BOTTOM LINE: Los Angeles hosts Minnesota looking to extend its three-game home winning streak.
The Clippers are 20-19 against conference opponents. Los Angeles is 16-24 against opponents over .500.
The Timberwolves are 24-17 in conference games. Minnesota is ninth in the league with 33.4 defensive rebounds per game led by Rudy Gobert averaging 7.6.
The Clippers are shooting 48.1% from the field this season, 1.8 percentage points higher than the 46.3% the Timberwolves allow to opponents. The Timberwolves are shooting 48.3% from the field, 1.8% higher than the 46.5% the Clippers' opponents have shot this season.
The teams play for the fourth time this season. The Timberwolves won the last matchup 94-88 on Feb. 27, with Anthony Edwards scoring 31 points in the victory.
TOP PERFORMERS: Kawhi Leonard is averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and two steals for the Clippers. Bennedict Mathurin is averaging 20.5 points and 6.7 rebounds over the past 10 games.
Julius Randle is scoring 21.4 points per game and averaging 7.0 rebounds for the Timberwolves. Edwards is averaging 4.3 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Clippers: 6-4, averaging 117.6 points, 42.8 rebounds, 22.8 assists, 9.5 steals and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 49.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.3 points per game.
Timberwolves: 8-2, averaging 116.0 points, 43.0 rebounds, 25.4 assists, 9.9 steals and 6.1 blocks per game while shooting 49.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.4 points.
INJURIES: Clippers: Yanic Konan Niederhauser: out for season (foot), Bradley Beal: out for season (hip), John Collins: out (arm).
Timberwolves: None listed.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Phoenix Suns (38-27, seventh in the Western Conference) vs. Indiana Pacers (15-50, 15th in the Eastern Conference)
Indianapolis; Thursday, 7 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Indiana hosts Phoenix looking to stop its six-game home slide.
The Pacers have gone 10-22 at home. Indiana is 4-30 in games decided by at least 10 points.
The Suns are 16-14 in road games. Phoenix has a 7-7 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
The Pacers score 111.4 points per game, 0.4 more points than the 111.0 the Suns give up. The Suns average 14.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 3.3 more made shots on average than the 11.6 per game the Pacers give up.
The teams play for the second time this season. The Suns won the last meeting 133-98 on Nov. 14. Devin Booker scored 33 points to help lead the Suns to the victory.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jarace Walker is averaging 11.1 points for the Pacers. Micah Potter is averaging 13.6 points and 5.6 rebounds over the last 10 games.
Booker is averaging 24.9 points and 6.1 assists for the Suns. Jalen Green is averaging 18.3 points and 1.6 steals over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Pacers: 0-10, averaging 112.6 points, 40.2 rebounds, 29.0 assists, 7.5 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 45.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 127.3 points per game.
Suns: 6-4, averaging 105.3 points, 44.8 rebounds, 23.7 assists, 8.6 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 41.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.7 points.
INJURIES: Pacers: T.J. McConnell: out (hamstring), Pascal Siakam: out (knee), Johnny Furphy: out for season (knee), Andrew Nembhard: out (back), Ivica Zubac: out (ankle), Tyrese Haliburton: out for season (achilles).
Suns: Dillon Brooks: out (hand), Mark Williams: out (foot).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Philadelphia 76ers (35-30, eighth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Detroit Pistons (46-18, first in the Eastern Conference)
Detroit; Thursday, 7 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Philadelphia hits the road against Detroit looking to break its three-game road losing streak.
The Pistons are 31-10 in Eastern Conference games. Detroit is fifth in the Eastern Conference in rebounding averaging 45.9 rebounds. Jalen Duren paces the Pistons with 10.6 boards.
The 76ers are 21-22 in conference matchups. Philadelphia has a 6-8 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
The Pistons average 10.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.4 fewer makes per game than the 76ers allow (13.3). The 76ers score 6.3 more points per game (115.9) than the Pistons give up to opponents (109.6).
The teams meet for the third time this season. The Pistons won 114-105 in the last matchup on Nov. 15.
TOP PERFORMERS: Cade Cunningham is averaging 25.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 9.9 assists for the Pistons. Duren is averaging 22.7 points over the last 10 games.
Quentin Grimes is scoring 13.0 points per game and averaging 3.6 rebounds for the 76ers. Cameron Payne is averaging 1.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Pistons: 5-5, averaging 114.9 points, 47.3 rebounds, 26.6 assists, 10.0 steals and 7.0 blocks per game while shooting 46.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.3 points per game.
76ers: 5-5, averaging 115.6 points, 41.7 rebounds, 24.4 assists, 10.3 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 46.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.1 points.
INJURIES: Pistons: Ausar Thompson: day to day (ankle), Caris LeVert: day to day (wrist).
76ers: Tyrese Maxey: out (finger), Johni Broome: out (knee), Joel Embiid: out (oblique).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: The Charlotte Hornets visit the Sacramento Kings in non-conference action.
The Kings have gone 11-22 at home. Sacramento has a 3-4 record in games decided by less than 4 points.
The Hornets are 19-16 on the road. Charlotte is second in the Eastern Conference with 46.3 rebounds per game led by Moussa Diabate averaging 8.7.
The Kings average 10.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.9 fewer makes per game than the Hornets give up (12.9). The Hornets' 45.9% shooting percentage from the field this season is 3.5 percentage points lower than the Kings have allowed to their opponents (49.4%).
TOP PERFORMERS: Russell Westbrook is shooting 43.1% and averaging 15.5 points for the Kings. Malik Monk is averaging 1.8 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Kon Knueppel is averaging 19.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists for the Hornets. Brandon Miller is averaging 21.3 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Kings: 4-6, averaging 113.6 points, 45.8 rebounds, 27.5 assists, 8.7 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 122.7 points per game.
Hornets: 7-3, averaging 117.2 points, 47.8 rebounds, 27.0 assists, 8.7 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 45.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 105.0 points.
INJURIES: Kings: Malik Monk: day to day (ankle), Domantas Sabonis: out for season (back), Dylan Cardwell: out (ankle), De'Andre Hunter: out for season (eye), Zach LaVine: out for season (finger), Keegan Murray: out (ankle).
Hornets: Liam McNeeley: day to day (ankle), Coby White: day to day (calf), Tidjane Salaun: day to day (knee).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Brooklyn Nets (17-48, 13th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Atlanta Hawks (34-31, ninth in the Eastern Conference)
Atlanta; Thursday, 7:30 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Atlanta will try to keep its six-game home win streak alive when the Hawks play Brooklyn.
The Hawks are 19-21 against Eastern Conference opponents. Atlanta is first in the Eastern Conference with 30.5 assists per game led by Jalen Johnson averaging 7.9.
The Nets are 12-29 in conference play. Brooklyn is at the bottom of the Eastern Conference scoring averaging 107.0 points per game while shooting 44.6%.
The Hawks score 117.8 points per game, 1.9 more points than the 115.9 the Nets give up. The Hawks average 107.0 points per game, 10.2 fewer points than the 117.2 the Hawks allow to opponents.
The teams play for the third time this season. The Hawks won the last meeting 115-104 on Feb. 22, with Johnson scoring 26 points in the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Johnson is averaging 23 points, 10.4 rebounds and 7.9 assists for the Hawks. CJ McCollum is averaging 17.6 points and 4.7 assists over the last 10 games.
Nic Claxton is averaging 12.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and four assists for the Nets. Michael Porter Jr. is averaging 19.8 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 42.8% over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Hawks: 8-2, averaging 119.6 points, 48.5 rebounds, 29.9 assists, 9.7 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 47.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.5 points per game.
Nets: 2-8, averaging 108.2 points, 37.5 rebounds, 27.2 assists, 7.7 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 122.6 points.
INJURIES: Hawks: Jonathan Kuminga: day to day (knee).
Nets: Ziaire Williams: day to day (illness), Egor Demin: out for season (foot), Day'Ron Sharpe: day to day (thumb).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets take on Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday.
The Nuggets have gone 23-14 against Western Conference opponents. Denver averages 120.3 points while outscoring opponents by 3.7 points per game.
The Rockets have gone 22-18 against Western Conference opponents. Houston is 15-7 when it turns the ball over less than its opponents and averages 14.7 turnovers per game.
The 120.3 points per game the Nuggets average are 10.6 more points than the Rockets allow (109.7). The Rockets are shooting 47.6% from the field, 0.5% higher than the 47.1% the Nuggets' opponents have shot this season.
The teams play for the fourth time this season. In the last matchup on Dec. 20 the Rockets won 115-101 led by 31 points from Durant, while Jokic scored 25 points for the Nuggets.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jokic is averaging 28.9 points, 12.5 rebounds and 10.3 assists for the Nuggets. Jamal Murray is averaging 23.8 points over the last 10 games.
Amen Thompson is scoring 17.7 points per game and averaging 7.6 rebounds for the Rockets. Durant is averaging 26.6 points and 6.1 rebounds over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Nuggets: 4-6, averaging 119.7 points, 46.4 rebounds, 28.2 assists, 6.5 steals and 2.9 blocks per game while shooting 47.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.3 points per game.
Rockets: 6-4, averaging 115.2 points, 47.0 rebounds, 25.3 assists, 7.7 steals and 5.8 blocks per game while shooting 50.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.9 points.
INJURIES: Nuggets: Jamal Murray: day to day (ankle), Cameron Johnson: day to day (back), Peyton Watson: out (hamstring).
Rockets: Jae'Sean Tate: out (knee), Fred VanVleet: out for season (acl), Steven Adams: out for season (ankle).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 10: Bones Hyland #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves plays defense during the game against Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers on March 10, 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 Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
After an ice-cold start to the game, the Lakers roared back to win their third straight game, knocking off the Wolves, 120-106.
LA opened the game with an abysmal performance in the first quarter, scoring just 16 points. By halftime, they had tied the game up before exploding for 39 points in the third to take complete control of the game.
The Lakers turned 11 Minnesota turnovers into 20 points and scored 56 points in the paint to Minnesota’s 42. That helped them overcome the Wolves’ 61-27 advantage in bench points.
Both teams started the game cold from the field until Anthony Edwards converted on a jumper in the paint. Julius Randle then drained a triple after LA missed another shot as part of a string of seven straight missed field goals. Marcus Smart stopped that drought with a layup at the 7:25 mark.
The Lakers couldn't buy a bucket early, missing their first 8 shots before a Marcus Smart layup. But they held Minnesota to 2 of 11 on the other end, so the deficit is only 3 at 5-2 at the 6:55 mark.
Luka Dončić stopped a 9-0 Minnesota run with a layup.
With 2:19 left in the period, LA had only put up nine points. They were 0-9 from behind the arc and were shooting 20% from the field. Smart was leading the team with five points and Luka was close behind with four.
Neither team could make a 3-pointer, shooting a combined 1-23 from behind the arc.
The rest of the first frame saw Los Angeles add more points, but they continued to look rough. Luka only made two of his 10 shot attempts. Despite the struggles, the purple and gold trailed by five entering the second frame.
The Wolves lead the Lakers 21-16 after one quarter of play. It was an ugly offensive period for everyone involved.
Rudy Gobert opened the second quarter by being fouled and converting on one of two free throws. Luke Kennard scored on a midrange jumper on the other end. There was a huge lid on the basket for LA, as they were up to 11 missed triples.
Deandre Ayton scored a quick four in a row, giving Los Angeles a boost.
Naz Reid and Ayo Dosunmu both had five points off the bench for the Timberwolves. Ayton scored again, giving him eight points with his 10 rebounds. Austin Reaves tied the game with a layup.
Donte DiVincenzo put the Wolves back in the lead with a 3-pointer.
Luka knocked down the first Laker three in 16 attempts. Ayton entered double figures with 10 points. Fortunately for LA, Anthony Edwards had only three points so far. With 2:42 left in the half, Minnesota was up by two.
Luka started heating up as the quarter was winding down, scoring five points. He had a total of eight in the quarter. Rui Hachimura tied the game heading into the locker rooms after he drained a 3-pointer.
In a defensive battle, the Lakers head into halftime tied at 45.
Deandre Ayton had 12 points and 11 boards, with Dončić adding 12 points with 6 assists and 5 boards.
The third period began with Smart drawing a charge on Edwards. On the other end, Luka scored on a layup, which put LA ahead. After only scoring two points in the first half, Austin Reaves finally scored again on a layup.
Hachimura, unfortunately, picked up his fifth foul and was forced to sit early.
Luka went on a 6-0 run himself to give Los Angeles a seven-point lead at the 8:13 mark. Minnesota was on a six-minute scoring drought. Jake LaRavia put up five points despite his shooting woes.
At the halfway mark, Reid scored on a hook shot, breaking the Wolves’ drought.
Reaves was now in double figures with 16 after draining a triple, completing a three-point play, and capping it off with a four-point play. He had 14 in the quarter.
Kennard then converted on a layup that put the Lakers up by 19 and forced a timeout.
Austin Reaves typically bounces back in the 2nd half if he has a rough shooting first half. Tonight:
1st half: 2 points, 1 for 8 FG's, 0 for 5 3's, 4 assists 3rd Q: 16 points, 5 for 6 FG's, 2 for 2 3's, 2 assists
Lakers lead 82-63 with 1:53 to play in the period.
The final frame began with Kennard scoring four in a row. Reaves converted on yet another four-point play as LA kept its foot on the gas. With 7:15 left, the purple and gold were up by 18.
Both teams started getting chippy with Jarred Vanderbilt and Donte picking up technical fouls. The deficit did get cut to 15, but Los Angeles responded fast with back-to-back threes from Smart and Luka.
Minnesota scored five in a row to make it a 16-point game at the 5:29 mark.
Luka and Ayton combined for a quick four points to put the finishing touches on the win. The Timberwolves emptied their bench at the 3:55 mark.
Key Player Stats
Luka finished with a triple-double of 31 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. Reaves ended with 31 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. Ayton scored 14 points with 12 rebounds.
Kennard notched 10 points. LaRavia pitched in with eight points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. Hachimura had nine points and Smart put up eight points.
The Lakers’ next matchup will be against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday at 7:30 PM PT.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 10: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 10, 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 Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Game Story
You’re still awake?
If you are, kudos to you. You’re a true diehard. If not, we don’t blame you. By the time the final buzzer sounded, the clock struck 12:38 a.m. Central.
The Los Angeles Lakers came into the night winners in five of their last six games. One of the areas they’ve excelled in has been shooting the ball, reaching second in the league in effective field goal percentage (58.8%), and first from deep (40.6%).
Regression hit like a ton of bricks.
On a night where ridiculous scoring feats could be found in any game, Los Angeles and the Minnesota Timberwolves decided to treat the packed home crowd to a good old fashioned brick-fest. The Lakers, in particular, opened the game scoreless in the first four and a half minutes. The audience groaned and moaned as their team missed their first 11 three-point attempts, anchoring them to just 28% from the field in the first quarter.
The Timberwolves weren’t much better. Instead of taking advantage of the frigid shooting display of their opponents, they decided to be gentlemen and convert on only 34.8% of their own shot attempts in that same stanza. Look no further than Anthony Edwards and Luka Dončić, who have both averaged over 32 points in their last three games, but combined to score just seven points on three of 18 shooting in the quarter.
A modest five-point Timberwolves lead after the first buzzer sounded was short-lived and seemed ominous.
The non-Dončić minutes boded well for Los Angeles. They battled back strictly off hammering the offensive glass (11 in first half) and opting to score in the paint (62% of points in paint in first half). DeAndre Ayton did his best Clint Capela impression, accounting for a ton of that by outworking the Wolves in the paint. He bought enough time for his Slovenian teammate to catch a groove, as Dončić converted a few triples before finding Rui Hachimura to swish a trey of his own to knot things up at 45 at the halftime break.
It was surely a half where both teams seemed asleep.
After scoring just three points in the first half, things didn’t look great to start the second for Edwards. He struggled to find a rhythm and took a tough tumble on a charge drawn by Marcus Smart. It was just foreshadowing of the face plant that the Wolves had coming. Despite a flurry of free throws, Edwards shot an uncharacteristic 13% mark from field. A low mark from him since he shot 23.1% against…
…the Los Angeles Lakers in 2024. Talk about regression to the mean.
His rough night seemed to suck the energy from his teammates. Edwards certainly wasn’t the only guilty party. The Wolves roster as a whole was just far too forgiving to a team missing several rotation players. They had many poorly timed fouls, late shot clock resignations, and forgotten rotations which allowed the Lakers to find their rhythm.
One player that struggled to find their range lately was Austin Reaves. The man who slayed the Wolves with a walk-off game-winner almost five months ago had only scored 20+ points just once in his last eight games, shooting in the a low 40% from the field. Unfortunately for Minnesota, that one game was two days ago. Reaves rode that momentum tonight, slaughtering Minnesota with haymaker after haymaker, opening up a 19-point deficit that the Wolves never threatened again.
It was oddly similar to Minnesota’s second game of the season, where Los Angeles cruised to an easy victory in the third quarter, filled with a ton of highlights to boot. Except they didn’t even need Dončić to score 49.
At this point, it’s more than fair to be critical of the Wolves performance. This wasn’t an early tip against a subpar Eastern Conference team. This was a prime time matchup in a packed house against a team vying with them for playoff positioning. And they shit the bed.
Again.
If anything, it’s even more concerning in a game where Anthony Edwards was successfully game planned out, the team looked completely unprepared on how to respond. This will be the case often in the playoffs. Will Edwards shoot this bad all the time? No. But they clearly did not have any answers when he did shoot poorly. There were some silver linings like the bench performance and a half-decent Julius Randle game, but it all just felt like a big blurry haze.
Anyway, hopefully you weren’t awake to watch this one.
Clearly the Wolves weren’t awake either.
Box Score
Comment of the Night
<em>Live look at the Timberwolves tonight</em>
Up Next
It’s a short turnaround for Minnesota. In fact, in less than 24 hours, they’ll take to the court just 25 miles south at Intuit Dome. The surging Los Angeles Clippers play host on Wednesday, March 11, at 9:30 PM CT. The last time these teams met, Anthony Edwards shouted at Chris Finch after a clutch three pointer, edging out LA who was missing both Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland.
This game will be broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network.
Mar 10, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) celebrates after scoring a basket during the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Tonight’s Rockets win over the the 5th place Toronto Raptors was just the thing for a Rockets team that was soundly thrashed by the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.
Almost everything a Rockets fan might want was there tonight. We saw a defense that held the Raptors to 18 points below their season scoring average, and also below 100 points. The offense managed to just about reach NBA scoring average, which is a rare accomplishment lately against teams with an above .500 record. The team shot it well, and only Amen played a high number of minutes before tomorrow night’s contest against the Nuggets in Denver.
Things didn’t start all that well, with the Rockets turning the ball over a bunch in the first quarter. What might have been a great defensive showing, at, say, 24 points for the Raptors, was marred by the Rockets allowing 8 Raptor points off turnovers in the period. Fortunately, Toronto couldn’t hold the Rockets down with their own defense, as the Rockets put up an equal 29 points in the first.
The Rockets continued their league average scoring trend in the 2nd quarter, putting up 29 points once again, while holding the Raptors to only 20 points. The key to this wasn’t just making shots, it was cutting the live ball turnovers that plagued the Rockets in the first quarter. There was only one liveball Rockets turnover in the 2nd, by Reed Sheppard, but he immediately atoned by chasing down Jamal Shead for a block. The huge difference in scoring quarter to quarter gives some credence to the turnover theory.
The Raptors made it close in the third quarter, putting up 34 points, much of it from very good shooting from RJ Barrett, defending the honor of Canada, and Immanuel Quickley and Scottie Barnes playing well. also, but in a less Canadian way. The Toronto surge in the third wasn’t turnover driven, they just played better offense and defense than the Rockets, and shot a goodly number of free throws.
The Rockets entered the fourth leading 86-83, but would go on to score 20 of the next 26 points. The Rockets went on to expand that lead to 111-93 with around three minutes remaining, when Toronto waved the red and white flag and pulled their starters. Garbage time was Dick’s moment to shine, but his outburst came too little, too late.
There’s not much to criticize from the Rockets perspective after the somewhat sloppy first quarter. KD lead the way with 29pts on a pristine 12-16FG and 4-5 from three. He filled the stat sheet as well, with 8 rebounds, 2ast, 2stl, 2blk against 2to. He played a low 33 minutes, so hopefully he’ll look as good tomorrow night. Alpie, after an initial rough start, pulled things together for 14pts, 12rbs, 4ast. He still doesn’t look right to me, but perhaps this is as right as he’s going to get, as Clint Capela, no matter how effective, seems locked in at about 14 minutes. One might think 10 rebounds in 13 minutes might earn more playing time, but that feels impossible.
The best Rockets tonight, along with Durant, were Jabari Smith Jr, and Amen Thompson. Jabari looked better, quicker, and more decisive that he has in some time. There weren’t a lot of Dribblin’ Adventures, and he once again seemed to realize, as he does occasionally, that he can just shoot over nearly anyone. Watching Kevin Durant do this all the time must be encouraging at some level. Jaswishy scored 23 on 8-14 shooting, 3-7 from three, and added 4rbs, 2ast, and 2stl. He only recorded one turnover, and that was mostly bad luck.
Amen had a very good game, being both larger, faster, or both, than almost anyone Toronto could throw at him. He attacked the rim almost constantly, and didn’t avoid contact to try to make a tougher shot, as he often does. Thompson had 23 efficient points on 6-10 shooting, and 10-14 on FTs. He added four boards, 6 assists to 3 turnovers, and notched a block. He played 39 minutes, though, and that’s a worry heading to altitude tomorrow night. Amen also made his weekly 3pt shot on one attempt. Perhaps this will all mark the beginning of a more forceful, impactful, offensive trend for Amen.
Of others getting significant minutes, Dorian Finney-Smith played 21 minutes and looked pretty good. He didn’t fill up the box score, but he looked useful, and not lost. His minutes were strongly positive, and that’s a refreshing change. If Finney-Smith has turned a corner, that would be excellent news for the Rockets.
Reed Sheppard had one of his least impactful games in a while. going 2-10, with 7 rebounds, 2 assists, against 4 turnovers. Hopefully he’s past the point where he disappears after a bad game, because the Rockets need his offense, especially, even if they didn’t need it tonight. The topper was Brandon Ingram doing his thing, but managing to only go 3-12, with few free throws. He pulled the Raptors down with a team leading -18. Even Scottie Foster wasn’t horrible tonight.
We can hope we’ll see the Rockets play this way going forward – good defense, coupled by (hopefully!) some emerging offensive organization, and perhaps, resultant good shooting. A more aggressive and effective combo of Jaswishy and Amen racking up free throws on dangerous rim attacks, changes the Rockets outlook considerably.
It was a good night “For The H”, with “The H” being Houston, not Hater.
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - FEBRUARY 03: Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz in action during the second half of a game against the Indiana Pacers at Delta Center on February 03, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On the Jovan Buha podcast, Eric Pincus revealed the Utah Jazz had shopped Walker Kessler. You can listen to the time-stamped segment below
Pincus, discussing potential offseason targets for the Lakers, talked about Walker Kessler who is coming off an injury. He says that he heard that the Jazz…
“had shopped him a little bit more around the deadline than what they had done before. I had heard the Clippers had a shot to get him in the Zubac trade instead of Matherin. So, those are just rumors, I’m not saying that’s fact…”
As Pincus says, this is just rumors. Maybe this happened, maybe it didn’t, but it’s very interesting if this is true. Will the Jazz look at a sign-and-trade possibility? We know that the Jazz are interested in Austin Reaves. We also know that Utah wasn’t interested in overpaying Walker Kessler. The Lakers, on the other hand, have been interested in Kessler for years, they just haven’t been willing to give the Jazz what they’ve been asking. Knowing that the Jazz weren’t interested in giving Kessler a huge contract, would they be willing to make some sort of move for Kessler? The Lakers have had a terrible season with DeAndre Ayton and have not been able to find a starting center for a long time. Kessler, being an elite rim protector and rim-runner, is the perfect complement to Luka Doncic.
Utah has signaled they’re interested in winning next season. It makes you wonder if the Jazz lose in the lottery, are they going to make some sort of win-now move with their pick? Is there something there that can get them Austin Reaves for Walker Kessler? It certainly seems like the Utah Jazz are going to be active this offseason, and it might just involve a trade with the Lakers.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Shay Maloney scored 41 seconds into overtime and the Boston Fleet edged the Vancouver Goldeneyes 2-1 on Tuesday night.
Much of the game was a goalie duel, with neither side scoring until the third period.
Haley Winn was first to strike, getting the Fleet on the board early in the final frame with her second goal of the year.
Hannah Miller responded for the Goldeneyes with 3:26 remaining, blasting a one-timer past Boston goalie Aerin Frankel from just inside the blue line.
Frankel stopped 25 of the 26 shots she faced, and the Fleet won its sixth straight game.
Kristen Campbell made 25 saves in the Vancouver net.
The win moved the Fleet back into sole possession of first place in the league standings, two points ahead of the Montreal Victoire.
Vancouver was without goalie Emerance Maschmeyer, who is listed as day to day with an upper-body injury. Kimberly Newell served as Campbell’s backup.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 10: Brandin Podziemski #2 of the Golden State Warriors passes around Josh Giddey #3 of the Chicago Bulls during the first half at Chase Center...
SAN FRANCISCO — One day was all it took for the Warriors to top their worst loss of the season.
The Warriors were at the foul line with the lead in the final moments of regulation but still couldn’t finish off a 130-124 overtime loss to the lowly Bulls, who outscored them in 12-6 in the extra period.
“We just couldn’t close it out,” coach Steve Kerr said. “They were the better team in OT.”
Gui Santos, Kristaps Porzingis, LJ Cryer and Pat Spencer all scored 17 points to lead the Warriors, but Golden State had no answer for Matas Buzelis, who finished with 41 points on 16-of-28 shooting. Josh Giddey added 21 points, 17 assists and 13 rebounds for a triple-double.
Back-to-back losses to the Bulls and Jazz amounted to a serious case of whiplash after strong efforts from Golden State to beat the Rockets and threaten the Thunder on the road last week.
“Both very winnable games,” Kerr said. “Had the lead late tonight. Obviously one we should’ve had. But this is how the NBA is, especially when you’re beaten up. Games are going to be tight. You’ve got to finish. And we haven’t finished either of the past two nights.”
Brandin Podziemski looks to pass the ball while guarded by Josh Giddey. Getty Images
What it means
Kerr has been on the cusp of 600 wins since the Warriors beat the Rockets in Houston last week. He hasn’t been able to break through against two tanking teams.
Even with the beleaguered state of their roster, the Warriors’ past two losses will go down as two of their worst of the season. Two of the easiest games left on Golden State’s schedule just happened to line up as their only stretch this season with a home-road back-to-back.
No wonder the Warriors looked out of gas for most of the night.
The loss dropped Golden State below .500 for the first time since it was 14-15 on Dec. 20.
The Warriors (32-33) now sit a half game behind the Clippers (32-32), ninth in the Western Conference.
Turning point
Once again, the Warriors lost the game at the foul line.
After two dreadful performances from the stripe, the Warriors shot it far better against the Bulls, converting 16-of-18 attempts in regulation. But holding a 117-116 lead with 8 seconds left, LJ Cryer was only able to convert one of his two free throws.
“You make the free throw, probably a different outcome of the game,” said Cryer, who tied with Spencer for a team-best plus-18 off the bench.
Draymond Green celebrates a 3-pointer against the Bulls. AP
On the other end, Draymond Green fouled Jalen Smith on a desperation attempt that sent him to the line with 1.4 seconds left. Smith sank both of his free throws to send the game to overtime.
“He got his hand on his body,” Kerr said. “It was a foul. I’m sure he’d like to have that one back. He just got his hand in the wrong spot.”
Playing their second game in two nights in as many cities, the Warriors were sluggish from the outset and the crowd inside Chase Center reciprocated with an atmosphere to match. But the lower bowl rose to its feet as Golden State erased a 13-point deficit.
When the Bulls forced overtime, fans streamed for the exits. They apparently already knew how this one was going to end.
MVP: Gary Payton II
The 6-foot-2 Payton was a constant presence around the basket and finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double. The 11 rebounds led the Warriors, including a team-best three on the offensive glass, all of which Payton cleaned up for putback dunks.
Stat of the game: Zero
That is the number of minutes De’Anthony Melton played against the Bulls, despite the Warriors limiting his action Monday at Utah with the intent of him playing in the back-to-back.
Brandin Podziemski drives to the basket against the double team. Getty Images
Likewise, the Warriors sat both Porzingis and Al Horford against the Jazz so that both could play Tuesday against the Bulls. It’s no sure thing that either game hinged on the three players’ availability, but in the end, both ended in stinging losses.
Kerr said afterward that Melton tweaked his hamstring/groin late against the Jazz and had it act up overnight, preventing him from playing against Chicago.
Before the game, Kerr said he was hopeful Melton could establish that he was up to the task.
“We need him,” he said. “He’s obviously one of our best players.”
Up next
The Warriors host Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves on Friday in their last home game until March 25. They hit the road for five games, including two more sets of back-to-backs, beginning Sunday against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
The most important date for the Warriors this week, however, is Wednesday. That is when Steph Curry (knee), who missed his 15th straight game, is set to be re-evaluated.
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - NOVEMBER 23: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives into Keyonte George #3 of the Utah Jazz during the first half of a game at Delta Center on November 23, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
According to Eric Pincus, the Utah Jazz are interested in Austin Reaves.
In this episode of the Jovan Buha podcast, you can listen to it. Pincus says:
“I’ve heard that the Utah Jazz like Austin Reaves. I don’t think that’s a shock, but I’ve heard that that’s one of the teams that’s interested in Austin Reaves,”
There have been rumblings here and there about this, but it’s the first time we’ve seen someone plugged in talk about it. If the Jazz are interested in Reaves, that probably means some sort of sign-and-trade. Utah will be over the cap, and even if they don’t sign many of their expiring deals, they’ll be adding Walker Kessler to their books alongside Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen. On top of that, we’re not far away from Keyonte George also being up for a contract, and you can bet he’s going to be earning a big payday as well. The question from this is, who do the Jazz trade to the Lakers if they want Austin Reaves? Is there a sign-and-trade possibility with Kessler now that Utah has Jaren Jackson?
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Devin Carter scored 22 of his career-best 24 points in the fourth quarter to power the Sacramento Kings to a 114-109 comeback win over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night.
Carter scored 13 straight points down the stretch for Sacramento, who trailed by as many as 20 points and were down by 10 heading into the final frame.
The Kings shot 46% from the field and 35% from deep, while the Pacers shot 41% and 30% respectively. Carter was 9 of 13 from the field and 3 for 4 from beyond the arc.
Maxime Raynaud's and-1 jumper with 16 seconds remaining finished off the win.
Raynaud had an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double, the 15th of the season for the 7-foot-1 rookie. Russell Westbrook added 16 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds, and DeMar DeRozan and Nique Clifford each scored 12 points.
Indiana led 59-42 at the half, but Sacramento took their first lead since the first quarter on Carter's 3-pointer with 4:16 remaining in regulation.
Aaron Nesmith led all scorers with 29 points, 24 of them in the first half. Obi Toppin scored 17 points and grabbed five rebounds, and Kam Jones had 14 points and nine assists.
Indiana extended its NBA-long losing streak to 10 games, and the game matched teams with the NBA’s two worst records.
Pascal Siakam (right knee sprain) and Andrew Nembhard (back and neck soreness) did not play. They are the Pacers' first and third-leading scorers, respectively.
The Kings had dropped their last three meetings against Indiana, including a 116-105 defeat on Dec. 8 in Indianapolis.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Brandon Miller had 21 points and eight rebounds, LaMelo Ball had 12 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter and the Charlotte Hornets overcame a 19-point deficit to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 103-101 on Tuesday night.
Kon Knueppel added 15 points and five rebounds for the Hornets, who got back to .500 at 33-33. Ryan Kalkbrenner added 13 points and six rebounds off the bench.
The Hornets trailed 43-24 in the second quarter but edged ahead late by holding the Trail Blazers to 19 points in the fourth quarter.
Jerami Grant scored 24 points on 7-of-10 shooting for Portland. Deni Avdija had 22 points and Scoot Henderson scored 14 off the bench. Toumani Camara and Donovan Clingan each had 11 points.
Portland controlled the first half and led Charlotte by nine going into halftime before a cold-shooting stretch and a series of late-game miscues.
Up next
Hornets: Visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday.
