FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Olivia Miles scored 15 of her 26 points in the final 5:21 and finished with her fifth triple-double this season, rallying No. 12 TCU to an 80-73 victory over Iowa State on Sunday and extending the Horned Frogs' winning streak at home to 41.
TCU trailed 66-53 with 7:35 remaining before Miles took over to ensure the Horned Frogs (25-4, 13-3) tied Texas for the longest current home streak, while staying atop the Big 12 Conference with their fourth straight win.
Miles, who played at Notre Dame from 2020-2025, scored six straight points to ignite a 16-4 run capped by Taylor Bigby’s 3-pointer and TCU trailed 70-69 with 2:54 left.
Miles extended the run with a go-ahead jumper, two free throws and another jumper over the next two minutes for a five-point lead. She made 3 of 4 foul shots in the final 48 seconds as TCU outscored Iowa State 31-15 in the final quarter.
Miles missed 12 of her first 14 shots before making 6 of 7 in the fourth. She added 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Martz Suarez posted a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Clara Silva scored 11.
Audi Crooks had 22 points, six rebounds and four assists before fouling out for the Cyclones (21-7, 9-7). Jada Williams scored 15 on 6-for-23 shooting, adding 11 assists. Addy Brown chipped in with 11 points and seven rebounds.
Crooks had eight points and Iowa State led by as many as 10 in the first quarter before settling for a 24-16 advantage. Miles and Suarez both scored five in the second period to help TCU cut it to 40-34 at halftime.
Crooks had two layups in the final 1:28 of the third quarter and Iowa took a 58-49 lead into the fourth.
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Raegan Beers, who averages a double-double, had 18 points and 18 rebounds in No. 11 Oklahoma's foul-filled 100-93 win over No. 21 Tennessee on Sunday.
Sahara Williams had 22 points and Aaliyah Chavez scored 19 points for the Sooners (21-6, 9-5 SEC). Payton Verhulst scored 17 points and Zya Vann added 15 as Oklahoma's starters all scored in double figures and totaled 93 points.
There were 53 fouls and 79 free-throw attempts. Oklahoma made 36 of 46 free throws and Tennessee made 23 of 33. Oklahoma made more free throws than baskets (30).
Tennessee's Jaida Civil opened the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer that cut Oklahoma's lead to 71-67. A few minutes later the Lady Vols were within three points before Oklahoma tacked on four free throws at the beginning of an 8-2 run.
A layup by Williams gave Oklahoma an 86-77 lead with 4:14 remaining. The Sooners attempted only two more shots the rest of the game and they scored their last 14 points on free throws.
Talaysia Cooper scored 22 points, Civil 21 and Nya Robertson 18 for Tennessee (16-10, 8-6). Civil had 10 rebounds. The freshman played 33 minutes off the bench and collected her first double-double.
Tennessee led throughout the first quarter and it was 22-20 heading to the second period. An 8-0 run got the Sooners within 30-29 and a 3-pointer from Vann gave them their only lead of the first half, 47-45 at the break.
Up next
Tennessee: The Lady Vols wrap up the regular season at No. 7 LSU on Thursday and at home against No. 5 Vanderbilt on Sunday.
Oklahoma: The Sooners host Arkansas on Thursday and visit Missouri on Sunday.
Feb 22, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) drives to the basket beside Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) during the first half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Turnovers, an early deficit, and hot outside shooting from the Oklahoma City Thunder did the Cleveland Cavaliers in on Sunday afternoon. They lost their first game in February 121-113.
The Cavs coughed it up on 37% of their possessions in the first quarter (0th percentile), leading to 17 points off turnovers. This resulted in Cleveland being down by 23 midway through the first quarter and 15 at the end of one. You can’t come out of the gates that poorly against the defending champions and expect to win on the road, regardless of who’s in the lineup.
Cleveland turned it over just seven more times in the last three quarters, but still gave up 31 points off turnovers overall. The Cavs’ giveaways were costly. This is a Thunder team that has struggled to score in the half-court without their two best offensive players. That isn’t much of an issue if you’re able to generate that many points off turnovers.
Donovan Mitchell and James Harden combined for eight turnovers. There’s context behind why they turned it over this much — mainly the minutes with the starting lineup were bad — but they simply needed to be better. It’s difficult to win games if your two best offensive players aren’t protecting the ball like they need to.
Oklahoma City outscored Cleveland by 24 points from beyond the arc. The Thunder went a scorching 21-41 (51.2%, 96th percentile) from three. Meanwhile, the Cavs couldn’t get their outside shots to fall as they went 13-39 (33.3%, 35th percentile).
The Thunder hit as many two-point shots as they did from three, 21, and did so on a worse percentage, 46.7%.
Oklahoma City tied its third-best three-point percentage in a game and tied their fourth-most threes in a game this season. This was an exceptionally good shooting day from a team that has struggled from beyond the arc when they’re without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaylin Williams, and Alex Caruso. On the season, OKC had shot just 34% (19th percentile) without all three on the court before Sunday.
Sam Merrill was the exception to the Cavs’ poor shooting, going 6-10 from three. He carried Cleveland’s lifeless offense for stretches. The Cavs played their best basketball of the day when he was on the court, as he led the team in plus/minus, being a +6.
Cavaliers outside of Merrill went just 7-29 from three (24.1%). It’s a make-or-miss league. The Cavs weren’t making their shots, this included Mitchell, who went 0-6 from beyond the arc.
The Cavs outscored the Thunder 56-40 in the paint. Cleveland finished 72.2% of their looks at the rim (65th percentile) and 52% of their attempts in the short midrange (75th percentile). Harden and Mitchell were a big reason why, as they went 13-17 (76.5%) inside the paint. Their ability to score inside kept them in the game.
Cleveland’s bench scored 47 points. Merrill (20 points) and Dennis Schroder (11 points) contributed to the Cavs’ reserves outscoring the Thunder’s 47-37.
Jarrett Allen took just one shot in the first quarter. The Cavs have talked a lot about why it’s important to get Allen involved early. They weren’t able to do so as he registered no first-quarter points.
The starting front court didn’t score until four and a half minutes into the second quarter. The Thunder’s two-big configuration of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein outplayed Evan Mobley and Allen. OKC’s starting duo combined for 30 points, 22 rebounds, and three blocks in 60 combined minutes. Cleveland’s duo had 26 points, 15 rebounds, and no blocks in their 54 minutes. The Cavs lost this matchup.
Going along with that, the Thunder outscored the Cavs 17-8 in second-chance points. The Thunder grabbed only one more offensive rebound. They made the absolute most of their opportunities, as they did with their points off turnovers.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Jaloni Cambridge scored 33 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, and No. 10 Ohio State used a 15-0 run to rally for a 88-83 victory over Southern California on Sunday.
It was Cambridge's fifth 30-point game this season. The sophomore was 12 of 21 from the field and 8 of 9 from the line as the Buckeyes (23-5, 11-4) snapped a two-game losing streak.
Cambridge also had three steals and forced USC to commit a season-high 25 turnovers as the Trojans (17-10, 9-7 Big Ten) had their six-game winning streak come to a close.
USC's Jazzy Davidson scored a season-high 32 points, including six 3-pointers, before fouling out with 1.1 second left. The freshman also had six rebounds and four assists.
Ohio State's Chance Gray had 16 points and Kennedy Cambridge scored 14 points and four steals before fouling out with 4:06 remaining.
Kennedy Smith had 18 points and Dayana Mendes 13 for the Trojans.
There were 13 lead changes and six ties before Ohio State took control.
The Buckeyes trailed 65-61 early in the fourth quarter before going on their decisive run. Jaloni Cambridge had seven points as Ohio State was 5 of 7 from the field while USC committed four turnovers.
The Trojans missed their first seven shots in the fourth quarter and had an 8:17 drought from the field. They made a late surge to get within 86-83 on a 3-pointer by Mendes with 2 seconds remaining, but Cambridge made a pair of free throws after being fouled by Davidson to make it a two-possession game.
Ohio State was 23 of 28 from the foul line. The attempts were a season-high while the makes were one off from tying it.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 24: LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets drives to the basket while guarded by Justin Champagnie #9 of the Washington Wizards in the first half during their game at Spectrum Center on January 24, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Washington Wizards play the Charlotte Hornets at 6 p.m. tonight at Capital One Arena. Watch the game on Monumental Sports Network.
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Hannah Kohn hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 3.1 seconds left for her only points of the game as Clemson upset No. 9 Duke 53-51 on Sunday to snap the Blue Devils’ 17-game win streak.
Demeara Hinds finished with 13 points and Taylor Johnson-Matthews and Mia Moore each added 11 for the Tigers (19-9, 10-6 ACC), who added a huge resume-building victory before the NCAA Tournament.
Toby Fournier had 18 points and seven rebounds for Duke (20-7, 15-1 ACC) which lost its first conference game of the season. Fournier, an ACC player of the year candidate, was held in check for most of the second half after scoring 14 before the break.
The Blue Devils, who last lost on Dec. 4 to then-No. 7 LSU, appeared in control entering the fourth quarter, but Clemson stepped up its defense.
The Tigers took the lead at 44-43 with 3:24 left when Moore drove the lane and drew a foul for a 3-point play. Johnson-Matthews then drilled a 3 to give the Tigers their biggest lead of the game at 4.
Duke would battle back though and Riley Nelson hit a corner 3 to give the Blue Devils the lead with 9.3 seconds left.
But Kohn, who had missed her previous four shots of the game, got free and hit the 3 as Clemson made four of its final five shots from the field.
The Blue Devils were unable to get a final shot off after an inbounds pass was knocked away.
Duke got 10 points and two blocks from Fournier in the first quarter and used a 17-2 run to to build a 20-8 lead before the Tigers began to battle back.
Feb 22, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) dribbles down the court as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins (21) defends during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers lost a gut-check game to the shorthanded Oklahoma City Thunder.
All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.
This has historically been a tough matchup for Mitchell. He was able to break free for a relatively efficient game (compared to his previous efforts vs OKC), but there’s no doubt the Thunder remain the best defensive team in the league at hounding Mitchell. He had to fight for everything today and went 0-6 from downtown.
Harden can handle OKC’s ball-pressure a bit better than Mitchell because of his size at 6’5”. But this is still a difficult matchup even for Harden. The Cavs struggled to get the ball into the paint, and it’s largely because the Thunder’s strong point-of-attack defense and willingness to drop on pick-and-rolls.
I like the Cavs’ chances in this matchup better with Harden, but clearly, beating the champs isn’t going to be easy at any point. Five turnovers knock him down half a grade.
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Allen went scoreless in the first quarter as the Thunder’s frontcourt dictated the terms of engagement. Allen eventually found his groove and played an otherwise strong game.
He’s predictably being maligned for the Cavs rebounding issues (though they tied OKC on the glass today). So, I think it’s worth pointing out that Allen had a game-high 6 offensive rebounds.
But… I do have to remove half a grade for airballing that free throw.
Let’s get some context out of the way before I trash Mobley’s game.
This was only his second game since January 24th. And, he was on a minutes restriction playing against the best defensive frontcourt in the NBA.
With that said, only 2 rebounds are tough to swallow. Mobley also struggled with OKC’s physicality on offense, being moved off his spots and resorting to three-point attempts in the fourth quarter. The Cavs need him to be more aggressive, getting to the paint or forcing his way to the free-throw line.
Grade: D
Jaylon Tyson
7 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal
Tyson’s going through an adjustment period, and it’s affected his recent performances. His role is smaller than before, and his impact has felt more scattered.
I’m loving the Ellis experience. He’s a difference maker on the defensive end. Just follow him on any given possession and watch how he disrupts actions for the opponent. It’s a joy to watch, and he’s a competent enough offensive player to hang in any matchup.
Schroder’s scrappiness is something that will always be valuable. His ability to run the pick-and-roll only adds to his value.
Grade: A+
Sam Merrill
20 points, 3 rebounds
The Cavs fell into a hole early in this game, and Merrill brought them back to life. His momentum-swining three-pointers made this competitive. And, as the day went on, Merrill began attacking closeouts and making great plays inside the perimeter.
There isn’t much room on the court for a player as hesitant as Wade in this matchup. The Thunder pounce on any form of hesitation. Wade is a quality defender and rebounder, but he’s a bad fit offensively against this OKC defense.
MILAN (AP) — AC Milan lost more ground to city rival Inter Milan after a 1-0 loss to Parma at home on Sunday in a match which saw Milan midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek hospitalized after a collision with the Parma goalkeeper.
Loftus-Cheek was struck on the head after colliding with Edoardo Corvi after a cross into the area about 10 minutes into the match at San Siro.
The 30-year-old Loftus-Cheek had a bloodied face while being treated on the field. He was stretchered off with a neck and head brace, and later taken to hospital.
Italian media reports said the England international and former Chelsea player sustained broken teeth and was being examined for head trauma.
“Our thoughts are with him,” Parma coach Carlos Cuesta said.
Mariano Troilo scored with a header off a corner in the 80th minute to give Parma the win. The goal was initially disallowed for a foul but the call was reversed after video review.
Milan had entered the match looking to cut its gap to Inter to seven points. Inter moved 10 points clear with a 2-0 victory at Lecce for its seventh straight league win on Saturday.
Milan had already lost points at home in a 1-1 draw against Como on Wednesday.
It was the third win in a row for Parma, which is in 12th place.
Other results
Fourth-place Roma opened a four-point gap to fifth-place Juventus. Roma scored three second-half goals in a 3-0 home win against 16th-place Cremonese, which has lost 12 consecutive matches.
Roma is tied on points with third-place Napoli.
Seventh-place Atalanta scored two second-half goals to rally to a 2-1 win over third-place Napoli at home. It was Atalanta's third straight league win. Napoli hasn't won in three consecutive matches in all competitions.
Genoa beat Torino 3-0 at home to end a three-game winless streak. Torino, which played the entire second half with 10 men, hasn't won in four straight matches in all tournaments.
CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 20: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers prepares to shoot a free throw during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on February 20, 2026 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers might have lost this game in the first six minutes. Let’s talk about it.
LOSER – The First Quarter
The Cavs had 10 turnovers in the first six minutes of the game. Oklahoma City had 17 points off turnovers during that run on their way to a 20+ point lead. That’s a catastrophic opening that will result in a loss 99% of the time.
So what went wrong?
Cleveland entered this game with the wrong approach. They treated this like a regular-season matinee rather than the potential NBA Finals preview that the OKC Thunder were prepared for. The Cavaliers were blitzed from the jump as a result.
Hesitation is a death sentence against this Thunder defense. They pounce on the first sign of indecision. That’s what led to 10 turnovers in the opening quarter as the Cavs frantically searched for their footing. It wasn’t until the offense became more purposeful and decisive that the turnovers finally subsided.
The Cavs eventually fought back into this game and made it a good one. But the opening six minutes are what ultimately cost them.
WINNER – Sam Merrill
A handful of Cavs players stepped up to make this competitive after the first quarter. None was more impactful than Sam Merrill.
Merill jump-started this offense and got them back into gear with his three-point shooting. He nailed consecutive deep balls to cut into the deficit early in the first half. As the game went on, Cleveland continued to rely on Merrill’s outside shooting to bail them out.
It’s not always easy for a player like Merrill to get free against a team such as OKC. They defend off-ball actions better than anyone in the league. That’s why it’s so impressive that Merrill was able to find openings and release the ball before this scrambly Thunder defense could catch up.
Merrill finished with 20 points on 6-10 three-point shooting.
LOSER – Screen Navigation
Turnovers were a problem in the first quarter. That was addressed as Clevleand’s offense settled into the game.
One thing that wasn’t solved, however, was their screen navigation.
I’ll give credit to the Thunder. Isaiah Hartenstein sets some of the widest screens in the association. He was crushing Cleveland’s backcourt all game long. Combine that with an efficient shooting night from the Thunder backcourt, and this was too much to overcome.
Donovan Mitchell and James Harden both got hung up on numerous screens that led to three-point jumpers. Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley were also torched for playing below the level of the screen. We understand why those bigs would be in drop coverage, but the opponent shooting 21-41 (51%) from deep should probably warrant an adjustment.
WINNER – Schroder and Ellis
Let’s hand out one more pair of winners to a bench squad that’s made a difference.
Schroder and Ellis are giving this second unit new life. They’re able to enter the game and initiate a new style that, at worst, changes the dynamic of a game, and at best, swings things back into Cleveland’s favor.
Their scrappy style lends itself to generating chaos. The Thunder had a taste of their own medicine when this duo was on the floor. Their defensive activity made life more difficult for OKC. And, they each bring their own value on offense.
The Cavs have leaned on Schroder to operate in the pick-and-roll when Mitchell or Harden aren’t on the floor. He isn’t as elite as the starting gaurds but he’s more than capable of running this two-man action.
As for Ellis, he shot just 1-4 from deep, but cut into the lane for a handful of easy buckets. He’s a better shooter than this on most nights and should mesh well with whatever lineups the Cavs put him in moving forward.
Feb 21, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) goes up for a shot in the first half against the Sacramento Kings at Moody Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
Coming off a blowout victory against the Phoenix Suns, the Spurs took on the Sacramento Kings for the second I-35 Series game at the Moody Center in Austin, TX. The Spurs started hot with an 11-0 run. However, the Kings crawled back to within four points by the end of the first quarter. Despite the Spurs’ hot scoring, the Kings were able to keep pace and trailed 73-65 at halftime and even took the lead in the third. Little by little, the Spurs rebuilt the lead to 11 after three. An early run in the fourth put the game away, and the Spurs won 139-122.
Victor Wembanyama led the way with a double-double: 28 points (11-20 FG) and 15 rebounds to go along with six assists, four blocks, and a steal. After a solid outing against the Suns, Wemby turned it up against the Kings. There seemed to be some extra motivation because his childhood friend/teammate, Maxime Raynaud, matched up against him from the start. Nonetheless, Wemby dominated on both ends with multiple dunks and blocks. The All-Star starter will look to continue his MVP campaign against All-Star Jalen Duren on Monday (assuming he ends up playing 65 games).
NOT IN HIS HOUSE! Wemby swats Russell Westbrook’s shot out of the air, and it kickstarts a fast break that results in a bucket for De’Aaron Fox!
Stephon Castle dropped 18 points (6-9 FG, 6-8 FT), eight rebounds, three assists, and a block. Since returning from the All-Star break, Steph has shot 70% from the field. His resilience in slashing has also rewarded him with more free throws. Ever since he carried the offensive load for his squad in the Rising Stars Challenge, his shot has slightly improved. The reigning Rookie of the Year will look to continue his hot shooting against a stingy Detroit team and MVP candidate Cade Cunningham.
Here he comes to save the day! After the missed Wemby three, Steph flies in for the putback finish!
De’Aaron Fox dropped 18 points (7-11 FG), five assists, two rebounds, and a steal. After the hot start, D-Fox struggled to take care of the ball as he turned it over four times in the first quarter. Nonetheless, he was still a +8. After the turnover struggles, D-Fox started driving and finding his shot. Anytime he runs a pick-and-roll, the defense most of the time gives him too much space to operate for an open floater or midrange. His P&R with Wemby is deadly, as it gives him even more space to operate. The 2-time All-Star will look to continue to provide the much-needed scoring punch for this young team as the schedule gets tougher.
Another look at the fastbreak kickstarted by Wemby’s huge block: D-Fox plays tough defense on Westbrook and runs the floor for a wide-open layup thanks to Julian Champagnie’s bounce pass from the corner!
Keldon Johnson dropped 18 points (6-12 FG, 3-4 3PT, 3-4 FT) and a rebound in 21 minutes off the bench. Even though he was loud and demonstrative, KJ’s 18 was a sneaky 18. While most of the attention was on Wemby, Fox, and Castle, KJ battled early shooting struggles and started splashing home open threes. His willingness to drive into the paint when the team needs him to create offense usually results in a tough bucket. The Sixth Man of the Year candidate will look to continue the silver and black’s spark plug energy off the bench.
Corner Specialist! Keldon knocks down the open three from the corner in front of the Kings’ bench!
Dylan Harper dropped 12 points (5-9 FG), five rebounds, and five assists in 23 minutes off the bench. After showing out in the Rising Stars Challenge with Steph, Dyl continues to showcase his talent as a combo guard. On most teams picking in the lottery, Dyl would be a ROTY candidate and leading the offense. However, his role off the bench has provided much-needed guard play when D-Fox and Steph are on the bench. Instead of leading a lottery/play-in team, he is an important piece to the puzzle for this contending Spurs team.
Cut and slam! After feeding Wemby in the post, Dyl goes to set a slip screen and cuts to the basket to receive a rewarding Wemby pass for the open jam!
Don’t sleep on his hops! Dyl drives in from the corner and finishes with a ferocious slam! The dunk was so astonishing that even Vic couldn’t help but look amazed!
Wemby was in disbelief after Dylan Harper hammered it home with the left 🤦♂️ 🔥 pic.twitter.com/OzbdXjOeYj
Julian Champagnie dropped eight points, four rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Julian has started games and has come off the bench this season, but for now, it seems that he will start for the rest of the season alongside Devin Vassell at the forward positions. They both have played three positions this season (SG, SF, PF), and both are versatile enough to guard at either position. However, it is worth noting that Julian is taller and a better rebounder. Watch him intercept the pass from Westbrook and sprint to the cup for a poster fastbreak slam over Murray!
Despite letting the Kings come back in the second, the Spurs kept their hot shooting pace and opened the floodgates in the fourth. For the first time, the Spurs won both of their I-35 games. Also, they have now won 40 games before losing 20, which usually means they are a true contender (91% of the time, championship teams have won 40 games before losing 20). Only the Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons have met that mark this season, and they are both leading their respective conferences. As mentioned earlier, Detroit awaits the Spurs’ arrival on Monday.
Finally, here are the full game highlights.
The Spurs face a tough test on the road against the Detroit Pistons this Monday at 6:00 P.M. (CST) on Peacock/NBCSN.
DALLAS, TEXAS - OCTOBER 29: Head coach Rick Carlisle of the Indiana Pacers watches action during a game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on October 29, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks (19-36) visit the Indiana Pacers (15-42) for a very strangely timed Sunday afternoon game. Dallas is in the midst of a double-digit losing streak, having not won a game in over a month. The Pacers just out tanked the Washington Wizards twice in a row. This is going to be a monumentally bad game!
HOW: KFAA Channel 29, MavsTV streaming, NBA League Pass
There are TWENTY TWO players on the injury report for this game between both teams. Cooper Flagg headlines the guys out for the Mavericks. Moussa Cisse and Ryan Nembhard are doubtful, largely due to how many games they have left of their eligibility. Daniel Gafford and Max Christie are still questionable. Miles Kelly and Caleb Martin are expected to play. Most of the Pacers roster is questionable with Zubac, Nesmith, Johnny Furphy, and Haliburton definatively out.
With both Cooper Flagg out again, this becomes a nearly impossible watch. But both of these teams at least play at a fast pace, so watching them might be fun if youre a true sicko. I’d expect the Mavericks to come out on top of this one. They have too many useful players compared to the Pacers. But Dallas is on a massive losing streak, so it’s POSSIBLE they lose. We’ll see. I don’t have high expectations and won’t be watching this one that closely.
Be sure to chime in with your predictions in the comments!
Consider joining Josh and me on Pod Maverick live after the game on YouTube, we should start LATE. Thanks so much for spending time with us here at Mavs Moneyball. Let’s go Mavs!
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - FEBRUARY 22: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on February 22, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 William Purnell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers erased an early 23-point first-quarter deficit, but they weren’t able to complete the comeback. The shorthanded Oklahoma City Thunder, fueled by incredible outside shooting, were able to hand the Cavs their first loss in February. Cleveland fell 121-113.
The Cavaliers dug themselves their early hole due to their inability to protect the ball. They turned it over 10 times in the first quarter, leading to 17 points going the other way. That helped juice an Oklahoma City offense that was forced to play without its two best scorers in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.
Cleveland’s cramped starting lineup led to this. Head coach Kenny Atkinson went with James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen to open things up. I like that group in most matchups, but this wasn’t one.
The combination of Oklahoma City’s perimeter defenders and the lack of ball handlers outside of Harden and Mitchell led to these issues. There weren’t outlets for the guards, and the offense struggled. This group was outscored by 14 in the five minutes they played.
Things got worse from there as the deficit ballooned to 23 late in the first quarter before the Cavs started their comeback.
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Cleveland consistently rallied back over the next two-and-a-half quarters. They cut the deficit to a respectable 15 after one, brought it to single digits at the end of the second, and gained their first lead of the game midway through the third.
Unfortunately for the Cavs, that was the only lead they would take. The Thunder recaptured their advantage heading into the fourth quarter and were able to keep the Cavs mostly at arm’s length down the stretch.
Oklahoma City’s outside shooting was a weapon all game, and saved them in the fourth quarter. They simply couldn’t miss as they hit their third-highest percentage of threes in a game this season. Even though the Cavs got close multiple times, they couldn’t make the big stop when they needed to.
The Thunder ended the game going 21-41 (51.2%) from three while the Cavs went just 13-39 (33.3%). In the end, it’s a make-or-miss league.
Sam Merrill’s shooting was the only thing keeping the Cavs in the game for stretches. He was red hot from deep as he went 6-10 from beyond the arc en route to a 20-point game.
Mitchell provided 20 points on 9-19 shooting to go along with five assists and two steals.
Harden continued his streak of having seven or more assists. He finished with nine to go along with scoring 20 points on 8-14 shooting. He did, however, turn the ball over five times.
Allen wasn’t able to keep his strong play going. The Cavs weren’t able to get him involved early as he took just one shot attempt in the first quarter. This led to a somewhat unimpactful game as he provided 11 points and 13 rebounds in the loss.
Mobley ended the game with 15 points with just two rebounds. Dennis Schroder supplied 11-bench points.
The Thunder were led by 22 points from Isaiah Joe and 20 from Cason Wallace. Chet Holmgren had 17 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks in the win.
Even though the Cavs lost this game, this was nothing to be too discouraged by. The Thunder were missing two of their best offensive players, but you would sign up to be without them every night if it guaranteed you’d make more than half of your 41 three-point attempts.
This type of offensive performance was so far out of character for this version of the Thunder. Coming into today, lineups without SGA, Williams, and Alex Caruso had registered an abysmal 106.1 offensive rating(4th percentile).
You have to tip your cap to the Thunder on a game like this. They executed at an extraordinarily high level and were the better team today. However, there’s no reason to come away from this one thinking the Cavs aren’t on their same level.
The loss snapped what was a seven-game winning streak. Cleveland has still won 12 of their last 14 games.
The Cavs will be back in action Tuesday as they host the New York Knicks. Tip-off is at 7:30 PM.
PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 03: Grayson Allen #8 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against Jerami Grant #9 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half at Moda Center on February 03, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Soobum Im/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Who: Phoenix Suns (33-24) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (27-30)
When: 6:00pm Arizona Time
Where: Mortgage Matchup Center— Phoenix, Arizona
Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports, Suns+
Listen: KMVP 98.7
The Phoenix Suns are right back at it Sunday night, less than 24 hours after a double overtime grind against Orlando that somehow delivered one of the season’s defining moments. For multiple reasons. It took real work to get there, but Jalen Green’s game-winning three-pointer cut through the noise and sent everyone home smiling. That glow faded fast once the news hit. Dillon Brooks broke his hand in that game, and there is no clear timetable yet for when he will be back.
Such is life in the NBA. Such is life and sports. Such is life.
You flip the page, you circle the next date, and you lock in on what is right in front of you. That next task shows up wearing Portland across its chest.
The Trail Blazers sit six games back of the Suns in the standings, parked comfortably in the 10th seed, with a little breathing room over Memphis down in 11th. On paper, that is a game Phoenix usually handles. In reality, with bodies piling up on the injury report and legs still feeling sore Saturday night, nothing comes free here.
This is another one that has to be earned. If the Suns want to walk away with it, they either need to shoot the ball better, move the ball better, or preferably do both. Because neither showed up against Orlando.
Probable Starters
Injury Report
Suns
Jalen Green — QUESTIONABLE (Right Knee Injury Managemen)
First up? Who the heck is going to play?! That injury report is tough to look at.
Expect a heavy dose of threes in this one. Portland sits 28th in three-point percentage at 34.1%, but they launch them anyway, second most attempts in the league at 42.5 per game. We have seen this movie before. Last time these two played, the Suns fell into an early hole due to a mix of shaky perimeter defense and Portland catching fire. That turned into a dangerous cocktail that had the Suns down by as many as 19 points.
Phoenix eventually clawed back and escaped with a 130–125 win on February 3, but that start cannot repeat itself.
Portland also presents a size problem, one that pokes directly at a Suns soft spot. They are sixth in the league at 45.9 rebounds per game and third in offensive rebounding rate at 35.4%. That translates to league-best second-chance points at 18.3 per night. Donovan Clingan sets the tone there, leading the NBA with 4.7 offensive rebounds a game. He has to be accounted for, every possession.
And yeah, but this feels like a spot where giving rookie Khaman Maluach a look could help. Purely for size. A body. Someone to box out and absorb contact. I do not know if this is full experimentation season yet, but against Portland, I would not hate seeing it.
Key to a Suns Win
Shoot better.
I know that sounds like the most basic form of analysis imaginable, but sometimes the simple truth is still the truth. In February, the Phoenix Suns are shooting 34.2% from three, which sits 23rd in the NBA. At the same time, they are fifth in three-point rate, with 47.3% of their shots coming from deep. The volume is there. The accuracy is not. That gap has to close if Phoenix wants to beat Portland.
That task gets harder when Devin Booker is out, and it gets harder again without Dillon Brooks. Brooks may not always be efficient, but he has still made the fourth-most threes on the team this season. Those shots do not disappear. Someone has to absorb them. That responsibility now falls on Collin Gillespie, Royce O’Neale, Grayson Allen, and Ryan Dunn. They need to lock in and convert the clean looks they are getting.
Pair that with protecting the glass. Second-chance points are killers, especially for a team already dealing with injuries and heavy legs. Extra possessions drain you fast. Phoenix cannot afford to hand those out.
Prediction Time
Expect the unexpected. The Suns are wounded right now, no way around it, but there is still plenty of fight in this group. We saw it against Orlando. That was a game they probably lost nine times out of ten, and somehow they dragged it across the finish line anyway.
Now it is Sunday, and Portland is standing in front of them. This feels like one of those nights where things get weird, where effort and timing matter more than polish. The kind of night where a role player steps into the light and keeps everything from tilting the wrong way.
Call it a hunch, call it basketball intuition, call it “there’s no one else to score”, but it feels like a Royce O’Neale night. The Suns are going to need one.
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 5: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics on December 5, 2025 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Boston Celtics (36-19) at Los Angeles Lakers (34-21) Sunday, February 22, 2026 6:30 PM ET TV: NBC/Peacock, NBCSB, Telemundo Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, ESPN LA 710, Sirius XM Regular Season Game #56 Road Game #29 Crypto.com Arena
The Celtics visit the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2nd and final meeting this season. The Celtics win the first meeting in Boston 125-105 on December 5. The Celtics were at full strength for that game while the Lakers were without LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Marcus Smart. These two teams tied the series last season with each team winning on their home court. The Celtics are 168-135 overall, all time, against the Lakers. They are 55-78 in games played at the Lakers.
The Lakers basically kept their core together for this season. They did make a couple of changes however. They brought in DeAndre Ayton to shore up their center spot. They also signed Marcus Smart to help their defense. They signed Jake LaRavia as a free agent also. At the trade deadline, the Lakers traded Gabe Vincent to Atlanta for Luke Kennard to give them a sharpshooter off the bench.
The Celtics are 2nd in the East, 5.5 games behind 1st place Detroit. They are 1 game ahead of 3rd place Cleveland, 1.5 games ahead of 4th place New York, 3 games ahead of 5th place Toronto, 6 games ahead of 6th place Philadelphia and 6.5 games ahead of 7th place Orlando. The Celtics are 12-6 against Western Conference opponents. They are 18-10 on the road and 8-2 in their last 10 games. They have won their last 2 games.
The Lakers are 5th in the West, 8 games behind first place OKC, 5 games behind 2nd place San Antonio, 1 game behind 3rd place Denver, half a game behind 4th place Houston and tied with 6th place Minnesota. They are 2.5 game ahead of 7th place Phoenix. They are 11-7 against Eastern Conference opponents and 16-10 at home. They are 6-4 in their last 10 games. They have won their last 2 games.
The Celtics are playing in the 2nd game of a 4 game Western road trip. They beat Golden State 121-110 on Thursday and will play Phoenix, and Denver back to back on Tuesday and Wednesday to close out the trip. They will then return home for games against Brooklyn and Philadelphia before a game at Milwaukee. Then they are back home for games against Charlotte and Dallas before a tough 3 game road trip through Cleveland, San Antonio, and Oklahoma City. Then they host Washington, Phoenix and Golden State.
The Lakers are playing in the 7th game of an 8 game home stand. They are 4-2 so far on the home stand and will close it out with a game against Orlando. They will then play at Phoenix and Golden State before returning home to play Sacramento and New Orleans. Then it’s one game at Denver before a 5 game home stand where they will host Indiana, New York, Minnesota, Chicago and Denver.
Both teams are healthy other than Jayson Tatum for the Celtics, who remains out as he rehabs from the torn Achilles. The Lakers have no one on their injury report. I’m assuming that the Celtics will once again start White, Scheierman, Brown, Hauser and Queta. I’m thinking that the Lakers will stick with the starters they used on Friday in their win over the Clippers, which is Doncic, Reaves, LeBron, Smart and Jordan. Although they only used this starting lineup once due to injuries, they consider it their strongest starting lineup.
Probable Starting Matchups PG: Derrick White vs Luka Doncic
Derrick White | NBAE via Getty ImagesLuka Doncic | NBAE via Getty Images
SG: Baylor Scheierman vs Austin Reaves
Baylor Scheierman | Getty ImagesAustin Reaves | MediaNews Group via Getty Images
SF: Jaylen Brown vs LeBron James
Jaylen Brown | Getty ImagesLeBron James | NBAE via Getty Images
PF: Sam Hauser vs Marcus Smart
Sam Hauser | Getty ImagesMarcus Smart | NBAE via Getty Images
C: Neemias Queta vs Deandre Ayton
Neemias Queta | Getty ImagesDeandre Ayton | MediaNews Group via Getty Images
Celtics Reserves Payton Pritchard Hugo Gonzalez Luka Garza Amare Williams Nikola Vucevic Jordan Walsh Delano Banton (10-day) John Tonje (10-day)
2-Way Players Ron Harper, Jr Max Shulga
Injuries/Out Jayson Tatum (Achilles) out
Head Coach Joe Mazzulla
Lakers Reserves Kobe Bufkin Rui Hachimura Jaxson Hayes Bronny James Luke Kennard Maxi Kleber Dalton Knecht Jake LaRavia Adou Thiero Jarred Vanderbilt 2-Way Players Chris Manon Nick Smith, Jr Drew Timme
Injuries/Out None listed Head Coach JJ Redick
Key Matchups Derrick White vs Luka Doncic Doncic is averaging 33.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.6 assists per game while shooting 47.3% from the fiield He is coming off a game where he finished with 38 points, 6 rebounds, 11 assists and 1 block. He missed the December game against the Celtics. The Celtics have to slow Doncic down and guard him both on the perimeter and in the paint along with anticipating his passes.
Baylor Scheierman vs Austin Reaves Reaves is averaging 25.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game. He is shooting 51.1% from the field and 37.4% from beyond the arc. In the December meeting between these two teams, Reeves finished with 36 points, 3 rebound, and 8 assists while shooting 50% from the field and 37.5% from beyond the arc. He is coming off a game where he finished with 29 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.
Honorable Mention Jaylen Brown vs LeBron James LeBron is averaging 21.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 7.2 assists while shooting 49.9% from the field and 30.6% from beyond the arc. In his last game on Friday, he finished with 13 points, 3 rebounds, 11 assists and 1 steal. He didn’t play in the first game between these two teams. He may be old, but he is still dangerous and a very good passer.
Keys to the Game Defense – I can’t say it enough that defense is the most important key to winning. The Celtics are 8th in the league with a defensive rating of 112.6. The Lakers are 24th with a defensive rating of 116.5. The Celtics have played good defense for the most part in recent games but they still are not consistent on that end for 48 minutes each game They must stay committed to playing tough, lock down defense, especially against a Lakers team with some very good offensive weapons. The Celtics must especially defend in the paint as the Lakers are 9th in the league with 51.9 points in the paint per game.
Rebound – Rebounding takes effort and energy and the Celtics will need both to out-rebound the Lakers. The Celtics need to crash the boards and keep the Lakers from getting second chance points and fast breaks. The Celtics are averaging 45.6 rebounds per game (8th) while the Lakers are averaging 40.9 rebounds per game (24th). The Celtics must put out extra energy and effort to beat the Lakers to rebounds.
Move the Ball Carefully – The Celtics need to move the ball in order to find the best shot on each possession. When the ball sticks and players try to do too much, the Celtics struggle. They are at their best when they pass the ball and keep it moving. The Celtics had 31 assists in their win over the Warriors. The Celtics are 28-4 when they have at least 25 assists. But they have to make careful passes and not get sloppy because the Lakers average 17.8 points off turnovers.
Be Aggressive – The Celtics must be the more aggressive team. They have to be aggressive in going to the basket, in diving for loose balls, and on defense. They have to aggressively crash the boards. They have to be the team that plays harder and that wants it more. In most of their losses, they have allowed their opponents to play harder and be more aggressive. They absolutely can’t let the Lakers play harder than them if they want to have a chance to win.
X-Factors On the Road – The Celtics are playing in the second game of a 4 game road trip. They need to fight through the distractions of playing on the road and on the other coast in a different time zone and keep their focus on playing the right way. They need to put all those distractions of playing in a strange arena and in front of hostile fans and staying in hotels and away from family aside and put all their focus on playing the game.
Pride – “Beat LA” is one of the most iconic chants in sports. This is a storied rivalry and no matter the circumstances, the Celtics always want to beat the Lakers and vice versa. The Celtics have to focus on the game and on playing aggressive basketball. It’s a matter of pride and the Celtics need to get the job done and “Beat LA”. On the other hand, LeBron always has a chip on his shoulder against the Celtics and LeBron and his teammates are going to give extra effort to beat one of their biggest rivals.
Officiating – The officiating can always be an x-factor. Every crew calls the game differently and the Celtics have to adapt to how the game is being called and not allow bad calls and no calls to take away their focus. If you doubt that officiating is an x-factor, just think back to the last Finals between these two teams. In game 7, the Celtics were up 6 going into the 4th quarter. The refs had called the game evenly up until then. But in the 4th quarter, the referees took over and it cost the Celtics that game. The Lakers took 21 free throws in the 4th quarter alone while the Celtics took 6. The Lakers took more free throws in the 4th quarter than they did in the first 3 quarters combined. (Yes, I am still a little bitter over that.) Hopefully the refs call it fair in this game and let both teams play.
Dec 5, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla looks on during the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images | Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
The Lakers have a problem. It’s a LeBron James problem. Well, it’s also a Luka Doncic problem. Really, it’s an Austin Reaves problem, too.
When LA’s three best players are on the floor together, they’re a -8.8 net rating. They’ve played just eleven games together and sure, sport an 8-3 record, but at their core, it’s just not working.
Boston’s Big Three, on the other hand, have been humming along. Well, had been humming along. Before the NBA trade deadline, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard spearheaded the second-best offense in the league with an 8.1 net rating in 823 minutes together. But after the acquisition of Nikola Vucevic, the defending Sixth Man of the Year went back to the bench and now forms a lethal one-two punch with the second unit.
The sample size is obviously small, but the eye test speaks volumes to the second unit’s potential. In four games, Vucevic and Pritchard have led the second unit with a +12.7 net rating (115.8 offensive, 103.1 defensive) in 95 minutes together. The pairing has opened up the floor for swingmen like Hugo Gonzalez and Jordan Walsh.
It’s a dynamic that the team didn’t necessarily have with the ignitable Anfernee Simons and in a season that has been defined by doing the best what you have, Joe Mazzulla has made, well, incredible lemonade.
Removing Pritchard from the starting lineup probably doesn’t fit J.J. Redick’s definition of Mazzulla as a “basketball sicko,” but it does highlight Mazzulla’s commitment to doing whatever it takes to extract the most out of this roster. Pritchard was having easily the best season of his career after a patient six-year wait to be a starter in this league. And without even blinking, he’s been a soldier in Mazzulla’s army and done whatever’s been asked of him.
”I can start, I can come off the bench — it don’t matter,” he has said. “Just what the team needs: being killer in my role. That’s what it takes.”
Just how well does the Lakers' Big 3 stack up?@chiney analyzes the Lakers' efficiency of LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves together✍️ pic.twitter.com/FdpWZd8oFu
You have to wonder if similar conversations have been had with the Lakers. As ESPN’s Chiney Ogwumike explains above, Doncic and Reaves are a +14.4 with LeBron on the bench and James is +7.7 with Doncic and Reaves off the floor. And together, they’re awful in everything the Celtics do great: defend, rebound off the offensive glass, and limit turnovers.
This isn’t to say that the Lakers aren’t a good team. They’ve weathered injuries all year and are still positioned to avoid the Play-In Tournament. To their credit, they’ve instituted some much needed change. Doncic did go on a summer diet and looks trimmer this season. Rob Pelinka finally traded the once expected sharpshooter Gabe Vicent for the current flavor-of-the-month Luke Kenard. They brought in the ultimate gamechanger in Marcus Smart and are currently revamping their front office with new ownership.
However, none of that has exactly translated on the floor and in Redick’s defense, he arguably has more on his plate than Mazzulla has. There’s Lebron and Reaves’ impending free agency. There’s catering to Luka, something Mavericks management just couldn’t stomach anymore. There’s the often disconnect between what Redick wants to see on the floor and how the players are performing followed by the fingerpointing in the press.
So, I wonder if things would be different in La La Land if it was Mazzulla-la-la at the helm.
Would Joe have already moved the greatest scorer of all time to the bench? Would Dalton Knecht have found his groove by now? Would Jaxson Hayes and Deandre Ayton be even on the team at this point?
Thankfully today and for the foreseeable future, Mazzulla is our basketball sicko, unafraid and undeterred to make changes, with only winning in mind.
