BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Karon Catchings matched career highs with five 3-pointers and 23 points and Georgia overcame an early 15-point deficit to beat LSU 83-71 on Saturday to snap a three-game losing streak.
Jeremiah Wilkinson added 18 points, Somto Cyril 12 and Blue Cain 10 for Georgia (17-6, 5-5 SEC), which shot 51% and made 10 of 25 3-pointers for 40%.
Max Mackinnon scored 26 points, one off his season high, to lead the Tigers (14-9, 2-8). Marquel Sutton added 14 points and Pablo Tamba grabbed 12 rebounds to go with seven points. LSU shot 42% and just 22% on 3-pointers.
Ahead by five at halftime, the Bulldogs stayed in front the rest of the way and used an 8-0 spurt capped by a Catchings 3-pointer to take their largest lead of 17 with four minutes to go.
After an early Tigers' flurry from the arc when they hit five of their first seven 3-point attempts and broke out to a 31-16 lead, they then missed their final 16 tries from distance. After the Tigers' fast start, the Bulldogs outscored the Tigers 26-6, hitting four 3-pointers to go into the break ahead 42-37.
Up next
Georgia is home against No. 17 Florida on Wednesday.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - FEBRUARY 7: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs and Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks go up for a jump ball during the game on February 7, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks were blown out Saturday evening by the San Antonio Spurs, 138-125. Stephon Castle put on a basketball clinic for the Spurs, posting 40 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists, and three steals. Klay Thompson was the high point man for Dallas off the bench with 19. The Mavericks have now lost seven in a row.
There was a furious pace to the early minutes of the game, and the Spurs took full advantage of a questionable Dallas transition defense. Head coach Jason Kidd was forced to call a timeout with San Antonio going up 16-6 following a Flagg turnover where he appeared to hurt his shoulder. New Maverick Marvin Bagley burst out of the timeout with a couple of hustle baskets. A Brandon Williams three forced a Spurs timeout with Dallas down 21-18. The Mavericks kept the energy high all period but San Antonio had an answer for every Dallas shot. They weathered the Dallas push and closed out the first quarter up 39-32.
The Mavericks continued to fight in the second frame, taking their first lead at 8:30 on a Caleb Martin drive and finish. As the period wore on, the Spurs finally matched the Dallas energy; slowly and surely they overtook the Mavericks on the scoreboard. An end-of-quarter scoring flurry put the Spurs up by 14 as Dallas could not match the talent level San Antonio put out on the floor. Dallas entered halftime down 81-67.
Nearly all season long, the Mavericks have made a living off of simply playing hard. They’ve stayed in games due to consistent effort married to reasonable enough talent. But the third quarter against the Spurs was one of the rare times that energy just didn’t matter. The Spurs thumped Dallas, growing the lead bit by bit. The Mavericks simply couldn’t hang. Halfway through the period, the San Antonio lead grew to 24. There was a Cooper injury scare (maybe his third of the game?) in the frame where his foot bent at a concerning angle, but he seemed fine. The Spurs led going into the fourth 116-91.
The final quarter was largely about Castle beating the brakes off Dallas and everyone getting out of the game without an injury. Dallas tried to eat into the lead, but could not stop the Spurs from scoring. Dallas fell to San Antonio, 138-125.
Dallas is a long way off from what San Antonio is doing
There’s optimism among the Dallas fanbase, and there absolutely should be. Cooper Flagg rules and clearing off a bunch of salary, which will allow the Mavericks a chance to build something new, is important. But make no mistake: Dallas has a long way to go to even being a playoff team in my view.
Kyrie Irving’s return will be great if he stays in Dallas. A top-tier draft pick will also help and if the Mavericks get lucky, that may change my view somewhat. But compared to the Spurs, they lack in every area. That’s not an insult either, the Spurs are loaded for bear and ready to go try and win a title. But there are levels to this whole NBA contender thing, and Dallas is much closer to the bottom of the league than the NBA playoffs, and I think the optimism folks are feeling is blurring just how much this team actually needs. But one player can change things, and you never know what happens in the lottery and in free agency. Maybe I’m wrong here, but getting bushwhacked by the Spurs in two straight games puts a damper on my positivity.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 13: Alex Sarr #20 of the Washington Wizards drives against Duncan Robinson #55 of the Miami Heat during the first quarter of the game at Kaseya Center on April 13, 2025 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. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Washington Wizards play the Miami Heat tomorrow. Let’s preview this one.
Game info
When: Sunday, Feb. 8, 2 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Washington
How to watch: Monumental Sports Network, League Pass
Injuries: For the Wizards, Tre Johnson (ankle), Tristan Vukcevic (hamstring), Trae Young (knee, quad), Cam Whitmore (shoulder), Dante Exum (knee) and Anthony Davis (finger) are out. Jaden Hardy and D’Angelo Russell are day-to-day.
For the Heat, Tyler Herro (ribs) and Terry Rozier (administrative leave) are out. Pelle Larson is day-to-day.
What to watch for
Washington is playing many games in a short stretch. In fact, today’s game and tomorrow’s matinee is less than 24 hours apart! As for the Heat, they are coming off a two game losing streak, most recently to the Boston Celtics last Friday. Let’s see if the Wizards can snap back out of the funk they were in their loss to the Brooklyn Nets earlier this afternoon.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 20: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives against Jordan Goodwin #23 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 20, 2026 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
PHOENIX, AZ - NOVEMBER 2: Jalen Green #4 and Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns look on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on November 2, 2025 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The last time Devin Booker and Jalen Green both finished a full game without leaving injured came against Philadelphia during that six-game road trip. The very next night, everything changed. Green hurt his hip in Atlanta. Booker twisted his ankle. Since then, seven games have passed, and both have been working their way back.
Tonight, the schedule brings it full circle. The Suns face the Philadelphia 76ers again. Both Booker and Green are available to play.
INJURY UPDATE: Devin Booker and Jalen Green are AVAILABLE for tonight's game. pic.twitter.com/Hx3Wr5VIOS
If you are a Philadelphia fan, you are probably asking yourself, why us. And yet, here we are. The door is open for both Devin Booker and Jalen Green to play.
That is huge if you are a Suns fan. First, it tells you they are healthy enough to give it a go. Second, it addresses something that was glaring in the last game against Golden State. They needed them. Badly.
Even a limited version of Booker and Green changes the geometry of the floor. It gives the offense a true primary ball handler. Someone who can organize possessions, calm things down, and get the team into something functional. We saw what happens when that is missing. After Grayson Allen went down against the Warriors, the offense stalled. Isolation piled on isolation. The rhythm disappeared.
With both available tonight, that safety valve exists again. If the game tightens late and the Suns need offense, need structure, need someone to put their hands on the wheel, that option is back on the table. And that alone changes the ceiling of what this team can be in those moments.
The assumption is that both will be on some kind of minutes restriction, especially Booker. Ankles are tricky. That is not something to mess with. Jalen’s hip feels a little less alarming, but it still sits next to the hamstring issue he was dealing with, so caution makes sense there too.
It will be interesting to see how Jordan Ott staggers the rotations. Finding the balance between effectiveness and fatigue matters. You want them impactful while they are out there, without pushing them into anything risky or rushed.
All that said, praise the Lord. The boys are back.
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 26: Kristaps Porzingis #8 of the Atlanta Hawks arrives to the arena before the game against the Indiana Pacers on January 26, 2026 at State Farm Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Per head coach Steve Kerr, the Golden State Warriors plan to keep Kristaps Porziņģis out of the next three games (tonight against the Los Angeles Lakers, Monday against the Memphis Grizzlies, and Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs), keep him in San Francisco to work towards game fitness, and debut him after the All-Star break.
Steve Kerr said the Warriors plan is to hold Kristaps Porzingis out the next three games, keep him working in San Francisco during the All-Star break and debut him out of the break.
Porziņģis was acquired from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield, a pivot-move from failing to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. Porziņģis hasn’t played since January 7 due to being diagnosed with what’s called Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, or POTS. However, reports are that Porziņģis is healthy enough to return to play, with conditioning being the only hurdle he has to overcome.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 07: Will Riley #27 of the Washington Wizards shoots over Egor Demin #8 of the Brooklyn Nets during the second half at Barclays Center on February 07, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jordan Bank/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This matchup with the Brooklyn Nets was the Wizards’ most important game of the season, and they came prepared. Shorthanded because of the Anthony Davis trade — apparently, it’s a long walk from Dallas to DC — the Wizards sat mainstays Bilal Coulibaly, Kyshawn George, and Alex Sarr with “injuries.”
Also sitting this one out: Trae Young (“injury”), Tre Johnson (sprained ankle), and Cam Whitmore (deep vein thrombosis).
Too good to play: Justin Champagnie produced 21 points and 9 rebounds in just 22 minutes in the Wizards’ all-important loss to the Brooklyn Nets. | NBAE via Getty Images
And darn the luck, Skal Labissiere’s 10-day contract expired, and they couldn’t come to an agreement on another one. Or something. The front office didn’t forget that 10-day contracts exist — they gave one to Keshon Gilbert, who’s been playing for the Capital City Go-Go. Gilbert got 29 minutes.
Also, starters like Justin Champagnie (22 minutes), Tristan Vukcevich (20 minutes), and Bub Carrington (22 minutes) were apparently on some kind of minutes restriction. Presumably to protect their health.
Oh yeah, did I mention it was critical for the Wizards to lose this one? Yeah, it was essential. At 13-37, the Nets were a game ahead of Washington in the quest for better draft lottery odds. Losing this one puts the team’s in a virtual tie, but the Wizards are now 1-2 against Brooklyn, which means they have the tie-breaker. The teams have one more game against each other (likely a must-lose for both, which might lead to tank-tacular shenanigans), which is April 5. Mark your calendars.
Despite all that preparation, the Wizards played the Nets close for the first 6-7 minutes. Then Brian Keefe went to the bench, and things avalanched. Washington gave up 46 points and trailed by 26 after the first quarter. They fell behind by as much as 34 before mounting a second half comeback that got them as close as 12. Kudos to the available for playing hard throughout.
Thoughts & Observations
Champagnie had 21 points on 8 shots to go with 9 rebounds and 2 blocks in just 22 minutes.
Good offensive game from Will Riley, who scored 27 points on very good efficiency (129 offensive rating). He managed just three rebounds and two assists in 45 minutes. The three steals and a block were nice.
Sharife Cooper had another solid game — 14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists — though the team was -20 with him out there.
I’ve not been impressed by Danny Wolf so far this season, but he played the game of his (short) NBA life against Washington — 7-11 from the floor, 16 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and zero turnovers.
Nolan Traore is fast. YODA didn’t like him much as a draft prospect, but I can see what the eyeball scouts saw in him. So far, on balance, YODA is looking more likely to be correct. We’ll see.
Michael Porter Jr. had a decent though subpar game (for him). Overall, his numbers this season look eerily like they did when he was with the Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokic was not in the game.
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
NETS
LGAVG
eFG%
53.8%
62.1%
54.3%
OREB%
13.5%
34.2%
26.1%
TOV%
15.1%
13.1%
12.7%
FTM/FGA
0.354
0.154
0.208
PACE
99
99.4
ORTG
114
128
115.5
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%.
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.
SACRAMENTO, CA - OCTOBER 15: James Harden #1 of the Los Angeles Clippers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings during a NBA Preseason game on October 15, 2025 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
11-time NBA All-Star James Harden is set to make his debut for the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road tonight against the Sacramento Kings at 10 PM Eastern.
Cleveland acquired Harden in a stunning blockbuster deal earlier this week, trading away long-time point guard and two-time All-Star Darius Garland in the process.
It was an emotional week for Cavs fans. Many had personal attachments and appreciation for Garland’s time in Cleveland. His departure was marked final in Los Angeles as the entire team hugged him goodbye after their win over the Clippers.
Harden joins a roster rebuffed by championship expectations. Alongside him are two other newcomers in Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis. Those two made their debuts against the Clippers on Wednesday night. They return to play their former team tonight.
Watching how Harden can fit in will be a treat. This is a generationally talented playmaker who demands the ball more than most players in league history. At the same time, Harden has co-existed with numerous stars throughout his career. Fitting in with Donovan Mitchell shouldn’t be too heavy a challenge.
Harden is averaging an elite 25 points and 8 assists this season. He still has an uncanny ability for drawing fouls and getting to the free-throw line. But, he’s also as good as it gets at orchestrating the pick-and-roll. Pay close attention to how Harden and Jarrett Allen get along tonight. Their two-man action could quickly become a bread and butter for the Cavs.
Cleveland has been on a roll recently. They’ve won eight of their last two games, improving to 31-21 after a rocky start to the season. They have the easiest remaining schedule in the Eastern Conference and might have improved at the deadline. We will get our first look at their biggest addition in just a few hours.
ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Hawks newly acquired forward Jonathan Kuminga will miss at least one week while recovering from a left knee bone bruise.
The Hawks announced before Saturday night's home game against Charlotte that Kuminga suffered the injury while playing for Golden State at Dallas on Jan. 22. The Hawks acquired Kuminga and guard Buddy Hield in the trade which sent center Kristaps Porzingis to the Warriors on Wednesday night.
The Hawks say Kuminga will be evaluated following the All-Star break.
Atlanta forward-center Onyeka Okongwu is available against Charlotte after missing four games with a dental fracture. Okongwu wore a protective mask in pregame warmups.
Jaylen Brown dunks the ball during a playoff game between the Celtics and Knicks in 2025.
BOSTON — The hobbling Knicks arrived here Saturday to a snowy city, where the locals were gearing up for their big Drake Maye Day and Jaylen Brown had his sights set on the opponent he enjoys beating the most.
“We just got to keep it up,” Brown said after the Celtics toppled the Heat on Friday night. “Sunday is going to be a big matchup so we need the fans to have the same energy.
“Looking forward to it.”
For the Beantowners, it’s a pre-Super Bowl showdown against the Knicks, who eliminated the Celtics from the playoffs last year and are now among a handful of teams jockeying at the top of the East.
The Knicks (33-19), whose eight-game winning streak was embarrassingly snapped Friday night in a blowout defeat to the Pistons, are third in the conference and a full game behind the No. 2 Celtics (34-18).
Jaylen Brown dunks the ball during a playoff game between the Celtics and Knicks in 2025. Charles Wenzelberg
“He just brings a level of toughness to the team, his energy is unmatched,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “What he can do defensively in the full court and even in the frontcourt on the ball, especially on pick-and-rolls and stuff like that, is at a pretty high level.”
The Celtics also have a newcomer — the skilled but athletically limited Nikola Vucevic — who they got from the Bulls ahead of the trade deadline.
But Boston’s success this season — which is a surprise given Jayson Tatum’s absence following Achilles surgery — rides on the shoulders of Brown, who has made it known how he feels about the Knicks.
“Last year [in 2024] we were a championship team,” Brown said in a Netflix show ahead of this season. “We won the championship … Duckboats, champagne. … This year we gotta listen to insufferable Knicks fans. I don’t know how we lost in general.”
In December, Brown was more blunt: “F–k the Knicks,” he said on a livestream, a few weeks after dropping 42 points in a victory over New York at TD Garden.
Sunday is the latest installment of the rivalry and occurs with New York looking up at Boston in the standings.
The Knicks had been impressive for weeks before their ugly effort Friday in Detroit, where they managed a season-low 80 points and were overwhelmed by the Pistons speed and physicality.
Jaylen Brown attempts a shot during the Celtics’ Dec. 2 game against the Knicks. Imagn Images
“We missed a lot of shots offensively,” reserve guard Jordan Clarkson said. “They pressured us. We were just taking tough shots throughout the whole game. So, they got out and scored easy transition points and stuff like that. So, it’s definitely tough to beat a team on their own court when stuff like that is happening.”
The Celtics, who have won five straight, are theoretically a better matchup than the Pistons for the Knicks, who won’t win a footrace but can handle size.
The teams split the first two matchups of this season.
And if the current standings hold up, the Knicks would again meet the Celtics in the second round.
That’s an opportunity Brown — who is averaging 29.5 points this season — has been waiting for.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 20: Keyonte George #3 of the Utah Jazz brings the ball up the court against the Orlando Magic during the second half of their game at the Delta Center on December 20, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Chris Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The new-look Utah Jazz will take on the Orlando Magic in the first game, with Jaren Jackson Jr., Vince Williams, and John Konchar now available for the Jazz. What’s exciting for Jazz fans is that they get to watch them all together at least this one time, including Keyonte George tonight.
Jazz starters tonight: Keyonte George, Ace Bailey, Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Jusuf Nurkic.
Keyonte George on a minutes restriction around 24 MPG.
It’s the best lineup possible for the Jazz, even if Keyonte George will be on a minute restriction. It’s an important one to watch for Jazz fans because you might not see much of this lineup this season with the Jazz looking to keep their pick, or even rise higher in the tank standings.
Next season, Utah will likely be adding Walker Kessler and, hopefully, a top-8 pick in the draft. It’s going to be a team with a ton of potential. This game is a preview of that, and it’ll be exciting to get a flavor of Jaren Jackson Jr. next to Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, and Ace Bailey.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Xzayvier Brown scored 14 of his 20 points in the second half and Oklahoma held off No. 15 Vanderbilt 92-91 on Saturday to end a nine-game losing streak.
Nijel Pack added 17 points for the Sooners (12-12, 2-9 Southeastern Conference) who had a 21-point lead with 12:03 left. Oklahoma shot 53.4% from the field.
Tyler Tanner led Vanderbilt (19-4, 6-4) with 37 points. Tyler Nickel added 18.
Nickel hit a 3-pointer with 1 1/2 minutes left to cut Oklahoma's lead to 10. AK Okereke had a 4-point play to make it a two-possession game with 49 seconds remaining.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Chauncey Wiggins scored 22 points, and Florida State survived a late Notre Dame rally for an 82-79 win on Saturday in Atlantic Coast Conference play.
Florida State (11-12, 4-6 ACC) hit five straight 3-pointers to open the game and jumped out to a 17-2 lead with 14:00 left in the first half. The Seminoles led 41-32 at halftime, then watched Notre Dame close the gap in the final minutes of regulation.
Logan Imes’ 3-pointer gave Notre Dame a 75-74 lead with 2:07 remaining, but Wiggins answered on the next possession, burying a 3 of his own to put Florida State back in front 77-75. Lajae Jones made two free throws with 35 seconds left, Martin Somerville split a pair with 17 seconds remaining, and Alier Maluk made two with nine seconds left to seal the win.
Wiggins went 5 of 10 from 3-point range as Florida State made 15 3s and committed five turnovers. Robert McCray V scored 15 points and hit four 3s, Alex Steen had 10 points and nine rebounds, and Jones added 11.
Braeden Shrewsberry scored 18 points for Notre Dame (11-12, 2-8). Jalen Haralson had 15 before fouling out, Cole Certa scored 14 and Sir Mohammed added 11 off the bench for the Fighting Irish.
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Labaron Philon Jr. tallied 25 points, six assists and five rebounds, Amari Allen added 17 points and six rebounds, and Alabama took down Auburn 96-92 on Saturday.
The Crimson Tide (16-7, 6-4 Southeastern Conference) trailed by as many as 10 points, but rallied back with runs of 11-0 and 8-0 in the second half. They took the lead for good with 10:39 remaining in regulation.
Aden Holloway scored 15 points, and Charles Bediako had 12 on 5-for-5 shooting. Aiden Sherrell had a game-high four blocks.
The Tigers (14-9, 5-5) were led by Tahaad Pettiford, who scored 25 points to go with seven assists. Keyshawn Hall added 24 points on 8-for-22 shooting before fouling out late, and Kevin Overton scored 17. Keshawn Murphy had a 13-point, 12-rebound double-double.
Auburn led 41-37 at the half, with Overton pacing the Tigers with 11 points in the first frame. Philon Jr. scored nine first-half points for Alabama.
PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 01: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on February 01, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Soobum Im/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Freeing up two roster spots after sending Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks for Kristaps Porziņģis and trading Trayce Jackson-Davis to the Toronto Raptors for a second-round pick, the Golden State Warriors signed Pat Spencer to a standard roster contract. Their one remaining roster spot is now left open for a potential buyout acquisition.
Per NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Warriors are looking closely at Lonzo Ball, currently a free agent after being waived by the Utah Jazz, not long after acquiring him from the Cleveland Cavaliers. In 35 games this season, Ball has averaged 4.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in 20.8 minutes.
As the Warriors are working to convert two-way guard Pat Spencer to a roster spot, Golden State also has its sights set on adding Lonzo Ball via the buyout market, sources say.
Ball certainly hasn’t had a good season, but the Warriors may be seeking his ability to be a connector, a trait the Warriors and head coach Steve Kerr highly value. Furthermore, Ball has been somewhat of a turnover-generator on defense (2.2 steals per 75 possessions), which does fall in line with the Warriors’ defensive identity of a team that forces tons of turnovers (fifth in non-garbage-time opponent turnover rate, per Cleaning the Glass). Furthermore, his rebound and assist rates for a guard (6.8 rebounds per 75 possessions and 6.7 assists per 75 possessions) are nothing to scoff at.
However, signing Ball would do little to alleviate the problem of shooting and spacing, as Ball is shooting 27.2 percent on 4.2 three-point attempts per game, not to mention a less-than-ideal 44.8 percent on two-point shots. Ball has struggled to recover his shooting stroke after coming back from two seasons of inactivity due to knee problems.
