Jeremiah Fears sets a franchise rookie mark with 40 points as the Pelicans top the Jazz 156-137

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Jeremiah Fears set a Pelicans rookie record for points in a game with 40, and New Orleans snapped an eight-game losing streak on Tuesday night with a 156-137 victory over the Utah Jazz, who lost their 10th straight.

Fears, the seventh overall pick in the draft, shot 17 for 29 from the field and 1 for 7 from 3-point distance. Jordan Poole scored 34 points, including 22 in third quarter, when New Orleans set a franchise record for points in a period with 50. The Pelicans also set a franchise record for points in a game, despite playing without usual starters Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, Dejounte Murray, Herb Jones and Saddiq Bey.

While Murphy (right ankle) and Murray (bruised left hand) were injured, Williamson, Jones and Bey were all active, but were left on the bench for New Orleans' final home game of a second-straight non-playoff season.

Poole, who has spent more than half the season on the bench, shot 7 of 16 from 3-point range in his seventh start for New Orleans.

Rookie Micah Peavy scored a season-high 20 points, 2023 first-round draft choice Jordan Hawkins added 25 points for New Orleans and 2025 first-rounder Derek Queen (13th overall) had 17 points and 12 rebounds as the Pelicans finished with a franchise-record 90 points in the paint.

Veteran center Kevin Looney also started for just the seventh time this season and finished with 12 rebounds.

Kennedy Chandler scored 31 and Cody Williams scored 26 for Utah, which lost for the 14th time in 15 games. Brice Sensabaugh, who was averaging 25.7 points in his previous 10 games, finished with 18 points.

Bez Mbeng, a first-year player out of Yale playing in his 13th game, added a personal-best 26 points and John Konchar had 12 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

New Orleans' previous record for points in a game by a rookie was 37, set by Marcus Thornton in 2010. The club's previous high-scoring game was 153 points, also against Utah in January 2024.

Up next

Jazz: Host the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.

Pelicans: At the Boston Celtics on Friday.

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

Wednesday's Time Schedule

All Times EDT

Wednesday, April 8

MLB

San Diego at Pittsburgh, 12:35 p.m.

Kansas City at Cleveland, 1:10 p.m.

Milwaukee at Boston, 1:35 p.m.

Baltimore at Chicago White Sox, 2:10 p.m.

Seattle at Texas, 2:35 p.m.

L.A. Dodgers at Toronto, 3:07 p.m.

Houston at Colorado, 3:10 p.m.

Philadelphia at San Francisco, 3:45 p.m.

St. Louis at Washington, 4:05 p.m.

Atlanta at L.A. Angels, 4:07 p.m.

Arizona at N.Y. Mets, 4:10 p.m.

Chicago Cubs at Tampa Bay, 6:40 p.m.

Cincinnati at Miami, 6:40 p.m.

Athletics at N.Y. Yankees, 7:05 p.m.

Detroit at Minnesota, 7:40 p.m.

NBA

Atlanta at Cleveland, 7 p.m.

Milwaukee at Detroit, 7 p.m.

Minnesota at Orlando, 7 p.m.

Memphis at Denver, 9 p.m.

Portland at San Antonio, 9:30 p.m.

Dallas at Phoenix, 10 p.m.

Oklahoma City at L.A. Clippers, 10 p.m.

NHL

Buffalo at N.Y. Rangers, 7 p.m.

Washington at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

Edmonton at San Jose, 10 p.m.

PWHL

Seattle at Ottawa, 7 p.m.

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Nets’ tanking plan in more danger after beating Bucks for second straight win

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows E.J. Liddell, who scored a game-high 21 points, shoots over AJ Green (20) and Andre Jackson Jr. (44) during the Nets' 96-90 win over the Bucks on April 7, 2026 at Barclays Center

Are Brooklyn’s lottery dreams turning into a nightmare?

The first Nets winning streak in a month — beating the Bucks 96-90 before a crowd of 16,834 at Barclays Center on Tuesday night — had the players cheering and their tank-happy fans in a collective meltdown.

In a tanking season that is all about jostling for lottery positioning, Tuesday’s victory was counterproductive.

The Nets — who had a chance to pull into a first-place tie in the lottery race with a loss to Washington on Sunday — have essentially forfeited all hope of landing the top seed. The Nets (20-59) are three games behind the Wizards and two behind the Pacers with just three to play — two of those against tanking squads.

Now the Nets have fallen to third and are suddenly in very real danger of sliding out of the top three altogether.

They enjoyed a 2 ½-game cushion on both the Jazz and Kings entering Sunday, but have seen that lead cut to a half-game on Utah and just one on Sacramento, pending the latter’s game at Golden State.

Holding on to third would give the Nets a 40.1 percent chance of landing a top three pick, and 52.1 percent odds of a top four pick. AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cam Boozer are all seen as franchise-changing prospects, followed by Caleb Wilson.

The Nets will host the pitiful Pacers on Thursday.

E.J. Liddell, who scored a game-high 21 points, shoots over AJ Green (20) and Andre Jackson Jr. (44) during the Nets’ 96-90 win over the Bucks on April 7, 2026 at Barclays Center. Corey Sipkin for New York Post

E.J. Liddell had a career-high 21 points on 7-for-9 shooting, despite not playing a second in the fourth quarter. Ben Saraf scored 17 points, while sparkplug Tyson Etienne — generously listed at 6 feet — had nine points and a team-high six boards.

“I talked to my mom after my first NBA start; couldn’t stop smiling. So the second one felt the same way,” said Liddell. “Any opportunity I get to put on this Brooklyn jersey, it feels special.”


Terance Mann (right patellar tendon/left Achilles), Noah Clowney (left ankle), Ziaire Williams (left foot), Nic Claxton (right fifth finger), Danny Wolf (left ankle), Michael Porter Jr. (left hamstring), Day’Ron Sharpe (left thumb surgery) and Egor Dëmin (left plantar fascia) were out for the Nets.


The Bucks played without Giannis Antetokounmpo, Myles Turner, Kyle Kuzma, Kevin Porter Jr., Bobby Portis, Ryan Rollins and Gary Trent Jr.




Cam Thomas didn’t stick with the Bucks long enough to make his return to Barclays Center Tuesday.

He got waived by the Nets because he didn’t defend or pass or take Brooklyn’s two-year contract offer, but Thomas got cut by Milwaukee on March 23 to make room for a 26-year-old two-way Pete Nance.

“At the end of the day, it really came down to contracts with him,” said Doc Rivers. “When we got him, we thought we were going to make a run. Then right when we saw we were not, ownership [decided] we’re just not going to take the extra salary on there, [hurting] our flexibility. And I got that, too. I don’t know all the stuff here, but with me, him and the team, I thought overall he was pretty good for us.”

Mavericks dispute JJ Redick’s comments on Austin Reaves’ initial MRI

The Mavericks disputed how Lakers coach JJ Redick charactersized the imaging process that led to Austin Reaves being diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique strain

After the Lakers’ practice on Saturday at Southern Methodist University, Redick said the team was waiting for the results of Reaves’ MRI after he suffered the oblique injury during last Thursday’s loss to the Thunder

At the time, Redick said Reaves’ second MRI was on Saturday after the team arrived in Dallas on Friday. 

The Mavericks disputed how Lakers coach JJ Redick charactersized the imaging process that led to Austin Reaves being diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique strain.  Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

“Again, I don’t know where the chain of command lies with Dallas imaging, but they scanned the wrong area,” Redick said. “So not on our end. We made it explicit what was supposed to be scanned but they scanned the wrong area.”

The Mavericks issued a statement, first to DLLS Sports, that disputed Redick’s comments. 

“Our medical team followed standard imaging protocols based on the information provided at the time,” the Mavericks said. “There was no error in the scan performed.”

When asked about the comment ahead of the Lakers’ home game against the Thunder on Tuesday, Redick said the Lakers were going to move forward.

“Well, I just, look, I think in the end we got the image we needed,” Redick said. “And obviously very appreciative, because it’s happened throughout the season whenever the home team is accommodating to us, just like we would be for them. And we’re gonna move on.”

Reaves is out for the remainder of the regular season because of the oblique injury, joining fellow star guard Luka Doncic (Grade 2 left hamstring strain) as Lakers who are on the shelf for the foreseeable future. 

Reaves is out for the remainder of the regular season because of the oblique injury. NBAE via Getty Images

Smart update

Marcus Smart missed his eighth consecutive game on Tuesday, but Redick said the starting guard should be back in the lineup within the next few days. 

“He’s progressing well,” Redick said. “We thought he’d be back by now. It’s not that he had a setback last week. He was doing on-court work and he wanted to dial it back. So he had a great day [on Tuesday] on the court, trending towards playing at some point this week.”

The Lakers will play the Warriors in San Francisco on Thursday before hosting the Suns on Friday.

Star forward LeBron James also wasn’t available on Tuesday against the Thunder, sitting because of left foot injury management. 

Doncic in Spain 

With Doncic in Spain to seek medical treatment for his hamstring, Redick emphasized how Doncic is motivated to do what he can to get back on the court as soon as possible during the Lakers’ playoff run.   

“I’m not going to share how long he’s gonna be over there, but I think he’s in good spirits,” Redick said “In my conversations with him, he’s motivated to do everything possible. And I know for him, it’s hard for him not to be on a basketball court. That’s his happy place. And he’s one of the handful of guys that really plays year round. And it’s not just international competition. But he likes to be in the gym. He likes to be working on his craft. And I think it’s hard for him. He wants to get back on the court.”

Rapid Recap: Nets 96, Bucks 90

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 07: Pete Nance #35 of the Milwaukee Bucks defends the ball from E.J. Liddell #9 of the Brooklyn Nets during the second quarter at Barclays Center on April 07, 2026 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 Pamela Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Milwaukee Bucks had a bad shooting night against a poor 20-win team, the Brooklyn Nets, losing 96-90. AJ Green led the Bucks with 20 points on 6/12 from three, while E.J. Liddell scored a career-high 21 in as many minutes (as he didn’t play in the fourth quarter because… you know why).

NBA.com Box Score

Game Recap

The game started back and forth, and no side truly earned an advantage early in the first quarter. However, through three quick triples from AJ Green, Milwaukee established an advantage over Brooklyn as the game wore on. Milwaukee continued its characteristic defensive lapses as Brooklyn exploited opportunistic double-teams for easy points in the paint and open threes. That, coupled with an inability to find good looks on offense and frequent turnovers, allowed Brooklyn to storm to a 10-0 run, giving them a 30-29 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Milwaukee looked shocked by Brooklyn’s resolve during the second quarter. They had to fight for every shot, dealing with an uncharacteristically tough Nets defense. Even when they found open shots, they didn’t land. Milwaukee shot 1/12 from long range throughout the quarter, opening the door for a 10-4 run by the Nets. They ran circles around the Milwaukee offense, using a mixture of pick-and-rolls and handoffs to find open shots. Both teams began to falter offensively towards the end, settling for contested shots. Despite finding some important stops towards the end of the half, Milwaukee continued to trail Brooklyn 49-43.

The Bucks struggled to chip away at the Nets’ increasingly imposing lead. They struggled on defense, frequently giving up physical paint buckets to Liddell and rookie Drake Powell. On offense, the three-ball didn’t fall, and they continued to make clumsy turnovers in transition. As Liddell reached a career high in points, Milwaukee fell behind by as many as 16 points. Although Milwaukee’s shooting from range gradually warmed up, the game’s stop-and-go nature continued to frustrate the Bucks’ offense. They ended the quarter down 70-62.

Milwaukee continued to get in its own way in the final frame; careless turnovers, a general softness in the paint, and woeful shooting stopped any momentum. Cormac Ryan’s open three-pointer three minutes deep into the fourth was their first three in around six minutes of game time, and, although the team followed it up with a Green triple, they subsequently turned the ball over twice inside a minute. However, Green’s scoring came in clutch during crunch time, pouring in 11 of his 20 points in the final quarter. Taurean Prince’s corner three trimmed Brooklyn’s lead to just one with 2:30 left. However, a pair of missed threes, along with two clutch Brooklyn layups, put the Nets up five with little under a minute to go. Although Green’s 30-foot heat-check gave Milwaukee life late, Ben Saraf drew a tricky foul on Ousmane Dieng and put the Nets up by four. Dieng’s late contested three-pointer from range missed the mark, effectively icing the game for the Nets.

Stat That Stood Out

The Bucks only hit 5/8 from the free throw line, their third-lowest total of the season. By comparison, the Nets hit 21/23.

Raptors one game closer to making playoffs

TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 7: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during the game against the Miami Heat on April 7, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Toronto Raptors are holding onto their playoff spot for their lives as the last few games in the NBA regular season creep by. A pair of home games against Miami this week are essential to their playoff positioning, and the first one on Tuesday saw some injured Raptors return to the lineup. Fumble this last week of games, and you end up in a Play-In Tournament situation — something the Raptors would obviously rather avoid.

The Miami Heat are also holding onto their spot for their lives, but they are fighting just to stay in the Play-In Tournament period. As Masai Ujiri once said, “play-in for what?”

The Raptors did well in the second quarter to defend the Heat, stopping a budding Wiggins scoring run and effectively shutting down Bam Adebayo. Adebayo was held to four points in the first half. On the other end, the Raptors were holding steady, and both Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes were pushing offensively to help Toronto to a 13-point lead at halftime.

From there, it was about keeping that lead through the rest of the game… something the Raptors have struggled with at times this year. Tyler Herro and Andrew Wiggins weren’t going to make it easy on them, either. Luckily, Brandon Ingram was in peak form, scoring a neat 23 points on 9-16 shooting from the field.

Scottie Barnes was right there with Ingram, scoring 25 points on 10-16 shooting from the field. Poeltl had 17 points, and RJ Barrett scored 16 of his own. The only starter below 10 was Quickley, in his first game back from resting his plantar fasciitis. Still, it was enough for the Raptors to get the win, 121-95 over Miami.

“There are some things to clean up,” Darko Rajakovic said after the game. “but they did what their job was tonight.”

It was a simple, locked-in defensive game for the Raptors. Exactly what they needed this week — low drama, good results, something to be confident about. A near wire-to-wire win, one game closer to locking down their 6th seed. The thing about playing the same team twice in a row, though, is that the second game can be highly unpredictable. Toronto, as the winning team in the first game, knows what it needs to do to win. Yet, Miami also knows exactly what it needs to do to not lose again. The next game could be a carbon copy of this one, or go completely different.

The Raptors need to stay focused in these last few games. They are banged up and tired, but the difference between the 6th seed and 7th seed is so vast that they need to stay where they are. Having a week off before a playoff series instead of having to grind through the Play-In would make so much difference for this young, slightly injured team. More than that, the difference between who you play as a six-seed versus a 7-10th seed could be major as well.

The Raptors play the Heat again at home on Thursday. Then, all they have is a road game in New York, followed by the last game of the regular season on Sunday against Brooklyn.

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle to miss 2 games to attend daughter's spring formal, will return Sunday

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle will miss the team's next two games to attend his only daughter's spring formal, he said following Tuesday night's 124-104 loss to Minnesota.

The Pacers have the league's second-worst record and have lost three straight. They're just 4-22 in their last 26 games during an injury-plagued season in which All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton has not played a game after tearing his Achilles tendon during Game 7 of last year's NBA Finals.

Lloyd Pierce will coach the team when they play Thursday in Brooklyn and host Philadelphia on Friday. Indiana closes out the season by hosting the Eastern Conference's top seed Detroit, which also gave Carlisle his first head coaching job in 2001-02.

“Abby has an event at school and so Herb (Simon) and Kevin (Pritchard) cleared me to do that,” Carlisle said, referring to the Pacers team owner and president of basketball operations. “So Lloyd has the team for the next couple of games and I'll be back Sunday.”

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

Cavs vs. Hawks: How to watch, odds, and injury report

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 28: Jalen Johnson #1 of the Atlanta Hawks posts up against Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2025-26 Emirates NBA Cup in the second quarter at State Farm Arena on November 28, 2025 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. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers don’t have much to play for with three games left in the season. Their playoff seeding seems mostly set. But as of now, it appears they’re going to give it their best shot in what could be their first-round opponent — the Atlanta Hawks.

This should be a good test to see how the Cavs look heading into the postseason. They won’t be resting any players, even though they could be without Donovan Mitchell due to an ankle injury he sustained at the end of Sunday’s win over the Indiana Pacers.

We’ll see how they fare against a Hawks team that needs to play well down the stretch to avoid falling into the Play-In Tournament.

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WhoCleveland Cavaliers (50-29) vs. Atlanta Hawks (45-34)

Where: Rocket Arena – Cleveland, OH

When: Wed. April 8 at 7 PM

TV: ESPN, FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, FanDuel Sports App, RESN, WUAB 43

Point spread: Cavs -2

Cavs injury report: Donovan Mitchell – QUESTIONABLE (ankle), Dean Wade – QUESTIONABLE (ankle), Jaylon Tyson – QUESTIONABLE (toe), Thomas Bryant – OUT (calf), Tristan Enaruna – OUT (G League)

Hawks injury report: RayJ Dennis – QUESTIONABLE (G League), Keshon Gilbert – QUESTIONABLE (G League), Jock Landale – OUT (ankle)

Cavs expectedstarting lineup: James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

Hawks expected starting lineup: CJ McCollum, Nikeil Alexander-Walker, Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, Onyeka Okongwu

Previous matchup: The Cavs lost to the Hawks 130-123 in group stage play of the NBA Cup

Here’s a look at both teams’ impact stats via Cleaning the Glass.

Offensive RatingDefensive RatingNet Rating
Cavs119.1 (7th)114.8 (14th)+4.3 (9th)
Hawks116.2 (15th)113.7 (8th)+2.5 (13th)

Raptors roll past Heat 121-95, an outcome that locks Miami into the play-in tournament

TORONTO (AP) — Scottie Barnes scored 25 points, Brandon Ingram finished with 23 and the Toronto Raptors beat Miami 121-95 on Tuesday night, an outcome that locked the Heat into the play-in tournament for a fourth consecutive season.

Jakob Poeltl scored 17 points for the Raptors (44-35), who moved within a game of idle Atlanta for the No. 5 spot in the Eastern Conference playoff chase. Toronto is aiming for its first playoff trip since 2022 and leads Philadelphia (43-36) by one game in the race for the sixth and final guaranteed berth in the East.

RJ Barrett scored 16 and Jamal Shead had 11 assists off the bench for Toronto.

A 19-2 run by the Raptors in the first half turned a two-point deficit into a 13-point lead, and Toronto maintained the double-digit margin virtually the entire rest of the way.

Andrew Wiggins scored 24 points for Miami (41-38), which now likely needs to win its final three games to have any realistic chance of escaping the No. 10 seed going into the play-in tournament for a second consecutive year.

Tyler Herro and Norman Powell each scored 14 for the Heat. Bam Adebayo — who had an 83-point game for Miami last month against Washington — was held to seven points on 2-for-14 shooting, and the Heat lost for the ninth time in their last 12 games.

Toronto improved to 3-0 against the Heat this season. The Raptors have swept Miami in a season series only twice before — going 4-0 against the Heat in 2007-08 and 2018-19 — and will aim to do so again on Thursday when the teams finish a two-game series in Toronto.

The Raptors improved to 13-4 against Southeast Division teams this season.

Up next

The teams play again Thursday in Toronto.

___

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

JJ Redick wants to move on after Mavs contradict his contention of MRI mistake on Austin Reaves

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick says he just wants to move on after the Dallas Mavericks contradicted his contention that their medical staff incorrectly conducted an MRI on Austin Reaves last weekend.

Reaves is out for the rest of the regular season after straining his oblique during the Lakers' blowout loss at Oklahoma City last Thursday. He was examined in Dallas, where the Lakers had subsequently traveled for their next game, by the Mavericks' medical team in a courtesy typically extended by home NBA teams to their visitors.

At the Lakers' practice in Dallas on Saturday, Redick claimed the Mavs' medical team “scanned the wrong area” and had to do two MRIs to identify Reaves' Grade 2 left oblique strain.

The Mavericks issued a statement to DLLS Sports on Tuesday saying their “medical team followed standard imaging protocols based on the information provided at the time. There was no error in the scan performed.”

When Redick was asked why he claimed otherwise before the Lakers hosted the Thunder on Tuesday, he was brief.

“Look, I think in the end, we got the image we needed,” Redick said. “Obviously very appreciative, because it’s happened throughout the season, whenever the home team is accommodating to us, just like we would be for them. And we’re going to move on.”

The Lakers also lost Luka Doncic for the rest of the regular season during that loss in Oklahoma City. The NBA's top scorer has a Grade 2 strain of his left hamstring.

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

Recap: Wizards blown out by Bulls in 129-98 loss

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 07: Bilal Coulibaly #0 of the Washington Wizards goes to the basket as teammate Julian Reese #15 sets a pick against Tre Jones #30 of the Chicago Bulls during the first half at Capital One Arena on April 7, 2026 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. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Washington Wizards lost to the Chicago Bulls, 129-98 on Tuesday night at home.

With the exception of a small Wizards lead toward the beginning of the game, Chicago ultimately shot 54 percent from the field in the first quarter and had a 38-18 lead. From there, the Bulls never looked back. This game was just a simple textbook blowout with the Wizards eyeing the 2026 NBA Draft.

For the Wizards, Bilal Coulibaly led with 19 points while Juju Reese added 17 points and 11 rebounds. For the Bulls, Rob Dillingham scored 26 points.

Sure, this loss was not fun to watch, but there was a minor win on the draft front. The Wizards will keep their protected first round draft pick!

The Wizards still play the Bulls at Capital One Arena on Thursday. Tip off is still at 7 p.m. ET. See you then.

Porter Jr. undergoes season-ending knee surgery

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MARCH 14: Kevin Porter Jr. #7 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after a no call during the second quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on March 14, 2026 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. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. will undergo his second knee surgery of the season, effectively ending his 2025–26 season, the team announced. Porter had missed the last ten games with synovitis, or severe knee inflammation. The team has not yet determined a timetable for his injury.

Porter will end his season with a murmur instead of a bang. He averaged career-highs in assists (7.4 per game), steals (2.2 per), and field goal percentage (.465), but only appeared in 38 games. Porter missed 19 contests after spraining his ankle nine minutes into Milwaukee’s season opener and struggled with various injuries, including a torn meniscus and a strained oblique.

The injuries turned what was a remarkable season for Porter, who took leaps and bounds in playmaking, efficiency, and scoring, into a what-if scenario. With Porter’s presence in the Bucks’ rotation not guaranteed—he holds a $5.3 million player option—his knee surgery plunges his future into doubt. It’s hard not to imagine Milwaukee closer to a playoff push with a healthy Porter.

In a press conference, coach Doc Rivers reported that Porter told him on Sunday, “Man, I didn’t come through for you.”

“And I said, ‘No, you’re fine,” Rivers continued. “You just got injured. It’s part of the game, and it happens.”

Although Porter could be healthy by next season, it will be interesting to see how his surgery and injury battles impact his attractiveness in free agency. It’s unclear whether Porter will take the guaranteed raise with his player option with the Bucks or decline it and become a free agent.

Bulls end 7-game skid in first game since front-office shake-up, pounding NBA-worst Wizards 129-98

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rob Dillingham scored a career-high 26 points and the Chicago Bulls ended a seven-game skid, pounding the NBA-worst Washington Wizards 129-98 on Tuesday night in the opener of a two-game set.

In the first game since they fired their top two basketball executives, the Bulls were in firm control by the end of the first quarter, leading 38-18 against a Washington team that's seeking to maximize its odds of landing a top draft pick.

Chicago extended its lead to 66-37 by halftime and 100-63 by the end of the third against a Wizards team that appeared disinterested on defense. Patrick Williams added a season-high 20 points and Tre Jones had 20 points and nine assists for the Bulls, who play at Washington again on Thursday night.

The Bulls were 23-22 on Jan. 24 but have collapsed since, losing 27 of 34. Chicago made the playoffs just once in six seasons under executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley, both of whom were fired Monday. On Tuesday, CEO Michael Reinsdorf said he wanted coach Billy Donovan to return next season.

Bilal Coulibaly scored 19 points for the Wizards, who have lost seven straight and 23 of 24. Washington started two players on two-way contracts, Juju Reese and Leaky Black, along with veteran Anthony Gill, who has long been one of the last options off the Wizards’ bench but has seen regular playing time lately with the roster depleted by injuries.

Reese had 17 points and 11 rebounds, and Sharife Cooper also scored 17.

Up next

The Bulls go for a sweep of their three games against the Wizards this season.

___

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

Mavericks vs Clippers Preview and Injury Update: Late game in Los Angeles

DALLAS, TX - MARCH 21: The sneakers worn by Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks during the game against the LA Clippers on March 21, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks (25-53) head back out on the road for their final trip of the season. The first game is Tuesday night, late, against the Los Angeles Clippers (40-38). The Mavericks are coming off a fun, but lottery impactful win against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday evening. The Clippers last beat the Kings on Sunday and need this one as they’re trying to secure the eighth seed in the Western Conference Play-In tournament.

Here are the main things you need to know:

  • WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs Los Angeles Clippers
  • WHAT: Final road trip of the season starts here
  • WHERE: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
  • WHEN: 9:30 pm CST
  • HOW: KFAA Channel 29, MavsTV streaming, NBA League Pass

The injuyr report for the Dallas Mavericks is complicated. Let’s start with who is probable to play: Marvin Bagley despite a shoulder issue, John Poulakidas, and Tyler Smith are each playing despite being Two-Way players. Then on the questionable front: only Moussa Cisse, who an’t have too much eligbility left. Then we have the doubtful bunch: Daniel Gafford, who may not have an arm anymore, PJ Washington, labeled with the dreaded “soreness” of a body party, and lastly, Brandon Williams, doubful due to illness (he was too sick against the Lakers and helped them win).

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The Clippers seem to be almost entirely healthy, minus a broken Bradley Beal but what else is new there.

The Clippers can’t afford to lose this one. Dallas, if we’re being honest about how tanking works, can’t afford to win this one. SO, we’ll see what happens next.

Be sure to chime in with your predictions in the comments!

Consider joining Josh and me on Pod Maverick live after the game on YouTube, we should start LATE. Thanks so much for spending time with us here at Mavs Moneyball. Let’s go Mavs!

Is Luka Dončić returning for the playoffs a good idea?

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MARCH 23: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks up against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on March 23, 2026 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. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) | Getty Images

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

After playing their best basketball in years during March, there is little hope that the Lakers can do much of anything in the playoffs a week into April.

Luka Dončić’s hamstring injury against the Thunder and has ruled him out for the rest of the regular season. Considering the typical recovery time for a Grade 2 hamstring strain, Luka returning for any playoff games is very much in question.

Being the competitor that he is, Luka is doing everything he can to expedite his return. In fact, he’s gone to Spain to get “specialized medical treatment” in hopes that he can speed up his recovery.

For our SB Nation Reacts survey this week, we are asking, what are your feelings on Luka trying to return for the playoffs?

While his desire to play is commendable, it can make Lakers fans nervous to hear he’s trying to shave days off his recovery time to come back sooner than most would after this injury.

Luka dealt with a hamstring strain earlier this season which caused him to miss a handful of games before the All-Star Break. Now, he’s hurt it again and it’s even more severe. If he rushes back too early, it could end disastrously.

Dončić most certainly thinks the Lakers have a chance at doing something special if he returns. But considering they’ll likely be the fourth or fifth seed in the West and the Thunder have destroyed the Lakers each time they’ve played, rushing back and risking more injury to lose anyway doesn’t seem worth it.

If he’s healthy, he should play. But if there is any feeling that he’s pushing beyond what is normal, then the Lakers’ medical staff has to protect their superstar.

So, what do you think? Does Luka heading to Europe in an attempt to return faster make you worried? Share your opinion by voting and letting us know down below!

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.