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The Charlotte Hornets have been one of the most surprising teams in the NBA in recent months, suddenly turning themselves into a capable basketball team that is consistently winning. While the Hornets are still in tenth place in the East, due to some better basketball from the teams ahead of them, it is still an encouraging sign for the organization.

Hornets fans have become accustomed to the high-energy announcing style of play-by-play commentator Eric Collins, whose playcalling is more akin to a WWE event than a typical NBA game, and most recently, the viral sensation stopped by FanDuel’s “Run It Back” show and broke down where he gets his energy.

“I’m not a caffeine person… it all comes out naturally. … I’ll go see a scary movie and I’ll jump because that’s where my body is… I’m a jumpy person right from the start,” Collins, formerly of Run It Back on X, said on Twitter.

Collins’ high-octane announcing style may be an acquired taste, but in an NBA media landscape that increasingly wants to criticize the product it’s supposed to be promoting, his enthusiasm has certainly been a breath of fresh air for some. He has also started calling some national games for Prime this year in addition to his local Hornets duties.

The Hornets are hoping to reach the playoffs this year for the first time in a decade, and LaMelo Ball’s resurgence, coupled with Kon Nueppel’s Rookie of the Year-caliber season, has been a big reason. Head coach Charles Lee also deserves credit for turning a team that was once a laughing stock into a competitive team.

The Hornets next play on Tuesday at home against the Miami Heat.

The Denver Nuggets lost a tough game against the Los Angeles Lakers in overtime, but it feels like some things should have been different at the end of regulation. Austin Reaves went to the free-throw line a few times with a few seconds remaining in the game, but the first time he went, Spencer Jones drew the foul.

The next day, the last-two-minute report said Reeves was not to get to the free-throw line.

ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, formerly of the

This would have changed a lot for the Nuggets and could have given them a chance to increase their lead. Instead, Reeves sank both free throws, and went to the line again after being fouled. That miss allowed him to get the ball back and shoot the floater, tying the game and sending it into overtime.

The Nuggets lost the game with a Luka Doncic game-winner, and now they do not have a tiebreaker against the Lakers. This makes a lot of sense at the position, especially since everyone in the Western Conference is tight.

The Nuggets still have plenty of time to make up some ground, but they need to start piling up wins before other teams overtake them.

Plus, no matter where the Nuggets finish, they will be a tough matchup for anyone because of Nikola Jokic’s strength and his dominance.

It seems like many scouts and executives around the NBA aren’t too excited about the New York Knicks’ chances of reaching the NBA Finals this spring.

There is no doubt that the NY Knicks are one of the best teams in the NBA at the moment. They have the fifth-best record in the league (42-25) and are in the top 10 in scoring (117.2) and points (110.9). Additionally, they have won over elite teams in the West like the San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets.

But that’s the regular season. The question on many NY Knicks fans’ minds is whether the inconsistent team can put everything together when it matters most in the playoffs. On Friday, SNY Knicks insider Ian Begley spoke with several NBA scouts and executives about how the team stacks up against other playoff teams in the East, and the reactions weren’t good.

Scouts and executives don’t like the NY Knicks’ chances against the East Elite this spring

First up, the Detroit Pistons. “(For the Knicks), how do you slow down (Cade) Cunningham? When he played at MSG (to start the second half of the season) he had his way against entire defenses, including (OG) Anunoby,” one scout said. New York lost the season series against Detroit 3–0 this season, often losing badly.

When it comes to the Boston Celtics, scouts and executives are leaning heavily on superstar Jayson Tatum following his return from rehabbing his torn ACL. He feels, despite being in second place in the Eastern Conference standings, Boston is now the team to beat this spring.

An executive told Begley, “Yes, there will be an adjustment period (from Tatum’s return), but they have won together in the past. I don’t think it will hurt them in any way.” “If Tatum gets his groove back, they’ll be the team to beat in the East. No disrespect to (the Knicks), but they’ve shown during the regular season that they’re the better team. If Tatum gets back to even 80 percent, that makes them obviously better.”

Another interesting opinion coming out of the report is that while the NY Knicks have the third-best record in the conference and will be favorites in the series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, there is a real possibility of an upset if they meet in the conference semi-finals.

“History says you don’t have to worry about (James) Harden in big playoff games, but he’s playing at a high level for them. I wouldn’t want to deal with (Harden and Donovan Mitchell) for seven games,” one scout said.

So when it comes to matchups against the three teams that will be the biggest threats in the conference, the game’s scouts and executives aren’t feeling confident about the NY Knicks’ chances in this year’s playoffs.

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

We’re just into the first week of free agency and the league has already spent $1 billion. There’s never been a better time to hit the open market in the NFL. The second week of March marks the start of a new league year, and with it comes the annual free-agency frenzy – when front offices wheel and deal, and players cash in.

For years, the league believed that extravagance in free agency rarely resulted in Super Bowl contention. But this offseason? That script has been flipped. With multiple star players hitting the market and massive deals being struck in a matter of days, the spending spree has been unlike anything the NFL typically sees.

Now, an analyst has revealed just how staggering the league’s free-agency spending has been this early in the offseason.

NFL free agency begins a billion-dollar spending spree

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, money is flying through the league at a historic pace. Since Monday, NFL teams have paid out a record $5.83 billion in total player compensation, including $2.59 billion guaranteed at signing.

That’s a big jump from last year’s opening week numbers, when teams spent a combined $4.88 billion with $2.19 billion guaranteed during the same period.

A big reason for the spending spree? The league’s ever-expanding salary cap, which increased by $22 million this year, goes from $279.2 million in 2025 to $301.2 million in 2026. This growth is largely fueled by the NFL’s massive 11-year, $110 billion media rights deal with Amazon, CBS, ESPN, Fox and NBC.

The cap has been rising steadily in recent seasons, but the 2026 increase opens up a new level of pay for players across the league. So far this offseason, eight players have either reset the market at their position or received the richest free-agent deal ever for their role in terms of average annual value.

Among the deals that made headlines:

• CB Trent McDuffie – Traded to and signed by the Chiefs rams For 4 years, $124 million
• Of trey hendrickson – Signed by crows For 4 years, $112 million
• LT Laremy Tunsil – Re-signed by commanders on one 2-year, $60.2 million extension
• edge jalen phillips – Signed by panthers For 4 years, $120 million
• WR Alec Pierce – Re-signed by colts For 4 years, $114 million
• C Tyler Linderbaum – Signed by raiders For 3 years, $81 million
• RB Kenneth Walker III – Signed by Chiefs For 3 years, $43.05 million
• Te Isaiah possibly – Signed by veteran For 3 years, $40 million
• P Jordan Stout – Signed by veteran For 3 years, $12.3 million

McDuffie, Tunsil, Linderbaum and Stout all became the highest-paid players at their respective positions, while Phillips, Pierce, Walker and Likely set new records for free-agent contracts at their positions.

And the spending started rapidly. According to NFL Research, between the opening of the legal tampering window and Monday night at 8 p.m. ET, teams had already given away contracts worth $2.3 billion.

For years, the league’s conventional wisdom has suggested that players are better off signing extensions with the teams that drafted them, as franchises were historically cautious about spending more in free agency. But with the salary cap continuing to skyrocket, being patient may be the better play now on the open market.

Just look at the Tennessee Titans, who led the league by giving away $293.2 million in free agency to draft No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward in 2025. The Las Vegas Raiders were not far behind, spending $281.57 million as they prepared to draft Indiana Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza with the top pick in April.

One phrase agents have been throwing around this offseason is “biggest average per year by a free agent.” It’s a clever way of marketing — adding “by a free agent” helps differentiate those deals from the bigger contracts players often get via extensions, giving new signings a little extra sparkle.

When the Los Angeles Lakers’ injury report came out for their game against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday, veteran guard Marcus Smart had a surprising addition. Smart played just 31 minutes, providing his usual energy and intensity in the team’s win against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Marcus Smart was originally listed as questionable for the Lakers’ game against the Bulls, then ruled out just hours before tip-off. Before the game, Lakers head coach JJ Redick revealed that Smart had been dealing with a hip injury for the past few games, and the team wanted him to get some rest before another abbreviated stretch of the schedule, according to Thuc Nhi Nguyen of The LA Times.

Redick also mentioned that the team is hoping Smart can make his return to the lineup for the Lakers’ game against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. This is the team’s last home game before embarking on a six-game road trip.

Smart has been one of the Lakers’ most impactful players this season after signing a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards over the summer. While Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves are the team’s top players, it can be argued that Smart is the Lakers’ fourth-best player in terms of overall impact.

Although he began the season on the bench, Smart moved into the starting lineup when Reeves was sidelined with injury. Upon his return, Smart remained among the starting players with Rui Hachimura moving to the bench.

Smart has appeared in 55 games this season, including 48 starts, averaging a little over 28 minutes per game. He averaged 9.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 39.9 percent from the field, 33.6 percent from the 3-point line and 80.7 percent from the free-throw line.

Although Smart’s shooting efficiency hasn’t been great, his statistics don’t tell the whole story. During the Lakers’ win against the New York Knicks last Sunday, Smart shot just 1 of 10 from the field, but the Lakers were clearly excited by his defensive intensity and overall toughness.

After the win against the Knicks again, Redick explained how Smart’s impact was not measured in shots made or missed.

“Smart was 1-of-10 and plus-27. He had a really, really impressive game,” Redick said. “I think by the end of the third quarter, we had a comfortable lead, but when we turned the ball over at the end of the quarter, it saved two points. [Jordan] “Clarkson has to pass it.”

The Lakers will certainly hope Smart is back in the lineup when they face off against the Nuggets on Saturday, a big game with potential playoff seeding on the line.

MIAMI – After Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo had his 83-point game on Tuesday night, there was no denying how this performance would be immortalized in NBA history. As the sports world debates whether or not the Heat captain’s 83-point night was unethical, no one can take away from Adebayo’s special night for the positives it could have on its lasting impact on the team.

Adebayo will break franchise records and reach major milestones, but what matters most is that his 83 points on Tuesday against the Washington Wizards surpassed Kobe Bryant’s 81 points, giving him the second-highest scoring game ever.

The loss meant the win dropped them to sixth place in the Eastern Conference, eliminating them from the play-in tournament for the time being, although they head into Thursday’s contest against the Milwaukee Bucks with 16 games left in the season. The outcome of even one game could impact the standings, with Miami holding just a half-game lead over the seventh-seeded Toronto Raptors.

If there’s one of many things that Adebayo can do to score 83 points in a game, it’s to inspire the team to greener pastures ahead, as head coach Erik Spoelstra mentioned.

“It was motivation the other night. And maybe motivation needs to be motivating tonight,” Spoelstra said. “So maybe there will be some X factors.”

“The situation we’re in right now, it’s not going to happen unless we create the environment for that game,” Spoelstra added. “Bam set the tone with his energy and will in that first quarter, and that type of energy and effort and motivation, maybe it comes from him, but maybe it comes from a lot of other players who inspire effort in any other game that means just as much in the standings.”

Erik Spoelstra is on the team and Bam Adebayo is now focused on the games and season ahead: #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/NzEKbgH8De

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 12 March 2026

Heat’s Erik Spoelstra on the ethics of Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game

While the big man’s night was special in every imaginable way, some were complaining about the Heat’s Adebayo the way he scored 83 points, whether it was the massive amount of free throws and intentional fouling in the fourth quarter.

Some have cited Spoelstra as one of the main reasons for questions about the “ethics” of the performance. As for Spoelstra, he stood ten feet down on the outing and said, “I’m not apologizing to anyone.”

Asked about the word ‘ethics’ being thrown around in criticism, Spoelstra told ClutchPoints, “I’m not losing any sleep over what other people are saying about it.” “What’s ethical? What’s not? Is it ethical to foul a three-point shooter? Is that ethical or not? Is it ethical to foul a bad free-throw shooter and get an extra possession, you know or not? Like all these things happened in under two minutes, he had already broken a lot of records, and we’re going to go for it. It was an amazing moment to be a part of that.”

“And I would do it again 10 times out of 10 for Bam,” Spoelstra continued. “I feel very good for Bam, because he’s about all the right things.”

Erik Spoelstra was asked about critics questioning the “ethics” of Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game.

“I don’t care…I would do it again 10 times out of 10…I think most people who probably made comments didn’t see that it was irresponsible or unethical…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/6iBMAi1P0A

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 12 March 2026

At any rate, Adebayo’s historic 83-point night has immortalized him in history as one that will always be remembered, no matter how the discourse looks. In terms of boosting Miami’s playoff run, the team looks to take advantage of this, as after Thursday against the Bucks, the Heat will face the Orlando Magic on Saturday night in an important matchup.

Justin Verlander is back with the Detroit Tigers for the 2026 MLB season. In February, the Tigers signed Verlander to a one-year contract, strengthening the rotation with five starting pitchers. However, will this be the three-time AL Cy Young pitcher’s last season before his inevitable MLB retirement?

As Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports, Verlander talked about his retirement plans after the spring training game. While Verlander knows an injury or terrible season could make this his last season, he still wants to chase 300 wins and pitch at age 45.

“I don’t know how much longer I’m going to play,” Verlander said. “I know there’s not a lot of time left, especially in the grand scheme of things. If I play two years, three years, whatever, out of the 21 [years]It’s like nothing. I’m just trying to enjoy it a little more…I don’t want to sit here and say that’s it. This could have happened. This is a one year contract. If something goes catastrophically wrong, or I can’t recover, that’s it – I’m done. “All I know is that there isn’t that much time left, so enjoy it while you can.”

Verlander is currently 43 years old, which means he may have another two to three seasons to offer. It’s not guaranteed that Verlander will spend those two to three seasons in Detroit, as he only signed a one-year contract. However, the 43-year-old pitcher would have a very good bet to return if he has a good campaign, with Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty and Casey Mize all set to become free agents.

The Tigers understand what Verlander’s return means to the team and the city, and it would only be fitting if Verlander retires in Detroit. Hopefully, Verlander won’t retire as a Tiger for a few more seasons.

READ MORE: Detroit Tigers consider possibility of extending Tarik Skubal after signing Justin Verlander

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

A former top coordinator for John Harbaugh has revealed some fascinating insights about what his thinking will be when he enters his first NFL Draft as head coach of the New York Giants.

There is renewed excitement about the NY Giants despite a 4-13 result in the 2025 season. This is due to the inclusion of former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. Although he was fired by his previous team earlier this year, he remains one of the most respected and successful coaches in the NFL today.

One reason why he has put together such a strong resume during his 18 seasons in the league is that he has a notable impact on how the roster he coaches is constructed. That will be the case again with Big Blue, and with the start of NFL free agency this week and next month’s draft, there has been a lot of discussion about how the coach will remodel the roster with the help of general manager Joe Schoen.

Although he hasn’t made big contracts in the first week of free agency, the team has made some smart moves that position him better for next season. They are far from adding veteran talent, but April’s draft offers more great opportunities to improve the roster, including the No. 5 pick at next month’s event.

When it comes to their first pick, the team has been linked to several prospects, including Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Love and Ohio State’s Caleb Downs. It seems like the team could go in different directions with the pick five and their other selections, as they have significant needs.

NY Giants will build roster for better matchups with Eagles, Cowboys and Commanders

However, on Thursday, former Harbaugh defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale revealed some interesting information about how Harbaugh will approach his first draft pick for the NY Giants.

“Our philosophy in Baltimore was this, [but] Whenever you mention a player the first question is ‘How will he help us beat Philly?’ How will he help us beat Dallas?” he told New York Daily News Giants insider Pat Leonard.

“That’s the way John and Ozzy [Newsome] Did this for years. It’s weird where the league is going now, but it still works. “The big guys are still better than the little guys.”

So while Harbaugh and the NY Giants brain trust will try to bring in good players suited to their coaches, this suggests that better matchups for the six games the Cowboys, Commanders and Eagles play against them each year will also be a priority.

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

A new rumor offers a major update on the potential penalty the NBA will hand out to the Los Angeles Clippers in regards to potential salary cap manipulation for signing Kawhi Leonard in 2019.

The Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer found themselves embroiled in an ugly scandal last year when investigative reporter Pablo Torre broke the news about potential salary cap manipulation by the organization. Obviously, when the team signed Leonard to a three-year, $103 million deal in the summer of 2019, it included a huge amount of off-the-books payment.

During his investigation, Torre found documents that showed the Clippers boss helped create a dummy company called Aspiration, which signed the star forward with a $28 million endorsement deal. Yet he never made any presentation on behalf of the brand. The support price was suspiciously close to making up the difference between what the Clippers could legally make and the maximum competing offer from the Toronto Raptors.

Following the damaging report, the NBA launched an investigation into LA’s possible dirty dealings in signing the seven-time All-Star. Although there has been no update on when a final decision might come from the league, there has been a lot of speculation about what the potential punishment could be for the Clippers. Well, it may have been revealed this week.

LA Clippers could lose 3 first-round picks due to Kawhi Leonard-aspiration scandal

During a new edition of the SiriusXM show starting lineupHosted by Frank Isola and NBA veteran Brian Scalabrine, NBA Insider claimed that sources told them the Clippers could lose three future first-round picks, and could also receive a monetary fine of up to $30 million.

Los Angeles has only three first-round selections in the next five NBA drafts. However, this may change depending on the trades made in the previous month. In any way. For a franchise that began its rebuild this year, losing three first-rounders could set the franchise back by nearly a decade.

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

Prime Documentary Soul Power: Legends of the American Basketball Association Interest in the American Basketball Association (ABA) has increased again. Giving the younger generation the opportunity to learn from the players who fundamentally changed the game. Artis Gilmore was among them.

Gilmore played for the Kentucky Colonels from 1971 to 1976. His 7-foot-2 frame, trademark afro and prowess in the paint made him the quintessential basketball personality of that era. After all, the ABA was the rebel pro basketball league. His trademark red, white and blue balls, high-flying dunks, three-point shots and playground ethos paved the way for what exists today.

Gilmore garnered a lot of praise during that time. In 1972, he was named ABA Rookie of the Year and MVP. Two years later, Gilmore was the All-Star MVP. In 1975, he led the Colonels to the ABA title and was the playoff MVP.

After the ABA/NBA merger in 1976, Gilmore played with the Chicago Bulls until 1982. Twice, the Bulls made the playoffs in 1977 and 1981. Additionally, Gilmore was selected to four All-Star teams and averaged 19.3 points and 11.1 rebounds per game.

However, Gilmore told ClutchPoints he has everything but one regret about Chicago. He wishes he had eventually played with Hall of Famers.

Gilmore said, “It was a really cool experience, but unfortunately, I think about all the players who have had a lot of success.” “Each of those players have two or three Hall of Famers, but I never had that honor during my career in Chicago.”

“You have to have at least three Hall of Famers on the team to have any hope of achieving excellence and making a difference.”

In 1987, Gilmore played another season with the Bulls alongside Michael Jordan.

Artis Gilmore wants his ABA record to be included among NBA records

Since the ABA disbanded, the records set are not included with NBA records, according to The Athletic. ABA teams such as the San Antonio Spurs, New York Nets, Denver Nuggets, and Indiana Pacers were absorbed by the NBA. Meanwhile, teams like the Colonels folded.

Ultimately, the “merger” in 1976 was more of an expansion. Therefore, Gilmore’s achievements have not been formally recognized.

Overall, Gilmore is the ABA leader in defensive rebounds with 11,514. Meanwhile, LeBron James is 7th in NBA statistics with 10,143.

Additionally, Gilmore ranks third in field goal percentage with a .582. He ranks fourth in blocked shots, 3,148, and sixth in total rebounds, 16,079.

Over his ABA and NBA careers, Gilmore has 24,941 career points, 32nd highest. Patrick Ewing is No. 34, and Charles Barkley is No. 36.

Ultimately, Gilmore says he will find peace after he and other ABA figures join the NBA.

“This has been a work in progress for more than 50 years,” he said. “Until that happens, there’s not going to be much discussion of Artis Gilmore and my accomplishments until they tie it all together.”

Artis Gilmore put Jacksonville University on the map

Before his professional excellence, Gilmore made a significant impact on his alma mater, Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida.

In 1970, Gilmore led the Dolphins to an incredible 27–2 record. They made it all the way to the national championship game as the UCLA Bruins were in the midst of a dynasty. The Bruins defeated the Dolphins 80–69 for their fourth consecutive title.

Despite the loss, Gilmore reflects on that period fondly.

“It’s pretty special considering those years and everything that happened at Jacksonville University,” Gilmore said. “Now considering all the other things that were going on in the country, it was an incredible experience.”

Additionally, Gilmore also experienced what it was like to experience it all amid the turmoil of the 1960s and 1970s. He specifically cited playing in Dayton, Ohio, in the first round of the tournament, when race riots occurred at home.

“Just two years before the assassination of Martin Luther King, there were a lot of other negative things going on and we had to be there on the front lines,” Gilmore said. “We could see in Ohio, preparing to play in the first round, there were riots. There was a lot going on, and for us at that particular time in the environment I grew up in, it was extraordinary, extraordinary, and we were happy to be a part of it.”

Jacksonville was one of the first southern college basketball teams to start three black players (Gilmore, Pembrook Burroughs III and Chip Dublin).

The story is told in the documentary Jacksonville who?

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo made headlines after dropping 83 points in their win over the Washington Wizards at Cassia Center on Tuesday. Adebayo immediately became the biggest story in sports, as many were in disbelief at his unique accomplishment.

Even the GOAT, who has chosen to stay away from the spotlight, took notice.

Many congratulated Adebayo for setting the second-highest scoring game in league history, but arguably the most important of them was none other than NBA legend Michael Jordan.

In an interview with ESPN, Adebayo revealed what Jordan told him during the five-time MVP contacted.

“Just congratulations. Very brief. Short and sweet. You know Mike. He’s not talking much,” Adebayo said.

Bam Adebayo says Michael Jordan reached out to him after his 83-point performance

“If you know Mike, he’s not much of a talker.”

(h/t @ohnohedidnt24)

pic.twitter.com/RWFy4Kksbu

– Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) 12 March 2026

When “his alter ego” moves forward to welcome you, you definitely know you have done something special.

Jordan is quite familiar with Adebayo, as Adebayo is one of the top endorsers of Jordan Brand. He even wore yet-to-be-released Air Jordans against the Wizards.

Some people decried Adebayo’s crazy act. NBA icon Robert Horry said it should have an asterisk because Adebayo shot 43 free throws and “didn’t respect the game.” Meanwhile, Philadelphia 76ers forward Kelly Oubre Jr. claimed that Adebayo was not efficient in scoring 83 points.
Others said Adebayo was merely stat-padding.

However, it cannot be denied that the 28-year-old Adebayo has achieved a rare feat. He still had to make those shots and put in the work. No amount of criticism will erase the fact that Adebayo has rewritten history.

Plus, it already has the Jordanian seal of approval.

It’s pretty safe to say that the Cleveland Cavaliers’ acquisition of Lonzo Ball did not go according to plan. Acquired in a trade with the Chicago Bulls for Isaac Okoro, Ball struggled mightily in his half season with the Cavs. He eventually became a cap casualty, with the Cavs deciding to trade his salary to the Utah Jazz, who waived him and sent him to free agency.

Ball did not produce well in a Cavs uniform; In 35 games, he averaged only 4.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists, while shooting 30.1 percent from the field and 27.2 percent from deep. It got to the point where Ball’s father, LaVar, felt like he had to step in and tell the Cavs how to better utilize his son.

“You’re already messing him up by not starting him,” LaVar said in an appearance on the Ball in the Family podcast. “You saw him come off the bench and run to the corner. He’s never played like that in his life and he’s going to have to adapt after not playing basketball for so many years. It’s not going to work.”

“I told them that when I got there and I said, ‘If you only want him to play 20 minutes, how about we let him play 24 minutes, but let him play the last two quarters?'”

LaVar Ball will always support his son despite tough end to Cavs tenure

What doesn’t make sense in LaVar’s plan to utilize Lonzo is that the Cavs were very wary of overloading his body. Ball has been well aware of the knee problems that have cost him years of his career, so it doesn’t make sense for Cleveland to give him such a heavy workload.

As of now, Ball remains a free agent, and there is not much buzz surrounding his name. It doesn’t seem likely he’ll be lining up with a team before the 2025-26 season ends, which is testament to how his stock has fallen during his time with the Cavs.

Michael Porter Jr. broke his podcast hiatus last week. When asked about the No. 1 rule change he’d like to see the NBA make, the Brooklyn Nets forward pointed to the league’s tanking pandemic.

Porter said on The Emily Austin Show, “They have to do something about this tanking situation. I don’t like that teams are intentionally trying to tank just to get a good draft pick.” “I think ruining the entire NBA season is no way to go. It’s not very ethical for the game. People pay a lot of money to see the best players in the world compete, and you want to see teams compete to their full potential every night, and when teams keep doing the same things they’re doing these days, it can be tough… I understand rebuilding teams, but I think there’s an ethical way to do it and a non-ethical way to do it. So hopefully that “They can change it, I just feel like the best players are on the field every night.”

After several intense playoff runs with the Denver Nuggets, Porter is experiencing his first rebuild this season.

Michael Porter Jr. urges NBA to fix tanking amid historic draft lottery race

Tanking has been the most talked about problem around the NBA over the past few months. The Nets are one of the third players in the league to have the top pick in the 2026 draft.

The decline in quality of play during the final months of the season has been a topic of discussion for years. However, the issue became acute as the trade deadline began this year.

The outcry from fans, media, and others led Adam Silver and the league office to predict significant rule changes the following season.

“We’re going to make substantial changes for next year,” Silver told Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic, speaking on a panel at the Sloan Sports Analytics Conference. “I think that’s where I’m at – at one extreme, you could completely separate the draft from teams’ records. Just make the argument that we could take all 30 teams regardless of the outcome, which would completely discourage tanking. You could win the finals, you know, and get the first pick. But then there’s also gradation.”

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault reflected on what makes him special after watching Shai Gilgeous-Alexander record his 126th consecutive 20+ point game before draining the game-winning 3-pointer in a 129-126 win against the Denver Nuggets. Gilgeous-Alexander handed the Nuggets their second loss in 10 days, as the shorthanded Thunder extended their winning streak to six.

Without All-Stars Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and Jalen Williams, Gilgeous-Alexander matched Nikola Jokic’s triple-double (32 points, 13 assists, 14 rebounds) with 35 points, 15 assists and nine rebounds. After the win, Daigneault discussed Gilgeous-Alexander’s poise and how he thrives under pressure.

Daigneault said, “He never presses. He has incredible situational awareness, awareness of the length of the game; I think that’s one of his superpowers.” “He understands how long the game is. So, he can make the right plays, knowing he’s going to hold his own. If he misses a shot early, he knows there’s still more to play. He’s always in it mentally. I think that’s why he’s as consistent as he is.”

Jaylin Williams finished with 29 points, including a career-high seven threes, and 12 rebounds. Ajay Mitchell’s 24 points led the second unit.

Daigneault said, “I thought his passing tonight was really cool. Even ordinary people weren’t supportive.” “They doubled him all night. He got over it early, like it happened with Ajay [Mitchell] Even late, Ajay got Hardaway there. It’s just a simple game before defense. She played a very good floor game tonight. Obviously, a great finish. A great player.”

Mark Daigneault also saw Gilgeous-Alexander strengthen his case for MVP against Jokic as the Thunder handed the Nuggets their second loss at Paycom Center since a 127–121 overtime win on February 27.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s mic falls off after Thunder’s win

Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one 20+ point game away from making NBA history after matching Wilt Chamberlain’s 126 consecutive games in a 3-point win against the Nuggets on Monday. After the game, Gilgeous-Alexander discussed his approach against the Nuggets, who threw double-team coverage on the reigning MVP.

However, Gilgeous-Alexander adapted and caught fire in the final minute of the game, draining back-to-back threes, including the game-winning triple.

“I didn’t know what I was going to do. I have the answers to the test, but I have to look at the questions first,” Gilgeous-Alexander said, referring to the final game. “Once I saw he was to my left and I was going to the right. I think it was Christian Brown who was in the gap. So, I knew if I drove to shoot the middy, it was probably going to be contested. So, I tried to get away from the three, and took a nice, comfortable shot and it went down.”

The Thunder will host the Celtics on Thursday.

Trey Hendrickson is surprisingly still available in NFL free agency. Hendrickson, who previously played with the Cincinnati Bengals, was arguably the top EDGE rusher in free agency, but he has not signed during the second day of the legal tampering window. However, an NFL insider has revealed a surprising update that explains why he is still unsigned.

As CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports, the price difference between what Hendrickson wants and what teams are willing to pay is about $10 million per year. This is a surprising development, as the market for 31-year-old EDGE is not what they expected. It appears Hendrickson is looking for more than $30 million per year.

For context, Odafe Owe agreed to a deal with the Washington Commanders that will pay him $25 million per year, while Boye Mafe’s new contract with the Bengals pays him $20 million per year. Most notably, Jaylen Phillips agreed to a deal with the Carolina Panthers worth $30 million per season.

Hendrickson was ranked as the top EDGE rusher free agent during the 2026 NFL offseason, so these numbers are likely serving as a baseline for his contract desires. However, the 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year runner-up underwent core muscle surgery during the 2025–26 NFL season at the age of 31.

Hendrickson only had four sacks in 2025; However, over the last two years he averaged 17.5 sacks per season. There are several teams that want to sign Hendrickson, but there must be a bridge in contract negotiations to get a deal done. Right now, the difference of about $10 million is too big.

There will be an NFL team that wants to sign a Defensive Player of the Year-caliber player, but Hendrickson may have to lower his asking price to get the deal done.

READ MORE: New England Patriots interested in Trey Hendrickson

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

The Minnesota Timberwolves are currently in third place in the Western Conference with a third-straight trip to the WCF, with franchise star Anthony Edwards determined to get his team to the NBA Finals. He has been one of the league’s most electric players since his arrival, but his stardom really took off while making waves as a Georgia Bulldog. Ahead of March Madness, the adidas AE 2 will be releasing in a “Bulldog” inspired colorway.

Check out our sneakers news for more upcoming releases and breaking content!

At Georgia, Edwards averaged 19.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg and 2.8 apg on 40% career shooting from the field in one season. He immediately became a household name, eventually becoming the first overall pick in the NBA draft. While Edwards has seen his best performances in a Minnesota uniform, his potential has been evident since his days as a Bulldog.

Debuting as the highly anticipated follow-up to the adidas AE 1 in October 2024, the AE 2 is already making waves with this upcoming colorway, just in time for the March Madness tournament. Edwards previously released the “Bulldog” AE1, so we can expect this black/red/white theme to continue moving forward.

Adidas AE 2 “Georgia Bulldogs”

Adidas Anthony Edwards 2 “Bulldog”

🗓️ 14 March
🏷️$130 pic.twitter.com/xOSWZheynu

– Modern Notoriety (@ModernNotoriety) 9 March 2026

Adidas launches the Anthony Edwards “Bulldog” AE 2, which will be available on March 14th for $130. pic.twitter.com/e3Zboj6oeB

– Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) 9 March 2026

The “Bulldog” colorway will feature a standard ensemble of Black/Red/Silver for an updated take on the Georgia-themed palette. The upper sockliner and lacing panels are all constructed in black mesh and accented by the AE logo on the tongue tab. The sneaker’s padded mid-panel will be made in red material as a nod to Georgia, accented by a silver rubber support extending through the upper through the shoe.

Featuring vented toe caps, a supported heel and an updated treaded outsole, this special colorway was teased during Adidas’ wild ad campaign in response to the NBA fine handed out to Edwards at the beginning of the season.

The adidas AE 2 “Bulldog” is set to release on March 14th, 2026 for a standard retail tag of $130. The shoes will come in full adult sizes and will be made available through Adidas and select Adidas platforms.

In the minds of many NBA fans and prognosticators, Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shut down the MVP conversation with a 129-126 win over the Denver Nuggets last night. Alexander rose up and hit a three-pointer that sealed the hard-fought victory, and broke Wilt Chamberlain’s record for consecutive 20-point games on the night. But, according to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith believes the race is not over yet, as Celtics star Jaylen Brown still has a shot at a title.

He explained his theory on Tuesday Morning Edition take first.

“Jaylen Brown is one of the top two candidates for league MVP. We’ve got two road games this week in San Antonio and then against Shea Butters and Oklahoma City. Now, Jaylen Brown, that’s going to go a long way for us to see…You see, we don’t need to see Shea Butters. Because when you look at Shea Butters, he’s already the league MVP. He’s already an NBA Finals MVP. He’s already an NBA champion. Jaylen Brown is too, but Jaylen Brown was the number two option.

Smith continued, “Now you’ve got to understand, even though you’ve got Tatum back, he’s still feeling his way back. It’s still you, Jaylen Brown. Where are you going to get to San Antonio, when you get to Oklahoma City, what are you going to do?”

While Alexander has been the steady hand guiding the defending NBA Champions to another unprecedented regular season, Brown definitely has a claim to a shot at MVP after the season he had for the Celtics. Both Alexander and Brown are featured in ClutchPoints senior NBA reporter Brett Siegel’s latest “MVP Monday.” Alexander sits comfortably at the top of Seagull’s rankings while Brown sits at number five behind Cade Cunningham, Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic.

In 57 games played, Brown is averaging 28.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game with one steal. He is shooting 48% from the field and 34.8% from three-point range. He has been the catalyst for the Celtics’ success as they have remained in the conversation without Jayson Tatum for most of the season.

But it’s certainly hard to top the MVP moments provided by Alexander, especially when the Thunder have also dealt with injuries to key contributors. Still, the Thunder and Celtics are meeting on Thursday, and a lot of questions will be answered in a head-to-head matchup that could be an NBA Finals preview.

Steph De Lander and her husband Mance Warner have officially parted ways with TNA Wrestling. In an interview with Shawn Ross Sapp for Fightful, De Lander lifted the curtain on the financial and logistical frustrations that led to his sudden exit.

The former TNA star revealed that the majority of the TNA roster is no longer on a traditional salary. This is due to their transition to a “pay-per-appearance” model, which leaves talent vulnerable to sudden scheduling changes.

De Lander explained that under the current management structure, wrestlers only get paid when they appear and are used at tapings. This “day rate” system can lead to financial instability if the artist is left out of the loop or if tapings are infrequent.

De Lander said that although some long-working talent may still be on old salary-based contracts, the new standard at the company is a lack of guaranteed income. This is something that can cause problems.

“As far as I’m aware, most talent are not on salary. They’re on pay-per-appearance, which basically means if you book for the day, you get paid whatever your rate is… It’s not a traditional weekly salary pay check. If they don’t book you you could go for months without getting paid,” De Lander said.

The final breakthrough for the couple reportedly came during preparation for the upcoming TNA Sacrifice and Impact tapings in New Orleans, scheduled for March 27–28 at the Alario Center. De Lander revealed that he and Warner were initially booked for both days, but received an email at the last minute informing them that they only needed one day. Because independent wrestlers often plan their months around these dates and refuse outside bookings in order to remain available to TNA, such changes can have a financial impact.

“Even for the next week’s taping in New Orleans, we were told we were on both of those… then I got an email that we were only needed for one day. That was part of the thing that made me think like, ‘Okay… I’m unbooked for one day,’ which again also means you’re not getting paid for one of those days,” she continued.

Con Knueppel and Cooper Flagg have been two of the best rookies in their class, and have made great strides in their games since their days at Duke. But the bond the two of them have goes beyond basketball, with the Charlotte Hornets guard revealing a very interesting thing about his friendship with the Dallas Mavericks forward.

In an appearance on The Ryan Russillo Podcast, the Hornets rookie highlighted why basketball is rarely mentioned whenever he meets up with his former Duke teammates.

“When we talk it’s less about basketball and more about where you’re living? How often does your family come over? How are you? You know, those types of things. Which is nice and sustainable,” Knueppel shared.

In friendship, shop talk is part of catching up. But for Knueppel, he knows his friendship with Flagg isn’t just focused on their livelihood. They are lifelong friends who have been connected to each other since their college days, and the Hornets guard is very happy that he has such a friendship with Flagg.

Hornets’ Kon Knueppel and Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg compete for rookie supremacy

At this point, Knueppel looks to be the front-runner for the 2026 Rookie of the Year award. For starters, he has been consistent and healthy for the Hornets for most of the season. Furthermore, the Hornets are playing winning basketball; Although they’ve fallen below .500 once again, the fact that they’ve been in the playoff picture to begin with is a big win.

Meanwhile, Flagg has faced growing pains, and has missed a lot of playing time due to injuries. The Mavericks being a lottery team may also be at a disadvantage in terms of winning the Rookie of the Year award.

Whatever the case, this much is true: Knueppel and Flagg know there are things bigger than basketball, and their friendship is one of them.

The Denver Nuggets suffered a painful 129-126 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on Monday, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivering the killer blow with his game-winning three-pointer.

The Nuggets have now dropped all three of their games against the Thunder this season.

Gilgeous-Alexander had another MVP-type performance with 35 points, nine rebounds, 15 assists, one steal and one block. He had no turnovers.

Christian Braun, who was tasked with protecting the SGA, admitted he didn’t do his job well, as The Denver Post’s Bennett Durando reports.

“He busted me tonight. That last game, I knew I played well and got a block in a big moment. Tonight, he made a shot in a big moment. He made a couple of them. I know I’m going to play him again. I’m going to play him in the playoffs,” Braun said.

Durando said the 24-year-old guard told his teammates he was to blame for their tough loss.

“When I do a good job on him (Gilgeous-Alexander), like I did (in the last game), we have a good chance to win those games. But tonight, I wasn’t that good. He’s 14 for 21. Whenever he’s that efficient, they’ll have a better chance to win,” Braun said.

The Thunder defeated the Nuggets 127-121 in overtime last month. SGA scored 36 points on 12-of-29 shooting, including 0-3 from beyond the arc. This was his first game after being sidelined for a long time due to an abdominal strain.

Bron played 38 minutes on Monday, the second-most on the Nuggets behind Nikola Jokic’s 40 minutes. Focusing mostly on defense, he scored only four points on six attempts. He added nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block.

The Nuggets will face the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.

One of the main events planned for WWE WrestleMania 42 has been changed following a creative twist to the previously scheduled Hell in a Cell match.

According to a report from PWInsider.com, internal discussions earlier this year focused on Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre settling their long-running feud inside the steel structure.

However, the company has opted to move in a different direction for the Undisputed WWE Championship, opting to capitalize on the personal history between Rhodes and his former mentor, Randy Orton. The path to this new main event was laid out during last week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown in Portland, Oregon.

In a chaotic main event, Cody Rhodes defeated Drew McIntyre to become the three-time Undisputed WWE Champion. The match was filled with interference, including a moment when Jacob Fatu came to stop McIntyre from using a steel chair, allowing Rhodes to connect with the Super Cody Cutter, after which Cross Rhodes picked up the victory.

The change to Orton vs. Rhodes allows WWE to build a storyline spanning over 15 years. As members of the Legacy faction, Orton served as a mentor to the young Rhodes. The match is seen by fans as a “dream bout” that has been teased for years and is now set to headline the first night of the two-night event at Allegiant Stadium.

Despite losing the championship, Drew McIntyre is expected to remain the focal point of the WrestleMania card. Following his defeat, McIntyre has been linked to a possible bout with Jacob Fatu. Here is the current card for the event:

World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk vs Roman Reigns

• Roman Reigns won the 2026 Royal Rumble and chose CM Punk as his opponent, making it one of the confirmed headline matches.

Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton

• Rhodes recently won the Undisputed WWE Championship and will defend it against Orton, who earned the opportunity by winning the Men’s Elimination Chamber match.

Liv Morgan vs. Women’s Champion Jade Cargill

• Liv Morgan won the 2026 Women’s Royal Rumble, guaranteeing a title match at WrestleMania.

The Boston Celtics have played sensational basketball in that turnaround season, as superstar Jayson Tatum has recovered from an Achilles injury suffered in last year’s playoffs. Tatum returned to the Celtics lineup in Friday’s win over the Dallas Mavericks and he also made a solid contribution in Sunday’s 109-98 road win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Jayson Tatum on reintegrating with the Celtics:

“I would say it’s been seamless. I’ve played with most of these guys for a long time.”

“The hardest part for me is the minute restriction. That **** quite frankly sucks… Obviously, I understand the bigger picture.”

🎥:… https://t.co/qkqqRdjzYx pic.twitter.com/CKCKREnkkl

– Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) 8 March 2026

Tatum scored 20 points and partnered with Jaylen Brown (23 points) in the win over the Cavs. Boston led by 20 points at halftime and increased it to 26 points in the second half, before the Celtics won by double digits in the fourth quarter. Tatum played 27 minutes in the game and made 6 of 16 shots from the floor.

Tatum is very pleased with the progress he has made in his return to the Celtics. “I would say it’s been seamless. I’ve played with most of these guys for a long time.” Tatum said After the game. “The hardest part for me is the one-minute restriction. This nonsense quite frankly sucks. Obviously, I understand the bigger picture.”

The Celtics have 18 games left in the regular season for Tatum to fully acclimate to this year’s team. He should be at full speed by the time the postseason starts.

Tatum has always been the Celtics’ primary scorer throughout his career, but fellow star Jaylen Brown has been the team’s leader this season. One of the keys for the Celtics is how Tatum and Brown play off of each other from this point forward.

In addition to the two stars, the Celtics are getting huge contributions from Derrick White, Peyton Pritchard, Neemias Queta and Sam Hauser.

The Denver Nuggets have suffered from injuries throughout the season, and this has happened to most of their starters. The latest player to return from injury was Aaron Gordon, who had missed 17 consecutive games with a hamstring strain. It’s an injury that has bothered Gordon for most of the season, but he was able to get back on the court facing the New York Knicks.

Gordon didn’t have his best game as he tries to shake off the grief of missing so many games, but he learned a few things through the process. One of those things is what to do to avoid another injury.

“I’m going to the gym first,” Gordon said, via Bennett Durando of The Denver Post. “Much, much earlier. Warming up more diligently.”

There’s always a possibility that Gordon’s injury could flare up again, but that’s something he’s not worried about.

Gordon said, “I have to stay on top of it. But I play without any worries.” “When you’re worried about an injury, that’s usually the case. So I feel great. My body feels good. It’s just time and game momentum that I need to get back to now, but I’m feeling good.”

Gordon has been vital for the Nuggets over the past few years and has created a great rapport with Nikola Jokic on the court. With him back in the lineup, working under the post or on the perimeter the offense should be able to get easy buckets.

First, Gordon needs to find his personal rhythm back after missing so much time, and things will work themselves out from there. With the Western Conference standings being tight, this is the right time for the Nuggets to try to get healthy in order to get the best seeding.

OKLAHOMA CITY – In a game where the Oklahoma City Thunder overcame a 14-point deficit, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit a dagger-3 over the Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green with 42.4 seconds remaining to help secure a 104–97 win. While All-Star Chet Holmgren led the Thunder to a win against the New York Knicks on Wednesday, it was Gilgeous-Alexander who gave Oklahoma City its 50th win of the regular season.

He led the way with 27 points, five assists and five rebounds. After the game, Gilgeous-Alexander described draining Important 3-Pointer Over Green, giving the Thunder a five-point lead.

“In those moments, I just try to get something I’m comfortable shooting,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “And over the years, I’ve tried to work on things, and try to add to that bag that I can go anywhere on the floor. It doesn’t matter which way they’re forcing me. In that game, Drummond was forcing me to go to my right. So, I knew I’d be able to get that shot regardless.

“Just stepped into it with confidence, shot it, and whether I made it or missed, I was going to shoot it the same way, and luckily, this time, it went in.”

SGA made it a two-possession game (102-97) on a Draymond Green layup with 42.4 seconds left to play. pic.twitter.com/ZBCE3gQxnA

-Joshua Peacock (@Joe_Sway) 8 March 2026

Gilgeous-Alexander also gave green its flowersReminding reporters that Green has been one of the league’s better defenders for more than a decade.

“Multiple DPOYs. Multiple defensive teams. Multiple championships. He’s been the architect of their championship defense for a decade,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “As an offensive player you don’t get a better look than that. It was great. It was fun. Moments and matchups, and opportunities like this are why you play to really test yourself, and see where you are against the best. Tonight was no different.”

SGA on Draymond Green’s defense at 4Q and his Dagger-3: “Multiple DPOYs. Multiple defensive teams. Multiple championships. He’s been the architect of their championship defense for a decade.

As an offensive player, you can’t get a better look than this. It was very good. it was… pic.twitter.com/CfyNHXY5Ac

-Joshua Peacock (@Joe_Sway) 8 March 2026

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

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on battle-tested Thunder win

Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander believes Saturday’s game, which went down against Draymond Green and the Warriors, is good for the defending champions. Despite injuries to starters Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein, the Thunder have found success relying on their supporting cast, including forward Jared McCain, Isaiah Joe and veteran forward Kenrich Williams.

For Gilgeous-Alexander, fighting through adversity to win games that come down to the wire, like Saturday’s win against the Warriors, will only make them a stronger team heading into the postseason.

“It was good for us,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “When the games matter most, they turn into that. In some possession games, you have to perform on both ends of the floor to get the W. Both teams want it. Both teams are in position to get it, and the team that executes the fundamentals and execution and does the right things is going to win the game.

“The more times you can repeat it in the regular season and get those experiences, it only helps,” Gilgeous-Alexander concluded.

Joe finished with 18 points and four rebounds against the Warriors, and Williams added 13 points and seven rebounds off the bench. The Thunder, with the best record in the NBA (50–15), are the first team to reach 50 wins this season.

Chris Finch reveals what went wrong in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 119-92 loss to the Orlando Magic on Saturday night.

Finch is in the sixth season of his head coaching career with the Timberwolves. He hopes to lead the franchise to its third consecutive Western Conference Finals appearance, while attempting to reach the NBA Finals for the first time in history.

However, they have to go through ups and downs in the regular season. According to reporter Dan Moore, their blowout loss to the Magic was an example of the latter, as Finch explained after the game why the team did not play up to its usual high standards.

Finch said, “I thought there was a massive effort. I thought there were a lot of gameplan breakdowns that really hurt us. They may have looked like lack of effort playing games, but I think they were more mental lapses than physical effort.”

Chris Finch was asked how much of the Wolves’ 27-point loss at home to Orlando today had to do with effort.

“I thought a fair amount of the effort was there. I just thought there were a lot of gameplan breakdowns that really hurt us. They may have looked like lack of effort plays, but they were… pic.twitter.com/dZua8QnHkl

– Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) 7 March 2026

Chris Finch, how the Timberwolves performed against the Magic

Chris Finch knows the Timberwolves are capable of beating the Magic. However, his performance on both sides of the ball left much to be desired all night.

Four players scored in double figures for Minnesota in the win. Anthony Edwards led the way with a stat line of 34 points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks. He made 8 of 18 shots from the field, including 5 of 9 from beyond the arc, and 13 of 14 from the free-throw line. Julius Randle came next with 14 points and nine rebounds, Naz Reed had 13 points and eight rebounds, while Rudy Gobert provided 12 points and eight rebounds.

Minnesota fell to a 40–24 record on the season and finished fourth in the Western Conference standings. They are above the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers, while trailing the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs.

The Timberwolves will look to bounce back in their next game while on the road. They will face the Lakers as tip-off takes place on March 10 at 11 pm ET.

With the Miami Heat getting a crucial 128-120 win against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night, the team will be led by star performances from Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. Just as Herro’s sensational night for the Heat set the tone with Adebayo, it would be Jaime Jacquez Jr.’s performance that was eye-opening in more ways than one.

While Jacquez has had an impressive third season, making him one of the candidates for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award, the 25-year-old has recently displayed a new aspect that could be a permanent part of his game. As the UCLA product finished the game with 21 points on eight of 13 shooting from the field with four assists and two rebounds, he also made four of six shots from three-point range.

This will be the second time this month that Jaquez has made more than one three-point shot in a game, the last time Jaquez made multiple deep shots was on Jan. 19, before last Tuesday’s win over the Brooklyn Nets where he made two. Friday saw Jacquez get hot from beyond the arc, as his game involves getting into the paint or downhill from mid-range, he will be asked if he is specifically focusing on his deep shooting.

“No, not really. I’m just trying to continue my game,” Jacquez said via the team’s YouTube page. “And if I get shots, I just shoot them. I work on my threes every day. It’s something I constantly try to get better at. And shooting is not linear. You’ll have ups, you’ll have ups and downs… so just keep shooting with confidence.”

Heat’s Erik Spoelstra on Jaime Jacquez Jr.’s improvement

While the Heat is preparing for the playoffs, the team invites Jacquez to add another aspect to his game, but the player himself will say that this season, he focused too much on his three-point shot during the fall of his sophomore year. His strength is his downhill attack, if the three ball can be complimentary, it could work in Jaquez’s favor as head coach Erik Spoelstra talked about this improvement.

“I think it’s just a byproduct of Jaime being a great competitor. Does that mean he’s going to shoot four-on-six every night? I don’t know, but he wants to make an impact. And you have a game that feels like, Jaime is going to put his fingerprints on the game in some way or another,” Spoelstra said.

At any rate, Jaquez and Miami will look to continue that in the next game on Sunday against the Detroit Pistons.

Minnesota Timberwolves veteran guard Mike Conley shared information about how he helps teammate Anthony Edwards stay focused during games, showing that conversations about football sometimes become part of the process.

As the Minnesota Timberwolves (40-23) prepare to face the Orlando Magic (33-28) on Saturday at 2:00 PM ET on Prime Video, reporter Christina Pink caught up with Conley before the game to discuss the dynamic between the veteran guard and the team’s young star.

Conley explained that he takes on a mentorship role, looking for opportunities to guide Edwards through different situations on the court.

“I’m just trying to get the most out of him. Any chance I can get to teach him something or make him pay attention to a certain thing on the court, whether it’s trying to figure out the double-team or trying to improve his shot, or trying to find opportunities for myself for my teammates.”

Conley said Edwards may sometimes need a more unconventional approach to keep him mentally engaged. The Timberwolves guard noted that Edwards’ playful personality sometimes leads him to talk about topics unrelated to basketball during games.

“Just trying to keep him engaged in the game in a different way because he can start talking about football and start talking about other things in the middle of the game because that’s just how he is. He’s a kid, he just loves to have fun so you know, just keep him locked in and ready to go.”

“[Ant] He can start talking about football, he can start talking about other things in the middle of the game.”😅

19-year-old veterinarian Mike Conley explains @christina_pink How he helps keep Anthony Edwards locked in 🔒 pic.twitter.com/X7YVAuD2OU

– NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) 7 March 2026

Conley’s reference to football also connects to Edwards’s well-known interest in the sport. The Timberwolves guard has previously stated on several occasions that he would like to try playing professional football if he wins an NBA championship before turning 30. Edwards has joked that he could potentially play wide receiver or even serve as a backup quarterback if he wants to pursue an NFL opportunity.

Mike Conley explains how he keeps Anthony Edwards focused despite football talk

Conley, a longtime NBA veteran known for his leadership and steady presence at point guard, has played a key role in guiding Minnesota’s young core. His experience has proven valuable as Edwards has developed into one of the league’s premier guards.

Now in his sixth NBA season, Edwards is having the most efficient campaign of his career. The 24-year-old guard is averaging 29.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game, while shooting a career-best 49.5% from the field and 40.6% from three-point range.

In 53 games this season, Edwards has logged 35.6 minutes per contest and has emerged as the focal point of Minnesota’s offense while continuing to develop as a two-way presence.

His production has helped guide the Timberwolves to a 40–23 record, placing them among the top teams in the Western Conference standings. Minnesota enters Saturday’s matchup riding a five-game winning streak while building momentum toward the postseason.

The Timberwolves have also reached the Western Conference Finals in each of the past two seasons, a run that coincided with Edwards’ rapid rise as a franchise centerpiece.

With Conley providing experienced leadership and Edwards continuing his lead, Minnesota will look to maintain its strong form as it prepares for another deep playoff push.

BOSTON – Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum showed us the highest levels of recovery from an Achilles rupture, posting clips of him running again, dunking again and smiling again. He was also transparent about the physical and mental impact of this lengthy rehabilitation process, whether it was discussing his internal doubts about whether or not he should return or showing the world how terrible his ankle looked after surgery.

What Jayson Tatum’s foot looked like at the beginning vs. the end of episode 3 of “The Quiet Work”: pic.twitter.com/le4zub0Eiw

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 2 March 2026

That authenticity and vulnerability continued after Tatum’s victorious homecoming at the TD Garden on Friday night against the Dallas Mavericks.

“I was feeling really anxious,” Tatum revealed after his first game in nearly 300 days. “It has taken a long time to get to this point. Many nights and days I dreamed about this moment and the anticipation of the crowd. It has been 42 and a half weeks since I played in an NBA game.”

While the six-time All-Star could have played it cool, he gave real answers to the media and didn’t deny his nervousness.

“[I’m] Just trying to get caught up in the pace and everything,” he said. “I felt like I was a step behind or moving too fast.”

To start the game, Tatum failed to make his first six attempts from the field. A few shots fell short and one miss came when the 28-year-old missed an open dunk that would have sent the home crowd into frenzy:

The TD Garden crowd nearly exploded after this dunk attempt by Jayson Tatum: pic.twitter.com/rir8iKFmwE

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 7 March 2026

Clearly, Tatum still needs some time to get his feet under him (literally and figuratively). In addition to shooting, the Celtics forward moved the ball well and posted a game-high five assists in the first half. Generating those points for your teammates helped them get involved and, in turn, things started getting better.

“As soon as I relaxed a little bit, the game started to slow down,” he said.

This isn’t even an exaggeration, as Tatum made five consecutive shots after missing his first six. He even improved on his botched dunk by slamming home a missed triple from point guard Peyton Pritchard:

GO GET IT JT 🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/Tf8rLI6zcE

– Boston Celtics (@celtics) 7 March 2026

In a 120–100 win for the Celtics, Tatum finished with 15 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists – just three assists short of a triple-double in his first NBA action since learning to walk again. And while he didn’t have a spotless offensive night, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla didn’t care.

“When he was 100% healthy, he had missed six shots in a row before, so I don’t think it really mattered,” he said. “What I liked is just his attitude and he continued to rebound. I thought he competed on the defensive end… I think he had three assists, two rebounds before he even took his first shot.”

What Jayson Tatum’s teammates and opponents thought about his comeback

Although Tatum is still not his usual self, the Celtics were happy to see him there, cheering him on from the bench and hugging him when he left the game.

“I appreciate him being able to put himself on the line a little bit to come back and be a part of something big,” Celtics star Jaylen Brown said in the locker room. “I think that’s his mentality. I appreciate it. I know the organization appreciates it because he didn’t have to do it and nobody pressured him, but he wanted to be there.”

If it was for tonight, what would be the start for Jayson Tatum: pic.twitter.com/GqPRgXupfz

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 7 March 2026

Would Tatum like being 100% away from the field in his debut? Absolutely. But he understood why this was not realistic and stressed how fortunate he felt to be eligible for the green team again.

“When you take a long time off, you’re anxious, you want it really bad,” he said. “And, obviously, I wanted to hit every shot I took. But I was just really grateful. I had a real feeling of gratitude to get back on the floor and play basketball again, and it brought me back to everything I’ve gone through over the last 10 months, and the fact that I was even able to get there today was a really big win for me.”

The next phase of Tatum’s recovery process, which isn’t really over, takes place on the road. The Celtics have three games in a row against some of the best teams in the league: the Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs and defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

To call this a litmus test would be taking it lightly. However, Tatum had already played 27 minutes against the Mavericks and despite his Achilles, he was not a kid at all.

This should be a good sign for the Celtics, and a bad sign for the rest of the NBA.

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd praised him in his postgame press conference, “The pace he came back, the way he looked, coming off a serious injury, he looked good.” “As soon as he shakes off some of the rust, he makes the Celtics a contender and they had a tough year when he was rehabbing, so to get him back, they’re going to be a team that’s going to be tough to knock out.”

Just weeks after unveiling his newest signature sneaker during a training session, Milwaukee Bucks franchise star Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nike recently unveiled their latest creation. Adding to the already extensive Nike Giannis Freak signature line, the new Nike Giannis Freak 8 will make its debut in the coming months.

Check out our sneakers news for more upcoming releases and breaking content!

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been signed with Nike since 2017, four years after being drafted in the NBA. As spectacular as his rise to superstardom has been, he’s producing one of the more prominent collections in Nike basketball with only Kevin Durant and LeBron James having more current signature silhouettes with the Swoosh.

Always on the cutting edge when it comes to design and performance, the Nike Giannis Freak 8 appears to follow suit at first glance. Antetokounmpo previously shared a hyper pink colorway, but we can expect a whole bunch in the coming weeks.

Nike Giannis Freak 8

Officer: @nikebasketball Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 8th signature sneaker – Nike Giannis Freak 8 unveiled 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/ArsfhqWNUj

– House of Heat° (@houseofheat) 3 March 2026

OFFICIAL: As Giannis Antetokounmpo returns to the court tonight, Nike officially unveils the Giannis Freak 8. @Giannis_An34

Built to incorporate a full-length Cushionlon 3.0 midsole and feature a wingtip-patterned heel counter.

🗓️ 1 August
💵$115 pic.twitter.com/zO8HGfkUfp

– Sole Retriever (@SoleRetriever) 3 March 2026

Previously, the backwards Nike Swoosh served as a hallmark for Nike Giannis sneakers, so it’s interesting to see a clean, metallic gold Nike Swoosh with minimal branding and a center back. The shoes feature a contrasting tongue in black mesh to match the black laces and sockliner, complete with a gold Giannis logo on the tongue.

As is the case with the Nike Giannis Freak 7, the Freak 8 will feature a 360° cushioned outsole for maximum comfort, extending to the forefoot and rear heel in a “winged” design, reminiscent of the Nike LeBron 23.

The Freak 8 is expected to be released on August 1, 2026 at a standard retail tag of $115. Affordability and fair pricing have always been the central goals of Giannis’ signature line, which is constantly innovating from a performance standpoint while still remaining accessible. The shoes will be available on the Nike SNKRS app and should be available at a wide range of Nike retailers.

What are your thoughts on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s latest Nike signing?

Brighton & Hove Albion scout Bert Konterman has informed the club about FC Twente youngster Ruud Nijstad.

This is according to the man himself, Via Twenty Insights. He admitted that he has approached Brighton about the 18-year-old as he continues to impress at the Dutch club.

Nijstad is considered by many to be one of the Netherlands’ most promising young talents. Some have compared him to a modern-day Gerard Piqué, praising his composure, skill with his left foot and ability to initiate attacks from defence.

He broke into Twente’s first team this season, and established himself as a highly sought-after prospect in the process.

Big clubs are monitoring him

He has been the subject of intense speculation even before the summer transfer window. Barcelona reportedly made significant efforts to sign him in the January transfer window.

Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham are all keeping an eye on the defender as well. It is unlikely that these three will be the only ones watching his performances in the Premier League.

According to him, Brighton are definitely aware of him kontermann. He admitted that he had already told the Seagulls about Nijstad. The matter was put to him during an appearance on D’Osttribune.

“I really enjoyed the match against Feyenoord,” He said.

“I just wrote down the ages of all the FC Twente players. It’s incredible that this is a team with so much potential for the coming years.

“Ruud Nijstad was fantastic, Stav Lemkin was good, Thomas van den Belt was important, Lammers was decent, and Orjsätter is getting better and better.”

“You say: If they stay together, Tijman van Wissing replied.

“I agree with that, but the point is that if you work for Brighton & Hove Albion, you also know that they have Nijstad on their radar. You probably already do.”

brighton tipped

“Right, I was impressed. I told them about it,” The Brighton scout replied.

“Those guys are not good enough yet for the first team (at a club like Brighton). You can buy them, but then you have to make a deal to keep them at FC Twente for two to three years.”

It would not be a surprise for Brighton to approve such a transfer deal. The Seagulls have certainly not been afraid to sign young players from the Netherlands.

Matt Wiffer, Yankuba Minteh and Jan Paul van Hecke are prime examples. All three are now first team regulars for Brighton under Fabian Herzeler.

Van Hecke gives the example of how Brighton sign young players early and loan them out to develop elsewhere. The club has also signed youngsters such as Yoon Do-young, Malik Yalkouye and Ibrahim Osman, who are currently on loan.

A similar deal would make a lot of sense for Nijstad, especially as competition looks to be increasing.

Kasparus Jakusionis has been playing a valuable role with the Miami Heat during his rookie season. After a ball-dominant freshman season at Illinois, the No. 20 pick’s dramatic shooting improvement has allowed him to catch up with Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and others.

After shooting 31.8 percent from three with Illinois, Jacusionis is shooting 44.0 percent from three on 7.5 attempts per 100 possessions this season. The 19-year-old leads all rookies in three-point percentage (minimum 30 attempts).

“Kas has really been working on it, and he’s obviously one of our better three-point shooters,” Erik Spoelstra said after Thursday’s win over the Brooklyn Nets. “I don’t know if you can make that case in July. He was a good three-point shooter, but he’s really refined it. His release is sharp. His reps are always at the top of our roster in the gym. And he’s able to do a little bit more going forward now, and it really helps us. We need that differentiation, we need his creativity, we need the things he can do off the dribble, but we look at his shooting, others. He is getting the benefits of playing. And he will get even better.”

“It’s hard to find players that can do both. They can make plays off the ball and move and get into open spaces. He’s also a very good, smart catch-and-go guy. But in his one year at Illinois, he was ball dominant, so he’s one of those guys. It won’t be as much with us right now, but you can see he’ll have a skill set that he can lean on as well.”

Jacusionis’ floor spacing has allowed him to make an immediate impact.

Kasparas Jakusionis getting attention amid shooting improvement with Heat

According to CleaningTheGlass, the Heat score 3.7 more points per 100 possessions with the rookie on the court versus off. This is the fifth-best mark in the NBA among all players under the age of 22.

“He’s not hesitating. He’s not really thinking about it. He’s just catching and just shooting it,” Bam Adebayo said. “When you’re in that kind of rhythm, we want you to just catch and shoot. Don’t overthink it. Because a lot of times that’s going to be the best shot you’re going to get. So for Kass, it’s just keeping it simple for him.”

Jaksionis would play a key role in the Heat’s playoff run in the final 19 games of the regular season. The Lithuanian guard has played 19.8 minutes per game over the past five weeks, eighth-most on the team.

The Heat are struggling to avoid falling in the Eastern Conference Play-in Tournament for the fourth consecutive season. Miami, the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic are separated by half a game for the East’s sixth to eighth seeds.

A new rumor has revealed that the New England Patriots made an unsuccessful offer to the Philadelphia Eagles for AJ Brown.

The Browns’ future will be one of the biggest stories in the NFL this offseason. The receiver is a three-time Pro Bowler and can be a game breaker every week. However, in 2025, the 28-year-old did not hide his disappointment at how he was used in the offense. Creating a scenario where moving Brown would be in the best interest of the team.

Despite the damage he suffered to his reputation last season, several teams would be interested in acquiring his services. The one who has most often been linked to being a pass catcher is the Patriots. Well, it looks like New England recently made Philly an offer, and it apparently fell through.

AJ Brown stats: 78 catches, 1,003 yards, 7 touchdowns, 12.9 yards per catch

According to Philadelphia sports radio personality Anthony Gargano, he claims the Patriots offered first- and third-round picks for AJ Brown. However, he could not confirm whether it was in next month’s NFL Draft or in a future year. If they are in this year’s draft, there will be picks 31 and 95 overall.

Earlier this week, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that the Eagles were looking for a Quinnen Williams-esque return in a potential trade for the Browns. The New York Jets received a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick and defensive tackle Mazzie Smith from the Dallas Cowboys for the four-time Pro Bowler before last season’s trade deadline.

Various reports claim that multiple teams have inquired about trading for the star receiver. However, all indications are that none of them have prompted Eagles general manager Howie Roseman to seriously consider a trade.

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

The Washington Wizards watched Julian Reese have a breakout game on Thursday night, and afterward, the rookie opened up about the influence of his sister Angel Reese. While many fans arrived at Capital One Arena expecting the spotlight on Trae Young’s debut, the night quietly turned into a showcase for the young Wizards big man.

In his third NBA game, Julian Reese produced a surprising stat line. He scored 18 points on 5-of-7 shooting. He grabbed 20 rebounds. Ten came to the rescue. Ten became aggressive. He recorded two assists and one steal in 38 minutes. The Wizards ultimately lost to the Jazz 122-112, but the performance still attracted attention on the field.

Reese’s energy never waned. He chased every loose ball. He fought inside the paint. Under the bright lights of the arena, the Wizards played with rookie urgency and confidence. For a young player still finding his feet in the league, the moment felt significant.

After the game, Julian revealed that his sister Angel Reese played a major role in keeping him focused in the early stages of his career.

Wizards rookie Julian Reese reflects on sister Angel’s constant pressure

Speaking to reporters after the game, Reese talked about how closely Angel Reese monitors his progress. Even during the busy days of her career, she remains connected to every performance.

Julianne on her sister Angel:

“She hits me up before and after every game, just tells me what I need to do. Watches the games, tries to text me at halftime… Sometimes I let her get over me a little bit, just trying to tell her to let me do what I want. It’s great to have a sister… https://t.co/l4oro1zGed pic.twitter.com/KsxAfJbfAy

– Oh no, he didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) 6 March 2026

The Wizards youngster said, “She hits me up before and after every game and tells me what I need to do. Watches the games, tries to text me at halftime… Sometimes I let her go over me a little bit, just trying to tell her to let me do what I do.”

“It’s great to have a sister who is always there for me and tries to see the best for her brother, especially when he’s busy with what he’s doing. Love him to death.”

The quote revealed the bond behind the breakout. One brother or sister is pushing the other forward. A newbie proving he belongs.

And if Thursday night was any indication, the Wizards may have discovered something special. The question now seems simple: Was this just a breakout game, or the beginning of Julian Reese’s rise?

MIAMI – The Miami Heat are trying to make a playoff run with 20 games left in the season, entering Thursday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets, the team is once again dealing with injury problems. It may sound strange to fans, but it’s true that the Heat are aiming to avoid the play-in tournament this season, as head coach Erik Spoelstra talked about his approach to injuries.

As mentioned, Miami has battled a myriad of injuries over the past several seasons, leading to endlessly different starting lineups and rotations, which can lead to endless frustration and an inability to properly evaluate the quality of a team.

Given the current situation, the team’s leading scorer, Norman Powell, suffered a groin sprain and has been labeled “week-to-week”, having already missed the last two games without a schedule. Nikola Jovic continues to miss time with a back injury and Simone Fontecchio was forced off the field late on Thursday with a groin injury, adding to the problems.

Especially with Tyler Herro getting back into rhythm after missing a total of 45 games this season, Spoelstra will talk about the approach of “going for it” but also being “responsible” with health.

“We’re going for it. So I know this time of year, everybody is dealing with something,” Spoelstra said. “We want to be responsible, that was the case with Norm and Simo [Fontecchio]And hopefully, if you get things going early and you really attack it with rehab, it might be short term, but then there will be other cases that we just have to go for it and play big minutes for our main guys, I’m starting to do that anyway.

The Heat have been dealing with injuries and balancing them at this point in the season: Erik Spoelstra #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/lVIfpUboI8

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 5 March 2026

Erik Spoelstra on the pressure the Heat are facing in the tight East

As Herro finds the Heat star taking on an even bigger role without Powell, injuries have gotten in the way of the two being on the same court together and working on their chemistry. The two have only played 12 games together this season, making it a small sample size for their production together, but with the mystery of when Powell’s groin injury will heal, Miami will have to make do.

Entering Thursday’s game against the Nets, the Heat were one game behind the sixth-seeded Philadelphia 76ers, the spot they needed to finish at least to avoid the play-in tournament. However, with only two and a half games separating the sixth and 11th seeds in the East, anything can happen, with Miami on fire due to the pressure.

“I love the pressure for this group,” Spoelstra said. “I think we really need that pressure to get into second gear. And there’s going to be a lot of pressure in these games. There’s going to be a lot of clutch games, close games, a lot of emotions in these games, you know.”

Spoelstra added, “I know we have a lot of competitors in our locker room, and I’m counting on us to bring out a better version of ourselves.” “We have everything we need. We’ve got a high-powered offense, we’ve got a very good defense, defensively as good as anybody in the league. But we need to put it together, especially in moments of truth.”

Erik Spoelstra talks about the frustrations and pressure the Heat faces from being a consistent play-calling team. #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/2q5YEXqgAo

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 4 March 2026

At any rate, after Thursday’s outing against Brooklyn, the eighth-seeded Heat have to play a crucial game against the ninth-seeded Charlotte Hornets, separated by a game and a half.

The New York Knicks have tried to land a superstar for years. From pursuing LeBron James’ free agency in 2010 to being linked to stars like Donovan Mitchell and even Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Knicks appear to be home to one of basketball’s biggest stars and a perennial championship contender. But, that effort to acquire franchise-changing talent hindered the Knicks for several years.

In an interview with Fan Duel TV play it backFormer Knicks coach David Fizdale looks back at the 2018-2019 season, where New York went 17-65. According to him, the team was trying to land either Zion Williamson or Ja Morant in the 2019 NBA Draft, while also trying to land Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

“I was totally on board with the plan we came up with, and I thought this was the deal and this was the way to go about it. It didn’t work out… losing all the games, sacrificing our record to get Zion Williamson or Ja.

He added, “That summer our guys thought KD and Kyrie were definitely coming to us, but it didn’t work out.”

The Knicks have had some productive role players on the team, such as Luke Kornet, who is emerging as a backup center with the Spurs this season. Tim Hardaway, Courtney Lee and Enes Kanter have had productive years in the league and Kristaps Porziņš, though battling injuries, recently helped the Boston Celtics win the 2024 NBA title.

But Fizdale believed the roster construction was not really conducive to winning.

“When you look at that roster as a whole, all solid players, but when you put them on the floor together, the pieces weren’t working… If I were doing it again, I would have struggled more to make a team early on and not cash in on my record.”

Overall, Fizdale brought a different take to the conversation about tanking. The tanking discussion has been a big one throughout the season, and Fizdale offered a different perspective on it.

“That’s the hard part for coaches when you agree to tank. When you tank, you have to build something big. Not everything that happens is considered a tank… That’s not the formula.”

Jabari Walker had a career-high performance during the Philadelphia 76ers’ 106–102 victory over the struggling Utah Jazz. The 23-year-old bounced back with a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds, helping the 76ers stage a fourth-quarter comeback against now 18-44 Utah.

However, while the game proved to be huge for Walker, an unfortunate incident occurred before that as the 2022 draftee scratched a brand new car earlier.

“I actually had an unfortunate incident happen today. I just got a new car and I was driving it for like 30 minutes and I scratched it. And talk about being in the zone and you know, I just wanted to come to the game and it was an unfortunate incident for me. Mentally I was walking here like, ‘My brand new car that I just got, I scratched it,'” he revealed, according to a post by PHLY Sixers on X.

Jabari Walker says he bought a brand new car today… and scratched it within the first 30 minutes of buying it.

“When I saw the first two 3s go in, I said ‘Okay. OK. This is a whole new world. I got a chance to redeem myself.’ I forgot what happened earlier today… pic.twitter.com/1aIwjftkyz

– PHLY Sixers (@PHLY_Sixers) 5 March 2026

However, Walker starred for his team in the absence of several key stars, including Joel Embiid, VJ Edgecombe, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Paul George, who is still suspended.

“When I saw the first two 3s go in, I was like, ‘Okay. Okay. This is a whole new world. I got a chance to redeem myself’ so I forgot about what happened earlier today,” he said.
Walker’s night started explosively. During his first stint, he scored 15 points on all five of his shot attempts, including four three-pointers.

While he undoubtedly proved vital, it was once again Tyrese Maxey who led the way with 25 points on 8-of-22 shooting. Quentin Grimes also played a key role, especially late in the fourth quarter.

He finished with 16 points and knocked down two go-ahead free throws with less than 17 seconds remaining on the clock. However, this game will be extremely memorable for Walker for several reasons.

Not only did he return with a career-best score, but he did so on a day that didn’t start off on the best of terms.

A new report on Wednesday reveals that the New York Giants came just moments away from completing a trade for rising defensive star Trent McDuffie.

After a poor 4-13 finish and third consecutive loss on the season, there is actually real hope and excitement for NY Giants fans heading into the 2026 campaign. This is due to the hiring of former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.

While the Ravens fired Harbaugh earlier this year, it was due to him not reaching the high standard he had set over the past 18 seasons, not because he wasn’t coaching at a high level. Harbaugh has led the Ravens to the playoffs in 12 of his 18 seasons, won 10 or more games 11 times (12 two seasons ago), and has a Super Bowl championship on his resume.

Harbaugh is expected to get more out of this roster than Brian Daboll has in the last four years. However, the NY Giants still need more impact players if they hope to become a playoff contender in 2026. And it seems they had their eye on one of the game’s best young cornerbacks to help improve those chances.

NY Giants were close to trading Trent McDuffie

Kansas City Star NFL reporter Sam McDowell revealed, “I’m told the Trent McDuffie trade came down to the Rams and Giants. In the end, the Rams were the team that was willing to give up a first-round plus.”

On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Rams completed a blockbuster trade for the 2025 All-Pro and two-time Super Bowl champion. In the deal, the Kansas City Chiefs received a first-round pick (No. 29), fifth- and sixth-rounders in next month’s NFL Draft, and a third-rounder next year.

McDuffie is in the final year of his rookie contract and is expected to get a new long-term deal that will pay him around $30 million annually. McDuffie would have been a huge contribution to a NY Giants secondary that was terrible last season. Although they didn’t complete a trade, it’s good to see the front office looking to make big, bold moves to fix one of the team’s biggest issues in 2025.

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

The Miami Heat are attempting to avoid making the Eastern Conference Play-in Tournament for the fourth consecutive season. Tyler Herro’s ability to return to form will be key in that effort.

After a long absence due to ankle surgery and a toe injury earlier this season, Herro recently returned from a month-long absence due to a rib ailment. He had another efficient performance during Tuesday’s 124-98 win over the Brooklyn Nets, posting 22 points on 8-15 shooting in 28 minutes.

“I’m just trying to find my rhythm,” Herro said after the game. “I’ve only played less than 20 games. And every other team and player has been in rhythm and playing since October. I haven’t really played a lot of five-on-five games since last season. So it’s just steps in the right direction, continuing to see where my shots are coming from. It’s not all about scoring. It’s about making the right plays.”

Herro has averaged 19.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists on .484/.371/.941 shooting splits in six appearances since returning to Miami’s lineup.

Tyler Herro back in action as Heat battles to avoid play-in tournament

The Heat are 4-2 during that span, leaving them a half-game behind the Eastern Conference sixth-seeded Philadelphia 76ers.

Erik Spoelstra said of Herro, “I think he’s making this all look easier than it really is.” “He hasn’t played in a long time. It’s been a really short time since he’s been back. But I think it’s going to get better each game. I trust Tyler and his work. He puts in so much time. But he adds a lot to our offense. Now we’ve got this element of creativity. Definitely making shots. You don’t know where it’s going to come from. And then once he gets you into his three-ball rhythm, I think it’s “Will really help impact our offense at another level.”

The Heat have faced problems taking care of business despite inferior competition this season. However, they dominated on Tuesday by tanking nets from the opening tip to the final buzzer.

Spoelstra’s squad shot 45 of 91 (49.5 percent) from the field with 28 assists and 12 turnovers. Meanwhile, they held Brooklyn to 33 of 86 (38.4 percent) from the field and 6 of three (18.8 percent) from three, while forcing 18 turnovers.

Miami, Philadelphia and the Orlando Magic are separated by a half-game for the East’s sixth to eighth seeds.

Bam Adebayo said, “It’s the second half of the season. We need these wins. We can’t afford to miss any more.” “We had enough during the first half of the season. You have to hold yourself to a higher standard of accountability, and it gets uncomfortable sometimes because you know you feel like you don’t want to go too far. Uh, but you know in that sense man we are us, we’re past that stage and you know we’re trying to do something special. Uh, and it’s going to take all of us and we have to hold each other accountable and Uh have to face some intense situations.”

The Oklahoma City Thunder decided to trade some of their valuable future draft picks to bring in Jared McCann via trade from the Philadelphia 76ers. McCann has yet to recapture the heights he hit during his incredible, yet short, rookie season in Philly, but it looks like he’s on the way back, if his recent contributions to his new team are any indication.

On Tuesday night, the Thunder’s first night of back-to-back sets without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, head coach Mark Daigneault had to rely on McCann for an extra offensive boost. That’s exactly what McCann provided, scoring 20 points off the bench to lead OKC in scoring. He shot 8-15 from the field (4-9 from deep) and did everything OKC expected of him and more.

After the game, Daigneault revealed how McCain become a valuable weapon For Thunder.

“I mean the word is ‘consistency’. I think he really has everything consistent. He’s a consistent guy day in and day out. He’s a great worker. He makes consistent plays, he never gets out of his game. He’s always ready to play,” Daigneault said in his postgame presser, via Adam M. Francisco of Suave Report.

Asked Mark Daigneault what he’s seen behind the scenes from Jared McCain that contributed to their integration in such a short time. pic.twitter.com/PnBuAOO0T6

– Adam M. Francisco (@SuaveCEO_) 4 March 2026

Every good Jared McCain Thunder game is like a stab in the heart for 76ers fans

With the way McCann stepped up during a disastrous 2024-25 campaign, he quickly became a fan favorite in Philly. He was cut short due to a torn meniscus, but he seemed to have a place in the team for the long term.

Instead, the 76ers traded him to the Houston Rockets for a 2026 first-round pick and three second-round draft picks, so they could also avoid the luxury tax. At just 22 years old, McCann is looking like a savior for the Thunder – 76ers fans are seeing a repeat of the mistake the team made when they let Isaiah Joe go.

Kon Nueppel isn’t looking like a rookie at all despite it being his first season in the NBA. What a ride the fourth overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft has been for the Charlotte Hornets. Still, there have been moments this season where Knueppel has really had a rude awakening that, in fact, he is in the premier league for basketball in the entire world – facing the best players in the world.

One such player who gave Knueppel a “Welcome to the NBA” moment was Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Hornets newbie revealed in an appearance on SportsCenter that defending the freight train that is Antetokounmpo in transition was like scary prospect It reminded him that he really belongs in the NBA.

“There’s something there. Just coming back in transition and Giannis is running at you, full throttle. I think he scored,” Knueppel told Scott Van Pelt in a very funny way.

Con Knueppel joins @notthefakesvp Joins fellow Duke teammate Cooper Flagg to talk about the Hornets’ potential for a playoff berth, Durham and missing out on the Rookie of the Year race 👀 pic.twitter.com/EE8yspLupO

– Sports Center (@SportsCenter) 4 March 2026

Knueppel also recalled defending Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry and Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic as particularly memorable moments.

“I think about Steph Curry closing in and thinking ‘There’s no chance this isn’t going in.’ Or like Luka getting a switch and an ISO on the wing, Knueppel said.

Hornets’ Kon Knueppel welcomes future players to the NBA

Knueppel is already so advanced in his development that it’s not hard to see him already being nominated for future All-Star Games and even future All-NBA teams. At just 20 years old, his shooting is already elite, and he’s going to be such a big problem for opposing defenses – as if he wasn’t already.

The Hornets are nearly above the .500 mark after a rough start to the 2025-26 season, as they now have a 31-31 record heading into Wednesday night’s matchup against the Boston Celtics.

Kenny Attkisson knows the challenges of rebuilding. The former Brooklyn Nets head coach, now leading the championship hopefuls Cleveland Cavaliers, also knows what it takes to succeed.

While Atkinson acknowledged the difficulties of the Nets’ situation, he is confident The team would eventually advance, as their group did when they made the playoffs in 2018–19.

“You will definitely go through them [hard] moment. You like to be process-oriented and stick to it, but you’re going home after the game and you’re taking that L. It’s tough, especially when they start piling up,” Atkinson said before Brooklyn’s 106-102 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. “Everyone says, ‘Okay, don’t worry.’ Of course, if you’re competitive you worry. But that’s part of it, part of going through a rebuild and part of being a young coach. You’re looking at Charlotte right now, well, they went through it. that third year [in Brooklyn] When we were successful and reached the playoffs, it was almost doubly rewarding, because you go through these real struggles and tough times.

“I’ll never forget when we won the playoffs; it was like winning the championship. It was crazy, because you look back at the first year, I think we lost 27 out of 29. It was crazy, like, ‘Will we ever win another game?’ [The turnaround] That will happen here because they have drafted really good talent. They have a good coaching staff and a good front office. It will break. You’re just waiting for it, like ‘When’s that going to happen?’ And you look at it like, ‘Is it ever going to happen?’… But they work so hard, it’s going to happen eventually with the talent they have.’

Kenny Atkinson explains whether it’s difficult to maintain a positive attitude during a rebuilding year like the Nets:

“It’s tough, especially when the losses start piling up… My first year here, I think we lost 27 out of 29. It was crazy, like, ‘Can we… pic.twitter.com/IOIruXRfkk

– Eric Slater (@erikslater_) 1 March 2026

The loss was the Nets’ eighth consecutive loss to Cleveland, their longest of the season. Still, a four-point loss against the fourth-seeded Cavaliers after Friday’s 148-111 loss to the Boston Celtics was a step in the right direction.

Nets searching for wins through challenges of rebuilding season

In another season of rebuilding, Brooklyn’s focus is not on wins or losses, but on development. While developmental wins are paramount, they don’t show up on the scoreboard.

Danny Wolf admitted accepting reality has been a challenge in the Nets locker room.

“Most people in the NBA come from winning teams, no matter what level,” Wolf said. “This is the first time I’ve been a part of it, I don’t say we’re a losing team, obviously our record is 15-45, but we are the youngest team in the NBA and there are a lot of valuable lessons. I don’t like to say you can learn from losing, because it hurts and it sucks, and losing as a contender is one of the worst feelings, but with such a young group, I think there’s resiliency and fight. [is important]. When you lose by four points to a team that you lost to by 30 points a week before, I think that points to improvement.”

The Nets are hoping this rebuild will produce similar results to Sean Marks’ first. However, the current team is a stark contrast to the groups Atkinson coached from 2016 to 2019.

Brooklyn was devoid of rookie talent during those years. The Nets now feature an NBA-record five rookie first-round picks. While this is a luxury compared to their previous rebuilds, it is also an unprecedented challenge for Jordi Fernandez and his staff.

Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said of the difficulties of the situation in Brooklyn, “It’s hard to ask one 19-year-old boy to help another 19-year-old boy. It’s like asking a group of kids who are just learning to swim to make sure the other one doesn’t drown.” “You have to, sometimes, take a step back and give grace and be patient. They’re learning what it takes to survive in this league, which is a lot. When you have a lot of young players trying to do that, it’s hard to have the connectivity or cohesion that it can take to make some tough performances in a given game or over time. But it’s also very rewarding when you have guys with character, good young players and hard workers. Jordi [Fernandez] You have done a great job. You see the competition every night. You just have to live with it.

Mitch Johnson when asked how challenging he thinks it will be to develop five rookies for the Nets:

“It’s hard to ask one 19-year-old boy to help another 19-year-old boy. It’s like asking a group of kids learning to swim to make sure the other one doesn’t drown.” pic.twitter.com/dOFqkdPDpf

– Eric Slater (@erikslater_) 26 February 2026

The Nets have done their best to control the development of their rookies – Igor Demin, Nolan Traore, Drake Powell, Ben Saraf and Wolf. Apart from Demin, all of them have spent a long time in the G League. Each has been an encouraging addition to Brooklyn’s rotation, providing encouragement to the team’s brass.

The Nets’ 15-45 record puts them in prime position to add a star-level draft pick to their young core this summer. While draft status would remain the main story in the team’s last 22 games, Fernandez was adamant that his team would compete until the final buzzer of the season.

“The record is what it is. It is a reality, and we are well aware of it,” Fernandez said. “And at the same time, we don’t like it. Hopefully, everybody feels the same way, and that’s what our players do: They show up every day and work. It’s not pulling teeth, it’s not uncomfortable, it’s not a bad feeling. So it’s all good. Coming here and feeling like we can go against anybody should be very important. If you’re up 10, you want to be up 20. If you’re down 20, you Wanting that to be down to 10. Those things have to matter. We don’t have to flip a switch and suddenly we’ll be there.

“I like where the group is. The group cares, the coaches care, the organization cares. Finding our wins, we did it last year, we’re going to do it differently this year because it’s a different context. We really like where we are. We have a process and a plan. You can’t control everything because there are things that are [out of your control]But it is very exciting. And everyone should feel the excitement of the next step. Obviously, I want to win every single game, but to compete in these 25 and then play this summer, it’s the greatest summer of our lives.

chicago bulls The monkey was finally taken off their back after defeating the milwaukee bucks Spending February without winning a single game. On Tuesday, the Bulls faced the defending champion OKC Thunder.

Still, Chicago was without Jaden Ivey, Anfernee Simmons, Patrick Williams and Jalen Smith due to injury. Ivey suffers from left patellofemoral pain syndrome. Meanwhile, Simmons is dealing with a left ulnar styloid fracture. Additionally, Smith is nursing a right calf strain and Williams is out with a right calf strain.

Before the game, head coach Billy Donovan officially outlined Here’s what each of these players will do over the next five games, according to Chicago Sports Network’s Casey Johnson. Donovan said Ivey would stay behind, but Simmons would travel. However, it is not guaranteed that Simmons will play. Williams and Smith, meanwhile, will travel with hopes of playing.

Additionally, Donovan predicted what he thinks will happen to these players upon their return.

“I think ultimately that’s what’s going to happen is that whenever these guys can come back and be somewhat healthy and complete, regardless of the number of games left, we’re going to have to evaluate it,” Donovan said.

The Bulls are 25-36 and have lost 9 of their last 10 games. Their next five games are on the road, starting Thursday against the Phoenix Suns. After this they will play against Sacramento Kings on Sunday. Next Chicago will be in California to play the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, the LA Lakers on Thursday and the LA Clippers on Friday.

Some around the NFL are keeping a close eye on the Philadelphia Eagles for a potential trade or two this offseason. After all, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has been known to make some moves.

While the trade of AJ Brown will certainly garner more headlines, there has been no update on his potential availability. The Eagles want good players and Brown certainly fits the bill.

Meanwhile, there are other Eagles players who could generate trade interest, including backup quarterback Tanner McKee.

according to athleticAccording to Jack Rosenblatt, trading for McKee could be costly. He believes the Eagles cannot part with the 25-year-old for anything less than a third-round pick.

Rosenblatt wrote, “I think people are underestimating how much it might cost to get McKee.” “Yeah, he’s unproven, but the Eagles are Very High on Mackie. I don’t know if they’re selling him for less than a third-round pick – and even that might not be enough.

Mackie has started two games and is going 1-1 in the process. He has completed 61.4% of his passes while throwing for five touchdowns and one interception with the Eagles.

McKee is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Still, as mentioned, the Eagles hold him in high regard. If Hearts were to miss time through injury, they would rely on McKee as a capable replacement to lead a winning effort.

With many other moving parts on the QB carousel, including the availability of Kyler Murray, the Eagles may have to wait a while to determine McKee’s true value. For now, it’s hard to imagine that any team would be willing to offer a third-round pick for a player with 88 passing attempts in his career.

RELATED: Max Crosby trade could happen very soon; NFL Insider Link 7 Teams

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

Internal discord within the WWE locker room has reportedly come to the surface following a social media exchange between WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill and Rhea Ripley.

While the rivalry is set to headline WrestleMania 42, new reports reveal that the “working shoot” nature of their online feud – specifically Cargill’s accusation of Replay playing “politics” with creative – was not an accepted part of the storyline.

According to PWInsider Elite, multiple sources have directly blamed Cargill for the public fallout, noting that his conduct has rubbed many colleagues the wrong way. The situation escalated further on Monday, when other members of the women’s division, including Chelsea Green and Piper Niven, took to social media to defend Ripley.

Green praised Ripley as a “compassionate and respectful” professional, a comment Cargill interpreted as a personal attack. This led to a confrontation with Niven, who told the champion that “the world doesn’t revolve around you” and criticized his ring ability.

“The back-and-forth between Jade Cargill and others was not prepared for by WWE creative, with multiple sources placing the blame for the outburst on Cargill. A source explained that Cargill has been criticized by many talents for how she rubs others the wrong way and when the back-and-forth with Rhea started, it wasn’t hard for others to jump in and express their opinions,” PWInsider reported.

Sources backstage also pointed to Cargill’s previous absence as a source of underlying tension. While it was previously reported that Cargill spent time at the WWE Performance Center in late 2024 and early 2025 to recover from undisclosed injuries, some reports now claim that the hiatus was intended to resolve “personal issues” and reduce locker room friction.

Talents have reportedly described Cargill’s behavior as “unsafe”, which suggests that although the roster is happy to help bring him up as a champion, the respect is not always felt the same way. Ripley herself appeared to address the situation in a scathing Instagram Story on March 3, which was quickly deleted.

In the post he wrote, “Not fun. Not friends. Learn to work and never live to defame someone’s actual human character by ‘breaking the fourth wall’.”

Casemiro has said that he grew up watching Manchester United under Alex Ferguson and studying Paul Scholes closely, citing the former Red Devils midfielder as a reference point for his game.

talking to DAZN in SpainThe Brazilian was asked which players he admired as a youngster. His reply immediately brought the conversation back to Old Trafford.

He first mentioned Zinedine Zidane. However, he made it clear that Manchester United’s era of dominance under Ferguson had a major impact on him.

“Especially, especially Zidane. Of course Zidane is number one, for me he is the one I always look at closely.” Casimiro said.

“But I also watched a lot of football in the period when United was winning everything [Alex] Ferguson. So one player I really liked was Paul Scholes, who played a bit in my place. I used to watch him very closely when he played.”

Manchester United’s influence during the Ferguson era

Casimiro explained that as a child he absorbed everything he saw on television. United’s success made their matches inevitable.

“When you’re a kid, everyone on TV becomes someone you pay attention to. You’re always watching a lot of football. I really enjoyed those players.” He added.

This is a clear reflection of a player who has since established himself as one of the finest midfielders in Europe.

For Manchester United supporters, there is a certain symmetry in hearing that praise. Scholes defined a generation at Old Trafford. Years later, Casemiro would arrive in Manchester as an established star.

Although He spoke at the end of last year Regarding his plans for the future beyond United, his name has already been written into the club’s recent history.

What does this say about Casemiro’s mentality

Although the Brazilian made his legacy elsewhere before moving to England, these comments underline how deeply Ferguson’s Manchester United era resonated on the world stage.

Furthermore, his reference to the Scoles study highlights a detail that is often overlooked. Casemiro’s role has always been one of defensive solidity. Yet he clearly valued on-ball intelligence and positional awareness.

Ultimately, this quote provides information about his football education. Before becoming a reference for others, he was a young fan studying United’s midfield and dreaming of reaching that level.

The Edmonton Oilers are one of the bigger teams to keep an eye on at the NHL trade deadline. As of Tuesday, March 3, Edmonton holds the final wild card spot. However, the lack of production from its goalkeepers is a major problem. So, what’s the latest on the Oilers’ trade plans for the goalie over the next few days?

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman believes Edmonton has accomplished its goal, as explained on the 32 Thoughts Podcast. One of the Oilers’ main goaltenders, Connor Ingram, has a .894 save percentage and recently allowed five goals against the San Jose Sharks. Meanwhile, Tristan Jarry has a .863 save percentage since arriving in Edmonton.

Jerry spent his entire career with the Pittsburgh Penguins before being traded for goaltender Stuart Skinner. Over the past four games, the Edmonton goalkeeper has had 18 goals and not conceded two of them. Needless to say, this has been a major weakness for the Oilers during the 2025-26 NHL season.

There are several goaltenders available, such as the Florida Panthers’ Sergei Bobrovsky, but Edmonton seems content with filling other needs such as defence. On Monday, the Oilers acquired defenseman Connor Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks for a 2028 second-round pick. Better defense can help score better goals.

While acquiring a better goaltender should be Edmonton’s top priority, that doesn’t seem to be the case heading into Friday’s trade deadline. The Oilers are likely working with Ingram and Jarry, while Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are expected to provide more help moving forward.

Read more: Florida Panthers could trade Sergei Bobrovsky, 5 best landing spots

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

The New Orleans Pelicans have been playing some better basketball lately, Dejounte Murray recently returned from an Achilles injury and the team is slowly but surely making its way up the standings. Perhaps the most surprising development over the past few months for New Orleans has been Zion Williamson’s ability to stay on the court consistently.

Recently, Williamson got 100% honest about how he envisions the Pelicans’ identity moving forward.

“We’re building our own identity. We’ve dealt with injuries, coaching changes… despite all that, our energy is still high, we have a positive locker room. It’s ‘What’s next?’ It’s ‘How do we build from this?'” Williamson said via ESPN, per the Pelicans Film Room.

Sadly, injuries have been a major part of Williamson’s NBA story so far, with the former number one overall draft pick constantly being sidelined due to various ailments, most of which are related to his feet.

When he is on the court, Williamson remains a terror to opposing defenses, able to consistently attack the basket and finish at the rim, while also being a threat on the offensive glass.

However, persistent foot injuries throughout his career have threatened to derail the athleticism that was once his hallmark, and he has missed several seasons so far in his career.

Still, it’s certainly a positive sign that he’s able to remain on the court consistently as the calendar turns to 2025-26, though it’s unclear whether the Pelicans’ front office, who recently traded a potential 2026 lottery pick in exchange for fellow big man Derrick Queen, still views Williamson as part of the team’s long-term plans.

In any case, the Pelicans are scheduled to take the field on Tuesday evening for a road game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

It’s been a tumultuous career for New Orleans star Zion Williamson. When he has been on the court, he has been dominant, but the issue has been his injuries. Since the Pelicans added Zion to the team due to his injuries, he has been in and out of the lineup and has had to deal with it constantly. He is also battling injuries at the moment and even said that the worst time of his career was missing his third season because of it.

Zion Williamson visited ESPN’s “NBA Today” and had a lengthy conversation with Malika Andrews, revealing that the hardest part of his career was missing his entire third season due to a broken foot. It was a low point because he was taking shots at about his weight from everywhere, and he wanted to focus on basketball first, but he couldn’t do that.

Williamson explained, “The hardest point was when I missed my sophomore year because of a broken foot. … There was a lot of criticism about my weight, my care about the game. … I was really low because I just wanted to play basketball.”

Williamson was actually experiencing the healthiest time of his career, playing 35 consecutive games and 45 games overall this season. Still, he recently sprained his ankle during Saturday’s win over the Jazz. Despite being healthy, he is averaging 21.5 points while tying his career low with 5.8 rebounds per game.

In his career, Williamson has played 259 matches, while losing a total of 296 matches. Now, that number is about to increase following his latest ankle sprain.

It’s also worth noting that he’s in the third season of a five-year, $197.2 million deal with the Pelicans. He is making $39.4 million this year and is set to make $42.2 million next season and $44.9 million for the 2027-28 season.

Interim coach James Borrego said Williams has an ankle injury, but there was no immediate information on the severity of the injury.

“Hopefully, it’s nothing serious, and we’ll have him back there soon,” Borrego said.

The Denver Nuggets are currently facing a challenging stretch, having lost six of their last nine games, including a 117-108 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. This slump has dropped them to fifth place in the Western Conference standings. Last week’s 128-117 loss to the Golden State Warriors highlighted late-game execution issues, with star center Nikola Jokic initially concerned about the team’s difficulty making open shots during key moments.

However, as per a report by Rachel Strand and noted by ClutchPoints, Jokic now views these struggles as a positive development for the defending champions.

Commenting on the team’s recent performance, he said, “It’s a good thing to happen. You’ll start worrying; you’ll start caring more. The struggle is good… you’ll play a little harder and better.”

“It’s a good thing to happen. You’ll start worrying, you’ll start caring more. The struggle is good… you’ll play a little harder and better.”

Nikola Jokic is going through a tough time on the Nuggets 🗣️

(via @milehighrachel) pic.twitter.com/LPme5cmXKH

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 2 March 2026

This perspective suggests the reigning MVP believes the current challenges can help eliminate complacency and sharpen the team’s focus on the postseason.

Guard Christian Braun also echoed this sentiment after last week’s game, emphasizing that the Nuggets’ challenges stemmed more from a lack of physicality and “not holding our spots” than from flaws in their overall gameplay.

With important matchups scheduled against the Utah Jazz and the strong Los Angeles Lakers, the Nuggets must find a way to increase their strength.

Jokic remains optimistic that experiencing the pressure of these defeats will ultimately motivate the team to improve its performance when it matters most.

Things change fast in the NBA. The Los Angeles Lakers celebrate a 129-101 victory over the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center, with LeBron James leading the way with 20 points in the first half.

Luka Doncic, who celebrated his 27th birthday on February 28, top-scored with 26 points, while Austin Reeves had 18 points to lead the team to a comfortable win in the absence of Stephen Curry. However, at least that much attention went to LeBron’s 11-year-old daughter, Zuri James, who took heartwarming photos with her dad before the game.

“It’s special, it’s special, it’s definitely softened me over the last 11 years. I had two boys in the beginning but having her is special. It’s a different kind of love between girls and boys. It’s tough love when it comes to my boys. I yell at them and do anything, you know they take it, they know how to take it, it’s different, I soften a little bit when I have my daughter,” James said in a clip on According to said. Bronemuse talks about the impact his daughter has had on him.

“It’s special. It’s definitely mellowed me out over the last 11 years”

– LeBron on being a father to a girl. 🥹❤️ pic.twitter.com/MgnecIIr3J

– BronMuse (@BronMuse) 1 March 2026

Zhuri mirrored his father’s dribbling exercises in the session and successfully sank a backward over-the-head trick shot from the free-throw line after several attempts and some coaching from the 41-year-old. According to SeattleP, the conversation culminated with Zhuri alley-ooping James, 41, for a pre-game slam, followed by their signature handshake and an exchange of “I love yous” before tipoff.

When Zhuri was asked how he made the basket, he said, “I don’t know. I tried to make sure I was in front of the basket.”

Regardless, fans will be glad LeBron isn’t going soft on the court as he’ll arguably have better answers to questions about his shooting, considering he went 7-13 on the night, contributing nicely to the Lakers’ 53.3% overall efficiency. They shot an astonishing 46.1% from three-point territory, compared to the Warriors’ overall efficiency of 45.1% and 27.3% from beyond the arc.

For the Warriors, Gui Santos top-scored with 14 points, while Moses Moody and Gary Payton II added 12 points each, the latter coming off the bench. The Lakers ended their three-match losing streak and will now face the Sacramento Kings in their next match.

For fans who are hoping that Alex Pereira vs. Jon Jones will be the main event of the UFC White House card in June, a new rumor brings great news.

In a few months, the UFC will be able to accomplish something that even the NFL, NBA, and MLB have never done, by holding an event on the White House lawn. While company owner Dana White has claimed that the event will be a financial loss, the history it creates will live on for generations.

Ever since news broke about this unique event, there has been a lot of speculation about the fights on the card. Company veterans such as Jon Jones and Conor McGregor have made it known that they want to be included on the card, and existing pound-for-pound talents such as Ilya Topuria, Islam Makhachev and Alex Pereira have been linked to the show.

Still, the promotion hasn’t said much about who will be in it. Most fans are expecting a super-fight between former heavyweight champion Jones and two-division champion Pereira. However, White has shown opposition to placing “Bones” on the card. However, he may have changed his mind.

Perera vs Jones card ‘not dead’ in White House

According to veteran MMA reporter Ariel Helwani, there have been recent talks about headlining Pereira vs. Jones at a mega-event in June, and the idea is “not dead.” However, while he claims it is still possible, he admits he is “not hearing a lot of positive momentum” towards it being finalized.

Speculation about Pereira moving up to heavyweight and headlining the White House card intensified when the light heavyweight champion vacated the title this week. The move – which was made by Makhachev and Topuria last year – often prompts a change in weight.

If Pereira vs. Jones doesn’t happen, Helwani claims the UFC plans to have the Brazilian face Cyril Gane in a matchup for the interim heavyweight crown. The current champion, Tom Aspinall, is trying to recover from serious eye injuries he suffered in last year’s title defense against Gane.

Helwani says the former 205-pound champion wants to fight Jones, but if the booking doesn’t work out, the plan is to make a run at becoming the first three-division champion in UFC history. Either way, “A big fight is coming for Alex Pereira,” he said.

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

The San Antonio Spurs have built one of the most dangerous defenses in the NBA. Victor Wembanyama’s MVP-level play has garnered the most attention. However, Stefan Kassel’s emergence as one of the league’s top on-ball defenders is a specific compliment to the French superstar.

“[Stephon] Understand your role well. “The level he’s playing at is really invisible for a second-year player,” Wembanyama said of Castle’s defense. “We make it uncomfortable for guys playing against us. That’s the goal. To dribble around one of the best on-ball defenders and then hit a shot over some of the best rim protectors, it’s very hard.

The Spurs have the NBA’s third-best record (43–16) amid a league-best 11-game winning streak. Cassel’s two-way contributions during his second season have sped up San Antonio’s deadline.

The 21-year-old has put in solid offensive performances, averaging 16.6 points and 6.8 assists on 46.7 percent shooting in 49 appearances. However, Cassel’s success in an expanded defensive role has been the catalyst behind his impact.

Stefan Cassel blossoming as defensive stopper with surging Spurs

San Antonio has tasked Cassel with guarding the league’s top scorers on a nightly basis. The 6-foot-6 guard has faced challenges and led a defensive unit with Wembanyama that ranks third in the NBA.

According to CleaningTheGlass, Cassel posted a -4.7 defensive rating swing (team points allowed per 100 possessions with a player on versus off), the sixth-best mark in the NBA among guards playing over 1,000 minutes. The Spurs have posted a 109.3 defensive rating with him and Wembanyama.

st anthony MVP candidate placed Cade Cunningham scored 16 points on 5-of-26 shooting during Monday’s 114-103 win over the Detroit Pistons. Cunningham shot 3 of 13 (23.1 percent) with two turnovers when defended by Cassel.

“[Stephon] “The potential for that was shown last year,” Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said, adding that he had some good moments defensively. This year, we’ve obviously increased the interrogations, which has increased their opportunity to guard the big scorers and ball-dominant guys in this league. And I think he has proved his capabilities. I think he needs to continue to move the ball in other ways. But I think he’s as good on the ball as any player in the league.”

Stephen Cassel’s defense on Cade Cunningham during the Spurs’ win over the Pistons

(h/t @MrBuckBuckNBA)pic.twitter.com/4B5kblpddQ

– FullCourtPass (@FullCourtPass) 24 February 2026

With Castle and Wembanyama already wreaking havoc on opposition attacks, Spurs have another potentially elite on-ball stopper in rookie Dylan Harper. At 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, with a 6-foot-10.5 wingspan and above-average athleticism, the No. 2 draft pick has caused problems for opposing ball-handlers at only 19 years old.

Harper is learning on the job while supporting Castle.

“The biggest thing about Stephon is he’s a competitor. I already saw it when I got to San Antonio,” he said. “No matter what the circumstances or who he goes up against, he’ll compete. On the biggest stages, all the work he’s put in is showing. He’s physical [at the point of attack]With the elite wings and other defenders, and then you have Victor and Luke. [Kornet] Down on the shore, it’s like choosing your poison. You have to either shoot this pull-up or kick it out.

The Spurs are currently tied with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the third-best odds (+950) to win the title, trailing only the Denver Nuggets (+600) and Oklahoma City Thunder (+135). Wembanyama, Castle and Harper will still be on their rookie contracts next season.

A new report about fired Michigan head coach Sharon Moore claims she actually gave an employee a raise after being alerted to a serious sexual harassment allegation.

In December, Michigan football was rocked when the university revealed it was unexpectedly firing head coach Sharon Moore. Following this news, reports revealed that not only was the man who replaced Jim Harbaugh after a series of scandals fired as coach, but he was also in a local jail.

The coach was ousted due to an inappropriate relationship with a staff member and arrested after he stormed the woman’s home and threatened to kill himself after his actions took a toll on her life.

Drama has followed the Wolverines football program over the years because of the questionable individuals Harbaugh hired, including Moore. Well, the Michigan football staff’s history of having obnoxious people got another ugly chapter on Friday.

According to Justin Spiro, an unnamed woman went to the then-head coach and accused current Atlanta Falcons defensive line coach LaTroy Lewis of rape while he was a member of Moore’s staff. Unfortunately, Moore rejected the claim.

“Lewis is also accused of attacking the same woman in a separate incident so violently and viciously that neighbors called the police to report disturbing noises coming from his apartment,” Spiro reports.

Yet, not only did he deny the disgusting allegations, but he reportedly would eventually give Lewis a raise and actually sexually harass the same woman. Following the sexual assault claim, Moore allegedly texted her, “Get up, I have to suck it now.”

“The alleged victim, we’ll call her ‘Jane,’ Moore said she refused to report the assault because she confided in him, which is a violation of her status as a mandated reporter under Title IX, and a violation of University of Michigan policy,” Spiro’s report said. “Over the following weeks, Moore sent Jane a series of sexually graphic messages, ordering her to perform various sexual acts on him.”

The report shows photos of injuries, screenshots of messages and a police report from the situation that began in July 2024 and lasted until December last year.

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

Despite rookie Cam Skattebo becoming a favorite among New York Giants fans, a new report has further fueled speculation that the new coaching staff does not project him as their preferred player in 2026.

After going 3-14 in 2024, the NY Giants finished a poor 4-13 last season. That’s why Brian Daboll was fired in November, and the organization worked hard to replace him with former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.

There were some bright spots in a miserable year. However, among the reasons to watch in 2025 was spark-plug rookie running back Cam Scatebo. The fourth-round pick brought energy and aggression that was sorely needed, and before suffering a season-ending ankle injury in October, the former Arizona State star was giving the team reason to believe he had the potential to be a RB next season.

The NY Giants are under new management, and it seems Harbaugh and his staff believe the G-Men will be best as a dominant run-first team. However, it seems they don’t trust Skatobo to be at the forefront of that new strategy.

The NY Giants are targeting Kenneth Walker in free agency.

“You heard something about the Giants at the combine: They’re seriously considering some of the top running backs in both the draft + free agency,” reports ESPN’s Jordan Ranan. “Players like Jeremiah Love, Travis Etienne and Kenneth Walker from Notre Dame. There seems to be a clear focus on becoming a more physical, run-heavy team.”

Earlier this week, a rumor surfaced that the team was looking at Love as a target with the fifth overall selection in April’s NFL Draft. The news surprised many NY Giants fans and analysts because of the role Skattebo had developed for himself the previous season. Some suggested that this may have been a smoke screen to hide the team’s real goal.

However, Raanan’s report suggests that while he may not replace Skattebo as the RB1 in the draft, it could come in free agency. Etienne and Walker are two of the best running backs on the open market this year. Walker saw his stock rise in a big way after earning MVP honors in the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl win earlier this month.

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

Participating in his first NBA All-Star Weekend, Jaylon Tyson was at the free-throw line during the Rising Stars game when his Cleveland Cavaliers teammate Donovan Mitchell literally announced his presence, and yelled at him as he walked to the front row of Crypto.com Arena. While trying to concentrate on making the shot, the 23-year-old lost focus after laughing and dropped it.

“I was trying to win MVP. I’m not going to lie. I was trying to get it,” Tyson recalled during practice last week. “And he’s yelling something in there. But I made it.”

Unfortunately, Tyson’s Tracy McGrady-led Team T-Mac did not have a chance to reach the title match; That doesn’t mean Tyson couldn’t bring out his true self. He led his team with 10 points and five rebounds in 11 minutes.

Tyson said, “The game, I wasn’t that happy because it was only five minutes, and then we had to go off the court.” “So I wanted to keep playing the whole game.”

Tyson dished out two assists, one of which was a highlight reel hook-up with Miami Heat big man Kel’El Ware on an alley-oop while turning the corner. Having missed the opportunity as a rookie, he took this as a chance to show what he was capable of with all eyes on the league’s biggest weekend.

“He plays hard,” Mitchell said. “He plays hard. He’s picking up the whole court. He’s doing all the things. I wish he’d get some help out there. He’s rebounding. He’s passing. He’s doing everything.”

“It’s been nice sharing the court with those guys. In my mind, I know I’m better than a lot, if not all, of those guys,” Tyson said. “I just want to go out there and prove it every day, and then, hopefully, be an All-Star one day.”

Unlike many talents who stay the weekend in Los Angeles, Tyson flew home after Friday to recuperate and prepare himself for the second half of the season. Mitchell was impressed with his professionalism in handling his first All-Star Weekend. He also made sure the talented young forward’s presence was felt when it came to 3-point contests.

Mitchell wore Tyson’s number 20 with his name on the back, as he had done with Sam Merrill’s uniform a few years earlier.

“It was great,” Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson said. “They have a great relationship. Donovan has embraced Jaylon from day one. The first thing he looked at him, he said, ‘This kid has this crazy work ethic.’ It reminds me a lot of Donovan. So I think he’s a big part of Jaylon’s development. It really helps when your best player contributes to the development of a young player. I thought it was a good move to do so.”

Although Tyson joked that his jersey was “a little big” for Mitchell, he felt his teammate’s love, and that’s nothing new.

Tyson said, “He’s one of those guys that I’ll have a relationship with throughout my career and beyond.” “I’m so grateful to have her. Honestly, I feel like I give her a lot of credit for that year. I go back to that text message; I don’t think people understand how much that text message meant to me and how much confidence it gave me. So I give her a lot of credit for all my success.”

Tyson is referring to when Mitchell approached him in the offseason about “his need” and his confidence in stepping into a bigger role. Mitchell admitted he hasn’t had the kind of year he’s had this year, with the second-year swingman averaging 13.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 27.4 minutes per game with the league’s third-best three-point shooting percentage (45.6%) and top-20 effective field goal percentage (60.0%).

It helps to have a shoulder to lean on when things go in different directions, and it was the subject of a heart-to-heart conversation as the two flew to LA together before the festivities began in mid-February.

“I was like, ‘Hey, this can’t be a 40-point night for you. This can’t be a 30-point night. This can’t be a start, this can’t be this,'” Mitchell said. “I told him, ‘Man, you’ve already shown that you’re capable.’ You’ve already shown a lot.” [than] More people have done this in their careers, and you have done it in a little more than half a year.

“So for him to adjust to his role and be OK with it is definitely impressive for a second-year guy. We’ll be on him, and he’s got to continue to earn everything he’s been doing. Nothing is a given, but he’s doing a good job. We’ve got to keep that going.”

Jaylon Tyson, the Cavs’ direction and the reality of the NBA

Since Cleveland shifted its roster with the acquisitions of James Harden, Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis, the young players have seen a change in their responsibilities and a decrease in playing time. The veterans brought him in because of his experience and the need to adjust to a new group. As a result, players who were praised for their readiness throughout the season have been taken down a peg.

For example, Craig Porter Jr. and Naquan Tomlin have been left out of the current rotation. Tyson is still in the everyday lineup, but not in the same order.

“Defend, rebound, limit mistakes, make shots. That’s what it’s about,” Atkinson said. “In situations like this your package gets reduced, and he understands that, and he’s been great. I think he had a pretty good stretch; that’s how he got in the rotation, right? But now, living forward and looking at the playoffs, we’re seeing a similar role.”

“Once everyone comes back, once we’re fully healthy, it’s going to be a huge sacrifice,” Tyson said. “Whatever that looks like, obviously, the roles will change. But just buying into that role and doing something bigger than any one of us.”

Before Cleveland hosted the New York Knicks on Tuesday, Atkinson was surprisingly tough on Tyson, who played back-to-back games with less than 17 minutes left. This was his lowest total of playing time since late October.

When asked how he can get back to his normal amount of burn, Atkinson explained that Tyson and the guys playing the role have to earn it because of the short window for Cleveland to put the pieces in place before the postseason.

“It’ll come out on its own. It’s definitely a change for him,” Atkinson said. “I understand that, as a young player, it’s not easy. You go from scoring 39 points a couple weeks ago to, ‘My minutes are down a little bit.’ And I think he probably had some games where he wasn’t playing at that elite level. We’ve obviously added three new guys, three new rotation guys. So, it’s been cut a little differently.”

Tyson answers the call

Later that night, Atkinson praised Tyson for excelling in everything that was asked of him, especially guarding Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.

“That was kind of the blueprint right there,” Atkinson said. “Offensively, played in the short role, hit catch-and-shoot threes, limited his mistakes, and then played very good defense. We put him out there on the KAT, and he’s big and strong enough to defend him and put pressure on him and bother him.

“Behind Dean, can he be a perimeter stopper? He’s shown he can do that. He’s played really well all year. As young players, [they] Will probably make a few more mistakes than a vet like Dean, but if he wants big playoff minutes, this will have to be it. Can you become our job keeper? It’s a really positive trend: defensive numbers are good, size, obviously, a good rebounder. But there is development. It’s really, ‘Make fewer mistakes and be more solid.’ [with] Game plan stuff.”

Tyson finished with 12 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists, recording one steal and one block each, turning it over only once. Mitchell was encouraged by Tyson’s performance during the game.

“You saw him tonight as a 5-man, his formation and playing the pick and roll,” Mitchell said. “Pass to him, he’s got a layup, he’s got a floater, he’s making decisions. That’s what we’re going to need from him. That’s his bread and butter.”

While empathizing with how he may be feeling, Atkinson believes Tyson is handling the transition well.

“I don’t think it’s easy for anyone, but he’s an extremely mature person,” Atkinson said. “He gets it. He’s got great veteran support, not just coaches, but vets who explain to him what it looks like, and we have these discussions as a team. And it’s not just Jaylon, right? It’s other role players. It’s Keon. It’s Dennis. It’s just part of the situation when you have a lot of good players on your roster.”

Who knows how Harden’s broken right thumb will affect his role? For example, he probably won’t suit up for 35 minutes per night as he did in Thursday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks, as Mitchell and Evan Mobley also missed that game. It appears that Max Strus is on track to make a comeback at some point.

With Mitchell suffering a groin problem, Ellis suffering a fractured left index finger, Schroder suffering a sprained left ankle and Dean Wade suffering a right ankle injury, Tyson will need to return to his pre-trade duties. It’s a constant push and pull.

But whatever is required of him, Tyson will keep his head down and do whatever is asked of him to help the Cavs win.

“I feel like it’s just part of the NBA,” Tyson said. “Unless you’re a superstar, your role is going to change, and I think the best role players adapt to that. It’s something I’ve had to learn to do. I don’t mind that, OK, because obviously, I just want to win. James is here, he wants to win.

“I want to be a member to help him win and get that ring; the city of Cleveland, Donovan, everybody. I want to be a member to help them.”