Hughes told ESPN on Tuesday that he wants the puck so he can give it to his father, Jim. The New Jersey Devils center previously said when asked about the puck during other media appearances that had no idea where it was other than that it wasn't in his possession.
The Hall of Fame has had it all along.
“These donated items represent defining moments on the world’s biggest stage and carry powerful stories of national pride and hockey history at its highest level,” Hall of Fame President and CEO Jamie Dinsmore said in a statement Monday about the Olympic showcase. “The Olympics ’26 display will help ensure that these unforgettable Olympic moments are preserved for our guests from around the world to experience.”
A stick from American Brady Tkachuk and gloves from teammate Jack Eichel, along with jerseys from Canada captain Sidney Crosby and Sweden forward William Nylander, are among the more than 70 items that will be on display for a limited time.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 16: Deandre Ayton #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate during the second half against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on March 16, 2026 in Houston, 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. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Deandre Ayton era in Los Angeles has been a rollercoaster ride. In the best moments, Ayton has been as joyful as anyone on the team and a walking double-double.
The lows, however, include games in which he seems disinterested in playing and reports of his dissatisfaction with his role on the team.
Despite the frustration that watching Ayton can bring, his talent level is so high that you have to respect it and use it to help you win games.
After being a big factor in Saturday’s win over the Nuggets, Ayton was equally impressive in Houston on Monday, stepping up in the fourth quarter to help the Lakers earn their sixth straight win.
Ayton’s performance wasn’t a shock, but it was a surprise given that he went to the bench midway through the third and didn’t start during the opening minutes of the fourth.
But Lakers head coach JJ Redick went to him during clutch time, and Ayton delivered. He was a perfect 3-3 from the field, grabbed a handful of offensive boards and his back-to-back baskets in the final minutes were the exclamation points on this statement win.
After the game, Redick talked about why he brought Ayton back and how it paid off.
“We all recognized that he had not played in a significant portion of the game and then you factor in the real-time effect of that,” Redick said. “I was pretty adamant that I wanted him in the game. [Assistant coach] Greg [St. Jean] went over to him and made sure that he was ready to go and then he helped us win the game and that’s what I told him.
“We walked off the court together and he was in good spirits. But, he did. His offensive rebounding and the couple of buckets he got down the stretch were huge.”
When Ayton is a monster on the boards, the Lakers win games. He had six offensive rebounds against the Rockets and ended the night with 11. The Lakers are 14-2 when Ayton has 11 or more rebounds.
Ayton sitting down for such a long stretch in the second half could have set him up for failure when he checked into the game late in the fourth. He was ready for the moment, though and that didn’t go unnoticed by LeBron James.
“He was amazing,” LeBron said. “I mean just the fact he was sitting over there for as long as he did and stayed locked in on the game and come in and finish the game. [He was] able to get a tip dunk, couple of jump hooks around the rim, a couple rebounds around the rim. He helped us finish the game.”
Ultimately, Ayton was brought to the Lakers to help them win games of this magnitude. All of LA’s biggest hopes and dreams are still in play this season. If Ayton plays well this spring and summer, then everything else will be forgiven and forgotten.
So far during these recent big moments against the best in the West, Ayton has shown he’s more than capable of being a peak performer.
DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 5: Will Riley #27 of the Washington Wizards of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket during the game against the Detroit Pistons on February 5. 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Washington Wizards play the Detroit Pistons at 7 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena. Chat about it in the comments below!
Any player that enters a season as the projected No. 1 pick in the NBA draft is going to generate interest. Darryn Peterson, though, has taken that trope to another level this season.
Various ailments forced Kansas' freshman guard to miss 11 games this season. In multiple games where he did play, he had a minutes restriction and/or sat for the key final minutes of games. Some fans and analysts expressed their frustration at Peterson's inconsistent schedule, and he fell from favorite status as the No. 1 pick.
However, Peterson has been trending upward recently, playing a season-high 37 minutes in the Big 12 Tournament against TCU.
Is Darryn Peterson playing in March Madness?
Yes, Peterson will be on the court for Kansas during the NCAA Tournament, and there is no reason to believe he will be limited. According to The Kansas City Star’s Shreyas Laddha, he has played the last seven games without asking to come out due to cramping, which happened a fair amount during the season up to that point.
Darryn Peterson cramping issues explained
Laddha explained how cramping has been the biggest recurring issue for Peterson during the season, going back to Kansas' training period in early September.
Peterson said he suffered from full-body cramps that forced him to the hospital at one point, and that he received two bags of intravenous fluids.
He described the experience as "traumatic," which made it understandable that he was quick to ask out of games when he felt the cramps coming back.
Now, though, it seems Peterson is in his best condition of the season — just in time for Kansas' most important games.
Kansas Jayhawks March Madness schedule 2026
The Jayhawks will play their first-round game against 13-seed Cal Baptist at 9:45 PM ET on Friday, March 20. If Kansas wins that game, it would face the winner of the No. 5 St. John's vs. No. 12 Northern Iowa game on Sunday.
Darryn Peterson season stats 2025-26 (points, rebounds, assists, etc.)
Peterson has been one of the most prolific scoring guards in the country when he has played, averaging 19.8 points on 44.2% field goals, 38.4% from three and 82.5% from the free throw line. He has also averaged 1.7 assists to 1.5 turnovers and 1.5 steals per game.
Is Darryn Peterson a projected lottery pick for the 2026 NBA Draft?
Peterson will absolutely be a lottery pick and is still clearly lined up to be a top-three pick at worst. A great tournament run could easily vault him back into pole position to be the No. 1 pick in the draft.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are jockeying for position in the NBA's Western Conference playoff race, and they'll have to do at least some of the heavy lifting down the stretch without their star player.
Anthony Edwards is likely to miss several games after the team's latest injury update revealed he's dealing with right knee soreness. It's a bit of a swerve with less than a month left in the regular season.
The Timberwolves enter Tuesday's game against the Phoenix Suns in sixth place in the packed Western Conference standings after losses in four of their past five games. They're just two games behind the third-place Los Angeles Lakers and two games ahead of the seventh-place Suns.
Here's the latest on Edwards' injury, including a potential timeline for his return to the Minnesota Timberwolves ahead of the start to the 2026 NBA playoffs:
No. Edwards is listed as out with right knee inflammation on the Timberwolves' injury report ahead of their game against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, March 17.
Anthony Edwards injury update
The Timberwolves announced on Tuesday, March 17 that an MRI performed on Edwards had revealed right knee inflammation, and he will be re-evaluated in 1-2 weeks. Edwards can only miss seven more games this season and still be eligible for NBA postseason awards based on its 65-game rule. If he were to be out two weeks, he would miss exactly seven games.
Anthony Edwards stats
Edwards is averaging a career-best 29.5 points and on pace to set career highs in field goal percentage (49.2%) and 3-point shooting (40.2%) this season. He's also averaging 5.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game for the Timberwolves.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 14: Austin Reaves #15 congratulates Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers after his winning jumpshot defeated the Denver Nuggets 127-125 in overtime of a game at Crypto.com Arena on March 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | 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.
These are the good times. All the teams below the Lakers have lost games recently, and when you mix that with LA currently on a six-game winning streak, that’s how you end up with the purple and gold at the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference.
Here’s a look at the current playoff standings in the middle of the conference: 3. Lakers — 43-25, 10 GB 4. Rockets — 41-26, 11.5 GB 5. Nuggets — 41-27, 12 GB 6. Wolves — 41-27, 12 GB 7. Suns — 39-29, 14 GB
Despite the Lakers’ current top form, a bad week would be all it would take for them to drop back down again. So, they are far from out of the woods just yet.
Let’s take a look at the big games to watch around the league for the next couple of days and who Lakers fans should be rooting for.
Tuesday
Sixers at Nuggets — Can Quentin Grimes generate enough offense to give Denver some problems?
Probably not, but that’s the path toward a Sixers upset against the Nuggets. With Philadelphia fighting to rise in the Eastern Conference rankings, the good news is they also have plenty to play for, and this won’t be a tanking situation for them.
Perhaps the competitive fire and some Andre Drummond rebounds will be enough for the Sixers to come away with a victory.
Suns at Wolves — Who Lakers fans should root for in this one is tough since they need both teams to drop as many games as possible.
The Wolves are closer to the Lakers in the standings, but LA owns the tiebreaker over Minnesota. While the Suns are further back, they won the season series over the Lakers, so perhaps it’s best that they lose and stay in the play-in spot.
On the bright side, someone has to drop this game, and LA will benefit.
Wednesday
Nuggets at Grizzlies — Memphis is tanking so hard even Utah is blushing. Yes, it’s the second night of a back-to-back for Denver, but it’s hard to imagine that’s going to be enough of a reason for the Grizzlies to win a game.
Jazz at Wolves — With Minnesota recently struggling, facing the Jazz is just what they need to look good and earn a win. Lakers fans might just want to skip both of these Wednesday games.
Thursday
Suns at Spurs — San Antonio is the hottest team in the NBA right now, having won 18 of their last 20 games. Given that they’ll be at home on Thursday against the Suns, Phoenix isn’t likely to come out of this one with a win.
Catching the Spurs is virtually impossible for the Lakers. So, watching them beat the Suns will be a welcome sight for Lakers fans.
Anthony Edwards, the Timberwolves' leading scorer and driving force of their offense, has inflammation in his right knee and will miss at least 1-2 weeks to recover, the team announced Tuesday.
Edwards' knee reportedly had increasingly bothered him in recent weeks — and it was starting to show up in his scoring efficiency — so the team conducted an MRI and from there decided to sit their star for a week or two, at least.
Edwards has taken another step forward and is having the best season of his career, averaging 29.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 40.2% from 3-point range (and playing quality defense). Edwards was named the 2026 All-Star Game MVP last month.
However, Edwards' knee issues have started to show a little on the court. In his last five games, he's still averaging 29 points per game, but his shooting efficiency has dropped slightly (44.9% overall, down from 49.2%) and his 3-point shooting percentage has fallen to 36.6% (from 40.2%).
Edwards' injury comes with sitting tied for the No. 5/6 seeds in the West with Denver, but just two games ahead of Phoenix for the No. 7 seed and falling into the play-in. It's also worth noting that Edwards has already missed 10 games this season (having played in 58), he has to play in at least seven more games to get to 65 and qualify for any postseason awards (he is a lock to make an All-NBA team).
Edwards is out tonight in a key West game when the Timberwolves host the Suns, and he also will be out for Sunday Night Basketball on NBC when Minnesota faces Boston.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Anthony Edwards will miss the next several games with inflammation in his right knee, with the team in the thick of the race for playoff position in the Western Conference.
The Timberwolves announced before their game on Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns that Edwards would be re-evaluated in one to two weeks, after the sixth-year guard underwent an MRI exam. That means Edwards will miss at least four games, with the Timberwolves playing four times in a six-day span. A two-week absence would cost him seven games.
Edwards will finish the season with a career low in games played, having already missed four games with a right hamstring strain and a total of six games over three different stretches with a lingering right foot injury.
Edwards, who played in 79 games in each of the three previous seasons, is averaging a career-best 29.5 points per game. Minnesota entered Tuesday in a tie for fifth place in the West with the Denver Nuggets, two games ahead of the Suns for the cut to avoid the play-in tournament.
The DP World Tour starts its Asian Swing at this week's Hainan Classic, but the most familiar face in the field for Chinese fans might be someone who played in the NBA.
That's because 7-footer Yi Jianlian is teeing it up in the event as an amateur. Sort of. In addition to the 72-hole tournament, there's also a 36-hole team event pairing one amateur and one pro.
If you're a basketball sicko, you surely remember the former first-round pick (No. 6 overall!) of the Milwaukee Bucks back in 2007. Over five seasons in Milwaukee, New Jersey, Washingtong and Dallas, Yi averaged 7.9 points and 4.9 rebounds. He then went back to the Chinese Basketball Association and dominated, winning six CBA titles and three Finals MVPs.
Apparently, the 38-year-old is an avid golfer now. He played in the 2024 Volvo China Open Pro-Am with Haotong Li and attended the Players Championship as a fan that year. And as the DP World Tour announced on Tuesday, he's competing in the team event at Mission Hills.
We don't know much about Yi's golf game, but that swing looks pretty smooth. Certainly a lot better than fellow Chinese basketball legend Yao Ming:
Anyway, good luck to Yi this week. If any pickup basketball games break out after, we know who we're backing.
Just weeks before Dillon Brooks was arrested for DUI earlier this month, cops in Arizona expressed serious concern about the NBA player’s driving.
An incident report, obtained by The California Post on Tuesday, shows a Scottsdale Police Department officer stopped Brooks on Jan. 12 after the Suns guard’s driving made them nervous about the possibility he could cause a “catastrophic collision” in a congested, pedestrian-heavy part of the city.
Brooks was going 85 MPH in a 45 MPH zone in a 2019 Rolls-Royce Wraith, according to the report, which caused the cop to become “increasingly concerned about the extreme risk of a catastrophic collision or the vehicle striking a pedestrian.”
Dillon Brooks was pulled over for reckless driving on Jan. 12, several weeks before he was arrested for DUI. Provided by the Scottsdale PD
“Several businesses in the area were open and operating,” the cop wrote in the report. “A collision at such speeds could have resulted in multiple fatalities or serious physical injuries.”
Brooks was pulled over just after midnight, and body cam footage from the stop shows he actually asked the officer, “You pull me over because I’m speeding?”
The cop responded yes, and after getting Brooks’ information, the basketball player was cited for reckless driving and released.
Court records show Brooks, 30, is now facing two misdemeanors over the issue -— one count of reckless driving and one count of exceeding speed limit by 20/45 MPH — and is due to appear before a judge in early April.
Dillon Brooks has played in 50 games for the Suns this season. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Brooks was later arrested by the Scottsdale Police Department on March 6 — some seven weeks after his January run-in with cops — after authorities alleged he was driving under the influence.
Body cam footage from that stop showed an officer accused Brooks of having a car that “smelled like a dispensary” before he was taken to jail.
Dillon Brooks has been out of NBA action since February while dealing with a broken hand. Getty Images
Whether or not Brooks faces criminal charges over that matter “is up to the City prosecutor’s office,” the Scottsdale Police Department said.
Brooks has played in 50 games for the Suns this season, though he’s been out since late February after suffering a broken hand.
A message to Brooks’ rep seeking comment on Tuesday was not immediately returned.
CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 8: The sneakers worn by Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the game against the Boston Celtics on March 8, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
"It's something he's been dealing with. It just had been getting worse. He gutted it out last game and I think you could see he was favoring it late… It's something we're going to take time with."
Stewart has been one of the better defensive big men in the league this season and a key part of the Pistons' second-ranked defense, plus he is averaging 10 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. He is absolutely in the mix for an All-Defensive team, but with this injury he may well not meet the 65-game threshold to qualify for a postseason award (he has played in 55 games, the Pistons have 15 games remaining). Some of the time he missed this season was due to a seven-game suspension for leaving the bench during an on-court altercation between the Pistons and Hornets.
Expect this to mean more run for Paul Reed, who has averaged 13.9 points and 7.8 rebounds as a starter this season (eight games).
Tonight's Coast 2 Coast Tuesday features another exciting slate of NBA action. First, at 8:00 PM ET, it's the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. the Milwaukee Bucks. Then, at 10:00 PM ET, the Philadelphia 76ers take on the Denver Nuggets. Live coverage tonight begins at 7:00 PM with NBA Showtime on NBC and Peacock. See below for additional information on how to watch tonight's games. Follow all of the NBA action on NBCSN and Peacock. Peacock will feature 100 regular-season games throughout the course of the 2025-2026 season.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Denver Nuggets Game Preview:
Before the All-Star Break, the 76ers were sixth in the Eastern Conference, in the final guaranteed playoff spot. But injuries and inconsistent play over the last month have dropped Philadelphia to ninth place, where they currently sit in Play-In tournament position.
Joel Embiid is out with an oblique injury, Paul George is still serving a 25-game suspension, and Tyrese Maxey has missed the last five games with a tendon injury in his right pinky.
With three of its top scorers sidelined, Philadelphia will look to VJ Edgecombe to lead the way. Edgecombe leads all rookies in total steals (89) and is third among rookies in scoring (15.4 ppg).
The Nuggets are currently fifth in the Western Conference, having won four of their last seven games. As the playoff race heats up, Denver will need more consistency to build momentum in a tightly packed West.
Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.
Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. Sunday Night Basketball coverage will also be available on NBC and Peacock. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.
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NBA on NBC 2025-26 Schedule:
Click here to see the full list of NBA games that will air on NBC and Peacock this season.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 15: Max Strus #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket during the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Rocket Arena on March 15, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Cavaliers 130-120. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) | 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 Cavs fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
It’s hard to believe the 2025-26 NBA regular season is already approaching an end. As of writing, the Cleveland Cavaliers only have 14 games remaining, with a match against the Milwaukee Bucks tonight. Where does the time go?
Keeping that theme in mind, our first question for this week’s survey focuses on the end of the season. With only a handful of weeks left in the schedule, do you believe Max Strus can work his way back into the starting lineup before the playoffs start?
There are layers to this question. First, you need to believe that Strus belongs in the starting lineup, to begin with. I think this part of the equation is more straightforward, as Strus has had success in the starting five since joining the Cavaliers three seasons ago. If he’s healthy, that role is likely his. Though you can argue for someone like Jaylon Tyson, if you wish.
Second, and more importantly, can Strus get back into postseason shape this quickly? He just made his season debut on Sunday. That’s a short window to ramp up and get ready for the intensity of a playoff run. Strus scoring 24 points in his debut probably makes you feel more confident. However, he did look gassed at various points in that game. Something to keep in mind.
As for our other question, we want to know who you believe will finish the season with a higher three-point percentage? Jaylon Tyson (45.7%) or Sam Merrill (44.5%).
Of course, we understand that Merrill attempts more difficult shots than Tyson. But the fact that this is even close is a testament to the season Tyson is having. So, who are you rolling with down the stretch?
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 15: Max Strus #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers waits during the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Rocket Arena on March 15, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Max Strus finally returned to the court for the Cleveland Cavaliers this past Sunday after missing the entire season to this point with a Jones fracture. While it didn’t come in a win, his return looked about as positive an outcome as the team, the player, and the fans could have hoped for.
Average Player Grade: A+
Stats last week: One game, 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 assist
“You learn a lot about yourself when something is taken away from you. I think I understand how important this is and how much it does mean to me that I want to be back. I want to make an impact. I want to help this team win. I do love basketball. I do love doing it with a good group of guys. I’m just happy to be back.”
The performance sent the arena into a frenzy. Strus was lights out shooting beyond the perimeter, going 6-7 in 20 minutes. Strus compiled this performance while also showing the skill set that made Cavaliers fans fall in love with him in the first place. Strus showed his on-ball abilities, being able to get around the rim, and showed how much easier his life can be in this James Harden iteration of the Cavaliers.
Strus’s return also allows the Cavaliers to unlock a more free-flowing version of their offense — one that mirrors the style that originally drew the team to him during his Miami Heat days. In past seasons, Strus often felt like an essential component of the Cavaliers’ ability to get rolling offensively, but that level of responsibility sometimes worked against what makes him most effective. The Cavs should be able to put him in the proper context now.
Shooters like Strus operate at their best when they are able to operate within their own systems. The Cavs desperately have needed these types of role players. Outside of Sam Merrill, this has been an archetype the team has sorely lacked.
A lot of times, the Cavalier of the week is based on a stretch of games to earn the hardware. When it comes to this week, I think acknowledging the road Max Strus took to have the debut he did is worth the award itself.
Kurt Helin
Vaughn Dalzell
