標籤: Suns

A new rumor suggests the Phoenix Suns will make a summer trade for the talented but troubled two-time All-Star to pair with Devin Booker next season.

The Suns’ season isn’t over yet, and if they can beat the Golden State Warriors in their play-in game tonight they have a chance to secure a playoff spot this month. However, if they are victorious, no one is expecting Phoenix to make a deep run in the postseason. Especially after they lost their first play-in game to the Portland Trail Blazers earlier this week.

No matter what happened Friday night, it was still a positive season for the Suns. Despite firing head coach Mike Budenholzer, trading Kevin Durant, and releasing Bradley Beal in the offseason, the team actually won nine more games under new head coach Jordan Ott. Still, more impactful talent is needed if this team is to take another step forward in 2026-27.

Will the Phoenix Suns pursue a Ja Morant trade this summer?

Under the leadership of owner Matt Ishbia, the Suns have shown a willingness to be bold in improving the team. Well, a new rumor suggests they may make a risky move to bring in an extremely talented player this offseason. According to Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, Phoenix is ​​emerging as the early favorite to make a summer trade for Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant. The other team is believed to be the Sacramento Kings.

The Suns lacked another meaningful player-creator this season. This forced Devin Booker to assume the role of not only their primary scorer, but their top facilitator. Morant will certainly ease the burden of both scoring and playmaking for Booker and could create a dangerous backcourt duo.

However, one comes with potential business risks. Morant’s value is at an all-time low, which is good for the Suns. But this is due to the off-court trouble he can cause and serious injury problems over the past few seasons. Many people associated with the sport felt that due to his injury problems he would never be able to return to the player he was.

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

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the reigning NBA Finals and regular season MVP, Luka Doncic leads the league in scoring and Victor Wembanyama is the face of a dramatic franchise revival. But make no mistake, Nikola Jokic still has a strong case for being the best player in the NBA today. He reinforced that on Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns.

The Denver Nuggets superstar hit a bucket near the lower half of the free-throw circle with 11.5 seconds remaining, giving his team a 125-123 win at the Mortgage Matchup Center.

Jokic didn’t have his greatest scoring night – finishing with 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting – but he stepped up in the game’s most important moment. The future Hall of Fame center also posted 17 rebounds and 17 assists to record his 29th triple-double of the season. Despite facing more tough defenses recently, he has continued to make a terrifying impact on the court.

Clutch!

Nikola Jokic with a clutch bucket inside to win the game for Denver

pic.twitter.com/Y7sjzdM6Mt

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 25 March 2026

The 2023 Finals MVP and three-time regular season MVP knows what his role is on this team. He’s a brilliant playmaker, but the Nuggets are also relying on him to score at will. Jokic himself will admit that Denver did not have a chance to eliminate last year’s NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder due to poor shooting performance in the middle part of the Western Conference semi-finals. He intends to maintain his excellent form and strong health after this season.

The Nuggets are deeper than they have been since winning the title – Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 18 off the bench against the Suns – but the offense runs through Nikola Jokic. How he handles pressure will determine how dangerous this team is in 2026.

He certainly performed in The Desert. Ideally, No. 15 won’t have to play hero when Denver (45-28) hosts the lackluster Dallas Mavericks (23-49) on Wednesday.

Recently, the Denver Nuggets got a boost when wing Peyton Watson returned to the lineup for their game against the Portland Trail Blazers at home. Denver won that game in spectacular fashion, with Watson finishing the night with 14 points in limited action off the bench.

The Nuggets will next take the field on Tuesday night for a road game against the Phoenix Suns, but unfortunately, Watson will be held out of this matchup due to hamstring injury management, as indicated by the latest official NBA injury report.

It’s certainly understandable that the Nuggets would want to be cautious in getting Watson back into the lineup amid an injury that kept him out of the lineup for nearly a month. For a time, both Watson and fellow Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon were sidelined with hamstring injuries, Gordon’s second such ailment of the season, and third in the past year, tied to the 2025 playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

When healthy this season, Watson has established himself as a key part of the Nuggets rotation, showing an improved offensive game and helping Denver hold down the fort in the absence of Nikola Jokic due to a knee injury.

He has the potential to significantly increase his value in the restricted free agent market this upcoming offseason, with some fans expecting him to take over Cameron Johnson’s starting job amid his struggles.

The Nuggets are currently tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves for fourth place in the Western Conference, and two games behind the Los Angeles Lakers for the third seed.

Denver’s game against the Suns on Tuesday night kicks off at 11:00 PM ET from Phoenix.

The Toronto Raptors have fallen in the Eastern Conference standings, as they have failed to keep up with the top four teams in the conference. A loss like the 120-98 defeat to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night won’t do much to further their cause. In fact, it’s a big concern for the Raptors that they failed to perform against a team that was dominant for the second night in a row, never mind that the game was held at the Mortgage Matchup Center.

The entire team wasn’t very good on Sunday, the main culprit being Brandon Ingram. Ingram scored only six points on 3-10 shooting from the field, while Immanuel Quickley (11 points on 4-9 shooting) and RJ Barrett (13 points on 5-8 shooting) weren’t very good either. But for backup point guard Jamal Sheed, another bad game is a continuation of what is already becoming a worrisome trend.

Sheed has struggled throughout the calendar month of March; The Raptors guard is averaging just 3.3 points on 27.3 percent shooting from the field. Anyway, Scotty Barnes has the support of his peers completely.

“[I would tell him to] Just stay aggressive. Our team, we believe in him. He comes down the slope and creates a lot for us. We know he’ll be able to do that every night. He’s going to come in to play defense. I think that’s what we’re focused on,” Barnes said in his postgame presser, via Omar Osman of Raptors Updates.

“He’ll find it. Gotta trust him.”

Scotty Barnes on Jamal Sheed’s recent offensive struggles, and what he would tell Jamal:

“Just stay aggressive. Our team, we believe in that.”

“He’ll find it. Gotta trust him.” pic.twitter.com/Ak5c2ujb1a

– Omer Osman (@OmerOsman200) 23 March 2026

Sheed has been a huge part of what the Raptors are doing this season, and it would be foolish to suddenly lose confidence in him during a difficult stretch. But with Toronto dangerously close to falling into the play-in tournament picture, Shead and the rest of the team will have to figure it out quickly.

In just three seasons, Victor Wembanyama has led the San Antonio Spurs back into playoff position after his game-winning performance against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night.

Wembanyama has achieved superstar status as the face of the Spurs franchise. The team has not reached the postseason since 2019, a drought that the young star center looks to end this season.

Luckily, San Antonio is enjoying its best season so far in 2020. They have a distinguished campaign ahead as the team is in the top position of the Western Conference, needing one more win to seal their ticket.

Wembanyama answered the call during San Antonio’s clash with Phoenix. With 10 seconds left on the game clock, he took the ball inbounds and hit the game-winning shot from mid-range to seal his team’s spot in the playoffs.

Wembley calls game for the Spurs 👽

They sent San Antonio to the playoffs for the first time since 2019!pic.twitter.com/X5BeZmjcXE

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 20 March 2026

Victor Wembanyama, how Spurs played against the Suns

Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs will be looking forward to their playoff journey together. Beating the Suns in game-winning fashion was the cherry on top.

Four players scored in double figures for San Antonio in the win, including Wembanyama. He finished with a stat line of 34 points, 12 rebounds, three steals, one assist and one block. He made 10 of 20 shots from the field, including 2 of 7 from beyond the arc and 12 of 12 from the free-throw line. De’Aaron Fox came in next with 23 points and seven rebounds, Julian Champagne had 14 points and two blocks, while Devin Vassell added 12 points and two assists.

San Antonio improved to a 52–18 record on the season and finished second in the Western Conference standings. They are above the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves, while trailing the Oklahoma City Thunder.

With four consecutive wins, Spurs will look forward to their next encounter at home. They will host the Indiana Pacers as tip-off takes place on March 21 at 8 PM ET.

The Houston Rockets lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in back-to-back meetings, going 4-6 in their last 10 games. Kevin Durant and company will need to regroup quickly if they want to avoid missing the playoffs.

The Rockets had no answer for the duo of Luka Doncic and LeBron James on Wednesday as they held off the Lakers for a 124-116 win at Toyota Center.

Los Angeles outscored Houston 35–24 in the fourth quarter, earning its seventh consecutive win and making the score 44–25.

Kevin Durant was held to just 18 points on 11 shots. He had six rebounds, four assists and two steals. The Athletic’s Law Murray pointed to a rare example involving Durant.

“Four Rockets attempted more field goals than Kevin Durant in the fourth quarter tonight vs. the Lakers,” Murray wrote on X.

“They’re a tribute to the 2024 (Phoenix) Suns.”

Durant had only two shots in the final period, with Alpern Sengun, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason all having more attempts.

During his tenure with the Suns, Durant often shared contact with Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen, and Eric Gordon. The two-time Finals MVP averaged 18.5 attempts in Phoenix.

However, as The Athletic’s Will Guillory reports, Durant didn’t make a big issue of his lack of shots in the final quarter against the Lakers.

“It’s a team game. I’m getting two shots, it doesn’t matter. We’ve had six guys with double-digit shot attempts, and guys were pretty efficient tonight as well. I don’t think it’s a talking point,” the veteran forward said.

He averages 17.7 attempts with the Rockets.

They’ll look to bounce back on Friday against the Atlanta Hawks.

The Minnesota Timberwolves face the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night and Anthony Edwards is once again at the center of the injury report. The Timberwolves have ruled out Edwards because of right knee soreness, putting the focus on Minnesota’s franchise star as the team looks to bounce back from a recent loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Minnesota enters the matchup at 41-27, No. 6 in the Western Conference. The Suns, meanwhile, are 39-29, in 7th place in the West and looking to end a two-game losing streak. With both teams battling for a playoff position, Edwards’ absence could significantly impact the outcome.

Edwards has been the focal point of Minnesota’s offense this season. Through 58 games, he is averaging 29.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting 49.2 percent from the field. He is also converting an efficient 40.2 percent from three-point range and 79.6 percent from the free-throw line. Additionally, the All-Star guard contributed 1.4 steals and 0.8 blocks per game, showcasing his two-way impact.

When Edwards is on the floor, the Timberwolves operate with far more offensive firepower. His ability to create shots from all three levels and take over possession late in the game makes him one of the most dynamic scorers in the league.

Anthony Edwards injury status vs. Suns

The Timberwolves’ injury report includes several additional names. Additionally, Jon Beringer, Enrique Freeman, Julian Phillips and Zion Pullin are out on G League assignment. Meanwhile, Naz Reed is listed as questionable with a right shoulder injury.

As far as Phoenix is ​​concerned, the Suns have not yet submitted their official injury report.

Still, Edwards’ absence remains the biggest story in this matchup. Minnesota will try to regroup without its leading scorer. Additionally, Phoenix will look to take advantage and break their losing streak.

So, when the question comes whether Anthony Edwards is playing tonight against the Suns, the answer is no. Pain in his right knee will sideline him. As a result, the Timberwolves will need to adjust. This remains an important Western Conference matchup.

As Jayson Tatum recovered from his Achilles injury, every NBA superstar praised him. For Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, his reaction was no different.

That is his makeup. This is his DNA. That’s his perspective,” Booker said via AZCentral’s Duane Rankin on X (formerly Twitter). “Someone I’ve looked up to for a really long time since he was in 6th and 7th grade.

“I’m watching him grow into a champion. What he’s accomplished at such a young age is inspiring, even if it’s small. I’m happy to see him back out there.”

When Tatum first came out with an injury, many thought he would not return for the season. But as time progressed, it began to look more likely that the Boston Celtics forward would make his season debut in 2025-26.

But a few weeks ago, he was watching the Celtics beat the Suns 97-81 on Feb. 24. Now, Tatum will face off against Phoenix for the first time all year.

Devin Booker and Jayson Tatum share mutual respect

Both players were part of the 2024 USA Basketball men’s national team that captured the gold medal. Although Tatum didn’t get a lot of playing time, being a part of a roster like this is quite an accomplishment.

Booker, meanwhile, was the unsung MVP for that team, and something that the Boston star could have been for an Olympic team one day.

Either way, the focus remains on the 2025-26 season, and where the Celtics have a legitimate chance to win the Eastern Conference and make a run for an NBA championship.

It’s not that common for rookies to make a team better defensively. Enter Phoenix Suns first-year players Rasheer Fleming and Khaman Maluch. Both of them have received immense support and praise from head coach Jordan Ott.

Ever since the Suns selected Maluach and Fleming in the 2025 NBA Draft, they have seen the potential. Both have the defensive abilities to switch, play pick-and-roll, and play bigger than their respective sizes.

As a result, this has allowed Ott to experiment and be creative. There may be offensive limitations, but the defensive promise far outweighs any shortcomings on the other end.

For example, they had a lineup at the five on small ball with Royce O’Neal, Collin Gillespie, Jordan Goodwin, Jalen Green, and Fleming.

It’s an extremely small sample size, but that lineup posted an offensive rating of 141.7 and a defensive rating of 100 in just six minutes.

Will this lineup achieve a net rating of 41.7 every time it’s on the court? Probably not, but it’s a good metric to assess and see what the potential might be.

Fleming’s 7’5 wingspan and 9’1 vertical reach make him the ideal small-ball center. Not to mention, his physicality and athleticism far exceeds that of a typical rookie.

Again, the numbers are small, but it seems like Ott is optimistic about moving forward with it based on the scenario.

“Both games (vs. Milwaukee and Indiana), it felt great,” Ott explained via AZCentral’s Duane Rankin on Twitter (formerly Twitter). “When to really get near it. Facing massive pullouts again.”

“Some of the challenges we’re having with guarding those guys with our bigger players are new. Just new situations that (7-foot freshman Khaman Maluach) has been in. Thought we were able to respond in the game to try to find another way to get a win on the road.”

Defensive combo of Rasheer Fleming + Khaman Maluach = Jordan Ott for the Suns

Again, Fleming and Maluach, being rookies and picking up minutes, may have some skeptics, but they have earned their fair share of respect from their teammates and coaches.

Tireless work, playing with the G-League Valley Suns and constantly staying prepared are all parts of the process that helped him get here. Eventually, the Suns relied on Fleming and Maluach by trading Nigel Hayes-Davies and Nick Richards at the trade deadline.

While part of this was for salary cap purposes, it shows the confidence the organization and the entire team have in these two rookies.

As for the former St. Joe’s forward, he has all the makings of an elite defensive player. As mentioned earlier, her mentality as well as physical gifts have attracted many people.

Even Suns teammates Grayson Allen and Colin Gillespie shared that Fleming’s ceiling is so high. Devin Booker noted Maluach as having high basketball skills for a center, and for a young man like himself.

Given where we are in the season, a contending team typically doesn’t aim to keep two rookies around for a significant amount of time. However, Ott appears to have a lot of offensive and defensive potential.

Trust is growing with teammates, lineup experiments are going well, and Maluach and Fleming seem to be playing freely.

Phoenix’s defensive rating is already the tenth-best in the association. The influx of lineup combinations could disrupt a set five-man unit. However, this may be a blessing in disguise because of the opportunity both Fleming and Maluach have.

Meaningful minutes and impacting the game on the defensive end with strong rim protection, perimeter defense and a never-ending hustle is exactly what Ott was good at — and it’s paying dividends.

On Tuesday evening, Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo etched his name in the history books with an 83-point outburst against the Washington Wizards. This spectacular performance passed the late Kobe Bryant for the second-highest scoring game in NBA history, behind only Wilt Chamberlain, who had 100.

After the Phoenix Suns’ win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday, Suns guard Collin Gillespie was asked about the historic night for Adebayo, and his answer raised eyebrows.

“I don’t really care,” Gillespie, formerly of X, said on Twitter, according to SunsWorldwide.

On Wednesday, Gillespie posted a tweet apologizing, writing, “No disrespect meant… It had nothing to do with our game or our team… It’s still a historic and great accomplishment for him.”

However, Gillespie has since deleted the post.

Heat fans have been quick to berate anyone attempting to provide context to Adebayo’s historic night on Tuesday, which included more than 40 free throw attempts, and the team kept the star well into garbage time in the game in pursuit of the record.

The final minutes of the game included a bizarre scene in which the Wizards were intentionally lining up Adebayo’s teammates to prevent him from scoring, while the Heat’s players were intentionally missing free throws to force Adebayo to foul on a rebounding action.

Whether this qualifies as a “moral” 83 points is certainly debatable, but Adebayo is now in the record books for his historic performance, which also led the Heat to their sixth consecutive win.

Miami is now in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, and essentially tied with the Toronto Raptors for fifth place, which is potentially as high as they could realistically be before the season ends.

In any case, Adebayo’s night will be long remembered.

The Phoenix Suns traveled to Fiserv Forum on Tuesday night to face the Milwaukee Bucks, who have won four of their last five games. This is despite the continued absence of both Grayson Allen and Dillon Brooks, with Phoenix relying on players like Devin Booker and Colin Gillespie to perform offensively in recent games.

Despite this, Allen sat out the Suns’ most recent game against Charlotte and once again found himself on the official injury list due to a right knee injury. He is listed as questionable along with Mark Williams and Brooks, who are both listed out.

The Bucks are a little better health-wise and are dealing with several absences, including Kevin Porter Jr.

Grayson Allen’s injury status vs. Bucks

Allen’s availability will be a game-time decision. The 30-year-old player has been a major contributor for the Suns this year, averaging 17.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. This makes him the third-highest scorer on the roster for Phoenix.

Early in the year, Allen exploded for a career-high 42 points and set a Suns franchise record with 10 three-pointers in a single game. He also became the fastest player in team history to make 100 threes in a season, doing so in just 31 games.

The Suns are currently 37-27 and 4-1 in their last five. They’re up against a team that has lost five of its last six and currently sits at 27-36. They suffered a brutal 130-91 loss against the Orlando Magic in their last game and need a quick turnaround in fortunes.

Phoenix is ​​averaging 112.1 points per game, while Milwaukee is averaging 111.1 points per game. The Suns have a slight rebounding edge at 43.4 rebounds per game compared to the Bucks’ 41.2. Regardless, with the Suns’ recent momentum and home advantage, Phoenix enters this game as the favorite.

sans injury report

Grayson Allen – Questionable (right knee injury management).

Jordan Goodwin – Available (left calf strain)

Dillon Brooks – Out (fractured left hand)

Mark Williams – out (third metatarsal stress reaction of left foot)

bucks injury report

Bobby Portis – questionable (thoracic spinal cord injury)

Taurean Prince – Questionable (recovery from neck surgery)

Jericho Sims – Questionable (right patella tendonitis)

Kevin Porter Jr. – Out (right knee synovitis)

Alex Antetokounmpo – Out (G League Two-Way)

Cormac Ryan – out (G League two-way)

The Phoenix Suns have won two games on a surge in the buildup to their trip to the Milwaukee Bucks and are 37-27 for the season, still tracking the top half of the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Bucks have lost five of their last six games, but they will get an unexpected boost in this match.

Taurean Prince, who last played for Milwaukee in November, is listed as questionable on the official injury report, an upgrade to ‘out’ status following his surgery. Prince played only eight games early in the season with what was initially described as a neck strain, later diagnosed as a herniated disc, an injury that ultimately required surgery on November 13.

Regardless, he has a chance to play against Phoenix, which can’t be said about Kevin Porter Jr., who is the only player the Bucks have listed out for this game. Meanwhile, the Suns still have Dillon Brooks out, while Jordan Goodwin is listed as questionable due to a left calf strain.

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Taurean Prince’s injury status vs. Suns

The veteran forward is listed as questionable after neck surgery, putting him in line for a possible return after missing nearly four months and 55 consecutive games. Prince has been working out on the court during practice and shootarounds in recent weeks, but there was little indication that a return to play is imminent.

If he dresses on Tuesday night, it will be his first NBA appearance since Milwaukee’s Nov. 4 loss to the Toronto Raptors. Last season, he missed 43.9% of his three-point attempts on 4.2 attempts per game, which ranked third best in the NBA among qualified shooters.

The Bucks enter the matchup with a 27-36 record and come into this game coming off a lopsided 130-91 loss to the Orlando Magic. Phoenix enter the competition in much better form.

The Suns have won four of their last five games and their outlook is much better than in recent weeks in terms of injuries. They will be looking to continue the recent momentum for another outright win.

bucks injury report

Alex Antetokounmpo – Out (G League Two-Way)

Kevin Porter Jr. – Out (right knee synovitis)

Taurean Prince – Questionable (recovery from neck surgery)

Cormac Ryan – out (G League two-way)

sans injury report

Grayson Allen – Questionable (right knee injury management).

Jordan Goodwin – doubtful (left calf strain)

Dillon Brooks – Out (fractured left hand)

Mark Williams – out (third metatarsal stress reaction of left foot)

PHOENIX – Inside the chaotic nature of the NBA season lies a Duke basketball family tone. Players in the program constantly refer to it as ‘brotherhood,’ and no one feels it quite like Phoenix Suns rookie Khaman Malooch.

Duke has a high level of success, consistency and a legitimate championship expectation every year, and one Maluach believes is more than attainable in the 2025-26 campaign.

“I don’t think there’s anyone here (on the Suns) that’s gone to a school that’s actually going to win the (NCAA men’s basketball) national championship,” Maluch joked to ClutchPoints in an exclusive interview before Sunday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets.

“Whether it’s Kentucky, or Michigan, or Villanova, or Marquette.”

As soon as Maluch mentioned Marquette, fellow center Oso Ighodaro, who went to Marquette, looked at him and repeated, “What did you say?” Maluch kept his comments to himself, but he let out a light laugh shortly thereafter.

Khaman Malooch’s journey with Duke basketball

Let’s take a trip back one calendar year.

The No. 10 overall pick spent only one season with the Blue Devils. Maluch played in 39 games and averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 21.2 minutes per game.

He was primarily the third or fourth option behind Cooper Flagg, Con Knueppel and sometimes Tyrese Proctor. They lost to the eventual runner-up, the Houston Cougars, in the Final Four in one of the premier basketball games of that year.

Although some thought he would stay with head coach John Scheyer for one more season, Maluch decided to join the NBA.

His rookie season did not go like other seasons, where the Suns’ center depth prevented him from finding solid playing time. Still, he worked diligently with G-League affiliate Valley Suns and made the most of his first NBA moment.

Ultimately patience won. He has not been named the starter, but has received consistent minutes for the first time in his NBA career. No matter when his name was called, Maluach relied on Scheyer’s lessons to maintain his optimism.

“He taught us a lot off the basketball court and on the basketball court (lessons),” Maluch told ClutchPoints. He really walked us through basketball and what we needed to do to get drafted. We followed him and the recipe worked.

“It’s just being a good person off the basketball court, too, and just respecting each other. It’s just simple things that they really put a lot of emphasis on.”

Khaman Maluach’s time with Duke aided his Sons’ success

Luckily for Maluach, he has a fellow Duke alumnus on the Suns in Grayson Allen. Granted, they played in two completely different eras: Allen with head coach Mike Krzyzewski and Maluach with Scheyer.

Allen’s tenure was highlighted by the 2015 national championship win. Maluach was not as lucky, but he got close to the top of the mountain.

The one common denominator between those two teams? The winning culture remains the same. For guys who have won national championships or been part of those programs, their habits translate immediately to the NBA.

The Suns’ front office put their eggs in the Maluach basket after dealing third-string center Nick Richards at the trade deadline.

He got his first chance on Thursday against the Chicago Bulls. It was a tough performance, posting only two points, four rebounds and four turnovers in 12 minutes. 24 hours later, a completely different story. He posted a career-high five blocks, which currently leads all rookies for most blocks in a game. He had four points and four rebounds with one assist. But it was confidence that came through.

On Sunday, he had four points, nine rebounds, two blocks and a +10 in the box score.

While Jordan Ott’s system can be difficult to learn, as well as the players’ tendencies, figuring out the mental game is quite a struggle. It was that element of play that Scheyer instilled into Maluch’s DNA.

“It was really similar to the NBA. Not game-wise, but preparation, mental preparation,” Maluch said of the instincts he picked up from ClutchPoints. Whether it’s food or habits, it’s really similar to the NBA. It really prepared me for this.”

Khaman Malouch knows Duke basketball is in good shape

Exactly a year ago, the Blue Devils won the ACC Tournament and made the Final Four. With the trio of Flagg, Knueppel and Maluach, the three-headed monster did everything they could.

In fact, Maluach was in rarefied air with Duke basketball during that tournament, making the run to Houston seem like a cake walk. Since all those players left, it was believed the program needed to take a step back.

Other awards include freshman Cameron Boozer, who has a legitimate case for AP Player of the Year. Guys like Isaiah Evans and Patrick Ngongba have lifted the Blue Devils up all season.

As a result, they are in great position entering their respective conference tournaments. With a cumulative 29-4 record and arguably the best team, they have a case to win it all.

Anything can happen, but Duke looks like a favorite to win the ACC.

Although the Suns will be on a six-game road trip during the ACC Tournament and March Madness, Maluch will be eyeing any moment and is confident of bringing home a national championship.

“They really have what it takes to win everything,” Maluach told ClutchPoints. “They’re really high on my list, (they’re) my number one on my list, so I’m really ready for the whole month of March, and I’m rooting for Duke as always.”

The Charlotte Hornets’ 10-game winning streak ended after a 111–99 loss to the Phoenix Suns. Charlotte had not lost on the road since January 17 against the Golden State Warriors, but suffered losses at the hands of Devin Booker, Jalen Green and Collin Gillespie, who scored 30, 24 and 24 points, respectively.

For Charlotte, LaMelo Ball had 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists, going 9-19 from the field. That performance means Ball is now only the 8th player in the NBA to average at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists in 100 games before the age of 25, which is the most in franchise history, according to a post on X by ESPN Insights.

LaMelo Ball has 100 games scoring at least 20 PTS, 5 REB and 5 AST, the most in Hornets history.

He is only the 8th player in NBA history to play 100 such games before the age of 25.

Others include LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Oscar Robertson, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Magic… pic.twitter.com/T3KLyL8lJ2

– ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) 9 March 2026

Others to accomplish this feat include some current and future greats, including LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Oscar Robertson, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Magic Johnson, meaning Ball finds himself in truly elite company. Despite this, the Hornets started the game fast, making 9 of their first 11 shots and shooting 36% from the field for the rest of the game.

Booker had a double-double, as well as adding 10 assists despite shooting only 1-6 from beyond the arc. He converted all 15 of his free throw attempts while the Hornets made 10 of their 15 free throw attempts on the night.

Rookie Rasheer Fleming added 16 points off the bench, including four three-pointers. Phoenix has now won four of its last five games, despite Dillon Brooks, Mark Williams and Grayson Allen being sidelined with injuries.

Kon Knueppel had a particularly poor game from the three-point zone, making only two of his eight attempts and finishing with 15 points and four assists. For Charlotte, the other leading scorers were Miles Bridges and Brandon Miller, who had 16 and 11 points, respectively.

The loss pushed the Hornets below the .500 mark with a 32–33 record, good for No. 10 in the Eastern Conference. Their next match will be against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Meanwhile, the Suns improved to 37-27 for the season and will next visit the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Chicago Bulls face a tough challenge against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday in their first of a five-game road trip. How could they win without Matas Buzzellis and Josh Giddy in the lineup due to ankle sprains?

Well, they put on their shoes and got the job done. The Bulls won 105–103. Overall, they won by taking advantage of each other’s strengths. As a result, everyone stepped forward and played a role.

Later, Colin Sexton pointed to the strategy without Bouzelis and Giddy.

“This game meant a lot because we knew we had to be the first one to throw a punch and be the more physical team,” Sexton said.

“We all had the mentality of being the next man up. Josh and Matus, they were out. So we had to be ready. We had big shoes to fill and everyone had to step up.”

Additionally, he noted some of the actions of his teammates that led to the Bulls victory. Overall, Sexton credited Nick Richards, Isaac Okoro, Yuki Kawamura, Leonard Miller, Trey Jones and Gershon Yabusele.

“Nick played really well,” Sexton said. “Isaac played really good defense. Yuki came in and gave us big minutes. Leonard came in. Trey, he had a big-time play. Yabu had big threes. Everybody had a part in this win, and everybody was ready when their name was called.”

Talk to them, Young Bull 🐂 https://t.co/RVQLQRIpoz pic.twitter.com/yAvbeC7gTo

– Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) 6 March 2026

Sexton finished with a game-high 30 points and five assists. In the end, the Bulls won their second match out of the last three. This February is coming without a win.

The Chicago Bulls will visit the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night. Josh Giddy and Matas Buzelis are listed as questionable on the NBA injury report. Both are recovering from ankle sprains suffered Tuesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Giddy came out briefly but then returned to finish with a double-double of 14 points and 10 assists. Meanwhile, Buzzellis came out, but did not return. Here’s everything we know about Josh Giddy and Matas Buzelis’ injuries and their game status vs. the Suns.

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Josh Giddy and Matas Buzelis’ injury status vs. Suns

Given that Giddy and Bouzelis are listed as questionable, the assumption is that both will be out against the Suns. Giddy, in particular, has been a fixture on the injury report recently. He most recently missed eleven games from late December to January with a left hamstring strain. Subsequently, head coach Billy Donovan placed Giddy on a minutes restriction as he worked his way back into the lineup.

Their first game was on January 22 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Giddy scored 21 points, including 18 in the first half, six rebounds and five assists in the 120–115 victory.

Giddy is averaging 17.7 points, 8.4 assists and 8.2 rebounds per game.

Meanwhile, Bouzelis has remained largely safe from injury. Additionally, he is coming off of playing in the NBA Rising Stars Game during All-Star Weekend. He has remained focused on winning above anything else, even though the Bulls were winless in February.

Bouzelis is averaging 15.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

So when the question comes up about whether Josh Giddy and Matas Buzelis are playing against the Suns tonight, the answer is probably yes.

oxen injury report

Matus Buzzellis (right ankle sprain) – doubtful

Josh Giddy (right ankle sprain) – doubtful

Jadney Ivey (left patellofemoral pain syndrome)-out

Effernie Simmons (left ulnar styloid; fracture) – Outside

Jalen Smith (right calf strain) – Questionable.

Patrick Williams (right quadricep strain) – Questionable

sans injury report

Dillon Brooks (fractured left hand)-Out

Jordan Goodwin (left calf strain)-out

Mark Williams (left foot pain)-out

The NBA Executive of the Year is typically awarded to the league’s best team, as evidenced by Sam Presti, general manager of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2024–25 season. But don’t tell that to Phoenix Suns GM Brian Gregory.

The latter has completely transformed Phoenix after a 2024-25 offseason where there were a lot of questions. What will happen with Kevin Durant? What about Bradley Beal’s impending contract? Will Devin Booker commit to Phoenix?

He answered all those questions, but appeared to rebuild the culture through alignment in just a few months. While alignment was the focus of every joke about Gregory, his eyes were set on a complete 180-degree change.

Thunder’s Sam Presti being compared to Suns’ Brian Gregory’s offseason

Presti made two of the most impactful moves that season with Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein. Those two alone showed how impressive and deep Oklahoma City was heading into the 2024-25 season, thanks to Presti’s knack for finding talent and fits. The 64-win season ended with an NBA Finals victory.

It highlighted that building through the draft, finding and developing the right players and coaches, and establishing culture in addition to finding fit, was the ultimate mix for sustained success.

As soon as they were in the Finals, Phoenix began preparing for the 2025 NBA Draft. He didn’t have the best draft capital after the Suns traded their only guaranteed draft pick in 2031 to the Utah Jazz for a three-first pick.

However, these three selections were the least favorable among the three teams (essentially, the team with the best record is the selection that Phoenix would get). Leading up to the draft, Gregory’s collegiate expertise stood out.

They had a few draft picks, but when the Suns traded for Kevin Durant, Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks and several second-round picks for the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 draft, they acquired a big pick.

That first-round pick was used to draft Duke center Khaman Maluach. Then the first-year general manager put on his scouting cap and found two pieces of the future in Rasheer Fleming and Coby Brea.

Gregory called the latter “the best college shooter of the last three years.” And for Fleming, his defense, shooting and unreal athleticism were in line with his vision.

All the while, they traded for former Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams on draft day. The 23-year-old big man was made the team’s starting center, and it seemed like a low-risk, high-reward move.

But about two weeks ago, the Suns hired Jordan Ott, causing a lot of doubt because of the potential Michigan State tie between him, Gregory and owner Matt Ishbia.

Nonetheless, the GM mentioned that the organization conducted dozens of interviews to find the right person. He even called in outside sources to hear a different perspective.

Hiring the future coach, selecting future key players and establishing a long-term culture were all accomplished within a month.

How has the Suns regular season been vs. the Thunders regular season?

As for the Thunder, they have not surprised anyone with their dominance. At the beginning of the year, they were potentially trying to break the Golden State Warriors’ record for most wins in a season (73).

They came back down to earth, but Oklahoma City’s dominance shocked everyone. A dynasty seems to be emerging, but before we analyze it, let’s go back to January 4th.

A nearly healthy Suns team defeats the Thunder as game winners. The last two meetings did not go Phoenix’s way, but they were filled with stars returning from injury (Devin Booker) or being out due to injury.

A game is not equal why should Gregory win over Presti? If it were so, it would be inconsistent. That Sunday night was a microcosm of what the Suns GM has built: a gritty, physical, defensive-minded and connected team.

Someone in particular who has changed the culture is Brooks. He changed the culture wherever he went, even during his time with the Memphis Grizzlies.

After almost being traded to Phoenix in 2018, it was a full-circle moment when he was traded. Playing with Booker has enhanced both of their games, but Brooks has taken his game to another level.

There is more offensive responsibility and liability in this, which he has performed well. Averaging over 20 points per game and shooting nearly 70% at the rim is impressive.

His unorthodox attacking play has thrown defenders out of their rhythm. Even with Booker and Green out, Brooks has agreed to be the preferred option, which he cited following the 2024-25 first-round series with the Golden State Warriors.

Through the All-Star break, Oklahoma City had 42 wins compared to Phoenix’s 32. The Thunder’s dominance was expected, but the Suns’ surprise was something that took many by surprise.

What has Brian Gregory done for the Suns since the All-Star break?

The moves haven’t stopped since the backend of the season began. The team gave Green a long-term return, even as he worked extra hard for his hamstring recovery.

Additionally, the Suns signed running back Haywood Highsmith to a two-year waiver deal and gave two-way player Jamari Bouia a contract extension.

With Green out, Bouia, in particular, has been a nice contribution. Another guard above the rim who can create his own shot. Meanwhile, Highsmith brings the defensive intensity and versatility that Gregory has preached since taking over the job.

Injuries have kept the team from showing what they can look like when the trio of Booker, Brooks and Green remain healthy. However, Phoenix has maintained its hold on the court even without these three.

If the success continues, Gregory should hoist the Executive of the Year award based on the team’s turnaround, navigating the free agent market and making the most of the Durant trade and landing a player who aligns with the culture.

Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings will face each other on Tuesday night. Devin Booker is dealing with a hip injury. Is Sans Tara playing tonight?

On February 21, it was reported that Booker would miss at least a week of action. It’s been over 10 days now, so is Booker ready to return? Here’s everything we know about Devin Booker’s injury status for tonight’s game vs. the Kings.

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Devin Booker’s injury status vs. Kings

Booker is not listed on the NBA injury report. Barring any potential setbacks, Booker is expected to be available against the Kings.

Phoenix will enter the game with a 34-26 record. The Suns are in seventh place in the Western Conference standings. The Kings are 14-48 and in last place in the West.

Phoenix is ​​in a good position to pick up a win. Booker’s expected return further reinforces that statement.

When it comes to the question of whether Devin Booker is playing tonight against the Kings, the answer is yes.

sans injury report

With Devin Booker available, the Suns have four players listed on the injury report.

• Khaman Malooch (right thumb sprain): Out
• Dillon Brooks (fractured left hand): Out
• Jordan Goodwin (left calf strain): out

Kings injury report

There are injury reports for six Kings players.

• Domantas Sabonis (left knee meniscus repair): outside
• Zach LaVine (left 5th finger tendon repair): out
• Dylan Cardwell (left ankle sprain): out
• De’Andre Hunter (retinal repair of left eye): out
• Keegan Murray (sprained left ankle): Out
• Isaiah Stevens (G League Two-Way): Out

Earlier this week, the Phoenix Suns opted to shake things up by waiving guard Cole Anthony, who the team acquired in a recent trade with the Milwaukee Bucks. The move was relatively surprising for a Suns team that is currently low on perimeter scoring, with both Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks sidelined.

Now, more details are emerging on Anthony’s post-verdict move.

“The Suns are converting Jamari Bouia from his two-way deal to a standard contract after waiving Cole Anthony,” ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel, formerly of the X, reported on Twitter.

Bouya has been a pleasant surprise for the Suns this year, averaging 6.5 points and 1.8 assists per game this season, and has consistently put pressure on opposing defenses with his speed, while also providing solid perimeter defense on the other end of the floor.

Anthony’s decision was necessary to ultimately pave the way for the Suns to convert Bouya from his two-way deal to a standard NBA contract.

Currently, the Suns are 34-26 on the season, and are in contention to secure one of the top six seeds in the Western Conference, which is where most pundits thought they would be at this point in the campaign after trading Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets last season.

Unfortunately, the Suns are currently down two of their top scorers in Booker and Brooks, who has been a revelation in Phoenix this year, expanding his offensive game while remaining an elite defender.

If Booker and Brooks are able to return to the lineup at some point in the near future, it would do wonders for the Suns’ potential ability to shock the NBA and secure one of the top six seeds in the conference.

The Los Angeles Lakers suffered their third consecutive loss after falling 113-110 to the Phoenix Suns on Thursday at the Mortgage Matchup Center.

Royce O’Neal was the unlikely hero for the depleted Suns, draining the game-winning three-pointer with 0.9 seconds remaining.

The Lakers had a chance to send the game to overtime, but Austin Reaves missed his last-gasp attempt from deep. They fell to 34-24, while the Suns improved to 34-26.

Lakers coach JJ Redick once again cited a lack of defensive effort as a big factor in their latest loss, The Athletic’s Dan Woik reports.

“JJ Redick talked about the Lakers limiting their shooters not in terms of shots but in terms of attempts. The Suns took 50 (three-pointers). Said that’s the part that ‘hurt us a lot,'” Woik wrote on the X.

The Lakers shot a better 51% from the field compared to the Suns’ 46%. However, Phoenix had 11 more three-pointers, going 22 of 50 from long range.

Los Angeles is allowing 36.5 three-point attempts this season.

The Purple and Gold still failed to get the job done, even though Phoenix played without its top two scorers, Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks, due to injuries.

Since being hired by the Lakers last season, the 41-year-old Redick has repeatedly emphasized the importance of running backs on the defensive end. They are giving up 115.9 points on 48.7% shooting this season – both in the bottom half of the league.

The Lakers came back from a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter to give them a win against the Suns.

Luka Doncic had a game-high 41 points to go along with eight rebounds and eight assists. Reeves and LeBron James combined for 29 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.

DeAndre Ayton had another disappointing game with two points and four rebounds.

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton tempted the basketball gods and karma when he reportedly complained that the team is trying to turn him into a version of lob threat/rim-runner Clint Capela. Less than 48 hours later, he had to pay a heavy price for those alleged locker-room comments. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft scored two points on 1-3 shooting with four rebounds and a steal. He was -24 on the court against the Phoenix Suns, as LA lost 113-110 at the Mortgage Matchup Center.

Royce O’Neal deserves the spotlight after hitting the game-winning 3-pointer with less than a second left on the clock, but the public is focusing most of its attention on Ayton. In the Lakers’ second consecutive disastrous loss, he disappeared against his former team and was force-fed a bigger slice of the modest pie. His performance tells the story effectively, but fans are expressing their opinions on the matter.

NBA fans flock to the Lakers’ Deandre Ayton

Chris Walder of Odds Shark posted on X, “Deandre Ayton said the Los Angeles Lakers were trying to make him Clint Capela, and in his first game after those comments, he started playing like Kwame Brown.”

For those wondering, Capela recorded four points, six rebounds, three assists and four blocks in just 17 minutes of action as the Houston Rockets defeated the Orlando Magic on the same night as Ayton’s loss.

@BeenHim16 declared, “On everything I love, if Deandre Ayton wasn’t 7 feet tall, he would literally be my DoorDash.” @jeff_on_sports commented, “The Deandre Ayton signing is going exactly like the haters said it would.” “Finally earned the #1 pick for the Suns,” @The_MilesFiles quipped. “Their best player tonight.”

Ouch. Ayton has experienced some good moments while wearing the purple and gold – totaling 21 points and 13 boards on Tuesday vs. the Magic – but his first season in L.A. has not gone as fans expected. The 27-year-old entered the Suns clash averaging 13.2 points and 8.5 rebounds in 49 games. Fans criticize him, but when at his best he can be a real difference maker.

Ayton has averaged a double-double for his career, so he should have the ability to make a consistent impact. However, Lakers and NBA fans aren’t seeing it. After this difficult run in Phoenix, the Bahamian has reached a crucial point in his Los Angeles tenure. He could allow himself to be filled with conflict and subsequent ridicule, or he could use this low point as motivation for the remainder of the campaign.

Which path will he take?

The Los Angeles Lakers suffered their third straight loss after a 113-110 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Thursday. The game ended much like the team’s loss to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday due to poor execution late in the game. When asked after the game where the Lakers’ frustration lay, Austin Reaves summed it up in just two words, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.

“Very high,” Reeves said during his postgame media session.

The difference between the Magic game and Thursday night was that the Lakers took the shot they wanted late in the game. Against the Magic, Luka Doncic was freed by a Deandre Ayton screen to take the potential game-winner. In a shocking moment, he passed the ball to LeBron James, who was hurried off the field.

Trailing by three against the Suns and trying to send the game into overtime, Austin Reaves ran through a series of screens to free himself in the corner for an open three. Marcus Smart found it, but his shot was a little poor.

Like the Magic game, the Lakers blew a double-digit lead in the second half, only to see the Suns come back and take the lead. When the game gets closer, all the little things add up. According to Khobi Price of the California Post, for Reaves, there were too many mistakes for the Lakers on the margin that could have changed the outcome if they had been better.

“Control the controllable things. There were some plays tonight where I thought if we were better, it could swing the game,” Reeves said. “Every possession matters. It sounds like a cliché because there are so many of them, but it can swing the game in any direction throughout the game. One little play, one little mistake can fire up a crowd, fire up a team, whatever it is. Control those possessions.”

Against the Suns, Reeves finished with 14 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals. It was only his third game in the starting lineup since being put on a minutes restriction following his return from a calf injury.

The Lakers’ mini road trip concludes with a visit to the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. The team will then return home on Sunday evening for a second consecutive night in town with the Sacramento Kings.

The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves on a two-game slump after a close loss to the Orlando Magic last time out and will visit the Phoenix Suns next Thursday. Los Angeles has done well in terms of availability in recent weeks and all three of LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are expected to be fit.

However, Rui Hachimura is on the official injury report along with Jackson Hayes, with Hachimura listed as questionable and Hayes as probable. Hachimura is dealing with an illness, while Hayes is dealing with a right ankle sprain.

Along with these two, Bronny James and Edou Thiero have also been included, whose exit has been confirmed.

Rui Hachimura injury status vs Suns

Given that Rui Hachimura is questionable on the injury report, his availability will likely be a game-time decision. He came off the bench to score 10 points and two steals against the Magic and could prove useful off the bench once again.

Meanwhile, the Suns are still missing Dillon Brooks, Devin Booker, Cole Anthony and Haywood Highsmith. The Lakers (34-23) have dropped to sixth place in the tightly packed Western Conference after suffering consecutive losses, including a loss to the Boston Celtics.

Meanwhile, the Suns (33-26) have dropped to seventh in the standings after losing seven of their last ten games. Hachimura is averaging 11.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per game and will add another threat against a team that has been largely depleted.

Phoenix currently leads the season series 2–1, making this fourth and final meeting important for potential postseason tiebreaker scenarios.

Lakers injury report

Rui Hachimura: doubtful (illness)

Jackson Hayes: Probable (right ankle; sprain)

Bronny James: Out (G League – On Assignment)

Edou Thirou: Out (G League – On Assignment)

sans injury report

Cole Anthony: Out (not with team)

Devin Booker: Out (right hip; strain)

Dillon Brooks: Out (left arm; fracture)

Jordan Goodwin: Out (left calf; strain)

Haywood Highsmith: Out (right knee; injury management)

The Los Angeles Lakers have been a bit of Jekyll and Hyde this season. When things go right, it looks like they can compete with any team in the league. But when things are not going well, the team does not look very competitive.

After being defeated by the Boston Celtics on Sunday, the Lakers suffered a blowout 110-109 loss to the Orlando Magic. The loss dropped Los Angeles to 34–23, two games ahead of the Phoenix Suns in the Pacific Division.

The teams will face off in the desert on Thursday. Thankfully for the Lakers, Phoenix will once again be missing some of their most important pieces.

According to AZ Central’s Duane Rankin, Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, Jordan Goodwin, Haywood Highsmith and Cole Anthony have all been ruled out. Of course, Booker is the biggest loss for the Suns.

Booker strained his right hip last week against the San Antonio Spurs. In the three games since, Phoenix’s offense has been mediocre. The Celtics also beat them by 16 points, 97-81, on Tuesday night. In the first game against the Portland Trail Blazers, they were able to score only 77 points.

With the Lakers likely to play the Big Three, it could prove difficult for the Suns to keep up.

The second unit in Los Angeles could also get a boost. Backup center Jackson Hayes was upgraded to probable on Wednesday, while Rui Hachimura is listed as questionable due to illness.

The Lakers have had their share of troubles, but for the most part the offense has not been a part of them. The defensive end of the court has left a lot to be desired. But with Jalen Green struggling in his return, and the Suns lacking many other scoring options, Thursday appears to be a prime opportunity to get back in the win column.

This game could go a long way in determining the division winner. The Suns have won two of the first three meetings and a Lakers loss would ensure a tiebreak for Phoenix.

The Boston Celtics continue to defy expectations and head into their matchup against the Phoenix Suns after an impressive win over the rivals Los Angeles Lakers. Brown started and returned with 32 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, but suffered a minor knee injury, keeping him on the official injury report.

Brown is listed as questionable with a right knee injury according to the official injury report, as the Celtics continue to suffer multiple absences, including Jayson Tatum. Meanwhile, the Suns remain in a tough spot with several players sidelined, including Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks.

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jaylen brown injury status vs suns

Jaylen Brown being listed as questionable introduces some uncertainty for a Celtics team that has relied heavily on his typical two-way production all season long. The All-Star wing is averaging 29.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game, all career highs.

Two-way guard Max Shulga is unavailable due to a G League assignment, while rookie big Amari Williams is considered questionable on assignment. Despite this, the Celtics have won eight of their last nine games and are 37–19.

Phoenix scored just 77 points in their most recent loss to Portland, their lowest total since 2017. Grayson Allen is questionable managing knee and ankle injuries, while leading scorers Devin Booker (hip strain) and Dillon Brooks (left hand fracture) are out, removing more than 40 combined points per game from the lineup.

Jordan Goodwin has been ruled out with a calf strain, Haywood Highsmith is out with a knee injury, and Cole Anthony is unavailable while away from the team. Boston will be the clear favorite against a devastated Suns lineup, regardless of whether Brown suits up or not, which is a game-time decision.

celtics injury report

Jaylen Brown: Questionable (right knee injury)

Jayson Tatum: Out (right Achilles repair)

Max Shulga: Out (G League Two-Way)

Amari Williams: Questionable (G League assignment)

sans injury report

Grayson Allen: Questionable (injury management of right knee and ankle).

Devin Booker: Out (right hip strain)

Dillon Brooks: Out (fractured left hand)

Jordan Goodwin: Out (left calf strain)

Haywood Highsmith: Out (right knee injury management)

Cole Anthony: Out (not with team)

The Orlando Magic responded to Saturday’s devastating double-overtime loss to the Phoenix Suns with a 111-109 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday night, relying on Desmond Benn’s leadership and scoring to steady the group. What Bane described as a “backbreaker” stretch during his time with the Memphis Grizzlies ensured Orlando avoided a similar decline.

Ben finished with 36 points, five rebounds, two steals and one assist while shooting 13-for-19 from the field, 4-for-6 from 3-point range and 6-for-10 from the free-throw line in 32 minutes. He posted a team-high plus-12 rating as the Magic improved to 30–26 on the season.

After the game, Ben reflected on the emotional impact of last night’s 113-110 loss in Phoenix, which ended on a buzzer-beater.

“I think it’s huge. Last night was emotional. The double overtime game, losing at the buzzer. I was telling some guys, as I remember last year in Memphis, we lost three games in a row. It felt like it was like the backbreaker of our season, just because you’re so emotional and you’re right there, but you came with us. So I’m really proud of our group. We did it the way we wanted to do it. We’re posing sitting down.” And safety, so that was good to see.

On Desmond Bain #magicalBounce-back victory #shear: :

“Last night was emotional…it felt like a back-breaking event…I’m really proud of our group that we did it the way we wanted to do it.” pic.twitter.com/Zj1MYkG4PO

– Julian Ojeda (@jowepafm) 23 February 2026

Grizzlies shape Desmond Benn’s impact with text magic

Benn’s comments referenced the tension with Memphis last season in which consecutive close losses stunted the Grizzlies’ momentum. Rather than allow history to repeat itself, he emphasized poise and defensive discipline against Los Angeles, helping the Magic avoid a potential emotional fallout.

The 27-year-old guard also addressed his development during his first season with the Orlando Magic, noting the adjustment period following his arrival.

“Yeah, I think it’s chemistry. I mean, I was like, a new member was being added to the team. We got Anthony Black, who came up and is playing a different kind of role this year. So I think everything takes time. I feel like I’m in a good place and confident in my work. [and] Just working hard.”

Bane has averaged 20.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and one steal per game in 56 appearances, while shooting 48.3% from the field, 38.8% from beyond the arc and a career-high 91.3% from the free-throw line in 34 minutes per contest.

Wendell Carter Jr. says ban is ‘exactly what we need’

Teammate Wendell Carter Jr., who recorded 15 points, 14 rebounds and three assists in 33 minutes against the Clippers, praised Benn’s consistency and approach.

“He reminds me of a lot of other guys in this league, guys who have established themselves and have the mentality that he’s going to play his game no matter what, his process is the same. Early on, he was struggling a little bit but one thing about it is he stuck to what he knows he’s good at. And now we’re seeing the benefits of trading for a guy like that. So it’s his continued advancement. It shows where he’s been in his league in terms of his performance.” One of the best conditions, shooting. [the] Three balls are out here to facilitate playmaking. Like, he’s exactly what we need. So he’s one of those guys, since the Portland game, it’s kind of like that time when the needle has started to trend up and he’s been climbing steadily.

#magicalWendell Carter Jr. on the influence of Desmond Bain:

“We’re looking at what it would be like to make a trade for a guy like that…he’s exactly what we need.”

He has been called “one of the best in the league at his position”. pic.twitter.com/mjICKCa7US

– Julian Ojeda (@jowepafm) 23 February 2026

Since the Magic’s 110–106 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on December 23, Ben has increased his production to 21.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game, while shooting 51.8% from the field, 41.9% from 3-point range and 90.4% from the line in 34.4 minutes. Those numbers put him in the 50-40-90 range in that segment.

Orlando concludes its four-game road trip against the Los Angeles Lakers (34-22) on Tuesday night at 10:30 PM ET. With momentum regaining momentum after a narrow loss, Benn’s experience and recent surge is helping the Magic advance in the second half of the season.

The Orlando Magic suffered a 113-110 double-overtime loss to the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night when Jalen Green knocked down a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to end a back-and-forth contest. After the loss, Paolo Banchero identified three key issues that proved decisive: foul trouble, turnovers and second-chance opportunities.

Banchero finished with 26 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists and four blocks in 47 minutes. He shot 11 of 28 from the field and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line, while helping Orlando push the game into two extra periods.

After the final shot, Banchero described his advantage in the decisive game.

“I wasn’t on the ball so my focus was on protecting the inbounder. I didn’t really see much, just turned my head and the ball was in the air.”

While the game ended on Green’s shot, Banchero pointed to circumstances that developed long before the final possession. Orlando lost Desmond Benn and Wendell Carter Jr. to foul trouble, while Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs were unavailable due to injury. Suggs was ejected shortly before Saturday’s contest.

“I don’t mean ideal, but [I] Thought we played hard, I didn’t think we made enough plays down the stretch they did – a little more than we did and yes, definitely a little bit of a loss. Now! [a] Tough game.”

Turnovers, offensive rebounds tilt game toward Suns

Ben had one of his strongest performances of the season, finishing with 34 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block, before fouling out. He shot 12 of 18 from the field, 5 of 9 from 3-point range and 5 of 5 from the free-throw line in 40 minutes. Carter added seven points, 11 rebounds and one assist while shooting 2-for-4 from the field and 3-for-3 from the line in 34 minutes.

Beyond the foul trouble, Banchero emphasized Orlando’s ball security and inability to control the glass.

“Obviously we got hurt. We knew they were a big second-chance points team and they crashed the glass very hard. They did a great job of, you know, getting themselves a lot of extra possessions, getting a lot of dagger threes off offensive rebounds, so [it] “We are definitely hurt.”

The Magic committed 16 turnovers, including six from Banchero, leading to 22 Phoenix points. Orlando also surrendered 22 offensive rebounds and allowed 23 second-chance points, with the Suns scoring 8 of 23 on those extended possessions.

Jamahl Mosley says little things add up in big ways in Magic defeat

Coach Jamahl Mosley reiterated Banchero’s evaluation, noting the cumulative impact of lost possessions.

“We gave ourselves a chance. It happens within a game – guys are going to foul out, foul trouble is going to happen. There are going to be injuries throughout the season. You have to give Phoenix a lot of credit, but it was a back-and-forth battle. But in a game like this, it’s about the little things and the little details. We can’t do it more than 16 times for 22 points and also have 22 offensive rebounds. Can’t give up. Can’t come back. But our guys fought till the end, obviously, despite the situation. The best thing about the league is you have to turn around and do it again.”

Mosley also credited Green for the decisive shot.

“He had a helluva shot. I think there was some separation on that baseline, maybe he got thrown off his route, he did a helluva job of coming back and countering it, but Jalen Green hit a helluva shot. You’ve got to give him credit for that.”

Paolo Banchero turns his focus to Clippers after 2OT loss

The Orlando Magic now focus on the second night of their four-game road trip, visiting the Los Angeles Clippers (27-29) on Sunday at 9:00 p.m. on NBA TV. Banchero said many of the lessons from Saturday’s loss will carry over into the match.

“Yeah, Clippers [are] A good team, they made some trades. They look a little different, but I think it puts a lot of emphasis on the same thing that killed us tonight, hitting the glass, crashing very hard as they defend. Yes, just have to be ready for the challenge, they are a good team, good guys there so yes, it will have to change quickly.

Los Angeles has bounced back from a 6-21 start to the season despite a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night. The Clippers reshaped their roster at the trade deadline, trading James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland and sending Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Benedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks and a second-round selection.

For Orlando, the margin for error is small. As Banchero underlined, foul trouble, turnovers and second-chance points proved decisive in a game decided by a single possession.

PHOENIX – Jalen Green hit the game-winner for the Phoenix Suns in a 113-110 double overtime win against the Orlando Magic on Sunday, turning a perhaps forgettable performance into an unforgettable one.

Despite hitting 6 of 26 shots from the field, his final performance was the most important. A fadeaway corner 3-pointer that sealed the win.

Teammates rushed him, shit broke out in the Mortgage Matchup Center, and what could have been disappointment for the Phoenix faithful turned into pure glee.

When Green walked into the press conference room, he was surprised that it was his first NBA game-winner. But winning the game may not have been the only thing on his mind as he prepared to take the final shot.

At that point, it’s double OT, we were just trying to get home,” Green joked. “But like I said, my teammates, my coaches kept talking to me all night. Just keep shooting. It doesn’t matter what the last shot is.”

When I asked Jalen Green why he didn’t think too much about taking that last shot on a tough night of shooting, he joked.

“At that point, it’s double OT, we’re just trying to get home.”

Continued: “But like I said, my teammates, my coaches talked to me all night long. It’s just… pic.twitter.com/Lxw0JF4Qs4

– Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) 22 February 2026

Originally, the play was designed for Colin Gillespie. However, head coach Jordan Ott said Green had told Royce O’Neale to look for him if there was room.

It’s safe to say there was, and the rest is history. As mentioned earlier, he took 26 shots, but most of them were his normal looks. Despite Green’s obvious frustration, he continued taking his usual shots.

Every single property being promoted is something that can never be taken for granted. There must have been a good portion of game-winners in it.

Jalen Green’s game-winner shows irreplaceable impact for Suns

With Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks and Jordan Goodwin sidelined Saturday, someone had to step up. Green wasted no time in taking matters into his own hands.

Early in the game, he seemed to settle for perimeter shots. However, as the game progressed, he attacked the paint more often and opened up shooting pockets for his teammates.

One thing remained the same: He was getting to his spots and attempting the shots he always does. Although some fans were not happy, his shot-making is what makes him stand above the rest.

“I think it’s pretty normal when you miss that many games,” head coach Jordan Ott said when asked about Green’s streak and game-winner.

“You’re not able to practice, not be able to get into much rhythm … but what’s hard is to go through that and then hit a shot like that. He’s an unbelievable shot maker, unbelievable scorer. That’s what those guys do.”

Jordan Ott said @Amanda_Pflugrad That he still has full confidence in Jalen Green after tonight’s performance.

“I think it’s very normal when you miss so many games. You don’t get to practice, get a lot of rhythm… but what’s hard is to go through that and… pic.twitter.com/p1rUPFRA7v

– Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) 22 February 2026

His irreplaceable influence grew even more on Saturday. He could see his minutes reduced or he might not play at all if the Suns play in back-to-back contests on Sunday.

Despite this, he would likely sink his first game-winner within moments.

In their second game of the post-All-Star break road trip, the Orlando Magic will travel west to face the Phoenix Suns on Saturday afternoon. Despite the weeklong break, both teams are still dealing with some injuries, most notably to guards Jalen Suggs and Grayson Allen, who are both listed as questionable. Here’s everything we know about the injuries to Jalen Suggs and Grayson Allen and their playing status on Saturday.

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Jalen Suggs’ injury status vs. Suns

Suggs has missed 20 of the Magic’s first 54 games this season and is in danger of missing another game. The 24-year-old has not missed a game since January 22, but is listed as doubtful against the Suns after battling back spasms.

Suggs has often been listed on Orlando’s injury report as a precaution since returning to the court. The back spasms are often minor, which suggests he will be on the court Saturday afternoon.

The Magic are already shorthanded after Franz Wagner suffered a setback in his recovery from injury, forcing Anthony Black into the starting lineup. Losing Suggs will leave Jamahl Mosley without his best on-ball defender, potentially giving up-and-coming Javon Carter a head start.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Suggs take the second seat, considering he’s already missed nearly half of the season, and the Magic have been hit hard by injury. But given the nature of his injury and the current situation in Orlando, he is expected to play.

Grayson Allen’s injury status vs. Magic

Unlike Suggs, Allen has not played in more than two weeks. His last game was on February 5 against the Golden State Warriors, when his foot dropped awkwardly at the end of the game. Allen survived a major injury, but surprisingly he has been out of commission ever since.

Allen remained out after the All-Star break and did not appear in the Suns’ game against the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday. The team initially reported it would re-evaluate Allen after the break, but it appears nothing has changed.

However, him being listed as questionable is a step in the right direction, suggesting a return could be coming soon. If he is able to bounce back against the Magic, it will almost be a miracle that he only missed four games due to the scary injury.

With Devin Booker also out, Phoenix was forced to make do without its starting backcourt, forcing Jordan Ott to turn to Jalen Green, who is coming off a 26-point game against the Spurs. Green is starting with Colin Gillespie, who, barring a miraculous return of Allen, will likely be the backcourt tandem on Saturday against the Magic.

magical injury report

Colin Castleton – Out, G League

Alex Morales – Out, G League

Jalen Suggs – Questionable, back spasms

Franz Wagner – out, left ankle sprain injury management

sans injury report

Grayson Allen – Questionable, right ankle sprain

Cole Anthony – Out, not with team

Devin Booker – out, right hip strain

Haywood Highsmith – out, managing right knee injury.

Phoenix Suns owner Matt Ishbia recently spoke out about teams reportedly lagging in the NBA, calling it “losing behavior.” With tanking emerging as a hot topic in the league, it looks like Ishbia has at least one supporter in the form of Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob.

According to Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard, while discussing the state of the Warriors this season, Lacob made it clear that his team is not making any efforts to tank. He acknowledged Ishbia’s comments and firmly declared that Golden State was not an organization that would ever come under his ownership.

“I saw another boss come out today and say [tanking]Matt Ishbia,” Lacob said. “I think, you know, it’s not in my DNA to do that, and it’s not in the DNA of this organization … it’s not a good look. This is a game. We must play to win. And that’s not a way I’ll ever be comfortable trying to make my team better.”

Joe Lacob believes in the idea that his team, along with others in the league, must perform their best for the fans who pay for tickets to watch their games and buy their merchandise. Overall, he wants to put the best product on the court, even if the club is facing some problems, like Jimmy Butler’s injury for example.

“Look, this season matters to the fans who bought tickets this year,” Lacob said. “Hopefully, they’ll be our fans next year too, obviously. I think you’ve always got to try to win and do your best. We’ve been dealt some tough cards here right now. And our expectations probably shouldn’t have been as high as they were. I thought, with Jimmy, since we got him, we had the fourth-best record in the league, I think.”

Butler has been ruled out of the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign due to an ACL injury. Once he was ruled out, the Warriors had every excuse to go all out this season. Instead, the front office traded for Kristaps Porzingis, giving the roster a huge boost in the front court that could ultimately lead to huge success if it pays off.

However, we’ll see how it goes, as the Warriors are currently without Stephen Curry due to a knee injury. Curry is expected to eventually return, but he will miss at least the next four games after missing Thursday’s 121-110 loss to the Boston Celtics.

Heading into their most recent game, there were two Western Conference teams that the San Antonio Spurs had yet to beat this season. One is the Los Angeles Clippers, with whom Devin Vassell and company have yet to play. The other was the Phoenix Suns.

“We’re 0-2 against them, so we owe them a favor,” Vassell said before their meeting in Austin, Texas.

The Spurs entered the post-All-Star portion of the NBA year with the second-best record in the West. They are actually closer to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who started the season 24-1, than they are to the team behind them in the standings. And while San Antonio has defeated the defending champions four times in 2025-2026, they have yet to beat a Phoenix team that is also in the playoff picture.

“To be honest, I’m excited for this match,” Vassell said ahead of their latest meeting.

“…They’re still a very good team. We’re 0-2 against them. So we owe it to them. Excited for this game, to be honest”⬇️

-Devin Vassell tonight vs. Suns vs. Dillon Brooks in Austin

Phoenix is ​​the only West team #spurs Have played, but have not been able to beat this season#porvida #GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/yeQ6k4OpCg

– Hector Ledesma (@HectorLedesmaTV) 19 February 2026

While the Spurs entered the match healthy, the Suns did not. Guard Dillon Brooks was out due to a league-imposed suspension. Adding insult to injury – or in this case the other way around – star guard Devin Booker exited the Spurs’ 121-94 win with hip soreness.

“We know the type of energy, defense and intensity [Dillon Brooks] “They’re still a really good team.”

Spurs want to beat Suns for the first time

San Antonio’s first loss this season actually came in Phoenix. At 5–0 for the first time in franchise history, the Spurs were already without De’Aaron Fox when they lost Dylan Harper to injury in the second quarter. The Suns took a seven-point lead after the first quarter and never really looked back, outscoring the visitors in the second and even third quarters before the fourth quarter, which largely consisted of substitute players, en route to a 130–118 result.

The Spurs lost again three nights later (at the Los Angeles Lakers), but they bounced back by winning three consecutive nights. This helped determine the standing of the Silver and Black’s season so far.

Just three weeks later on November 23, the Spurs found themselves in Arizona again. Still without Harper, who will return shortly after with a calf strain, head coach Mitch Johnson recalled Fox. But they were missing both Victor Vembanyama and Stephen Castle. Spurs’ two young stars had suffered injuries in consecutive games a week earlier. Led by Brooks’ 25 and Booker’s 24 points, the Suns won 111–102.

This led to their latest meeting. Although part of the Rodeo road trip, the games against the Suns and Sacramento Kings are a slight departure from the team’s annual tradition, as part of Spurs Sports & Entertainment made an agreement with the city of Austin and the University of Texas to play two home games in the state capital.

The win against Phoenix marked San Antonio’s seventh consecutive win, extending their longest actual winning streak of the season, the previous eight-game winning streak also included a defeat of the New York Knicks in the NBA Cup Finals.

The Clippers are the only Western team that the Spurs have not defeated. His first shot in LA will come on March 6.