Category: NBA

KRANJSKA GORA, Slovenia (AP) — From Olympic despair in a course-side forest to a joyous win in the World Cup.

Atle Lie McGrath ’s emotions came full circle Sunday when he protected his first-run lead to win a tough and sun-baked World Cup slalom by just 0.01 seconds.

It was the first men’s slalom since McGrath's emotional exit at the Milan Cortina Olympics three weeks ago when he skied out of the race he was set to win.

Then, the Norwegian racer famously hiked across the mountain side to cool off alone beneath the trees lining the course in Bormio, Italy.

On Sunday, McGrath was greeted in the finish area by his teammate Henrik Kristoffersen, runner-up by the minimum margin, and his childhood friend Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, who was third by just 0.04.

McGrath’s emotions had been heightened at the Olympics because his grandfather had died in the week the games opened. He dedicated this victory to him.

“To bounce back like this after the Olympics, I think he has something to do with it. He was looking over me today,” the Vermont-born racer said.

McGrath also extended his lead in the season-long slalom standings over Pinheiro Braathen ahead of a decisive race on March 24 at the course where they raced as kids in Norway.

“Me and Lucas we grew up skiing together in Hafjell,” McGrath said. “So it has a lot of special memories and it’s going to be a pretty cool fight.”

It was a heated battle Sunday in snow-melting temperatures that hit 11 Celsius (52 Fahrenheit) in the early afternoon.

McGrath’s second run was just the 27th fastest of the 29 skiers who completed the race.

___

AP skiing: https://apnews.com/hub/alpine-skiing

HAINAN ISLAND, China (AP) — Mi Hyang Lee threw away her lead with two double bogeys on the front nine, and then delivered a winner on the final hole Sunday with a lob wedge that hit the pin and set up a tap-in birdie to win the Blue Bay LPGA by one shot.

Lee closed with a 1-over 73 for a one-shot victory over Zhang Weiwei, who shot 69 at Jian Lake Blue Bay but lost the lead with a bogey on the 17th. It was Lee's third LPGA title, and her first in more than eight years.

“Almost give up, but my caddie just kept telling me, ‘Keep fighting, fighting.’ So I really fought, just didn't give up, and then I just got to make a lot of birdies,” said Lee, who responded to a 40 on the front nine with three birdies coming in. “Feels amazing.”

The South Korean finished at 11-under 277 for her first win since the 2017 Women's Scottish Open.

Auston Kim (71) stayed in contention for a LPGA title for the second consecutive week — after the American’s second-place finish at the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore — and made three birdies over the last five holes to tie for third with Aditi Ashok (72) of India.

“I’m proud of the three birdies that I made coming in, but it really sucks to play that well Thursday, Friday, and not get it done. Really frustrating,” Kim said. "I hope moving forward I won’t make the same mistakes that I did this week and play better."

Lee's three-shot lead coming into the final evaporated on a tumultuous front nine with double bogeys at the par-4 fifth and ninth holes to lose the lead to Zhang.

But after the turn, Lee found her rhythm and made birdies at the 10th and 13th to keep in touch with the Chinese player, before Zhang's bogey at the 17th opened the door for Lee.

Lee had 75 yards to the hole on the par-5 18th, walked up to the green to check the landing area for her shot to a pin on the top shelf. Her 58-degree wedge hit the pin and settled 2 feet away as Lee put her hands over her head in disbelief.

“I just keep saying, ‘Oh my God, this is crazy,’” Lee said.

Defending champion Rio Takeda of Japan (73) tied for fifth with Hye-Jin Choi (72), Yu Liu (74) of China and South Korea's A Lim Kim (73).

Blue Bay LPGA was the third straight LPGA event on its first Asia swing of the season. A week after nine of the top 10 in the world played in Singapore, the China field had only one of the top 10. That was Ruoning Yin of China, a former Women’s PGA champion. She shot 76 and finished at 1-over 289, tied for 24th.

The LPGA takes a week off before resuming its U.S. schedule with the Founders Cup in California.

___

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — After a strong Australian debut, Cadillac principal Graeme Lowdon says the team has earned its rivals’ respect and plans to build on a “really solid platform” for future success.

General Motors brand Cadillac had a short run-up to the pinnacle of motor sport, and its 2026 debut at Melbourne’s Albert Park, having only gained its commercial deal with the sport in November 2024. Though preparations were well underway at its Silverstone Park base located next to the famous UK track.

The American team didn’t set the time sheets alight at 2026’s first race, with Sergio Pérez finishing 16th, up from 18th on the grid; while teammate Valtteri Bottas failed to finish from 19th. But it can be proud it got two cars qualified and onto the grid at the world’s toughest motor racing competition, and looked properly turned out as an operation.

“In terms of a first race for a new team. I’m really, really pleased with the way that the team’s done everything,” Lowdon told The Associated Press. “It would have been great to get both cars home, for sure. And I haven’t been in all of the meetings yet to see what the what the detail was on the problem we had with Valtteri’s car, but it certainly looked as if it wasn’t something that we had direct control over.

“But to get one car home, it’s just kind of a mark of the start of a very, very long journey. I’m kind of more pleased with the whole approach of the team. What I think we’ve created here is the foundations of something that could be really very special.”

Cadillac, though, won’t be taking any heart from finishing ahead of Aston Martin, which had a nightmare season start with an uncompetitive and unreliable Honda power unit that cost it mileage to make improvements; ensuring the team is destined to be at the back for the foreseeable future.

“I think what it does do is give some context of just how difficult Formula 1 is,” Lowdon said. “I’ve got huge respect for Aston Martin, I know a lot of people who work there, they’re incredible people who’ve got great ownership. You know, there’s all of the required investment there.

“Formula 1 is a team game. And I’ve always said it, I think it’s the greatest team game in the world, but it’s also the most difficult team game in the world because everybody is fundamentally trying to do exactly the same thing at the same time to the same set of rules, and so the competition is fierce.”

___

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

Sunday is the final day of men's college basketball regular season, and only conference tournaments remain before the NCAA Tournament field is set.

That means bubble teams only have one guaranteed game left to boost their resumes before Selection Sunday next week.

March Madness bracketology: Latest NCAA tournament bubble predictions

A number of teams fighting for the final few at-large bids lost Saturday, March 7, which could be brutal for their NCAA Tournament chances. A few bid stealers from conference tournament winners could also throw a wrench in a few teams' plans, should they pop up.

Miami (Ohio) became the third team to ever enter its conference tournament with a 31-0 record after finishing the regular season undefeated with its overtime win over Ohio on March 6. The RedHawks still might be on the NCAA Tournament bubble, though, if they don't win the MAC Tournament next week.

There were loads of losses for bubble teams to end the regular season. Here's the latest among NCAA Tournament bubble teams:

March Madness bubble stock up

Miami (Ohio)

Miami defeated Ohio on the road for the first time since 2014 on March 6 to become the third team in Division I history to enter its conference tournament with a 31-0 record, joining 2013-14 Wichita State and 2014-15 Kentucky.

It's hard to imagine Miami being left out of the NCAA Tournament if it fails to win the MAC tournament. Still, the RedHawks will undoubtedly feel most confident if they secure the automatic bid for the Big Dance.

Miami's metrics aren't playing in its favor, ranking No. 53 in the NCAA's NET rankings with the no Quad 1 wins and only two Quad 2 wins. But winning games has to matter, right?

Ohio State

Staying in the Buckeye State, Ohio State all but assured its spot in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday with a comprehensive 91-78 win over fellow bubble team Indiana.

The Buckeyes (20-11, 12-8) finished the regular-season on a three-game winning streak, including a Quad 1 win over Purdue.

Stanford

While fellow ACC bubble teams Cal, SMU and Virginia Tech lost on March 7, Stanford added a nice win over NC State on the road behind true freshman Ebuka Okorie's 33 points.

The Cardinal improved to 20-11 after their fifth Quad 1 win this season, which could weigh heavily when comparing their resume to other bubble teams. Stanford takes its four-game winning streak into the ACC Tournament, where it looks to secure a March Madness bid with a win or two.

VCU

VCU finished its regular season with a 15-3 record in A-10 play, which actually was tied with Saint Louis for first place in the conference standings, although the Billikens earned the outright regular season championship with a 2-0 record against the Rams this season.

VCU (24-7) has won 13 of its past 14 games and other bubble team's stumbles should give the Rams hope.

The A-10 is shaping up to be interesting, especially after Saint Louis was blown out by conference tournament contender George Mason to end the regular season. There's a rare scenario where George Mason wins the A-10 and VCU and Saint Louis earn at-large bids to give the conference three spots in the NCAA Tournament.

VCU will certainly need a few wins in the A-10 tournament, and likely won't feel comfortable on Selection Sunday unless it wins the conference tournament.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma has played its way onto the bubble after an impressive finish to the regular season. The Sooners defeated Texas 88-85 in overtime on the road on March 7 to win their fourth straight and their sixth of their last eight games.

Oklahoma is now 17-14 on the season with seven SEC wins and will likely need a few wins to reach the NCAA Tournament. It now has five Quad 1 wins and looks forward to its opening-round SEC tournament game against South Carolina.

The chances are still slim, but it's better than nothing for a team that lost nine consecutive conference games earlier this season.

March Madness bubble stock down

New Mexico

New Mexico lost to Utah State 94-90 on March 7, which marked its third loss in its past four outings. The Lobos are now 22-9 on the season with a 13-7 record in Mountain West play, which could make things tough for an at-large bid.

New Mexico is very capable of winning the conference tournament. Utah State, the conference favorite, is a lock for the NCAA Tournament, even as an at-large team.

The Mountain West's best shot at being a two-bid league would be New Mexico winning the conference, as the Lobos' at-large chances are looking slim.

Auburn

Make it eight losses in its last 10 games to end the regular season for Auburn, who's clinging on for dear life heading into the SEC Tournament after its latest loss to in-state rival Alabama on Saturday. The 16-15 Tigers have the worst record of any team on the bubble, but also one of the toughest schedules this season.

Auburn ranks No. 40 in the NET rankings with a 4-12 mark in Quad 1 games and a 4-2 record in Quad 2 games. Still, the weak record plays into account, especially with how the Tigers have ended the season.

Auburn's NCAA Tournament chances are dwindling, and the Final Four team from last season needs to pull it together at the SEC Tournament under first-year coach Steven Pearl.

Indiana

Ohio State defeated Indiana 91-78 on March 7 in a battle of Big Ten bubble teams to end the regular season. The Buckeyes' stock is rising, and the Hoosiers' is falling.

Indiana entered the game projected as a First Four Out team by USA TODAY Sports' latest projections. Its double-digit losses will be tough to overcome.

Indiana falls to 18-13 on the year, whereas Ohio State is now 20-11 following its three-game winning streak that includes a top-10 ranked win over Purdue.

Cal

Cal had little room for error entering its final regular-season game against Wake Forest, who entered the game with a 15-15 record. The Golden Bears lost 80-73 on the road, putting them in a rough spot heading into the ACC Tournament.

Cal was listed as a First Four Out team in USA TODAY Sports' latest bracketology update before its loss to Wake Forest. Now it's going to likely need to make a run in the conference tournament to have a shot at the Big Dance.

UCF

UCF was off the bubble in USA TODAY Sports' most recent bracket projection, although it isn't doing itself any favors heading into the Big 12 Tournament. The Knights (20-10) dropped their third straight game to end the regular season, falling to West Virginia 77-62 on March 7.

The loss proceeds two losses against teams off the NCAA Tournament radar in Baylor and Oklahoma State, which doesn't help the resume, either.

UCF was a No. 10 seed in the latest bracket update and could fall firmly onto the bubble as the margins appear to be razor thin this season.

Cincinnati

Cincinnati (17-14) has played itself into bubble status down the stretch, winning six of its last seven games with an upset over Kansas before the regular season finale. The Bearcats couldn't secure their 18th win of the season, though, falling to TCU, 73-63, on the road Saturday.

The Horned Frogs are firmly in the NCAA Tournament projection amid their own hot streak, but the Bearcats have little room for error in the Big 12 tournament. Cincinnati might need a few wins in Kansas City to have a shot at reaching the 68-team field.

SMU

SMU was, at one point, considered firmly in the NCAA Tournament picture a few weeks ago. The Mustangs' recent play has changed that sentiment mightily.

SMU (19-12, 8-10) ended its regular season with its fourth consecutive losses after losing to Florida State 91-78 on the road on March 7. SMU has lost to a pair of bubble teams in Cal and Stanford, along with a loss to Miami, which is No. 29 in NET.

The Mustangs are in a difficult position, especially with only one ranked win this season, which came against North Carolina in January. SMU might need some help and a few wins in the ACC tournament.

Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech coach Mike Young was beat up after the Hokies' 76-72 loss to Virginia on March 7.

"What the (expletive) am I doing wrong?" he said in his postgame news conference after the loss, while clearly emotional.

The loss dropped Virginia Tech to 19-12 on the season and is in a similar bubble bucket with multiple ACC teams also vying for NCAA Tournament spots. The Hokies are No. 55 in NET with a 2-9 record in Quad 1 games, and aren't looking like an NCAA Tournament team as of now.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NCAA Tournament bubble watch tracker: Miami Ohio is in, Indiana is out

The Spurs are having arguably their best stretch of the season, following a win against the Clippers in their return home from the Rodeo Road Trip. San Antonio has only dropped one of their last 15 games, and it was to the Knicks, another contender that is firing on all cylinders.

The success has been impressive, but it has not come easily. The travel and the bouts against physical teams take their toll, as we’ve learned from an emotional Victor Wembanyama after Friday’s victory. “I thought I was about to pass out from the first quarter from exhaustion,” Wembanyama said in his postgame interview. “That was close to being the hardest game of my life. It might not have looked like it, but we played a helluva game against the most physical team in the league yesterday, and played tonight against a physical team as well. I’m about to pass out.”

Wemby and the rest of the Spurs had two nights of sleep to recover before leading his team into their next challenge. The Rockets are another physical squad, and they will be motivated not only because they are facing a rival but also because a win would help them jockey for position in the second tier of the West standings. They have not looked like the bona fide contenders many pegged them to be heading into the season, in large part due to injuries, but they have beaten the Spurs once already this season. The talent, athleticism, and, yes, physicality are there to make this a tough matchup for a San Antonio team that will look to continue its impressive play.

San Antonio Spurs (46-17) vs Houston Rockets (39-23)

March 8, 2026 | 7:00 PM CT

Watch: NBC/Peacock | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)

Spurs injuries: Harrison Barnes – OUT (ankle), Mason Plumlee – OUT (conditioning)

Rockets injuries: Fred VanVleet – OUT (knee), Steven Adams – OUT (ankle), Jae’Sean Tate – OUT (knee)

What to watch for:

• The battle on the glass. The Rockets are the best offensive rebounding team in the league, but they have struggled to impose their will on the Spurs, the best defensive rebounding team in the league. In the past two matchups, offensive rebounding wasn’t a huge factor. In San Antonio’s win, they allowed their opponent 17 offensive rebounds but only nine second-chance points. In Houston’s win, the Silver and Black actually dominated on the offensive glass, getting more boards and 10 more second-chance points. Still, protecting the glass is something the Spurs will have to be mindful of, not only to keep the Rockets from getting second opportunities but also to push the ball off misses for transition buckets.
• Two young guards could be X Factors. Dylan Harper has been killing it lately. In the past 15 games, the rookie is averaging 13 points, three rebounds, four assists, and a steal. The shot has been falling, the defense has been impressive, and he continues to be a menace on drives. He gives the bench a second scorer to complement Keldon Johnson, and could be a problem for a Rockets’ defense that tries to wall off the paint. For Houston, a good game from Reed Sheppard could be a requirement for a win. The second-year guard is a defensive liabity but his team simply lacks three-point shooting and scoring when he’s not on the floor. Harper was big in San Antonio’s win over the Rockets this season, and the same was true for Sheppard in Houston’s victory.
• The Spurs will have to prove once again that they can handle size and physicality. At this point, no one should doubt that the Spurs are comfortable when things get physical or downright chippy. It doesn’t mean the Rockets won’t test them, though. Houston has size on its side, with Amen Thompson at point guard, a burly center in Alperen Sengun, and big, athletic wings. San Antonio is smaller in the starting lineup and will need to find somewhere to hide De’Aaron Fox. Assuming Castle takes the Kevin Durant assignment again, Tari Eason seems like the best matchup for Fox, but it will take a team effort on defense to keep the Rockets off the glass and from bullying their way to the paint. Carter Bryant, who has been playing well recently, could be important in this matchup, as he gives San Antonio the kind of length and athleticism needed to match Houston in the perimeter.

---

If you’d like to, you may follow along with the game on our Twitter profile (@poundingtherock) or visit our Game Thread!

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander moved to within two games of breaking a decades-old NBA record as he scored 27 points to help the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 104-97 home win over the Golden State Warriors.

He has scored at least 20 points in 125 consecutive games for the defending champions, a sequence that began on 1 November 2024.

The legendary Wilt Chamberlain holds the record of 126 games - set between October 1961 and January 1963.

The Thunder host the Denver Nuggets on Monday and the Boston Celtics on Thursday.

Victory at Paycom Center was the Thunder's fifth in a row. They became the first side to 50 wins this season and sit top of the Western Conference.

Gilgeous-Alexander said: "If we were the best team last year, all year, we win a championship, and we get better, we should put ourselves in great position to repeat.

"This year's had a little bit more ups and downs for us, but I think we've done a pretty good job keeping that front of mind."

The Warriors - again missing the injured Stephen Curry - scored seven unanswered points to reduce the Thunder's lead to 99-97 before a three-pointer from Gilgeous-Alexander in the final minute.

Michael Porter Jr scored 30 points as the Brooklyn Nets came from 23 points down to win 107-105 at Eastern Conference leaders Detroit Pistons and end a 10-game losing streak.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 27 points as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the visiting Utah Jazz 113-99.

Jalen Johnson's 35 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists helped the Atlanta Hawks to a 125-116 home win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points as the Los Angeles Clippers overturned a 19-point first-half deficit to win 123-120 at the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Orlando Magic won 119-92 at the Minnesota Timberwolves despite Anthony Edwards' 34 points for the hosts.

• NBA results & fixtures

Golden State Warriors (32-31, eighth in the Western Conference) vs. Utah Jazz (19-45, 14th in the Western Conference)

Salt Lake City; Monday, 9 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Utah is looking to break its four-game home skid with a win over Golden State.

The Jazz are 10-30 in conference matchups. Utah allows the most points in the Western Conference, giving up 125.0 points and is allowing opponents to shoot 48.9%.

The Warriors are 22-20 against Western Conference opponents. Golden State scores 115.0 points and has outscored opponents by 1.1 points per game.

The Jazz's 12.9 made 3-pointers per game this season are just 0.2 more made shots on average than the 12.7 per game the Warriors give up. The Warriors' 46.0% shooting percentage from the field this season is 2.9 percentage points lower than the Jazz have allowed to their opponents (48.9%).

The teams meet for the fourth time this season. The Warriors won 140-124 in the last matchup on Jan. 29.

TOP PERFORMERS: Kyle Filipowski is averaging 10.3 points and 6.9 rebounds for the Jazz. Ace Bailey is averaging 15.9 points over the last 10 games.

Brandin Podziemski is scoring 12.7 points per game and averaging 5.2 rebounds for the Warriors. Al Horford is averaging 1.9 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Jazz: 2-8, averaging 113.0 points, 42.5 rebounds, 26.5 assists, 11.3 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 44.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.9 points per game.

Warriors: 4-6, averaging 112.1 points, 44.5 rebounds, 31.8 assists, 9.1 steals and 3.4 blocks per game while shooting 46.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.2 points.

INJURIES: Jazz: Lauri Markkanen: out (ankle), Vince Williams Jr.: out for season (acl), Walker Kessler: out for season (shoulder), Isaiah Collier: out (personal), Jusuf Nurkic: out for season (nose), Jaren Jackson Jr.: out for season (knee).

Warriors: Jimmy Butler III: out for season (knee), De'Anthony Melton: day to day (knee), Stephen Curry: out (knee), Moses Moody: day to day (wrist), Seth Curry: day to day (sciatica), Will Richard: day to day (ankle).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Detroit Pistons (45-17, first in the Eastern Conference) vs. Miami Heat (35-29, seventh in the Eastern Conference)

Miami; Sunday, 6 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Pistons -1.5; over/under is 229.5

BOTTOM LINE: Detroit enters the matchup with Miami as losers of three straight games.

The Heat are 19-18 against Eastern Conference opponents. Miami is second in the NBA averaging 120.1 points and is shooting 46.5% from the field.

The Pistons have gone 30-9 against Eastern Conference opponents. Detroit ranks third in the league with 13.3 offensive rebounds per game led by Jalen Duren averaging 3.9.

The 120.1 points per game the Heat average are 10.5 more points than the Pistons give up (109.6). The Pistons average 10.8 made 3-pointers per game this season, 3.0 fewer made shots on average than the 13.8 per game the Heat allow.

The teams meet for the third time this season. The Heat won 118-112 in the last matchup on Jan. 2. Norman Powell led the Heat with 36 points, and Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 31 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Andrew Wiggins is scoring 15.9 points per game and averaging 5.1 rebounds for the Heat. Bam Adebayo is averaging 21.9 points and 10.1 rebounds over the last 10 games.

Cunningham is averaging 25.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 9.8 assists and 1.5 steals for the Pistons. Duncan Robinson is averaging 2.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Heat: 7-3, averaging 122.5 points, 49.2 rebounds, 28.3 assists, 8.2 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 47.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.8 points per game.

Pistons: 6-4, averaging 114.0 points, 48.5 rebounds, 25.8 assists, 10.2 steals and 7.1 blocks per game while shooting 46.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.8 points.

INJURIES: Heat: Nikola Jovic: out (back), Andrew Wiggins: day to day (toe), Norman Powell: out (groin), Simone Fontecchio: out (groin).

Pistons: Ausar Thompson: day to day (ankle), Cade Cunningham: day to day (quadriceps).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Orlando Magic (34-28, sixth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (27-35, 11th in the Eastern Conference)

Milwaukee; Sunday, 8 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Magic -4; over/under is 221.5

BOTTOM LINE: Orlando looks to keep its three-game win streak alive when the Magic take on Milwaukee.

The Bucks are 19-23 against conference opponents. Milwaukee averages 13.9 turnovers per game and is 10-8 when it has fewer turnovers than its opponents.

The Magic are 20-19 in conference play. Orlando is ninth in the Eastern Conference scoring 114.8 points per game and is shooting 46.2%.

The Bucks are shooting 47.9% from the field this season, 0.4 percentage points higher than the 47.5% the Magic allow to opponents. The Magic average 114.8 points per game, 0.7 fewer than the 115.5 the Bucks give up.

The two teams square off for the third time this season. The Bucks defeated the Magic 116-108 in their last matchup on Feb. 12. Cam Thomas led the Bucks with 34 points, and Desmond Bane led the Magic with 31 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 27.5 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5.5 assists for the Bucks. Ryan Rollins is averaging 14.2 points over the last 10 games.

Bane is scoring 20.4 points per game and averaging 4.2 rebounds for the Magic. Tristan da Silva is averaging 2.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Bucks: 5-5, averaging 109.1 points, 42.3 rebounds, 25.2 assists, 7.5 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.1 points per game.

Magic: 6-4, averaging 113.0 points, 43.8 rebounds, 27.1 assists, 8.5 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 45.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.5 points.

INJURIES: Bucks: Kevin Porter Jr.: day to day (knee), Taurean Prince: out (neck).

Magic: Franz Wagner: out (ankle), Anthony Black: day to day (back), Jonathan Isaac: day to day (knee), Jase Richardson: day to day (back), Colin Castleton: out (thumb).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Memphis Grizzlies (23-39, 11th in the Western Conference) vs. Brooklyn Nets (16-47, 14th in the Eastern Conference)

New York; Monday, 7:30 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Memphis looks to stop its three-game skid with a win against Brooklyn.

The Nets have gone 8-22 in home games. Brooklyn currently has the league's lowest-scoring offense averaging 106.9 points per game.

The Grizzlies are 11-20 on the road. Memphis is 9-16 in games decided by at least 10 points.

The Nets average 106.9 points per game, 10.9 fewer points than the 117.8 the Grizzlies give up. The Grizzlies average 115.7 points per game, 0.1 more than the 115.6 the Nets give up.

The teams play for the second time this season. The Grizzlies won the last matchup 103-98 on Jan. 11. Cedric Coward scored 21 points to help lead the Grizzlies to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Michael Porter Jr. is scoring 24.3 points per game with 7.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists for the Nets. Noah Clowney is averaging 12.6 points and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 44.3% over the past 10 games.

Cam Spencer is averaging 11.4 points and 5.5 assists for the Grizzlies. GG Jackson is averaging 17.8 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Nets: 1-9, averaging 102.6 points, 37.7 rebounds, 25.8 assists, 8.3 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 43.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.0 points per game.

Grizzlies: 3-7, averaging 117.8 points, 36.8 rebounds, 29.5 assists, 11.5 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 48.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 120.1 points.

INJURIES: Nets: Egor Demin: day to day (foot).

Grizzlies: Santi Aldama: day to day (injury management), Taj Gibson: day to day (reconditioning), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: out for season (finger), Ja Morant: out (elbow), Zach Edey: out for season (ankle), Brandon Clarke: out (calf).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Kwame Evans Jr. scored 20 points, which included the last nine of the game, and Oregon blew a 21-point lead before the Ducks rallied to beat Washington 85-79 on Saturday night in the regular-season finale for both teams.

Evans was fouled on a 3-point shot and made the and-1 free throw to give Oregon a one-point lead with 11.5 seconds left. Evans stole the ball from Hannes Steinbach, who quickly fouled, and Washington coach Danny Sprinkle, who thought Steinbach had been fouled, erupted. He was assessed back-to-back technical fouls and was ejected before Evans made 5 of 6 from the free throw line with five seconds left to seal it.

Takai Simpkins scored 18 points and Nate Bittle had 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists for Oregon (12-19, 5-15 Big Ten). Dezdrick Lindsay added 11 points and Drew Carter 10.

The Ducks started 11-of-14 shooting — 7 of 7 from 3-point range — and used a 16-0 run to take a 21-point lead midway through the first half. Oregon shot 58% (15 of 26) and hit eight 3s and had 13 assists in the first half to take a 44-30 lead into the intermission.

Steinbach had 26 points on 9-of-11 shooting and grabbed 13 rebounds for Washington (15-16, 7-19). Steinbach, a 6-foot-11 freshman, has 20 double-doubles this season, tied with Justin Neely of UNC Greensboro for second most nationally behind UNC Greensboro's Delrecco Gillespie (21).

Steinbach scored 13 points in a 29-8 run that gave the Huskies a three-point lead with 24 seconds left.

Up next

Both teams will be waiting for the Big Ten Tournament pairings to come out Sunday to find out who and when they’ll play at Chicago next week.

___

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

With about five weeks left in the NBA’s regular season, we have a pretty clear picture of the contenders for the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

There have been seven different champions over the last seven seasons.

Will that trend continue and a new team be crowned this season?

Or will the Thunder repeat as champions?

As the regular season winds down, here are the three most likely teams in each conference to reach the mountaintop in June.

Eastern Conference

Knicks

The Knicks shouldn’t be underestimated. They’re seemingly lying in wait to hijack the East when the timing is right. Yes, they’re 0-3 against the Pistons (and 5 ½ games behind them through Friday night). But this team wasn’t expected to reach the Eastern Conference finals last season, and we all saw their spectacular playoff run.

The Knicks, third in the East (41-23), added Jose Alvarado, who’s as scrappy as they come. And Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart want revenge after what happened last season against the Pacers in the penultimate round.

Cavaliers

Cleveland fell short last postseason, folding in the first round against the Pacers as Donovan Mitchell struggled with an ankle injury. They’ve since traded Darius Garland for James Harden and seem as though they’re champing at the bit to bring Cleveland its first championship since 2016.

The Cavs have the talent. The question is whether they can put it all together and be healthy enough to make a strong postseason run.

Celtics

Remember when this team was expected to tank this season after Jayson Tatum suffered a torn Achilles last May and then they lost Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford and Luke Kornet during the offseason?

Well, the joke is on everyone who underestimated Jaylen Brown, who has helped the Celtics become the biggest surprise of the season. They’re in second place in the East (42-21). LeBron James even recently questioned why Brown isn’t getting more consideration for the MVP award. Oh, and guess what, Tatum returned Friday against the Mavericks.

Honorable mention

Pistons

Where did the Pistons come from? Sure, last postseason they took the Knicks to six games in their first-round playoff series, but no one expected them to have the East’s best record this season (45-16) and Cade Cunningham to be an MVP front-runner.

Western Conference

Thunder

Heading into this season, the Thunder were the favorites to win another title. They cemented that narrative by sprinting to a 24-1 start while former All-Star Jalen Williams played in only six games over that period. It seemed as though they weren’t only going to win, they were going to lap the field.

---

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters

But a few teams have decided to play the spoiler to that storyline, most notably the Spurs in the West.

While the Thunder remain the front-runners with the NBA’s best record (49-15) through Friday night, they’re no longer considered shoo-ins for the title. Winning back-to-back championships is hard and a lot of teams are nipping at the Thunder’s heels, most notably the Spurs, who have somehow solved the riddle of OKC’s top-rated defense.

Spurs

Welp, the Spurs’ ascension has been fast. They went from not even making the playoffs last season to being considered real contenders, all because a certain 22-year-old, 7-foot-5 Frenchman is living up to his potential.

Victor Wembanyama recently helped the Spurs win 11 games in a row. They’re peaking at the right time.

But are the Spurs really ready for the NBA throne? Or will they need another year or two of playoff experience before being able to win multiple best-of-seven series on the NBA’s biggest stage?

This much is sure: Wembanyama’s care factor is through the roof. He became emotional after leading the Spurs back from a 25-point deficit to beat the Clippers on Friday, 116-112, calling it “one of the best games I’ve been a part of in my career.” He’s going to win a title, it’s just a matter of when.

Nuggets

Denver knows what it takes to win after reaching the mountaintop in 2023. Heck, even last season they took the Thunder to seven games in the second round of the playoffs.

Nikola Jokic, who missed 16 straight games due to a left knee hyperextension before returning at the end of January, is arguably the world’s best player.

The Nuggets’ biggest issue now is their supporting cast. Aaron Gordon missed 17 straight games because of a hamstring injury before returning to the lineup Friday. And Peyton Watson has missed 12 straight games because of a hamstring injury.

The Nuggets need Gordon and Watson to play well in the postseason to make it out of the West.

Honorable mention

Timberwolves

Minnesota has underperformed this season. But the T’wolves have a way of coming alive during the playoffs, spurred by Anthony Edwards. So, this team is my dark horse.

They’ve reached the Western Conference finals two seasons in a row and know how to turn up the volume when things count most. (Read: Rudy Gobert looking like Shaquille O’Neal last postseason against the Lakers in Game 5 of their first-round series with a 27-point, 24-rebound performance. Or Edwards regularly drawing comparisons to Michael Jordan during the Timberwolves’ 2024 playoff run.)

A UTEP fan got into a heated exchange with members of the Jacksonville State men's basketball team following Saturday's game between the two schools.

Jacksonville State earned a 64-61 victory over UTEP (Texas-El Paso) in a Conference USA game in El Paso on Saturday night.

The game was tied 61-61 when Mostapha El Moutaouakkil, the conference's scoring leader, made a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from the corner to secure the win. He finished the game with 23 points and seven rebounds in 31 minutes played.

An altercation involving the UTEP fan happened after the game, while the players were in the handshake line.

A fan was seen on video briefly holding up a chair while having a verbal exchange with members of the Jacksonville State team.

A UTEP fan picked up a chair amid an exchange with Jacksonville State players on Saturday 😳

(via @espn)pic.twitter.com/KeusXoGvYt

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 8, 2026

The fan and players were quickly separated before the incident got out of hand.

Conference USA and the two schools are expected to review the incident.

"We are reviewing the incident in conjunction with both (athletic directors), but we do not have a statement at this time," a Conference USA spokesperson told ESPN.

UTEP AD Jim Senter told ESPN the school "will take appropriate action as needed."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Conference USA reviewing Jacksonville State, UTEP fan confrontation

LOS ANGELES (AP) — David Martinez scored in the second half and Hugo Lloris made it stand up for a third straight clean sheet to begin the season as Los Angeles FC beat FC Dallas 1-0 on Saturday night.

Neither team scored until Martinez used assists from Stephen Eustáquio and defender Sergi Palencia in the 55th minute to find the net for the first time this season and for the ninth time in the 20-year-old's 49th appearance and 20th start.

Eustáquio has a goal and two assists in his first three MLS matches. Palencia's helper was his first this season and ninth in 86 career matches.

Lloris finished with five saves for LAFC (3-0-0) — off to the best start in its nine-year history with a fifth straight victory in all competitions to begin the season. The club also won its first three league matches for the first time while outscoring its opponents 6-0.

Michael Collodi saved five shots in his third start for Dallas (1-1-1) this season after making nine last year as a rookie. Collodi allowed only eight goals in his nine 2025 starts, making Maarten Paes expendable.

Both keepers had three saves in a scoreless first half.

LAFC leads the all-time series 8-4-3, including a 6-0-1 record at home.

LAFC opened the season at home with a 3-0 victory over defending champion Inter Miami and then blanked the Houston Dynamo 2-0 on the road. The club also posted 6-1 and 1-0 victories over Real España in the CONCACAF Champions Cup to advance to the Round of 16.

Dallas beat Toronto FC 3-2 in its home opener before a playing to a scoreless draw with visiting Nashville SC.

Up next

Dallas: Hosts San Diego FC on Saturday.

Los Angeles: Hosts St. Louis City on Saturday.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer

Tonight the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs complete their season series. San Antonio leads 2-1, and a win for the Spurs would clinch the tiebreaker, not that it’s likely to matter. This is the first of three difficult games in four days for Houston.

To talk about the Spurs, I enlisted the help of my friend, Blaine. He’s a Spurs fan that spent many nights with us in Playback (RIP), and he’s a smart basketball mind and great dude. I asked him some questions and he was kind enough to give some super detailed answers, even when I put him on the spot with San Antonio’s championship chances. I learned a ton, and I hope you do as well.

Armin (AK): By the old Phil Jackson metric, approximately 83% of all NBA champions won 40 games before losing 20. The Spurs are one of three teams that qualify this season. How serious are San Antonio’s chances? What would you consider a successful postseason?

Blaine: Going into this season, I honestly thought we would be happy with the 6 seed. At this point in time, we are probably a year ahead of what I thought our progression would be. Last year, we finished 13th in the West. I figured we would pass Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, and Memphis Grizzlies. I thought Dallas could be dangerous if they were healthy, but we knew Kyrie Iriving was a long shot this year, and Anthony Davis doesn’t have the best luck. I didn’t love Golden State’s offseason, the LA Clippers were (are) going through an interesting Steve Ballmer/Kawhi Leonard based investigation. That left Oklahoma City, y’all, the LA Lakers, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota Timberwolves as teams I thought could stay ahead of us and it still be seen as a potentially successful year of further growth. Y’all lost Fred VanVleet, then Steven Adams, and Dorian Finney-Smith hasn’t been the player I thought he could be for y’all. Denver has had to go without Nikola Jokic for a stretch, Aaron Gordon for longer, and Cam Johnson hasn’t been as big of a factor as I thought he could be for them, but they should be a dangerous team come playoff time. We’ve shown we can matchup well with OKC, beating them 4-1 this season (admittedly, 1 game they basically punted), but they are still the defending champs and current #1 overall seed. 

All this is to say that we definitely have a shot, but history says it’s unlikely. The list is short for teams that found postseason success with as little playoff experience as our core has. On the plus side, Harrison Barnes and Luke Kornet each have 5 playoff runs and one ring each, but Barnes was 5th in minutes for the Warriors in the 2015 finals, Kornet was 11th for the Celtics in 2024. Outside of them, De’Aaron Fox has one playoff series, that’s it for our top 10 players.

On the plus side, we have a generational talent that is continuing to grow (in talent, but some say he might be taller than he was last year), and the team around him is getting better too. I wrote earlier that I thought we would be happy with the 6th seed going into the year. What I didn’t see that had me setting the lower expectations was not only Victor Wembanyama still clinging to the possibility of hitting the 65 game mark, but that we now have a team around him that doesn’t crumble without him on the floor. I believe we are 10-4 in games without him this season, although we were lucky that many of those came during a somewhat forgiving stretch.

Fox has been great, even though it seems like we are keeping his usage a bit lower than he deserves. He hasn’t been getting near the credit he deserves from Spurs fans, which I hope is due to the excitement of our younger core, I can also be guilty of this. I’m glad he got the all-star nod even if there were arguments for other replacements.

Stephon Castle has taken a nice leap. His 3% hasn’t increased much, but I’m more confident in the attempts than I was last year. His playmaking continues to grow and he is probably the best lobber on the team. He’s also the best point-of-attack defender and has had some really nice putbacks. I believe he is deserving of an All-Defensive Team selection. I see him and Amen Thompson as very comparable players. Castle is a better shooter and maybe slight edge in playmaking, while Thompson still has the advantage on defense and rebounding.

Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson have both adjusted their games to become really useful to us. Vassell as a spark plug on offense, and Keldon as a battery and battering ram. Vassell has had a really good shooting stretch. In a 5 game stretch from 2/23-3/3 he averaged 5 3PMs on 62.5%. Johnson is still in the running for 6MOY, although I think the chances have chilled slightly post all star break.

AK: San Antonio appears so deep right now and is seemingly getting contributions from everyone. Besides playoff experience, what do the Spurs need to get to the next level moving forward? Is internal development enough or do you see the Spurs making a splash in free agency in Wemby’s last rookie contract season? (Note: The Spurs will have something around $35-40 million in space under the first apron this summer)

Blaine: Along with the guys above, Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant are also exciting looks into the future while providing valuable play. Harper plays with a veteran’s level of change of pace and shows real flashes of something special, while Bryant has recently shown flashes of becoming a great 3&D player. They are clear parts of the future so some care needs to be taken that we have money available for them when the time comes.

Kornet is the final player I feel sure will be around for the next 3 years. He’s been a really great back up big, even if it doesn’t always show up in the box score. He does so many of the little things that allow the team to be successful.

Barnes has been a solid vet and has gone through stretches of being a really important floor stretcher for us. Unfortunately, his ironman streak of 364 straight regular season games played was snapped due to a sore ankle, his 3% has dropped over 5% from last year, Bryant is showing growth, and his current contract is too big and runs out at the end of the year. He’d be great to have back, but I don’t know that he would or should take the cut needed for us to make it happen.

Julian Champagnie is currently on one of the best contracts (non-rookie or superstar-on-max edition). We have a team option, but I’m sure we will try to renegotiate for a longer deal while trying to keep it somewhat team friendly.

Looking into next year, we have Atlanta’s pick that will likely be a lottery pick. Depending on where that pick falls could determine if we feel like we luck into another rotational piece or if we use it to package for a different piece or future pick. Looking over a list of upcoming FAs, the number of good fits that I think have a ok chance of moving are fairly slim. Rui Hachimura and John Collins are maybe the best options which aren’t the flashiest moves. Therefore, I think our best chance at a big swing would be to sign and trade Barnes packaged with ATL’s pick. A bigger swing would have to include Vassell or Johnson that, as I’ve stated, have been playing well this season and could be considered the hearts of the team, especially Keldon on the latter.

I think it is more likely that we try to make a Barnes deal work, while extending Wemby and Champagnie.

AK: Fill in the blank: The Spurs are winning a title in the next _____ years.

Blaine: When Tim Duncan retired, I said with full sincerity that I would be satisfied as a fan if we never won another because of the 5 rings he brought to my favorite team, and asking for anything further would be greedy. Well, the 3rd lucky pick of a ping pong ball that gave me a generation big to watch has me feeling like Scrooge McDuck. I stated earlier in the year that I’m still not a big fan of the Cup. Players get more money, good for them, but for me as a fan, I’m not ready to give this midseason tournament any prestige. That being said, it was great for us this year. The OKC and New York Knicks games had a solid playoff-like atmosphere that gives the young core at least a small feel of what to expect come playoffs. I’m trying hard to keep my expectations tempered. Injuries happen, guys playing well lead to them earning contracts that break teams apart, teams struggle at the wrong time, and opposing teams have the opposite happen at the right time for them. We aren’t here for that though, and I’m not backing down from your challenge to actually answer this question that I usually talk my way around. Spurs in 3. Maybe we get lucky this year, we have been playing really well. If we make it to the conference finals this year, I think we can rebound and make it through the next. If we flame out early, I think we do whatever we need to to make it work in the 3rd. There, you got me to say it. You happy?

AK: What are your thoughts on the Rockets as an outsider?

Blaine: Before the injuries, I really thought this could be y’all’s year. I’ve been telling you since the start of the year that I think y’all are a bad matchup for us. Wemby has more difficulty with Alperen Sengun’s offensive timing, Kevin Durant is still a bucket, Jabari Smith Jr. gives y’all extra size, and I remain a big fan of both Amen and Reed Sheppard. 

AK: Got any fun tidbits I didn’t ask?

Blaine: Just for fun, Spurs have some pretty good duo names. Ex Area 51 (Wemby/Castle), Pineapple Express (Castle/Vassell), Slash Bros (Castle/Harper), French Vanilla (Wemby/Kornet), White Castle (Castle/Kornet). Do the Rockets have any fun nicknames?

Also, current situation of Wemby chasing Dream’s block record:

Current Pace (3.48) 936 games to overtake (14.4 65 game seasons)

Wemby 1st 3 seasons: 166 games, 577 blocks, 3.48 BPG

Hakeem 1st 3 seasons: 225 games, 705 blocks, 3.13 BPG

Hakeem in 1st 166 games: 501 blocks, 3.02 BPG

Wemby age now 22 years 62 days

Hakeem age first nba game 21 years 280 days

Tip-off

7pm CT

How To Watch

Peacock/NBC

Injury Report

Rockets

Steven Adams: OUT

Fred VanVleet: OUT

Jae’Sean Tate: OUT

Spurs

Harrison Barnes: OUT

Mason Plumlee: OUT

David Jones Garcia: OUT

The Line (as of this post)

SA -4.5

Check here for updates

Looking ahead because we can

Tuesday night at home against the Toronto Raptors