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No. 2 Michigan rallies past Northwestern 87-75 for its ninth straight win

EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — L.J. Cason scored 13 of his 18 points after halftime, helping No. 2 Michigan rally for an 87-75 victory over Nick Martinelli and Northwestern on Wednesday night.

Yaxel Lendeborg added 15 points and 12 rebounds as the Wolverines (23-1, 13-1 Big Ten) erased a 16-point deficit in the second half of their ninth consecutive victory. Morez Johnson Jr., Aday Mara and Trey McKenney each scored 12 points.

Michigan grabbed control with a 15-2 run. Lendeborg made a tiebreaking layup with 5:51 left, and Mara’s alley-oop jam off a pass from Cason gave the Wolverines a 75-69 lead with 4:43 remaining.

Michigan shot 55% (16 for 29) while outscoring Northwestern 52-31 in the second half of its 19th double-digit win this season.

Jayden Reid scored 20 points for the Wildcats in their fourth consecutive loss. Martinelli finished with 18 on 5-for-22 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds.

Northwestern used an 8-1 run to open a 58-42 lead with 14:22 left. Angelo Ciaravino capped the spurt with a jumper in the paint.

Michigan then got back in the game by scoring 16 of the next 18 points. Johnson’s alley-oop dunk trimmed Northwestern’s advantage to 60-58 with 9:38 to go, delighting a sizeable contingent of Michigan fans at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

NO. 6 UCONN 80, BUTLER 70

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Solo Ball scored 24 points and Tarris Reed Jr. finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists as UConn held off Butler for a victory.

Ball was 6 of 12 from 3-point range while Huskies guard Braylon Mullins scored 13 of his 15 points in the first half as Indiana’s reigning Mr. Basketball returned to his home state for the first time as a college player. UConn (23-2, 13-1 Big East) rebounded from Friday night’s loss at St. John’s and moved a half-game ahead of the Red Storm atop the conference standings.

Butler was led by Drayton Jones with 15 points. Yohan Traore added 14 as the Bulldogs (13-12, 4-10) lost their fifth in a row.

It was an uncharacteristic game for coach Dan Hurley’s UConn squad.

Alex Karaban spent most of the first half on the bench after drawing two fouls in the first 7 1/2 minutes and finished with six points and five rebounds.

Karaban’s teammates had their own foul trouble in the second half as Butler played almost the final 9 1/2 minutes in the bonus. As a result, each time the Huskies looked as though they might take control, the Bulldogs answered — until UConn’s final flurry.

NO. 14 FLORIDA 86, GEORGIA 66

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Xaivian Lee scored 18 points and Florida finally found its touch from 3-point range, leading from the opening tip for a victory over Georgia.

The Gators (18-6, 9-2 Southeastern Conference) are hitting their stride with March just a few weeks away. The reigning national champions have won nine of 10 games — all but one of those victories by double-digit margins — and are all alone atop the league standings.

Georgia (17-7, 5-6) clearly missed top scorer Jeremiah Wilkinson, who sat out because of a shoulder injury. The Bulldogs simply didn’t have enough firepower without their sophomore guard, who is averaging 17.1 points.

Blue Cain led Georgia with 17 points.

NO. 16 TEXAS TECH 78, COLORADO 44

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Donovan Atwell scored 20 points with six 3-pointers and JT Toppin matched a career high with 18 rebounds in his 46th career double-double as Texas Tech blew out Colorado.

Toppin, the Big 12’s top rebounder at 10.9 per game, also had 16 points in his league-high 15th double-double this season and 34th in 56 games since arriving at Texas Tech from New Mexico before last season. Christian Anderson added 14 points and seven assists, and Jaylen Petty scored 12 for the Red Raiders (18-6, 8-3).

Isaiah Johnson had 13 points and Ian Inman added 12 for Colorado (14-11, 4-8). The Buffaloes shot a season-worst 29.1% (16 for 55) from the field, including 24% (6 of 25) on 3-pointers.

Colorado’s only lead came when Barrington Hargress made its first shot of the game for a 2-0 score. Atwell put the Red Raiders ahead to stay with his first 3, and they led 39-22 at halftime. Then they scored the first eight points after the break, maintaining at least a 20-point lead the rest of the way.

VIRGINIA TECH 76, NO. 20 CLEMSON 66

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Jailen Bedford scored 23 points, Ben Hammond had 17 of his 19 points in the second half and Virginia Tech knocked Clemson out of a first-place Atlantic Coast Conference tie with No. 4 Duke, beating the Tigers.

Bedford was the first-half spark with Hammond taking over after halftime as the Hokies (17-8, 6-6) snapped a two-game losing streak with their first win at Clemson since coach Mike Young’s first season in 2019-20.

The Tigers (20-5, 10-2) moved into tie for the top after the Blue Devils’ drama-filled loss to rival North Carolina on Saturday night. But Virginia Tech used an 11-5 run, fueled by Bradford’s eight points, to close the first half up 40-33.

Clemson got to 40-38 early on in the second half, but gradually fell behind by 12 points, 52-40, on Hammond’s second 3-pointer. The Tigers closed to 69-64 on Carter Welling’s three-point play with 2:36 remaining. Bedford followed with his fourth 3-pointer to thwart Clemson’s comeback hopes.

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Are the Rockies working on an exit strategy for Kris Bryant?

Jul 21, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies player Kris Bryant (23) looks on from the dugout in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Here’s a gift link to Troy Renck’s article today about Kris Bryant and a number of relevant topics.

In it, he describes a recent conversation with Colorado Rockies general manager Josh Byrnes in which he discusses Bryant’s health status. As Renck puts it, “Officially he is not gone. But the Rockies are finally, mercifully moving on.”

I realize we began dissecting this in The Feed, but there are other nuggets worth pointing out, again, quoting Renck:

  • “They don’t see the Dodgers as the Death Star. They see them as the North Star.
What rebuilding looks like for the Rockies, even if they are starting out with Legos, is following the Dodgers blueprint, not their checkbook.”
  • “Long before the Dodgers began issuing $100 million contracts, they had their minor league pitchers using data and technology and players playing multiple positions to increase their versatility.
The Rockies are applying these principles.”
  • “I think a deep arsenal is that much more important for us. It is hard on hitters because they have to account for it,” Byrnes said. “That should translate at altitude.”

There’s more, and you should read the whole column. (I have to wonder if Renck didn’t read my Tuesday Rockpile!)

So I open the floor to the Purple Row Night Owls: What do you make of Byrnes’ comments here not just on Bryant, but also on their approach to pitching and hitting at Coors Field?

Oh, and one other note: Speaking of versatility, check out this Zach Agnos video the Rockies dropped on Instagram today. He’s brought his fielding glove to spring training . . . .

Please keep in mind our Purple Row Community Guidelines when you’re commenting. Thanks!

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Randle has 41 points and the Timberwolves dominate the Blazers 133-109

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Julius Randle had 41 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat Portland 133-109 von Wednesday night to end the Trail Blazers;' winning streak at three.

Randall, who also had seven rebounds, capped his night with a windmill dunk that put the crowd at the Target Center on its feet. Jaden McDaniels added 21 points for the Timberwolves, playing their final game before the All-Star break.

Jrue Holiday scored 23 points for the Trail Blazers, who trailed by 28 points and were hurt by 25 turnovers. Scoot Henderson, playing just his third game back since missing the first half of the season because of a hamstring injury, finished with 18 points.

Minnesota scoring leader Anthony Edwards was listed as questionable going into the game because of an illness but he started and finished with 14 points.

Minnesota was coming off a 138-116 win at home over Atlanta that stopped a two-game skid.

McDaniels' floating jumper pushed Minnesota's lead to 50-38 midway through the second quarter. McDaniels had 15 points in the opening half and the Timberwolves led 61-51 at the break.

Edwards and Julius Randle hit back-to-back 3-pointers to go up 73-59 in the third quarter. Rudy Gobert dunked to cap a 16-2 run and gave the Timberwolves a 79-59 lead.

Portland ended the third quarter on a 10-3 run to close to 96-82 but couldn't find a rally down the stretch. All-Star Deni Avdija struggled with 11 points.

The Blazers were without Shaedon Sharpe, who missed the third straight game for the with a left calf strain.

Up next

Trail Blazers: At Utah on Thursday night.

Timberwolves: Host Dallas on Friday, Feb. 20.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

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Short-handed Heat beat Pelicans 123-111 in final game for both teams before All-Star break

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Bam Adebayo had 27 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks and the short-handed Miami Heat beat the New Orleans Pelicans 123-111 on Wednesday night in the final game for both teams before the All-Star break.

Miami used only nine players, with Tyler Herro, Norman Powell, Pelle Larsson and Andrew Wiggins sidelined. Herro missed his 15th straight game.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 23 points, Kel’el Ware had 16 points and 12 rebounds and Simone Fontecchio scored 15 points. Eighth in the Eastern Conference, the Heat improved to 29-27. Miami has won 11 of its last 12 against New Orleans

Zion Williamson had 26 points for New Orleans. He has played a career-high 30 straight games and 40 of 56 this season. In his first six seasons, he played 214 of 472 games and never had more than 25 in a row.

Trey Murphy III added 19 points before leaving late in the third quarter because of soreness in his right shoulder. The Pelicans dropped to 15-41. They had won two in a row.

Ware hit a 3-pointer with 2:46 left in the third quarter to cap a 23-10 run that gave Miami a 92-76 lead. The Heat hit four 3s during that surge, one each by Kasparas Jakucionis, Fontecchio, Myron Gardner and Ware.

During that stretch, Jakucionis also hit three free throws after landing on Murphy’s foot on a missed 3 near sideline. Murphy was called for a flagrant foul.

Miami pushed the lead to 17 at 112-95 with 6:19 left in the fourth. After New Orleans cut it to 115-111 on Williamson’s putback, Fontecchio hit a 3 from the left corner with 54 seconds remaining to make it 118-111.

Miami led 58-55 at halftime. Adebayo had 15 points in the half.

Up next

Heat: At Atlanta on Friday, Feb. 20.

Pelicans: Host Milwaukee on Friday, Feb. 20.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

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Blake Griffin, Amar’e Stoudemire, Candace Parker headline list of finalists for Hall of Fame

This is shaping up to be an impressive Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

Blake Griffin, the legendary Suns pairing of Amar'e Stoudemire and Mike D'Antoni, Doc Rivers, plus Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne headline the list of finalists for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame this year.

"This year's group of Finalists represents the full scope of basketball's impact, from the professional and collegiate ranks to high school, international play, officiating, and innovation," said Jerry Colangelo, Chairman of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. "Their achievements span championships, historic milestones, and a lasting influence on how the game is played, taught, and experienced around the world. Each Finalist has made a notable contribution to basketball's growth and excellence, and their collective legacy speaks to the power of the sport."

Here is the full list of finalists.

North American Committee Finalists:
• Joey Crawford [Referee]
• Mark Few [Coach]
• Blake Griffin [Player]

• Kevin Johnson [Player]
• Gary McKnight [Coach]
• Dick Motta [Coach]
• Doc Rivers [Coach]
• Kelvin Sampson [Coach]
• Amar’e Stoudemire [Player]

• Jerry Welsh [Coach]
• Buck Williams [Player]

Women's Committee Finalists:
• 1996 United States Women’s National Team
• Jennifer Azzi [Player]
• Elena Delle Donne [Player]

• Chamique Holdsclaw [Player]
• Candace Parker [Player]

Women's Veterans Committee Finalist:
• Molly Bolin-Kazmer [Player]
International Committee Finalist:
• Dušan Ivković [Coach]
Contributors Committee Finalists:
• Tal Brody
• Mike D’Antoni
Veterans Committee Finalists:
• Marques Johnson

These Finalists will be voted on, and then the Class of 2026 will be announced on Saturday, April 4, during Final Four Weekend.

Blake Griffin should be a lock. He was a six-time NBA All-Star whose athleticism and versatility helped redefine how the power forward position was played in the NBA. The No. 1 overall pick of the Clippers in 2009, he was at the heart of changing the franchise's reputation on the court. He was the 2011 Rookie of the Year and went on to be a five-time All-NBA player, most famously one of the engines of the Lob City Clippers era. He is currently an analyst with Amazon Prime on their NBA broadcasts.

Candace Parker should also be a given to make the Class of 2026. Parker was a two-time NCAA national champion at Tennessee who took the NBA by storm in 2008 when she became the only player in WNBA history to be named Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season. She went on to be a three-time WNBA champion and two-time league MVP (2008, '13). Parker also is a two-time Olympic gold medalist (2008, '12).

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Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg sidelined by left midfoot sprain, out for NBA's Rising Stars

DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Mavericks rookie teenage standout Cooper Flagg will miss their final game before the All-Star break and not play in the NBA's Rising Stars game on Friday night because of a left midfoot sprain.

The Mavericks announced Wednesday night than an MRI revealed the injury that occurred in their loss at Phoenix a night earlier, when the 19-year-old had 27 points in 36 minutes. They said further updates will be provided as appropriate

Flagg, the No. 1 overall draft pick last summer, is averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists in his 49 games with Dallas.

The Mavericks (19-34) have an eight-game losing streak going into Thursday night's game at the Los Angeles Lakers.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

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Kingz scores 27 points, Syracuse pulls away in double OT to beat Cal 107-100

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Nate Kingz scored 27 points, Naithan George and William Kyle III each had double-doubles, and Syracuse opened double overtime on an 8-2 spurt to outlast California for a 107-100 victory on Wednesday night.

After a Kyle free throw, Donnie Freeman made two layups, and Kingz made a 3-pointer to give Syracuse a 99-93 lead with 1:56 left in double-overtime. Freeman added another layup before the Orange sealed it from the free-throw line.

Syracuse had missed 15 of its previous 16 3-pointers before Naithan George hit a 3 with 57 seconds left in regulation to give the Orange a 78-76 lead. A Dai Dai Ames layup with 41 seconds left then tied it 78-all. The Orange committed a turnover, and Ames missed a jumper at the buzzer to force overtime.

In the first OT, Ames airballed a shot but Milos Ilic secured the offensive rebound and put it in at the buzzer to knot it at 91.

Kingz shot 8 of 14 from the floor and made three 3-pointers. J.J. Starling added 21 points for Syracuse (14-11, 5-7 Atlantic Coast Conference). Kyle finished with 15 points and 16 rebounds. George had 14 points and 10 assists.

Ames scored 23 points on 10-of-25 shooting and was 0 for 5 from long range. John Camden made five 3s and scored 21 points for Cal (17-8, 5-7). Chris Bell chipped in with 18 points. Ilic had 16 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.

The teams met for the first time at JMA Wireless Dome, which used a generator due to power loss in Syracuse.

Up next

Cal: The Golden Bears play at Boston College on Saturday.

Syracuse: The Orange host SMU on Saturday.

___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

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Atwell scores 20 points and Toppin grabs 18 rebounds as No. 16 Texas Tech routs Colorado 78-44

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Donovan Atwell scored 20 points with six 3-pointers and JT Toppin matched a career high with 18 rebounds in his 46th career double-double as No. 16 Texas Tech blew out Colorado 78-44 on Wednesday night.

Toppin, the Big 12's top rebounder at 10.9 per game, also had 16 points in his league-high 15th double-double this season and 34th in 56 games since arriving at Texas Tech from New Mexico before last season. Christian Anderson added 14 points and seven assists, and Jaylen Petty scored 12 for the Red Raiders (18-6, 8-3).

Isaiah Johnson had 13 points and Ian Inman added 12 for Colorado (14-11, 4-8), held to its fewest points since scoring 43 at Washington State on Jan. 30, 2022. The Buffaloes shot a season-worst 29.1% (16 for 55) from the field, including 24% (6 of 25) on 3-pointers.

The only active college player with more double-doubles than Toppin is Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg, who got his 51st on Wednesday night against Northwestern.

Colorado's only lead came when Barrington Hargress made its first shot of the game for a 2-0 score. Atwell put the Red Raiders ahead to stay with his first 3, and they led 39-22 at halftime. Then they scored the first eight points after the break, maintaining at least a 20-point lead the rest of the way.

That was much different than the meeting Jan. 10 in Boulder, when Texas Tech had a 24-point lead after halftime and held on for a 73-71 win after Hargress' late 3-point attempt rimmed out. The Buffs, who started the season 8-0, have lost eight of their last 10 games.

Up next

Colorado visits No. 22 BYU on Saturday.

Texas Tech plays Saturday at No. 1 Arizona, whose first loss was Monday at No. 9 Kansas.

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Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

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Pacers beat Nets 115-110 as Kam Jones hits key 3 with 16 seconds left

NEW YORK (AP) — Jarace Walker had 23 points, Kam Jones secured the victory with a 3-pointer with 16 seconds remaining, and the short-handed Indiana Pacers beat the Brooklyn Nets 115-110 on Wednesday night.

Micah Potter had 19 and Ethan Thompson had 15 for the Pacers, who won for the second straight night after winning in overtime over the New York Knicks on Tuesday night to end a four-game losing streak.

Potter shot 6 of 8 from the field and 6 for 8 from the line. He scored 14 in the second half.

Nolan Traore had 20 points to lead the Nets, who had won two in a row. Day'Ron Sharpe had 19 points and 12 rebounds and Ziaire Williams also had 19.

The Pacers played without eight key players, including T.J. McConnell (right hamstring soreness); Andrew Nembhard (lower back injury management); Aaron Nesmith (lower back soreness); Pascal Siakam (left hamstring soreness); and Ivica Zubac (left ankle sprain).

Brooklyn jumped to a 31-18 lead after one quarter and led 64-53 at halftime. The Pacers put the game away in the fourth, outscoring the Nets 31-20 in the quarter.

The Nets turned the ball over 16 times, six more times than the Pacers.

Up next

Pacers: Play at Washington on Thursday, Feb. 19.

Nets: At Cleveland on Thursday, Feb. 19.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Alvarado and Bridges pace Knicks to a 138-89 rout of the 76ers

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jose Alvarado scored a season-high 26 points and Mikal Bridges added 22 points as the New York Knicks beat the Philadelphia 76ers 138-89 Wednesday night.

The Knicks bounced back from an overtime home lost to the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night for their 10th win in 12 games. Two of those victories have come against the Sixers. The teams split their four-game season series.

Alvarado, acquired last week from New Orleans, shot 8 for 13 from 3-point range and finished with five steals.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points and 11 rebounds. Mohamed Diawara scored 14 points. Jalen Brunson, who scored 40 points against the Pacers, scored eight on Tuesday.

Tyrese Maxey led the way with 32 points in three quarters for the 76ers, who played without center Joel Embiid, who sat due to right knee soreness. VJ Edgecombe added 14 points, and Dominick Barlow scored 13.

The 76ers, who lost their second straight and for the third time in four games, were held to a season-low point total, just their third game under 100 points this season.

The Knicks jumped out to a 16-4 lead thanks to nine points from Bridges. They led by 30 at the half. The Knicks shot 58% from the field in the first half, paced by 19 points from Bridges and 16 from Towns. They finished with a season-high 41 assists.

Embiid missed his second straight game. He hadn’t missed consecutive games since Dec. 19-20. Quentin Grimes missed a second straight game due to illness.

OG Anunoby missed this fourth straight game for the Knicks with a right toenail avulsion.

Up next

Knicks: Host the Detroit Piston on Thursday, Feb. 19.

76ers: Host the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday, Feb. 19.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

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Player Grades: Cavs vs Wizards – Harden’s home debut is a success

Feb 11, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) stands on the court in the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard-Imagn Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers have won five straight after knocking down the Washington Wizards 138-113.

All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.

Donovan Mitchell

30 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals

The Cavs can thank Mitchell for dragging them through the early stretch of the season. Now? All systems are cleared for takeoff as Cleveland has one of the best players in the league, with the best record since late December, and one of the easiest remaining schedules.

Grade: A+

James Harden

13 points, 11 assists, 4 rebounds

Harden looks like he’s playing in a sandbox. With a dominant pick-and-roll partner and three-point shooters galore around him, we’ve seen Harden dish the ball at an elite level over his last three games. Tonight was no different.

He might have only taken four shot attempts, but he managed to get himself to the line for 12 free throws.

Grade: A–

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Jarrett Allen

21 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks

Beast mode.

That’s the only way to describe the last week Allen has played. Another 25 points and 9 rebounds feels too easy, at this point.

Grade: A+

Jaylon Tyson

7 points, 1 assist, 5 rebounds

Tyson didn’t have his shot falling tonight. That’s no big deal; the Cavs didn’t need him to score. He finished as a plus-19 despite shooting 2-6 from the floor.

Grade: C+

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Keon Ellis

6 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

Ellis will quickly earn rotation minutes if he plays like this. Quality off-ball movement, disruptive defense, and efficient shooting. These are all the makings of a fine role player.

Grade: A-

Nae’Qwan Tomlin

8 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals

Is it too late to enter Qwan into the dunk contest?

At one point in this game, Tomlin picked someone’s pockets and then threw down a viscious windmill dunk. It’s the type of stuff that’s become common for this newly minted NBA wing.

Grade: B+

Dennis Schroder

7 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds

Schroder struggled from the floor but made up for it by getting to the free-throw line and going 5-5.

Grade: C+

Sam Merrill

32 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block

Whew, this was a heat check if I’ve ever seen one.

Merrill shot 7-for-7 from deep in the first half, lighting up the Wizards for 26 points without even missing a shot. He finished the game with a career-high 32 points and only missed one field goal. Sammy, this was something special.

Grade: A+++

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Wright, Stuelke set the tone in 15th-ranked Iowa women's 65-56 win over No. 25 Washington

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Chazadi Wright scored 21 points, Hannah Stuelke posted her seventh double-double this season, and 15th-ranked Iowa beat No. 25 Washington 65-56 on Wednesday night to end a three-game losing streak.

Wright finished 5 of 8 from 3-point range and distributed a team-high four assists. Stuelke scored 14 points and grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds, and Ava Heiden added 11 points for Iowa (19-5, 10-3 Big Ten).

Elle Ladine scored 19 points on 9-of-16 shooting, Sayvia Sellers added 14 points and Avery Howell grabbed 10 rebounds for the Huskies (18-7, 8-6).

Both teams shot 46% from the field, with each shooting 25 of 54.

Sellers made two foul shots to bring Washington within 51-47 less than a minute into the fourth quarter. But Wright followed with a four-point play for a 55-47 advantage and the Hawkeyes maintained a safe margin from there.

Iowa outscored the Huskies 17-5 in the second quarter as Washington was 2-of-9 shooting without a trip to the foul line.

Up next

Washington: Hosts Oregon on Sunday.

Iowa: Travels to Nebraska on Monday.

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The Red Wings Have Earned Trade Deadline Reinforcements

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It's now been over a decade since the Detroit Red Wings were in this kind of position heading into the NHL Trade Deadline. 

For the first time since 2015, they very well could be buyers rather than sellers with the annual Deadline quickly approaching (March 6) after the conclusion of the Olympic break.

Currently third overall in the Atlantic Division (tied with the Montreal Canadiens, who have a game in hand, at 72 points apiece), the Red Wings would end their lengthy postseason drought and bring Stanley Cup Playoff Hockey to Little Caesars Arena for the first time if they were to begin today. 

That being said, the Red Wings have been linked to multiple players across the NHL who could soon be on the move from their own respective clubs. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

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While the Red Wings did make a pair of minor acquisitions last season in early March, acquiring goaltender Petr Mrazek and depth forward Craig Smith from the Chicago Blackhawks for underachieving former first-round draft pick Joe Veleno, their lack of meaningful additions drew a blunt reaction from team captain Dylan Larkin. 

In recent seasons, the Red Wings have dealt away players such as Gustav Nyquist, Tomas Tatar, Nick Jensen, Mike Green, Andreas Athanasiou, Vladislav Namestnikov, Tyler Bertuzzi, Nick Leddy, Jakub Vrana, and Oskar Sundqvist at the NHL trade deadline.

Hall of Famer Chris Pronger Weighs In on Red Wings Defenseman Moritz SeiderHall of Famer Chris Pronger Weighs In on Red Wings Defenseman Moritz SeiderLongtime Detroit Red Wings nemesis Chris Pronger weighed in on the performance of defenseman Moritz Seider so far this season.

Those teams had fallen out of the postseason race to varying degrees, a stark contrast to the position the current Red Wings find themselves in.

While they're currently in a playoff position, the Red Wings would benefit greatly from adding both a bona fide right-handed defenseman and a top-six forward.

Given Detroit's salary cap flexibility, an acquisition of both would be doable, as the team has nearly $13 million in available space to work with. 

Having posted their best record at this point in a season since 2015, the Red Wings have earned reinforcement at the trade deadline.

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Cavs beat Wizards 138-113 behind historic Sam Merrill game

Feb 11, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) reacts in front of Washington Wizards head coach Brian Keefe after making a three-point basket in the fourth quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard-Imagn Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers took down the Washington Wizards 138-113. This is Cleveland’s fifth consecutive win. They have turned their season around and are rolling into the All-Star break with style.

Sam Merrill stole the show in this one. He erupted for 26 points in the first half while shooting 7-of-7 from deep and 9-for-9 from the floor. He’s tied for the most consecutive three-point makes in the opening half of a game since at least 2002-03.

Merrill finished with a career-high 32 points and 9 three-pointers. He put on a masterclass in moving without the ball and scoring with efficiency. There aren’t many things more entertaining than watching a sharpshooter like Merrill catch fire.

Donovan Mitchell was pretty good, too. He scored 30 points for the 28th time this season and 99th time as a member of the Cavaliers. This has been the best season of Mitchell’s career as he’s kept this team afloat at their worst and pushed them into title contention at their best. It’s no surprise that Mitchell will be representing the Cavs as an All-Star this weekend.

Other Cavaliers that deserve a shout-out include Nae’Qwan Tomlin, who recorded a handful of impressive steals and threw down a windmill slam. And James Harden, whose behind-the-back pocket pass is one of the nastiest things I’ve seen all season.

Jarrett Allen had 21 points and 9 rebounds, falling just short of his fifth consecutive double-double. Allen has been on a tear recently, and he didn’t even miss a shot tonight (8-8 from the floor).

This wasn’t just a dominant game against a lottery-dwelling team like the Wizards. It was another strong performance in a string of big games that has put the Cavaliers back into the NBA’s upper echelon. They are quickly climbing up the standings and will have a full week off to get healthy following the All-Star Break.

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Iowa Lakes Community College baseball team bus crashes, killing 1 person and injuring 32

TWIN LAKES, Iowa (AP) — A community college bus carrying the school’s baseball team crashed and overturned in a ditch in rural Iowa on Wednesday, authorities and media reports said, killing one person and injuring all the other 32 occupants.

The 11 a.m. crash involved the Iowa Lakes Community College bus and no other vehicles, the Iowa State Patrol said in a statement. It occurred on a highway near Twin Lakes, about 110 miles (180 kilometers) northwest of Des Moines.

Three people were airlifted to trauma hospitals in Des Moines, said Bruce Musgrave, director of Calhoun County emergency services, and others were taken by ambulance to four hospitals in the area.

KTIV reported that the college’s baseball team was on board.

The Iowa State Patrol is investigating.