The Celtics clinched a spot following a 114-99 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.
The New York Knicks had an opportunity to clinch a spot, as well, but fell short in a 111-100 loss to the Thunder.
The Golden State Warriors and Portland Trail Blazers also secured a spot in the play-in tournament after the Houston Rockets' 134-102 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
NBA standings
*- clinched playoff berth
^- clinched at least play-in berth
e- eliminated from playoff/play-in contention
NOTE: While a team may not be able to fall lower than 10th place in its conference, that does not mean it has clinched a spot in the playoffs. The (* - clinched playoff berth) designation will only be awarded to teams that have already clinched a spot in their conference's top six.
(9) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (10) Golden State Warriors
Eastern Conference
(7) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (8) Orlando Magic
(9) Miami Heat vs. (10) Charlotte Hornets
When do the NBA Playoffs begin?
The NBA's play-in tournament begins on Tuesday, April 14 and runs through Friday, April 17. The traditional NBA Playoffs format starts Saturday, April 18, with Game 1 of the NBA Finals scheduled for Wednesday, June 3.
Which NBA teams have been eliminated from the playoffs?
Will Riley challenges a Scoot Henderson shot in the Wizards blowout loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. | Getty Images
The Wizards got utterly blasted by the Portland Trail Blazers, trailing by as much as 39 before finally losing by 34. While the score was close into the second quarter, there was no point where the game felt truly competitive. Once again, it felt like when Portland started making the abundant open looks they were getting, the margin would expand. And it did. Like a mushroom cloud.
At one point in the second quarter, the Wizards were 1-9 from three-point range, and Portland was 0-10. Washington shot 4-13 (30.7%) the rest of the way. The Trail Blazers: 12-26 — 46.2%.
Will Riley of the Washington Wizards- drives to the basket during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers. (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
This kind of outcome was mostly to be expected. They started the “Tank Towers” of 6-9 JuJu Reese in the middle with Tristan Vukcevic alongside. Despite pairing two “centers,” the lineup was thoroughly incapable of contending with Portland’s size and athleticism.
That deficit was matched on the perimeter where the Wizards were unable to stay in front of opposing ball handlers or even direct penetration to a spot where they’d at least theoretically have help. Oh yeah, they also missed lots of rotations, over-helped, and ball-watched. All stuff they’re working on, of course, but there are serious talent deficits, even when the roster is at full strength. And they’re not at full strength.
It was one of those “almost no one played well” kind of butt-kickings. The closest guy to “good” was probably Will Riley, and I thought he was only okay.
Leaky Black had what was probably his best game as a pro (8 rebounds, 4 on each end) in 22 minutes, though I was once again appalled by his defense.
Bright side: the Wizards get the Los Angeles Lakers Monday night and then get to go home to take on the Philadelphia 76ers later in the week.
Brighter side: Only eight games left in the season.
Thoughts & Observations
It was an absolute treat to watch the Portland broadcast. Kevin Calabro is excellent on play-by-play, and Lamar Hurd is one of the best analysts around. Tom Haberstroh is a fully integrated provider of meaningful and interesting stats and analysis. Brooke Olzendam is good in the courtside reporter role. They also do some fun things with graphics — putting up numbers and then having them “sticky” on the stands so that they pan to the side as the camera follows the action. The Wizards could do worse than copy the format with good people.
Recurring entry in last night’s notebook: Clingan overpowers JuJu. It happened on the boards and inside. On several possessions in the third quarter, Reese sought to attack inside. Clingan erased the shots repeatedly while barely leaping. He was just that much bigger and stronger.
Yes, that preceding bullet is something of a subtweet who thinks Reese is any kind of roster solution for next season. I like that he’s competitive and plays hard, but he’s not big enough, strong enough, athletic enough, or skilled enough to play in the middle.
One more on Reese: I had some notes in the first half about Bilal Coulibaly having a brutal game. One of the big reasons — Portland bigs didn’t have to defend Reese away from the basket. They ignored him, let him set screens and then waited in the lane for Coulibaly (or whoever) to drive. I think Reese could be an interesting high-post passing hub, but he has to be able to shoot well enough to bring the big out from under the basket. Otherwise, the lane is clogged, and he’s just dishing to teammates for contested midrangers and worse.
Any regular reader knows I’m not a fan of midrange field goal attempts, except when necessary. Bub Carrington is getting close to “exception” range. For the season, he’s inching closer to 50% on two-point attempts outside 10 feet, which is pretty dang good. He’s also around 40% from three this season. I have some issues with his game, but his shooting has become a strength.
At the 6:20 mark of the first quarter, Deni Avdija just trucked Vukcevic on a drive. On the court, the refs called it an offensive foul, which was the correct call. Portland challenged and the officials reversed the call upon review. I think they more or less applied the rule properly, but the rule itself is bad. Vukcevic beat Avdija to the spot, Avdija veered into him and blasted him into the stanchion. Calling what Vukcevic was doing “still in motion” is an absurdity that gives way too much advantage to the offensive player.
Riley was okay overall, but had a lot of trouble attacking when Toumani Camara was defending.
The Wizards needed a three on the final possession to get to 15 points in the 1st quarter. According to Haberstroh, that was the fewest scored in a quarter against Portland this season.
Another cool stat from Haberstroh — he reported on a Damian Lillard workout the previous day in which Lillard shot 1,000-1,090 from three-point range. That’s 91.7%. From three-point range.
One more from Haberstroh — he said Camara leads the NBA in defensive miles covered. Camara is approaching 100 miles for the season, a feat he achieved last season, as well.
The game ended weird. Yang Hansen and Reese got double technicals with 28 seconds remaining and Portland up by 34. The Portland big boxed out Reese, Reese apparently didn’t like it much. He put Hansen in a kind of half nelson, at which point Hansen went limp, at which point Reese dropped him to the floor.
A few seconds later, Sharife Cooper decided he absolutely had to get a steal while Portland was trying to run out the clock and committed a foul instead. And then complained (a lot) to ref Bill Kennedy, whose body language said he just wanted the game to end.
This was Washington’s worst offensive game of the season, by the way.
Four Factors
Below are the four factors that decide wins and losses in basketball — shooting (efg), rebounding (offensive rebounds), ball handling (turnovers), fouling (free throws made).
The four factors are measured by:
eFG% (effective field goal percentage, which accounts for the three-point shot)
OREB% (offensive rebound percentage)
TOV% (turnover percentage — turnovers divided by possessions)
FTM/FGA (free throws made divided by field goal attempts)
FOUR FACTORS
WIZARDS
TRAIL BLAZERS
LGAVG
eFG%
39.7%
58.1%
54.5%
OREB%
19.1%
26.8%
26.0%
TOV%
14.8%
13.8%
12.7%
FTM/FGA
0.218
0.267
0.207
PACE
101
99.3
ORTG
87
122
115.6
Stats & Metrics
PPA is my overall production metric, which credits players for things they do that help a team win (scoring, rebounding, playmaking, defending) and dings them for things that hurt (missed shots, turnovers, bad defense, fouls).
PPA is a per possession metric designed for larger data sets. In small sample sizes, the numbers can get weird. In PPA, 100 is average, higher is better and replacement level is 45. For a single game, replacement level isn’t much use, and I reiterate the caution about small samples sometimes producing weird results.
POSS is the number of possessions each player was on the floor in this game.
ORTG = offensive rating, which is points produced per individual possessions x 100. League average so far this season is listed in the Four Factors table above. Points produced is not the same as points scored. It includes the value of assists and offensive rebounds, as well as sharing credit when receiving an assist.
USG = offensive usage rate. Average is 20%. Median so far this season is 17.7%.
ORTG and USG are versions of stats created by former Wizards assistant coach Dean Oliver and modified by me. ORTG is an efficiency measure that accounts for the value of shooting, offensive rebounds, assists and turnovers. USG includes shooting from the floor and free throw line, offensive rebounds, assists and turnovers.
+PTS = “Plus Points” is a measure of the points gained or lost by each player based on their efficiency in this game compared to league average efficiency on the same number of possessions. A player with an offensive rating (points produced per possession x 100) of 100 who uses 20 possessions would produce 20 points. If the league average efficiency is 115, the league — on average — would produced 23.0 points in the same 20 possessions. So, the player in this hypothetical would have a +PTS score of -3.0.
Players are sorted by total production in the game.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 17: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks sits on the bench during the second quarter at Fiserv Forum on March 17, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Giannis Antetokounmpo.
It took some time to memorize the name. The N before the M will get you. Now, it’s muscle memory. Antetokounmpo. Ann-Tito-Kounmpo, or On-Tito-Kounmpo. Anti-Tokounmpo is less helpful.
He’s the best player who isn’t the best player in the NBA. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic will both stay where they are – likely for their entire careers. The Thunder will win enough championships to secure Gilgeous-Alexander’s permanent fealty, and Jokic doesn’t seem interested in being anywhere but Denver or on a horse ranch.
Victor Wembanyama looms, but a healthy Antetokounmpo is still better right now (in my opinion). That could change as soon as next year, but even still, Antetokounmpo would be the fourth-best player in the league. You know where this leads:
Should the Houston Rockets acquire him?
Rockets linked to Antetokounmpo again
If you think the answer is obvious, you probably haven’t thought about it enough.
Let’s start with the pros. A common argument I’ve heard is “If you think these Rockets are an Antetokounmpo-for-Sengun swap away from title contention, you’re delusional”.
You sure about that?
There’s a tendency to overstate this team’s flaws. They’re aesthetically glaring. Yet, for as unpleasant as the Rockets are to watch, they’re a sixth seed in the West that’s one game behind the fourth seed. The Rockets have the NBA’s 11th-best Offensive Rating (116.3) and 7th-best Defensive Rating (112.3).
There’s no value in a statistical analysis on whether swapping Antetokounmpo for Sengun would improve the defense. It’s self-evident. The more pertinent question is whether the offensive improvement juice would be worth the trade asset squeeze. Before we get any further, let’s talk about the trade particulars.
Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., and as many picks as needed to have the best offer on the market should do it, right? Houston has a lot of tradeable, valuable unprotected firsts to offer. If they want to walk away without moving Amen Thompson or Reed Sheppard, it should be achievable. Sengun, Smith Jr., and five unprotected firsts ought to be as good as the Bucks will do.
So, I circle back – why wouldn’t this deal make Houston’s offense better? For argument’s sake, assume Rafael Stone approximates Smith Jr.’s value elsewhere. Maybe Bobby Portis is involved in the trade. Let’s not get hung up on particulars. For argument’s sake, assume that the total roster change is Sengun, Smith Jr. out, Antetokounmpo, a floor spacing big (more on this later) in.
OK. So, the Rockets would run the same stuff they run now, with Antetokounmpo in Sengun’s place. Why wouldn’t the offense climb from 11th to, even 7th or 8th, exactly?
They’re functionally similar in terms of being primarily interior scorers. In 2025-26, Antetokounmpo takes 61.0% of his field goals between zero and three feet, and 16.1% between three and 10. He hits 80.0% (not a typo) from zero to three, and 42.7% between three and ten.
Sengun, somehow, takes just 28.0% of his field goals between zero and three. A whopping 41.6% of his attempts come from three to ten. He hits 72.5% between zero and three, and and 42.5% between three and ten. In the aggregate, Antetokounmpo’s 65.8 True Shooting % (TS%) towers over Sengun’s 56.4%.
Am I missing something?
Why wouldn’t that swap improve the team? Surely the argument isn’t that Sengun’s midrange proclivities open up some space for Amen Thompson. Antetokounmpo can post-up between three and ten to open up space for Thompson to cut. I hope the argument isn’t that the Rockets’ offensive environment makes it harder for Sengun to get in the paint. Antetokounmpo is getting in the paint, which is kind of the point: He’s better.
Someone, in the comments, tell me what I’m missing. If the Rockets have the 11th-best offense in the NBA, why would it be that swapping out a non-shooting big for, in terms of offensive functionality, another, much better non-shooting big not result in sufficient improvement?
By now, it feels close to consensus that Sengun is a talented-but-problematic piece. He doesn’t seem defensively viable alongside Reed Sheppard, or offensively functional next to Thompson. Antetokounmpo readily solves one of those issues. He should moderately improve the other, even if the functionality is still somewhat limited.
I just think the theory is flawed. “The Rockets are more than a Sengun-for-Antetokounmpo swap away from title contention”. Why? The team is already quite good. Why wouldn’t making it much better get them to title contention?
It is fair to say that Antetokounmpo isn’t precisely the first player you’d plug-and-play here. A shooter / ball-handler would more immediately fix the problems. Still, an Antetokounmpo for Sengun and Smith Jr. trade makes a good team better, provided that the Rockets can find at least a nominal starting stretch big.
No, they won’t be the best team in the NBA. That ship has sailed. The Thunder own that spot. Acquiring Antetokounmpo isn’t even likely to help Houston usurp San Antonio. There is nothing that can be done to accomplish either of those goals.
All Houston can hope to do is build a squad that has a chance in the event of injuries. Acquiring Antetokounmpo should do that. That’s not to say they should do it. There are good reasons not to:
They just have nothing to do with the team’s 2026-27 projection.
Rockets would sacrifice flexibility in Antetokounmpo deal
Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., and three-to-five first-round picks. Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Reed Sheppard, or Amen Thompson, and two or three firsts.
No matter how you slice it, the price will be exorbitant.
It also probably won’t result in an NBA championship. It will give the Rockets a real share in championship equity – something they do not currently have, and likely will not without an (eventual) major change – but they probably still won’t win.
There are a couple of reasons for that. Firstly, Houston would need some type of stretch big. The simplest solution would be to bring Portis in with the same trade – Houston should not sneeze next to Myles Turner’s contract. They could scour the market for a low-cost, nominal starting big under the assumption that Antetokounmpo closes games at the 5.
Either way, you are still pairing two non-shooters in Antetokounmpo and Thompson. Again, I think the assertion that Antetokounmpo doesn’t “fix the Rockets’ problems” is overstated. They’re top-10 in offense or defense, so the path to title-caliber improvement isn’t so perilous. That said, it is fair to say that they’re not plugging Antetokounmpo into an optimal roster. It’s fair to argue that if you’re going all-in, you want to go all-in on an optimized hand.
He’s also injury-prone – although that’s a bit overstated as well. This is the first season in which he’ll play fewer than 60 games, ever. It’s not fair to assume that’s his new baseline, although it’s reasonable to worry at his age.
More than anything, the bar is just prohibitively high. The new-look Antetokounmpo Rockets likely won’t win next year because the Thunder or Spurs will. It’s as simple as that.
So, you’re gutting the future only to build something that likely still doesn’t accomplish the goal. From that perspective, it’s a pretty unattractive proposition.
This “cons” section is going to be shorter, but that’s not because it’s any less salient. It just requires less dissection. The Rockets currently have tremendous flexibility, and after an Antetokounmpo deal, they’d have little to none of it. They’d be truly all-in on a roster that has no case as the best in the NBA.
How could they even consider it?
Rockets’ Antetokounmpo answer is complicated
Ultimately, “build the best team in the NBA” is not a reasonable bar. It’s nearly impossible. The goal is to build a team that has a chance to win an NBA title if luck goes its way. The Rockets do not currently have that, and they would after an Antetokounmpo deal.
Time for the unsatisfying conclusion: It’s a toss-up. The impetus for this piece was, admittedly, to dispel the “It won’t even make us better because Antetokounmpo isn’t a shooter!” argument. The team is already plenty good (if disappointing) with Sengun. You can plug Antetokounmpo into his spot and get a lot better. Smith Jr. is, regrettably, imminently replaceable. It feels intellectually dishonest, unless, again, I’m missing something basketball-related.
Still, it may not be worth the flexibility. That’s the tough thing. What are you preserving this flexibility for? It’s to build a title contender, right?
Yes – but you want as wide a window as possible. Let’s be clear. Pulling the trigger on Antetokounmpo gives the Rockets two or three seasons in which they have significantly higher-than-average odds of winning an NBA title.
By contrast, drafting, say, Jan Cerdan (look into it if you like) with the 2029 first-round pick that they didn’t trade for Antetokounmpo and watching him develop into a superstar could give them a decade of contention.
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 29: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on March 29, 2026 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Ten months ago, the Boston Celtics faced a murky future. Jayson Tatum’s ruptured Achilles and looming payroll cuts cast doubt on how the team would weather the storm. In Sunday night’s 114-99 win over the Charlotte Hornets, the franchise officially returned to business as usual.
Boston secured its 50th win of the season and clinched a playoff berth, doing so with starters Jaylen Brown and Derrick White sidelined and replaced with Payton Pritchard and Jordan Walsh.
Tatum saluted everyone involved and expressed his gratitude afterward.
“It just speaks to the character of the organization, to the coaching staff, front office, to the players,” Tatum told NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chin postgame. “The standard, the culture that we’ve built since I’ve been here, you don’t take it for granted. It’s just how we approach every single day, and winning is hard in this league. But we’ve had the right mindset — they’ve had the right mindset — for the whole season. I’ve just tried to help. So you don’t take that for granted.”
Tatum finished with a season-high 32 points, leading all scorers in an effort that set a few milestones for the Celtics, including their fifth straight 50-win season and 12th consecutive trip to the postseason — both NBA-leading active streaks. For Tatum, facing a Hornets team that had won seven of its last 10 games and leads the league in threes per game (16.3) and, without Brown, allowed him to take full control offensively.
Charlotte gave Tatum room to step back, settle in, and slowly get back in the driver’s seat. In the first quarter, he got going in transition by splitting past Brandon Miller, Moussa Diabaté, and Miles Bridges for a two-handed dunk to get Boston on the board. Three weeks ago, Tatum missed a wide-open tomahawk dunk in his season debut against the Dallas Mavericks, showing how far he’s come just 11 games into his return.
Pritchard, right by Tatum’s side, delivered in his 50th start of the season. He scored 28 points, grabbed six rebounds, and dished out six assists as the team’s second-leading scorer. On short notice, Pritchard and the Celtics once again demonstrated their defining trait: their mindset.
“I think of myself as a winner. I think of this organization as winners,” Pritchard told reporters, per NBC Sports Boston. “And I just don’t think we ever live in the mindset of a loser mentality. It’s just not something we come to work every day thinking that, ‘Oh, it’s a gap year,’ or anything. We’re coming to win, and that’s the only mindset we have.”
CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 29: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on March 29, 2026 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Apart from Brown’s MVP-caliber run, the Celtics have brought their mindset to life each night. Walsh hadn’t played more than 30 minutes since January, and despite shooting just 1-of-7, he impacted the game with seven rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Baylor Scheierman came off the bench to provide 14 points, knocking down three 3-pointers, while Ron Harper Jr., who logged only 11 minutes across Boston’s previous four games, shot a perfect 3-of-3 in 14 minutes, playing with a sprained ankle.
Boston improved to 8-1 in games without Brown, and Joe Mazzulla tied Bill Fitch and Doc Rivers for the most 50-win seasons by a Celtics coach — doing so in just four years.
“I think it’s a testament to the alignment of the organization and to the players,” Mazzulla told reporters, per NBC Sports Boston. “We’ve shifted players over the last five years a bunch of different ways, but winning still remains the most important thing.
“It’s a minor milestone. I wouldn’t say that it’s a true definition of success, but I think it’s a definition of consistency. And I think that starts with the players that put on the jersey and have an understanding that winning is the most important thing, and how serious they take it. So I think a lot of it has to do with them.”
The Celtics aren’t content with just avoiding the draft lottery or the play-in tournament. They’ve approached this season with as much urgency to win as in the previous three under Mazzulla. Tatum’s nearly 10-month absence forced some tactical readjustments, but it didn’t change their plans. Boston believes it has a legit shot at returning to the NBA Finals, and that confidence didn’t emerge on Sunday. It’s been a shared feeling throughout the organization — from players to coaches, front office members, and ownership — ever since the start of the season.
The expectation to compete each year inherently comes with being a Celtic.
“It’s a culture thing,” Pritchard told reporters.
“Everybody shows up. You’re not gonna have every guy play every game, so that means you’ll need a whole roster, and every guy shows up every game ready to compete and help winning. It’s definitely the culture we built here.”
MADRID (AP) — The final six World Cup places will be decided this week with the conclusion of two playoff tournaments that will complete the 48-team lineup.
Eight teams from Europe will compete for four spots, while the new intercontinental tournament that is being staged in Mexico will determine the other two places.
The biggest ever World Cup — up from 32 teams in Qatar in 2022 — is being co-hosted by three nations for the first time: The United States, Canada and Mexico.
Four-time champion Italy is the standout name in the European playoffs as it tries to avoid missing out on a World Cup for a third consecutive time.
“We all know what we’re playing for,” said 32-year-old Italy winger Matteo Politano, who has never played in a World Cup. “For me, and for a few of the other senior players, it’s probably our last chance.”
European playoffs
There will be more European teams than from any other continent at the World Cup: 16.
Eight teams made it through the last round of the playoffs and will seek the final four spots in winner-take-all matches: Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Italy, Sweden vs. Poland, Kosovo vs. Turkey and Czech Republic vs. Denmark.
All four games will be played Tuesday.
The winner of the Turkey-Kosovo game will enter into Group D, which already has the United States, Paraguay and Australia.
Intercontinental playoffs
There is a different format for the intercontinental playoffs, which FIFA simply calls the Playoff Tournament.
Two teams will advance from a field of six.
The initial lineup was made up of two teams from CONCACAF (Jamaica, Suriname) and one each from Asia (Iraq), Africa (Congo), South America (Bolivia) and Oceania (New Caledonia).
Congo, Jamaica, Iraq and Bolivia made it through to the final two matches. Congo will face Jamaica and Bolivia will play Iraq.
The decisive games will be played in Guadalajara and Monterrey on Tuesday.
Who has qualified for the 2026 World Cup?
Co-hosts: Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Asia: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan
June and July. It kicks off at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on June 11. The final is on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, which will be referred to as New York New Jersey Stadium during the tournament.
Just before that, Cayden Boozer committed one of the most brutal turnovers in tournament history. Let us not mince words.
Add it up, and Duke blew it, UConn stole it, and the Huskies won 73-72 in the Elite Eight, a game Duke had no business losing, and UConn had little business winning after facing a 15-point halftime deficit, but nobody’s better in March these past few years than Dan Hurley’s Huskies.
“It’s the UConn culture. It’s the UConn heart,” Hurley said on CBS, with his Huskies heading to the Final Four for the third time in the past four years.
“We just believe we’re supposed to win this time of year," Hurley added.
That says it all.
Duke led by two points with 10 seconds remaining and in possession of the ball. The Blue Devils would win if they could do only two things: Don’t turn the ball over. Make two free throws.
Duke never made it to the foul line, because apparently a bundle of NIL cash doesn’t buy fundamentals.
Duke didn’t even need to advance the ball past half court. The Huskies would have had to foul Duke, lest time expire. And, still, the Blue Devils played in a rush.
Boozer saw two teammates open under the basket. Just one problem: He had two defenders and four outstretched arms in his face. He threw the ball right into the limbs, instead of waiting for the foul to come.
Turnover.
UConn still needed to hit the shot, and Alex Karaban could’ve hoisted a contested shot from 30 feet. He’s the most prolific 3-point shooter in UConn history, and he’d just hit a 3 in the final minute. But, Karaban would’ve had a hand in his face, and so he made a veteran move.
Old teams win in March, and Duke’s young team choked it away, but also credit UConn’s youngest player on the court for hitting the winning shot.
At the time of the crucial turnover, Duke had three freshmen and two sophomores on the court, and a 38-year-old coach on the sideline.
They all got schooled.
“I was ready for a timeout,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said.
He didn’t call it.
Clearly, Scheyer never expected Boozer to throw such a risky pass.
“This is not about one play,” Scheyer said.
It’s about two plays, at least.
A crushing turnover, and an epic shot.
East Region too much for Duke in March Madness
We said before the tournament the selection committee placed Duke in the toughest region, despite being the No. 1 overall seed.
That came to fruition. The East was, indeed, a beast.
Duke got pushed hard by 16-seed Siena. It didn’t pull away from No. 9 TCU until the second half. No. 5 St. John’s supplied a 40-minute challenge. Then, Duke collapsed against No. 2 UConn.
The region draw shouldn’t excuse Duke’s exit, and yet No. 1 seeds Arizona and Michigan cashed in on much more favorable draws.
Big Ten can end NCAA Tournament title drought
The SEC qualified the most teams for the tournament, but the past two weeks showed us the Big Ten possessed the superior conference among the “Super Two” rivals.
From football to basketball, the SEC now resides under the Big Ten’s thumb, an incredible plot twist.
The SEC cemented its excellent 2025 tournament performance when Florida delivered to the conference its first national champion since 2012 Kentucky.
Michigan and Illinois, you're up. Champions get remembered.
Arizona-Michigan is the real national championship
Upsets happen, but, by all appearances, the de facto national championship will occur in the semifinal clash between Arizona-Michigan.
Those two teams looked like the cream of the bracket the entire tournament. Arizona starts five players who each average in double figures. Four of Michigan’s starters average in double digits, and the Wolverines’ Yaxel Lendeborg has emerged as one of the tournament’s biggest stars.
Pity the fool who spends their savings on Monday’s national championship game tickets. If only attending one day at the Final Four, go on Saturday, and know when you watch Arizona-Michigan that you just saw the national champion, even if you must wait for two days for the winner to receive its crown.
National championship prediction: Arizona beats Illinois
UConn’s comeback against Duke will overshadow that it’s next opponent, Illinois, looked smooth while emerging from the South Region. UConn beat Illinois in November. The Illini are playing better now. They can flip that result. An excellent offensive team, the Illini’s defense rounded into top form by tournament time.
As for the other semifinal, Michigan has looked as dominant as any team in the tournament, but I just trust Arizona a bit more. I’m drawn to the experience of senior point guard Jaden Bradley. I can’t envision him pulling a Duke and turning the ball over with the lead in the final seconds.
Also, you never know which Wildcat will lead Arizona in scoring. I like such a well-rounded team. Or, every member of the starting five might go for 18 points apiece. That balance leaves me unable to resist picking Arizona.
Mar 29, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Boston Celtics forward/guard Jayson Tatum (0) shoots over Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) during the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Westerholt-Imagn Images | Brian Westerholt-Imagn Images
In the moments just before tipoff against the Charlotte Hornets, with a crowd heavy on Duke fans not yet experiencing the pains of March Madness heartbreak, Jayson Tatum flexed his bicep and pointed to the stands.
The crowd erupted, and that wouldn’t be the only time on Sunday night.
In his best scoring performance since his return on March 6, Tatum scored 32 points on 52% shooting, making it the first time he’s reached the 30-point threshold in a regular season game since April 8, 2025 against the New York Knicks. It was also his first time back in uniform at the Spectrum Center since Nov. 2 of last year, a place where he’s tormented the Hornets with 30 or more points 11 times.
“He did a good job just getting to the spot that he wanted,” Joe Mazzulla said. “He did a great job on the offensive end just diagnosing different coverages and making the play that was necessary.”
Tatum has long prided himself on his availability for road games where fans travel from all over to sport his jersey and rep the Celtics from outside of Boston. Their 114-99 win was another chance for him to show out in front of a Charlotte crowd that consistently showered him with praise bucket after impressive bucket.
“I don’t decide, ‘S—t we playing the Hornets tonight, Ima chill. I only get to go to Charlotte two times a year. Somebody paid their money to come watch me play,” Tatum said in July 2024.
On Sunday night, the home of the Hornets often sounded eerily similar to the crowd pop in the Garden, starting with an uproariously loud response to his game-opening two-handed dunk. Tatum played a part in the team’s first 15 points before checking out at the 5:16 mark of the opening quarter, and finished with 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting by halftime.
Tatum is steadily looking more and more comfortable out on the floor, with every game providing an opportunity to show that growth in confidence as his workload increases. That was especially evident on a night where two starters in Jaylen Brown and Derrick White were on the injury report.
“I didn’t feel I was sped up or off-balance that much,” said Tatum after the game. “I still was kind of tired, so that’s something I’m working through, but I just like that I’m decisive in my movements and exploding when I needed to. Obviously, it helps when you hit shots. I can say I feel better than I did last game, hopefully I can feel better than I did today the next game I play. It’s still a work in progress.”
When the Hornets closed in on a single-digit deficit early in the fourth quarter, Tatum silenced the run in the next three minutes, assisting on a Neemias Queta dunk, driving into a 7-foot hook shot, and putting the Hornets away for good with a spot-up 3-pointer over Miles Bridges for a 16-point lead, walking back to the bench with a hand raised up toward the crowd as he checked out for the remainder of the game.
“I was competitive in the moment, and we called a timeout and got some stops and made some plays to seal the game,” Tatum said.
The win brings Boston to 50-24, officially clinching a playoff spot with eight games left to go, including a pair of road games in Atlanta and Miami on Monday and Wednesday. For Jayson Tatum, who was in his 11th game back, nothing is being taken for granted.
“You never want to take a season, a game, or making the playoffs for granted,” Tatum said. “It’s hard to win in this league. It goes to show the mindset of this organization to show top-down, we approach every single day with a winning mentality and the culture that we’ve set regardless of who’s in, who’s out, who we have on the roster.
“I think the product on the floor, it shows. It’s something to be proud of, the adversity that we’ve had to endure the last 12 months and to be the second team in the East and clinching another playoff berth, that means something.
Surrounded by media members after his best game of the season, the Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn asked Tatum if it would be crazy to say that he was back.
Trailing by seven at halftime, Arizona produced a dominant second half to put the Boilermakers away. Wildcats players led the halftime pep talk before Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd provided the punctuation: “Let's go kick their ass."
Message received. Arizona outscored Purdue 48-26 after the break.
Lloyd was asked about the opening in Chapel Hill at Wednesday's press availability ahead of Thursday's Sweet 16. Here's what he said:
"I already have one of the best jobs in the country. One thing we talk about in our program all the time, and I think I've gotten better at, and I think our team has been crushing it this year, is just the ability to have full focus and be present in the moment.
"So I think we have a great team. I think we have a chance to advance in this tournament game by game. But I'm not delusional. I know we could lose tomorrow.
"But this team deserves my full focus, so there's not one thing that is going to knock me off my path. I'm 100 percent focused on Arizona basketball and this program, and I can't wait until the ball gets thrown up tomorrow, and then can't wait to try to figure out a way to come out on top."
Why Tommy Lloyd focused on freshmen and not 'overpriced' transfers
In the Year of the Freshmen across college basketball, no other freshman class in America has scored more points this season than the five active freshmen on Arizona, led by Brayden Burries, Koa Peat and Ivan Kharchenkov.
Wildcats coach Tommy Lloyd instead took a different approach than many others last year, veering away from the transfer portal, where more experienced players typically seek to earn more money from their names, images and likenesses (NIL).
“We were able to get involved with some freshmen that we felt could be just big-time impact players in college basketball, no matter what year or what class they were,” Lloyd told USA TODAY Sports.
One reason Lloyd built his roster this way was because didn’t think there were going to be many “quality” transfers available in the portal.
“I thought it was going to be overpriced,” Lloyd said.
Is LeBron James' son on Arizona roster? Does he play?
Bryce James, LeBron's son, is on the Wildcats roster. The freshman is redshirting this season. Bryce was a three-star recruit out of Sierra Canyon, where brother Bronny James also attended.
Tommy Lloyd’s sidequest includes spinning it on the turntables in becoming a DJ.
He may not strike you as one you’d see mixing songs or making the beat drop, but Lloyd is quite the music lover. And this hobby he’s picked up has come with a masterful teacher, “one of the best DJs of all time” in Mix Master Mike.
“My sport is the art of turntables and hip hop. His sport is basketball. We just decided to collide into those two professions, and now we're here,” Mike told USA TODAY Sports. “It's just an amazing thing.”
Lloyd insists his DJ career is “more of a joke” than his next profession, but he may be selling himself short. Mike insists he’s better than he likely thinks he is. You just don’t show your team samples of your mixes for nothing.
“It's been a little bit of a — I guess — I don't know if a childhood fantasy, but probably a manhood fantasy for me that's come true,” Lloyd said. “It's been awesome to have that relationship.”
Koa Peat 2026 NBA Draft, mock draft prediction
No. 19 overall to Miami Heat
Kalbrosky's Analysis:
The Miami Heat have drafted several prospects known for their athleticism, which means a player like Arizona forward Koa Peat will probably have some appeal to their organization. Peat is an ideal match for this franchise given his versatility as a playmaking forward. The All-Big 12 forward just needs a jumper to carve out regular minutes as a high-impact pro. Arizona plays at a significantly faster pace (4.6 extra possessions) when Peat is on the floor relative to when he is not, per CBB Analytics, which would fit very well with Miamis fastest-paced offense in the NBA.
Brayden Burries 2026 NBA Draft, mock draft prediction
No. 10 overall to Milwaukee Bucks.
Kalbrosky's Analysis:
Arizona freshman Brayden Burries had two breakout games in January, which helped solidify his draft stock. But the All-Big 12 guard has continued to display his tantalizing talent, scoring 31 points with seven rebounds and five steals against Colorado on March 7 and 20 points with 12 rebounds and five assists during a victory against No. 14 Kansas on Feb. 28. Burries has proven productivity and that he is able to defend, relocate, move the ball and make 3-pointers off the dribble.
This is Michigan's ninth trip to the Final Four and first since 2018.
1964: lost to Duke in semifinal, 91-80; beat Kansas State in 3rd place game, 100-90
1965: beat Princeton in semifinal, 93-76; lost to UCLA in final, 91-80
1976: beat Rutgers in semifinal, 86-70; lost to Indiana in final, 86-68
1989: beat Illinois in semifinal, 83-81, beat Seton Hall in final, 80-79 in OT
1992: beat Cincinnati in semifinal, 76-72; lost to Duke in final, 71-51
1993: beat Kentucky in semifinal 81-78 in OT; lost to North Carolina in final, 77-71
2013: beat Syracuse in semifinal, 61-56; lost to Louisville in final, 82-76
2018: beat Loyola Chicago in semifinal, 69-57; lost to Villanova in final, 79-62
How old is Yaxel Lendeborg?
Yaxel Lendeborg is 23 years old. Lendeborg played three seasons at Arizona Western Community College before heading to UAB where he played two seasons. This is his first year at Michigan.
Is Elliot Cadeau deaf? Michigan PG overcame hearing, vision issues
Elliot Cadeau is half-deaf in one ear, dealt with blurred vision in one eye. That hasn't stopped Michigan point guard from turning in his best season.
One of Dusty May's son is a walk-on, the other is a student manager
Dusty May is surrounding by family on the Michigan bench. His son Charlie is a walk-on for the Wolverines, while another son, Eli, is a student manager — a role Dusty served under former Indiana icon Bob Knight.
In Michigan's Elite Eight blowout win over Tennessee, Charlie got into the game and drilled a 3-pointer, much to the delight of his Wolverines teammates.
“It’s obviously tough to give up playing the game and being on a team wearing a jersey,” Dusty May told USA TODAY Sports about Eli's role. “But I just thought as far as his long-term development, all the things our managers learn, problem-solving, they learn people skills. They learn to function. We try to give them a lot of responsibility because we know if they’re ever going to make it in coaching … they have to have the experience of doing meaningful work. Our managers have helped him become much more responsible.”
Where is Aday Mara from?
The 7-3 UCLA transfer is from Zaragoza, Spain. Mara was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year after leading the Big Ten with 2.6 blocks per game.
The road from Champaign to Indianapolis is relatively easy — a two-hour straight shot due east on I-74.
Illinois' path to the 2026 Final Four wasn't as simple, but also didn't provide too many hazards as the Fighting Illini won all four of its NCAA Tournament games by double digits.
The No. 3 seeded Illini won the South Region by beating Big Ten rival Iowa, who did Illinois a solid by knocking out No. 1 Florida in the second round. Freshman star Keaton Wagler, who was overlooked in this year's loaded freshman class, won the South's Most Outstanding Player as Brad Underwood led the Illini to their first Final Four since 2005.
This is the Illini's sixth trip to the Final Four and first since 2005.
1949: lost semifinal to Kentucky, 76-47
1951: lost semifinal to Kentucky, 76-74
1952: lost semifinal to St. John's, 61-59
1989: lost semifinal to Michigan, 83-81
2005: won semifinal vs. Louisville, 72-57; lost in final to North Carolina, 75-70
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.
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."
Illinois' Jake Davis gets to play at home for Final Four
The Illini forward is from McCordsville, Indiana, a suburb northeast of Indianapolis, and played at Indy's Cathedral High School. He began his college career at Mercer before transferring to Illinois after the 2024 season. At Cathedral, Davis was known as "the guy who takes charges."
Illinois forward Ben Humrichous is also from Indiana, from nearby Tipton, about an hour north. He began his college career at Indiana's Huntington University (NAIA) and then transferred to Evansville.
Brad Underwood says Illinois will 'turn Indy orange', 'kick everybody's ass there'
On Sunday, Brad Underwood addressed a crowd of fans on campus:
"We had a huge group in Houston. I know we're going to turn it out in Indy. That's the story. We're going to turn Indy orange.. and blue. And kick everybody's ass there."
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.
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 29: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on March 29, 2026 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Without Derrick White and Jaylen Brown, Boston went into the Spectrum Center and beat Charlotte 114-99 in Jayson Tatum’s first 30-plus game of the year and 28 points from Payton Pritchard.
The Celtics got crushed by the Hornets just three weeks ago 118-89 at TD Garden and had won seven of their last nine games, but strong contributions from role players up and down the rotation was too much for the Hornets to overcome on the second night of a back-to-back. They’ll play each other again on April 7th back in Boston in what could be a first round preview.
With two weeks to go, the Celtics have clinched a spot in the playoffs and been a steady +600 at our friends at FanDuel to raise Banner 19 and the favorite to rep the Eastern Conference in the 2026 NBA Finals.
Jayson Tatum
30 minutes, 32 points (5-10 from 3, 3-5 from the free throw line, 12-23 from the field), 5 rebounds, 8 assists, one block, +15
Maybe it was because the game was so close to Durham where he played his college ball or maybe he’s starting to feel more like himself at Game #11, but Jayson Tatum looked really like Jayson Tatum against the Hornets.
The three-point shot was going down (hitting half of his ten three-point attempts), but more importantly, his drives were more aggressive, getting to the cup and the free throw line. He became the youngest Celtic ever to hit 14,000 points.
Grade: A+
Sam Hauser
33 minutes, 7 points (2-4 from 3, 1-2 from the free throw line, 2-4 from the field), 3 rebounds, +13
It was another game that felt like Hauser was just out there. He made half of his four attempts from behind the arc and was a +13 playing mostly with the starters.
Grade: B
Neemias Queta
28 minutes, 17 points (0-1 from 3, 1-2 from the free throw line, 8-13 from the field), 8 rebounds, one assist, one steal, one block, +13
It always seems like when one of the Jays has it going, Queta is going to have a good game, too. It’s that symbiotic relationship between superstar and active big. Whenever the defense collapsed on Tatum or Pritchard, Queta either got the dish in the dunker spot or grabbed the offensive rebound for a putback.
Grade: A
Jordan Walsh
33 minutes, 3 points (0-4 from 3, 1-1 from the free throw line, 1-7 from the field), 7 rebounds, 2 assists, one steal, +14
As LaMelo Ball’s primary cover, Walsh put the clamps on him as a starter. Ball missed his first five shots of the game — he scored his first points in transition cross-matched against Pritchard. Ball would get it going in the second half and finish with 19, but Walsh’s work early cut off the head of the snake and allowed Boston to get out to an early double-digit lead and never look back.
In addition to his individual defense, Walsh got his hands on a lot of loose balls and deflected even more in Boston’s favor.
Grade: A
Payton Pritchard
37 minutes, 28 points (2-6 from 3, 6-6 from the free throw line, 10-18 from the field), 6 rebounds, 6 assists, one steal, 2 turnovers, +12
With Brown and White both out, Pritchard started for just the second time since being regulated back to the bench since the Celtics swapped Anfernee Simons for Nikola Vucevic. He didn’t disappoint. Eight of his buckets came in the mid-range
Grade: A
Baylor Scheierman
28 minutes, 14 points (3-7 from 3, 3-4 from the free throw line, 4-11 from the field), one rebound, 3 assists, 2 turnovers, +6
Scheierman broke into the rotation playing solid defense and hitting his threes, but over the last few weeks, we’re getting a little more of the Baylor Showmanship that got us excited at the end of last season. I mean, look at this:
He had the most points off the bench (14) on a night when they were sorely needed with two starters out with injuries.
Grade: A-
Luka Garza
13 minutes, 2 points (1-1 from the field), one rebounds, +8
The Hornets are primarily a perimeter team, so Garza played just 13 minutes in Charlotte for a +8 stint. No complaints.
Grade: C
Hugo Gonzalez
12 minutes, 3 points (1-2 from 3, 1-2 from the field), 3 rebounds, one steal, -12
Gonzalez’s minutes are on the decline since the start of March. He’s played in every game and has injected that infectious energy that sometimes seems to swing the momentum in Boston’s favor when they need it. He took a couple of cracks at LaMelo and made a three-pointer.
Grade: C
Ron Harper Jr.
14 minutes, 7 points (1-1 from 3, 3-3 from the field), 3 rebounds, one assist, one steal, one block, +10
Dude just floats around the court and finds ways to score. Before spraining his right ankle and leaving the game for the locker room, he bridged the first and second quarter hitting all three of his shots in a variety of ways: cutting backdoor on a screen, driving in semi-transition, and leaking out and canning a 3. He’s been a valuable contributor on his two-way deal and hopefully, he’ll sign with the big club this summer.
Grade: A
Charles Bassey, Jon Tonje, Amari Williams, Max Shulga
With the fantasy basketball playoffs on the horizon, every roster decision counts. This week's schedule sets up beautifully for managers willing to work the waiver wire, with 18 teams logging four games and key streaming opportunities emerging on light game days. The Cavaliers, Rockets, Suns and Wizards all boast favorable matchup slates, offering plenty of upside for both core starters and speculative adds. Whether you're chasing points, threes, rebounds or steals, the matchup data points to several players primed to deliver monster stat lines. Here's everything you need to know to maximize your lineup for the week of April 4.
Days with fewer than six games
These are dates to target players for streaming options from the following teams:
Saturday, April 4: WAS at MIA, SAS at DEN, DET at PHI
Teams with more than three games this week
Make sure to activate players and target weekly pickups from the following teams:
Consider looking for streaming options if your roster includes players from these teams:
Nuggets (2), Trail Blazers (2)
Top teams to target based on favorable matchups
Cavaliers at Jazz, at Lakers, at Warriors, vs. Pacers
The Cavs enter the week with a 7-3 record in their last 10 games, including a win in their most recent outing. They have a great opportunity to build momentum on the right track as they open with a matchup against the Jazz, who give up the league's most points per game, along with the most three-pointers per game. With Max Strus expected to be sidelined for the contest, Keon Ellis and Sam Merrill are in line for more action and should thrive from long range. Up next, the Cavs take on the Lakers, who give up the league's third-most points and fourth-most free throws per game to opposing small forwards. This is a matchup primed for Strus to work his way back into rhythm, as he is likely to be ready for the second leg of a back-to-back. Moving ahead, the Cavs face the Warriors, who give up the league's seventh-most points and sixth-most three-pointers per game, along with the third-highest field-goal percentage to opposing point guards. This should be ideal grounds for James Harden to come up with a major stat line, while Dennis Schroder, who has delivered well in a limited backup role, can also step up to make his mark against a former squad. Finally, the Cavs encounter the Pacers, who give up the league's fifth-most points per game, third-highest field-goal percentage and the most points in the paint. They also give up the league's third-most rebounds per game. The frontcourt duo of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley should help their side claim control in this one, while Thomas Bryant, who is averaging 15.0 minutes per game over the last 10, could also shine.
Rockets vs. Knicks, vs. Bucks, vs. Jazz, at Warriors
The Rockets are just 5-5 in their last 10 games but enter the week on a two-game win streak. They begin with a challenge against the Knicks but should find the edge, as the Knicks give up the league's 10th-most three-pointers per game, which favors the leading talent of Kevin Durant, as well as Reed Sheppard, who has taken on a starting role and is averaging 3.0 made threes per outing over five games. Up next, the Rockets meet with the Bucks, who give up the league's second-most three-pointers per game and third-highest three-point shooting percentage, another great chance for the aforementioned two to lead the charge. From there, the Rockets clash with the struggling Jazz, who give up the league's third-highest field-goal percentage, including the fourth-highest three-point shooting percentage. They also give up the second-most free throws per game, which means guys like Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith, who do well to get to the foul line are likely to pad their stats. Lastly, the Rockets take on the Warriors, who give up the league's seventh-highest field-goal percentage and the fourth-most turnovers per game. They also give up the second-most rebounds per game to opposing centers. The Rockets have four players averaging more than 1.0 steal per game, including Sheppard, Thompson, Sengun and Tari Eason, who will all have a great chance to boost their numbers on the defensive end.
Suns at Grizzlies, at Magic, at Hornets, at Bulls
The Suns are 4-6 in their last 10 games but are coming off a win and have a good opportunity to build some positive momentum down the final stretch of the season. They commence their week against the shorthanded Grizzlies, who give up the league's eighth-most points in the paint and fifth-most three-pointers per game. The Grizzlies also give up the third-most offensive rebounds, fifth-most total rebounds and eighth-most turnovers per game. This provides a perfect chance for Oso Ighodaro to continue to build on his improved play, as he is averaging 12.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.2 steals over the last six games. Up next, the Suns clash with the Magic, who give up the league's seventh-highest field-goal percentage and sixth-most free throws per game, signifying that Devin Booker, Grayson Allen and Jalen Green, who are among their team leaders in free throws per game, are likely to pad their stats. From there, the Suns take on the Hornets, who give up the league's seventh-most turnovers per game, along with the fourth-highest field-goal percentage and fifth-most threes per game to opposing power forwards. This is a perfect chance for Royce O'Neale to stand out, as he averages 2.8 three-pointers and 1.1 steals per game. Finally, the Suns close the week against the Bulls, who give up the league's fourth-most points per game, sixth-most three-pointers and fourth-most points in the paint.
Wizards at Lakers, vs. 76ers, at Heat, at Nets
The Wizards are well beyond playoff contention and have lost nine of their last 10 games. Nonetheless, they look ahead towards continued opportunity to develop the younger talent on their roster and begin the week with a matchup against the Lakers, who give up the league's fifth-highest field-goal percentage, including the highest field-goal percentage to opposing power forwards. This should be the perfect chance for Will Riley to keep up his strong play, as he is averaging 14.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists over the last 10 games. Next, the Wizards take on the 76ers, who give up the league's eighth-most free throws per game, along with the fourth-most offensive rebounds per game, suggesting Bilal Coulibaly and Justin Champagnie as likely candidates to boost their stats. Moving ahead, the Wizards meet with the Heat, who give up the league's ninth-most points per game and the ninth-most points in the paint. Big men, Alex Sarr and Tristan Vukcevic should stand out in that one. Finally, a bout with the Nets, who give up the league's highest field-goal percentage and the seventh-most points in the paint, along with the third-most turnovers per game. This matchup also favors the five already-mentioned players.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 10: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball over Isaac Okoro #35 of the Chicago Bulls during the first half at the United Center on November 10, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There are only two weeks left in the regular season. The playoff contenders are using the final stretch to jockey for position and secure home court, while the league’s bottom dwellers shut things down and look to improve their lottery odds. Monday night’s contest between the San Antonio Spurs and the Chicago Bulls will be a matchup between teams in each of those categories.
The Bulls have officially been eliminated from playoff contention and are dealing with several injuries. They’ll be without big men Zach Collins and Jalen Smith, and ball-handlers Jaden Ivey and Anfernee Simons against the Spurs. Chicago is still feisty, though. They have solid young players like Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis.
San Antonio knows the Bulls’ spoiler ability all too well. It took a 32-19 fourth quarter for the Spurs to secure a 121-117 win against Chicago earlier this season. San Antonio’s eight-game winning streak has been defined by blowouts started by early leads. The Spurs will need a good start to bury the Bulls as they look to gain ground on the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top seed in the Western Conference.
Spurs Injuries: Harrison Ingram – Out (G League), David Jones Garcia – Out (G League), Emanuel Miller – Out (G League)
Bulls Injuries: Zach Collins – Out (toe), Noa Essengue – Out (shoulder), Jaden Ivey – Out (knee), Mac McClung – Out (G League), Nick Richards – Questionable (elbow), Anfernee Simons – Out (hand), Jalen Smith – Out (calf), Guerschon Yabusele – Questionable (ankle)
What to watch for:
Containing ball handlers
If there is one thing Chicago has, it’s a plethora of guards who can handle the rock. Giddey is one of the league’s best point forwards, Colin Sexton has added a necessary veteran presence, Rob Dillingham has shown flashes, and Spurs fans will be familiar with the game of Tre Jones. With all of their ball handlers, the Bulls match up with the Spurs surprisingly well on the perimeter. Chicago’s best bet to contend with the Spurs is to utilize all its ball handlers to shift the defense and create easy looks.
Owning the interior
With Nick Richards listed as questionable for Monday night’s game, the Bulls’ tallest player could be 6-10 forward Leonard Miller. In case you forgot, the Spurs have a fairly talented 7-foot-4 big man named Victor Wembanyama. San Antonio should dominate the paint against the smaller Bulls. As Wembanyama chases the MVP, the Spurs could force-feed the big man inside for easy buckets against a weaker Chicago front line.
Stephon Castle stays hot
Stephon Castle had his fourth triple-double of the season in the team’s last win against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Sophomore has been playing some fantastic basketball down the stretch, averaging 16.6 points, 7.7 assists, and 5.2 rebounds while shooting 48.8% from the field and 40% from three. He’ll have the opportunity to go off again against the Bulls, who give up the third-most points per game in the NBA.
Former Golden State Warriors forward Rick Barry lifts the 1974-1975 NBA Championship trophy during a ceremony commemorating the team during the first half of the NBA Cup against the Portland Trail Blazers in San Francisco, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. (Photo by Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
Last weekend on March 28th, Richard Francis Dennis Barry III turned 82. Just another date passing for a player who took the Golden State Warriors to the top of the mountain top and set a standard for excellence for the franchise.
Rick Barry is still the only player in basketball history to lead the NCAA, the ABA, and the NBA in scoring. Different leagues, different rules, different versions of the sport trying to figure themselves out. But they couldn’t figure out how to stop Barry.
Some younger fans might only know him for that awkward moment when the crowd rained boos on Joe Lacob after the Monta Ellis trade, and Barry grabbed the mic to tell everyone to knock it off.
But his time in the Bay will always come back to 1975 with that title team that for forty years stood as the only championship Golden State could brag about. That team was not supposed to win anything. Definitely not a sweep over Washington. The Warriors had Barry and a group that trusted him enough to follow wherever he led them:
The Warriors were a team that was not even expected to make the playoffs at the beginning of the season. After the 1974 season, in which they had a modest record of 44 – 38, they gave away 3 of their 5 leading scorers and got just one promising young player in return. The Warriors traded their 2nd leading scorer, Cazzie Russell, for a future draft pick. Even more startling, no shocking, is that the Warriors traded their future Hall of Fame center, Nate Thurmond, who had been 8th in the 1974 MVP voting and had been named to the 2nd team All-NBA Defensive squad.
Barry controlled the entire series, averaging 29.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists, dictating pace, space, and outcomes. By the time it was over, Barry had turned one of the least likely championship runs in franchise history into something that felt inevitable.
That part matters more than it gets talked about. Before Steph Curry turned impossible shots into routine moments, Barry was doing something just as disorienting in a different way. He made a team that didn’t look like a champion play like one because he refused to let the game settle anywhere he didn’t control.
Zoom out, and the resume keeps stacking. Nine First-Team All-League selections across the NBA and ABA. A Finals career scoring average of 36.3 points per game that still sits at the top of the record books. A free throw stroke that looked like it belonged at a family barbecue and quietly became one of the most efficient weapons the game has ever seen.
So you end up with this strange gap between impact and recognition, where one of the most dominant players the Warriors have ever had still feels like he exists just outside the center of the story. Maybe that’s just part of it. Some players get celebrated easily over time, while others make you wrestle with them a little before you understand what you’re looking at. Dub Nation is looking at a top 50 and top 75 all time NBA player.
BOTTOM LINE: Oklahoma City will aim for its 60th victory of the season when the Thunder play the Detroit Pistons.
The Thunder have gone 31-7 in home games. Oklahoma City is ninth in the Western Conference with 49.3 points per game in the paint led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaging 12.5.
The Pistons are 25-11 on the road. Detroit ranks fifth in the Eastern Conference with 45.7 rebounds per game led by Jalen Duren averaging 10.6.
The Thunder make 48.2% of their shots from the field this season, which is 4.0 percentage points higher than the Pistons have allowed to their opponents (44.2%). The Pistons average 10.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 3.4 fewer made shots on average than the 14.3 per game the Thunder give up.
The teams meet for the second time this season. The Pistons won 124-116 in the last meeting on Feb. 26. Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 29 points, and Jaylin Williams led the Thunder with 30 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Gilgeous-Alexander is shooting 55.1% and averaging 31.4 points for the Thunder. Williams is averaging 2.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Tobias Harris is shooting 46.2% and averaging 13.4 points for the Pistons. Duncan Robinson is averaging 2.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Thunder: 9-1, averaging 118.9 points, 45.3 rebounds, 25.3 assists, 8.8 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 48.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.7 points per game.
Pistons: 8-2, averaging 120.7 points, 44.9 rebounds, 31.4 assists, 10.1 steals and 5.8 blocks per game while shooting 51.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.6 points.
INJURIES: Thunder: Thomas Sorber: out for season (knee).
Pistons: Duncan Robinson: day to day (hip), Ausar Thompson: day to day (ankle), Jalen Duren: day to day (knee), Tobias Harris: day to day (hip), Cade Cunningham: out (lung), Isaiah Stewart: out (calf).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
at Jazz, at Lakers, at Warriors, vs. Pacers
vs. Knicks, vs. Bucks, vs. Jazz, at Warriors
at Grizzlies, at Magic, at Hornets, at Bulls
at Lakers, vs. 76ers, at Heat, at Nets 
