ruling from the NHL on the play was that Pastrnak’s contact had no impact on Bussey’s ability to play his position.

…I disagree, but it is what it is – and it’s not surprising that the Hurricanes were betrayed by the goalie interference decision.

In the final seconds of the frame, the Hurricanes got a power play with literal goaltender interference, as Mark Kastelic got a pass on Bussy and knocked him down. This prevented a power play goal in the second period, but that was…ironic.

The storm ends Swayman’s streak and his night among the pipes

However, the Hurricanes got a boost in the second period, as they managed to score three goals in less than 10 minutes – a power play goal from Logan Stankoven, a goal from William Carrier, and a goal from former Bruin Taylor Hall. The scoring explosion led to a goaltender swap for the Boston Bruins as Joonas Korpisalo came in to relieve Jeremy Swayman. Heading into the game, Swayman had won nine straight games while allowing three or fewer goals.

Then, the hits started coming for the Hurricanes. And they came through hard work.

With a little more than a minute remaining in the second period, Geikie scored another goal – bringing the game to within a minute, scoring the second hat trick of his career, and the first in the building he once called home.

Less than thirty seconds later, 5’10” Seth Jarvis hit the corner boards after a big hit from 6’7” Nikita Zadorov. Head athletic trainer Doug Bennett came onto the ice to assist the Hurricanes’ leading goalscorer, but after a moment, he was able to leave for the locker room under his own power.

The Hurricanes’ bruiser, Nicolas Deslauriers, was not a fan of the hit and began squabbling with the Bruins’ defenseman, but it failed to generate a fight in the third frame. Deslauriers earned a single shift in the third period, which overlapped with Zadorov’s shift, but did not generate a fight.

Hurricanes compete with eternal rival, referee in third period

While Jarvis returned to the ice at the beginning of the third period, the Hurricanes lost Chatfield, who had returned to the top pairing after the first period, due to a lower body injury.

A little more than halfway through the period, Stankoven took a high-stick into the back of the Bruins’ net, leaving him bloodied. At first, it was believed that it was friendly fire from classmate Jackson Blake, but it was soon revealed that it was from Charlie McAvoy.

Whenever an injury occurs during a game and is not immediately called, a penalty may still be awarded after footage has been viewed. The Hurricanes presented their side, but the referee still failed to make a decision.

Less than 20 seconds later, Pavel Zacha tied the game with a feed from McEvoy.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, Jordan Martinook was later sent to the penalty box for interference on Jonathan Espirot, who ran into the Hurricanes winger, who was stationary at the blue line to stay onside.

The Hurricanes killed penalties, and neither team managed to get on the string again in regulation, which soon led to overtime, giving both teams a point in the standings – just what the Hurricanes needed to clinch the Metro Division.

An overtime goal worth remembering

With 3:47 remaining in the extra frame, Jakob Slavin scored his first goal of the season, topping a spectacular sequence of playmaking from Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho as he put it in with a backdoor snapshot.

With the win on the night and the division, the Hurricanes swept the final Storm Surge of the season. Slavin was pushed to center ice for a group hug, and his helmet was grabbed by Nikishin and paraded over the end of Svechnikov’s stick.

Tradition means a lot to Raleigh, and the Hurricanes made sure their fans got another taste of it with a full celebration after the game.

(PSST, if you want to see the Bruins’ perspective on the game, be sure to check out Jack Studley’s article on Boston Hockey Now!)

Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on SportsNote. Painting Stories…More About Rachel Barclay

Tuomas Isalo has never been one to shy away from discussing the nitty-gritty of basketball, but his latest criticism touches on a trend that has increasingly frustrated NBA coaches. However, the Memphis Grizzlies are currently suffering the most, as they are effectively operating without a frontcourt. Their small-ball lineup without Ja Morant has been an easy target for opponents and officials, who have penalized overzealous, over-competing defenders.

Extensive practice on proper technique is one thing. NBA referees require a little more finesse to see things their way. Unfortunately, Isalo can’t point at the jumbotron without getting the Grizzlies in technical foul trouble. People who wear stripes hate to show off, but Memphis is throwing its hands up in anger after a recent 50-50 call.

“One of the things we’ve been good at this year, and we’ve practiced a lot, is showing our hands when there’s contact,” Isalo stressed. “I thought (against the Clippers), every time I look at the video board where they show the replays, there’s a foul on the drive.”

In two recent home losses, the Grizzlies were called for more fouls than the Portland Trail Blazers (23-22) and LA Clippers (29-20). It’s been even worse in road losses against the Minnesota Timberwolves (26-24) and Philadelphia 76ers (31-25). Even the recent win over the Dallas Mavericks (26-13) was a thrilling whistle-fest for Isalo. Being called for double violations despite having a drive-heavy game plan is almost unheard of in today’s NBA.

It’s hard to see, even if fans are rooting for the tank action to succeed. Intentionally engineering contact to cause fouls rather than executing a basketball game is either an art form or just ugly, unethical basketball. It depends on who you ask about a particular play and when. It can’t be denied that finding ways to make contact and get whistled is what smart players do to produce within the existing framework.

That’s why those ‘skills’ have come off the bench at this point.

“Our hands were outside the cylinder, and they were in the cookie jar,” Isalo said. “Players have become so skilled in this league that they can understand that situation and utilize it. And it’s not just the best offensive players. It’s one in 15 guys that are able to read that if your hand is on the body, they’re going to make that contact.”

Isalo stopped short of blaming officials for poor decisions, noting that calls are being made consistently throughout the league. Still, the pattern troubles him from a purist’s point of view. But what can be done?

Grizzlies get NBA attention

The NBA has attempted to address foul-batting before. Ahead of the 2021–22 season, the league announced an interpretive change in the role of “overt, sudden or unusual non-basketball moves by offensive players” with the ball in an attempt to draw a foul. Ahead of the 2023–24 season, he initiated a technical foul for flopping on a one-year trial basis, later made permanent.

That’s why Isalo noted that the issue is not with the consistency of whistleblowers or officials individually, but with the interpretation of the rule.

“It’s called consistently. I’m not a big fan of some of the interpretations because it seems like guys are just reaching for the foul instead of playing basketball. But it’s been extremely consistent in the way it’s been called. We’ve got to do a better job of doing that as a team and as a coaching staff doing that.”

Isalo’s comments reflect broader tensions throughout the NBA, where offensive players have increasingly mastered the art of using body contortions, sudden stops and subtle arm hooks to draw defenders into contact. Critics argue that this strategy slows down the game and rewards manipulation rather than skill, while others argue that it is simply smart, within-the-rules play. After months of feedback, the answer is not to lobby for a rule change mid-season, but to adapt.

This is perhaps the last useful test to find a silver lining in the season. These Grizzlies need to get better at playing inside and exploiting the same system that is currently working against them. Figuring out those subtle incentive structures on both ends of the court is probably the last intelligence Jaylen Wells and Cedric Coward need to really run the wings.

Jayson Tatum criticized officiating after the Boston Celtics’ 125-116 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night, calling the refs “trigger happy” after teammate Jaylen Brown was ejected early in the game.

Brown was ejected after receiving two technical fouls during the contest, limiting the Celtics star to just 15 minutes of action. Tatum, who recently returned from an Achilles tear last spring, addressed the situation after the game.

“I disagree with that. You know, the NBA makes a big deal about prime time games and stars playing and being available… He was definitely pushed and maybe the first tech was necessary, the emotions were too high.”

Tatum continued to raise questions over the timing of his ejection during the nationally televised matchup.

“National TV game, the two best teams in the league and you make a big deal about the stars playing and you’re happy to take someone out of the game. I disagree with that.”

Brown’s frustration began after a sequence in which he believed he was fouled out of bounds by Spurs guard Stephen Cassel. After the game, Brown confronted crew chief Tyler Ford by pointing at him, causing the first technical foul.

“National TV game, the two best teams in the league and you make a big deal about the stars playing and you’re happy to take someone out of the game. I disagree with that.”

Jayson Tatum on Jaylen Brown’s ejection at Celtics-Spurs last nightpic.twitter.com/dzbBeYlm9v https://t.co/CjynsnpBNR

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 11 March 2026

The Celtics guard remained visibly upset and argued with officials as teammates attempted to calm him down. Umpire Suyyash Mehta later assessed a second technical foul, resulting in Brown being sent off.

Officials explain Jaylen Brown’s removal because Jayson Tatum disagreed

Brown finished the night with eight points, seven assists, two rebounds and one steal while making 4 of 8 shots from the field.

Ford later explained the officiating team’s decision in the league’s pool report.

“(The first technical was) for aggressively gesturing and using profanity and outrage without a call,” Ford said in the pool report, via NBA insider Brett Siegel for ClutchPoints. “(The second technical was called because) he aggressively approached a game official, pointing and using profanity.”

Tatum, playing his third game back from injury, led Boston with 24 points while adding five rebounds, two assists and two steals. The 27-year-old shot 10 of 24 from the field and 4 of 14 from three-point range in 27 minutes.

Despite Tatum’s efforts, Boston was unable to overcome Brown’s absence for most of the game. The loss dropped the Celtics to 43–22 on the season.

Boston will try to regroup on Thursday night when it concludes its three-game road trip against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who enter the matchup with a 51-15 record. Tipoff is scheduled for 9:30 pm ET on Prime Video.

The Los Angeles Lakers left Thursday night’s loss to the Denver Nuggets with a lot of disappointment. LeBron James expressed anger after a tough play involving Nikola Jokic that led to a possible injury. The moment came late in Los Angeles’ 120-113 loss in Denver. Under the arena lights, James absorbed contact from Jokic while completing a layup. There was no whistle. Moments later, the Lakers star walked away, rubbing his left elbow.

This sequence soon became the biggest talking point of the night.

With 4:05 remaining in the fourth quarter, James hit the floor with his elbow. The collision occurred when Jokic challenged the play at the rim. Officials allowed the game to continue. According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the Lakers forward felt the effects immediately.

“It’s pretty sore right now,” James said after the game. “It felt like it was one of those weird situations, but much more intense.”

James returned after some time. Still, the uneasiness persisted. He fouled out again and missed the final 22.3 seconds. After the game, he iced the elbow while longtime trainer Mike Mancias placed a compression sleeve on his left arm for the team’s flight back to Los Angeles.

Lakers star LeBron James angry with Jokic’s no-call

When reporters asked for an explanation from officials, James did not hold back. The Lakers veteran seemed more irritated by the decision involving Nikola Jokic than the injury.

“It’s what it is—,” James said, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “‘Marginal.’ It’s the same s—. …They keep saying that it is ‘marginal’. I’m so tired of that word. It doesn’t make any sense.”

Meanwhile, Lakers coach JJ Redick said James iced his elbow after the game because the discomfort prevented him from finishing. His status for the next match remains uncertain.

That night still holds history. James passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for most career field goals in NBA history. Yet the accomplishment faded into the background as the Nuggets rode 28-point performances from Jokic and Jamal Murray.

A question now looms over Los Angeles. Will the Lakers get their superstar back soon, or will LeBron James’ injury saga intensify before the next tipoff?

The New York Knicks did not have enough effort to overcome the Oklahoma City Thunder, as they lost 103–100. In close games like this, sometimes one or two things happen that change the trajectory of the game, and for the Knicks, they believe it was the referees that had a lot to do with the outcome.

After the game, head coach Mike Brown talked about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his ability to manipulate the referees into thinking he was being fouled.

“SGA, that’s a tough cover,” Brown said. “He does a very good job of convincing the refs, probably better than anyone in the league, that he’s getting hit.”

The one thing people have always criticized about Gilgeous-Alexander is his game and how he gets to the free-throw line. Against the Knicks, he only attempted seven free throws, as that number has been higher at times.

Jalen Brunson took it further when talking about the refs, but they had physical evidence of a foul that probably should have been called. Brunson had a black eye and after the game a reporter asked him about it.

“Probably no call,” Brunson said.

Jalen Brunson has a scratch under his eye after playing with the Thunder

“Maybe no-call”

(via @sny_knicks)pic.twitter.com/we3pIYRiKF

– FullCourtPass (@FullCourtPass) 5 March 2026

There may be a possibility that Brown may receive a letter in his mailbox, but Brunson may be safe. Either way, it’s clear that both of them were not fans of how the game was being run against them.

It seems like the way the Thunder play, especially on defense, has made a lot of people fall for them and made them difficult to stop. When teams try to copy what he does, it usually results in foul play, which has been frustrating for some throughout the season.

The Knicks didn’t let them bother them much during the game and they still managed to give themselves a chance in the end.