SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 22: Tyson Etienne #10, Channey Johnson #31, Malachi Smith #18, and E.J. Liddell #9 of the Brooklyn Nets talk during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 22, 2026 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
We’re almost there! The Nets have just eight games remaining on their schedule in the regular season. This isn’t just the end of a season for the Nets…it’s the end of a two year “tank run” we knew wouldn’t be fun, but we had to go through. It’s the end of a jail sentence. The end of a depressing, laborious chore. Friend of the show Jordan Greene is here to help us get a few steps closer to the finish line.
In this episode of The Brooklyn with Pooch & Collin, we touch on:
Iowa is known for its Field of Dreams. This Hawkeyes' improbable run to the Elite Eight is what dreams are made of.
“Every time someone asks how you’re feeling, like, ‘Man, it’s just super crazy,’” Iowa junior Cam Manyawu said. “To really think, ‘Yeah, I'm in the Elite Eight, and I have a chance to really make it to the Final Four and go on a run.’ I mean, this is literally the stuff that kids dream about.”
This is the Hawkeyes' first trip to the Elite Eight since 1987. "Walk Like An Egyptian" was the top song and gas cost $0.96 a gallon.
Iowa's coach has proven to be a March wizard. He won four Division II national titles at Northwest Missouri State, sprung a first round upset in his lone year at Drake, and now in Year 1 in Iowa City has the Hawkeyes on the cusp of their first Final Four since 1980.
The Illini are back in the Elite Eight for the second time in three years and have been among the most impressive teams in this NCAA Tournament. Illinois' wins have been comprehensive. It beat Penn by 25 in the first round, VCU by 21 in the second round and beat Houston — in a home game for the Cougars — by 10 in the Sweet 16.
The winner of today's game advances to next week's Final Four in Indianapolis. Here's what you need to know about the matchup:
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Iowa vs Illinois live score
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What time is Iowa vs Illinois in Elite 8?
Time: 6:09 p.m. ET, Saturday, March 28.
What channel is Iowa vs Illinois ? How to watch, streaming info
The game is airing on TBS/truTV, streaming via Sling TV.
Once the Hawkeyes took down Florida in the Round of 32, the path to the Elite Eight was pretty clear and not a far-fetched idea. But the path to the Final Four is a whole heck of a lot different with Illinois in the way.
The Illini took down the Hawkeyes, 75-69, back in January, and the game honestly wasn't as close as the score indicated. In the second half of that game, the Hawkeyes only had an 18.3% chance to win at their best moment, according to ESPN. Iowa did not lead for a single second in that meeting. With a trip to the Final Four on the line, Illinois won't be letting up either.
Look for Illinois guard Andrej Stojakovic to once again be a big factor off the bench. His offensive output in the last three tourney games as resulted in 14.3 points per game. But the Illinois defense stepped up big time, holding Houston to its lowest point total since 2024. Now, the Hawkeyes will try to dictate the tempo and play at its own pace. Iowa has won its three tournament games all by single digits and a combined 13 points. First-year coach Ben McCollum looks to put Iowa into the Final Four for the first time since 1980.
John Leuzzi: Iowa
Jordan Mendoza: Illinois
Ehsan Kassim: Illinois
Austin Curtright: Illinois
Moneyline: Illinois (-300), Iowa (+240)
Spread: Illinois (-6.5)
Over/under total: 137.5
Illinois will advance to Final Four if...
John Leuzzi: It replicates what it did defensively against Houston.
Jordan Mendoza: It controls the interior.
Ehsan Kassim: Wagler can win the matchup against Stirtz.
Austin Curtright: If its defense plays like it did against Houston.
Iowa will advance to Final Four if...
John Leuzzi: It limits Illinois on offensive rebounds, and second chance opportunities.
Jordan Mendoza: it's knocking down 3-pointers.
Ehsan Kassim: Hawkeyes can make the game slower paced and Illinois misses shots.
Austin Curtright: Its bench contributors of Alvaro Folgueiras, Tate Sage and others continue their strong play.
What happened when Illinois, Iowa played in regular season?
Iowa and Illinois played just once this season, a top-20 matchup on Jan. 11 in Iowa City. Illinois led by 11 at halftime, but the Hawkeyes made a push before an eventual 75-69 Illinois win.
"I think Iowa's a team that's not going to go away," Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler said. "When we played 'em, we got up early on them, and then we let them back in the game. We can't get lackadaisical on that side of the ball on defense, just stick to our process throughout the whole game."
Wagler led the Illini with 19 points, while Bennett Stirtz struggled, going 5-of-17 from the field.
Is Andrej Stojakovic related to Peja Stojakovic?
Yes, Peja is his dad. Peja Stojakovic played 13 seasons in the NBA, primarily for the Sacramento Kings, and was a three-time All-Star.
Andrej played at Cal and Stanford before transferring to Illinois.
When was last time Iowa was in Final Four? How many times has Iowa been to Final Four?
Iowa has been to three Final Fours. Their last appearance in the Final Four is in 1980 under Lute Olsen. The Hawkeyes have never won a national championship.
When was last time Illinois was in Final Four? How many times has Illinois been to Final Four?
The Illini have been to the Final Four times. Their last appearance was in 2005 under Bruce Weber. Illinois has never won a national championship.
How many Europeans are on Illinois' team? Why does Illinois have so many Europeans on its roster?
David Mirkovic is from Montenegro
Andrej Stojakovic lists Thessaloniki, Greece as his hometown
Tomislav Ivisic is from Croatia
Zvonimir Ivisic is from Croatia
Mihailo Petrovic is from Serbia
Toni Bilic is from Croatia
"Geoff Alexander, Orlando Antigua deserve most all of the credit in terms of building the relationships in Europe," Illinois coach Brad Underwood said. "It's taken years. NIL has obviously helped enhance our abilities to attract some of the best players in Europe. But they're a great fit for us. It's not for everybody. I enjoy coaching 'em. They fit our university. We're a diverse university with a lot of international students, so it's a perfect fit for them.
"Basketball-wise it's a great fit for me, and I like coaching them. The way we're playing with positional size and shooting, it's just — it's a great marriage and a great fit. So we'll continue it. I would think others will continue to migrate over there and keep trying to recruit those guys."
Bennett Stirtz followed Ben McCollum from Northwest Missouri State to Drake to Iowa
The Hawkeyes' leading scorer Bennett Stirtz (19.7 ppg) has followed Ben McCollum from Northwest Missouri State to Drake, transferred from Drake to Iowa, following McCollum again. The two were key to the Bulldogs' first-round upset of Missouri in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
"Yeah, the amount of trust I have in him, and that he never lies to anyone on this team, including me. He shoots it straight," Stirtz said on his relationship with McCollum. "Even when it's tough and even when it's hard. He pushes you past your limit and I think that's where the trust comes in and he cares about you a lot and wants to make you a better person. So, yeah, he just pushes everyone on this team and honestly you can see the benefit from that and even in the wins that he's all had throughout his career, he doesn't get complacent. So that's what we need to do and continue to do is even though we beat a 1 seed, we can't get complacent, we got to keep getting better every day and get ready for the game tomorrow."
Why does Alvaro Folgueiras point to sky after 3-pointers?
Folgueiras points up at the sky after every 3-pointer he makes in honor of his dad, who died when he was 9 years old. He pointed at the sky after hitting his eventual game-winner against Florida, although he waited for the Gators' timeout after running back on defense.
Folgueiras expressed what his family means to him after the game, and mentioned his mom being a rock throughout his childhood without his dad.
"He left us with my mom and my brother in my house," he said. "It was kind of hard. We didn't really feel it as much because my mom always made sure that we didn't need anything, absolutely nothing. So, I cannot say that I grew up in an environment where I needed some things. No, that's not the truth.
"Sometimes I can say that because I feel his absence. I was just going in the court and playing to get away of my house to be with something else. But I can say that I had a happy childhood. Something that we all said, and everyone has these kinds of things on their life.
"It's that we are not victims. I never let things like that make me a victim. Not to me and not to my brother, not to my mom. We are like that because my mom was showing out every single day. Yeah."
Keaton Wagler 2026 NBA Draft mock draft prediction
Atlanta Hawks, pick No. 7.
Kalbrosky's Analysis:
After trading away Trae Young, the Hawks could find their point guard of the future in Illinois standout Keaton Wagler using a first-round pick they received from the Pelicans. The 19-year-old guard scored 46 points while shooting 9-of-11 on 3-pointers against No. 12 Purdue on Jan. 24. He projects as one of the best 3-point shooters in this class, shooting 41.0 percent from beyond the arc as a freshman this year. The Big Ten Rookie of the Year is a cerebral basketball player who is also averaging 4.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game this season.
Powered by Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs are still chasing the No.1 seed in the West, and today they’ll see a Milwaukee Bucks team that’s surely coming to the end of the road with its own unicorn superstar.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo in street clothes, Milwaukee is coming off a pair of ugly losses, and my Spurs vs. Bucks predictions expect San Antonio to cruise in this one, extending its seven-game win streak.
Get the lowdown on this March 28 matchup with my NBA picks and betting tips.
Spurs vs Bucks prediction
Spurs vs Bucks best bet: Spurs -19 (-110)
The Milwaukee Bucks are way too late to the tanking party, but that hasn’t stopped Doc Rivers’ men from losing their last two games by a combined 64 points. After those beatdowns, just about the last thing Milwaukee needs is a visit from a ruthless San Antonio Spurs squad.
The Spurs are 16-8-1 ATS in their last 25 contests, and I’m siding with Victor Wembanyama and Co. here despite the massive spread. San Antonio has been reliable on the road all year, posting a 26-11 SU mark, and the early Saturday tip should only be a minor obstacle.
The visitors’ last two victories have both come by 25 points, and they beat the Bucks 119-101 in January, before Giannis Antetokounmpo's latest injury setbacks. In short, don’t expect any mercy this afternoon.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee has nowhere to turn for offense.
The Bucks are just 3-7 ATS in their past 10 outings, and the injury report doesn’t help their cause. Myles Turner, Kyle Kuzma, and Bobby Portis all missed Wednesday’s loss in Portland, and that could leave Milwaukee vulnerable in the frontcourt.
Ryan Rollins had a career-high 36 points earlier this week, but he’ll have a mountain to climb against Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper.
With one of the NBA’s deepest benches, the Spurs can pull away when their second unit is on the floor, and their offense sits third in the league in points per game (119.3). All the signs signal one-way traffic at Fiserv Forum.
Spurs vs Bucks same-game parlay
The San Antonio starters may not log their usual minutes today, yet I still like Wemby and Stephon Castle to steal the show. Wembanyama has had back-to-back outings with 15 rebounds, and he won’t get much resistance on the glass against the depleted Bucks.
Castle continues to be one of the Spurs’ main engines, and he’s nailed this assists Over in four of his past five contests, including 12 dimes in Sacramento earlier this month. His lob connection with Wemby grows stronger every week.
Spurs vs Bucks SGP
Spurs moneyline
Victor Wembanyama Over 11.5 rebounds
Stephon Castle Over 7.5 assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: Castle Hunts Bucks!
Castle is rarely far from the action, and this SGP embraces all the ways he impacts games. He had 19 points and 10 assists against the Bucks earlier this year, and he’s grabbed 7+ boards in five of his last seven outings.
Look for Castle’s nonstop effort to put San Antonio in control this afternoon.
Spurs vs Bucks SGP
Stephon Castle Over 15.5 points
Stephon Castle Over 1.5 made threes
Stephon Castle Over 7.5 assists
Stephon Castle Over 4.5 rebounds
Spurs vs Bucks odds
Spread: Spurs -19 | Bucks +19
Moneyline: Spurs -2250 | Bucks +1106
Over/Under: Over 226 | Under 226
Spurs vs Bucks betting trend to know
The Spurs are 17-10-1 ATS against the East this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Spurs vs. Bucks.
How to watch Spurs vs Bucks
Location
Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
Date
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Tip-off
3:00 p.m. ET
TV
Prime Video
Spurs vs Bucks latest injuries
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SAN ANTONIO, TX - JANUARY 15: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs drives against the Milwaukee Bucks in the first half at Frost Bank Center on January 15, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The struggling Milwaukee Bucks face the white-hot San Antonio Spurs this afternoon at Fiserv, and there is potential for it to get really ugly, really fast; with Giannis already ruled out, Victor Wembanyama could run riot over the Bucks. A Spurs win today would mean they take the season series 2-0.
Where We’re At
The Bucks have lost 12 of their last 15 games. Yeah, it’s been rough. Most recently, they got pummeled by the Blazers, 130-99; watching that game was the embodiment of the “stop, he’s already dead” scene in The Simpsons. I mean, it got ugly early, and if it wasn’t for a Ryan Rollins career-high 36 points, there was absolutely the potential for a 50-point loss. That said, there have been some silver linings, such as Andre Jackson Jr., who has shown some good signs since getting back into the rotation. Jackson had four steals against the Blazers and showed flashes of a more composed offensive game. I assume this is last chance saloon for AJax, so it’s good that he’s put his best foot forward.
As for the Spurs, well, it’s the opposite situation. They have won seven straight and sit 2.5 games back of the Thunder for the one-seed in the West. Of course, it helps when you have a 7’4” destroyer that can score from anywhere and defend anyone. The season Wemby is having is truly crazy, and yes, worthy of MVP consideration: 24.2 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, and 3.6 BPG! Of course, this team got lucky and jumped from the bottom of the lottery to the top (because of course they did), drafting Dylan Harper, who looks to be a player himself. This team is good and will be good for a long time; I need to stop writing before I get depressed.
Injury Report
For the Bucks, Giannis (calf) and Kevin Porter Jr. (knee) are out. Kyle Kuzma (Achilles), Bobby Portis (wrist), Myles Turner (calf), and Gary Harris (groin) are all questionable. The Spurs have a clean bill of health.
Player to Watch
Coming off his career-high, and with multiple ball-handlers out, I’m watching for what Ryan Rollins can do against this Spurs lineup, which ranks third in defensive rating for the year. How does he navigate (or avoid) Wemby? How does he fare with Stephon Castle as his primary defender? This is an almighty test for Rylo, and I’m just keen to see how he goes.
Jan 26, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe (77) makes a slam dunk against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
The Sixers are coming off a blowout WIN (haven’t been able to type that much this season), taking down the Chicago Bulls 157-137. Now they head to Charlotte to take on one of the hottest teams in the league in what could be a pivotal matchup with real long-term stakes.
Why does a regular-season game in March carry this much weight? The Sixers and Hornets have already met twice this year, splitting the series 1-1, making this the decider. Whoever wins clinches the tiebreaker between two teams hovering around the same spot in the Eastern Conference. Charlotte sits one game back right now, and with how close these records could finish, that tiebreaker is very much in play. A Sixers win adds cushion. A loss pulls the Hornets right into striking range.
Charlotte has quietly become one of the better stories in the league this season, and a lot of that starts with Kon Knueppel. The rookie has put together one of the strongest freshman campaigns we’ve seen in years, averaging 19.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists on a near 50-40-90 clip. Tonight he’ll go head to head with VJ Edgecombe, another rookie who has looked just as far beyond his years on the other side. Two first-year players, taken back to back in the draft, squaring off in a game with actual playoff implications — that’s a pretty compelling subplot.
Since the new year the Hornets have been one of the better teams in basketball. Their offense has jumped to fifth in the league, with their defense sitting 12th. The rough record is mostly a hangover from a brutal first half, but they’ve clawed their way back to the point where they’re not just a play-in team anymore — a real playoff spot is on the table.
The usual names round out the roster: LaMelo Ball, still one of the most talented players in the league even if the consistency comes and goes, alongside Miles Bridges, Brandon Miller, Moussa Diabate and Ryan Kalkbrenner as strong rotation pieces. This will also be our first look at Coby White in a Hornets uniform since the trade deadline.
For the Sixers, things finally feel like they’re trending in the right direction. The Bulls aren’t exactly a measuring stick team this season, but putting up 157 points with Joel Embiid and Paul George combining for 60+ is still a statement. Both guys looked fresh, moved well and put on offensive clinics. George in particular was excellent on both ends. Four steals and a block to go with his scoring output, and having that kind of smooth, versatile wing back in the lineup has been a desperately needed addition.
Edgecombe has kept his strong play going too. It wasn’t his biggest statistical night, but he did a nice job navigating life with Embiid and George back in the rotation, letting them operate while still making his own impact. He shot 7-of-9 from the field, which tells you how clean his opportunities were playing off two stars drawing all the attention. That load-sharing role suits him well, but tonight is a different test. The Hornets have no shortage of guards, so Edgecombe will need to be sharp on both ends.
There are some notable injury statuses to keep an eye on heading into this one. For the first time since his injury, Tyrese Maxey isn’t listed as out — he’s questionable with a finger tendon strain, which is an encouraging sign. Kelly Oubre Jr. is also questionable but told beat reporters yesterday that he expects to suit up. That leaves Johni Broome as the only Sixer potentially sitting out. On the Charlotte side, former lottery pick Tidjane Salaun is the only player listed outside of G League assignments.
This is an important matchup for both squads and could end up being the deciding factor depending on how the playoff and play-in picture shapes out. Edgecombe now has the reinforcements he needs for the Sixers to come out on top. Let’s see if they can win the first of what could be several pivotal matchups in their playoff pursuit.
Game Details
When: Saturday, March 28 2026, 6 PM EST Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic Follow:@LibertyBallers
The Michigan State coach was once again reflective on his 31-year coaching career and the topic of retirement following the 3-seeded Spartans' loss to 2-seeded UConn in the East Region on Friday, March 27, saying he has bigger goals yet to chase.
"Trying to win a national championship, plain and simple," Izzo said March 27 when asked by a reporter where he sees himself in five years. "That's it. Those things usually start after your last loss. Nowadays, it's a little more screwed up, but not at Michigan State."
Tom Izzo on retirement speculation. 👀
“I’m feeling good. We’ll talk about retirement—why? What the hell am I going to do? The minute I don’t feel good, the minute I don’t feel like I’m giving my AD, president, or school every ounce of energy I have every day… you won’t have to… pic.twitter.com/TEaKNlJFGc
Izzo coached in his 17th career Sweet 16 on Friday, where his record dropped to 11-6. The Spartans coach has led Michigan State to 28 consecutive March Madness trips, the NCAA Division I record for most consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. The Spartans, who were looking for their second consecutive trip to the Elite Eight, have not advanced to the Final Four appearance since 2019.
The Hall of Fame coach said he's still "feeling good" at 71 years old.
"We all talk about retirement. Why? What the h--- am I going to do? The minute I don't feel good, the minute I don't feel like I'm giving my (athletic director) or president or school every ounce of energy I have every day, or that energy drops, you don't have to worry about it. I don't steal money. I won't steal anybody's time. But it's sure as hell not going to be now," Izzo said.
"I've got some things to accomplish."
Michigan State ends the season 27-8, its fifth straight season of at least 20 wins under Izzo, and its 25th overall season reaching that win mark.
With no retirement plans on the horizon just yet for Izzo, Michigan State will head into the 2026-27 season once again looking to end the program's national championship drought, having last won it all in 2000.
"I said a couple years ago that I'll find a way to get back there. We've knocked on the door twice. We haven'tgotten back. We'll get back," Izzo said.
CHICAGO – They were coming at the Tennessee men's basketball team like no one else had this season, Rick Barnes said afterwards. Iowa State players were hounding anyone wearing orange all over the United Center court, and the Vols were heaving shots at the end of the shot clock as their NCAA Tournament Midwest Region Sweet 16 game began Friday, March 27.
But when freshman Nate Ament launched an errant 3-pointer, Felix Okpara grabbed the offensive rebound. Then J.P. Estrella grabbed another miss. Then Ament grabbed one more miss. A minute later, Okpara corralled an errant shot attempt. Then Estrella did, too. Another offensive rebound sent Estrella to the free throw line. Before the first media timeout, once Okpara snagged yet another offensive rebound, Tennessee had somehow grabbed seven of its first 10 missed shots of the game.
Never mind that this only led to one basket. The tone had been set, one that carried the sixth-seeded Volunteers back into the Elite Eight for the third year in a row after a 76-62 win over shorthanded No. 2 seed Iowa State that felt more like a bludgeoning because of the manner in which the beating was delivered.
Tennessee demoralized an Iowa State team already playing without All-American Joshua Jefferson because the biggest plays of the game revolved around offensive rebounds. Of course they did. It’s perhaps the best explanation why Tennessee, with just one player in the lineup Friday who played in last year’s Elite Eight game, gets another chance to earn its first Final Four appearance in Sunday’s Midwest Region final against No. 1 seed Michigan.
The Volunteers have the nation's best offensive rebounding percentage this season, according to KenPom, and there really isn’t anyone close to them left in the bracket. Tennessee grabs an offensive rebound on 45% of its missed shots. For comparison, none of the seven other teams left in the NCAA Tournament bracket grab more than 40% of their missed shots.
“It’s our identity. That’s our best offense. That’s what coach Barnes always says,” Okpara said.
Tennessee corralled 16 more offensive rebounds against Iowa State and turned those extra possessions into 14 second-chance points, part of a 43-22 rebounding advantage the Vols enjoyed on the glass to offset their 17 turnovers.
They advanced mostly through brute force, not finesse.
“We stayed in the same set pretty much the entire second half,” Barnes said.
But what had been accomplished was still sinking in as he answered questions about it late Friday. This was the deep frontcourt he envisioned deploying last offseason after Houston ended last year's NCAA Tournament run. He also thought this team should have won more games than it did during the regular season.
Then Ament, the Vols' freshman projected NBA draft lottery pick, hurt his ankle last month. Barnes hoped this would all come together in time for March Madness.
Suddenly this has, largely because these Volunteers can suck the life out of teams with each wayward shot attempt.
Mar 27, 2026; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Sorry for the miss on the Game Thread last night, y’all. We had a miscommunication on the game coverage sheet, and I was working one of my other jobs last night, so I couldn’t just jump in. Anyway, enough apologies, on to the game.
The Houston Rockets got a win last night, dowing the Memphis Grizzlies 119-109 in a solid performance. The team was led by Kevin Durant, who finished with 25 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists on 8-for-14 shooting from the floor and 3-for-7 from deep. He helped Houston on a 14-3 run in the fourth quarter that put the game away for the Rockets.
Houston also had a good night from Jabari Smith Jr., who bounced back from an ugly game with 21 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 assists. He was 7-for-16 from the field. In fact, all five Rockets starters finished in double figures, as the Rockets got 18 points and 8 boards from Amen Thompson, 14 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 blocks from Alperen Sengun, as well as 15 points, 5 boards, 5 assists and 4 steals from Reed Sheppard, who continues to remain in the starting lineup. Seems like Ime may have finally gotten his head out of his ass on that one.
The Rockets got hit with the Rampaging Rando (trademark Xiane) last night, as Olivier-Maxence Prosper went off for 31 points on 12-for-15 from the floor depsite just averaging 9 points per game on the season, but the rest of the Grizzlies shot just 36 percent on the night. The Rockets also won the rebounding battle to help bring home the win.
Houston now moves to 44-29 on the season and sits in sixth place in the Western Conference. They are one game back of the Minnesota Timberwolves for fifth and are four games ahead of the Phoenix Suns for seventh place. They will return to action on Sunday versus the New Orleans Pelicans.
On March 8th, the Phoenix Suns played the Charlotte Hornets. The Suns won 111-99 behind a combined 78 points from the backcourt trio of Devin Booker, Collin Gillespie, and Jalen Green. For most of us, this was a game like any other. We watched, we enjoyed, we went to bed happy that our Suns got another win. It was the second win in a row, and it came against a Charlotte team that is surprisingly hot this season.
But in Phoenix at the Mortgage Matchup Center, in section 108, row 17, there was a special young man and his parents, for whom this game meant so much more.
22-year old Tate Haddock comes from a long line of Suns fans. His mother, Pam, reminisces about the stories her father would tell about the first seasons of Suns’ basketball. Tate himself started really paying attention to the Suns around a decade ago during Devin Booker’s sophomore season.
In August of 2024, the lives of the Haddock family would change forever. Tate was diagnosed with Leukemia. Doctors told him that if left untreated, he had six months left to live.
“It was very rattling, more than anything,” Tate said.
However, it was neither the diagnosis nor the chemo that Tate said was the worst part of his battle with cancer.
“People don’t talk about watching your loved ones struggle with it just as much, if not more than you do. It was a lot harder on the people that cared about me than it was myself.”
Ever since the diagnosis, Mike and Pam Haddock have been driving four and a half hours every week with their son to St. Louis for chemotherapy. Through it all, Tate and his parents remained strong and hopeful, with the help of their community.
“I had a great support system. My parents, my partner, grandparents. There are a lot of people taking good care of me. My partner stayed with me throughout my entire hospital stay. For better or worse, there were people that cared.”
It wasn’t just his family, either. His small town in Missouri held a golf benefit for him. Pam said, “You don’t realize until you’re in the middle of it and you find the kindness of strangers, how you really are supported and how much people are willing to care and support you if they know what you need and want.”
Even through the last year and a half of treatment, the Haddock family has kept up with their Suns. Ask them about their favorite Suns players of all time, and you will see a trend. Pam immediately chimes in, “I loved Charles Barkley’s bad attitude!” Tate will tell you, “Dillon Brooks, and we love Goodie!”
PHOENIX, AZ – NOVEMBER 01: Dionte Christmas #25 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after hitting a three point shot against the Utah Jazz during the second half of the NBA game at US Airways Center on November 1, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Jazz 87-84. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The conversation about favorite players led us to his Instagram (@haddock_tate_haddock). “If I’m really locking in, I like Dionte Christmas because one time he reposted my story on Instagram.” Dionte Christmas played his sole 31 NBA games for the Suns in the 2013-2014 season.
That Suns fandom was why, just a few days before Tate’s birthday, the family piled into their car and roadtripped from Missouri to Phoenix to watch the Suns play the Hornets.
But Pam had more in mind than just a good time at the arena. “I tried everything to get him to be able to meet players. Emailing reporters, players. I’ve got to figure this out!”
Eventually, she was able to get a hold of the Sun’s Mercury Foundation. “They said they wanted to make it a night he wouldn’t forget.”
And so it was that before the game, Tate Haddock could be seen, freshly in remission, walking through the players’ tunnel to stand courtside for pregame shootaround.
“I didn’t know how special it was going to be. I was allowed to just walk up to Oso and talk to him.”
In addition to this incredible experience, the Suns gave him a bag full of merch. He even got his hat signed by Royce O’Neale, Amir Coffey, Haywood Highsmith, and Oso Ighodaro.
“It was amazing,” says Pam, “For them to recognize him and make him feel special and for them to treat our whole family like VIPs, it made me feel like I had accomplished something amazing.”
Overall, it was an incredible night for a young man with battles still ahead of him. Though in remission, Tate has to continue chemo until September 2027. He’s happy that during this, the team is moving in a positive direction.
“This is the best I’ve felt about being a Suns fan since 2021,” Tate said.
“We love the culture and scrappiness,” Pam continued.
When Tate was asked about who his favorite young player on the roster was, he said, “I love Rasheer Fleming.”
And why shouldn’t he? Rasheer Fleming is turning himself into a scrappy player, much like his other favorite players Dillon Brooks and Jordan Goodwin. These players exemplify in their games what Tate has exemplified in his heart, a fighting spirit that doesn’t give up.
“When you are facing adversity, try to see the good in things. When it’s hard to find the good, you’ve got some options. You can create it for yourself or look harder. Eventually, you’ll find it, no matter how hard it can be.”
Tate’s story isn’t just about one man’s battle with cancer. It is a reminder of how much more we are capable of when we come together. It is a reminder of the power of a community working together toward a common goal, whether as a nation, a small town in Missouri, or the fans of a basketball team.
The most important thing we can do is take care of one another. So tell the people you love that you love them, go out and get involved in your community, and cheer as hard as ever for the teams you love.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 27: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket against Nickeil Alexander-Walker #7 of the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at the TD Garden on March 27, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images
#1 – Early game trouble
As it was highlighted by Gray Washburn in the press conference after the game, it’s rare for Joe Mazzulla to call multiple timeouts so early in the game. However, pretty quickly, the Celtics were falling behind, especially because of their offense. As the Celtics head coach said, there were too many “empty possessions.”
Looking back at the film, most of the shots prior to that second timeout were contested pull-up shots or floaters, but rarely open opportunities or layups at the rim. The Hawks did a great job of contracting the space without leaving too much gap to the shooters.
Right after the timeout, it was yet another missed pull-up from the mid-range, but this time the Celtics crashed the glass and extended the possession for a Hugo Gonzalez three-pointer.
To get back in the game, the Celtics needed to find a way to the rim. For that, they used the Hawks’ coverage against them. As the Hawks were willing to switch over screens, the Celtics multiplied the cuts and increased the movement while obtaining the matchup they wanted.
On the play below, the screens on the strong side of the court create a switch that gives Luka Garza a big size advantage on Gabe Vincent. This makes it easier for Derrick White to find him on the cut and finally get a shot at the rim for the Celtics.
The Celtics used that momentum against the Hawks bench to get going and make the most of the mistakes. Here, Jonathan Kuminga jumps on the fake and White drives right away for another layup. The Celtics were finally able to get deep into the paint.
The lack of good execution on switches was perfect for the Celtics offense, and showed how deep the Celtics can be. While the starters struggled a little at first, the bench rolled over the Hawks. Here, the switch is completely broken and Garza gets a free roll to the rim.
But he was just getting started, as the guard ended up with 36 points last night. Often, Joe Mazzulla talks about creating good looks early in the possession. Well, look at PP here going full speed on that handoff with Garza. The defense isn’t even set and he scores right at the rim. The early bird gets the worm, right?
Then, a little give-and-go early in the possession. As he passes to Jayson Tatum, PP uses the flare screen from Neemias Queta to get enough space for another bomb.
Here, the action starts a bit slow as he runs a first ball screen with Tatum. He sees space to attack, so he swings it to the side, but immediately cuts and gets the ball back for another layup.
And he kept attacking the Hawks like this all night until the final buzzer. Great game from PP with Jaylen Brown sitting out. But while the scoring is what stands out, he impacted the game in other ways.
#4 – Pritchard beyond the scoring
Asked Joe Mazzulla about Payton Pritchard, who was a +26 in a game the Celtics won by seven:
“The points are one thing, but I thought the ball handling, handling the pressure, the offensive rebounding… It’s just those big time plays for us. He's not defined by scoring.” pic.twitter.com/jTlPSfP8Ip
Joe Mazzulla was right, the 36 points will make the headlines, but some plays had an even bigger impact on the game. In the second half alone, he created four extra possessions with offensive rebounds.
This extra effort from one of the smallest guys on the court speaks loudly to the commitment to winning and doing what it takes to put the team in the best position possible, with or without the ball.
#5 – Roaming off Dyson Daniels
The other big factor in the game was the Celtics’ defensive plan against the Hawks — and once again, it was about how they mixed matchups. As expected, they put Neemias Queta on the Atlanta Hawks’ worst shooter, Dyson Daniels. This lack of shooting from the former Pelicans guard created an overload of players in the paint for the Hawks on offense, as Queta was playing the safety.
Yet, what was surprising was Sam Hauser being matched up with Onyeka Okongwu, and the Hawks weren’t going after him to punish the Celtics’ bet. Of course, the Celtics center isn’t known for his post-up moves and isn’t even that tall, but the Hawks could have tried to put pressure on the Celtics’ defensive shell with that size advantage.
The Hawks tried various things to help Daniels. They attacked the Celtics big men with drives, or asked for more movement from their non-shooting wing, but the flow seemed off when the actions involved him, and the paint was full of bodies anyway.
Overall, the Celtics were able to turn him into a non-impact offensive player, forcing others to make the difference from the outside.
#6 – Dealing with Jalen Johnson
A big wing with driving and shooting abilities like Jalen Johnson is tough to handle for any team, but the Celtics had a plan in mind to make sure they gave away the right thing. Early in the game, they were comfortable living with his shooting variance, even as he was making pull-up threes from deep.
On the action above, it is clear that the threat the Celtics identified was his drive, not his shot. The following play speaks even louder. Like against the Thunder, the Celtics sent a lot of help from the nail, closed the drives, and took away the pass to the corner. And if you take away the drives and the corner three from a team… well, there isn’t much hope left.
Against a team with a lot of ball pressure, drawing offense around Neemias Queta was smart and worked pretty well. Here, he gets the ball at the nail, and Sam Hauser sets a back screen for Jayson Tatum. The action isn’t well read and that creates a gap for JT’s cut.
A little later, Tatum returns the favor to Sam Hauser with a screen on the zoom action, and Queta is again the man holding the ball while the play unfolds, like a QB waiting to deliver a touchdown pass.
With 5 minutes left in the second quarter, the Celtics were up 3 points and then went for a small-ball unit to close the first half. While the score at the break indicates it didn’t go as expected, there are some encouraging flashes and lessons from that stretch.
First, the Celtics — and Jayson Tatum in particular — will need to be more disciplined in these situations where he is the rim protector. Here, he gets caught by Daniels behind him and that’s an easy layup for the Hawks.
At the same time, Jayson Tatum at the five is great for spacing and mismatch hunting. He can be the screener and, depending on the defensive coverage, it creates gaps in the defense. Here, the double comes and he finds Jordan Walsh on the cut.
On offense, it was simple and energetic. He made the right reads and took the shots he was supposed to. Most importantly, he showed presence on the offensive glass to generate much-needed extra possessions.
On defense, he was very active but remained disciplined. He had the second-most contested shots for the Celtics and did a great job against the Hawks guards, especially on CJ McCollum. On the play below, he stays connected, navigates the screen the right way, and baits McCollum into a shot that he can block.
Jordan stayed ready and delivered a strong performance with a real impact.
#10 – Another trip, another blast because of you
This three-week trip to Boston to cover the Celtics was, like last year, an immense honor. Every game, I have to pinch myself to make sure it is still real.
However, this experience wouldn’t be possible if all of you weren’t here to read, comment, and react to these articles. So I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to go through these lines.
The kid I was back in my French Alps wouldn’t have dared to dream about an opportunity like this, and you made it possible by reading my work on CelticsBlog. I hope I didn’t disappoint.
CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 20: NBA Legend, George Gervin of the NBA 75th Anniversary team takes a photo during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game as part of 2022 NBA All Star Weekend on February 20, 2022 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse 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 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jim Poorten/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
In strange-but-true news, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has filed to trademark the word “Iceman” for his merchandise line. If the name “Iceman” sounds familiar, it’s because San Antonio Spurs legend George Gervin has been using it for over half a century.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams recently filed four trademark applications to legally claim the "Iceman" nickname for his own clothing and merchandise line, but Spurs legend George "The Iceman" Gervin is officially fighting back. Just days after Williams submitted his… pic.twitter.com/gzacHRA3OJ
The Hall of Fame baller has taken action by filing trademark requests for “Iceman and ”Iceman 44.“ This came four days after Williams initially filed his clothing line trademark request.
There has been much discussion on social media. Young fans unaware of Gervin believe he should have trademarked the nickname by now. Meanwhile, fans of the ABA/NBA crossover star have pointed out his merits as reason enough for Williams to change his path.
In their professional careers:
Gervin — Williams — 4x Scoring Champ 12x All-Star 1x ASG MVP 9x All-NBA/ABA ABA All-Rookie
Skip Baylessn spoke out in defense of George Gervin….
I’m a Caleb Williams fan. But I was a much bigger Iceman Gervin fan, and I’m offended Caleb and Co. are trying to steal George’s all-time great nickname. I unleash on today’s Arena Gridiron 2:30 E.
Turns out both could be fighting for table scraps as former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell may have trademarked the term prior to either Williams or Gervin.
This story is ongoing and will be updated.
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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 15: Andre Iguodala poses for a photo during the NBA Legends Awards as part of NBA All-Star Weekend on Sunday, February 15, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
As the NBA appears focused on major reforms to get teams to stop tanking, the NBA Player’s Association (NBAPA) has made a proposal of their own for the league to consider. While the commissioner’s office unveiled a trio of reforms focused on the lottery, the player’s proposal included something massive: huge financial incentives. According to a report by Jake Fischer of The Steinline, the NBAPA’s proposal would allow the standings to impact each team’s share of national TV revenue.
Currently, all NBA teams evenly split national TV revenue. However, per Fischer, the NBAPA’s pitch emulates soccer’s English Premiere League, which would reward teams with an additional $10 million of revenue for each higher seed. It’s unclear whether the proposal is specific to conferences or if team would be stacked up from 1-30. Either way, entering the season expecting to tank would put potentially $50-$100 million of revenue at risk under this proposal, something that would be an extremely strong deterrent aimed at tanking owners.
The NBAPA also proposed an adjusted lottery. The proposal is similar to one of the three unveiled by the league office, expanding the lottery to 18 teams, giving the bottom 10 teams a 7% chance to move up in the draft with the remaining eight squads getting a 3.75% chance of landing the number one pick. The union is also supporting Silver in giving the commissioner more explicit powers to punish tanking teams by diminishing their lottery odds, moving their pick to the end of the lottery or the first round, or stripping them of a first-round pick all together.
It’s hard to imagine league owners ever agreeing to such a clear change to their revenue sharing, but if the league wants to actually disincentivize tanking, making losing hurt a team’s bottom line would be the easiest way to get owners to stop empowering front offices that always want to kick the can down the road.
Mar 27, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts after a play during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images | Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
In his 10th game back with the Boston Celtics on Friday night, Jayson Tatum delivered his best performance of the season by dominating the second half against the Atlanta Hawks. It wasn’t particularly efficient, at least not by his standards, and afterward, he admitted the process of building himself back up has brought a mix of emotions.
Jayson Tatum’s return to basketball hasn’t been seamless, but he’s grateful for how far he’s come and for those who have been by his side.
“Playing through it,” Tatum told reporters, per CLNS Media. “I feel rusty, obviously. You can probably see in moments when it doesn’t look the same, or it looks rusty. But I think the mindset of onto the next play (helps). I’m thankful that I got teammates and the coaching staff that are patient with me in this moment as I’m trying to figure it out.”
Tatum missed five layups in Boston’s 109-102 win over Atlanta at TD Garden. He had just five points at the end of the first quarter and remained there by halftime after going scoreless in the second, missing all seven of his attempts. Five of those shots came within 13 feet of the basket, making it even tougher to watch as teammate Payton Pritchard kept the Celtics within striking distance while Tatum struggled to find his rhythm and contribute to the cause.
When dissecting the rust itself, Tatum couldn’t pinpoint anything specific.
“It’s all over the place sometimes,” Tatum explained. “I’ll be dribbling the f—ing ball, and I just mishandle it. Sometimes I still have the ball, but it’s just like, ‘Damn.’ It is frustrating. Obviously, some of the shots and layups at the rim — just kind of moving too fast a little bit. It’s frustrating to me.”
Since rejoining Boston after nearly 10 months away from basketball, Tatum has contributed. His 9.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals through 10 games lead all Celtics. The issue is that Tatum’s recovery didn’t end after he suited back up against the Dallas Mavericks three weeks ago. It’s ongoing, and each game is another step in the process of returning to his old form.
BOSTON, MA – MARCH 27: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on March 27, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
That requires a level of patience that Tatum hasn’t had to demonstrate before in his career. So every turnover, every missed layup, every jumper that doesn’t fall is difficult to take in stride at times, knowing it’s a reminder that there’s still work to do.
Tatum overcame his five-point first quarter and scoreless second against Atlanta by turning it up in the second half. He absorbed contact from C.J. McCollum after cutting to the basket and finishing the layup, converting the and-1. He then knocked down a 12-foot fadeaway jumper, helping spark a 21-point surge across the third and fourth quarters before finishing with a season-best 26 points in an impressive turnaround.
But Tatum’s scoring wasn’t what Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla felt helped Boston in the absence of Jaylen Brown.
“I saw his defensive rebounding; I thought that was the most important thing,” Mazzulla told reporters, per CLNS Media. “I thought offensively, he got into the paint and was able to get to the free-throw line — shot 10 free throws — just continuing to chip away and give the game what it needs. He was aggressive in his drives. He missed some easy layups there, but as long as he stays aggressive, makes the right reads, and continues to rebound, he’s continuing to get better and better.”
Even if his scoring isn’t flashy, it’s just one of several ways Tatum has pitched in. He has not only rebounded as well as he did before suffering his ruptured right Achilles last May, but he’s also been an elite playmaker, setting teammates up to keep the offense active and flowing.
There’s always the pressure to immediately return to the superstar version Tatum was in his first eight seasons with the Celtics, but that will take time. For now, it helps that Boston’s coaching staff remains by his side through the ups and downs.
Mazzulla played Tatum a team-high 36:36 on Friday night, including the entire fourth quarter. It’s unclear what that will mean going forward, as Mazzulla continues to manage Tatum’s minutes based on his on-court response rather than a fixed plan.
“There isn’t a specific number,” Mazzulla clarified. “It’s more about what looks best for us, where we’re at, what we need, and we continue to go from there. He played the whole (fourth) quarter a couple of games in a row, and he’s handling it well, and we continue to assess that and go from there.”
The Celtics worked their way into a strong position, holding the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference since Jan. 15 and sitting four games behind the top-seeded Detroit Pistons. They earned that spot without Tatum, building an identity to withstand the production lost in his absence. Now, with him back, Boston’s chances of returning to the NBA Finals for a third time in five seasons are more legit than ever. Tatum and Brown’s 50-point combined effort against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday proved the Celtics aren’t just poised for a feel-good, Cinderella run — they’re back and ready to make a serious push for it all.
Tatum will be a key piece of that journey, as he was two years ago.
In the meantime, whenever Tatum needs a break from the basketball court, he looks to those closest to him as a father of two.
“I think right now, when I’m frustrated or really want to be better, just going home and my kids,” Tatum told reporters. “Now I’ve got two boys, and it just kind of puts things in perspective and helps me forget about what just happened or transpired in the game.
“I talk about it all the time: being a father is second to none. And now, having two boys and seeing their relationship develop, it was just one kid running to me when I walked in the house. Now it’s two, so that’s a cool feeling.”
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Mar 27, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) reacts after making a basket during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images | Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
BOSTON — With Jaylen Brown out against the Atlanta Hawks, someone needed to step up to shoulder the offensive load for the Celtics and Payton Pritchard answered the call.
Pritchard finished with a team-high 36 points along with 7 rebounds and 4 assists while shooting 13-23 from the field and 6-11 from three-point range. The biggest indicator of how much Pritchard dominated this game was that he ended as a +26 in a game the Celtics won by seven.
Pritchard was asked postgame about filling the Jaylen Brown role tonight and said nothing really changed on his end. “I don’t think my role changed,” he said. “Like any other night, just come out being aggressive, looking to make plays for my teammates or for myself, and just make the right reads.”
In 8 games without Jaylen Brown this season, Pritchard has stepped up with averages of 25.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 7.3 assists on 48% shooting from the field and 46% shooting from three.
Payton Pritchard vs the Hawks 36 Points 7 Rebounds 4 Assists 13-23 FG 6-11 3PM pic.twitter.com/XqUtJueGiE
The Celtics offense was slow to start in this game, going down 25-9 with 3:39 left in the first quarter. Joe Mazzulla called his second timeout in a row, seemingly looking for any kind of a spark from someone. That was when Pritchard started to turn it on, scoring 7 points and assisting on another to cut the deficit to 3 points at the end of the first.
In classic Payton Pritchard fashion, he ended the quarter with an incredible buzzer beater, crossing over Dyson Daniels and finishing with a layup that kissed the banners in the TD Garden rafters before falling in.
When asked about his buzzer beater heroics, he talked about the science behind them, saying, “It’s a momentum play and the crowd feels it. Our team feels it. So I feel like it’s crucial because ending a quarter or a half and then going into the next possession you get that energy and the momentum swing.”
When asked about his situational awareness when it comes to taking these shots, Pritchard credited his high school coach for instilling it in him, saying, “I really don’t know… My high school coach, we used to do situations all the time of like end the game, and we would run through like, 8 to 10 situations every day of practice. And I just got really good at learning how to get my shot off in different ways and make a play.”
Pritchard didn’t slow down after swinging the momentum for Boston in the first quarter, riding his hot streak into the second quarter where he had 12 points on 5-7 shooting. He did a great job when it came to getting his shot off quickly and find ways to get to the basket aggressively.
Pritchard carried his impressive play into the third quarter with 13 points on 4-7 shooting. The Hawks tested out a new defensive style of not guarding Payton when he was wide open for three. This, as you could imagine, did not work out well for Atlanta.
Boston dominated the rebounding battle in this game, destroying Atlanta 52-35. Out of those rebounds, the Celtics had 13 offensive rebounds where Pritchard had 3 of them that made a huge difference in the second half. His rebounding led three different scoring plays, one a follow up basket for his own and the other two resulting in Jayson Tatum drawing fouls to shoot free throws.
Joe Mazzulla praised Pritchard’s ability to box out the defenders, calling out specifically the first one he had in the fourth quarter on Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Mazzulla said, “…the offensive rebound that he got looked like a defensive box out, but he got an offensive rebound in the foul [Tatum] drew. They were going out in transition and that could have changed the game a little bit.”
Talking about his offensive rebounds specifically, Pritchard just credited it to hard work and the want to win to win saying, “I want to win. You want to make a play and you see somebody shoot the ball, and I see it coming off the rim, I’m just fighting to try to get in, get an extra possession. Those little things like that can change the game and win a game. So, yeah, it’s just about the want and competitive spirit.”
When asked about the Celtics improvement on the boards as a whole Pritchard said it was all about “hard work, being about your work every day coming in. And, you know, trying to get better at the things that we need to improve at. That’s just a testament to the culture we built here.”
If Pritchard didn’t start for most of the season, it feels like he would be the runaway favorite for Sixth Man of the Year. Since moving to the bench on February 3rd, he has played in 22 games and has averaged 17.3 points, 5.1 assists, and 3.5 rebounds on 47% shooting from the field and 41% shooting from three.
Pritchard’s ability to come in and just cause chaos coming off the bench is a skill that no one in the league is better than him in. We have seen him be able to take over games and be a complete three-level scorer on the offensive end while being a great on defense for his size. He is a one-of-one type of player and his ability to out-work everyone on the court is an example of how he embodies the culture of playing in Boston.
