SAN FRANCISCO — Draymond Green has never shied away from campaigning for his own award case, so the Warriors’ outspoken power forward “absolutely loved” when he saw Victor Wembanyama make his own MVP argument recently.
But then again, Green said, “I hated it.”
The mixed emotions came in response to a question Wednesday night about the headlines generated by the Spurs’ phenom last week when he bluntly assessed his case to be the NBA MVP.
Draymond Green both hates and loves Victor Wembanyama making his own MVP case. @anthonyVslater/X
Wembanyama laid out a three-pronged argument, including San Antonio’s success against the Thunder and offensive impact beyond scoring. But the part that Green said got him “hot” was Wembanyama’s first point: That defense is half of the game.
The fact that it had to be said was “an indictment on the game of basketball,” according to Green, the 2016-17 Defensive Player of the Year and a nine-time All-Defense selection.
“Until Wemby said defense is 50% of the game, it was like, ‘Oh, man, no one realized that?’ No one realized that 50% of the game that we play is on that end of the floor?” Green said, raising his voice as he began an answer that lasted almost five minutes. “So he comes out and makes this profound-ass statement and it’s like, ‘Oh, of course it is.’ Everybody’s like, ‘Oh, he has a great point.’ Hello?? You think? So I hated it because he had to do that for that to then be said.”
Victor Wembanyama celebrates during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 25, 2026 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NBAE via Getty Images
Green said he “tip(ped) my cap” to Wembanyama for not shying away from the argument. Even though the 21-year-old center leads the NBA with 3.1 blocks per game and guards all five positions with his listed 7-foot-4 frame, Green said award voters often overlook defense.
“I’m happy he’s smart enough to know they won’t figure it out,” Green said. “ … I don’t know how people don’t see this 7-6 whatever you’d like to describe him as chasing a guard around the 3-point line and somehow get back to the rim to block. I don’t know how that’s hard to see.
Draymond Green reacts after scoring a three-point basket against Josh Minott #00 of the Brooklyn Nets during the second half at Chase Center on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, California. Getty Images
“Some cases on defense you say the stats aren’t there. Wemby blocks shots. So even if you can only see the stats, this guy blocks everything. There’s no excuse for this one. So maybe the conversation has to be had again, why do people not appreciate defense?”
According to the latest lines on DraftKings and FanDuel, Wembanyama has the third-best MVP odds, trailing the betting favorite and reigning winner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, as well as Luka Doncic. Basketball-Reference, which looks at past voting patterns, gives Wembanyama a 1.8% chance of winning the award, also trailing Nikola Jokic.
Whereas Wembanyama is averaging 24.2 points per game, the lowest scoring average among the other three is Jokic at 27.8. SGA carries the lightest load of the other three but still plays 33.4 minutes per game, compared with Wembanyama at 29.2.
In a rule new to the NBA this season, any player must appear in at least 65 games to qualify. That means Wembanyama can’t miss any more than two of the Spurs’ final nine contests.
“Suddenly you turn on the TV and everybody’s like, ‘Actually, maybe Wemby is the MVP.’ And I can agree with that. Maybe he is,” Green said. “Everybody wants to crush Luka Doncic when Luka doesn’t live up to the standard of defense. But we’ve got this guy defending entire teams and no one took it into account until he said, ‘Well, No. 1, defense is 50% of the game.’
“I want to give him so much credit for such a profound statement, but honestly, was it really that profound?”
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Two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference face off at Spectrum Center tonight as the Charlotte Hornets host the New York Knicks.
Charlotte has been white-hot from beyond the arc, and my Knicks vs. Hornets predictions expect the home team to hit treys and rack up points with ease.
Here are my best free NBA picks for Thursday, March 26.
Knicks vs Hornets prediction
Knicks vs Hornets best bet: Hornets team total Over 111.5 (-115)
The Charlotte Hornets offense has been electric for months, especially over its last 10 games. In that span, Charlotte sports the fifth-best offensive rating at 122, and the 12th-highest scoring average at 118.3.
The buzz around Charlotte has been even louder in front of the faithful at Spectrum Center. The Hornets have scored 112+ points in six straighthome games.
No team has averaged more points than Charlotte’s healthy 126.8 across their last six at home. That number climbs to 131 across their last four during the current home stand.
Charlotte’s 3-point shooting has been lights-out all season long, but it’s been even more prolific as of late. Over the last 10 games, Charlotte ranks first in 3-point attempts (46.4), first in 3-pointers made (18.7) and first in 3-point percentage (40.3%).
In that span, the New York Knicks have surrendered the 10th-most 3-point attempts (39.2), 10th-best 3-point percentage (37.5) and sixth-most 3-pointers made (14.7).
The Hornets’ plethora of shooters should have a field day against a struggling Knicks perimeter defense, and I expect the home team to build on the record-setting 26 triples it hit on Tuesday while clearing this modest team point total.
Knicks vs Hornets same-game parlay
Charlotte is playing some great basketball, and the Hornets have a 3-point mismatch and home court advantage. I'm rocking with the home team to win a close one.
LaMelo Ball has knocked down 4.5 triples per game on 39.5% shooting across his last 10 appearances, hitting 5+ four times and 4+ eight times. He's canned 13 treys over his last two games, and he should have no problem knocking down five more in tonight's favorable matchup.
Knicks vs Hornets SGP
Hornets team total Over 111.5
Hornets -1
LaMelo Ball Over 4.5 3-pointers
Our "from downtown" SGP: Buzz city blitz
Kon Knueppel leads the Association in total 3-pointers at 247, and he’s shattered the rookie record in that category. The Duke product has splashed 4+ 3-pointers in six of his last 10 games while shooting 43.8% from long range.
Brandon Miller is averaging 3.1 triples per game this season, but he’s knocked down 4.3 per game across his last four while hitting 4+ three times in that span.
Coby White has nailed 3+ triples in three of his last four games, while averaging 3.8 makes from beyond the arc.
Knicks vs Hornets SGP
LaMelo Ball Over 4.5 3-pointers
Kon Knueppel Over 3.5 3-pointers
Brandon Miller Over 3.5 3-pointers
Coby White Over 2.5 3-pointers
Knicks vs Hornets odds
Spread: New York +1 (-115) | Charlotte -1 (-105)
Moneyline: New York -105 | Charlotte -115
Over/Under: Over 223.5 (-110) | Under 223.5 (-110)
Knicks vs Hornets betting trend to know
The Hornets have covered the spread in 35 of their last 50 games (+19.60 Units / 36% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Hornets.
How to watch Knicks vs Hornets
Location
Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
Date
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Tip-off
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
MSG SN, FDSN Southeast
Knicks vs Hornets latest injuries
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DALLAS, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 17: Mikel Brown Jr. #0 of the Louisville Cardinals looks to drive in the first half during NCAA basketball game between University of Louisville and Southern Methodist University at Moody Coliseum on February 17, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Aric Becker/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) | ISI Photos via Getty Images
Most fans would be devastated to not land one of the top four guys in this draft class, and for good reason. While the top of the draft is loaded, the overall depth of the class is often overlooked. Several prospects in this draft have All-Star potential, one being Mikel Brown Jr. If Utah lands outside the top four—a 57.9% probability with the Jazz currently holding the fifth-best odds—Mikel Brown Jr. could quickly become a top target. Labeling him as simply a consolation prize wouldn’t be giving his talent and skillset enough credit.
Brown’s freshman season has been far from perfect, but he has shown elite potential and a high ceiling. He has dealt with recurring lower back issues and production inconsistency but still has shown the tools to become an elite NBA guard. His positional size, playmaking, and shot-making versatility have drawn comparisons to Immanuel Quickley, Darius Garland, and even flashes of Damian Lillard.
DALLAS, TEXAS – FEBRUARY 17: Mikel Brown Jr. #0 of the Louisville Cardinals looks to drive in the first half during NCAA basketball game between University of Louisville and Southern Methodist University at Moody Coliseum on February 17, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Aric Becker/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) | ISI Photos via Getty Images
Team: University of Louisville, Cardinals
Position: Point guard/Shooting guard
Bio: 6’5”, 190 lbs | Age: 19 | Wingspan: 6’7.5″
Stats: 18.2 PPG | 3.3 RPG | 4.7 APG | 1.2 SPG
Splits: 41% FG | 34.4% 3PT | 84.4% FT
Accolades: All-ACC Third Team, All-Rookie Team | 45-point ACC freshman record
Strengths
Mikel Brown Jr. has many translatable skills to the NBA, most notably his shooting. Brown has every 3-point shot in his repertoire, comfortable off the catch, pull-ups, and step-backs. He already operates well beyond NBA range, making him especially dangerous against drop coverage. His tight handle allows him to create space in isolation and out of pick-and-roll.
When he’s hot, he’s virtually unstoppable, as shown in his 45-point performance against NC State.
He plays with a level of comfort and control that is unusual for a freshman point guard. He consistently dictates the pace of a game, and is rarely rushed or sped up, showing he can run an offense and command its flow. Brown projects as a primary on-ball creator, operating with a usage rate of 30.6%, comparable to Anthony Edwards’ 30.4% usage rate with Georgia, highlighting his ability to handle a star-level offensive burden.
Additionally, his playmaking is another NBA-ready skill. His 31.9% assist rate reflects high-level processing and decision-making in pick-and-roll. He has 360-degree vision with the ability to make complex reads and passes. He regularly threads tight passing windows and consistently creates open looks for his teammates.
Finally, Brown has good defensive instincts. His active hands and understanding of passing lanes help him generate steals. His height and length suggest defensive upside as he grows into his body and becomes more disciplined. He probably isn’t going to be a lead point of attack defender, but his instincts and length give him disruptive off-ball potential.
Concerns
So far, the way I’ve described him, he probably sounds like a lock for the top three. However, there are some limitations that make draft scouts a little skeptical.
One concern is a lower-back injury, which has been recurring throughout his freshman season. He has missed 10 regular season games, the entire ACC tournament, and the two March Madness games that Louisville played in, all because of this back injury. While there isn’t any structural damage to his back, there have been multiple flare-ups and re-aggravations, making draft scouts wonder if this problem can go away, or if this injury will haunt him throughout his career.
Additionally, Brown’s shooting consistency has varied throughout the season, only shooting 41% from the field and 34% from distance. He has a healthy appetite for difficult, contested jump shots early in possessions, which hurts his efficiency. He likes to show off his impressive range, which looks dynamic when his shot is falling, and questionable when it’s not.
Critics are also quick to point out Brown’s athleticism. While he’s still a good athlete with a solid first step, his explosiveness doesn’t quite reach the elite level when comparing him to Darryn Peterson or Kingston Flemings. His limited verticality forces him to rely more on finesse rather than force when finishing at the rim. It also makes it harder to create advantages against physical defenders without the help of ball screens, limiting his ability to pressure the rim.
Brown’s frame also remains a concern. While he stands at 6’5”, he has a thin frame and only weighs 190 lbs. This gives him defensive limitations when guarding stronger players, and trouble finishing through contact at the rim.
To be fair, he is finishing 65% of his shots at the rim, which is very strong for a guard, suggesting his touch and craft can compensate for his lack of elite explosiveness. However, he only takes
Verdict
If the Jazz miss out on one of the top four picks this summer, Mikel Brown Jr. should be near the top of their list. While he lacks the guaranteed floor of Cameron Boozer or AJ Dybantsa, his upside as a 6’5” lead ball handler may be the highest of any guard in this draft not named Darryn Peterson.
Critics bring up his 41% field goal percentage and 34.4% from distance, but don’t forget that Keyonte George shot 37.6% FG / 33.8% 3PT at Baylor. Utah’s player development system with Will Hardy knows how to work with high-skill but low-efficiency guards. If Keyonte George has taught us anything, it’s that these issues can be addressed with the right work ethic.
Brown would be a valuable addition to this Jazz team. He provides spacing, playmaking, and more on-ball shot creation. His shooting, pick-and-roll processing, and positional size would give the Jazz even more offensive fire power.
In the immediate future, Brown likely projects as a high-level combo guard off the bench, capable of torching second units. However, if his lateral quickness allows him to defend NBA-level 2-guards, he could eventually form a lethal, dual-playmaker backcourt alongside Keyonte George.
Five years from now, we may look back and realize that despite the back injuries and concerns with his frame, Mikel Brown Jr. was the backcourt prize of 2026. He is a swing for the fences that fits Utah’s timeline perfectly.
LSU has not made the Men's NCAA Tournament since Wade's final season in Baton Rouge in 2022, though Wade did not coach the Tigers in that game. Since then, the Tigers have not had the same level of success seen under Wade, as the program has had three losing seasons under McMahon, including this past season, when they finished 15-17 overall.
The rumor of Wade's potential return has been circulating for some time. It gained some traction on Wednesday when reports emerged that LSU was working on hiring McNeese athletic director Heath Schroyer for a senior administrator position in Baton Rouge that would oversee the Tigers' men's basketball program. Schroyer hired Wade at McNeese before the 2023-24 season.
Here's the latest on Wade returning to LSU. Follow for live updates:
Will Wade live updates: LSU basketball makes coaching change
This story will be updated live
Will Wade 'has discussed' assistant coaching staff at LSU
A former SEC head coach tells USA TODAY Sports' John Brice that Wade’s talks with LSU are advanced enough that Wade has discussed his projected staff at LSU.
LSU reportedly 'expected' to hire Will Wade today
CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein reports on Thursday that LSU is expected to "part ways" with current Tigers coach Matt McMahon today, and officially hire Wade to take over the program.
Why did Will Wade leave LSU the first time
Wade was fired for cause by LSU in 2022 after the NCAA accused him of committing multiple Level I and Level II violations, including "lack of institutional control." The FBI was also involved in investigations, with Wade facing allegations of paying recruits in the pre-NIL era of college athletics.
"After receiving the Notice earlier this week, we took several days to fully evaluate it and engage in deliberate and thoughtful discussions about our next steps," the statement titled to the "LSU Community" read from then LSU President William Tate and athletics director Scott Woodward in 2022. "We can no longer subject our University, Department of Athletics, and—most importantly—our student-athletes, to this taxing and already-lengthy process without taking action."
In 2023, Wade was assessed a two-year show-cause order and a 10-game suspension for his first season at McNeese State. The NCAA's 2022 findings against Wade weren't the first time they caught him violating NCAA guidelines and policies during his tenure with the Tigers, though.
Will Wade buyout at NC State if Wolfpack coach leaves
According to Wade's contract, obtained by the USA TODAY Network, he would owe NC State $5 million if he were to leave the Wolfpack for another job, like LSU, before the end of his contract. That payout drops to $3 million on April 2.
There is a total of $14,756,250 million left across the remaining five years of Wade's contract with NC State, according to his contract that was obtained by the USA TODAY Network. Here is his year-by-year base salary, beginning in 2027:
Over the past few seasons, one major concern with the Knicks’ contention case has been their lack of depth. It usually doesn’t take more than an eight or nine-man rotation to make a successful playoff run, but injuries and slumps inevitably require teams to look further down their bench to fill those spots.
New York has historically struggled with doing so, in 2024 due to a crazy barrage of injuries, and in 2025 due to roster limitations. But coming down the stretch of this regular season, it finally looks like the Knicks have the depth required to sustain a 16-win marathon.
How did the Knicks build out a deep rotation despite limited cap flexibility and assets going towards high-ticket acquisitions? And will it be enough come playoff time?
Their bench does feature two mainstays who have been reliable ever since the Knicks tightened their rotation: Mitchell Robinson and Miles McBride. Robinson is the longest-tenured Knick on the roster and has been pivotal in the entirety of their rebuild.
McBride was a development project drafted in 2021 that couldn’t seem to find his stride in the big leagues until New York’s trade for OG Anunoby opened up a bench guard role. McBride took full advantage, showcasing his knockdown shooting and suffocating defense.
It’s arguable his ascension helped pave the way for the Karl-Anthony Towns trade, which cost the Knicks another guard. There likely aren’t many regrets, given McBride’s been an invaluable reserve and fill-in starter on one of the most attractive contracts in the league.
The rest of the bench is where this front office can really flex the job they’ve done in just a short period of time. Two of the Knicks backup guards -- Landry Shamet and Jordan Clarkson -- were picked up on veteran’s minimum deals.
Nothing points to being a true contender and player in the free agent market like securing a dependable three-and-D guard and recent Sixth Man of the Year at a price most teams could’ve outbid. Both were looking for an opportunity to contribute to a championship team and they’ve done so thus far.
Shamet’s been a lethal floor spacer, averaging 10 points a game on 39 percent shooting from three, and coming up huge with some big performances in timely games. Clarkson has had to fight his way back into the rotation, but has done so with his improved defense and ability to constantly attack the paint.
New York is so packed with reliable guards, one of those guys will likely be a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency option rather than a mainstay come the playoffs. They also picked up a specialist big in Jeremy Sochan off waivers, giving them a go-to defender when they need one at minimal cost.
These were impressive signing, but like with McBride, some of this front office’s biggest returns have come from the Draft. Facing financial and roster constraints entering the 2024 NBA Draft, the Knicks came away with a haul that would help define this season.
While a couple picks are still working their way into the rotation, Tyler Kolek and Ariel Hukporti have all but established themselves as capable players at the pro level. The Knicks took Kolek 34th overall and Hukporti 58th, but their impacts far exceed their draft spots.
If it weren’t for this basket of veteran guards ahead of him, Kolek would see nightly appearances thanks to his impressive playmaking ability. He’s also stepped up his defense and shooting, which were on display when he was the lead backup guard during the Knicks NBA Cup Championship run.
Hukporti hasn’t had as many opportunities, but in spurts has proven to be a solid roll man and interior defender, with some playmaking upside to boot. Having two second-year, second-round guys be ready to contribute in a postseason scenario is a tremendous luxury and testament to the front office’s scouting.
Jan 9, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; New York Knicks forward Mohamed Diawara (51) against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
But they may have outdid themselves in the 2025 Draft, using their lone selection at the 51st pick to take Mohamed Diawara, a young athletic wing who was meant to take a couple years in Westchester to bloom. It turns out that wouldn’t be necessary, as the neophyte has emerged as a legitimate rotation piece with his shooting, off-dribble game, and defense.
Finally, the Knicks were able to flip one of their recent mistakes, Guerschon Yabusele, into one of their biggest windfalls. They negotiated for the struggling big man to drop his second-year player option, allowing for a deal ahead of the deadline that helped them land Jose Alvarado.
Alvarado is a pesky and fiery floor general, whose inclusion has already provided a much-needed dose of energy and locker room aura. He’s already put up some monster nights and will certainly be a go-to reserve come the playoffs.
Put this all together, and this front office managed to leverage advanced scouting and a winning culture to cultivate a championship bench in two years despite the odds.
Robinson, McBride, Alvarado and Shamet make for a strong core four, and you’d need to go through Clarkson, Diawara, Kolek, Hukporti and Sochan before getting to somebody you’re really afraid of throwing in for a few minutes.
The Knicks are more prepared than ever to make a playoff push -- will they be able to pull it off?
DENVER , CO - MARCH 25: Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets works as Naji Marshall (13) of the Dallas Mavericks defends during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post) | Denver Post via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks hit the road to take on the Denver Nuggets in a late game Wednesday night. Dallas had success against Denver with two head-to-head wins in December, but then lost the previous matchup in January, as well this one, 142-135.
Let’s get to the grades!
Naji Marshall: B+
22 PTS / 4 REB / 3 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 30 MIN
Marshall was ripping in the early going, but really came back down to earth hard as the night wore on. He finished 7-for-17 and only made a single three-pointer on six attempts. He was the Mavs’ second leading scorer and went 7-for-8 from the free throw line.
Max Christie: C+
9 PTS / 1 REB / 2 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 32 MIN
Christie did very well for himself, but just didn’t quite do it at a high volume. He connected on 3-for-5 from the floor (all from deep) for a hot shooting night, but didn’t get an abundance of touches to really see what his night could have been. For the amount of minutes played, he didn’t offer much in spite of a hot hand.
Cooper Flagg: A-
26 PTS / 8 REB / 7 AST / 2 STL / 1 BLK – 36 MIN
Flagg didn’t have one of his best nights for nearly three quarters, but yet again insisted on contributing a little bit of everything. Flagg stayed the course and before you knew it, he had a great game with his 1-for-4 three-point shooting the only real knock to speak of. He hit 10-for-18 overall.
P.J. Washington: A-
19 PTS / 15 REB / 1 AST / 0 STL / 1 BLK – 31 MIN
Washington did not look spectacular for much of the game and he did not shoot particularly well until later in the evening (8-for-15 overall), yet he notched a double-double just as the fourth quarter got underway and had a handful of nice plays in the final twelve minutes. His 15 rebounds were a season high. He ultimately fouled out with seconds remaining, but otherwise managed a nice game when it was all said and done.
Dwight Powell: B
7 PTS / 4 REB / 0 AST / 1 STL / 1 BLK – 16 MIN
Powell gave the Mavs largely what could be expected, especially in so few minutes. The highlight of his night was the ability to draw fouls and convert well enough on his free throws (5-for-7), but some of the responsibility for Nikola Jokic’s monster night falls on him as well.
Tyler Smith: A-
8 PTS / 1 REB / 0 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 8 MIN
Tyler Smith, you ask? Smith is not a familiar name to Mavs’ fans, but in game 73 of the season, he doesn’t have many more chances to be featured. In very few minutes, Smith had himself a nice night. 3-for-5 from the floor including 2-for-4 from deep is certainly not bad for under eight minutes of play.
Khris Middleton: B+
11 PTS / 3 REB / 5 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 18 MIN
Middleton had a quietly solid game. He hit his shots (4-for-8), shared the ball and maximized relatively few minutes. He had only a single turnover, for a nice to assist-to-turnover ratio.
Final Thoughts
This game was just plain strange. Dallas did what they have become so good at doing – falling behind only to make a big run to officially qualify the game for clutch status. After drawing to within a point with only minutes remaining, Dallas came unraveled quickly. To top things off, they allowed Jamal Murray to drop 53 points and watched Nikola Jokic come a single assist shy of the fourth 20/20/20 game in the history of the NBA.
I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.
"It's on to the next," he said Wednesday. "If you get caught up in it and if you get satisfied, you're not going to last very long in this tournament."
This is an unfamiliar feeling for Nebraska, but a familiar foe awaits them in Thursday's Sweet 16 in Houston: Big Ten compatriot Iowa.
While Nebraska is coming off the game of the tournament, Iowa is coming off the upset of the tournament after knocking off No. 1 seed and defending national champion Florida in the second round — despite Hawkeyes star guard Bennett Stirtz going 0-for-9 from 3.
"Even though we beat a 1 seed, we can't get complacent, we got to keep getting better every day and get ready for the game (Thursday)," Stirtz said.
The winner of tonight's game advances to Saturday's Elite Eight against the winner of Houston/Illinois.
Here's what you need to know about tonight's game, including predictions.
HIT REFRESH FOR UPDATES.
Nebraska vs Iowa basketball live score
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What time is Nebraska vs Iowa Sweet 16 game today?
Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET from Houston.
What channel is Nebraska vs Iowa game on? How to watch, streaming info
Nebraska vs. Iowa will air on TBS and truTV and stream via Fubo.
Nebraska vs Iowa prediction, odds
Odds provided by BetMGM as 9:30 a.m., Thursday, March 26.
∎ Tyler Tachman, Des Moines Register: Iowa 68, Nebraska 65
The Huskers and Hawkeyes split the season series, with each of them winning on thier home floors. This game, though, clearly has a lot more at stake than just a regular season Big Ten victory. Both games were very tight, with Nebraska's win earlier this month in Lincoln going to overtime with a big Iowa comeback.
This game could really go either way, and regardless of the result, it would be historic. A win would earn Iowa its first trip to the Elite Eight since 1987. A victory for Nebraska would keep this historic March Madness run alive. Either way, the winner of this one will be just three wins away from a national title.
Blake Toppmeyer: Nebraska
Paul Myerberg: Nebraska
Jordan Mendoza: Nebraska
John Brice: Nebraska
Matt Glenesk: Nebraska
Craig Meyer: Iowa
John Leuzzi: Nebraska
Austin Curtright: Iowa
Ehsan Kassim: Nebraska
Moneyline: Nebraska (-130); Iowa (+110)
Spread: Nebraska (-1.5)
Over/under total: 131.5
Why did Pryce Sandfort transfer from Iowa to Nebraska?
Nebraska's leading scorer Pryce Sandfort transferred from Iowa to Nebraska after the Hawkeyes fired Fran McCaffery following last season.
After Iowa hired Ben McCollum, every Hawkeye scholarship player except one transferred to a new home, including Pryce to Nebraska.
"It's like a Hollywood horror story almost,” said Pryce's older brother Payton, who starred for the Hawkeyes. “You want both teams to do so well. And they're both having dream seasons. … And now they run into each other?”
“I could never not support Pryce,” he added. “I know what we’ve been through together and what we’ve dreamed about. For him to have a chance to play in the Final Four, that’s pretty special for my family. It’s just, why couldn’t it be (against) anybody else?”
Is Sam Hoiberg related to Fred Hoiberg?
Yes, he's his son. While Fred was known for his 3-point shooting, Sam is a nuisance on defense and earned votes for Big Ten's defensive player of the year, which went to Michigan center Aday Mara.
What happened when Iowa, Nebraska played this season?
The teams split their regular season series.
Iowa won 57-52 on Feb. 17
Nebraska won 84-75 in OT on March 8
Bennett Stirtz followed Ben McCollum from Drake to Iowa
The Hawkeyes' leading scorer Bennett Stirtz (19.7 ppg) transferred from Drake to Iowa, following coach Ben McCollum. The two were key to the Bulldogs' first-round upset of Missouri in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
"Yeah, the amount of trust I have in him, and that he never lies to anyone on this team, including me. He shoots it straight," Stirtz said on his relationship with McCollum. "Even when it's tough and even when it's hard. He pushes you past your limit and I think that's where the trust comes in and he cares about you a lot and wants to make you a better person. So, yeah, he just pushes everyone on this team and honestly you can see the benefit from that and even in the wins that he's all had throughout his career, he doesn't get complacent. So that's what we need to do and continue to do is even though we beat a 1 seed, we can't get complacent, we got to keep getting better every day and get ready for the game tomorrow."
Why does Alvaro Folgueiras point to sky after 3-pointers?
Folgueiras points up at the sky after every 3-pointer he makes in honor of his dad, who died when he was 9 years old. He pointed at the sky after hitting his eventual game-winner against Florida, although he waited for the Gators' timeout after running back on defense.
Folgueiras expressed what his family means to him after the game, and mentioned his mom being a rock throughout his childhood without his dad.
"He left us with my mom and my brother in my house," he said. "It was kind of hard. We didn't really feel it as much because my mom always made sure that we didn't need anything, absolutely nothing. So, I cannot say that I grew up in an environment where I needed some things. No, that's not the truth.
"Sometimes I can say that because I feel his absence. I was just going in the court and playing to get away of my house to be with something else. But I can say that I had a happy childhood. Something that we all said, and everyone has these kinds of things on their life.
"It's that we are not victims. I never let things like that make me a victim. Not to me and not to my brother, not to my mom. We are like that because my mom was showing out every single day. Yeah."
“I don't think we ever really want to sign up to be the Cinderella story,” said Texas coach Sean Miller after beating Gonzaga in Round 2. “Because we are the University of Texas.”
The Boilers need a big game from their bigs against an opponent which thrives on interior scoring and offensive rebounding. This may also be decided by which defense with a marginal track record all season maintains a recent trajectory of improvement — and does so without fouling. Purdue's seniors are playing, and leading, better than ever, and this matchup sets up well for another Elite Eight trip.
Texas has had a luxury of facing injury-hampered teams to get to the Sweet 16. If C.J. Cox is good to go, Purdue is fine. If Cox can’t, Purdue will still dance on.
Blake Toppmeyer: Purdue
Paul Myerberg: Purdue
Jordan Mendoza: Purdue
John Brice: Purdue
Matt Glenesk: Purdue
Craig Meyer: Purdue
John Leuzzi: Purdue
Austin Curtright: Purdue
Ehsan Kassim: Texas
Moneyline: Purdue (-350); Texas (+275)
Spread: Purdue (-7.5)
Over/under total: 148.5
CJ Cox injury update: Will Purdue guard play vs Texas?
C.J. Cox suffered a knee he said was hyperextended during Sunday's second round win over Miami. He's done drills and plenty of rehab work with trainers, he said Wednesday during media availability with reporters in San Jose. He's hopeful to play, but the Boilermakers have depth behind him if he can't go, namely Gicarri Harris.
"I was obviously scared if I had torn something, because then I'm out for a long time, but thankfully I didn't," Cox said. "It still sucks, but just continuing one step at a time."
Cox said an MRI on the knee, injured Sunday against Miami, came back "pretty good." Purdue only watch film and shot free throws Monday. Cox partially participated in Tuesday's short practice, staying out of contact drills.
Jordan Pope injury update: Will Texas guard play vs Purdue?
Pope suffered a lower-leg injury in Saturday's win over Gonzaga. He said he was "hopeful" to play against the Boilermakers on Thursday.
"Jordan, he's dealing with a lower leg situation," Sean Miller said Wednesday. "We're hopeful that he can — we've given him a lot of rest since our last game, and I think he's really responding to it.
"We still had a pretty quick turnaround, all things considered, because of the distance between San Jose and Austin and traveling from Dayton to Portland and Portland back to Austin."
Why did Camden Heide transfer from Purdue to Texas? 'I'll be a Boilermaker for life'
Heide spent the previous two seasons at Purdue before entering the transfer portal and landing in Austin. So why did he leave Purdue?
“I was looking for a bigger role on a winning team,” he told IndyStar's Gregg Doyel with a smile. “Those were tough conversations, obviously, with coaches and teammates I’d known for years. Everyone didn’t see it eye-to-eye, but I just wanted people to understand I was doing what was best for me. And at the end of it, they were all supportive of me. It just goes to show the kind of people Purdue recruits. Great guys.
“I’m happy I was a Boilermaker. I’ll be a Boilermaker for life.”
Heide, who hit a key late 3-pointer in Texas' second round upset over Gonzaga, has helped provide the Longhorns with a scouting report on his former team.
"He's been big time. He knows what they do," Texas guard Tramon Mark said. "He knows a lot of what they do, so he's been helping us, coaching us up on the things that they do and just being a big-time guy for us in our scouting and everything we do in our scouting, practice. He's been big.
Braden Smith breaks Bobby Hurley NCAA assists record
Smith finished the game with 1,083 career assists in his four-year career with the Boilermakers. Purdue fans at the game gave Smith a standing ovation for the achievement.
Smith told USA TODAY Sports ahead of the tournament he was "ready to just get it over with" so he could put all of the attention toward winning Purdue's first national championship. Now with that in hand, the decorated guard can go for the two goals he had for his senior season.
"That's one of the reasons I came back, was to win and to get the record," he said. "Obviously, wanted to do it at a place that I've been for the three years prior. For me, just to be around a great bunch of guys and obviously great coaching staff, and do it with them, I think it makes it more special."
Matt Painter March Madness record: How many Sweet 16 appearances does Matt Painter have?
Matt Painter has a 26-17 career record in the NCAA Tournament. This is his 18th trip to March Madness, 17th with Purdue (he led Southern Illinois to the NCAA Tournament before becoming Purdue's coach-in-waiting).
He's led the Boilermakers to nine Sweet 16s.
Sean Miller March Madness record: How many Sweet 16 appearances does?
Texas is the third team Miller has guided to March Madness (Xavier and Arizona are the others). He has a 25-13 record combined in 14 NCAA Tournament appearances.
This is his ninth trip to the Sweet 16.
What’s furthest a First Four team has advanced in NCAA Tournament?
Texas was one of the last at-large teams to get a berth to March Madness. That meant a trip to Dayton and the First Four.
The Longhorns beat NC State on a Tramon Mark last-second shot, then beat BYU despite 35 points from AJ Dybantsa in the first round. Texas followed that up with an upset of No. 3 seed Gonzaga in Round 2 to reach the Sweet 16.
Texas needs two more wins if it wants to match the furthest a First Four team has gone in an NCAA Tournament.
VCU (2011) and UCLA (2021) reached the Final Four after starting its tournament run in the First Four.
Will Arizona fans boo Sean Miller at Sweet 16 in San Jose?
Texas-Purdue is the first game of Thursday's Sweet 16 at San Jose, with the Arizona-Arkansas game to follow. Miller coached 12 seasons at Arizona and was fired in 2021 after an NCAA probe found Miller has offered to illegally pay players and the school was forced to vacate wins from the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons.
There will be plenty of Wildcats fans in the stands in the SAP Center. So what kind of reception does Miller expect to receive Thursday?
"I would hope they would cheer for us. We're the 11 seed. If I were them, I'd want us to win," Miller said.
"But my relationship with Arizona is nothing but great. I have three sons, they all attended the University of Arizona, and each of them had an amazing experience. Two of the three, their girlfriend, potentially maybe who they end up with as their wife, also went to Arizona. I was there for 13 years, have friendships that will last a lifetime. I was treated, our family was treated incredibly well.
"... I mean, if we were to beat Purdue — I'm at Texas. That would be amazing. We're playing in the Elite Eight. But the other part of it doesn't really exist for me. I think with that emotion, you can either burn the house down or make it warmer. I look at that place and that experience as nothing but just making my house warmer. I have nothing but positive thoughts, feelings and perspectives towards that experience."
ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 23: CJ McCollum #3 of the Atlanta Hawks drives to the basket during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 23, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
DETROIT — In a game that had all the intensity of a playoff battle, the Atlanta Hawks outlasted the Detroit Pistons 130-129 in overtime Wednesday night at Little Caesars Arena.
Atlanta appeared in control early, jumping out to a double-digit lead behind efficient offense and ball movement. The Hawks poured in 73 first-half points, with Jalen Johnson orchestrating the attack and CJ McCollum knocking down perimeter shots. But Detroit stormed back in the third quarter, erupting for 40 points to erase the deficit and set up a dramatic finish.
The fourth quarter featured 13 lead changes and multiple clutch moments from both sides. Detroit’s Jalen Duren dominated inside, while Tobias Harris and Duncan Robinson provided timely scoring. Still, Atlanta responded each time, with Johnson continuing his all-around brilliance and McCollum delivering key buckets late.
In overtime, the Hawks made just enough plays to escape. A late defensive stand and a narrow scoring edge in the extra period sealed the win in a game that was tied eight times and never lacked drama.
Johnson led the Hawks with 27 points and 12 assists, showcasing his versatility and poise in big moments. McCollum matched him with 27 points of his own, including five 3-pointers. Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 21 points, while Dyson Daniels contributed a strong double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
Detroit was paced by Duren’s dominant 26-point, 14-rebound performance. Harris added 22 points, while Daniss Jenkins chipped in 19 points and 10 assists. Ausar Thompson’s efficient 18-point outing and Robinson’s five 3-pointers kept the Pistons within striking distance all night.
Ultimately, Atlanta’s depth and late-game execution proved decisive. The Hawks shot efficiently from the field and got contributions up and down the roster, including 11 points from Onyeka Okongwu off the bench.
The loss is a tough one for Detroit, which showed resilience in battling back from an early deficit but couldn’t quite finish in overtime.
For Atlanta, it’s a statement road win — one defined by resilience, offensive balance, and just enough composure when it mattered most.
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 25: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics celebrates during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 25, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It’s just one game. However, against a fully healthy version of the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, the Celtics proved that they are ready for any challenge.
Everyone played their roles in the Celtics 119-109 win on Wednesday night. Jaylen Brown was the engine of the offense, Jayson Tatum was great playing out of the high pick-and-roll and the role players did what was needed. It was a complete team win.
Baylor Scheierman was awesome, hitting 3 three pointers, playing excellent defense on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and having a huge put back dunk.
Payton Pritchard hit four threes, Neemias Queta made shots around the rim and defended the rim, and Derrick White was doing Derrick White things on the defensive end. Everyone chipped in and everyone had a hand in helping the Celtics win the game.
This was a big test for the Celtics against the best team in the league. The Thunder have dealt with a lot of injuries this year, but on Wednesday night, they had their whole team available.
Boston has risen to the occasion all season and it was time for another test and they passed it with flying colors. Offensively, it was one of the best games, if not the very best, the C’s have played all season. They scored 70 points in the 2nd half and were doing it in all sorts of different ways.
Sure, the three ball was great; Boston shot 18/41 (44%) from three-point range. Yet it wasn’t the only way they scored. They got to the line a ton shooting 29 free throws, Brown specifically shot 14 free throws (he made 12 of them). They found a slew of different ways to score against the best defense in the NBA.
They themselves were great defensively. As Joe Mazzulla said after the game, they committed to rebounding, only giving up 4 offensive rebounds in the game.
Those are the margins that Mazzulla has stressed all year. They had 13 turnovers in the game but not giving up 2nd chance opportunities is something that has been stressed all season. When you win in those margins, it is so much easier to win a basketball game.
Jayson Tatum was also fantastic in this game. Maybe people were overreacting to a shooting slump (tell me if you have heard that one before). He had 19 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals and 1 awesome block in the game and was everywhere impacting it.
Yes, it was one game and we should not overreact, but this team is ready for any challenge that is presented to them, they have shown that all season. All season they have adapted and found ways to win games. As Mazzulla likes to say, ‘whatever it takes, however long it takes.’
INDIANAPOLIS — The narrative surrounding Bronny James, the oldest son of Lakers star LeBron James, even before the franchise drafted him in the second round of the 2024 draft was that he needed the Lakers to make his NBA dreams come to fruition.
But on Wednesday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with the road-weary Lakers closing out a six-game, 11-day trip against an energetic and physical Pacers team, it was the team that needed the younger James to get over the hump in its 137-130 victory.
They needed his energy and fresh legs. His athleticism and burst during a night that was challenging for most of his teammates to sustain it — evident by the Pacers cutting the Lakers’ 29-point lead in the third to six with less than a minute in the game.
Lakers guard Bronny James gets a dunk against the Indiana Pacers during the game in Indianapolis, March 25. Getty ImagesThe confidence James played with against the Pacers was much higher to the last time he was in the rotation. AP
“To be honest, I was trying to calm myself down more than having adrenaline,” Bronny said. “Just trying to relax myself. I know what I can do as a player.”
The confidence James played with against the Pacers, a game he finished with four points on 2-of-4 shooting and a pair of steals, was much higher compared to Nov. 15, which was the last time he was in the rotation during a game the Lakers had a significant number of their normal rotation available.
Luka Dončić is all smiles after a basket against the Pacers. Getty Images
Bronny was more poised Wednesday. Calmer. More self-assured in his game and confident in his shot, even though he missed his lone 3-point attempt.
It helped him knock down a 17-foot pull-up jumper with 3:50 left in the game as the shot clock wound down to give the Lakers a 128-113 lead over the Pacers — a shot coach JJ Redick said was “big to kind of settle us” after the Pacers cut the Lakers’ lead from 29 in the third to 13 late in the fourth.
“That pull-up 2, it was a big bucket,” star guard Luka Dončić added. “It was one of the most important shots of the game. They were coming back, he hit that one. He did really great in those minutes.”
JJ Redick and Luka Doncic both mentioned this 17-foot pull-up jumper from Bronny James as a significant that that helped the Lakers in the win over the Pacers.
JJ: "I thought the Bronny's jumper was big to kind of settle us. And then we went to the Horns 3 with Luka, Austin and… pic.twitter.com/IC6JqaSYjj
Bronny credited the 18 games he’s played with the Lakers’ South Bay G League affiliate this season, where so far he’s averaged 13.3 points on 48.7% shooting in 28 minutes, for his development.
He acknowledged the importance of hitting that shot for his confidence.
“Does everything to see one go through the net, especially in that point of the game,” Bronny said. “It’s pretty big for me. I’ve hit a lot of those shots in the G, so just seeing that translate.”
Luka Doncic on Bronny James, who had 4 points and pair of steals in 13 minutes: "Definitely a big improvement from last year. I saw him in training camp, he was doing some stuff that I was really impressed with. He did a great job today. Big game for him, that pull-up 2, it was a… https://t.co/ZyLhm5Xyprpic.twitter.com/7nS6z0I1se
What also translated was Bronny’s defensive intensity, which was showcased when he stole the game and forced Pascal Siakam to turn the ball over on a post-up during the Pacers’ first possession of the second quarter.
“He’s gotten significantly better,” Redick said. “I know our staff has a lot of confidence in him. He had two really, really good defensive possessions [of] individual defense in the first half. The biggest thing with him is he’s got a lot of confidence right now. He’s having a fantastic season with South Bay. He’s been arguably the best player for like the last three or four weeks in our stay-ready games every single time.”
Redick added: “He’s got a bounce to his step right now. That just comes from developing that confidence. We saw it last year, and we’re seeing it again this year; just his growth as a player.”
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DENVER, COLORADO - MARCH 25: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks drives past Bruce Brown #11 of the Denver Nuggets in the second quarter at Ball Arena on March 25, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks (23-50) dropped their fifth game in a row, losing to the Denver Nuggets (44-28) on Wednesday, 142-135.
It was a game that threatened to be close on a handful of occasions, mostly for those moments to be quickly erased by a red-hot Jamal Murray, who had 29 points at half and finished with 53. Nikola Jokic finished one assist shy of the ultra-rare triple-20, with 23 points, 21 rebounds and 19 dimes.
For Dallas, Naji Marshall continued with his dependable output, contributing 22 points on seven-of-16 shooting. Cooper Flagg put up 23 points to go along with seven assists and seven rebounds on another solid night for the rookie.
0: Dallas turnovers in the first half
Dallas kept this thing close nearly all night, and they stayed that way by keeping an extraordinarily clean turnover sheet for the game.
They finished with only 4 combined turnovers, a season low, and had zero during the first half; the first team in the league to play a first half without a turnover since these Nuggets pulled it off two months ago on January 25th.
It was Nemhard starting at the point, so for him and fellow rookie Cooper Flagg to handle much of the offensive initiation in a close game with a contending-caliber team like Denver (who, admittedly, is on the second night of a back-to-back), instills confidence. Nembhard entered Wednesday’s game with an absurd 48-7 assist-to-turnover ratio in the seven games prior to Wednesday night’s.
2: Guys being dudes
A big reason to tune into games at this point in the season is to try and catch a glimpse of someone interesting. A two-way guy or 10-day player who pops for a night, or looks like he maybe, just maybe, could stick in the league. So you can say, “You know, I was watching JJ Barea during his rookie season.”
Dallas has two guys like that now — the 21-year-old native Texan, Tyler Smith, and John Poulakidas, the 23-year-old Yale man. Pouliakidas has shown promise before — he got pulled after playing too good over 11 minutes against Golden State and making three of his five 3-point attempts.
Against the Nuggets, Smith took five beautiful shots in just eight minutes, went 2-of-4 from deep, and grabbed a rebound. Poulakidas came to play, too, if only for nine minutes. Still, he took four threes and made one.
This team needs shooters, especially shooters under the age of 25. Smith and Poulakidas keep showing just enough to keep fans interested and fantasizing about what could be.
15: season-high rebounds for PJ Washington
PJ Washington turned in a strong double-double performance, scoring 19 points and grabbing a season-high 15 rebounds.
His previous high was a 14-rebound mark back in December against Utah. He did most of his work tonight on the defensive glass, hauling in 11 of his 15 rebounds on the defensive end.
He did much of that work in the second half. 11 of his boards came after halftime and were a big part of Dallas clawing their way back into the game, getting within just one point after being down by 13 at one point, and notching yet another clutch game.
It was a great performance that was only slightly overshadowed by Nikola Jokic putting up his absurd 23/19/21 stat line.
MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 25: Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs dunks the ball during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 25, 2026 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Out of all of the San Antonio Spurs’ blowout victories over the last month, Wednesday’s 123-98 win over the Memphis Grizzlies felt different. It wasn’t too long ago when the Spurs were on the other end of games like this – playing multiple players on 10-day contracts and two-ways. Those were brutal, demoralizing losses that left a large chunk of the fan base clamoring for trades and free agent signings. Going through that experience just a few years ago somehow makes the victory more satisfying.
San Antonio outmatched the undermanned Grizzlies in just about every meaningful aspect of the game. Early in the game, the Spurs had the ball on a string, whipping it around to find not a good shot, but a great one. It was reminiscent of the Big Three-era San Antonio teams. Granted, it was against an incredibly relaxed defense from the Grizzlies, but that is the kind of offense that crushes a team in a meaningless March matchup. San Antonio looked like a team on a mission. One that was having fun and not just going through the motions.
The Spurs are clicking right now. They haven’t lost focus since the All-Star break. They are pushing full steam ahead for the playoffs in April. Games like this are a reminder of how far they have come in a few years. But it’s clear that the team isn’t satisfied with just blowing teams out in March. They are playing for something much bigger.
Takeaways:
Allow me to stand on a bit of a soapbox here. Today, the NBA voted to authorize the league to formally explore potential team expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle. That’s great. Seattle deserves a team. But does the NBA really have a surplus of talent so large it can afford two more teams? Did Memphis look like it was dealing with a surplus of talent? How about the Sacramento Kings? Or the Brooklyn Nets? There are so many teams resting players to tank for a better draft pick (I know the Spurs were here just a few years ago). Can we really afford two more? These blowouts are fun to an extent, but it’s much more enjoyable to watch two teams trying to win, rather than just one.
You get a poster! You get a poster! You get a poster! Stephon Castle annihilated Taylor Hendricks at the rim. GG Jackson put Victor Wembanyama on a poster, and then Wemby got him back the very next possession. Then Julian Champagnie caught a body on a dunk. The third quarter had better highlights than the Dunk Contest!
Wembanyama’s defensive game was MVP tape material. If someone ever doubted how much Wemby’s defense actually changes a game, show them the Grizzlies game. They couldn’t get anywhere near the rim with him in the game. Memphis had just 34 points in the paint on Wednesday. Wemby had 7 blocks. It was one of the best rim protection games of the entire season.
Oh, and to make it even more impressive, Wemby was 2 assists and 2 steals away from a 5×5 game.
Devin Vassell is such a luxury. When the ball swings to him on the perimeter, it feels like it is always going to go in. Plus, he can drive off the bounce and finish at the rim. Having him as the fourth option in the starting lineup makes the Spurs’ offense so deadly.
Dylan Harper continues to impress with his shooting touch. He hit 2 of his 5 three-pointers against the Grizzlies. It feels like we are just scratching the surface of what he can become.
I was born and raised in Manhattan, just a couple years before the New Jersey Nets leapt directly from the basement to consecutive NBA Finals appearances. I remember Mikki Moore as my power forward, not Kenyon Martin, and I never experienced or felt particularly connected to the Jersey Pride dripping off the best Nets teams of the early 2000s.
I understand now that was a perfect marriage between franchise and fanbase, if not economically, then spiritually. The nation’s most insecure state embraced a small-market team that always beat the Knicks and Celtics, whose success was repeatedly name-checked in The Sopranos, but remained firmly the underdog. The team started winning after they traded the “selfish,” NYC-born Stephon Marbury for Jason Kidd, who ran — what else? — the Princeton offense dutifully. And thanks to the league’s best defense, Kidd got to throw plenty of dazzling, no-look passes in transition.
The Nets were was tough, fundamentally sound, and flashy, in that order. New Jersey’s self-conscious pride swelled, and showsyouhow weak the Eastern Conference is became the NBA equivalent of it’s just a highway surrounded by factories.
You likely know the rest of the story, but if not, Secret Base has a refresher on the rest of the Jersey years…
Now they are the Brooklyn Nets, playing their home games at Barclays Center, which sits on the edge of Prospect Heights. Bruce Ratner’s vision, in part, came true. Today, Barclays Center — unlike the Nets’ previous homes — is reliably full even when the team isn’t good, this year reporting an average attendance of 17,404 per game, or 99.18% of its listed capacity.
Most of those 17,404 are not Nets fans. If a star player like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Giannis Antetokounmpo is on the visiting team — not to mention the LeBron James/Steph Curry class — the building bursts with their jerseys. This is also true for regional opponents like the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks, boasting huge fanbases that always travel well. Earlier this season, Jaylen Brown got “M-V-P” chants at the ’Clays.
Obviously, the Nets have been very bad over the last three seasons. They no longer have star-power on the roster. It’s no secret that the franchise’s move to Brooklyn only brought them deeper into Knicks-occupied territory, but the current state of the team plays a role here too.
Former Nets Bruce Brown and Theo Pinson described the crowd dynamic very well on the latter’s podcast a couple years ago…
Speaking about the 2021 playoff environment: “Their fans just love basketball. They’re there for the game. Like sometimes, it’s not for just Brooklyn, they’re just there for the game … They want to see a good basketball game. They want to see dunks, they’ll cheer for anybody, they don’t care who team you on.”
D’Angelo Russell echoed the sentiment last season: “They’re ready to just blow the roof off this place if you give them a reason. That may be for the opposing team, they may give them that reason a lot of the time. Or we can.”
When the Nets were briefly a winning team led by recognizable superstars, the crowd was behind them. They also attracted more young fans in the Clean Sweep years, namely their most impressionable targets: the children of millennial transplants.
But whether the Brooklyn Nets are good at bad at any given moment hardly affects the wider conversation about their fanbase…
Bill Simmons “What's Knicks-Nets ratio in New York?
Zach Lowe “Meeting a Nets fan in NY only slightly more common than a Magic fan…
"Nets fans hate when you say how dead Barclays is
BS “Not for Liberty…It's Nets…thinking they could come in NY…
(Notice that this clip from The Zach Lowe Show comes via a New York Knicks fan account, reveling in the cheapest way to unite their followers while extracting argumentative replies.)
So much handwringing over the Nets’ fanbase, but so little about what it means to actually be a Nets fan, two decades removed the peak of the fandom’s local pride. Blogger extraordinaire Ock Sportello is the leader of the genre — this post titled Who Are Nets Fans? in particular is a classic, explaining the “gentrifier’s anxiety” that now unites both team and fanbase.
These are the pathologies that condition Nets fandom. We are fans of the team who blacked out the stands upon moving, a move that not incidentally obscured how few people attended games. We are fans who ask, with bated breath, how the crowd looked or sounded on any given night.
About a month ago, I was on CT Rail, watching a nationally televised Cavs-Knicks game on my laptop. An exuberant ticket-checker noticed, asking me what the score was. I replied and mentioned that Jalen Brunson had just made three shots in a row. I noticed the Knicks pin affixed to her shirt as she complained about Karl-Anthony Towns and having to move from the city to Connecticut. I told her I didn’t envy her. She chuckled and said “at least Brunson’s got us this year,” at which point I told her I couldn’t wait for the playoffs, which hey, that’s the truth.
The ticket-checker strolled away. My girlfriend, sitting in the window seat, called me a name I’m not going to repeat here.
Can Nets fans be proud? Does that pride have to come from rooting for a team that plays in the same borough where Jean-Michel Basquiat and Christopher Wallace were born over a half-century ago, as the organization so often reminds us?
Perhaps that pride can sound like Josh Minott did after the Nets lost to the Knicks last Thursday. Visibly distraught, he sat at the podium and gave the most well-received postgame presser a Net has had in years.
“I wanted that s*** so f****** bad,” he began.
“Ever since we’ve been here, it’s like every game is an away game, you know? Tonight was just the night to really just stick it to everybody, man. As an organization, as a team, to show people that we got s**** here, yo. Man, just a sea of blue, a sea of orange. Every game we play, it’s a sea of the other team, and I saw it here when I was on the Celtics. But being here, it’s like, I got nothing but respect for the real fans, like, the real Brooklyn fans. Shout out to them, you know, because I know it’s tough being outnumbered every single game. But I really feel like what we have here isn’t b***s***. Like, we have pieces here. I’ve seen it. That’s what this ‘rivalry’ meant to me.”
Yes, Minott put the word “rivalry” in air quotes. After posting the answer on social media, I got dozens of messages and replies just like this, with many fans half-jokingly calling Minott their new favorite player…
Minott did not deny the reality of playing home games at Barclays, particularly for a bad team. He did not try to talk up a rivalry with the team whose fans just infiltrated the building, instead admitting that it stinks. That’s much more palatable than the meek “it is what it is,” type of platitude Mikal Bridges went with when he was still in Brooklyn, and it’s much more respectable than trying to well actually Knicks fans on the Internet.
Minott was brutally honest and defiantly proud to be a Net. That’s an ultra-rare combination, and he pulled it off during a season that might end with 17 wins. In Who Are Nets Fans?, Ock Sportello observed that, “We know that we are alone, then, but only we can say it.”
Well … what if Nets fans didn’t care who said it. One of their own players just did, and it was the most popular quote of the season. The Nets will not tank forever. At some point, they will, in Minott’s words, get a chance to stick it to everybody.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 25: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics reacts to a foul called against him during the second half of the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at TD Garden on March 25, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Thunder 119-109. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
#1 – Jaylen at the wheel
When you are on the road and the Thunder strikes, you need your driver at the wheel to get you through the storm. For the Boston Celtics, the man at the wheel has a name: Jaylen Brown. Despite the physical defense from the OKC Thunder, the 2024 Finals MVP was able to get to the rim repeatedly.
Lu Dort did his best to stay attached but, in the second half, Brown was really smart about the way he moved with and without the ball. On this baseline out-of-bounds play, he uses Neemias Queta’s screen to be a step ahead when he catches the ball and drives straight away while Dort is losing his balance.
And then, the exclamation point. He catches the ball at the key, back to the rim. He feels Alex Caruso is a little too much on his left. So he spins, drives, and explodes at the rim to deliver a new poster for Jaylin Williams’ bedroom.
As the Celtics saw how effective Jaylen was at getting to the rim last night, they kept calling plays for him to give him space. On this ball-screen, the OKC Thunder doesn’t want to switch and that creates a small gap. That slight difference allows JB to get going and here he is, at the rim again.
Yet, one of the hidden reasons the rim was so accessible last night might be related to the recent return of… Jayson Tatum.
#2 – Jayson Tatum’s gravity
Since coming back, the Celtics’ offense breathes a lot better. More space to execute because the defense can’t ignore him off the ball, leading to better driving lanes for Jaylen—but not only. When he is involved in an action, the defense often overreacts once he has the ball and that creates collapses. On this play (that led to yet another poster dunk), look how the defensive shell cracks as soon as he touches the ball.
There were other plays that stood out in this game and highlighted JT’s gravity, like here in the first half. Jayson Tatum has the ball on the wing, which draws a lot of attention. And do you know who is on the other wing? Another All-Star who is going to take advantage of that gravity.
Like Nik tweeted last night, questioning the power of attraction that Jayson Tatum has on a defense—and therefore his impact on the Celtics’ offense—doesn’t make any sense.
Don’t ever want to see anyone question Tatum’s gravity again
OKC literally coming all the way off of White and Chet getting ready to help on the other side pic.twitter.com/jpXfgBmp8b
Yes, he is not as explosive as last season. Yes, the finishing at the rim is still a bit weak and the pull-up threes are sometimes a bit too much. Nevertheless, the Celtics are better with Jayson Tatum on the court as a spacer, but also as a creator. Especially when they go to a certain play-call: the Spain pick-and-roll.
#3 – Spain all over the place
Throughout the season, I have written about this play after many games, but last night was different. First, because it was against the best defense in the league, so it was a great opportunity to test it. Second, because for once I was lucky enough to ask Joe Mazzulla about it.
For @celticsblog I asked Joe Mazzulla "why this action (Spain PnR) is so hard to defend?"
His answers "There is time it is easy to defend, it depends on how well you execute […] It's a stabilizing play for us, we got to continue to work on it against the different coverages" https://t.co/sp15tfJPBapic.twitter.com/ppYoCTjcGX
As often, Joe Mazzulla didn’t go into the details of why the action is so important. But he called it “stabilizing,” confirming the trend that it felt like they were going to that play a lot. Usually, the play works really well against drop coverage because it blocks the center from stepping back to protect the rim. Against the OKC Thunder, the Celtics had to deal with more hedge coverage, putting a lot of pressure on the ball.
But Jayson Tatum doesn’t care. Look at the speed and accuracy of the pass to Luka Garza, who rolls to the rim.
Repetition of a play that can beat different coverages is great for the Boston Celtics and also for Jayson Tatum. The beauty of that play is that different players can fill different roles. JB and JT can both be screeners or ball-handlers, and the same goes for Payton Pritchard and Derrick White. A deep team.
#4 – Protect the paint at all cost
Pretty quickly in the game, you could understand that the Celtics would live with shooting variance as long as the ball didn’t get into the paint. And looking at the stats, it made a lot of sense. The Thunder made 100% of their shots at the rim, but they generated only 11 of them.
In the meantime, the Celtics allowed the Thunder to take 40% of their shots from beyond the arc, but they made only 12 out of 37 attempts. The first three came early in the game, and you could have wondered if the Celtics would stick to that approach.
But they didn’t panic. They weathered the storm in the first half, slowly getting back into the game because the defense did a great job of limiting rim attempts in half-court situations. Bodies were all around SGA when he drove, because the Celtics know it takes more than one to stop an MVP.
The Celtics remained stubborn in their approach and it paid off in the long run. The second great thing they did defensively was turning misses into stops.
#5 – The rebounding dilemma
Going into the game, both Joe Mazzulla and Mark Daigneault knew their teams’ strengths and weaknesses. In the press conference, the OKC Thunder coach was transparent and called rebounding his team’s biggest weakness.
Mark Daigneault called the rebounding a “major weakness” for the Thunder.
He also said that, depending the lineups, they have moments where they are less threatened on than end.
This will be an interesting possession battle tonight in Boston against Celtics.
And the Celtics built their strategy on that. First of all, on defense, they knew there wouldn’t be many crashes on the glass, but they needed to make sure that hustlers like Caruso or Dort wouldn’t generate too many second chances. Overall, they limited the Thunder to four offensive rebounds, which is one of the best defensive rebounding nights for the Celtics.
But then, what do you do on offense? The Thunder is a fierce transition team, but at the same time they have that obvious rebounding weakness. To keep applying pressure, the Celtics did crash the glass—but less with Garza and Queta than usual, and more with the wings.
This was a smart approach to be aggressive without giving up too much on the glass and getting exposed in transition.
#6 – Mismatch hunting
This game felt like a good old Celtics game for that reason too. It has been a while since we have seen both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown hunt mismatches like they did yesterday with Ajay Mitchell.
They did their best to force the Belgian into switches so they could attack that mismatch and eat that waffle. Look how strong Tatum’s screen is here—there are no other options.
This other play is an even stronger example. They know Mitchell will switch unless it’s onto Brown. But the Celtics really want that matchup. On the first screen, Mitchell doesn’t switch, but he switches on the second (from Pritchard to White), then a third screen comes—and that’s Brown again. This time, he can’t escape.
Both Jays showed patience and great determination in getting these switches and making the Thunder pay for having a great offensive threat with defensive limitations.
#7 – No center, no problem
The Celtics also went back to that small-ball lineup we saw earlier, with Jayson Tatum as the tallest man on the court. This time, the defense was much more solid. They understood that for this approach to work, they had to be extremely aggressive and stay connected in their rotations.
This defensive play is a great example of how committed they were, and we saw our first block of the season from Jayson on that help at the rim.
And if the defense holds well enough with that small-ball lineup, then it becomes a great opportunity to get the offense going. With only shooters and drivers on the court, it is tough for the defense to keep up because they cannot double, but one-on-one defense becomes a trap against such elite isolation players. On top of that, look at that spacing.
This approach forced the Thunder to match it, showing that the Celtics were the ones dictating the rules last night.
#8 – Pritchard making a difference
Of course, Pritchard was attacked whenever he was on the court and sometimes weakened the defensive structure. However, the spacing he brings is so valuable against a team that is willing to stunt hard but can also recover quickly. That’s why his ability to shoot from so deep, again and again, is huge for the Celtics in these matchups.
The big bonus of his profile is his drive. If the closeout is too aggressive, he has the ability to get into the paint—and he has his spots there too. Here, against Chet Holmgren in the paint, he doesn’t panic, uses his footwork and soft touch to shoot over the seven-footer.
The positioning on offense is perfect. He does a great job of taking his time to get the best shot possible after Jaylen Brown’s smart pass to the corner. Then, back on defense against the MVP, he doesn’t panic.
He stays connected, denies him, and forces the offense to play at a slower tempo than expected. Once SGA has the ball, he does a great job of using his hands without fouling until they force a turnover from the MVP. Great work.
As usual, he crashed the boards, scored a putback, and kept providing playmaking on both ends of the floor. Impressive shooting night too, as he provided much-needed spacing. Funny enough, he beat SGA twice with the same move from the corner.
The previous matchups over the last two years have been such great games that we deserve seven of these in June. As SGA said, there is a playoff feel in these games. Now let’s make it an NBA Finals feel.
“Every time you play a Boston Celtics, you get a playoff feel. No matter what day it is. No matter who’s out there. They’re super well-coached. They have really good players… It’s a game that you see where you really are and they test you. We got a test tonight; we didn’t pass… pic.twitter.com/23yN0chlHx
