標籤: showed

The Denver Nuggets were at their best in a 103–84 win over the Boston Celtics, improving their record to 37–22 for the season. Nikola Jokic delivered 30 points, 12 rebounds and six assists as the Celtics suffered an overall poor shooting night, converting only 34.9% of their total field goal attempts.

Regardless, Tim Hardaway Jr. was involved in a ridiculous moment during the post-game press conference. Hardaway Jr.’s press conference was attended by only one reporter, Rachel Strand of ClutchPoints, with the announcer initially canvassing the room for questions.

Tim Hardaway Jr.’s press conference was 20 seconds long, and I wasn’t about to stop him 🙂 (The ones asking good questions were in the locker room, by the way) #milehighbasketball pic.twitter.com/gP4PxnOI8r

– Rachel Strand (@MileHighRachel) 26 February 2026

“Is anyone back there?” he said, before Hardaway Jr. tried to end the conference.

“Well, you all had a great evening. All good? All good? All right,” she said, getting up, when the announcer once again nudged Strand to ask his question.

“No, it’s okay. I think everyone was in the locker room,” Strand commented on a post on X.

“Tim Hardaway Jr.’s press conference was 20 seconds long, and I couldn’t stop him 🔥 (well the ones asking good questions were in the locker room) #MileHighBasketball,” she wrote later, clearly seeing the funny side of things.

The Nuggets held the Celtics to a season-low 84 points, outrebounded Boston 54–48 (including 14 offensive boards) and dominated the paint by a 42–28 margin. Boston was limited to just 36 points in the second half, generating 11 of 17 rebounds.

Hardaway Jr. played a key role himself, coming off the bench and dropping 14 points on 5-9 shooting, the second-highest total for Denver in the game. Jokic’s 30 points came despite an overall average shooting night as he went 11-28 from the field, while Julian Strother and Cameron Johnson added 12 and 11 points, respectively.

On the other hand, with Jayson Tatum sidelined, Jaylen Brown scored 23 points on 21 attempts, while Derrick White added 20 points and six rebounds. Neemias Queta was the third and final Boston player to finish in double figures with 10 points.

Paolo Banchero capped the Orlando Magic’s four-game Western Conference road trip with a 36-point performance in a 110-109 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, but his impact extended beyond scoring. In consecutive matchups against Kawhi Leonard and Luka Doncic, Banchero took over the primary defensive duties, highlighting his ability as an elite two-way player.

Wendell Carter Jr., who recorded 20 points, 11 rebounds and two assists in 36 minutes – including the game-winning putback – praised Banchero’s defensive focus and competitiveness.

“Man, when P gets locked in defensively he’s one of the best in this league. In my opinion he has the potential to be one of the best two-way players to play this game. He had two big challenges the other night with Kawhi and then tonight with Luka. He accepted that challenge. When he’s in that mode, when he’s locked in, man, it unlocks his team and takes us to another level.”

On Sunday, Leonard scored 37 points against Orlando, adding eight rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks, while shooting 14 of 25 from the field. Two nights later, Doncic faced a more disruptive defensive presence from the Magic. The Lakers star finished with 22 points, 15 assists and nine rebounds, but shot 8-for-24 from the field and 2-for-10 from 3-point range while committing two turnovers.

Wendell Carter Jr. on Paolo Banchero’s defense this season:

“When P is off defensively, he’s one of the best in this league. He has the potential to be one of the best two-way players ever…When he’s in that mode, it takes us to another level.” pic.twitter.com/qHDu8BIgJ6

– Julian Ojeda (@jowepafm) 25 February 2026

Paolo Banchero accepts the challenge of protecting elite scorers

Banchero addressed the defensive responsibility of protecting leading scorers throughout the league.

“Yeah, I think it’s just me, you know, accepting the challenge. You know, I think a lot of times, you know, coaches want to, you know, have some better players to guard a guy. They don’t have to expend as much energy. But, you know, getting Jalen out, Franz out, they’re our two best perimeter defenders. And so I know I’ve got to step up on that side of the ball. And I’m a big I feel like I’m a good defender, especially on one on, guarding big guys, big guards.”

He acknowledged the difficulty of controlling the stars but emphasized effort and physicality.

Paolo on defending Kawhi Leonard, Luka Doncic in the last two games:

“With Jalen and Franz out, I know I have to step up. I’m a big guy, I can step up. You can’t stop guys like that, but you can be tough on them – make them miss some, force them to work.” pic.twitter.com/HMurC2OMrI

– Julian Ojeda (@jowepafm) 25 February 2026

“And so guarding guys like that, you can’t stop them from scoring, but you can get your heart on them, make them miss some shots, just make them expend a lot of energy. So that’s just what I’m trying to do. Kawhi obviously had a big night, but getting some stops and making it difficult and, you know, seeing him as a great player and just a creator with the ball in his hands, you know, he just Know what my body is trying to show you, be there when it’s trying to show off, pretend.

Banchero’s offensive output remained steady. Against the Lakers, he added 10 rebounds and six assists while shooting 12 of 22 from the field and 10 of 11 from the free-throw line in 38 minutes.

Magic cover Luka Doncic as Banchero delivers late against Lakers

Head coach Jamahl Mosley emphasized the collective challenge of defending Doncic while highlighting Banchero’s timely shot making.

“Listen, sometimes when he shoots, you just have to hope it doesn’t go in. Because he’s so good and when the game was on the line, he took the big three that put them up by three. And Paolo comes back and hits one. As soon as he goes up in a corner, you know it’s good because that’s what he did. I’ve seen him do it. He did it when we were in Dallas when we played in Portland. I did the same thing. Saw the perfect shot. So you just have to keep mixing up the coverages against him, make it tough, try your best to make it without fouls, and just keep making it tough against him.”

Orlando limited Doncic’s efficiency, holding him below his season average of 32.5 points. With the win, the Magic improved to 31–26 and had road wins over both Los Angeles teams in the same season for the first time since 2012–13.

The Magic return home on Thursday to begin a four-game homestand against the Houston Rockets (35-21). As Orlando continues its push into the Eastern Conference standings, Banchero’s willingness to defend elite scorers while carrying the offensive load underscores the franchise cornerstone’s growing two-way ceiling.