CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) — Former Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer has signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League and is scheduled to pitch opening night on April 21 for the minor league team.
The Ducks announced the signing Thursday for Bauer's 15th professional season. Bauer will wear a mic for all games and practices, helping create content for both his and the team's outlets.
Bauer has been trying to revive his big-league career after serving a 194-game suspension for violating MLB’s domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy. He was never charged with a crime in the matter, and civil claims against him were settled.
Bauer was released by the Los Angeles Dodgers in January 2023. The right-hander pitched in Japan in 2023 and ‘25, sandwiched around one season with Diablos Rojos in the Mexican Baseball League in ’24.
“I’m looking forward to competing in front of U.S. fans again this season,” Bauer said in a statement. “The Ducks have had some incredible players come through their organization, and I’m excited to be part of that tradition.”
Bauer was 4-10 with a 4.41 ERA with Yokohama last year. He was named the Mexican Baseball League's pitcher of the year in 2024.
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This story has been corrected to show Bauer won the Mexican Baseball League's pitcher of the year award in 2024, not '25.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder get to know each other intimately over the next six days, with the first of two matchups scheduled at the Paycom Center tonight.
Oklahoma City is the top team in the West, but Los Angeles is the conference’s hottest squad, losing just once in the past 14 games.
If L.A. wants to prove it belongs among the best in the West, it needs to solve a soft interior defense getting roughed up at the rim. That's easier said than done against OKC.
My Lakers vs. Thunder predictions go hard in the paint, and our NBA picks like OKC center Isaiah Hartenstein to have his way on Thursday, April 2.
Lakers vs Thunder prediction
Lakers vs Thunder best bet: Isaiah Hartenstein Over 7.5 points (-112)
Isaiah Hartenstein has been slowly working his way back from a calf injury that cost him games in March, gradually increasing his floor time and involvement in the Oklahoma City Thunder offense.
Hartenstein, who has topped out at six points in each of his last three outings, got a rest spot against Detroit on Monday, sitting out the second game of back-to-back contests. That gives him four days’ rest and puts him at his healthiest in a long time for this matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers.
For all its success, Los Angeles continues to get bullied on the blocks. The Lakers have surrendered more than 53 points in the paint per game during this hot streak, and a smaller rotation and ineffective interior defenders allow those foes to fire at a 69.5% clip within five feet of the rim.
Oklahoma City’s spacing isolates Hartenstein down low, especially with Chet Holmgren stretching the floor. The Thunder’s dribble penetration draws help, and the 7-footer often finds himself open in the dunker’s spot or on lobs over the top.
Hartenstein also activates the pick-and-roll, and L.A. ranks dead last in defending those play sets, especially when it pertains to containing the screener.
He's had success versus the Lakers this season, putting up 10 and 11 points on a collective 9-for-15 shooting while logging 20 and 22 minutes in those two meetings. Hartenstein's projections for Thursday range between 8.8 and 9.0 points through 23 minutes of work.
Lakers vs Thunder same-game parlay
Oklahoma City’s defense is stingy at home and will turn the screws on L.A. as the team sharpens its playoff mindset.
The Thunder are bound to focus their defensive fire on stopping a red-hot Luka Doncic, which could leave more space for LeBron James to operate. LeBron’s projections flirt with 20 points tonight, and he scored 22 in his lone matchup with the Thunder this season.
Lakers vs Thunder SGP
Thunder moneyline
Isaiah Hartenstein Over 7.5 points
LeBron James Over 17.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Towers of Power
The Thunder’s 7-footers will have their way with a small Lakers lineup, terrorizing the interior for points and sending back shots on the defensive side.
Player models call for Holmgren and Hartenstein to top their points props and also forecast a couple of swats from Chet.
Lakers vs Thunder SGP
Thunder -9
Isaiah Hartenstein Over 7.5 points
Chet Holmgren Over 15.5 points
Chet Holmgren Over 1.5 blocks
Lakers vs Thunder odds
Spread: Lakers +9 (-110) | Thunder -9 (-110)
Moneyline: Lakers +280 | Thunder -360
Over/Under: Over 232 (-110) | Under 232 (-110)
Lakers vs Thunder betting trend to know
The Lakers have been underdogs of +5.5 or higher just nine times this season, going 3-6 SU and ATS when set as sizable underdogs. Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Thunder.
How to watch Lakers vs Thunder
Location
Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Date
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Tip-off
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
Prime Video
Lakers vs Thunder latest injuries
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LOS ANGELES - JUNE 8: Allen Iverson #3 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket against Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers during game two of the 2001 NBA Finals played June 8, 2001 at the Staples Center 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 2001 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Twenty-five years removed from the Sixers’ most recent NBA Finals berth, Allen Iverson remains the definitive Philadelphia basketball star this century and one of the most beloved athletes in Philly history. Enough time has passed that even those Sixers fans who didn’t watch Iverson live with their own two eyes have now become aware of his generation-altering presence both on and off the court.
Honoring Iverson and that era of Sixers basketball took on new levels this season with the team’s beloved throwback-inspired City Edition uniforms that pay tribute to that 2001 squad. Now, the Sixers and Mitchell & Ness have teamed-up for “76 Originals: The Answer Collection,” a merchandise capsule that highlights Iverson himself and those early 2000s vibes.
The collection features six items, ranging from t-shirts to a hoodie to a classic varsity jacket that all harken back to that iconic time for the Sixers.
When the Sixers reach the postseason in a couple of weeks, can they just wear their black uniforms every game, please? I just want to get ahead of that now…
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 28: Duncan Robinson #55 of the Detroit Pistons drives to the basket during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 28, 2026 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
For the second time in less than a week, the Detroit Pistons take on the Minnesota Timberwolves. Detroit hosts this one, aiming to sweep the season series. That would be a sweet victory after last year’s dust-up.
The dynamic of this game will change if Anthony Edwards suits up this time around. He is questionable tonight after appearing in one of the last seven Timberwolves games. Minnesota has seven games left, and Edwards needs to play six more games to hit 65, which triggers eligibility for an All-NBA selection.
Hopefully, he is in the lineup so we can see Ausar Thompson get a chance to hound the explosive bombs away scorer. Ausar should be motivated to guard another star but stay out of foul trouble tonight. He had some success vs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Ausar has to stay sharp and disciplined so he can stay on the floor.
Ausar Thompson steals the ball from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Kevin Huerter with the fastbreak dunk at the other end, and Ausar gets fouled out after he fouls SGA, with 1:53 minutes remaining in regulation (with replays) pic.twitter.com/gnXF2jwsSt
The playoffs are at our front door. The national chatter around Detroit (assuming health) is that there is not another creator/scorer next to Cade Cunningham. Jalen Duren is starting to make that proclamation look funny in the light.
Game Vitals
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
When: 7:00 PM
Watch: Prime Video
Odds: Pistons (-3.5)
Analysis
“Who is gonna help Cade?” “They do not shoot it well enough,” and similar sentiments have been laid out all year. Duren has picked up the phone regarding the first question. This All-Star season is turning into an All-NBA one.
people will try to discount it because it's march but it can't be overstated how incredible jalen duren has been since cade went down. 24/11/3 on 76.4% TS.
SEVENTY SIX POINT FOUR!!!!
he's also been ridiculous from the line, 64/75 (85%) from there in this stretch. been perhaps…
The efficiency dominance has been a steady theme. Duren’s 68.6 true shooting percentage is No. 1 in the association. He has been a paint beast all year and is now filling out his game in other ways.
The passing screams he can be a hub when teams swarm Cade. It’s understandable to question if Duren will continue to dominate with less space come playoff time due to the shooters, but maybe the Pistons have flipped a switch shooting-wise?
Over the last eight games, the Pistons have been shooting 38 percent from deep. They rank last in 3-point rate during this stretch, but shotmaking is shotmaking. It will eventually open up the floor if the shooters keep it up. Or teams will just get burned by capable shooters.
Eight games are not a huge sample, but Detroit has shooters who can go on a hot stretch. Career-wise, Duncan Robinson is a tier-one elite shooter, and Kevin Huerter is a tier-two sharpshooter. Huerter is 42 percent on six attempts over the last four games; hopefully, he has turned the corner.
Marcus Sasser has been the goods as a shooter, Daniss Jenkins is someone defenses guard, Javonte Green is a sneaky solid shooter, and Tobias Harris is respectable.
Detroit has not been consistent from deep this year, but getting hot at the right time can change the trajectory of their playoff run. Shooting is needed, but it all starts with the defense.
Ausar is the defensive engine who gets things started. His anticipation is something the league has not seen and needs to adjust to.
ausar beats players to their spots so well that it gets called a foul because nobody else in the league can do it and it looks unnatural
Do not get me wrong, Ausar can be handsy and pick up ticky tack fouls. But sometimes he gets called for stuff that elite defenders usually get away with.
Think Alex Caruso or Patrick Beverley, they get to play with a little more defensive spunk and not get called for certain fouls due to their reputation. Ausar’s defensive rep is headed in that direction, and his First Team All-Defense selection this season will expedite that process.
Julius Randle and Naz Reid will look to bounce back after the dominant Detroit defense shut them down less than a week ago. It will not be easy, but I imagine those two come out motivated. Jaden McDaniels is out again, but Ayo Dosunmu is back. He will impact the game, but that may not be enough to push Minnesota over this Pistons group, who continues to play well no matter who is on the floor.
UNIONDALE,NY JANUARY 9: Tre Scott #15 of the Long Island Nets looks on during the game against the College Park Skyhawks on January 9, 2025 in Uniondale,NY. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Luther Schlaifer/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Brooklyn Nets are signing 6’8” Long Island Nets forward Trevon Scott to a 10-day contract. With 10 days left in the season, the contract is likely to carry the 29-year-old through the end of the NBA season. The Long Island Nets concluded their season last night in the opening game of the G League playoffs, losing to the Osceola Magic in Florida.
Hoopshype’s Michael Scotto was first with the news…
Brooklyn Nets are signing Tre Scott to a 10-day hardship deal, Senior VP of @CSETalent Darrell Comer told @hoopshype. Scott earns an NBA call-up after 2 years with the Long Island Nets.
Danny Wolf (sprained ankle) is in a walking boot and will likely miss the rest of the season. pic.twitter.com/FkkRqE8RWK
Scott is the third player from Long Island to earn a call-up to Brooklyn this season, alongside Grant Nelson and Malachi Smith whose 10-day runs out this weekend. The Nets could in theory seek a late season hardship exception so many players out and keep both Smith and Scott. Scotto also reported that Danny Wolf is likely out for the season which ends in 10 days.
Currently in his second season with Brooklyn’s G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, Scott has appeared in 47 games this season, averaging 12 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.1 steals in 27.9 minutes.
Undrafted out of Cincinnati in 2020, Scott has spent the vast majority of his career bouncing around the G League. He spent time with the affiliates of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Charlotte Hornets, Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Clippers, and Orlando Magic, while also playing internationally with the Calgary Surge, Leones de Ponce in Puerto Rico, and Fos Provence Basket in France.
At 29-years-old, Scott is the second oldest player on Brooklyn’s squad. He is just 38 days younger than the team’s oldest player, Terrance Mann.
Throughout his NBA career, the Cincinnati product has appeared in just two NBA games, each coming with the Cavaliers during the 2020 season. Over that span, he played 11 minutes while collecting six points, two rebounds, a steal, and a block.
His call-up provides a perfect example of how Long Island is looking to develop every player on their roster, not just rookies and two-ways, as we reported recently.
“We try to build all the players, of course. Priority guides the assignments in two ways, which is noted, but at the same time, we want to develop everyone,” Long Island’s head coach Mfon Udofia, told ND. “We’re not always going to have the two-way guys or assignment guys, so we want to develop all 10 players. We want to pour into these guys.”
After two productive seasons with the Long Island Nets, Scott will now get an opportunity to close the season in the NBA.
Boston, MA - March 27: Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown sits next to center Nikola Vucevic on the bench in the first quarter. The Celtics played the Atlanta Hawks at TD Garden on March 27, 2026. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images
MIAMI — As Jayson Tatum concluded his media availability on Wednesday morning, Nikola Vucevic sauntered by.
“Say something nice about me, Jayson!” Vucevic belted after passing by the scrum.
Nikola Vucevic walked by during Jayson Tatum’s media availability this morning:
“Vooch? He’s been working his ass off,” Tatum said with a smile. “He’ll be back soon, I hope.”
How soon that’ll be remains to be seen, but the veteran’s return to the court certainly feels imminent. Vucevic spent a portion of Wednesday’s shootaround playing 3-on-3 alongside Hugo Gonzalez and Celtics assistants Craig Luschenant, DJ MacLeay, Amile Jefferson, and Tyler Lashbrook. He took physical contact, shot around, defended, and threw passes, seemingly utilizing his injured right hand.
Vucevic fractured his right ring finger on Friday, March 6th, almost four weeks ago. The Celtics announced the following day that he underwent a successful ORIF surgery to stabilize the fracture and that he’d be re-evaluated in 3-4 weeks.
And, while no formal update has been provided, Wednesday’s shootaround in Miami appeared to be a promising development.
“He’s getting better, as you saw in the workout today,” Joe Mazzulla said before Celtics-Heat. “The most important thing is that he feels 100%. When he’s ready, he’ll come back, and we just want him back when he’s ready to go. He’s going to help us — we obviously see the impact that he has on us as a player, especially last time we played Miami, he was huge.”
Vucevic played 12 games with the Celtics before fracturing his finger, averaging 10.4 points and 7.2 rebounds, while shooting 44.5% from the field and 35.1% from three.
Good sign: Nikola Vucevic is doing some on-court work here at shootaround in Miami
Mazzulla said that, while he’s been sidelined, Vucevic has been around for everything the team has done since he first suffered the injury.
“He’s a professional. I mean, he hasn’t missed a film session, practice,” Mazzulla said. “Even two days after he had his procedure, he was out working on his cardio.”
As he rehabs, Vucevic has been working most closely with Celtics assistant coach Amile Jefferson, with whom he was previously teammates in Orlando in 2018. Jefferson said on a recent episode of Derrick White’s “White Noise Podcast” that the two have been working out routinely, but that Vucevic has been doing things exclusively with his left hand.
Jefferson has played a crucial role in helping Vucevic acclimate to a new squad midseason. Almost immediately after Vucevic was traded from the Chicago Bulls to Boston, the two went out to dinner, reuniting after years spent in different cities.
“It was really helpful to have a familiar face and somebody I can talk to about other things, not just the X’s and O’s of the game and the coverages and all that,” Vucevic said then. “The relationship we had before as friends just kind of translated. It’s pretty easy: we have respect for each other.”
In Vucevic’s absence, Luka Garza has stepped up, averaging 9.8 points and 3.8 rebounds in 17.8 minutes, shooting 63.8% from the field and 46.4% from three. On Monday, he posted 20 points on 8-9 shooting as he continues to excel in the backup big role.
How Mazzulla and the coaching staff will divvy up frontcourt minutes remains to be seen, but all three bigs — Neemias Queta, Garza, and Vucevic — have all proven to be effective when given the chance.
Mazzulla is looking forward to Vucevic’s healthy return to the floor.
“He’ll always be prepared,” he said. “And, I know when he comes back, he’ll be ready.”
Send in your questions now for this week’s episode of The Pindown: A Detroit Pistons Podcast to discuss everything Pistons. Submit your question to the comments section here or on X/Twitter to @TheRealWesD3 and/or @blakesilverman.
Join us live as we continue to watch the Pistons’ magic number fall down and down. With how dominant the team has been this season, is it simply time we and NBA fans in general quite doubting them? How can the Pistons ensure a strong finish to the regular season? Who would be the best Round 1 matchup? And more!
Plus, The Pindown has a phone line where you can leave a message and hear your voice on the show. Call (313) 355-2717 and leave us a voicemail with your question. Please try to keep the message around 45 seconds or less so we can fit everyone into the show.
The podcast will be uploaded to all audio platforms the following morning.
While a couple of teams can clinch playoff spots tonight — the Rockets and Cavaliers — Thursday is really about some big and important games for playoff seeding. Here's what you need to know.
Playoff Scenarios
• Cleveland can clinch a playoff spot with a win on the road at Golden State. This game sets up for the Cavaliers, as the Warriors are shorthanded (still without Stephen Curry) and are on the second night of a back-to-back. • Houston has the night off but can clinch a playoff spot with a Phoenix loss on the road in Charlotte.
Games to Watch
Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City Thunder (9:30 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
Two of the hottest and best teams in the NBA go head-to-head in a measuring-stick game that could also have real impacts on seeding in the West. It's also a showdown of two MVP candidates, the frontrunner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and the surging Luka Doncic.
Oklahoma City has gone 9-1 in its last 10, but equally-hot San Antonio remains just two games back (and the Spurs have the tiebreaker). The Thunder need the win to help keep the No. 1 overall spot. The Lakers need the win, too. Los Angeles sits as the No. 3 seed in the West but is just 1.5 games ahead of another hot team in Denver. The Lakers have a pretty soft schedule the rest of the way, aside from two games against the Thunder, getting a win in at least one of those is a huge boost to keeping the No. 3 seed.
Phoenix Suns at Charlotte Hornets (7 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass)
This game matters a lot to the Hornets, who enter the night tied with Orlando for the 8/9 seed in the East, with Miami just half a game back of both of them. It's a huge difference in getting out of the play-in between the eight and nine seeds, and Charlotte needs wins to hold on to eighth. Phoenix is basically locked into the No. 7 seed in the West, but is finally healthy with Dillon Brooks back.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Detroit Pistons (7 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
This game is far more important to the Timberwolves than the Pistons, but Detroit has been the hotter team. Minnesota currently sits sixth in the West, just half a game back of idle Houston (the teams are tied with 29 losses each). If the Timberwolves are going to climb past the Rockets in the West, this is the kind of game they need to win. Detroit has gone an impressive 6-2 without Cade Cunningham and comfortably the No. 1 seed in the East, four games up on Boston with six to play.
DALLAS, TEXAS - OCTOBER 29: Mark Cuban leaves the court following a game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Indiana Pacers at American Airlines Center on October 29, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Heading into their Friday night game against the Orlando Magic, the Dallas Mavericks sit as the sixth worst team in the NBA with a 24-52 record. With only six games remaining in the season, you would think the team could quietly head into the offseason with a focus squarely on the draft. Mark Cuban had other ideas and instead stirred up some ghosts of the past.
Cuban was a guest on the Intersections Podcast where, among other things, he spoke about selling his majority stake in the Mavericks to the Adelson-Dumont families, and the trade of Luka Doncic. Before the podcast even became available to listen to, an excerpt made the rounds wherein Cuban expressed regret over who he sold the Mavs to. What better teaser to get people to tune in, right? Unsurprisingly, the comment immediately garnered the attention of multiple media outlets and the Mavericks once again have attention for the wrong reasons.
In fairness to Cuban, the podcast ran nearly 90-minutes and he only discussed the Mavericks for eight of them. The attention his Mavs-related comments received are not commensurate with the podcast as a whole. That said, those comments were nonetheless provocative and it’s all but impossible to believe Cuban wouldn’t know they would be just that. There are a handful of quotes we’ll dive into here, but you can also check out the podcast starting at the 56-minute mark to hear them straight from Cuban.
“I don’t regret selling. I regret who I sold to. I made a lot of mistakes in the process and I’ll leave it at that.”
This is just bizarre and runs counter to any sense of professional decorum. We’ve all heard the adage of not airing dirty laundry, but Cuban does just that. This comment also smacks of sour grapes, as Cuban is likely still bothered by the fact he was ousted from the control of basketball operations that he once claimed was promised to him on a handshake. Cuban certainly isn’t wrong to feel resentment if in fact Patrick Dumont reneged on a promise, but as a billionaire business person, Cuban not getting himself a contract is a major oversight inconsistent with his apparent level of business prowess. It’s fine to want to have your cake and eat it, too, but absent a contract, Dumont was well within his rights to do as he wished. Dumping on the majority owner who still has the right to buy more of your shares simply comes across as churlish and makes the organization look amateurish at the dawn of the Cooper Flagg era, and on the cusp of hopefully getting another franchise cornerstone in the coming months.
“I called the new owner and he started telling me stuff that wasn’t true that he had been told as the reason why he approved [the trade].”
No one is going to feel bad for Nico Harrison, but Cuban calling him an outright liar is basically one of two things. A pot shot at Harrison, who is already reviled by the fanbase; or an odd protection of Dumont as someone who was manipulated by a person of Grima Wormtongue proportions. After his preceding comment, it’s difficult to imagine Cuban defending the man he just offended moment prior. All this does is once again make the organization appear as though it is run by a bunch of clueless caricatures, right on the cusp of potentially hiring a new GM and trying to build the future behind Flagg and a pending high draft pick.
“All I’ll tell you is, that it wasn’t Michael Finley and you can surmise who else was in the room… That doesn’t justify it for our coach and our general manager to stand up and trade our best player.”
Here is the doozy. Cuban does Finley a major service here. As someone as close to the Mavs as he has been for decades (and someone I admit to being a huge fan of), it’s nice to hear further evidence that he had nothing to do with trading away Luka Doncic. This is especially critical as all signs seem to indicate Finley will be involved with the franchise long term, quite possibly being a long term co-GM with Matt Riccardi. But all of that buries the lede.
The juice in this quote is Cuban grouping head coach Jason Kidd in with Nico Harrison as a decision maker in the trade of Doncic. Cuban doesn’t elaborate, so it’s quite possible Kidd’s story from the outset – that he was notified at the 11th hour – is true. He may have been brough over the fence after the deal was all but done, and he may very well have agreed. It seems clear from their interactions (or lack thereof), that Doncic himself believes Kidd was involved. Again though, none of that is really the point. Cuban ripping on the loathed former GM is one thing, but slinging mud at the active head coach is another thing entirely. Why do it? We’re over 400 days removed from the trade and rounding out a dreadful season, yet the team (minority) owner feels the need to say this?
“I don’t care” (when asked if the sale and everything thereafter has hurt his legacy).
This quote all but ended the Mavericks’ portion of the podcast, as Cuban segued from that quote into speaking about how he’s hoping to change people’s lives by way of his prescription medication business. Still, this may be the most attention-getting quote of the entire segment. It’s one thing to spill the tea in ways that arguably do nothing but damage the team image. At least you can say you were asked a question and gave an honest answer. But to then say you don’t care about how selling the team – which directly led to the Doncic trade and now Dumont as the primary decision maker – affects your legacy as owner is stunningly preposterous. Cuban has practically gone on a media tour since February, 2025 to make sure anyone and everyone knows a) he got victimized by a liar who went back on an agreement and a GM that cut him out, b) had nothing to do with trading Doncic and never would have done so himself and c) that Dumont is a sucker and wouldn’t be here at all if he had a do-over.
To be clear, I’m not here to tell Mark Cuban how to live or what to say. However, it’s my job to cover team-related news and give my opinion. In this case, that opinion is a simple one – I wish Mark Cuban would stop talking about all of this. It does nothing but paint the team in a bad light, causes internal turmoil and distracts from what should be the excitement and hope of special things to come in the Flagg era of Mavericks’ basketball. Cuban didn’t have to sell his majority stake. If he’s being honest about not wanting his children involved in the franchise due to all the stress it could bring, there was a simple solution – don’t let them work within the franchise. He had every opportunity to maintain control and instead elected not to. Fine. To each their own. But please stop tarnishing the team’s image in this strange apology/explanation tour that has frankly gone on far too long.
I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.
There's plenty beyond basketball to keep you busy with fan events and concerts popping up across downtown Indy to mark the April 4 and 6 games at Lucas Oil Stadium — plus the Division II, Division III and NIT championships taking place back-to-back-to-back at Gainbridge Fieldhouse April 5.
Concerts featuring Twenty One Pilots, Zac Brown Band, Post Malone and Megan Moroney are the headliners. There will be an additional music festival, a dribbling contest through the city and what the NCAA is dubbing a multi-day “sports wonderland” at the Indiana Convention Center are on tap for the extended Final Four weekend. Here’s your guide to everything downtown will have to offer.
More than 200 local artists, performers, vendors and chefs will be part of the family-friendly festival, where visitors can grab free commemorative posters and postcards by Herron School of Art and Design students. The Indy Arts Council, Indiana Sports Corp, Forty5 Presents, Ganggang, Epicurean Indy, and the Local Organizing Committee for the 2026 NCAA Men’s Final Four are putting on the celebrations. Events include:
Noon-6 p.m. each day: Live music performances by central Indiana musicians, dancers and spoken-word poets at Monument Circle, 1 Virginia Ave., PNC Plaza, Starbucks at 30 S. Meridian St. and sites to be announced
Sidewalk Galleries: Vinyl-wrapped storefront murals and poems as well as mural-wrapped traffic signal boxes and art installations at the Indianapolis International Airport
11 a.m.-4 p.m. April 4: Epicurean Market and MOKAO, with more than 50 vendors an international market with food, artisan coffee and chocolate. At the Stutz, 1060 N. Capitol Ave. epicureanindy.com
Sampson Levingston will lead walk and talk tours about college basketball history in downtown's Mile Square. Reserve free tickets at tinyurl.com/3sdknyc9
March 27-April 4: The Asante Art Institute will present the play "A Touch of Glory" about the 1955 Crispus Attucks Tigers, the first all-black school in the country to win a high school basketball state championship. At the Basile Theatre at the Athenaeum, 401 E. Michigan St. $30-$45.
Final Four Fan Fest
April 3-6. Indiana Convention Center, 100 S. Capitol Ave. $10 tickets until March 29, $15 during event week. Tickets here and more info here.
The Indiana Convention Center will host games, activations, music, celebrity appearances and more throughout the Final Four extended weekend. Free entry for kids under 12 (with accompanying purchase of adult ticket), Final Four game ticketholders, military personnel, college students with valid school ID and Capital One cardholders.
April 3: noon-6 p.m.
April 4: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
April 5: noon-6 p.m.
April 6: noon-8 p.m.
Final Four Friday
April 3, 10 a.m.-3:35 p.m. Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave. Free entry. More info here.
Lucas Oil Stadium will open its doors for a USA Basketball 3x3 exhibition game Friday morning, followed by open practices from the Final Four teams. Final Four Friday will conclude with the National Association of Basketball Coaches All-Star Game, featuring the top seniors in Division I basketball. All-Star players will also sign autographs at the South End of Lucas Oil near section 138.
March Madness Music Festival
April 3-5. American Legion Mall, 700 N. Pennsylvania St. Free entry. More info here.
Downtown’s American Legion Mall will host a three-day music festival with a lineup of major artists and performers. The festival will kick off April 3 with the AT&T Block Party, followed by Coca Cola Live April 4 and the Capital One JamFest finale April 5. Alternative duo Twenty One Pilots, country group Zac Brown Band and a double bill of country hip-hop superstar Post Malone and surging pop country star Megan Moroney will headline April 3, 4 and 5, respectively.
The NCAA has also announced a Madness After Dark event, which will feature a DJ set from EDM duo The Chainsmokers, to take place after the April 4 performances. The event will run from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Indiana Rooftop Ballroom, located at 140 W. Washington St.
Men’s Final Four Dribble
April 5 at 1 p.m. Carroll Stadium (1001 W. New York St.) to Victory Field (501 W. Maryland St.). Free registration. Registration here and more info here.
Participants 18 and under will dribble a basketball along a one-mile course from IU Indianapolis' Carroll Stadium to Victory Field. The first 3,000 to register will receive a t-shirt, basketball and free entry to the Final Four Fan Fest.
Men’s Final Four Tip-Off Tailgate
April 3-6. 126 E. Georgia St. Free entry. More info here.
Downtown Indianapolis will offer free watch parties for both the Men’s and Women’s Final Four along Georgia Street. The festivities will also include games, activations and giveaways.
April 3: 4-11 p.m.
April 4: 1-11 p.m.
April 5: noon-6 p.m.
April 6: 4-11 p.m.
Contact IndyStar Pop Culture Reporter Heather Bushman at hbushman@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X @hmb_1013.
Mar 20, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; Utah State Aggies forward Adlan Elamin (35) shoots against Villanova Wildcats center Braden Pierce (17) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Season averages:
Minutes per game – 6.5
Points per game – 1.2
Rebounds per game – 0.9
Assists per game – 0.5
Blocks per game – 0.4
Field goal percentage – 66.7% (16/24)
Season highs:
Points – 6 vs Xavier
Rebounds – 4 at Creighton
Assists – 2 (three times)
Blocks – 2 at Xavier and vs UConn
Overall thoughts:
Braden Pierce improved throughout the season, that much is a fact. With Nico Onyekwere redshirting and Tafara Gapare leaving the program, Pierce was the only big man left on the roster near the end of out-of-conference play. Those developments allowed the 7’ center to play in every game from December 6th against Penn and on.
The minutes played only reached double-digits on three occasions, with the high on the year being 11 against both Connecticut and St. John’s in February. The correlation there is that both of those teams have large frontcourts. When it wasn’t necessary, the goal was to limit Pierce to less than eight minutes in competitive games.
Pierce is able to use his size to defend the rim, averaging 1.7 blocks per 36 minutes played. Over the course of the season, he did improve his ability to finish around the rim, making the occasional jump hook or push shot. To a lesser extent than Duke Brennan, Pierce was able to facilitate some off the screen-and-roll.
What we didn’t see any of was the shooting touch that Kevin Willard talked about upon Pierce’s commitment to Villanova. Willard said, “Our staff has always appreciated Braden’s shooting skill as a stretch five.” There are two reasons why this needs to brought up:
With Pierce’s below average lateral mobility, he will need to be more valuable on the offensive end to not be played off of the court.
Pierce has been in college since the 2023-24 season, all under Willard at Maryland. I was hoping to see this skill readily available at this point.
Development isn’t necessarily linear, so I don’t want to assume that this couldn’t be true in the future. But given the obvious limitations that we saw against the better teams, even in a small role, it may be better for both parties to look in a different direction. Villanova should be looking to improve the center position, so there’s no realistic scenario where Pierce is the starter there next year. Pierce should be looking to play more than seven minutes per game next year. And between him and Onyekwere, the latter has more untapped potential seeing that he is two years younger.
It has not been a storybook season for the Houston Rockets, but the suggestion that it’s been a disaster is an overcorrection.
Guilty as charged. I’ve contributed my share of both gloom and doom. On the heels of a four-game winning streak (including a signature win over the Knicks last night), life feels a little breezier.
That doesn’t mean there’s nothing to worry about. Don’t worry: There’s always something to worry about.
The Rockets need to be worrying about life after Kevin Durant.
The Rockets are too reliant on Durant
If you don’t have a CleaningTheGlass subscription, I’ll save you a buck (although, if you write about basketball, or you’re just sufficiently nerdy, it’s a wonderful service). The Rockets’ four best lineups in terms of differential all include Kevin Durant.
There are lots of implications in this data, many of which I’ve already explored. None of those groups features both Alperen Sengun and Reed Sheppard, which is a concern. Their long-term chemistry is something to keep an eye on, but let’s turn our attention elsewhere.
Houston’s best lineup sans Durant is just the young core. Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, Amen Thompson, and Sheppard are +8.7 in 115 possessions. That’s good, but it’s not NBA contender good.
It’s a concern, but it’s not an unsolvable quagmire. That’s a young lineup. If the Rockets hadn’t acquired Durant, and were more conventionally rebuilding, they’d be happy that the lineup was even positive. That would indicate potential. I checked CleaningTheGlass, and it’s hard to find a great Spurs lineup in terms of both effectiveness and high volume that doesn’t have De’Aaron Fox.
So, the future is…fine? Not bleak, if not blindingly bright. Still, that takes us back to where we started:
Only, we’re not talking Antetokounmpo here (for once). The operating assumption here is that he doesn’t come to Houston. The Rockets run it back next year with Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams back in the fold. They run it back for one more year, with two fresh first-round prospects (more on that later) in the mix. Durant retires.
What now?
Reductively, there are two options: Stay the course, or change course. So, the decision in this hypothetical will rest on how the Rockets feel about their core guys + whoever they pick in the 2027 draft.
Big reveal: This was all an elaborate ruse to allow me to talk about 2027 draft prospects. There are two guys I’m interested in as potential future Rockets.
The first is soon-to-be Dukie Cameron Williams. This is your classic Evan Mobley, Alex Sarr type. Williams is 6’11” with a 7’1″ wingspan and is basically good at everything. He’s a stout rim protector who can switch defensively. He’s a palpable floor spacer, heady passer, surprisingly deft ball-handler, and whatever else you can think of on offense besides an elite half-court scorer.
I’ve had a vision.
Alperen Sengun / Cameron Williams / Jabari Smith Jr. / Amen Thompson / Reed Sheppard. This works on several levels. You’re getting plus positional passing at every position but the 3. You get plus positional size at every position but the 1. The massive two-through-five could insulate Sheppard defensively.
You’re still a bit light on shooting, and half-court creation. This lineup needs to lean into Sengun as a hub and run a motion-heavy offense with constant cutting, relocating, and general on-and-off ball movement.
Put differently, it probably needs a new Head Coach if we’re being completely honest. It also needs a carefully constructed bench. Assume Tari Eason is still around on a team-friendly deal. This could be the cue for the inevitable James Harden reunion tour.
Otherwise, Maryland commit Baba Oladotun makes for a stronger hypothetical direct Durant replacement. Yes, I know. He’ll almost definitely not be as good as Durant, no prospect is likely to be as good as Durant, etc, etc. I’m only saying that in terms of skillset, he’s a better analog.
Oladotun is a 6’11” scorer. He’s an excellent ball-handler at his size, and he’s got advanced footwork as a midrange scorer. Three-point efficiency has not been his friend, but if that changes during his first college season, he’s someone for the Rockets to look at.
That said, Williams is currently projected as a top-three pick. Oladotun’s projection varies, but if he does find his form from long range, he’s got a chance to be a high pick. The Rockets have the rights to both Brooklyn and Phoenix’s first-rounders next summer. There’s real hope that they’ll land a high pick, but no assurance.
Let’s say they draft a solid role player. They’re left with the current core five and another decent guy. Let’s say they give it one more year, and it doesn’t look like enough.
The next step is consolidation.
Anthony Edwards, welcome to Houston. When did you get here, Franz Wagner? It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no! It’s Tyrese Maxey!
An attractive proposition for some. A nightmare scenario for young core truthers. Personally?
I’m somewhere in the middle. But something about Sengun and Eason, arm in arm, throwing deserved shade at Kevin Dickerson (“we don’t talk behind each other’s backs”) put a twinkle in my eye.
These guys like each other. That matters. The Rockets have chemistry. It would be ideal to keep them together:
But that will mean identifying a contending-level lineup that doesn’t include Durant.
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 30: Malcolm Brogdon #15 of the Washington Wizards warms up before the game against the New York Knicks on December 30, 2024 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Malcolm Brogdon is officially returning to the Virginia Cavaliers men’s basketball program but this time, in a professional capacity. On Tuesday, the Virginia Cavaliers announced that the Virginia alumnus would be returning to serve as Strategic Advisor, a newly created position.
In the statement, head coach Ryan Odom said Brogdon will bring “a wealth of knowledge, leadership and expertise from his successful nine-year NBA career and All-American career at Virginia.”
Brogdon, who led Virginia to their first ACC Tournament Championship in 38 years, recently retired from the NBA after nine seasons. After his historic college career, he immediately made a name for himself in the NBA as the 2017 Rookie of the Year.
— Virginia Men's Basketball (@UVAMensHoops) March 31, 2026
Before the announcement (and seemingly before the job offer) Brogdon, on March 4, made an appearance on Carla Williams’ podcast, Inside Virginia Athletics with Carla Williams. The discussion focused on the current state of college sports, especially compared to Brogdon’s experience. While there’s no telling if his analytical back-and-forth with Williams played a role in securing the new role, the conversation was certainly insightful. Of course, “the president,” as his Virginia teammates fondly called him, is known for his wisdom.
“Clearly I think one of the biggest benefits is guys are getting paid,” Brogdon said on the podcast. “But at the same time, I think it’s a double-edged sword.”
While Brogdon felt he could pick a university that provided him a top education and player experience, he believes the education is a smaller factor when recruits are also comparing pay. This is especially true, he notes, for players coming from a lower socioeconomic status and who would otherwise rely on an athletic scholarship to fund their education.
“It’s hard to say that … everybody should go get the best education when money is a factor,” Brogdon said. “These guys are making choices that I didn’t have to make when I was in college.”
When reflecting on the transfer portal, he noted his five years at Virginia gave him the development opportunity and preparation for the pros. While Brogdon doesn’t blame the young players for moving around, he thinks they’re missing the chance to establish themselves and create a legacy.
Their conversation got more technical when it turned to the discussion on student athletes being classified as employees. Both Brogdon and Williams noted that it’s a hard debate to settle. However, Williams noted that the University can fire employees easier than it can pull an athletic scholarship – which would put student athletes in a position with fewer protections. Brogdon followed up to confirm that when signing contracts, the students’ pay is guaranteed under certain standards, making the classification even muddier.
Most college contracts, Williams added, are re-newed annually, which Brogdon likened to the signing of one-year NBA deals, which carries an emotional weight for players beyond the court.
“It’s annual free agency,” Williams added.
And, Brogdon knows something about that life. He played on five different teams throughout his nine years in the NBA. In his last three years, he went from the Boston Celtics, to the Portland Trailblazers, to the Washington Wizards.
He said the mental health impact of the business side of basketball is real and “ruins a lot of guys’ careers.”
“When you come up in basketball, they say the game is 90 percent mental and 10 percent physical. That holds to be true at the NBA level.”
Now, it’s becoming a reality at the college level.
While the details of Brogdon’s role have yet to be clarified, his perspective and experience is expected to help the staff navigate the largely unchartered waters of today’s college landscape.
"When I know, you guys will know. I don't know. I have no idea. Just want to, just wanna live. That's all."
That is all LeBron James has said about retirement. It's not a topic open for discussion with him. However, his strong play of late — he had a triple-double this past week against Washington — and the Lakers' strong play down the stretch has only strengthened the belief in league circles that the 41-year-old NBA icon will play at least one more season. It also has fueled speculation about where he would play: Cleveland? Golden State? New York? Back with the Lakers?
Rich Paul shuts down the recent reports of LeBron James future teams he might play for:
“There’s no truth to any of it. First of all, I don’t know what’s happening. He don’t know either! We don’t even talk about it… Just enjoy the moment. The man is playing minutes with his… pic.twitter.com/OQXFyNlDo5
"There's no truth to any of it. First of all, I don't know what's happening. He don't know either. We don't even talk about it…
"Just enjoy the moment. The man is playing minutes with his son. Meaningful minutes. The Lakers are 12-1 and playing well. Why are you talking about some stuff for next year? I get you have to talk about it, but it's like, oh my god, nobody knows! I don't care what article is written, I don't care what tweet is out there, nobody knows anything."
It's a good effort by Paul — and I don't doubt him for a second. I am sure he and LeBron have not talked about this directly.
It also will not end the speculation.
Two quick thoughts about LeBron's future (and we're betting on him returning to play one more season and have a grand farewell tour).
First, the playoffs will have a lot to say about LeBron's market (and the same is true of any potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade market). Good teams are going to be eliminated early this postseason and rethink their strategy. How hard Cleveland comes for LeBron would be very different if they are again eliminated in the second round, versus making the East Finals or the NBA Finals. Or, look at it this way, of the top six in the West (the Thunder, Spurs, Lakers, Nuggets, Rockets and Timberwolves), two of those teams will be eliminated in the first round. Teams such as Houston in the West or New York in the East could have very different offseasons depending on how the playoffs play out.
Second, any discussion about LeBron's future has to hinge on one question: How big a pay cut is he willing to take? How little money is he willing to pay for?
LeBron opted into the final year of his contract at $52.6 million this season — a big pay cut is coming. Even if he returns to the Lakers, who have his Bird Rights and can pay him whatever, he is going to have to take a steep pay reduction. Will he demand at least $30 million (which would force a sign-and-trade to a new contending team)? Would he take the mid-level exception for $15 million? Would he play for the minimum, or closer to it, to get to a destination he wants? LeBron's salary demands will help shape what teams might target him this summer.
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - APRIL 01: Jahmai Mashack #21 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks to shoot against the New York Knicks during the second half at FedExForum on April 01, 2026 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Who would have thought the Knicks would beat the Grizz… on the road, not least!
Get-right game got New York on the right path again as the Knickerbockers are one win away from reaching 50 dubs for the third consecutive season.
Two more wins, and Coach Brown would match Thibs’ best record in just his freshman season on the Knicks sideline. Bananas!
Mike Brown postgame Memphis: “2 areas have to clean up…19 turnovers for 34 pts…& fouls…Made it up…offensive rebounds..OG 3…KAT 6…KAT trip-dub great…Hukporti DPOG…36 assists great [but some “homerun” assist tries] led to turnovers…Didn’t shoot as many 3s as we’d like…” pic.twitter.com/UZR2y53EW0
“A game like that, it’s always tough if you play against a group that’s free and can attack and has nothing to lose. But our guys at the end of the day, we were good in a lot of areas.”
On the rebounding effort against the Grizzlies:
“A lot of good performances from our guys, we were able to make it up in terms of the times that they went to the free throw line and our turnovers by offensive rebounding. OG had three offensive rebounds, KAT had six offensive rebounds. KAT had a triple-double tonight, which was great. And especially in 30 minutes of action, and then OG, for him to get 13 rebounds. A big, big night to get a double-double. We needed every single one of those rebounds.”
On Landry Shamet’s return:
“He’s arguably one of our, if not the best, on-ball defenders. Especially when it comes to ball screens and dribble handoffs. He’s really physical in that area. And you feel him. His pace offensively creates gravity for others. And then his ability to shoot. He can string together two or three 3s. And it can create separation for him and give our group confidence. We had to find other ways. But we missed that from him, especially from his size.”
On encouraging Miles McBride to keep shooting amid his post-comeback struggles:
“If you’re open, let it fly. I even told him this before, I don’t care if he’s 0-for-15. I just want him to feel the aggression, get to his spots.”
Jalen Brunson
On the need for accountability:
“Regardless of being veterans or not, we got to turn the page and do something about it. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been in the league or not.”
Novak "How's team feeling?…Always lotta talk when there's losing streak"
Mikal "It's alright…Losses don't define everything. I think we more upset how we've been playing…energy…lack of focus at times…Lack of effort been on us little bit…Just gotta keep getting better" pic.twitter.com/77Y30bCRWW
On the Knicks’ true-talent level showing up on Wednesday:
“I feel the team we have, a lot of guys able to shoot, drive. I’ve been talking about this since last year. We got a lot of talent that can do a lot of things. Just got to share the ball and play off each other and try to make the right reads.”
On the first-half offense vs. defense against Memphis:
“It was good. We were sharing the ball, all that stuff. I think defensively we could’ve been better, still gave up a lot of points. Offensively, we were sharing the ball, moving well. But defensively, we could’ve done better.”
On the second-half mild letdown:
“I’m still not happy about us in the second half not locked in and them making a run. They play hard. A good young team. But I think it’s unacceptable for us.”
On his ironman streak:
“Hopefully, I have kids one day and I’ll brag about it.”
OG hits dagger 3 In front of Grizz bench Then turns around Yells & points at…
“It’s great. It doesn’t matter about the triple-double, double-double, as long as we get a win, something that has been escaping us in the last week. Good to end the road trip on a high note so we can go back home to our fans where we’re comfortable and we get that energy from our fans and hopefully make it a two-game winning streak.”
On the good ball movement in the win over Memphis:
“I thought we did a good job moving the ball. I thought we did a good job of playing with a point-five mentality and doing everything we needed to do to beat a good team, and a hungry team with a lot of guys trying to prove themselves in this league. I thought we did a good job of weathering the storm. We understood they’re going to play hard. They’re going to play well, and we found a way to win.”
On how he handles double teams:
“When they’re double and triple teaming, I understand that one of my teammates is open. Just staying patient, staying relaxed and trying to make the right play. I was disappointed with the turnovers I had today, but I’m glad that I was able to find my teammates more than not and we were able to come out with a win.”
On regrouping after the three consecutive losses heading into Wednesday’s game:
“It was a group effort to regroup.”
Landry Shamet
On feeling fatigue on his return:
“I was definitely a little tired at the end of the game. The legs — that’s obviously the biggest thing. You can do all you want to stay in shape but playing a real NBA basketball game, that’s like the next layer of your rehab or whatever. You just got to get reps and get your legs back under you. So I felt really good. Just naturally a little heavy at the end. But that’s alright.”
OG Anunoby
On his fourth-quarter scoring:
“I was shooting the same shots, but they were just going in.”
J. Cole has signed a contract to play in the Chinese Basketball Association with the Nanjing Monkey Kings, per ESPN sources. The multi-time Grammy award-winning and multi-platinum artist had committed to playing a few games for the Chinese team last year, and now follows through. pic.twitter.com/8fFyHv1fvY
