Category: NBA

Those of you who stayed up to watch our 17-win Nets play into the wee hours of the morning were rewarded with an entertaining bout, a touch of history, and somehow still, a lottery-friendly game result.

Those of you who reading this in the morning, first off, no one is blaming you. Hanging with this team in any capacity through this point in the season is more than admirable. So, we’ll do our best to deliver everything that went down anyway…

Brooklyn’s usual, and by that I mean “poor,” start tonight in no way indicated the wild ride they’d eventually take us on. They began the game 2-10 from the field and looked headed for another blowout in a hurry. With a few timely cutes and slick feeds, the Nets queued themselves up several good looks at the rim, but just couldn’t slide the turkey into the oven.

However, the Warriors, who’ve gone 7-16 since having to shelve Steph Curry with runners knee, had their own debilitating basketball vice in the opening minutes too. Golden State surrendered 10 turnovers in the first period alone. And with that grace provided by the extra possessions, Brooklyn eventually found its footing, pulled into the lead, and its shooting above 50% from the frame.

Even as the offense improved, Brooklyn’s closing minutes of the first weren’t without their mistakes…

Fitting end to a funny first quarter. pic.twitter.com/PA3gily1Av

— Collin Helwig (@collinhelwig) March 26, 2026

In fairness, we’re well beyond asking for perfect, or even decent basketball from this young, hard-working, but obviously talent-deficient team. However, as the game rolled on, the former traits shined brighter than the latter, and brighter than gold.

Brooklyn continued to turn the Warriors over in the second, getting their total up to 15 less than 18 minutes into the game. The Nets also got up by a dozen around that point after Ben Saraf nailed a triple that broke a streak of 18 straight misses for him from deep. Brooklyn’s audaciousness grew so abundant in the second, that at one point, Terance Mann tried to drop a hammer on one of the best statistical rim protectors of our time…

Another look at Terance Mann's near poster on Porzingis. Almost got there. pic.twitter.com/FrF2IIIw2B

— Collin Helwig (@collinhelwig) March 26, 2026

Wisely, Golden State started slowing things down after that, getting to the line and getting 10 points there in the period. They were about to close the half on a 16-9 run until Malachi Smith, with his second 10-day contract still damp with ink, bolted past everyone for lay-in off the glass that made it a 58-50 game at the break.

Jalen Wilson and Ziaire Williams led the Nets with 11 points each at that point. Williams nabbed four steals along the way as well. The most he’d had in a game before tonight was five. He tied that mark less than three minutes into the second half and surpassed it a few minutes later. He finished with a whopping six to go with 19 points on 6-11 shooting.

One of the few other veterans available tonight, Nic Claxton, was less involved in the box score both at half and beyond. Clax picked up his fourth foul of the game with 5:27 to go and ended up with only three shot attempts in the first half. He logged just eight points in 20 minutes for the game and did not play beyond the third quarter.

In that period, Golden State looked primed to re-take the lead the after starting it on a 12-5 run. However, Drake Powell said “not so fast” with two back-to-back threes that kept his team afloat.

DRAK3 POW3LL

back-to-back triples for the rook 👌 pic.twitter.com/Hwzq1H22PW

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 26, 2026

But while maintaining their buoyancy, the Nets eventually drifted into rough waters, and took the Warriors with them. Like a limp sailboat, both teams rocked back and forth in the latter half of the third, trading possessions and points at a rapid pace as the turnovers and shot-making both increased.

Gui Santos, who averages 8.3 points per game, added 15 points in the quarter while shooting 3-4 from deep. Brooklyn got their own “where’d that guy come from” contributions amidst the chaos as well, as Chaney Johnson added a quick six points in the frame. Williams, however, remained the guy, adding another eight before the start of the fourth.

There, the Nets started with an 86-77 lead, though Santos’ hot shooting quickly threatened the advantage again. Getting support now from Gary Payton II, Brandin Podziemski, and Draymond Green at the defensive end, the Warriors made their first three triples to open the period and tied things up 88-88 with 8:10 remaining.

Again, Drake Powell tried to change the tide, picking off a pass and going the distance to give Brooklyn back the lead once play resumed. But the Warriors, who still feel like a force of nature for this writer whose formative years took place during their heyday, maintained the look of a strong swell midway through the fourth. Next time down the floor, De’Anthony Melton got in for an easy two before Will Richard walked into a three that gave Golden State it’s first lead since the first period.

However, Golden State couldn’t get any further, and even took a few steps back with many of the final minutes played either with the score tied again or with Brooklyn ahead by a possession or two. Smith played a large part in that, beating the shot clock, blanketing defense, and the odds odds just to be there tonight at one point…

Tough shot in a tough moment. Malachi Smith is making a lot of viewers sweat tonight.

The Nets re-signed him this morning. pic.twitter.com/yKz4dKWJoX

— Collin Helwig (@collinhelwig) March 26, 2026

The Warriors, on the other hand, opted to roll with Porzingis in isolation down the stretch and found mixed results. On many occasions, the Unicorn looked more like a run down horse, missing short on a variety of looks around the paint. He did, however, rise over everyone to flush in a missed layup from Santos that tied things back up. Not long after that, he drew a foul on Johnson that brought him to the line and Golden State back up two with just under a minute to go.

In game riddled with responses from both teams, Brooklyn’s next was the best by a landslide, even if it wasn’t game-deciding. Next time down the floor, Saraf put Draymond on a poster and possibly into a retirement home. Maybe it’s just getting late here, but I think he gave him a bit of a stare after too…

Ben Saraf puts it on Draymond Green's head.

We are tied. pic.twitter.com/LaeLD8ij9L

— Collin Helwig (@collinhelwig) March 26, 2026

But while Saraf’s jam had many on the Brooklyn bench smiling from ear to ear, it was Melton who got the last laugh. On the subsequent possession, the legendary ex-Net drew a foul made the necessary free throw to give his team the lead.

With only a handful of seconds remaining after that and no timeouts, the Nets had to heave the ball across the court. Rather than another chance at redemption, Josh Minott’s pass found Melton’s hands. The clock quickly ran out, the Nets told everyone “goodnight,” and picked up their eighth loss in a row.

Alas, once could argue Nets “won” with their 17 steals tonight, the most in a game in over a decade. With the Washington Wizards mopping the floor with the Utah Jazz, they also pulled into a tie with them for the second slot in the lottery standings.

We’re a ways to go, both in seeing how much that’ll matter and getting to the point where real wins are on the table, but certainly closer now.

Final: Golden State Warriors 109, Brooklyn Nets 106

Milestone Watch

• Ziaire Williams career-high six steals tonight in Golden State are the most by a Net since Caris LeVert’s six on 2/22/20 at Charlotte.
• The Nets have a season-high 17 steals tonight against the Warriors, which is their most in a game since recording 19 vs. Chicago on 3/3/14.

Next Up

Nets #afterdark continues on Friday evening as Brooklyn will head out to Los Angeles for a date with the Los Angeles Lakers. For those unaware, Luka Doncic has been on an absolute tear lately at the offensive end. That should provide the night owls among you with some entertainment even as the Nets likely get beat to a pulp. This one tips off at 10:30 p.m. EST.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Gui Santos scored a career-high 31 points, Draymond Green made two clutch free throws with 6.9 seconds remaining and the Golden State Warriors beat the Brooklyn Nets 109-106 on Wednesday to clinch a play-in spot.

Brandin Podziemski had 22 points, six rebounds and five assists for the Warriors (35-38), who won their first game at Chase Center since returning from a grueling 2-4 road trip.

Kristaps Porzingis added 17 points and De’Anthony Melton had 14, including a pair of free throws in the final seconds, as Golden State beat Brooklyn in San Francisco for the first time since Dec. 16, 2023.

Ziaire Williams had 19 points for the Nets, who have lost nine straight. Jalen Wilson added 15 points off the bench while Ben Saraf had 14 points and seven rebounds.

The sellout at Chase Center was the 600th consecutive sellout for the Warriors, the sixth-longest streak in NBA history.

The Nets led most of the game, trailed going into the fourth then wore down over the final 12 minutes. Brooklyn shot 8 for 20 (2 for 9 behind the arc) down the stretch.

Still without injured star Stephen Curry, the Warriors committed 15 turnovers in the first two quarters and had trouble running their offense with much consistency.

The Nets also got off to a sluggish start and missed 10 of their first 15 shots before Williams warmed up. The former first-round draft pick repeatedly attacked through the paint and scored 11 points to help Brooklyn to a 58-50 halftime lead.

Golden State pulled within 63-62 midway through the third before Powell made consecutive 3-pointers to get Brooklyn on track.

Up next

Nets: Face the Lakers in Los Angeles on Friday.

Warriors: Host the Wizards on Friday.

The Dallas Mavericks (23-50) dropped their fifth straight game Wednesday, falling 142-135 to the Denver Nuggets (45-28) in a game that felt within reach early before completely getting away from them late. Dallas had a few solid stretches to start, showing some offensive rhythm and energy, but couldn’t sustain it as Denver’s shot-making and overall execution took over. Cooper Flagg continued his strong stretch with 26 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, while P.J. Washington added 19 points and 15 rebounds with steady production inside. On the other side, Jamal Murray put together a dominant performance with 53 points, and Nikola Jokić orchestrated everything with 23 points, 21 rebounds and 19 assists, as the Nuggets controlled the game from the middle quarters on.

The Mavericks hung around for stretches in the first half, but a Jamal Murray explosion ultimately tilted the game, as the Denver Nuggets took a 68-59 lead into halftime in a game that quickly started to feel like it was slipping away. Dallas opened with solid energy, getting contributions from multiple spots, as Naji Marshall scored efficiently and Cooper Flagg made his presence felt early as both a scorer and a playmaker, helping keep things within reach. Flagg had a noticeable impact in those opening minutes—knocking down pull-ups, attacking downhill, and creating looks for others—while Marshall’s shot-making kept the offense afloat during key stretches.

But every time the Mavericks made a push, Murray had an answer. He completely took over the second quarter, piling up 33 first-half points on 11-of-15 shooting and 6-of-9 from deep, hitting pull-ups, step-backs, and tough contested shots that Dallas simply couldn’t slow down. At the same time, Nikola Jokić quietly controlled everything else, finishing the half with 11 assists and 9 rebounds, consistently creating easy looks and keeping Denver’s offense flowing even without scoring much himself.

Dallas had some bright spots, though. There were moments especially in the third where Dallas strung together a few stops and got downhill, but it never turned into anything real, as missed shots, turnovers, and Denver’s instant responses kept resetting the margin.

The Mavs need a stopper

If this game didn’t make it obvious, nothing will Dallas desperately needs a guard who can defend at the point of attack. Jamal Murray didn’t just have a good night, he had complete control, getting wherever he wanted and scoring however he wanted, finishing with 53 points on 19-of-28 shooting and 9-of-14 from three. There was no real resistance at the top of the defense no one who could consistently stay in front, disrupt his rhythm, or even make him uncomfortable. Once he got downhill or into his pull-up game, it was over, and that kind of pressure completely breaks a defense before it even has a chance to rotate.

This is where roster construction starts to matter. Dallas has length and some versatility in the frontcourt, but without a guard who can actually contain the ball, none of it holds up. You can’t ask your bigs to clean everything up every possession, especially against elite shot-makers. That’s why this draft becomes so important. It’s not just about adding talen it’s about adding the right kind of player. Someone who can fight over screens, stay attached, and at least make life harder for guys like Murray at the point of attack.

Because nights like this aren’t just about one player getting hot they expose a structural issue. And until Dallas finds a guard who can defend at that level, this is going to keep happening.

Someone seeds to close, eventually

The Mavericks have played a ton of close games this season, but the results just haven’t followed, and that’s something that continues to show up late in these losses. Too often, possessions in crunch time turn into rushed shots, stalled actions, or empty trips, while a single defensive breakdown on the other end swings momentum the other way. It’s not just one game it’s been a pattern, and it speaks to a team that’s still learning how to execute when everything tightens up.

That said, context matters right now. Dallas isn’t necessarily trying to squeeze out every late-game win at this point in the season, and losses like these actually help their lottery positioning. There’s value in being competitive and getting those reps without sacrificing long-term upside, especially in a strong draft class.

But long term, this is something to watch especially with Cooper Flagg. He’s already showing flashes as a primary creator, but closing games is the next step: controlling tempo, getting to the right spots, and making the right reads under pressure. It’s okay that it’s messy right now given where the team is, but if the Mavericks want to take a real step forward next season, turning these close games into wins has to be part of that growth.

Cooper Flagg continues to shine

Cooper Flagg continues to look more and more like the centerpiece of what Dallas is building, and nights like this are a big part of why. He finished with 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, impacting the game in just about every way despite the result. What stands out isn’t just the production it’s how he’s getting it. He’s initiating offense, pushing in transition, making reads out of drives, and consistently putting pressure on the defense as both a scorer and playmaker.

This stretch has been especially encouraging. Over the past few games, Flagg has been steadily trending upward, not just in scoring, but in overall control of the game. He’s starting to look more comfortable as the primary option, picking his spots better and showing more patience when defenses collapse. Even when shots don’t fall, he’s still influencing possessions through rebounds, assists, and defensive activity.

There are still things to clean up, especially late-game execution and shot selection in tighter moments, but that’s expected at this stage. The important part is that the flashes are becoming more consistent. For a team leaning into development, Flagg isn’t just putting up numbers he’s showing real signs of growth as a lead initiator, and that’s the biggest takeaway moving forward.

Down eight at halftime and down nine in the fourth quarter to a Brooklyn Nets team that came into Chase Center with one of the worst records in the NBA, the Golden State Warriors looked like a squad still jet-lagged from everything the road took from them. The Dubs coughed up twenty-six turnovers and this looked like a bad loss brewing to a tanking team.

And then Gui Santos decided he didn’t care about any of that.

Career night for the man from Brazil 🇧🇷@googlecloud || Player of the Game pic.twitter.com/jTfgddCVAo

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) March 26, 2026

The 23-year-old finished with 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting, a career statement carved out against a legitimately bad team, yes, but carved out nonetheless. When a young player finds that kind of rhythm, the opponent’s record becomes irrelevant. Santos was locked in.

The fourth quarter told the real story. Brooklyn tied the game 106-106 with under a minute left, Ben Saraf’s driving dunk over Draymond Green threatening to turn a sloppy Warriors performance into a loss nobody could explain away. Then De’Anthony Melton, who finished with 14 points and 9 rebounds, stepped to the line and hit the go-ahead free throw. Melton stopped Saraf on the next possession and Green, ice in his veins at the line down the stretch, sealed it at 109-106. That closing sequence was Warriors basketball at its most essential: survive the mess you made, close it with character.

The Warriors have clinched a spot in the play-in after tonight’s win.

LETS GO DUBNATION 🔒🔥 pic.twitter.com/EaqDVPfPrs

— Warriors Lead (@DubsLead) March 26, 2026

Two wins in a row. First game back home after a road trip that tested this team’s identity at every stop.

Here’s the real concern the scoreboard can’t hide, though. Twenty-six turnovers against a 17-56 team is not a footnote; I see it as more of a flashing warning light. The Warriors gave up 28 points off those turnovers. Against a playoff contender, this game isn’t close at the end. That number needs to get addressed in practice, in film, in conversation, because the schedule doesn’t stay this forgiving.

But tonight, Chase Center got its team back. Santos gave them a reason to be loud. Sometimes winning ugly is exactly what a team healing from the road needs most.

The Utah Jazz likely had this game circled on the calendar for some time. It’s the matchup of two ultra tankers facing off, and the prize for losing was all-important playoff positioning. The Utah Jazz came out on top … I mean, as the losers 133-110.

At halftime, the Jazz were down a massive amount, way more than anyone expected.

pic.twitter.com/IIsDXsVXnj

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) March 26, 2026

It’s a good thing because the Jazz got an incredible boost from Blake Hinson. In 11 minutes tonight, Hinson was 4/5 from three, 6/8 from the field, and a +15 in a blowout loss. His shooting with this Jazz team has been incredible, and he’s looking like one of the big steals of the current rebuild. It’s really nice to see because it’s showing that Utah is finding players from multiple avenues that can contribute. Utah has Hinson for two seasons minimum with his two-way contract, but they may want to find a way to give him a standard contract next season. His shooting and overall feel for the game make him a valuable role player. Not bad at all for the Jazz to find a player like that from the G-League, and they didn’t have to use a single asset to make it happen.

We also need to give Ace Bailey some major credit for some of his highlight plays. Bailey had a bad shooting night tonight, but it felt like every one of his scores was a highlight dunk. This reverse dunk was unbelievable.

ACE IS AT IT AGAIN 😱🤩♠️ pic.twitter.com/EzHEuMFFA9

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 26, 2026

He’ll still have some up and down nights shooting the ball, but the ceiling for Ace Bailey continues to rise.

Finally, there needs to be huge credit given to Cody Williams, who has been asked to do things outside of his comfort zone. Overall, he’s doing a solid job. Williams had a great night with 24 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist. He’s playing under control and, most importantly, with real confidence. That confidence is great to see, as it shows Williams can be a contributor to winning basketball for the Jazz. If he continues on this trajectory, there’s no reason not to believe he can’t be a core part of a future playoff rotation.

It’s a massively important loss for the Jazz, who stay in the hunt for the #4 spot with the Kings.

INDIANAPOLIS — The Lakers’ season was not going to be defined by a late March road trip. But when the games truly start to matter, the six games LA battled through could very well serve as a reference point.

On Wednesday, the purple and gold closed out its stint away from Crypto.com Arena with a win over the Pacers that was much more comfortable than the 137-130 final score would indicate. It was the punctuation on a trip in which they went 5-1, with the only loss coming to the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed in the Detroit Pistons.

Across those six games, the Lakers faced a myriad of challenges, both on and off the court. They found solutions for nearly all of them and, as a result, head back home with a real chance to finish the regular season on a high.

“This is the thing that we’ve talked about a bunch is just play the game in front of you and win the game in front of you,” head coach JJ Redick said. “It’s not about looking ahead. It’s more, ‘What does this game present?’ And each game on this trip presented a different problem that we had to solve and a different matchup nightmare that we had to solve and our guys did a great job of executing throughout the trip.”

The problems presented themselves in a myriad of ways. In Houston, it was athleticism. In Miami, it was sleep deprivation. In Detroit, it was physicality. In Indiana, it was the speed and pace of play.

But the Lakers found answers in different ways, too. The defense stepped up in Houston. Luka Dončić had a career night in Miami — and a career stretch of games during the road trip. Luke Kennard had the big shot in Orlando.

And on Monday, it was Bronny James who provided a spark.

The seldom-used sophomore guard parlayed his recent success in the G League into a rare appearance with the depleted parent Lakers. And they weren’t ceremonial minutes, but important ones that included a momentum-stopping jumper late in the fourth quarter to stem the tide of a Pacers run.

“He did a great job today,” Luka said of Bronny. “A big game from him. That pull-up two [in the fourth quarter], it was a big bucket. It was probably one of the most important shots of the game. They’re coming back, he hits that one. I think he did really great in those minutes.”

While Bronny is not the solution himself, he is emblematic of the Lakers’ ability to find answers. When the playoffs came around last season, they ran out of ideas quickly, bowing out in swift fashion as a result.

This season, the Lakers are a more resilient group with an ability and willingness to problem-solve, something they proved time and time again over the last week-and-a-half.

“I think we did a great job – even the game we lost that we could have won – I think just not giving up,” Luka said. “Numerous times, teams went on a run and we didn’t give up. We just kept at it.”

By keeping at it, the Lakers have positioned themselves for a strong finish. Of their final nine games, six are at home, seven are in California and only once will they have to leave the Pacific time zone. Games against Brooklyn, Washington, Dallas and Utah will match them up against tanking teams.

Following Wednesday’s results, they sit 1.5 games up on Denver, two games up on Minnesota and 3.5 games up on Houston with tiebreakers over all three teams.

Even with a game against OKC left on the schedule, the Lakers, should they simply take care of business in the final two weeks of the regular season, are primed to lock up the No. 3 seed for a second year in a row.

But if they’re to avoid the fate that followed last year’s team after the regular season ended, it’ll likely be performances like these six road games they can turn to in order to see their ride through the postseason last a little bit longer.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t put their best foot forward to start this game. Let’s go over today’s winners and losers.

LOSER- Coming Out Flat

Second night of a back-to-back. Numerous key players are down due to injury. Random, meaningless game in March. I understand all of the context.

That still doesn’t mean it’s okay for the Cavs to come out as flat as they did tonight.

Miami built an early 20-point lead after pouncing all over Cleveland’s poor effort. Some of the Cavaliers’ offensive concerns can be excused due to simply missing shots (they shot 3-15 from three in the first half). But their defensive integrity was nowhere to be found. That’s especially concerning, considering Kenny Atkinson previously called them out for their poor defense against the Magic just 24 hours ago.

It’s a combination of scheme and execution. The Cavs have always rotated early and dug deep into the paint to provide help on drives. But their timing and process on this strategy have been worse as of late. They are frequently over-committing and opening themselves up to three-point onslaughts. It’s worrying that even middling offenses like the Heat can impose their will on the Cavaliers so quickly to start a game.

The Cavs proved they can ‘flip a switch’ once the second half began. The comeback was as electric as anything. With that said, I can’t blame any of the hometown fans who booed their team during the first half. That was a bad effort — and they dug themselves a hole that was ultimately too much to get out of.

WINNER – Donovan Mitchell’s Second Half Effort

Mitchell has a knack for getting the Cleveland crowd on its feet. This Cavalier team was being booed off the floor entering halftime. By the end of the third quarter, Mitchell had them in a full frenzy as his 13 points fueled a comeback and tied the game.

It was everything we’ve come to expect from Mitchell. Elite three-point shooting. Dazzling dribble moves. And a one-man heat check that brought his team (and the crowd) back to life. Mitchell hit three three-pointers in the third quarter, including back-to-back shots to swing the momentum all the way back into Cleveland’s favor.

As previously mentioned, Atkinson called out his team’s ‘compete level’ after their narrow win over Orlando. Specifically, he urged his two leaders (presumably Mitchell and James Harden) to respond. It took a full half for Mitchell to get the message, but by the end of the game, it was clear he took it to heart.

Mitchell opened the fourth quarter by diving for the ball and forcing a jumpball. That kind of scrappiness from a player who is currently on fire shooting the rock is the definition of leading by example. Mitchell’s energy sparked the run.

LOSER – Evan Mobley

Think of the things you don’t want to see from Evan Mobley. Indecisiveness. A lack of confidence. Probing aimlessly and taking shots that feel hopeless.

That’s what we saw tonight.

At one point in the first half, Mobley was working one-on-one against Bam Adebayo with the shot clock winding down. Mobley took a step-back dribble, and as he was gathering for the jumper, Bam visibly waved him off and turned around for the rebound. Mobley nearly airballed the shot.

It’s worth saying the Heat deployed a great defensive scheme. Their mixture of zone and double-coverage kept Mobley from finding an open space to operate. They sped him up and made him passive. That’s a credit to Miami.

“They mixed in a lot of zone,” said Kenny Aktinson after the game. “Those guys are tough; they’re a darn good defensive team. I think Evan’s next evolution is when they start swarming him, making those decisions.”

Later in the fourth quarter, Mobley had a deep-seal on Kel’el Ware. The Cavs dumped him the ball, and Mobley proceeded to get blocked at the rim. That sums up the night.

Every player has bad games. It’s worth noting that Mobley had been playing his best stretch of the season, and arguably one of the best of his career. But this type of performance is something we all wish we could forget.

Down Giannis, Gary Harris, Bobby Portis, Kyle Kuzma, and Kevin Porter Jr., the Milwaukee Bucks got walloped by the Portland Trail Blazers 130-99. Ryan Rollins was the lone bright spot for the Bucks, notching a career-high 36 points, while Donovan Clingan led the Blazers with 14 points and 15 rebounds (six offensive).

NBA.com Box Score

Game Recap

The Bucks got off to a rough start, giving up a 10-0 run almost immediately before Ryan Rollins halted it with a Dame-esque side-step three. The Bucks would climb back into it, luckily, with Ousmane Dieng nailing a bomb to make the deficit just two, 14-12, at the seven-minute mark. Unfortunately, Milwaukee lost the rope from there, with Portland’s lead expanding to double digits behind a Jerami Grant run. You could tell the Bucks were light on bodies when Andre Jackson Jr. and Thanasis (yes, Thanasis) got run towards the end of the period, which… went about as you’d expect. Blazers up 42-27 after one.

Old friend Jrue Holiday was licking his chops at his former side, nailing his fourth triple of the game to open the second, but was answered in kind by AJax from the top of the key. The Bucks answered a fair few Blazers’ buckets as the quarter progressed, but the home team began to run over them and push their lead to above 20 by the seven-minute mark. Donovan Clingan was murdering the Bucks’ small front line, gobbling up rebound after rebound on both ends, giving his team a boatload of second-chance opportunities. By halftime, up 71-49, the Blazers had 10 O-boards to the Bucks’ three and 12 second-chance points to the Bucks’ two.

Milwaukee’s defence did not improve in the third quarter, but its offence sure did, losing the period by just one, 33-32. Ryan Rollins was the story, scoring 17 points in the period, including going 3/5 from deep. There were also some nice moments where player development shone through, with Jericho Sims knocking down a floater after moving Donovan Clingan. But yeah, the defence was as non-existent as it had been all game; a lot of that was just because the Bucks were so small, but there were certainly tactical mistakes. Portland led 104-81 after three.

After keeping the Blazers’ lead from ballooning out much further than 20, the Bucks relented to start the fourth, allowing it to expand to 30 following Scoot Henderson’s third bomb of the night. On the plus side, Rollins recorded a new career high of 34 points after hitting his sixth three-pointer of the game, besting his previous high of 32 (which came earlier this season against the Warriors, obviously). Rollins would check out with four minutes to go after notching 36 in total, making way for Cormac Ryan to get his second chance at NBA minutes this season. All in all, another disappointing night for the Bucks.

Stat That Stood Out

The Bucks actually did OK in quarters 2-4, but gave up 42 points in the opening frame, which ultimately did them in.

Tonight, the Knicks (48*-25) visit the Hornets (38-34) at Spectrum Center. New York has won seven straight, including Tuesday’s 121-116 victory over the Pelicans. Meanwhile, Charlotte went 7-3 over their last 10 and is riding a strong home stretch with a four-game win streak on the line. Expect a spicy one tonight!

New York leads the season series 2-0. The teams last met December 3, 2025, with the Knicks winning 119-104 at Madison Square Garden. Karl-Anthony Towns led New York with a 35-point, 18-rebound double-double, while the Hornets were paced by LaMelo Ball with 32 points. They’ll next meet in the final game of the season, on April 12.

Charles Lee’s Hornets boast one of the better offenses in the league, ranking 4th in offensive rating while posting a solid 12th in defensive rating. They score 116.4 points per game and allow 111.8, giving them the league’s sixth-best net rating. 

Ball (19.7 PPG, 7.1 APG) orchestrates the attack and Brandon Miller (20.3 PPG, 39% 3PT) provides scoring punch and floor spacing. Miles Bridges (17.2 PPG, 5.9 RPG) is still a bully, while rookie Kon Knueppel (probable with back soreness) adds sizzling shooting. Expected starters tonight are likely Ball, Miller, Knueppel, Bridges, and Moussa Diabaté (8.2 PPG, 8.8 RPG).

On the injury report, New York lists Miles McBride (ankle) and Landry Shamet (knee) as OUT. The Hornets have Tidjane Salaun (calf) OUT, with Pat Connaughton (illness) questionable.

Prediction

ESPN win probability sits around 51% for the Knicks. Basically a toss up. These Hornets are a tough out at home with their offensive firepower and recent momentum. They take the second-most shots from downtown and are the league’s third-best shooting team from there. Will New York’s Wingstop meet the challenge? We shall see. Expect our heroes to face early trouble from Charlotte’s spacing and longballs. It’s hard to envision the Knicks winning all four games of the regular season series, and this one certainly does look like a toss up. The fact that New York has only played two overtime games this season caught my eye, too. Something tells me this could be the third. Knicks by one in a thriller.

Game Details

Who: New York Knicks (48*-25) vs Charlotte Hornets (38-34)
Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026
Time: 7 PM ET
Place: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
TV: MSG
Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky

* Should be one more, but NBA Cups scoff at record keeping.

The Cleveland Cavaliers four-game winning streak was snapped by the Miami Heat.

All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.

Donovan Mitchell

28 points, 4 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 turnovers

The first half was on par with some of the defensive effort we’ve seen this week from Mitchell. The second half, though? That’s more like it.

Mitchell ramped up his ‘compete’ level and helped turn this game around. His scoring is one thing. We’ve seen him get hot in a hurry before. But when he’s diving to the floor, fighting for loose balls, and getting into the jersey of his opponent? That’s the type of stuff that gets Cleveland roaring.

Grade: B

James Harden

18 points, 7 assists, 9 rebounds, 5 turnovers

This was an uncharacteristically quiet game from Harden, who had previously been in a flow state. He wasn’t overly aggressive hunting for his shot tonight, and the defense was, well, you know how the defense was.

Harden shot 3-9 from three and 1-1 from inside of two-point range. The Heat did a fine job packing the paint, and Harden wasn’t able to punish them enough with his pull-up jumper.

Grade: C-

Evan Mobley

8 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists

Miami made a conscious effort to keep Mobley in a box. He saw multiple jerseys on every post entry and had trouble getting around Bam Adebayo. This is a tougher matchup for Mobley when Jarrett Allen isn’t on the court to put pressure on the Heat’s frontcourt. We saw the results of that tonight.

That said, Mobley has no one to blame but himself for this one. He looked uncertain of himself from the start. And as the game wore on, Miami took more and more space from him. His failed isolation attempt on Kel’el Ware was the lowlight of the night.

Grade: F

Keon Ellis

17 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals

Ellis hasn’t been spacing the floor as we’d hope recently (1-7 from downtown tonight). He did, however, make himself available in the dunker’s spot for a handful of easy opportunities.

Keon Ellis = pest. https://t.co/CUapExxkufpic.twitter.com/jeFXQt6kOh

— RealCavsFans.com (@realcavsfans) March 25, 2026

He also knocked the ball out of Tyler Herro’s hands three times in the same possession. That was sick.

Grade: B+

Sam Merrill

18 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists

Merrill is having his best season as a slasher. He got to the rim relentlessly against the Magic last night and replicated some of that success versus Miami. He’s been quick to catch and attack this year rather than pump fake or relocate for a three-pointer. That’s given him the advantage he needs to get into the lane and showcase his floater and layup.

“I was joking, he’s like a drive-first guy now,” Kenny Aktinson said. “Teams are running him off. He’s a hot shooter, we know what that coverage is, so he’s just running through catches… that’s called player development.”

Grade: B+

Dennis Schroder

4 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds

We might be finding out why Schroder was available at the deadline. Or rather, why the Sacramento Kings were willing to give up Keon Ellis for De’Andre Hunter simply to get Schroder off their books.

That’s not to say Schroder is a bad player, or that he can’t help the Cavs down the stretch, but his last few games haven’t been great. He shot 1-5 and wasn’t great defensively. He gets some credit for his effort on the glass and for dealing 6 assists with 0 turnovers.

Grade: D+

Nae’Qwan Tomlin

6 points, 4 rebounds

The Cavs played Tomlin out of necessity tonight. His lack of a viable jumper has made it difficult to keep him on the floor. He isn’t being guarded in the corner, and he’s mostly taking up space in the paint when he sits in the dunker’s spot. He also picked up four fouls in his first nine minutes tonight.

It’s been rough on Tomlin Island.

Grade: D–

Tyrese Proctor

0 points, 1 rebound, 0 assists, 2 steals

Proctor was thrown into this game during the second quarter as the wheels were falling off. These were his first meaningful minutes since February, and that matched the eye test. He wasn’t overly involved in anything — and smoked an open layup in the fourth quarter.

I’ll be lenient with his grade, considering his place in the rotations and the expectations I have for him as a young pup.

Grade: D+

Thomas Bryant

4 points, 5 rebounds

Bryant’s first half was abysmal. He went 0-4 from the floor and was a minus-17 as Miami’s athleticism left him in the dust. He turned it around gradually in the second half, even rounding out to a positive in the plus-minus before the Heat slammed the door shut in the fourth quarter.

Again, this was just one of those nights where you missed Jarrett Allen.

Grade: D+

The night never really gave the Memphis Grizzlies a chance to breathe.

From the opening tip, the San Antonio Spurs played like a team with something to prove—sharp, connected, and relentless. The ball moved with purpose, the defense swarmed, and by the time the first quarter buzzer sounded, San Antonio had already built a cushion that felt heavier than the scoreboard suggested.

It started with rhythm. Possession after possession, the Spurs carved up Memphis’ defense, turning good looks into great ones. Devin Vassell found his stroke early, knocking down shots that kept the pressure mounting. Meanwhile, Stephon Castle quietly controlled the tempo, slipping passes through tight windows and keeping everyone involved.

And then there was Victor Wembanyama—everywhere at once.

He altered shots without always touching the ball, pulled down rebounds in traffic, and made his presence felt in ways that don’t always show up in the box score. When Memphis tried to attack the paint, Wembanyama was waiting. When they settled for jumpers, the Spurs were already pushing the other way.

By halftime, the game had shifted from a contest to a showcase.

San Antonio didn’t let up. Instead, they leaned further into their identity—unselfish offense, disciplined defense, and a pace that Memphis simply couldn’t match, especially shorthanded. Every run the Grizzlies attempted was met with a quick answer: a corner three, a fast-break finish, or a defensive stop that sucked the momentum right back out of the building.

The lead stretched. Then ballooned. Then settled into something inevitable.

Late in the fourth quarter, the urgency was gone. The Spurs bench rose with every play, the starters watched with quiet satisfaction, and the scoreboard told the full story: 123–98.

It wasn’t just a win—it was control from beginning to end.

For a young Spurs team on its way to the NBA Playoffs, this was a glimpse of what it can look like when everything clicks.

Game notes

• With the win, San Antonio moved within two games of Oklahoma City for the top seed in the Western Conference and the league’s best record.
• The Spurs have an easier end to the season than the Thunder, apart from two games against the Nuggets and possibly the Clippers. If the Spurs can win the games they need to, it will be a tight finish to the top.
• De’Aaron Fox missed the game with back soreness, and Luke Kornet was also out with injury management. Good for Mitch Johnson holding out two key players to work out the kinks in their bodies before a grueling playoff run.

The Washington Wizards ended their 16-game losing streak with a bang in the form of a 133-110 drubbing of the Utah Jazz at Delta Center.

The Wizards had their most dominant first half of the season against a Jazz squad determined to out-tank them. Washington took a 13-point lead to end the first quarter and continued to pile on before the halftime buzzer, leading by as many as 31 points before settling on a 72-45 advantage at the break.

Juju Reese was holding the detonator during the first-half demolition job. Reese shot 8/9 from the field while collecting every rebound in his orbit, finishing with 18 points and 10 rebounds with another half to play. He feasted on a Jazz frontline that started 190-pound Cody Williams at center, which amusingly made Juju look like a prime Joel Embiid.

Juju is HOOPIN' rn 😤

📊 12 PTS & 7 REB for him so far tonight. pic.twitter.com/e0nP3dwnbI

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) March 26, 2026

The Wizards rode the huge first-half lead and coasted to a 133-110 victory. The 23-point win was Washington’s largest margin of victory of the season.

Reese finished with a monster double-double of 26 points and 17 rebounds on a 12-of-16 clip. The Maryland alum clearly loves playing the Jazz as he’s averaging 22.0 points and 18.5 rebounds in two games this season.

Will Riley had a double-double of his own with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists across just 22 minutes. The reserve guard duo of Jaden Hardy and Sharife Cooper combined for 38 points off the bench.

The Wizards continue their road trip on Friday with a late-night clash against the Golden State Warriors.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Juju Reese had 26 points and 17 rebounds, Will Riley added 19 points and 10 boards, and the Washington Wizards snapped a 16-game skid with a 133-110 win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.

It was Washington's first win since Feb. 20 against Indiana.

Cody Williams scored 24 points for the Jazz, who have lost 15 of 18. Blake Hinson added a career-high 21 points and John Konchar had 14 rebounds.

Reese and Riley are the first Wizards rookie pair to have double-doubles in the same game since John Wall and Jordan Crawford on March 23, 2011 at the Los Angeles Clippers, according to Sportradar.

In a matchup of teams widely believed to be tanking in order to improve their draft prospects, the Wizards never trailed and pulled ahead by 37 late in the third quarter. But Utah went on a 23-2 run in the fourth and pulled within 13 midway through the period.

Reese — the brother of Angel Reese of the WNBA's Chicago Sky — and Sharife Cooper hit key buckets down the stretch to keep Washington in control.

The Wizards outrebounded the Jazz 56-40.

The Wizards said before the game that Kyshawn George has a partial tear in the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow. George will be reevaluated in a week, the team said.

Utah won the previous meeting between the teams, beating the Wizards 122-112 on March 6.

Up next

Wizards: Visit Golden State on Friday night.

Jazz: At Denver on Friday night.

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

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

INDIANAPOLIS — The Lakers beating the Pacers 137-130 on Wednesday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse wasn’t a surprise. 

And considering the Pacers have the NBA’s worst record, the final margin shouldn’t have been a surprise, either. 

But the Lakers’ fatigue from the six-game, 11-day trip that ended Wednesday was evident before tipoff.

And even though the Pacers have been struggling, the backbone of a team that played in the NBA Finals just nine months ago is still present with its grit and hustle.

But LeBron James’ message entering Wednesday was clear: Even though everybody was tired and wanted to get home, they still had business to take care of.

And that’s exactly what the Lakers did — even though the Pacers cut it close at the end, trimming their deficit to six points after the Lakers led by as many as 29 in the third quarter. 

Luka Doncic led the team with 43 points, seven assists and six rebounds.

James had a near triple-double with 23 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.

Jaxson Hayes, who started in place of Deandre Ayton, had his first double-double of the season with season highs of 21 points and 10 rebounds to go with a pair of blocked shots and steals. 

Austin Reaves added 25 points and eight assists.

What it means

The Lakers improved to 47-26 with Wednesday’s victory, which was their 13th win in their last 15 games.  

They also maintained the league’s fifth-best winning percentage in away games, having a 24-14 record on the road after going 5-1 on the trip. 

The Lakers haven’t lost consecutive games since their three-game losing streak Feb. 22-26. 

Turning point

When it became clear in the first quarter that the Lakers showed up with a business-like approach.

The Pacers, who have the league’s worst record at 16-57, lost 16 straight games before beating the Magic on Monday.

But their motivations — having the best chance to secure a high draft pick in this summer’s draft — were clear before Wednesday despite their late push. 

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MVP: Luka Doncic

With his performance Wednesday, Doncic recorded his league-leading 42nd game scoring at least 30 points, which is tied for eighth most in a season in franchise history. 

It also marked his 11th straight game with at least 30 points, which is tied for the longest streak of his career. He also did it from Nov. 22-Dec. 18, 2023, while playing for the Mavericks. 

Stat of the game: Six 

Wednesday was the sixth time this season Doncic has scored at least 20 points in the first quarter.

No other player has done it more than twice this season. 

Doncic scored 21 points of his eventual scoring total in the opening period to help the Lakers take a 45-28 lead going into the second quarter. 

He shot 8 of 12 from the field (3 of 5 on 3s) in the opening 12 minutes. 

Doncic also has the most 20-point quarters in the league (eight). 

Up next

The Lakers will return to Southern California for three home games before their next trip.

They host the Nets on Friday before matchups against the Wizards and Cavaliers on Monday and Tuesday, respectively. 

The Utah Jazz are clearly doing everything they can to keep their pick in the upcoming NBA draft. Something tells me that next season, we won’t see as many players on the injury report as this season. That means that the core of this Jazz team will play, and it’s clear they’re going to play well. The question is, of the current Jazz roster, who is going to be the most important player next season? Now, Utah may win the lottery and that could change this entire question. If Utah drafts someone like Darryn Peterson or AJ Dybantsa, that changes everything. That said, let’s just ignore the lottery and draft for the sake of this question. If we’re looking at the odds, it’s statistically a little more likely Utah doesn’t draft in the top four of the draft anyway.

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Jazz fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.