INGLEWOOD, CA - APRIL 7: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket during the game against the LA Clippers on April 7, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks were out west Tuesday night to take on the Los Angeles Clippers in what ended in a 116-103 loss. This one started very ugly, got better to the tune of the Mavs impossibly taking a lead, and then trended back to ugly. Here are a few stats to know from a rough night.
17 straight: Clippers scoring run to begin the game
The Clippers absolutely blitzed the Mavs from the opening tip. Their 17-0 scoring run took place over the first three minutes and 22 seconds of the game, putting the Mavs in a large hole almost instantly. The scoring outburst wasn’t so much a haymaker as it was a high-speed food processor that calmly obliterated whatever it touched. The Clippers shot over 70% from the floor during (and beyond) their run, ripping through the Mavs with precision. Meanwhile, all Mavs not named Cooper Flagg couldn’t quite find the touch until the latter half of the quarter when Marvin Bagley checked in to help Flagg chip away at the lead just a bit.
35%: The Mavericks overall shooting percentage
The Clippers 17-0 run to start the game was due in part to the Mavs missing makable shots, a trend that continued throughout the night. The Mavs managed to hoist up 100 total shots, but only made 35 of them. Missing 65 shots in 48 minutes is a remarkable feat for all the wrong reasons. Amazingly, players such as Marvin Bagley (8-for-11) and Ryan Nembhard (6-for-12) were very efficient, which really goes to show you just how bad the shooting was from everyone else.
18.2%: The Mavericks three-point shooting percentage
If you thought the prior stat was bad, this one really takes the cake. Dallas converted at a 6-for-33 clip from deep on Tuesday night. For perspective, Kawhi Leonard matched the entire output of the Mavs’ team from downtown. Klay Thompson was the biggest culprit for Dallas, going 1-for-10 from beyond the arc, though Max Christie’s 0-for-5 was nothing to write home about either. Dallas has not been a good three-point shooting team all year, but this was shockingly bad to witness.
27/28: Dallas’ free throw attempts and makes
The only thing the Mavs could hit against Los Angeles was free throws, of which they got many. Dallas was an exceptional 27-for-28 from the free throw line. Despite it not helping the outcome, it at least made the final score look a tad more presentable. The starters who attempted a free throw (Flagg, Christie and Dwight Powell) were a perfect 20-for-20 from the stripe
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At the end of the first quarter of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 123–87 dismantling of the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena, the UCLA Bruins women’s basketball team walked into the spotlight carrying something heavier than gold — their place in history.
Just two nights removed from a 79–51 title-clinching win over the South Carolina Gamecocks in the NCAA national championship in Phoenix, the Bruins were introduced at halfcourt.
Head coach Cori Close stood off to the left, with stars Lauren Betts, Sienna Betts, Gabriela Jaquez, Kiki Rice, and the rest of the team holding up their national championship trophy and waving at fans.
UCLA women’s basketball team is honored at halfcourt during the Thunder’s 123-87 blowout win over the Lakers on April 7, 2026 in Los Angeles. NBAE via Getty Images
The women of Westwood got the loudest ovation by far, especially considering it was another blowout for the purple and gold at the hands of OKC.
Even some of the celebrities sitting courtside took notice. Academy Award nominee for best actress, Kate Hudson, sat courtside and greeted the players, giving them her congratulations on their impressive performance.
The champs are here! The Lakers honor UCLA Women’s basketball team after winning the 2026 NCAA tournament pic.twitter.com/ullOVNxdM7
The same could not be said for the Lakers. Playing without LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves the team didn’t put up much of a fight against the reigning NBA champions.
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 7: Rui Hachimura #28 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 7, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The final score of Tuesday’s game was both a reflection of the chasm in talent between the Lakers and Thunder but also not entirely indicative of the effort LA gave to start the game either.
For the opening 18 minutes, the hosts held their own on the back of effort and energy plays on both ends. Some timely 3-pointers from unlikely — and unsustainable — sources helped them keep pace with Oklahoma City. But once the threes dried up and the free throws clanked off the rim endlessly, LA didn’t have any more answers and, well, you get a 36-point defeat.
As a result and considering the circumstances, there’s going to be a lot of grace given in these grades. Not one player was playing a role they’re suited for and many of the players have more minutes in the G League than the NBA in recent months. And they were playing against the best team in the NBA. This was never going to be pretty.
So, let’s dive into the loss. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance for that player.
An unexpected start for Timme, who started the game really well with 10 early points. That he finished with 11 points should tell you how the rest of the game went.
As harsh as you could be with Ayton after putting up this stat line, he was being defended by a First Team All-Defense caliber player in Chet Holmgren and was without the four ballhandlers he has the most chemistry with.
Of all the players who have had their role change the most in the last five days, Kennard might top that list. From largely an off-ball scorer to the lead point guard tonight.
Finally, Thiero got some run and it was as fun as you’d hope. Head coach JJ Redick mentioned that he was right at his minutes restriction, but he did a lot in that short span.
Bronny does look a lot more comfortable now, but his jumper is still shaky at best. It should be the biggest thing he works on this summer. He’s a consistent 3-pointer away from being a legitimate rotation player.
Another player with some surprise early minutes. The bulk of his stats, however, came in garbage time. It was nice to see him get some run and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they try him out a bit more to try to get some more scoring off the bench.
Only fourth quarter minutes for NSJ. He’s seen his role usurped by the combo of Bufkin and Bronny, so it’s hard to imagine him getting much more run this year.
A very rare extended run for Mañon, who received G League All-Defense honors earlier in the day.
Grade: C+
Jarred Vanderbilt
It was an adventurous start for Vando, who made his lone shot and was active but also missed all three free throws after being fouled on a long-range shot late in the first. His night abruptly ended in the second quarter when Redick called an early timeout and pulled him from the game for, as he said postgame, a “confluence of things.” Vando never returned, logging only five minutes.
JJ Redick
It’s a pretty impossible situation Redick has been placed in, but credit for him for having the team ready at the jump. The result felt inevitable, but the fight the team had not just in the opening 18 minutes, but throughout the game was evident.
Even with the likes of LeBron James, Marcus Smart and Jaxson Hayes out tonight but set to return, hopefully some more of the young Lakers continue to get minutes as well.
Grade: B
Tuesday’s inactives: LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Jaxson Hayes
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 03: Jordan Walsh #27 of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball against Pete Nance #35 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum on April 03, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
BOSTON — For more than two weeks, Jordan Walsh didn’t lace up. The 22-year-old, who had, at one point, started 20 straight games for the Celtics, had completely fallen out of the rotation.
Still, Walsh kept an even-keeled mindset and perspective throughout that adversity.
“I’m still okay with where I’m at because Year 1, I had no chance of playing,” Walsh told CelticsBlog on March 22nd, amid a string of DNPS. “This year, I started 20 games, and we went 15 and 5 — and I proved that I can play at a high level.”
At that point — just over two weeks ago — it seemed likely that Walsh had permanently fallen out of the rotation. But, one hallmark characteristic of this Celtics season has been that as soon as it appears Joe Mazzulla has a solidified rotation, things change.
That latest change?
Jordan Walsh is back.
Over the past 7 games, Walsh has re-established himself as a key member of the Celtics lineup, averaging 20.2 minutes per game.
And, in a Tuesday night win against the Charlotte Hornets, he was crucial, tallying 9 points (on 4-4 FG), 6 rebounds, and a steal in 18 minutes of action — while also guarding Hornets star LaMelo Ball for much of the second half.
“He just understands that when he’s at his best defensively, he’s impacting the team’s best players, creating turnovers,” said Mazzulla. “I thought he was big tonight.”
Jaylen Brown, who has been one of Walsh’s mentors over the past few seasons, praised Walsh’s impact in the game.
“Jordan has the ability to change games,” Brown said. “His athleticism has the ability to change games. So that’s something that in the playoffs or future certain matchups, that will definitely be just continuing to urge him to have discipline and make the right plays out there and bring energy to our group. It makes a big difference.”
Brown pointed to a transition basket Walsh got in the first half as a key moment swing for the Celtics.
“Tonight, our offense wasn’t going in that second quarter, [he] gets out and runs with the transition dump that gets us going,” he said. “Plays like that are important.”
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) April 8, 2026
Jordan Walsh never changed his approach while sidelined
Amid his DNPs, Walsh said that he had leaned on his teammates to gain perspective on how to handle a changing role.
“I’ve gotten a piece of everybody’s story — Payton [Pritchard], JB [Jaylen Brown], Xavier [Tillman], all these people kind of went through similar things,” Walsh said last month. “I’ve gotten their story, and they gave me their knowledge on it.”
At that point, Walsh concluded he’d ensure that his attention to detail and work behind the scenes didn’t waver, regardless of his on-court opportunities. He’d work just as hard as practice, and be just as meticulous in the film room, ready for the moment in which his number might be called.
“It’s kind of just doing my best in the role that I am in now, and that’s just supporting the guys, showing up to practice, being the last one to leave,” Walsh said then. “Like, all that stuff is so cool to me.”
And, Joe Mazzulla took notice.
“When it’s not your turn, what’s your mindset and what’s your consistency? Still chipping away at the workouts? hHw serious do you take a film?” Mazzulla said on Tuesday. “So [I’ve seen] professionalism and consistency from Jordan, and I think Tyler [Lashbrook] does a great job with the guys that he works with, making sure that they’re ready. But it starts with Jordan’s mindset — if you’re not playing, how are you getting better? And so he continues to do that, and I think that’s why he could pick up where he left off.”
Brown thinks Walsh has improved, even though it hasn’t always been easy.
“Just throughout the whole season, I’ve seen an increase and just a better feel overall for what is needed and what he needs to do when he’s out there on the floor,” Brown said. “He’s just managed that well. At times, it’s not been in his favor, but I think he’s kept a level head.”
Jayson Tatum has similarly been impressed by Walsh’s approach this year.
“Just being ready — not necessarily knowing when he’s going to get in, but knowing that part of being a professional is when your number is called to come in and change the game — crash the glass, defensive rebound, pick up 94-feet, hit open shots,” Tatum said after the Celtics 115-102 win over the Hornets. “And give him credit, he definitely did — [he] changed the energy of the game.”
Still, how Walsh will impact the Celtics in the postseason remains to be seen — he’s never laced up for real postseason action. Jaylen Brown is looking forward to seeing how that shakes it.
“Playoffs is a time of year where you put it all on display, everything that you learn, all the discipline that you’ve acquired, all of that stuff — the ultimate test is coming up,” Brown said.
Walsh’s Stay Ready mindset embodies the season the Celtics have put together thus far. Some nights, it’s been Hugo Gonzalez. Other nights, it’s been Baylor Scheierman, Sam Hauser, or Luka Garza. Heck, even Josh Minott — now a Brooklyn Net — helped win the Celtics a few games.
That’s how the roster exceeded expectations en route to 54 wins — and counting.
Joe Mazzulla summed it up best.
“The story of our season up until this point,” he said, “is we got 14, 15 guys that can impact winning.”
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 07: Brandin Podziemski #2 of the Golden State Warriors drives the lane on Precious Achiuwa #9 of the Sacramento Kings in the second half at Chase Center on April 07, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After four straight losses, the Golden State Warriors are back in the win column, with a 110-105 victory over the scrappy — but lowly — Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night at the Chase Center.
From the opening tip, it was clear that the Warriors had energy thanks to the return of Steph Curry, who played in his second game following a 27-game absence. Despite Curry’s return, the Warriors were still extremely beat up, and playing without Al Horford, Kristaps Porziņģis, Quinten Post, Gui Santos, and Will Richard, to go along with the season-ending injuries that Moses Moody (who appeared at the arena to massive applause) and Jimmy Butler III sustained. Then again, the Warriors weren’t getting sympathy points from a Kings team that was without Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan, among others.
But it was evident that Curry’s return had rejuvenated the Warriors, who brought full-on hustle to an arena that finally had life in it. That said, it took the funky starting lineup — Pat Spencer, De’Anthony Melton, Brandin Podziemski, Draymond Green, and Malevy Leons — quite a while to find some rhythm, though they finally did locate a little, led by Spencer. Golden State’s defense was solid, while Sacramento’s offense was tremendously ugly at the beginning. The Warriors had gone 3-for-4 on threes before the Kings even attempted a shot from distance.
But even so, the Warriors couldn’t gain much separation, because their offense was still struggling. Curry checked in at the 6:24 mark with the Dubs leading by just a single point, and, not surprisingly, the spacing instantly improved. Yet that seemed to coincide with the Kings realizing that they were a very athletic team, and they started to use that to an advantage, opening up a lead in the process. After a few minutes, Curry started to get into a flow, and the Warriors trailed 26-25 after a closely-contested, back-and-forth opening frame.
The second quarter was weird, especially at the beginning. The Warriors dialed up the energy level to 11, while lowering the execution level to 0.5. They weren’t sloppy — that would come in the third quarter — but they just couldn’t get anything going, at least on offense. They weren’t able to make good passes, or get open looks, or convert buckets.
Around the halfway mark, Curry returned, along with Green and Seth Curry, and that sparked the Dubs, who started using defense to lead to offense. Suddenly the Warriors were clicking — Melton was playing his best game in ages — and they had a 48-40 lead. The Kings responded with a few buckets, before Curry stole the momentum back with an unreal four-point play. Podziemski, who bailed the offense out time and time again, added a three shortly later, pushing the lead to double digits for the first time all game. Not long after that, Curry somehow managed a second four-point play, and suddenly the Warriors lead was 16.
At the break, they led 66-53. They had turned the ball over just five times. Life was good.
They had no idea what awaited them on the other side of halftime.
Sloppiness. That’s what awaited them, so it was entirely a self-inflicted wound, though give credit to the Kings for applying constant pressure. It was sloppy from the get-go — both teams were playing hard and scrappy, but only one of them was executing at a level befitting the NBA, and it wasn’t the team that had a vested interest in winning the basketball game.
There’s no need to linger on a no good, very bad quarter. After turning the ball over just five times in the first half, the Warriors had 11 turnovers in the third quarter alone. They especially fell apart late, when it seemed like they could barely hold onto the ball, let alone dribble or pass it, and the Kings pounced. Sacramento ended the quarter on a 9-0 run, and pulled to within four points when the buzzer sounded.
The Kings finished the run in the fourth quarter, turning it into a 13-0 blitzing that tied the game, before Podziemski mercifully stopped the bleeding with a pair of free throws.
From there, the teams threw punches back and forth — not literally, thankfully, though if you’re looking for that, might I suggest watching highlights from the baseball game between the Angels and Braves. Neither team could gain any separation, and it really felt like each team was just waiting for Curry to check back into the game.
He did so at the 5:53 mark, once again accompanied by his brother and Green. This time the Warriors were down two, but Seth immediately drained a three to shift the momentum.
Still, it nearly came down to the wire. The game was tied with two minutes remaining, when Steph rose for a corner three.
It missed. You didn’t expect me to say that, did you? But he read it all the way, dashed in for his own rebound, whipped the ball back out to the perimeter, and watched Podziemski drain a three for a lead that the Warriors would not relinquish.
The Kings, who have been eliminated, then employed a fascinating strategy that felt like an attempt to skirt the NBA’s anti-tanking rules, and, for the second time in the last few possessions, purposely fouled Seth Curry, a career 86.4% free throw shooter. Both teams benefitted from this decision, as he made both free throws, pushing the lead to five with just over a minute remaining.
Golden State got a few stops against a Sacramento offense that at this point just seemed to be goofing off, and they avoided disaster with a 110-105 win.
We’re used to the stars of the game starting in the backcourt, which was the case on Tuesday. But usually that’s because Curry is starting, not coming off the bench. Instead, it was Podziemski and Melton who started and led the team in scoring. Podz had 21 points, four rebounds, and five assists, while Melton had 20 points and three assists. Curry, meanwhile, had 17 off the bench.
But the unsung hero was the new guy: Charles Bassey. With the Warriors missing their three centers, Bassey — playing in just his second game with the organization — controlled the paint any time his number was called. He finished with a sensational line — 14 points, 12 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks — but that doesn’t paint the picture as to how huge his contributions were. For a deeply undersized team, he made the Warriors feel big. And against a Sacramento squad that had the athleticism advantage, Bassey helped equalize that mismatch. He’s going to be a vital player for them the rest of the way.
The Warriors improved to 37-42, and have just three regular season games remaining. The next one is Thursday night, when they host the banged up Los Angeles Lakers at 7:00 p.m. PT.
INGLEWOOD, CA - APRIL 7: Darius Garland #10 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on April 7, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks got run off the floor Tuesday night, falling 116-103 to the Los Angeles Clippers in a game that followed a familiar script from this stretch of the season. Dallas struggled offensively all night, shooting just 35.0% from the field and 6-of-33 from three (18.2%), making it nearly impossible to keep up despite getting to the line frequently. Marvin Bagley III was a clear bright spot, finishing with 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting and 9 rebounds, while Cooper Flagg added 21 points and 9 boards, though it came on a heavy 25-shot workload. Klay Thompson struggled again, going 4-for-17 from the field and 1-for-10 from three, as the Mavericks never found consistent perimeter shooting. On the other side, the Clippers were more efficient and balanced, shooting 44.6% from the field and 37.8% from three, with multiple contributors keeping the offense steady throughout. Dallas hung around for stretches but never truly threatened down the stretch, as another tough shooting night and lack of consistent offense ultimately defined a loss that felt in line with where this team currently is.
Dallas got hit right away in the first quarter, and it completely dictated the flow of the period. The Clippers opened on a 17-0 run, fueled by Darius Garland’s making, Kawhi Leonard’s getting control, and easy interior looks, while the Mavericks couldn’t get anything clean offensively. Early possessions were rough, with missed threes, a blocked Flagg layup, and multiple stalled trips that never put pressure on the defense. Cooper Flagg was eventually the one who broke the drought, scoring on a floater and then adding a step-back three, free throws, and an alley-oop dunk to give Dallas some life. Marvin Bagley chipped in with a couple of finishes inside, but every time Dallas showed signs of momentum, the Clippers immediately answered with another efficient possession. They closed the quarter down 39-26, a stretch defined by a brutal start and an offense that took far too long to find any rhythm.
The second quarter had a few brief moments where it felt like Dallas might settle in, but it never fully came together. The Mavericks opened with some life as Naji Marshall finished inside and Cooper Flagg hit a pull-up. Still, the Clippers quickly responded through Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland, continuing to generate cleaner looks. Midway through the quarter, the offense stalled out, with Flagg having multiple attempts blocked and missing floaters, which killed any rhythm. Dallas got a small push from Marvin Bagley with a three, a dunk, and free throws, but second-chance points and trips to the line from LA immediately erased all momentum. Missed threes and empty possessions kept resetting any progress, and by halftime the Clippers held a 65-55 lead, a quarter where Dallas hung around but never took control.
The third quarter was Dallas’ stretch, as they finally found some rhythm and made a real push to get back into the game. It started with Cooper Flagg getting downhill and to the line, while also setting up Marvin Bagley for easy finishes, helping chip away at the deficit. Bagley provided consistent scoring inside, and Ryan Nembhard and Klay Thompson added timely buckets, allowing Dallas to pull even briefly. But every time the Mavericks got close, Kawhi Leonard answered, knocking down multiple threes and tough midrange shots to keep the Clippers in control. Dallas had chances to take the lead, but missed shots and second-chance opportunities for LA stalled momentum. By the end of the quarter, despite the push, Dallas still trailed 89-84, a much closer game but one that remained just out of reach.
The fourth quarter never really gave Dallas a real opening, and it slowly slipped away possession by possession. The Clippers opened with a Darius Garland layup, and even when Cooper Flagg answered with a dunk, and Ryan Nembhard added a layup, Dallas couldn’t actually close the gap. After cutting it to 90-95, the game turned, as the Clippers responded with Garland scoring, second-chance points from John Collins, and free throws from Bennedict Mathurin, quickly pushing the lead back out. From there, the MavericMavericks stalled again with missed threes, a shot clock violation, and multiple blocked attempts, while LA kept adding efficient looks to stretch it into double digits. By the final minutes, it shifted into end-of-rotation basketball, with Klay Thompson adding some late buckets and free throws, but nothing that threatened the result. Dallas never seriously pushed back, and the Clippers closed it out comfortably, 116-103.
Tough Watch for Klay
There was something genuinely sad about watching Klay Thompson out there late in this one, especially surrounded by a lineup that clearly reflects where this team is right now. He finished just 4-for-17 from the field and 1-for-10 from three, and a lot of those looks felt forced or rushed, not because he was playing poorly in a vacuum, but because the situation around him isn’t conducive to his success anymore. When you’re a player like Klay, tasked with creating or stabilizing offense on a tanking roster, it just highlights how out of place it all feels.
And to his credit, he’s been sothing but a pro through all of it. He shows up, takes the shots, plays his role, and doesn’t care about anything other than helping the team. But at a certain point, it’s on its Mavericks to recognize what this is. His value isn’t going to go up by playing in games like this, and the longer this goes on, the more it risks fading altogether.
There’s an argument that Dallas should do right by him. Find him a situation where he can contribute to meaningful basketball again, where his skillset actually fits the context. He’s eaHe’s that. And honestly, it would benefit both sides. Because watching him grind through nights like this, at this stage, doesn’t feel like how it should end.
We are Ready for a New Season
At this point, it’s a little relief to feel that the season is winding down. Nights like this are the perfect example of why. You’re going to have a depleted roster go up against another pretty mediocre team in a half-empty arena, and the game itself turns into a grind filled with stoppages, including 45 combined free throws through three quarters. It’s no, it’s losing, it’s what these games feel. Slow, disjointed, and honestly exhausting to sit through.
There’s a sweet element to it, though. On the one hand, it’s been a long season, and a break from this version of the Mavericks feels necessary. On the other hand, you know what’s next is actually exciting. The draft, the offseason, the potential reshaping of the roster. That’s the real intrigue now. Because while there are still flashes and individual performances worth watching, nights like this are a reminder that this team, as currently constructed, isn’t a product right now. And after stretches like this, it’s a hit to be ready to move on to what’s next.
Bagley continues to make his case.
Marvin Bagley III continues to quietly make a real case for himself, even in a season where the bigger picture is about losing and positioning. He finished with 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting (72.7%), adding 9 rebounds and a perfect 4-of-4 from the line, and it never felt forced. He just competed. Every possession, every touch, every opportunity to impact the game, he was there. And that’s consistent since he got to Dallas, even while dealing with injuries along the way.
What stands out most is how natural his fit has been alongside Cooper Flagg. He runs the floor, finishes at the rim, and gives Flagg a reliable interior presence to play off of, whether it’s lob dump-offs or second-chance opportunities. For a team that has struggled to find consistency in the frontcourt all season, that kind of stability matters more than it might seem on the surface.
The Mavericks will have to reevaluate their frontcourt this offseason seriously. That’s that. Bagley might not be a guaranteed piece moving forward, but he’s absolutely earned the right to be in that conversation. When you’re researching who competes, who produces, and who fits next to your cornerstone player, his name should come up just as much as anyone else.
Kate Hudson and Brenda Song sat courtside on Tuesday night to support the shorthanded Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena.
Seated alongside their “Running Point” castmates Scott MacArthur and Drew Tarver, the group cheered on a Lakers team stripped down to its bones without LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Marcus Smart.
Kate Hudson and Brenda Song sat courtside to support the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. Getty Images
Hudson, radiant as ever, stopped to greet the Laker Girls and offered congratulations to the UCLA Bruins women’s basketball team, honored during a timeout in the first half for winning the 2026 NCAA National Championship on Sunday.
The cast’s appearance wasn’t a coincidence. Season 2 of their Netflix series “Running Point” is set to premiere April 23. The show is inspired by the life and leadership of former Lakers owner, and current governor Jeanie Buss.
Hudson is the star of “Running Point.” Getty Images
Elsewhere along the baseline, familiar faces filled out the frame: Former Lakers Danny Green and Pau Gasol. Reality personality Corey Gamble, and musician Giveon. A reminder that even in a shorthanded game, Los Angeles never lacks star power.
Former Lakers Danny Green and Pau Gasol also in attendance tonight for Thunder and Lakers. pic.twitter.com/UqUto5Bcrr
Considering who wasn’t available for the Lakers on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena, it wasn’t a surprise that they were blown out 123-87 by the Thunder for their second loss to the defending champions in five days.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander goes up for a layup surrounded by defenders. NBAE via Getty Images
Luke Kennard was once again leading the Lakers’ offense has a playmaker.
Rookie forward Adou Thiero’s athleticism was popping.
And somehow, the Lakers found themselves tied with the league-best Thunder at 42 apiece midway through the second quarter.
But that hope quickly evaporated, with the Thunder taking full control of the game.
The Lakers scored just 22 points over the next 24 minutes of playing time en route to the 36-point blowout loss.
Deandre Ayton goes up for a block in the paint. NBAE via Getty Images
Their scoring total was their lowest in a game this season.
Rui Hachimura, one of four Lakers who were getting rotation minutes a week ago who was available on Tuesday, led the short-handed Lakers with 15 points.
Timme had 11 points. Kennard finished with 10 points and 9 assists, while Thiero had a career-high 10 points in the most playing time he’s had in an NBA game (21 minutes).
What it means
The Lakers are in the midst of their first three-game losing streak since Feb. 22-26.
They stayed at No. 4 in the Western Conference standings with a 50-29 record, now a game behind the Nuggets (51-28) with three games left in the regular season.
Rui Hachimura hits a jumper with a hand in his face. NBAE via Getty Images
Turning point
It should’ve been much earlier in the game considering who wasn’t available for the Lakers.
But when Jake LaRavia missed a pair of free throws late in the second quarter, with the Lakers already trailing, 60-46, and Isaiah Joe made a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession to put the Thunder up by 17, it was clear if it wasn’t already that Tuesday wasn’t going to be the Lakers’ night.
MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
The reigning league MVP didn’t have any troubles against the depleted Lakers.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished with a game-high 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting to go with 8 assists in 28 minutes, sitting out of the fourth with the Thunder leading 93-62 going into the final quarter.
Stat of the game: 17
That’s how many free throws the Lakers missed, making an already difficult game even more challenging than it needed to be.
The Lakers’ 45.2% free-throw percentage on Tuesday was by far their worst mark for a game this season.
Their previous worst free-throw percentage accuracy was the 57.1% they shot from the charity stripe in the Jan. 9 home loss to the Bucks.
Up next
The Lakers will travel to San Francisco to play the Warriors on Thursday at Chase Center.
The matchup against the Warriors will be the first night of a back-to-back, with the Lakers hosting the Suns on Friday.
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 7: Drew Timme #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 7, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
A heavily depleted Lakers team was once again blown out on Tuesday by the Oklahoma City Thunder, 123-87.
LA was down Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Marcus Smart and Jaxson Hayes. Despite that, they started the game with a bunch of energy and effort, keeping the game close for the first quarter-and-a-half.
However, water eventually found its level and the Thunder blew the game open late in the second quarter and never looked back.
LA shot an abysmal 14-31 from the free throw line, negating much of the early effort plays to get to the line. LA never led and trailed by as many as 41.
The Thunder jumped to a quick six-point lead on the shoulders of Chet Holmgren. Drew Timme got the offense going for the Lakers with a midrange floater. After Holmgren put up his fifth and sixth points, LA called an early timeout.
Timme was up to 10 points already for the Lakers, leading the team. At the five-minute mark, OKC was only up by one. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was leading the Thunder with seven points. LA was putting up a respectable fight, keeping the game close.
At the end of the first, the purple and gold were down by seven.
With 10 points from Drew Timme and 4 assists from Luke Kennard filling in tonight for injured starters, the Lakers hung in with OKC in the 1st Q, and head into the 2nd Q down 34-27.
Adou Thiero added 5 points and 2 boards off the bench.
There was a quick Lakers timeout called to start the second period. Out of the break, Bronny James missed his shot attempt, but stole the ball on the other end, leading to a layup by Rui Hachimura, sparking a 9-2 run that tied the game.
OKC jumped back ahead until four straight points from Los Angeles tied it again. Luke Kennard was up to six points.
Alex Caruso drained a 3-pointer to put his team back in the lead. The Thunder turned that triple into a 7-0 scoring run.
Los Angeles’s offense became stagnant, allowing OKC to continue to build on its now big lead. At halftime, Oklahoma was up by 18.
OKC finished the second quarter strong and now lead 65-47 entering halftime. Drew Timme is the only Laker in double figures. He has 11 points.
Kennard threw up a lob to Hachimura for a dunk to start the second half, his ninth assist of the game. He also converted on a midrange jumper, giving the team some much-needed life.
Holmgren knocked down a triple to stop LA’s sudden small burst of momentum.
LA, unfortunately, went on a four-minute scoring drought with the Thunder taking full advantage of it to fully blow the game open. The only other exciting things that happened for LA in this quarter were dunks by Thiero and Bronny James.
Thunder 93, Lakers 62 after three quarters of play. Fans are leaving as if the game is officially over.
The final frame began with the Lakers missing a few shot attempts and Aaron Wiggins draining a triple for the Thunder. The rest of the quarter happened.
Key Player Stats
Timme finished with 11 points, three rebounds and two assists. Hachimura notched 15 points with five rebounds. Kennard ended with 10 points and nine assists. Adou Thiero and Kobe Bufkin combined for 19 points off the bench.
Nick Smith poured in 11 points in garbage time.
The Lakers’ next matchup will be against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday at 7:00 PM PT.
"This is as toxic of a team situation as any in the league. They waited until the very end on Giannis, and now everyone knows."
When your best player is one foot in, one foot out, you're not going to win."
"The crux of the issue is feeling Giannis doesn't want to be here on any given day."
If it didn't already feel like a parting of the ways between the two-time MVP and the only NBA team he has ever known was inevitable already, the feud over Antetokounmpo returning to play at the tail end of this season — when the Bucks were already eliminated from the playoffs — seems to have thrown gasoline on the fire.
Antetokounmpo wanted trade
From Antetokounmpo's perspective, he tried to quietly push for a trade, something that was amicable to both sides. According to the report, Antetokounmpo and his agent had a handshake agreement going back years with Bucks owners Jimmy Haslam and Wes Edens that if he told them it was time to part ways, they would work together to get it done. By January, Antetokounmpo felt it was time.
This arrangement allowed Antetokounmpo to save face and not be the guy who demanded a trade out of town, a perception he didn't want.
Milwaukee head of basketball operations Jon Horst fielded calls and looked at offers. As the process dragged on and the deadline approached, some people in front offices got the impression that Horst was gauging the market but wasn't necessarily serious about making a deal. However, a Miami offer of Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware and multiple draft picks drew real interest.
It was Bucks ownership that ultimately looked at the deals on the table and decided to wait until the offseason to make a deal, with the expectation there would be better offers then, according to the ESPN report. That frustrated Antetokounmpo, who wanted the deal done.
The challenge for Milwaukee with that plan is Antetokounmpo is now heading into the potential final year of his contract (he has a 2027-28 player option), and that gives him leverage in deciding where to go this summer because he can tell teams he will not re-sign with them.
From Antetokounmpo's perspective, this could have been an amicable split, now it's gotten nasty — and him not getting to play at the end of the season only made it worse.
While Milwaukee can offer Antetokounmpo a four-year, $275 million extension this summer (he couldn't sign it until Oct. 1), the expectation now is he will not sign it. Everyone involved knows the trade is coming.
Doc Rivers on way out door
Another aspect of the report was that Doc Rivers — brought in to replace Adrian Griffin — never connected with the Bucks players and, in many ways, rubbed veteran players the wrong way.
Rivers struggled to command the locker room, and reportedly said this at one film session, according to Charania and ESPN.
"I took teams to the playoffs and to the championship that weren't supposed to. I thought this was one of them. Either you're with us or against us. If you're not playing hard, we're not playing you anymore. I know everything that goes on in this building."
It is widely expected Rivers will be gone at the end of the season, something that has been previously reported by NBC Sports. If you had any doubt about that, check out Rivers' quote pregame on Tuesday when asked how much longer he wants to coach.
Doc Rivers when asked how much longer he wants to coach in the NBA:
“I have seven grandkids now, and they’re all eight years and under... It’s probably time to go see them more, so I’ll let you figure out the rest." pic.twitter.com/tVn2dZYQUi
This summer in Milwaukee will see an overhaul, from the coaching staff to the roster. The only questions now are what kind of return the Bucks can get for Antetokounmpo and who will coach this reworked roster.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – APRIL 7: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball during the game against the Sacramento Kings on April 7, 2026 at Chase...
SAN FRANCISCO — The Warriors will have to beat two teams better than the one inside their building Tuesday night if they want to advance out of next week’s play-in tournament.
It’s a good thing they should have more help than they did against the Kings.
Despite leading by double digits late into the third quarter, it took the Warriors until the final moments to put away the Western Conference bottom dwellers in a 110-105 win.
Stephen Curry brings the ball up court against the Kings. NBAE via Getty Images
In his second game back from a 27-game absence, Stephen Curry lacked the late heroics that nearly willed them back against the Rockets but still sank one late 3-pointer and set up Brandin Podziemski for a dagger at the top of the key that put them up 107-104 with 1:54 left.
Playing his second game on a 10-day contract, Charles Bassey grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds to go with 14 points for a double-double, while Pat Spencer paced them early with 11 of his 14 points in the first half after stepping into the starting lineup for Will Richard.
The rookie guard was scratched before tipoff after initially being listed in the starting lineup. Spencer logged 41 minutes, not only a career-high but the most the former lacrosse player has ever played.
He offered an honest assessment of how he felt afterward. “Pretty wiped.”
Curry hits a three with a hand in his face. NBAE via Getty Images
What it means
The Warriors played their best half of basketball of the season the last time they faced the Kings, outscoring Sacramento by 30 points over the final two quarters of a 137-103 win in the first week of January, their largest margin of the season.
Their trouble putting away the Kings three months later only underscores how much has changed for the Warriors, who have since lost Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody for the season, and were also missing Gui Santos, Will Richard and a trio of big men — Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Quinten Post.
The outcome of this one didn’t change anything in the standings, but the Clippers’ win over the Mavericks officially locked them into the No. 10 seed.
Turning point
The Kings capitalized on 11 Golden State turnovers in the third quarter to climb all the way back from a 16-point deficit and tie the score at 85 less than a minute into the fourth.
The Warriors converted only six shots from the field in the final period, but five came from 3-point territory, including a pair from Melton. Podziemski and both Curry brothers also contributed triples to seal the win.
This was the Warriors first win since Curry’s return. NBAE via Getty Images
Curry was limited to three points after halftime and coach Steve Kerr said he looked “a little rusty,” calling out his contributions to their turnover troubles in the third quarter.
But Curry looked plenty comfortable, twice squeezing around screens, getting off a shot from distance with defenders in his face and luring them into his landing space for a foul.
On his second four-point play, Curry smiled and shimmied from his seat on the floor.
Stat of the game: 21 points
In one encouraging sign heading into the postseason, Melton put together his best stretch of basketball in a few weeks. The guard returned from knee surgery in December and has recently been limited by a bum thumb but looked like the dynamic backcourt playmaker the Warriors had become accustomed to with 21 points in 29 minutes.
Melton poured in 12 in just the first six minutes of the second quarter, helping the Warriors build a double-digit advantage. In that stretch alone, Melton doubled his best scoring total since he had 14 in a March 25 win over the Nets.
Up next
The Warriors host the Lakers on Thursday in what will be their final home game of the season unless they are able to advance out of the play-in tournament. With their seeding already locked in, expect Curry and a collection of others to rest the following night in Sacramento.
The Nets didn’t face Giannis Antetokounmpo in their 96-90 win over the Bucks on Tuesday night at Barclays Center, and it’s unclear if they’ll see him Friday when they travel to Milwaukee.
But it’s almost a fait accompli that they’ll call the Bucks about their want-away superstar this summer.
“They’ll make calls,” a source told The Post. “They’ve made calls in the past.”
Antetokounmpo has been Brooklyn’s proverbial white whale going as far back as 2023, with general manager Sean Marks hoarding draft capital to make a bid for the two-time MVP.
But Antetokounmpo has spent so long dropping bread crumbs about a potential exit but never pulling the trigger that the Nets’ timing has gone from terrific to terrible to…whatever it is now.
“If you’re going after max-level talent, they have to automatically and absolutely change the trajectory of your team,” Marks said at this point last year. “This can’t be like, ‘Let’s go get this [guy] and lock ourselves into being a six or seven seed.’ When we go all in, you’re going in to compete at the highest level and contend.”
The Nets never viewed Mikal Bridges as Superman, but as the perfect Robin to team up with a potential Batman like Antetokounmpo. And sources told The Post that Brooklyn’s hope had been to lure the Greek star back in 2023-24.
But when Antetokounmpo opted to stay put in Milwaukee, Marks pivoted and traded Bridges to the Knicks that June for a record-setting haul of five first-round picks and a swap. They picked a lane, and that lane was headed toward a rebuild with no exit ramp.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, who did not play, looks on during the Nets’ 96-90 win over the Bucks on April 7, 2026 at Barclays Center. John Jones-Imagn Images
There was irony in the fact that when Antetokounmpo finally met with Milwaukee general manager Jon Horst last July in his native Greece and expressed a willingness to leave the Bucks, it was only for the Knicks.
The hard bargain that Marks had driven a year earlier had hamstrung the Knicks and left them without enough draft capital to make a viable play for the superstar.
According to an ESPN report, Horst and Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers pitched Antetokounmpo and Bucks ownership on contending in the Eastern Conference after waiving and stretching veteran guard Damian Lillard. But a horrible start to the season saw Antetokounmpo and agent Alex Saratsis reiterate a desire to leave.
“With the whole Giannis thing, it made everything problematic for us,” Rivers said Tuesday night of Antetokounmpo’s injuries and lack of availability.
Nets general manager Sean Marks has had interest in Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo for awhile. Jason Szenes for New York Post
“It’s been a tough year. I have not had a lot of these in my career, and this was not one that I thought we’d have one. On the injuries, we knew that our roster construction was tough. We were going to come into the season with quite a lot of young guys, a lot of minimum salary guys; but we thought it’d work. We thought Giannis would be available for 65 to 70 games. We did know that if we had injuries, it’s going to be a tough year.”
What has been a tough year for Milwaukee is about to get terrible.
Nets fans can sympathize, watching the Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden break up without even getting the title that the Bucks did.
To be clear, with teams like the Heat, Warriors and Knicks perceived as likelier landing spots, it’s a long shot Antetokounmpo will end up in Brooklyn.
The odds are just better than the microscopic near-zero they were in February.
The Bucks reportedly rejected offers of four first-round picks from Golden State, and Tyler Herro and Kel’el Ware plus assets from Miami.
Despite a Bleacher Report story that claimed Brooklyn had called the Bucks about Antetokounmpo, sources told The Post that the Nets never did. Having paid Houston dearly to reacquire their natural 2025 and ’26 first-round picks — and now committed to building with those lottery picks — it was the worst possible timing.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 07: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles the ball while being guarded by Jay Huff #32 of the Indiana Pacers in the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 07, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Some nights, you play one of the worst teams in the league, and you play down to their level. Other nights, you take care of business. Most nights, if you’re the Minnesota Timberwolves, that second option seems near impossible, but with just a few games left to go in the season and a sixth-seed spot on the horizon, the Wolves did what they had to.
Somehow, even a 20-point blowout does not encompass the entirety of how boring and not close that game was. Let’s be transparent here, both teams have every reason to hope for the exact outcome we got tonight, and the score was 102-77 before the final period. For Indiana, Taelon Peter was the only player with a positive on/off number. For Minnesota, only the five garbage-time players were in the negative.
To that end, the Wolves were led by Ayo Dosumnu (who could’ve guessed?), who had been injected into the three-guard starting lineup. The Fighting Illini product went for 24 points and three steals with a team best +22.
However, it truly was an all-around game from everyone. Julius Randle, for all his inefficiency problems, had 19 points. Bones Hyland had 19, 4, and 7 off the bench, while Naz Reid shot over 50% from three for the first time in what feels like ages en route to 17 points of his own.
There was a moment earlier this season where it felt like the team had turned around, largely through the graduation of Bones from end-of-the-bench reclamation project to real NBA contributor. With the injection of straight nitrous, which was the Ayo acquisition, it felt like everything was coming together. Instead, there was an Anthony Edwards injury that caused everything to spiral out.
Since then, it’s been a “sunken place” as described by Jon Krawczynski. It’s been pretty miserable, honestly. The Wolves have been 1-3 in their last four games since Ant got re-injured.
Still, the Wolves clinched a playoff spot with the Suns’ loss later Tuesday night.
There are worse places to be than the sixth seed. As things stand, that would lead to yet another matchup with the Denver Nuggets. However, Denver is only one game ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers. With the losses of Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić, the Lakers likely won’t catch up to the Nuggets, but whoever does will get a free pass to the second round.
For the Wolves, being able to control their own destiny in the seeding would probably have been better, and any team in the league would agree that you’d rather play against an ancient LeBron James than a prime Nikola Jokić, but there is a chance this could all work out.
Any of the middle four in the conference has its flaws. The Lakers are top-heavy and are now facing major injuries. The Nuggets have been unable to find any real consistency and have a 30 million dollar a year anchor by the name of Christian Braun. The Houston Rockets have a publicized mutiny and an imploding roster without any real ball handlers. The Timberwolves have well… they have a lot of problems.
The Wolves are relying on the playoff bump they’ve gotten the past two years to not just take them from good to great but from up and down to only up. That’s a lot to ask. The pair of stars leading the charge has been the subject of many think pieces, many of them about bad habits. The guard rotation, while it now claims a lot more juice, also doesn’t boast stability, as both Donte Divincenzo and Bones Hyland are certainly not strangers to bad shooting nights.
All that is to say, the top seeds are likely hoping to face someone, but I, for the life of me, cannot figure out which of those four teams is best set up to succeed in the playoffs.
Maybe the Wolves will ride a good matchup to another extended playoff run. Years ago, that would’ve been worth celebrating. Now, in the midst of the most successful era in Wolves history, it rings hollow. How can we be excited about lucking into a few extra weeks of basketball?
The standard has been raised. The expectations are for a championship. That’s it. Those hopes have already been dashed for this year, but if the Ant era ends without a title, we will call it a failure regardless.
That’s terrifying. It should be scary that the best we have ever had may still not be good enough. But, with Bones and Ayo and Ant and Jaden (and Joan Beringer on the back burner), there is a real idea that this may not be the only iteration of Wolves with Ant we get to see.
Tonight means nothing. But this season keeps crumbling to dust, limping along before a miraculous crutch comes along that fixes everything for a few games. Maybe that’s not sustainable. It probably isn’t.
So many fans want heads to roll this offseason, largely to start that second swell of this team. A first-round exit probably results in some changes, just as missing the playoffs would’ve resulted in bigger ones. The man on the line is Chris Finch. With three games left in the season, and then somewhere between four and fourteen in the playoffs, we will get to see what the lasting legacy of this version of this team.
Goodnight Wolves fans. You’ve got nothing to worry about tonight, at least.
The monster will wait for another night.
Up Next
The Timberwolves are right back at it tomorrow night on the road against the Orlando Magic for their final back-to-back of the season. The game begins at 6:00 PM CT. Fans can watch the game on FanDuel Sports Network.
NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 7: John Konchar #55 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 7, 2026 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
In a game the Utah Jazz had to lose, they got the job done in a big way against the New Orleans Pelicans, losing 156-137.
Defense was absolutely optional in this one, but it was exceptionally bad for the Utah Jazz, who somehow gave up 156 points. But this is not something to be shamed or mocked, this is the best form of tankmogging. With the Brooklyn Nets winning again and the Jazz tied with the Kings, this is exactly what the Jazz needed to do. Utah is on a mission to land another top pick in the draft and, if successful, could become one of the league’s elite teams. To lose big like this is the biggest expression of competitiveness.
For example, which of these two teams would you rather be? Utah owns their pick in the upcoming draft if it stays bottom-8. Utah has over a 99% chance to keep their pick and will add that player to a core that should compete for playoff positioning next season. It’s also decent odds that they jump into the top of an elite draft that has a great group of players to choose from. On the other hand, you have the Pelicans, who traded the rights to their pick in the upcoming draft to pick Derik Queen and are sitting in the 8th spot in the lottery. They get to watch the Hawks pick someone who would have been added to their core. Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen have had some nice moments this season, but they’ve led the Pelicans to the 8th spot in the lottery standings. It’s a pretty easy answer.
It’s also a sign that the Jazz understand the assignment. This is how the Jazz can maximize their chances at a championship. If Utah somehow lucks into a top three to four pick, they become an absolute monster, overloaded with talent at every position.
And that’s just the benefits of losing. Utah is also finding out what they have with their young players. Cody Williams, Ace Bailey, Brice Sensabaugh, and Kyle Filipowski have all shown real signs during this tank, something they couldn’t have done if they were pushing for wins. They’ve also found a nice player in Blake Hinson, who has been almost too good since he joined the team. Oh, and they also might have a guy in John Konchar, who had a triple-double tonight. Which, by the way, is the fourth triple-double of the season for the Jazz.
All in all, it’s a highly successful night for the Jazz, who are now on their way to a potential three-way tie with the Nets and Kings for the third pick. If Utah gets lucky, lottery night could be even more interesting than it looked a month ago.
E.J. Liddell rises up for a 3-pointer from the left wing, and he misfires wide right, perhaps a little long. Only, the ball bounces off the top of the glass and right back down toward the rim, swirling the net like a mini-golf ball on uneven artificial turf. It drops. Next time down, Liddell tests his luck by pulling up near the top of the key. The ball puts a dent in the backboard, then swishes right in.
Liddell scored 17 points in the first half, ultimately leading the team with 21 total points on 7-of-9 shooting, as the Brooklyn Nets beat the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night in one of the least watchable NBA games in an April already chock-full of snoozers.
This is a callous way to write about professional athletes, though not professional sports. E.J. Liddell was a tremendous NCAA player at Ohio State, then tore his ACL at Las Vegas Summer League before his rookie season and has spent the last four years bouncing around the G League in search of steady, lucrative opportunity. In Sunday’s victory over the Washington Wizards, Liddell scored a career-high 15 points. He outdid himself on Tuesday.
“I talked to my mom after my first NBA start,” said Liddell. “Couldn’t stop smiling, so I mean, the second one felt the same way. Any opportunity I get to put on this Brooklyn jersey, it feels special.”
Of all the anti-tanking arguments put forth by the NBA, or its fans, or people who proudly dislike the NBA but hold cachet anyway, this is the most convincing. Tanking infects the soul of competition, and even if the league trips over itself trying to remedy the virus, it is a worthwhile effort anyway. (Don’t ask about gambling).
In the meantime, Tuesday’s game was a must-lose for both the Bucks and Nets. Both teams admitted it with their injury report…
The Bucks listed the following players as OUT tomorrow vs. the Nets:
Giannis Antetokounmpo Myles Turner Bobby Portis Ryan Rollins Kyle Kuzma Kevin Porter Jr. Gary Trent Jr.
In addition to the players already ruled out for the season, Brooklyn sat Nic Claxton with a finger sprain, Noah Clowney with ankle soreness, Ziaire Williams with foot soreness, and Terance Mann with not one but two different areas of soreness.
It’s tough to blame Brooklyn for their inability to lose this one. Nolan Traore and Chaney Johnson played under ten minutes, Jalen Wilson played under 20, though they each won their minutes handily.
Milwaukee was simply terrible. Awful. They turned it over 20 times, turning 2-on-1 opportunities into errant alley oops and handoffs into hot pockets. To Brooklyn’s credit, they picked up their defense after the first quarter and guys like Malachi Smith and Trevon Scott flew around on the perimeter like they’ve been playing under Jordi Fernández for years…
Bucks went 1-of-12 from deep in the 2Q but Nets have also picked up the defense, if they win it'll be in large part due to their rotations pic.twitter.com/pVdcfUOpGt
Said Fernández of his energetic bunch: “If you have the right intentions and always try to make the right play, one day you’ll maybe miss some shots, but it will even out when the work is there, the work that these guys put in every single day. The positive energy, it just ends up working out. So, you’ll see performances like this.”
It’s a miracle the Bucks even had a chance to make it interesting. The Nets shot 7-of-13 from deep in the first half, thanks to Liddell’s luck and 10-day Trevon Scott, who made the most of his first career start with 8/5/2 on a couple long-balls and four steals.
Traore hardly played, but Ben Saraf and Drake Powell combined to shoot 9-of-29 in a combined 76 minutes of action. Sadly, they did not look out of place in this game of supremely low quality, though Saraf did get shoot 9-of-10 from the line thanks to his insistence on getting downhill…
“I felt like I can get to the paint and create from there, so I tried to be as aggressive as I could,” said Saraf postgame.
Brooklyn’s outside shooting fell off a cliff in the second half while the Bucks saw some drop, and the visitors trimmed a 16-point deficit to just one possession in the closing minutes. AJ Green and old friend Tauren Prince hit some huge triples, and the Nets had a chance to snag a miraculous defeat in a 180º turn from Sunday.
It didn’t happen. Ben Saraf drove left, hit the brakes, and baseline referee Che Flores called a foul on Ousmane Dieng, likely the correct call but one the Bucks bench really hated. Their front office? Not so much. Saraf sank both, pushing the lead to four, and it was all over but the shouting.
So close.
Final Score: Brooklyn Nets96, Milwaukee Bucks 90
Tankathon Update
Here is the race to the bottom, courtesy of Tankathon.com
At time of writing, the Sacramento Kings are currently trailing the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter. Assuming they hold on and lose, they will be 21-59, just a half-game behind Brooklyn, though crucially, it’s in the win column, like the Utah Jazz).
Milestone Watch
It was a career-high in points for E.J. Liddell for the second straight game
Trevon Scott is joins Kenyon Martin, Chris Childs, Keith Van Horn, and Bernard King to record 4+ steals in their fifth career game or earlier. Quite the list!
Next Up
<p>Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images</p><br>
It does not get any easier. The Brooklyn Nets face the Indiana Pacers in their final home game of the season on Thursday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
