Celtics' Brown ejected in first half after argument with officials in battle with Spurs

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Boston Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown was ejected after receiving two technical fouls during the first half of Tuesday's game against the San Antonio Spurs, a battle between the No. 2 teams in each conference.

Brown was upset after no foul was called when he lost the ball out of bounds with 3:42 remaining in the first half.

Official Tyler Ford assessed the first technical four seconds later after Brown continued to voice his displeasure at the no-call.

The technical incensed Brown, who had to be restrained by teammates from approaching Ford. Official Suyash Mehta assessed a second technical seconds later, resulting in an automatic ejection.

Brown did not exit the court immediately after the ejection as he continued yelling at Ford. Players and staff, including Boston coach Joe Mazzulla, had to restrain Brown from approaching Ford. Brown threw his hands up in disgust before walking off the court.

Brown had eight points and seven assists in 15 minutes when he was ejected.

Boston has won two straight and San Antonio has won four in a row in a battle between the No. 2 teams in each conference.

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March Madness automatic bids tracker: 11 NCAA Tournament spots up for grabs today

Selection Sunday for the 2026 NCAA Tournament is just one day away.

Each of the 31 conference tournament champions earns an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament, with the other 37 spots awarded to at-large teams by the tournament’s selection committee.

College basketball games today: Conference finals, March Madness bids up for grabs

Here are the bids up for grabs today (listed by tip time):

  • America East: Vermont vs. UMBC, 11 a.m. (ESPN2)
  • MEAC: North Carolina Central vs. Howard, 1 p.m. (ESPN2)
  • Big 12: Houston vs. Arizona, 6 p.m., ESPN
  • Mountain West: Utah State vs. San Diego State, 6 p.m. (CBS)
  • Big East: UConn vs. St. John's, 6:30 p.m. (Fox)
  • SWAC: Prairie View A&M vs. Southern, 7:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
  • MAC: Toledo vs. Akron, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
  • ACC:Duke vs. Virginia, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)
  • Conference USA: Kennesaw State vs. Louisiana Tech, 8:30 p.m. (CBSN)
  • Big West: Hawaii vs. UC Irvine, 10 p.m. (ESPN2)
  • WAC: Utah Valley vs. California Baptist, 11:59 p.m. (ESPN2)

Here’s a look at the champions of each of the 31 conference tournaments, all of which are on their way to the NCAA Tournament.

HIT REFRESH FOR UPDATES.

NCAA Tournament automatic bids: Who is in March Madness bracket 2026?

  • America East:
  • ACC:
  • ASUN: Queens (N.C.)
  • Atlantic 10:
  • Big 12:
  • Big East:
  • Big Sky: Idaho
  • Big South: High Point
  • Big Ten:
  • Big West:
  • CAA: Hofstra
  • Conference USA:
  • Horizon League: Wright State
  • Ivy League:
  • MAAC: Siena
  • MAC:
  • MEAC:
  • Missouri Valley: Northern Iowa
  • Mountain West:
  • Northeast: Long Island
  • Ohio Valley: Tennessee State
  • Patriot League: Lehigh
  • SEC:
  • SoCon: Furman
  • Southland: McNeese
  • SWAC:
  • Summit League: North Dakota State
  • Sun Belt: Troy
  • WAC:
  • West Coast: Gonzaga

Gonzaga takes West Coast berth

Gonzaga didn't see arch-foe Saint Mary's in the final, but wasn't phased by Santa Clara in the West Coast Conference final. The Bulldogs, led by Mario Saint-Suprey's 21 points, unseated the Broncos to make their 27th straight Men's NCAA Tournament. It's their 23rd WCC title.

Troy goes back-to-back in Sun Belt

The Trojans defeated No. 10 seed Georgia Southern 77-61 at the Pensacola Bay Center in Pensacola, Florida on Monday behind a game-high 23 points from Thomas Dowd.

It's back-to-back Sun Belt Conference titles for Scott Cross' program, marking the sixth time in conference history a team has repeated as champions.

NDSU basketball wins Summit League

The Summit League's top seed North Dakota State beat in-state North Dakota in Sunday's Summit League tournament final, 70-62.

NDSU won the conference with a 14-2 league record this season, and will be making its first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2000.

The Bison (27-7) advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time in its Division I history, joining 2009, 2014, 2015, 2019, and 2020.

Queens wins ASUN, headed to first NCAA Tournament

Queens (N.C.) booked its first trip to March Madness with a win over top-seed Central Arkansas in the ASUN Conference Tournament on Sunday.

The Royals needed to overcome overtime and 49 points from UCA's Camren Hunter, to win 98-93.

High Point repeats as Big South champion

High Point is headed back to March Madness after repeating as Big South Tournament champions.

High Point earned the No. 1 seed in the nine-team field under first-year coach Flynn Clayman with a program-best 15-1 regular season record in conference play.

High Point defeated No. 2 seed Winthrop 91-76 in Sunday's championship game.

UNI back in March Madness for first time since 2016

For the first time in Missouri Valley Conference history, a team won four games in four days to win the conference tournament and the NCAA Tournament automatic bid that goes with it.

No. 6 seed Northern Iowa beat No. 5 seed UIC 84-69 on Sunday in the Arch Madness finale in St. Louis to book its spot in March Madness.

It is UNI's first appearance in the Big Dance since 2016.

Tennessee State wins OVC, makes March Madness for first time since 1994

The Tigers are in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1994 after defeating Morehead State 93-67 in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament championship on March 7 at Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana.

The top-seeded Tigers, under former Duke standout Nolan Smith (in his first season as head coach), dominated No. 2 seed Morehead State (20-13) from the tip-off. It was the most points scored by a team in an OVC Tournament final.

Long Island makes NCAA Tournament before NEC final

Because Mercyhurst reached the NEC Tournament final and isn't eligible for NCAA tournament play because of its transition from Division II, Long Island gets the automatic bid regardless of the result in Tuesday's championship game.

Former NBA standout Rod Strickland is LIU's head coach and has engineered an impressive turnaround from one of the country's worst teams two seasons ago.

What day does March Madness start?

The NCAA tournament First Four on the men’s side begins on Tuesday, March 17 and continues on Wednesday, March 18. 

The four men’s games, which are held in Dayton, Ohio, feature the final four at-large selections to the field, as well as the four lowest-rated No. 16 seeds. The winner of each matchup advances to the first round. First-round games will take place on March 19 and March 20.

When is Selection Sunday?

  • Date: Sunday, March 15

Selection Sunday for the 2025-26 college basketball season will take place on Sunday, March 15, with both the men's and women's NCAA Tournament brackets being revealed.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness automatic bids update: Who is in NCAA Tournament bracket?

AJ Dybantsa scores 40 as No. 10 seed BYU beats Kansas State 105-91 in the Big 12 Tournament

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — AJ Dybantsa had 40 points, nine rebounds and six assists, and No. 10 seed BYU use a big second-half run to break open a close game with No. 15 seed Kansas State and roll to a 105-91 victory in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament on Tuesday night.

Robert Wright III added 14 points and six assists, and Kennard Davis Jr. had 15 points for the Cougars (22-10), who set a single-game tournament scoring record while advancing to play seventh-seeded West Virginia on Wednesday night.

P.J. Haggerty matched Dybantsa into the second half and finished with 27 points for the Wildcats (12-20), who played their final game for interim coach Matthew Driscoll, who had taken control of the program after the firing of Jerome Tang last month.

Nate Johnson had 19 points for Kansas State. Khamari McGriff finished with 13.

The fact that BYU was playing at all Tuesday night was somewhat surprising.

Dybantsa could be the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft this year. Wright has been a star in his own right. At one point early in the season, the Cougars were ranked seventh in the AP Top 25 and living up to the lofty expectations of their expensive lineup.

But things went sideways beginning with a four-game skid in January and February, and floor leader Richie Saunders was lost for the rest of the season to a torn ACL. The Cougars lost three of their last four games, and tiebreakers put them at the No. 10 seed.

They jumped out to a quick lead Tuesday night, though, as Haggerty and Dybantsa began to duel. And while they led just 50-49 at the break, the Cougars went on a 17-2 run beginning with about 9 1/2 minutes to play that allowed them to pull away.

Up next

The Cougars march on to face West Virginia, which beat them 79-71 a couple of weeks ago.

Kansas State turns its focus toward hiring its next permanent coach.

___

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Bam Adebayo sets Miami Heat record for most points scored in a half

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo set a franchise-record following his first half performance against the Washington Wizards on March 10.

Adebayo torched the Washington defense for a team-record 31 points in the opening quarter, the most in Heat history for points scored in the first quarter.

Adebayo played the entire first quarter. He shot 10-for-16 from the field, including 5-of-8 from long distance. He's also been to the line, shooting 6-of-8 on free throws.

Adebayo scored a franchise-record 43 first-half points on 13-of-24 shooting, 5-of-11 from 3 and 12-of-14 free throws. He's added five rebounds, two steals and a block.

Miami led the Wizards, 76-62, at the halfway point of the game.

Etching name amongst Miami greats

The three-time All-Star eclipsed the record previously held by LeBron James, who scored 25 points in a quarter against the then-Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets). James then scored a career-high 61 points.

Luka Doncic, fiancée break up; Lakers star reportedly in custody battle

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic is separating from his fiancée and is in a custody battle for their two daughters, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported Tuesday afternoon.

Doncic had been engaged to Anamaria Goltes, a fashion and fitness model, since 2023. The two had known each other since childhood and started dating in 2016. Their first daughter, Gabriela, was born in 2023 in the United States while Doncic was a member of the Dallas Mavericks and their second child, Olivia, was born this past December.

"I love my daughters more than anything and I've been doing everything I can for them to be with me in the U.S. during the season, but that hasn't been possible, so I recently made the tough decision to end my engagement," Doncic told McMenamin in a statement provided to ESPN on Tuesday. "Everything I do is for my daughters' happiness and I will always fight to be with them and give them the best life I can."

Doncic traveled to Slovenia for the birth of Olivia, missing two games before returning to play against the Philadelphia 76ers on Dec. 7. According to the ESPN report, it was here where things took a sour turn.

Doncic reportedly expressed a desire to bring Gabriela back to Los Angeles with him, and a disagreement between he and Goltes escalated to the point where police were called. Doncic "left peacefully" according to ESPN, and flew back to the United States later that day. Doncic has reportedly not seen Goltes or his daughters since.

Earlier Tuesday, TMZ reported that Goltes had filed a petition for child support. The petition, filed in California according to ESPN, seeks only child support and attorney fees but not custody orders. Doncic reportedly "had no idea" about the petition.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Luka Doncic breakup: Lakers star in custody battle with ex-fiancée

Cal, Stanford bubble watch: How teams look as ACC tournament heats up

March Madness continues as college hoop teams around the country compete during "Championship Week" for a spot in the Men's NCAA Tournament.

Some teams have been on the bubble, while others have been eliminated from contention after losing during their respective conference tournament.

With the NCAA tournament beginning on March 17, Cal and Stanford were among of the schools on the bubble watch for a spot in the big dance.

Here's how things look for both teams:

Stanford's fate decided on last-second basket

Goals of a NCAA tournament appearance could be in jeopardy for the No. 10-seed Stanford Cardinal (20-12, 9-9 ACC) after being eliminated in the first round of the ACC tournament in an upset against No. 15 Pittsburgh (13-19, 5-13 ACC), 64-63, in the final seconds of the game.

The Cardinal tied the game after their freshman standout Ebuka Okorie drove past two Pitt defenders as he made a layup after a bump from Panthers forward Cameron Corhen with 26 seconds left.

Okorie knocked down the ensuing extra free throw to give Stanford a one-point lead. He ended the game with 14 points.

After a timeout, Pitt guard Damarco Minor launched a 3-pointer that ironed short as both teams scrambled to grab an offensive rebound. Pitt was able to secure the ball once again under 10 seconds left.

Minor drove through the lane attempted and missed a floater but was able to find his own rebound for a tip-in with 0.4 left in the game at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Stanford head coach Kyle Smith called it a "classic postseason grind" following the game.

"Hats off. Pittsburgh just really competed really hard, especially on the glass," Smith told reporters. "We give up 20 offensive rebounds, which resulted in a lot of second chance points for them. I'm proud of our way guys, down eight at halftime, took a big punch. We came back."

He added: "Really proud Ebuka [we] challenged him to play the right way and he did. As a point guard really got us back in there, made a big shot, made his free throw. We needed one stop. We just couldn't come up with it. And hopefully we'll we'll learn on that. But we defended well enough to win. We took care of the ball, shot it well enough, but we just couldn't keep them off the glass."

The loss could sway the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee on whether or not Stanford will make an appearance in the anticipated NCAA tournament that begins March 17.

Smith said he be "shocked" if the Cardinal weren't selected to compete, especially being in the ACC, one of the best and respected basketball conferences.

"We have one of the best players in the country," he told reporters on whether Stanford should still be considered for the tournament. "We've got a lot of Quad-1 wins in a really competitive conference, and it'd be a shame if Oklahoma gets to go last year being 6-12 in the SEC and the ACC doesn't get rewarded the right way. ... I thought it was a farce last year when SEC got this narrative or whatever."

The selection committee announces which teams are in and which are out on Sunday, March 15.

"I think we led all the Power Four conferences and Quad-1 wins, and had the most wins and winning percentage versus other Power Four. So arguably, we're really the best conference," Smith said. "We made it a big point to earn the respect. This is the basketball conference. Stanford is an elevated the program because of the ACC, Cal too."

ACC tournament: No. 9 California vs. No. 8 Florida State

The No. 9-seed California Golden Bears (21-10, 9-9 ACC) earned a first round-bye and will open the ACC tournament play in the second round against the No. 8 Florida State Seminoles (17-14, 10-8 ACC) on March 11 at 7 p.m. ET. Winner takes on Duke in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

A loss for Cal would severely damage their chances for an appearance in the NCAA tournament.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cal, Stanford bubble watch: How teams look in men's ACC tournament

Tyrese Maxey injury update: Why 76ers All-Star will miss several weeks

The Philadelphia 76ers' situation just got that much more dire.

Tyrese Maxey missed Monday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers with what was called a right pinky finger strain, but further imaging and reviews with specialists has now revealed a tendon injury. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Maxey will be re-evaluated in three weeks.

The Sixers All-Star collided with teammate Adem Bona while diving for a loose ball in the final seconds of a 125-116 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, March 7. Maxey stayed down for a few moments longer as he grabbed at his right hand before getting up and heading to the locker room while wrapping his hand in the bottom of his jersey.

It's a tough blow for Maxey, who is averaging career-highs across the board with 29.0 points, 6.7 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game on 46% shooting. During a season in which the Sixers (34-30) have at times looked like real contenders at their best, Maxey has been their most consistent presence. He entered Tuesday leading the league in minutes per game (38.3).

But the 76ers have been in freefall as of late, losing six of their last 10 games since the All-Star break. Part of that has been due to injuries, but they've been plagued by other issues as well.

Joel Embiid has missed the team's last five games with a right oblique strain and won't be re-evaluated until March 14, so he'll be out at least two more games. Paul George hasn't lived up to the max contract he signed with the 76ers in 2024 and is currently serving a 25-game suspension for violating the league's anti-drug policy. Even Rookie of the Year candidateVJ Edgecombe missed the last four games with a lumbar contusion; he's back in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies and won't be on a minutes restriction, head coach Nick Nurse told reporters.

With the Sixers down so many key players, Edgecombe is expected to be the primary ballhandler for the next few weeks.

The injury bug comes at a crucial point in the season for Philadelphia as it's currently locked in a heated race for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference. Entering Tuesday, the Sixers are the eighth seed and trail the Orlando Magic by a game and a half for the No. 6 spot; but they're also just one game ahead of the ninth-seeded Hawks, who now own the tiebreaker after the March 7 contest.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tyrese Maxey injury update, what we know about finger injury

Maryland rides big first half to 70-60 win over Oregon to open Big Ten Tournament

CHICAGO (AP) — David Coit scored 17 points, Elijah Saunders added 15, and Maryland defeated Oregon 70-60 in a first-round game of the Big Ten Tournament on Tuesday.

Maryland held Oregon to 3-for-22 shooting (14%) with 0 for 10 from 3-point distance in the first half and the Terrapins led 33-12 at the break. Maryland scored the first nine points and the Ducks made their first field goal at the 8:46 mark, making the score 17-8. Maryland later ran off 10 consecutive points for a 31-10 lead. Coit scored 12 points in the first half.

An 11-2 run helped the Ducks cut their deficit to 12 points early in the second half, but Maryland allowed only three points over the next 5 1/2 minutes and the lead was 58-34 near the 8-minute mark. A dunk and a three-point play from Nate Bittle started a 15-2 run for Oregon and it was 60-49 with 4 1/2 minutes remaining.

The Ducks got within single digits a few times, the last at 67-58 with 53 seconds remaining but Maryland's Darius Adams made 3 of 4 free throws to preserve a double-digit margin.

Bittle scored 16 points, Kwame Evans Jr. 14 and Takai Simpkins 10 for 16th-seeded Oregon (12-20).

Maryland, seeded 17th, got 12 points, six rebounds and five assists from Andre Mills. Solomon Washington also scored 12 points and Adams finished with 10 points for the Terrapins (12-20).

Maryland defeated Oregon for the first time. The Ducks had won the only two prior matchups — both since joining the Big Ten last season. Most recently, Oregon won 64-54 at Maryland in January.

Up next

Maryland plays ninth-seeded Iowa in the second round on Wednesday.

___

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Cavs at Magic: How to watch, odds, and injury report

CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 26: Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket around Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter at Rocket Arena on January 26, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Magic 114-98. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers will try to pick up their third-straight win over the Orlando Magic as they head on the road to take on a team that could be playing their best basketball of the season.

This has been a frustrating season for Orlando. An injury to Franz Wagner and a still disjointed offense have kept the Magic from reaching the heights many envisioned for them when they traded for Desmond Bane last summer. Bane has been as advertised, but his shooting hasn’t transformed the offense, as they’re still in the bottom third of the league in offensive rating.

The Magic are, however, playing well right now. They’ve won four in a row and seven of their last 10. They could be peaking at the right time.

We’ll see how the Cavs handle this team in what could be a preview of a first-round playoff matchup.

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WhoCleveland Cavaliers (40-25) at Orlando Magic (35-28)

Where: Kia Center – Orlando, FL

When: Wed. March 11 at 7:30 PM

TV: ESPN, FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, FanDuel Sports Network App

Point spread: Cavs -2.5

Cavs injury report: Jarrett Allen – OUT (knee), Tyrese Proctor – OUT (quad), Max Strus – OUT (foot), Olivier Sarr – OUT (G League)

Magic injury report: Franz Wagner – OUT (ankle), Anthony Black – OUT (abdominal strain), Johnathan Isaac – QUESTIONABLE (knee), Jasse Richardson – QUESTIONABLE (back)

Cavs expectedstarting lineup: James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Sam Merrill, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley

Magic expected starting lineup: Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, Tristan da Silva, Paola Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr.

Previous matchup: The Cavs defeated the Magic 114-98 behind 45 points from Donovan Mitchell on Jan. 26

Here’s a look at both teams’ impact stats via Cleaning the Glass.

Offensive RatingDefensive RatingNet Rating
Cavs118.1 (8th)113.8 (11th)+4.2 (8th)
Magic114.5 (20th)113.8 (12th)+0.7 (16th)

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Warriors vs. Bulls injury report: Kristaps Porziņģis returns, Draymond Green questionable

Draymond Green with his hands on his knees, smiling.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 08: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at the United Center on February 08, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Golden State Warriors are back home tonight, following a bizarre three-game road trip. They’re also wrapping up a traveling back-to-back, and looking to right the ship after Monday’s disappointing loss to the injured and tanking Utah Jazz.

There’s good news for Golden State, though: Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis, who did not play in Monday’s game, are returning to action as scheduled, as is Will Richard. But a whole lot of other people are out … for both the Warriors and the Chicago Bulls.

Here’s the full injury report.

Warriors

Out — Steph Curry (right patellofemoral pain syndrome)

This will be Curry’s 15th consecutive absence as he works his way through runner’s knee. It’s fair to wonder if he’d be playing if the Warriors were in contention. It’s even more fair to agree that the cautious approach is the best approach, given the circumstances.

Out — Seth Curry (left sciatic nerve injury management)

The younger Curry made his return to action on Monday night, and he looked fantastic in his third game with the Warriors. But given that it was his first game in three months, it’s not surprising that the Dubs aren’t letting him immediately jump into a back-to-back.

Out — Jimmy Butler III (right ACL surgery)

Still not fun to type out. We miss you, Jimmy.

Out — Moses Moody (right wrist sprain)

Moody will miss his fourth straight game as he recovers from a wrist injury. Needless to say, the team’s spacing and defense has been hurt in his absence.

Questionable — Draymond Green (left low back injury management)

After slumping for a while, Green has been playing pretty well lately. It will be quite a hit to an already shorthanded team if he’s unable to suit up.

Questionable — De’Anthony Melton(left adductor soreness)

Melton has slid into a starting role due to Steph Curry’s absence, and he’s played very well. The Warriors desperately need his scoring.

Questionable — Quinten Post (bilateral foot soreness)

Golden State won’t be quite as reliant on Post tonight with Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis returning, so there’s no guarantee that the second-year big will even get minutes if he’s good to go.

Probable — Gary Payton II (left ankle impingement)

We’re used to GPII being a defensive spark plug off the bench, but lately he’s been one on offense, too. Thankfully, he looks good to go tonight.

Bulls

Out — Jaden Ivey (left patellofemoral pain syndrome)

Hey, Steph’s got a fellow player with runner’s knee to commiserate with!

Out — Zach Collins (right 1st toe surgery)

Collins’ second season with the Bulls didn’t go according to plan. He appeared in just 10 games before suffering a season-ending toe injury.

Out — Noa Essengue (left shoulder surgery)

Speaking of seasons that haven’t gone the way Chicago envisioned, the Bulls used the No. 12 overall pick on Essengue in June, and had understandably high hopes for him. But he logged just six minutes of action before suffering a season-ending injury to his shoulder. Looking forward to seeing him on the court next year.

Out — Anfernee Simons (left ulnar styloid fracture)

After a few breakout years with the Portland Trail Blazers, Simons’ hasn’t had a great season. He took a step backwards with the Boston Celtics, and was traded to the Bulls at the deadline. He’s played six games for Chicago, and this will be his eighth consecutive absence.

Questionable — Collin Sexton (left fibular head contusion)

Chicago just seems to be hoarding players that the league was once high on but who haven’t been able to live up to their early-career expectations. Sexton’s 14.6 points per game are nearly 10 points fewer than what he posted in his third season, back in 2020-21. Like Simons, he came to the Bulls at the deadline.

Questionable — Patrick Williams (left ankle sprain)

Williams is averaging the fewest minutes and points per game in his six-year career, which has been spent entirely with Chicago. But he’s still a valuable player off the bench for the Bulls.

Probable — Jalen Smith (left calf strain)

The former No. 10 overall pick never quite lived up to lottery expectations, but he’s been very solid in his second campaign with the Bulls, averaging 10.1 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, while making 15 starts.

Probable — Josh Giddey (right ankle sprain)

Like Jonathan Kuminga, Giddey had a bit of a contract stalemate with the Bulls this past offseason, as he was in restricted free agency. Unlike Kuminga, he ultimately got a long-term deal, securing a four-year, $100 million contract. So far he’s making it look like a good deal, as he’s averaging career-highs in points (17.6), rebounds (8.3), and assists (8.5).

Probable — Matas Buzelis (right ankle sprain)

Buzelis, the No. 11 pick in the 2024 draft, is having a bit of a breakout sophomore campaign. Golden State would have caught a serious break if neither he nor Giddey were able to play; instead, it looks like they’ll face both of them.

Enjoy the game, Dub Nation! Warriors vs. Bulls tips off at 7:00 p.m. PT on NBC Sports Bay Area.

It’s time for Basketball: San Antonio Spurs vs Boston Celtics

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 10: Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics reaches around but can't steal the ball from Luke Kornet #7 of the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at TD Garden on January 10, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Winslow Townson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much.

The Spurs are on their best stretch of the season, winning 14 of their last 15 games, with a lot of them being blowouts like Sunday night’s pasting of the Rockets, punctuated by some exciting contests like last Friday’s 25 point comeback in a four point victory over Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers. The only blemish on that incredible run was a loss to an Eastern Conference team, as the Knicks shut down the Silver and Black for a 114-89 win in Madison Square Garden. Tonight the Spurs face another hot team from the east, the rising Celtics, who are now considered by many sites to be favored to overtake the Pistons and take the top spot with the return of Jayson Tatum from a Achilles tendon injury just 10 months after the rupture. The Celtics were already a contender with Jaylen Brown leading the way for a deep roster, but the addition of a second superstar makes them an instant title contender, and perhaps the favorite for the NBA playoff season.

This might be the toughest test yet for the Spurs on the current run, but they will be bolstered by a home crowd, and Victor Wembanyama is playing the best basketball of his career (so far, who knows how high his ceiling will be?). It’s a nationally televised game, so the entire country is primed to see two of best the teams in the league fight it out. The Spurs previously beat Boston 100-95 at Boston Garden on January 10, but with Tatum back in the lineup, it’s not going to be easy to keep them under 100 points tonight. This will be the last meeting between the two teams this season, unless they meet in the NBA finals, which would be cool beyond belief. It would be nice for the Spurs to continue their dominance over (most of) the Eastern Conference. LETS GO SPURS!!!

Game Prediction:

Devin Vassell will take on Jayson Tatum as the primary defender and have a steal with a breakaway dunk late in the game.

San Antonio Spurs vs Boston Celtics
March 10, 2026 | 7:00 PM CT
Streaming: Peacock
TV: Peacock, NBC, FanDuel Sports Southwest
Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.

Lakers' Luka Doncic says he's separated from fiancée, in custody dispute over their 2 daughters

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lakers superstar Luka Doncic says he has separated from the mother of his two young daughters and is in a custody dispute.

TMZ reported Tuesday that Anamaria Goltes filed a petition for child support and attorneys' fees in California. Doncic then said in a statement he had recently ended his engagement to Goltes because he was unable to have his daughters with him in the U.S. during the season.

“I love my daughters more than anything and I’ve been doing everything I can for them to be with me in the U.S. during the season, but that hasn’t been possible, so I recently made the tough decision to end my engagement,” Doncic said in the statement released to ESPN. “Everything I do is for my daughters’ happiness and I will always fight to be with them and give them the best life I can.”

The 27-year-old Doncic and Goltes had been dating for a decade after meeting as teenagers in Slovenia. They became engaged in July 2023, and their daughters were born in November 2023 and December 2025, with Doncic leaving the Lakers to travel to Slovenia when younger daughter Olivia was born.

Doncic moved from Dallas to Los Angeles in a trade for Anthony Davis in February 2025. He agreed to a three-year, $165 million contract extension with the Lakers last summer, cementing his near future in Los Angeles.

Doncic is the NBA's leading scorer this season at 32.5 points per game, and he ranks third with 8.4 assists while grabbing 7.8 rebounds.

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

76ers All-Star Tyrese Maxey out at least three weeks with tendon injury in right pinkie

This is bad news for a 76ers team fighting to remain in the top eight in the East, and with hot teams in Atlanta (one game back) and Charlotte (2.5 back) right on its tail.

All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey has suffered a "tendon injury to the small finger on his right hand" and will be re-evaluated in approximately three weeks, the 76ers announced Tuesday.

Maxey had only missed two games all season before this injury and had played more minutes (2,334) than any other player in the league. The injury occurred with 16.2 seconds left in the 76ers' loss to the Hawks, when Maxey collided with teammate Adem Bona and instantly grabbed his right hand in pain.

Maxey is averaging 29 points and 6.7 assists per game, shooting 37.3% from 3-point range, and was voted an All-Star starter by the fans. He has been the one consistent player for Philadelphia this season.

The 76ers are already without Joel Embiid (oblique strain, to be re-evaluated this week) and Paul George (suspension until March 25). Philadelphia has a -19.6 net rating this season when none of those three is on the court, and that is still -4.6 when just Maxey is off the court.

Philadelphia, which has looked like a playoff threat when everyone is healthy, could fall into the back half of the play-in and have to win two games to even make the playoffs.

Game Thread: Suns (37–27) at Bucks (27-36)

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 01: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns drives around Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during a game at Fiserv Forum on April 01, 2025 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Phoenix Suns are in Milwaukee.

Let’s hope they leave Wisconsin with a win. Fire it up!

LIVE DISCUSSION: Detroit Pistons at Brooklyn Nets, 7:30 PM ET

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 09: Day'ron Sharpe #20 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Barclays Center on March 09, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets won 126-115. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Alright! Right..? The Nets, winners of two straight, were the talk of the NBA after a 23-point comeback in the second half on Saturday. It was their fifth-largest comeback in franchise history. Then, the Grizzlies out-tanked them in the first half of this back-to-back.

Fourth-worst-record in the league. 18 games remaining.


🏀 KEY INFO

Who: Detroit Pistons (45-18) at Brooklyn Nets (17-47)
When: 7:30 PM ET
Watch: YES Network


💬 DISCUSSION

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