Category: NBA

HOUSTON (AP) — Randy Arozarena had vulgar words for Seattle teammate Cal Raleigh after he was left hanging at the World Baseball Classic.

Arozarena, a two-time All-Star outfielder, seemingly lashed out at Raleigh after the Team USA catcher did not accept a handshake before an at-bat in the United States’ 5-3 win over Mexico.

Speaking to Mexican journalist Luis Gilbert in Spanish, Arozarena said Raleigh “has to thank God that he has nice parents, well educated,” and said he recently hugged them during a friendly greeting at the team hotel.

He then used profane Cuban and Mexican slang to insult Raleigh before pivoting to English and saying Raleigh could shove his “good to see you” in his rear. Arozarena was born in Cuba but defected to Mexico to pursue an MLB career.

Arozarena had reached down to greet Raleigh in his catcher's squat at home plate, and Raleigh declined to offer his hand back. Raleigh appeared to say something to Arozarena during the exchange at the plate that could have set off the Mexican star.

Arozarena appeared to be visibly upset at Raleigh, though it wasn’t totally clear if he was just having fun at his teammates’ expense. The pair have been teammates since Arozarena was traded from Tampa Bay to Seattle during the 2024 season.

Aaron Judge hit a two-run homer and Roman Anthony added a three-run drive in a big third inning to lead the United States to the win. The U.S. improved to 3-0 and will meet Italy (2-0) on Tuesday night, seeking to secure a spot in the quarterfinals in Houston this weekend.

Jarren Duran homered twice for Mexico (2-1), which will face Italy on Wednesday night in the last game of Group B play.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

And just like that, the Nets took care of business yet again! We’re streaking! The Memphis Grizzlies were lacking their eight highest paid players. So, Brooklyn used a balance of perimeter offense and size down low to literally out man the Grizzlies. As I predicted, Day’Ron Sharpe did his thing with 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting, which means I can now deem myself the official fortune teller of the franchise! Nolan Traore also had a great game with a 17 point performance. 

With all the smiles and bench celebrations the Nets had last night, tonight brings a reality check. They will take on the Detroit Pistons. No, this will not be the same banged up Pistons team that fell short to Brooklyn two games back. Tonight, this will be a Cade Cunningham-led Pistons squad that is looking to make a strong push in the playoffs. As the No. 1 seed, Detroit will look to assert its dominance as a potential championship contender.

Where to Watch

Catch the action on the YES Network and NBA League Pass, as well as streaming on the Gotham Sports App.

Injury Report

Don’t know about the Nets just yet, but we do know that Egor Demin won’t be playing. He’s out for the rest of the season. Michael Porter Jr. was out last night for rest so presumably he’ll be back.

For the Pistons, our old buddy Caris Levert (left wrist sprain) and Ausar Thompson (right ankle sprain) will be out.

The Game

A couple of seasons ago, the Detroit Pistons had a record of 14-68. The situation was so bad, that Cade Cunningham went viral for his distraught at his own franchise after they had lost their 25th straight game.

Even three straight years with the NBA’s worst record didn’t help in the lottery. They kept falling to No. 5, the worst possible luck.

Now, the Pistons hold the best record in the Eastern Conference, Cunningham has transformed into an MVP candidate, and the city of Detroit now has something that could remind them of that championship taste they had back in 2004.

While there are other teams that basketball minds believe are a step further along than the Pistons, like the Knicks and the Boston Celtics, who now have Jayson Tatum back. That said, the future in Motor City is looking very scary considering that Cunningham is only 24 and his Robin in Jalen Duren is 22.

Indeed, the New Bad Boys have special motivation to kick Brooklyn’s butt following that ignominious loss a couple of days back and that loss is part of an ongoing four-game losing streak. There’s no panic (yet) in Motor City but a loss to the 16-win Nets would probably bring it on. For Brooklyn, the motivation is simple as well: they have the chance at a three-game winning streak, a first this season.

Ausar Thompson is arguably the best athlete in the NBA, the only one who could take his place is his twin in Houston. , injured his ankle last week against the San Antonio Spurs. Since then, Detroit has lost a generational defender who can guard multiple positions. With MPJ possibly back, this can lead to him getting many more clean looks and chances to get his teammates involved. Brooklyn lost some of its shooting with Egor now out for the rest of the season, but if Porter Jr. can balance creating offense for himself and for others, this can be a closer game than we think.

Player to Watch

Tobias Harris is the quintessential role player at this point in his career and with injuries to the Pistons core, many in Detroit see him as the key guy to step up and bridge the gap. Now 33, he can still make a point both on the court and in the locker room. Sports Illustrated this week suggested that the Pistons need him now and in the post-season.

Throughout his NBA career, Tobias Harris has proven to be a reliable role player, however he’s also shown flashes of inconsistency. Just ask Philadelphia 76ers fans, who Harris played for from 2018 to 2023. In the Pistons’ recent loss to the Miami Heat, Harris scored nine points, three blocks, and one rebound. 

As the team’s third leading scorer, Harris has the opportunity to be a difference maker for the Pistons. His offensive performance, along with Cunningham’s and Duren’s, will fuel a playoff run for the Pistons. One poor performance by Harris in a postseason game could be the difference between the Pistons winning a playoff series and being eliminated. 

Look for the Pistons to look to him tonight to pull it together.

The Vault

With Detroit coming to Brooklyn, I think it’s a good time to honor one of the greatest hip hop songs of all time with two of arguably the greatest rappers of all time, who are from Brooklyn and Detroit. Enjoy.

More reading: Detroit Bad Boys, SB Nation NBA, New York Post, New York Daily News, Clutch Points, Nets Wire, Steve’s Newsletter

• Brooklyn Nets Game Notes – Brooklyn Nets
• Detroit Pistons Game Notes – Detroit Pistons
• Detroit takes on Brooklyn, looks to halt 4-game slide – AP
• Jordi Fernandez explains why Nets rode veteran-heavy rotation to win despite tight tank race – Erik Slater – Clutch Points

March Madness captivates audiences across the country. But which markets have been tuned in all yearlong for the men's and women's 2025-26 basketball season?

The Nielsen ratings for this season are out, and Louisville got the spot, which isn't entirely surprising since it's basically a Holy Trinity of Hoops with Indiana, Louisville and Kentucky fans. Plus, the Cardinals' men's (No. 24) and women's (No. 12) teams are having decent seasons,

Men's bracketology: NCAA tournament bubble predictions, new No. 1 seed

Women's bracketology: How bracket looks after Power 4 Conference tournaments

Indianapolis is No. 2 on the list. Purdue began the season ranked No. 1 in the country, but has stumbled down the stretch, and Indiana also has been a rough watch lately. But basketball is king in the Hoosier State.

UConn's men's and women's basketball success puts the Hartford/New Haven market in the top 3. And Ohio is well-represented with three cities from the Buckeye State cracking the top-10.

Here's a look at this year's top 10 markets:

Top TV markets for 2025-26 college basketball season

1. Louisville
2. Indianapolis
3. Hartford/New Haven
4. Columbus, Ohio
5. Detroit
6. Milwaukee
7. Dayton
8. Cincinnati
9. Minneapolis/St. Paul
10. Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Point

Top 10 TV markets for college basketball. Not surprised to see Indy high on the list (even with a meh #iubb team). pic.twitter.com/CYKvqGnNB8

— Matt Glenesk (@MattGlenesk) March 10, 2026

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Top TV markets for college basketball ratings for 2025-26 season

With last night’s 126–118 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, their second straight defeat, and the Cleveland Cavaliers beating the Philadelphia 76ers 115–101, the cushion the New York Knicks once had in the standings is suddenly very thin. New York now holds just a half-game lead over Cleveland for the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference. The two teams will not see each other again this season, which means the race will be decided over the final 16 games. What looked like a comfortable position just a couple weeks ago is now shaping up to be a tight finish.

The Knicks are not going to have an easy path the rest of the way. Their remaining schedule includes matchups with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, and Boston Celtics, all teams firmly in the playoff picture. Boston has been one of the most complete teams in the league this season and recently got a major boost with the return of their superstar player, Jayson Tatum, who came back from an ACL injury much earlier than expected. Oklahoma City presents arguably the toughest challenge of the group as the defending NBA champions and current top team in the league. And Golden State always remains a threat as long as Stephen Curry laces up, which pair of shoes he decides to wear on any given night.

New York will also face the Indiana Pacers twice before the season ends, a team that has caused them problems with its fast pace and high-powered offense. The Knicks also have tough road games coming up against the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies. Houston has been a much tougher team at home this season, while Memphis always seems to turn games into a physical grind.

Several Eastern Conference matchups could directly affect playoff positioning. The Knicks still have games remaining against the Toronto Raptors and Charlotte Hornets. Toronto is especially important in the playoff race. Currently sitting in the No. 5 spot, the Raptors remain close enough in the standings that a few wins could quickly tighten things up even further.

Cleveland’s schedule down the stretch looks slightly more manageable. The Cavaliers still have several games against teams near the bottom of the standings, giving them opportunities to gain ground if they take care of business. They do, however, have two remaining matchups against the Orlando Magic, who sit 4.5 games behind the Knicks and are still trying to climb the standings themselves.

The Miami Heat and Magic both face a mixed schedule that includes playoff teams and rebuilding clubs. That means consistency will be the deciding factor for them. Toronto might have the toughest road of the group with several games still remaining against playoff-caliber teams.

What makes the situation interesting is just how tight everything is. The difference between the No. 3 seed and the No. 7 seed is only a handful of games. If the Knicks were to hit a rough stretch, the standings could shift quickly. The Heat currently sit in seventh place, but in a race this close, a couple of wins or losses can change the entire picture almost overnight.

For the Knicks, the mission is simple. Take care of business and hold their ground. The final 16 games are going to feel a lot like playoff basketball, and every result is going to matter. If New York can navigate a schedule filled with contenders and keep stacking wins, it will stay right where it wants to be when the postseason arrives. If not, the Eastern Conference race could get even more chaotic before the regular season comes to a close.

Top-seeded Duke basketball will be without one of its key starters for a "foreseeable time," ahead of the ACC Tournament and 2026 men's NCAA Tournament.

In a media availability on Tuesday, March 10, Duke coach Jon Scheyer said that junior guard Caleb Foster suffered a fracture in his right foot during the Blue Devils' 76-61 win over rival North Carolina on Saturday, March 7.

REQUIRED READING: March Madness bracketology: NCAA tournament bubble predictions, new No. 1 seed

Scheyer added that Foster had surgery the following morning and is already working on his rehab process.

"He's on the road to recovery," Scheyer said. "In his mind, in our mind, we'll do everything we possibly can with our mindset to continue to advance, where we can give him a shot to come back when it's all said and done. But he is gonna be out for a foreseeable time here coming up."

Caleb Foster injury update

Foster suffered his injury in the first half following a made basket by UNC. He lunged toward the ball and went down immediately, grimacing in pain. He was treated on the bench before limping to the locker room with a trainer. Foster spent the second half in street clothes and a walking boot and was using a knee rover to move around.

"It was just an awkward play," Scheyer said. "He lunged and it just happened. He wasn't feeling anything before, and it just happened really out of nowhere and you hate to see it. Some things you feel are preventable and you want to manage it and other things, other times, freak things happen. And I think this is one of them."

Foster missed the last nine games of his freshman season with an ankle fracture.

Scheyer provided a timeline on a potential return for Foster, which would require another deep run for the Blue Devils in the NCAA tournament.

"I think the reality of it is we'd have to advance to a Final Four," Scheyer said. "And is there a chance earlier? I'm not going to eliminate that right now, but I think that's really difficult to try to even imagine that scenario. But we're not going to have him the next couple of weeks, next few weeks here.

"But again, in Caleb's mind, he's going to be back tomorrow, and so for me, I'm with them in the sense of doing something that hasn't been done. Like I'm with them in the sense of let's chase this, let's keep winning and let's give him the opportunity to join us."

Caleb Foster stats

Foster has started every game this season for the Blue Devils. He reached his season-high 20 points against Louisville on Jan. 6.

Here's a look at Foster's stats in his junior season with Duke:

• 2025-26: 8.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.3 steals per game on 44.2% shooting, 40.2% 3-point shooting in 25.4 minutes per game (31 games, 31 starts)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Caleb Foster injury update: Duke G out for a 'foreseeable time'

When the Suns acquired Jalen Green from the Houston Rockets this past summer, most people understood the profile of the player they were getting. The strengths were clear. The efficiencies, or lack thereof, were part of the conversation as well. The scouting report had already been written in many ways. One thing not written in that report was the intangibles.

Green feels like the kind of teammate people naturally rally around. He celebrates the success of others, he brings energy to the floor, and he connects with the group in a way that becomes noticeable over time. Those are the types of players fans tend to root for. At some level, everyone hopes to be that kind of teammate. The person who lifts the room, adds motivation, and helps move the mission forward. We should all want to be a Jalen Green-type of co-worker in your office.

This season has not been easy for him. For the first time in his career, he dealt with an injury that impacted his greatest weapon. Speed has always been his superpower. It is what allows him to break defenses down, collapse the paint, and create chaos in transition. When that element of his game became limited, it clearly shook his confidence.

Over time, the bounce has begun to return. The movement looks a little more fluid, the bursts downhill feel sharper, and the spring in his step is slowly coming back.

The percentages, though, have taken longer to follow.

The last time I wrote about Jalen Green, I mentioned that at some point the numbers would have to move back toward the mean. Or at least I hoped they would. I do not believe there is a version of reality where he settles in as a 26% three-point shooter over the long term. The sample size tells part of the story. The other part comes from circumstance. He entered the season while most players around the league were already in rhythm, while he was still trying to find his legs and rebuild confidence after the injury. Those are real factors when it comes to late-season productivity for someone just starting their season.

The hope has always been that progression would arrive eventually. That he would settle into the role Phoenix needs him to play and start contributing in a way that matches his skill set. Because of that, there has not been any overreaction to the numbers. Just reaction. It has been more about documenting the progression throughout the season. Early on, that progression looked like regression. The shots were not falling, and the rhythm was missing.

Over the past two games, though, there have been signs that things are starting to click. Green looks more comfortable on the floor. The spacing makes more sense to him. The timing of when to attack and when to move the ball appears clearer. It certainly helps having Devin Booker on the floor, the adult in the room who understands exactly where players need the ball in order to succeed. Booker knows when to deliver it and where to place it. Green’s job is to take those opportunities and finish them.

This is the best the Suns have looked since January pic.twitter.com/IvbfPp9Ocg

— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) March 9, 2026

That was not the case in the game against Chicago. He had a layup that would have sealed the win for Phoenix, and it slipped away. The opportunity was there, though, which is part of the larger story. The chances are beginning to appear more often.

As Green noted after the game, “I saw a lane and just took it. We had some good ball movement off of it. Yeah, just missing shots I normally make right now.”

“Just keep shooting, keep working, staying in the gym,” he added. “That’s all I can do.”

Since then, against the New Orleans Pelicans and the Charlotte Hornets, Green has started to look far more comfortable. Over those two games, he is averaging 24.5 points, doing so on 44.4% from the field and 36.8% from beyond the arc. Add in 4.5 rebounds, and you have a well-rounded pair of performances, the kind that signal progress.

His first half against Charlotte might have been the best stretch of basketball we have seen from him since arriving in Phoenix. Yes, he scored 16 points in the first half of his Suns debut on November 6 against the Los Angeles Clippers, although that night required 6-of-13 shooting to get there. On Sunday night, he needed far fewer attempts. Green went 7-of-11 from the field and 4-of-7 from deep, pouring in 20 points before the break.

It was the most comfortable he has looked in a Suns uniform. The drives came with purpose, the finishes around the rim carried confidence, and the touch on the perimeter looked natural. Some of those buckets required real craft. One possession featured a smooth up and under around the defender at the rim. The three-point shot looked decisive, and the aggression attacking the cylinder never disappeared.

Green looks FANTASTIC! https://t.co/3l4NRB4eBy

— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) March 9, 2026

The second half was not nearly as smooth for Green. He went 1-of-8 from the field and 0-of-3 from beyond the arc, finishing the half with four points. The scoring cooled off, although he still found ways to impact the game. He grabbed three rebounds, handed out a couple of assists, and picked up a steal. The offensive rhythm may have disappeared, although the effort showed up in other areas.

That matters for his development in Phoenix.

Within the structure of this Suns team, the question always becomes the same. How can you impact the game in a positive way? There will be stretches where scoring takes center stage. But this roster leans heavily into defense. Effort on that end carries real value. When you commit to that side of the floor, the offense tends to reward you later. You can see that in the way players like Dillon Brooks and Jordan Goodwin operate. Both built their role through defense, energy, and disruption. The offensive opportunities followed because of that commitment.

We still have a long road ahead when it comes to understanding who Jalen Green will become within the structure of this team. There may not even be enough games left this season to gather a complete evaluation before the offseason arrives. Although the past couple of games offered something valuable. They offered a glimpse. Not the idea that he will suddenly transform into some hyper-efficient scorer. The hope is simpler than that. The hope is that he becomes a player who contributes to winning basketball in Phoenix.

It is also hard not to enjoy the athletic element he brings to the floor. There is something refreshing about having a guard who can explode toward the rim, someone you can throw a lob to and watch him rise up and hammer it home. That has not been a common feature in Phoenix for a long time. You probably have to rewind the tape back to Gerald Green to find the last time that kind of vertical pop lived in the guard rotation.

Any contribution that pushes this team toward winning deserves recognition. But this is not a full love letter. I save those for Rasheer Fleming. It is a reaction to what we have seen over the past couple of games. The process remains the same. Watch. Observe. Take notes on how his progression and integration into the Phoenix Suns system continues to unfold. Because when the offseason arrives, and the conversations begin about the next steps for this franchise, it helps to understand which options are sitting on the table. Jalen Green is one of those options.

The next step for Green is understanding that he does not need to carry the same offensive burden he once did in Houston. Phoenix operates differently. The job here is to make winning plays. Sometimes that means scoring. Sometimes it means moving the ball, defending with purpose, or attacking the rim at the right moment. The key is timing.

And if he continues to learn when those moments arrive, his role in Phoenix will begin to make a lot more sense.

The Nets are fresh off their first win out of the All-Star break — a STUNNING win over the conference leading Detroit Pistons. Is the Brooklyn the best team in the league now (lol)? Is the Tank in trouble? Either way, with the Nets and Pistons meeting again this week, we wanted to check in someone who knows this team well. Ku Khahil of the Lock On Pistons Podcast is here to speak on how the Nets can become the Pistons, what’s up with Caris LeVert, and much more!

In this episode of The Brooklyn with Pooch & Collin, we touch on:

• How the Nets can become the Pistons
• Reaction to the upset on Saturday
• How Caris LeVert is doing these days
• Draft All-time Nets and Pistons

You can also check out the latest episode on Apple or Spotify. Follow us on X, Instagram, and Tik Tok.

Is Kingston Flemings the right guy for the Nets this summer? 🔥

(w/ @erikslater_) pic.twitter.com/n7eKUnSDMU

— The Brooklyn (@thebrooklynpod) March 2, 2026

We’re also pleased to announce we recently surpassed 1,000 subscribers on YouTube. Thank you to everyone who has supported us thus far!

UPDATE March 10, 1 p.m. ET: Injury reports are out!

In perfect Sixers fashion, we are really none the wiser after the official report. VJ Edgecombe is questionable due to the lumbar contusion that has sidelined him the last three games. Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George are all out as we already knew.

For Memphis, they will be without Santi Aldama (knee injury management), Brandon Clarke (calf), Taj Gibson (conditioning) and Scotty Pippen Jr. (great toe). Walter Clayton Jr. is questionable (ankle). That comes in addition to their long-term absences of Ja Morant, Zach Edey and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

---

Yes, the Philadelphia 76ers play again tonight. Sorry.

The Sixers flew home after their being outplayed by the Cleveland Cavaliers last night just to get right back on the floor to host the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday. Philadelphia were without their top four scorers on Monday, with Tyrese Maxey (finger), Joel Embiid (oblique), VJ Edgecombe (back) and Paul George (suspension) all sidelined, against a Cavaliers team with Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley and more. It went about as expected, honestly.

Philadelphia sits in eighth in the Eastern Conference as of Monday morning, just one game ahead of the Atlanta Hawks in ninth and two and a half games ahead of the Charlotte Hornets in 10th.

And, unfortunately, things are going to stay difficult and uncomfortable for the Sixers for now. They will definitely remain without Maxey, Embiid and PG (all of whom have already been ruled out) and might even be without their rookie again. Edgecombe has missed the last three games with a back contusion.

We saw how it went last night without these four. Of course, the Grizzlies are not the Cavaliers… but still.

This being a back-to-back means we won’t know Edgecombe’s or others’ official injury statuses until this afternoon, but we will keep you posted as that information becomes available.

The Grizzlies are no strangers to being shorthanded themselves, though. In terms of long-term injuries, they have been without Ja Morant (out since late January with an elbow injury), Zach Edey (out for the season with an ankle injury) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (out for the season with a finger injury). Memphis also traded away Jaren Jackson Jr. at the trade deadline (after he contributed 19.2 points per game across 45 games this season for them) and they have 11 (of 15) roster spots taken by players with less than three years of experience in the NBA.

So they’re shorthanded and inexperienced, too. Not only that, but they are coming in to this contest on the second leg of a back-to-back as well (so at least the teams are even in their disadvantages!) after losing their fourth game in a row 126-115 to the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night.

The Grizzlies had a number of players out for that contest that didn’t miss other games recently, so we’ll have to see who was just resting up for tonight when their injury report is available this afternoon. Regardless, this is a team running with a very 2024-25 Sixers-esque lineup each night and they have a 23-40 record to show for it. It’s not to say there’s not talent on the roster by any means, but they’re a far cry from a healthy Cavaliers team like last night.

The last time these two squads met was way back in late December. The Sixers won in overtime thanks to a game-winning three from Edgecombe, but the contest also featured Embiid and Maxey chipping in 34 points apiece as well as Morant leading for Memphis with 40. So, tonight bodes to look quite a bit different than that meeting.

There are a lot of opponents that the Sixers without Embiid, Maxey and George would have an excuse to not be able to compete with. Memphis in its current state truly is not one of them. Especially if Edgecombe is able to go, this is one they actually have a chance to turn into a desperately-needed win. It’s as close to an even matchup as they’re going to get right now.

The Sixers and Grizzlies tip off at 7 p.m. ET.

Game Details

When: Tuesday, March 10, 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers

A North Carolina man prosecutors say had a "leadership role" in a massive college basketball point shaving scheme has pleaded guilty to bribery, wire fraud and firearms charges.

Jalen Smith, 30, of Charlotte, was the first of 26 defendants to admit criminal wrongdoing, entering his plea on Monday, March 9, at a hearing in Philadelphia. 

Smith was a "fixer" who recruited players "to underperform and help ensure their team failed to cover the spread in games during the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 NCAA men’s basketball seasons," federal prosecutors said in a statement.

Smith was one of the primary figures in the operation, responsible for "recruiting, managing, and paying players for their roles," according to the statement.

The operation involved 39 players on more than 17 Division I teams from 2022-2025, with bettors wagering millions of dollars on at least 29 different games, according to the original indictment in January. Payments to players ranged from $10,000 to $30,000 per game.

The fraud charges carry a maximum sentence of up to 20 years. The bribery charges have a maximum sentence of five years. Smith also pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a firearm.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College basketball point-shaving 'fixer' enters guilty plea

PERTH, Australia (AP) — Japan kept its perfect defensive record intact to reach the quarterfinals of the Women's Asian Cup without conceding a goal as Taiwan and the Philippines also qualified Tuesday.

On a day when the action on the field was overshadowed by five players from the Iranian team being granted asylum by host nation Australia, Japan's 4-0 win over Vietnam ensured a spot for the Philippines on goal difference.

Collisions between players marred Taiwan's 3-1 win over India. Both teams' goalkeepers were taken off after blows to the head.

Japan keeps perfect record

Japan heads into its quarterfinal matchup against the Philippines with three wins from three games and a tournament-leading 17 goals. Japan is the only team yet to concede at the Asian Cup.

Vietnam started against Japan knowing that a three-goal loss would end its chances of qualifying as one of the best third-place teams if Taiwan avoided defeat to India.

Vietnamese goalkeeper Khong Thi Hang made a series of impressive saves to limit Japan to a 1-0 halftime lead but was constantly under pressure from an opponent which had scored 11 goals against India.

Riko Ueki headed Japan's opening goal, her fourth of the tournament, before Maika Hamano, Aoba Fujino and Kiko Seike all scored against a tiring Vietnamese defense. Japan will meet the Philippines in the quarterfinals.

Vietnam’s Duong Thi Van was taken off late in the game after a clash of heads with Japan’s Mina Tanaka.

Injuries for Taiwan and India

Taiwan heads to a quarterfinal meeting with China after a win over India which ended with concerns over the welfare of key players on both teams.

Su Yu-hsuan gave Taiwan the lead before Manisha Kalyan's free kick off the crossbar brought India back into the contest. Taiwan restored its lead when a penalty bounced off the post and in off Indian goalkeeper Elangbam Panthoi Chanu for an own goal.

Taiwan was leading 2-1 when its goalkeeper Wang Yu-ting was taken off following a head injury assessment. The immediate cause wasn't obvious but Wang had previously played on after an earlier collision when Sanfida Nongrum's shoulder made contact with her head.

Chen Yu-chin made sure of the win with Taiwan's third goal on the break but two Indian players ended up stretchered off after they collided while trying to stop her.

Goalkeeper Panthoi charged out toward Chen and was leaping to attempt a save when defender and captain Sweety Devi's knee struck her in the face. Panthoi was taken off on a stretcher with severe swelling on her face and Devi was briefly motionless on the ground before being taken off the field.

It was the second time Panthoi had treatment after being struck on the head. In the first half she was hit by a shot which caused her to fall back and her head hit the ground.

___

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

We’re less than a week until this whole deal becomes official.

Before hitting Selection Sunday, conference tournaments will determine which teams burst the NCAA bubble, which Cinderella teams serve as bid stealers and which four teams land on the No. 1 line.

There are changes at the top of the updated USA TODAY Sports bracketology as Florida rises and replaces Connecticut, which ended the regular season with a thud by losing to Marquette.

That loss handed the Big East regular-season crown to rival St. John’s and likely results in the Huskies earning a No. 2 seed.

No need for March Madness: 2026 Final Four has already been decided

Toppmeyer: March Madness loses its first Cinderella after 6 games in 6 days

Meanwhile, the defending national champs have rounded into form by winning 11 in a row to win the SEC regular-season title by three games. This torrid run more than offsets Florida’s non-conference loss to UConn and has the Gators in position to secure a No. 1 seed by avoiding an early exit from the conference tournament.

The bubble remains a mess. Virginia Commonwealth has joined the field. For now, Indiana slides in as the last at-large team in the field despite a 3-11 mark against Quad 1 and a 3-2 record Quad 2 competition. But there's hope for Cincinnati, West Virginia, Auburn and others to make a move in conference tournaments.

Eight teams have already punched their tournament tickets in Long Island (Northeast), Queens (Atlantic Sun), High Point (Big South), Northern Iowa (Missouri Valley), Tennessee State (Ohio Valley), Furman (Southern Conference), North Dakota State (Summit League) and Troy (Sun Belt.).

March Madness bracketology: NCAA Tournament projection

Teams in bold have clinched tournament berth.

March Madness last four in

Santa Clara, Virginia Commonwealth, SMU, Indiana.

March Madness first four out

Cincinnati, West Virginia, Auburn, Stanford.

NCAA tournament bids conference breakdown

Multi-bid leagues: SEC (10), Big Ten (10), ACC (8), Big 12 (8), Big East (3), West Coast (3), Atlantic 10 (2), Mountain West (2).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness bracket predictions: NCAA Tournament latest bubble update

For the first time all season, we’re seeing the version of the Celtics everyone has been waiting for. So far, so good.

That was the first impression when Jayson Tatum stepped back on the floor after nearly 10 months away. After Sunday’s win against Cleveland, Joe Mazzulla said Tatum “gave the game exactly what it needed,” praising the forward’s rebounding and defensive possessions in his second game back.

Against Dallas, he looked like a star reacquainting himself with the pace of real basketball again — a few missed shots, a bunch of flashes, but the unmistakable sense that the engine was warming up. Two days later for the Cleveland matinee, the Celtics’ ecosystem looked even more cohesive with Tatum inside it.

Aside from the recent injury to Nikola Vučević thinning the frontcourt a bit, this is the closest Boston has looked to the version of itself it spent the whole season waiting to see.

The next stretch of the Celtics’ schedule is where the real questions begin. The first two games have had strong rom-com opening energy: everything’s working, everyone’s smiling, and Tatum looks like the perfect guy to bring home to Mom and Dad. 

But here come the Spurs and Thunder to complicate the plot. The Celtics visit San Antonio today at 8 p.m. ET, followed by a trip to Oklahoma City on Thursday night at 9:30 p.m. ET.

San Antonio and Oklahoma City are two of the most fascinating teams in the league right now, built around players who bend the shape of the game in completely different ways. One has a 7-foot-4 defensive cheat code who can erase mistakes that most defenses simply have to live with. The other orchestrates the kind of organized chaos that turns a lot of opponent possessions into turnovers and easy points the other way.

In other words, the Celtics are about to find out what the fully assembled version of this team actually looks like against the real contenders this season. If the Mavs and Cavs were the soft opening, then the Spurs and Thunder are the stress test to follow.

The Victor Wembanyama Problem

The Spurs don’t defend the way most teams defend. Then again, most teams don’t have Victor Wembanyama.

Most defenses try to stop the first action, but San Antonio is comfortable letting plays unfold because lurking somewhere behind it all is Him. Wembanyama doesn’t always guard the other team’s star directly. In fact, the Spurs often prefer the opposite. They let him roam. Float. Wait for someone to think they’ve beaten the defense before suddenly appearing at the rim to erase the mistake.

The Celtics have already seen firsthand how hard that can be to overcome.

In the third quarter of the Celtics’ first matchup against San Antonio, Wembanyama fueled an 11–2 Spurs run that flipped the game. Later in the fourth, a closing double-big lineup with him and Luke Kornet helped wall off the paint. Boston couldn’t rally as San Antonio held on for a 100–95 win.

WEMBY ICES IT!

21 pts, 6 reb, 3 blk in the win over the Celtics 🫡

It's San Antonio's first win vs. Boston since Jan. 5, 2022! pic.twitter.com/zgwAMXjXkH

— NBA (@NBA) January 11, 2026

This time around, Boston’s answer can’t just be hoping Wembanyama misses just enough rotations defensively to cost the Spurs. Fortunately, the Celtics have an old, yet new, tool in Tatum.

This is exactly the kind of matchup where his two-way game is felt most. If San Antonio wants Wembanyama lurking in the paint, Tatum is the Celtic most equipped to punish that without forcing the issue. He can screen, slip out of actions, make the extra pass before the help fully arrives, and attack the second line of the defense instead of charging blindly into the first. Most players see Wembanyama and speed up. Tatum tends to get comfortable and make the right read.

Brown matters too, but for different reasons. Boston still needs someone willing to challenge the paint even when the help defense is loading up. Brown’s first step can bend the Spurs defense, but picking the right moments to bend it will be key, especially with De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle applying ball pressure that can quickly turn mistakes into transition the other way.

In a familiar role, Derrick White becomes the connective tissue here. Against an aggressive, blitzing defense, his ability to make the correct read against his former team becomes huge: a quick swing pass, a back cut, a drive before the defense has fully loaded up. The kind of quietly excellent Derrick White plays Celtics fans are used to will be needed for Boston to keep things close.

Boston’s front court will have its hands full, in the understatement of the season. Queta and Garza will likely see plenty of the Wembanyama matchup, but the Celtics showed in the first meeting that they’re willing to get weird. Baylor Scheierman and Jordan Walsh both spent plenty of time guarding Wemby in January, and it would not be surprising to see Joe Mazzulla reach for those kinds of do-it-all defenders again.

Wembanyama is the headline in this matchup, but the pieces around him are an equal part of the success San Antonio has had this season. Fox brings downhill speed. Castle adds another steady ball handler. Devin Vassell punishes late help.

Boston doesn’t need a perfect game to beat San Antonio, but it will need a disciplined one. Also, the Spurs have a new postgame drum celebration this season. It’s kind of awesome, it’s definitely intimidating, and I’d prefer the Celtics not be the reason they get to do it tomorrow night.

THE SPURS IMPROVE TO 15-1 IN THEIR LAST 16 GAMES! pic.twitter.com/zLBpVxtLdn

— NBA (@NBA) March 9, 2026

Thunder in the distance

The Celtics haven’t seen Oklahoma City yet this season, which is honestly part of the intrigue since the Thunder are the kind of team that’s easier to understand after you’ve actually experienced them once.

Watching them on TV, the defending champs look young, fast, and extremely organized. For opponents, the view up close is harsher. Everything moves half a second faster than expected, and every possession demands an extra decision you didn’t think you’d need to make.

A lot of the action starts and ends with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

SGA plays more patient than fast. He dribbles into space, waits for a defender to lean the wrong direction, then slides past them like he’s found a seam nobody else can see. Most defenses manage to contain the first move well enough.

But Oklahoma City builds their offense around what happens after that.

Once Shai gets a defender leaning, the rest of the Thunder offense is already in motion. Chet Holmgren slides into space for a pick-and-pop. Jalen Williams cuts through the lane. Suddenly the weakside corner feels just a little too far away to recover to.

Try to keep up with the ball movement in this sequence 🫨 pic.twitter.com/02Xp9BGsoD

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) January 16, 2026

And if the possession stalls, Holmgren is still standing there as a 7-foot bailout option who can either shoot over the top of a closing defender or put the ball on the floor for one dribble and finish.

Boston will have answers for some of that. Derrick White, Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh, and Baylor Scheierman are all legit defenders, adept at staying attached to slippery scorers like Shai. The Celtics have built their entire defensive identity this season around making elite players work through multiple defenders.

But the Thunder are built to stress exactly that kind of system.

Lu Dort might spend most of the night attached to Jayson Tatum, which could wear on the recently returned superstar. Dort has built a reputation for making life miserable for opposing stars, turning every dribble into a small fight. If you watched the Thunder-Nuggets game last week and last night, you saw how far that intensity can go when a dust-up with Nikola Jokić ended in a flagrant two for Dort and a pair of crazy eyes from Jokic.

The Thunder thrive when possessions get frantic, while Boston usually wins when the game slows down and the ball keeps moving. Something will have to give. The cast behind Tatum will play a big role in dictating which team is the one giving.

Jaylen Brown is the Celtic most capable of disrupting Oklahoma City’s defensive rhythm. When the Thunder send aggressive point-of-attack pressure — something Dort, Cason Wallace, and Alex Caruso all excel at — Brown’s ability to attack the second layer of the defense becomes crucial. If he gets downhill before the Thunder can load up their help, Boston forces Holmgren into constant decisions at the rim instead of letting him sit comfortably as a shot blocker.

Derrick White operates differently but is just as important to the offense. Oklahoma City’s defense relies heavily on rotations and quick recoveries, and White is one of the few guards in the league who consistently punishes that kind of system with early reads. A swing pass before the trap arrives. A quick drive when the defender is leaning the wrong direction. Those little half-second advantages are how teams prevent the Thunder from turning possessions into chaos.

And then there’s Payton Pritchard, whose game actually matches up surprisingly well against this kind of defense. Oklahoma City loves shrinking the floor and sending help from unexpected angles. Pritchard’s deep shooting range forces defenders to stretch that coverage farther than they’d like. If the Thunder overcommit to Shai’s defensive pressure or start flying around Boston’s actions, Pritchard is exactly the type of guard who can punish it with quick pull-ups or blow-bys that immediately give Boston advantages.

The real challenge for Boston’s offense won’t just be handling Oklahoma City’s initial pressure. They’ll need to keep possessions organized before the Thunder can turn them into the kind of scramble they thrive in.

Oklahoma City will be a great test to see whether this new/old version of Boston can stay whole when the game starts moving faster than they’re used to.

Time to find out if “whole” is good enough

It’s been an incredibly fun season, but the ceiling of this Celtics team has mostly existed as a hypothetical.

What would this team look like once Jayson Tatum returned? Would Jaylen Brown’s breakout season continue with Tatum alongside him again? Would the depth that carried Boston through the winter hold up against the league’s best teams?

Now those questions are about to get real answers.

San Antonio brings the league’s strangest defensive weapon. Oklahoma City brings one of the most complete teams in basketball. And Boston finally gets to see what its full roster looks like against both.

The Celtics look whole again. The next two games will tell us what that actually means.