While a couple of teams can clinch playoff spots tonight — the Rockets and Cavaliers — Thursday is really about some big and important games for playoff seeding. Here's what you need to know.
Playoff Scenarios
• Cleveland can clinch a playoff spot with a win on the road at Golden State. This game sets up for the Cavaliers, as the Warriors are shorthanded (still without Stephen Curry) and are on the second night of a back-to-back. • Houston has the night off but can clinch a playoff spot with a Phoenix loss on the road in Charlotte.
Games to Watch
Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City Thunder (9:30 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
Two of the hottest and best teams in the NBA go head-to-head in a measuring-stick game that could also have real impacts on seeding in the West. It's also a showdown of two MVP candidates, the frontrunner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and the surging Luka Doncic.
Oklahoma City has gone 9-1 in its last 10, but equally-hot San Antonio remains just two games back (and the Spurs have the tiebreaker). The Thunder need the win to help keep the No. 1 overall spot. The Lakers need the win, too. Los Angeles sits as the No. 3 seed in the West but is just 1.5 games ahead of another hot team in Denver. The Lakers have a pretty soft schedule the rest of the way, aside from two games against the Thunder, getting a win in at least one of those is a huge boost to keeping the No. 3 seed.
Phoenix Suns at Charlotte Hornets (7 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass)
This game matters a lot to the Hornets, who enter the night tied with Orlando for the 8/9 seed in the East, with Miami just half a game back of both of them. It's a huge difference in getting out of the play-in between the eight and nine seeds, and Charlotte needs wins to hold on to eighth. Phoenix is basically locked into the No. 7 seed in the West, but is finally healthy with Dillon Brooks back.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Detroit Pistons (7 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
This game is far more important to the Timberwolves than the Pistons, but Detroit has been the hotter team. Minnesota currently sits sixth in the West, just half a game back of idle Houston (the teams are tied with 29 losses each). If the Timberwolves are going to climb past the Rockets in the West, this is the kind of game they need to win. Detroit has gone an impressive 6-2 without Cade Cunningham and comfortably the No. 1 seed in the East, four games up on Boston with six to play.
DALLAS, TEXAS - OCTOBER 29: Mark Cuban leaves the court following a game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Indiana Pacers 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
Heading into their Friday night game against the Orlando Magic, the Dallas Mavericks sit as the sixth worst team in the NBA with a 24-52 record. With only six games remaining in the season, you would think the team could quietly head into the offseason with a focus squarely on the draft. Mark Cuban had other ideas and instead stirred up some ghosts of the past.
Cuban was a guest on the Intersections Podcast where, among other things, he spoke about selling his majority stake in the Mavericks to the Adelson-Dumont families, and the trade of Luka Doncic. Before the podcast even became available to listen to, an excerpt made the rounds wherein Cuban expressed regret over who he sold the Mavs to. What better teaser to get people to tune in, right? Unsurprisingly, the comment immediately garnered the attention of multiple media outlets and the Mavericks once again have attention for the wrong reasons.
In fairness to Cuban, the podcast ran nearly 90-minutes and he only discussed the Mavericks for eight of them. The attention his Mavs-related comments received are not commensurate with the podcast as a whole. That said, those comments were nonetheless provocative and it’s all but impossible to believe Cuban wouldn’t know they would be just that. There are a handful of quotes we’ll dive into here, but you can also check out the podcast starting at the 56-minute mark to hear them straight from Cuban.
“I don’t regret selling. I regret who I sold to. I made a lot of mistakes in the process and I’ll leave it at that.”
This is just bizarre and runs counter to any sense of professional decorum. We’ve all heard the adage of not airing dirty laundry, but Cuban does just that. This comment also smacks of sour grapes, as Cuban is likely still bothered by the fact he was ousted from the control of basketball operations that he once claimed was promised to him on a handshake. Cuban certainly isn’t wrong to feel resentment if in fact Patrick Dumont reneged on a promise, but as a billionaire business person, Cuban not getting himself a contract is a major oversight inconsistent with his apparent level of business prowess. It’s fine to want to have your cake and eat it, too, but absent a contract, Dumont was well within his rights to do as he wished. Dumping on the majority owner who still has the right to buy more of your shares simply comes across as churlish and makes the organization look amateurish at the dawn of the Cooper Flagg era, and on the cusp of hopefully getting another franchise cornerstone in the coming months.
“I called the new owner and he started telling me stuff that wasn’t true that he had been told as the reason why he approved [the trade].”
No one is going to feel bad for Nico Harrison, but Cuban calling him an outright liar is basically one of two things. A pot shot at Harrison, who is already reviled by the fanbase; or an odd protection of Dumont as someone who was manipulated by a person of Grima Wormtongue proportions. After his preceding comment, it’s difficult to imagine Cuban defending the man he just offended moment prior. All this does is once again make the organization appear as though it is run by a bunch of clueless caricatures, right on the cusp of potentially hiring a new GM and trying to build the future behind Flagg and a pending high draft pick.
“All I’ll tell you is, that it wasn’t Michael Finley and you can surmise who else was in the room… That doesn’t justify it for our coach and our general manager to stand up and trade our best player.”
Here is the doozy. Cuban does Finley a major service here. As someone as close to the Mavs as he has been for decades (and someone I admit to being a huge fan of), it’s nice to hear further evidence that he had nothing to do with trading away Luka Doncic. This is especially critical as all signs seem to indicate Finley will be involved with the franchise long term, quite possibly being a long term co-GM with Matt Riccardi. But all of that buries the lede.
The juice in this quote is Cuban grouping head coach Jason Kidd in with Nico Harrison as a decision maker in the trade of Doncic. Cuban doesn’t elaborate, so it’s quite possible Kidd’s story from the outset – that he was notified at the 11th hour – is true. He may have been brough over the fence after the deal was all but done, and he may very well have agreed. It seems clear from their interactions (or lack thereof), that Doncic himself believes Kidd was involved. Again though, none of that is really the point. Cuban ripping on the loathed former GM is one thing, but slinging mud at the active head coach is another thing entirely. Why do it? We’re over 400 days removed from the trade and rounding out a dreadful season, yet the team (minority) owner feels the need to say this?
“I don’t care” (when asked if the sale and everything thereafter has hurt his legacy).
This quote all but ended the Mavericks’ portion of the podcast, as Cuban segued from that quote into speaking about how he’s hoping to change people’s lives by way of his prescription medication business. Still, this may be the most attention-getting quote of the entire segment. It’s one thing to spill the tea in ways that arguably do nothing but damage the team image. At least you can say you were asked a question and gave an honest answer. But to then say you don’t care about how selling the team – which directly led to the Doncic trade and now Dumont as the primary decision maker – affects your legacy as owner is stunningly preposterous. Cuban has practically gone on a media tour since February, 2025 to make sure anyone and everyone knows a) he got victimized by a liar who went back on an agreement and a GM that cut him out, b) had nothing to do with trading Doncic and never would have done so himself and c) that Dumont is a sucker and wouldn’t be here at all if he had a do-over.
To be clear, I’m not here to tell Mark Cuban how to live or what to say. However, it’s my job to cover team-related news and give my opinion. In this case, that opinion is a simple one – I wish Mark Cuban would stop talking about all of this. It does nothing but paint the team in a bad light, causes internal turmoil and distracts from what should be the excitement and hope of special things to come in the Flagg era of Mavericks’ basketball. Cuban didn’t have to sell his majority stake. If he’s being honest about not wanting his children involved in the franchise due to all the stress it could bring, there was a simple solution – don’t let them work within the franchise. He had every opportunity to maintain control and instead elected not to. Fine. To each their own. But please stop tarnishing the team’s image in this strange apology/explanation tour that has frankly gone on far too long.
I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.
There's plenty beyond basketball to keep you busy with fan events and concerts popping up across downtown Indy to mark the April 4 and 6 games at Lucas Oil Stadium — plus the Division II, Division III and NIT championships taking place back-to-back-to-back at Gainbridge Fieldhouse April 5.
Concerts featuring Twenty One Pilots, Zac Brown Band, Post Malone and Megan Moroney are the headliners. There will be an additional music festival, a dribbling contest through the city and what the NCAA is dubbing a multi-day “sports wonderland” at the Indiana Convention Center are on tap for the extended Final Four weekend. Here’s your guide to everything downtown will have to offer.
More than 200 local artists, performers, vendors and chefs will be part of the family-friendly festival, where visitors can grab free commemorative posters and postcards by Herron School of Art and Design students. The Indy Arts Council, Indiana Sports Corp, Forty5 Presents, Ganggang, Epicurean Indy, and the Local Organizing Committee for the 2026 NCAA Men’s Final Four are putting on the celebrations. Events include:
Noon-6 p.m. each day: Live music performances by central Indiana musicians, dancers and spoken-word poets at Monument Circle, 1 Virginia Ave., PNC Plaza, Starbucks at 30 S. Meridian St. and sites to be announced
Sidewalk Galleries: Vinyl-wrapped storefront murals and poems as well as mural-wrapped traffic signal boxes and art installations at the Indianapolis International Airport
11 a.m.-4 p.m. April 4: Epicurean Market and MOKAO, with more than 50 vendors an international market with food, artisan coffee and chocolate. At the Stutz, 1060 N. Capitol Ave. epicureanindy.com
Sampson Levingston will lead walk and talk tours about college basketball history in downtown's Mile Square. Reserve free tickets at tinyurl.com/3sdknyc9
March 27-April 4: The Asante Art Institute will present the play "A Touch of Glory" about the 1955 Crispus Attucks Tigers, the first all-black school in the country to win a high school basketball state championship. At the Basile Theatre at the Athenaeum, 401 E. Michigan St. $30-$45.
Final Four Fan Fest
April 3-6. Indiana Convention Center, 100 S. Capitol Ave. $10 tickets until March 29, $15 during event week. Tickets here and more info here.
The Indiana Convention Center will host games, activations, music, celebrity appearances and more throughout the Final Four extended weekend. Free entry for kids under 12 (with accompanying purchase of adult ticket), Final Four game ticketholders, military personnel, college students with valid school ID and Capital One cardholders.
April 3: noon-6 p.m.
April 4: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
April 5: noon-6 p.m.
April 6: noon-8 p.m.
Final Four Friday
April 3, 10 a.m.-3:35 p.m. Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave. Free entry. More info here.
Lucas Oil Stadium will open its doors for a USA Basketball 3x3 exhibition game Friday morning, followed by open practices from the Final Four teams. Final Four Friday will conclude with the National Association of Basketball Coaches All-Star Game, featuring the top seniors in Division I basketball. All-Star players will also sign autographs at the South End of Lucas Oil near section 138.
March Madness Music Festival
April 3-5. American Legion Mall, 700 N. Pennsylvania St. Free entry. More info here.
Downtown’s American Legion Mall will host a three-day music festival with a lineup of major artists and performers. The festival will kick off April 3 with the AT&T Block Party, followed by Coca Cola Live April 4 and the Capital One JamFest finale April 5. Alternative duo Twenty One Pilots, country group Zac Brown Band and a double bill of country hip-hop superstar Post Malone and surging pop country star Megan Moroney will headline April 3, 4 and 5, respectively.
The NCAA has also announced a Madness After Dark event, which will feature a DJ set from EDM duo The Chainsmokers, to take place after the April 4 performances. The event will run from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Indiana Rooftop Ballroom, located at 140 W. Washington St.
Men’s Final Four Dribble
April 5 at 1 p.m. Carroll Stadium (1001 W. New York St.) to Victory Field (501 W. Maryland St.). Free registration. Registration here and more info here.
Participants 18 and under will dribble a basketball along a one-mile course from IU Indianapolis' Carroll Stadium to Victory Field. The first 3,000 to register will receive a t-shirt, basketball and free entry to the Final Four Fan Fest.
Men’s Final Four Tip-Off Tailgate
April 3-6. 126 E. Georgia St. Free entry. More info here.
Downtown Indianapolis will offer free watch parties for both the Men’s and Women’s Final Four along Georgia Street. The festivities will also include games, activations and giveaways.
April 3: 4-11 p.m.
April 4: 1-11 p.m.
April 5: noon-6 p.m.
April 6: 4-11 p.m.
Contact IndyStar Pop Culture Reporter Heather Bushman at hbushman@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X @hmb_1013.
Mar 20, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; Utah State Aggies forward Adlan Elamin (35) shoots against Villanova Wildcats center Braden Pierce (17) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Season averages:
Minutes per game – 6.5
Points per game – 1.2
Rebounds per game – 0.9
Assists per game – 0.5
Blocks per game – 0.4
Field goal percentage – 66.7% (16/24)
Season highs:
Points – 6 vs Xavier
Rebounds – 4 at Creighton
Assists – 2 (three times)
Blocks – 2 at Xavier and vs UConn
Overall thoughts:
Braden Pierce improved throughout the season, that much is a fact. With Nico Onyekwere redshirting and Tafara Gapare leaving the program, Pierce was the only big man left on the roster near the end of out-of-conference play. Those developments allowed the 7’ center to play in every game from December 6th against Penn and on.
The minutes played only reached double-digits on three occasions, with the high on the year being 11 against both Connecticut and St. John’s in February. The correlation there is that both of those teams have large frontcourts. When it wasn’t necessary, the goal was to limit Pierce to less than eight minutes in competitive games.
Pierce is able to use his size to defend the rim, averaging 1.7 blocks per 36 minutes played. Over the course of the season, he did improve his ability to finish around the rim, making the occasional jump hook or push shot. To a lesser extent than Duke Brennan, Pierce was able to facilitate some off the screen-and-roll.
What we didn’t see any of was the shooting touch that Kevin Willard talked about upon Pierce’s commitment to Villanova. Willard said, “Our staff has always appreciated Braden’s shooting skill as a stretch five.” There are two reasons why this needs to brought up:
With Pierce’s below average lateral mobility, he will need to be more valuable on the offensive end to not be played off of the court.
Pierce has been in college since the 2023-24 season, all under Willard at Maryland. I was hoping to see this skill readily available at this point.
Development isn’t necessarily linear, so I don’t want to assume that this couldn’t be true in the future. But given the obvious limitations that we saw against the better teams, even in a small role, it may be better for both parties to look in a different direction. Villanova should be looking to improve the center position, so there’s no realistic scenario where Pierce is the starter there next year. Pierce should be looking to play more than seven minutes per game next year. And between him and Onyekwere, the latter has more untapped potential seeing that he is two years younger.
It has not been a storybook season for the Houston Rockets, but the suggestion that it’s been a disaster is an overcorrection.
Guilty as charged. I’ve contributed my share of both gloom and doom. On the heels of a four-game winning streak (including a signature win over the Knicks last night), life feels a little breezier.
That doesn’t mean there’s nothing to worry about. Don’t worry: There’s always something to worry about.
The Rockets need to be worrying about life after Kevin Durant.
The Rockets are too reliant on Durant
If you don’t have a CleaningTheGlass subscription, I’ll save you a buck (although, if you write about basketball, or you’re just sufficiently nerdy, it’s a wonderful service). The Rockets’ four best lineups in terms of differential all include Kevin Durant.
There are lots of implications in this data, many of which I’ve already explored. None of those groups features both Alperen Sengun and Reed Sheppard, which is a concern. Their long-term chemistry is something to keep an eye on, but let’s turn our attention elsewhere.
Houston’s best lineup sans Durant is just the young core. Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, Amen Thompson, and Sheppard are +8.7 in 115 possessions. That’s good, but it’s not NBA contender good.
It’s a concern, but it’s not an unsolvable quagmire. That’s a young lineup. If the Rockets hadn’t acquired Durant, and were more conventionally rebuilding, they’d be happy that the lineup was even positive. That would indicate potential. I checked CleaningTheGlass, and it’s hard to find a great Spurs lineup in terms of both effectiveness and high volume that doesn’t have De’Aaron Fox.
So, the future is…fine? Not bleak, if not blindingly bright. Still, that takes us back to where we started:
Only, we’re not talking Antetokounmpo here (for once). The operating assumption here is that he doesn’t come to Houston. The Rockets run it back next year with Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams back in the fold. They run it back for one more year, with two fresh first-round prospects (more on that later) in the mix. Durant retires.
What now?
Reductively, there are two options: Stay the course, or change course. So, the decision in this hypothetical will rest on how the Rockets feel about their core guys + whoever they pick in the 2027 draft.
Big reveal: This was all an elaborate ruse to allow me to talk about 2027 draft prospects. There are two guys I’m interested in as potential future Rockets.
The first is soon-to-be Dukie Cameron Williams. This is your classic Evan Mobley, Alex Sarr type. Williams is 6’11” with a 7’1″ wingspan and is basically good at everything. He’s a stout rim protector who can switch defensively. He’s a palpable floor spacer, heady passer, surprisingly deft ball-handler, and whatever else you can think of on offense besides an elite half-court scorer.
I’ve had a vision.
Alperen Sengun / Cameron Williams / Jabari Smith Jr. / Amen Thompson / Reed Sheppard. This works on several levels. You’re getting plus positional passing at every position but the 3. You get plus positional size at every position but the 1. The massive two-through-five could insulate Sheppard defensively.
You’re still a bit light on shooting, and half-court creation. This lineup needs to lean into Sengun as a hub and run a motion-heavy offense with constant cutting, relocating, and general on-and-off ball movement.
Put differently, it probably needs a new Head Coach if we’re being completely honest. It also needs a carefully constructed bench. Assume Tari Eason is still around on a team-friendly deal. This could be the cue for the inevitable James Harden reunion tour.
Otherwise, Maryland commit Baba Oladotun makes for a stronger hypothetical direct Durant replacement. Yes, I know. He’ll almost definitely not be as good as Durant, no prospect is likely to be as good as Durant, etc, etc. I’m only saying that in terms of skillset, he’s a better analog.
Oladotun is a 6’11” scorer. He’s an excellent ball-handler at his size, and he’s got advanced footwork as a midrange scorer. Three-point efficiency has not been his friend, but if that changes during his first college season, he’s someone for the Rockets to look at.
That said, Williams is currently projected as a top-three pick. Oladotun’s projection varies, but if he does find his form from long range, he’s got a chance to be a high pick. The Rockets have the rights to both Brooklyn and Phoenix’s first-rounders next summer. There’s real hope that they’ll land a high pick, but no assurance.
Let’s say they draft a solid role player. They’re left with the current core five and another decent guy. Let’s say they give it one more year, and it doesn’t look like enough.
The next step is consolidation.
Anthony Edwards, welcome to Houston. When did you get here, Franz Wagner? It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no! It’s Tyrese Maxey!
An attractive proposition for some. A nightmare scenario for young core truthers. Personally?
I’m somewhere in the middle. But something about Sengun and Eason, arm in arm, throwing deserved shade at Kevin Dickerson (“we don’t talk behind each other’s backs”) put a twinkle in my eye.
These guys like each other. That matters. The Rockets have chemistry. It would be ideal to keep them together:
But that will mean identifying a contending-level lineup that doesn’t include Durant.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and actor-singer Hailee Steinfeld are proud parents of a baby girl.
Steinfeld announced Thursday in her newsletter that their daughter has been born without sharing any further specifics on the date or the baby's name.
“We’re feeling incredibly grateful and blessed and savouring these early moments. Thank you so much for the love and well wishes,” Steinfeld wrote. “Love, Hailee and Josh.”
Allen, the 2024 NFL MVP, had surgery after Buffalo lost to Denver in overtime in the AFC divisional playoffs. He is no longer wearing a protective boot on his right foot after breaking a bone during a game in Week 16 and is expected to be ready when the Bills start their offseason program.
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 30: Malcolm Brogdon #15 of the Washington Wizards warms up before the game against the New York Knicks on December 30, 2024 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Malcolm Brogdon is officially returning to the Virginia Cavaliers men’s basketball program but this time, in a professional capacity. On Tuesday, the Virginia Cavaliers announced that the Virginia alumnus would be returning to serve as Strategic Advisor, a newly created position.
In the statement, head coach Ryan Odom said Brogdon will bring “a wealth of knowledge, leadership and expertise from his successful nine-year NBA career and All-American career at Virginia.”
Brogdon, who led Virginia to their first ACC Tournament Championship in 38 years, recently retired from the NBA after nine seasons. After his historic college career, he immediately made a name for himself in the NBA as the 2017 Rookie of the Year.
— Virginia Men's Basketball (@UVAMensHoops) March 31, 2026
Before the announcement (and seemingly before the job offer) Brogdon, on March 4, made an appearance on Carla Williams’ podcast, Inside Virginia Athletics with Carla Williams. The discussion focused on the current state of college sports, especially compared to Brogdon’s experience. While there’s no telling if his analytical back-and-forth with Williams played a role in securing the new role, the conversation was certainly insightful. Of course, “the president,” as his Virginia teammates fondly called him, is known for his wisdom.
“Clearly I think one of the biggest benefits is guys are getting paid,” Brogdon said on the podcast. “But at the same time, I think it’s a double-edged sword.”
While Brogdon felt he could pick a university that provided him a top education and player experience, he believes the education is a smaller factor when recruits are also comparing pay. This is especially true, he notes, for players coming from a lower socioeconomic status and who would otherwise rely on an athletic scholarship to fund their education.
“It’s hard to say that … everybody should go get the best education when money is a factor,” Brogdon said. “These guys are making choices that I didn’t have to make when I was in college.”
When reflecting on the transfer portal, he noted his five years at Virginia gave him the development opportunity and preparation for the pros. While Brogdon doesn’t blame the young players for moving around, he thinks they’re missing the chance to establish themselves and create a legacy.
Their conversation got more technical when it turned to the discussion on student athletes being classified as employees. Both Brogdon and Williams noted that it’s a hard debate to settle. However, Williams noted that the University can fire employees easier than it can pull an athletic scholarship – which would put student athletes in a position with fewer protections. Brogdon followed up to confirm that when signing contracts, the students’ pay is guaranteed under certain standards, making the classification even muddier.
Most college contracts, Williams added, are re-newed annually, which Brogdon likened to the signing of one-year NBA deals, which carries an emotional weight for players beyond the court.
“It’s annual free agency,” Williams added.
And, Brogdon knows something about that life. He played on five different teams throughout his nine years in the NBA. In his last three years, he went from the Boston Celtics, to the Portland Trailblazers, to the Washington Wizards.
He said the mental health impact of the business side of basketball is real and “ruins a lot of guys’ careers.”
“When you come up in basketball, they say the game is 90 percent mental and 10 percent physical. That holds to be true at the NBA level.”
Now, it’s becoming a reality at the college level.
While the details of Brogdon’s role have yet to be clarified, his perspective and experience is expected to help the staff navigate the largely unchartered waters of today’s college landscape.
"When I know, you guys will know. I don't know. I have no idea. Just want to, just wanna live. That's all."
That is all LeBron James has said about retirement. It's not a topic open for discussion with him. However, his strong play of late — he had a triple-double this past week against Washington — and the Lakers' strong play down the stretch has only strengthened the belief in league circles that the 41-year-old NBA icon will play at least one more season. It also has fueled speculation about where he would play: Cleveland? Golden State? New York? Back with the Lakers?
Rich Paul shuts down the recent reports of LeBron James future teams he might play for:
“There’s no truth to any of it. First of all, I don’t know what’s happening. He don’t know either! We don’t even talk about it… Just enjoy the moment. The man is playing minutes with his… pic.twitter.com/OQXFyNlDo5
"There's no truth to any of it. First of all, I don't know what's happening. He don't know either. We don't even talk about it…
"Just enjoy the moment. The man is playing minutes with his son. Meaningful minutes. The Lakers are 12-1 and playing well. Why are you talking about some stuff for next year? I get you have to talk about it, but it's like, oh my god, nobody knows! I don't care what article is written, I don't care what tweet is out there, nobody knows anything."
It's a good effort by Paul — and I don't doubt him for a second. I am sure he and LeBron have not talked about this directly.
It also will not end the speculation.
Two quick thoughts about LeBron's future (and we're betting on him returning to play one more season and have a grand farewell tour).
First, the playoffs will have a lot to say about LeBron's market (and the same is true of any potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade market). Good teams are going to be eliminated early this postseason and rethink their strategy. How hard Cleveland comes for LeBron would be very different if they are again eliminated in the second round, versus making the East Finals or the NBA Finals. Or, look at it this way, of the top six in the West (the Thunder, Spurs, Lakers, Nuggets, Rockets and Timberwolves), two of those teams will be eliminated in the first round. Teams such as Houston in the West or New York in the East could have very different offseasons depending on how the playoffs play out.
Second, any discussion about LeBron's future has to hinge on one question: How big a pay cut is he willing to take? How little money is he willing to pay for?
LeBron opted into the final year of his contract at $52.6 million this season — a big pay cut is coming. Even if he returns to the Lakers, who have his Bird Rights and can pay him whatever, he is going to have to take a steep pay reduction. Will he demand at least $30 million (which would force a sign-and-trade to a new contending team)? Would he take the mid-level exception for $15 million? Would he play for the minimum, or closer to it, to get to a destination he wants? LeBron's salary demands will help shape what teams might target him this summer.
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - APRIL 01: Jahmai Mashack #21 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks to shoot against the New York Knicks during the second half at FedExForum on April 01, 2026 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Who would have thought the Knicks would beat the Grizz… on the road, not least!
Get-right game got New York on the right path again as the Knickerbockers are one win away from reaching 50 dubs for the third consecutive season.
Two more wins, and Coach Brown would match Thibs’ best record in just his freshman season on the Knicks sideline. Bananas!
Mike Brown postgame Memphis: “2 areas have to clean up…19 turnovers for 34 pts…& fouls…Made it up…offensive rebounds..OG 3…KAT 6…KAT trip-dub great…Hukporti DPOG…36 assists great [but some “homerun” assist tries] led to turnovers…Didn’t shoot as many 3s as we’d like…” pic.twitter.com/UZR2y53EW0
“A game like that, it’s always tough if you play against a group that’s free and can attack and has nothing to lose. But our guys at the end of the day, we were good in a lot of areas.”
On the rebounding effort against the Grizzlies:
“A lot of good performances from our guys, we were able to make it up in terms of the times that they went to the free throw line and our turnovers by offensive rebounding. OG had three offensive rebounds, KAT had six offensive rebounds. KAT had a triple-double tonight, which was great. And especially in 30 minutes of action, and then OG, for him to get 13 rebounds. A big, big night to get a double-double. We needed every single one of those rebounds.”
On Landry Shamet’s return:
“He’s arguably one of our, if not the best, on-ball defenders. Especially when it comes to ball screens and dribble handoffs. He’s really physical in that area. And you feel him. His pace offensively creates gravity for others. And then his ability to shoot. He can string together two or three 3s. And it can create separation for him and give our group confidence. We had to find other ways. But we missed that from him, especially from his size.”
On encouraging Miles McBride to keep shooting amid his post-comeback struggles:
“If you’re open, let it fly. I even told him this before, I don’t care if he’s 0-for-15. I just want him to feel the aggression, get to his spots.”
Jalen Brunson
On the need for accountability:
“Regardless of being veterans or not, we got to turn the page and do something about it. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been in the league or not.”
Novak "How's team feeling?…Always lotta talk when there's losing streak"
Mikal "It's alright…Losses don't define everything. I think we more upset how we've been playing…energy…lack of focus at times…Lack of effort been on us little bit…Just gotta keep getting better" pic.twitter.com/77Y30bCRWW
On the Knicks’ true-talent level showing up on Wednesday:
“I feel the team we have, a lot of guys able to shoot, drive. I’ve been talking about this since last year. We got a lot of talent that can do a lot of things. Just got to share the ball and play off each other and try to make the right reads.”
On the first-half offense vs. defense against Memphis:
“It was good. We were sharing the ball, all that stuff. I think defensively we could’ve been better, still gave up a lot of points. Offensively, we were sharing the ball, moving well. But defensively, we could’ve done better.”
On the second-half mild letdown:
“I’m still not happy about us in the second half not locked in and them making a run. They play hard. A good young team. But I think it’s unacceptable for us.”
On his ironman streak:
“Hopefully, I have kids one day and I’ll brag about it.”
OG hits dagger 3 In front of Grizz bench Then turns around Yells & points at…
“It’s great. It doesn’t matter about the triple-double, double-double, as long as we get a win, something that has been escaping us in the last week. Good to end the road trip on a high note so we can go back home to our fans where we’re comfortable and we get that energy from our fans and hopefully make it a two-game winning streak.”
On the good ball movement in the win over Memphis:
“I thought we did a good job moving the ball. I thought we did a good job of playing with a point-five mentality and doing everything we needed to do to beat a good team, and a hungry team with a lot of guys trying to prove themselves in this league. I thought we did a good job of weathering the storm. We understood they’re going to play hard. They’re going to play well, and we found a way to win.”
On how he handles double teams:
“When they’re double and triple teaming, I understand that one of my teammates is open. Just staying patient, staying relaxed and trying to make the right play. I was disappointed with the turnovers I had today, but I’m glad that I was able to find my teammates more than not and we were able to come out with a win.”
On regrouping after the three consecutive losses heading into Wednesday’s game:
“It was a group effort to regroup.”
Landry Shamet
On feeling fatigue on his return:
“I was definitely a little tired at the end of the game. The legs — that’s obviously the biggest thing. You can do all you want to stay in shape but playing a real NBA basketball game, that’s like the next layer of your rehab or whatever. You just got to get reps and get your legs back under you. So I felt really good. Just naturally a little heavy at the end. But that’s alright.”
OG Anunoby
On his fourth-quarter scoring:
“I was shooting the same shots, but they were just going in.”
J. Cole has signed a contract to play in the Chinese Basketball Association with the Nanjing Monkey Kings, per ESPN sources. The multi-time Grammy award-winning and multi-platinum artist had committed to playing a few games for the Chinese team last year, and now follows through. pic.twitter.com/8fFyHv1fvY
Apr 1, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) moves the ball past Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) in the first quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Editor’s note: This is the first post from new Peachtree Hoops contributor Jackson Stone. We’re excited to have him on the staff and help with our coverage of the Atlanta Hawks.
The Atlanta Hawks completed a season sweep of the Orlando Magic on Wednesday evening with a dominant 130-101 victory over their Southeast divisional rivals on the road.
The Hawks came into this game with a clean bill of health and plenty to play for, with the Magic trailing them in the Eastern Conference playoff race by just 2.5 games heading into the matchup. In the first few minutes of this one, it was Orlando that came out with more intensity despite playing on the second night of a back-to-back, having defeated the Phoenix Suns in narrow fashion on Tuesday night.
Atlanta was stuck in mud for the first several possessions on offense, opening just 4-for-14 from the field, with frustrations mounting quickly as Orlando began a parade to the free throw line on the other end of the floor. Things reached a boiling point when reserve guard Buddy Hield inexplicably picked up a technical foul from the bench for arguing with the referees.
However, things started to pick up for Atlanta toward the end of the first quarter when the first bench players entered the game, including the newly acquired Jonathan Kuminga, who played his second straight excellent game for Atlanta, finishing this one with 12 points on an efficient 5-of-7 shooting, along with solid defense. Kuminga put pressure on the rim early and often for Atlanta, which loosened up the Magic defense and allowed the Hawks to find an offensive rhythm, trimming the lead to three by the end of the first period.
Once the second quarter began, the Hawks caught fire and quickly took the lead. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who found himself on the bench earlier than usual in this one after picking up two quick fouls, overcame those troubles to torch Orlando for 22 points in the first half, including 17 in the second quarter alone.
In the frame, the Hawks’ key free agent signee hit the Magic with a barrage of three-pointers, quick crossovers, and impressive finishes at the rim.
He also made one of the plays of the season when he hit Magic star Paolo Banchero with a killer spin move and reverse layup that drew some oohs from the Orlando crowd and got the Hawks’ bench off its feet.
Overall, the Hawks ended up winning the second quarter by a score of 47-26, taking an 18-point lead into halftime. While some of this can be chalked up to favorable shooting variance on both ends of the floor, the Hawks did a much better job of getting into the paint and making Orlando’s defenders move their feet in the quarter, as well as pushing the ball in transition, as Quin Snyder has so often emphasized throughout the year.
On the other end, Atlanta played excellent defense, communicating well and largely forcing the Magic to stay on the perimeter, where they are among the worst teams in the NBA. In fact, at one point, the Magic had missed 19 consecutive three-pointers before the streak was finally broken by Desmond Bane in the third quarter.
“…for the most part, once we just were more disciplined on the ball and also off the ball, I think it took some of those driving lanes away and, and tried to keep (Banchero) out of the paint and then by the same token, you know, when we got out, we’re able to get in the paint and get some good looks and Nickeil obviously got hot, but he was getting good shots,” said Snyder after the game.
Magic forward Franz Wagner was also mostly a non-factor in his first game after missing nearly two months with an ankle injury.
The Hawks would only increase the lead coming out of the locker room for the third quarter, with big man Onyeka Okongwu quickly making an impact and forcing an early Orlando timeout.
Four minutes into the second half, the Hawks’ lead had ballooned to 31 points, and a chorus of boos began to rain down from the home fans in attendance.
Along the way, the bench continued to play well, and Dyson Daniels even got in on the action on the perimeter, knocking down a three-pointer for the second game in a row. The Hawks ended up taking a 102-76 lead into the fourth and final period, although the fireworks were just getting started in central Florida.
In a scary moment, Magic reserve big man Goga Bitadze ripped Hawks center Jock Landale down in a clear non-basketball play, which caused Landale to land awkwardly on his ankle. Hawks guard Dyson Daniels then shoved Bitadze, who ultimately was thrown out of the game after receiving a flagrant foul penalty two, with Daniels earning a technical foul for his role in the skirmish.
Goga Bitadze has been ejected for a Flagrant 2 foul on this play. 😳
Landale initially limped back to the locker room but was able to return to shoot the two flagrant free throws before exiting once again and not returning.
In the fourth quarter, Orlando was able to trim the lead under 20, but the game was never in doubt, and Snyder was able to pull his starters with a few minutes remaining. In a fun scene, former Magic wing Caleb Houstan caught fire in the stretch run of the contest, torching his former team for nine quick points on three triples.
The Hawks ended up cruising to the 130-101 win, pushing their record to 44-33 on the season, and giving them their third straight victory overall. It’s officially the most wins the Hawks have recorded since the 2015-16 season, although they did have a higher winning percentage in the shortened 2020-21 season, in which they reached the Conference Finals.
Making matters more impressive for Atlanta was the fact that they reached the 130-point mark despite a quiet shooting night from CJ McCollum, who scored just nine points on 4-for-13 shooting, as well as Jalen Johnson, who shot below his average in terms of both points and field goal percentage.
However, Johnson once again played excellent defense on Banchero, holding the former All-Star to just 11 points on the evening.
“I thought JJ did a really good job after the first time out of really raising his level as well. The things that he’s doing on the offensive end. You know, he’s setting other people up, but on the defensive end tonight, I think the job that he did on Banchero was really good,” said Snyder.
The Hawks also demolished the Magic on the glass in this one, winning by a margin of 52-36 in that department. That area has been one of the major areas of concern for Atlanta throughout this season, but the Hawks have started to clean it up amid their hot streak, with Dyson Daniels emerging as one of the top rebounding guards in the league, particularly on the offensive end.
“We had some loose ball rebounds on both ends of the floor, and Dyson gets his hands on a lot of balls. He’s just got a nose for it, whether it’s on the glass or during play when he’s guarding the ball or off the ball. Something that, you know, he’s got great instincts,“ said Snyder.
Elsewhere in the NBA, the Hawks got some help on Wednesday, with the Boston Celtics demolishing the Miami Heat, and the Sacramento Kings springing an upset over the Toronto Raptors. That result gives the Hawks a 1.5-game cushion for the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, with just five games left to go until the playoffs.
Overall, few if any could have predicted that the Hawks would be in this position less than two months ago, when the team was 26-30 heading into the All-Star break, fresh off their trade of Trae Young to the Washington Wizards. However, Atlanta has steadily climbed the ranks in the conference since then, with Alexander-Walker continuing his case for the Most Improved Player of the Year award, finishing with 32 points on Wednesday night, after dropping 41 on the Magic two weeks ago.
It’s also not fully off the table that the Hawks could reach as high as fourth place in the conference, with two games coming up against the Cleveland Cavaliers next week, who currently lead Atlanta by 3.5 games for that spot.
All in all, this was one of the best overall performances of the year from the Hawks, and the team showed impressive maturity in shrugging off their rough start to the game and coming back to dominate the way they did. Orlando had everything to play for in this one, trying to avoid a second straight trip to the play-in, and Atlanta still played like the more desperate team, hitting the floor for loose balls and getting around screens on defense instead of dying on them.
Of course, the Magic even at their full strength aren’t exactly a litmus test for NBA excellence. This team did lose by over 50 points earlier this week, after all. However, heading into this game, the Hawks were coming off an impressive home win over the Boston Celtics in relatively comfortable fashion, and they also knocked off the Detroit Pistons on the road last week.
For the first time in what seems like forever, the Hawks are now playing like a team fans can count on to deliver a consistent brand of basketball on a nightly basis, one defined by defense, high-flying transition opportunities, and savvy playmaking in the halfcourt. While they’re likely to start out the postseason on the road, and still haven’t fully wrapped up avoiding the Play-In Tournament, it’s been years since Hawks fans have seen their team jell this quickly, and at this opportune of a time.
Naturally, fans will call back to the 2021 season, when the team made their surprise run to the conference finals, a campaign that also featured a late-season surge up the standings and a first-round playoff matchup with the New York Knicks, which is very much on the table for later this month.
Still, this team’s defense and versatility make it seem to have a higher ceiling than even that beloved 2021 squad, especially as Jalen Johnson continues to blossom into a star player. The Hawks’ fourth quarter lapses in their recent games against the Celtics prove that Johnson still has a ways to go in learning how to deliver like a superstar player should in the clutch, but Atlanta still has a clear face of the franchise, who can stuff the stat sheet and make winning plays even on an off night, as was the case on Wednesday in Orlando.
Next up, the Hawks take the floor on Friday evening on the road versus the Brooklyn Nets.
TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 1: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings drives against Ja'Kobe Walter #14 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half of a basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on April 1, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Mark Blinch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
You couldn’t have drawn up Wednesday night’s results any better as a Philadelphia 76ers fan. The Sixers overcame Joel Embiid’s illness-related absence and a poor defensive effort in the first half to defeat Washington, 153-131. Good and fun to watch, but certainly not unexpected against a Wizards team at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. However, they also received a ton of assistance from across the Association.
The Hawks defeated Orlando, 130-101. While we want Atlanta to lose in a vacuum, given that the Hawks hold the tiebreaker over the Sixers, it seems more important to gain a game’s ground on the Magic than try to catch the guys in the ATL. Boston also took care of business against Miami, 147-129, importantly increasing the cushion for the Sixers over the Heat after Erik Spoelstra’s club earned the season tiebreaker over Philadelphia earlier this week.
The most improbable and beneficial result came north of the border, though, where the worst-in-the-West Sacramento Kings pulled off the 123-115 upset victory over the Toronto Raptors. With the Sixers owning the tiebreaker over the Raptors due to divisional record, Wednesday’s series of events means that Philadelphia is now sitting in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, which would be clear of the Play-In Tournament and in the actual, no-doubt-about-it playoffs.
Charlotte is highlighted above because they are the only Sixers-postseason-relevant team taking the court tonight, hosting the Phoenix Suns. Come on, Collin Gillespie, you’re a Philly guy, help us out.
The Sixers still have a difficult stretch ahead of them, with games against Minnesota, Detroit, San Antonio and Houston upcoming. Still, all the dominoes fell perfectly on Wednesday night, setting the stage for an exciting end to the regular season.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 01: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs dunks the ball against the Golden State Warriors during the first half at Chase Center on April 01, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Antonio Spurs secured their tenth-straight victory on Wednesday night against the Golden State Warriors. It was their sixth-straight game winning by double-digits. The Spurs haven’t had a single-digit margin of victory in about two weeks. This team is rolling, and it is all led by one man: Victor Wembanyama.
San Antonio’s third-year big man is chasing the MVP award and putting up dominant scoring performances in the process. Wembanyama had a 41-point double-double for the second game in a row. Despite Draymond Green and the Warriors’ best efforts, they couldn’t do anything to slow Wembanyama down. Once again, he will headline our player grades.
As a quick reminder, these grades are based on each player’s on-court performance, going beyond just the stat sheet. A “B” grade represents the average performance for an individual.
Wednesday night’s game essentially broke down like this: when Wembanyama is on the court, the Spurs lead grows. Wembanyama leaves the game, and the lead shrinks. The Warriors couldn’t come close to stopping him inside. Green tried this new strategy where he would sag off Wembanyama in the mid-range, which, in theory, makes sense; it’s better than him getting to the rim. But Wemby nailed every wide-open mid-range shot, basically giving the Spurs two free points any time Green sagged off.
It wasn’t Wembanyama’s best defensive game. He was caught out of position a few times and looked a step slow on getting to shots he would usually erase. But he was so dominant on the other end, and the game swung so far in San Antonio’s direction when he was in the game, that he deserves the top grade.
What’s that old saying? Shooters shoot? Champagnie took a lot of shots in the win over Golden State. Fifteen to be exact, thirteen of them from three. Most of them were good shots in the flow of the offense, and he knocked down four threes.
I once heard JJ Reddick talk about his philosophy on getting up threes. He said that if you shoot 40% from deep, you should be shooting at least 10 threes a game, because in theory, you should make 4. That’s 12 points. It seems like Champagnie took Reddick’s advice.
It’s been a bit of a rough stretch for Vassell recently. It used to seem automatic when he would get a catch-and-shoot opportunity, but right now he’s hit a cold streak. It was encouraging to see him get more involved as a passer when the jumper wasn’t falling. I love that curl-screen action they run to either get Vassell a mid-range shot or find Wemby on a lob. He hit Vic for a lob on that play, showing some awareness that the better look is the 7-foot-4 big man at the rim.
Also, can we talk about how springy Vassell has looked in the last two games? He got UP for a block late in the game, just two nights after he got one called for goaltending by doing nearly the same thing.
Castle almost had a triple-double again, but he needed to play garbage time minutes to get there. Earlier in the game, he made some silly turnovers, but his assist-to-turnover ratio will look pretty good when he tosses 11 dimes. Castle’s finishing in the paint has still been just off a bit, but he’s making up for it at the three-point line. At this point, should we call Castle a catch-and-shoot threat? He’s knocked down 41% of his 70 three-point attempts since the All-Star break.
After a tough game on Monday, Fox bounced back against the Warriors. He was awesome defensively, hounding the Warriors’ guards on the perimeter and getting a few strip steals. Fox wasn’t heavily involved offensively, but he was getting into the paint a bit more consistently. When Wembanyama is on a roll like this, it seems like the team’s top priority is getting him the ball. Fox does a great job deferring to the superstar and letting him lead the way.
Barnes also had a bounce-back game on Wednesday. It felt like Barnes was always right where he needed to be to grab a loose ball or offensive rebound. He knocked down 50% of his threes and attacked a few hard closeouts by the Warriors to get to the free-throw line. It’s always nice to see Barnes thrive against the team that drafted him.
It feels like Johnson can roll out of bed and score 10 points off the bench. It’s part of the reason why he is the betting favorite for Sixth-Man of the Year on FanDuel at -200.
Wednesday wasn’t KJ’s best game. He was inefficient from the field and settled a bit from three-point range. He took a side step three at one point in the game, which might be the first time I’ve seen him shoot a three-pointer off movement this season. It was the kind of game where he could afford to take a lot of threes. Johnson is much more effective when he’s getting to the basket and scoring in the paint.
Mitch Johnson made me eat my words from the last game when I said Bryant was getting squeezed out of the rotation for the playoffs. With Luke Kornet out, Johnson played Bryant as a small-ball center. The results weren’t all that bad. Bryant didn’t have to do much rim protection, but he guarded multiple positions and held his own.
His jump shot is just not falling right now. It’s not like he’s getting a lot of opportunities, but he’s missing some open shots that, if they were going down, could open up a pathway to more playing time when the full team is healthy.
It’s hard to hold anything against Plumlee. He was signed after not playing much basketball this year and is 36 years old. But it was evident that Golden State felt they could attack the rim when he was in the game. He also doesn’t provide much of anything offensively at this stage of his career. The small-ball lineup with Bryant was much more effective than going to the veteran in Kornet’s absence.
This was a game where Harper looked like a rookie. Sure, he had some impressive finishes around the rim, but his ball security and defense were not up to his usual standards. He threw the ball away carelessly and had a hard time defending without fouling.
Grade: C
Monday’s Inactives: Luke Kornet, Harrison Ingram, David Jones-Garcia, Emanuel Miller
The Washington Wizards have been at the forefront of the NBA’s tanking crisis all season. The product the Wizards are putting out this year is so bad that they let Bam Adebayo of all players score 83 points on them in a single game. Washington spent part of the year limiting minutes for its best players in an attempt to increase its ping-pong balls, and not even trading for Trae Youngand Anthony Davis has changed the losing culture this season.
The Wizards should be celebrating any fan who wants to attend a game at the end of another tanking season, but instead they played a cruel April Fools’ prank on one of them during a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.
The Wizards brought a fan out for a blindfolded halfcourt shot with the promises of $10K if he made it. The fan badly missed the shot, but because he was blindfolded, the Wizards pretended he made it and had the announcers and various mascots celebrate with him.
When the Wizards finally let the fan watch his shot on the jumbotron, he saw he missed, and the team revealed that it was an April Fools’ Day prank. Watch the video here:
The Wizards made a fan think he won $10,000 in an April Fools prank by pretending he made a blindfolded half court shot 😭 pic.twitter.com/MZEfAiGZKM
“Somebody’s rich,” the in-game host explained after the fan took the shot. A minute later, she changed her tune.
“I really, really hate April Fools’ Day.”
The team did give the fan an autographed jersey and some courtside seats for next season. I guess that’s cool, but $10K is a lot cooler.
It feels like the Wizards just can’t help it from giving themselves and the league a black eye this season. Washington will enter the lottery hoping for some luck to find a new franchise star, but do they deserve it? In our new NBA mock draft, the Wizards fell to fifth while three non-tankers moved up into the top four. That feels appropriate.
Going to a Wizards game is a bad enough way to spend a Wednesday night. Getting turned into the butt of a viral joke for thinking you just won $10K by making an impossible shot is even worse. Shame on the Wizards.
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 1: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball during the game against the Miami Heat on April 1, 2026 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. 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 Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
1. Incredible Scoring Night
Coming off a rough loss against the Atlanta Hawks, the Celtics were almost completely healthy in their matchup against the Miami Heat and they played arguably their best offensive game of the season. Boston scored 147 points on the Heat in this game, the second most points they’ve scored in a game this season and had 6 players finish with double digit points.
They shot 56-96 (58%) from the field which is the third highest percentage they’ve had this season and 21-44 (48%) from three which is the sixth best mark this year. There were times in this game where the Celtics were playing some euphoric basketball. Even when the Heat cut the Celtics lead to 10 points at the end of the third quarter, Boston did not waiver just continued their onslaught on South Beach.
Some may say this is karmic retribution for the Heat stat-padding on the Washington Wizards to get Bam Adebayo his 83 point game earlier this season. I say the Celtics just put out a message to the rest of the teams in the Play-In Tournament of what they could expect in round one of the playoffs this year. We might see some teams try to do everything in their power to avoid Boston this year.
Celtics Shooting Zone Chart (Via NBA.com)
2. Historic First Quarter
When looking at the box score of this game, something stands out that is pretty hard to miss. The Celtics scored 53 Points in the first quarter!
That isn’t an April Fools prank, the Celtics really scored 53 points which is the highest scoring first quarter in franchise history and is tied for the second most first quarter points in NBA history. This is the second highest scoring quarter in Celtics history, only trailing Boston’s 54 point fourth quarter against the San Diego Clippers on February 25th, 1970.
Both Boston and Miami scored 7 straight baskets to open the game and by the first TV timeout, the score was 21-21 at the 6:41 mark of the first quarter. The Celtics took that breather and continued their dominance, finishing the first quarter on a 29-9 run. Boston shot 20-28 (71%) from the field and 11-15 (73%) from three, just an incredible display of basketball by the Celtics.
The Celtics scored 53 points in the first quarter tonight at Miami – the most in a first quarter in franchise history.
Jaylen Brown had a real off shooting game against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday so naturally he bounced back with his second highest scoring game of the season. Brown finished with 43 points and 7 assists on 17-29 shooting from the field and 4-10 from three point range.
Not only is this Brown’s 34th 30+ point game of the season which is the most in the Eastern Conference this year, but this performance also put him in some rarified air. Brown is now tied with Larry Bird in the 1989-90 season for the 5th most 40+ point games in a season with his 7th of 2025-26.
Brown was the main catalyst to the Celtics hot start, scoring the first 11 points of the game for Boston and finishing with 20 points on 8-11 shooting. Miami had no answers for Jaylen driving to the basket as he was able to match the break neck speed the Heat were playing with.
We saw Brown continue to dominate Miami with this brand of physical basketball throughout the game. Jaylen and the Celtics made it a priority to attack Tyler Herro on defense and once he got the switch, there was no stopping Brown from getting to his spots.
Brown had his jumper working in this game which is a massive difference from his tough game in Atlanta. His final two buckets of the game were good examples of the shot making that he was putting on display in this game.
4. Triple-Double Tatum
When Jayson Tatum scored 32 points against the Charlotte Hornets in his 11th game of the season, I thought there was no way he was going to top it. That was until his 12th game where he had his first triple-double of the season and 6th of his career including the playoffs. He finished with 25 points, 18 rebounds, and 11 assists on 9-21 shooting from the field and 4-13 from three.
In the first half Tatum was taking and making a ton of three pointers and mid range jumpers since Miami had no one who could match up with him.
Tatum’s shooting splits don’t look the best but those were inflated by a cold stretch in the third quarter but that was when he starting turn up his passing. He had 5 assists in the this quarter where it looked like he was just seeing the game at a different level.
His biggest impact came at the beginning of the fourth quarter after Miami cut Boston’s lead to 10 points at the end of the third. Tatum squashed all momentum that the Heat had with two assists and a long three that pushed the Celtics lead back up to 16 points, essentially icing the game.
5. HAUS3R
After being taken out of the starting lineup on Monday, Sam Hauser made his way back into it with both of the Jays healthy at the same time. There had been some conversation on if Hauser should be replaced in the starting five since he was shooting 31% from three in his prior 10 games but he put all of those conversations to bed in this game, finishing with 23 points on 9-11 shooting from the field and 5-7 shooting from three while being a +23 overall. Sam Hauser also now has the most games in Celtics history with 20+ PTS on 100% TS.
Sam Hauser now has the most games in Celtics history with 20+ PTS on 100% TS. pic.twitter.com/1r3NXfQQiM
This was the best game Hauser has had in a while and it started with his explosion in the first quarter where he had a career high 17 points on 6-6 shooting from the field and tied a Celtics record with 5-5 shooting from three. We have seen countless times in his career when Hauser’s shot is falling, there is no one who is going to be able to slow him or the Celtics offense down.
6. Neem The Dream
Neemias Queta doesn’t get enough credit for all of the hard work that he has put in to being the Celtics starting center this season. He has always been a consistent rock for Boston and this game showed how important he is to this team, finishing with another double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds along with 3 blocks and a team high +28.
Queta’s impact was felt most in the fourth quarter where he and Jayson Tatum were making magic together on offense. Neemi was looking like Hakeem Olajuwon inside on the block, overpowering Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware while also showing off his touch with the floater.
7. White: Silent But Deadly
Derrick White didn’t necessarily light up the stat sheet tonight finishing with 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists on 3-4 shooting but he didn’t need to be loud to show his impact on this game.
The second quarter was where we saw how important Derrick White is to the Celtics. After making an incredible block and scoring two buckets, White was running the fast break with Jaylen Brown where he threw up an alley-oop for Brown to finish the layup. White then ran down all the way to the other side of the floor to stop Pelle Larsson from getting an easy shot at the buzzer.
White’s non-stop hustle and will to win is what makes him so impactful in Boston. Every team in the NBA would be lucky to have Derrick White on their roster and he would immediately elevate their ceiling. We are so lucky to have him.
Ayo Derrick White is legit incredible
Great pass getting JB the oop before the buzzer but then notices there are open Heat players on the other end
Immediately hustles back and stops what would’ve been an open layup
Payton Pritchard was on an incredible run over the last week when the Jays were out, even getting votes to be Eastern Conference Player of the Week. But now with both of them healthy, Pritchard was back to being the spark plug off the bench and he played his role to perfection.
Pritchard finished with 14 points and 4 assists on 5-9 shooting from the field and 4-7 shooting from three while having a +20 in 31 minutes. In this game, Payton was basically tasked as being a spot up shooter for most of his baskets. He was able to feast off of gravity that Brown and Tatum created and it felt like Miami was just fine living it with his shots.
9. Playoff Rotation
Something interesting with the way Joe Mazzulla managed his rotations was the fact that he only used 9 players tonight before garbage time. The top 6 guys being Tatum, Brown, White, Queta, Hauser, and Pritchard all played around 30+ minutes. The other guys that saw run were Baylor Scheierman who played 18 minutes and had 8 points, Luka Garza who had 12 points in 15 minutes, and Jordan Walsh who played 5 minutes.
It felt like Mazzulla was coaching this game like it was a playoff game and with 6 games to go in the regular season, we should continue see the ramp up of the top guys in the rotation while also maybe seeing the finalization of who Joe trusts off the bench.
I think Boston will cut down to an 8 man rotation with only Pritchard, Scheierman, and one of Nikola Vucevic or Garza getting run off the bench and guys like Ron Harper Jr, Hugo Gonzalez and Jordan Walsh used as “break glass in case of emergency” guys.
I wonder if tonight was our first look at a potential Celtics playoff rotation. My way of looking at it based on the minutes vs the Heat:
The best part about playing the Miami Heat, is beating the Miami Heat. With their win today, the Boston Celtics have swept the Miami Heat in the season series with a 4-0 record. The Celtics have now won 17 of their last 20 games against the Heat including the playoffs. Boston has also won 10 games in a row on the road in Miami.
The Boston Celtics have now won 17 of their last 20 against the Miami Heat
Every time the Celtics play the Heat I like to reflect on how much they have shaped this franchise. If Boston didn’t defeat them in the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals, Brown and Tatum wouldn’t have gotten that first experience in the NBA Finals. If Boston didn’t lose to them in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals, we wouldn’t have seen Brown and Tatum elevate the weak points in their game and become better players. Even if Boston didn’t beat them in the 2024 First Round, we couldn’t truly appreciate the Celtics being immune to the mind games and go on to win the Championship.
So you see, for as much as the Miami Heat are rivals to the Boston Celtics, in way we should thank them for only making our two best players the best versions of themselves they possibly could be.
However, I like the way Jayson Tatum described playing the Miami Heat a little more at the 2024 Championship Parade Celebration: “They always easy.”
MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 01: Sam Hauser #30 of the Boston Celtics celebrates a basket against the Miami Heat during the first quarter of the game at Kaseya Center on April 01, 2026 in Miami, Florida. 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 Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Before Wednesday night, Boston Celtics sharpshooter Sam Hauser was mired in a 3-point slump that spanned two months. He shot 33 percent last month and 37.5 percent in February — well below his career 41 percent. Then, in the first quarter against the Miami Heat, he caught fire.
Hauser shot a perfect 6-for-6 to begin, finishing the first quarter with 17 points. That alone surpassed his output in any game since Jan. 23 against the Brooklyn Nets (19 points), and the early makes gave him a noticeable boost to shoot with confidence.
“The first couple go in, the rim looks a little bit bigger,” Hauser told NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chin postgame. “And shoutout to my teammates for finding me when I was open and getting it to me on time and on target. Just letting it fly out there.”
Without hesitation, Hauser fired away. His first three-pointer came on a late closeout off a pass from Baylor Scheierman. The second, a pull-up in transition, came off a Luka Garza screen. Then the third, off an inbound pass and over a strong contest from Jaime Jaquez Jr., sent Jordan Walsh and Ron Harper Jr. leaping from the bench. Hauser’s scorching start from beyond the arc lifted the offense to historic heights just 12 minutes into Boston’s 147-129 victory in South Beach.
The Celtics scored a franchise-record 53 points in the first quarter, hitting 11 three-pointers. Only the 1969-70 Atlanta Hawks have ever scored more in a single quarter (54) in the shot-clock era (since 1954-55), and ultimately, it helped Boston overcome a challenging Miami environment.
Hauser compared it to a “playoff game,” a feeling he says is consistent whenever the Celtics travel to Miami, even though Boston is on a 10-game winning streak at the Kaseya Center dating back two seasons.
“Every time we come here, it feels like a playoff game,” Hauser said. “So anytime you can win here, it’s pretty cool, and you never know, we might be playing them in a couple of weeks, so it’s good to get these wins under our belt. But we’ve got a lot more to get better at and get ready for it.”
Like the past four playoff matchups over the last six years, the Heat put up a fight. Even when trailing the Celtics by as many as 27 points on Wednesday night, Bam Adebayo, Davion Mitchell, and Tyler Herro wouldn’t go down without a fight. Miami cut into a 23-point halftime deficit and brought it down to 10 after setting a franchise record with 11 3-pointers in the third quarter — the most in any quarter in Heat history.
Boston’s ability to withstand Miami’s rally traced back to the opening frame.
The Celtics shot 73.3 percent from three in the first quarter because of their ball movement and spacing, making it a matter of converting those looks — albeit at a historic rate.
“We got off to a good start, pace-wise,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla told reporters, per CLNS Media. “I thought we executed pretty well, and there’s times when you execute well, and you get good shot after good shot, and it just kind of happened. Usually, when you’re in moments like that, you start to feel it, and you take poor shots. We didn’t do that. We kept fighting for a good look and the next best look, and I thought that kept the momentum going a little bit.”
Brown, who finished as the game’s leading scorer with 43 points, tipped his cap to Hauser. He noted the effect of help defenders crowding scorers like himself, which leaves Boston’s sharpshooters, including Hauser, open for catch-and-shoot opportunities. The Celtics didn’t miss a chance to capitalize on those.
Brown also acknowledged how Hauser’s development this season has boosted Boston’s offense, coming just in time with just over two weeks to go until the playoffs.
“If you’ve got Sam Hauser on the floor, you really can’t help, and if you do, he’ll make you pay,” Brown told reporters, per CLNS Media.
“Sam has been shooting the ball really well all season, kind of consistently, and he’s been getting to his middy a little bit. He’s been working on that, so Sam has been in his bag. I wouldn’t say I teach him — maybe it’s influenced, a little influence there — but he’s been doing great. Just continuing to develop his game, and that’s what we like to see.”
