Category: Basketball

It’s been 26 days since the Spurs last played in their home venue of the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, TX. Sure, they had a couple of “home” games in Austin to break up the annual Rodeo Road Trip a bit, but that still counts as travel and not sleeping in their own beds, so they’re part of the overall RRT record in my book, which spanned nine games, seven cities and three time zones that saw the Spurs go 8-1 overall.

If that record is triggering some nostalgia, you aren’t alone. Back in the the good ol’ days, the Stock Show and Rodeo coming to town was a good thing for the Spurs. The extended road trip always acted as bonding time and a successful launching point to get the team out of the January doldrums and into championship contention mode. In 13 of the first 14 years, beginning 2003, they had winning records (and the time they didn’t was when they 4-4 in 2010). However, the tide turned in 2018 when the team went 2-4, just trying to hold on while waiting to hear if Kawhi Leonard would return. While that group and the 2019 squad, who went 1-7, both ultimately turned things around in March and made the playoffs as the 7th seed, the RRT has gone from a defining point of the season to a lost cause ever since. Until now.

With the Spurs going undefeated in the month of February, including a huge win over tonight’s opponent, and sitting comfortably at second in the West, they look like the Spurs of yore. After an inconsistent January, they started clicking as the calendar turned to February, and they’ve been on a roll ever sense (outside of a bad showing in New York that, if their beatdown of the 76ers two nights later was any indication, was a one-off).

Now, after tying 2003 for their best RRT record ever, they head back home to welcomed six-game homestand, but it won’t be that easy. It starts tonight with the top team in the East, and the two “easiest” games will be a couple of play-in teams in the Clippers and Hornets that have been on the rise and are better than their record. It’s officially the home stretch of the season for the Spurs, and for the first time in seven years, there’s a purpose behind it beyond just proving a light at the end of the tunnel while waiting for the season to come to a merciful end.

San Antonio Spurs (44-17) vs. Detroit Pistons (45-15)

March 5, 2026 | 7:00 PM CT

Watch: FanDuel Sports | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)

Spurs injuries: Harrison Barnes — out (ankle); Mason Plumlee — out (reconditioning)

Pistons injuries: none

What to watch for

The “return home” trap game

Given the pension the Spurs had for playing down to opponents not to long ago, combined with the return home from a long road trip always being a trap game, it’s probably a good thing that this game is against one of just two teams with a better record than them. The Spurs faced the Pistons a mere ten days ago, and the game was everything it was hyped up to be: physical, chippy, and a match-up of two defensive-minded teams with good but imperfect offenses. While it took some time to adjust, Victor Wembanyama eventually figured how to use his gravitational pull on Detroit’s defense to find his open teammates, and they paid him back in kind by hitting their shots.

On the other end, the Spurs’ defense and physicality gave the Pistons problems. They couldn’t finish around Wemby, and Stephon Castle did an amazing job on Cade Cummingham all night. The Spurs have the blue print to beat the Pistons, but perhaps their biggest challenge will be to stay out of their own heads. Don’t relax just because you’re back home, and don’t think you have this figured out. Cunningham will likely be out of revenge, plus there is one other player that wasn’t there in the first match-up to watch out for…

The return of Beef Stew

The Pistons did not have Isaiah Stewart last week because he was serving a 7-game suspension after leaving the bench and fighting Miles Bridges during a brawl with the Hornets before the All-Star break. He’s back now, and while he may seem like merely a backup center whose stats don’t jump off the page, Spurs fans can attest that stats don’t always tell the entire story. Affectionately called Beef Stew, Stewart is known for his confidence, physical play and willingness to muck it up — basically your classic Detroit Bad Boy — making him a fan favorite who hearkens back memories of underdog Ben Wallace.

Everyone knows that the best hope to beating the Spurs is to make Wemby as uncomfortable as possible. While the Pistons were able to do that to an extend in their first match-up, he still found other ways to contribute. If they again have trouble truly taking him out of the game, don’t be surprised if Stewart is put on Wemby and told to not just out-physical him, but get in his head. Wemby will need to be ready for whatever is thrown at him, and just like last time, his teammates need to be ready to respond if he can’t get it going on offense. As they have shown time and again lately, the best way to do that is hit shots.

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This is the big one. The Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards.

Scroll all the way down the NBA standings, and you should be able to find these teams representing some of the very worst either conference has to offer. It’s an elderly goldfish vs a geriatric turtle. It’s coughing baby vs sneezing baby. It’s the fifth-worst Utah Jazz and fourth-worst Washington Wizards. The tagline for this blockbuster epic? Somebody’s got to win. That’s how basketball games work.

It’s professional sports’ worst-kept secret that these two teams have been gunning for lottery odds over Ws — they’ve been the usual suspects for the past few seasons, and this 2025-26 has been no exception.

Washington (16-45) has sidelined their newly acquired veteran stars, Trae Young and Anthony Davis, in an effort to lose today and win tomorrow (though Young struggles to remain sidelined at times). Though their strategy board reads only “TANK”, their new acquisitions arrived with a promise: lose today, win tomorrow.

Utah (18-44) is in a very similar trajectory since the trade deadline, though instead of banking on aging stars alongside their budding young core, the Jazz plug 27-year-old Jaren Jackson Jr. into their roster to pair with their youngsters and whatever you’d consider Lauri Markkanen to be. But with JJJ, Markkanen, and Kessler all out with injury, the Jazz are equally keen to burn the season in hopes of adding an excellent rookie to fortify what’s already forming into a frightening roster.

Lose today, win tomorrow. But again, somebody has got to win in the nation’s capital on Thursday. It’s inescapable.

The Jazz sit 1.5 games ahead of the Wizards in the current standings, but a Washington victory would cut the difference to just 0.5 games. Danny Ainge salivates. Austin Ainge continues to pretend that the Jazz don’t tank. The Inside Out HQ in Adam Silver’s brain has burned to ash in a fit of unbridled rage.

Utah and Washington are currently on a combined losing streak of 13 games, and just 4.5 and 3.0 games removed from the bottomless pit of Sacramento at the very bottom of the NBA ladder.

Keyonte George is officially back from his ankle injury and back to his old ways, dropping 30-plus in both of his two games back. If George plays, this contest leans to Utah on paper, as the Wizards have already announced the absence of Kyshawn George and leading scorer, rebounder, and defender, Alex Sarr. We’ll all watch with bated breath as the injury report will likely confirm that Keyonte George has contracted polio and will be absent for the next four weeks, as the NBA rushes its medical team to Key’s hotel room to confirm the reports.

Somebody has to win, gentlemen. Now shake hands and pretend to want it.

How to watch Utah vs Washington:

Date: Thursday, March 5, 2026
Time: 5:00 PM MT
Location: Capitol One Arena, Washington, D.C.
Channel: KJZZ, Jazz+

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Calvin Barrett is a writer, editor, and prolific Mario Kart racer located in Tokyo, Japan. He has covered the NBA and College Sports since 2024.

Utah Jazz (18-44, 14th in the Western Conference) vs. Washington Wizards (16-45, 13th in the Eastern Conference)

Washington; Thursday, 7 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Wizards -2.5; over/under is 243.5

BOTTOM LINE: Utah enters the matchup against Washington after losing seven straight games.

The Wizards have gone 11-21 in home games. Washington has a 7-35 record in games decided by 10 points or more.

The Jazz are 7-23 on the road. Utah leads the Western Conference with 29.6 assists. Isaiah Collier paces the Jazz with 7.2.

The Wizards are shooting 45.9% from the field this season, 3.0 percentage points lower than the 48.9% the Jazz allow to opponents. The Jazz average 12.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.0 fewer made shot on average than the 13.9 per game the Wizards allow.

TOP PERFORMERS: Justin Champagnie is averaging 8.1 points and 5.6 rebounds for the Wizards. Bilal Coulibaly is averaging 12.3 points over the last 10 games.

Kyle Filipowski is averaging 10.1 points and 6.7 rebounds for the Jazz. Collier is averaging 16.1 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Wizards: 2-8, averaging 111.5 points, 40.2 rebounds, 24.5 assists, 9.2 steals and 5.8 blocks per game while shooting 46.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 125.0 points per game.

Jazz: 2-8, averaging 114.1 points, 43.9 rebounds, 27.0 assists, 11.3 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 45.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.5 points.

INJURIES: Wizards: Anthony Gill: day to day (illness), Jamir Watkins: day to day (foot), Anthony Davis: out for season (finger), Tristan Vukcevic: day to day (thigh), Cam Whitmore: out for season (shoulder), Kyshawn George: out (elbow), D'Angelo Russell: day to day (not injury related), Alex Sarr: out (hamstring).

Jazz: Lauri Markkanen: out (ankle), Vince Williams Jr.: out for season (acl), Walker Kessler: out for season (shoulder), Jusuf Nurkic: out for season (nose), Jaren Jackson Jr.: out for season (knee).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

NEW YORK — Chet Holmgren knew that, for the Oklahoma City Thunder, it could’ve gone the other way.

Minutes before he tried to fit his 7-foot-1 frame into a padded folding chair here at Madison Square Garden, his team escaped with a 103-100 win Wednesday, March 4 over the Knicks that didn’t come without drama.

New York whittled an eight-point deficit inside the final three minutes, eventually putting up a pair of clean looks inside the final six seconds with the chance to tie the game. The first shot was long — the second one, short.

And so, the Thunder outlasted New York in another reminder that, for Oklahoma City, things won’t come easy.

“We made enough plays down the stretch on both ends to close it out,” Holmgren told reporters. “They made some plays, too — they just didn’t quite convert. If they do, it’s a different-looking game.”

This Thunder team isn’t nearly as dominant as the one that won the championship last season. For one, Oklahoma City already has more losses (15) than it did last year (14), with 18 games still remaining. For another, points are more difficult to come by; this season’s Thunder ranks seventh in offensive rating, scoring 116.9 points per 100 possessions, after it ranked third in the league (119.2) last year.

Ultimately, it may not matter. The Thunder (49-15) remain the best team in the NBA and are a legitimate threat to become the first team to repeat as NBA champions since the Warriors did so in 2018. This is only magnified when you consider that they’ve done all this despite being saddled with injury issues since training camp.

Jalen Williams, an All-Star last season, has played just 26 games and is currently out with a strained right hamstring. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just returned from a nine-game absence. Center Isaiah Hartenstein has played just 35 games, and he left the Knicks game Wednesday midway through the third quarter with left calf tightness. Alex Caruso (left hip contusion) was also knocked out.

But as they have all season long, role players filled in.

“We’re a pretty deep team,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after the game. “With the injuries we’ve gone through this year, for us to still be in the mix for the top seed in the league and in the West is pretty impressive.”

Against the Knicks, third-year guard Cason Wallace started his 51st game of the season. He was the primary defender on Knicks All-Star Jalen Brunson and swiped 4 steals on the night. Veteran forward Kenrich Williams played just 6:13 in the game — all in the fourth quarter — and hit a big 3 early in the period that quieted a New York run.

“It just speaks to the guys that have had to step up, like Isaiah Joe, Cason — the past few weeks have transformed their game and have shown what they can be as basketball players in big roles,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Guys like myself come back and kind of diminish their role and it’s a little bit unfair. Hats off to those guys for doing whatever the team asks from them, literally. If the team asks them to do more, they do more. If the team asks them to do less, they do less.

“To win a championship, no matter how good your best players are, you need to have those guys on your team. We know that, and we’re thankful for them, for sure.”

Prior to Wednesday night’s game, Williams went through an extended shootaround session in which he moved with ease and didn’t appear hampered whatsoever. He was loose, he joked with Gilgeous-Alexander, and he laced shot after shot.

If he can stay on the floor, he’ll provide a massive boost for the Thunder on both sides, especially late in games. Williams earned All-Defensive second-team honors last season and his shot creation in the NBA Finals helped the Thunder close the Pacers.

Yet, the final 18 games of the regular season will test this team more than any stretch since winning the title. According to Tankathon.com, the Thunder have the NBA’s third-toughest remaining schedule (.535), and Oklahoma City only has a 3½-game lead on the Spurs for the top seed in the West.

And if the Thunder are to retain the No. 1 seed, it will be because of games like these — games against great teams, on the road in iconic venues — games in which the Thunder are shorthanded, for them to pave the foundation to get there.

“I don’t have pixie dust,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “It’s those guys. They’re the ones executing. They’ve got the competitive maturity at this point to understand how to win. That doesn’t mean we’ll win every game, but they understand the path you have to walk through.

“Their ability to click in the way they did tonight is a necessary skill. And it’s great for us to get experiences like this — and have success in those experiences. That’s how you build your muscle through the course of the regular season to make yourself as mentally tough as you can be.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Thunder aren't dominating NBA standings ... but still are team to beat

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 29 points, Bennedict Mathurin scored 23 on 8-for-11-shooting, and the Los Angeles Clippers won their third in a row, 130-107 over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night.

Brook Lopez had 17 points for the Clippers while Darius Garland had 12 in his first home game since being acquired in a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers last month.

Pascal Siakam had 29 points in his return after sitting out three games with a left wrist sprain to lead Indiana, but the Pacers lost their seventh in a row and fell to the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with a 15-47 record.

Jay Huff had 18 and was 4 of 8 on 3-pointers, and Jarace Walker finished with 17.

The Clippers led 42-25 after one quarter and 63-51 at halftime, with Leonard racking up 20 points. The Clippers pulled away with a 16-2 run in the third quarter to extend a seven-point lead to 21 points.

The Clippers shot 12.2 percentage points better from the field (55.1%) than the Pacers (42.9%).

Norchad Omier had only one basket but according to the Clippers, became the first Nicaraguan to score in the NBA.

Up next

Pacers: At the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.

Clippers: Visit San Antonio on Friday night.

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

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

BOSTON — For the first time in two years, when Xavier Tillman took the TD Garden parquet for his pregame shooting, he wasn’t donning Celtics green.

Instead, the 26-year-old forward wore Hornets blue, making his return to Boston for the first time since he was unexpectedly traded to the Charlotte Hornets last month.

And, from the moment he stepped onto the parquet, more than two hours before tip-off, Tillman was in reunion-mode.

First, he embraced all of the Celtics assistant and player development coaches. Then, over the course of the next 45 minutes, he caught up with former teammates, giving Baylor Scheierman and Hugo Gonzalez both big hugs, and catching up with everyone from the ball boys to the equipment staff to team security.

After his shooting workout concluded, Tillman tried to head back to the visiting locker room. But, with nearly every step he took, he ran into yet another member of the Celtics organization, and immediately broke into jovial conversation.

It was quintessential Xavier Tillman.

“[He] has great relationships with the staff,” said Joe Mazzulla.

Xavier Tillman is backing at TD Garden and catching up with some of the ball boys and arena staff pic.twitter.com/tmwFl1Q8SK

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) March 4, 2026

Tillman ultimately got a tribute video in Wednesday’s game, a 118-89 Hornets win over the Celtics. The video highlighted some of his biggest plays for the 2024 Finals, including a clutch three-pointer and a block on Luka Doncic.

Xavier Tillman gets a tribute video and loud applause from the TD Garden crowd pic.twitter.com/7bCiCBwn3k

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) March 5, 2026

He ended up getting a second major round of applause when he checked into the game with 4 minutes to play; the TD Garden crowd was eager to celebrate him despite the fact that Wednesday’s game had gone to the wayside for the Celtics.

Cool moment: with the Celtics down by 25 with 4 mins to go, Xavier Tillman is checking in for the Hornets

The TD Garden fans welcome him with applause pic.twitter.com/eIE0A5XQE7

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) March 5, 2026

Tillman looked so comfortable in reunion-mode that it was hard to believe that just a month ago, he was a member of the Celtics answering questions about his peers getting traded. Just a few weeks ago in the Dallas Mavericks visiting locker room, it was Tillman who reflected on the Anfernee Simons trade.

“They always talk about it being a business, but you build relationships with people, and you grow to really care about them and their families,” Tillman said then. “And it’s always tough to see your friends get separated from you.”

Little did he know, his tenure in Boston was also in its final days.

Inside trade deadline day for Xavier Tillman

Tillman started thinking that a trade might be coming when moves began piling up ahead of the trade deadline. First, it was the Anfernee Simons trade, which came a few days ahead of the deadline.

“I had some inklings after Ant got traded that, ‘ok, we’re making some moves,‘” Tillman said pregame on Wednesday.

Then, in the hours leading up to the deadline, the Celtics traded Josh Minott to the Brooklyn Nets and Chris Boucher to the Utah Jazz. The team was on the way home from a two-game Texas roadtrip, and Tillman was about to head home from the airport when he got word that it’d be his last day in green.

“My agent was like, ‘Yeah, I think something’s going to happen,‘” Tillman said.

After two years in Boston, Tillman’s time was up, and a new chapter in Charlotte began.

The good news? He immediately reunited with a few familiar faces: three coaches from the 2024 Celtics championship team. Former lead assistant coach Charles Lee was now the head coach in Charlotte, while player development coaches Jermaine Bucknor and Blaine Mueller were now Hornets assistants.

“Those guys welcomed me with open arms, and it’s been really seamless for me to be here on this team,” Tillman said. “The guys have welcomed me in, shown me their culture, and it’s been easy to really buy into what they got.”

Lee was especially excited to reunite with Tillman, who he loved coaching two years ago.

“My time here in Boston, being with X, he brought a joy to the building every day,” Lee said. “He works extremely hard. He gets along with his teammates, and we needed that veteran presence, someone that’s ready for 5 seconds of play, 10 seconds of play. I’ve thrown him out there for a minute, one possession.”

Lee was excited to bring in Tillman, the person, first and foremost. And, over the past few months, he’s connected with other members of the Stay Ready Group — the players mostly out of the Hornets rotation who are tasked with

“He interacts and talks about his experiences, and builds relationships with our players really well,” Lee said. “So, I was looking forward to just getting a guy who I think can help be a good veteran in our locker room, and help our young players as we continue on throughout this season or journey.”

Tillman’s presence in Charlotte has already been felt

Former Celtic Grant Williams, one of several Hornet veterans, said Tillman brings a maturity beyond his years.

“He’s one of the best locker room presences you can have in the league,” Williams said. “I bet you everyone here in Boston would say the same.”

Reflecting on Tillman’s tenure, Mazzulla stressed that, in addition to being a culture-setter, Tillman was also someone he relied on on the floor. In November, after 9 DNPs, Tillman laced up for a season-high 30 minutes in a win against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Mazzulla points to that game as a defining point in the season.

“When he did play, I thought he was impactful for us,” Mazzulla said. “He started at Cleveland on the second night of a back-to-back, and that’s kind of when we went on a run, and where I really thought we started to develop the identity that we’re trying to create and maintain now. And so, over the years, when he’s been on the floor for us, he’s been impactful.”

As Tillman looks back on his time in Boston, the 2024 championship run undoubtedly stands out.

But above that are the connections he formed off the floor.

“I just think [about] the relationships I was able to build being here,” Tillman said. “I think about guys like Jordan [Walsh], and think about guys like Payton [Pritchard] and Sam [Hauser] and Neemi[as] Queta, and then obviously, all the staff, like, those are guys who — we’re playing cards together. We’re actually building genuine bonds.”

Grant Williams said he’s already observed first-hand Tillman’s unique ability to build those relationships.

“He not only checks in on you as a human being and makes sure you’re good, he asks you personal questions,” Williams said. “He wants to know you deeply, not just as an acquaintance or as a co-worker, but also as a friend. And I think that his value stretches way further than just his time on the court.”

Over the past two years, one of the biggest beneficiaries of that support was Jordan Walsh.

“Me and X were like this,” Walsh said last month, crossing his fingers. “And so that first game back, I’m always looking for somebody to talk to, for inspo, points, or whatever it may be, and he just wasn’t there. And I was like, dang it just feels different. Everything feels different.“

On Wednesday, Tillman said he’s long rooted for Walsh’s success.

“I was one of his biggest fans, for sure, just watching him continue to develop in the games and continue to build his confidence day in and day out,” he said. “And then, even when things don’t go as well as he’d hope, [I’d] keep preaching confidence to him, because I see how good a player that he is, and that he just needs to let it shine. And so that was my biggest thing to him, is just always staying true to who he is and staying true to the work that he puts in — because he’s really good.”

Tillman, for what it’s worth, has found himself in a great landing spot. On top of the familiarity with Lee, Bucknor, and Mueller, the Hornets have been one of the NBA’s best teams of late.

Over the past two months, Charlotte has the best record in the entire league at 20-8. And, they’ve won 6 straight games by 15+ points, the longest such streak since the 2017-2018 Warriors.

In Wednesday’s match-up between the Celtics and the Hornets, he found himself on the winning side.

And, after the final buzzer, Tillman was swarmed by many of the same teammates with whom he won a championship.

Xavier Tillman is clamored by former Celtics teammates after the final buzzer pic.twitter.com/xF5PqSDBKw

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) March 5, 2026

SEATTLE (AP) — Zoom Diallo scored a career-high 26 points, Hannes Steinbach added 22 with a career-best 24 rebounds, and Washington rolled past Southern California 91-72 on Wednesday night.

Washington took the lead for good with 12:31 remaining. A 13-0 run that started with 4:33 to play pushed the Huskies' lead to 85-65 with about two minutes left. Diallo scored on a dunk and Nikola Dzepina added a 3 to end the surge.

The Huskies (15-15, 7-12 Big Ten) swept the season series against USC, and have won three of their last five. The Trojans (18-12, 7-12) have lost six straight and 11 of their last 17 games.

Diallo shot 11 of 19 overall and had nine rebounds. His previous career high was 24 points against Utah on Dec. 29. Steinbach surpassed his 16-rebound game against Utah on Feb. 24. He was 9-of-12 shooting against the Trojans.

Quimari Peterson made three 3s and added 13 points for Washington. Wesley Yates III chipped in with 11 points.

Alijah Arenas scored 19 points and Ezra Ausar had 17 for USC. Jacob Cofie and Jordan Marsh added 14 points apiece.

Up next

USC hosts UCLA in a regular-season finale on Saturday.

Washington ends it regular season at Oregon on Saturday.

___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

GOLD COAST, Australia (AP) — South Korea scored two quick goals to take a commanding lead after 15 minutes before finishing off a 3-0 win over Philippines on Thursday, making it back-to-back Group A victories for the 2022 runners-up at the Women’s Asian Cup.

Jeon Yu-gyeong opened the scoring in the 12th minute and Park Soo-jeong doubled the lead in the 15th. Mun Eun-Ju put the result beyond doubt ni the 56th with a close-range volley.

Mun scored moments after Olivia McDaniel made an impressive fingertip save to deny Son Hwa-yeon's curling left-foot shot.

The South Koreans scored from the resulting corner with Mun pouncing after McDaniel punched away the curling incoming kick but not getting it clear of the box.

South Korea leads Group A with six goals from two wins following its opening 3-0 result against Iran on Monday. Philippines' bid for a quarterfinal spot is precarious after losing to the Koreans after an opening 1-0 loss to Australia.

Australia, the 2023 World Cup semifinalist, was playing Iran later Thursday at the Gold Coast.

In her pre-match news conference, striker Sara Didar choked back tears as she shared the concerns of her Iranian team for their families and loved ones amid the war at home while they’re away contesting the continental championship.

State of play

In Group B openers on Tuesday, Myong Yu Jong had a first-half hat trick in North Korea's 3-0 win over Uzbekistan and defending champion China beat Bangladesh 2-0.

In Group C, Japan beat Taiwan 2-0 and Vietnam edged India 2-1 with a goal in stoppage time to edge India 2-1 at Perth on Wednesday.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

The Utah Jazz fell short against the Sixers, 106-102. For the most part, it was a duel between Keyonte George and Tyrese Maxey. George scored 30 points on 10/24 shooting from the field (41.7%) and 5/11 (45.5%) from three. It was very clear that Keyonte George was the equal of Tyrese Maxey, if not better. Maxey was also great, scoring 25 points on 8/22 (36.4%) shooting from the field and 2/10 (20%) from three. The comparison has been made often this season, with Keyonte George a strong candidate for Most Improved Player. The style is similar, and the numbers are very comparable. That’s what made this matchup so interesting. Now that it’s done, it’s time to start getting excited about the future for Keyonte George. His ability to run the offense, score at all levels, and defend at an improved level is pointing towards an elite season next year. It’s not out of the question to consider not just All-Star, but All-NBA, as real possibilities next year.

It wasn’t just Keyonte George who played well in the Jazz’s loss. Utah got some really solid minutes from Ace Bailey and Cody Williams. Cody Williams actually led the team in plus/minus at +15. It’s an absolute 180 from where we saw him last season. Williams’ potential to be a consistent and effective wing player is looking increasingly likely with each game. If he can consistently hit his open threes, Williams is looking like a nice pick at #10. Gone are the days of Jazz fans pining for Matas Buzelis. Ace Bailey’s percentages weren’t where you wanted them to be, but he’s showing more and more comfort in the Jazz’s system and initiating with the ball. Bailey is driving more regularly and even running pick-and-rolls. What’s great is that it’s looking more and more smooth. Not only that, Bailey is defending at a higher level and improving game after game. Bailey is playing with real force at times on the defensive end, and if he can consistently impact at a high level defensively, there’s a real chance he becomes a high-level, winning player in the league.

Isaiah Collier is also showing his value as a backup point guard. Collier had 18 and 5 tonight and scored at a solid clip. He can’t consistently hit threes, but his speed and power make up for it, at least as much as you can reasonably expect. That speed drives his greatest skill, his ability to get to the paint at will. Collier can bend the defense every night, and there’s a ton of value in that. With more time and work, Collier should be a vital part of the future and can be even better when surrounded by more consistent play around him.

Finally, it’s time to look at Blake Hinson as a potential part of the future. Hinson has done nothing but play well since joining the Jazz. In five games, Hinson is shooting 56% from the field and 52% from three. Not only that, Hinson brings real size (he’s 6’8”) and intensity on the defensive end. That combination makes him a valuable potential role player for the Jazz going forward. Yes, he’s 26, but now is the time for the Jazz to start looking at players as potential parts of the future. Hinson seems like the exact type of player that winning teams find in the G-League.

It’s nights like tonight, where Utah loses just barely at the end, that will be different next season. Utah is doing a fantastic job of keeping its pick this season. This decision is going to add another top prospect to the roster and will help the Jazz enter an era of winning basketball we haven’t seen since the early Donovan Mitchell years and up to the time of Deron Williams.

For the second time this week, the Milwaukee Bucks blew a 16-point first-half lead and ended up getting blown out, this time to the Atlanta Hawks at Fiserv Forum, dealing a serious blow to their play-in hopes. Their losing streak is now at four games, and their average margin of defeat has been 24.2. Giannis Antetokounmpo had a game-high 24 points, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker paced Atlanta with 23.

NBA.com Box Score

Game Recap

Giannis scored eight of Milwaukee’s first 13 points with a couple dunks and swished a 17-footer to boot. After his first career DNP-CD on Monday, Kyle Kuzma was the Bucks’ first sub as Giannis exited. Ousmane Dieng then got cooking, matching the superstar’s 10 points before he had to exit with two fouls. The second unit was able to separate, spearheading a 15-4 run over the first’s final five minutes. Thanks to 72.7% shooting from the floor (6/9 from three), the home side led 38-25 after one.

Bobby Portis maintained the Bucks’ momentum in the second, dropping their first seven points en route to an early 16-point edge. Atlanta sliced that to seven pretty fast with a 9-0 run, fueled by a couple bad Milwaukee turnovers. The Hawks got as close as two as a lineup led by Buck-killer CJ McCollum abused an all-bench Bucks fivesome, but a Ryan Rollins jumper and a Portis three kept the visitors at bay as Giannis checked back in. Unfortunately, the reassembled starters struggled mightily on defense. Despite continued Giannis production, Atlanta tied the game with 2:21 left in the half and moved in front about a minute later, capping off their 41-point quarter, one-upping Milwaukee with 74% shooting in the period. Milwaukee got triples from Rollins and Myles Turner in the final minute, though, heading into the locker room ahead 71-66.

As has been the case recently, the starters came out flat in the third as the Hawks retook the lead with a quick 10-0 run, featuring the 2025–26 Bucks’ greatest hits: bad defensive rebounding, turnovers, and missed free throws. Frigid shooting was a bigger problem, though: Milwaukee missed nine of their first 10 attempts, and Atlanta went up 10 at the 4:54 mark, on a 20-5 run out of half. The Hawks led by as many as 13 as the Bucks kept leaving shooters wide open, often in the corner, and couldn’t corral defensive boards. With 12 minutes remaining, the visitors held a 98-89 advantage, outscoring the Bucks 32-18 in the third.

While it was still too easy for the Hawks from deep with wide-open shots galore, the Bucks were only down seven when Giannis reentered at 9:23. Milwaukee defensive miscues didn’t end with him on the floor, nor did their inability to put the ball through the hoop, and they fell behind by 14 not even three minutes later. The starting lineup got one more crack at it but had no success, falling behind by as much as 21. The last 2:27 was garbage time.

Stat That Stood Out

On Sunday in Chicago, the Bucks scored just 31 points in the second half as the Bulls ran them over. Tonight, the Bucks had just 36 once the starters began checking out, totaling just 42 points after halftime. Unacceptable.

The Atlanta Hawks were in Milwaukee on Wednesday night to face the Bucks. The Hawks, winners of four straight coming into this game, were looking to continue that streak against a Bucks team that has not played well this season. This was also a big game as far as standings and lottery odds implications.

The Hawks were without Jonathan Kuminga in this game because of knee inflammation, and the Bucks were without Kevin Porter Jr.

The Hawks got on the board to start the game with this lob from Jalen Johnson to Onyeka Okongwu.

We love JJ to OO lobs pic.twitter.com/gFMIcWcXx9

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) March 5, 2026

Giannis Antetokounmpo came out with all gas in the first and helped the Bucks get the lead, but the Hawks kept fighting. Okongwu stayed locked in and knocked a three-pointer to keep them close.

Triple O still dialed in after 7 makes last game pic.twitter.com/luYVnhH3aq

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) March 5, 2026

Johnson continued to find his teammates, and got Zaccharie Risacher a clean three-pointer in the corner.

Beautiful feed from Jalen to Zacch for 3 🤩 pic.twitter.com/tFqj0Bv8Ct

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) March 5, 2026

The Bucks were in a flow state for most of the quarter, and they couldn’t miss from the perimeter. As much as the Hawks tried to match them, their shots weren’t falling, and they went 3-for-11 from three in the first.

Going into the second, the Hawks trailed 38-25.

The Bucks started the second on fire, but the Hawks were able to settle in at some point and get some shots to go down. The big to big connection helped the Hawks get an easy two points.

Quick ball movement in traffic gets a bucket for Mo pic.twitter.com/UeKnsfKclC

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) March 5, 2026

CJ McCollum got it going with this shifty layup.

CJ with a smooth up and under 👏 pic.twitter.com/cjvFzLQ2XT

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) March 5, 2026

The Hawks kept cutting down their deficit, which was 16 points early in the second. They got it down to two points after Mouhamed Gueye knocked down a three-pointer.

Zacch poke away and splash 👏 pic.twitter.com/UxcR9cZyr3

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) March 5, 2026

Mo Mo Mo 🎯🎯🎯 pic.twitter.com/bcym9fG3Xk

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) March 5, 2026

The Hawks started doubling Antetokounmpo, and that to the Bucks getting some easy shots. The Hawks stuck with it, and were able to keep cutting their deficit.

JJ connects from the top of the key 🔑 pic.twitter.com/bOCwtlHMKz

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) March 5, 2026

The Hawks were able to take the lead at one point after Johnson’s and-one.

JJ connects from the top of the key 🔑 pic.twitter.com/bOCwtlHMKz

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) March 5, 2026

The Bucks took the lead back after that, and they were able to keep it going into halftime, as the Hawks trailed 71-66.

The Hawks came out strong in the third and knocked went on a 10-0 run before the Bucks called a timeout.

A Big O three kickstarts a 7-0 run to start the 3rd pic.twitter.com/h6VamjgTne

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) March 5, 2026

Hawks Hustle! pic.twitter.com/glDouXqtiw

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) March 5, 2026

The Hawks took control of the game later in the third and got their first double-digit lead, thanks to Okongwu.

Big OOOOOO

We're up 10 pic.twitter.com/6XD314xnNs

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) March 5, 2026

Risacher got a few threes to go down in the quarter to help the Hawks maintain their lead.

Zaccha-three Three-sacher 🏹🏹 pic.twitter.com/zjJ8BAi3Ef

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) March 5, 2026

Going into the fourth, the Hawks led 98-89.

Gueye came out in the fourth and knocked down his second three-pointer of the game.

Mo Gu3y3 pic.twitter.com/YI1zPZfUPV

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) March 5, 2026

The Bucks did their best to try to cut down their deficit, but they’d either get in their own way or the Hawks would have an answer. Nickeil Alexander-Walker got into the teeth of the defense and put down a huge dunk.

NICKEIL LEFTY BANGER pic.twitter.com/SSyz21BoSP

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) March 5, 2026

Dyson Daniels was everywhere in the fourth quarter, whether he was on offensive boards or getting an easy shot in the paint.

Quick Dys Dunk! pic.twitter.com/9CE1R8oZUe

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) March 5, 2026

Dyson is everywhere!

This tip-in gives him 14 PTS & 10 REB tonight 🤗 pic.twitter.com/Mv4hke3pQ5

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) March 5, 2026

The Hawks had a lead as big as 18 in the fourth, and the Bucks were not able to ever get back into the game.

Alexander-Walker finished with 23 points, Okongwu finished with 21 points and eight rebounds, Johnson finished with 20 points and nine assists, and Daniels finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The Hawks will be back in action on Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Much like Monday night’s game, tonight will be another test for the Houston Rockets as they take on a Golden State Warriors team that is decimated by injuries. Houston might have some injuries of their own, too.

The Warriors have, of course, had Houston’s number in recent years and have even beaten the Rockets when the good guys were full strength and the Dubs weren’t. Remember, Jonathan Kuminga basically beat the Rockets twice last season by himself. As a fan, it’s easy to say “Don’t get beat by a team that’s injured,” but we’ve seen time and time again that the games aren’t played on paper. There’s no such thing as a comfortable win when it comes to the Warriors.

The Warriors still have a collection of talented players, even if it doesn’t reach the heights of Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler III. You know Draymond Green will look for any excuse to beat the Rockets and stick it to Kevin Durant. Brandin Podziemski can score in bunches. Pat Spencer would be the MVP if he only played the Rockets. Golden State just gave Gui Santos a bigger contract. And our old friend Nate Williams is now playing in the Bay Area.

Tip-off

6:30pm CT

How To Watch

Amazon Prime

Injury Report

Rockets

Alperen Sengun: DTD

Amen Thompson: DTD

Steven Adams: OUT

Fred VanVleet: OUT

Jae’Sean Tate: OUT

Jabari Smith Jr.: DTD

Warriors

Steph Curry: OUT

Jimmy Butler III: OUT

Kristaps Porzingis: OUT

Gary Payton II: DTD

Seth Curry: OUT

Moses Moody: OUT

Will Richard: OUT

L.J. Cryer: OUT

The Line (as of this post)

HOU -8.5

Check here for updates

Looking ahead because we can

Friday night at home against the Portland Trail Blazers

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Chauncey Wiggins scored 18 points with the help of 4-of-7 shooting from 3-point range and Lajae Jones scored 18 points, and Florida State withstood Pittsburgh's rally to beat the Panthers 75-74 on Wednesday night.

Robert McCray V scored 14 points for Florida State (16-14, 9-8 ACC) which shot 48% (28 of 58).

Barry Dunning Jr. scored 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, reserve Nojus Indrusaitis scored 17 points, Cameron Cohren 14 and Damarco Minor scored 10 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Pitt (11-19, 4-13).

After building a 46-30 lead at halftime and maintaining most of it through the first 6 1/2 minutes of the second half, Pitt went on a 10-0 run and reduced its deficit to 60-51 with 11:06 remaining.

The Panthers continued to chip away and Minor made a 3-pointer to get Pitt within 73-71 with 11 seconds left. After fouling McCray with five seconds left, he made both foul shots to put the game out of reach.

Minor made a 3 at the buzzer for the game's final margin.

The surging Noles have won five of their last six and are 8-2 in their last 10. Pitt has dropped seven of its last nine.

Up Next

Florida State: Ends ACC play hosting SMU on Saturday.

Pitt: Concludes the regular season at Syracuse on Saturday.

___

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SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Ebuka Okorie scored 24 points, Jeremy Dent-Smith added 21 and Stanford held off Notre Dame for an 86-78 victory on Wednesday night for the Cardinal's third straight win.

Stanford took the lead for good with about nine minutes to play in the first half and led by as many as 11 points in the second. Notre Dame pulled within three points twice inside the final two minutes, but Jaylen Thompson and Dent-Smith each answered with 3-pointers. Dent-Smith then shot 4 of 4 from the line to seal it.

The Cardinal shot 57% (32 of 56) overall and made 52% (12 of 23) from long range.

Okorie made three 3s and finished 10-of-19 shooting to go with seven assists, and Dent-Smith hit five 3s. AJ Rohosy added 11 points and Donavin Young 10 for Stanford (19-11, 8-9 Atlantic Coast Conference).

Jalen Haralson made 13 of 15 free throws and scored 19 points to lead Notre Dame (13-17, 4-13). Cole Certa added 17 points, Braeden Shrewsberry scored 14 and they combined for six of the Fighting Irish's nine 3-pointers.

Okorie scored 13 points and had four assists in the first half to help Stanford take a 45-37 lead into the break. The Cardinal shot 69% (18 of 26) from the floor and made 8 of 13 from long range. Okorie made all three of his 3-pointers in the first half. Haralson and Shrewsberry each scored nine points for the Fighting Irish.

Stanford had its largest lead, 64-53 with 9:07 to play.

Up next

Stanford plays at North Carolina State in a regular-season finale on Saturday.

Notre Dame ends its regular season Saturday at Boston College.

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NEW YORK (AP) — Chet Holmgren had 28 points and eight rebounds, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 26 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder edged the New York Knicks 103-100 on Wednesday night.

Holmgren tied a career high with six 3-pointers and Lu Dort added 16 points for the Thunder, who recovered after the Knicks took the lead with a 40-point third quarter, going back ahead early in the fourth and nursing a small advantage the rest of the way.

Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby missed tying 3-point attempts on the final possession as Oklahoma City won its fourth straight and snapped New York’s three-game winning streak.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 17 points and 17 rebounds for the Knicks. Brunson had 16 points and a season-high 15 assists, but shot just 5 for 18. Anunoby also had 16 points.

HORNETS 118, CELTICS 89

BOSTON (AP) — Kon Knueppel scored 20 points and Charlotte extended itswin streak to six games with a win over Boston.

Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball each added 18 points. Coby White finished with 17 points and six assists to help Charlotte move above .500 for the first time since Oct. 26.

The Hornets never trailed and led by as many as 29 points while committing only five turnovers.

Derrick White led the Celtics with 29 points. Jaylen Brown added 20 points and 11 rebounds as Boston’s win streak was stopped at three games.

The Celtics came out sluggish playing in their sixth game in nine days, shooting just 38% (30 of 79) from the the field and committing 16 turnovers that led to 21 Charlotte points. Boston also was mostly cold from the 3-point line, connecting on only 10 of 36 attempts

Despite playing on the second night of a back-to-back, the Hornets sprinted out to an 8-0 lead as the Celtics missed their first eight shots.

76ERS 106, JAZZ 102

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Quentin Grimes hit two tiebreaking free throws with 16.4 seconds remaining, Tyrese Maxey scored 25 points and short-handed Philadelphia beat Utah.

Grimes finished with 16 points and Jabari Walker had 22 points for the 76ers, who were without Joel Embiid, VJ Edgecombe and suspended Paul George.

Keyonte George scored 30 points for the Jazz, who have lost seven in a row.

Philadelphia, which entered in sixth place in the Eastern Conference playoff race, trailed 100-94 with 4:51 left after George hit a 3. But Utah missed its next six field goals, and Philadelphia tied it at 100 on Adem Bona’s follow dunk with 1:50 left.

Isaiah Collier’s layup 46 seconds later put the Jazz ahead by two points, but Grimes tied it on a drive with 46.8 seconds remaining. After George misfired on a long-range shot for Utah, Grimes converted both free throws after being fouled. Utah coach Will Hardy did not call timeout, and a wide-open look from long distance by Kyle Filipowski was off.

TRAIL BLAZERS 122, GRIZZLIES 114

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Jrue Holiday had 35 points and 11 assists, and Jerami Grant added 30 points as Portland snapped a two-game skid with a win over Memphis.

Portland (30-33), making a push to qualify for the postseason, used a 24-19 scoring edge over the final nine minutes to seal the win. The Trail Blazers had lost three of their last four and four of their last six games entering Wednesday.

Robert Williams III had 20 points and 11 rebounds for Portland. Matisse Thybulle contributed three rebounds, an assist and a steal on his 29th birthday.

The Grizzlies got double-figure scoring from seven players, but it wasn’t enough against Portland as they lost their second straight and for the ninth time in 12 games. Memphis was playing the second game of a back to back after falling to Minnesota 117-110 on Tuesday.

HAWKS 131, BUCKS 113

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 23 points and Atlanta defeated slumping Milwaukee to win its fifth straight game and move above .500 for the first time since December.

Atlanta was 15-12 after a Dec. 14 victory over Philadelphia, but the Hawks lost their next seven games and hadn’t owned a winning record since.

Onyeka Okongwu had 21 points and Jalen Johnson added 20 points and nine assists as the Hawks erased an early 16-point deficit. CJ McCollum scored 18 points, while Dyson Daniels had 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The Hawks outscored the Bucks 65-42 in the second half.

Atlanta didn’t have Jonathan Kuminga available due to inflammation in his left knee, while Milwaukee was missing Kevin Porter Jr. because of swelling in his right knee.

Milwaukee fell five games behind 10th-place Atlanta in the Eastern Conference standings, putting the Bucks’ bid for a 10th straight playoff berth in serious jeopardy. The Bucks have lost their last four games by a combined 97 points.

CLIPPERD 130, PACERS 107

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 29 points, Bennedict Mathurin scored 23 on 8-for-11-shooting, and Los Angeles won its third in a row, beating Indiana.

Brook Lopez had 17 points for the Clippers while Darius Garland had 12 in his first home game since being acquired in a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers last month.

Pascal Siakam had 29 points in his return after sitting out three games with a left wrist sprain to lead Indiana, but the Pacers lost their seventh in a row and fell to the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with a 15-47 record.

Jay Huff had 18 and was 4 of 8 on 3-pointers, and Jarace Walker finished with 17.

The Clippers led 42-25 after one quarter and 63-51 at halftime, with Leonard racking up 20 points. The Clippers pulled away with a 16-2 run in the third quarter to extend a seven-point lead to 21 points.

The Clippers shot 12.2 percentage points better from the field (55.1%) than the Pacers (42.9%).