DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 13: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks is defended by James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at American Airlines Center on March 13, 2026 in Dallas, 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 GettyImages License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cavs handled business in their last outing. Evan Mobley set the tone earlier, tying a season-high with 29 points. The Cavaliers kept their foot on the gas all game, never really allowing the Mavs to think they could win the game.
We’ll see if the Cavaliers can assert the same level of control in their second and final meeting of the season against Dallas.
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE. The link to the 2016 championship shirt HERE.
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, FanDuel Sports App, WUAB 43, NBA TV, NBA League Pass
Point spread: Not yet set
Cavs injury report: Sam Merrill – OUT (hamstring), Jarrett Allen – OUT (knee), Tyrese Proctor – OUT (quad), Max Strus – PROBABLE (foot), Olivier Sarr – OUT (G League), Craig Porter Jr. – OUT (groin), Jaylon Tyson – QUESTIONABLE (ankle)
Mavs injury report: Klay Thompson – DOUBTFUL (rest), Daniel Gafford – DOUBTFUL (illness), P.J. Washington – QUESTIONABLE (ankle), Caleb Martin – PROBABLE (finger), Kyrie Irving – OUT (knee), Dereck Lively II – OUT (foot), Moussa Cisse – QUESTIONBLE (G League), John Poulakidas – QUESTIONABLE (G League), Tyler Smith – QUESTIONABLE (G League)
Cavs expectedstarting lineup: James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Keon Ellis, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley
Mavs expected starting lineup: Ryan Nembhard, Naji Marshall, Max Christie, Cooper Flagg, Marvin Bagley III
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Lauren Olson scored 17 points and had three steals as top-seeded Cal Baptist defeated Abilene Christian 74-58 to secure their second Western Athletic Conference championship in the past three seasons.
The Lancers (23-10) punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament shooting 44% from the field while holding Abilene Christian to 31%.
Emma Johansson added 15 points (6-for-10 shooting) before fouling out late, Khloe Lemon had 13, and Shawnee Nordstrom scored 12. Filipa Barros scored eight points, grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds, and distributed 11 assists.
Erin Woodson paced the Wildcats (22-10) with 16 points on 6-for-10 shooting. Emma Troxell had 12 points and a team-high 12 rebounds, and Payton Hull scored 10.
Cal Baptist has won three WAC titles, but their 2021 title did not come with the conference's automatic bid as they made the transition to Division I from Division II. They made their first DI tournament appearance in 2024 as a No. 15 seed, losing 84-55 to 2nd-seeded UCLA in the first round.
The Lancers are departing the WAC for the Big West effective July 1st.
Cal Baptist awaits seeding for the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, which will be revealed on Sunday. The tournament tips off with the First Four on Wednesday and Thursday, and the first round begins Friday.
CHAPEL HILL, NC - JANUARY 25: Jared Dudley #3 of the Boston College Eagles celebrates after defeating the University of North Carolina Tar Heels during their game on January 25, 2006 at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Eagles defeated the Tar Heels 81-74. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the Earl Grant era officially over for Boston College Eagles Men’s Basketball, it now raises the most serious question moving forward: who is going to steer this ship straight?
Names are already being thrown around like t-shirts into a playoff crowd (let’s hope whoever is hired can get BC Basketball fans to experience that again). Based on a report by Adam Zagoria of NYTSports, Boston College has interviewed Eric Konkol, Eric Olen, Gerry McNamara, Jay Larranaga, and Joe Gallo. These names are intriguing, but a name that is also floating around is former Eagles star Jared Dudley.
Dudley, 40, retired from the NBA in August 2021. Immediately after retiring he joined the Dallas Mavericks as an assistant coach. Following his tenure as a coach with Dallas, in July 2025 he joined the Denver Nuggets as an assistant coach. However, he’s widely known as being a former BC Eagle. Dudley is without a doubt one of the greatest Eagles basketball players of all time, considering he won ACC Player of the Year in 2007. As an Eagle, he averaged 15.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists on 50% FG shooting and 36.5% from three, per SportsReference.
Why he’d be interested:
Dudley has shown interest in returning to his alma mater in the past. In 2020, he was a guest on Bill Simmons’ Podcast, and expressed brief interest in returning to BC.
“Going back to BC, gonna clean all that up.” Dudley said. “Need to have my donors, need to get those facilities.”
Now obviously times and priorities change. He stated this back when he was still playing in the NBA and could’ve felt nostalgic in the moment. Other reports show he’s focused on NBA opportunities, but it’s still worth noting he holds Boston College in a special place within himself.
Why it could work:
Leadership defines Jared Dudley. He wasn’t a superstar like LeBron James or Kevin Durant, but he was the kind of player every team wanted in its locker room. And leadership is what the Eagles and the fans need – a voice. Dudley can be the guy to bring the team together and get the most out of his players.
In terms of X’s and O’s, Dudley’s style of play came from his versatility. The Eagles were respectable defensively this season, but their offense was borderline inept. This is where Dudley’s versatility as a coach comes in, implementing a flexible philosophy in his players. In doing so this makes the Eagles less one dimensional and more balanced overall. His basketball knowledge could instill a serious culture change if the team truly bought in – his resume both as a college and NBA player speaks for itself.
Why it wouldn’t work:
One thing must be noted with Dudley as a coach: he’s never coached college basketball before. That’s not to say he is incapable of doing the job on the collegiate level, but NBA players are different. Lots of these NBA guys are finished products, and Dudley having to tweak his coaching style to raw, unproven players may not translate in the way he’d hope.
How likely is the hire?
Bringing Dudley home would be nostalgic. Being a home grown talent would inspire his roster and athletes, but I think Boston College has their eyes set on different candidates. The chances of hiring him I’d put lower than five percent.
TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 13: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball during the game against the Toronto Raptors on March 13, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Weddings. The sacred moment when two people stand together and promise to love, honor, and cherish each other for eternity. Eternity is a long time. Anyone who has been married understands that quickly. The only way that promise survives the calendar is through teamwork. Every successful marriage carries the same understanding inside those vows. You walk through life together. You support one another. You do what you can to place the other person in a position to succeed.
So why the wedding talk? That is where I was during the Suns game yesterday.
I was attending the wedding of my 20-year-old nephew. It was outdoors in Arizona in March, which sounds like a postcard until you remember that Arizona has its own personality. The ceremony began at four in the afternoon, and the temperature sat comfortably at 97°. The vows were being read, and I could not tell if people were crying or melting.
The lovely bride and groom walked back down the aisle, hands raised, smiles wide, celebrating the fact that their bond was official. The crowd applauded. The reception hour began. I glanced down at my phone.
4:37 PM. Perfect. There was a window here. A small one, although a window all the same. Time to pull out the phone and tune into the Suns game.
Yes, I was that guy. The guy with his phone quietly propped up during the reception, trying to sneak glances at the broadcast while conversations floated around the courtyard. I was looking forward to this matchup with Toronto. In my mind, the Raptors resemble the Suns of the Eastern Conference. A team outperforming expectations and doing much of the work on the defensive side of the floor. The basketball version of that Spider-Man pointing meme.
We were standing around one of those little cocktail tables when Rasheer Fleming started cooking. He put together one of the better stretches of basketball we have seen from a Suns player all season. The kind of run that makes you lean over to the person next to you and say, “Hey, this kid might have something”. Granted, when I did, I learned the guy next to me had no clue who Fleming was and had only politely asked me what I was watching earlier. Ugh…I am a Suns Sicko.
I was in line grabbing tacos when Phoenix pushed the lead to 58–47. Up 11, I was feeling good. The team, albeit Booker and Green-centric, was knocking down their shots.
In the fourth quarter, the Suns held a 100–90 lead, and I thought to myself, “Alright, things look under control. Might as well grab another round of tacos.”
That is when it unraveled.
Standing there in line with a strawberry lemonade in hand, I watching the game on my phone as the whole thing started slipping away possession by possession. Nothing like witnessing a collapse while holding a drink at a dry wedding and wondering if you somehow caused it by stepping away from the table. It was time to splash that lemonade with some 10 Cane rum, which I discreetly pulled from my pocket.
Phoenix lost the game just as a plate of carne asada street tacos was placed in my hands. I slammed the remainder of my lemonade as I navigated back to my table. There would be no reason to dance tonight.
The larger story continues to develop on the floor. A wedding celebrates two people becoming one and learning to operate together. The Phoenix Suns are trying to build something similar with Jalen Green and Devin Booker. As Green has regained his health and rhythm, the two guards have started to look comfortable sharing the floor.
Over the past five games, the numbers jump off the page. Booker is averaging 32.6 points, shooting 43.2% from deep, while adding 5.2 assists and 4.4 rebounds. Green is right there with him. He is averaging 28.8 points, hitting 38.9% from beyond the arc while launching 10.8 threes per game. He is also contributing 3.6 assists and 4.2 rebounds.
The team sits at 4–1 over the last five games, although the lone loss arrived against the Toronto Raptors. That game served as a reminder of something simple. Like a marriage, basketball requires balance. That is what the Suns are trying to sort out as they continue reintegrating Jalen Green into the offense. Getting 61.4 points per game from your backcourt sounds fantastic. It provides options. It forces opposing defenses to think about multiple threats when the game tightens late.
Although balance still has to exist. That will be the mission for Phoenix over the remainder of the season.
One of the Suns’ quiet superpowers this year has been their balance. Devin Booker stepped back from his usual scoring volume and leaned into facilitation. That approach helped unlock strong seasons from players around him. Collin Gillespie. Royce O’Neale. Grayson Allen. Dillon Brooks. Those guys have produced some of the best basketball of their careers because the ball found them in the right moments.
Now the equation has shifted.
Insert Jalen Green into the lineup, and the offense naturally changes. That is expected. The Suns have become extremely guard-centric during this stretch. Over the last two games, Booker and Green combined for an average of 72 points. At the same time, Collin Gillespie averaged two points.
That is the lesson sitting in front of the team. It is perfectly fine for Booker and Green to carry the scoring load against certain opponents. Some nights, that is the best path to victory. But the offense still needs to involve everyone else on the floor.
Gillespie attempted 4.5 field goals per game over the last two contests and went 0-for from three during that span. That is not a sustainable formula for winning basketball. Gillespie has been one of the surprise contributors this season. Right now, he is sacrificing touches so Booker and Green can operate. The Suns need to find the middle ground where those two guards can cook while the rest of the offense remains alive. That balance will determine how far this group can go.
So that is where the Suns are right now.
They are in the learning curve portion of the season. The post-honeymoon phase. The time when the group starts figuring out where to push and where to pull, how to share the floor, and how to make the parts move together. Is it a little strange that this process is happening during the final fifth of the season? Sure. Although that is what injuries do. They disrupt the rhythm, force adjustments, and send teams back into the lab when the calendar says they should already have the answers.
These final games become the testing ground. Jordan Ott and his staff are watching closely. They are experimenting with rotations, studying which combinations work, learning when to lean on the guards and when to spread the responsibility around the floor.
The goal is simple. Find the balance that allows everyone to move forward together. A group that functions like a true team, where every player understands his role and the whole machine operates as one.
In the end, the Suns are standing at the same altar every good team eventually reaches. Talent is easy to assemble, chemistry is harder to sustain. Booker and Green can light up the scoreboard, although the real promise of this group lies in whether the rest of the roster stays part of the ceremony. If Phoenix finds that balance, the kind where the stars shine, and the role players still feel the ball in their hands, then this partnership has a chance to last a while. If not, the honeymoon phase will end quickly. And just like any marriage, the next stretch of games will reveal whether this relationship truly works.
Congrats to the happy couple, William and Brooke Lissy.
Hey there, Planeteers, we had an exciting week as the Suns delivered some crazy finishes and kicked off their road trip. We discussed the four games that took place, also talking about the standout play from the backcourt duo of Green and Booker, and breaking down Rasheer Fleming’s ascension into this team.
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 14: Jaylon Tyson #20 and Dean Wade #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers high five during the game against the Detroit Pistons during Preseason on October 14, 2025 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The playoffs are just a month away for the Cleveland Cavaliers. That’s exciting, but also daunting for a team that is still trying to figure out how they want to play.
The additions of James Harden, Dennis Schroder, and Keon Ellis have bolstered the team. Each has brought something necessary to the group that should help them in the playoffs. The issue is that they haven’t had much time to figure out the lineups and rotations around the new players, given the injuries and the short amount of time they’ve had together.
Generally speaking, the Cavs will go as far as their best players take them in the postseason. Donovan Mitchell, Harden, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen will each need to be healthy and playing near their best if they’re going to get through teams like the Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, or New York Knicks.
That said, playoff games can also be swung by role players. The Cavs have plenty who can do so.
Earlier this week, we asked which role player is most important for the Cavs among the group of Jaylon Tyson, Dean Wade, Sam Merrill, Dennis Schroder, and any of the other players not listed. According to Cavs fans, Tyson is the most important, as he garnered 47% of the vote.
Tyson has made a significant leap forward this season. He’s gone from someone who could really only provide spot minutes in his rookie year to someone who has played himself into being an indispensable part of the rotation. Tyson has a well-rounded skill set on both sides of the court and plays a position of need.
Tyson showed his importance by scoring 22 points in the team’s recent win over the Pistons on March 3. However, he’s struggled since that time, as 11 points is the most he’s registered in the four games since. This includes a disappointing eight-point performance against the Celtics on March 8.
As of now, the Cavs are one of the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference. FanDuel Sportsbook gives them the second-best chance to win the East. They’re +280 to do so behind only the Celtics. The Cavs also have the fifth-best chance to win the NBA Finals at +1000.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 14: Justin Edwards #11 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 14, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
2025-26 Sixers Bell Ringer season standings: Tyrese Maxey – 22 Joel Embiid – 9 VJ Edgecombe – 9 Paul George – 6 Kelly Oubre Jr. – 4 Justin Edwards – 3 Jared McCain :’( – 3 Dominick Barlow – 2 Andre Drummond – 2 MarJon Beauchamp – 1 Adem Bona – 1 Quentin Grimes – 1 Cam Payne – 1 Jabari Walker – 1 Trendon Watford – 1 15th roster spot – 1
Just when I think this team couldn’t possibly surprise me, they exceed my expectations (negatively).
Despite trying their hardest seemingly to lose at the end, the Philadelphia 76ers escaped Saturday afternoon with a close 104-97 win over the Brooklyn Nets.
The Sixers were again wildly shorthanded, remaining without Joel Embiid (oblique), Tyrese Maxey (finger), Paul George (suspension), Kelly Oubre Jr. (elbow), Andre Drummond (back) and Johni Broome (knee). They got Adem Bona back in the lineup, who had missed the last contest due to back soreness, but lost Jabari Walker, who missed this one due to illness.
They faced off against a tanking Brooklyn Nets team with more than a handful of injury outages themselves.
So, yet another contest of stoppable force against moveable object.
Fortunately, this iteration of the Nets made the Sixers look like a real basketball team at times. By halftime, Philadelphia had already built a 22-point lead, thanks in part to Brooklyn only managing 31 points on just 11 field goals made by the break. Everything was going as well as one could ask for, with the Sixers leading by as much as 28 in the third frame (which they still managed to lose, by the way).
In the fourth, things shifted. The Sixers were ice cold from three, couldn’t buy a bucket and the Nets began capitalizing. Suddenly, we had a single-digit game once again. Brooklyn took their first lead of the game with just over three minutes to play. Despite being outscored 41-27 in the last quarter and really looking like they were about to drop a game to a 17-win team, the Sixers were able to regain control and escape with a 104-97 win.
This was the first leg of a back-to-back (yes, another one) for the Sixers, who will host the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday evening.
<p>(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images
After a tough game for the rookie on Thursday, shooting just 3-for-14 against the Detroit Pistons, it was great to see VJ Edgecombe get this one started off on the right foot. Or should I say on really no feet, since he spent a lot of the first quarter soaring for a few of his high-flying dunks. Those highlights are always fun of course, but even more encouraging is seeing Edgecombe just efficiently using his speed and fancy footwork in isolation to finishing at the rim or hitting the jumper. After one quarter, he led with 10 points on 5-for-8 field goal shooting with one assist, two steals and one block.
His personal scoring slowed a bit from there, but Edgecombe continued to run the offense by serving up some amazing passes to set up his teammates for open, easy buckets. The rookie is already wise beyond his years in terms of understanding the amount of attention he is going to garner with the current lineup the Sixers are having to run with, and he’s taking advantage of it to create a ton of space and opportunities for his floormates (when the openings aren’t there for him to just score himself).
If anything, Edgecombe might have started deferring to playmaking over scoring a little too much as this one went on. It’s good the rookie doesn’t want to be a selfish player, but he should be taking a lot more than 13 shots in games like this.
Edgecombe finished the game with 16 points (6-for-13 field goal shooting) with four rebounds, seven assists, two steals and one block.
And, of course, the rookie VJ Edgecombe. Started the day with a burst of scoring and continued it with some stellar playmaking throughout.
(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Justin Edwards has really impressed me the last few games. Of course, the makeup of the team is very unusual right now, but he’s making the most of his opportunities to try some different things and get better at what he’s good at. Where I feel like Edwards has struggled in the past — not being aggressive enough to get to the paint and finish there rather than just taking some threes here and there — he has been much better these last few contests. And he’s not doing it all willy-nilly either, he’s actively waiting for and attacking closeouts to create good opportunities for himself and finishing well at the rim.
Not only that, but he’s been one of the best, most active defenders the Sixers have had as of late. Edwards had three steals and two blocks today.
It very likely helps Edwards (and other guys further down the depth chart) to know that he won’t be pulled from a game after one or two missed shots or a bad defensive play — it’s certainly showing in his confidence level on the floor.
Edwards finished this one with 19 points on 9-for-13 field goal shooting with four rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocks.
Going to try to focus on the good of that Sixers-Nets game for a moment. Justin Edwards, looking confident (likely knowing he's not going to get pulled for one or two missed shots), really impressed today.
<p>(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images
Quentin Grimes led the scoring today for Philadelphia by way of shooting early and often, starting with a three from the top of the key just a few minutes in and not stopping until he made a crucial late bucket to help the Sixers survive the Nets’ comeback. He was also one of the Sixers’ more active, effective rebounders today with eight boards, something the squad needs all the help they can get with considering they have just one available center in the lineup.
I’ll be honest, though, Grimes’ shot selection leaves a lot to be desired in my eyes. He took a lot of shots I wouldn’t have considered to be the Sixer’s best option on the floor, including a lot of long twos. Fortunately, he was sinking a decent amount of those today… but he also missed plenty, and has missed plenty of those types of bad shots in the past. Maybe it’s just me, but it just seems like sometimes Grimes’ stats make it look like he played a better game than he actually did.
That being said, he did lead the Sixers in scoring today, so we must give credit where credit is due.
Grimes finished the game leading the field with 28 points on 10-for-22 field goal shooting. He also had eight rebounds, four assists and a steal.
Quentin Grimes gets the jumper to go and the Sixers have a five-point lead with under a minute left pic.twitter.com/rtfzdtd2i9
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Quentin Grimes scored a season-high 28 points and the Philadelphia 76ers held on for a 104-97 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday.
Grimes had eight rebounds for the short-handed 76ers, who were missing Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr., among other players. Justin Edwards scored 19 points while adding three steals.
Danny Wolf had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Nets, who lost their third straight game. Josh Minott added 14 points.
The 76ers entered halftime up 53-31. Adem Bona’s free throw with 3:02 left in the fourth quarter gave Philadelphia the lead for good at 88-87.
The Sixers shot 10.3 percentage points better from the field (46.3%) than the Nets (36.0%).
Up next
Sixers: Host the Trail Blazers on Sunday.
Nets: Host the Trail Blazers on Monday to begin a three-game homestand.
And the loss came about as dramatically as possible.
Dayton, the No. 4 seed in the Atlantic 10 tournament, continued its push for an unlikely NCAA Tournament berth with a 70-69 upset of Saint Louis, the league's regular-season champion, on Saturday, March 14 in the tournament semifinals in Pittsburgh.
The end result, notable as it was, couldn't match the excitement of the sequence that produced it.
With his team trailing by one, 66-65, Dayton's Jacob Conner buried a 3-pointer with 14 seconds remaining to give the Flyers a two-point advantage. It was short-lived, though, with the top-seeded Billikens responding on the other end with a 3 from the top of the key from Saint Louis star and college basketball folk hero Robbie Avila with 6.6 seconds to go to give his team a one-point edge.
Just when it looked like the Billikens might escape with a berth in the title game, Dayton had other ideas.
Flyers guard Jordan Derkack received the inbound pass and drove it the length of the court, but stumbled as he split a pair of Saint Louis defenders under the basket and threw up a high-arcing reverse layup. Though the ball failed to touch any part of the rim, it found the extended hand of Dayton big man Amaël L'Etang, who tipped it in with 0.3 seconds remaining, sending the crowd into pandemonium and even prompting one of his teammates to rush the floor from the bench to embrace him.
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 14, 2026
The Billikens were able to get a shot off before the buzzer, but it missed badly, sending Dayton to the conference title game.
In all, the game had five lead changes in the final 3:09.
The victory continued a recent hot streak for the Flyers, who have won eight of their past nine games after starting the season 15-9. They'll need to win the tournament championship game against the winner of Saturday's semifinal between No. 2 seed VCU and No. 3 seed Saint Joseph's to make it to the NCAA tournament.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Quentin Grimes scored a season-high 28 points and the Philadelphia 76ers held on for a 104-97 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday in a game they led by as many as 28.
Grimes shot 10 for 22 and had eight rebounds for the short-handed 76ers, who were missing Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr., among others. Justin Edwards scored 19 points while adding three steals.
Danny Wolf had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Nets, who were without leading scorer Michael Porter Jr. (ankle) and lost their third straight game. Josh Minott added 14 points.
The 76ers entered halftime up 53-31, but the Nets came back in the second half, taking the lead in the fourth quarter. Adem Bona’s free throw with 3:02 left gave Philadelphia the lead for good at 88-87.
The Sixers shot 10.3 percentage points better from the field (46.3%) than the Nets (36.0%).
Up next
Sixers: Host the Trail Blazers on Sunday.
Nets: Host the Trail Blazers on Monday to begin a three-game homestand.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MARCH 12: The sneakers worn by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder before the game against the Boston Celtics 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 14: VJ Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 14, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Brooklyn Nets never seriously considered making a playoff run in June when they drafted five rookies in the first round, in August when they ate unplayable salary for future picks, and in November when they began sitting veterans to give younger players more developmental minutes.
Thursday night was the first time they acted like it. Neither Nic Claxton nor Noah Clowney played against the Hawks beyond the 4:43 mark of the third quarter, even with the game well within reach. Three two-way players logged 13 or more minutes.
It was only right that after that loss, the Nets were mathematically eliminated from postseason contention.
“It goes back to seeing guys that haven’t had a chance to play those minutes, because it gives me a better sense of who they are as players and what can I see as they develop,” Fernández said of the rotation.
This Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia, home of “The Process, evaluation remained Brooklyn’s primary objective. The team didn’t let Claxton get any burn this time, ruling him out for “rest.” Drake Powell even sat for “left knee injury management.” Michael Porter Jr. did so as well with a right ankle sprain.
The Nets also went 10 deep in the first frame, giving minutes to several Long Island mainstays and even Malachi Smith, who the team announced had signed a 10-day contract three hours before tipoff. This is March!
The hosting Philadelphia 76ers? They were after a win, and with the Nets less interested, the game went about as you’d expect it. Philly jumped up to an 29-16 after the first quarter. V. J. Edgecombe punched in 10 early points to help get his team there and give the Nets one more lesson on the importance of boosting pick value. Less than halfway through the second quarter, after the Nets experienced a five minutes scoreless stretch, they led by 20+. Brooklyn didn’t break 30 points until there were 33 seconds left in the first half.
The Nets’ offensive issues were systemic, not the result of one or two players’ performance. Their starting five composed of Nolan Traoré, Terance Mann, Ziaire Williams, Noah Clowney, and Danny Wolf shot 6-20 from the field in the first half. The whole team shot 3-20 from beyond the arc. The Sixers simply threw them aside, and in more ways than one…
Jordi Fernández was not happy after Trendon Watford appeared to shove Danny Wolf after this play. pic.twitter.com/vZv7cI5gbo
Watford getting chippy against his old team was far and away the most entertaining segment of the first half. The second had to be Chaney Johnson pitching in five first period points, seven rebounds, three steals, and a rejected a shot in 11 minutes. That’s a least a nice chapter within this rather bleak story.
In fairness, this was Brooklyn’s earliest game of season. Being the youngest team in the league, and perhaps still dealing with the aftereffects of daylight savings, they indeed looked like a bunch of tired students sleepwalking through first period.
And then .. as time passed, they slowly woke up — first with a stretch, then a yawn, and eventually something that looked like basketball.
The Nets matched their first half output in triples made less than five minutes into the third. Brooklyn managed to win the quarter by a singular point, and while Philly remained up 20+, much to Fernández’s appreciation, they continued to fight.
Brooklyn kept beating up on the rim in the fourth, but grabbed six offensive rebounds to finish with nine second chance points. As Philadelphia looked to coast to a win, the Nets rocked the boat as much as they could. A flurry of threes from Tyson Etienne and Danny Wolf combined with an 0-13 3-point shooting performance from Philadelphia in the second half allowed Brooklyn to cut it to five with 4:27 remaining.
None of the starters came in after that minus Traoré, and none of it mattered. After another triple from Etienne, Brooklyn hoisted a one point lead with 3:23 to go. Yes, this is the same team that trailed by as many as 28 earlier in the afternoon.
It was a hell of a scare, both for the Sixers and Tank FC, but nothing more. In the closing minutes, Philly found its way to the line a handful of times to slow things down and reestablish a lead. Quentin Grimes then commanded a mass exhale across the northeast corridor after rattling in a midrange jumper that made it a five point game with less than a minute to go. That was enough of a cushion to protect the win even as Brooklyn played the foul game.
Still, with 41 points in the fourth quarter, the Nets beat their entire scoring output for the first half by double digits. Between the numbers and the names in the box score, the comeback was an impressive as anything we’ve seen from Brooklyn this year.
Final: Philadelphia 76ers 104, Brooklyn Nets 97
Milestone Watch
E.J. Liddell scored a career-high 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting overall including 2-of-3 threes.
Chaney Johnson set career highs with six points, 10 rebounds and three steals
Tyson Etienne scored a season-high 11 points with three 3-pointers
The loss put the Nets back in a tie for third with the Wizards in Tankathon rankings, and if you measure by percentage points, the third spot is theirs. They are also two games back of the Pacers No. 1 and one game back of the Kings for No. 2. The teams with the three worst records have identical chances at the overall No. 1 pick, but the No. 3 pick can fall to No. 7 while the No. 1 pick can fall no lower than No. 5.
Next Up
The Nets will play the upstart Portland Trail Blazers for the first time this year on Monday. They’ll play them on the road again about a week later. This one tips off in the Barclays Center at 7:30 p.m. EST.
COLLEGE PARK, Ga. (AP) — Zaria Hurston scored 13 points, Olivia Delancey tallied 12, and Southern took down Alabama State 73-56 on Saturday to win the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship and punch their ticket to March Madness.
The win clinches the second-straight SWAC title and eighth overall for the No. 4-seeded Lady Jaguars (19-13).
D'Shantae Edwards scored 11, and Jocelyn Tate chipped in with 10 points for Southern, who shot 49% from the field and 54% from deep while holding Alabama State to 28% and 14% marks, respectively. The Lady Jaguars led for all but 54 seconds of the game.
Southern got off to a hot start, with a 9-0 first-quarter run putting them comfortably ahead. It extended the lead to 22 before halftime, taking a 41-19 advantage to the locker rooms.
Alabama State battled back with a 12-1 run of their own in the third quarter, but their momentum was short-lived.
Caylee Simpson paced the Lady Hornets (17-15) with 19 points, and Shamya Reid scored 10. Clearia Peterson had four steals.
Southern has made the Division I Tournament four times under eighth-year head coach Carlos Funchess. Last year, they won 68-56 over 16-seed UC San Diego in the First Four before bowing out against No. 1-seed UCLA 84-46 in the first round.
Up next
Southern awaits seeding for the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, which will be revealed on Sunday. The tournament tips off with the First Four on Wednesday and Thursday, and the first round begins Friday.
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Cam Gillus, Ose Okojie and Bryce Harris all scored 14 points, and top-seeded Howard opened the second half with a decisive run to beat No. 3 seed North Carolina Central 70-63 on Wednesday, claiming the MEAC title and a spot in the NCAA tournament.
Howard (23-10) led 26-23 at halftime before breaking the game open down the stretch. The Bison opened the second half on a 15-1 run, turning a three-point lead into a 41-24 advantage with 16:18 remaining and did not trail the rest of the way.
The Bison, who have won two of the last three MEAC Tournament titles, got 14 points apiece from Gillus, Okojie and Harris. Cedric Taylor III added 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Harris finished with 10 rebounds.
N.C. Central (14-18) spent the rest of the half trying to recover and got within six points several times, including 58-52 after a 3-pointer by Dionte Johnson with 4:19 left. Howard answered each push and closed the game at the free-throw line.
Johnson led the Eagles with 14 points and seven rebounds. Gage Lattimore added 12 points, Kelechi Okworogwo scored 11 and Jae Slack had 11 off the bench.
Howard made 27 of 35 free throws, while North Carolina Central committed 13 turnovers.
Up Next
Howard claimed an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Tournament, which begins Tuesday with the First Four. They await their matchup and seeding, which will be revealed on Sunday.
The epic finishes that makes this such a great time in college basketball are already happening, with the latest example coming in the Big Ten tournament. The semifinal matchup between Michigan and Wisconsin was setting up for an epic finish, with the Badgers pulling off a furious comeback to make it a tie game at 65-65 with under 30 seconds left.
The Wolverines had the final possession and for a moment, it didn't look like much was materializing. That was until Elliot Cadeau found Yaxel Lendeborg behind the arc, and he showed why he's the Big Ten Player of the Year.
Lendeborg drilled a 3-pointer with less than a second left to get a 68-65 lead as the Michigan crowd inside United Center erupted.
YAXEL GIVES MICHIGAN THE LEAD IN THE FINAL SECOND!
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 14, 2026
Wisconsin was unable to hit the miracle heave as Michigan avenged a loss from the regular season. It provided an exclamation mark on what was a rather quiet afternoon for Lendeborg, who finished with 12 points, five rebounds and three assists.
But all was redeemed when he hit what play-by-play commentator Ian Eagle called a "triple Yaxel."
"I live for those moments. I've always dreamed of hitting a shot like that, so today was my moment to hit a shot like that, and I did," Lendeborg said on the CBS broadcast.
The win advanced the Wolverines to the Big Ten championship game against the winner of Purdue vs. UCLA on Sunday, March 15, as Michigan closes in on a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
