SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 02: Moses Moody #4 of the Golden State Warriors and Darius Garland #10 of the LA Clippers go for a loose ball during the first half at Chase Center on March 02, 2026 in San Francisco, 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 License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Just like Inigo Montoya and the Dread Pirate Roberts, Moses Moody is not left-handed, but he’s practicing that way.
Warriors hoping Moses Moody (wrist) can return at some point during their upcoming road trip to the east coast. He’s been participating in practices to keep his conditioning up but only shooting with his left hand.
Moody sprained his right wrist and injured his shoulder after a collision with Darius Garland in the Warriors’ March 2 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. He knocked the ball away from Garland, but the dastardly tiny guard wrenched Moody’s shoulder in the subsequent struggle for the ball, perhaps while repeating, “My name is Darius Garland. Your team employed my father. Prepare to miss 5-7 games.”
— ART OF THE LEAGU3 (@highlightsofart) March 3, 2026
The Warriors fifth-year wing will miss his fifth straight game Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Some would say his return is inconceivable, but the Dubs hope he can provide much-needed reinforcement during their six-game road trip next week. He’s working out to keep up his fitness and shooting left-handed, which he also did while recovering from hand surgery last summer.
Does his shot look great? No, but this author is still impressed, as he perpetually struggled to make a simple left-handed layup for much of his own basketball career. This author also employed the “stare at the ball while you dribble” technique pioneered by Michael J. Fox in “Teen Wolf” that proved very stoppable during the CYO Oakland diocese playoffs, though this author did win multiple free-throw shooting contests that earned him free frozen yogurt. (R.I.P. Yogurt Clouds)
He’s still wearing a wrist brace, so perhaps a return to play the Boston Celtics on Wednesday or the Detroit Pistons Friday is plausible. The short-handed Warriors could certainly use him, as their hopes of avoiding the 9-10 play-in game are, in the words of Miracle Max, “mostly dead” right now — which does mean slightly alive!
So the Warriors hope their dedicated fifth-year wing can help them storm the castle of their opponents in a poorly-timed nine-day road trip where they won’t have Steph Curry. Friday, they’ll at least have Kristaps Porzingis on the court, playing consecutive games as a Warrior for the first time and trying to prove that trading for an oft-injured seven-footer isn’t a classic blunder on the level of getting into a land war in Asia or a battle of wits with a Sicilian where death is on the line.
BIRMINGHAM, AL FEBRUARY 19: Malachi Smith #18 of the Long Island Nets drives to the basket during the game against the Birmingham Squadron on February 19, 2026 at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL. 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 GettyImages License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Mercedes Oliver/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Brooklyn Nets are signing guard Malachi Smith, a 6’4” combo guard, to a 10-day contract. Smith has spent this season with Brooklyn’s G-League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, while on a standard G-League contract. At least temporarily, Smith fills the Nets open roster spot.
Hoopshype’s Michael Scotto was the first to report the news…
The Brooklyn Nets and Malachi Smith have agreed to a 10-day deal, league sources told @hoopshype. Smith averaged 14.4 points on 52% shooting from the field and 42% from 3-point range, 5.6 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals with the Long Island Nets, Brooklyn’s G League team. pic.twitter.com/qfouaknEdz
Smith has played In 39 total games in Long Island this season. Undrafted out of Gonzaga in 2023, he had previously played for the G League affiliates of the Trailblazers, Bucks and Grizzlies traded him to Long Island last September.
His numbers jumped in mid-season when Long Island coach Mfon Udofia inserted him at point guard after Nolan Traore was called up to Brooklyn. In his past 10 games with Long Island, Smith averaged 18.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 7.8 assists while shooting 57.9% from the field and converting 50% of his opportunities from beyond the arc. He’s also become one of league leaders in assists with games of 15, 13, 11 and 10 assists. He has also had issues turnovers in that stretch but retains a 2-to-1 assist to turnover ratio.
At 26 years old, Smith will be the third-oldest player on Brooklyn’s squad behind Terance Mann and Nic Claxton.
He will join high school teammate, Nets two-way E.J. Liddell, on the Brooklyn roster. The two, playing for Belleville West High School in Belleville, Illinois, won the state championship in 2018. Liddell is a year younger.
Smith’s opportunity in the NBA comes amid word that Grant Nelson who previously played on a 10-day, is done for the season. As Brian Lewis first reported Nelson will return to Long Island but will not play due to a diagnosis of patellar tendinitis…
Grant Nelson, who'd been on a 10-day contract earlier with the #Nets, returns to Long Island. But he'll miss the rest of the G League season with patellar tendinitis. The 'jumper’s knee' likely explains why the 23-year-old didn't get another 10-day after acquitting himself well.
Nelson dealt with a nagging knee injury this season, an issue that has persisted since his college days as a freshman at North Dakota State. Following a seven-week rehab process in mid-season, he was able to return to the court and start 15 games with the G League club, though under minutes restrictions.
“I’ve been dealing with knee soreness for I don’t know how many years, really, since I started college. It was kind of just affecting how I was playing, and I had to get it over with and get all the rehab done, and get it back to feeling 100%. The performance staff here did a great job. Everyone really cares about me, and that meant a lot,” Nelson told NetsDaily.
Even on a minutes restriction, Nelson was able to dominate. In those 15 starts, he put up 24 points and 12 rebounds per 36 minutes. The organization rewarded him with a 10-day deal. In four games, Nelson played 35 minutes, putting up 17 points, six rebounds, six assists and three blocks. Surprisingly, he was not renewed for a second 10-day. The injury diagnosis may explain why. The status of his G League rights going forward remains murky.
The diagnosis comes at an inopportune time for Nelson. With Day’Ron Sharpe out for the season, Nelson may very well have gotten minutes with Brooklyn if he’d been healthy.
For now, Smith gets an opportunity to showcase his skills in the NBA while Nelson’s promising season comes to an end.
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 21: Austin Reaves #15 high fives Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game against the Golden State Warriors on October 21, 2025 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lakers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
How the Lakers’ season will end is very much in flux. They can finish the year as high as the No. 3 seed in the West, but can still fall all the way down to the play-in if they go on a losing streak.
While how the 2025-26 season concludes for the purple and gold is still in question, one thing is certain: this will be a big summer for the Lakers.
They’ll have a ton of cap space and open roster spots available to be very aggressive in the free agency market as they look to build the best contender possible around Luka Dončić.
Austin Reaves is one of those players who will have to decide where he’ll play next year. He will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason and is reportedly looking for a big payday. If the Lakers pay that price, they’ll be locked into a backcourt featuring Dončić and Reaves for years to come.
But is that the best path forward?
For our SB Nation Reacts survey this week, we asked fans how confident they are in a Dončić-Reaves backcourt. The results are in, and the overwhelming majority, 80%, are confident in the duo.
Clearly, Lakers fans believe in Luka and Austin. And they have good reasons to. Dončić is leading the NBA in scoring and is just entering his prime.
Reaves has gotten better every year and is putting up his best numbers this season, averaging 23.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists. Had he not suffered a calf injury and missed a bunch of games, he would’ve likely made his first All-Star appearance this season.
It’s very possible we haven’t yet seen the best basketball either player reach, and locking up this duo for their best years seems like a good use of LA’s resources.
Their chemistry on and off the court is incredible, and as the seasons go on, this tandem will likely only get better. While most Lakers fans like the Dončić-Reaves backcourt being the future, 11% were unsure.
The hesitance is likely because we have yet to see this duo find postseason success. Last year in the playoffs, the Wolves picked apart the Lakers, and both Dončić and Reaves struggled in the series. With the goal always being a championship, Lakers fans will be watching this year’s playoff run and undoubtedly putting a lot of stock into how well Luka and Austin perform against the best in the West.
The good news for the Lakers front office is that only 9% of fans are not confident in this backcourt pairing. That’s a relatively low number, so re-signing Reaves seems like it will be an easy and popular decision to make this summer.
Overall, the future looks bright for the Lakers with Luka and Austin as the two main players the team can build around. Last season, the Lakers were a 50-win team and similar success is still on the table this year. And if they bring back Austin, that type of winning will be a realistic outcome moving forward.
Desperation defines this evening's clash at Chase Center as a pair of Western Conference fixtures fight to snap identical three-game skids. The Warriors must navigate life without Stephen Curry against a Minnesota squad hungry to protect a Top 6 seed in danger of slipping even further.
I'm taking advantage of this evening's showdown with a three-leg same-game parlay focused heavily on the vision and playmaking of Anthony Edwards. Ant's willingness to share the rock will guide the Wolves to victory tonight.
This parlay has been BOOSTED from +625 to +750 by our friends at bet365.
Timberwolves vs Warriors same game parlay for March 13
Anthony Edwards isn’t known as a high-assist player and typically doesn’t generate a large number of potential assists. However, this matchup against the Warriors creates a path for him to clear an alternate line of 5+ assists. Golden State is expected to start Draymond Green at center with Gui Santos in the frontcourt, leaving them with very little rim protection. That lack of size makes it difficult for them to contain Edwards’ downhill drives. Instead of meeting him at the rim, Green and Santos will likely have to step in early to slow him down.
When that help comes early, it should open up several dump-off opportunities to Minnesota’s bigs around the basket. Against a much smaller Warriors frontcourt, those interior looks should be high-percentage chances to convert Edwards’ passes into assists.
The 20+ points for Julius Randle pairs naturally with the assists for Edwards. If Edwards is creating advantages off the dribble, some of those potential assists should go directly to Randle, who can use his strength to bully his way to the rim and convert those opportunities. Randle also has a clear size advantage against the Warriors’ small frontcourt. That mismatch should lead to plenty of isolation opportunities, allowing him to attack defenders one-on-one and generate efficient scoring chances around the basket.
The Timberwolves are listed as 5.5-point favorites against the Warriors, and that’s a number I’m comfortable backing as I make the line closer to 8. The key factor in this matchup is Minnesota’s size advantage, which becomes even more significant with Stephen Curry out of the lineup.
When Curry plays, the Warriors can go small and use his gravity to pull Rudy Gobert away from the paint. Without that threat, Gobert can stay near the rim, allowing Minnesota to fully control the interior without being punished for playing big. That creates a difficult matchup for Golden State. Green simply doesn’t have the size to consistently deal with a frontcourt that includes Randle, Gobert, and Naz Reid, especially with Edwards applying constant pressure at the rim.
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If there’s one division among NBA players these days, it’s about foul baiting.
The tactic, which essentially is when players seek unnecessary contact or exaggerate existing contact with flops, can be an effective tool to draw whistles and get to the free throw line.
And on the night when the Boston Celtics lost a close game to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, Celtics star Jaylen Brown called out players who foul baited and expressed frustration over the way officials reward that behavior.
“I just don’t foul bait,” Brown told reporters after Boston’s 104-102 loss. “I’m not looking to flop or anything like that, but it’s almost like you got to. Cause there’s a couple of plays in the fourth quarter where I felt like I drove strong, went up strong, and I didn’t get the benefit of the doubt. But maybe if I would have flopped, maybe I would have been able to sell those calls. And those decide games.
“So it’s like, we commend players for playing the game the right way, but we give the benefit to those who necessarily are trying to manipulate the game into their advantage. I just don’t think it's basketball. Let’s just play basketball. All the foul baiting, I think it’s whatever for me.”
Brown didn’t mention any player by name, but Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the players most effective at drawing contact and getting to the line. He ranks first in the NBA in free throws made per game (8.2) and third in attempts (9.2).
During one sequence midway through the third quarter Thursday night, Gilgeous-Alexander was driving down the left side of the paint when he crashed into Celtics center Luke Garza, drawing the foul.
On-court microphones from the Amazon Prime broadcast clearly picked up Brown shouting at officials in response to the whistle: “That’s not basketball.”
Gilgeous-Alexander would convert both free throws.
“Just accentuating contact,” Brown said when asked to characterize foul baiting. “It’s one thing to get fouled, but it’s like when you’re not even trying to score when you’re driving and flailing your body just to make it look like you’re getting fouled. I think that’s the part where it’s like, all right, come on. But I mean, that’s where our league is at. That’s where the NBA is at. So it’s like, get down or lay down. So maybe I need to flop a little bit more.”
Part of Brown’s frustrations stem from his ejection in a game against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, March 10. Brown played just 14:42 and was ejected for arguing an apparent no-call when Spurs guard Stephon Castle made contact with Brown as he dribbled the ball near the sideline, eventually losing it in a turnover. Brown was assessed two technical fouls. The Celtics would go on to lose 125-116.
Brown said he was especially “pissed” about the ejection because he had circled this game on his calendar, given San Antonio’s positioning in the standings.
“I felt great,” Brown said of his ejection against the Spurs. “I felt like I was ready to have a big-time performance, and my night got ended short. In certain spots, maybe I could have been a little bit better, but you’re passionate. It’s a big game. You want to see emotion. You want to see your star players showing that emotion. I don’t think I deserved to get tossed. And I think the NBA agreed, because I didn’t get fined or anything like that. So it is what it is. It happens. People make mistakes, but I’m just looking forward now.”
The New York Knicks will look to finish up their five-game road trip with a winning record as they visit the Indiana Pacers on Friday night.
Indiana is in a tailspin right now, which is why I’m backing the New York to cover the hefty spread in my Knicks vs. Pacers prediction.
Let’s take a closer look at how to bet tonight’s matchup in my free NBA picks for Friday, March 13.
Knicks vs Pacers prediction
Knicks vs Pacers best bet: Knicks -13.5 (-110)
“Just bet against the Indiana Pacers” may seem like a simplistic betting strategy, but it’s been an effective one.
Indiana has now lost 11 straight, and hasn’t covered in any of those games. In six of their last eight games, the Pacers have lost by 15+ points.
The New York Knicks have been one of the best offensive teams in the NBA this season. With an offensive efficiency of 116.4, they rank second only to the Denver Nuggets.
That will place especially well against a Pacers team allowing 120.0 ppg on the year. I’m taking New York to cover tonight.
Knicks vs Pacers same-game parlay
Both teams have played towards the Over in recent games, and the Knicks offense should be able to push the score up against this Indiana defense.
I’ll also take Jalen Brunson to hit his scoring total after coming off two straight 28-point performances.
Knicks vs Pacers SGP
Knicks -13.5
Over 227.5
Jalen Brunson Over 26.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: All Knicks, all night
Even for my lottery SGP, I’m sticking with the Knicks to cover, as that’s my lynchpin for all the prop bets I’m backing here.
I’ll once again take Brunson to hit his points total, while also picking Karl-Anthony Towns to make Over 1.5 threes, as he’s hit three shots from deep in each of his last two games.
I’m also backing Mikal Bridges to pick up a block on the defensive end, since he’s gotten at least one in three of his last four games.
Knicks vs Pacers SGP
Knicks -13.5
Jalen Brunson Over 26.5 points
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 1.5 threes made
Mikal Bridges Over 0.5 blocks
Knicks vs Pacers odds
Spread: New York -13 (-110) | Indiana +13 (-110)
Moneyline: New York -800 | Indiana +550
Over/Under: Over 227 (-110) | Under 227 (-110)
Knicks vs Pacers betting trend to know
The Pacers are 0-11 ATS in their last 11 games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Pacers.
How to watch Knicks vs Pacers
Location
Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Date
Friday, March 13, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
MSG, FDSN-IN
Knicks vs Pacers latest injuries
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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 7: Kristaps Porzingis #7 and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors smile before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 7, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jim Poorten/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors are still waiting to see what they look like at full strength, but Kristaps Porziņģis already knows that one pairing in particular could change the team completely: sharing the floor with Stephen Curry.
Following Golden State’s 130-124 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night, Porziņģis expressed how he is looking forward to eventually playing alongside the team’s franchise star.
“I wanna play with Steph. Who doesn’t… I know he’s doing everything he can to be back with us as soon as possible. And obviously it’s a completely different team with him, so hopefully I get that chance soon.”
Porzingis on hopefully getting to play with Steph soon
Curry has now missed 15 games due to runner’s knee and is on track to miss at least 10 more days, which could mean another five-to-six game absence. The Warriors have gone 5–10 during that stretch, with Curry’s injury playing a major role in the team slipping to the ninth seed in the Western Conference standings.
Despite the slide, it remains unlikely that the Warriors fall out of the play-in entirely. The Memphis Grizzlies, who currently hold the 11th seed in the West, are nine games behind Golden State with just 17 games remaining in the regular season.
That’s what makes Porziņģis’ comments feel encouraging. Even as the losses have piled up, there is still reason to believe the Warriors have another level they can reach just in time for the postseason. Much of that hinges on the team finally getting healthy, but if that happens, a Curry–Porziņģis pairing — along with the added depth from the rest of the roster — could give Golden State a rare combination of elite spacing, defense, and size that they haven’t had in recent seasons.
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Friday, March 13th:
The Warriors said Wednesday that Curry, who hasn’t played since Jan. 30 because of a lingering runner’s knee injury, was making “good progress” in his rehab, but would be out for at least another 10 days before being re-evaluated again. Curry, who turns 38 Saturday, has missed the last 15 games and is now on track to miss at least six more.
Kerr sounded hopeful Thursday that Curry was putting together solid workouts in his rehab process, but it remains unclear when, or if, Curry will play again this season. Kerr said Curry has only done individual on-court workouts with VP of player health and performance Rick Celebrini and assistant coach Bruce Fraser, and has yet to do work with the team.
“He did get on the court today, which is good,” Kerr said.
There’s plenty to glean from this final month of basketball. But without Curry in the lineup, absolutely nothing is truly applicable to this season. It’s a sunk cost. The organization’s entire focus should be squarely on setting the table for the next one.
And wouldn’t a nice, shiny, early draft pick help soothe the sting?
I’m being told this upcoming draft is arguably the most loaded in years. I’ll take those folks’ word for it. But adding premium, young talent (and in that 8-to-12 range, there will be some exceptional prospects) is the only way to insulate against that grim, post-Curry future we’ve been getting an early, unwanted glimpse of lately.
And the idea of pride being in the way is absurd. What pride could possibly be left to save after Tuesday?
“We’ve won throughout the streak, most importantly,” said Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished with 35 points and nine assists in the Thunder’s 104-102 win. “I just had so much fun playing the last year and a half, probably because I’ve done a lot of winning. … If you stay in the right mind frame, when you stay together, when you’re connected as a unit and just have fun throughout the whole process, you get the best out of things.”
But staying on the court has been an issue. He’s appeared in just three games in his month-plus with the team, and has now had an issue suiting up every year for the last decade. The talent is tantalizing, and there’s no doubt that he’s an excellent fit with the team. But is he worth committing to beyond this year, especially if his All-Star talent drives up his price? Let us know how you feel!
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 05: Head coach Darko Rajakovic of the Toronto Raptors looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter at Target Center on March 05, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
What happened against the New Orleans Pelicans can’t be swept under the rug.
In what was arguably the most embarrassing moment of the season, the Toronto Raptors allowed the Pelicans’ Dejounte Murray to punk Jamal Shead.
But despite the Raptors moving on to their next game against the Phoenix Suns on Friday, the rest of the NBA world, and especially Raptors fans, are justifiably stuck on this viral moment that perfectly captures the essence of this iteration of the team.
Always have your teammates’ backs.
It’s a rule in sports, both at the professional and amateur levels. It’s actually written in bold.
With tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on TSN, the Raptors have an opportunity to silence the deafening criticism with a win over a Suns team on a four-game winning streak.
Warming up the hot seat
There’s a complexity to coaching in the NBA that only those lucky enough to experience it can truly understand. For Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic, it’s difficult to gauge his coaching acumen. The organization has hidden behind a marketing strategy centred on it being the second year of a rebuild. There’s also the argument that Rajakovic doesn’t have the players to fit his pass-heavy and quick-decision-making system. It’s also easy to spot flaws in this roster, particularly the spacing issues.
All of these narratives make sense.
But for Rajakovic, there has to be a breaking point of some sort. If there isn’t, then what’s the point of playing out the rest of the season?
The Raptors’ commitment to Rajakovic’s system was obliterated when the front office traded for Brandon Ingram. There were earlier signs of a disconnect when Toronto traded for a guard more suited to play off-ball in Immanuel Quickley, and a bully-ball type of wing in RJ Barrett.
Adding rookie Collin Murray-Boyles and free-agent Sandro Mamukelashvili was an attempt to course-correct, but the core of the team is counterintuitive to what Rajakovic wants to do.
If the season still matters, the Raptors must commit to a play style that properly weaponizes the team’s best players, and that’s on Rajakovic. Scottie Barnes needs to spend less time in the corner. The Raptors shouldn’t exhaust a majority of the shot-clock trying to force-feed a specific look.
On the defensive end, something needs to change too.
The Raptors are a poorly constructed offensive team, but it was supposed to even out on the other side of the court. That’s why it’s depressing when the Raptors give up 122 points on 51 per cent shooting to a lowly-Pelicans offence.
Something has to change, especially if the Raptors aren’t going to show fight when opposing teams aren’t afraid to bully them.
The blame doesn’t fall exclusively on Rajakovic and the coaching staff. As the faces of the franchise, the change must begin with Ingram and Barnes. There has to be a level of takeover from the two All-Stars, especially if the game-planning approach remains the same. It’s not fair to compare Ingram and Barnes to the NBA’s upper echelon, but players like Kawhi Leonard and Lebron James have boiling points. When it’s reached, those types of players veto play calls, put the teams on their back, and live with the consequences.
The next two games at home will likely serve as valuable insight into what the rest of the season could look like.
Players to Watch
Expect a gritty game from Shead. The home crowd is well aware of what happened to the backup point guard. If Shead can leverage the crowd’s appreciation for him, it could lead to one of the better moments of the season.
For Phoenix, Jalen Green has seemingly figured something out during their winning streak. Green is averaging 27.5 points on 50.1 per cent shooting in the last four contests. The explosive guard is getting the All-Star type of volume that fits his chaotic offence, and the Suns are benefiting from it.
Alexander has signed a five-year contract, which will pay him $3.3 million during the 2026-27 season before he receives a $50,000 base salary increase each remaining year on his deal.
After taking over for his former coach, Rick Byrd, Alexander went 166-60 in seven seasons at his alma mater. The Bruins won at least 20 games in each of his seven seasons there and won three conference regular-season championships.
This past season, Belmont went 26-6 and won the Missouri Valley regular-season title before being upset by Drake 100-79 in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament, almost certainly denying it a shot at the NCAA tournament. The Bruins never played in the NCAA tournament under Alexander, though they qualified for the 68-team field in 2020 before the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 53-year-old Alexander was previously the head coach at Lipscomb and Stetson, where he combined to go 137-120 in eight seasons.
Alexander’s teams have been known for their up-tempo style and offensive explosiveness. Six of Alexander’s seven Belmont squads finished among the top 100 teams in adjusted offensive efficiency, according to KenPom, an impressive feat from a small-conference program. He became known for his excellent player evaluation, which allowed Belmont to sign the likes of Wil Richard, Ja'Kobi Gillespie and Cade Tyson before each player transferred to a power-conference program.
"I'm incredibly excited to join the team at K-State and can't wait to get the journey started," Alexander said in a statement. "K-State has such a rich tradition and a wildly passionate fan base and I'm grateful for the opportunity provided by (Kansas State athletic director) Gene Taylor to be a part of it."
The 53-year-old Alexander replaces Jerome Tang, who was fired on Feb. 15 after four seasons at the school. The university fired him for cause, which Tang plans to fight in court.
Kansas State made the NCAA tournament nine times over a 12-season stretch from 2008-19, which included two Elite Eight appearances, but it has missed the tournament in five of the past six seasons in which it was held.
The Wildcats went just 28-37 over the past two seasons despite high-priced additions out of the transfer portal like P.J. Haggerty and Coleman Hawkins.
Bam Adebayo's historic and wildly entertaining 83-point outburst has faced backlash online and from some in the media. Because of course it did. This is the world we live in, where backlash to anything and everything — often just to draw attention — has become a dominant force of American politics and culture. As if Kobe Bryant's legacy needs random people on social media defending it.
The Miami Heat were staunchly unapologetic in the wake of this backlash.
"I apologize to absolutely no one. Period," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said after he left his star player in a blowout game to chase the record, and even ordered fouling in the final minutes to get Adebayo more shots. "First of all, y'all are blaming me. You should be blaming that head coach [Washington's Brian Keefe]," Aderbayo said Thursday after the Heat beat the Bucks. "Get that first. I was not the one that let me go one-on-one the whole game until I had 70, and then started to send a double. At that point, I had 70 with, what, nine minutes left to go in the game? You think I'm not going for it?"
As Adebayo noted, going for it is exactly what Kobe would have done.
"I'm pretty sure if I had 81 and Kobe was on his way [to beating that record], he was not being like, 'You know what? I'm gonna check myself out with nine minutes left when I got 70.' Be serious," Adebayo said.
It was a game in which the tanking Wizards had no one who could slow Adebayo, and with leading scorers Norman Powell and Tyler Herro out for the night, Miami leaned hard into Adebayo. He was hot, and the Wizards could not slow him. While both sides changed tactics as the fourth quarter went on, there have been "shenanigans" in every crazy high-scoring game, including Kobe's 81.
"It's not something you want to be a part of and things like that, but you see everybody's reaction and how he got it," [Washington's Trae] Young said. "We were all thinking the same way, how it was kind of weird, them fouling (with less than) two minutes (left) just to give him more possessions. It was a weird thing. It wasn't very Erik Spoelstra-like. He's an unbelievable coach and has done some great things.
"(Bam) scored a lot of points. You've got to give him credit. But the way it happened and the way it went down, you see the reaction from people around the league. Around everybody, it's kind of the same. So we had a similar mindset, but at the same time, we allowed it to happen in the first half and gave him a rhythm to even have the confidence to think he was going to get that."
Washington bounced back with a much better effort against Orlando on Thursday night, taking a hot Magic team to overtime. This is a Wizards team that understands where it is — tanking this season to hold on to a top-eight protected first-round pick. Next season, with Young, a healthy Anthony Davis (*knocks on wood*) and a strong young core boosted by whomever they draft in June, the Wizards should be a respectable team. The best Wizards team in years.
The kind of team that nobody is scoring 83 points on.
DENVER, COLORADO - FEBRUARY 25: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics shoots a free throw against the Denver Nuggets in the first half at Ball Arena on February 25, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Following his second career ejection, Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown remained adamant that his reaction toward officials Tyler Ford and Suyash Mehta was justified.
Brown didn’t believe Mehta had grounds to eject him and felt the NBA’s decision not to fine him was an indication the league, too, believed he was in the right after getting tossed. Brown didn’t speak publicly after Wednesday night’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs, opening up for the first time about the ejection after Thursday night’s 104-102 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“Obviously, I was pissed that I didn’t get to compete in that game,” Brown told reporters, per NBC Sports Boston. “That was another big-time matchup that I had circled on my calendar. Obviously, playing against the Spurs, (they’re) a good team, and I came out to a great start. Felt great. I felt like I was ready to have a big-time performance. And you know, my night got ended short.
“In certain spots, maybe I could have been a little bit better. But, you know, you’re passionate. It’s a big game. You know, you want to see emotion. You want to see your star players showing that emotion. I don’t think I deserve to get tossed and, you know, I think the NBA agreed because I didn’t get fined or anything like that, so it is what it is. It happens. People make mistakes, but I’m just looking forward now.”
Brown lasted only 14:42 before his much-anticipated battle against Wembanyama was interrupted.
In the second quarter in San Antonio, Brown felt wronged after being pushed out of bounds, leading to a turnover. Officials didn’t catch Stephon Castle’s arm extension, which left Brown off-balance and infuriated by the no-call. He immediately confronted Ford, the crew chief, earning his first technical foul. Moments later, Mehta — from afar — issued a second technical, resulting in an automatic ejection. Teammates, staff, and a security guard had to restrain Brown as he continued to pursue Mehta.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – MARCH 12: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics shoots a free throw during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 12, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Once the tension eased, Brown returned to Boston’s locker room and immediately posted on X: “This the sh*t I be talking about.”
Brown’s teammates came to his defense, with Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, and coach Joe Mazzulla all expressing confusion over Mehta’s decision to eject him on behalf of the crew chief. Boston was left disadvantaged, forced to overcome Wembanyama shorthanded in the second half, amid a three-game road trip including visits with the two best teams in the Western Conference.
It wasn’t the first time Brown had refused to withhold his criticism of the officials. On Jan. 10, when Boston hosted Wembanyama and the Spurs at TD Garden, he ripped the referees for a glaring free-throw discrepancy: the Celtics attempted four shots, while San Antonio took 20. Brown called out what he saw as a clear double standard.
The next day, the NBA fined him $35,000 for his comments.
In Oklahoma City, Brown experienced a rare, favorable whistle. He totaled 14 free-throw attempts — for only the fourth time this season — falling just short of his career high of 16. The difference in the moment felt so pronounced that he briefly thought he had set a new season high.
“I think that might be a record this season,” Brown told reporters.
While Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander broke Wilt Chamberlain’s consecutive 20-point games record, Brown tried to play spoiler with a 34-point performance of his own. Without Tatum, White, and Nikola Vučević he kept Boston competitive in a down-to-the-wire battle with Oklahoma City. In the closing seconds of the fourth quarter, Brown hit a clutch 19-foot turnaround fadeaway to tie the game at 102-102.
Even though Brown drew some favorable calls, he’d prefer nobody rely on them at all.
“I don’t foul-bait,” Brown told reporters. “I’m not looking to flop or anything like that, but it’s almost like you got to. Because there were a couple of plays in the fourth quarter where I feel like I drove strong, went up strong, and I didn’t get the benefit of the doubt. Maybe if I would’ve flopped, maybe I would’ve been able to sell that call — and those decide games.”
Brown added: “We commend players for playing the game the right way, but we give the benefit to those who are trying to manipulate the game to their advantage. I just don’t think it’s basketball. Like, let’s just play basketball. All the foul-baiting — I think it’s whatever for me.”
Boston came away from its three-game road trip still as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, holding a 1 ½-game lead over the New York Knicks. Brown is focusing on what’s ahead for the Celtics, rather than dwelling on his ejection or the league’s foul-baiting epidemic.
“It’s already in the past. It’s over with,” Brown told reporters. “So I just gotta move forward.”
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: Lakers guard Austin Reaves celebrates after making a three-point basket during the second half against the Bulls at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
With the Western Conference a tight-knit race yet again this season, this series will look at the standings and games to watch across the league as the Lakers look to secure home court and move up the standings.
It appears that the Lakers are peaking at the right time. They have won four straight games, doing so while beating top teams like the Wolves and opponents they are favored against, such as the Bulls.
Now, the Lakers find themselves with the third-best record in the West, a position they undoubtedly want to keep.
Here’s a look at the current playoff standings in the middle of the conference: 3. Lakers — 41-25, 10.5 GB 4. Rockets — 40-25, 11 GB 5. Nuggets — 41-26, 11 GB 6. Wolves — 40-26, 11.5 GB 7. Suns — 39-27, 13 GB
LA’s next game will be a huge one as they take on Denver. If they win that contest, they’ll own the tiebreaker over the Nuggets, and considering how tight this Western Conference race is, that might matter.
Besides the Lakers winning their games, they need to keep an eye on their surrounding opponents and hope they lose as well, so they can begin building a gap between themselves and everyone else.
Let’s take a look at the big games to watch around the league for the next couple of days and who you should be rooting for.
Friday
Pelicans at Rockets — Despite their record, New Orleans isn’t a tanking team. They’ve won three of their last four games. Can they upset the Rockets and help the Lakers before Houston takes on LA next week?
Wolves at Warriors — With Steph Curry still out, Golden State hasn’t looked like the kind of team that can compete against Minnesota. That’s bad news for the Lakers.
Suns at Raptors — Toronto has been struggling as of late, losing four of their last five games. Meanwhile, the Suns have won four straight as they try to fight their way out of the play-in.
Phoenix will be favored at home, but perhaps former Laker Brandon Ingram can have a big game and pull off the upset.
Sunday
Wolves at Thunder — No team is playing better than Oklahoma City right now. Anthony Edwards is going to have to play his best game of the season if the Wolves are going to have a shot at winning this game. Minnesota will also be on the road for this contest, making this matchup that much harder to win.
Monday
Suns at Celtics —With the Suns playing the Celtics on Monday, it’s in LA’s best interest for Boston to win and Phoenix to lose. So, yes, this is one of the rare instances that Lakers fans will be cheering for Boston to come out on top.
Mar 8, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) watches in the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Over the last three and a half seasons, Jalen Brunson has become one of the premier players in the league. He’s a three-time All-Star who has made the All-NBA Second Team twice, is constantly heralded as one of the best scorers in the league, and he’s coming off a Clutch Player of the Year Award. But maybe the biggest reason he’s earned the respect as one of the league’s finest is his consistency.
Brunson, like every other player to ever grace a basketball court, has off games. Missed shots, bad decision-making, ugly process on the offensive end, and bad defense, even for his standards, those things all happen from time to time. But Brunson, maybe more so than any other player in the league, has also developed the reputation of bouncing back and doing so emphatically.
Whenever Brunson has the rare, and uncharacteristic stinker of a game, more often than not, the point guard and leader of the Knicks answers back by not only getting back on track, but playing some of his best basketball. But over the last few weeks, that hasn’t necessarily been the case.
Brunson has still put up very respectable numbers overall, but when compared to his usual numbers, which is a pretty high bar, he’s underperformed. Over his past 13 games, Brunson is averaging 21.7PPG while shooting 44.1% from the field, which are both noticeably lower than the 27.4PPG on 47% shooting he was averaging prior. Not only that, but his turnovers per game have also seen a slight uptick, as they have gone from 2.2 turnovers per game to 2.8. This minor but still non-insignificant difference in play and numbers has led Knicks fans to voice concern, while others have voiced outright disappointment and even condemnation.
Which begs the question: Should Knicks fans be worried? Short answer, no. And here’s why.
While Brunson has come down to earth and has looked surprisingly human over the last few weeks, Brunson’s dip in production can be explained by a change in his role/responsibilities and how opponents have defended the Knicks. This isn’t just about a player simply experiencing a decline in production due to poor play.
Now, Brunson himself would surely be the first one to tell you that he hasn’t played up to par, and that he can, and should play better. But over the last few weeks, Brunson has shifted some of his focus, which has sacrificed some of his usual scoring numbers for the betterment of the team. The point guard has upped his defensive intensity, which has coincided with the recent improvement of the team’s defense, and he’s opted, either by choice or by the way defenses are playing him, to be a bit more of a playmaker than he was to start the season.
TL turning on Brunson when he’s working on evolving into a true number one on a championship team 💔
He has to work harder to break even on defense, all while balancing being the lead playmaker and scorer and fans are mad that trajectory isn’t linear.pic.twitter.com/Wfr8CEPZSz
— OG Anunoby Addict (@PlayoffBoundNYK) March 9, 2026
Brunson started the season averaging 20.8 field goal attempts per game over his first 49 games. But over his aforementioned—and recent—13-game stretch, those numbers have gone down drastically to just 16.9 attempts per game. And his assists have gone up from 6.1APG to 8.0APG during that span as well. Some of this can be attributed to the fact that defenses, especially the very good ones, have continued to force Josh Hart to make plays, either as a scorer or a passer, and put extra pressure on Brunson to get rid of the ball. Some of it also seems like a choice by him, and or by head coach Mike Brown, as he’s shifted to getting guys involved a bit more often.
There are still some red flags to be wary of. Outside of Wednesday night’s Jazz game, in which he really only played one good half of good Brunson-like basketball, he’s lacked the IT factor that he so often provides, and we’ve seen Brunson struggle a bit more than Knicks fans are accustomed to seeing. He’s looked maybe half a step slow, a bit more hesitant on drives, still falters at times when tasked with being more of a playmaker than a scorer (often due to his height, and not inability to read the game), and it’s been close to a month since he’s scored more than 30 points in a game. Furthering that concern is the fact that, as you can see below, Brunson’s numbers have taken quite a dip since injuring his ankle in the first quarter against the Kings on January 14th.
Pre-ankle injuryPost-ankle injury
Brunson’s effective field goal percentage overall, rim field goal percentage, short midrange field goal percentage, and the aforementioned points per game have all gone down significantly. It is a smaller sample size, and Brunson and the Knicks have played some very good defensive teams over that stretch, but it’s still worth noting.
That being said, even during that span, it’s not like Brunson hasn’t had good games. He’s had a 31-point game against the 76ers, a 42-point masterpiece on 52% shooting against the Nuggets, a 31-point game on 57% shooting against the Celtics two nights before a 40-point 48% shooting game against the Pacers, and a 33-point game on 60% shooting against one of the best defensive teams in the league, the Pistons.
If fans want to be concerned, it’s more than understandable. At the end of the day, regardless of how good the Knicks look on paper, New York, especially come playoff time, only goes as far as their captain takes them. But it is admittedly somewhat odd seeing just how many fans have turned on maybe the single most important figure in the franchise’s history, especially since some of his statistical decline has come from him doing the very things those fans have wanted more of-defensive effort, and playmaking. He’s not free of flaws, and he, like Patrick Ewing, Carmelo Anthony, and all of the other Knicks legends that came before him, should be called out when underperforming. But the internet has seen a greater-than-usual place for takes about how “he needs to be traded,” “can’t lead this team in the playoffs,” and even how “he’s washed up.”
people hating on brunson lately are so weird… he’s been working on the things he was most criticized for (defense and playmaking) but that’s now a problem for y’all too?
— certified bling bling boy (@c_blingblingboy) March 8, 2026
If you turning on Brunson so quickly that means you ain’t believe in him like that in the first place. Stay on that side.
— Skip Sayless 🇹🇹🇭🇹♒️🗽 (@travbryanmusic) March 9, 2026
Overall, though, my trust in Brunson remains. While there are factors to weigh and things to keep an eye on, my worry level about Brunson has yet to reach a high level. What he’s done, and not done most recently, matters, and that shouldn’t be completely downplayed. But over his 314-game sample size as a Knick, Brunson has continued to surprise, overperform, and show up, especially when it matters most. The hope is that between now and the first round of the playoffs, Brunson can get some much-needed rest, continue to sharpen his ability to balance scoring and playmaking, while maintaining some semblance of the defensive improvements we’ve seen, and ultimately get back to the playoff Brunson we know he can be.
In head-to-head leagues, it all comes down to the weekend. You can have a comfortable lead in multiple categories or by a bunch of points, but if you don’t make the most of the weekend, you can walk out with a loss.
14 teams play twice this weekend, including the Cavaliers, Mavericks, Pistons, Warriors, Pacers, Clippers, Bucks, Timberwolves, Knicks, 76ers, Trail Blazers, Kings, Raptors and Jazz. Prioritize those teams if you’re looking to maximize your games played.
That’s often what it comes down to in standard points and category leagues, but that’s not always the case. Leagues with some sort of games cap or best ball formats like Yahoo!’s High Score leagues aren’t just looking for volume, though having two chances at a big night is a good strategy in best ball leagues.
Absolute must-start: Isaiah Collier, Utah Jazz
With Keyonte George (hamstring) set to miss at least two weeks (and let’s be honest, Utah shouldn’t risk further injury here, so he could be done for the year), Collier should be considered a must-roster player. As a starter this season, he has averaged 15.3 points, 8.8 assists and 1.5 steals across 16 starts.
Not only should Collier be considered a must-roster player, but he should be in for a productive weekend as well. They take on the Trail Blazers and Kings, and while Portland has been an average defense recently, Sacramento has been one of the worst for most of the year. Both teams also have played at a top-10 pace over their last 10 games, meaning extra possessions for Collier to dish out dimes.
Guards:
Ryan Rollins, Milwaukee Bucks
Even when coming off the bench on Thursday, Rollins was still able to have a productive night, which featured a double-double. Kevin Porter Jr. (knee) returned, but now the Bucks play a back-to-back this weekend, meaning he could certainly sit one leg of that, allowing Rollins to start. Regardless, Rollins has been fantastic recently, and they take on the Hawks and Pacers this weekend, two fast-paced teams. Atlanta has been incredible defensively recently, but Indiana hasn’t, and there should be enough possessions for Rollins to produce regardless.
Cameron Payne, Philadelphia 76ers
Payne fell back to earth on Thursday after a historic performance on Tuesday, but he was still productive off the bench. Over his last three games, Payne has averaged 19.7 points, 5.3 assists and 4.0 triples while shooting a ridiculous 56.3 percent from the floor. This weekend, they take on Brooklyn and Portland, with the Nets boasting one of the worst defenses in the league recently.
Landry Shamet, New York Knicks
Josh Hart (knee) is questionable on Friday after missing Wednesday’s game, which was a game that Shamet started in his stead. Shamet has been solid as a reserve, but he took on extra minutes as a starter. They take on the Pacers on Friday and Warriors on Sunday, with both teams struggling on defense recently. Shamet should get the chance to get hot from deep.
Forwards:
Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers
With matchups against the Jazz and 76ers this weekend, Grant is set up to keep his hot streak going. He has scored at least 20 points in eight of his last nine games and gets to take on two struggling defenses. Grant has also been able to contribute steals recently, with seven swipes over his last five games.
Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz
Utah has made Bailey a priority more and more in recent weeks, and with Keyonte George (hamstring) now set to miss time, Bailey should be the focal point of the offense. On the schedule this weekend are the Trail Blazers and Kings, with Sacramento struggling mightily on defense as of late. Expect Bailey to take and make plenty of shots.
Gui Santos, Golden State Warriors
Golden State does have two tough matchups this weekend, but Santos has been too good for it to matter, and he’s still only rostered in 26 percent of Yahoo! leagues. He has averaged 18 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.0 triples over his last three outings, and while games against the Timberwolves and Knicks won’t be easy, he’ll see enough usage to make it worth it. He should be a must-roster player, especially with Stephen Curry (knee) set to miss at least another week.
Centers:
Isaiah Stewart, Detroit Pistons
Over their last 10 games, the Grizzlies and Raptors are 30th and 27th in rebounding percentage, and Detroit gets to take on both this weekend. Of course, Jalen Duren should be in for monster nights, but Stewart should also be effective off the bench. Since returning from his seven-game suspension, Stewart has averaged 10.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.
Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks
Karl-Anthony Towns is questionable for Friday’s game against Indiana due to bilateral knee soreness, and his absence would allow Robinson to take on more minutes. They take on the Pacers, who are 26th in rebounding percentage over their last 10 games, and the Warriors, who are 21st during the same stretch. Robinson should dominate the glass regardless, but he could really pop if KAT is sidelined against the tanking Pacers.
Maxime Raynaud, Sacramento Kings
Raynaud has been on quite the tear recently, aside from his last game, and now he gets matchups with the Clippers and Jazz this weekend. The Clippers have been average on the glass and defensively recently, while Utah has struggled in both areas, and neither team defends the paint well. Raynaud has averaged 16.0 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 60.9 percent from the floor and 92.3 percent from the line over the last two weeks.
The university announced Friday, March 13 that English would not return for a fourth season as Friars coach.
"We appreciate Kim and his staff for their efforts over the past three seasons leading our men's basketball team," Providence athletic director Steve Napolillo said in a statement. "We wish him and his family all the best in the future."
English went 48-52 in three seasons at the school, including a 15-18 mark this season that put Providence ninth in the 11-team Big East.
The 37-year-old English, a former all-conference player at Missouri who was a second-round pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, was brought in to replace Ed Cooley after his contentious move from Providence to Georgetown in 2023. English had previously gone 34-29 in two seasons at George Mason before being hired by the Friars.
On March 5, with his team at 14-16 after a 22-point loss at home against Marquette, reports emerged that English wouldn’t return to Providence.
After the Friars’ 85-72 loss to St. John’s on Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Big East tournament, English gave an impassioned response when asked about his job security and future.
"I don't want anyone's sympathy,” he said. “I don't like anyone's pity. Don't text me nothing sad, 'Hope you're OK, keep your head up.’ I’m not that guy. Kick me while I'm down. I'll get up. I've never been more proud standing in the locker room than I was after this season.”
Providence was an NCAA Tournament regular under Cooley, making the event seven times over nine seasons in which it was held from 2014-23, which was highlighted by a Sweet 16 run in 2022.
The Friars are one of three major-conference job openings in the northeast, along with Syracuse and Boston College. Candidates for the position are likely to include South Florida coach Bryan Hodgson, Utah State coach Jerrod Calhoun, Merrimack coach Joe Gallo and Yale coach James Jones, among others.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs 
Golden State Warriors
