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 Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors are in the middle of a competitive battle on ESPN. The Celtics are playing in front of a packed crowd at home against a Warriors team without Steph Curry due to injury.

Another popular name, Kristaps Porzingis, is back at TD Garden after playing two incredible seasons with the Celtics in Beantown. Porzingis was traded to the Atlanta Hawks last offseason, and then the Hawks ultimately traded him to the Warriors before the NBA trade deadline. It’s Porzingis’ first game back, so the Celtics gave him an emotional tribute video.

Celtics tribute video for Kristaps Porzingis 🙌

(via @danield1214) pic.twitter.com/8bhBguM1ik

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 18 March 2026

The Celtics can’t win the NBA Finals without Porzingis in 2023-24. His ability to stretch the field and play elite defense was a big part of why Boston was so dominant during that championship run. Remember the first game of the Finals, when Porzingis couldn’t miss a shot in the first quarter? He scored 20 points off the bench in the game, along with six rebounds and three blocks.

His time, as well as Jrue Holiday’s, ended after last season when the Celtics lost to the New York Knicks in the quarterfinals of the NBA playoffs. Porzingis was not playing at the time as he was dealing with an undisclosed illness. The Celtics moved on, but they remained a very good team.

Boston is in second place in the conference, and if they beat the Warriors, they will be just 3.5 games behind the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in the East.

The Washington Wizards are counting on Trae Young to help lead them through their painfully long rebuild, but even before they acquired him in a trade last January, the four-time All-Star point guard breathed new life into the Atlanta Hawks. Although the union ultimately worked its way out and both sides agreed it was time to part ways, Young was responsible for many exciting moments at State Farm Arena. He formally received the flowers on Tuesday night.

Before facing the Wizards, the Hawks played a nice tribute video to the 2021-22 All-NBA Third-Team selection, which included some of his greatest shots, nutmegging Kevin Durant in the 2024 NBA All-Star Game and, of course, his famous bow at Madison Square Garden after eliminating the New York Knicks in the playoffs. The fans filled the building with applause and gratitude. Young reciprocated the love, but she still needed some time to get over her feelings after returning home.

He moved to the X following Washington’s 119–98 loss. “Still gathering my thoughts,” posted the No. 5 overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft. “My love for Atlanta is eternal.”

Young is still sidelined with an MCL sprain and quadriceps injury, so he got a chance to enjoy the crowd’s applause throughout the evening. The 2024-25 assists champion is dedicated to helping the Wizards compete in the East moving forward, but he will always be tied to ATL.

Trae Young led the team to an incredible trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2022, a feat the Hawks have achieved only once since moving to Atlanta in 1968. He is also the all-time franchise leader in 3-pointers (1,295) and assists (4,837). City is optimistic for this new era of Hoops, but it is clearly grateful for the heavy workload that the No. 3 took on during his eight years with the team.

And he clearly feels the same way. After this moment of closure, both sides will now turn the page on what they hope will be a promising chapter in their respective NBA journeys.

Before the trade deadline, the Atlanta Hawks decided to move on by trading former face of the franchise Trae Young to the Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. Young was often injured this season and was not very productive when healthy, but the Hawks decided they would rather get some value for him rather than give him a big contract moving forward.

It also allows the Hawks to transition to a defense-first identity, with the team handing the keys to the franchise to rising star Jalen Johnson. But Young’s departure was so sudden that everyone didn’t get a chance to say goodbye.

Tuesday night, Hawks visit Young with Wizards finally got it His well-deserved public farewell. The Hawks released a tribute video to Young, to which the multiple-time All-Star reacted emotionally.

Via ClutchPoints beat reporter Malik Brown and Hawks.com reporter Kevin Chouinard:

Trae Young Tribute Video + Trae’s Reaction pic.twitter.com/ZHXl8v715a

– Malik Brown (@_MalikATL) 25 February 2026

Trae Young reacts to his tribute video pic.twitter.com/mJ2xF5H6eT

– Kevin Chouinard (@KLChouinard) 25 February 2026

Young played some of his best basketball for the Hawks, and the city of Atlanta adopted him as one of their own. It may not have worked out for Young in the end in Atlanta, but that doesn’t take away from anything he’s done for the team in his seven and a half seasons with the team.

Trae Young, Hawks make fresh start

The Hawks got a fresh start, but so did Young. Young has long been scapegoated for his defensive shortcomings, but in the nation’s capital, he’ll get more help than ever, especially once Anthony Davis gets healthy.

It wasn’t an easy decision for the Hawks to lose Young, but Johnson’s emergence as a point forward and the team’s improved depth could bode well for their future – especially when they have a potential top-five pick in this year’s draft.

It wasn’t just the Chicago Bulls facing the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night. it is marked official return After being Coby White’s traded from chicago To the Charlotte Hornets.

During a timeout in the first quarter, the Bulls Jumbotron flashed on the screen A video tribute to White. It highlights his journey from North Carolina to becoming a fan favorite in Chicago in 2019.

The Bulls paid tribute to Coby White in their first game in Chicago as part of Charlotte @clutchpoints pic.twitter.com/5HLxIaEllp

– Zachary Draves (@DravesZachary) 25 February 2026

As expected, fans at the United Center gave White a hearty applause for the ex, formerly @M4VERICK_CARTER on Twitter.

Bulls in-game tribute to Coby White pic.twitter.com/MKCsv4IBZY

– M4VERICK (@M4VERICK_CARTER) 25 February 2026

Furthermore, when he waved towards the fans, players on both sides clapped for him. Heading into Tuesday, the Bulls are trying to snap a nine-game losing streak. They’re 24-34 and haven’t won a game all month. Meanwhile, the Hornets are 27-31 and have won 7 of their last 10 games.

Before Tuesday, the questions were Regarding whether White will play, given that he is coming from shin injury. He did not play a game with the Hornets until Chicago.

In 29 games with the Bulls, White averaged 18.6 points and 4.7 assists per game. White signed the final year of his three-year, $36 million contract With Chicago in 2023.

Overall, White built a reputation An effective scorer and playmaker in Chicago. During his rookie season, White made the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. He also became the fastest player in franchise history to score 500 career 3-pointers in 237 games.

In March 2025, he was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month. That same month, White won two Player of the Week honors. Overall, White scored 6,945 points with Chicago.

Honoring former Los Angeles Lakers coach Pat Riley, who won five NBA championships with the team as head coach from 1981 to 1990, famed actor Michael Douglas referenced his Wall Street character, Gordon Gekko.

Douglas spoke at the unveiling of Riley’s statue. He joked that his Wall Street character’s look was inspired by Riley in a very specific way.

“Gordon Gekko’s hairstyle came from Pat Riley” – Michael Douglas on getting inspiration for his iconic role in the film Wall Street from the Hall of Fame Lakers coach pic.twitter.com/TERNYPDLpq

-Dave McMenamin (@mcten) 22 February 2026

Douglas added, “And yes, I have to admit that Gordon Gekko’s hairstyle came from Pat Riley,” causing some members of the crowd to laugh.

Gordon Gekko is Douglas’ character in the series Wall Street. The first film was released in 1987, and a sequel followed in 2010. Douglas starred in Wall Street with Charlie Sheen, Martin Sheen and Daryl Hannah.

Pat Riley’s great innings with the Lakers

Riley is largely associated with his time with the Lakers. He played for them from 1970 to 1975 and won the 1972 NBA Finals with them.

After retiring as a player, Riley joined the Lakers in 1979 as an assistant coach. He was then promoted to head coach in 1981, and held the position until 1990.

During his tenure as head coach of the Lakers, Riley led the team to four NBA championships. They won titles in 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988. The Lakers also won the NBA Finals in 1980 when Riley was still an assistant coach.

He then joined the New York Knicks from 1991 to 1995, and Riley coached the Miami Heat for several years and won an NBA championship.

As an executive, Riley has won two NBA championships. The Heat went back-to-back in 2012 and 2013 with the “Big Three” (LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade).

After all, the Lakers have honored Riley in fitting fashion. His statue is installed outside the Crypto.com Arena. He has been immortalized alongside artists like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Even though the Los Angeles Lakers lost 111-89 to the Boston Celtics on Sunday, it was a memorable evening for fans, as the team honored one of its most iconic personalities in the form of former coach Pat Riley.

The halftime ceremony was a special tribute to Riley celebrating his statue, which was unveiled outside Crypto.com Arena before the game.

LeBron James admitted he took a look at the halftime ceremony, which was hosted by Magic Johnson and attended by former Riley players including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, Jamal Wilkes, AC Green and Byron Scott.

James, 41, had only good words to say about Riley, 80, emphasizing that he has “Highly respected” For the great master.

“He’s one of the all-time greats that has been a part of this league, not only as a player, (but) as a coach, an executive, front office, everything. Obviously, what he did with the Lakers organization in the ’80s goes without saying, and rightfully so, they built a statue of him outside the building,” James said in a video posted by EssentialSports’ Mark Medina.

LeBron James called Pat Riley “one of the all-time great players to be a part of this league” after watching Riley’s halftime celebration. LeBron envisioned the Heat could have had a 6–10 year title window if he had stayed in 2014 instead of returning to Cleveland. pic.twitter.com/IScCJcWxqO

– Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) 23 February 2026

Of course, James and Riley spent four years together at the Miami Heat, where Riley served as team president for more than three decades. James led the Heat to two titles before returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014.

James’ decision to join Miami changed the landscape of the NBA, while also underscoring Riley’s continuing influence.

While many believe they could have won more championships together, James said he does not dwell on the past.

“It’s human nature to look back and say, ‘Well, what could have been.’ But it’s part of life,” said the four-time MVP, who had 20 points, four rebounds, five assists and two steals against the Celtics.

Riley coached the Lakers to four championships as the architect of the famous “Showtime” era.

Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown is grateful for everything he’s accomplished alongside Golden State Warriors centers Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis. Less than two years ago, they captured an NBA championship together in dominant fashion, and the first-year Warriors both played major roles in that title run.

However, just because Brown enjoyed his time with Horford and Porzingis doesn’t mean he’s not going to go easy on them when the Celtics face the Dubs in San Francisco on Thursday night. Brown, who officially became a five-time All-Star last weekend, paced the Warriors with 23 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists – enough for his third triple-double of the season.

His impressive performance helped the Celtics score 34 points and win 121–110 at Chase Center. After the double-digit win, he thanked and teased his former teammates via an NBA on Prime Video broadcast.

“Well, those guys helped us win a championship in 2024, so there’s no better way to honor them than giving them the belts tonight,” Brown said with a smile.

Jaylen Brown on playing against Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis tonight:

“Well those guys helped us win a championship in 2024, so there’s no better way to honor them than giving them the belt tonight.” pic.twitter.com/O084Hq0kIf

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 20 February 2026

Despite a winning effort from the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, the Celtics couldn’t completely dismantle the Warriors on Thursday evening. Golden State cut Boston’s lead to 11 points in the fourth quarter and won the final frame 37–19.

However, time was not on Golden State’s side, and Porzingis’ seven points in the final 12 minutes of the game were not enough to complete the comeback. In his Warriors debut (and first game since January 7), the Latvian big man recorded 12 points and one block in 17 minutes off the bench.

As for the other ex-Celtics on the floor, Horford struggled offensively, missing eight of his 10 shots en route to a five-point outing. However, he was far from the worst Warriors center to take the court, as veteran big Draymond Green did not score in 18 minutes of play and posted the team’s worst plus-minus rating of minus-28.

Awesome post-game scene when Al Horford and his son Ian made their way to say hello to almost everyone at the Celtics – almost as if they were both former Celtics pic.twitter.com/iWUdN2or5H

– Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) 20 February 2026

Without real size and, most importantly, the presence of star shooting guard Stephen Curry due to a knee injury, the Warriors could not keep up with the overachieving Celtics. Brown and company will now look forward to their successful reunion in the Bay Area and look forward to Sunday afternoon’s showdown with the rival Los Angeles Lakers.