SUZUKA, Japan (AP) — Four-time world champion Max Verstappen has not ruled out retiring at the end of the Formula 1 season, saying he is trying “very hard” to enjoy racing under the new changes.
The Red Bull driver again openly expressed his dissatisfaction on Sunday after an eighth-place finish at the Japanese Grand Prix, which was won by 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes.
“Privately I’m very happy," Verstappen told the BBC after the race. "You also wait for 24 races. This time it’s 22. But normally 24. And then you just think about is it worth it? Or do I enjoy being more at home with my family? Seeing my friends more when you’re not enjoying your sport?"
The 28-year-old Verstappen said “That's what I'm saying” when asked by the BBC if this could be his last season.
“I want to be here to have fun and have a great time and enjoy myself. At the moment that’s not really the case,” he said. "Of course I do enjoy certain aspects. I enjoy working with my team. It’s like a second family. But once I sit in the car it’s not the most enjoyable unfortunately. I’m trying. I keep telling myself every day to try and enjoy it. It’s just very hard.”
Verstappen is among the drivers struggling after one of the most significant regulation changes in F1 took place this season.
“I can easily accept to be in P7 or P8 where I am,” he said. “Because I also know that you can’t be dominating or be first or second or whatever, fighting for a podium every time. I’m very realistic in that and I’ve been there before. I’ve not only been winning in F1.
“But at the same time when you are in P7 or P8 and you are not enjoying the whole formula behind it, it doesn’t feel natural to a racing driver," he said.
“Of course I try to adapt to it, but it’s not nice the way you have to race. It’s really anti-driving. Then at one point, yeah, it’s just not what I want to do."
The Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets square off for the fourth and final time of the campaign as familiar Western Conference foes clash at Ball Arena.
Jamal Murray is enjoying the best scoring season of his career, and my Warriors vs. Nuggets predictions expect him to stay hot tonight.
Warriors vs Nuggets best bet: Jamal Murray Over 22.5 points (-110)
Jamal Murray is averaging a career-high 25.5 points per game, and he’s in the midst of a major heater right now. Murray has averaged 27.1 points across his last 16 outings, including 84 points across his last two games.
He's been a versatile scorer over that stretch, knocking down 3.4 triples and hitting 5.9 free throws per game. The Denver Nuggets' star point guard has reached 23 points in 44 of 70 games, including 20 of 33 at home.
In three matchups with the Golden State Warriors, Murray scored 21, 23, and 25 points, and Golden State’s defense presents a favorable matchup on Sunday.
Over the last 10 games, the Warriors have allowed the 10th-most points (120.8), and they sport the 19th-ranked defensive rating (117.1).
Golden State’s roster has been ravaged by injuries, and finding the players needed to slow down Murray will be no easy task.
The point total is set at 238.5, and I’m predicting a high-scoring matchup. That means Murray will have plenty of opportunities to score, and he’ll have no problem reaching the Over on such a modest scoring line — given his recent offensive success and friendly defensive matchup.
Warriors vs Nuggets same-game parlay
The Nuggets and Warriors have hit the Over at the highest and second-highest percentages, respectively. Denver is 8-2 to the Over across its last 10 games, and Golden State is 7-3. Both teams also rank in the Top 10 in pace across their last 10 games overall.
The Dubs haven't found much success against the spread on the road. Both teams have struggled to cover in recent contests, but Denver gets the edge due to health and home-court advantage. The home team has also covered in all three meetings this season.
Warriors vs Nuggets SGP
Jamal Murray Over 22.5 points
Over 238
Nuggets -11.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Dynamic duo
Murray and Nikola Jokic made history earlier in the week, reaching 400 wins as teammates and becoming the first duo to have one player with 50 points and another with 15/15/15 in the same contest. Both should stay hot against a struggling Warriors defense.
Murray has averaged 7.3 dimes across his last nine outings. He's cashed the Over on this line in two of three matchups with Golden State.
Jokic has averaged 25.7 points across his last 15 games, hitting 26+ in seven of them. He scored at least that many points in two of three matchups with the Warriors. Over his last 15 games, the Joker has averaged 11.9 assists and recorded 12+ dimes 10 times.
Warriors vs Nuggets SGP
Jamal Murray Over 22.5 points
Jamal Murray Over 6.5 assists
Nikola Jokic Over 25.5 points
Nikola Jokic Over 11.5 assists
Warriors vs Nuggets odds
Spread: Warriors +11.5 | Nuggets -11.5
Moneyline: Warriors +450 | Nuggets -600
Over/Under: Over 238.5 | Under 238.5
Warriors vs Nuggets betting trend to know
The Golden State Warriors have hit the game total Over in 31 of their last 50 games (+10.10 Units / 18% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Warriors vs. Nuggets.
How to watch Warriors vs Nuggets
Location
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Date
Sunday, March 29, 2026
Tip-off
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBC
Warriors vs Nuggets latest injuries
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That includes the difficulty — and often years of drought — of making the Final Four. It's something that, after a near trip to the Final Four in 2024, No. 3 seed Illinois finally experienced inside the Toyota Center in Houston on Saturday, March 28. The Fighting Illini defeated Big Ten foe, No. 9 Iowa, in the Elite Eight to become the first team to advance to the Final Four.
Keaton Wagler won the point guard battle against Iowa's Bennett Stirtz, as the Big Ten Freshman of the Year finished with 25 points, three assists, two rebounds and a steal. That line was good enough for Wagler to be named the South Region’s Most Outstanding Player after he averaged 19.0 points in two games in Houston.
"It's better than I dreamt it would ever be," he said in postgame following his team's win vs. Iowa. "Thirty-nine years in the business and that's all I'm going to say about my side of this."
But with the Illini now sitting two wins away from a national championship, curiosity has risen about when the last time Illinois — which had seen four first-round exits in the last five years entering this year's Men's NCAA Tournament — last made the Final Four.
Here's what to know.
When was the last time Illinois made Final Four?
The Illini's win over the Hawkeyes on Saturday sent them past the Elite Eight and into the Final Four for the first time since 2005. It's Illinois' sixth trip to the Final Four, where it is 1-5 in the national semifinal game.
"It feels great. From the moment we stepped on campus, we kind of got a sense of how talented we were, but it feels surreal actually being in this moment. I wouldn't want it any other way with these guys right next to me," Illinois guard Andrej Stojakovic said after the Elite Eight win.
"Don't get it wrong, it's not just us three. We got guys 1 through 15 and a roomful of coaching staff, administration, guys that help us every day, managers that don't get the credit, and it took all of us to get here and it took all of us to give 100% percent of what we got to achieve this.
"Last thing I'll say is I don't want anybody to think that this is it. We didn't get to the Final Four just to get there. We're coming to win two more games, and we'll take it one game at a time."
“It’s been 21 years for the Illini, but finally, the road will take them to Indianapolis. Illinois is going to the Final Four!” pic.twitter.com/FZb8Xj2NQJ
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 29, 2026
Illinois basketball Final Four history
This is the Illini's sixth trip to the Final Four and first since 2005.
1949: lost semifinal to Kentucky, 76-47
1951: lost semifinal to Kentucky, 76-74
1952: lost semifinal to St. John's, 61-59
1989: lost semifinal to Michigan, 83-81
2005: won semifinal vs. Louisville, 72-57; lost in final to North Carolina, 75-70
It's official: The Milwaukee Bucks are eliminated from the postseason.
That, however, feels much more like the light just turned green on the speculation about Giannis Antetokounmpo's future in the city.
After being blown out by the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday behind a Stephon Castle triple-double, Milwaukee is now 9.5 games back of the No. 10 seed Charlotte Hornets with nine games remaining in the season. The Bucks are eliminated. Bucks coach Doc Rivers talked about being eliminated postgame.
Will being eliminated change Antetokounmpo’s plan to try to return to the court this season once he recovers from a left knee hyperextension that led to a bone bruise? The Bucks front office has wanted him to shut it down both because of that injury and the lingering other ones that have limited him to 36 games this season, plus they should be focusing on the best draft position possible. But Antetokounmpo's push to return was always more performative and about how he views himself, so that fight may not be over.
Milwaukee missing these playoffs started last playoffs, when Damian Lillard tore his Achilles and was going to miss this season entirely because of it. That led to a desperation move by the Bucks front office, waiving and stretching the more than $112 million remaining on his contract over five years, freeing up the money to sign Myles Turner as a free agent. He did not live up to expectations for the Bucks this season.
The question now becomes, will Antetokounmpo agree to a max extension with the Bucks this offseason (something he can't sign until Oct. 1, but the talks will happen much earlier)? The Bucks' front office will explore trading more draft picks and players to upgrade the roster, but will that be enough for Antetokounmpo to see a contender and stay? The expectation in league circles is that he will tell the Bucks he will not sign an extension with them — not asking for a trade directly (something he has said he would never do) but essentially forcing the Bucks to deal him or lose him for nothing in a year — and the sides working to find him a new home this offseason.
Let the Antetokounmpo offseason speculation begin.
With 51 double-doubles in 69 games, Karl-Anthony Towns has put himself in elite company this season. In fact, he leads the league in that category, just edging out Nikola Jokic (50).
The New York Knicks center is almost automatic for a double-double every night, logging 12 in his last 14 outings.
His opponent, the Oklahoma City Thunder, rank 23rd in rebounds allowed per game since the All-Star break (45.2) and 22nd in offensive rebounds corralled (10.2).
Towns is averaging 11.9 rpg, with 8.8 defensive boards per game, so he should dominate this matchup on the glass and register another double-double.
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Peacock/NNC
Prop #2: Nikola Jokic Over 11.5 assists
+100 at bet365
Despite the Denver Nuggets’ five-game win streak, Nikola Jokic has had a bit of a sluggish run on the box score, with less than 25 points in four of those contests. However, the three-time MVP has still contributed in other ways.
Jokic has dished out Over 11.5 assists in four straight contests and nine of his last 11, while averaging a league-leading 10.8 dimes per game this season.
The Golden State Warriors are 20th in points against per game (118.4) and 23rd in field goals allowed per game (43.9) since the All-Star break.
The Nuggets will run up the score, and Jokic will dish out at least a dozen dimes.
Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Peacock/NBC
Prop #3: Ziaire Williams Over 12.5 points
+100 at bet365
The lowly Brooklyn Nets are in the midst of another lengthy losing streak, but on the positive side, they’re seeing some progression from Ziaire Williams.
The 24-year-old has scored 16+ points in five straight games, as well as Over 12.5 points in nine of his last 12 outings.
The Sacramento Kings are just as bad as the Nets, and even worse on the defensive end. Sacramento is allowing 122.9 ppg post All-Star break — the sixth-worst mark in the NBA.
With Michael Porter Jr. out for Brooklyn, Williams is the Nets’ go-to scorer, and he’ll lead the way again tonight vs. the Kings.
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Week 23 is the most important in fantasy basketball for many players, as it is championship week in Yahoo! default leagues. Of course, with injury management and tanking being what it has become, there are a lot of leagues that have already finished up. More than half of the NBA's 30 teams play four games in Week 23, while two are limited to two games. Let's look at the schedule breakdown and some key storylines heading into Week 23.
- The Trail Blazers have the worst Week 23 schedule.
Portland and Denver have two-game weeks, but the former's schedule setup is much worse. While the Nuggets will play on Wednesday and Saturday, the latter being the lightest game day of Week 23, the Trail Blazers are active on Tuesday and Thursday. A player like Jrue Holiday or Toumani Camara will have some value to begin the week, but they'll be of no use to fantasy managers for the final three days. Managers in leagues that allow for lineups to be set daily will need to account for this when utilizing their transactions for the week. As for those competing in leagues where lineups lock for the week after a player's first game, they may need to seek alternatives on the waiver wire or within their current squad.
- Saturday is the light game day of Week 23.
There are only three games on Saturday, with five of the six teams in action playing their final Week 23 game that day. Among those teams are Denver, San Antonio and Philadelphia, which all boast some highly impactful fantasy options. And then there's Washington, which will be active on Saturday and Sunday. Alex Sarr immediately comes to mind as a valuable fantasy option whose availability may be limited at the end of Week 23. Back-to-backs have not been an issue for Will Riley or Bub Carrington, and there could be a game where Julian Reese emerges as a viable streamer. Also, that is the second back-to-back of Week 23 that the Wizards must deal with; the first begins on the final day of Week 22.
- The Cavaliers and Magic are among the teams that have two back-to-backs to navigate.
For both of these teams, their second back-to-back carries over into Week 24, the final week of the regular season. How will that impact the availability of these teams' key players for the final day of Week 23? There aren't many leagues that run through Week 24; with availability already being incredibly unpredictable, running a league through the final week of the regular season feels unnecessary. Cleveland is getting closer to full strength, but the back-to-backs may affect the availability of Jarrett Allen or Max Strus. As for the Magic, they're still awaiting the returns of Franz Wagner and Anthony Black. Will either or both return at some point during Week 23? The answer affects Tristan da Silva, who has offered solid value as the replacement in the starting lineup.
- Fantasy managers won't have Luka Dončić to begin Week 23.
Dončić's managers, hoping to get their Week 23 off to an excellent start with the Lakers hosting the Wizards on Monday, were left disappointed when the NBA announced he would be suspended for a game after picking up his 16th technical foul of the season on Friday. As a result, he'll sit out the first of four games that the Lakers are scheduled to play in Week 23. Dončić will still have games against the Cavaliers, Thunder and Mavericks, and he's clearly capable of putting up gaudy numbers in those matchups. However, missing out on an opportunity to torch a lottery-bound team is unfortunate for those going into championship week with Dončić on their roster. That said, his absence boosts the fantasy values of Austin Reaves and LeBron James.
- Will we see Anthony Edwards or Stephen Curry during Week 23?
It appears more likely that the former will be available than the latter. Edwards was cleared for all on-court activities on Friday, and while there are still a few hurdles for him to clear, playing on Monday in Dallas is a serious possibility. The Timberwolves play four games in Week 23, three of which are scheduled over the final four days (back-to-back on Thursday and Friday in Detroit and Philadelphia). The back-to-back could leave Edwards available for three games, but that's better than nothing.
As for Curry, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr acknowledged on Friday that the team is “running out of games” to get their star guard back onto the court. He still has not reached the point where he's cleared for 5-on-5 activities, something the team reportedly hoped would have already happened by now. The Warriors won't play their first Week 23 game until Wednesday against the Spurs, but that's the first of two games in as many nights.
For a team that could still win 50 games this year, there’s a surprising amount of gloom around the Houston Rockets, and it’s a “where do we go from here?” derby tonight as they visit the New Orleans Pelicans.
Houston is just 7-7 in March while New Orleans has dropped four games in a row, and my Rockets vs. Pelicans predictions and NBA picks signal a struggle for both offenses tonight.
Rockets vs Pelicans prediction
Rockets vs Pelicans best bet: Under 225.5 (-110)
Put simply, this isn’t likely a matchup for basketball purists who love slick offense. That makes the Under a value pick tonight. It’s 2-7 in the New Orleans Pelicans’ last nine contests, and 41-32 for the Houston Rockets this season.
The numbers tell a compelling story for a low-scoring scrap. Houston is allowing just 110.2 ppg this year, the fourth-best mark in the league, and should lock down a New Orleans offense that may be without Dejounte Murray and Trey Murphy III again.
The Pelicans have thrown Jeremiah Fears into a bigger role with the season fading away, and they looked toothless in Toronto on Friday, managing just 44 points in the first half.
Meanwhile, Houston's over-reliance on Kevin Durant to get buckets has been a storyline all year, and they’re still stuck in the bottom half of the NBA at 114.1 ppg. The lack of ball movement is at the root of the problem, with only four teams averaging fewer assists per game.
Equally, these squads have been a mess from beyond the arc this season. New Orleans ranks 26th in 3-pointers made and 25th in 3-pointers attempted; Houston ranks 27th and 29th, respectively, in those categories. That’s not the type of marksmanship to spark an Over.
When these teams squared off earlier this month in Houston, we got a 107-105 rock fight that put a spotlight on their offensive limitations. Tonight feels like a recipe for more of the same.
Rockets vs Pelicans same-game parlay
I like pairing the Under with a rebounding Over, and Amen Thompson is averaging 8.9 rpg in March. He’s gone past this O/U mark in six of his last eight outings, and he hauled in 12 boards against the Pelicans earlier this month.
The Rockets are 6-1 SU in the past seven meetings between these teams, and they have a defensive edge over a New Orleans squad that’s scored fewer than 110 points in four of its past five games.
Rockets vs Pelicans SGP
Under 225.5
Amen Thompson Over 7.5 rebounds
Rockets moneyline
Our "from downtown" SGP: Reed all about it!
One way for Houston to unclog its offense is to bump up Reed Sheppard’s minutes. He’s coming off a 15-point effort in Memphis on Friday, and he’s up to 31.8 mpg this month. His playmaking is the biggest plus, with 28 dimes across his last four contests.
Rockets vs Pelicans SGP
Reed Sheppard Over 14.5 points
Reed Sheppard Over 4.5 assists
Amen Thompson Over 7.5 rebounds
Rockets -6
Rockets vs Pelicans odds
Spread: Rockets -6 | Pelicans +6
Moneyline: Rockets -240 | Pelicans +195
Over/Under: Over 225.5 | Under 225.5
Rockets vs Pelicans betting trend to know
The Under is 28-18 in Houston's games against Western Conference opponents this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Rockets vs. Pelicans.
How to watch Rockets vs Pelicans
Location
Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Date
Sunday, March 29, 2026
Tip-off
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
Space City Home Network, Pelicans+
Rockets vs Pelicans latest injuries
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CHICAGO — The Big Ten is the best conference in college basketball. No, the SEC deserves that honor. And what about the Big East?
College basketball fans and media have harped over conference supremacy for much of the 2025-26 men's college basketball season: The SEC got the most teams into the Men's NCAA Tournament, with 10 teams that largely performed to their seedings — excepting, of course, defending national champion and No. 1 seed Florida.
The Big Ten had the most teams left standing entering the Elite Eight play on Saturday, March 28, and could potentially field half the Final Four field should No. 1 seed beat No. 6 seed Tennessee on Sunday, March 29. The Volunteers are the last remaining hope for the SEC.
The four Big Ten teams in the Elite Eight beat the old record of three, which occurred in 2000, 2005 and 2019. However, no Big Ten team has won the national championship since 2000, when Michigan State cut down the nets in, ironically, Indianapolis. Could the quarter century-long curse end there on April 6?
But while talk shows and fans continue to banter on about conference supremacy, how much do the players — the ones actually playing in the games — care about that chatter?
It depends on who you ask.
“Not really,” Tennessee freshman Nate Ament said when asked how much he caried about being the last SEC team standing. “We’re grateful to the SEC for getting us prepared for this tournament. There are so many tough teams in the SEC. But again, it’s just how the cookie crumbles. We’re the only SEC team left, so we want to represent the SEC, but that’s not our motivation or fuel.”
The Vols knocked off No. 2 seed Iowa State in the Midwest Region semifinal at United Center in Chicago on Friday, March 27. Tennessee will take on the Wolverines with a chance to advance to the Final Four for the first time in program history. The Wolverines, of course, are one of the handful of Big Ten teams remaining.
“Obviously, we’re all on social media, so we definitely see it,” Michigan guard Trey McKinney said. “But I think it just really shows the strength of the Big Ten Conference, and I think the Big Ten Conference is definitely the best conference in America.”
McKinney added that he does root for other Big Ten Conference teams when he tunes into games, but with a caveat: “We tend to root for certain Big Ten teams,” McKinney said with a laugh.
Michigan senior guard Roddy Gayle Jr. agreed with McKinney’s assessment.
“I feel like the Big Ten is just one big group,” Gayle said. “I root for the Big Ten teams, especially because I feel like it boosts the conference, it boosts the teams and brings more eyes on the conference.”
Last season, four SEC teams played in the Elite Eight — including Tennessee — with two advancing to the Final Four. Florida defeated Auburn to advance to the national championship, and took home the title after beating Houston.
This year, Tennessee is the last chance for the SEC to win its third national title since 2012.
Tennessee forward Felix Okpara said the team does not feel any added pressure to win for the SEC this season. However, Maryland transfer Ja’Kobi Gillespie said the team does want to represent the SEC well.
The nine Big Ten teams in the 2026 NCAA Tournament have gone a combined 17-5. That includes a perfect 4-0 against the SEC in March Madness entering play on March 29.
“We definitely want to put on for the SEC,” Gillespie said. “But I think we just go out there and play. I mean, it’s whoever is the better team tomorrow. None of the regular season matters anymore.”
Michigan, should it beat Tennessee on March 29, would play Arizona in the Final Four next weekend in Indianapolis. If the Wolverines advance to the national title game, they could play Illinois, assuming the Fighting Illini also advance.
Gayle has the same belief that many SEC, ACC and Big East teams have come out of the NCAA Tournament feeling.
“I hope we don’t have to play any of them,” Gayle said with a laugh. “They have all our scouts.”
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 27: Luka Garza #52 of the Boston Celtics attempts a layup against forward Jonathan Kuminga #0 of the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at the TD Garden on March 27, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Sometimes it feels like you know how 80% of a Celtics game is going to go.
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are going to do half of the heavy lifting. Payton Pritchard and Derrick White will cover about another third. But it’s that other 15-20% that you’re going to get from your 5th, 6th, and down to your 9th or 10th man that’s unpredictable. Those role players just might swing a game and that game might just swing a series in the playoffs.
The Celtics roster is littered with guys like that. All year, everybody from Neemias Queta to Jordan Walsh to Hugo Gonzalez to Baylor Scheierman have won the Tommy Award.
And then there’s Luka Garza.
It wasn’t that long ago that Garza was the consensus National Player of the Year in college basketball. In 2020, he averaged 24 and 10 in his junior season at Iowa and followed that up with a First Team All-American selection.
Unfortunately, the college game doesn’t necessarily translate to the NBA. Garza persevered through four seasons with the Pistons and Timberwolves and has finally carved out a spot in Joe Mazzulla’s rotation.
With Nikola Vucevic, Boston’s major pickup at the trade deadline, on the mend, Garza is back terrorizing opposing teams’ frontcourts with his relentless work ethic in the paint, savvy screening above the break, and the occasional three-pointer that harkens back to Al Horford’s catapult-ish shot from behind the arc.
And even when Vooch returns, Celtics fans have resoundingly voted to keep Garza in the fold when the playoffs start next month. Maybe it’s just a two-minute stint in a double big lineup with Queta. Maybe Vucevic gets into early foul trouble. Maybe Mazzulla just wants to shake up the energy with the Garzilla roaming the baseline. Regardless, it’s clear that Luka has found a home in Boston.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 09: Assistant coach Charles Lee (L) of the Boston Celtics speaks to head coach Joe Mazzulla during the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs at TD Garden on May 09, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
When the Celtics and Hornets face off on Sunday night, it will be a match-up between two of the Eastern Conference’s hottest teams. And, in many ways, the two franchises are interconnected — both due to their personell and emerging styles of play.
Earlier this month, ESPN analyst Jay Williams drew the connection himself: “They’re like a younger version of the Boston Celtics,” he said of the Hornets. “Their games actually mirror each other.”
The parallels between the Celtics and Hornets are striking.
Both teams are heavily reliant on three-pointers — the Hornets have made the most threes in the NBA this season (1193), and the Celtics have made the third-most (1113). Both teams routinely win the margins, meaning they get up more shots than their opponents; the Celtics average the 4th-most offensive rebounds per game, the Hornets average the 7th-most.
And, both franchises have been a part of two of the most extreme midseason turnarounds the league has seen in recent years. The Hornets were 12 games below .500 on January 22nd. Since then, they’ve gone 23-7, completely turning their season around.
The Celtics underwent a similar turnaround in 2022 en route to their first Finals appearance of the Jayson Tatum/Jaylen Brown era. That season, they entered the All-Star break with a 20-21 record, and ended up going 31-10 the rest of the way.
What’s fueled Charlotte’s turnaround? And, why does it feel like the Celtics organization’s tentacles are all over the Hornets?
CelticsBlog caught up with Hornets guard Kon Knueppel, a frontrunner for Rookie of the Year, to dive into that question. [The conversation was part of Knueppel’s new partnership with Cheez-It; the rookie star has launched the Double Double Cheez-It Bundle, as an ode to his favorite snack flavor].
Knueppel is averaging 19 points per game and shooting 43.6% from three. He’s already set the record for most three-pointers made in a rookie season (256) and has established himself as one of the most lethal shooters in the game.
The Charlotte Hornets organization is filled with ex-Celtics
Knueppel credited Hornets head coach Charles Lee for powering the team’s success this season. Lee was Joe Mazzulla’s lead assistant during the 2024 championship, and is in his second year as Charlotte’s head coach.
“Charles has been great,” Knueppel said. “He really preaches daily improvement. So even when you know the losses were stacking up early in the season, it was really just about continuing to get better each day. And I think going into each day with that mindset, living in the present, is really good, especially for our young team.”
Lee headlines a long list of critical Hornets personnel who were previously part of the Celtics organization.
Two members of the Hornets coaching staff — Blaine Mueller and Jermaine Bucknor — also hail from that Celtics championship team. Mueller, who was the head coach of the Maine Celtics in 2023-2024, is one of Lee’s lead assistant in Charlotte.
And Bucknor, who was a player development coach in Boston, is also on the staff. Bucknor leads Hornets guard Sion James’ player development work, and oftentimes cosplays some of the NBA’s best players when the Hornets are going through scouts (Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero is an example of a player Bucknor cosplays).
“He’s a good guy to have around,” Knueppel said. “He’s still a bucket, so whenever we need a scout team, he’s in there getting buckets. He’s great.”
The connections don’t end there: last summer, the Hornets named Patrick Chasse as new vice president of Medical and Performance. Chasse had previously been the Celtics’ head athletic trainer since 2022, and began with the organization in 2020.
Knueppel said the Hornets’ midseason turnaround could primarily be attributed to guys getting healthy.
“Brandon [Miller] missed a lot of games,” Knueppel said. “He dislocated his shoulder, or separated his shoulder, in the second game of the season. So, he missed about 20 games early, and LaMelo [Ball] missed 10 games early. So having those guys out of the lineup, obviously super important players for us. And then when they come back, they’re on they’re on minutes restrictions, and they’re not playing back-to-backs. So, getting those guys back healthy, playing full-time, was really important. And then getting guys like Grant Williams and Josh Green back back healthy as well, who are big-time role players for us, was huge.”
And, the Hornets veterans include two former Celtics: Grant Williams and Xavier Tillman. Williams was traded to Charlotte in 2024, and quickly became a key locker room presence. Knueppel named him as one of the most welcoming guys on the roster. He, Williams, and Pat Connaughton use the sauna together after every home game and chat.
“He’s been really, really good for us rookies, really good to us, making us feel comfortable, taking us out to dinner, paying for dinner when he doesn’t have to, making us feel welcome,” Knueppel said. “So, he’s been phenomenal. He’s been a really good friend.”
Grant Williams has emerged as a key locker room presence in Charlotte. | Getty Images
The Hornets are now making a playoff push, and Williams has routinely drawn from his own experiences making playoff runs with the Celtics in order to advise the younger guys who haven’t been there before.
“He talks about it a lot – just the standard that we have to hold ourselves to, and how it’s going to be in the playoffs, committing to what we do, and our identity on a nightly basis is important,” Knueppel said. “He really, really talks about that a lot.”
The most recent ex-Celtics addition?
Tillman, who was traded from the Celtics to the Hornets at the trade deadline. Knueppel said Tillman has been a great veteran presence, and that the team has really enjoyed having his family around.
“He’s one of the best locker room presences you can have in the league,” Williams said of Tillman earlier this month. “I bet you everyone here in Boston would say the same.”
As they gear up to face the Celtics, on Sunday the Hornets are currently 39-35, good for the 10th-best record in the Eastern Conference. But, they’re only 2.5 games behind the Toronto Raptors for the 5th seed, with 7 games left to play.
And, they’ve become an increasingly daunting first-round opponent.
“We have a chance to get out of the play-in,” Knueppel said. “And so that’s really the goal at the end of the day – we have a couple of tie-breakers with teams in our division. So it’d be great to get into that.”
The Milwaukee Bucks are getting a glimpse into a grim Giannis-less future, and a nightmare week wraps up with a visit from the Los Angeles Clippers this afternoon.
Milwaukee has lost its last three games by a combined 96 points, including a thumping against Kawhi Leonard & Co. at Intuit Dome, and my Clippers vs. Bucks predictions and NBA picks explain why a similar script is brewing for this rematch, with Darius Garland continuing his hot streak.
Clippers vs Bucks prediction
Clippers vs Bucks best bet: Darius Garland Over 18.5 points (-120)
Maybe Darius Garland has just been healthier this month. Maybe there’s some extra juice after the Cavaliers gave up on him at the trade deadline. Either way, his strong March numbers have solidified the Los Angeles Clippers as a dangerous potential first-round playoff opponent — assuming they get there.
With that in mind, the Garland points prop is the standout pick for me today. He poured in 30 points for L.A. on Friday against the Pacers, making 10 of his 19 shots, including six 3-pointers, and he’s gone past this O/U number in eight of his last 10 outings.
I’m buying into the crafty point guard’s 21.8 ppg average in March, and a lackluster Milwaukee squad is an ideal opponent. Garland is shooting better than 50% from downtown as a Clipper, and, while that’s not sustainable in the long run, don’t count on him slowing down this afternoon. After all, the Bucks have allowed 120+ points in seven of their past eight contests.
The hosts’ woeful defense isn’t likely to get any better on the second day of a back-to-back set, and we saw Stephon Castle toy with Milwaukee on the way to 22 points and a triple-double yesterday. Garland is a different kind of guard, but there’s a blueprint for attacking a Milwaukee Bucks team that’s seemingly counting the days until the offseason.
This game has blowout written all over it, but the prop line is low enough that Garland can do his damage in limited minutes.
Clippers vs Bucks same-game parlay
A healthy Garland next to Kawhi gives the Clippers a new ceiling, and I’m wagering on more hot shooting from the former Cav, who’s drilled 22 threes across his last four games.
The Clippers cruised to a 129-96 victory over the Bucks on Monday, so there’s appeal for laying the points, especially with Bobby Portis and Kyle Kuzma on the injury report for Milwaukee. Plus, the hosts are 3-7 ATS in their past 10 contests.
Clippers vs Bucks SGP
Darius Garland Over 18.5 points
Darius Garland Over 2.5 threes
Clippers -14
Our "from downtown" SGP: A wrong Turn!
The Myles Turner contract is looking like a major blunder for the Bucks, and he’s shown very few signs of carrying Milwaukee during Antetokounmpo’s latest spell on the sidelines.
He had 15 points yesterday, but he’s averaging just 8.3 ppg and 3.8 rpg in March. The hosts could have done worse than stick with Brook Lopez, who’s scored 10+ points in four straight games.
Clippers vs Bucks SGP
Myles Turner Under 10.5 points
Myles Turner Under 4.5 rebounds
Brook Lopez Over 9.5 points
Clippers -14
Clippers vs Bucks odds
Spread: Clippers -14 | Bucks +14
Moneyline: Clippers -1000 | Bucks +650
Over/Under: Over 221.5 | Under 221.5
Clippers vs Bucks betting trend to know
The Bucks are 1-5 ATS in their last six games without Giannis Antetokounmpo. Find more NBA betting trends for Clippers vs. Bucks.
How to watch Clippers vs Bucks
Location
Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
Date
Sunday, March 29, 2026
Tip-off
3:30 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN SoCal, FDSN Wisconsin
Clippers vs Bucks latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Jan 30, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) reacts with Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) during the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Rockets fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
This week’s Rockets question asked you who thought was the biggest player loss for the Rockets. The choices were Fred VanVleet, for his effect on the offense, Dillon Brooks for the defense and as the heartbeat of the team, or Steven Adams for his toughness and offensive rebounding. Here’s your answer:
As you can see, the vast majority of you picked Fred VanVleet, and that wasn’t entirely unexpected. Houston’s offense has looked disjointed all season, and not having an experienced point guard was a big reason why. I was curious to see the percentages though, because I still maintain that losing Brooks was the biggest. Houston’s entire identity as a hard-nosed defensive force is no longer. Tari Eason and Amen Thompson are no longer the Terror Twins, there’s no in-your-face attitude, and the Rockets have gone soft. They’re KD’s team now. I don’t think that’s necessarily the case if Brooks is still in town. He got my vote.
Thanks for participating. Make sure you check out our friends over at FanDuel. The Rockets are +8000 to win the NBA Title. That’s an 8k payout on a $100 bet.
The Orlando Magic snapped a six-game losing skid on Thursday and will look to stay in the win column tonight when they visit the Toronto Raptors.
Tristan da Silva has stepped up in a big way for Orlando, and I’m looking for the forward to keep producing in my Magic vs. Raptors predictions and NBA picks for Sunday, March 29.
Magic vs Raptors prediction
Magic vs Raptors best bet: Tristan da Silva Over 10.5 points (-120)
Injuries have hampered the Orlando Magic this season, with Franz Wagner out indefinitely due to a high ankle sprain and Anthony Black also on the injury list with an abdominal strain.
But injuries often come with silver linings in the form of opportunities for other players, and Tristan da Silva has seized his.
The sophomore forward was averaging 20 minutes and change before the All-Star break, but he’s playing over 30 minutes per game this month.
Increased playing time often translates to increased confidence, and the 24-year-old is a prime example. Da Silva has seen his field-goal attempts per game jump from 6.8 in February to 9.9 in March, while his scoring has doubled to 14.3 ppg this month.
Orlando’s 2024 first-round pick has scored Over 10.5 points in four straight games and 11 of his 15 appearances this month. Considering da Silva has scored 18+ points in each of his last three contests, tonight’s line feels way too low.
Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane have been great for the Magic of late, averaging about 26 and 20 ppg, respectively, but da Silva is arguably their third-best player right now.
He’ll top 10.5 points with ease tonight in Toronto.
Magic vs Raptors same-game parlay
The Magic have been scoring with ease of late, cashing the Over in nine of their last 11 games, and that push has largely been led by Banchero and da Silva.
Banchero has scored 30+ points in three straight games and Over 23.5 points in 10 of 15 contests this month. The Magic forward is averaging 26.4 ppg over that span.
Magic vs Raptors SGP
Tristan da Silva Over 10.5 points
Paolo Banchero Over 23.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Double-double trouble
Both teams could be down two starters today, with the Toronto Raptors' Immanuel Quickley (out) and Brandon Ingram (questionable) also on the injury list. That means key players on both sides will need to step up in a variety of roles.
Banchero has 24 double-doubles this season, including six this month. On the Raptors side, Jakob Poeltl has three in his last six outings, while Scottie Barnes has two in his last three games.
Magic vs Raptors SGP
Paolo Banchero double-double
Jakob Poeltl double-double
Scottie Barnes double-double
Magic vs Raptors odds
Spread: Magic +2.5 (-115) | Raptors -2.5 (-105)
Moneyline: Magic +115 | Raptors -135
Over/Under: Over 225.5 | Under 225.5
Magic vs Raptors betting trend to know
Tristan da Silva has scored Over 10.5 points in four straight games. Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Raptors.
How to watch Magic vs Raptors
Location
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Date
Sunday, March 29, 2026
Tip-off
6:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN Florida, TSN
Magic vs Raptors latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
For the negative segments of the fanbase and bloviators in the media, Thursday night’s loss to the Charlotte Hornets will serve as enough of a sample size to write the Knicks off for the umpteenth time this season. However, true observers won’t let it distract from the simple fact that New York’s been one of, if not the most dominant team in the league over the past two months.
Ugly games against deep lottery teams and Stephen A. Smith rants may take up the noise, but the Knicks are 23-8 since their embarrassing rock bottom blowout to the Dallas Mavericks in late January. They are tied for the second-highest net rating in the NBA in that span, outscoring opponents by 11.7 points per 100 possessions.
They also went on separate seven- and eight-game win streaks, beating the Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs along the way. What spurred this turnaround, and how have the Knicks been able to stay the hottest team in the NBA?
The life of a contender can be very boom-or-bust over an 82-game season. New York is equally susceptible, hitting a major wall after starting the season 23-9 and winning the NBA Cup.
They stumbled into the new year with a 2-9 skid, dropping games to dreg after dreg, as their defense plummeted to near-worst in the league during this span. The team completely lacked energy, focus, and seemingly chemistry, capping the losses with a 17-point home drubbing to the lowly Mavericks.
But contenders have bad months - the real ones can shake them off and not string two back-to-back. So the Knicks did, rattling off eight in a row to kick into high gear.
It started, first and foremost, with the defense. Even when the Knicks looked strong in the early season, their defense was good-to-average, passable if not worrying for a team with championship aspirations.
Since January 21, they’ve had the best defense in the league, holding opponents to 106.7 points per 100 possessions, a full point ahead of Oklahoma City. A key to the shift was the coaching staff simplifying the defensive system, as well as emphasizing protecting the middle and corners.
While the change empowered each individual player to step up their defensive games, including the vaunted wing defensive combo of OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, one in particular deserves added credit for his leadership on this end, and that’s Karl-Anthony Towns.
Despite the coaching and system changes, Towns has consistently brought it defensively throughout the season, even through injury and a slower offensive season. He’s been asked to jump between different schemes more, and taken on the challenge to success, now having one of his best defensive years.
The Knicks have still maintained a robust offense during this tear - good for sixth in the league. But this may be even more impressive than the defense, given some of the shooting woes of their key scorers.
New York has won all these games with Jalen Brunson averaging 23.8 points on 50 percent shooting from two and 35 percent from three. Those are well below his usual numbers, yet he’s stayed grounded as the floor general, picking up his assist count and off-ball play to make up for the drop-off.
Mikal Bridges is also in a dry spell of his own, failing to crack 15 points in the last 11 games. He’s averaged 13 points on 55 percent shooting from two and 33 percent from three since the Knicks started winning again - one can only imagine what the offense looks like once these two get going again.
It’s been Towns once again on this end, shaking off his rough start to the year to average 21 points on 63 percent shooting from two and 41 percent from three his last 20 games. Head coach Mike Brown once again had to find some midseason solutions to get KAT going, and did so in the nick of time.
The bolstering of New York’s depth has been another big factor. Mohamed Diawara went from creeping into to demanding a spot in the rotation, the Knicks acquired Jose Alvarado and Landry Shamet got healthy, all in this span, no small developments.
It can be easy to get lost in the day-by-day of the regular season, but the further you zoom out, the more impressive and ready for the playoffs this Knicks team looks. No matter what the doubters may say about a single loss, New York has been atop the league since before the trade deadline, and that means a little more.
Karl-Anthony Towns
Nikola Jokic
Ziaire Williams
Raphielle Johnson
