SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 09: Moses Moody #4 of the Golden State Warriors drives towards the basket on GG Jackson #45 of the Memphis Grizzlies in the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on February 09, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Let’s talk about resilience, Dub Nation. The Warriors limp into FedExForum tonight missing Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Kristaps Porzingis, carrying their playoff hopes on the backs of Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski and a collection of contributors who were largely afterthoughts two months ago. And somehow, the Warriors are still eighth in the Western Conference at 30-28, clinging to that play-in spot with both hands.
Next up in there way is the new look Memphis Grizzlies, who have let go of pretty much anybody who played in these two teams short lived rivalry besides Ja Morant. Oh by the way, he’s out with an elbow injury for another week and a half at least.
De’Anthony Melton on how he feels physically and if he thinks he can play in the 5 back-to-backs left this season:
“I feel good. I feel solid. Taking it day by day, see how tomorrow holds up. See how my body holds up and just keep checking along. Most definitely. There were… pic.twitter.com/HpdgwEuYsh
Last night in New Orleans was painful. Zion Williamson dropped 26, Dejounte Murray made his return from a torn Achilles like he never missed a beat, and the Warriors shot a brutal 24.4% from three on 45 attempts. You can survive a lot of things in this league. Making eleven threes on 45 attempts isn’t one of them. Melton’s season-high 28 and Moody’s 24 weren’t enough to close a four-point gap with under two minutes left, and Golden State fell 113-109 to a Pelicans team that seemed like an easier win on paper than real life.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr highlighted 21 turnovers and a lack of offensive execution against New Orleans.
“With the injuries we have, we have to play well to win. And I don’t think we played well tonight.”
Now it’s time to face Memphis one night later. The Grizzlies that once made this rivalry genuinely threatening, the Dillon Brooks-led outfit that tortured Golden State in the 2022 playoffs, barely exists anymore. Jaren Jackson Jr. is gone. The team just lost to the Sacramento Kings, who had dropped sixteen straight and hadn’t won since January 16th. They are decimated by injuries, missing eight players in the loss to Sacramento. Some relative unknowns are running this show now, and the Ja Morant trade rumors are so loud at this point that ESPN’s insiders are writing offseason previews about it in February.
Here’s what matters: Golden State has handled Memphis twice this season, 131-118 in October and 114-113 in a February nail-biter. Only nine Warriors saw action Tuesday. Tonight won’t look much different. But this is a winnable game against a rebuilding team that just got embarrassed by the league’s worst record. The play-in picture is close enough that every W matters.
Game tips off tonight at FedExForum. Come on, Dub Nation. This one’s there for the taking.
But for college basketball fans, the angst and excitement of March Madness has already arrived. With conference tournaments around the corner, the excitement for the 2026 NCAA Tournament is building among many fan bases.
Fans have been treated to potential Final Four previews, with Duke-Michigan and Houston-Arizona facing off on Saturday, Feb. 21. Another big one ― No. 11 Illinois hosting No. 3 Michigan ― is on the docket for Friday, Feb. 27, which could help determine final seeding for the tournament.
However, while fans of programs are certainly excited, the bigger joy fans get is watching the teams currently on the bubble playing for their postseason lives. For all intents and purposes, their NCAA Tournament has already begun for these teams.
Here's a look at the latest NCAA Tournament preview, including bubble teams and locks to reach March Madness:
March Madness bracket bubble watch tracker
March Madness locks
Based on games through Tuesday, Feb. 24
Big Ten (7): Michigan, Purdue, Nebraska, Michigan State, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin
Torvik's metrics are used in the NCAA's BPI equation, alongside third-party analyst Ken Pomeroy, also referenced as KenPom by college basketball fans.
NCAA Tournament likely ins
Big 12(1): UCF
Big Ten (2): Indiana, UCLA
ACC(2): SMU, Miami
SEC (4): Kentucky, Texas A&M, Texas, Georgia
Big East(0): N/A
Other(2): Saint Mary's, New Mexico
Even with two weeks left in the regular season, the likely-ins list is shorter than the locks. The teams on this list have between a 70% and 98.9% chance to reach the NCAA Tournament, per Torvik.
However, Texas and New Mexico have been big droppers over the past few weeks, while UCLA has worked itself into the equation following an upset win over Illinois on Feb. 21.
NCAA Tournament bubble teams
Big 12(3): Texas Christian, West Virginia, Cincinnati
Big Ten (3): Ohio State, Southern California, Washington
ACC(2): Virginia Tech, California
SEC (2): Auburn, Missouri
Big East(1): Seton Hall
Other(3): Santa Clara, San Diego State, VCU
All of these teams have their work cut out to reach the NCAA Tournament, and not all of them are going to crack a spot in the tournament. They are going to either need to win out, win their respective conference tournament, or need some help with other teams stumbling.
However, having a shot is all that matters at this point in the season.
While there are still regular-season games and conference tournaments to be played, the March Madness picture for men's college basketball is starting to come into shape.
Strong national championship contenders for the 2026 NCAA Tournament include Duke (led by Cameron Boozer), Arizona (led by Brayden Burries), Michigan (led by Yaxel Lendeborg), Iowa State (led by Milan Momcilovic), Connecticut (led by Solo Ball), Houston (led by Kingston Fleming) and Illinois (led by Keaton Wagler). Reigning national champion Florida has also started to re-enter the mix in recent weeks with a few wins over Alabama and Kentucky.
There are, of course, a handful of teams sitting on the bubble that are hoping to secure a key win (or a few) to change their status from "March Madness maybes" to "March Madness locks" over the next few weeks.
The Final Four is set for five weeks from this upcoming Saturday in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium, the first time the Final Four is being held in the NFL stadium of the Indianapolis Colts since the COVID-19 bubble tournament in 2021, when Baylor took down Gonzaga.
Here's what to know on the when March Madness gets underway for men's college basketball:
When is March Madness?
March Madness gets going on Tuesday, March 17 in Dayton, Ohio, at UD Arena with the First Four. The condensed 64-team bracket will then officially get underway with first-round games two days later on Thursday, March 19.
When is Selection Sunday?
Date: Sunday, March 15
Selection Sunday for the 2026 men's NCAA Tournament is set for Sunday, March 15 at 6 p.m. ET. The unveiling of the 68-team bracket will take place after the conclusion of the Big Ten championship game.
Complete March Madness 2026 schedule
Here’s a rundown of the schedule for the 2026 NCAA men's tournament:
First Four: March 17-18
First round: March 19-20
Second round: March 21-22
Sweet 16: March 26-27
Elite Eight: March 28-29
Final Four: Saturday, April 4 (at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis)
National championship game: Monday, April 6 (at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis)
CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 24: James Harden #1 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers high five during the game against the New York Knicks on February 24, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Knicks head coach Mike Brown didn’t take the bait when asked pregame if his team lost something they could exploit against the Cavs since they don’t have two smaller guards after swapping out Darius Garland for James Harden.
“I don’t necessarily think that,” Brown said diplomatically.
Brown did, however, go into all the ways that Harden changes the offensive dynamic. It isn’t that the Cavs necessarily want to do different things; they’re just better at doing so due to his size and strength.
“Your backside [defense] has to be on point. Your transition [defense] has to be on point because everybody wants to run because he’s great at throwing that long pass. There are a lot of things you have to pay attention to. At the end of the day, they still have Donovan (Mitchell).”
They also still have Jarrett Allen, who’s playing the best basketball of his career.
Unlike Sunday against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Allen was an active part of the offense early, which led to him controlling the paint on both ends. He finished with 19 points on 7-8 shooting to go along with 10 big rebounds.
Performances like this have become the norm in February, to the point that his teammates are jokingly referring to this version of Allen as “Black History Month J.A.” In February, he’s averaging 21.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game on 74% shooting.
Allen has been one of the best centers in the league during that stretch, and it was all spurred on by head coach Kenny Atkinson challenging him several weeks back when it was announced Evan Mobley would be a few weeks with a calf strain.
“He told me you’re going to have to pick it up,” Allen said. “You’re gonna have to make up for the loss of rim protection, lost offensive ability, and I took it to heart.”
It’s fair to say Allen has. And the Cavs have been at their best this season when he’s actively involved in the offense. They’re now 19-2 when he’s scored 15 or more points in a game. His rim pressure simply opens everything up for the offense, and that’s even more true after the addition of Harden.
The two-man game between Harden and Allen is lethal, given how well their skillsets match.
“He understands when to roll to the basket, when to short roll, when to find the pocket, screening angles, different things like that,” Harden said. “He’s so athletic, he gets into the role, to the screen, out of the screen so fast, which you know, I got to get used to that.”
Allen’s grasp of how to do these things pairs incredibly well with someone like Harden, who may be the best pick-and-roll manipulator in the history of the game.
“Just his patience,” Allen said. “He’s not going to force any lob…He’s not going to try to make the hero play. He’s going to try to pick the other team apart. Just try to understand their defense and try to make the right play.”
This play is a great example of how Allen’s feel and Harden’s patience can work in tandem.
Here, Allen sets a high screen for Harden, but holds it long enough to get OG Anunoby to trail on the play, forcing Karl Anthony-Towns to step up. Instead of Harden trying to blow by Towns, he slowly strings him out across the court, creating more separation between him and the roller. By the time Harden delivers the pass to Allen, the only thing the defense can do is foul or give up what would be an easy lay-in with how far out of position they are.
Good players can create mismatches and advantages. Great ones can amplify those advantages to consistently break a defense.
Harden processes the game at such a high level. He can diagnose and dissect what is happening in real time, allowing him to make the correct decision seemingly whenever he’s running the pick-and-roll.
“The first option is myself scoring the basketball off the pick-and-roll,” Harden said. “Then it’s the big, and then, once they figure that out, then it trickles down to the corner threes and the pull-behind guys and so forth.”
Allen said after the game that the offense has been clicking because they’ve been able to repeatedly run the same set and consistently score.
The Cavs have been able to do that with the pick-and-roll. It’s such a simple action, but when you run it correctly, there’s seemingly unlimited positive outcomes.
This is a good example of that. The Knicks know that they want to get the ball to Allen, so they crash to keep that from happening. This leads to the kickout to Dean Wade. But in the shuffle, the off-balance defense lost Allen, which set up another easy dunk inside.
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The Cavs have become a one-play Madden spammer. But no matter what the defense does, it’s nearly impossible to take away all the possible outcomes if it’s run correctly. Someone is bound to be left alone. It just comes down to execution at that point.
Being able to lean on the pick-and-roll has made the offensive adjustment easy; the same can’t be said for the defense, even on a night they held the Knicks under 100 points.
The defensive strategy has been simple since the trades: protect the rim at all costs and live with the three-point variance. These last two games show how differently that can play out depending on the night.
It didn’t work against the Thunder. They hit over half of their threes. Conversely, the Knicks converted just 27% of them, which led to their offense sputtering, particularly in the third quarter when they went 1-12 from three and essentially lost the game in that span.
Playing this way is a good short-term strategy, but it may not be how this team reaches its ceiling. That’s why both Allen and Harden brought up the defense as an area of concern postgame, even though they just held one of the best offenses in the league to only 94 points.
“Defense is going to be the key,” Harden said. “If we can find a way to really hone in defensively, and really get stops and limit teams to one shot, we’re going to be very, very tough.”
The Cavs are a better team now than they were the previous two times they played the Knicks. Swapping out an injured Garland for Harden has drastically changed the offense, as has finding legit bench contributors in Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis, who’ve done an incredible job of stabilizing the second unit.
In their Christmas Day meeting, the Cavs got up big in the third quarter, but coughed it all up in the fourth due to an inability to execute offensively, combined with poor defensive rebounding.
Tuesday night was different as they simply kept their foot on the gas, never giving the Knicks any hope that they could come back from their 18-point deficit at the end of the third. This speaks to how much more prepared the Cavs are to face elite opponents, despite their limited time together.
“I think we’re pretty good, but the crazy part is, we’ve had two practices (since the trade),” Mitchell said. “There’s some groups out there where we’re just playing off [feel]. Like, Dennis came in and created this play for me the first game we’ve got here, and we’ve been runnnig that. … We’ve just been going off film and going off our IQ. … Thats a credit to the guys coming in here.”
The scary thing is that the Cavs believe they’re nowhere near their ceiling for this group.
“We’ll continue to get better and better,” Mitchell said. “The fact that were doing what we’ve been doing at a high level without much time together, it speaks to a lot, but we’re not even close to where we want to be. We have a lot more we can figure out.”
When the Boston Celtics acquired Nikola Vučević at February’s NBA trade deadline, it gave them options.
Adding Vučević provided Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla the flexibility to lean on the two-time All-Star, roll with a double-big lineup, or bring him off the bench behind Neemias Queta — the plan Boston has used to acclimate Vooch. But the Anfernee Simons–Chicago Bulls swap in the final 48 hours before the deadline has not only benefited Vučević, now in a contending environment, and Boston’s need for frontcourt depth; it’s also gone a long way for Queta’s breakout campaign as a first-year starter.
“It’s been huge,” Queta told reporters following Tuesday night’s win over the Phoenix Suns, per CLNS Media. “I’m trying to pick his brain every day, trying to figure out how I can get better with my game as well. Credit to him — I think he’s been a great addition in terms of spacing the floor, being able to be a threat down low. He’s going to rebound for sure, too. He’s going to be key for us late in the season, and we’re still trying to figure out a couple of things with him — how to get him in his best spots, and he’s trying to get loose too.”
Vučević has only been around for six games, and Queta isn’t squandering the opportunity of sharing a locker room with the 15-year veteran’s expertise.
For the first 52 games of the season, Queta was on his own. Chris Boucher, a nine-year veteran and two-time champion, joined the Celtics but fizzled out of the rotation early before a deadline trade to the Utah Jazz. With only six games of prior starting experience, Queta was elevated from his usual backup role in response to the offseason departures of Kristaps Porziņģis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet, becoming Joe Mazzulla’s starting center. It marked the first true opportunity of Queta’s career, and easily the most challenging.
So as soon as Vučević entered Boston’s locker room for the first time, Queta spotted an avenue, and he wasn’t going to pass it up.
Vučević spent nine years with the Orlando Magic and his six most recent seasons in Chicago, fortifying himself as one of the league’s most skilled perimeter big men. Over the years, he was frequently linked to Boston in trade rumors, and each time landed in Beantown to face the Celtics, fans across the city made their desire clear — offering warm welcomes and not-so-subtle invitations to join the fold, even though it took until his age-35 season for that desire to come to fruition.
In his prime, Vučević was an automatic double-double, capable of averaging over 20 points and 10 rebounds. Today, he remains one of the league’s best at spacing the floor and knocking down the three-ball, but it’s the finer details of Vučević’s game that Queta has been eyeing for years.
Now, Queta has the luxury of working alongside Vučević daily, seeing it all up close.
“Being able to seal guys off, how he can be a threat down low, how he can make quick moves down there in the paint, in the post, and just how much more effective I can be,” Queta explained. “Just picking his brain on anything.”
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 24: Neemias Queta #88 of the Boston Celtics attempts to dunk the ball over Jamaree Bouyea #17 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 24, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Queta made his 53rd start in 54 appearances this season on Tuesday night in Phoenix. He scored 14 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, recording his second consecutive double-double for the first time in his career. His performance wasn’t beyond what Queta has proven capable of as a full-time starter, but it was an extension of the player he’s been before Vučević arrived — eager to learn and ready to step up wherever the team needs him.
“(He’s) curious about the details, wants to get better, understands what he has to do to help us win games, and takes pride in that,” Mazzulla told reporters, per CLNS Media.
That attitude will be most beneficial as Queta logs big, meaningful minutes while Vučević serves as both a teammate and a reliable shoulder to lean on. Whether in practice, on off-days, or during games, Queta can look to Vučević as a source of guidance straight from an expert’s perspective.
What began as a daunting task for Queta has become an ideal situation for the 26-year-old. He’s been a vital part of the retooled Celtics offense, particularly when running the Spain pick-and-roll, and has quietly eased Boston’s frontcourt concerns. Replacing Porziņģis, Horford, and Kornet is no small task, but the promotion has paid off, and now having Vučević in the mix is somewhat of a reward that could pay dividends for Queta over time.
Boston’s fourth straight victory, without Jaylen Brown, was just the latest indicator of his ascension.
“That’s a sign of the consistency that he’s playing with,” Mazzulla told reporters. “That’s the growth of a guy — when you can earn being counted on every night — and he’s earned that. We know, heading into every game, that we can count on him. So it’s a credit to him.”
Queta isn’t looking to put a cap on his potential development.
This season was penciled in as a bridge year for Queta to get his feet wet, but that’s no longer the prevailing sentiment. Boston is flourishing, as is Queta, and expectations have been restored, pushing the Celtics back into the conversation as contenders. He’s no longer viewed as an easy-to-pull-for underdog thrown into a tough situation. Queta has been legit, and he’s been legit throughout the season’s entirety. If anything, he’s underrated when compared with the rest of the league’s starting centers, and little by little, he’s continuously changing the narrative around him.
“I feel like I’ve taken strides in so many different aspects of my game,” Queta told reporters. “And there’s so much more I can get better at. I don’t wanna pinpoint just one thing. I feel like it’d be a disservice to all the stuff I’m getting better at. By thinking, ‘Oh, this is the biggest thing I’ve done,’ I’d be shortchanging what’s coming next. I’m still hungry, and I still wanna keep on getting better.”
PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 24: Jamaree Bouyea #17 of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket during the game against the Boston Celtics on February 24, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Nothing really jumps off the page with a quick glance at the box score of the Celtics’ total eclipse of the Suns. The team shot just 40% from the field, including a dismal 13-of-47 from beyond the arc. They shot just nine free throws, with Payton Pritchard making all four of his trips after hitting just two of his 13 shots on the night.
And yet, the 97-81 win might be one of their most impressive and definitive victories of the season.
Disregard the fact that Jaylen Brown (and obviously, Jayson Tatum) didn’t play. They weren’t around three weeks ago when the Celtics grounded the Rockets in Houston either.
No, what the Celtics did to the Suns on Tuesday night has become their calling card throughout the entire season. If you were to boil down Boston’s approach, head coach Joe Mazzulla will tell you that it’s all about winning the margins, particularly limiting turnovers, generating more possessions with offensive rebounding, getting up threes, and defending like hell.
The latter two have always been staples of Mazzulla ball. In his first two seasons at the helm including the championship year in 2024, the Celtics were top-2 in defensive rating and three-point field goal attempts. Boston, with its star-studded roster, could bury teams with math.
This year, with several newcomers and young players, further refined the formula to include offensive rebounding and taking care of the ball.
“We just have to fight for perspective,” Mazzulla said after the team was down 26-21 despite winning the offensive rebounding battle, taking several open 3s, and turning the ball over just once. “We need to do a better job on the defensive glass, but we ended up getting more shots than they did and the shots finally came, but credit to the guys. Even when we’re not shooting well, we’re still defending. We gotta keep that up.”
At the buzzer, Boston ended up taking sixteen more field goals because of 22 offensive rebounds. At one point in the third quarter, they were up 28 points.
It may seem like an elementary basketball theory — take care of the ball, maximize your shots by taking threes, and get more shots off the glass — but it’s a novel approach in recent history. The Thunder were #1 in turnovers and defense, but didn’t hit the offensive glass as much and weren’t a prolific three-point shooting team. The Nuggets of three seasons ago ranked 20th in turnovers, 25th in 3FAs, 15th in defensive efficiency, and 12th in offensive rebounding percentage.
There are many ways to skin a cat and raise a banner for sure, but the Celtics this season might have the most unique technique. Considering they average the fewest possessions per game with a 95.55 pace, Mazzulla is betting that Boston will be more disciplined and more consistent in what is in effect a shorter game. The 81 points that the Suns mustered against the Celtics was their second lowest point total of the year. More so, it’s the fifth time in February that Boston has held a team under 100. They haven’t the lowest scoring defense in the league at 107.6 points per game and the lowest defensive efficiency in the month of February.
The 2026 men's NCAA tournament starts in Dayton for the First Four and ends in Indianapolis for the Final Four. Below is a list of the March Madness venues in between.
First- and second-round games will be held at eight cities spanning across four time zones. Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games will be held at regional sites before the final four teams converge on Indianapolis in early April.
Feb 24, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots against Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
LOS ANGELES — While the Lakers have their big three of LeBron James, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves healthy and available, it hasn’t been smooth sailing.
The game ended in heartbreaking fashion with Luka passing up an open look and tossing the ball to LeBron, who had to heave a shot to beat the buzzer that bounced off the rim.
This sequence, featuring some poor offensive execution, has been far too common in Los Angeles. It’s a prime example of how the team hasn’t been able to find an offensive rhythm lately.
With LA needing every win possible in the crowded Western Conference, better offense is necessary, especially on a night where the other aspects of their game were good enough to earn the result.
“I thought we played well enough to win tonight,” Redick said postgame. “[We] certainly had the edge and played hard enough to win. We played together. We did our best to play the right way and share the basketball.”
With 24 assists on 40 makes, Redick is right that the ball was moving. And with Dendre Ayton finding a rhythm during the first half, things were looking up for LA early on.
“Well, my playmakers were feeding me the ball, and they just kept telling me do the same thing over and over,” Ayton said. “So, I just was making sure I was physical and I tried my best to score closest to the rim as much as possible so I can keep getting it down there. Tonight, they believed in their switches a lot, so I’m glad I got a chance to punish that just to switch it up a little bit and give them a different look.”
But Los Angeles slowly died in this game. Through three quarters, they took a double-digit lead and turned it into a home loss. They couldn’t take advantage of Orlando shooting 24% from deep because they were outrebounded 48-40.
And as individuals, none of their big three stepped up.
Reaves is known for being an aggressive player who gets inside the paint and to the free-throw line. He only took five shot attempts in the first half and didn’t score until the third quarter.
Luka is the team’s bestplayer and on-ball creator. Against the Magic, he went 8-24 from the field and converted on just two of his ten3-point attempts. Perhaps that poor shooting is why he became passive on that final possession.
"I know I was open, I just thought I was a little bit far." Luka Dončić on the final play of the game.
And LeBron had a respectable game, scoring 21 points, but most of that damage came during his first six minutes of play, where he scored 10 points. After that, he was rather pedestrian,and that’s not going to be enough when his co-stars are struggling.
LA needed more from their starson Tuesday night and no one was able to respond.
It’s clear the Lakers’ strength isn’t defense. They are ranked 24th in the league in defensive rating. So, they have to win games with their offense. That shouldn’t be as much of a problem with two All-Stars and Reaves, who is also known for putting the ball in the hoop.
However, they posted their second-lowest point total of the season against the Celtics and shot horrendously from three against Orlando, going 9-29 as a team.
Whether it’s because of a lack of time working together, their opponents throwing different defensive coverages at them or just a cold streak, the fact is they haven’t been able to, as a collective, consistently score since the All-Star break.
With 25 games left, time is running out for them to figure things out.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 24: Oso Ighodaro #11 of the Phoenix Suns controls a rebound over Ron Harper Jr. #13 and Baylor Scheierman #55 of the Boston Celtics during the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 24, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
PHOENIX — Late in the third quarter of the Celtics 97-81 win over the Phoenix Suns, Payton Pritchard turned the ball over. Suns two-way player Jamaree Bouyea dribbled furiously down the court, while Baylor Scheiermman stayed in front of him, keeping his arms raised, but avoiding any contact.
Ron Harper Jr, amid his second-ever NBA start, trailed the play, but sprinted back and ultimately swatted Bouyea’s layup. Hugo Gonzalez secured the rebound and finished a layup on the other end. The Celtics led by 23.
The block was pretty cool.
But in the split second after Harper’s massive block came the play of the game. Before they ran back on offense, Harper and Scheierman enthusiastically high-fived, celebrating their collective big-time stop.
WHAT A PLAY by the Celtics
Baylor Scheierman does a GREAT job going straight up allowing Ron Harper Jr time to catch up and absolutely smack this layup attempt
The dap up afterwards is a true mark of what happened : a collective effort
Harper got credit for the block on the box score, but Scheierman’s role in the play was just as important — he stayed vertical, avoided a foul, and ultimately helped force Bouyea into a difficult look.
“We talk about that a lot,” Joe Mazzulla said after the game. “Those plays are super important, because a lot of times that guy that goes up for the block may foul, and then you don’t get a chance to contest it. And so we do focus on a lot, it’s not just that guy that gets the block — it’s just as important to protect the rim.”
A Ron Harper Jr — Baylor Scheierman defensive sequence perfectly captures the magic of this Celtics season
Ron Harper Jr. and Baylor Scheierman first met when they played on the Celtics’ Summer League team in 2024. Scheierman had just been drafted days prior, while Harper was coming off a serious shoulder injury that abruptly ended his season.
Both players spent most of the 2024-2025 season in the G League; Harper began his year with the Maine Celtics and finished it with the Motor City Cruise after getting a two-way contract with the Detroit Pistons, while Scheierman spent it in Maine.
Now, both players are impacting winning with the parents club, and both got the start in Tuesday’s matchup against the Suns. (Scheierman has started the last five games for the Celtics, while Harper started in place of Jaylen Brown, who missed the game with a knee contusion).
Harper, who remains on a two-way contract, added 8 points, 5 rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block in 30 minutes.
Afterwards, Sam Hauser — who also started en route to a 16-point night — praised his performances.
“Nothing changes when he gets out there,” Hauser said of Harper. “There’s no skipping of the beats, and he’s a great player. He’s a great defender, and he helps us in a lot of different ways. And tonight he was great.”
Scheierman, meanwhile, tallied 11 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal in 32 minutes — and also earned Hauser’s praise.
“He can kind of can do a little bit of everything, and he’s shown it,” Hauser said. “And he, again, is another guy who just kind of got thrust into the lineup — and he’s made the most of it. At times, it’s really hard to take him off the floor, for obvious reasons, because he’s a really well-rounded player, and he’s been defending his butt off, and it’s been fun to watch.”
Harper will likely go back to the bench when Jaylen Brown returns to the lineup in the coming days, and Scheierman’s minutes will likely diminish when (or if) Jayson Tatum makes his season debut.
But on Tuesday night, for a brief moment, those two 25-year-old, former G League standouts were invincible.
And in the middle of live action, they high-fived one another, taking a moment to recognize just how great a defensive possession it was. It’s that kind of synergy that’s allowed the Celtics to have the NBA’s best defense over the past month, and the 8th-best defensive rating in the league this season.
That Harper-Scheierman sequence stood out to Derrick White, too.
“It’s huge,” said White. “Baylor does a good job of occupying, kind of slowing him down a little bit, and Ron sprints back and makes a play. That’s the kind of thing we talk about all the time — it’s a team effort, every time down the court. Even in transition, you try to get nothing easy. Big time for both of them to sprint back and make that big play, and it was a big momentum swing for us.”
The duo’s reaction perfectly captured what kind of season it’s been.
Kon Knueppel scored his 200th three-pointer in only his 58th NBA game [Getty Images]
Rookie Kon Knueppel became the fastest player to reach 200 three-pointers in NBA history as the Charlotte Hornets defeated the Chicago Bulls 131-99.
The 20-year-old American scored 21 points, including three three-pointers, while Brandon Miller added 23 as the visiting Hornets condemned the Bulls to a 10th consecutive defeat for the first time since the 2018-19 season.
Knueppel needed only 58 games to tally up his 200th three-pointer - 11 less than previous record holder Duncan Robinson - and is also just the second rookie to reach the milestone.
With a league-leading 201 three-pointers, Knueppel only needs six more to break Keegan Murray's record of 206 in 2022-23 for the Sacramento Kings for the most threes made by a player in their first season.
Having played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils, Knueppel was drafted as a fourth overall pick by the Hornets in the 2025 draft.
"It is exciting and refreshing [to coach Knueppel]," said head coach Charles Lee after the Hornets' eighth straight win on the road.
"It elevates our whole culture when you have a guy who is that good but that humble and has no ego, and it becomes contagious throughout the whole organisation."
Meanwhile, new signing James Harden scored 20 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers returned to winning ways with a 109-94 victory over the New York Knicks.
The result helped them draw level on 37 wins and 22 losses with the Knicks, who are third in the Eastern Conference.
Harden, who left the Los Angeles Clippers this month, is an 11-time NBA All-Star and regarded as one of the greatest guards in history, but the 36-year-old has never won an NBA title.
"We're working to build something special, and each game is an opportunity to get better," said Harden. "Tonight was a good step for us."
The Boston Celtics consolidated second place with a 97-81 win over the Phoenix Suns while the Philadelphia 76ers posted a 135-114 win against the Indiana Pacers, who are bottom of the Eastern Conference after reaching the NBA Finals last year.
Western Conference leaders Oklahoma City Thunder overcame the Toronto Raptors 116-107 while sixth-placed Los Angeles Lakers were edged by Orlando Magic 110-109 and the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 124-121.
DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 23: Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs dunks the ball during the game against the Detroit Pistons on February 23, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Every game after the All-Star break feels like it carries more weight, especially for a team that is within striking distance of the first seed, and another that can still secure home-court advantage in the first round.
The San Antonio Spurs are the hottest team in the NBA with nine straight wins, five of which have come on the road. They may not be champions, but they have a target on their backs because of their talent and the noise they’ve made so far.
This will be the second and final matchup between these teams, with the Spurs having claimed the first in San Antonio on Oct. 27 without their All-Star point guard. Similar to the Spurs, the Toronto Raptors are tough to cover because they move the ball well and average a low time of possession and seconds per touch.
Notably, the Raptors have been vulnerable at home this year, logging a 16-14 record in Scotiabank Arena. They are an average-to-below-level rebounding team, so the Spurs will have an opportunity to punish them by coming up with extra possessions.
San Antonio Spurs (41-16) at Toronto Raptors (34-24)
Feb. 24, 2026 | 6:30 PM CT
Watch: FanDuel | Listen: WOAI 1200
Spurs injuries: Harrison Ingram (G-League- Two-Way) Out, David Jones Garcia (G-League- Two-Way) Out, Emmanuel Miller (G-League- Two-Way) Out, Mason Plumlee (Return to competition reconditioning) Out
Raptors injuries: Not due until noon CT
What to watch for
The Raptors will be on the second night of a back-to-back, yet they are a fast, long and athletic team that can collapse on the paint quickly, like the Spurs. But teams can have success attacking from the outside, then in. Toronto has poor three-point defense, allowing opponents to make 39.2 percent of wide-open shots, making it the perfect opportunity for the snipers.
Scottie Barnes is Toronto’s biggest player with quick foot speed to put on Victor Wembanyama. He had the second-most defensive minutes on Wemby in their first matchup, and that shouldn’t change on Wednesday. Still, the release point will be too high for him to disrupt, and the Spurs could make life easier for their big man by getting Barnes off of him through an inverted pick-and-roll.
The Raptors only run screen rolls for 17.1 percent of their time on offense. They understand better than most that the pass is faster than the dribble to expose openings, and their offense includes a steady dose of attacking through transition. Notably, they are second in the NBA in potential assists created (53.3).
Could this be Sandro Mamukelashvili’s revenge? He was practically invisible the last time they played, but the public should always be on the lookout for guys who want to remind their old teams of what they are missing. If he gets significant time, he’ll be a threat because defenses usually let him roam while helping on others. This makes him dangerous off the catch. Keep in mind that Mamu has logged double-figure points in five of his last seven games.
Despite Toronto’s eagerness to shut off the lane, they have the bad habit of fouling too often. Castle even got to the line for 14 attempts, making nine, in the first matchup, as well. Don’t be surprised if there’s an encore, or if De’Aaron Fox lives at the line because of his inclination to attack the body.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 24: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers waits at the free-throw line during the fourth quarter against the Orlando Magic at Crypto.com Arena on February 24, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Lakers had one of the more odd streaks come to an end this season. Despite being a very average team for the season, the Lakers were undefeated when leading into the fourth. They also still sported a sterling 16-3 record in clutch games.
Both stats were outliers that took a hit on Tuesday. LA led by one entering the final frame and was in a back-and-forth game down the stretch before losing. While they still have the best win percentage in the league in clutch games, it brings them a little closer to what this team actually is, which is mid.
So, let’s dive into the loss. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance for that player.
LeBron opened the game with 10 points in the first six minutes and looked on pace for a great night. Instead, he was quiet for the next two-and-a-half quarters and missed a free throw late that proved costly. A really promising start turned into a pretty disappointing game.
One of Ayton’s best games in a really long time went to waste. He spent the second quarter punishing the Magic for switching a smaller defender onto him. He was also strong on the boards for most of this one.
While he’s had some standout performances against the Sixers and Clippers since returning from injury, it doesn’t feel like Reaves has really found his rhythm. He was a complete bystander in the first half before hitting some big shots in the second half.
Luka’s night is going to be remembered for the shot he didn’t take at the end of the game, though if his stat line is anything to go off, he would have missed it anyway. It was a pretty inefficient shooting night made better by great playmaking, many of those to Ayton after switches.
But completely passing up the three to win it is just too much to overcome in my books.
LaRavia’s three in the second half of this one was just his second made three since the All-Star break. His 3-point shot absolutely cratering this season has been a really tough blow.
Grade: D
Maxi Kleber
11 minutes, 3 rebounds, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +1
With Hayes out, Kleber got some short stints in this one. Orlando’s size in the front court was a pretty tough matchup.
Another player whose night might be defined by the shot he didn’t make. Rui had a chance late to put the Lakers up after Luka found him open in the corner for three. The shot wasn’t even close.
It overshadowed him hitting a pretty big three two minutes prior, but even then, it was too quiet of a night from Rui.
Kennard has had a pretty funny start to his Lakers career. Most viewed him as a 3-point weapon when the Lakers acquired him, yet he didn’t take a single shot from range on Tuesday. So far, he’s taken 22 twos and 16 threes with the Lakers.
His shots are going in at a crazy clip (65.8%) so you can’t complain too much. It’s just not been what anyone expected.
Vando’s minutes are going down again and so is his impact, creating a chicken-and-the-egg conundrum. So long as teams can sag off Vando and force him to shoot threes, the more his minutes will fluctuate based on matchup.
Grade: D
JJ Redick
Redick drew up a couple of plays late that led to open threes to take the lead. One was an airball and one wasn’t even taken. The Lakers had no answer for Paolo Banchero defensively and the zone defense was a mess at times.
The default trade deadline for Yahoo fantasy basketball leagues is March 5. With only about one week left to make deals, now is the time to get your roster ready for a playoff run. Let's discuss some players to consider buying, selling or holding onto in fantasy basketball based on their current situations.
Buy
Bennedict Mathurin, Los Angeles Clippers
Early returns suggest that Mathurin is one of the biggest winners of the trade deadline. He was on a Pacers team that had among the worst records in the league and was already starting to rest key players to try and improve its lottery odds. Had he stayed on the team, we might not have seen much of him in March and April. Now, he's on a Clippers team that is well on its way to making the Play-In Tournament in the Western Conference.
With James Harden now in Cleveland and Darius Garland (toe) considered week-to-week, the Clippers need Mathurin's scoring. He hasn't let them down, averaging 22.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.0 3-pointers over his first five games with the team. That's despite him only shooting 25.0% from 3. For the season, he shoots 35.8% from behind the arc. Now is the time to try to acquire Mathurin for a playoff push.
Jalen Green, Phoenix Suns
Green has seen his season limited by a recurring hamstring injury. He has been limited to just 11 games and has only averaged 20 minutes across them. With him playing so infrequently, he has averaged just 13.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He has had a difficult time getting into a groove, shooting 36.9% from the field and 71.4% from the free-throw line.
Despite his horrific campaign, there have been some promising signs for Green lately. He has played six of the last seven games for the Suns, which included a game against the Magic in which he logged 37 minutes. With Dillon Brooks (hand) out for at least four weeks, the Suns need Green to play more and help lead their scoring attack. Those who currently roster him might be frustrated to the point where he can be had in a trade for a discount.
Sell
Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls
The Bulls were one of the biggest sellers at the trade deadline. Their new disjointed roster has contributed to them losing 10 straight games. Their chances of making the Play-In Tournament are slipping away, with the Hornets and Bucks having passed them in the standings. At this point, the Bulls would probably like to rack up losses to help improve their lottery odds.
If the Bulls want to lose games, one way to do that is by limiting Giddey's minutes. He has appeared in four games since returning from a hamstring injury, but didn't top 27 minutes in any of them. He hasn't played at least 30 minutes in a game since the day after Christmas. His overall numbers for the season are excellent, so try to sell high on him now before more limitations come his way. Rest days could also be in the near future.
DeMar DeRozan, Sacramento Kings
The Kings have the worst record in the NBA. Domantas Sabonis (knee) and Zach LaVine (finger) are out for the rest of the season, leaving DeRozan as the last man standing from their top trio. The veteran has played in 59 games, putting him on pace to appear in at least 70 games for the fifth straight season. However, his production is down with him averaging 18.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists.
As the Kings continue to flounder, DeRozan has averaged just 26 minutes over their last eight games. They are getting blown out often, which has contributed to him sitting out significant portions of the fourth quarter. That could be a trend that continues, so even if the Kings don't flat-out sit him, more muted stat lines could be coming. If anyone in your league is willing to give up something of value for him, it might be wise to make the deal.
Hold
Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs have won nine games in a row to not only grab hold of the second seed in the Western Conference, but also put them within striking distance of the Thunder for the top spot. They have beaten up some weak teams during their winning streak, including two games against the Mavericks, one against the Kings and one against the injury-riddled Warriors. With them blowing out so many teams, Castle has only averaged 24 minutes over his last eight games.
When the Spurs were locked into a close game against the Pistons on Monday, Castle produced 16 points, four rebounds, 11 assists, one steal and one block over 30 minutes. Don't let his recent muted stat lines cloud your judgment. He's still a very valuable fantasy option who should get back on track as the Spurs play in more competitive games.
RJ Barrett, Toronto Raptors
Coming off the best campaign of his career, injuries have put a damper on Barrett this season. He has appeared in only 34 games. He was also on minute restrictions when he initially returned from a couple of ailments, which has contributed to him averaging a career low of 29 minutes.
The good news is, despite his limitations, Barrett averages 18.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.7 3-pointers, while shooting 47.3% from the field. In three of the last five games, he logged at least 30 minutes. The other two were blowouts, which could have contributed to his limited run. The Raptors are fighting for seeding in the Eastern Conference, so rest days won't be an issue for Barrett. His best stretch could be ahead of him, so don't trade him away at a discount now.
Los Angeles Lakers (34-23, sixth in the Western Conference) vs. Phoenix Suns (33-26, seventh in the Western Conference)
Phoenix; Thursday, 9 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Los Angeles faces Phoenix in Western Conference action Thursday.
The Suns have gone 22-18 against Western Conference opponents. Phoenix is 16-13 in games decided by 10 or more points.
The Lakers are 6-6 against the rest of their division. Los Angeles is eighth in the Western Conference with 25.3 assists per game led by Luka Doncic averaging 8.6.
The Suns average 14.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.3 more made shots on average than the 13.2 per game the Lakers allow. The Lakers are shooting 49.8% from the field, 2.9% higher than the 46.9% the Suns' opponents have shot this season.
The teams play for the fourth time this season. In the last meeting on Dec. 24 the Suns won 132-108 led by 25 points from Dillon Brooks, while LeBron James scored 23 points for the Lakers.
TOP PERFORMERS: Collin Gillespie is shooting 43.1% and averaging 13.4 points for the Suns. Royce O'Neale is averaging 2.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Doncic is averaging 32.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.6 assists for the Lakers. James is averaging 18.8 points and 7.5 assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Suns: 3-7, averaging 101.7 points, 43.5 rebounds, 22.5 assists, 8.6 steals and 3.2 blocks per game while shooting 41.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.9 points per game.
Lakers: 5-5, averaging 111.4 points, 38.5 rebounds, 25.8 assists, 7.7 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 49.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.7 points.
INJURIES: Suns: Cole Anthony: out (not injury related), Jordan Goodwin: out (calf), Devin Booker: out (hip), Dillon Brooks: out (hand), Haywood Highsmith: out (knee).
Lakers: Jaxson Hayes: out (ankle).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: Oklahoma City will try to extend its three-game win streak with a victory over Detroit.
The Pistons are 22-7 in home games. Detroit is the top team in the Eastern Conference averaging 57.2 points in the paint. Jalen Duren leads the Pistons with 13.7.
The Thunder are 21-7 in road games. Oklahoma City is 2-6 in one-possession games.
The Pistons make 47.8% of their shots from the field this season, which is 4.3 percentage points higher than the Thunder have allowed to their opponents (43.5%). The Thunder average 10.0 more points per game (119.4) than the Pistons allow their opponents to score (109.4).
TOP PERFORMERS: Cade Cunningham is averaging 25.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 9.8 assists and 1.5 steals for the Pistons. Duncan Robinson is averaging 14.3 points over the last 10 games.
Chet Holmgren is averaging 17.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks for the Thunder. Isaiah Joe is averaging 16.6 points and 1.6 steals over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Pistons: 8-2, averaging 119.8 points, 46.7 rebounds, 27.3 assists, 11.0 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 47.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.2 points per game.
Thunder: 7-3, averaging 115.1 points, 44.8 rebounds, 26.0 assists, 9.8 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 46.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.6 points.
INJURIES: Pistons: None listed.
Thunder: Ajay Mitchell: out (abdomen), Jalen Williams: out (hamstring), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: out (abdomen), Thomas Sorber: out for season (knee).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
