NEW YORK (AP) — James Harden scored 22 points in his return to the lineup with a broken thumb and the Cleveland Cavaliers snapped a two-game skid with a 106-102 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.
Harden missed two games after fracturing his thumb earlier in the week. He bounced back and shot 5 for 9 from the field, 4 for 7 from 3-point distance and 8 for 12 from the line, with nine rebounds and eight assists. He was injured Tuesday night in a 109-94 home victory over New York. X-rays Wednesday showed a non-displaced fracture of the distal phalanx. The 17-year veteran was traded by the Los Angeles Clippers to Cleveland on Feb. 4.
Jarrett Allen scored 20 points and Evan Mobley added 16 points and 13 rebounds as the Cavaliers improved to 12-1 in their last 13 games against the Nets. Sam Merrill finished with 15 points and Dennis Schroder had 10.
Michael Porter Jr. scored 26 points on 10-for-17 shooting, and Danny Wolf added 23 points and nine rebounds for Brooklyn, which lost its eighth straight game and for the 11th time in 13 games. Nolan Traore contributed 17 points and Grant Nelson 11 as the Nets slipped to 15-45 overall.
The Nets led 56-42 at halftime, helped by 50% (21 for 42) shooting from the field.
The Cavaliers rallied in the second half and led by eight points with just over three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter before Brooklyn rallied.
Brooklyn closed within three points (102-99) on a basket by Traore with 28.6 seconds left and within a point (102-101) following two free throws by Wolf with 9.2 seconds showing. Schroder made a pair of free throws and Wolf hit 1 of 2, giving the Cavs a two-point lead with 5.9 seconds left. Schroder and Mobley added free throws in the final seconds to seal the win.
Cleveland's Donovan Mitchell was sidelined for a third straight game due to a groin injury. Dean Wade also sat out due to a sprained ankle.
BROOKLYN, NY - MARCH 1: James Harden #1 and Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers high five during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 1, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It wasn’t pretty by any stretch, but the Cleveland Cavaliers did enough to end their brief two-game losing streak. They defeated the Brooklyn Nets 106-102 thanks to strong performances from James Harden and Jarrett Allen.
Cleveland got off to a good start. They exerted their sizeable talent advantage early on as they opened up an 11-point advantage midway through the first quarter. It seemed like they were going to run away with this, but they couldn’t maintain the focus to do so.
Turnovers allowed the Nets to get back into the game. Cleveland coughed it up 11 times in the first half, slowing any momentum their offense had gathered. Brooklyn wasn’t able to capitalize as they only registered seven points off turnovers in the first half. The turnovers did allow them to slow down Cleveland’s offense.
The Cavs were held to just 46 points in the first half, allowing the Nets to take a six-point advantage into the break.
Cleveland’s offense came back to life in the third quarter, thanks to 12 points and two assists from Harden in that frame. The defense tightened up as well, as they outscored Brooklyn 28-23 in that frame to head into the fourth quarter down just one.
This continued into the fourth quarter as the Cavs methodically wore the Nets down and had some timely shooting from Sam Merrill.
Evan Mobley had a strong start to the fourth with a hybrid bench lineup that helped the Cavs maintain their momentum and retake the lead. Cleveland gradually extended their lead to nine once the majority of its starters reentered the game.
However, that didn’t last. Cleveland once again struggled to close the game. They were up seven with a minute and a half left, but let the Nets cut the deficit to one thanks to more missed free throws and an eight-second violation. It was a fitting end for what was a sloppy game.
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Harden performed well in his first game back in the lineup after breaking his thumb in last Tuesday’s win over the New York Knicks. He appeared able to make his normal passes and didn’t seem like he had trouble dribbling, which is something head coach Kenny Atkinson said he was struggling to do as recently as Friday.
Harden led Cleveland in scoring and assists as he poured in 22 points on 5-9 shooting to go along with eight assists and nine boards.
Harden wasn’t the only Cavalier to return to the lineup after breaking a finger. Keon Ellis also played his first game since doing so in Wednesday’s loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, and looked like his usual self, earning his way into the closing lineup. He was active defensively, coming up with five blocks and three steals while contributing four points in the victory.
Brooklyn did their best to keep Allen out of the paint. They swarmed him every time he got the ball, which led to a somewhat inefficient scoring night by his standards as he went 7-12 from the field. However, an inefficient scoring night from Allen is still more efficient than most of the league.
The Cavs are at their best when Allen is heavily involved in the offense. That was the case once again as he provided 20 points and six rebounds in the victory.
Mobley’s stat sheet doesn’t jump off the page, but the Cavs played their best basketball when he was on the floor. Cleveland outscored Brooklyn by 24 when he was playing, as he finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds, including four big offensive rebounds, in the victory. This was his second strong game in a row after struggling to find his place in his first few games back from injury.
Merrill hit several timely threes as he went 4-6 from beyond the arc en route to 15 points.
The Nets were led by 26 points from Michael Porter Jr. on 10-17 shooting. Danny Wolf provided 23 points and nine rebounds off the bench.
It was an ugly game, but the Cavs did enough to win. That’s what matters, given the injuries they’ve had to play through and the fact that this was their seventh game in 11 days.
The Cavaliers will look to avenge Friday’s loss to the Detroit Pistons as they welcome them to town on Tuesday. Tip-off is at 7 PM.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 31: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers and Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics high five after the game during the 2025-26 Emirates Cup on October 31, 2025 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
After one of the most efficient offensive performances in NBA history on Friday against Brooklyn, Boston is in a groove with five wins in its last six. The Sixers arrive without their anchor, Joel Embiid, while whispers of Jayson Tatum’s return will have to wait. The spotlight points back at Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey, and with a 2-1 series lead in Philadelphia’s favor, here are three questions that could decide if Boston evens things out on their home floor.
Can Boston carry Friday’s efficiency into a tighter matchup?
Friday bordered on absurd. Boston shot 66.7% from the field and 64.7% from three, finishing with the highest effective field goal percentage and true shooting percentage in a single game in NBA history. They made 22 threes on 34 attempts and assisted on 38 baskets. It was a precise, collective takedown, and now comes the follow-up.
Philadelphia defends more effectively than Brooklyn, and they’ve been a bit of a thorn in Boston’s side this season. In the three prior meetings, the Sixers held the Celtics to 30.2% from three while hitting 38.7% of their own. Those games were decided by a possession or two, with Philly holding a +2 point differential across the series.
That was a different Boston team, though. Since the November 11th loss to the Sixers, the Celtics have climbed from 12th in net rating to second, and now carry the NBA’s second best offense and seventh-ranked defense. The architecture of this team has changed. They’ve built enough of a defensive infrastructure to stay in control without needing an explosive shooting night.
The wildcard tonight is Scheierman, listed as questionable after fracturing his thumb. He’s carved out a starting role, establishing himself as a useful connective piece, averaging over 25 minutes per night in the last 10 games. His presence or absence changes the rotation. If he can’t go, Mazzulla will need to redistribute minutes among his backup wings. It’s possible Ron Harper Jr. gets another opportunity, along with elevated minutes for Walsh and Gonzalez.
It’s worth noting how different this roster looks from the last time these teams met. Minott and Simons are gone. Vucevic slid above Garza into the backup center role. Walsh, Gonzalez, and Scheierman weren’t even solidified rotation players yet in those matchups — now they’re core contributors. The Celtics have cycled through roles and rotations all year and kept winning. If Scheierman is sidelined or limited, it’s just the latest version of that.
Boston doesn’t have to replicate Friday’s win over Brooklyn. They just need to execute and be good enough defensively that the offense doesn’t have to be historic to win.
Without Embiid, do the Sixers have enough?
Embiid’s absence removes the Sixers’ most reliable half-court solution, and they haven’t been the same team when he sits. With Embiid on the floor, Philadelphia carries a 121.3 offensive rating. Without him, it plummets to 113.9. That’s a significant drop, especially when facing a team that’s found a great defensive balance like Boston.
With the big man out and Paul George still serving his suspension, the offense falls solely on Maxey’s shoulders. That’s not unfamiliar territory for him — he’s been Philadelphia’s leading scorer all season. He’ll push tempo and hunt early advantages, testing Boston’s point-of-attack defense. The question is how much the supporting cast can take off his plate.
Quentin Grimes and Kelly Oubre are the most proven supporting options, but VJ Edgecombe is the name to watch. He torched Boston in the season opener, and his explosive downhill style could cause problems if he gets comfortable. If he and Grimes get going, Philly could have enough juice on the perimeter to stick around. If not, Maxey will likely have too much on his shoulders to keep pace.
With Derrick White as the defensive anchor, and Gonzalez and Walsh behind him, Mazzulla has length and versatility to cycle through matchups against the Sixers ball-handlers without sacrificing much on the other end. The Sixers will have to work hard to generate good looks, and without Embiid to bail them out when a possession breaks down, Boston could run away with it if their offense breaks the trend against Philly.
Can Jaylen Brown Outduel Tyrese Maxey?
Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey are both averaging 29.1 points per game, tied for fourth in the league. Both are carrying their offenses without their co-star, and have been the driving force behind their team’s success.
In the three meetings this season, Maxey has averaged 29 points, 5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists against Boston. Brown sits at 27, 5, and 5. Maxey has gotten the better of it, and his team has the narrow edge to show for it. Tonight is another opportunity for Brown to leave his mark with a primetime national TV showdown.
Brown’s February wasn’t quite as masterful as his elite December and January stretch, but he’s still stacking consistently strong games. Friday was another example — 28 points on 12 shots, four threes, nine assists, while never forcing the issue. He’s operating within the offense and still being its engine, creating a version of himself that helps elevate Boston’s supporting cast, while stile leaving room to take over.
Maxey presents a different kind of challenge. He’s smaller but relentless, and gets to his top gear quicker than almost any guard in the league. He can fill it up fast, and tilts momentum in just a short stretch of possessions. Boston will likely turn to White as the primary defender, but Maxey has historically found ways to put pressure on the Celtics defense.
This is a game that could turn on which primary option controls the flow, but Boston’s supporting cast is stronger, and if Brown and Maxey’s clash ends roughly equal, the Celtics should come out on top.
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Dani Carnegie scored 26 points, Mia Woolfolk had 20 points and 10 rebounds, and No. 23 Georgia defeated Florida 71-58 in a regular-season finale on Sunday.
Carnegie scored the first eight points of the game to get the Bulldogs rolling. They led 16-7 with under two minutes left in the quarter before the Gators made their only field goal of the first quarter. Florida attempted only six shots in the first but made seven of 10 free throws. Georgia led 18-9 after one.
Emilija Dakic hit two 3-pointers to get Florida going in the second quarter and the Gators eventually tied it at 23 with four minutes remaining in the half. Carnegie and Riley Theuerkauf then scored five points each in Georgia's 12-0 run for a 35-23 halftime lead.
A 13-0 run in which Savannah Henderson drained two 3-pointers and Carnegie hit another gave Georgia a 54-30 lead. The Bulldogs led 54-33 heading to the fourth.
Carnegie scored six points and Woolfolk had seven in the fourth quarter and the Bulldogs (22-8, 8-8 SEC) were never threatened.
Nyadieng Yiech had 14 points and Jade Weathersby grabbed 11 rebounds for Florida (17-14, 5-11).
Georgia has engineered the best single-season turnaround in program history. After finishing 13-19 a season ago, the Bulldogs are 22-8 -- nine-win improvement from 2024-25.
Up next
The conference tournament runs Wednesday through Sunday at Greenville, South Carolina.
CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 1: Collin Sexton #2 of the Chicago Bulls shoots the ball during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 1, 2026 at United Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
An absolutely, unequivocally, monstrously disastrous—which still might be putting it mildly—second half by the Milwaukee Bucks snapped the Chicago Bulls’ 11-game losing streak Sunday afternoon at the United Center. The Bucks scored eight points in the fourth quarter. Eight. It’s the first win for Chicago since January 31. They went 0-for-February, for crying out loud! Bobby Portis led Milwaukee with 18, and Collin Sexton had 22 for the victors.
Myles Turner opened the game with back-to-back catch-and-shoot triples, propelling an early 8-0 Bucks run. Chicago tied the game midway through the period and were briefly in front, but Ryan Rollins and Cam Thomas splashed consecutive threes to stake Milwaukee ahead again. The Bulls knotted it up again twice inside the three minutes, though AJ Green and Cam Thomas answered each time to avoid falling behind. After one, the visitors led 32-30. Chicago took 21 shots in the first, and 18 came from deep.
Both sides mostly traded buckets in the opening two minutes before a 17-0 Milwaukee run gave them their largest margin yet at 16, forcing a Billy Donovan timeout at the 6:34 mark. All five of the Bucks’ field goals during that three-and-a-half-minute stretch were assisted. In the ensuing two minutes, the Bulls reduced their deficit to 10 thanks in part to two Bucks turnovers and a Bulls offensive rebound. Doc Rivers reassembled his starting lineup, and they suffered a couple similar miscues as Chicago cut it to seven… before a fast-break three from Green, plus the foul. He’d hit another in the final minute, part of an 11-2 Bucks run that cemented their 66-51 halftime edge.
After coughing the ball up seven times in the first half, the Bucks had six turnovers in the third’s opening five minutes. Chicago capitalized, whittling Milwaukee’s advantage to eight before Rivers finally called a timeout at 7:12. The starters kept bleeding points, and a couple missed layups by Kevin Porter Jr.—who got T’d up as he was subbed out—didn’t help, making it a one-point game inside five minutes, all part of a 22-7 Bulls run. A sloppy game at that: the Bulls made a number of gaffes too. Bobby Portis scored 11 in the next three-ish minutes, helping them rebuild an eight-point lead. But poor defense in the final minute made it 89-87 Bucks entering the fourth, a 36-23 quarter in Chicago’s favor.
Matas Buzelis immediately evened the score, and Collin Sexton’s jumper gave the Bulls their first lead since the clock read 10:57 back in the second. That was part of a 16-0 Chicago run spanning the quarter break, punctuated by Buzelis posterizing Ports at the rim, and Doc called his second timeout of the fourth exactly a minute after the first. The Bulls’ run extended to 27-0—twenty-seven to zero—before a KPJ free throw finally gave the Bucks their first points in 7:32 of gameplay. More stinky defense and shot selection put Chicago up 19 before Doc waived the white flag as Gary Trent Jr. and Gary Harris came to the scorers’ table with under five minutes to go. The Bulls kept mopping the floor with the Bucks, finishing the game on a 39-8 run going back to the final minute of the third.
Stat That Stood Out
There are several ways to go here, but we’re going with Milwaukee’s utter ineptitude shooting the ball in the second half: 10/47 from the floor. “Good” for 21.3%.
MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 28: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets during the game against the Miami Heat on February 28, 2026 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. 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 Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The question has been raised throughout the season. Should the Houston Rockets have made last offseason’s trade for Kevin Durant?
Those who say no will likely reference Houston’s eerily similar winning clip to last season. To that point, the Rockets have gone 37-22 through 59 games in 2025-26. One year ago, they had the same record at the same point.
Which has been used to make the argument that the Rockets didn’t get better with Durant.
However, that actually undersells the point. Especially considering what all has happened to the Rockets, from a roster standpoint.
Their infrastructure has been shaken, due to injury. Fred VanVleet, Houston’s lone table-setter over the last two seasons, hasn’t played.
(Which we’ve heard endlessly, I know).
Houston has struggled to get into their sets. The pick-and-roll action (which seems to be the only offensive gameplan in Ime Udoka’s toolbelt) has been rather..meh. Amen Thompson has the will to fill that void but he doesn’t have the know-how.
Alperen Sengun has missed a handful of games (and has faded defensively). Tari Eason has missed 22 games.
Steven Adams’ loss might be the most pivotal across the league this season.
Jabari Smith Jr. has been very inconsistent throughout the season. Durant has been the only constant.
Even at 37-years-old. He ranks third in minutes per game and fourth in total minutes played.
He’s also bailed the Rockets out in a litany of offensive possessions, hitting shots with an insanely high degree of difficulty.
And has even had to take on a playmaking role (which hasn’t always been pretty, I agree).
But imagine if Houston didn’t make that trade. Jalen Green has missed most of the season.
When he has played, he’s flashed the same inconsistencies and/or hot-and-cold propensity. Dillon Brooks has certainly been missed this season, but he’s also benefited from having an ample amount of freedom to let it fly and chuck. He’s taking 17.4 shots per game, which is a career-high.
Yet and still, his efficiency has been….meh. 50.7 percent effective shooting (which is worse than either of his two seasons in Houston), and 54.7 true shooting (which is also worse than either of his two seasons with the Rockets, but almost identical to his first season with the Rockets in 2023-24).
Brooks wouldn’t have been able to replace (or even match) the production that we’ve seen from Durant this season.
This trade was a no-brainer. Even upon revisiting it.
Houston would be a lottery team without Adams, VanVleet, and Durant. And if you were to undo the trade and place Green back on the roster this season, they would’ve been without him too.
It’s also worth noting that Houston spent years seeking a closer, even with Green on the roster. Because he didn’t prove capable of being a consistent closer.
So even if they didn’t make the deal for Durant (which carried a lower than usual asking price), they would’ve still likely moved those pieces for someone else, eventually.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 01: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during the third quarter of the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 01, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The bright lights of Madison Square Garden have a way of exposing every flaw. On Sunday afternoon, they illuminated one in particular for the San Antonio Spurs: when the offense stalls, everything else can unravel with it.
San Antonio opened the game with energy against the New York Knicks, building a double-digit lead behind sharp ball movement and early defensive intensity. For a brief stretch, the Spurs looked poised to dictate tempo on the road. They pushed the pace, forced tough shots, and found clean looks in transition.
Then the mud set in.
What began as a promising first quarter dissolved into a prolonged drought. The Knicks answered with a punishing run that flipped the scoreboard and the tone of the game. San Antonio’s offense grew stagnant, possessions ended with forced jumpers late in the shot clock, and turnovers fueled New York’s transition attack. By the time the dust settled, the Spurs had been buried under a decisive 29-4 surge that spanned the end of the first quarter and the start of the second.
It was the kind of stretch that changes everything, that saw rotations tighten, confidence waver, and the margin for error disappear.
“We have to understand the delicacy of every possession,” Spurs Head Coach Mitch Johnson said. “I think that run led us to be very hesitant, very unsure. The best version of us is fast-paced, space. Ball movement and body movement. So, I give them (Knicks) a lot of credit for that.”
The Spurs managed just 41 points by halftime, their rhythm nowhere to be found. Shots that had fallen early began to clang off the rim. Entry passes were deflected. Dribble drives were swallowed up by a physical Knicks defense. Every small mistake seemed to be worse than the last.
Victor Wembanyama did his best to lead the Spurs to victory, scoring 25 points on 47 percent shooting to go along with 13 rebounds and four blocks. Devin Vassell continued his hot run as of late, adding 18 points to help Wemby in the scoring column.
“For some reason, we were hesitant,” Wembanyama said. For myself, I was hesitant on threes for some reason. We had some dumb live-ball turnovers, and we gave them life. We should have been better during that run in the first quarter. That was the game.”
When the second half began, San Antonio searched for a spark. There were flashes: a quick scoring burst, a defensive stop that hinted at momentum, but each flicker was quickly extinguished. New York responded to every mini-run with poised execution, whether through second-chance opportunities on the glass or a made perimeter shot.
The Spurs’ struggles were not limited to one area. Rebounding lapses extended possessions. Turnovers handed the Knicks easy points. Defensive rotations arrived a step late. And when the offense fails to generate quality looks, even solid defensive stretches can feel wasted.
By the fourth quarter, the outcome had taken shape. The Knicks, fueled by the Garden crowd, continued to apply pressure, stretching the lead beyond reach. San Antonio’s bench saw extended minutes as the final margin swelled to 25.
Losses in March often reveal more than they conceal. For a young Spurs squad, Sunday was a reminder of how quickly control can slip away against a disciplined opponent on its home floor.
The Garden can amplify triumph, but it can just as easily magnify shortcomings. On this day, the Spurs were left searching for answers in a defeat that underscored the work still ahead.
“Games like this can test your poise and compsure,” Johnson said. “There’s things to improve upon and things to learn from this. We have to understand that this is what it is going to feel like.”
Game Notes
As good as Wembanyama was on Sunday, he caught the turnover bug. He gave the ball away seven times on the afternoon, the most on the team. As a unit, San Antonio turned the ball over 21 times. I don’t care who you’re playing, it is very hard to win against anyone like that.
The Spurs’ guard trio had a rough afternoon. De’Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper, and Stephon Castle combined to score 28 points on 11-30 shooting from the floor.
Mikal Bridges just loves playing against the Spurs, scoring 25 points on 59 percent shooting. He also added five triples to pace the Knicks.
I’m not kidding when I said I had to Google Mohamed Diawara. He had a solid outing for the Knicks and if he can perform like that, the Knicks have a nice bench unit in the postseason.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 29: Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic takes a foul on the way to the basket by Tobias Harris #12 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on October 29, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 2021 No. 1 pick is facing off against the 2022 No. 1 overall pick as the Detroit Pistons and Cade Cunningham go against the Paolo Banchero-led Orlando Magic. Belief in Paolo seems to ebb and flow depending on his efficiency, something Cunningham fans know well until last season. In his most recent contest, he flirted with a triple-double, notching 19 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in a 113-108 loss to the Houston Rockets. What Paolo doesn’t have that Cade can rely on even when his shot isn’t falling is quality defense and the ability to orchestrate his team’s entire offense.
Banchero relies much more on his scoring to be effective on a nightly basis. One night, you get a great game like against the Rockets, or the 36-point outing in a one-point win against the Lakers the prior game. But in his past 10, he’s shooting just 41% from the floor and 34% from deep. And there is another play from his draft class at his heels looking to establish himself as one of the best of 2022 — Jalen Duren.
Duren is on a tear recently, dominating on offense, owning the glass, and more than holding his own on defense. In Duren’s past 10 games, he’s averaging 31.6 points per game on 65% shooting He, Banchero, and the two OKC boys — Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren have formed a solid little top four in their draft class.
And while first thoughts when considering Orlando will always turn to Banchero, Detroit really needs to watch out for Desmond Bane. He’s hot from deep lately, and the Pistons have been giving up threes in a big way lately. If they let Bane go for 30-plus, it is going to be a long night.
Game Vitals
When: 6 p.m. ET Where: Kia Center, Orlando, Florida Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit Odds: Pistons -5
OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — Ny’Ceara Pryor scored 16 points, Fatmata Janneh had 15 points and 10 rebounds, and surging Texas A&M defeated slumping No. 19 Mississippi 66-58 in a regular-season finale on Sunday.
The Aggies (14-11, 7-9 SEC) head to the conference tournament on a five-game win streak while Ole Miss (21-10, 8-8) has lost four in a row.
Texas A&M never trailed and there was only one tie. Still, the Rebels were within 57-55 with 5:40 remaining in the game. Pryor then hit a 3-pointer to start a 9-2 run for the Aggies and they allowed only one point in the final four minutes.
Cotie McMahon had 19 points and nine rebounds for the Rebels and backup guard Tianna Thompson scored 12.
Salese Blow scored 11 points off the bench for the Aggies.
Pryor scored seven points in the first quarter, including one of Texas A&M's three 3-pointers in the first 4 1/2 minutes as the Aggies raced out to a 15-5 lead. They led 23-13 heading to the second quarter.
Mississippi knocked down four 3-pointers in the second quarter and the Rebels were within 32-30 with 2 1/2 minutes left in the half. The Aggies scored the last five points of the second quarter and the first six points of the third, building a 43-30 lead.
McMahon scored five points in a 7-0 run that got the Rebels within 48-43 inside of two minutes in the third, but Texas A&M pushed the lead to 53-45 heading to the fourth.
Up next
The conference tournament runs Wednesday through Sunday in Greenville, South Carolina. Ole Miss finished in a four-way tie for sixth place and Texas A&M finished tied with Alabama for 10th place.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Christian Ramírez scored in the 82nd minute on Sunday to help Austin FC beat D.C. United 1-0.
Ramírez headed home the rebound of a shot by Besard Sabovic that was redirected at the goal line by defender Silvan Hefti. The 34-year-old Ramírez, who has 56 career goals in MLS, was acquired off waivers Friday from the LA Galaxy.
Brad Stuver had two saves for Austin (1-0-1).
Sean Johnson had eight saves, which included a diving parries early in the first and second halves, for D.C. United (1-1-0).
Austin had 56% possession and outshot D.C. United 16-8, 9-2 on target.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 26: Gabe Vincent #4 of the Atlanta Hawks goes to the basket during the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at State Farm Arena on February 26, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Atlanta Hawks (30-31) aim for .500 in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers (29-32) who are on the second leg of a road back-to-back set.
Starting lineup:
G CJ McCollum
G Nickeil Alexander-Walker
F Dyson Daniels
F Jalen Johnson
C Onyeka Okongwu
Please join in the comments below as you follow along.
Where, When, and How to Watch and Listen
Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
Start Time: 6:00 PM EDT
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Southeast (FDSNSE)
Radio: Sports Radio 92.9 the Game (WZGC-FM)
Streaming: FanDuel Sports Network app, Fubo (out of market), NBA League Pass (out of market), Youtube TV (NBA League Pass out of market)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 11: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics goes in for a layup against Quentin Grimes #5 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Xfinity Mobile Arena on November 11, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Philadelphia 76ers (33-26) at Boston Celtics (39-20) Sunday, March 1, 2026 8:00 PM ET Regular Season Game #60, Home Game #29 TV: NBC/Peacock, NBCSB, NBCSP Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, 97.5 Fanatic, Sirius XM TD Garden
The Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers for the 4th, and final, game between them this season. All 3 games so far have been decided by either 1 or 2 points. On opening night, the 76ers won 117-116 in Boston. On December 31, The Celtics won 109-108 in Philadelphia. Then, on November 11, the 76ers won 102-100 in Philadelphia.
The Celtics beat the 76ers 3-1 last season and they were also 3-1 against the 76ers in the 2023-24 season. The Celtics are 275-202 overall all time and they are 157-59 all time at home against the 76ers. The Celtics are playing on the first night of back to back games. They will travel to Milwaukee to take on the Bucks on Monday. The Celtics are 7-3 in the first of back to back games.
Like the Celtics, the 76ers made a couple of moves at the trade deadline to get under the tax line. They traded Jared McCain to Oklahoma City in exchange for draft picks. They also traded Eric Gordon to Memphis to gain flexibility to convert Dominick Barlow from a 2-way contract to a standard contract. Like the Celtics they are staying under the tax line with 10 day contracts and will still have to sign another player eventurally.
The Celtics are 2nd in the East, 5.5 games behind 1st place Detroit. They are 1.5 games ahead of 3rd place New York , 3 games ahead of 4th place Cleveland, 5 games ahead of 5th place Toronto, 6 games ahead of 6th place Philadelphia and 7.5 games ahead of 7th place Orlando. The Celtics are 25-13 against Eastern Conference opponents and 8-5 against the Atlantic Division. They are 19-9 at home and 8-2 in their last 10 games. They are coming off a win in their last game.
The 76ers are 6th in the East, 11.5 games behind 1st place Detroit, 6 games behind 2nd place Boston, 3 games behind 4th place Cleveland, and 1 game behind 5th place Toronto. They are 1.5 games ahead of 7th place Orlando and 2 games ahead of 8th place Miami. They are 21-19 against Eastern Conference opponents and 8-6 against the Atlantic Division. They are 17-11 on the road 5-5 in their last 10 games. They have won their last 3 games.
The Celtics are at home for the 2nd straight game having played Brooklyn on Friday. After this game they will play Milwaukee on the road in back to back games. Next, they are back home for games against Charlotte and Dallas before a tough 3 game road trip through Cleveland, San Antonio, and Oklahoma City. Then they host Washington, Phoenix and Golden State. Then, it is one game at Memphis before a 3 game home stand against Minnesota, Oklahoma City and Atlanta.
The 76ers will return home after this game to host San Antonio and Utah before playing Atlanta and Cleveland on the road. Then they play Memphis at home before playing at Detroit Next they host Brooklyn and Portland before heading out on the road to play at Denver, Sacramento and Utah before returning home to play Oklahoma City and Chicago.
Although many were guessing that Jayson Tatum would return for this game because the game was moved to NBC, he remains listed as out on the injury report. Baylor Scheierman joins him on the injury report as questionable due to a fractured left thumb that he suffered against the Nets on Friday. If he can’t go I would guess that Ron Harper, Jr or Hugo Gonzalez would start, but you never know what Joe will do.
For Philadelphia, Joel Embiid is listed on their injury report as out due to a right oblique strain. Embiid reported soreness on his right side following the 76ers’ win over the Heat on Thursday and tests determined it to be a strain that will keep him out at least 3 games. I’m guessing that Andre Drummond will start in his place. Paul George is out due to a suspension for failing a drug test. Johni Broome is also out with a knee injury.
Probable Starting Matchups PG: Derrick White vs Tyrese Maxey
Derrick White | NBAE via Getty ImagesTyrese Maxey | NBAE via Getty Images
SG: Baylor Scheierman vs VJ Edgecombe
Baylor Scheierman | Denver Post via Getty ImagesVJ Edgecombe | NBAE via Getty Images
SF: Jaylen Brown vs Kelly Oubre, Jr
Jaylen Brown | Getty ImagesKelly Oubre, Jr | Getty Images
PF: Sam Hauser vs Dominick Barlow
Sam Hauser | NBAE via Getty ImagesDominick Barlow | Getty Images
Celtics Reserves Payton Pritchard Hugo Gonzalez Luka Garza Amare Williams Nikola Vucevic Jordan Walsh Delano Banton (10-day)
2-Way Players Ron Harper, Jr Max Shulga John Tonje Injuries/Out Jayson Tatum (Achilles) out Baylor Scheierman (thumb) questionable
Head Coach Joe Mazzulla 76ers Reserves Quentin Grimes Kyle Lowry Justin Edwards Trendon Watford Cameron Payne Adem Bona Jabari Walker
2-Way Players Dalen Terry MarJon Beauchamp Tyrese Martin Injuries/Out Johni Broome (knee) out MarJon Beauchamp (illness) questionable Joel Embiid (oblique) out Paul George (suspension) out Head Coach Nick Nurse
Key Matchups Derrick White vs Tyrese Maxey Maxey is averaging 29.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 2.1 steals per game while shooting 46.5% from the field and 37.6% from beyond the arc. In the first 3 games against the Celtics, he averaged 29 points, 5 rebounds, 9.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 1 block while shooting 45.6% from the field and 58.3% from beyond the arc. He is quick and shoots the ball well and so the Celtics will have their hands full defending him but they must make it a priority to slow him down.
Jaylen Brown vs Kelly Oubre, Jr Oubre is averaging 14.5 points, 4.8 rebounds. and 1.7 assists. He is shooting 46.9% from the field and 37.6% from beyond the arc. In the 3 games against the Celtics this season, he averaged 13 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 0.3 assists while shooting 44.8% from the field and 27.8% from beyond the arc.
Honorable Mention Baylor Scheierman vs Vj Edgecomb Edgecombe is one of the leaders for Rookie of the Year. He is averaging 15.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 43.1% from the field and 36.0% from beyond the arc. In the first 3 games against the Celtics, he averaged 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 45.8% from the field and 39.1% from beyond the arc. The Celtics need to be ready for him and defend him both in the paint and on the perimeter. If Sheierman can’t play, then Hugo Gonzalez, or Ron Harper Jr or, knowing Joe, anyone else on the team may start in his place.
Keys to the Game Defense – As always, defense is a key to winning this, and every, game. The Celtics defense has been getting better as the season has gone on. In the first 20 games of the season, the Celtics were 18th on defense. In the 2nd 20 games, they ranked 12th. In the last 16 games, they have the 3rd best defense. Overall, they are 7th with a defensive rating of 112.1. The 76ers are 16th with a defensive rating of 114.2. The Celtics must play tough lock down defense in this game if they want to beat the 76ers.
Rebound – Rebounding is also one of the biggest keys to winning every game.. The Celtics are 30-8 in games that they tie or out-rebound opponents. They are just 9-12 in games tin which they are out-rebounded. They simply have to fight harder to grab rebounds than their opponents. Every Celtic has got to crash the boards and fight for every rebound.
Move the Ball Carefully – The Celtics need to move the ball and find the open man. They play their best when they share the ball. They are 25-2 when they have more than 25 assists in a game. However, the Celtics need to take care of the basketball and limit turnovers. They have to make careful passes and also be aware while dribbling and not drive into a crowd or allow a defender to steal the ball since the 76ers average 19.2 points off turnovers per game.
Effort and Focus – The Celtics have to put out more effort in this game than the 76ers. The 76ers play hard and the Celtics have to play harder. They have to be more aggressive on the boards, in going to the basket, in diving for loose balls, and just playing harder overall. They also have to stay focused on taking good shots and making them. They can’t afford to lose focus or to allow the 76ers to play harder than them. X-Factors Home Game – The Celtics need to feed off the energy of the crowd and hopefully, the 76ers will be distracted by travel and the hostile crowd. The Celtics should also be motivated by the fact that the 76ers came into their building on opening night and beat them there. The Celtics should protect their home court and play harder because of it.
Coaching – Joe Mazzulla is in his 4th season as Celtics’ head coach. He won a title with a very talented team that was packed with shooting stars. Now he has to win in a different way since his personnel has changed and so far he is doing a great job of it. Nick Nurse is in his 8th season as a head coach overall and his 3rd as the 76ers head coach. He won a title with the Raptors in 2019. The 76ers returned their core this season and added a very talented lottery pick and so Nurse has a lot to prove with this team.
Officiating – Officiating is always an x-factor. Every crew calls the game differently. Some call it tight and call every bit of contact while others allow more physical play. Some favor the home team while others call both sides evenly. The Celtics have to adjust to the way the refs are calling the game and not allow the no calls and bad calls to affect their focus on playing the game.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey is going to have another operation on his ailing left ankle.
The 7-foot-3 Edey has been sidelined since Dec. 7 because of a stress reaction in his ankle. He is averaging 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks over 11 games in his second season.
Edey's operation is expected to address ongoing discomfort and bone stress, according to the team. He also had surgery on his left ankle in June after he was voted to the All-Rookie first team.
The 23-year-old Edey, a two-time AP National Player of the Year at Purdue, missed 12 games early in his rookie season because of a sprained left ankle.
Edey is expected to make a full recovery, the Grizzlies said, and a timeline will be provided following his surgery.
The team also said forward Brandon Clarke will be re-evaluated in approximately two weeks. The 29-year-old Clarke has been out since Dec. 20 because of a strained right calf.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Sophie Hart scored 17 points, Amaya Battle added 10 of her 16 points in the second half and No. 22 Minnesota beat Illinois 78-73 on Sunday in the regular-season finale for both teams to clinch a double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament.
Minnesota (22-7, 13-5 Big Ten), which lost 75-61 to No. 18 Michigan State last time out, has won 10 of 11 and will be the No. 4 seed in Big Ten Tournament, which begins Wednesday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
The Gophers tied the program's single-season record for conference wins, previously set in the 1982-83 and '84-85 seasons.
Berry Wallace hit a 3-pointer before Cearah Parchment drew a charge and then scored in the post to make it 70-all with 1:01 left in the game, but Grace Grocholski, Mara Braun and Tori McKinney combined to go 8 of 8 from the free-throw line from there to seal it.
Braun had 11 points, six rebounds and five assists, Finau Tonga also scored 11 points and McKinney added 10.
Wallace led Illinois (19-10, 9-9) with 15 points while Maddie Webber and Aaliyah Guyton each scored 14. Parchment and Destiny Jackson added 13 points apiece.
Hart scored six points in a 14-3 first-quarter run that made it 16-9 with 3:24 left in the period and Minnesota never again trailed.
The Gophers used a 11-3 spurt in the second quarter to push the lead to 15 points before Illinois scored eight consecutive points to close the first half that made it 36-29 at the intermission.
Up next
Minnesota: Plays Friday in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament.
Illinois: The 10th-seeded Illini play Wednesday in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Sydney Shaw, Kierra Wheeler, Jordan Harrison, and Gia Cooke combined for 85 points and No. 17 West Virginia hit a season-high 15 3-pointers as the Mountaineers beat Cincinnati 118-60 on Sunday in the regular-season finale for both teams.
Shaw scored a career-high 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field, and went 6 of 9 from 3-point range. Wheeler had 21 and 10 rebounds, Harrison added 20 points and 10 assists, and Cooke scored 20. The Mountaineers (24-6, 14-4 Big 12), who scored their most points in a win since 2002, have a double-bye into the Big 12 Tournament which begins Wednesday.
West Virginia jumped ahead with an early 18-3 run, spanning most of the first quarter and carrying over into the second to take a 35-9 lead. Cincinnati (11-19, 6-12) could never find its footing, committing 18 turnovers for 25 West Virginia points.
The Bearcats were led in scoring by Mya Perry, with 19.
Up next
West Virginia: Plays Friday in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City.
Cincinnati: Will be the No. 13 seed in the Big 12 Tournament and plays Wednesday in the first round.
