Zion Williamson said the criticism he faces from people “comes with the territory,” but what’s been the toughest thing for him during his career was hearing people question how much he cares.
The Pelicans’ star took part in a sit-down interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews on Monday’s edition of “NBA Today.” He was asked what the most difficult thing has been during his six year NBA career, which has been hindered by injuries.
“There are pros and cons to being in a certain position. Critics come with the territory,” Williamson said. “The part that would get at me the most is, people saying I didn’t care and I care a lot. I really care and when you’re not on the court and you just have to sit on the sideline, how much my critics hate it, I hate it more than them. Because I don’t want to be on the sideline, I want to be out there on the court. That was a part of the process of looking in the mirror. Am I doing enough? Am I really doing what I need to do?
Zion Williamson talks with ESPN’s Maria Taylor. ESPN/X
“Going through all those injuries and missing lots of time because of it, it did a lot on my mental, but it also helped me grow as a pro.”
Williamson has struggled to stay healthy during his time in the NBA and critics of the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft have bashed him for everything from his fitness and his weight to whether he cares about playing.
During his rookie season, he played in just 24 games and didn’t make his debut until Jan. 22, 2020, after suffering a torn meniscus during the preseason.
He missed all of the 2021-22 season and had his 2022-23 campaign cut short due to a hamstring injury that limited him to just 29 games.
Williamson is on track to surpass 50 games, which he has only done twice in his career, although he tweaked his ankle during a win over the Jazz on Saturday night.
"The part that would get at me the most is people saying I didn't care. I care a lot… How much my critics hate it, I hate it more than them. I don't want to be on the sideline. I want to be on the court"
The Pelicans star said that missing his third year in the NBA was the “most difficult point” of his career.
“There was a lot of criticism on my weight, my care for the game,” he said. “But the whole time I’m looking at a doctor and the doctor is telling me that, ‘yeah we’re going to perform this surgery, but if this surgery doesn’t work we really don’t know the next step.’ And people are saying what they’re saying and everybody is entitled to their own opinion. It is what it is. I’m in Portland rehabbing, not knowing if my foot’s going to heal.
“And it was frustrating and I was really low because I just wanted to play basketball. I just wanted to play the game I loved, but everytime you turn the TV on and every time I checked my phone, it was nothing but negative criticism. And at the time, it did a lot.”
Rob Gray-Imagn Images
When Williamson has been healthy, he has been a presence in the front court.
For most of this season, Josh Hart’s 3-point shooting was a surprising weapon for the Knicks.
From the start of the season to the All-Star break, he was shooting 40.7 percent from deep — which would represent a career-best. But in six games since the break, he shot just 24 percent from behind the arc.
Was his first-half shooting sustainable? Is his recent form a sign of things to come? Or will he end up somewhere in the middle, as he has been most of his career?
Hart went just 1-for-6 in Sunday’s 114-89 win over the Spurs at Madison Square Garden. He seemed to grow hesitant with his shot, passing up open looks.
“The frustrating thing for me [is I’m] in a slump,” Hart said after the game. “The confidence is coming and going.”
Hart’s ability to at least be a competent 3-point shooter is vital to the Knicks starting lineup and coach Mike Brown’s 3-heavy offense. Felllow starters Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges are usually strong 3-point shooters. Hart tends to be the weakest among them in that regard — meaning opponents often match up their center on him defensively, allowing their big man to sag off of Hart and camp in the paint as a rim protector and help defender. It’s what the Spurs did Sunday, putting Victor Wembanyama on Hart. That also allows opponents to have a wing guard Towns, who usually operates outside the perimeter rather than as their center.
But for much of the season, Hart has made opponents pay for that decision. Given his current shooting struggles, though, he’s had to adjust.
Knicks guard Josh Hart drives to the basket as San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama gives chase. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
“I ain’t make a damn thing, so I gotta do something else,” Hart said. “That’s all I’m thinking about. … I’m putting the work in; I gotta make sure I play my game, shoot my shots with confidence and those kinds of things. But if you can’t hit the side of a barn, you gotta do something different. Wemby’s in a deep drop against me, I gotta make sure I have the opportunity to get guys wide-open shots on some of those handoffs, pitch backs, stuff like that.”
Characteristically, Hart still has found ways to impact winning. When he’s not making his 3s and opponents sag off him, he uses that extra space to become even more aggressive as a screener, as a ball handler forcing the defense to collapse and in crashing the offensive glass. He finished with seven assists and 10 rebounds in Sunday’s win.
At one point during the third quarter, he set a screen to free up Brunson, who missed his shot. Hart then grabbed the rebound, kicked it out to Bridges and then got it back from Bridges, who cut toward him to initiate a dribble handoff. Hart handed it off to Bridges and subsequently set a screen for him to create space, and Bridges promptly drilled the 3.
Knicks guard Josh Hart reacts on the court against the Spurs. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
For good measure on the other end of the floor, he poked the ball away from De’Aaron Fox, leading to a breakaway for Anunoby (who missed the dunk).
“Shooting, it was probably, obviously, one of my worst games of the season, worst three- or four-game stint,” Hart said. “But I think, for me, I was extremely happy in terms of how I was able to get past that and affect the game in different ways. Obviously, don’t want to have an abysmal shooting night like that, but for me, I was able to help guys get shots, defensively bring it.”
There is a portion of the fan base that constantly calls for Hart to be removed from the starting lineup, especially when he struggles with his shot, in favor of Landry Shamet or, when healthy, Miles McBride. While each is a more consistent shooter, neither possesses nearly the playmaking or rebounding prowess of Hart. Both also are better in shorter stints rather than in heavy workloads that Hart regularly logs.
In terms of shooting, Hart was a positive for most of the year rather than a weakness. Whether he can return to that production will be a key X factor heading into the postseason.
By The Associated Press (AP) — Luke Kornet called on the Atlanta Hawks to cancel their upcoming collaboration with Magic City, saying he and other NBA players were surprised by the team's decision to promote the adult entertainment club.
The San Antonio Spurs center wrote Monday that allowing the March 16 event during the Hawks' game against the Orlando Magic “would reflect poorly on us as an NBA community, specifically in being complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women in our society.”
“Regardless of how a woman finds her way into the adult entertainment industry, many in this space experience abuse, harassment, and violence to which they should never be subjected,” Kornet added in a blog post.
The Hawks announced the promotion last week, saying it would include a live performance by Atlanta native T.I., and have two versions of Magic City's famed chicken wings and a special hoodie available for purchase.
But Kornet noted that the press release “failed to acknowledge that this place is, as the business itself boasts, ‘Atlanta’s premier strip club.’” Therefore, he asked the Hawks to cancel the promotion.
“We desire to provide an environment where fans of all ages can safely come and enjoy the game of basketball and where we can celebrate the history and culture of communities in good conscience,” Kornet wrote. “The celebration of a strip club is not conduct aligned with that vision.”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: Luke Kennard #10 and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate during the first half of their game against the Boston Celtics at Crypto.com Arena on February 22, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luiza Moraes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Lakers (36-24) will remain at home as they host the New Orleans Pelicans (19-43) on Tuesday. L.A. looks to sweep the season series against New Orleans for the second season in a row.
The Lakers commendably took care of business over the weekend by stringing together back-to-back blowout victories against Pacific Division counterparts. It doesn’t fully make up for the losing skid they recently endured, but it’s certainly a good sign that this team is back on track.
The best part of the last two victories was that several developments stood out, all of which could be considered integral for the Lakers’ success in this last stretch of the season and playoff time.
Here’s what we saw in the last two games:
Luka Kennard stepping up
Kennard put up 27 points off the bench in the two games, making him the highest scorer among the non-starters. This is a huge development for the purple and gold because not only does Luke improve their bench scoring, but he also provides another threat in their above-average offense with his ability to space the floor, cut to the basket, screen for his teammates and operate off the ball at all times.
The last two games showed how huge an X-factor the newest Laker can be every single game and that’s a huge advantage for them.
Lakers got their shooting rhythm back
The common denominator in the Lakers’ three-game losing streak was their shooting struggles. It happens to most teams and it’s a matter of how quickly they can snap out of it. The Lakers were able to do that over the weekend thanks to a number of things.
Austin Reaves and LeBron James shot better, there was more ball movement on offense and there was an improved mix of lineup and rotations. These all played a role in their victories over the last two games and the hope is for the team to carry them over moving forward.
The team winning means good vibes are back
For as inconsistent as this team has been all season, what has never been a problem is their chemistry. They seem to know how to have fun around each other and that becomes more prominent when they win games. Just look at how Rui Hachimura was the target of laughs prior to the game against the Sacramento Kings last Sunday.
Rui replaced Lebron for the pregame routine and couldn’t throw the ball correctly😭
Vando and everyone can’t stop laughing. Laravia telling him where to aim and Luka is like forget it 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/hPWBdpHD9w
Or when the team was cheering on Maxi Kleber, who had himself a night against the Kings as well:
Maxi Kleber said he feels his teammates reactions from the bench in his big plays like his two posters Sunday in win vs. SAC:
“Every time I do something, you know, you look to the bench, everybody's celebrating. So obviously it's good push for me, good push for the team.” pic.twitter.com/gMgQ6YlxNA
All these prove that the team is not entirely in disarray and there are a couple of things worth being hopeful about moving forward. Only time will tell if it’s enough to make a huge impact for the Lakers’ success down the line.
But in the meantime, they’re worth taking note of as each game passes. Let’s see if the Lakers can continue to build on their recent success and make it three wins in a row against the Pelicans on Tuesday.
Notes and Updates
The Pelicans team that the Lakers will face are also one of the worst defensive teams in the league because they struggle to guard the perimeter and allow too many easy transition points. They also don’t rebound the ball very well and don’t really have the depth on offense to make up for their flaws. The Lakers should be able to take advantage.
Moreover, the Lakers have owned the Pelicans over the last two seasons as they’ve won nine out of their last 10 games against them.
There are no injuries stated on the Lakers’ injury report for this one.
PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 26: Royce O'Neale #00 and Collin Gillespie #12 of the Phoenix Suns celebrate after the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 26, 2026 at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Alright, this won’t be as dramatic as the title, but man… what an important win that was. It’s been 84 years since the last Suns game with this random massive gap in the schedule, so let’s rewind a bit.
With 0.9 seconds on the clock, Royce O’Neale buried a corner three, assisted by Collin Gillespie, but originally created by a sweeping Grayson Allen drive and kick to CG in the corner, who found Royce. That clutch three secured a 113-110 win. It wasn’t just a win. It was a firm reminder that the Suns have no intention of sinking into the Play-In abyss.
ROYCE O'NEALE HITS THE GO-AHEAD 3 TO WIN IT FOR THE SUNS 🚨
If you’ve been watching the Phoenix Suns over the last two weeks, you’ve probably been pulling your hair out. I know I have. Before Thursday night, the vibes were, frankly, in the dumps. We were looking at a team that had dropped six of its last eight, an offense that looked like it was stuck in a mud pit, and a rotation decimated by injuries to Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, and Jordan Goodwin.
Fast forward to the closing seconds against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Footprint Center. The Suns had blown a 12-point fourth-quarter lead. LeBron James had just tipped in a game-tying bucket with 22 seconds left. The ghosts of “disappointing stretches” were starting to rattle again.
Then, Royce O’Neale happened.
The Tiebreaker + “Win of the Season”
Make no mistake, this was the biggest win of the year. Not because of our hatred for LA (that helps), but because of the math. By taking down the Lakers, the Suns officially secured the season tiebreaker. We are now just one game back from L.A. in the loss column for that coveted No. 6 seed. Despite their recent spiral, the fact that the top-6 is still in play is remarkable, especially with Devin Booker’s return soon.
We saw the Suns return to the basics: scrappy defense, transition buckets, and a “death by Royce O’Neale” finish that Lakers fans will be seeing in their nightmares. It was a rollercoaster of a game, but you’d expect nothing less from these relentless Suns.
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Jalen Green.
It is okay to hold players accountable, and right now, the accountability is loud. Green finished with 9 points on 4-of-15 shooting. The iso-ball is getting stagnant, and the 10 assists over his last five games are concerning as well. There are red flags there that are tough to ignore.
I will give him a break for now because he’s currently set up to fail in a system missing its top two scorers while he is trying to trust his body again.
This is a guy who has only played 11 games this season and is clearly still trying to get his legs under him after the recurring hamstring injury. He’s being asked to be Batman when he was brought here to be a high-level Robin. The “perfect storm for failure” is currently swirling around him, but if this inefficiency continues once Book returns, the conversation changes from “he needs time” to “he’s messing with the flow of the offense.”
I truly believe this is the worst he’ll ever look as a Sun, and it’s only uphill from here.
Bright Spots
The brightest spotof last Thursday’s win wasn’t just the final score; it was the continued evolution of Oso Ighodaro. Oso played 34 minutes to Mark Williams’ 13. This season, he has transformed from a tentative rookie we saw a year ago into a decisive attacker who isn’t afraid to mix it up. Jordan Ott is not afraid to close games out with him, and in certain matchups, he prefers it.
This vicious poster on LaRavia was a testament to the player he has slowly become right before our eyes.
Pair him with Rasheer Fleming — who gave us some serious “young Kawhi” defensive vibes while checking LeBron and Luka — and you start to see a viable future for the Suns’ frontcourt. Fleming is a disruptor who can switch everything, and if his three-ball becomes consistent, he is the bridge player this team has been begging for since the Brooks injury.
The Suns shot 50 threes last game. They lived by the long ball and nearly died by it, but that is the modern NBA.
With Devin Booker expected to return soon, the goal is simple: survive and advance. Yes, my basketball brain is ready for March Madness, if you couldn’t tell.
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 31: Ty Jerome #2 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against Jaden McDaniels #3 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at FedExForum on January 31, 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
Minnesota Timberwolves at Memphis Grizzlies Date: March 3rd, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM CST Location: Target Center Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network – North Radio Coverage: Wolves App, iHeart Radio
There’s a very specific kind of confidence that creeps in when you beat the Denver Nuggets on national television. It’s the “we’re back” confidence. And right now, the Minnesota Timberwolves are flirting with that version of themselves.
Six wins in their last seven. A convincing Sunday afternoon win over Jokic and the Nuggets. A leapfrog in the standings. Suddenly they’re sitting tied for the third best record in the West, staring at the Houston Rockets, and licking their chops.
It feels good. It should feel good.
But before we start fantasizing home court in Round 1, let’s take a healthy dose of reality. The margin for error in the West is still razor thin. The Wolves have momentum, but they haven’t exactly looked like world-beaters during this stretch. They’ve won games that should’ve been comfortable by making them unnecessarily dramatic. They’ve flirted with disaster against inferior opponents and needed fourth-quarter gear shifts to survive.
Which brings us to this week’s three-game homestand: Memphis. Toronto. Orlando.
On paper? Bankable wins. In reality? Potential landmines.
Because the Wolves don’t have a “talent” problem. They have a “professional urgency on random Tuesday nights” problem. Which makes this Memphis Grizzlies team one of the most dangerous opponents they could face…
The Setup: The Games You Have to Bank
March is a gauntlet. After this homestand, Minnesota heads west to face both L.A. teams, Golden State, and then south for the fourth and final showdown with OKC. That’s not a sightseeing tour. That’s a standings reshuffle waiting to happen.
So if the Wolves want that three-seed, if they want home court in Round 1, if they want to avoid staring down OKC in the second round like it’s a dentist appointment, they have to stack the games that are sitting right in front of them.
Memphis is one of those. And before you (or the Wolves) begin to mentally add a digit to the win column, stop and remember that these Grizzlies have already beaten Minnesota twice this season. The most recent upset was at the start of February in one of those games where the Wolves assumed they could flip the switch late, only to realize the power had been disconnected.
When we get to April and we’re recapping the “what could have been” portion of the season, those Memphis losses are going to glow in neon. This is a team Minnesota has a clear talent advantage over. And yet, lack of intensity and professionalism already put two notches in the loss column.
They cannot afford a third.
#1: Take This Personally (And Take It Seriously)
The Grizzlies punched Minnesota in the mouth twice. Both times, the Wolves walked in thinking it was a formality. That can’t happen again.
This needs to be one of those games where the Wolves remember the taste of blood. Where they come out like they’ve had this date circled since February 2nd. Where they don’t “feel it out” for a quarter and a half.
Jump on them early. Crank the defensive aggression up immediately. Dive for loose balls. Sprint in transition. End defensive possessions with rebounds. Make Memphis feel like they wandered into the wrong building.
Because if you let them hang around, if you let this become a fourth-quarter coin flip, you’re inviting déjà vu.
And Wolves fans have had enough déjà vu this season to last a lifetime.
#2: Blanket Ty Jerome
Memphis has pivoted away from the core that knocked the Wolves out of the playoffs in 2022. Jaren Jackson Jr. is gone, shipped to Utah at the deadline. Desmond Bane was jettisoned before the season. The identity that once made Memphis dangerous has been dismantled piece by piece. Ja Morant is still there, only because nobody else was eager to take on that particular roller coaster. This is not the same Grizzlies team that one appeared to be the next great Western Conference contender.
But Ty Jerome? He’s real. He already proved a month ago that he can hang with Minnesota and put enough points on the board to steal the game. And if you let him get comfortable, he’ll start doing that annoying thing where role players turn into All-NBA guys for a night.
Anthony Edwards. Ayo Dosunmu. Jalen Clark. Donte DiVincenzo. They all need to take turns sitting in Jerome’s jersey.
#3: Keep Jaden McDaniels Unlocked
Jaden McDaniels is the Wolves’ secret ingredient. When he’s passive, the Wolves are good. When he’s aggressive, they’re terrifying. We saw it against Denver. McDaniels attacking downhill, finishing at the rim, getting high-percentage looks. He tilted the floor.
The Wolves need to treat the next six weeks as a referendum on fully integrating McDaniels as a third pillar of this offense. Not an afterthought. Not a “stand in the corner and wait” guy.
If this team heads into the postseason as a legitimate three-headed monster of Ant, Randle, and McDaniels, that’s a completely different ceiling. Minnesota needs to be done with six-point Jaden games. Finch and the staff need to scheme him into action early. Get him touches. Get him downhill. Let him feel the game.
#4: Keep the Ball Moving
One of the more encouraging trends from Sunday? Edwards passing out of doubles. He didn’t force it against Denver. He trusted the read. He let teammates cook. That’s when Minnesota’s offense feels like a five-lane highway instead of a one-man street.
Memphis probably won’t double Ant the way Denver did. But the philosophy has to stay the same: Share it. Swing it. Keep the defense honest.
There is zero reason for this to devolve into iso-heavy, dribble-the-air-out-of-the-ball basketball. The Wolves are far more dangerous when the ball is whipping around the perimeter and the defense is chasing shadows. This is not a “prove you’re the best player in the building” game. It’s a “prove you’re the most professional team in the building” game.
#5: Defend the Perimeter Like It’s a Playoff Game
The only way Memphis stays alive here is if Minnesota gifts them space with lazy rotations, turnstile perimeter defense., and wide-open threes because someone didn’t feel like tagging the shooter.
Don’t give them that.
If Memphis earns tough buckets, fine, but don’t be the reason they get easy ones. Close out hard. Contain at the point of attack. Rotate with purpose. Make it feel suffocating.
This should be a blowout win. Honestly? Anything less is unacceptable.
The Big Picture: Climb the Ladder, One Rung at a Time
The Wolves did the hard part Sunday.
They beat Denver. They flipped the script. They vaulted in the standings. It was a statement win.
But statement wins only matter if you don’t step on a rake 48 hours later.
The dog days of January and February are behind us. The postseason is visible on the horizon. Now it’s about stacking wins. Banking games you’re supposed to win. Turning momentum into separation.
You want the three-seed? You want home court? You want the opposite side of OKC? Then treat Memphis like what they are right now: a stepping stone.
No coasting. No “we’ll turn it on later.” No letting inferior teams dictate terms.
Mitchell Robinson (r.) reacts during the Knicks' March 1 win over the Spurs.
The Knicks load management plan with Mitchell Robinson can be frustrating at times, but it’s hard to argue that it hasn’t worked.
Robinson has played 44 games this year, already more than either of the past two seasons.
He is on pace to play more games this year than any of the past three seasons.
The 7-footer has not played both legs of a back-to-back this year.
The Knicks also have sat him at times during busy portions of the schedule, even when it wasn’t part of a back-to-back.
All of that has helped keep Robinson more available than he had been in years.
“We love the medical group that we have,” coach Mike Brown said Sunday. “[Vice president of sports medicine] Casey [Smith] and [senior vice president of player performance] Quentin [Dolan] and [head athletic trainer] Anthony [Goenaga], they’ve done a nice job heading it with our doctors. They’ve spearheaded this, so I’ve gotta give those guys a ton of credit.
Mitchell Robinson (r.) reacts during the Knicks’ March 1 win over the Spurs. Jason Szenes for the NY Post
“And starting with Mitch because he’s bought into this plan and he’s tried to execute it at the highest of high levels. So I give all those guys a ton of credit because I’m just kind of jumping on the bandwagon and following their lead. To see him out there, because the best thing almost anybody can have is their availability, so to see him out there as much as he’s been out there has been really good for us.”
The most important step will be ensuring Robinson is healthy for the postseason.
The Knicks face the Raptors on Tuesday in Toronto, then return home to host the Thunder on Wednesday.
Robinson is not listed on the Knicks’ injury report, meaning he will be available against the Raptors and will likely sit against Oklahoma City.
The Knicks defense has been a roller coaster this year.
But it seems they’re hitting their groove in that department.
Over the past 15 games, the Knicks recorded a defensive rating of 105.3 — best in the NBA over that stretch.
“I think it’s just another example of where we can be defensively,” Josh Hart said after the 114-89 win over the Spurs on Sunday at Madison Square Garden. “We have to do that on a nightly basis. Now it’s all about getting better every day, getting better so we’re the best team we can be when we’re in the playoffs. We have to continue to build off this, and not have lows at this point. It can’t be up and down.”
Monday marked six years since the Knicks hired Leon Rose as team president.
During the Los Angeles Lakers dismantling of the Golden State Warriors on Saturday at the Chase Center in San Francisco, fans caught a moment between head coach J.J. Redick and superstar Luka Doncic.
Doncic — the franchise’s newest crown jewel — was walking towards the Lakers bench when Redick reached out and grabbed his arm. Not violently, but firmly enough that it got Doncic’s attention.
The two exchanged words along the sideline as Redick followed Doncic back to the Lakers’ bench. Doncic sat down and the player and coach continued to exchange words before Redick made one last comment and began walking back towards the scorer’s table. That’s when Luka popped up like a match had just struck gasoline.
Thankfully, Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt was nearby to witness the whole thing and he immediately rose from the bench clapping, loud and deliberate, inserting himself into the space like a seasoned diplomat breaking up a bar fight before the first punch flies.
Vanderbilt’s actions were subtle, but brilliant. It clearly saved everyone from turning a heated exchange into a headline that would have drowned out the Lakers 129-101 dominant win.
Coaches and superstars clash all the time. On the opposite sideline, Steve Kerr and Draymond Green have clashed several times this season alone. Phil and Kobe clashed. Riley and Magic did too. Fire is required to forge steel.
Whatever was said between the coach and superstar is likely squashed at this point, but the fan’s video shows that even the greatest are not exempt from temper’s flaring and sometimes you need a veteran like Vanderbilt to sense the moment and step between the two before things escalate even further.
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DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 29: Kon Knueppel #7 of the Charlotte Hornets looks to pass the ball during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on January 29, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Cooper Neill/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks (21-39) travel to Charlotte to take on the Hornets (30-31), hoping to snap a three-game losing streak. It’ll be hard to imagine getting a better game than the last Mavericks-Hornets matchup, even though Charlotte walked away with the win, 123-121. The injury report is longer for the Mavs this time around, and with Cooper Flagg likely out, Dallas will have to get solid production from everyone who suits up. Here are three things to watch as the Mavericks take on the Hornets.
The Rookie of the Year race is tight
The last time these two teams met, we got a classic. Cooper Flagg notched his career high of 49 points, also adding 10 rebounds and 3 assists. His former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel hit eight of his 12 threes, posting 34 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. The two future stars put on a show and proved why the Rookie of the Year race is one of the closest ever.
For the first time since November, betting sportsbooks have Kon Knueppel edging out Cooper Flagg for Rookie of the Year. The two former teammates have separated themselves as being on a tier of their own in the 2025 NBA draft class. Each has shown their basketball brilliance in different ways. Knueppel is a marksman, shooting an astounding 44% from three this season on eight attempts per game. He broke the NBA rookie record for three pointers made in a season, netting his 207th — in 59 games. The previous record was held by Keegan Murray in 2023, who took 80 games to reach 206 made threes. Knueppel, who was taken fourth in the 2025 draft, has also put up an impressive stat line of 19.3 points per game, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. He’s arguably the biggest reason why the Charlotte Hornets could reach their first season of being above .500 since 2022.
Cooper Flagg, the perennial favorite to win the Rookie of the Year race, has slipped behind Knueppel largely because he’s been sidelined with a left foot sprain since February 10. Charlotte will be his eighth consecutive game missed. Before the injury, Flagg was living up to the hype of everything Mavs fans were hoping to see from the number one overall pick. He’s averaging 20.4 points per game, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists — all slightly ahead of his former Duke counterpart.Prioritizing Flagg’s health is, of course, most important. Once he returns, it could be a photo finish for who takes home the Rookie of the Year trophy.
Charlotte is better than its record
After an abysmal start, the Hornets have been red hot. It looked like Charlotte was headed for another rebuilding year as it started 15-26 by the halfway point in the season. Since then, they’ve won 15 of 20 games and now the only thing standing between them and a .500 record is the Mavericks. They have a 3.0 net rating this season, better than the Heat, Raptors, Sixers, Magic, Lakers, Suns, and Warriors — all teams that are above .500. In their past 20 games, the Hornets own the third-best net rating in the NBA at 9.8, only behind the Pistons and Celtics.
Charlotte’s athleticism and size cause matchup problems for many teams. They are second in the NBA in offensive rebounding percentage at 35.8. If the Mavs want any chance at keeping the Hornets from breaking the .500 plateau, they’ll have to keep them off the glass. Charlotte’s offensive rating has also cracked the top-10 in the NBA, scoring 117.5 points per 100 possessions, largely due to its efficient three-point shooting. They make 15.9 threes per game, trailing only the Warriors, and are third in percentage at 37.8%, trailing only the Nuggets and Bucks. Shooting a lot of threes and elite offensive rebounding for second and third opportunities will put you in the upper third of efficient NBA offenses.
Embrace the weird stat lines
The injury list these days reads more like a Walmart receipt. With so many key rotation guys out, the Mavs are digging deep into their bench to fill minutes. In a season that’s largely lost and with eyes already shifting to the draft, these last 22 games still have purpose. They’re a glorified tryout for real minutes on (hopefully) a much better team next season.
If 48 minutes are largely filled by your bench, you’re bound to get some bizarre stat lines. In Dallas’s 100-87 loss to Oklahoma City on Sunday, Moussa Cisse recorded 12 rebounds, 0 points, 0 assists, 0 blocks, and 0 steals. But with weird stat lines come real questions. Who should be on the roster next season? Now is the time to find out. Is Cisse a viable big man Dallas should give a roster spot to next season? Caleb Martin was the leading scorer with 18 points against the Thunder. Can he reset his value and be a real contributor next season? How does Ryan Nembhard respond after securing his NBA contract? Who will the Mavericks choose to run the bench unit once Kyrie returns? Where does Brandon Williams fit in? In the bigger picture, these minutes matter.
A lot of losing is happening, but that’s OK. This grind part is important for the rebuilding process. Speaking of the Thunder, who are widely considered the favorite to repeat as NBA champions, let’s look at the beginning of their rebuild. In the 2021-2022 season, the Thunder lost 16 games by 20+ points, including a 50-point loss to the Clippers and a 73-point loss to the Grizzlies. In comparison, the Mavericks have four losses by 20+ points this season. The Thunder finished with a record of 24-58. This is the same season Oklahoma City discovered Lu Dort as an elite defender, Aaron Wiggins as a real scoring threat, and Kenrich Williams as a serviceable wing who can contribute off the bench. Most of that 2022 roster didn’t make the 2025 title team, but these guys did. Oklahoma City knew Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the star, but who were the guys that could contribute around him? With no pressure to win games, now is the time to find out who those players are for the Mavericks. This is part of the process.
How to watch
It can be hard to get motivated to watch Mavericks games without Cooper Flagg. But even without him, these games are a good way to see what Dallas has around him. The star is the hardest part to get in a championship puzzle. The hardest part is done. But as fans saw with Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Doncic, the talent you put around your star matters. With or without Flagg, let’s see how the Mavs compete.
The Mavs and Hornets tip off at 6:00 PM CST on KFAA Channel 29, MavsTV streaming, and NBA League Pass.
SAN FRANCISCO – Draymond Green’s uneven performance this Warriors season has been a frequent topic of discussion in the streets of Dub Nation, with debate running hot in recent weeks and those ready to send him away winning more than their share.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr, however, consistently has defended Green, insisting his presence is essential to the best version of the team, which has been without Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler III since January.
Kerr received a dollop of evidence supporting his belief Monday night at Chase Center during the pivotal third quarter of a 114-101 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Warriors had led most of the game and were up 71-61 when Green was subbed out for Moses Moody with 4:37 left in the third quarter. LA star Kawhi Leonard had 14 points on eight field-goal attempts, with the ball rarely finding him behind Green’s bloodhound defense. Within a minute of Draymond going to the bench, Leonard drained a midrange jumper and two free throws. The Clippers were within six, closed with a 16-8 run and were within two entering the fourth quarter.
The complexion of the game changed during the non-Draymond minutes, with the Clippers moving in and taking control.
“He’s still one of the great defenders in the league,” Kerr said of Green. “And he set the tone in that first half, and we were able to sustain the lead for much of the third. But they went on a run late in the third quarter, and cut it to two going into the fourth. They had a lot of momentum.
“But we had to get him out. He can’t play the whole game. And he played 31 minutes, which is a lot for him at this stage. But that was the key stretch.”
Green, who turns 36 on Wednesday, averages 26.6 minutes per game and has topped 31 in only 11 of the 50 games in which he has played this season. No doubt he was stretched.
That stretch during which he sat touched off the avalanche that buried the Warriors, who were outscored 53-30 over the final 16:37. They had led by as much as 16 in the third quarter and then trailed by as much as 17 in the fourth. Leonard finished with a game-high 23 points.
“We weren’t able to sustain the energy that we needed defensively,” Al Horford said. “I still felt like we were going to be able to in the fourth quarter, kind of come back and win the game. Kawhi went on a great run and that kind of put it away.”
A game featuring two teams vying for NBA play-in tournament position suddenly vanished from the Warriors, leaving their record at 31-30, one game above .500 for the first time since Jan. 5.
Though Green was unavailable after the game – he has been uncharacteristically distant from media lately – his value on this night spoke volumes.
His presence, warts and all, still matters.
“One thousand percent,” De’Anthony Melton said. “What Draymond does especially on defensive end, it’s still in the top percentile.”
Green’s offense has taken the brunt of the criticism. He’s averaging 8.5 points per game, shooting 40.9 percent from the field, including 31.7 percent beyond the arc – where he generally gets open looks. He scored only four points on 1-of-5 shooting, all from deep, against the Clippers.
“Obviously, everyone’s going to talk about his shooting and stuff like that,” Melton said. “But at the same time, he’s Draymond. You know what I mean? Everybody acting like, this is something, that it’s just like new or that he’s changed his game. In some of these instances, we gotta hit shots. We gotta hit shots.
“I saw a graphic today showing the lowest-scoring All-Stars. And Draymond was an All-Star averaging 11 points (11.3 in 2017-18). Scoring has never been his emphasis.”
Is Green the same player he was eight seasons ago? No. No way. He was during that time a blur, blasting downcourt as an offensive playmaker and, on the other end, scrambling to defend three or four opponents in one possession.
But there are times when his presence matters greatly. There haven’t been many such times this season, as the Warriors have put away several games during non-Draymond minutes down the stretch.
But this game, which came with stakes attached, is one in which his absence was a determining factor in an outcome the Warriors didn’t want.
The Atlanta Hawks are celebrating “Magic City Night” on Monday, March 16th against the Orlando Magic.
It’s a nod to Magic City, the famed Atlanta strip club that has long occupied a strange intersection of hip-hop lore, celebrity culture, and late-night mythology.
Joseline Hernandez performing on stage at Magic City. WireImageSan Antonio Spurs’ Luke Kornet reacts to a call AP
The franchise billed the promotional night as a tribute to a “cultural institution,” complete with appearances from Atlanta-based rapper T.I., themed merchandise, and the familiar smell of lemon-pepper wings that have become as synonymous with the city as trap beats and traffic on I-285.
But now, none of that might actually happen, at least if a San Antonio Spurs player has anything to do with it.
Spurs’ big man Luke Kornet inserted himself into the national conversation with something far less flashy: a letter posted on medium.
In his letter, which you can read in its entirety on the link above, Kornet asks for the night to be cancelled and believes that because it is honoring a strip club, that the promotion is disrespectful to women.
He questioned what it means for the NBA — a league that markets itself as progressive, family-friendly, and globally conscious — to align, even indirectly, with an establishment synonymous with adult entertainment. He argued that celebrating a strip club, no matter how carefully worded the press release, risks making the league complicit in the objectification and mistreatment many women in that industry endure.
Luke Kornet arrives to the arena before the game against the Toronto Raptors. NBAE via Getty Images
Inside arenas across America, the NBA sells hope, heroism, and highlight reels to kids wearing oversized jerseys. Kornet’s point is simple: you can’t preach empowerment on one sideline and wink at exploitation on the other.
“We desire to provide an environment where fans of all ages can safely come and enjoy the game of basketball and where we can celebrate the history and culture of communities in good conscience. The celebration of a strip club is not conduct aligned with that vision,” writes Kornet.
The Hawks may see a cultural homage. Kornet sees a moral blind spot.
Despite Kornet’s objections, the ticket price to the “Magic City Night” game has exploded from a get-in price of $10 before the announcement was made to $94 as of the date of this publication, according to Tick Pick.
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LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 1: Will Ferrell and Dalton Knecht #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers shake hands after the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 1, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Hey guys!
We’re back with another open thread for the week. Want to discuss movies, games, basketball, TV, the weather, what you had for lunch, your wins of the week? Here’s the place. This can also serve as a spot to chat about non-Lakers games going on around the league as well.
The only rule is to follow the guidelines. Be nice and be civil. Everything else is fair game.
Young has not played since Dec. 27 due to right knee and quad issues. Since that date, the four-time All-Star was traded from Atlanta — the only team he had ever played for — to the Wizards.
In the 10 games Young has played this season, he's averaged 19.3 points and 8.9 assists per game, while shooting 35.1% from 3-point range. His shooting should help space the floor for Washington, and his passing will make life easier for Alex Sarr and the other Wizards big men. Young will upgrade the Wizards' offense.
Washington also traded for Anthony Davis around the deadline, but he is out for the season after finger surgery.
While the addition of Young is exciting for Wizards fans starving for something to cheer for, the team does not want to start winning too many games the rest of this season. Washington owes its first-round pick to New York, but it is top-eight protected. Washington currently has the fourth-worst record in the league and cannot lose its pick in the lottery. However, start racking up wins and getting a better record than Utah, New Orleans or Dallas, and the odds of keeping that pick go down, slightly at first, but they drop. With that, expect the Wizards to keep Young limited this season.
Young is expected to reach a contract extension deal with the Wizards this offseason, reports Marc Stein at The Stein Line. Young has a $48.9 million player option for next season, the conventional wisdom around the league is that he agrees to a shorter extension, two or three years, worth less money per year but more money total.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 04: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Rocket Arena on January 04, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers are familiar with injury troubles. They’ve been dealt a short hand for most of the season. So it’s no surprise they will again be without one of their key players as they host the Detroit Pistons tonight.
Donovan Mitchell is listed as OUT with a groin injury. The seven-time All-Star has missed Cleveland’s previous three games with the same injury. He last played in their win over the New York Knicks on February 24.
The Cavs will also be without Riley Minix and Darius Brown, both of whom are on G League assignment. Max Strus is still out, as well. Dean Wade is questionable with an ankle injury. Everyone else is currently available.
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Mitchell is averaging 28.5 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds this season while shooting 48.3% from the floor and nearly 37% from downtown. He’s having a career-best year while the Cavs are 3-4 without him this season. He’s been surprisingly available for a player carrying such a massive load each night. It makes sense that the Cavs are being cautious with his latest groin injury. They’ll need him moving forward.
Cleveland is better equipped to withstand a stretch without Mitchell than they were at the start of the season. Trading for James Harden has given them an All-Star-caliber guard to replace Mitchell during these stretches. While Darius Garland was previously capable of doing the same thing — Garland’s own injuries became too much of a roadblock. Harden, albeit currently dealing with a broken finger, has historically been more durable than both Mitchell and Garland.
Harden had 22 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists in the Cavaliers’ latest win over the Brooklyn Nets. He’s capable of carrying the offense on his own.
The Cavs will have their hands full against a Pistons team that probably feels they shouldn’t have gone to overtime with this shorthanded Cleveland squad last week. But the Cavs are upset with themselves for not sealing the deal in that one. This should be a fun game even without Mitchell.
