MADRID (AP) — Rayo Vallecano left it late to beat 10-man Elche 1-0 and record its first La Liga win for almost a month on Friday.
The Madrid-based club had not picked up three points since beating bottom side Oviedo on March 4 but returned to winning ways thanks to a second-half goal from Randy Nteka.
It was helped by the dismissal of Elche’s Pedro Bigas six minutes before halftime.
The veteran center half was booked midway through the first half and picked up a second yellow for a high challenge and was shown a red card.
Pedro Díaz hit the post in the second half and Elche goalkeeper Matías Dituro made smart saves but Nteka got on the end of a nice cross from Álvaro García with 16 minutes remaining to give the home side the win.
It was the Angola international’s first goal of the season and a vital one for Rayo, which climbed two places into 12th.
Elche remained in 17th spot, one place above the relegation zone.
INDIANAPOLIS – Rodney Tention couldn’t help but notice the similarities.
The former Arizona assistant returned to Tucson in February to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the program’s last Final Four team, and during the trip, coach Tommy Lloyd invited the group to practice.
“It reminded us of the group that we had,” Tention told USA TODAY Sports.
That sentiment continued to resonate the more they were around the 2025-26 team. The alumni watched them play, talked to them and importantly, got to see how they interact in a locker room. Everything was so similar to the 2000-01 team, they couldn’t help but let Lloyd know.
“We all said it,” Tention said. “I think this is the group that can break through.”
How right they were. This year's group was, in fact, the one to break through.
Arizona is back to the Final Four for the first time since that 2001 team. It ended decades of heartbreak for a program that had proven its relevancy, but couldn’t punctuate it with the most sought destination in the sport.
It felt like there was a hex over the Wildcats. Despite having loaded teams capable of reaching the Final Four, they just didn't. NBA All-Stars and champions like Andre Iguodala, Aaron Gordon and Channing Frye. High draft picks like Deandre Ayton and Derrick Williams to name a few. They all contributed to Arizona having the sixth-most wins since 2003.
So, what was wrong? Those that have witnessed all those teams try to get back to the Final Four said they just got unlucky.
“It's hard,” Tention said. “At some point you've got to have a little bit of luck on your way. That's all to it. Balls just got to bounce your way on that one certain day.”
The Wildcats surely had some things go wrong. A 15-point blown lead against Illinois in 2005, running into scorching Kemba Walker in 2011 and tough battles against Wisconsin in 2014 and 2015 are just some of those moments.
All of those games are some March Madness classics, just on the wrong side of history.
“You have shots and moments that happened that you're just a part of basketball history,” said 2001 starter Richard Jefferson. “There was never any, ‘Oh, there's some sort of issue.’ It was just like, ‘Yo, we just had a stretch where certain things haven't gone our way.’”
When asked how the 2001 team made the Final Four, members all had the same message: It was a deep rotation that didn’t try to play hero ball, but emphasized defense. A well-rounded, oiled machine.
It’s easy to forget how stacked that 2001 team was. Jefferson, Gilbert Arenas, Jason Gardner, Michael Wright and Loren Woods were starters while Luke Walton came off the bench. A loaded team that very much resembles the current iteration.
Both teams were in the top 15 in scoring, defensive field goal percentage and rebound margin. Being high percentage shooters helped each unit be in the top five in scoring margin.
The similarities don’t end there. That team had six players who averaged 20 minutes per game, this one has seven. Five guys who averaged double figure scoring, so does this season’s.
“I don't really think they really care who gets the points in the game,” Tention said. “That's what makes them so dangerous. You don't know who you gameplan against.”
No one may know that better than Jason Gardner, a sophomore guard on the 2001 team and now director of player relations for the Wildcats. He said the mixture of upperclassman leadership and talented freshmen create the special sauce, and they brought the intensity that was needed.
“I definitely think we're a little bit more physical than maybe we have been in the past and I think it's kind of really helped us kind of carry over this year,” Gardner said.
Jefferson notices comparisons in some of the guys he played with, notably with Jaden Bradley, who reminds him of standout Jason Terry from the 1997 national title team.
He also loves Koa Peat, an Arizona kid that knows what the program means to the state and decided to stay home.
It’s not lost on this year’s team the road was paved by those successful squads in the late 20th century, built on the legacy of Lute Olson. Former players and coaches said Lloyd has made an effort to involve them in the program, allowing them to watch and interact with the team so they can truly understand what it means to “Bear Down.”
“It's really important that we include those guys in everything and they feel like owners of our program because they are owners. They're 100% owners and they're great dudes,” Lloyd said. “It's been one of the coolest things for me to experience: developing relationships with them and having them tell me their stories because their stories are Arizona basketball stories.”
That’s why after Arizona defeated Purdue in the Elite Eight to punch their ticket to Indianapolis, Lloyd shouted out Olson to the large fan presence in San Jose, and why he mentioned postgame how his job was set up to succeed because of those building blocks.
“It's really pretty gratifying, to be honest,” said Jim Rosborough, Olson’s right-hand man who spent 27 seasons with him, including 18 at Arizona. “(Lloyd’s) been one to recognize what went on before him, that he's not the inventor of the wheel, but he's kind of kept the wheel turning.”
All of it makes for one of the most highly anticipated weekends in recent memory. For as large of a brand as Arizona is, Tucson prides itself on a small-town vibe that rallies around its program.
“People live and die with Wildcat sports,” Tention said. Look at how the reception when the team arrived back home in the wee hours after winning the West Region, taking over the local airport. It actually goes beyond Pima County, as Rosborough mentioned, “it's hard to be in the state of Arizona and not know about this team,” and it doesn’t get much bigger than this.
“To bring this back to the city of something that we were so close numerous times, I think is awesome,” Gardner added.
However, Jefferson sees the 2026 Final Four as more than just for the community and state. Not only did Arizona break the 25-year drought and is going for its second national championship in program history, but it’s also trying to break a drought out West. The 1997 title team is the last from the West Coast to win it all.
“We are in a position where we're carrying an entire Mid-West-West Coast,” Jefferson said. “They really have half of the country that wants to prove that UCLA, Arizona, Oregon, all of these schools that have been dominant over years, can still win a national championship.”
You’d be a fool to think Arizona is satisfied with just making the Final Four again. This team has its eyes set on cutting down those nets inside Lucas Oil Stadium.
“It's not like where it feels like we're back on the mountaintop. It just feels like we have performed up to our standard in the biggest moment,” Jefferson said. “Arizona is not one of those schools that's like, ‘Hey, we made it to the Final Four. We're lucky. We're happy.’ No, we're one of those schools that say, ‘Hey, we're proud of you, we're proud of ourselves, we're proud of what you guys have done. Now go finish the job.’”
If that happens, you can bet all of Tucson will be shut down, all the way from Flowing Wells to Saguaro National Park, with fans crazed like the javelinas that roam the desert. If it doesn’t happen, it will still be a celebrated squad that will live in Wildcat lore as the ones that finally got Arizona back where it belongs.
Like the teams before them laid the blueprint, the Wildcats hope this one remodels for another reign in the Sonoran Desert.
“Arizona is one of the strongest brands in all of collegiate sports,” Jefferson said. “At the same point in time, they're awake right now.”
Feel free to use this thread to chat about (almost) anything you want: video games, food, movies, non-football sports, you name it. As long as it’s allowed by the site’s ToS, it’s fair game here.
DALLAS (AP) — The home arena of the Dallas Stars has launched an investigation into a video that apparently shows four fans celebrating a goal with a Nazi salute.
A spokesperson for the American Airlines Center told WFAA-TV in Dallas that the arena has “zero tolerance for any acts of hate and/or discrimination.”
“We strongly denounce the actions that appear to be depicted in the video footage and are conducting an internal investigation,” the spokesperson said. “All fans and attendees are expected to adhere to AAC and, as applicable, NBA or NHL Codes of Conduct when attending events.”
A Stars fan, Courtney Ripley, told the television station she took a 12-second video at a game against Toronto in late December. It shows four fans reacting to a goal by appearing to raise and extend their right arms with a straightened right hand facing downward. The video gained traction this week on several social media platforms.
A Stars spokesperson told ESPN on Thursday that the team is “fully aligned with the arena’s statement and working with them to find out exactly what happened.”
Fan codes of conduct are prominent throughout the NHL. Every team has a scripted segment that is shared on their video boards, through their public address system or both, telling fans about their respective codes of conduct.
The NHL also has a multipoint fan code of conduct that opens by stating, “The best hockey experiences happen in environments that are inclusive, safe and respectful.”
The NHL said possible punishments for violating the code of conduct include ejection, suspension or a lifetime ban from future events.
2 min: Van Ewijk looks long for Simms. Clarke intercepts. Then Esse hassles Ward down the left and forces the first corner of the match. Coventry have scored 24 goals from set pieces this season, the division’s best … but this one comes to nothing.
Derby get the ball rolling. The CBS Arena roaring.
PARIS (AP) — Ousmane Dembélé scored twice in the first half as Paris Saint-Germain beat Toulouse 3-1 and increased its lead of Ligue 1 to four points on Friday.
The game was brought forward to give PSG more recovery time ahead of next Wednesday’s Champions League quarterfinal with Liverpool at the Parc des Princes.
PSG came into the match having scored 12 goals in its last three games and it took the lead midway through the opening period when Dembélé crashed a superb volley into the top corner from the edge of the 18-yard box.
However, four minutes later goalkeeper Matvey Safonov could not secure a wicked in-swinging corner and Rasmus Nicolaisen headed home the rebound to level the scores.
Dembélé restored PSG’s lead 12 minutes before halftime. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia headed on a corner kick and former Dortmund and Barcelona forward Dembélé was on hand to side-foot the ball over the line.
He had a third goal disallowed for offside in a second half dominated by the home side but it wasn’t until stoppage time that PSG added a third, substitute Gonçalo Ramos stroking home with his right foot from 25 meters.
The result lifted PSG four points clear of Lens, which travels to fifth-placed Lille on Saturday for the Derby du Nord.
You know, the one that’s kind of crusty, maybe losing sight or hearing — or both — hair matted, walks pretty slow and doesn’t play fetch? The funny thing about them is, when it seems like they’re in their final stages of life, they just don’t die. You wait for the end, and you keep on waiting.
There’s an old Husky lurking in the Connecticut locker room. It’s Alex Karaban, and he just won’t go down.
“Everybody knows that old dog that just won't die,” said UConn center Tarris Reed Jr. “My auntie had an old dog, he lived for a while. He just wouldn't die. Just stayed around, it be hard to kill him. I feel like that's (Karaban).”
Well, that’s one way to put it. That even threw off the dog himself.
“An old dog? Why an old dog,” he asked his teammate before the explanation only left him speechless.
He’s not exactly Old Yeller, but his coach offered him another title: baby sitter.
“He just babysits your team for 40 and a half years,” said UConn coach Dan Hurley. “I mean, he's been the best babysitter.”
Point is, this isn’t Karaban’s first rodeo, but it’s certainly his last as he closes his storied college career trying to achieve something that hasn’t been achieved by a player in more than 50 years: win three national championships.
Done eight times in history — all by those in John Wooden’s UCLA dynasty in the 1960s and 1970s — the last time it was accomplished was in 1971-73 with Larry Farmer and Larry Hollyfield.
Now 53 years later, Karaban is the person two wins away from joining this prestigious list, and even though the 23-year-old gets clowned on, his teammates want him to get there.
What’s remarkable about Karaban’s time is it wasn’t like he was some benchwarmer during the first two titles. A two-time captain, he has been a major factor in getting UConn on the cusp of a dynasty.
That’s why he became the first active men’s basketball player to be inducted into UConn’s illustrious Huskies of Honor, and already the team’s winningest player ever.
As a redshirt freshman, he appeared in all 39 games — starting the last 38 — to lead the team in total minutes played, all while shooting 40.2% from 3-point land. The following season, he started every game, upped his scoring from 9.3 to 13.3 points per game and shot nearly 50% from the field.
“He's the greatest problem solver you'll ever have in practice, in game, and then, like, the tone he sets for your culture with his work habits, the peer pressure that that puts on everyone in the organization when your best player works as hard as he does,” Hurley said.
Now in Indianapolis, the Huskies haven’t stopped leaning on Karaban either. He had some fun reminding the first-timers this is his third Final Four, and having him around has really helped those newbies go about the biggest stage in the sport.
Whether it’s dealing with playing in a football stadium, the pressure and endless questions from media, Karaban has given them tips on how to navigate it and not let it become too much. That’s probably why if Reed and guard Silas Demary Jr. needed a teammate as an emergency contact, they both would put down Karaban.
“Having a guy like that to literally lead your team been here before, he's poised on this stage,” Reed said. “Having that guy in your corner is really special.”
Not many people get to be in Karaban’s position, 4-0 in the Final Four with a chance to be 6-0. Even though he’s achieved all of this success, he feels like the Huskies have a chip on their shoulder as they aren’t the major favorite to win it all.
So, yes Karaban is an old dog, and he ain’t ready to go down just yet.
“It's an interesting way to put it, but I mean, yeah, I don't want this to end. I want to keep going. I want to keep fighting and really keep wearing that Connecticut jersey across my chest.,” Karaban said. “I guess the old dog wants to keep living for his treats — and my treat is a win — then, yeah, I'll keep fighting for it.”
NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the first inning, and the New York Yankees beat the Miami Marlins 8-2 in their home opener Friday for their second 6-1 start in three seasons.
Trent Grisham reached leading off with the first of 11 walks by Marlins pitchers and Judge drove a slider into the left-field seats against Eury Pérez (0-1).
Ben Rice homered and hit a two-run double for the Yankees.
Will Warren (1-0) allowed four hits in 5 2/3 innings, including solo homers by Xavier Edwards in the first and Owen Caissie in the fifth.
Miami entered the game at 5-1, matching its franchise-best start, and had spent six days atop the NL East — double its total for 2021-25 combined. Miami pitchers had their most walks since April 2023; they had walked just nine in the team's first six games.
Pérez (0-1) allowed four runs, two hits and a career-high six walks in four innings. He forced in runs on consecutive pitches in the second when he walked Grisham and hit Judge. Tyler Phillips threw a run-scoring wild pitch in the sixth.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. and José Caballero each had two stolen bases and Judge one off catcher Liam Hicks, who has allowed 60 steals in 66 attempts since reaching the major leagues last year.
Stephen Curry went through a full second scrimmage with the Warriors on Thursday, and afterward coach Steve Kerr said, "He looked like Steph Curry."
That's good enough for the Warriors: Curry is expected to be cleared to return to play on Sunday, when the Warriors take on the Houston Rockets on NBC Sunday Night Basketball, reports Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of ESPN.
This was expected, Sunday had been Curry’s target for more than a week. This would give him as many as five games before the end of the season to get his legs under him and rekindle some chemistry with his teammates after a lengthy absence.
Curry has been out since Jan. 30 due to "runner's knee" — and he strained his adductor during rehab — missing 27 games. Without him, Golden State has gone 9-18 and fallen to 10th in the West, which is very likely where they will finish. The Warriors will need to win two games on the road just to get out of the play-in and into the No. 8 seed.
Because of the Warriors' long odds of making the playoffs, there have been some calls to have Curry shut it down for the rest of the season, but that is not something he wanted, according to reports out of the Bay Area. Curry is the greatest Warrior player ever, the biggest draw the franchise has ever had, and with that he has the power — if he wants to play, he will be allowed to do so.
When Curry, 38, has been healthy this season, he is averaging 27.2 points and 4.8 assists a game, shooting 39.1% from 3-point range. It remains his gravity on offense that opens up everything for everyone else, particularly with Jimmy Butler (ACL) out for the rest of the season.
You can catch Curry's return to the court Sunday at 10 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock as part of a Sunday Night Basketball double header (the Lakers at the Mavericks is the early game, a matchup that loses a little luster if Luka Doncic is out due to his hamstring injury).
INDIANAPOLIS – UConn coach Dan Hurley is a really easy guy to dislike.
His sideline antics are an embarrassment, berating refs and acting like a toddler having a tantrum. He’s crossed the line so many times it’s practically worn away, most recently with his bizarre interaction with a referee at the end of UConn’s stunning upset of Duke in the Elite Eight.
Hurley is the personification of everything that’s wrong with sports, his bad behavior enabled by his won-loss record.
And yet …
Take Hurley off the court, and he’s a completely different person. Personable, thoughtful, self-aware, even funny.
The kind of guy you want shaping the hearts and minds of young people because it’s obvious the life lessons he’s imparting matter just as much as the Xs and Os.
“I get much more of a bad reaction from people, I think, on social media than when I meet regular people,” Hurley said Friday, April 3 at the Final Four. “Because anytime I meet regular people, they look at me and they start laughing or they start smiling. Or (say), `You're the guy from the video. You look a little crazy, but I think you're a good egg.’”
Maybe it’s fitting that Hurley’s histrionics are a focal point as he tries to lead UConn to its third title in four years in what was once the backyard of Bob Knight, a coach who was called a lot of things in his Hall of Fame career, but never a good egg.
Whatever life lessons Knight taught were lost amid a hurricane of bad temper and chair tossing and, eventually, the choking of a player. Hurley isn’t that guy. He isn’t actually a jerk. He just plays one on TV.
“I think a lot of people kind of misinterpret who he is as a person,” UConn guard Silas Demary Jr. said. “Behind closed doors, he's one of the best coaches I've ever been around. He's going to feed you with confidence, but he's also not going to go over your head. He’s going to keep you even keeled. He's going to tell you when you do it bad. He's going to praise you when you’re doing good.
“The message is more important than the tone,” Demary added, “because at the end of the day, he's pushing us to be the best.”
That’s the end game, right? In eight years at UConn, Hurley has won almost 73% of his games and led the Huskies to back-to-back national titles in 2023 and 2024. He’s sent 10 players to the NBA from UConn, four of whom were lottery picks.
But the former high school coach knows that’s only part of his job. The Hurley his players see is approachable, someone they can have heart-to-heart talks with. He cracks jokes. He’s an advocate of therapy. He encourages them to put their phones down and live in the real world.
“Get off Twitter, get off Instagram, stop reading the comments. That's probably why it doesn't bother me when people have things to say,” Hurley said. “I don't live in that world. My world, and the world I think is the best world to live in, is the real world, which is interacting with people, putting your phone down.”
This isn’t meant to excuse Hurley’s outbursts. At 53, he’s old enough to know better. If he really wanted to change his behavior, he could. (Hurley himself noted he's not once gotten a technical during the NCAA Tournament.) Plenty of coaches are intense and passionate about the game without being the human equivalent of a Tasmanian devil.
Hurley also should consider himself lucky, because a coach of color would never be afforded the grace Hurley has been.
But the ultimate measure of a person, be they a college basketball coach, an insurance salesman or the president of the United States, is whether they are leaving the world a better or worse place.
On that call, there is little debate.
USA TODAY Sports' Jordan Mendoza contributed to this report.
Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.
CHENNAI, India (AP) — Opening batters Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh gave Punjab Kings a flying start to a target of 210 as they overhauled Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League on Friday.
Impact substitute Arya set the tone with 39 runs off 11 balls as he and Singh rumbled to 68-1 in the powerplay. Captain Shreyas Iyer's 26-ball half-century and Cooper Connolly's 36 ensured Punjab reached 210-5 with eight balls to spare and won by five wickets.
Chennai thought it put up a defendable total of 209-5 at home thanks to former India Under-19 captain Ayush Mhatre's 73 off 43, Shivam Dube's unbeaten 45 off 27 and Sarfaraz Khan's cameo 32 off 12.
But Chennai's bowling was ordinary. Only five bowlers were used while allrounders Dube and debutant Prashant Veer were not used.
“That was an exceptional start for us,” Iyer said. “I feel the way they (Arya and Singh) have been batting has been phenomenal and it stabilizes the rhythm for us. I am glad everyone is getting to bat. It gives immense confidence to the team.”
Arya smacked fast bowler Matt Henry for three fours and a six in a 20-run second over after the left-hander hit Khaleel Ahmed for a four and a six off the first two legitimate balls in the first over.
Singh raised Punjab’s 50 in only the third over when he took three boundaries off Anshul Kamboj.
Henry rattled Arya's off stump and Singh was run out in a mixup with Connolly when the Australian refused to go for a tight second run. Connolly holed out at long-on then Iyer took charge of the chase.
Iyer smashed three sixes and four boundaries in a 59-run stand with Nehal Wadhera that sealed the result.
Earlier, Iyer continued the template of teams preferring to chase when he won the toss and elected to field. Sanju Samson, returning to his home venue, perished in the second over for just 7.
Mhatre showed plenty of aggression in a stand of 96 with captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, who made a scratchy 28 before falling to IPL leading wicket-taker Yuzvendra Chahal in the 12th over.
Mhatre looked set for a big knock after crashing five sixes and six boundaries and was livid with himself when he was caught at short third while attempting an extravagant shot against Vijakumar Vyshak (2-38).
Khan and Dube propelled Chennai beyond 200 but their bowlers couldn't tie down Punjab.
“We felt ... having two wrist-spinners bowling in tandem will help but off-day for both of them and that is what cost us,” Gaikwad said.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 05: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles past the defense of Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of a game at Intuit Dome on January 05, 2026 in Inglewood, 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 Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was well known that the Golden State Warriors were looking to make a big splash at the NBA trade deadline this past February.
At the time, a potential move felt like a necessity more than a luxury. Jimmy Butler’s season-ending ACL tear left a massive void, stripping the roster of a reliable secondary star. Meanwhile, the Jonathan Kuminga situation lingered in the background, with a growing sense that a change of scenery could be best for both sides.
All of it pointed toward a major move. As it turns out, the Warriors didn’t just explore the market — they came close to landing one of the biggest names possible.
It’s the opposite: Lacob and Dunleavy have signaled for months that they have every intention of charging after at least one more star this offseason.
To that point, multiple league sources indicated this week that the Warriors were reasonably close to trading for Kawhi Leonard last February — apparently with much of the deal terms generally agreed to — before the Clippers ultimately decided to pull out of the talks.
Leonard wasn’t the only target either. The Warriors also had well-known interest in a potential move for the Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, reinforcing just how aggressive the front office was in its pursuit of another superstar.
However, none of those plans came to fruition. Instead, Golden State pivoted to Kristaps Porzingis — a move that didn’t carry the same headline-grabbing weight but has worked out well in the meantime, providing size and scoring to a depleted Warriors roster.
Still, the intent was clear. As Golden State heads into the offseason, expect them to pursue another superstar to support Steph Curry and chase another championship.
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Friday, April 3rd:
Early talks surrounding Porzingis’s projected contract point in the direction of a deal somewhere in the $18 million to $24 million per year range on a 1+1 type of contract involving a player option. As for Green, his $27.7 million player option holds the key to the Warriors’ offseason.
If he is willing to opt out and take a pay cut to help the team, possibly signing for something in the $16 million to $18 million per year range, Draymond would allow the Warriors to have their full $15 million mid-level exception and operate well below the luxury tax entering the offseason.
What’s also exciting for Porziņģis is the comfort level he has found with Rick Celebrini, the vice president of player health and performance. Porziņģis recently drew attention for saying that Celebrini was the “GOAT” in his field, an opinion he doubled down on.
While Porziņģis remains unsure where he will land this summer, he admits his strong connection with Celebrini will factor into his decision.
“That’s definitely (something) I have to take into account,” he said. “I believe I’m in incredible hands here. And that means something. When you have a really strong staff with somebody like me, maybe that’s had some injuries throughout their career … to be in the best hands, it makes a difference for me to stay out there healthy.”
Just a brutal night for the Lakers in OKC, losing 139-96 to the Thunder on Thursday and possibly losing Luka Doncic for a period of time because of a left hamstring injury he suffered in the third quarter.
The Warriors were left with nine players: three two-way contracts, one player who began the year on a two-way contract, one player who began the year playing in Greece, one second-round rookie, and the veteran trio of Draymond Green, Seth Curry, and Brandin Podziemski.
It was a staggering juxtaposition, especially with MVP candidate Victor Wembanyama, in all his glory, standing on the other side. It was a 7’4 superstar against two unknowns in a trench coat, who still probably weren’t 7’4 combined.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - OCTOBER 30: Dylan Harper #2, Victor Wembanyama #1 and Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the game against the Miami Heat on October 30, 2025 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Many expected the Spurs to be good, but no one saw them becoming legitimate title contenders.
That’s exactly where San Antonio finds themself with just a handful of games left in the season. Everything that could have gone right, has gone right, and at this point, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them crowned champs in June.
So, how did we get here? As with everything Spurs-related, it starts with the Alien.
Wemby’s all-time trajectory
In a vacuum, elite offense is more impactful than elite defense. Offenses dictate what’s happening on the court, and the defense can only react accordingly. It’s not a coincidence that a list of the best players in the world generally leans toward potent scorers/playmakers, and for 99.9% of players, it’s inaccurate to say that the two sides of the court hold equal importance.
Like everything in his life, though, Wemby is that lone 0.1%. He might be the only player in NBA history who forces opponents to game plan for his defense, and that side of the court truly represents half the game for him — which might still be underselling it.
With Wemby on the court this season, the Spurs have an astonishing 104.5 defensive rating, which is 2.5 points better than the historically great Thunder. His blocks are actually down to “just” 3.1 this year compared to his rookie (3.6) and sophomore seasons (3.8), but that’s entirely due to opponents finally realizing that it’s futile to try shooting over his xenomorph-sized arms. During his minutes, teams are attempting just 26.7% of their shots within 4 feet of the basket, which would be the second-lowest percentage league-wide, only behind Boston at 24.7%. More importantly, opponents are shooting just 59.8% at the rim with Wemby on the floor, which would be the only sub-60% mark in the league in comparison to team-wide stats.
He’s truly a one-man defense. In the play below, Wemby’s presence spooked two Pacers from shooting before stuffing Siakam.
Wemby will probably go down as the most dominant defensive player ever when his career is over.
What makes Wemby great isn’t just his length. Rather, it’s his combination of length, agility, and motor that truly makes him one of one. Wemby’s ability to move like a wing gives him the greatest margin for error in league history, and his desire to block every shot means that, well, every possible shot will be blocked.
For players not named Wemby, the total potential value provided on offense and defense might lean 60/40 towards offense. However, Wemby breaks that scale and provides a value of 60 on defense alone, when everyone else is maxed at 40. It’s truly akin to a video game where you can exceed the health limits, especially considering that his offense is starting to reach elite levels too.
Compared to his first two seasons, Wemby’s offensive game hasn’t taken a massive leap in any one area: he didn’t come into the year with an unstoppable skyhook or start shooting 45% from deep. Rather, it’s his decision-making, processing speed, and strength that have improved, and he’s combined the friendlier shot diet from his rookie year with the efficiency jump from his sophomore campaign. Wemby’s back to attempting 37% of his shots around the basket and just 29% from deep (near identical with his first year) while converting on 74% and 35% of those attempts (similar to his second year).
Yet, his true shooting is up to 61.6% this year — the first time he’s been above league-average in efficiency among centres. Wemby has prioritized being a play finisher instead of a creator, highlighted by a career-high 2.63 dunks per game and a career-low in three-point rate. As a result, he’s averaging by far the most points per 36 minutes of his young career with 29.8, up from 26.3 last year.
Even so, Wemby’s greatest offensive weapon is the open shots he creates for his teammates. With the Alien on the court, San Antonio has a 121.6 offensive rating — a number only eclipsed by Denver this year. The Spurs’ shot chart in his minutes is an analytics nerd’s dream: they attempt 36.1% of their shots at the rim (87th percentile) and 14% from corner threes (98th). That latter number is a full percentage more than the #1 team in generating corner threes this year and is actually the highest number in NBA history. The Spurs are also converting on 40.7% of those attempts, which is 2% above the league average. I’d usually consider that to be unsustainable since opposing teams usually have little control over opponent three-point percentages, but Wemby creates such open looks that San Antonio’s conversion rate might actually have staying power.
Look at how insane Wemby’s gravity is now
He touched the ball and literally three defenders collapse onto him
But his processing time is so quick now that he catches it with one handed and instantly rifles it out, leaving the defense unbalanced and susceptible to some swings pic.twitter.com/79qlmcjJo3
— Point Made Basketball (@pointmadebball) March 26, 2026
Wemby’s gravity extends out to three as well. He’s currently making a sub-par 34.8% from deep, but his ability to get hot and hit a flurry of triples forces opposing big men to guard him on the perimeter, opening up driving lanes for others. That’s a match made in heaven for the Spurs’ three-headed backcourt monster, as Castle, Fox, and Harper are all excellent slashers. For example, Wemby’s gravity forces Bam to guard on the perimeter in the clip below, allowing Harper to attack and finish over a smaller defender.
The Spurs’ +17.1 net rating with Wemby on the court is the highest number amongst all players this season, proving that he’s arguably the best player in the world already. Throughout league history, only a handful of players were considered to be in that realm during their age-22 seasons: LeBron, Kareem, Magic, Shaq, Duncan, Oscar, and Jordan. Wemby is well on his way to joining that pantheon of greats, but he’ll need to go through the crucible of the playoffs to truly establish himself as the top dog. Still, given what we’ve seen so far, no one should be surprised if he’s the undisputed #1 in a few months.
Castle’s stunning leap
I was extremely down on Castle last season. His passing was just meh for a guard, and the less said about his shooting and efficiency, the better. I viewed him as more of a Marcus Smart trick or treat type player rather than one destined for stardom.
Well, Castle’s made me eat crow this year, and I couldn’t be happier.
He’s now up to 57.4% true shooting (from 52.2), right around the league average for guards. Castle’s 13 drives per game rank 20th league-wide, and he’s scoring on a robust 48% on those attempts. The sophomore is among the very best at pressuring the rim, with 44% of his shots coming within 4 feet of the basket (93rd percentile among guards). He still shoots an average percentage from there (63%) and most areas of the court, but that’s still a huge improvement from last year, and Castle’s percentages have been aided by the fact that he attempts so many shots in the most efficient area of the court.
More importantly, the way Castle scores has changed. His jump in efficiency is mostly attributed to a plethora of moves he’s refined, and Castle is much better at utilizing his functional athleticism now. He’s one of the very best in the league at using explosiveness, strength, and power to get to the rim and finish through contact if needed. Castle’s exceptional body control allows him to change speeds and directions in an instant, with most defenders unable to react and recover quickly enough to keep up.
Even with his scoring improvements, the biggest leap Castle’s made this year has been his playmaking. He went from a 23% assist percentage last year (74th percentile) to 33.9% now (99th), resulting in him averaging 7.3 assists per game — a top 10 mark league-wide. Castle has learned how to read defenses and patiently wait for opponents to commit before finding an opening, and he utilizes his rim pressure to kick out to open shooters.
Castle is one of the league’s most efficient passers as well. He’s top 10 in points created from assists (19.3) and top 15 in potential assists, but outside the top 30 in passes made per game. In other words, the numbers imply that Castle might be capable of becoming more of a heliocentric guard if given the opportunity, but the one area that holds him back is his turnover rate: he has a 2.25 to 1 assist-to-turnover ratio, and is also turning the ball over on 15.9% of all individual possessions (7th percentile).
On top of that, Castle is still a questionable shooter at best. He’s making 32.3% of his triples this year (up from 28.5% last year), and while he made over 40% of them in March, the overall body of work suggests that he’s still a below-average shooter — especially for a guard. Still, his combination of scoring, passing, and All-defense level of two-way ability makes Castle a top-40, borderline All-Star now, and I already consider him the second-best player on the Spurs with the potential to make an All-NBA team in the near future. Whether or not Castle reaches those heights and proves himself capable as a lead ballhandler remains to be seen, but it might be a moot point considering that San Antonio has an even better guard prospect lying in wait.
The X-Factor: A rookie?
The basketball gods have a chosen son, and it’s the Spurs. To luck into Wemby after a tanking season is one thing, but getting the second pick with the 8th-best odds in a loaded draft is a whole new level of favoritism.
Harper has come as advertised. He was one of the league’s craftiest drivers and finishers from day one, and has only improved since. Many of his underlying numbers are comparable, if not better, than Castle’s this season, with both being drive-first guards with questionable shooting.
Harper is attempting 50% of his shots at the rim (98th percentile for a guard) and making 63% of those attempts (50th), while being lethal in all other areas inside the arc. The rookie is converting on a mind-blowing 56.5% of his twos, which ranks in the 86th percentile for his position. Harper’s 8.4 drives per game is already above average league-wide, and that number would easily be in the top 20 if he played starter minutes. More impressively, his 55.3% conversion rate on such possessions is 12th league-wide among all players with 500 or more drives this year.
Looking at the tape, it’s easy to see why. Harper has some of the best footwork in the league, and he’s able to get past defenders even after picking up his dribble — very Manu and Hakeem-esque.
Another skill that separates Harper is his decision-making and ball-handling. The rookie’s 10.5% turnover rate is in the 77th percentile for all guards, and he has a robust 2.8 to 1 assist-to-turnover ratio that’s well ahead of players such as Cade, Harden, and Shai in their first few years in the league.
Like Castle, though, Harper’s biggest weakness is his inconsistent long-range shooting. He’s made just 32.1% of his triples this year, and while that number was 53.7% in March, Harper’s history suggests that his recent form is an unsustainable hot stretch. Even if his jumper never becomes a weapon, I would still bet on Harper becoming an All-NBA player through his combination of elite two-point efficiency, reliable playmaking, and solid defense. He’s already good enough to play a crucial role in a potential Spurs run, and Harper could be the team’s second-best player as soon as next season. If the jumper does develop, he seems like a virtual lock to be a top-15 player in the league for years to come.
Fox and the role players
Fox: Fox is the more mature version of Castle and Harper in many ways. He’s also top-30 in drives per game (12) and is tied with Harper in field goal percentage on drives (55.3%), and they’re ranked first and second, respectively, in drive FG% since January 1st. The Spurs’ depth has allowed Fox to scale back, as his 27.1% usage is the second-lowest rate of his career. Inversely, that has helped him record the second-highest true shooting percentage of his career (58.1%), although his 3-point shooting remains hit or miss (33.7%). Still, Fox is a vital part of this team even with the emergence of Harper and Castle, as he brings a stable presence and is the Spurs’ go-to perimeter option in crunch time. He could be moved in the next few years to make room for Harper, but for now, Fox remains a crucial piece who’s still playing at an All-Star level.
The wing shooters: Vassell, Champagnie, Barnes, and Johnson are the support pieces that elevate San Antonio’s ceiling. The four of them have all bought into their roles, and the spacing they provide makes life easy for Wemby and the guards on drives. They’re making a combined 38.5% from deep on 20.9 attempts a game, helping mitigate some of the shooting concerns of the guards. All four wings are also adequate defenders with some off-the-dribble game, which means that the Spurs don’t have a single liability on either end of the court.
Kornet: One of the more underappreciated players this season, Kornet has been vital in keeping the Spurs competitive in the non-Wemby minutes. Remember, the Alien is averaging 29 minutes per game and has logged just 1784 total minutes — less than 50% of the team’s total minutes this year. With Kornet on and Wemby off, the Spurs still have a solid 114.4 defensive rating (64th percentile) and a +3.6 net rating with a 118.0 offense. He’s the main reason why San Antonio can afford to save Wemby for the playoffs, and will continue to play a vital role moving forward.
Conclusion
The Spurs are a bonafide title contender, full stop. Wemby is an all-time defense unto himself, and the offense has been elite, too. The fit between the three guards has also been more seamless than expected due to the combination of their rim pressure with the spacing provided by Wemby in the middle and the wings in the corners.
Still, San Antonio’s lack of playoff experience is a reasonable concern, along with the absence of an elite #2 option. Recent champions all had a second All-NBA-calibre player on the roster, and while Castle and Fox (and perhaps Harper) can reach those heights on any given night, none of them have consistently played at that level this year.
For now, I’d consider the Spurs to be beneath OKC in the contender tiers, but they’re the clear #2 and the biggest threat to the defending champs. San Antonio reminds me more of the 2024 one-seed Thunder that lost in the second round than the 2025 champs, but with Wemby on their side, there is no ceiling high enough for this team.
The Spurs are fated to win a title in the near future. The only question that remains is when.
This week, please check out Mateo’s article on Harper’s rookie season! He does a great job of diving even deeper into the numbers and shows just why we’re all so high on Harper’s potential.
Tommy Lloyd went into Leonardo DiCaprio mode on Friday and said the words every Arizona basketball fan must love to hear: He’s not leaving.
“I'm happy to announce I'm staying at Arizona,” Lloyd said, ahead of his Wildcats facing Michigan in the Final Four in a battle of 1-seeds.
Lloyd called North Carolina a “one of one” job and said it’s an “honor to even be considered for that job,” but he’s agreed to a contract extension at Arizona that runs through the 2031 season.
Unlike Lloyd, May hasn’t said the magic words — or announced the magic contract agreement — to extinguish North Carolina speculation. “I think it's well-documented how happy I am at Michigan,” May said.
Could he be even happier at UNC? He’d be the home-run choice, if so.
This really isn’t about job ceiling, because May, 49, already has proven he can thrive at Michigan and perform at the highest level.
The most logical move for May would seem to be to keep crushing it at Michigan, until such time that the NBA comes calling, if that’s a move that would interest him.
Billy Donovan, Chicago Bulls
Does Donovan want to return to college basketball? That’s the key question. If he does, now would be a good time to go, with a blue-blood job available, and his Bulls tenure stalling out.
At one time, Donovan was the best in the college basketball business. A lot’s changed within college sports since then. How would he fare in the pay-for-play and perpetual free agency era that college basketball finds itself in now?
That’s not to say Donovan, 60, wouldn’t be a great hire if he can negotiate a breakup with the Bulls. We just don’t know for sure how it would look, as compared to May, who's a proven commodity in this ecosystem.
Hiring Donovan would come with a hint of risk, given his 11 years away from college basketball, but the potential reward is obvious, too. He’s a high-level coach with national title rings.
Mark Byington, Vanderbilt
Once you get past the flashier names on this list, you realize Byington, 49, would be a really compelling choice.
Consider this:
∎ He’s from Virginia, and he played at UNC-Wilmington, so he knows the terrain.
∎ He’s been an assistant inside the ACC, so he knows the conference.
∎ He was a smashing success at James Madison, and he rectified Vanderbilt’s program.
∎ His career keeps trending up.
Sure, he’s never made a Sweet 16, but he’s never been at a program like North Carolina, either.
Todd Golden and Nate Oats had never been to a Sweet 16 before coaching at Florida and Alabama, respectively. Now, they’re two of the best coaches in the sport.
No telling how Byington would handle the scrutiny and expectations of UNC, but here’s a chance to catch someone on his way up.
Ben McCollum, Iowa
Speaking of an elevator that’s on the way up, McCollum, 44, keeps climbing.
Just two years ago, he was at Division II Northwest Missouri State, where he won four national championships. In one year at Drake, his Bulldogs reached the NCAA’s second round. Then, he took Iowa to the Elite Eight in Year 1.
With only one season of Power Four experience, there’d be risk baked into this choice. Plus, McCollum is an Iowa native who’s never coached east of the Mississippi River. Makes you wonder about fit, but winning fits anywhere, and McCollum wins. Google it. He profiles as a good fallback plan if higher profile targets say no.
Two other names to consider: Grant McCasland (Texas Tech), Nate Oats (Alabama). Both are established winners who enjoy great situations right where they are, but UNC is a powerful ego stroke.
For those building their cards, here are the model’s top NBA picks for Friday, April 3.
Celtics vs Bucks computer picks for April 3
Celtics
Bucks
Tatum o22.5 points -112
Turner u10.5 points -105
Queta o8.5 rebounds -130
Kuzma u1.5 3-pointers -120
White o4.5 assists -105
Rollins o5.5 assists -145
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Celtics computer picks
Jayson Tatum Over 22.5 points (-112)
Projection: 23.5 points
Jayson Tatum has cleared the 22.5-point line in five of his last 10 games, and this sets up as another strong scoring night against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Milwaukee has been more vulnerable defensively on the wing, especially against versatile scorers who can operate at all three levels.
Tatum’s ability to create off the dribble, attack mismatches, and stretch the floor puts constant pressure on a Bucks defense that has shown cracks, particularly in transition and perimeter coverage.
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Neemias Queta Over 8.5 rebounds (-130)
Projection: 9.9 rebounds
The Boston Celtics rank sixth in the league in offensive rebounding on the road this season, and Neemias Queta has capitalized, clearing the 8.5 rebounds line in six of his last 10 games.
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Derrick White Over 4.5 assists (-105)
Projection: 5.2 assists
Derrick White has surpassed 4.5 assists in five of his last 10 games, and the matchup against the Bucks sets up well for another strong showing.
White is a key facilitator for Boston, consistently running pick-and-rolls and creating open looks for teammates. Against a Bucks defense that has struggled to contain perimeter ball handlers, he should find ample opportunities to distribute the ball effectively.
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Bucks computer picks
Myles Turner Under 10.5 points (-105)
Projection: 10.4 points
Tonight’s matchup against the Celtics presents a tough challenge for Myles Turner. Boston has allowed the second-fewest points per game to opposing starting power forwards this season (14.5), making it difficult for Turner to hit the Over on his points prop.
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Kyle Kuzma Under 1.5 3-pointers (-120)
Projection: 1.2 3-pointers
The Celtics have operated at the slowest pace in the league this season, which will likely limit possessions for the Bucks and reduce opportunities for Kyle Kuzma, who has hit the Under in six of his last 10 games on a 1.5 made threes line.
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Ryan Rollins Over 5.5 assists (-145)
Projection: 5.8 assists
Ryan Rollins has gone Over 5.5 assists in six of his last 10 games, and tonight’s matchup against the Celtics provides an opportunity for him to continue that trend.
Rollins thrives when he can push the pace in transition or exploit mismatches in half-court sets. With his teammates hitting shots around him, every made basket increases the chance for secondary assists, boosting his potential to surpass 5.5 assists once again.
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How to watch Celtics vs Bucks tonight
Location
Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
Date
Friday, April 3, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBCSB, FDSN-WI
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Celtics
Bucks