BOTTOM LINE: Indiana travels to Milwaukee looking to break its six-game road slide.
The Bucks are 19-26 in conference play. Milwaukee is ninth in the Eastern Conference with 32.4 defensive rebounds per game led by Giannis Antetokounmpo averaging 7.0.
The Pacers are 3-9 against opponents in the Central Division. Indiana ranks ninth in the Eastern Conference with 26.4 assists per game led by Andrew Nembhard averaging 7.3.
The Bucks score 110.8 points per game, 8.9 fewer points than the 119.7 the Pacers allow. The Bucks average 111.0 points per game, 5.0 fewer points than the 116.0 the Bucks allow to opponents.
The teams meet for the fourth time this season. The Bucks won 105-99 in the last meeting on Feb. 7. Kevin Porter Jr. led the Bucks with 23 points, and Nembhard led the Pacers with 22 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Ryan Rollins is averaging 16.7 points, 5.6 assists and 1.5 steals for the Bucks. Bobby Portis is averaging 2.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Pascal Siakam is averaging 24 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists for the Pacers. Jarace Walker is averaging 14.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Bucks: 2-8, averaging 102.9 points, 39.3 rebounds, 25.4 assists, 7.4 steals and 2.8 blocks per game while shooting 46.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.4 points per game.
Pacers: 0-10, averaging 110.3 points, 39.4 rebounds, 28.1 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 44.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 125.4 points.
INJURIES: Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo: day to day (calf), Ousmane Dieng: day to day (illness).
Pacers: Pascal Siakam: day to day (knee), Johnny Furphy: out for season (knee), Tyrese Haliburton: out for season (achilles), Quenton Jackson: day to day (calf).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: Western Conference foes Sacramento and Utah meet on Sunday.
The Kings are 10-34 in conference games. Sacramento has a 3-4 record in games decided by less than 4 points.
The Jazz have gone 11-31 against Western Conference opponents. Utah allows 125.0 points to opponents while being outscored by 7.6 points per game.
The Kings average 110.6 points per game, 14.4 fewer points than the 125.0 the Jazz give up. The Jazz's 46.5% shooting percentage from the field this season is 2.8 percentage points lower than the Kings have given up to their opponents (49.3%).
The teams play for the fourth time this season. The Jazz won the last meeting 121-93 on Feb. 12. Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 23 points to help lead the Jazz to the victory.
TOP PERFORMERS: DeMar DeRozan is averaging 18.4 points and 3.9 assists for the Kings. Russell Westbrook is averaging 1.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Keyonte George is averaging 23.6 points and 6.1 assists for the Jazz. Brice Sensabaugh is averaging 18.3 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Kings: 4-6, averaging 115.1 points, 44.5 rebounds, 27.7 assists, 8.4 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 47.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 121.3 points per game.
Jazz: 2-8, averaging 112.6 points, 41.0 rebounds, 26.2 assists, 10.9 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 43.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 120.2 points.
INJURIES: Kings: Malik Monk: out (ankle), Domantas Sabonis: out for season (back), Devin Carter: out (calf), De'Andre Hunter: out for season (eye), Zach LaVine: out for season (finger), Drew Eubanks: out (thumb), Keegan Murray: out (ankle).
Jazz: Lauri Markkanen: out (ankle), Ace Bailey: day to day (concussion), Keyonte George: day to day (leg), Walker Kessler: out for season (shoulder), Jusuf Nurkic: out for season (nose), Jaren Jackson Jr.: out for season (knee), John Konchar: day to day (calf).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Phoenix Suns (39-28, seventh in the Western Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (44-23, second in the Eastern Conference)
Boston; Monday, 7:30 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: The Phoenix Suns take on the Boston Celtics in a non-conference matchup.
The Celtics have gone 22-10 in home games. Boston leads the league in team defense, allowing 107.0 points while holding opponents to 44.1% shooting.
The Suns have gone 17-15 away from home. Phoenix is last in the league scoring 42.9 points per game in the paint.
The Celtics are shooting 46.4% from the field this season, 0.6 percentage points lower than the 47.0% the Suns allow to opponents. The Suns score 5.5 more points per game (112.5) than the Celtics give up (107.0).
The teams square off for the second time this season. The Celtics won the last meeting 97-81 on Feb. 25. Derrick White scored 22 points to help lead the Celtics to the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jaylen Brown is averaging 28.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists for the Celtics. White is averaging 17.5 points and 5.1 assists over the past 10 games.
Devin Booker is averaging 25.4 points and six assists for the Suns. Collin Gillespie is averaging 3.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Celtics: 6-4, averaging 110.1 points, 48.8 rebounds, 26.2 assists, 5.5 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 44.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 103.8 points per game.
Suns: 6-4, averaging 108.4 points, 41.1 rebounds, 23.6 assists, 8.2 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 44.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.6 points.
INJURIES: Celtics: Nikola Vucevic: out (finger).
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.
Los Angeles Lakers (42-25, third in the Western Conference) vs. Houston Rockets (41-25, fourth in the Western Conference)
Houston; Monday, 9:30 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Los Angeles visits the Houston Rockets following the Lakers' 127-125 overtime win against the Denver Nuggets.
The Rockets are 23-19 in conference matchups. Houston ranks second in the Western Conference at limiting opponent scoring, giving up only 109.9 points while holding opponents to 45.9% shooting.
The Lakers are 28-16 in Western Conference play. Los Angeles scores 116.5 points and has outscored opponents by 1.2 points per game.
The Rockets are shooting 47.4% from the field this season, 1.0 percentage point lower than the 48.4% the Lakers allow to opponents. The Lakers average 12.1 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.3 fewer makes per game than the Rockets allow.
The teams square off for the second time this season. The Rockets won 119-96 in the last meeting on Dec. 26. Amen Thompson led the Rockets with 26 points, and Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 25 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Thompson is scoring 17.8 points per game and averaging 7.7 rebounds for the Rockets. Kevin Durant is averaging 26.1 points and 6.1 rebounds over the last 10 games.
LeBron James is averaging 21.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and seven assists for the Lakers. Doncic is averaging 34.0 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Rockets: 6-4, averaging 112.1 points, 46.9 rebounds, 24.5 assists, 7.7 steals and 5.8 blocks per game while shooting 48.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.0 points per game.
Lakers: 8-2, averaging 121.7 points, 42.2 rebounds, 28.0 assists, 8.9 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 50.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.4 points.
INJURIES: Rockets: Jae'Sean Tate: out (knee), Fred VanVleet: out for season (acl), Alperen Sengun: day to day (back), Steven Adams: out for season (ankle).
Lakers: Maxi Kleber: out (back).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Memphis Grizzlies (23-43, 11th in the Western Conference) vs. Chicago Bulls (27-40, 12th in the Eastern Conference)
Chicago; Monday, 8 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Memphis travels to Chicago looking to stop its four-game road skid.
The Bulls are 16-18 on their home court. Chicago ranks second in the Eastern Conference with 28.8 assists per game led by Tre Jones averaging 5.5.
The Grizzlies are 11-23 in road games. Memphis ranks third in the Western Conference with 28.5 assists per game led by Cam Spencer averaging 5.5.
The Bulls' 14.6 made 3-pointers per game this season are only 0.7 more made shots on average than the 13.9 per game the Grizzlies give up. The Grizzlies average 13.7 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.2 fewer makes per game than the Bulls allow.
TOP PERFORMERS: Matas Buzelis is averaging 15.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks for the Bulls. Josh Giddey is averaging 2.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Cedric Coward is averaging 13.3 points and 6.3 rebounds for the Grizzlies. GG Jackson is averaging 14.6 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Bulls: 3-7, averaging 112.1 points, 47.5 rebounds, 27.3 assists, 7.0 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 45.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.4 points per game.
Grizzlies: 2-8, averaging 117.1 points, 37.3 rebounds, 27.1 assists, 9.6 steals and 5.4 blocks per game while shooting 46.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 121.7 points.
INJURIES: Bulls: Anfernee Simons: day to day (wrist), Jalen Smith: day to day (calf), Isaac Okoro: day to day (knee), Noa Essengue: out for season (shoulder), Jaden Ivey: out (knee), Zach Collins: out for season (toe), Collin Sexton: day to day (leg).
Grizzlies: Santi Aldama: day to day (knee), Jaylen Wells: day to day (shoulder), Walter Clayton Jr.: day to day (ankle), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: out for season (finger), Ja Morant: out (elbow), Scotty Pippen Jr.: out for season (toe), Zach Edey: out for season (ankle), GG Jackson: day to day (foot), Brandon Clarke: out (calf).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: Philadelphia will try to keep its three-game home win streak alive when the 76ers face Portland.
The 76ers have gone 19-16 at home. Philadelphia is sixth in the Eastern Conference scoring 115.7 points while shooting 46.0% from the field.
The Trail Blazers are 14-19 on the road. Portland gives up 117.7 points to opponents while being outscored by 2.4 points per game.
The 76ers are shooting 46.0% from the field this season, 1.4 percentage points lower than the 47.4% the Trail Blazers allow to opponents. The Trail Blazers average 115.3 points per game, 0.9 fewer than the 116.2 the 76ers give up.
The teams play for the second time this season. In the last matchup on Feb. 10 the Trail Blazers won 135-118 led by 30 points from Toumani Camara, while Tyrese Maxey scored 30 points for the 76ers.
TOP PERFORMERS: Dominick Barlow is scoring 8.2 points per game and averaging 4.7 rebounds for the 76ers. Quentin Grimes is averaging 15.5 points and 3.9 rebounds over the last 10 games.
Donovan Clingan is averaging 12 points, 11.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks for the Trail Blazers. Jerami Grant is averaging 20.1 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting 50.8% over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: 76ers: 5-5, averaging 112.3 points, 41.3 rebounds, 23.6 assists, 10.1 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 47.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.5 points per game.
Trail Blazers: 5-5, averaging 110.5 points, 45.3 rebounds, 25.7 assists, 9.7 steals and 7.7 blocks per game while shooting 45.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.5 points.
INJURIES: 76ers: Andre Drummond: day to day (back), Tyrese Maxey: out (finger), Johni Broome: out (knee), Jabari Walker: day to day (illness), Joel Embiid: out (oblique), Kelly Oubre Jr.: out (elbow).
Trail Blazers: Robert Williams III: day to day (injury management), Shaedon Sharpe: out (calf), Damian Lillard: out for season (achilles).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 14: Marcus Smart #36 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the Denver Nuggets on March 14, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
LOS ANGELES — During the 2020s, beating the Nuggets has become a tough task.
So, on Saturday against Denver, with the season series on the line, it’s no surprise that the Nuggets pushed the Lakers to the brink, forcing them to play their first overtime game of the year.
However, this time the Lakers proved that the past isn’t always an indicator of the future, and they got the better of their Western Conference rival, winning 127-125.
LA’s margin for error was slim, and they needed everyone to bring their A-game.
Austin Reaves needed to miss a free throw on purpose and score off the rebound to extend the game to overtime. Luka Dončić was chucking up shots and knocked down the game-winning basket. And LeBron James, at 41 years old, was fully extending his body, diving on the ground trying to gain possession for his team late in the fourth.
Those three, however, are always asked to do more. It’s part of the pecking order.
A player who did everything in their job description and then some for LA was Marcus Smart.
He scored 21 points, his third-highest scoring total of the season. He had a plus-minus of +16, the best on the team, and five steals, tied with Nikola Jokić for the most in the game.
Smart is a player known for his defensive prowess, but it was his offensive output that made him one of the heroes on Saturday night.
In overtime, with the Lakers down by one with under a minute to go, Dončić and Smart worked the two-man game around the perimeter and Dončić delivered a behind-the-back bounce pass to Smart.
With zero hesitation, Smart gathered himself and knocked it down to put the Lakers in front.
“He was great tonight,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said postgame. “They go up, I can’t remember the exact score, but we had two timeouts in overtime and we elected to go two-for-one, and he hits the three. Those two guys, Luka and him, executed that to perfection, and we ended up getting the last shot, which was the difference in the game because we executed the two.”
Smart had excuses readily available to pass up that shot. Just a week ago, he had a couple of opportunities to help the Lakers beat the Nuggets in Denver, but he missed on some open looks from beyond the arc.
Losing a close contest while missing looks the opponent wanted you to have would make plenty of other players hesitant to take the same shot against that team in a rematch, but Smart isn’t most people.
“It felt good for my teammates to believe in me,” Smart said. “Especially after playing this team a couple of weeks ago, and having some looks to put us up, or tie a game and they not falling. Could’ve easily fell into that trap where we’re like, not again, and I wouldn’t blame Luka or those guys to not trust me, but I think it speaks to our team, speaks to me, speaks to those guys, and how willing they are to trust each other and trust us.”
While the three was the biggest play Smart had, he was an irritant that Denver couldn’t shake all night long. He was disrupting the Nuggets’ shooters, applying intense ball pressure and getting the Lakers out in transition.
Smart’s play won’t regularly make a highlight reel, but his impact is loud and felt on every team he’s ever played for. He is a role player of the highest caliber, the type of guard every playoff team desires on its roster. No task is too small, and no shot on the floor is too big for him to take.
How far the Lakers will go this year is still up in the air, but one thing that’s all but certain is that Smart will be on the floor when that gets decided.
“I’ve been doing this for 12 years, and I pride myself on it,” Smart said. “And it doesn’t always work in my favor, but at least I know, when I leave that court, I left it all on the court. And that’s all I can ask for. So for me, this is a normal day. My teammates needed me to, in a sense, do my job, and I’m gonna go out there every night and try to do my job.” You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
The Lakers' fifth win in a row required heroics from Austin Reaves just to force overtime, which is where Luka Doncic made the final shot of the game.
The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Denver Nuggets 127-125 on Saturday night in one of the best, most entertaining games of the season. Reaves, who finished with 32 points, forced overtime when he intentionally missed a free throw, grabbed the rebound and made a floater with 1.9 seconds remaining in regulation. Lakers center Deandre Ayton deserves credit on that play for clearing out Nikola Jokic and creating the space for Reaves to make his play.
In overtime, Doncic was the hero, hitting the final shot of the night with 0.5 seconds left.
Doncic finished with 30 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds.
Nikola Jokic had a triple-double of his own (his 27th of the season) with 24 points, 16 rebounds and 14 assists. Aaron Gordon scored 27 points to lead the Nuggets. All-Star point guard Jamal Murray had a rough night, shooting 1-of-14 from the floor and fouling out near the end of regulation.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets delivered a heavyweight fight worthy of the national spotlight Saturday night, a 127–125 overtime thriller that swung wildly like a pendulum in a storm. The Lakers led by 17. The Nuggets clawed back and briefly seized a seven-point advantage late. Then chaos took over.
Austin Reaves missed a free throw with five seconds left, chased down the rebound like a man refusing to let the moment escape him, and tied the game with a desperate layup.
AUSTIN REAVES GRABS THE BOARD OFF HIS OWN MISSED FREE THROW AND TIES THE GAME
Overtime followed, where punches were traded possession after possession until Luka Doncic slipped along the baseline and buried the dagger that sent the arena into delirium.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Atlanta Falcons star Bijan Robinson enjoyed watching the same competitive fire between opponents that translates across all of sports.
Despite all the celebrities in attendance, when Doncic’s game-winner splashed through the net, the phones dropped. The celebrities stood. And the building roared.
NBAE via Getty ImagesNBAE via Getty ImagesNBAE via Getty Images
For a brief moment, fame, fortune and followers didn’t matter.
Basketball did.
And on nights like this, in a city that turns everything into theater, the NBA delivered the best show in town.
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VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Bobby McMann had two goals and an assist in his Kraken debut and Seattle beat the Vancouver Canucks 5-2 on Saturday night to end a four-game losing streak and move within a point of the final wild card in the West.
McMann went from Toronto to Seattle at the trade deadline, but was delayed because of a visa issue that was resolved Friday.
His new linemates also had three-point nights, with Matty Beniers finishing with a goal and two assists, and Jordan Eberle added three assists.
Jared McCann and Jamie Oleksiak added goals for the Kraken, and Brandon Montour had two assists. Philipp Grubauer stopped 32 shots.
Evander Kane and Marco Rossi scored for NHL-worst Vancouver. Nikita Tolopilo made 28 saves. The Canucks have five games left on an eight-game homestand.
McMann scored on a power play at the end of the first period and added his second early in the third. Seattle got him for a a fourth-round pick in the 2026 draft and a conditional second-round selection in 2027.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mathieu Choiniere scored twice — the 27-year-old's second career multi-goal game in MLS — and Hugo Lloris had his fourth consecutive shutout on Saturday night to help Los Angeles FC beat St. Louis City 2-0.
Loris finished with four saves for LAFC (4-0-0), which has outscored its opponents 8-0 this season. The 39-year-old Lloris, who had 12 clean sheets in each of his first two seasons with the club, joined Roman Bürki (St. Louis, 2025) as the only players in MLS history with four consecutive shutouts to open a season.
Choiniere, in his ninth MLS season, went into the game with 12 goals in 132 career appearance.
Choiniere intercepted a pass near midfield, raced to the top of the penalty arc and slipped a rolling shot inside the left post to open the scoring in the 73rd minute. Then, in the 81st, Choiniere ripped a shot from near the right corner of the penalty box that skipped between the legs of defender Timo Baumgartl and bent inside the left post to make it 2-0.
Bürki had three saves for St. Louis (0-3-1).
LAFC's Denis Bouanga hit the crossbar with a shot in the opening moments and Nate Ordaz had his shot from the center of the area bounce off the right post.
Players for both teams wore black armbands with “IL” in white lettering to honor Ilona Löwen, the wife of St. Louis City's Eduard Löwen, who died Monday following a two-year battle with brain cancer. Eduard Löwen, who signed with St. Louis as a designated player in 2022, has not played this season.
The Los Angeles Lakers continue to prove they have what it takes to be considered a contender in the Western Conference this year.
Luka Doncic and the Lakers defended home court on Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena, beating the Denver Nuggets 127-125 in overtime.
The Lakers have now won five straight games and eight of their last nine games. The team improved to 42-25 overall and sits third in the conference.
Doncic produced 30 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds for a triple-double against Denver. It was the Slovenian’s seventh 30-point triple-double this season and the 55th of his career.
Doncic broke free of a double team to hit a jumper with 0.5 seconds remaining in overtime to break a 125-125 tie and give Los Angeles the edge.
“I felt like it was the best atmosphere since I've been a Laker,” Doncic told reporters after the game. “The whole crowd was into it and was really special to witness that."
The clutch performance followed Doncic's previous game, where he nearly put together a triple-double. He had 51 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.
Austin Reaves helped send the game to overtime when he intentionally missed a free-throw attempt and collected the rebound to score a jumper and tie the game at 118 with 1.9 seconds left in regulation.
AUSTIN REAVES GRABS THE BOARD OFF HIS OWN MISSED FREE THROW AND TIES THE GAME 😲
Reaves finished the game with 32 points, seven rebounds and six assists. LeBron James added 17 points, six rebounds and five assists and Marcus Smart scored 21 points.
For 30 ½ minutes on Saturday night, the Lakers were in the driver’s seat while hosting the Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena. And then the Nuggets were in control.
And then each team gave the other their best shots.
But the Lakers had the best shot: a game-winning 17-foot fadeaway jumper from Luka Doncic in overtime to give the Lakers a 127-125 dramatic win over the Nuggets to close out a 5-0 homestand they had three of their best victories of the season during.
“He just made a great basketball play, got to his spot and hit a tough shot,” coach JJ Redick said. “And that was a great moment for him. I’m happy for him.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic shoots a game winning shot while under pressure from Denver Nuggets forward Spencer Jones during overtime at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Doncic capped off the game with another big play when he blocked Tim Hardaway Jr.’s last second-shot attempt, sealing the victory for the Lakers.
But Doncic wasn’t alone in his late-game heroics.
There was LeBron James, at 41 years old, fully extending his body while diving on the floor for a loose ball to force a jump ball with the Lakers down, 112-111, with 54.6 seconds left in regulation.
“Just living in the moment – understanding the impact of the game, the implications of the game and our opponent and what we’re trying to build,” James said. “Every possession matters.”
After the Lakers lost the jump ball, Marcus Smart picked Aaron Gordon’s pocket, making a layup in transition to momentarily give the Lakers a one-point lead in regulation. And when the game went into overtime, Smart once again stepped up with a 3-pointer that gave the Lakers a 125-123 lead with 31 seconds left.
Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton also made big plays on both ends of the floor to help the Lakers beat the Nuggets.
Doncic didn’t have the most efficient shooting night (10 of 26), but he recorded a 30 point-13 assist-11 rebound triple-double.
Reaves led the Lakers with 32 points, seven rebounds and six assists, making big plays in his own right during a game several Laker plays did.
Smart made five 3-pointers and recorded five steals, finishing with 21 points, while LeBron James added 17 points, six rebounds, five assists and a pair of steals.
Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with a 24 point-16 rebound-14 assist triple-double.
Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball during the game against the Denver Nuggets on March 14, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) NBAE via Getty Images
What it means
The Lakers improved to 42-25 on the season, moving back up to third in the Western Conference’s standings.
They won the regular season series over the Nuggets (41-27), 2-1, with Denver staying at sixth in the West.
The Lakers are on a five-game winning streak.
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the Denver Nuggets on March 14, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) NBAE via Getty Images
Turning point
With the Lakers down 118-116 with 5.2 seconds left in regulation, Reaves intentionally missed his second free throw before grabbing an offensive rebound off of his own miss and hitting an eight-foot floater to tie the game at 118 apiece.
“I knew I was going to miss,” Reaves said. “I wasn’t going to give the ball an opportunity to go in. Some people shoot it high and they end up making it on accident. But I don’t think my ball ever got over 10 feet.”
End of 4Q: Lakers 118, Nuggets 118.
Austin Reaves intentionally missed the 2nd FT and made the runner to send Lakers-Nuggets into OT.
Both of the Lakers star guards made big plays down the stretch to put the Lakers in position to beat the Nuggets.
They combined for 62 points, 19 assists, 18 rebounds, four blocked shots and two steals.
Stat of the game: 6
Saturday marked Doncic’s sixth career game-winning field goal in the final five seconds of a game (five in the regular season, one in the playoffs), according to the Lakers.
Up next
The Lakers will kick off a six-game road trip when they play the Rockets on Monday at Toyota Center.
It’ll be the first of two matchups in Houston, with the Lakers playing the Rockets again on Wednesday.
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Isaac Johnson scored 22 points to lead No. 2 seed Hawaii to a 71-64 victory over top-seeded UC Irvine on Saturday night for the Rainbow Warriors' first Big West Championship title and NCAA Tournament berth since 2016 — coach Eran Ganot's first with the program.
Hawaii (24-8) led for most of the game and took the lead for good on Johnson's layup with about 10 minutes to play. UC Irvine pulled to 66-64 with 38 seconds left but Harry Rouhliadeff answered with a layup and then Dre Bullock followed with a breakaway two-hand slam dunk to help seal it for the Warriors.
Rouhliadeff, who had 16 points and 10 rebounds in a 78-63 win against Cal State Fullerton in the semifinal, finished with 15 points and a season-high 12 rebounds against the Anteaters for his second double-double of the season. Bullock also scored 15 points to go with seven rebounds for the Warriors.
Jurian Dixon scored 17 points for UC Irvine (23-11). Derin Saran and Kyle Evans added 13 points apiece and Andre Henry had 12.
Hawaii entered 0-3 in matchups against UC Irvine in the tournament (2013, 2018 quarterfinals and 2015 finals).
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INGLEWOOD, CA - JANUARY 3: Luka Garza #52 and Neemias Queta #88 of the Boston Celtics high five during the game against the LA Clippers on January 3, 2026 at Intuit Dome 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
BOSTON — When Neemias Queta finally checked out of Saturday’s game against the Washington Wizards, Luka Garza shot to his feet and slapped Queta’s chest in congratulatory fashion. Queta had just completed one of his best games of the season — tallying 24 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks, and a steal — and Garza was eager to celebrate.
Such has been a common sight on the sidelines. Whenever one Celtics big man has put together a strong performance this season, the other center celebrates the success as though it were their own.
“We definitely are great friends,” Garza told CelticsBlog before Saturday’s game.
So, in typical fashion, as Queta exploded for a career-best 22 points in the first half, Garza was the first to his feet after every basket, pumping his fist at every putback and crafty finish that Queta converted.
Then, in the second half, the roles had somewhat reversed, and Garza was the one hitting shot after shot, finishing the game with 15 points.
This time, it was Queta leaping to his feet every time Garza
“When I’m on the bench, I’m just trying to cheer him up as much as I can,” Queta said. “Maybe learn a little bit with the crashing, and be[ing] able to get offensive rebounds.”
The two big men — who rarely share the floor — together combined for 39 points on Saturday, their highest-scoring total as Celtics teammates. The two have very different cultural backgrounds — Queta grew up in Portugal, Garza in Virginia — but have become fast friends in Boston.
And, they’re bonded by a similar uphill journey to make it in the NBA. Both centers were drafted in 2021, in the second round; Queta was picked 33rd by the Sacramento Kings, and Garza was picked 52nd by the Detroit Pistons. Both have fought for two-way contracts, and in moments, felt their future in the NBA was in jeopardy.
“There’s just a level of respect there from both of our journeys of coming to the league and both being second-round draft picks, both being in and out of the G League, not really getting a chance,” Garza told CelticsBlog before Saturday’s game. “And then, obviously, this year being the year that both of us get the biggest opportunities of our careers. So, I think there’s a lot of support for each other through that.”
Luka Garza gave Neemias Queta a standing ovation as he checked out of the game
Now, both are playing their best basketball, having received their most extended opportunities yet.
After being the Celtics’ fourth-string center last year, Queta has started every game he’s appeared in this season. He’s averaging 10 points and 8.4 rebounds in 25 minutes a night, having established himself as one of the league’s elite big man defenders.
Garza is averaging a career-high 7.2 points and 3.9 rebounds in 15.7 minutes per game, having appeared in 56 of the Celtics’ 67 games. He’s shooting 42.1% from three — a stark improvement from his 27.8% clip last year. Compared to Queta, Garza’s role has been more inconsistent; he’s dealt with stretches of DNPs and more limited minutes, especially in the weeks after Nikola Vucevic’s arrival in Boston.
But Luka Garza has always stayed ready
Despite fluctuating opportunities, Garza’s mindset and preparation have never wavered. So, when Vucevic fractured his ring finger last Friday, Garza was ready to slot back into the rotation.
“If I’m not playing, I’m really focused on growth and development and working on what I can do to improve when the next chance comes,” Garza said. “That helps keep my mind right in shape and all those kinds of things. So when it does come, then I’m ready.”
Another key?
Garza’s game-day routine never changes, regardless of how things have gone of late.
“The last three years in Minnesota, more often than not, I wasn’t going to check in, but I still kept the same routine, just because you never know what can happen,” he said. “And I’ve seen guys who don’t do that, and then the opportunity comes, and they’re not ready. And those small opportunities that you take advantage of can change your life, can change your career.”
It’s that type of preparation that has allowed Garza to pour in 15 points on 5-6 shooting in 15 minutes on Saturday. And, during game action, when Garza is on the sidelines, he’s scouting Queta’s every step.
“During the game, I’m mostly watching him, because that’s my position, that’s what’s happening in the game – I’m locked in on him,” Garza said. “I’m locked in on how he’s setting screens, how they’re treating him. If they’re trying to go under, if they’re trying to go over.”
Neemias Queta was the first person up after this awesome putback by Luka Garza
If Queta’s positioning is at all off on either end of the floor, Garza tries to note that too. Anything he observes from the sideline is critical information he’ll use when he checks into the game. In particular, Garza looks to study Queta’s defensive positioning, which has become critical to the Celtics’ success.
“I’m always just kind of watching and seeing, and that leads to learning a lot from him, especially defensively, and just how he anchors the paint and his positioning, especially in deep situations when he’s playing kind of a deeper drop,” Garza said. “And, there are certain times that I’ll be in that [coverage] as well, and that’s something I’ve always looked to improve on and get better at.”
And, when roles are revesed and Queta is on the sidelines, he takes it as an opportunity to study Garza’s uncanny ability to offensive rebound.
“He’s such a workhorse,” Queta said. “And, he really gets his imprint on the game.”
For Joe Mazzulla, both players have been critical to the Celtics’ success this season.
“They’re both different in their versatility,” Mazzulla said. “They both can impact matchups. They both can impact coverages. You can play different coverages with them defensively. They both do a great job of playing off of each other, having an understanding that they need each other, and that our team needs both of them to be really good, and they both have an understanding of what each guy can do. When you have that, it’s just part of being a good team. It’s a credit to those guys for helping us be that.”
Off the court, the two have grabbed dinner and gotten to know each other in a more meaningful way.
“Neemi’s an awesome dude,” Garza said. “This team, in general, is really connected.”
Queta and Garza’s underlying friendship has been one of the many strong relationships key to the Celtics’ success. Hugo Gonzalez and Baylor Scheierman are in theory competing for minutes, but that hasn’t stopped them from being the best of friends.
“At the end of the day, everyone’s goal is to win,” Mazzulla said.
All season long, Queta and Garza have helped the Celtics do just that.
Joe Burrow & Bijan Robinson in the building for 
