The Sacramento Kings have been better but not good enough lately as they visit the Los Angeles Lakers.
Sacramento is just 2-8 in its last 10, but has won two of three and covered three of four. The Lakers, meanwhile, have covered just one of their last five, going 2-3 straight up over that span.
Those strings both end today. My Kings vs. Lakers predictions and NBA picks for Sunday, March 1, look for the Lakers to cover the double-digit spread at home.
Kings vs Lakers prediction
Kings vs Lakers best bet: Lakers -12.5 (-110)
The Los Angeles Lakers aren’t used to being a heavy favorite this season.
This is just their fifth double-digit line as a favorite after going 3-1 against the spread in the previous four. The Sacramento Kings, meanwhile, have covered just two of their last six as a double-digit underdog.
The Kings’ recent hot streak has been built on a soft spot in the schedule.
The two wins have come against sub-.400 teams, Memphis and Dallas. Sacramento’s last win over a team with a winning record was Jan. 14, 20 games ago.
The Lakers, meanwhile, will be playing their first losing team in the last five.
Kings vs Lakers same-game parlay
The Lakers and Kings both play in the bottom half of the league in tempo. Los Angeles has gone Under in three of its last four. Sacramento has been going Over lately, but it's been playing fast-paced Dallas and Memphis. Even San Antonio, another recent Over, plays at a faster pace.
Luka Doncic has had games of 38 and 41 points in his five contests since returning from injury. He’s made 10 of his last 20 from three and is facing the NBA’s No. 22 perimeter defense.
Kings vs Lakers SGP
Lakers -12.5
Under 233
Luka Doncic Over 32.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Deep Trouble
LeBron James has topped 20 in three of the last four and will be ready to put on a show in prime time.
Doncic is 24-for-51 from three in the five games since returning. He’s topped four made threes in four of the five.
Kennard had seven 3-point attempts in his last game, his high since joining the Lakers. He’s also topped 20 minutes of playing time in his last two, as the team incorporates him more into the offense.
Kings vs Lakers SGP
Lakers -12.5
LeBron James Over 20.5 points
Luka Doncic Over 3.5 made threes
Luke Kennard Over 1.5 made threes
Kings vs Lakers odds
Spread: Kings +12.5 (-110) | Lakers -12.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Kings +525 | Lakers -750
Over/Under: Over 233 (-110) | Under 233 (-110)
Kings vs Lakers betting trend to know
The Sacramento Kings have hit the Team Total Under in 31 of their last 50 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Kings vs. Lakers.
How to watch Kings vs Lakers
Location
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Date
Sunday, March 1, 2026
Tip-off
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
NBC Sports California, Spectrum SportsNet
Kings vs Lakers latest injuries
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PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 26: Royce O'Neale #00 and Jordan Goodwin #23 of the Phoenix Suns high five 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
Week 19 for the Phoenix Suns is a reminder of the exercise of restraint. Because at times, it’s hard to restrain from the frustration that you feel when you watch a basketball team become inert on offense. Watching the Suns operate and stall without Devin Booker can be frustrating. A team without the edge that Dillon Brooks and Jordan Goodwin inject into every passing lane and loose ball feels like watching The NeverEnding Story. Because it can feel like the Nothing is destroying our world.
There are possessions when the offense is competent. The ball finds a side, swings to the corner, touches the paint, and kicks back out. For a moment, you see Fantasia in full color. We witnessed this on the possession that sunk the Lakers, where Grayson Allen penetrated, kicked it to Collin Gillespie, who found Royce O’Neale for the game-winner.
ROYCE O'NEALE HITS THE GO-AHEAD 3 TO WIN IT FOR THE SUNS 🚨
It’s artistic when the rhythm breathes and the spacing makes sense. You can almost hear Falkor circling overhead, our very own luck dragon energy filling the building.
Then the Nothing creeps in.
You see it in the pump fakes. You see it in the extra dribble that leads nowhere. You see it when a player catches, pauses, scans, and finds no doorway. There is no Childlike Empress whispering a path forward. The shot clock ticks with the same dread as Artax sinking into the Swamp of Sadness. You scream at the screen to keep moving, to keep believing, to refuse to let the mud take another trip.
These are stretches where the offense dissolves into fog. Three, four, five trips in a row where the Suns cannot score, where imagination evaporates, and the floor shrinks. We experienced this plenty this past week.
The Suns were up 41-30 against Boston with 6:41 left in the second quarter. They did not score again until the 2:36 mark, and that was on a trio of free throws by Grayson Allen after being fouled. It wasn’t until 1:06 left in the quarter that they scored another field goal. 5:35 of Nothing. In the same game, they made their 7th three-pointer at that same mark, the 6:41 mark in the second. Their next three-point make came with 1:24 left in the third quarter. In between? Nothing…
Shift the Laker game. Phoenix came out hot, going up 17-9 with 6:50 left in the first. Before you could tweet out your favorite Ayton/Capela joke, the offense stalled, and by the 4:22 mark they were down 21-17. Closing out the third was similar, as Phoenix held a 10-point lead with 4:56 left, up 45-35. They would be outscored 14-4 to end the quarter. A whole lotta Nothing.
It’s like Gmork informing Atreyu, “It’s the emptiness that’s left. It’s like a despair, destroying this world”.
The Rock Biter stands there in your mind, looking down at his massive hands and wondering why they could not hold onto what mattered. The Suns find themselves staring at empty trips that feel heavier than they should, because you know a functional offense – even an average one- swings the outcome.
Thankfully, this is not a never ending story. Reinforcements are coming. Booker will walk back into the lineup with that calm command, bending coverages and restoring order. Goodwin will bring the pressure and the pace. Brooks will eventually return with that restless edge that refuses to let a game drift into apathy.
Fantasia is bruised right now, not gone. The Nothing feels large in the moment, suffocating and relentless, yet it feeds on doubt. When the creators return, when belief returns, the ball will move with purpose again. And these stagnant stretches will shrink back into the shadows where they belong.
And therein lies the paradox of Week 19. Doubt starts creeping in, and like Atreyu at the edge of the Nothing, you have to fight it. You know the circumstances that led to those empty stretches where the offense disappears. You hoped the foundation of the talent would be strong enough to carry it through, but reality keeps tapping you on the shoulder.
The frustration is valid. So is the understanding that this team is nowhere near whole.
That is what you walk away with from Week 19. An understanding that the talent, the rotations, and whatever conclusions you want to draw are largely moot right now. This is a week you log, label, and file away. This is what happens when injuries pile up. You do not extract lessons from it. You put it in the cabinet and move on. And hey, we beat the Lakers. And that is something.
Week 19 Record: 1-1
vs. Boston Celtics, L, 97-81
Possession Differential: +3.8
Turnover Differential: 0
Offensive Rebounding Differential: +8
This is the game where I began writing about the similarities between the Suns and The Nothing. Because being in the building, which sounded like TD Garden, there were prolonged stretches of Nothing.
vs. Los Angeles Lakers, W, 113-110
Possession Differential: -1.2
Turnover Differential: 0
Offensive Rebounding Differential: -13
…and the Suns totally redeem themselves. Any day you beat LA is a good one. And given the recent struggles of the team, this made for a great one.
Inside the Possession Game
Weekly Possession Differential: +0.5
Weekly Turnover Differential: 0
Offensive Rebounding Differential: -8
Year-to-Date Over/Under .500: +8
You want a graph? You got it!
As I stated above, there is no deep-seated analysis required for Week 19. When you understand how banged up this team has been, there is only so much you can reasonably extract from it.
You can scan the numbers and walk away recognizing that, even during those inert offensive stretches, some foundational elements held. Because if Week 19 is about anything, it is about foundation. It is about Jordan Ott being tested. It is about seeing how transferable his schemes are when key pieces are missing.
There were positives.
An 11.6 turnover percentage, second best in the league this week. Despite that prolonged stretch in Boston when the rim felt sealed shut, they still shot 39.5% from three on the week, seventh best in the NBA. The process did not completely erode.
Then there is the other side, and it is not pretty.
28th in rebounding. Last in the NBA at 13.5 free throw attempts per game. Last with a 41.1% rebounding percentage. 25th with a 58% assist percentage. 26th in steals at 6.5 per game. Those numbers paint a different picture. One where physicality dips. One where pressure wanes. If there is a concern to file away, it is this. How much of Jordan Ott’s system holds when primary players are unavailable? How much is plug and play, and how much is talent-dependent?
Although even that has to be weighed properly. How realistic is it to expect seamless execution when your core pieces are out? There is only so much a scheme can do when the bodies running it change nightly.
Week 20 Preview
Week 19 gave you two games. That was it. Now the calendar flips to March and the sprint begins. Week 20 brings four games in six nights.
It starts in Sacramento. Tuesday night. 9:00pm on NBC. Nine. PM. Who signed off on that? I am not sure that game needs the national spotlight. Then again, listen to me sounding high and mighty. How did the Kings land an NBC slot? Sacramento enters Sunday at 14-47. They have won two of their last 19. They score the second fewest points in the NBA and allow the third most. It is the definition of a game you have to win. And yes, I am staying true to character by complaining about a 9:00pm tip. Damn you, 9:00pm start!!!
Phoenix comes home Thursday to face the Chicago Bulls. Chicago reshuffled at the deadline and did not win a single game in February. They were 24-25 after beating Miami on January 31. They are now 24-36. This is also the return of Nick Richards. In eight games off the bench, he is averaging 9 points and 6.9 rebounds.
Friday night brings New Orleans to town. The Suns beat them on back-to-back nights earlier this season in New Orleans. They also handled them by 23 in early November, so Phoenix holds a 3-0 edge in the season series. The Pelicans sit at 19-42 entering Sunday. They are not tanking, however. Atlanta owns their first round pick, and it is unprotected. There is no incentive to fade. Expect effort.
The week closes against Charlotte. They are quietly one of the more entertaining League Pass teams out there. LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller. That trio can stress any defense. This is the kind of matchup where you wish Dillon Brooks were available to gum it up. Charlotte enters Sunday at 30-31, riding a four-game winning streak, even if the competition has not been elite. They have the fifth-best offense in the league. They can score in waves.
Four games. Six nights. A mix of must-win, revenge, and trap potential. The sprint has officially begun.
Neither team has been great defensively: the Grizzlies are allowing 117.9 points per game, while the Pacers are giving up 119.5.
Indiana has allowed 130+ points in each of its last four games, and Memphis has done so in two of four. The Pacers have hit the Over in four straight, while the Grizzlies have done the same in four of five.
Grizzlies vs Pacers same-game parlay
While both teams are struggling mightily, I’ve seen a little more fight out of the Grizzlies, who should snag a road win against a Pacers team that has lost five straight. GG Jackson II will lead the charge, as he’s taken advantage of his increased playing time to score 17+ points and hit at least two shots from deep in four of his last six games.
Grizzlies vs Pacers SGP
Grizzlies moneyline
GG Jackson II Over 15.5 points
GG Jackson II Over 1.5 made threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: Good Game, Jackson
For my longshot SGP, I’ll start with my total and moneyline picks as a strong base. Let’s then back Jackson to clear his PRA total, which he’s gone Over in four of his last six games. I also love Taylor Hendricks to pick up at least one block, as he’s done this in each of his last four contests.
Grizzlies vs Pacers SGP
Over 238
Grizzlies moneyline
GG Jackson II Over 24.5 points + rebounds + assists
Taylor Hendricks Over 0.5 blocks
Grizzlies vs Pacers odds
Spread: Grizzlies +1 (-110) | Pacers -1 (-110)
Moneyline: Grizzlies -105 | Pacers -115
Over/Under: Over 238 (-110) | Under 238 (-110)
Grizzlies vs Pacers betting trend to know
The Over is 10-2 in Memphis’ last 12 games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Grizzlies vs. Pacers.
How to watch Grizzlies vs Pacers
Location
Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Date
Sunday, March 1, 2026
Tip-off
5:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN SE Memphis, FDSN Indiana
Grizzlies vs Pacers latest injuries
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The New Orleans Pelicans will look to extend their win streak to five games tonight when they head to the Intuit Dome to take on the LA Clippers.
Saddiq Bey has been a jack of all trades for New Orleans of late, and I predict that he’ll fill the box score again in my Pelicans vs. Clippers predictions and NBA picks for Sunday, March 1.
Pelicans vs Clippers prediction
Pelicans vs Clippers best bet: Saddiq Bey Over 8.5 rebounds + assists (+110)
The New Orleans Pelicans are dealing with several injuries to key players, with Trey Murphy III, Zion Williamson, and Dejounte Murray likely out tonight.
That leaves the ball in the hands of Saddiq Bey, who’s stepped up admirably over the past couple of months.
Bey averaged a combined 10 assists and rebounds per game in February, notching Over 8.5 in four of his last six outings.
While the Los Angeles Clippers will likely clamp down Bey to try and limit his own scoring, the Pelicans guard will be able to dish off and create offense through his teammates.
Pelicans vs Clippers same-game parlay
If Bey is the guy for the Pelicans, then Kawhi Leonard is definitely the guy for the Clippers.
Leonard has recorded two straight games with 30+ points and should have no problem running it up again vs. the fifth-worst defense in the NBA.
Pelicans vs Clippers SGP
Saddiq Bey Over 8.5 assists and rebounds
Kawhi Leonard Over 28.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Eclipsing their total
The Clippers are in the middle of a three-game skid, but should be able to turn it around and run up the score tonight vs. a banged-up Pelicans squad.
Bennedict Mathurin has looked good since joining LA last month, with 21.3 ppg over his first five contests.
Brook Lopez has also recorded Over 9.5 points in three of his last five games.
Pelicans vs Clippers SGP
Clippers -9
Kawhi Leonard Over 28.5 points
Bennedict Mathurin Over 19.5 points
Brook Lopez Over 9.5 points
Pelicans vs Clippers odds
Spread: Pelicans +9 | Clippers -9
Moneyline: Pelicans +280 | Clippers -361
Over/Under: Over 222.5 | Under 222.5
Pelicans vs Clippers betting trend to know
The Clippers are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games. Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Clippers.
How to watch Pelicans vs Clippers
Location
Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Date
Sunday, March 1, 2026
Tip-off
9:00 p.m. ET
TV
Pelicans+, FDSN SoCal
Pelicans vs Clippers latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 12: Deandre Ayton #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the Sacramento Kings on January 12, 2026 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Lakers (35-24) will face another opponent in their division on Sunday when they take on the Sacramento Kings (14-47) at home. This is the last time these two teams will square off this season.
The Lakers snapped what felt like their worst losing streak of the season on Saturday in the best way possible by putting together a dominant performance against Golden State. Sure, the Warriors were down two of their best players, but this win felt like a much-needed morale boost. It was also a reminder of what this Lakers team looks like when it’s playing like its best self.
Now, the question is: was the victory simply an anomaly or are the Lakers back to their winning ways? Because the team that we saw prior to this victory over the Warriors was the worst version we’ve seen all season and it’s important that they don’t appear again, especially at this time of the year. We could get our answer as early as Sunday’s game against the Kings, who will enter this contest with the rest advantage.
The Kings are currently the worst team in the league. Not only have they lost eight out of their last 10 games, but they recently snapped a 16-game losing streak, the worst in franchise history. They’re so down bad that they currently rank 28th in the league on both offense and defense.
Frankly speaking, losing to the Kings would be such a shame simply because they’ve only won 14 games this season and have already defeated the Lakers once. Yes, Los Angeles will be on the second night of a back-to-back, but this is a game they must get, especially since they dropped multiple winnable games over the last week.
For that to happen, it would be nice to see another team-effort performance from the purple and gold. There’s no need for Luka Dončić and LeBron James to go above and beyond for this one considering the Kings’ putrid defense. It would be ideal to see everyone contribute in the scoring department. The Lakers should feast inside the paint, which the Kings don’t really defend well.
Speaking of defense, the L.A. will not have to worry about containing Sacramento’s best scorer in Zach LaVine since he won’t be playing in this one due to injury. The same goes with Domantas Sabonis. So it’s really about making sure DeMar DeRozan, Malik Monk and Russell Westbrook don’t play extraordinarily well.
After a horrible week that saw them lose three straight games, the Lakers have the chance to bounce back by winning two in a row. A win on Sunday will also improve their record against a Pacific Division opponent, which could come in handy when playoff seedings get sorted a month from now. Let’s see if the Lakers can capitalize against the Kings on Sunday.
Notes and Updates
Since the Lakers are on a back-to-back, the injury report for this game has yet to be released.
For the Kings, expect Zach LaVine (finger surgery), Domantas Sabonis (left knee meniscus repair), Keegan Murray (left ankle sprain), De’Andre Hunter (left eye repair), Dylan Cardwell (left ankle sprain) to be out.
The Lakers are currently 7-7 against Pacific Division teams this season.
Dec 31, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet (7) keeps the ball from New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) in the second half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much.
The Spurs have already faced the Knicks twice this season, although the first meeting was an “off the books” affair in the finals of the NBA Cup. All of the games in the Cup t0urnament exist as regular season games except the finals, which exist in a weird limbo where the game doesn’t count as part of the record and the player stats aren’t counted. So, if you go to ESPN, you can find the box score for the December 16 game, which the Knicks won 124-113, but that game isn’t listed anywhere on basketball-reference.com, which is my go-to site for basketball-related facts. I think I will go with the basketball-reference version of history, where the Spurs are 1-0 against the Knicks, beating them 134-132 in the Frost Bank Center on New Year’s Eve where the Spurs held on by hitting their free throws in the final minute of play.
Tonight, they’re in Madison Square Garden, where the third place Knicks are 22-8. They have a potent offense led by Jalen Brunson, who is a master at creating just enough space to get off a shot and score from anywhere on the court. Karl-Anthony Towns is a skilled big man with range who will be a hard cover for Victor Wembanyama who can’t sag off of him to protect the rim.
The Spurs are on an 11 game wining streak, and are two games behind OKC in the loss column in the race for first in the West. They have two games in the Rodeo Road Trip, tonight in New York, and Tuesday in Philly against the Sixers, and if they win both, they will have an undefeated RRT, which has never happened before in Spurs history. They have a six-game lead over the Rockets for third, and with 23 games left in the regular season, they seemed primed to head into the postseason with home court advantage for at least a couple of rounds, assuming they win in the first round. Let’s make this win steak an even dozen, and GOOO Spurs GOO!!
Game Prediction:
Jeremy Sochan eats a radioactive hot dog from a shady vendor outside the Garden, and gains the super power of infinite shelf life, so he can always be ready to play no matter how long he sits on the bench. However, his superhero name of Hot Dog Man does not ever become popular.
San Antonio Spurs at New York Knickerbockers March 1, 2026 | 12:00 PM CT Streaming: NBA League Pass TV: ABC Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.
Fresh off a rout of Milwaukee, the Knicks (38*-22) host the Spurs (43-16), team riding an 11-game win streak. The teams split their recent meetings: the Knicks fell 134–132 in Texas on New Year’s Eve after beating the Spurs 124–113 in the NBA Cup Final.
Tip-off is 1 pm EST on ABC. This is your game thread. This is Pounding the Rock. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Be cool, fools! And go Knicks!
* Should be one more, but the Cup final doesn’t count.
Garland has been battling toe issues that date back to last playoffs, and he has played in just 26 games this season for the Cavaliers. He was currently out with a right big toe sprain and what was termed "left toe injury management." In his limited playing time this season, Garland is averaging 18 points and 6.9 assists per game while shooting 36% from 3-point range.
The Clippers are looking to get Garland healthy and help the point guard return to his 2025 All-Star form when he averaged 20.6 points and 6.5 assists, helping lead the best offense in the NBA last season.
Garland will not play Sunday when the Clippers host the New Orleans Pelicans. Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is not on the team's injury report after missing Los Angeles' Thursday loss to Minnesota after tweaking his ankle.
The Brooklyn Nets will look to end a seven-game losing streak as they host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday afternoon.
Cleveland blew out Brooklyn the last time these teams played, and I’m taking the visitors to cover again in my Cavaliers vs. Nets predictions.
Let’s break down what bettors can expect from this matchup in my free NBA picks for Sunday, March 1.
Cavaliers vs Nets prediction
Cavaliers vs Nets best bet: Cavaliers -12 (-110)
While the Brooklyn Nets have struggled all season long, their current seven-game losing streak is among their lowest points of the year. They’ve also lost every game against the spread in that span, even failing to cover four times as a 10+ point underdog.
That includes a 112-84 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on February 19. Cleveland will have to play tonight’s game without Donovan Mitchell, and James Harden remains questionable with a thumb injury, but the Cavs should win this one in a blowout regardless. Cleveland has won six straight against Brooklyn, and I’m taking the Cavaliers to cover again tonight.
Cavaliers vs Nets same-game parlay
With Mitchell out and Harden questionable, I’m banking on more production out of Cleveland’s other players today. I’ll take Jarrett Allen to score Over 17.5 points, which he’s done in four of his last five games, while Sam Merrill’s increased playing time will help him get Over 1.5 assists.
Cavaliers vs Nets SGP
Cavaliers -12
Allen Over 17.5 points
Merrill Over 1.5 assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: Bigs deliver the goods
I’m looking for Jarrett Allen to add to his growing number of double-doubles after he’s recorded nine in his last 11 games. I’m also banking on both Merrill and Evan Mobley to hit their PRA totals without Cleveland’s top options at full strength. Finally, let’s throw in a bet on the Over, which has hit in Brooklyn’s last three games and four of Cleveland’s last five.
Cavaliers vs Nets SGP
Jarrett Allen double-double
Evan Mobley Over 26.5 P/R/A
Sam Merrill Over 17.5 P/R/A
Over 222.5
Cavaliers vs Nets odds
Spread: Cavaliers -12 | Nets +12
Moneyline: Cavaliers -600 | Nets +450
Over/Under: Over 222.5 | Under 225.5
Cavaliers vs Nets betting trend to know
Brooklyn is 0-7 ATS in its last seven games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Nets.
How to watch Cavaliers vs Nets
Location
Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Date
Sunday, March 1, 2026
Tip-off
3:30 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN Ohio, YES
Cavaliers vs Nets latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Stephen Curry has sat out the last 10 Golden State games recovering from what the team has termed "runner's knee." The Warriors are 4-6 without him, and he's going to miss "a little more" time, he said Saturday during the Warriors' loss to the Lakers.
Here is what he told ABC's Malika Andrews during the Warriors' home loss to the Lakers on Sunday, via Anthony Slater at ESPN.
"It's going to be a little longer. Right now, with this one, it's about each day, can you stack good days? I've done that. Hopefully, they can unleash me on the court soon and hopefully, get back sooner than later...
"This is a weird one. It's kind of unpredictable how it'll heal."
Curry said his focus was on remaining in the best shape possible so his return to play is easier when the time comes.
The Warriors also remain without Jimmy Butler, who tore his ACL and is out for the season.
Without their two best shot creators, the Warriors have had a bottom-10 offense in the NBA over the last 10 games. Golden State sits as the No. 8 seed in the West and has a 2.5-game lead over Portland to hold on to that easier path through the play-in to the playoffs.
In other Warriors news, they gave forward Gui Santos a three-year, $15 million contract extension. That contract has a player option in the final year, Shams Charania of ESPN reports (he also had the dollar figure).
Santos was in the final year of his contract, making $2.2 million and would have been a restricted free agent after the season. He has become a trusted part of Steve Kerr's rotation since Jimmy Butler went down, averaging 6.8 points per game and shooting 38.4% from 3-point range.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 22: Khris Middleton #20 of the Dallas Mavericks jogs up court during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 22, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Michael Hickey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The NBA Trade Deadline has come and gone, but the Dallas Mavericks continue to make roster tweaks. Veteran point guard Tyus Jones was waived in a (potentially) mutually beneficial move. Jones is now free to hook up with a playoff team before Sunday’s deadline to do so while remaining playoff eligible. On the other hand, Dallas was able to convert Ryan Nembhard from his two-way deal to a standard contract, due to the roster spot Jones’ departure created.
All the while, Khris Middleton was rumored to be weighing his options as well. Earlier in the week, the Mavericks openly left it to Middleton as to whether he would remain in Dallas or seek employment on a playoff team. Now Marc Stein is reporting that Middleton has made his decision to stay in Dallas for the remainder of the season.
Khris Middleton intends to finish the season with the Mavericks, sources close to the process tell @TheSteinLine.
Middleton told me earlier this week that he would keep his options open into the weekend ahead of Sunday's buyout deadline to be playoff-eligible with a new team. pic.twitter.com/qbT0tNs8Kb
It is unclear if Middleton was unable to find a suitor to his liking, or any suitor at all. It remains entirely plausible that he simply wants to stick around in Dallas as a veteran presence in the rebuild. The Mavericks have indicated they may very well have a space for him on the roster next season, should both sides find common ground in his soon-to-be free agency this summer.
Keith Smith offers up another wrinkle that could be in play. Pointing out that a relative few teams are set to have cap space this summer (as things currently stand), Middleton’s Bird Rights could play a factor.
With very few teams having cap space this summer, and none likely to pursue him, Middleton's Bird rights could have value in a potential sign-and-trade. That's reason enough to not take a buyout. https://t.co/zyqtGwvFsL
There are certainly a number of nuances to the collective bargaining agreement, but what Smith is presumably hinting at is that Middleton’s Bird Rights may allow him to get paid well, while allowing Dallas to recoup assets for him in an offseason trade as opposed to losing him for nothing in a buyout now.
Whatever comes in the offseason, we now know Middleton intends to hang around at least until Dallas wraps up the 2025-2026 season in April. Having his veteran leadership around Cooper Flagg and the team at large, even if only for a few months, will most certainly provide benefits for the young face of the franchise once he returns from a foot sprain.
I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.
If the Kuminga experiment was a blight, the Porzingis tenure has been a black hole, punctuated by him missing his fourth straight game Saturday because of an illness as the Warriors fell to the Lakers,129-101.
New Golden State Warriors forward Kristaps Porzingis (with towel) watches the action against the Boston Celtics from the bench during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
They sure could’ve used the 7-foot-2 big man, who draws fouls and is a silky 3-point shooter on a night when they had only nine free-throw attempts (less than half as many as the Lakers) and were outshot from beyond the arc, 46.3 percent to 27.3 percent.
Porzingis’ current illness is apparently contagious and has caused him to lose fluids. It supposedly has nothing to do with the extended illness he battled during his final season in Boston and limited him to just 17 games with Atlanta this season.
That longterm illness was postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) — or so we thought.
“I read about the POTS diagnosis and called the Hawks [general manager] Onsi Saleh,” Kerr said. “He’s a good friend of mine and I said, ‘Is this POTS story real?’ He said it’s actually not POTS. That was some misinformation out there.”
When asked for clarification Saturday, Kerr essentially issued a retraction.
“It was a stupid mistake by me to talk about something that I’m not qualified to talk about,” he said. “I regretted even trying to discuss the diagnosis. That was my mistake and I need to leave that to the professionals.”
Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis gestures after making a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics in San Francisco, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) AP
It’s hard to makes heads and tails of what’s going on,
But it has been that kind of a season for the Warriors, who lost Jimmy Butler to a torn ACL last month and have been without Steph Curry (runner’s knee) for 10 straight games. Now, the Warriors are just trying to keep their heads above water long enough to make the play-in tournament.
For that to happen, they need Porzingis.
When the Warriors pulled the trigger on Porzingis, it was a smart move. Things had become untenable with Kuminga, who viewed himself as a star while the team just wanted him to star in his role.
Kuminga’s relationship with Kerr degenerated. His play was inconsistent. Eventually, things became so unworkable that he played in only three games from Dec. 6 until he was traded just under two months later.
The Warriors tried to take a big swing at the trade deadline for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the Milwaukee Bucks decided to hold onto their superstar. So, the Warriors pivoted to Porzingis.
Porzingis seemed like a great get.
He fills a lot of the Warriors’ holes. He mixes things up down low and has a shot that needs to be respected, which opens up the court for everyone around him. If Butler weren’t injured and Porzingis wasn’t a giant question mark, the Warriors could be really good.
Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis guards Boston Celtics center Nikola Vucevic during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
But the problem is that’s a lot of hypotheticals.
Porzingis has only played in one game for the Warriors so far against Boston on Feb. 19. He finished with 12 points in 17 minutes, including making two 3-pointers.
There’s a lot of upside there. But if he can’t stay on the court, it’s all for naught.
So far, the Warriors have traded a guy who was ill-fitted for a guy who can’t stay in uniform.
What’s going on? Is Porzingis actually really going to be able to play? What even is his illness?
When the Warriors acquired Porzingis, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. said he believed he’d be able to make an impact. “We feel good about it,” he said. Porzingis added that he was “confident” he’d be on the court.
But so far, there are more questions than answers around Porzingis.
So, without Butler, Curry and Porzingis, the Warriors allowed a Lakers team that had lost three games in a row to stop the bleeding with a blowout win.
The Warriors still believe anything could happen if they make the play-in tournament. And they’re not wrong. With Curry, anything is possible.
But without Porzingis, nothing is possible. Not without Butler, too. Curry and Draymond Green just wouldn’t have enough help.
Kristaps Porzingis and Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors smile before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 7, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jim Poorten/NBAE via Getty Images) NBAE via Getty Images
So, while the Kuminga experiment was a failure, the Porzingis experiment so far is an enigma.
All we really know is he has missed seven of the team’s eight games since becoming a Warrior, leaving Green to try and lead a developing team as Curry rehabs his knee.
Looking forward, Kerr is unsure whether Porzingis will play against the Clippers on Monday.
There’s so much uncertainty around the big man.
For the Warriors, it means they went from having a Kuminga issue to a Porzingis disappearing act.
Or, in other words, they traded a headache for knots in their stomach.
Villanova men's basketball's 89-57 loss on Saturday, February 28 at No. 15 St. John’s brought back memories for Wildcats coach Kevin Willard, who previously worked under Red Storm coach Rick Pitino as an assistant.
They weren’t fond ones, either.
Following Villanova’s 32-point loss at Madison Square Garden in New York, Willard was asked what Pitino was like at practice immediately following a lopsided defeat. He didn’t hold back with his answer.
“I’m not [expletive] you — I don’t have hair because of this guy,” said Willard, who is bald. “I had a full set of hair when I started working for him. It’s the most miserable experience in life. You fear for your life every day. Everyone laughs when I say that, but you think you’re going to get fired. It’s miserable.”
Willard started his coaching career by working under Pitino as an assistant with the Boston Celtics from 1997-2001 and then at Louisville from 2001-07. Willard’s father, Ralph, was also an assistant for Pitino, with the New York Knicks from 1987-89, at Kentucky from 1989-90 and at Louisville from 2009-11.
Though the younger Willard hasn’t worked for Pitino since leaving Louisville to become the head coach at Iona in 2007, he imagines his old boss has only changed so much.
“As he’s gotten older, he’s probably become more of a cranky old [expletive] than he was when I worked for him, but you literally fear for your life,” Willard said. “He walks into the facility at 6:30 and you’ve been there since 5:30 thinking you have everything right and he comes in and asks you the one question you don’t know. He’s that intense. He always has been. He’s got the most energy of any coach I’ve ever been around. I think that’s why he’s got 900 wins and national championships because he does it better and more intense than anybody.”
Willard is in his first season at Villanova, where he has the Wildcats at 22-7 and in position to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2022.
The 50-year-old Willard was previously the head coach at Maryland, Seton Hall and Iona. He has a career head coaching record of 357-256 and has led his teams to the NCAA Tournament in seven of the previous nine seasons in which the event was held.
So, for all the misery he endured working for Pitino, at least some of the lessons from the legendary coach apparently stayed with him.
MILWAUKEE, WI - FEBRUARY 25: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 25, 2026 at Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images MILWAUKEE, WI – FEBRUARY 25: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 25, 2026 at Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images
It was close, until it wasn’t. The Brooklyn Nets hung around for about a half, but the Boston Celtics separated themselves from the Nets and cruised to a 37 point win. The streak is now at seven losses in a row.
The opponent tonight is climbing the charts in the Eastern Conference. The Cleveland Cavaliers are looking a bit different these days, but they keep on keeping on. The team was up three in the final seconds of regulation against the Detroit Pistons on Friday night, but they fouled up three… while the Pistons threw up a heave from halfcourt. Detroit made all three free throws and he Cavs wound up losing in overtime. THAT’S WHY YOU DON’T FOUL UP THREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Where to follow the game
YES Network on TV. Gotham Sports on streaming. WFAN on radio. Tip after 3:30 p.m. ET.
🤕 Injuries
Nic Claxton is questionable with a right thumb sprain. Egor Demin is out. The three two-ways remain with Long Island who plays the Westchester Knicks at 3:00 p.m. ET. (If you like, you can watch the first quarter of that game here)
The following are out:
Donovan Mitchell
Dean Wade
Max Strus
Keon Ellis
James Harden is questionable with a right thumb fracture.
🏀 The game
Cleveland won the first two meetings. This is the last meeting between the teams this season.
A lot of former Nets in the house today. Dennis Schroeder is starting for former Net Harden and the former Nets coach, Kenny Atkinson, is in the house! Scoop B caught up with Kenny a few weeks back and got to reminiscing
"I wish they were on the court!" 😂
Nets fans, look away!!!
I asked Kenny Atkinson about the Kyrie/KD era vs. his new Donovan Mitchell-James Harden duo in Cleveland.
The answer was hilariously honest—shifting from "practice court" memories in Brooklyn to "elite equilibrium"… pic.twitter.com/vM0XB2SmT0
The Nets have to avoid the one big run. When you’re at a talent deficit in the ways Brooklyn are, you can’t afford to let a team go on a big run and put you deep in a hole. Being at home should help that out, but it’s the team’s third game in four nights so who knows.
Nolan Traore will look to put another good outing together. He tied a career high with three steals on Friday night and the next two months should help his growth. He’s done a good job of finding his way throughout the year and good games like build confidence that will carry him in to next season.
Without Mitchell and Harden at less than full strength, Michael Porter Jr is the player most likely to hit for 30+ points tonight. He’s started to find his shot in recent games after a slump, and now that we are officially entering the time of year when people start to focus more on the playoff contenders, he’ll be a bit more under the radar than usual. Either way, seeing him start to figure things out again is helpful and will make the last two months of the season entertaining enough.
👀 Player to watch: Jarrett Allen
It’s always fun to watch a player to go on the run of a lifetime. Allen had the best month of his career in February as he averaged around 22 points and 11 rebounds a night on 74 percent shooting from the field. Allen has leveled up in a special way and has the coaches thinking of ways to build on his momentum.
“We just got to keep him there,“ Kenny Atkinson said after the game on Friday. ”You know, it’s our job as coaches to keep him in this great, great space. But I loved his energy tonight.”
If Allen can play anything close to this level in April and May, then the Cavs have a chance to do something really special.
Nic Claxton will look to slow JA down on the inside. A matchup against a resurgent Allen should be a great warmup for the back-to-back he’ll have against Bam Adebayo next week in Miami.
JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol signed a two-year contract extension through at least the 2028 season, the Cardinals announced Sunday.
The deal includes a club option for 2029, the club said.
“As I’ve gotten to know Oli, I’ve seen someone who cares about this organization and knows what has made the Cardinals special over time, and who understands that for us to get where we need to go, we must compete relentlessly to set new standards in everything that we do,” Cardinals president Chaim Bloom said in a statement. “He is invested in the progress of our young core and is unafraid to challenge himself and to help those around him grow."
The 39-year-old Marmol has led the Cardinals for the past four seasons, taking them to the National League wild-card round in his first season as manager. But he has failed to return to the playoffs the last three years, and St. Louis was just 78-84 last season.
Yet the Cardinals have long considered the past couple of seasons as an opportunity to reset with Bloom taking over for longtime executive John Mozeliak and a roster in need of a refresh. So it makes sense to provide some stability with Marmol, the third-longest tenured manager in the NL behind the Dodgers' Dave Roberts and the Diamondbacks' Torey Lovullo.
Marmol has been with the Cardinals since 2007, when he was still in his playing days. He spent five seasons as a manager in the minors before joining the coaching staff in 2017, and he was elevated to the St. Louis manager on October 25, 2021.
Marmol is 324-323 in four seasons with the Cardinals.
