Memphis Grizzlies (23-36, 11th in the Western Conference) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (38-23, fourth in the Western Conference)
Minneapolis; Tuesday, 8 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Minnesota heads into a matchup against Memphis as winners of three games in a row.
The Timberwolves are 23-17 in conference games. Minnesota is sixth in the Western Conference with 26.5 assists per game led by Julius Randle averaging 5.4.
The Grizzlies are 18-23 in conference matchups. Memphis is sixth in the Western Conference with 11.6 offensive rebounds per game led by Zach Edey averaging 3.9.
The Timberwolves' 14.1 made 3-pointers per game this season are only 0.1 fewer made shots on average than the 14.2 per game the Grizzlies allow. The Grizzlies average 13.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.1 more made shots on average than the 12.4 per game the Timberwolves give up.
The teams meet for the fourth time this season. The Grizzlies won 137-128 in the last matchup on Feb. 3.
TOP PERFORMERS: Rudy Gobert is scoring 10.9 points per game and averaging 11.5 rebounds for the Timberwolves. Anthony Edwards is averaging 28.6 points and 5.2 rebounds over the last 10 games.
Cam Spencer is scoring 11.4 points per game and averaging 2.6 rebounds for the Grizzlies. GG Jackson is averaging 1.9 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Timberwolves: 7-3, averaging 117.5 points, 43.4 rebounds, 25.9 assists, 9.4 steals and 6.3 blocks per game while shooting 49.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.8 points per game.
Grizzlies: 3-7, averaging 117.7 points, 37.3 rebounds, 28.7 assists, 12.9 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 48.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 121.0 points.
INJURIES: Timberwolves: None listed.
Grizzlies: Taj Gibson: out (coach decision), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: out for season (finger), Ja Morant: out (elbow), Zach Edey: out (ankle), Ty Jerome: out (thigh), Cedric Coward: out (knee), Santi Aldama: out (injury management), Brandon Clarke: out (calf).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: The San Antonio Spurs take on the Philadelphia 76ers in non-conference action.
The 76ers have gone 16-15 at home. Philadelphia has a 14-20 record against opponents over .500.
The Spurs are 22-11 on the road. San Antonio ranks third in the Western Conference with 16.5 fast break points per game led by Stephon Castle averaging 3.0.
The 76ers score 116.4 points per game, 4.6 more points than the 111.8 the Spurs allow. The Spurs average 13.1 made 3-pointers per game this season, the same that the 76ers give up.
TOP PERFORMERS: Tyrese Maxey is averaging 29.1 points, 6.8 assists and two steals for the 76ers. VJ Edgecombe is averaging 17.2 points and 6.7 rebounds over the last 10 games.
Victor Wembanyama is averaging 23.7 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.9 blocks for the Spurs. Devin Vassell is averaging 2.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: 76ers: 4-6, averaging 114.1 points, 41.1 rebounds, 22.9 assists, 10.9 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 45.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.1 points per game.
Spurs: 9-1, averaging 123.4 points, 45.9 rebounds, 32.0 assists, 8.2 steals and 6.9 blocks per game while shooting 49.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.9 points.
INJURIES: 76ers: Johni Broome: out (knee), Joel Embiid: out (oblique).
Spurs: David Jones Garcia: out for season (ankle), Mason Plumlee: out (reconditioning).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Oklahoma City Thunder (47-15, first in the Western Conference) vs. Chicago Bulls (25-36, 12th in the Eastern Conference)
Chicago; Tuesday, 8 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Matas Buzelis and the Chicago Bulls host the Oklahoma City Thunder in a non-conference matchup.
The Bulls have gone 16-17 in home games. Chicago is fifth in the Eastern Conference with 51.5 points per game in the paint led by Josh Giddey averaging 8.3.
The Thunder are 22-8 in road games. Oklahoma City averages 119.2 points and has outscored opponents by 11.3 points per game.
The Bulls' 14.7 made 3-pointers per game this season are only 0.5 more made shots on average than the 14.2 per game the Thunder allow. The Thunder average 13.6 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.4 fewer makes per game than the Bulls give up.
TOP PERFORMERS: Buzelis is averaging 15.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks for the Bulls. Collin Sexton is averaging 11.6 points over the last 10 games.
Cason Wallace is scoring 8.8 points per game and averaging 3.2 rebounds for the Thunder. Isaiah Joe is averaging 15.9 points and 3.3 rebounds over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Bulls: 1-9, averaging 108.8 points, 41.2 rebounds, 25.4 assists, 9.5 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 45.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.6 points per game.
Thunder: 7-3, averaging 113.9 points, 45.0 rebounds, 25.7 assists, 9.4 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.9 points.
INJURIES: Bulls: Anfernee Simons: out (wrist), Noa Essengue: out for season (shoulder), Jaden Ivey: out (knee), Patrick Williams: out (quadriceps), Zach Collins: out for season (toe), Jalen Smith: out (calf).
Thunder: Ajay Mitchell: out (abdomen), Branden Carlson: out (back), Jalen Williams: out (hamstring), Thomas Sorber: out for season (knee).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: Toronto hosts New York looking to stop its three-game home slide.
The Raptors are 4-9 against Atlantic Division opponents. Toronto has a 7-4 record in games decided by less than 4 points.
The Knicks are 26-15 in Eastern Conference play. New York is sixth in the Eastern Conference with 27.1 assists per game led by Jalen Brunson averaging 6.1.
The Raptors score 114.0 points per game, 2.9 more points than the 111.1 the Knicks give up. The Knicks average 5.2 more points per game (117.2) than the Raptors allow (112.0).
The teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Knicks won the last matchup 119-92 on Jan. 29. Mikal Bridges scored 30 points to help lead the Knicks to the victory.
TOP PERFORMERS: Scottie Barnes is averaging 19.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.6 blocks for the Raptors. Immanuel Quickley is averaging 3.3 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Brunson is averaging 26.7 points and 6.1 assists for the Knicks. Landry Shamet is averaging 2.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Raptors: 6-4, averaging 115.3 points, 41.7 rebounds, 27.4 assists, 9.4 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 47.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.8 points per game.
Knicks: 6-4, averaging 112.2 points, 43.7 rebounds, 27.9 assists, 8.4 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.0 points.
INJURIES: Raptors: Collin Murray-Boyles: day to day (thumb).
Knicks: Miles McBride: out (ankle).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Brooklyn Nets (15-45, 14th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Miami Heat (32-29, eighth in the Eastern Conference)
Miami; Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Brooklyn will try to break its six-game road losing streak when the Nets take on Miami.
The Heat are 16-18 against Eastern Conference opponents. Miami leads the NBA with 35.1 defensive rebounds per game led by Bam Adebayo averaging 7.8.
The Nets have gone 11-26 against Eastern Conference opponents. Brooklyn is at the bottom of the Eastern Conference scoring averaging 107.0 points per game while shooting 44.6%.
The Heat are shooting 46.3% from the field this season, 3.3 percentage points lower than the 49.6% the Nets allow to opponents. The Nets average 13.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.3 fewer makes per game than the Heat allow.
The teams square off for the second time this season. The Heat won the last meeting 106-95 on Dec. 19. Norman Powell scored 24 points to help lead the Heat to the victory.
TOP PERFORMERS: Andrew Wiggins is shooting 47.4% and averaging 16.1 points for the Heat. Adebayo is averaging 20.5 points over the last 10 games.
Day'Ron Sharpe is averaging 8.5 points and 6.7 rebounds for the Nets. Michael Porter Jr. is averaging 17.2 points and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 46.6% over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Heat: 5-5, averaging 119.0 points, 51.2 rebounds, 27.7 assists, 8.2 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 45.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.6 points per game.
Nets: 2-8, averaging 107.1 points, 38.4 rebounds, 27.3 assists, 8.7 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.8 points.
INJURIES: Heat: Nikola Jovic: day to day (back), Norman Powell: out (groin).
Nets: Nic Claxton: out (thumb), Egor Demin: out (injury management).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Phoenix Suns (34-26, seventh in the Western Conference) vs. Sacramento Kings (14-48, 15th in the Western Conference)
Sacramento, California; Tuesday, 11 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Sacramento hosts Phoenix looking to stop its seven-game home losing streak.
The Kings are 2-9 in division matchups. Sacramento is at the bottom of the league shooting 33.6% from 3-point range.
The Suns are 23-18 in conference games. Phoenix ranks third in the Western Conference giving up just 111.4 points while holding opponents to 46.9% shooting.
The Kings average 110.3 points per game, 1.1 fewer points than the 111.4 the Suns allow. The Suns average 14.6 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.5 more made shots on average than the 13.1 per game the Kings allow.
The teams play for the fourth time this season. The Suns won the last matchup 129-102 on Jan. 3. Devin Booker scored 33 points to help lead the Suns to the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: DeMar DeRozan is averaging 18.2 points and four assists for the Kings. Maxime Raynaud is averaging 14.6 points over the last 10 games.
Royce O'Neale is shooting 41.7% and averaging 10.1 points for the Suns. Collin Gillespie is averaging 3.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Kings: 2-8, averaging 109.4 points, 44.5 rebounds, 26.1 assists, 9.3 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 44.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 124.8 points per game.
Suns: 4-6, averaging 103.7 points, 44.1 rebounds, 22.6 assists, 8.8 steals and 3.3 blocks per game while shooting 42.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.2 points.
INJURIES: Kings: Domantas Sabonis: out for season (back), Dylan Cardwell: out (ankle), De'Andre Hunter: out for season (eye), Zach LaVine: out for season (finger), Keegan Murray: out (ankle).
Suns: Jordan Goodwin: out (calf), Devin Booker: out (hip), Dillon Brooks: out (hand), Haywood Highsmith: out (knee).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Dallas Mavericks (21-39, 12th in the Western Conference) vs. Charlotte Hornets (30-31, 10th in the Eastern Conference)
Charlotte, North Carolina; Tuesday, 7 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Charlotte heads into a matchup with Dallas as winners of four straight games.
The Hornets have gone 13-16 at home. Charlotte is third in the Eastern Conference with 12.8 offensive rebounds per game led by Moussa Diabate averaging 3.7.
The Mavericks are 7-20 on the road. Dallas gives up 117.7 points to opponents and has been outscored by 3.8 points per game.
The Hornets average 15.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 3.7 more made shots on average than the 12.2 per game the Mavericks give up. The Mavericks average 113.9 points per game, 0.9 more than the 113.0 the Hornets give up to opponents.
The teams meet for the second time this season. The Hornets won 123-121 in the last matchup on Jan. 30.
TOP PERFORMERS: LaMelo Ball is shooting 40.1% and averaging 19.3 points for the Hornets. Brandon Miller is averaging 22.1 points over the last 10 games.
Klay Thompson is shooting 38.7% and averaging 11.5 points for the Mavericks. Max Christie is averaging 1.7 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Hornets: 7-3, averaging 116.5 points, 47.5 rebounds, 26.3 assists, 8.8 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 45.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.1 points per game.
Mavericks: 2-8, averaging 114.4 points, 42.3 rebounds, 24.1 assists, 7.3 steals and 3.5 blocks per game while shooting 47.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 123.7 points.
INJURIES: Hornets: None listed.
Mavericks: Naji Marshall: out (finger), Dereck Lively II: out for season (foot), Klay Thompson: day to day (adductor), Kyrie Irving: out for season (knee), Cooper Flagg: out (foot), P.J. Washington: out (ankle), Marvin Bagley III: out (neck).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: Los Angeles plays Golden State in Western Conference action Monday.
The Warriors are 21-18 in conference games. Golden State is eighth in the Western Conference scoring 115.6 points while shooting 46.2% from the field.
The Clippers are 18-18 in conference play. Los Angeles is at the bottom of the Western Conference recording only 23.6 assists per game led by Kawhi Leonard averaging 3.7.
The Warriors are shooting 46.2% from the field this season, 0.4 percentage points lower than the 46.6% the Clippers allow to opponents. The Clippers are shooting 47.9% from the field, 0.6% higher than the 47.3% the Warriors' opponents have shot this season.
The teams meet for the third time this season. The Clippers won 103-102 in the last meeting on Jan. 6. Leonard led the Clippers with 24 points, and Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 27 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Brandin Podziemski is averaging 12.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists for the Warriors. Moses Moody is averaging 15.9 points over the last 10 games.
John Collins is scoring 13.8 points per game and averaging 5.2 rebounds for the Clippers. Leonard is averaging 1.9 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Warriors: 4-6, averaging 110.2 points, 42.6 rebounds, 31.0 assists, 9.8 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 46.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.6 points per game.
Clippers: 5-5, averaging 109.1 points, 39.9 rebounds, 23.2 assists, 9.1 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 48.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.6 points.
INJURIES: Warriors: Kristaps Porzingis: day to day (illness), Jimmy Butler III: out for season (knee), Stephen Curry: out (knee), Seth Curry: out (back), Will Richard: day to day (ankle).
Clippers: Bradley Beal: out for season (hip), Darius Garland: out (toe).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers in scoring on Sunday. (Jessie Alcheh / Associated Press)
Kawhi Leonard scored 23 points and the Clippers beat the New Orleans Pelicans 137-117 on Sunday night to end a three-game losing streak.
Ninth in the Western Conference, the Clippers improved to 28-31. The Pelicans are 13th in the West at 19-43.
New Orleans star Zion Williamson sat out after injuring his right ankle at Utah on Saturday night. He had played a career-high 35 straight games.
The Clippers never trailed. They led 43-32 after the first quarter and had a 76-70 advantage at the half. It was 107-94 after three, and the Clippers stretched the margin to 26 in the fourth.
Jordan Miller added 19 points for the Clippers. Derrick Jones Jr. had 17, Brook Lopez 16 and John Collins 15.
While Leonard went one of seven from three-point range, the Clippers were 17 of 36 overall. Lopez was four for six, and Jones and Kobe Sanders were each three for four.
Jeremiah Fears led New Orleans with 28 points, hitting five of six three-pointers. Derik Queen scored 19 points, Dejounte Murray had 17, and Trey Murphy III added 16 after missing five games because of a right shoulder injury.
LeBron James had 24 points against Nique Clifford and the Kings during the Lakers' win Sunday at Crypto.com Arena. (Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times)
The search for sustained consistency remained a focus for the Lakers on Sunday against a Sacramento Kings team with the NBA's worst record.
And it helped that the Lakers were completely healthy against the Kings, something that has eluded them nearly all season.
Behind strong efforts from Luka Doncic and LeBron James, the Lakers defeated the struggling Kings 128-104 at Crypto.com Arena in their second straight blowout win.
Doncic, one of five Lakers to score in double figures, scored 28 points on 10-for-16 shooting. He made four three-pointers and had nine assists and five rebounds.
James, who played after initially being listed as questionable because of arthritis in his left foot, scored 24 points in 27 minutes on eight-for-15 shooting. He made a trio of threes and had five assists.
Deandre Ayton and Austin Reaves both had 12 points and Luke Kennard had 11 points off the bench. Rui Hachimura played 22 minutes off the bench and had eight points and two rebounds after missing the previous two games because of illness.
Nique Clifford led the Kings (14-48) with 26 points and had seven rebounds.
The Lakers are 3-3 since the All-Star break with 28- and 24-point wins after three straight losses.
“Again, just the world is falling for us 19 times (after double-digit losses this season),” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “ It’s just part of the nature of this cycle and our guys. ... Our guys bounced back and responded well throughout the season. Tied in the lost column for fifth (with Denver in the Western Conference) and a couple games out of third with a number of these teams coming up that are right there with us. So, we just are going to keep plugging away.”
Lakers forward Jake LaRavia, top, and Sacramento forward Precious Achiuwa battle for the ball during the Lakers' win Sunday. (Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times)
Just as in Saturday's win at Golden State, the Lakers (36-24) benefited from strong shooting. They shot 50% from the field and 46% from three-point range.
One of the most exciting plays happened in the first quarter when Marcus Smart dived for a loose ball and, while prone on his back, passed to James. The Lakers star then passed to a hustling Austin Reaves, who took a few dribbles to get a Kings defender to commit before making an alley-oop pass to James for a two-handed, rim-hanging dunk.
The crowd was whipped into a frenzy. The Kings called a timeout, allowing the Lakers and their fans to soak in the moment.
Lakers star Luka Doncic celebrates after a three-pointer by teammate Rui Hachimura against the Kings on Sunday. (Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times)
There was another play in the third quarter in which Doncic slipped and almost fell down, losing control of the ball. But Doncic regained his balance and the ball before shooting an off-balance three-pointer that gave the Lakers a 24-point lead.
“Ah, yeah, it was on purpose,” Doncic said about falling down. “I tripped on purpose and it was, how do you say, the 'And-1 Mixtape,' that’s what they said on the bench. So, I did it on purpose.”
Doncic smiled.
It was that kind of night for the Lakers, a game full of highlights and fun that allowed Redick to empty his bench in the fourth quarter.
“Yeah, obviously it was two great wins, but we just got to go game by game,” Doncic said. “Obviously there’s a lot of noise outside, but like tonight, we can’t pay attention to that. ... I thought we played great.”
Maxi Kleber was another standout for the Lakers, making all three of his shots for six points. He also had six rebounds and a block.
His two lob dunks left his Lakers teammates celebrating from the bench.
“Every time I do something, you know, you look to the bench, everybody's celebrating,” Kleber said. “So, obviously it's a good push for me, a good push for the team.”
HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 12: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets drives against Kyshawn George #18 and Tre Johnson #12 of the Washington Wizards during the second half at Toyota Center on November 12, 2025 in Houston, 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 Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Houston Rockets head to the nation’s capital to take on the Washington Wizards tonight.
With Washington’s injury list (see below), Washington’s mascot G-Wiz might have to play some minutes for the home team. He’s still recovering from the cheap shot that Jaxson Hayes gave him earlier this season.
March is generally the month where there are a lot of wonky results. Good teams are trying to win games to better position themselves for the playoffs while bad teams are trying to tank and get the best possible odds for the lottery. But the players aren’t tanking, and there are always some wonky results in March. By April, even the tanking teams have given up the ghost and fill their teams with G-Leaguers and 10-day contracts.
The point is that the Rockets have the 17th-easiest schedule the rest of the way, which is the second-easiest among the teams pushing for the third seed in the Western Conference. This is one of Houston’s gimmes left on the schedule. They have to take care of business against the bottom of the league, or else it’ll throw Rockets fans into a panic once again.
DALLAS, TX - MARCH 1: Caleb Martin #16 of the Dallas Mavericks dribbles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 1, 2026 at American Airlines Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks started the month of March hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder. Still without Cooper Flagg as they closed out their homestand, Dallas fell 100-87 to the league’s best team.
Let’s get to the grades!
Brandon Williams: B
14 PTS / 3 REB / 3 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 24 MIN
Williams wasn’t exactly hot on 5-for-12 shooting, but did some nice things to drive and break down the defense a bit (though some of his misses were point blank). He put up a generally solid game against a very good team.
Max Christie: B
14 PTS / 7 REB / 0 AST / 2 STL / 0 BLK – 35 MIN
Christie quietly had himself a good night. He knocked in five of his 11 shots including going 4-for-8 from deep. He turned it over twice relative to zero assists, but did have two steals and did some of the little things you like to see. He didn’t get to the line at all, and it would be nice to see him driving a bit more to earn those free throws. He has been at his best this season when not exclusively camping out on the perimeter.
Caleb Martin: B+
18 PTS / 3 REB / 0 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 31 MIN
Martin was Dallas’ shining star, which should tell you all you need to know. That’s not intended to be a dig, as he did have himself a nice game, however Martin as your leading scorer is indicative of an odd night indeed. He was 6-for-11including a hot 3-for-5 from downtown. Oddly, his 3-for-6 on free throws were the worst aspect of his shooting.
Khris Middleton: D
4 PTS / 2 REB / 3 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 25 MIN
Middleton is significantly better than what he showed tonight. This is a “toss it away and start fresh” type of game. He was 2-for-10 shooting overall including 0-for-3 from deep and somehow committed five fouls.
Daniel Gafford: C
8 PTS / 7 REB / 2 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 22 MIN
It’s coming to a point where maybe I have to accept what was heretofore unacceptable to me – that Gafford is not a natural rebounder. However, in exactly six more minutes, Gafford pulled in five fewer rebounds than Moussa Cisse, his backup. Shooting only 3-for-9 from the floor didn’t help things. Gafford is too big and too athletic to not be doing more with the opportunities he has.
Klay Thompson: N/A
7 PTS / 0 REB / 1 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 15 MIN
Thompson doesn’t qualify for a grade in only 15 minutes of play, though his shooting was likely trending toward lower marks as he was 3-for-8 from the floor and 1-for-5 from deep. The real story for Thompson tonight was an adductor contusion that caused him to check out and not return. Time will tell how long he will remain sidelined.
Moussa Cisse: B
0 PTS / 12 REB / 0 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 21 MIN
Cisse was a rebound machine, grabbing nine in his first nine minutes of play and ending with 12 total. In one of the most bizarre stat lines you will ever see, Cisse did one thing spectacularly well, while doing nothing else. He turned it over twice while committing a single foul and was impossibly only one of two players with a plus/minus in the black, joining Ryan Nembhard with a plus-1.
Final Thoughts
The Mavs faired much better than could reasonably have been expected against OKC, but that was largely because the Thunder played with their food rather than stepping on the gas. At any moment, the Mavs could have, and did, roll out a lineup nearly exclusively of two-way or former two-way players against the team with the best record in the league. As always, Dallas played hard, but it was ultimately for naught against a much healthier and much more seasoned and experienced defending-champion team.
I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 1: Gabe Vincent #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass the ball during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 1, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
For the second time in as many nights, the Lakers blew out a Pacific Division foe. LA surged out to a big lead in the first quarter, withstood a small comeback attempt in the third and then cruised to a 128-104 win over the Kings.
Much like Saturday’s win in Golden State, LA fell behind briefly at the very start, took the lead and then never came close to trailing again. After opening up a double-digit lead just past the midway point of the first, the margin never dipped into single digits again.
The Lakers shot 50% from the field and 46.2% from three while assisting on 34 of their 47 field goals.
The game started with the midrange master DeMar DeRozan converting on a jumper. However, those were the only points the Kings could muster, as the Lakers were on a roll, scoring 10 in a row. Austin Reaves connected with LeBron James for an explosive alley-oop that started with excellent defense from Marcus Smart.
Nique Clifford and Russell Westbrook scored layups to stop some of the bleeding for Sacramento. Clifford was leading the Kings with six points. Everyone in the starting five, except for Smart, scored some points for LA.
Luka Dončić made his first triple of the night, which helped extend the Lakers’ lead to 14 with 3:05 left in the first. He then knocked down another one soon after. LA ended the quarter on a 13-4 scoring run for an 18-point lead.
Luke Kennard opened the second period with a 3-pointer. Malik Monk scored a quick four in a row for the Kings. Sacramento ramped up its defense, forcing Los Angeles into sloppy play.
Smart and Luka both drained triples to restore the order. Maxi Kleber got in on the scoring as well with an emphatic dunk off an assist from Luka, which had Los Angeles’ bench losing their minds.
Things got a little spicy with Monk picking up a technical foul after a confrontation with Kleber. Deandre Ayton was a perfect 5-5 from the field for 10 points. Ayton, Reaves and Luka were all double figures for the Lakers.
Los Angeles pushed its lead to as much as 22, but 12 points from Westbrook, combined with LA’s offense cooling to 40% in the quarter, helped the Kings cut the deficit to 15 by halftime.
The Lakers lead the Kings 64-49 at the half. LA has three players in double figures, including Deandre Ayton, who is a perfect 5-5 from the field. He has 10 points.
The second half started with Clifford scoring on a triple. Ayton responded on the other end with a hook shot. Sacramento was off to a hot start in the quarter, shooting 66% from the field. Clifford and Westbrook combined for seven of the nine Kings’ points.
At the 9:06 mark, the purple and gold were nursing a 10-point lead.
Reaves connected with LeBron for a much-needed dunk to stop some of Sacramento’s momentum. That kickstarted a 10-2 scoring run, with Luka scoring five in a row, extending the Lakers’ lead to 19.
Luka really started cooking again with two triples, one of which was swished after he slipped and nearly lost the ball.
Clifford was still cooking for the Kings, and he was their leading scorer with 22 points. At the end of the third quarter, the Lakers were up by 20.
Sacramento turned the ball over to open the fourth, leading to LeBron being fouled and converting on a pair of free throws. Smart knocked down his third 3-pointer of the game.
Kleber added more to his stellar night off the bench with another thunderous dunk. After two 3-pointers from LeBron, he was subbed out, and Los Angeles’ bench closed out another blowout victory, which included a huge dunk from Adou Thiero.
Luka finished with 28 points, five rebounds and nine assists. Reaves scored 12 points with five assists and two blocks. LeBron notched 24 points with five assists and two steals. Ayton ended with 12 points on 6-6 shooting.
Kennard had 11 points, shooting 60% from three. In his first game back from an illness, Rui Hachimura finished with eight points and two rebounds.
Smart tallied nine points with three rebounds and five steals. Kleber ended with six points and six rebounds.
The Lakers’ next matchup will be against the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday at 7:30 PM PT.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 23 points and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the New Orleans Pelicans 137-117 on Sunday night to end a three-game losing streak.
Tenth in the Western Conference, the Clippers improved to 28-31. The Pelicans are 13th in the West at 19-43.
New Orleans star Zion Williamson sat out after injuring his right ankle at Utah on Saturday night. He had played a career-high 35 straight games.
Los Angeles never trailed. It led 43-32 after a quarter and had a 76-70 advantage at the half. It was 107-94 after three, and the Clippers stretched the margin to 26 in the fourth.
Jordan Miller added 19 points for Los Angeles. Derrick Jones Jr. had 17, Brook Lopez 16 and John Collins 15.
While Leonard went 1 of 7 from 3-point range, the Clippers were 17 of 36 overall. Lopez was 4 for 6, and Jones and Kobe Sanders were each 3 for 4.
Jeremiah Fears led New Orleans with 28 points, hitting 5 of 6 3-pointers. Derik Queen scored 19 points, Dejounte Murray had 17, and Trey Murphy III added 16 after missing five games because of a right shoulder injury.
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Anders Dreyer and Marcus Ingvartsen both had a goal and an assist, and rookie teenager Duran Ferree earned his second clean sheet in his second start when San Diego FC finished off a 2-0 victory over St. Louis City on Sunday night.
Dreyer used assists from Ingvartsen and Onni Valakari to send a shot past Roman Bürki and give San Diego (2-0-0) a lead in the 3rd minute.
San Diego, which finished first during the Western Conference regular season as an expansion team last year, took a two-goal lead in the 54th minute when Ingvartsen got an assist from Dreyer and scored.
Dreyer had 19 goals and 19 assists last season. He had two assists in San Diego's 5-0 romp over visiting CF Montreal to begin this season. Ingvartsen already has two assists after collecting one in eight appearances last season. Valakari totaled four goals and 11 assists during San Diego's first year.
The 19-year-old Ferree needed to make just one save to complete the shutout for San Diego after a two-save effort in the opener.
Bürki turned away four shots for St. Louis City (0-1-1). Bürki had two saves and Ferree wasn't tested in the first half.
St. Louis City was coming off a 1-1 draw with Charlotte FC on a goal by Marcel Hartel. San Diego took care of Hartel, who entered with five goals in his previous six matches dating to last season.
St. Louis City won the Western Conference regular season as an expansion team in 2023.
Up next
St. Louis City: Hosts Seattle Sounders on Saturday.
