The Boston Celtics were expected to have a turnaround season, with Jayson Tatum out due to a ruptured right Achilles tendon he suffered in May 2025. However, the script has been flipped in more ways than one, with the Celtics currently sitting in second place in the East with a 47-24 record and Jayson Tatum slowly getting back to his best once again.

So much so that Tracy McGrady branded Boston as the only team in the East he believes can win a championship during his appearance on the Cousins ​​Podcast.

“Do we really think about Cleveland and New York? I think Boston is coming out of the East. I think they can win the championship. I don’t think there’s any other team out of the East, no matter who they play coming out of the East, I think the West is going to win. The only team I have confidence in to win is the Boston Celtics,” he said.

“The only team I have confidence in winning a championship in the East is the Boston Celtics.”

“I don’t think any other team, no matter who they play, if they come from the East, I think the West will win.”

👀🍀 @Tmac_213 pic.twitter.com/pVWzFifBCR

– Cousin of Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady (@VinceAndTmac) 25 March 2026

Of course, in addition to the talent they have despite the fire sale before the campaign, the Celtics also benefit from Joe Mazzulla’s system.

“Being proven, you have not one but two guys that can lead the team. MVP candidates, up front, and you have a system that understands who they are, whether it’s the regular season, preseason, or postseason. So they don’t have to change, how they’re playing now is the way they’re going to play, nothing is going to change,” McGrady concluded.

Tracy McGrady praises the Celtics

He talked about Derrick White and praised the 31-year-old player’s versatility. McGrady claimed that White was able to defend the opponent’s best player, rebound at a high level, and score 20 points and assists to win any game for Boston.

“He can give you exactly what you need to win,” McGrady said.

In the eight games since his return, Tatum has averaged 19.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game, while shooting nearly 47% from the field. And while there is room for improvement, McGrady believes there won’t be room for improvement until the playoffs arrive.

“Tatum is coming back, looks really good. He’s playing aggressive basketball. By the time he gets to the playoffs, I think we’ll be (saying)…Boy, he looks like his old self,” he concluded.

While Boston has the experience, personnel and system, McGrady may have gone too far in giving the other top teams in the East a discount. For example, the Detroit Pistons have a 52-19 record this season, while the Cavaliers add James Harden to a team that finished last campaign 64-18. Additionally, the Knicks also have a lot of talent, allowing many teams to emerge from the East, at least on paper.

The Carter Yakemchuk era officially began last night! Talk about a great start. Yakemchuk played 12:46, assisted on the first goal of the game and scored the next goal as the Senators won 3–2 against the Red Wings. Let’s dive into the details of Carter Yakemchuk and the Senators’ incredible back-to-back wins!

Yakemchuk’s strong start

Just a week ago, I wrote about Yakemchuk’s progress in the AHL this season. For the most part, it has been a successful year, with Yakemchuk now having 10 goals and 36 points in 50 games. The downside is that he was a team-worst -30. The following sentence was in my article: “It is unlikely that Yakemchuk will get his NHL opportunity this season.” The organization seemed committed to having him play a full season in the AHL. Well, low and behold, the Senators have been ravaged by injuries, forcing Yakemchuk into the lineup for his first NHL game in the middle of a playoff push against a rival team. No pressure, right?

The credit for this goes to Travis Green. He made sure not to overshadow Yakemchuk or fellow rookie Jorian Donovan. Donovan only played 4:42, which makes sense when you consider that not only was this his first NHL game, but he had been out the last few weeks in Belleville due to injury.

Meanwhile, Yakemchuk played 21 shifts. 1:22 of that came on the power play, where he noted his penchant for assists between the legs. At 5 on 5, 50% of his shifts began in the offensive zone. For comparison, here are the other D-men offensive zones starting at 5 p.m. last night:

• cleven: 29%
• when: 24%
• spence: 18%
• mat fire: 0%

Kleven and Zub were given penalties of over 5 minutes. Yakemchuk was not used on the penalty kill. In terms of setting a young offensive D-man up for success, this is exactly how to do it. From there, of course, it was up to Yakemchuk to play well, and he certainly did that.

Best senator ever back to back?

I will not pretend to know each sense one by one. This is what I know. This was quite challenging as the Senators played both games on the road. To make matters worse, they played both games without their best defender Jake Sanderson. However, it doesn’t end here!

In their win against Rangers, he played the second half of the game with only four defenders. They lost their new number one, Thomas Chabot, at the end of the first leg. Then they lost Lassie Thomson in the second. Despite this, he only allowed 10 shots in the entire game.

In the second game last night in Detroit, they were now without Sanderson, Chabot, Jensen, Gilbert and Thompson on the back-end. Donovan played less than five minutes, leaving Cleven as their only regular left-shot D-man. They found a way to win 3–2, giving them an incredible 2–0 record in one of the greatest back-to-backs in team history.

Linus Ullmark stands tall

Let’s face it, given how the cards were stacked against them, the Senators needed Ullmark to have a great game. That’s exactly what he did last night. He saved 33 of the 35 shots he faced, including some incredible saves late to preserve a one-goal lead. This is the most saves Ullmark has made in a game all season.

It feels as if their struggle is now behind them. Since returning from his leave of absence in late January, Ullmark has gone 9-2-2 with a .902 SV%. This is by no means a typical SV%, but it is important to note that the Senators limit shots better than any team in the NHL. His 2.31 GAA during that time ranked fifth-best among all goaltenders with at least 10 games played. If he can provide that type of goaltending, the Senators have a great chance to get back to the playoffs for the second year in a row.

The Senators can’t enjoy back-to-back spectacular victories much longer. They play another big game tomorrow night at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Danny was born and raised in Ottawa and still lives in that city. He has followed… more about Danny McCloskey

The Charlotte Hornets had a strong performance from three-point territory to pick up an easy 134-90 win over the Sacramento Kings at the Spectrum Center on Tuesday.

The Hornets should have provided umbrellas before the game because they rained three-pointers on the Kings. Charlotte tied the franchise record with 26 long bombs.

Coby White and LaMelo Ball each had six three-pointers to lead the offense. Coby White scored 27 points on 9-of-12 shooting and five rebounds off the bench, while Ball had 20 points, six rebounds, eight assists and two steals.

Ball accomplished another impressive feat after passing Dell Curry to move into second place in most three-pointers in team history. Ball is now behind only Kemba Walker.

LaMelo Ball is making history in Charlotte

Ball moved into second place all-time in three pointers made for the Hornets pic.twitter.com/Fs3xt0ffpf

– NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) 25 March 2026

The Hornets improved to 38-34 and are on pace to end their nine-year playoff drought, the league’s longest active skid.

Fans praised the 24-year-old Ball for his hot shooting against the Kings.

@TheFLReaper said, “No matter how high you rate LaMelo, he’s still underrated.”

“No one in the league makes it look that effortless, and LaMelo Ball knows it. The step-back three with those moves is insulting to every defender alive at the moment,” @littledijah said.

“He’s great. We need the Hornets in the playoffs,” @TopShelfJam wrote.

@RenzWinford posted, “Deeply Melo. A boy.”

“LaMelo is making Hornets history with depth,” @braxson_grey commented.

After consecutive years on the sidelines, Ball has finally been healthy this season, and it’s no coincidence that the Hornets are playing their best ball in years.

With Ball, White, Kon Knueppel, Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate, Charlotte could make quite a stir in the playoffs.

Despite being on the verge of missing out on the playoffs, the New Jersey Devils defeated the surging Dallas Stars 6-4 on Tuesday night at the American Airlines Center.

The Devils did all their damage in the first period, scoring four goals in the first 17 minutes and 19 seconds of the game.

The Stars, who clinched a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs over the weekend, made a serious effort to tie the game throughout, making the score 4–3 in the second period and 5–4 in the third. However, New Jersey was able to hold off the bombing, maintain its lead late, and walk away from Dallas with two points.

Jack Hughes continued his strong form, opening the scoring and adding another score before the end of the first period to extend his point streak to six. He scored five goals and 12 points in that span.

Jasper Bratt and Connor Brown also scored first for the Devils, scoring their 18th and 19th goals of the season respectively. Timo Meier reached the 20-goal mark in the third period, a much-needed insurance goal that later turned out to be decisive.

Dougie Hamilton, who was skating his 900th career NHL game, made a full-ice empty netter to make the score 6–4 in the final minute of the game.

The Stars’ dynamic duo of Wyatt Johnson and Jason Robertson kept Dallas in the game during the first two periods. Johnson scored twice in the first two frames for a total of 40 goals on the year, while Robertson tallied 39 in the second period.

Maverick Bourque scored in the third period to cut the Devils’ lead to one, but the Stars were unable to complete the comeback.

Jake Oettinger got the start for Dallas but was subbed off after 20 minutes. Casey DeSmith pitched in relief and made 15 saves on 16 shots in the second and third periods. Oettinger was credited with the loss, moving to 29–11–6 on the season.

Jake Allen got the nod from Sheldon Keefe on the opposite end, his second consecutive start, following New Jersey’s close 2-1 loss to the Washington Capitals on Friday. With the win, Allen moved to 13–16–1 on the season.

first period

The game started with the Stars being on the front foot, dictating the pace of the game and having four shots on goal before the Devils fired one.

However, that didn’t stop the Devils from drawing first blood, as Hughes scored his first of the night on a nifty power move with New Jersey’s first shot of the game.

The early lead was eventually extinguished just four minutes later by Johnson, who scored his first of the night with a wide-open shot from between the hashmarks during a brief 4-on-4 period.

However, before the 4-on-4 timeout ended, the Devils regained the lead via another solo try, this time by Bratt at 10:49.

New Jersey continued to advance in the first round, getting more goals from its efficient second line of Bratt–Hughes–Brown. Brown found the net at 7:08 and Hughes missed a chance to score with 2:41 minutes remaining.

All four of New Jersey’s goals came from the same line, and all four came in transition moments.

The Devils led 4–1 after 20 minutes and defeated the Stars 8–6.

second period

DeSmith led the Stars out of the locker room for the second period and took over between the pipes for Glenn Gulutzan.

DeSmith excelled in the second period, stopping all nine shots he faced, helping the Stars get back into the game.

Dallas’ 29.1% effective power play started working early in the frame when Lenny Haminaho was whistled for traveling on Bourque in the opening minute of the second.

It was clear why the Stars have the second-best power play in the league, as Johnson scored his second goal of the game just 11 seconds in on the man-advantage.

To make matters worse for the Devils, as the second period ended, the Stars began to take over the game.

After a long period of possession in the offensive zone, Robertson scored from an acute angle with 7:29 minutes remaining, increasing the Devils’ lead to 4–3.

As DeSmith continued to thwart every puck that came his way, Allen had to be just as strong in the final minutes of the second, despite not facing as much rubber.

The Devils narrowly escaped with a one-goal lead in the second period, a margin that has proven vital to their success throughout the season.

Despite scoring twice and creating some serious chances during the period, the Stars were outscored by the Devils 9–7 in the second and 17–13 in 40 minutes.

third period

Sensing a change in momentum, the Stars came out in full flight to start the third period.

They outscored the Devils 6-0 in the first three minutes of the period and would have found the equalizer if not for some clutch saves from Allen.

Just when it looked like the Stars were going to tie things up, the Devils got a needed insurance goal from Meyer at 13:14, a glove-side snipe from an almost impossible angle. Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer were credited with assists.

The siege continued from the Stars, who pounded Allen with a total of 14 shots in the final frame.

Ultimately, Bourque broke through with a tip-in to tie the game at 5–4 with 6:52 left in regulation. The goal came with another increase in pressure from Dallas’ special teams and came as Hamilton’s penalty expired.

The Stars put more pressure on the Devils, who were barely able to weather the storm.

New Jersey did not actually record a shot for 7:16 straight at the end of the third period. That is, until 1:00 when Hamilton clinched the win with an empty netter from New Jersey’s end of the ice.

The 2025-26 New Jersey Devils may be embarrassingly worse than the sum of their parts and certainly won’t make the playoffs in April, but they’re still perfect when leading after two periods. With the win, they improved their record in that scenario to 22–0–0.

Not only this, but this is New Jersey’s fourth win in the last five games. A rare and welcome form going into the final stages of the season.

Next, they’ll head to Nashville on Thursday for another road game against the potentially postseason-bound Predators.

James Birley is an emerging sports commentator and journalist with extensive experience covering football and hockey. Recently graduated… More about James Birley

The LA Clippers have been climbing up the Western Conference standings throughout the season after starting the year with a 6-21 record. Under the leadership of Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers have been able to reach .500 once again at 36–36 entering their final 10 games of the season.

The 2025–26 season has perhaps been the most impressive of Leonard’s career when taking into account the highest scoring of his career in addition to injuries and franchise-altering moves made by the team at the NBA trade deadline. Leonard has already been a leader for the Clippers due to his work ethic and incredible in-game performances, but everything that has happened so far has only heightened that.

“This group loves to play basketball,” Kawhi Leonard said when asked about his leadership style with this new-look Clippers team. “They love to be out there having fun and competing. And we’re not afraid of anybody. Even if they’re more talented or have a better record, we still want to go out and compete and try to take pride in being out there playing and being competitive.”

This season of the Clippers has seen allegations of salary cap manipulation, a season-ending injury to Bradley Beal, Chris Paul being sent home at midnight during a road trip, the trade of the Clippers’ longest-tenured teammates in James Harden and Ivica Zubac, the arrivals of Darius Garland, Benedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson, as well as a season-ending injury to Yannick Konan Niederhauser.

Through it all, the Clippers have been a bright spot, especially in their young players like Niederhauser, Kobe Sanders and Jordan Miller.

“There’s a lot of young guys or guys that are getting a lot of minutes in different roles this year that are moving forward. So we just have to tell them to enjoy the moment, but a lot of times when we’re frustrated or if the call isn’t going our way, at the end of the day it’s just basketball and it never goes your way. So just put one foot in front of the other and just play and enjoy.”

After some initial doubts about the Clippers’ ability to compete following the Harden and Zubac trades, Darius Garland quickly shut it down with his stellar play.

“It’s always good to have help,” Leonard said. “Darius is getting back in the lineup and being the star he has been in years past and coming in and still great for us, with 40 the other night, he’s getting the crowd going with his threes and passing and just his overall energy and, yes, looking forward to Ben coming back. But I think it’s a new challenge for everybody. Every year is different. And, yes, just try to come in and be competitive and just positive energy for everybody. Release.”

In 56 appearances this season, Kawhi Leonard is averaging a career-high 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.0 steals per game, while shooting 50.4 percent from the field, 38.5 percent from three and 90.1 percent from the free throw line.

Leonard has missed 16 of the Clippers’ 72 games this season, so he is only allowed to miss one more game before he will be ineligible for season-end NBA awards such as All-NBA teams and All-Defense teams.

At this point, it appears the MVP race is limited to just four players: Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, and San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wambayama.

This is certainly one of the closest contests in NBA history, and it could go down to the last game of the regular season.

Of these four, Vembanyama may be the underdog – as crazy as it sounds. He acknowledged that at the moment, “it’s still fair to have debate” over who should be named MVP. However, he is eager to change it.

“My goal is to make sure there’s no debate at the end of the season,” the two-time All-Star said.

When 22-year-old Vembanyama was asked to give three arguments for winning the trophy, he gave a thoughtful answer that should get him more votes.

“My first suggestion would be that defense is 50% of the game, and it’s been underrated so far in your race. I believe I’m the most dominant player defensively in the league,” Vembanyama said in a video posted by Jared Weiss of The Athletic.

“My second argument would be that we have almost swept OKC on the season. We have dominated them three times with their actual team and four times with their rotation players. My third argument would be that the impact of the offense is not just points.”

Asked Wembley to provide his 3 campaign bullet points on why he should be MVP https://t.co/HjRppaPLfY pic.twitter.com/FHXrFMjAi3

– Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) 24 March 2026

Vembanyama practically dropped the mic with his sharp response.

With him remaining relatively healthy, the Spurs ended their six-year playoff drought. As he noted, his overall impact on both ends of the floor is hard to overstate.

Wembanyama admits he is one of them, and he has a good chance to surpass former Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose and become the youngest MVP in league history.

The Detroit Pistons continued to thrive without Cade Cunningham as they snapped the Los Angeles Lakers’ nine-game winning streak on Monday.

The Pistons escaped the Lakers 113–110 at Little Caesars Arena, with Dennis Jenkins leading the way in the fourth quarter with a career-best 30 points, including a clutch basket.

Detroit led by as many as 16 points as Los Angeles rallied to keep the game close. However, the Pistons stayed the course and defended the Purple and Gold.

Lebron James much appreciated At the Pistons’ restraints, as shown in video posted by Spectrum Sportsnet.

“You give credit where credit’s due. They’re the No. 1 team in the East. They’ve still got a really good team even with their All-NBA player out. I give them a lot of credit. We gave ourselves a chance. That’s all you can ask for,” said James, who had 12 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists.

LeBron on tonight’s loss: “Definitely you give credit where credit is due. They’re the #1 team in the East… I give them a lot of credit. We gave ourselves a chance. That’s all you can ask for.” pic.twitter.com/hjlYqDerHe

– Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) 24 March 2026

The Pistons have now won four consecutive games and lost only once in their last eight contests. They solidified their hold on the top spot in the Eastern Conference with a 52–19 record. They have already secured the playoff ticket.

They have a relatively tough schedule ahead of them as they will face the Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Pelicans, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder and Toronto Raptors.

But as James noted, Detroit has also played well without Cunningham, who will miss an extended period of time due to a collapsed lung, and the players will be ready for the challenge.

Jalen Duren added 20 points, 11 rebounds and four assists against the Lakers. Seven other players scored at least six points, highlighting the team’s depth.

The Detroit Pistons continued their strong performance with another impressive win, as Dennis Jenkins had a standout performance against the Los Angeles Lakers. A clutch, game-winning shot clinched the victory, showcasing Jenkins’ confidence in a key moment.

Jenkins turned in a career night, finishing with a career-high 30 points, eight assists and four rebounds. The Pistons relied on him late in the game and his performance was crucial as they defeated a revived Los Angeles team 113–110.

With the win, the Pistons remain firmly on top of the Eastern Conference standings at 52–19, five games ahead of the second-place Boston Celtics. It was their fourth consecutive win and seventh in the last eight games, while the Lakers’ nine-match winning streak ended.

Jenkins took control late and scored key points. He sized up Austin Reeves on the right wing, delivered a powerful jab step, and created space with an effortless step-back before knocking down a confident mid-range jumper to put Detroit in front. After this, he converted the important free throw to ensure the victory and maintained his composure in a tough match.

NBA star Axe, formerly of the NBA, shared Jenkins’ postgame reaction on Twitter, in which he discussed his fearless mentality after burying the decisive shot.

“I’m in that position for a reason. I just have to go out and be me.”

“I’m in that position for a reason, I just have to go out and be me.”

Dennis Jenkins (career-high 30p) on his game-winner! pic.twitter.com/pWd6QSWO8u

– NBA (@NBA) 24 March 2026

The league’s post highlighted the second-year guard’s confidence after a career-best performance. His response reflects the growing confidence Detroit has placed in him during high-pressure situations.

The result further solidifies the Pistons’ position as a legitimate contender. Jenkins is emerging as a reliable late-game option, adding another dimension to the team’s success.

Ultimately, Detroit is building momentum at the right time. With Jenkins’ production increasing and the team’s winning streak continuing, the Pistons are becoming increasingly dangerous as the postseason approaches, with contributions coming from the entire roster. The team is also expected to welcome back superstar point guard Cade Cunningham around the start of the playoffs after a lung injury, which will provide a big boost.

With their latest win over the Washington Wizards, Ben Stiller’s favorite team, the New York Knicks, have made it six wins in a row, and as the last nine of the regular season approach, they are on fire.

After losing to the Brooklyn Nets by nearly a single point, the Knicks came back strongly and defeated the Wizards by 32 points on Sunday, March 22.

Stiller was in high spirits after the game. He responded to the Knicks Beast’s post about the latest win over the X’s Earlier on Twitter, the New York bench posted six fire emojis celebrating.

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/o7Wb2eijna

– Ben Stiller (@benstiller) 23 March 2026

As usual, Stiller was live-posting throughout the game. He was very high on Karl-Anthony Towns throughout the game, leading the team with 26 points and 16 rebounds.

Knicks are flying high after crushing Wizards

On Sunday, March 22, the Knicks defeated the Wizards 145–113. Granted, the Wizards have the second-worst record in the NBA. They are 16-55 with losses and the Indiana Pacers are the only team with a worse record (15-56).

Meanwhile, the Knicks are 47-25 and still competing for the second seed in the Eastern Conference. The Boston Celtics are 47-24, and New York can still catch them. They are still five games behind the top-seeded Detroit Pistons (51-19) in the conference.

Towns was the game’s leading scorer against the Wizards. He made nine of his 13 shots in the game, and he made all seven free throws.

Jalen Brunson was also not far behind, scoring 23 points in the win. He also had four assists and one steal. Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges scored 16 and 14 points, respectively.

There are 10 games left in the 2025-26 NBA season. The Knicks will host the New Orleans Pelicans before a four-game road trip. They will play the Charlotte Hornets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Texans and Memphis Grizzlies before returning home to host the Chicago Bulls on April 3.

Sunday is usually a day of rest. But not for New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek.

Kolek helped the Knicks defeat the Washington Wizards 145–113 at Madison Square Garden, finishing with 11 points on 4-of-4 shooting, including 3-of-4 from long range in just five minutes off the bench.

New York won its sixth consecutive game and went ahead 47–25.

Kolek, 24, was a very busy man on Sunday. Before being called up by the Knicks, he starred for the Westchester Knicks in the G League earlier in the day and dropped 42 points and 11 assists in a 141-131 win over the Greensboro Swarm at the Westchester County Center.

The second-year guard went 15 of 22 from the field, including 9 of 14 from three-point territory.

From Westchester to MSG in one day 👏

Earlier today, Tyler Kolek scored 42 PTS and 11 AST for the Westchester Knicks in an NBA G League game…

He then headed to MSG and scored 11 PTS in the fourth quarter for the New York Knicks. pic.twitter.com/6WeCwZn8GR

– NBA (@NBA) 23 March 2026

Kolek, who is on a two-way contract, has quickly become a fan favorite in the Big Apple due to his passionate approach to the game. He always gives his all, whether he gets five minutes or 25 minutes.

He has received even less playing time with the arrival of Jose Alvarado at the trade deadline, but Kolek remains a consummate professional, supporting his teammates as one of the team’s biggest cheerleaders on the bench.

He is averaging 4.4 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 11.9 minutes per outing. There was a six-game stretch in December when he averaged 14.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists, proving that he can perform well if given enough playing time.

Karl-Anthony led the Knicks over the Wizards with a double-double of 26 points and 16 rebounds.

They return to action on Tuesday when they host the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Minnesota Timberwolves finally ended an unwanted streak against the Boston Celtics after earning a 102-92 win at TD Garden on Sunday.

Thankfully, the Timberwolves had lost 18 consecutive games in Boston before breaking the decade-long skid.

Bones Hyland had a stellar performance for Minnesota, scoring 23 points on 8-14 shooting off the bench. He also had three rebounds and three assists, improving to 44-28, including 20-15 on the road.

The last time the Timberwolves beat the Celtics at home was in 2005. According to Statmuse, the team’s starting five That included Kevin Garnett, Latrell Sprewell, Troy Hudson, Trenton Hassell and John Thomas.

Wolves starters last time they won in Boston:

– Latrell Sprewell
-Kevin Garnett
– John Thomas
– Trenton Hassell
– Troy Hudson

Tonight they broke an 18 game losing streak. pic.twitter.com/dbzxbIsZeB

– Statmuse (@statmuse) 23 March 2026

Minnesota won 99–97 after Sprewell scored with 0.9 seconds remaining. Garnett, who was coming off an MVP season, had 21 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Wally Szczerbiak added 20 points, four rebounds and four assists off the bench.

Garnett and Szczerbiak eventually played for the Celtics.

When the 25-year-old Hyland was told about Minnesota winning in Boston last fall, he was surprised, the Associated Press reports.

“Dang, that doesn’t even feel right. I was five years old. This is crazy,” Hyland said.

He stepped up for the Timberwolves, with Julius Randle struggling for only nine points on 3 of 14 shooting.

Hyland has been playing well in the absence of Anthony Edwards, who is out for two weeks with a knee injury.

Jaden McDaniels had 19 points, six rebounds and three assists, while Ayo Dosunmu added 17 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two blocks.

The Timberwolves, who are 3-3 in their last six games, host the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.

The attack was great, the defense was strong and the goal scoring was fantastic. It was the perfect storm.

The Carolina Hurricanes were on their game on Sunday afternoon and handed the Pittsburgh Penguins a shocking 5-1 loss. Carolina played the entire game and took advantage of Pittsburgh’s deficiencies in what appeared to be an off-game for the home team.

Heading into the 3:00 p.m. game, the Penguins topped the league standings in penalty kills with a penalty kill success rate of 84.2, but the Hurricanes’ power play (ranked 12th leaguewide) managed to crack not just once, but three times in less than 40 minutes.

Carolina’s first three goals were extremely similar in where they came from and how they reached the net. First, Sebastian Aho drew a tripping penalty on Ryan Graves by Nikolaj Ehlers just 47 seconds into the game.

A long-range wrist shot between the faceoff circle and the blue line, through a screen provided by Jordan Staal.

Next, in the second round, the man also came on advantage. Once again, through another screen at the same distance, Ehlers sent a slapshot that echoed into the back of the net.

Then, near the halfway point of the game, Jalen Chatfield slapped a layup through another screen from the same distance to put the Hurricanes up by three.

Later, the pattern ended as Ehlers sent an incredible pass through the legs of Parker Wotherspoon into the slot and onto the tape of Seth Jarvis for another power play goal. It was Jarvis’ first match back after a five-game drought.

In the third period, the Penguins finally got a goal on the board thanks to Egor Chinakhov, but the Hurricanes’ defense – and defense through offensive pressure – helped hold Frederik Andersen to a single goal allowed in the entire contest.

After a few missed attempts, including a blocked blast by Anderson towards the empty net, Mark Jankowski scored on an empty net goal to make the score 5–1.

Hurricanes successful in key areas in final game with Penguins of regular season

Throughout the game, the Hurricanes’ biggest advantage was their effective use of screens on Stuart Skinner. When it comes to those screens, it’s hard to expect a goaltender to stop what can’t be seen. They cannot use force (even though sometimes it seems they might).

Their defense was something else, as they held the Penguins without a shot for nearly 12 minutes early in the game.

Special teams were one of the biggest things for Carolina, going two-for-two on the penalty kill and three-for-five on the power play. It also didn’t hurt that the calls actually went their way for once.

And last, but certainly not least, Anderson played exceptionally well – he has improved significantly since returning from the Olympics. Despite the Penguins’ late offensive start, they still managed to put 19 shots on net. Furthermore, 15 of those were high-danger scoring chances – five more than the Hurricanes produced.

It was a great game for the Hurricanes, who took the sole lead of the Eastern Conference.

(Hey! This game was with another team covered by the national Hockey Now Network – hide behind enemy lines once again and watch Vince Comunale’s recap from the Penguins’ perspective!)

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

Amen Thompson put the cherry on top of a historic night with a wild game-winner. The Houston Rockets guard wasn’t the story for most of the game, but he became the hero of the night by shutting out the Miami Heat with a tip-in in the last seconds at the buzzer.

Trailing by one on the final possession of the game, the Rockets turned the ball into the hands of Kevin Durant, who had passed Michael Jordan on the NBA’s all-time scoring list before the game. Durant missed a wild floater and was buried by Bam Adebayo, but Thompson flew in to clear the glass and signal the game-winner.

Amen Thompson suggests this for the win 🔥pic.twitter.com/XYhAMbwjYC

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 22 March 2026

A game-winner could have capped off a perfect game for Durant, but it was Thompson’s night. The last-second tip also had Thompson’s career-high 18th rebound of the night, including seven on the offensive glass.

This is a developing story.

Who will win the NBA Championship this year? While the 2026 NBA Finals won’t start until June and we’re not even at the end of the regular season, it seems like we’ve seen enough to predict which clubs are making a realistic attempt at winning it this year.

Let’s take a look at our ranking of the NBA Finals contenders. If a team is not listed, we do not believe they have a viable path to winning the championship this season.

1.Oklahoma City Thunder

Even with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell each missing significant time this season, the Oklahoma City Thunder are likely to finish the regular season with the best record in the NBA. Through 70 games, Oklahoma City has allowed the second-fewest PPG (107.5), lowest opponents’ field goal percentage (43.4 percent) and its league-best 11.0 net rating is equal to the combined net value of the fourth (San Antonio Spurs) and 10th-best teams (Minnesota Timberwolves) in the NBA. SGA is now healthy and consistently performing better than last season, Mitchell is back and Williams should be ready for the playoffs. Additionally, thanks to Daryl Morey trading away Jared McCain, the Thunder’s rotation is deeper than last season.

RELATED: NBA MVP Race; Ranking of top five candidates

2. San Antonio Spurs

The last time the San Antonio Spurs appeared in the NBA playoffs (2019), Victor Wembanyama was 15 years old and De’Aaron Fox was in his second season with the Sacramento Kings. It’s actually the very limited postseason experience on the Spurs roster that we are lacking with the team. That said, San Antonio went 4-1 against Oklahoma City with a +26 point differential in the regular season and Wembanyama has been able to dominate Chet Holmgren in a series. Plus, it’s been made clear that the likes of Stephen Cassel, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, and Dylan Harper have just as bad feelings toward the Thunder as Wambayama. If we’re picking anyone outside of Oklahoma City to win the NBA Finals, it’s San Antonio.

READ MORE: 2026 NBA Mock Draft Ahead of March Madness

3. Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics entered the weekend with a 6-1 record with Jayson Tatum in the lineup. Admittedly we were a little concerned about the decision to bring him back from a torn Achilles so soon, but the perennial All-Star forward has really impressed in his return. This is now a lineup that features two MVP-caliber performers in Tatum and Jaylen Brown, while Derrick White may be the best No. 3 player on any team in the NBA. Boston has the most playoff experience in the Eastern Conference and we can confidently say that this is the best coached team we have ever seen. It’s just a question of how Tatum performs during the playoffs and whether a sub-.500 record against top-10 teams is a sign that Boston can withstand an upset in the NBA Finals.

Read more: Single-game NBA scoring records for all 30 teams

4. Denver Nuggets

Ranking the Denver Nuggets fourth among potential NBA Finals contenders is all about Nikola Jokic. He currently ranks fourth in the NBA playoffs in career win shares per 48 minutes (.2298). If you just focus on the last four years, Jokic has an absurd 0.25 WS/48 and has averaged 28.7 points, 13.2 rebounds and 8.5 assists per game while shooting 53.5 percent from the field in his last 51 playoff games. With Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon healthy, they don’t need to carry much for Denver. Denver’s 10-12 record over the last 22 games should ring some alarm bells and Cam Johnson has been a big disappointment, but we’ll never underestimate Jokic’s ability to lead his team to the NBA Finals.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers

Are the Cleveland Cavaliers a better team with James Harden than Darius Garland? Yes, we definitely have more confidence in their chances of making the playoffs this season after the trade. That said, Harden’s proven reputation for collapsing in win-or-home playoff games is a serious concern for Cleveland. There’s already plenty of evidence that the Jarrett Allen-Evan Mobley frontcourt pairing doesn’t work well in the NBA playoffs, even with the performance Donovan Mitchell has had at that time of the year (28.3 ppg) for Cleveland. The Cavaliers have a chance to win the Eastern Conference, but this team will likely need a significant injury in the West to win the NBA Finals.

6. New York Knicks

It’s now or never situation for the New York Knicks. Mike Brown was brought in during the offseason with the hopes that he would make enough changes to ensure that Madison Square Garden would host multiple NBA Finals games. From February 1 to March 20, New York posted a respectable 16–7 record with a +8.7 point differential and included wins over the Nuggets, Spurs, and Rockets. There’s a strong case for the Detroit Pistons in this spot, but we’re giving the Knicks a slight edge due to their playoff experience.

RELATED: NBA scouts, executives cast doubt on NY Knicks’ chances for playoff run

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

The Houston Rockets had every reason to feel down on themselves on Friday night. Not only did they dismantle one of the league’s hottest teams, but they did so with a swagger that showed they knew exactly what was going to happen. After the Rockets ended the Atlanta Hawks’ impressive 11-game winning streak with a decisive 117-95 win, Kevin Durant decided to have a little fun with the media during his postgame availability.

Durant, who has faced considerable scrutiny recently regarding his body language and engagement, walked into the press conference room with a bright smile. Before taking the first question, he looked at the assembled reporters and asked, “How was the body language tonight, was it good? What were the vibes like?” The room immediately erupted with laughter, a clear indication of the various narratives that often follow famous scorers.

Kevin Durant after the Rockets blew out the Hawks and ended their 11-game winning streak.

“What was the body language like tonight, was it nice? What were the vibes like?”

(h/t @AdamJWexler)pic.twitter.com/aEnXi8Mv0I

– FullCourtPass (@FullCourtPass) 21 March 2026

The atmosphere on the court at Toyota Center was certainly impeccable. Durant led the way with 25 points, but the real story of the night was his ascent into basketball immortality. During the second quarter, Durant officially passed Wilt Chamberlain to move into fifth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.

It was a historic moment that served as the perfect backdrop for an impressive team performance. Jabari Smith Jr. was a force of nature all evening, scoring 23 points and nine rebounds, while Alpern Sengun carried the offense with 15 points and 10 assists.

The Atlanta Hawks had no answer to Houston’s defensive intensity. Nickell Alexander-Walker managed to score 21 points, but the Hawks struggled to find rhythm against a Rockets team that forced them to make difficult shots all night. As the Rockets controlled the glass and the pace, Atlanta’s 11-game run came to a screeching halt. With this win, the Houston Rockets proved that they can compete with anyone when their stars align.

The Detroit Pistons are officially headed back to the postseason. Detroit became the first team from the Eastern Conference to clinch a spot in the 2026 NBA Playoffs after an impressive 115-101 win over the Golden State Warriors on Friday night. This is the second consecutive year the Motor City will see playoff basketball, a feat that seemed nearly impossible just two seasons ago when the franchise finished with a league-worst 14–68 record.

Even without star guard Cade Cunningham, who is out with a chest injury, the Detroit Pistons did not lose a win at Little Caesars Arena. Jalen Duren led the offense with 23 points in just 21 minutes of action.

With Cunningham out, Dennis Jenkins stepped into the starting lineup and looked like a seasoned veteran, having a near triple-double with 22 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. The Pistons relied on their inner strength and tirelessness to overcome an uncharacteristically cold shooting night, where they converted only five of their 21 attempts from beyond the arc.

Defensively, Detroit acted as a nightmare for a shorthanded Golden State Warriors team that already lacked the legendary Stephen Curry. Aussie Thompson put on a defensive masterclass, recording a career-high seven steals and disrupting passing lanes all evening.

His activity helped the Warriors force an astonishing 26 turnovers, which the Pistons efficiently converted into 32 easy points. Brandin Podziemski led the visitors with 15 points, but Golden State struggled to find a rhythm after Kristaps Porzingis left the game in the first half due to lower back pain.

The win moved the Detroit Pistons to a perfect 51–19 record, maintaining a comfortable 4.5-game lead over the top-seeded Boston Celtics in the East. While the ultimate goal is a deep run in April and May, achieving it early proves how far this young core has come.

The Los Angeles Lakers continued their late-season surge on Thursday night, extending their winning streak to eight games with a 134-126 victory over the Miami Heat, while ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst offered a reassuring assessment of LeBron James’ mentality.

Speaking on Friday’s broadcast of First Take, Windhorst pointed to what he described as a key indicator behind the Lakers’ recent success.

“The best thing I can say about the Lakers right now is… LeBron believes. It’s a subtle thing but if you watch LeBron over the decades, there are times when you get to a point in the season where you know he doesn’t believe in his team. And you can’t see it in the stats, you know it when you see it. Well, I know it when I see it. LeBron believes in this team.”

The Lakers’ performance in Miami reflected that confidence, as they improved to 45–25 on the season – the first time they reached 20 games above .500 since the 2019–20 campaign, when they won the NBA championship.

James delivered a triple-double in the win with 19 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in 38 minutes. Playing on the second night of a back-to-back after the team arrived in Miami around 5 p.m. ET, he shot 8-for-12 from the field and 3-for-5 from the free-throw line.

“I know it when I see it. LeBron believes in this team.” 👀👀👀

– @WindhorstESPN

(via @FirstTech /h/t @terrible announcement )

pic.twitter.com/wXIXLwaGVn

– NBCCentral (@TheDunkCentral) 20 March 2026

Brian Windhorst highlights LeBron James’ belief as Lakers’ surge continues

This outing follows another efficient performance from James last night, when he scored 30 points on 13-for-14 shooting in a win over the Houston Rockets.

While James planned the offense, Luka Doncic provided the scoring punch. The star guard recorded a career-high as a Laker with 60 points, adding seven rebounds, five steals and three assists. Doncic shot 18 of 30 from the field, 9 of 17 from three-point range and 15 of 17 from the free-throw line in 38 minutes, overwhelming Miami’s defense throughout the contest.

The Lakers’ recent expansion has been defined by offensive efficiency and balance, with several players contributing at a high level as the team climbs the Western Conference standings. The combination of James’ playmaking and Doncic’s scoring has put consistent pressure on opposing defenses during the winning streak.

Los Angeles will look to build on its momentum Saturday night when it travels to face the Orlando Magic at the Kia Center. The Magic entered the matchup with a 38–31 record as both teams continued to vie for the postseason.

As the regular season enters its final stretch, the Lakers’ current form has strengthened Windhorst’s evaluation, as the team continues to build momentum and confidence behind its experienced leader.

The Los Angeles Lakers had every reason to take it easy in Thursday night’s game against the Miami Heat, especially coming off a tough game in Houston the night before. But Luka Doncic did not let the Lakers lose.

The Lakers arrived in Miami at 5 a.m. following a tough win against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night. Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reeves were questionable to play, but they ended up playing in the contest. It was the Slovenian guard who dominated the night en route to a big win for the Lakers.

Luka Doncic finished Thursday’s game with 60 points, seven rebounds, three assists and five steals, while shooting 18-of-30 from the field, 9-of-17 from three and 15-of-19 from the free throw line.

According to Stathead, this is the first time in NBA history that a player has recorded at least 60 points, at least nine three-pointers and at least five steals in a game.

Luka Doncic tonight vs. Heat:

60 points
9 3-pointers
5 theft

The first player in NBA history to record such a statline. pic.twitter.com/5GKEfV0Hbe

-Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) 20 March 2026

Doncic recorded 12 points in the opening quarter, nine points in the second, 19 points in the third and 20 points in the fourth quarter.

The Lakers defeated the Heat 134-126, and Doncic’s Lakers teammates gave him some much-needed help. LeBron James recorded a 19-point, 15-rebound, 10-assist triple-double in the win, while Austin Reaves added 18 points and Marcus Smart scored 13 points.

It marked Doncic’s third career game of at least 60 points and his first since scoring 73 points as a member of the Dallas Mavericks in 2024. This marked the ninth time in Doncic’s career that he has scored at least 50 points in a game.

LeBron James has embarrassed Father Time time and again over the past several years, but the 41-year-old defied all logic in Thursday’s 134-126 win against the Miami Heat. After back-to-back wins against the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center, the Los Angeles Lakers arrived in South Beach around 4 p.m. local time. Athletes need their sleep, especially when they have back-to-back games, and especially when they are in their 23rd NBA season.

However, the greatest player of all time showed no effect of the small change. He scored 19 points on 8 of 12 shooting with 15 rebounds and 10 assists, his 124th career triple-double. Luka Doncic was the best player on the night, leading the Heat with an impressive 60 points, but James’ huge contributions should also be highlighted. The Slovenian superstar made sure to do so while showing great appreciation to his teammate.

“Like I said yesterday, you know without him, we’re not going to win,” Doncic told Spectrum SportsNet’s Mike Trudell. “So the way he’s playing, he’s incredible to watch and incredible to watch.”

60 PIECE. 😴🔥

Mike Trudell caught up with Luka Dončić after his 60-point performance. pic.twitter.com/kgP3rWrbdM

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 20, 2026

When the Lakers struggled to maintain momentum from December to February, some people pointed fingers at James. Many NBA fans believe that the four-time Finals MVP’s defensive limitations will prevent the Lakers from advancing in the NBA Playoffs. The team is performing incredibly well right now, however, winning eight consecutive games and sitting in third place in the West.

Now that Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves are all healthy, LA looks like a real championship contender. The biggest member of that trio is actually a big reason why the Lakers have achieved such a position in the latter half of the regular season.

James will continue to let Doncic take the lead offensively, but when the opportunity arises, he will do his best to spark the offense as both a scorer and playmaker. The atmosphere in Los Angeles has surprisingly matched the team’s excellent form.

The Purple and Gold (45-25) continue their six-game road trip when they take on the Orlando Magic (38-31) this Saturday at the Kia Center.

The Detroit Pistons accomplished a historic feat by defeating the Washington Wizards 117–95. Thursday’s win was Detroit’s 50th of the regular season. This is the first time that the Pistons have achieved 50 wins since the 2007–08 season.

Detroit was able to accomplish this historic feat without All-Star point guard Cade Cunningham. He was unavailable after suffering a lung injury during the first five minutes against the Wizards last Tuesday.

The Pistons played their first matchup without Cunningham in another road matchup in Washington. They played with inspired energy from start to finish, leading them to another double-digit victory over the Wizards. Head coach JB Bickerstaff noted before the competition how difficult it would be to fill Cunningham’s absence.

Bickerstaff said, “Obviously, it’s tough. It’s tough with what Cade is going through. He’s a big part of what we do from a leadership standpoint. Obviously, the talent is there, but being around him every day makes guys’ days better.” “It’s our responsibility to keep moving forward. We know when he’s around he’ll support us. He’ll cheer us on, help us, coach us and lead us.”

The team came out with a spark that carried them to a 35-14 lead in the first quarter. Washington offered some pushback in the second quarter, but Detroit came back after halftime to impose its will. The Pistons outscored the Wizards 57–43 in the second half and put the game out of reach.

Bickerstaff has been a key part of the team’s development since arriving in Detroit in 2024. He offered his thoughts to the media after the game about reaching 50 wins for the Pistons this season.

Bickerstaff said, “This is progress, and that’s what we’re here for is to ultimately keep getting better. And I think we’ve done that. But there’s still a lot more to do and the most important thing is we’re focused on what we have left, how we prepare ourselves for tomorrow.”

Pistons advance amid Cunningham’s absence

Detroit has played seven games without him due to other miscellaneous injuries. Cunningham’s collapsed lung is the first long-term injury the team has been forced to play this regular season.

The Pistons weren’t shy about being motivated by Cunningham’s absence. Forward Auser Thompson explained what his absence on the court means for the team and what to expect when he returns.

“We play with him in our minds. How hard he works every day, his energy, we have to come together as a collective and bring him. … When he comes back, we’ll be very excited and ready for him to step up and do whatever he does,” Thompson explained.

Detroit managed to play a somewhat similar style without Cunningham as All-Star center Jalen Duren had an impressive night against the Wizards. Duren finished the night with 24 points, 11 rebounds and two steals. Six of those rebounds were pulled down on the offensive end, creating second chances for Detroit.

Backup center Paul Reed had an impressive performance, scoring 17 points in 20 minutes off the bench. Guards Duncan Robinson, Kevin Huerter and Caris LeVert scored 14 points each for the Pistons. Thompson contributed ten points and nine rebounds in his restricted minutes.

The Detroit Pistons suffered a major blow when Cade Cunningham suffered a lung injury and will be out indefinitely. Jalen Duren will have to take over with Cunningham out. He is currently the favorite on DraftKings for the Most Improved Player award. There is no timetable for Cunningham, and that means Duren will take on more responsibilities.

Duren has a chance to show what he can do with Cunningham out of the lineup. The Pistons have played seven games without Cunningham this season, and have had mostly positive results, going 5–2 in the seven games. Currently, they are 49–19, which is the best record in the Eastern Conference. But they are only 3.5 games ahead of the Boston Celtics, and will have to hold on to maintain the top spot in the East.

Duren is averaging 19 points and 10.6 rebounds per game while shooting 64.2%. This is a huge jump from the 2024-25 season, when he averaged 11.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. Duren does not mind putting pressure on the team. Most recently, he scored 36 points while shooting 13 of 17 from the field in a 130–117 win over the Washington Wizards. He also had 30 points while shooting 12 of 15 against the Memphis Grizzlies.

With no Cunningham in the lineup, Duren will likely be the first option for the Pistons as they attempt to finish with home-court advantage during the Eastern Conference playoffs. There are 14 games left on the schedule and Duran has ample opportunity to claim his prize and cement his legacy. A bigger stretch would give them home-court advantage and potentially make them stronger as a unit. This will prepare them for when Cunningham is ready to return.

The Los Angeles Lakers got a big win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday at the Toyota Center. LeBron James played exceptionally well and scored 30 points on 13-of-14 shooting. According to the X reporter, he spoke after the game and showed how he felt, oh no, he didn’t.

“LeBron: Look at me right now… I feel like I’m bullshitting, but in the game I felt great, before the game, I wasn’t feeling that good. I was yawning and tired. I was literally just talking to myself, “Oh no, not on X,” he wrote.

James continued to fire all night, missing only one shot. It was his best shooting night of the season, as he found ways to put the ball in the hoop at almost every opportunity. There were times when he felt every bit his age, including a massive collapse in the fourth quarter. But James came back and finished the game strongly.

When James dived in for a basketball in Denver earlier this week, it took him a little longer to get up. When he fell in Houston, he held his ailing wrist and sat on the hardwood for a few minutes. Despite being 41 years old, James is playing at a high level, which is perfect timing as we get closer to the playoffs.

There are still questions about James’ future; He continues to perform as the second-best player on the Lakers behind Luka Doncic. As the Lakers sit in third place in the Western Conference, the team will continue to try to secure the No. 3 seed and make a deep run as James strives to stay healthy and be there for the team when needed.

The Memphis Grizzlies delivered one of their most remarkable performances of the season on Wednesday night, defeating the Denver Nuggets by a score of 125-118 at FedExForum. The win broke an eight-match losing streak and offered a glimpse of the team’s long-term potential.

The Grizzlies entered the matchup as the Western Conference’s 11th seed and clear underdogs at 23–44, while the Nuggets came in as the sixth seed at 42–27, and held a three-game lead over the seventh-place Phoenix Suns. However, Memphis turned the result around with its energy, timely shot-making and better execution in the final minutes. The result stood as one of the team’s most important wins of the season.

Cedric Coward played an important role in the performance. The rookie contributed to the stat sheet while continuing to develop within Memphis’ young core. His versatility helped the Grizzlies compete defensively while maintaining offensive differentials, allowing his impact to extend beyond traditional numbers.

Grind City Media shared the clip to X, formerly of Twitter, crediting Michael Wallace with capturing Coward’s postgame reaction, as the guard reflected on the importance of the win after a tough stretch.

“It’s really good to get back in the win column, especially against a playoff team.”

“It’s really good to get back in the win column, especially against a playoff team.”

Cowardly on what lessons a young and developing team can learn from a win over a proven team like the Nuggets.

🎥: @mymikecheck pic.twitter.com/NKDPuQGdFE

– Grind City Media (@grindcitymedia) 19 March 2026

The post emphasized that the moment represented more than one outcome. Instead, it reflects the continued progress of a developing roster that is still learning to consistently compete at the NBA level.

Coward expanded on that theme when discussing the team’s development after the win.

“It also proves that we are growing and moving upward, understanding what we need to do on both ends of the floor, especially with so many young guys still adjusting to the league.”

Those comments reinforce the direction of the Memphis Youth Center. Even during difficult seasons, the Grizzlies continue to build identity through experiences such as these.

Ultimately, the result may not dramatically affect the situation. However, it does provide a meaningful benchmark for a young roster seeking consistency and confidence moving forward.

Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers are finding their rhythm as a collective; On Wednesday night, they won against the Houston Rockets 124–116 for their seventh consecutive win and second in three nights. Doncic was dominant on Wednesday, recording his 12th 40-point game of the season after recording 40 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Never mind that the Rockets have some elite perimeter defenders, when Doncic finds his rhythm, the defense’s only prayer is that he misses.

But the Lakers know that achieving their progress in the regular season is not the ultimate goal. While this may help them prepare for what lies ahead, especially a potentially deep playoff run, they have their eyes on the prize. Doncic said as much in his postgame interview with Spectrum Sportsnet’s Mike Trudell.

Doncic told Trudel, “It’s an amazing feeling. I love winning. Everything is better when you’re winning. We have great chemistry. We’re a great team. This is the beginning of something beautiful.”

“We have great chemistry…this is just the beginning of something beautiful.”

with luka doncic @lakersreporter In the team after tonight’s win. pic.twitter.com/MHBS9q2d6V

– Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) 19 March 2026

The Lakers are finding out, and considering how elite Doncic and James can be when the stakes are at their highest, there isn’t a single team in the West that would like to see them in a seven-game series.

The entire Lakers roster has adopted JJ Redick’s system

The Lakers have suffered a lot this season, but it’s telling that DeAndre Ayton, of all people, would go to the media and say he took a long, hard look at the mirror and realized the defensive effort and energy the team needed from him.

The entire team has bought into what Redick is selling and as a result, the Lakers are winning. But they have another tough test ahead of them, as they look to extend their win streak to eight tomorrow night when they travel to Miami and visit the Heat at 8:00 pm ET.

There was a lot to like about the New York Knicks’ emphatic win over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, and now superfan Ben Stiller is looking forward to 2026.

On March 17, the Knicks defeated the Pacers, who were battling injury problems during the 2025–26 season. This marked their third win of the year over Indiana, finishing the season 3–1 against them.

Stiller was enjoying the win, as evidenced by his live-posting during the entire game on Twitter, EX, but he also acknowledged that the Pacers were not at “full strength”.

In turn, he is looking forward to watching the Pacers vs. Knicks if both teams are healthy, writing, “Look forward to Indiana at full strength next year.”

When the teams meet during the 2026-27 season, the Pacers will likely have Tyrese Haliburton, who suffered an Achilles injury during the NBA Finals in 2025.

The Knicks’ resounding win over the Pacers.

Even without Jalen Brunson, the Knicks were able to shut out the Pacers. They were led by Josh Hart, who had one of the best games of his career.

Hart scored 33 points, making 12 of 13 shots, including five of five from behind the three-point line. He also had seven rebounds, five assists and two steals.

Meanwhile, the Knicks got even bigger games from OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns, who scored 26 and 22, respectively. Jose Alvarado scored 16 points and Jordan Clarkson contributed 10 points off the bench.

The Pacers got some of their injured stars back, such as TJ McConnell, Aaron Nesmith and Oba Toppin. They all came back without wasting any opportunity. McConnell scored 10 points and 10 assists, Nesmith scored 14 points while making five of his eight shots, and Toppin scored 15 points and made 75% of his shots.

As soon as the regular season ends, the Knicks and Pacers will go their separate ways until next year. Indiana is 15-54, the worst record in the entire NBA, and has no chance to make the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Knicks are in third place in the Eastern Conference behind the Detroit Pistons (49-19) and Boston Celtics (45-23).

The Vancouver Canucks defeated the Florida Panthers 5-2 in what was a spectacular Tuesday night at Rogers Arena.

Elias Pettersson scored twice, including the 200th goal of his NHL career, and Marco Rossi added a goal and two assists. Brock Boeser had three assists and Kevin Lankinen stopped 21 shots.

Pettersson had gone 20 games without a goal before scoring twice on the power play and Lankinen got his first win in 10 starts.

The Canucks have now won two of their last three, which might not sound that good, but after the stretch this team has endured, it makes sense.

I’ve watched enough Canucks hockey to know when a game starts to feel fragile, even when the scoreboard looks safe. Vancouver came out with a real jump, yet there was the same familiar tension after Matthew Tkachuk tied the game in the first period.

Against a team like Florida, these are the moments that usually turn into trouble. This time, he did not do so.

game flow

At 3:49 of the first, Pettersson opened the scoring on a one-timer from the right circle following Rossi’s cross-ice pass. Tkachuk replied at 11:41 when an awkward bounce from Carter Verhaeghe left him alone in front.

Peterson struck again on the power play at 13:40, with a shot that bounced off two Panthers defensemen for goal No. 200. Rossi then took a 3–1 lead late when Boeser won a puck battle and fed him a pass in front. There was some bite in that first period.

Then came the tension. Sam Bennett made it 3-2 in the second, and it looked like the Panthers were hanging on long enough to flip the script. Instead, Aatu Ratie restored the two-goal lead after a failed clearing pass, and later Drew O’Connor finished another chance from just above the crease.

As NHL.com noted, three of Vancouver’s goals came when skaters were left open in front of the Florida net, and Panthers coach Paul Morris acknowledged that these breakdowns were unusual for his club.

A better night, but not a clean slate

The Associated Press reported that Lankinen was playing his 200th NHL game, while Panthers defenseman Seth Jones returned after missing 26 games.

Reuters found that Sergei Bobrovsky was making his 800th NHL appearance, but the milestone night belonged to the Canucks.

Pettersson’s last goal came on January 13, making it his longest drought in the NHL. He said he’s trying to simplify and shoot more, and you can see that in the way he attacks his look instead of overthinking about it.

Boeser also supported this, saying that a confident Peterson would have to let that shot go. For Vancouver, it means more than a nice night in March. This changes the feel of the room a bit.

The reality is that this win doesn’t fix the season. I’m not pretending otherwise. Still, for Canucks fans who have waited a while to see Pettersson look dangerous again and for the team to actually finish their chances, it may have seemed worth holding out for a few days.

The Panthers visit Edmonton next, and the Canucks stay at home to face Tampa Bay on Thursday.

The Montreal Canadiens host the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night to avoid their first three-game losing streak since late November.

It was no good, and required overtime, but in the end the Habs emerged with a hard-fought victory, as Cole Caufield scored his 40th goal of the year to secure a 3–2 victory.

Let’s look at the highlights!

search for discipline

Habs fans will be quick to tell you that the team has not received favorable officiating this season, and there is some truth to that theory, but the fact that the Canadiens have struggled to show any shred of discipline this year has compounded the problem considerably.

Alexander Carrier’s double-minor to start the game against the Bruins was a perfect example. This left the Canadiens behind by the eight ball, as the Bruins scored quickly during the first power play.

Despite the inconsistency involved in NHL officiating, the Canadiens need to do a much better job when it comes to avoiding needless penalties. For the most part, they are the authors of their own penalty problems.

pav stays hot 🔥 pic.twitter.com/TfgFLV1y63

– Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) 17 March 2026

first line effect

The first line didn’t get a chance to play 5v5 shifts for about five minutes, another symptom of there being no discipline at all in the team.

Luckily for the Canadians, Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkowski made their mark early on and tied the game midway through the first period. It was Suzuki’s 24th goal of the season, although we must give credit to Caufield for his excellent work on the blue line, keeping the game alive after a few fortuitous layups.

back and goodbye

forehand, backhand, tie game#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/zpaxofDZD9

– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) 17 March 2026

coverage issues

Boston took a 2-1 lead midway through the second period, and while many will look for the skater to make the mistake, the truth is that Montreal’s poor defensive coverage is incredibly common. At some point, you have to view the system as the cause of an endless stream of defensive failures.

For the record, it was Oliver Kapanen who was covering Zacha, and then proceeded to drop him at the last minute, but again, this is a recurring theme for the Habs. Whether it’s Kapanen or another Canadiens player, questionable defensive coverage happens all too often for a team that is in a very competitive playoff race.

Confused defensive coverage is once again at the center of a goal.

The Bruins lead 2-1. pic.twitter.com/vSi4XUmCGz

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 18 March 2026

mr anderson

With the Canadiens trailing once again, the veteran line provided a crucial goal, as Josh Anderson tied the game at 2–2 with a point shot.

Full marks to Anderson for creating enough of a gap between himself and the much bigger Nikita Zadorov. It was exactly the kind of play you’d expect to see from a rough-and-tumble player like Anderson, who scored his 13th goal of the season.

It should also be noted that Jaden Struble did a great job keeping the game alive, leading to the Lane Hutson shot and of course the Anderson tip. Brendan Gallagher, appearing in his 900th NHL game, also recorded an assist in the scoring game.

The teams remained tied at 2 at the second intermission, however, the Canadiens maintained a clear edge in high-danger chances at 5v5 at 14–7.

Great work by Josh Anderson to create space between himself and Zadorov before the tip. Tie the game. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/0tDhZiLtnm

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 18 March 2026

it had to happen to him

While the Bruins pushed the envelope in overtime, it was the usual suspect Caufield who secured the victory for the Canadiens.

It was his 40th goal of the year, the first time a Canadian player has scored the goal since Vincent Damphousse in 1993–94.

For the first time in more than 20 years, #GoHabsGo There are 40 goal scorers in the lineup.

Cole Caufield once again plays hero for the Canadiens in OT: pic.twitter.com/A1307KgtP8

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 18 March 2026

The Montreal Canadiens are back in action on Thursday, facing the Red Wings in Detroit, with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

All Montreal Canadiens stats are 5v5, via Natural Stat Trick, unless otherwise noted.

Mark has been covering the Habs for over a decade. He previously worked for the Journal Metro, The Athletic, The… More about Mark Dumont

Paul Couture is the New Jersey Devils’ best player and they have a goaltender across from them.

Hosting the Boston Bruins at the Prudential Center, Cotter scored the overtime winner, which also capped a three assist night for Jack Hughes, a new record holder for the Devils.

Just four minutes into the first period, the Devils’ defense was caught sleeping and the Bruins made them pay.

Henri Jokiharju’s shot from the point was blocked by Jacob Markstrom. However, the puck bounced off David Pastrnak, who was standing at the net-front the entire time, collected the loose puck, and slid it between Markstrom’s five-hole to give the Bruins a 1–0 lead.

The Bruins dominated the puck throughout the first period. About four minutes after the Bruins’ goal, Brandon Dillon and Mark Kastelic dropped mitts after New Jersey created tension in front of the net. Each got five minutes of majors to fight.

Boston kept the pressure on New Jersey, and eventually doubled their lead when Pavel Zacha finished off a stray chance headed by Viktor Arvidsson to make the game 2–0.

The Devils got off to a fast start in the second period and scored within the first minute of puck drop. Jack forced a turnover on neutral territory and began moving toward the Boston area. The Devils star fed Connor Brown, who was already behind the Boughton defense, provoking him for a breakaway, and he lowered the blocker side to cut the Devils’ deficit to 2–1.

Jack’s primary assist set a Devils franchise record, as he is now the fastest player to reach 400 points for New Jersey, reaching the milestone in 414 games.

The Devils remained all-out in the middle frame as they tried to erase their first period deficit. New Jersey’s top line continued to give the Bruins defense headaches. With just over eight minutes gone in the period, the Jacks made a quick move up the ice, feeding Brown in the middle of the ice, who then passed the puck to Jesper Bratt for a one-time chance in the right circle to tie the game at 2–2.

Just three minutes into the third period the Devils immediately took a 3-2 lead. Maxim Tsyplyakov drove to the net with the puck on his backhand, and fired it into the slot for Paul Cotter who scored.

Still, Pastrnak responded immediately by pulling off a slick toe-up of his own, and slid the puck to Markstrom, who the Bruins forward knocked out of position to restore the tie at three.

There was a barrage of penalties between the Devils and Bruins, starting with Kastelic’s hard hit on Cotter. Bruins forward Johnathan Kovacevic stepped up to drop the gloves, forcing Kastelic to fight for the second time on Monday.

New Jersey then committed three minor penalties, and Boston was whistled for one. Still, neither team took advantage.

The Devils and Bruins needed overtime, and the exciting period almost turned into a shootout.

However, Jack collected a loose puck in the neutral zone and pushed it to Cotter, drawing a streak across the ice. On a breakaway, Cotter scored the overtime winner to solidify the Devils’ second win in as many games.

Markstrom stopped 19 pucks on 22 shots to earn his 20th win of the season.

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls

On Sunday evening, the New York Knicks picked up a narrow home win over the Golden State Warriors at Madison Square Garden. It was the first game at home for the Knicks after a recent long trip to the West Coast, and at one point the team found itself trailing by 21 points against a Warriors team playing without Stephen Curry and several others, before eventually rallying to win.

Still, it wasn’t exactly an encouraging performance for a Knicks team that has been slipping as of late, and recently, ESPN sports media personality and renowned New York fan Stephen A. Smith expressed his concern with the team.

“I’m sick. … I had the New York Knicks to go to the Finals. I sure don’t have that now,” Smith said, according to First Take on X, formerly Twitter.

In fact, many analysts projected the Knicks to be a Finals-level team this season. However, the emergence of the Detroit Pistons, who have swept New York in their contests so far this year, as well as the surprising play of the Boston Celtics, who are second in the East and recently brought Jayson Tatum back from his Achilles injury, have undermined those plans, and now, the Knicks are as low as fourth in the East in terms of chances to make the Finals.

New York struggled during their recent road trip, losing badly to both the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, and had to struggle mightily to defeat the weak Utah Jazz.

The Knicks will be looking to turn things around in the final month of the regular season to reach the playoffs while playing their best basketball and not the slump they are currently facing.

The Sinners star Michael B. In the wake of Jordan’s first Oscar win, he was celebrated with a meme referencing Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls’ 1991 NBA Finals victory.

Sports Center congratulated Jordan on his Best Actor win at the 2026 Oscars. He painted the Michael B. Posted a photoshopped image of Jordan’s face where he is holding the Larry O’Brien trophy.

Michael B. Jordan won his first Oscar@michaelb4jordan Name of Best Actor in Leading Role in 2026 #Oscar 👏 pic.twitter.com/b0ae28TGIj

– Sports Center (@SportsCenter) 16 March 2026

The photo of Jordan embracing the trophy is an iconic piece of NBA history. In the photoshopped photo, Jordan, who shares the NBA icon’s first and last name, is wearing a white cap like the Bulls legend. However, it reads, “Sinners, 2026 Oscar Winners,” and features an image of the Academy Award of Merit trophy.

The Sinners star Michael B. Jordan wins his first Oscar in 2026

In 2026, Jordan received his first Oscar nomination. He was nominated for Best Actor for his dual role in Sinners. Although he has previously won an Actor’s Choice Award and a Critics’ Choice Award, he has never been nominated by the Academy.

He won in 2026 in a stacked field. Jordan was up against previous winners such as Leonardo DiCaprio (One on One) and first-time nominee Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent). Additionally, Timothée Chalamet and Ethan Hawke, who worked hard for their first wins, were nominated.

But it was Jordan who came out on top. They played twins, Smoke and Stack Moore, in Ryan Coogler’s Sinners. Jordan has collaborated with Coogler five times since Fruitvale Station in 2013. He has also appeared in Coogler’s films Creed, Black Panther, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and now Sinners.

The Sinners follows twins who return to their hometown in the Jim Crow South. They’re trying to open their own juke joint. However, they face resistance from a supernatural force. Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton and Delroy Lindo also star.

On Saturday evening, the Los Angeles Lakers picked up one of the biggest wins of the 2025-26 NBA season with a thrilling overtime win over the Denver Nuggets. It looked like the Lakers were dying for possession in the final seconds of regulation, but Austin Reaves’ intentionally missed free throws were executed to perfection, and Luka Doncic ultimately won things for Los Angeles in the extra frame.

After the game, Lakers head coach JJ Redick attempted to expand his vocabulary to explain how the Lakers are coming together at the right time.

“Is ‘coalesces’ a word? Is it the right word? To come together?”. Redick asked, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “I think it feels like we’re coming together pretty well right now. There’s still a long way to go, but definitely optimistic about how we’ve handled this run of games. … It’s big time.”

The Lakers are currently on a five-game winning streak, and have suffered losses to some tough competition, including both the Nuggets and New York Knicks last week. The questions about the Lakers’ defense are beginning to subside, as Los Angeles has played some better basketball on that end of the floor amid its winning streak.

Los Angeles currently sits in third place in the Western Conference, the same spot where they finished the regular season a year ago, and as the NBA Playoffs approach, the team certainly looks to be playing its best basketball at the right time.

It also helps that Los Angeles remains mostly healthy, as Reeves, Doncic and LeBron James are getting a chance to consistently share the floor for the first time all season.

Los Angeles will take the field for the first of two road games versus the Houston Rockets on Monday evening.

On Saturday evening, the Los Angeles Lakers continued their winning ways with an impressive home win in overtime over the Denver Nuggets. It wasn’t always rosy for the Lakers, but ultimately, they took the game to extra frames thanks to great play from Austin Reaves and then won it on a late Luka Doncic jumper.

At one point in the game, a heartwarming moment occurred when a young fan was caught showing off his enthusiasm for the game on the Crypto.com Arena jumbotron.

a legend pic.twitter.com/KE9tJ7cRno

– Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) 15 March 2026

After the game, the kid got a shoutout from none other than LeBron James himself.

“It was a great atmosphere. … That little kid on the Jumbotron was definitely — I saw there — I think he’s the reason we won tonight,” James, formerly of the Ax, said, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin on Twitter.

The young fan wasn’t the only one thrilled by what he saw Saturday, as Los Angeles picked up its fifth consecutive win against a quality opponent in Denver.

The Lakers’ defense, which has been seen as a reason for the team not being taken seriously as a contender this year, has started to play some better basketball over the past few weeks, with JJ Redick’s strategy appearing to be to get LeBron James off the ball as much as possible so he doesn’t have to expend so much energy on the 41-year-old.

The results have paid off so far, as Los Angeles is currently the number three seed in the Western Conference, the same spot where they finished the regular season last year.

The Lakers will hope that their playoff result this time will be a little different from last year’s gentlemen’s sweep at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Luka Doncic didn’t have much left in the tank after the Los Angeles Lakers survived a 127-125 overtime marathon against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night. As he walked towards the locker room of the Crypto.com Arena, exhaustion was clearly visible across his face. When asked how he felt after his game-winning heroics, Doncic gave a candid, unfiltered answer that perfectly summed up that night.

“Feeling great, tired,” Doncic said in the tunnel. “Got to rest a bit. Great win though, great win.”

“Great victory.”

Luka Doncic in the tunnel after the Lakers’ escape from overtime.

(via @nba)pic.twitter.com/iGbPpZlNet

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 15 March 2026

The Slovenian superstar earned every bit of that exhaustion. In a game that felt like a heavyweight title fight, Doncic finished with a huge triple-double with 30 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds. But it was his activity in the final seconds that defined the game. After burying a clutch stepback jumper to give the Los Angeles Lakers a two-point lead, he switched to Tim Hardaway Jr. and drained a potentially game-winning three-pointer as the buzzer sounded.

Luka Doncic reminded the entire NBA why the Los Angeles Lakers are the team to beat in the Western Conference. The Lakers defeated the Denver Nuggets 127-125 in an overtime thriller Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena. While the box score highlights a huge team effort, the night belonged to Doncic. He produced a ruthless game-winner followed by a defensive stop that sent the home crowd into a frenzy.

Luka Doncic for the win 🤯pic.twitter.com/cbtnkMur28

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 15 March 2026

The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t make it easy for themselves. After letting a lead slip late in regulation, they traded haymakers to a Denver Nuggets team led by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. The energy inside the arena reached fever pitch as both teams refused to blink in the extra period.

But as the game became tied, Doncic took charge. With less than 7 seconds remaining, the Slovenian superstar buried a stepback jumper to put the Lakers up by two.

Denver had one last chance to steal the victory. The ball reached Tim Hardaway Jr., who had already scored 20 points off the bench for the Nuggets. Hardaway Jr. rose up for a potential game-winning three-pointer, but Doncic met him at the summit. The Lakers’ point guard blocked the attempt as the buzzer sounded, capping his triple-double performance with a rare defensive highlight.

Luka Doncic finished the evening with 30 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds. Got a lot of help from them also. Austin Reeves was fantastic, leading all scorers with 32 points on 12-of-21 shooting. Marcus Smart also turned back the clock, scoring 21 points and a staggering five steals to keep Denver’s offense unbalanced. For the Nuggets, Jokic was his usual dominant self, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Lakers’ star power. With the win, Los Angeles continues its lead at the top of the standings.

Well, the New Jersey Devils may have given up three leads, but they still came up with two points.

A back-and-forth affair between the Devils and the Los Angeles Kings ended in victory when Jack Hughes sealed the deal with the game-winning power play goal in the third period.

The Devils took a 1–0 lead on a goal off the stick of Cody Glass at 7:58 of the first period.

Arseniy Gritsyuk collected the loose puck on the right wall and fed the glass into the slot for a one-time chance, beating Anton Forsberg to give New Jersey a one-goal advantage.

Three minutes later, Nico Hischier scored on a rebound by Timo Meier to give the Devils a 2–0 lead in the first period.

New Jersey began the second period of attack. However, Dougie Hamilton sent the Devils to the early penalty kill after being whistled for interference.

On the Los Angeles power play, Anze Kopitar cut the Devils’ lead to 2–1 by hitting a backdoor pass from Bradent Clark.

Just over two minutes later, Artemi Panarin tied the game, skating the puck into the slot and passing it past Jake Allen to tie things at two.

The Kings scored three consecutive goals to take the lead at 11:43 of the middle frame. Clark walked to the Devils blueline with the puck on his stick and passed it to Taylor Ward at the top of the left circle, who beat Allen to give the Kings a 3–2 lead.

It didn’t take long for the Devils to tie the game in the third period.

Lenny Haminaho drove quickly to the Kings’ zone and took a good step to beat the defense. The Finnish rookie fed Gritsyuk backdoor, and Gritsyuk batted in the puck that was in mid-air and tied the game at three.

Quinton Byfield was later whistled for tripping, forcing New Jersey back on the power play for the third time. Hischier played well on the man advantage and the Devils regained the lead at 12:41 of the third period.

However, Haminaho’s puck was modest and the Devils were sent back to the PK, and Kopitar collected his second of the night to tie the game at four.

Kopitar’s second goal of the night saw him break the Los Angeles franchise record for points, the 1,308th of his career.

The Devils gained another man advantage after the whistle for holding Clarke.

Hughes took no time in giving the Devils their third lead of the night, scoring a goal on a FC-off draw to make the game 5–4 in favor of New Jersey.

Meyer deflected the empty-net goal to seal a 6–4 Devils victory.

Jake Allen made 27 saves on 31 shots and earned his 13th win of the season.

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls

Anthony Edwards stole the net with a stellar performance in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 127-117 win over the Golden State Warriors on Friday night.

Edwards is playing the sixth season of his NBA career with the Timberwolves. He has exceeded expectations as the first overall pick in the 2020 draft, shining as one of the best young stars the league has to offer.

Edwards continues to improve in Year 6 as he has kept the Timberwolves in a strong playoff race. In Minnesota’s game against Golden State, he dominated the entire 37 minutes of action.

Edwards produced a stellar stat line of 42 points, eight rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. He made 13 of 22 shots from the field, including 4 of 9 from beyond the arc and 10 of 12 from the free-throw line.

Anthony Edwards puts on a show to lead Timberwolves to victory 🔥

🐜42 points
🐜8 rebounds
🐜5 Help

🐜13-in-22 FG
🐜4-in-9 3pt
🐜10 out of 12 feet pic.twitter.com/385xsI6GOd

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 14 March 2026

Anthony Edwards, how the Timberwolves played against the Warriors

Anthony Edwards was too much for the Warriors to handle, leading the Timberwolves to a solid win on the road. Golden State was competitive despite missing Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, but Minnesota beat them with a remarkably efficient offense.

Seven players, including Edwards, scored in double figures for Minnesota in the win. Rudy Gobert came in with a strong performance of 18 points, nine rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. He shot 5 of 5 overall and 8 of 10 from the charity stripe. Jaden McDaniels was next with 15 points, Naz Reed and Ayo Dosunmu each scored 12 points, Bones Hyland had 11 points, while Julius Randle provided 10 points and four rebounds.

Minnesota improved to a 41–26 record on the season and finished sixth in the Western Conference standings. They are above the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers while trailing the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers.

The Timberwolves will remain on the road awaiting their next matchup. They will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder as tip-off takes place on March 15 at 1 pm ET.

MIAMI – As the buzz around the Miami Heat is that Bam Adebayo made history Tuesday by scoring 83 points, the second-highest scoring game ever in the NBA, surpassing Kobe Bryant’s 81 points, there’s no doubt he made an impact. Whatever the effect of the social media discussion surrounding the “ethics” of the Heat captain’s 83-point night, it was felt during the team’s 112-105 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.

The win over the Bucks is Miami’s seventh straight, the longest of the season for the team, and comes after Adebayo had a historic night against the Wizards on Tuesday. Adebayo was clearly and obviously gassed in the contest, though he still finished with 21 points and eight rebounds.

Erik Spoelstra called outing vs. Bucks “one of our more impressive wins”

However, Adebayo’s performance was “inspirational”, as said by head coach Erik Spoelstra, leading to a dominant win over Milwaukee led by a standout performance from Pelle Larsson, which included a career-high 28 points.

“I thought it was one of our most impressive wins of the season,” Spoelstra said. “Going into this, you want to make sure your emotional and mental batteries are recharged. But it’s quite natural that there are some things where you don’t get enough juice. And for what we talked about in our meeting and walk-through, we need some guys to step up, maybe bring some Motivators, you know, inspire motivators.”

Erik Spoelstra was asked about the Heat’s gutsy win, especially after an emotional game on Tuesday, and he talked about Pelle Larsson and Kaspars Jaksionis.

“I thought it was one of our most impressive wins of the season…they were both awesome…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/MukvJbWh6K

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 13 March 2026

Spoelstra would call it a “very good team win”, while acknowledging that Miami was not as “impressive offensively”, possibly due to Tuesday’s emotionally draining night. Still, the Heat would look to hold the Bucks defensively, although Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 31 points.

Adebayo and the Heat look to get back on track and make things happen on Saturday night against the Orlando Magic.

After losing six of their last seven games, the Vegas Golden Knights were in desperate need of a win. Pacific Division aside, the losing streak was doing nothing for morale. Thus, Thursday’s 6-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins was exactly what the doctor ordered.

As has been the case in the past few games, the Golden Knights started strong. In the first period, they created 13 scoring chances while limiting the Penguins to six.

The Golden Knights broke the ice first at 8:41. Brett Howden forced Parker Wotherspoon into a turnover, and Colton Sissons tipped the puck over to Brayden Bowman. Bowman caught the puck, danced around Wotherspoon, and found Sissons for a back-door tap-in.

“Once we get that first [goal]That was big,” Brayden Bowman said after the game.

The Golden Knights doubled their lead just 5:02 into the second period. Pavel Dorofeyev drove the puck deep into the zone, and Tomas Hertl kept the game alive in the back of the net. Brayden Bowman blocked Pittsburgh’s first clearing attempt, and Cayden Korczak blocked the second. Korczak found Dorofeyev on the goal line, and Dorofeyev beat Artur Silovs off the gloves.

Trailing 2–0, the Penguins began to apply pressure; He came on the board at 8:26 of the second minute. Rickard Rakell got the spot over Braden McNabb; Bryan Rust received a pass for a back-door tap-in.

In recent games, the Golden Knights have struggled to stop the bleeding. They had no such problems on Thursday and responded with an own goal just 54 seconds after Raquel tallied.

The Golden Knights restored their two-goal lead at 9:20 of the second game. Mitch Marner intercepted Connor Dewar’s passing attempt, entered the zone, and executed a turnover with Pavel Dorofeyev. He received the puck above the goal crease, waited for Arturs Silovs to be out and fired it home in midair.

“He had a bit of a shock there [in the second period]Brayden Bowman said. I thought we responded well. They score, and then guys go out there and get it right back. This is a huge thing for the morale on the bench. I mean, we were up.

The Penguins cut the Golden Knights’ lead to one at 16:22 of the second minute. Ryan Shea sent a stretch-pass up the ice to Anthony Mantha, who was moving into the Vegas zone. Mantha protected the puck, deflected off Brayden Bowman and found Ben Kindel for a back-door tap-in.

The strong third period has defined the 2026 Golden Knights; Thursday was no different. Despite falling behind 11-6, they did not allow any more goals. The Golden Knights remained strong defensively and controlled 74.43% of the expected goal share.

The Golden Knights once again took a two-goal lead just 4:35 into the third minute. After a Penguins foul, Pavel Dorofeyev fouled Ville Kauvinen with the puck. Dorofeyev passed it to Mitch Marner who entered the zone. Marner returned to Dorofeyev trailing in the slot, and the winger got home his second of the night.

The Golden Knights added insult to injury at 6:20 of the third minute. Shea Theodore sent a stretch pass to Ivan Barbashev at center ice. Barbashev entered the Penguins zone, cut to the middle of the ice, and passed the puck to Jack Eichel; Eichel stepped into the slot and beat Arturs Silovs.

Despite trailing by three goals, the Penguins pulled Arturs Silovs for an extra attacker with 7:39 remaining in regulation. The Golden Knights held them to five shots on goal and Adin Hill turned them away.

Hill finished the night with 24 saves on 26 shots, a .923 save percentage and a 2.53 GSAX.

After several attempts – including Adin Hill’s bid on goal by the goalkeeper – Brayden McNabb hit the empty net with 59 seconds remaining in regulation.

Captain Mark Stone returned to the lineup after missing the previous six games due to an upper body injury.

It is no coincidence that, in their first game, the players attributed their strong performance during the 6–2 victory to the energy on the bench.

The players credited the energy on the bench for their strong performance during the 6–2 win.

“We had some good energy tonight,” Braden Bowman said after the game. “I think that’s important when we’re playing our best. We’ve got good energy on the bench, and I think that carries over onto the ice.”

Hannah Kirkel is a beat writer who covers the Vegas Golden Knights for Vegas Hockey Now on SportsNote. She studied more about Hannah Kirkel

The Denver Nuggets’ 136-131 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night wasn’t just another regular season win. At one point, Denver was down by 20 points, and things were looking bleak. Plus, the Nuggets were playing for the second night in a row, so coming back against a team like the Spurs was going to be a tough task. But Denver’s response in the fourth quarter spoke volumes about the team’s resiliency.

For Jamal Murray, that’s what made the comeback so important. He would lead a rally in which the Nuggets outscored the Spurs 34–12 in the fourth.

“These are the games you live for,” Murray said after the game. “Maybe not the playoffs, but these wins mean a lot. It says a lot about your character on the road as a group to deal with adversity. … But it’s amazing to see this group come away with a win.”

Murray would have a tough first half, where he could only score nine points. However, he would score 30 points in the second half, including 16 points in the fourth quarter. His step-back three-pointer with less than five minutes remaining gave Denver its first lead, and he hit four crucial free throws to seal the win.

The adversity Murray mentioned extends beyond Thursday’s game. Throughout the season, the Nuggets battled persistent injuries, causing their starting lineup to play only a few games together. Despite Aaron Gordon being out for hamstring maintenance, Denver was still able to accomplish this.

With the win, Denver improved to 41–26 and moved into a three-way tie for third place in the Western Conference. On Saturday they face the Los Angeles Lakers, who themselves are fighting for a spot in this final stretch of the regular season.

The Los Angeles Clippers were left for dead in November. After a disappointing 5–20 start to the season, most pundits were examining mock drafts rather than playoff standings. But after Wednesday night’s 153-128 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, this team did something no one in NBA history has done.

According to NBA insider Brett Siegel, with the win, the Clippers became the first team in league history to go above the .500 mark after falling at least 15 games below .500 in the same season. Sitting at 35-34, Los Angeles has completed a comeback that seemed statistically impossible four months ago.

The Intuit Dome was rocking as Kawhi Leonard turned in one of the most accomplished pieces of his historic career. Leonard torched the Timberwolves for 45 points on a ridiculous 17-of-21 shooting from the field. They didn’t just beat Minnesota; He destroyed them, scoring at will from mid-range and the perimeter.

However, it was not just a one-man show. Benedict Mathurin operated the offense like a surgeon, scoring 22 points and 3 assists. The Clippers’ offense looked like a well-oiled machine, shooting a whopping 63 percent from the floor as a team. Los Angeles dominated every aspect of the game, outshooting Minnesota 60–44 in the paint and turning 10 Timberwolves turnovers into 14 points.

The Timberwolves, led by Anthony Edwards’ 36 points, could not keep up with the Clippers’ historic heater. Minnesota struggled to find stops as the Clippers dropped more than 40 points in three of four quarters.

From a 15-game losing streak to a winning record, the Clippers have officially flipped the script for the 2025-26 season. If they keep playing like this, “phenomenal” could be the beginning of their story.

Ask any fan who the greatest player in Orlando Magic history is. The answer is usually limited to just four players: Shaquille O’Neal, Penny Hardaway, Tracy McGrady and Dwight Howard.

Although he’s still a long way from those legendary names, Desmond Benn is slowly making his mark in Orlando.

In his first stint with the Magic, Ben has already made game-winners and scored explosively, silencing critics who turned up their noses at the team’s decision to trade for him in the offseason.

In Wednesday’s 128-122 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Kia Center, Ben had another impressive performance. He scored a game-high 35 points on 12-of-19 shooting, six rebounds and six assists. He had no turnovers.

According to ESPN Insights, the 27-year-old guard became only third player O’Neal and McGrady set a team history record of 35 points, five assists and zero turnovers in a single game.

Desmond Benn is the third different player in Magic history with 35 points, 5 assists and 0 turnovers in a game.

He joins Tracy McGrady (3 times, last in 2003) and Shaquille O’Neal (1994) 🗒️ pic.twitter.com/AJzQvVvebA

– ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) 12 March 2026

Not bad at all for someone who is on his first visit to Orlando.

The Magic won their fifth consecutive game and went up 36–28. The Cavaliers, meanwhile, fell to 40-26.

The Magic dropped their last two meetings against the Cavaliers.

Many eyebrows were raised when the Magic acquired Benn from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Cole Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and four unprotected first-round picks. The consensus was that the Magic gave up too much.

However, Bane has shown his worth. He got off to a slow start as he was still adjusting to his new team, but has since found his rhythm, showcasing the two-way talent that has made him one of the more dependable players in the NBA.

The Knicks are generally careful with basketball. They average 13.7 turnovers per game, eighth-fewest in the NBA. However, when they turn the ball over their performance obviously suffers.

Knicks must limit bad turnover game

In 25 losses this season, the Knicks are averaging 15.5 turnovers per game. When they commit 14 or fewer turnovers they are 30-12, and when they commit 15 or more turnovers they are 11-13. Granted, this is a problem for most teams, as turning the ball over has a zero-sum effect on a team’s ability to score relative to the chances given to their opponents. But the problem isn’t just that New York performs poorly when turning the ball over, which is essentially the case for most teams; This is how many times they exceed their average.

For context, the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder committed 15 or more turnovers only 17 times last season. And the 2024 NBA champion Boston Celtics did so only 18 times in 2023-24. By comparison, New York has done it 24 times this season with 15 games remaining.

Why does high turnover lead to poor performance?

The Knicks clearly thrive in a low-turnover, high-efficiency model. Under head coach Mike Brown, the Knicks maintain the fourth-lowest turnover rate in the league. They have an average turnover rate of 10.5% in wins this season; However, in losses this figure has increased to 13.1%.

especially, The points they give up from turnovers present a major problem. When New York turns the ball over, it often turns into scoring opportunities for their opponents. And when the Knicks defense is suffering, which was the case. 2-9 expansion in January 2026, their turnover problems become unsustainable, as they begin to bleed points.

Jose Alvarado could be the key to the Knicks taking care of the basketball

One reason for the Knicks’ inconsistent ball security may be their lack of a true backup point guard. The Knicks’ 2025-26 identity is built on being an offensive juggernaut who makes efficient shots, especially corner threes. When they turn the ball over above their season average, they lose possession games. And because they play on one Slow pace (ranked 21st according to ESPN)Every lost property is magnified.

Fortunately, the addition of Jose Alvarado may have solved this problem. Alvarado has helped New York get a more consistent rotation, taking over playmaking duties when Jalen Brunson needs a break. And it does so efficiently and productively. Alvarado has turned the ball over just 11 times in 14 games with the Knicks. And in those 14 games, New York is 10-4. And if you ignore the last two games – in which the Knicks have turned the ball over 39 times – they are averaging just 13 turnovers per game since adding the New York native.

Ultimately, it seems as if the Knicks’ path to a championship depends on maintaining elite ball protection. If they can take care of the basketball regularly, they will have very few problems in the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Conversely, if they fall victim to poor play – as they have recently on a two-game losing streak – it could be a challenging spring for everyone involved.

If Liverpool needed any inspiration to turn around their Champions League tie against Galatasaray, Sinan Engin might have provided it.

Haber Sari Kirmizi covered her comments today Following the Turkish side’s 1-0 win over Arne Slott’s side on Tuesday evening.

The Reds were easily beaten by the Super Lig side in the first leg of their Round of 16 double header last night. Mario Lemina’s seventh-minute goal proved to be the difference between the two sides.

But it could have been worse as Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed in the second half. Liverpool also saw VAR cancel out Dominik Szoboszlai’s strike.

Liverpool buried by gala

However, the fact that Giorgi Mamardashvili was named man of the match was seen as an indicator of how events had unfolded. Great influence was exerted on Engin, insisting that the Premier League champions were buried by Galatasaray.

“Galatasaray is the winner of Europe,” The Turkish pundit said.

“Galatasaray played like they were playing against a normal Anatolian team. That’s how I saw Liverpool. Galatasaray is suffocating Liverpool.

“Liverpool is not the old Liverpool, and Juventus is not the old Galatasaray. This is Galatasaray, the Galatasaray that conquers Europe. In other words, they are your father.

“They played very passionate football. You can win 1-0 by defending, but Galatasaray are still looking for the second or third goal even in the 90+4th minute. Galatasaray played their best European match so far.

“Beating Liverpool in both matches is no small feat. Galatasaray buried Liverpool at Reims Park.”

Victor Osimhen a big plus

Victor Osimhen was an absolute handful for Liverpool’s defense on Tuesday evening.

The Nigeria international has scored seven goals and added three assists in the Champions League this season. This brings his total to 18 goals and 7 assists in 27 matches.

Engin was again very impressed, with the Turkish pundit saying: “Galatasaray has an extraordinary player; Victor osiemhen. You have to look at his genetics, he is more than just a human being. What does this guy eat, man? That lion will be eating. Osimhen has become like a lion. Icardi has been forgotten.”

enfield optimism

The focus now turns to the second phase at Anfield. Losing 1-0 is certainly not difficult liverpool To win on home soil.

Anfield may not be the fortress it once was, but it still has the power to turn into a bear pit on European nights. Arne Slott’s team will certainly be hoping for the same after this defeat.

Indeed, Aldin believes that if Galatasaray wins on Merseyside, Liverpool could file a petition with UEFA.

“If Galatasaray removes Liverpool, they will file a petition with UEFA. It will say ‘We do not want Galatasaray to come to us again’,” He added.

If that doesn’t provide inspiration for the Reds, nothing can. Erdin not only claims they were buried in the first phase, he’s now basically calling them cry babies.

Now, we’re not suggesting, but we would suggest printing it out, sticking it on a wall somewhere and seeing what happens at Anfield.

🇩🇪 Nnamdi Collins | “I’m quite surprised”

💬 Interest from Newcastle United, Liverpool and Manchester City surprised the playerhttps://t.co/McTYhyGLRm #nufc #lfc #mcfc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 10 March 2026

Tuesday night was a career-high scoring night. Of course, Bam Adebayo’s 83 points lead to the win. But for the Chicago Bulls, they got the best from Matas Buzelis against the Golden State Warriors.

Overall, Bouzelis finished the game with a career-high 41 points as the Bulls defeated the Warriors 130–124 in overtime.

Afterwards, according to Casey Johnson of Chicago Sports Network, Bouzelis talked about his approach to the game.

“Just trying to be aggressive every day, every game,” he said.

“Just trying to be aggressive every day, every game.”

with Matas Buzzelis @KCJHope He dropped a career-high 41 points in the win over Golden State pic.twitter.com/A3N1JMrlq4

– Bulls on CHSN (@CHSN_Bulls) 11 March 2026

With 2:32 left in overtime, Bouzelis hit a key 3-pointer to put the Bulls in good position to win. Additionally, Bouzelis finished the game 16 of 28 from the field, 5 of 15 at the 3-point line, 4 of 5 at the foul line and six rebounds.

Meanwhile, Tre Jones came up with 22 points and five assists. Additionally, Josh Giddy finished with another triple-double with 21 points, 17 assists and 13 rebounds.

Additionally, three Bulls recorded double-doubles.

Leonard Miller had 17 points and 11 rebounds. Jalen Smith finished with 12 points as well as 12 rebounds. Nick Richards had 10 points and 10 rebounds.

With the win, the Bulls are now 27-38. On Thursday, they will travel to Los Angeles to complete their five-game road trip. First the match against the Lakers and then the match against the Clippers on Saturday.

On Monday, the Bulls return home to take on the Memphis Grizzlies.

Bouzelis was listed as probable on the NBA injury report due to a recent right ankle sprain.

Overall, Bouzelis played in 64 games and averaged 15.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

The Carolina Hurricanes won…somehow…and Alexander Nikishin almost completed Gordie Howe’s hat trick.

Facing the Pittsburgh Penguins for the first of three meetings in March, the Hurricanes were nearly overpowered by a lack of discipline and some honestly questionable calls in the game, which certainly created some playoff-style energy.

Logan Stankoven opened the match with a goal eight minutes into the match, but Nikolaj Ehlers was injured shortly after in a tangle with Erik Karlsson in the corner boards. Thankfully, he returned at the beginning of the second frame and played the rest of the game.

Less than 20 seconds after Ehlers’ injury, Anthony Mantha tied the game with less than a minute remaining in the first period.

As the second period began, so did the onslaught of penalties.

The Hurricanes spent eight minutes in the box, six of which were in favor of the Penguins. The third penalty – drawn when William Carrier closed his hands on the puck – resulted in a power play goal by Bryan Rust, giving Pittsburgh the lead.

However, the fourth penalty was taken by Alexander Nikishin, who also drew a penalty on Noel Acciari after he pulled the Penguins winger into a duel while his teams dunked it in the melee. However, this resulted in equally harsh punishments as they more or less stuck to each other.

Eric Robinson tried to stuff the puck and it led to a nice scrum
Alexander Nikishin tried to go at it with Noel Acciari, but it didn’t lead to a full fight, just a little skirmish
Divisional rivalry, playoff style hockey is already heating up and I’m here for it… pic.twitter.com/RsqZwFjOFN

– Queen of the Puck (@rbarkleyhockey) 11 March 2026

Things got wild in the third period

In the third period, the Hurricanes finally got control of their game and kept a clean frame, with Mark Jankowski tying the game and Seth Jarvis giving them the go-ahead goal.

This time, the Penguins kept the penalty box bench hot, and even gave the Hurricanes a pair of two-man advantages.

Nikishin was able to convert a very well executed back-and-forth play to tie the special teams goals and give the Hurricanes a two-goal lead. If the feud with Accieri had been more than any foul, Nikishin would have got a Gordie Howe hat-trick. This wouldn’t be the first time he’s gotten close to someone this season, and I’d be surprised if it’s the last.

However, with more than two minutes left in the game, the arena DJ saw fit to play the Hurricanes’ celebration song, ‘Sweet Caroline’, which is usually played in the final seconds of a sure-win game.

And can you guess what happened? Acciari and Rust tied the game while Stuart Skinner hit the bench.

And then came overtime

Overtime began, which saw Jakob Slavin enter the penalty box after barely a slash on the stick of Anthony Mantha. However, that apparently wasn’t an issue as Mantha then beat goaltender Frederik Andersen.

Despite some back-and-forth attempts, no goal could be scored after which a shootout took place.

Seth Jarvis, Andrei Svechnikov and Jackson Blake went for the Hurricanes, while Ben Kindel, Egor Chinakhov and Anthony Mantha did so for the Penguins. Svechnikov and Blake were both able to find the twine, but Kindel was the only penguin to have such luck.

The Hurricanes won the game 5–4, but would see them again the following Wednesday.

Frederik Andersen had a little help distracting him straight from the Mushroom Kingdom in the shootout 🤣 pic.twitter.com/Bs6860KPVy

– Queen of the Puck (@rbarkleyhockey) 11 March 2026

Special teams performed well

Going into the game, the Hurricanes were at a notable disadvantage, as they ranked 11th on the power play (22.5%) and 14th on the penalty kill (79.4%), while the Penguins ranked sixth on the power play (25.3%) and second on the penalty kill (84.4%). Additionally, they were without their usual power play quarterback Shayne Gostisbeer, who missed his second consecutive game due to a lower body injury.

Still, he had four notable runs shorthanded, and killed four of five penalties while scoring on one of five power plays.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Thunder will host the Celtics on Thursday.

Michael Porter Jr. is getting the night off during an important tank matchup following the Brooklyn Nets’ unexpected win over the Detroit Pistons. Porter was ruled out of Monday’s game with the Memphis Grizzlies for rest.

The night of rest comes after the Nets lost in a tightly contested tank race following a 23-point comeback in the second half against the Pistons on Saturday. Porter scored a game-high 30 points with 13 rebounds in the impressive win. He played 39 minutes, his most in any game this season.

The win, which snapped a 10-game losing streak, moved the Nets into a tie with the Washington Wizards for third place in the draft lottery standings. They are 1.5 games behind the second-place Indiana Pacers and two games behind the first-place Sacramento Kings.

Can the Nets pick up their second straight win on Monday against the depleted Grizzlies?

Even with Porter and Egor Demin sidelined, the Nets will have a good chance to pick up their second straight win on Monday. The Grizzlies’ eight highest-paid players are on the injury report along with other players.

Memphis will be without Ja Morant, Zach Eddy, Santi Aldama, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Brandon Clarke and Taj Gibson on Monday. Meanwhile, Cedric Coward, Ty Jerome, Scottie Pippen Jr. and Taylor Hendricks are questionable.

If all of the above names are ruled out, the Grizzlies will have only eight available players against the Nets: Walter Clayton Jr., Cam Spencer, GG Jackson, Jaylen Wells, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Javon Small, Ryan Rupert and Jahmai Meshach. All of those players are on rookie contracts, minimum or two-way deals. There is no center among the group.

Meanwhile, both of Brooklyn’s centers, Nick Claxton and De’Ron Sharp, are available.

MIAMI – The Miami Heat have had an important week in their effort to solidify their spot in the Eastern Conference, with momentum at its peak as the team extended its winning streak to five games in a 121-110 victory over the Detroit Pistons. Despite the Heat’s injuries to Norman Powell and Andrew Wiggins, the team has been excelling on both ends of the floor, which has led to a positive change in the locker room, as noted by head coach Erik Spoelstra.

With only a few games remaining in the Middle East, Miami getting a convincing win over the conference-leading Pistons was a huge deal for the team, proving that the conversation of counting them out should be null and void. Since the goal is still to avoid the play-in tournament, Spoelstra would say how the team is “trying to take advantage of the moment right now.”

“We have our own motivations in what we’re trying to do, and Detroit has had its own season that will get everyone you know excited to compete against them,” Spoelstra told ClutchPoints. “You can sense that our locker room, you know, is just trying to seize the moment right now, have a lot of fun, compete with each other and play for a consistent identity on both ends. So it was a very strong week to finish, rest up tomorrow and then start planning for Tuesday.”

Erik Spoelstra was asked about the Heat’s energy being evident in tonight’s win over the Pistons:

“You can sense that our locker room is trying to seize this moment right now…” #HeatNation

Full response: pic.twitter.com/THhrjAGPP3

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 9 March 2026

It marks the second time the Heat have defeated the Pistons, which started with the defense holding Detroit to just 16 points on Sunday. For Adebayo, “handling our business on the defensive end” is what leads to victory.

“We have beaten the number one teams in both conferences,” Adebayo told ClutchPoints, citing the Jan. 17 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. “It shows us we can compete with anyone… We’ve just got to do it on a consistent basis and keep handling our business on the defensive end. That’s why we’re actually winning games… It makes our offense easier.”

Bam Adebayo was asked what the win over the Pistons shows him at this point in the season:

“We’ve beaten both No. 1 teams in both conferences. It shows we can compete with anybody…just keep handling our business on the defensive end. That’s why we’re winning games…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/zWbKhjfe8p

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 9 March 2026

Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro focus for Heat after win over Pistons

Of course, as the Heat’s captain in Adebayo continues to make achievements, he and Tyler Herro are leading the team in this home stretch of the season, trying to bring a certain degree of continuity. As a result, the numbers look good on the surface as the offense is averaging 120.1 points per game (second in the NBA behind the Denver Nuggets’ 120.2) and fourth in defensive rating (111.4).

“I think we’re all tired of being in that midfield, and obviously, the road isn’t over yet,” Adebayo said after recording 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists in a win over the Pistons. “We’ve got to keep these winning streaks going. Got to keep piling up these W’s. Got to keep winning at home.”

Bam Adebayo asked if it was a coincidence that the team is on a five-game winning streak as he talked about no longer being in the play-in tournament:

“I feel like we’re all tired of living in that middle ground. Apparently the roads aren’t over yet…” #Heatnation pic.twitter.com/U9BuQZ7IGr

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 9 March 2026

If there’s one thing Miami has shown this season, it’s that they can win against the top teams in the league, but the same can be said about playing with a lack of competition, as Herro would echo the same sentiments.

“We’ve been saying this for years, we can beat anybody. We can lose to anybody,” Herro told ClutchPoints after leading the Heat with 25 points on Sunday. “So it’s just keep coming here, and just keep piling up the good days. It’s boring. It can be boring, but ultimately leads to wins and leads to a good thing.”

Tyler Herro talks about his performance after the huge win over the Pistons, asks him what this win means for Miami, and more: #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/XKATC85b5n

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 9 March 2026

As a result, Adebayo and Herro have helped lead these collective wins, with everyone on the team contributing massively, like Jaime Jacquez Jr., Pelle Larsson, Kel’El Ware and others. At any rate, Miami looks to continue the winning streak and protect home court when the Washington Wizards visit on Tuesday night.

On January 31, 2025, Dejounte Murray’s first season with the New Orleans Pelicans ended prematurely when he ruptured his Achilles in an Finals loss to the Boston Celtics. A torn Achilles usually involves an absence of nearly or more than a year, and for the Pelicans guard, it certainly took his time to heal. And the patience with which he carried out his recovery seems to have helped him get back into form.

On Sunday, the Pelicans won 138-118 over the Washington Wizards and Murray has continued his solid play so far in his return. His minutes haven’t been so limited either; He played 30 minutes against the Phoenix Suns last Friday, and was out for 24 minutes in the blowout win over the Wizards, and recorded 19 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals for that contest.

Although Murray has not yet returned to his All-Star form, the fact that he has been so productive for the Pelicans early in his comeback is a source of joy not only for the team, but also for fans of the former All-Star. On Sunday, former NFL safety Ryan Clark were present and praised Murray highly.

Clark said via Pelican Film Room on Twitter

“You know it when you meet a real person.. He’s a guy that will inspire other people… It’s authenticity. You feel that under his leadership.. That’s why I’m here. It’s my first game of the season… I wanted to make sure he saw me”

-Ryan Clark on Dejounte Murray pic.twitter.com/1K0uDQrbM1

– Pelican Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) 9 March 2026

Pelicans want to bounce back next season

The 2025-26 season is over long ago for the Pelicans. All that’s left for them to do this season is play with pride and maybe screw up the plans of the Atlanta Hawks, who they surrendered in the Derrick Queen swap, by winning as many games as they can.

But when the Pelicans are healthy, they are hoping to dismantle the Western Conference playoff picture.

So, it’s really all or nothing for the New Jersey Devils this season.

They look very impressive when they win. When they are defeated, they lay an egg. And that’s what happened Sunday night as the Motor City goaltenders hosted the Detroit Red Wings in a combined shutout.

The Devils played particularly well for 40 minutes. In fact, he put two on the sticks of Connor Brown and Lenny Haminaho.

However, their luck didn’t change and Jacob Markstrom’s second start of the weekend snapped the Devils’ four-game winning streak.

It was a good start for the Devils, who controlled the tempo of the game for the first three and a half minutes of play, and put good pressure on Red Wings goaltender John Gibson early.

However, the Red Wings took an early 1–0 lead when Markstrom was checked by traffic and found twine on the wrist of Moritz Seider from the point.

Regardless of the score, the Devils controlled the pace of the game for the remainder of the first period, but could not solve Gibson before the first intermission.

The same thing happened in the second period as New Jersey maintained control of the game despite falling behind on the scoreboard.

Detroit doubled its lead at the 6:37 mark of the second period after James van Riemsdyk gave the Red Wings a 2–0 lead after Markstrom redirected Seider’s shot from the blueline.

A fast-paced game came to a head when Brendan Dillon combined with Andrew Copp to push the Red Wings forward. Dillon was called for a two-minute intervention after several scuffles broke out between whistles.

However, the Devils coughed up the minor penalty.

When the Devils and Red Wings emerged from their respective locker rooms after the second intermission, Detroit made a goal-tending change. Gibson remained in the Detroit locker room, while Cam Talbot took the net in relief.

And then the Red Wings took over.

The Devils could not keep up with Detroit, who took control of the game not only on the scoreboard, but on the ice as well.

Dominic Shine scored his first NHL goal by tapping Van Riemsdyk’s cross ice pass past Markstrom to increase the Red Wings’ lead to 3–0 and seal the victory for Detroit.

Markstrom made 27 saves on 30 shots and suffered his 15th loss of the season.

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls

The Intuit Dome felt a bit like home for Darius Garland on Saturday night. The Los Angeles Clippers’ mid-season acquisition put on a show in a 123-120 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, but the highlight for Garland happened after the final buzzer.

For the first time since his trade to Los Angeles, Garland’s family was in the building to watch him suit up in the Clippers’ jerseys. Following the handshake line, the star guard bypassed the locker room to head straight to the sideline. Garland shared an emotional moment with his parents and siblings, posing for photos on the court and soaking in the atmosphere of a successful home debut in front of his inner circle.

The Garland family’s first time seeing DG as a Clipper was a success ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/7qG8hefg1h

– LA Clippers (@LAClippers) 8 March 2026

On the court, Garland looked like he’d been playing in Tyronn Lue’s system for years. He finished the night with 21 points and six assists, stifling the Memphis defense with his trademark floaters and accurate passing. Garland shot an impressive 8 of 20 from the field and knocked down three triples, keeping the Clippers’ offense going even as the Grizzlies tried to take a lead late in the game.

Isaiah Jackson was the beneficiary of several Garland lobs, finishing with 12 points and 12 rebounds. The Grizzlies struggled to find a rhythm without Ja Morant, although Ty Jerome led Memphis with 23 points in the losing effort. Taylor Hendricks added 18 points, but the Grizzlies had no answer to the Clippers’ balanced attack, with six players scoring in double figures.

With the win, the Clippers continued to climb the Western Conference standings. More importantly, Garland has found his comfort zone in Southern California.

On Saturday night at UFC 326, two of the greatest fighters of their generation went head-to-head in the main event as Max Holloway put his UFC BMF belt on the line against Charles Oliveira. Despite being weakened, the Brazilian easily defeated the Hawaiian and won by a dominant decision.

Following his massive win, take a look at where “Du Bronx” ranks in our new UFC pound-for-pound rankings.

10. Tom Aspinall (15-3)

Englishman Tom Aspinall is the best heavyweight in the UFC. It became official when MMA GOAT Jon Jones decided to step away from the sport earlier this year. The Englishman has defeated many of the best fighters in the division over the past three years and is the undisputed leader in the eyes of most UFC fans.

After definitively avenging the only defeat of his UFC career in the summer of 2024, he made his first defense of the undisputed title in October. Unfortunately, a nasty blow from opponent Cyril Game ended the UFC 321 main event after just a few minutes. An immediate rematch in early 2026 appears likely.

9. Charles Oliveira (36-11)

Charles Oliveria holds several UFC records and is considered one of the greatest Brazilian MMA fighters of all time. There’s a lot to like about his fighting style, and his resume is full of big wins. But age catches up with everyone, and it has taken its toll on “Du Bronx” over the years as he has split his last four fights.

Since he is so far out of the title pictures, the former lightweight king chose to go for the BMF title in March instead. At UFC 326, Oliveira had the best performance of his career, as he completely dominated fellow future Hall of Famer Max Holloway to win his second championship in the company.

8. Khamzat Chimaev (15-0)

Khamzat Chimaev has been an absolute destructive machine throughout his career. He has rarely faced serious resistance during his current UFC run. And that was the case at UFC 319 when he reached the top of the middleweight mountain and defeated Draculas du Plessis. Although it’s not always pretty, few fighters on the UFC roster are as impressive as “Borz.”

7. Alexandre Pantoja (30-6)

Brazil’s Alexandre Pantoja had a long, difficult journey to become the UFC flyweight king. He toiled in the division for several years before finally winning a title fight at UFC 290. In his first opportunity to become champion, he performed well by scoring his second (3rd unofficial) victory over division king Brandon Moreno.

He has been a major champion since picking up a win over Brandon Royval and another win against Moreno. However, his reign came to an unfair end at UFC 323 when the fight had to be stopped early in Round 1 due to a non-contact injury to his elbow.

6. Merab Dvalishvili (21-4)

Merab Davlishvili is truly “The Machine”. His tenacity and wrestling have turned him into one of the best bantamweights on the planet. If there were any doubts after his 2024 win over Sean O’Malley, he silenced them with an even more decisive rematch victory at UFC 316.

Following that fight, the champ put his gold on the line against fan-favorite Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320, and like his previous 13 fights, he dominated with his wrestling and cardio. He seems invincible at this time.

5.Petr Yan (20-5)

The three consecutive losses led many to wonder if Petr Yan’s days as a top five bantamweight were over. However, his recent wins over Yadon Song, Deiveson Figueiredo and Marcus McGhee helped rebuild his title contender status. Earning a title shot at UFC 323.

In a rematch with a man who had defeated him two years earlier, the Russian was the greatest version of himself as he decisively defeated Merab Dvalishvili to become a two-time bantamweight champion. “No Mercy” proved that he is fully back to being an elite fighter in the world.

4. Alexander Volkanovski (28-4)

Alexander Volkanovski has solidified his place as the best featherweight of all time. However, a move up in weight for a second title shot and the rise of Ilya Topuria led to “The Great” suffering three consecutive losses and speculation that his best days were behind him.

However, he has bounced back from those setbacks to establish his dominance at 145 pounds with back-to-back wins over Diego Lopes. Most recently appearing in front of his countrymen at UFC 325. Although he did not get the finish, he once again proved that he is a cut above the Brazilian native.

3. Alex Pereira (12-3)

Alex Pereira’s UFC story is legendary. After nine fights, he became a two-division champion and scored devastating victories over some of the best fighters of the era at middleweight and light heavyweight. The 38-year-old has been a revelation for the company and has connected with the MMA fanbase with a fighting approach similar to cage fighting icon Fedor Emelianenko.

After being on the wrong side of a disappointing decision loss in March, the Brazilian returned with a vengeance at UFC 320. He came out of the gate in his rematch with Magomed Ankalev and blew him away in a matter of minutes to regain his place at the top of the division.

2. Ilya Topuria (17-0)

Ilya Topuria will go down as one of the greatest featherweights of all time. But instead of further enhancing his 145-pound resume, “El Matador” moved to lightweight in search of history. Well, he achieved the feat in June by becoming just the 10th fighter to win gold in two divisions. Crushing former 155 pound champion Charles Oliveria and adding him to his hitlist of veterans.

1. Islam Makhachev (28-1)

Islam Makhachev has solidified his place as one of the greatest UFC lightweights of all time with his wins over Dustin Poirier, Alexander Volkanovski (twice) and Charles Oliveira. Not only is he a dominant wrestler, but he has one of the most underrated standup games in the game.

At UFC 322, he made his mark in UFC history when he moved up in weight and became the latest fighter to win titles in two divisions, as he became the new welterweight king with a dominant win over Jack Della Maddalena.

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