CHICAGO (AP) — Pascal Siakam scored 25 points and the Indiana Pacers beat the Chicago Bulls 145-126 on Wednesday night to move out of the NBA basement.
Coming off a home victory over Miami on Sunday, the injury-ravaged Pacers had their highest-scoring game of the season. They improved to 18-58 to move a game ahead of last-place Washington.
Ethan Thompson added 24 points, and Kobe Brown and Jay Huff each had 17.
Guerschon Yabusele led Chicago with 20 points, and Collin Sexton had 18. The Bulls have lost five straight — the first four on the road — to fall to 29-47.
Memphis forward Brandon Clarke was arrested in Arkansas on Wednesday on charges that included possession of a controlled substance and fleeing in excess of the speed limit.
"I'm aware of the report, but don't have any comments," Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo said prior to his team's game in New York, via the Associated Press.
The Cross County Sheriff’s Department booked Clarke on charges of improper passing, possession of a controlled substance, trafficking a controlled substance, and fleeing in a vehicle exceeding the speed limit. In Arkansas, the difference between possession and trafficking of a controlled substance is about the amount of the drug the suspect is found with. The Memphis Commercial Appeal reached out to the Cross County Sheriff's Department but they refused to comment on the arrest.
Clarke played in just two games this season, missing the start of the season following right knee surgery, then straining his right calf just two games into his return. Last week, the Grizzlies ruled him out for the season.
Injuries have slowed Clarke's career in recent years. He was fourth in Rookie of the Year voting in 2020 and was a quality big man off the bench for the Grizzlies for a few years earlier this decade (earning a little Sixth Man of the Year recognition in 2022). However, in 2024 he played in just six games, he bounced back with 64 last season until he injured his knee, then came the two games this season.
Clarke, in his seventh NBA season out of Gonzaga, is under contract for $12.5 million this season and next.
LAVAL, Quebec (AP) — Ann-Renée Desbiens made 18 saves, Hayley Scamurra scored twice and the Montreal Victoire beat the Vancouver Goldeneyes 3-0 on Wednesday night to wrap up a playoff berth in the Professional Women’s Hockey League.
Desbiens had her sixth shutout of the season to help Montreal (13-4-2-5) win its third consecutive game.
Scamurra opened the scoring on a one-timer at 8:28 of the third period. She and and Maggie Flaherty added empty-netters.
Emerance Maschmeyer stopped 25 shots for Vancouver (7-1-4-12).
Jan 5, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) hugs Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) after defeating the Phoenix Suns at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images | Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
It was an up-and-down month of March for the Phoenix Suns. The team had a four-game win streak and a five-game losing streak, their longest of the season. With everything said and done, the team finished 8-8 during the month and ended up in the same spot it started: seventh place in the Western Conference.
It’s looking likely Phoenix will end the regular season in that spot, although there is still a possibility that the Clippers or Trail Blazers could catch them. If everything stays as is, however, the Suns would host a Play-In game for the first time in franchise history. All that is left between them and that possibility is the remainder of their regular-season schedule.
Here’s how the calendar shapes up for April:
Finishing up the Road Trip
Thursday, April 2nd @ Charlotte Hornets
Sunday, February 5th @ Chicago Bulls
The Suns played both teams in the month of March, splitting results as they went 1-1 against the Charlotte/Chicago combo.
Phoenix handled Charlotte 111-99 but suffered one of its worst losses of the season against the Bulls, losing 105-103. The Suns couldn’t get into a rhythm and shot worse than 40% from the field. Charlotte projects to be a tough matchup because of their youth and ability to shoot. Chicago is officially eliminated, so the matchup should be a bit easier than Charlotte’s, but that wasn’t the case for the Suns in March.
Last Home Stand
Tuesday, April 7th vs Houston Rockets(NBC/Peacock)
Wednesday, April 8th vs Dallas Mavericks
Phoenix’s games against the two Texas teams are their last two home games of the regular season, but their game against the Rockets will be the first time Kevin Durant returns to the Mortgage Matchup Center since he was traded.
Durant’s relationship with the Suns? Complicated, to say the least. One of the greatest players to don a Phoenix jersey, his tenure with the team didn’t end as anyone wanted it to, with the squad winning just one playoff series during his tenure, despite the future Hall of Famer continuing to put up elite numbers and playing alongside Devin Booker.
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 05: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets drives against Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Toyota Center on January 05, 2026 in Houston, Texas. 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 Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It will be interesting to see the type of reception he gets in the nationally televised showdown.
Two Playoff Foes
Friday, April 10th @ Los Angeles Lakers
Sunday, April 12th @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Funnily enough, the team’s last two games are against the only squads that the Suns face five times this season, thanks to the results of the In-Season Tournament. Both the Suns and their opponents in this stretch may have their seeds clinched, so the potential for many players to rest in these games is on the table. Both the Thunder and Lakers are possible first-round matchups, though the Thunder are the more likely.
The Playoff/Play-In Schedule Outlook
While the dates are not set, if the Suns are in the Western Conference 7/8 game as either seed and win, they’ll be the seventh seed. If they lose, they’ll host the winner of the West’s 9/10 game. If they win that game, they’ll be the eighth seed; if they lose it, their season ends.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Rams All-Pro wide receiver Puka Nacua is in rehab and was there before he was sued for assault and battery by a woman who says he made an antisemitic statement and bit her on the shoulder on New Year's Eve, according to his attorney.
“He was in (rehab) a substantial period of time before any of these allegations broke ... and he’s scheduled to be there for a while longer,” Levi McCathern told The California Post.
McCathern told the newspaper Nacua's decision to enter rehab was not a direct response to the lawsuit his accuser filed against him late last month, but an attempt “to improve his overall behavior in every aspect of his life.”
Nacua issued an apology last December after performing a gesture that plays upon antisemitic tropes while appearing on an internet livestream.
Nacua has been one of the most productive receivers in NFL history over his first three seasons with the Rams, who drafted him in the fifth round out of BYU in 2023. He led the league with 129 catches last season and had 1,715 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns.
Nacua is eligible to sign a contract extension with the Rams this offseason.
Apr 1, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) drives to the basket as Washington Wizards guard Will Riley (27) defends in the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
The Washington Wizards got demolished by the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday in a 153-131 contest at Capital One Arena.
The Wizards had some scoring fun in a defense-optional first half. Tristan Vukcevic got hot with 10 early points to pace Washington, but Paul George turned back the clock with 14 of his own as the Sixers took a 35-29 after one.
The Wiz bench mob came out swinging in the second quarter. Jamir Watkins and Jaden Hardy helped key a 16-7 run to open the period, while Anthony Gill caught fire with 11 points with 3 triples. Washington even held a 58-48 lead before Philly answered back to retake the lead, 73-71, at the break.
Will Riley started the second half with a poster jam on Adem Bona.
Riley’s dunk marked the beginning of the end, as the Sixers ran away with this thing the rest of the way. Philadelphia took a 120-103 lead into the fourth quarter, where nothing even remotely resembling a comeback attempt materialized for Washington in the 22-point defeat.
Gill, fresh off hitting the 1,000-point career mark, had his best scoring game ever. He finished with a career-high 21 points on 8-of-9 shooting with six rebounds and six assists. Riley tallied 18 of his own on an 8-of-12 clip, while Vukcevic and Justin Champagnie each added 17.
Tre Johnson struggled in this one, scoring eight points on 3-of-11 shooting. He also got targeted several times on defense as George and Tyrese Maxey dribbled circles around him.
Johnson and the rest of the crew get a chance to rebound on Saturday in a road game against the Miami Heat.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - FEBRUARY 11: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball during the game against the Golden State Warriors on February 11, 2026 at Chase Center 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much.
Well, the Spurs have been on a tear lately, and they seem to be locked into second place in the west, unless somehow the Lakers can take their two remaining games with OKC. While I’d like that to happen, cheering for LA makes me feel dirty, so maybe it’ll happen while I’m looking the other way. The Spurs would like to win the remainder of their games, but more important now is getting the team to play with precision and consistent effort. The Silver and Black has been winning a lot of games lately, but it’s scary for the rest of the league that they can play a lot better than they are now, and Mitch is committed to making that happen in time for the playoffs.
The Warriors are without a ton of players tonight, with 9 players on the injury list. The Spurs are relatively healthy, with only Luke Kornet out for tonight as he hopefully rests up for the second half of the back-to-back tomorrow night against the clippers. This could be a big night for Victor Wembanyama’s campaign for the MVP award, but I would prefer he puts in his 24 minutes or so and rests the whole fourth as the Spurs cruise to an easy blowout win. Golden State always plays tough against the Spurs, so it would be good if San Antonio could dominate early and put the home crowd to sleep in this late night west coast game. Castle must dominate Podziemski and GO SPURS GO!!!
Game Prediction:
Draymond Green will deposit a dollar in the curse jar by the Warriors bench every time he utters a profanity. After the game, the towel kid will retire on the proceeds.
San Antonio Spurs at Golden State Warriors April 1, 2026 | 9:00 PM CT Streaming: ESPN App TV: ESPN Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 31: Drake Powell #4 of the Brooklyn Nets grabs a rebound during the second quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Barclays Center on March 31, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Ishika Samant/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Drake Powell scored 10 points Tuesday night vs. the Hornets, going 3-of-9 overall and 2-of-6 from deep. Not a particularly good shooting night but he did add six boards, and it was notable for one thing: it was the first time all season that the 6’6” guard had put together back-to-back double-digit scoring nights after his season-high 16 points on Sunday vs. the Kings. If you look at the two games, 56 minutes, the numbers aren’t bad: 26 points on 9-of-17 shooting overall, 6-of-12 from deep. And it was his third double-digit scoring game in four games!
But still… as Brian Lewis wrote in between those games, his development can best be described as “tricky.’
“Up-and-down rookie season” is an apt description of Drake Powell’s first year with the Nets.
Of the Nets’ record haul of five first-round picks last June, Powell was the most athletic, but also the most raw on offense. His growing pains on that end of the floor have been protracted and pronounced.
Powell was the biggest reach of the 2025 NBA Draft for the Nets. The final ESPN mock draft had him at No. 32, at the top of the second round. Using a Hawks pick acquired the night before, the Nets took him at No. 22. Of their four other picks, Ben Saraf was taken six spots earlier than the ESPN projection; Egor Demin, five spots and Nolan Traore three. Danny Wolf was taken 12 spots after where the worldwide leader than projected him.
The rationale for mocking him so low was simple: After a spectacular high school career in North Carolina, he was limited by Tar Heels head coach (and his cousin) Hubie Davis who saw him as a defense-first player which as Lewis noted, led to “a glaringly low usage rate” which in turn has led to reps on the ball “a work in progress” in Brooklyn.
Jordi Fernandez has been encouraging both in giving him minutes — he averaged 25.6 in March, by far his most this season — and in talking about his improvement.
“I think he’s done a good job,” Fernández said his effort following the Kings game. “He always tries to do everything we ask him to do. Obviously, there’s struggles, there’s positives. [Sunday], it was a little bit of up and down, the game, but ended up being very positive.
“The shot went in, which is fine. And then at one point he was more physical and aggressive defensively. And I want that physicality to be sustained for whatever minutes he plays. [Sunday], he played 28. So that’s how I want him to play, because he missed some long rebounds, some communication, and then he cleaned it up. So, normal. But overall his willingness to do it, I’m very happy with him.”
On the other end of the court, Powell, a naturally gifted athlete, has shown possibilities. Indeed, Lewis has unearthed an interesting fact about his defense:
The Nets don’t have a single good point-of-attack defender on the roster, somebody who can harass and harangue opposing ballhandlers.
The Nets drafted Powell in hopes he could grow into that role. And it’s no coincidence that when he posted a league-best 91.9 defensive rating in December, the Nets surged to go 7-4 that month.
There is general optimism about the 20-year-old as his teammate Noah Clowney noted
.“[T]But to see him shooting the ball was always good. Ochai [Agbaji], we know what he’s capable of from 3. I think Drake sometimes gets in — not gets in his head about the 3, but he hesitates a bit. So I’m glad when [the Kings] gave him space, he didn’t hesitate to shoot his s–t at all.”
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 1: Paul George #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket during the game against the Washington Wizards on April 1, 2026 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Fresh legs PG, everyone.
The Sixers took care of business in the second half, blowing out the Washington Wizards 153-131 Wednesday night.
They are now 42-34, an important win with the Hawks, Magic, Heat and Raptors all in action tonight as well.
Paul George with a new personal Sixers high, led all scorers with 39 points, shooting 15-of-22 from the field along with six assists and three steals. Tyrese Maxey had 28 of his own on 12-of-20 shooting with nine assists.
VJ Edgecombe filled in the gaps quite well, finishing with 23 points, going 10-of-15 from the floor along with 10 assists. Anthony Gil led Washington with 21.
Despite his objections on Twitter, Joel Embiid was out with an illness, along with Johni Broome (meniscus tear). The Wizards were without six players, most importantly Alex Sarr (toe) and Kyshawn George (elbow).
Here are some thoughts at the buzzer.
First Quarter
PG was in control as soon as the game tipped off, immediately knocking down a pair of midrange jumpers. He drove to the basket a couple times, one got him a layup and the other a trip to the line. He dished to Maxey, who drew a foul making a long two, giving the Sixers an early chance to gain separation.
It was a good start team-wide as they opened up the game 9-of-13 from the field, but the Wizards started well too at 7-of-12. George got his hands on the ball a couple of times but sloppy passes were the only thing stopping offensive production early.
Unlike the Bulls game last week, the Sixers didn’t stagger as much. George and Maxey both played most of the quarter and checked out at the same time. The second unit did a pretty good job finding Quentin Grimes. Justin Edwards kicked it out to him in the corner for a three and Andre Drummond threw a nice bounce pass for a cutting dunk, giving the Sixers a six-point lead after a high scoring first.
Second Quarter
The defensive effort didn’t exactly improve as Washington took their first lead early in the quarter. Whether it was a give-and-go, a pick-and-roll, a backdoor cut, or just slashing right down the lane, the Sixers let it happen with hardly any resistance.
Maxey came out gunning when he checked back in, moving quickly for a reverse layup then storming his way down the lane for a dunk, but stops continued to be a rarity. Not only had the Wizards made 1o of their first 12 goal attempts in the second, one of those misses turned into an offensive rebound and second chance points.
With just a few minutes left in the half, the Sixers finally turned some focus to that end and lo and behold, the Wizards finally started missing shots. The Sixers also did a good job running off those Wizard misses — the fast break layups by Maxey and Edgecombe to tie and momentarily go back in front, especially. Anthony Gil was the latest Wizard who shot himself to a hot start as he made two threes in response. PG buried one off the dribble before the buzzer to put the Sixers back up by two at the break.
Third Quarter
George picked up right where he left off, knocking down a couple more threes at the start of the half. In between those, he found Adem Bona for two dunks. He opened the half on such a heater the Sixers were able to expand their lead a bit despite the Wizards making their first four shots of the third.
It was understandably being overshadowed but Maxey was having a strong shooting night himself. Edgecombe’s night was more understated, with almost all of his baskets coming in transition. The Sixers finally turned this game on its head as they got more stops, with three Wizards turnovers in four possessions helping quite a bit.
Tre Johnson finally getting on the board gave Washington just a small shot in the arm. Cam Payne checked in for the first time and immediately got on the board with a floater. Everything was falling for the Sixers — Drummond had sunk both of his corner three attempts. After shooting 76% from the field in the third, the Sixers led by 17.
Fourth Quarter
The Sixers were able to do a lot of their damage by just breaking guys down off the dribble. It didn’t take a ton of precision, so it was a nice to see Edgecombe throw a slick pass off a cut to Oubre for a corner three. He rattled off five quick points of his own then found Oubre for another three to cap off a fine night for himself as well.
Not only did George return for a shot at breaking 40 points, but Maxey checked back into the game as well. Both missed their first three-point attempts upon returning to the game. After a couple Wizards baskets cut the lead to 14, the Sixers called a timeout and put their full starting five back on the floor.
George missed his last shot, a midrange attempt. It was his first miss from inside the arc all night. He got stuck on 39 but four unanswered baskets from the Sixers caused a Wizards timeout and the benches to be emptied.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke faces multiple charges after being arrested in Arkansas on Wednesday, April 1.
The Cross County Sheriff's Department booked Clarke at 1:03 p.m. local time on charges that include fleeing/exceeding the speed limit, trafficking a controlled substance, and possession of a controlled substance, according to Sheriff's Office records.
He was also charged with improper passing.
Clarke has spent all seven seasons of his career with Memphis, but hasn't been a factor for the team this season. The forward has played just two games, averaging 4 points and 3 rebounds.
He's already been ruled out for the season due to a right calf strain. Clarke's current contract with the Grizzlies goes to 2026-27.
The former first-round pick was named to the All-Rookie team in 2020. He started his college career at San Jose State before transferring to Gonzaga.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 06: Pat Spencer #61 of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket around Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter at Rocket Arena on December 06, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 99-94. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers will have a chance to end their brief three-game Western Conference road trip with a win as they take on a hobbled Golden State Warriors team that will be on the second leg of a back-to-back.
As we know from their first meeting, just because the Warriors are down several key players — including Steph Curry — that doesn’t mean that this is a guaranteed win. The Cavs found that out the hard way in December when they lost to a Pat Spencer-led team. We’ll see if they learned their lesson from that loss.
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE. The link to the 2016 championship shirt HERE.
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, FanDuel Sports App, NBA League Pass
Point spread: Not yet set
Cavs injury report: Jaylon Tyson – OUT (toe), Dean Wade – OUT (ankle), Riley Minix – OUT (G League), Olivier Sarr – OUT (G League), Tristan Enaruna – OUT (G League)
Warriors injury report for Wednesday’s game vs. Spurs: Steph Curry – OUT (knee), Jimmy Butler III – OUT (ACL), Al Horford – OUT (calf), De’Anthony Melton – OUT (thumb), Moses Moody – OUT (knee), Gary Payton II – OUT (knee), Kristaps Porzingis – OUT (illness management), Quinten Post – OUT (foot), Gui Santos – OUT (pelvic contusion)
Cavs expectedstarting lineup: James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA has fined the Portland Trail Blazers $100,000 for scouting Chinese center Yang Hansen in 2023, breaking a league rule regarding players ineligible for the draft.
The league also announced Wednesday that Trail Blazers assistant general managers Sergi Oliva and Mike Schmitz are suspended for two weeks without pay for violating the rule.
“When this was brought to our attention the Portland Trail Blazers self reported to the NBA," the team said. "The team cooperated fully with the investigation and accept the league’s determination.”
Portland drafted the 7-foot-1 Hansen with the No. 16 overall pick last year and he has averaged 2.3 points and 1.6 rebounds in 41 games this season.
The NBA Board of Governors approved the sale of the controlling interest in the Trail Blazers from Paul Allen’s estate to a group led by investor Tom Dundon on Monday.
No one believes the Lakers are going to win the championship.
And no one believes Luka Doncic is the MVP.
The Lakers’ nine-game winning streak? All that proved is the Lakers will likely get past the first round of the playoffs.
Doncic’s unreal March in which he scored the second-most points in NBA history behind Michael Jordan? As he recently pointed out with disgust, he actually fell in the MVP race during that stretch.
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 8, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NBAE via Getty Images
But both the Lakers and Doncic have a chance to change people’s minds. It’s coming over the next seven days in the form of two games against the Thunder.
The Lakers are coming off a commanding win over the Cavaliers on Tuesday in which they led by as much as 27 points. They’ve won 16 of their last 18 games, including beating multiple contenders in the Rockets (twice), Nuggets, Knicks and Timberwolves.
But they haven’t convinced anyone they’re the real deal.
Yeah, they’re good. But not good enough to get past the Thunder and Spurs.
It’s a fair assumption considering the last time they played the Thunder and their swarming defense in January, they looked like they had barely survived a war.
Seriously, Austin Reaves was slumped in his chair, too exhausted to sit upright. And LeBron James’ voice was hoarse. (Doncic missed that game, to be fair, but it was still brutal.)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball in front of Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Paycom Center on April 8, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Getty Images
But the thing is the Lakers are a completely different team now.
Doncic, Reaves and James went from being a liability on the court into one of the best trios in the league. The role players are starring in their duties. Things turned around for the Lakers beginning in late February.
What changed?
“I think it was a confluence of things starting with health,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said, pointing to the fact that the Big 3 had only played 11 games together before the All-Star break. “I think it’s much easier when you have a consistent stretch of health to — not even buy in — but settle into roles and minutes and rotations. We never found that throughout the season. Another big part of that was…guys really just embracing things.”
After James missed a three-game stretch at the top of March against the Pacers, Knicks and Timberwolves in which the Lakers were thriving behind Doncic and Reaves, he agreed to be the team’s third option. Reaves has learned to be aggressive while sharing the court with James and Doncic. And Doncic has been playing out of his mind.
But still, no one really believes in the Lakers.
Not yet.
Same with Doncic.
Both Doncic and his fans have been outraged that the bar for the MVP Award seems to change whenever his name is involved. So what he’s an offensive savant who’s leading the league in scoring (33.8 points) is third in assists (8.3) and sixth in steals (1.7)? He’s mediocre on the defensive end.
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers makes a slam dunk against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on March 31, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images
Sure, that didn’t seem to matter when guys like James Harden or Steph Curry won the award. But in this MVP race, with two-way stars Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama, the goalpost has shifted.
That’s being held against Doncic, who scored 40-plus points for the third straight game on Tuesday and has had a month in which he had 60-point and 51-point performances while helping his team climb to third in the Western Conference standings.
Wembanyama recently stated his case for why he should win the award. Gilgeous-Alexander declined to do so, saying, “I let my game do the talking,”
When Doncic was asked Tuesday if he wanted to advocate for himself, he seemed resigned to the fact that it would be an act of futility. He literally scoffed when the reporter mentioned he was “getting a lot of MVP momentum.”
“I mean, I never did that,” Doncic said. “I’m not the one voting, so, you know, but I think I’ve been playing pretty good. We’ve been winning. So that’s it. That’s all I gotta say.”
Well, Doncic, here’s your chance to change voters’ minds.
He’s going head to head with the favorite for the award twice over the next week. If he outplays him, that would speak louder than any argument he could’ve made.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shoot as Detroit Pistons forward Ronald Holland II defends during the second half at Paycom Center. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Lakers have arrived. Doncic has arrived.
And even though they’re in one of the top-two most visible markets in the league and are constantly on national TV screens, no one seems to see them.
But that could change.
And it all comes down to how they perform against the Thunder.
Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke is in legal trouble after he was arrested on drug charges in Arkansas on Wednesday.
Clarke, 29, was booked by the Cross County Sheriff’s Office and is facing charges of trafficking a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, fleeing in a vehicle exceeding the speed limit and improper passing, according to online records.
It is unclear what led him to be detained.
Memphis forward Brandon Clarke shoots a free throw during the Grizzlies’ 122-110 loss to the Nuggets in an NBA Cup against the Nuggets on Nov. 19, 2024. AP
Clarke’s booking profile lists him as being held on a “CID hold.”
A CID hold can carry different meanings depending on the law enforcement agency and the Cross County Sheriff’s Office does have a Criminal Investigation Division that uses the acronym “C.I.D.”
The Grizzlies are scheduled to face the Knicks on Wednesday evening.
Brandon Clarke’s mugshot. Cross County Sheriff’s Office
“I’m aware of the report but don’t have any comments,” Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Lisalo told reporters ahead of the game, according to the Commercial Appeal.
The forward is tied with Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant as the longest-tenured member of the team’s current roster, having spent seven seasons in Memphis.
Clarke’s season has been marred by injuries, first with a knee injury that dated back to the 2024-25 season and then dealing with a calf strain in December that ended his season early after appearing in just two games.
The Grizzlies selected Clarke with the No. 21 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and he’s appeared in 309 games, averaging 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2020.
Clarke played his college ball at San Jose State and Gonzaga.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks reacts after he thought he was fouled in the second quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2025 in New York City. 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 Elsa/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Knicks (48*-28) visit the Memphis Grizzlies (25-50) tonight at FedExForum. New York hopes to end a three-game road slide and protect their third seed in the East. Meanwhile, the Grizz struggle to field a team with all the injuries they have suffered this season. As lopsided battles go, this one couldn’t be more so.
Tip off is 8 p.m. EST on MSG. This is your game thread. This is Beale Street Bears. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Be a shining example of humanity, what dontcha? And go Knicks!
