Nets fall to short-handed Celtics, 104-96
BOSTON (AP) — Baylor Scheierman scored 13 of his career-high 20 points in the fourth quarter, Kristaps Porzingas had 25 points and 13 rebounds and the Boston Celtics beat the Brooklyn Nets 104-96 on Tuesday night.
Scheierman took advantage of some bonus playing time as the Celtics rested injured stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown against the struggling Nets. Boston still had plenty down the stretch to hold off Brooklyn, which couldn’t stop Scheierman’s second-half surge.
After beating the buzzer at the end of the third with a 3-pointer that put Boston up 71-70, Scheierman hit three more from beyond the arc in the fourth before leaving to a standing ovation with about four minutes left. Scheierman, a rookie out of Creighton, had never scored more than 15 points before Tuesday.
Derrick White scored 18 points, Jrue Holiday had 12 points and eight assists and Payton Pritchard added 10 points for Boston, which won its third straight.
D’Angelo Russell led Brooklyn with 18 points. Ziaire Williams scored 15 and Cameron Johnson and Trendon Watford added 11 points apiece.
Takeaways
Celtics: With 13 games remaining in the regular season and facing the struggling Nets, Tatum (knee) and Brown (right knee, back) got some extra rest. The remaining Celtics beat the Nets for the ninth straight time in the regular season.
Nets: After snapping a three-game losing streak Sunday with a win over Atlanta and leading after two periods Tuesday, Brooklyn couldn’t hold off the Celtics in the fourth.
Key moment
After a layup by Tyrese Martin put Brooklyn up 80-71 midway through the fourth, Scheierman hit the first of back-to-back 3-pointers that put Boston in control.
Key stat
The Celtics shot 11 for 20 in the fourth quarter, outscoring Brooklyn 33-26 in the period.
Up next
Brooklyn visits Indiana on Thursday night. The Celtics start a six-game trip on Friday night at Utah.
Gregg Popovich 'ahead of schedule' in recovery, but no timeline for when he might return to bench
About three weeks ago, on an off-day between games, Gregg Popovich returned to the Spurs practice facility to address the team for the first time since his Nov. 2 stroke. He may have moved a little slower and been a little more deliberate, but he was still himself, according to an insightful report from Ramona Shelburne and Michael C. Wright of ESPN. And he let the players know he'd been watching their games.
"Everybody shut the f*** up when he walked in," [Keldon] Johnson said. "That's just how it's always been with Pop. Obviously, he's still recovering. But he was still cussing. 'Y'all need to play defense. Y'all need to rebound.' Knowing that, s***, he really is watching the games because he's calling out specific situations, was huge.
"It was what we needed. I feel like he brought that life, that spark. That Pop that we all knew and loved. He came into that meeting and that's who he was. It was like he didn't skip a beat."
News of Popovich's recovery was all good — he is "ahead of schedule," according to Harrison Barnes — but it doesn't mean he is near a return to the court. Popovich already announced he would not return this season and it's unknown if he could return next season, according to the report.
"It's Pop's decision," one person close to the situation told ESPN. "He's earned that."
He has. He just needs to make the best decision for himself, the Spurs will be there whatever and whenever he decides.
Butler makes Warriors history as fastest player to hit stat benchmark
Butler makes Warriors history as fastest player to hit stat benchmark originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Jimmy Butler nearly recorded his second triple-double as a Warrior while leading Golden State to a 104-93 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday at Chase Center.
On a night when Steph Curry sat out for some needed rest, Butler filled up the stat sheet with 24 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists.
Not only was Butler’s performance critical to getting the Warriors a bounce-back win, but it also put him in the franchise record books.
The veteran forward needed just 17 games to reach both 100 rebounds and 100 assists in a Golden State uniform, which is the fastest mark in the franchise’s storied history, according to StatMamba.
Jimmy Butler is the fastest player in Warriors franchise history to record 100+ REB & 100+ AST. pic.twitter.com/G71cb3IItL
— StatMamba (@StatMamba) March 19, 2025
In those 17 games, Butler has helped his new team to a red-hot 15-2 record and a much-improved NBA playoffs outlook.
With Curry absent, the Warriors especially relied on the six-time All-Star down the stretch to carry their offense.
In the fourth quarter alone, Butler recorded nine points, four assists and three rebounds to help stave off a Bucks squad that went on a huge run to start the second half. His witty drawn foul on a 3-point attempt at the end of the third quarter — he converted all three free throws — restored Golden State’s lead for good.
With the Western Conference standings crowded, the Warriors wouldn’t mind another 100 rebounds and assists from Butler over their last 13 regular-season games.
Playoff Jimmy makes early appearance for Warriors in win vs. Bucks
Playoff Jimmy makes early appearance for Warriors in win vs. Bucks originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – With bedlam all around him and the Warriors trending toward full self-immolation, Jimmy Butler III checked his mental clock and realized it was time to dig deeper into his bag than in any of his previous 16 games with the team.
From the end of the third quarter through the fourth on Tuesday night at Chase Center, Butler took charge. He showed proper respect for the ball. Scored when desperately needed. Fed others when it was the wise option. Turned the free-throw line into his den. He also found a way to intensify his defense.
Between Butler’s emergency turn-up and Draymond Green’s crafty and relentless defense that stifled the great Giannis Antetokounmpo, Golden State’s available veterans – with Stephen Curry out – met the moment and delivered a 104-93 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
“Either one is worth the headline,” coach Steve Kerr said of Butler and Green. “Draymond had defense tonight on Giannis. He was incredible to hold him to five field goals. Draymond showed why he’s still one of the great defenders in the world, and why he’s so important to winning games night after night. It wasn’t just the defense, it was the leadership, it was the energy …
“And Jimmy played the whole fourth and just took over the game.”
After their defense powered the Warriors to a 58-44 halftime lead, they got careless and started treating the ball like a live grenade. After committing five turnovers in the first half, they generated 10 in third quarter, giving the Bucks 14 points and putting them back into the game.
With the Warriors trailing 76-75 in the final seconds of the third quarter, Butler went to work. He drew a foul on a 3-point shot with 1.5 seconds left and made all three free throws, providing a 78-76 lead. He scored on a 3-point play in the first minute of the fourth quarter, and followed that with a midrange jumper that gave the Warriors an 83-76 lead.
JIMMY BUTLER THREE-POINT PLAY 😤pic.twitter.com/OTKboEtE5Z
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) March 19, 2025
“I’ve been playing in this league for 14 some years now, so I can tell,” Butler said. “I know when I need to get my guys involved. I know when somebody has it going. I know when somebody needs to shoot the ball. And I think that’s my job out there, to get the ball where it needs to go. When I need to score, be able to do that. When I need to get to the free-throw line, be able to do that. Get some stops.
“Whatever the team asks me to do, that’s what I got to do. I think I’ve got a good feel of that, because I’ve been doing it for a long time now.”
Butler finished with a game-high 24 points, a game-high 10 assists and eight rebounds. He either scored or assisted on 15 of 18 points over a six-minute span during which the Warriors restored order. He either scored or assisted on 23 of their final 29 points.
“We ran every play through him down the stretch,” Kerr said.
With Green limiting Antetokounmpo to 20 points, 10.4 below his average, on 5-of-16 shooting from the field, Milwaukee’s offense had only their 32-point third quarter, on 55-percent shooting, to celebrate. The Bucks scored 61 points in the other three quarters.
Draymond locked up the Greek Freak 🔒 pic.twitter.com/2OsFiOuHr8
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) March 19, 2025
After failing to complete a comeback Monday night against a Denver Nuggets team without Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray, the Warriors looked like a different team for all but that third quarter Tuesday night.
They followed Green’s defense and leadership and Butler’s late-game tour de force to find themselves back in the win column. The Warriors are 40-29, still in sixth place in the Western Conference. They’re 15-2 when Butler is in the lineup.
He was, on a night without Curry, Golden State’s salvation when things got tight.
“You know, he’s been telling you guys, like, when it’s time, he’ll know. And he’ll do it,” Kerr said. “Tonight, it was time.
“[Monday] night in the comeback, he kind of took over. He just does whatever is necessary. And I think [this was] a good game for us to play without Steph. Because it sort of forces the rest of the team to play a game without him and to play through Jimmy and to see what we’ve got.”
This was a glimpse of Playoff Jimmy, the fabled legend who worked wonders in Miami. With 13 regular-season games remaining, the Warriors surely hope they’ll see more of him – even before the postseason.
How Steph highlights inspired Butler in Warriors' win over Bucks
How Steph highlights inspired Butler in Warriors' win over Bucks originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Jimmy Butler spends his free time doing what most NBA fans do: Searching for Steph Curry highlights on YouTube.
Following the Warriors’ 104-93 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night at Chase Center, Butler was asked by NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Poole if there was any calculation to him drawing a foul on Kevin Porter Jr. while shooting a 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter.
“I’ve been watching Steph highlights,” Butler told reporters after the game. “I’ve been going on YouTube and watching him do his thing. So, now that he’s on my team and he’s out, I get to play a little bit like him.”
“I’ve been watching Steph highlights. I’ve been going on YouTube watching him do his thing.”
Jimmy Butler III on his 3-point play at the end of the third quarter pic.twitter.com/1WtOowMYG0
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) March 19, 2025
Curry, who sat out the game against the Bucks, is the master of drawing a foul while shooting a 3-pointer. More often than not, he makes the 3-pointer and earns a chance at a 4-point play.
Butler missed the 3-pointer Tuesday night but made all three free throws to give the Warriors a 78-76 lead heading to the fourth quarter.
So, what are Butler’s favorite Curry highlights?
“Probably his dunks because he don’t get too many of them,” Butler said. “Anytime my man gets a dunk, I’m a fan.”
What’s Jimmy’s favorite Steph highlight that he’s watched?
“Probably his dunks because he don’t get too many of those. Any time my man gets a dunk. I’m a fan.” 😂 https://t.co/j1njnRhRVXpic.twitter.com/hKTW6p9VlF
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) March 19, 2025
Curry has vowed never to dunk again after his March 1 jam against the Philadelphia 76ers, so Butler will have to settle for those YouTube highlights.
Butler finished with a game-high 24 points on 6-of-13 shooting from the field, 10 assists and eight rebounds while making all 11 free-throw attempts.
Add Butler to the long list of basketball players Curry has inspired.
What Butler told Warriors to stop Bucks' third-quarter run in win
What Butler told Warriors to stop Bucks' third-quarter run in win originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The Warriors teetered on the brink of disaster in the third quarter of Tuesday night’s game at Chase Center.
But Golden State stabilized itself and pulled out a 104-93 win over the Milwaukee Bucks to improve to 40-29 this season.
The Warriors led by as many as 17 in the second quarter and by 14 at halftime, but the Bucks quickly erased the deficit in the third quarter and managed to take a six-point lead before Jimmy Butler took over, steering Golden State to a much-needed win.
So what was Butler’s message to the Warriors as the Bucks won the third quarter 32-20?
“That this is a game of runs,” Butler told Bonta Hill, Chris Mullin and Festus Ezeli on NBC Sports Bay Area’s “Warriors Postgame Live” moments after the win. “We knew that they missed shots in the first half and they were going to make some in the second. But we got away from doing what we were doing, closing out, making it difficult. We got back to doing that and took the lead back.”
Butler led the way with a game-high 24 points, but 16 came in the second half on 4-of-9 shooting from the field and 8 for 8 from the free-throw line.
With Steph Curry resting, the Warriors needed Playoff Jimmy to take centerstage and he did just that.
Coming off a disastrous loss to the short-handed Denver Nuggets on Monday night, the Warriors didn’t crumble when the Bucks erupted in the third quarter.
Earlier in the season, the Warriors likely wouldn’t have made the in-game adjustments to pull out the win. But Butler has added a different element and it was on display Tuesday night.
What we learned as Butler leads Steph-less Warriors to win vs. Bucks
What we learned as Butler leads Steph-less Warriors to win vs. Bucks originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – Recovering from the letdown of losing a trap game to the undermanned Denver Nuggets, the Warriors had to dig deep 24 hours later.
Laser focus led them to a strong start and a comfortable halftime lead, only to see it fade away in the third quarter. But the Warriors found an extra gear to close the third quarter and stop turning the ball over in the fourth, grinding out a 104-93 win against the Milwaukee Bucks at Chase Center without Steph Curry on Tuesday night.
Jimmy Butler carried a Curry-less Warriors team. Butler nearly had his second triple-double with the Warriors, finishing with 24 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists in 36 minutes. Butler was a perfect 11 of 11 on free throws and scored 16 of his 24 points in the second half.
Jimmy gets the tough finish to go 🤩pic.twitter.com/05DUPlq4h6
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) March 19, 2025
Scoring only three points, Draymond Green was brilliant guarding Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks superstar scored 20 points, but was 5 of 16 overall from the field. Green had four blocks and two steals, giving him nine blocks and five steals the last two games.
Though the Warriors didn’t have Curry, they did get Brandin Podziemski back after he missed the past five games with a lower back injury. In his return, Podziemski tallied 17 points and seven rebounds, splashing two big-time threes in the final two minutes.
BRANDIN FOR THREE pic.twitter.com/1fzeOoajeY
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) March 19, 2025
Here are three takeaways from the Warriors improving to 5-1 on their current seven-game homestand.
Steph Out, Podz In
Curry missed his first game in nearly two months, but in return Podziemski was back on the floor for the Warriors. His first shot attempt in two weeks earned a Curry stamp of approval. Podziemski lined up from the left wing, let it fly and gave Golden State three points as part of a strong first stint.
And Podziemski’s second shot attempt also was a successful three, again connecting from the left wing.
Podziemski was a perfect 4 of 4 in the first half, making both 3-point attempts to go with a mid-range jumper and a right-handed runner with his off-hand.
After missing his first three shots of the second half, Podziemski lined up a clutch 3-pointer with a little more than two minutes to go in the fourth quarter. One minute later, he did so again to give the Warriors an 11-point lead.
Draymond’s Defensive Masterclass
With Curry on the bench, the game very well could come down to how the Warriors would contain Antetokounmpo. That, of course, was Green’s main responsibility. The defensive star understood the assignment. Green’s defensive activity from the jump made it evident how locked in he was.
After missing five games to injury, Antetokounmpo had scored at least 20 points in 12 of his last 14 games, and reached 30 points in four of those games. The two-time NBA MVP tried to challenge Green right away and learned the hard way. Green blocked his driving layup attempt on the Bucks’ opening possession, and then did so again two minutes later.
Green in the first four-and-a-half minutes of the game already blocked three shots – twice on Antetokounmpo, and once rotating to swat Taurean Price’s 5-foot jump shot.
In the second quarter, he recognized Antetokounmpo rolling the rim freely and knocked away an alley-oop attempt. Green didn’t commit a single foul in the first half while contesting multiple shots.
Antetokounmpo and Green both subbed into the game for the final 4:24 of the fourth quarter with the Warriors ahead by five points. In that stretch, Antetokounmpo took one shot, missing as he was hounded by Green.
Crisis Averted
Everything the Warriors accomplished in the first half was thrown out the window in the third quarter. They turned the ball over five times through the first two quarters to hold a 14-point halftime lead. They then gave the ball up 10 times in the third quarter alone, resulting in 14 points for the Bucks.
The Warriors allowed four threes in the first half, only to see the Bucks drain six in the third quarter – twice as many as Golden State made. It looked like all the good habits the Warriors created going into halftime were left in the locker room. Then the final 41 seconds of the third quarter happened.
Starting with a pull-up 3-pointer from Hield, the Warriors went on an 8-0 run to close the quarter, which also included Jonathan Kuminga making two free throws and Butler making all three after forcing contact with one second left.
Beginning with a three-point play by Butler, the Warriors kept their momentum to start the fourth quarter, going on a 16-0 run between the end of the third quarter and the first three minutes of the final frame. In the fourth, the Warriors outscored the Bucks 26-17.
This was the kind of gutsy win the Warriors can pridefully look back on going forward.
Kings star Sabonis out at least 10 days with ankle sprain
Kings star Sabonis out at least 10 days with ankle sprain originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Once again, the Kings will be without Domantas Sabonis for an extended period.
Sacramento’s star big man is listed as out for the team’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday at Golden 1 Center, per the latest NBA injury report, with a moderate right ankle sprain — and will be out at least 10 days total, the Kings announced Tuesday night. ESPN’s Shams Charania was first to report Sabonis will be out that long.
Sabonis sustained the injury in the third quarter of the Kings’ 132-122 win over the Memphis Grizzles on Monday, and it was evident as he hobbled to the locker room that the incident could be serious.
Before the ankle injury, Sabonis was playing in his second game back after missing six contests with a Grade 1 hamstring strain. Disaster struck again Monday when Sabonis was driving to the rim and awkwardly rolled his right ankle as he went for the layup.
In 57 games during the 2024-25 NBA season so far, Sabonis is averaging a double-double with 19.1 points, 14.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists. Sabonis could return as soon as March 29 against the Magic in Orlando and would miss six games across the 10-day span.
The Kings went on to beat the Grizzlies without Sabonis and snap a four-game losing streak, and they’ll have to keep things rolling without him at home Wednesday night against the NBA-leading Cavaliers, as well as the foreseeable future.
Stephen A calls Draymond out after Warriors' loss to Nuggets
Stephen A calls Draymond out after Warriors' loss to Nuggets originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Draymond Green can talk the talk, but Stephen A. Smith wants to see the Warriors forward walk the walk, too.
Green infamously proclaimed that Golden State would win the NBA Finals this season after the Warriors acquired Jimmy Butler at the trade deadline, but one bad loss to the shorthanded Denver Nuggets on Monday night put things into perspective for the ESPN analyst.
“My eyes are on Draymond Green. Who’s the person who went on national television during All-Star Weekend and guaranteed a championship? Who’s that? That wasn’t Steph. That wasn’t Jimmy. That’s Draymond,” Smith said Tuesday morning on “First Take.” “… We know what a point-forward he is, we know how great he is at setting Steph Curry up, getting him the basketball, pushing the ball up the court, running their offense. We know how valuable Dray is on that level. But if this brother hits his threes when he is open, that changes the dynamic of everything for the Golden State Warriors.
“That’s why the guarantee matters. Because when he’s making shots, that’s a profound positive impact for the Golden State Warriors. I’m not saying you change your strategy because he’s not a shooter. But if you don’t guard him, and you leave him open, and he hits those shots, it changes everything because then they can upset somebody in the Western Conference.
“So that man that opened his mouth and guaranteed a championship, it’s literally on him. Because I know what Jimmy Butler’s going to do. We know what Playoff Jimmy is all about. We know what Steph Curry is all about. But if Draymond hits shots, it’s a different ball game. But he’s got to do it. So it’s on him, a lot of it.”
"Who's the person who went on national television during All-Star Weekend and guaranteed a championship?" 😳 @stephenasmith CALLS OUT Draymond Green after the Warriors' loss to the Nuggets 👀 pic.twitter.com/BqQftlufDV
— First Take (@FirstTake) March 18, 2025
In 54 games (52 starts) this season, Green is averaging 9.2 points on 43.6-percent shooting from the field and 33.5 percent from 3-point range, with 6.1 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocks in 29 minutes per game.
While Green isn’t known for his scoring much less his shot from beyond the arc, there have been games and even stretches where the do-it-all forward knocks down a couple treys.
In last week’s win over the Sacramento Kings, Green was 4 of 7 from 3-point range and finished with a season-high 23 points. But he was just 1 of 6 from downtown over Golden State’s next two games, including going 0-for-1 from long-range against the Nuggets.
Green’s daily to-do list consists of more than just shooting the ball, but if he would do it more for the Warriors, Smith believes Green’s prediction could come true.
Sabonis ruled out for Kings-Cavaliers game with ankle sprain
Sabonis ruled out for Kings-Cavaliers game with ankle sprain originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Once again, the Kings will be without Domantas Sabonis on Wednesday night.
Sacramento’s star big man is listed as out for the team’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden 1 Center, per the latest NBA injury report, with a right ankle sprain.
Sabonis sustained the injury in the third quarter of the Kings’ 132-122 win over the Memphis Grizzles on Monday, and it was evident as he hobbled to the locker room that the incident could be serious.
Before the ankle injury, Sabonis was playing in his second game back after missing six contests with a Grade 1 hamstring strain. Disaster struck again Monday when Sabonis was driving to the rim and awkwardly rolled his right ankle as he went for the layup.
In 57 games during the 2024-25 NBA season so far, Sabonis is averaging a double-double with 19.1 points, 14.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists.
The Kings went on to beat the Grizzlies without Sabonis and snap a four-game losing streak, and they’ll have to keep things rolling without him at home Wednesday night against the NBA-leading Cavaliers.
Haslem believes Warriors would struggle vs. two teams in NBA playoffs
Haslem believes Warriors would struggle vs. two teams in NBA playoffs originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Udonis Haslem believes the Warriors need to avoid the NBA play-in tournament.
The former NBA player-turned-analyst made that much clear when asked what he thought about Golden State potentially falling out of a top-six seed in the Western Conference.
“That’s a tough one because you do not want to be in a play-in,” Haslem said Monday on ESPN’s “NBA Today.” “[Monday] night [against the Denver Nuggets] was going to be a tough game for Jimmy [Butler] regardless. When you talk about Aaron Gordon and Russell Westbrook, you’re talking about guys that have size, speed and athleticism. Those are the kinds of guys Jimmy struggles with. Smaller guards he can overpower, bigger guys he can usually get around. Those guys that have that balance of both, those teams are ones Jimmy struggles with. Guys with switchable matchups that can guard him on the post and the perimeter.”
.@ThisIsUD weighs in on why the Warriors need to avoid the play-in tournament.
“Neither [Oklahoma or Houston] in the first round is gonna play out well for Golden State.” 👀 pic.twitter.com/U2dO1l2gpU
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 18, 2025
While Golden State played an all-around sloppy game, Denver’s size advantage was evident in the Warriors’ 114-105 loss at Chase Center. Gordon and Westbrook had no trouble cutting to the basket and distributing the ball to wide-open shooters. Butler and Steph Curry were bottled up for large stretches of the game as the Warriors’ offense ground to a halt.
Haslem hopes Golden State can avoid playing the top two seeds in the Western Conference right now, as they present an even greater challenge than the Nuggets.
“Hopefully that’s not a matchup they’re going to have [in the playoffs],” Haslem explained. “But [Oklahoma City Thunder] has wing defenders. They have Alex Caruso; they have Luguentz Dort. They have these lengthy, long wing defender guys. And Houston [Rockets] have that as well. So, neither one of those teams in the first round is going to play out well for Golden State. So, in my opinion move up as high as you can and get out of there.”
While Butler has helped the team get back in the NBA playoff picture, the Warriors lack the size and length of the Thunder or Rockets. In what would be a punishing and physical playoff series, Golden State potentially would fare far better against other teams in the West.
With so many teams in contention, the playoff seeding beyond the No. 1 Thunder is anyone’s guess. Hopefully, the Warriors can continue their strong play and avoid the play-in.
There reportedly would be 'significant interest' if Pelicans test Zion Williamson trade market
Zion Williamson has looked like the franchise anchor New Orleans thought he would be since his return from his latest injury. In his last 15 games, Zion is averaging 25.8 points on 60.6% shooting with 6.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists — and that's all on minutes limit keeping him under 30 a night.
Which fits the first part of what the Pelicans were hoping for from his return this season — he increased his value, something reported earlier by Tim MacMahon and Bobby Marks at ESPN. MacMahon expanded upon that this week on the Hoop Collective podcast (hat tip Real GM).
"I remember Bobby [Marks] and I wrote a story just as he was about to come back and kind of like 'What's coming with Zion?'... Somebody told us then the goal is to ramp him up and restore his value whether that's for the Pelicans or another team. And he's handling the first part, to his credit, he is absolutely handling the first part."
Considering his injury history and contract, would there really be much trade demand for Zion? MacMahon said:
"There's some teams that would have significant interest."
Zion has three years and $126.5 million remaining on his contract. Because he has not met a games played clause, the Pelicans could void the final three years and walk away from him, but multiple league sources say that is not expected to happen. If the Pelicans decide to move on, they would rather trade him and get something in return.
Or, the Pelicans could welcome Zion back, pair him with a healthy Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones (both out with torn labrums the rest of the season) and eventually a healthy Dejonte Murray (torn Achilles) and try to make a "we're finally healthy" run more like Memphis this season. Whether to hang on to him or move on may depend partially on just how high Zion's value is and how much a team would be willing to give up to take a swing with him.
One way or another, it's going to be an interesting summer in the Big Easy.
ESPN analyst states Warriors are second-best team in West behind OKC
ESPN analyst states Warriors are second-best team in West behind OKC originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
One ESPN analyst is picking the Warriors as the second-best team in the Western Conference.
Tim MacMahon explained why he believes Golden State has a shot at rising up the standings during the final month of the 2024-25 NBA season.
“I’m going to go with Golden State here,” MacMahon said Tuesday on ESPN’s “NBA Today.” “Obviously, playoff Jimmy [Butler] is a thing because we’ve seen him before. But, more than anything else, Steph Curry last night, Steve Kerr talked about how tired he was.
“They’ve got to get him some rest and get his battery recharged. But he’s still playing at the peak of his powers. Him and Draymond Green, four-time champions. I just think they have the talent and the pedigree to be the biggest threat to Oklahoma City [Thunder].”
Who's the 2nd-best team in the West after the Thunder? 🤔@espn_macmahon says it's Golden State, but @LegsESPN says it's the Lakers 👀 pic.twitter.com/jn1gyUiHhv
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 18, 2025
While the Warriors have been rejuvenated since trading for Butler, the daunting depth of the Western Conference will be challenging to overcome. Even without three-time MVP Nikola Jokić in uniform, Golden State flopped against the Denver Nuggets on Monday, the current No. 2 in the West. While rookie center Quinten Post has been a solid performer recently, Golden State lacks the size of the other contending teams.
It will be critical for the team to reintegrate Jonathan Kuminga back into the fold, as his incredible speed and athleticism could give Golden State an edge against other teams. As it stands now, relying solely on Curry and Butler to generate consistent offensive production isn’t going to cut it.
The same old cliches about the postseason exploits of Butler, Curry and Green don’t hold up like they used to. This Warriors team will need marked improvements from its bench to make it to the Western Conference finals.
Kings' Domantas Sabonis rolls ankle Monday, expected to miss more time
Sacramento just struggled to a 2-4 record in six games Domantas Sabonis missed with a hamstring strain. Now it is going to have to get by without him for what may be weeks again.
Sabonis rolled his ankle in the opening minute of the second half on a drive to the basket and had to leave the game. It looked nasty.
Domantas Sabonis had to be helped to the locker room after appearing to injure his ankle while attempting a layup pic.twitter.com/fApbim3FYd
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) March 18, 2025
There was no update postgame from coach Doug Christie, but Malik Monk summed it up well speaking to Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee.
“It looked pretty bad. But Domas (is) strong. He’ll probably be back sooner than we think.”
The Kings need him to. For the season they are 3-6 in games Sabonis misses with a -3.8 net rating when he is off the court. The Kings sit ninth in the West and are headed to the play-in, but had hoped to catch the Clippers for the No. 8 seed and make their path to the playoffs easier. That was going to be tough with Sabonis, the Kings are 3.5 games back of Los Angeles with 15 games to play, but without him it's an Everest-like mountain. The Kings are not likely to fall out of the play-in, they have a two-game lead over the injury riddled Mavericks for the No. 10 seed, with Phoenix 11th and three games back, and the Trail Blazers five games behind the Kings.
Sabonis also may want to return for personal reasons — he has played in just 58 games this season, he needs to play at least seven more (and 20 minutes a night in those games) to reach the 65-game threshold set by the NBA to be eligible for post-season awards. Sabonis is certainly in the mix for an All-NBA spot if he qualifies.
The ankle wasn't even Sabonis' first injury in the game. Sabonis had to get stitches for a cut over his left eye after he was hit in the face by the back of Grizzlies' guard Luke Kennard’s head. Sabonis returned to the game, only to roll his ankle.