Washington Wizards (17-55, 13th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Golden State Warriors (35-38, 10th in the Western Conference)
San Francisco; Friday, 10 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Brandin Podziemski and the Golden State Warriors host Alex Sarr and the Washington Wizards in non-conference play.
The Warriors have gone 20-15 at home. Golden State is fourth in the league with 29.0 assists per game led by Draymond Green averaging 5.3.
The Wizards are 6-29 on the road. Washington gives up 123.9 points to opponents while being outscored by 11.1 points per game.
The Warriors average 15.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.4 more made shots on average than the 13.5 per game the Wizards allow. The Wizards average 112.8 points per game, 2.0 fewer than the 114.8 the Warriors give up.
The teams play for the second time this season. In the last matchup on March 16 the Warriors won 125-117 led by 30 points from Kristaps Porzingis, while Trae Young scored 21 points for the Wizards.
TOP PERFORMERS: Podziemski is shooting 44.6% and averaging 13.1 points for the Warriors. LJ Cryer is averaging 1.8 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Bilal Coulibaly is scoring 11.3 points per game and averaging 4.4 rebounds for the Wizards. Will Riley is averaging 15.0 points and 3.9 rebounds over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Warriors: 3-7, averaging 114.5 points, 40.7 rebounds, 27.7 assists, 10.4 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 46.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 120.1 points per game.
Wizards: 1-9, averaging 116.4 points, 38.7 rebounds, 25.0 assists, 7.3 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 48.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 129.4 points.
INJURIES: Warriors: Jimmy Butler III: out for season (knee), Seth Curry: out (adductor), Al Horford: out (calf), Quinten Post: out (foot), Moses Moody: out for season (knee), Stephen Curry: out (knee), Malevy Leons: out (illness).
Wizards: Anthony Davis: out (finger), Tristan Vukcevic: day to day (back), Cam Whitmore: out for season (shoulder), Alex Sarr: day to day (toe), Tre Johnson: day to day (foot), Kyshawn George: out (elbow), D'Angelo Russell: out (not injury related), Trae Young: out (quad).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Dallas Mavericks (23-50, 13th in the Western Conference) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (37-37, ninth in the Western Conference)
Portland, Oregon; Friday, 10 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Dallas is looking to break its five-game skid with a win against Portland.
The Trail Blazers have gone 25-20 against Western Conference teams. Portland ranks seventh in the NBA with 46.0 rebounds led by Donovan Clingan averaging 11.8.
The Mavericks have gone 12-33 against Western Conference opponents. Dallas is 10-15 when it turns the ball over less than its opponents and averages 14.2 turnovers per game.
The Trail Blazers score 115.5 points per game, 3.8 fewer points than the 119.3 the Mavericks allow. The Mavericks average 114.0 points per game, 2.7 fewer than the 116.7 the Trail Blazers allow.
The teams square off for the third time this season. The Trail Blazers won the last meeting 125-122 on Dec. 30, with Deni Avdija scoring 27 points in the victory.
TOP PERFORMERS: Clingan is shooting 52.6% and averaging 12.4 points for the Trail Blazers. Avdija is averaging 21.6 points over the last 10 games.
Naji Marshall is averaging 15.4 points and 3.3 assists for the Mavericks. Cooper Flagg is averaging 21.0 points and 7.1 rebounds while shooting 47.4% over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Trail Blazers: 7-3, averaging 118.4 points, 48.4 rebounds, 28.8 assists, 7.9 steals and 7.2 blocks per game while shooting 47.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.1 points per game.
Mavericks: 2-8, averaging 118.7 points, 44.3 rebounds, 28.3 assists, 7.5 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 47.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 129.7 points.
INJURIES: Trail Blazers: Shaedon Sharpe: out (calf), Vit Krejci: day to day (calf), Damian Lillard: out for season (achilles).
Mavericks: Dereck Lively II: out for season (foot), Caleb Martin: day to day (foot), Kyrie Irving: out for season (knee), Daniel Gafford: day to day (shoulder).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Houston Rockets (43-29, sixth in the Western Conference) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (24-48, 12th in the Western Conference)
Memphis, Tennessee; Friday, 8 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Houston will attempt to end its four-game road skid when the Rockets take on Memphis.
The Grizzlies are 6-8 against opponents in the Southwest Division. Memphis gives up 119.1 points to opponents and has been outscored by 4.0 points per game.
The Rockets are 7-6 against the rest of their division. Houston has a 20-16 record against teams over .500.
The Grizzlies score 115.1 points per game, 4.9 more points than the 110.2 the Rockets give up. The Rockets average 11.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 3.0 fewer made shots on average than the 14.2 per game the Grizzlies give up.
The two teams play for the third time this season. The Rockets defeated the Grizzlies 108-99 in their last matchup on Jan. 27. Kevin Durant led the Rockets with 33 points, and Santi Aldama led the Grizzlies with 17 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Cam Spencer is shooting 46.7% and averaging 11.1 points for the Grizzlies. Javon Small is averaging 1.8 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Durant is averaging 26 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists for the Rockets. Reed Sheppard is averaging 2.8 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Grizzlies: 1-9, averaging 111.6 points, 37.2 rebounds, 23.9 assists, 9.1 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 43.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 127.1 points per game.
Rockets: 4-6, averaging 111.3 points, 45.7 rebounds, 26.2 assists, 7.7 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 47.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.1 points.
INJURIES: Grizzlies: Santi Aldama: out for season (knee), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: out for season (finger), Ja Morant: out for season (elbow), Scotty Pippen Jr.: out for season (toe), Zach Edey: out for season (ankle), Ty Jerome: day to day (ankle), Jaylen Wells: day to day (toe), Jahmai Mashack: day to day (ankle), Brandon Clarke: out for season (calf).
Rockets: Fred VanVleet: out for season (acl), Steven Adams: out for season (ankle).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Utah Jazz (21-52, 14th in the Western Conference) vs. Denver Nuggets (46-28, fourth in the Western Conference)
Denver; Friday, 9 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Denver hosts the Utah Jazz after Jamal Murray scored 53 points in the Denver Nuggets' 142-135 victory against the Dallas Mavericks.
The Nuggets are 28-16 in Western Conference games. Denver scores 121.1 points while outscoring opponents by 4.4 points per game.
The Jazz are 1-12 against division opponents. Utah leads the Western Conference with 29.4 assists. Isaiah Collier leads the Jazz with 7.2.
The Nuggets are shooting 49.5% from the field this season, 0.4 percentage points higher than the 49.1% the Jazz allow to opponents. The Jazz average 117.3 points per game, 0.6 more than the 116.7 the Nuggets give up to opponents.
The teams meet for the third time this season. The Nuggets won 128-125 in the last matchup on March 3.
TOP PERFORMERS: Tim Hardaway Jr. is scoring 13.7 points per game and averaging 2.6 rebounds for the Nuggets. Murray is averaging 25.3 points and 4.6 rebounds over the last 10 games.
Cody Williams is scoring 7.7 points per game and averaging 2.8 rebounds for the Jazz. Ace Bailey is averaging 3.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Nuggets: 7-3, averaging 127.4 points, 46.0 rebounds, 32.8 assists, 6.1 steals and 3.1 blocks per game while shooting 51.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.6 points per game.
Jazz: 2-8, averaging 115.2 points, 42.8 rebounds, 28.0 assists, 9.8 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 45.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 124.8 points.
INJURIES: Nuggets: Aaron Gordon: day to day (hamstring).
Jazz: Lauri Markkanen: out (hip), Isaiah Collier: day to day (hamstring), Keyonte George: out (leg), Kyle Filipowski: day to day (illness), Walker Kessler: out for season (shoulder), Brice Sensabaugh: day to day (rest), Jusuf Nurkic: out for season (nose), Jaren Jackson Jr.: out for season (knee).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
SAN FRANCISCO — Gui Santos scored a career-high 31 points, Draymond Green made two clutch free throws with 6.9 seconds remaining and the Golden State Warriors beat the Nets 109-106 on Wednesday to clinch a play-in spot.
Brandin Podziemski had 22 points, six rebounds and five assists for the Warriors (35-38), who won their first game at Chase Center since returning from a grueling 2-4 road trip.
Kristaps Porzingis added 17 points and De’Anthony Melton had 14, including a pair of free throws in the final seconds, as Golden State beat Brooklyn in San Francisco for the first time since Dec. 16, 2023.
Gui Santos, who scored a game-high 31 points, goes up for a layup as Ziaire Williams looks on during the Nets’ 109-106 loss to the Warriors on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco. John Hefti-Imagn Images
Ziaire Williams had 19 points for the Nets, who have lost nine straight. Jalen Wilson added 15 points off the bench while Ben Saraf had 14 points and seven rebounds.
The sellout at Chase Center was the 600th consecutive sellout for the Warriors, the sixth-longest streak in NBA history,
The Nets, who will face LeBron James and the Lakers on Friday night, led most of the game, trailed going into the fourth then wore down over the final 12 minutes.
Brooklyn shot 8 for 20 (2 for 9 behind the arc) down the stretch.
Still without injured star Stephen Curry, the Warriors committed 15 turnovers in the first two quarters and had trouble running their offense with much consistency.
The Nets also got off to a sluggish start and missed 10 of their first 15 shots before Williams warmed up.
The former first-round draft pick repeatedly attacked through the paint and scored 11 points to help Brooklyn to a 58-50 halftime lead.
Golden State pulled within 63-62 midway through the third before Powell made consecutive 3-pointers to get Brooklyn on track.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 25: LJ Cryer #18 of the Golden State Warriors plays defense during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 25, 2026 at Chase Center 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Those of you who stayed up to watch our 17-win Nets play into the wee hours of the morning were rewarded with an entertaining bout, a touch of history, and somehow still, a lottery-friendly game result.
Those of you who reading this in the morning, first off, no one is blaming you. Hanging with this team in any capacity through this point in the season is more than admirable. So, we’ll do our best to deliver everything that went down anyway…
Brooklyn’s usual, and by that I mean “poor,” start tonight in no way indicated the wild ride they’d eventually take us on. They began the game 2-10 from the field and looked headed for another blowout in a hurry. With a few timely cutes and slick feeds, the Nets queued themselves up several good looks at the rim, but just couldn’t slide the turkey into the oven.
However, the Warriors, who’ve gone 7-16 since having to shelve Steph Curry with runners knee, had their own debilitating basketball vice in the opening minutes too. Golden State surrendered 10 turnovers in the first period alone. And with that grace provided by the extra possessions, Brooklyn eventually found its footing, pulled into the lead, and its shooting above 50% from the frame.
Even as the offense improved, Brooklyn’s closing minutes of the first weren’t without their mistakes…
In fairness, we’re well beyond asking for perfect, or even decent basketball from this young, hard-working, but obviously talent-deficient team. However, as the game rolled on, the former traits shined brighter than the latter, and brighter than gold.
Brooklyn continued to turn the Warriors over in the second, getting their total up to 15 less than 18 minutes into the game. The Nets also got up by a dozen around that point after Ben Saraf nailed a triple that broke a streak of 18 straight misses for him from deep. Brooklyn’s audaciousness grew so abundant in the second, that at one point, Terance Mann tried to drop a hammer on one of the best statistical rim protectors of our time…
Wisely, Golden State started slowing things down after that, getting to the line and getting 10 points there in the period. They were about to close the half on a 16-9 run until Malachi Smith, with his second 10-day contract still damp with ink, bolted past everyone for lay-in off the glass that made it a 58-50 game at the break.
Jalen Wilson and Ziaire Williams led the Nets with 11 points each at that point. Williams nabbed four steals along the way as well. The most he’d had in a game before tonight was five. He tied that mark less than three minutes into the second half and surpassed it a few minutes later. He finished with a whopping six to go with 19 points on 6-11 shooting.
One of the few other veterans available tonight, Nic Claxton, was less involved in the box score both at half and beyond. Clax picked up his fourth foul of the game with 5:27 to go and ended up with only three shot attempts in the first half. He logged just eight points in 20 minutes for the game and did not play beyond the third quarter.
In that period, Golden State looked primed to re-take the lead the after starting it on a 12-5 run. However, Drake Powell said “not so fast” with two back-to-back threes that kept his team afloat.
But while maintaining their buoyancy, the Nets eventually drifted into rough waters, and took the Warriors with them. Like a limp sailboat, both teams rocked back and forth in the latter half of the third, trading possessions and points at a rapid pace as the turnovers and shot-making both increased.
Gui Santos, who averages 8.3 points per game, added 15 points in the quarter while shooting 3-4 from deep. Brooklyn got their own “where’d that guy come from” contributions amidst the chaos as well, as Chaney Johnson added a quick six points in the frame. Williams, however, remained the guy, adding another eight before the start of the fourth.
There, the Nets started with an 86-77 lead, though Santos’ hot shooting quickly threatened the advantage again. Getting support now from Gary Payton II, Brandin Podziemski, and Draymond Green at the defensive end, the Warriors made their first three triples to open the period and tied things up 88-88 with 8:10 remaining.
Again, Drake Powell tried to change the tide, picking off a pass and going the distance to give Brooklyn back the lead once play resumed. But the Warriors, who still feel like a force of nature for this writer whose formative years took place during their heyday, maintained the look of a strong swell midway through the fourth. Next time down the floor, De’Anthony Melton got in for an easy two before Will Richard walked into a three that gave Golden State it’s first lead since the first period.
However, Golden State couldn’t get any further, and even took a few steps back with many of the final minutes played either with the score tied again or with Brooklyn ahead by a possession or two. Smith played a large part in that, beating the shot clock, blanketing defense, and the odds odds just to be there tonight at one point…
Tough shot in a tough moment. Malachi Smith is making a lot of viewers sweat tonight.
The Warriors, on the other hand, opted to roll with Porzingis in isolation down the stretch and found mixed results. On many occasions, the Unicorn looked more like a run down horse, missing short on a variety of looks around the paint. He did, however, rise over everyone to flush in a missed layup from Santos that tied things back up. Not long after that, he drew a foul on Johnson that brought him to the line and Golden State back up two with just under a minute to go.
In game riddled with responses from both teams, Brooklyn’s next was the best by a landslide, even if it wasn’t game-deciding. Next time down the floor, Saraf put Draymond on a poster and possibly into a retirement home. Maybe it’s just getting late here, but I think he gave him a bit of a stare after too…
But while Saraf’s jam had many on the Brooklyn bench smiling from ear to ear, it was Melton who got the last laugh. On the subsequent possession, the legendary ex-Net drew a foul made the necessary free throw to give his team the lead.
With only a handful of seconds remaining after that and no timeouts, the Nets had to heave the ball across the court. Rather than another chance at redemption, Josh Minott’s pass found Melton’s hands. The clock quickly ran out, the Nets told everyone “goodnight,” and picked up their eighth loss in a row.
Alas, once could argue Nets “won” with their 17 steals tonight, the most in a game in over a decade. With the Washington Wizards mopping the floor with the Utah Jazz, they also pulled into a tie with them for the second slot in the lottery standings.
We’re a ways to go, both in seeing how much that’ll matter and getting to the point where real wins are on the table, but certainly closer now.
Final: Golden State Warriors 109, Brooklyn Nets 106
Milestone Watch
Ziaire Williams career-high six steals tonight in Golden State are the most by a Net since Caris LeVert’s six on 2/22/20 at Charlotte.
The Nets have a season-high 17 steals tonight against the Warriors, which is their most in a game since recording 19 vs. Chicago on 3/3/14.
Next Up
Nets #afterdark continues on Friday evening as Brooklyn will head out to Los Angeles for a date with the Los Angeles Lakers. For those unaware, Luka Doncic has been on an absolute tear lately at the offensive end. That should provide the night owls among you with some entertainment even as the Nets likely get beat to a pulp. This one tips off at 10:30 p.m. EST.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Gui Santos scored a career-high 31 points, Draymond Green made two clutch free throws with 6.9 seconds remaining and the Golden State Warriors beat the Brooklyn Nets 109-106 on Wednesday to clinch a play-in spot.
Brandin Podziemski had 22 points, six rebounds and five assists for the Warriors (35-38), who won their first game at Chase Center since returning from a grueling 2-4 road trip.
Kristaps Porzingis added 17 points and De’Anthony Melton had 14, including a pair of free throws in the final seconds, as Golden State beat Brooklyn in San Francisco for the first time since Dec. 16, 2023.
Ziaire Williams had 19 points for the Nets, who have lost nine straight. Jalen Wilson added 15 points off the bench while Ben Saraf had 14 points and seven rebounds.
The sellout at Chase Center was the 600th consecutive sellout for the Warriors, the sixth-longest streak in NBA history.
The Nets led most of the game, trailed going into the fourth then wore down over the final 12 minutes. Brooklyn shot 8 for 20 (2 for 9 behind the arc) down the stretch.
Still without injured star Stephen Curry, the Warriors committed 15 turnovers in the first two quarters and had trouble running their offense with much consistency.
The Nets also got off to a sluggish start and missed 10 of their first 15 shots before Williams warmed up. The former first-round draft pick repeatedly attacked through the paint and scored 11 points to help Brooklyn to a 58-50 halftime lead.
Golden State pulled within 63-62 midway through the third before Powell made consecutive 3-pointers to get Brooklyn on track.
DENVER, CO - MARCH 25: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots the ball during the game against the Denver Nuggets on March 25, 2026 at Ball Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks (23-50) dropped their fifth straight game Wednesday, falling 142-135 to the Denver Nuggets (45-28) in a game that felt within reach early before completely getting away from them late. Dallas had a few solid stretches to start, showing some offensive rhythm and energy, but couldn’t sustain it as Denver’s shot-making and overall execution took over. Cooper Flagg continued his strong stretch with 26 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, while P.J. Washington added 19 points and 15 rebounds with steady production inside. On the other side, Jamal Murray put together a dominant performance with 53 points, and Nikola Jokić orchestrated everything with 23 points, 21 rebounds and 19 assists, as the Nuggets controlled the game from the middle quarters on.
The Mavericks hung around for stretches in the first half, but a Jamal Murray explosion ultimately tilted the game, as the Denver Nuggets took a 68-59 lead into halftime in a game that quickly started to feel like it was slipping away. Dallas opened with solid energy, getting contributions from multiple spots, as Naji Marshall scored efficiently and Cooper Flagg made his presence felt early as both a scorer and a playmaker, helping keep things within reach. Flagg had a noticeable impact in those opening minutes—knocking down pull-ups, attacking downhill, and creating looks for others—while Marshall’s shot-making kept the offense afloat during key stretches.
But every time the Mavericks made a push, Murray had an answer. He completely took over the second quarter, piling up 33 first-half points on 11-of-15 shooting and 6-of-9 from deep, hitting pull-ups, step-backs, and tough contested shots that Dallas simply couldn’t slow down. At the same time, Nikola Jokić quietly controlled everything else, finishing the half with 11 assists and 9 rebounds, consistently creating easy looks and keeping Denver’s offense flowing even without scoring much himself.
Dallas had some bright spots, though. There were moments especially in the third where Dallas strung together a few stops and got downhill, but it never turned into anything real, as missed shots, turnovers, and Denver’s instant responses kept resetting the margin.
The Mavs need a stopper
If this game didn’t make it obvious, nothing will Dallas desperately needs a guard who can defend at the point of attack. Jamal Murray didn’t just have a good night, he had complete control, getting wherever he wanted and scoring however he wanted, finishing with 53 points on 19-of-28 shooting and 9-of-14 from three. There was no real resistance at the top of the defense no one who could consistently stay in front, disrupt his rhythm, or even make him uncomfortable. Once he got downhill or into his pull-up game, it was over, and that kind of pressure completely breaks a defense before it even has a chance to rotate.
This is where roster construction starts to matter. Dallas has length and some versatility in the frontcourt, but without a guard who can actually contain the ball, none of it holds up. You can’t ask your bigs to clean everything up every possession, especially against elite shot-makers. That’s why this draft becomes so important. It’s not just about adding talen it’s about adding the right kind of player. Someone who can fight over screens, stay attached, and at least make life harder for guys like Murray at the point of attack.
Because nights like this aren’t just about one player getting hot they expose a structural issue. And until Dallas finds a guard who can defend at that level, this is going to keep happening.
Someone seeds to close, eventually
The Mavericks have played a ton of close games this season, but the results just haven’t followed, and that’s something that continues to show up late in these losses. Too often, possessions in crunch time turn into rushed shots, stalled actions, or empty trips, while a single defensive breakdown on the other end swings momentum the other way. It’s not just one game it’s been a pattern, and it speaks to a team that’s still learning how to execute when everything tightens up.
That said, context matters right now. Dallas isn’t necessarily trying to squeeze out every late-game win at this point in the season, and losses like these actually help their lottery positioning. There’s value in being competitive and getting those reps without sacrificing long-term upside, especially in a strong draft class.
But long term, this is something to watch especially with Cooper Flagg. He’s already showing flashes as a primary creator, but closing games is the next step: controlling tempo, getting to the right spots, and making the right reads under pressure. It’s okay that it’s messy right now given where the team is, but if the Mavericks want to take a real step forward next season, turning these close games into wins has to be part of that growth.
Cooper Flagg continues to shine
Cooper Flagg continues to look more and more like the centerpiece of what Dallas is building, and nights like this are a big part of why. He finished with 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, impacting the game in just about every way despite the result. What stands out isn’t just the production it’s how he’s getting it. He’s initiating offense, pushing in transition, making reads out of drives, and consistently putting pressure on the defense as both a scorer and playmaker.
This stretch has been especially encouraging. Over the past few games, Flagg has been steadily trending upward, not just in scoring, but in overall control of the game. He’s starting to look more comfortable as the primary option, picking his spots better and showing more patience when defenses collapse. Even when shots don’t fall, he’s still influencing possessions through rebounds, assists, and defensive activity.
There are still things to clean up, especially late-game execution and shot selection in tighter moments, but that’s expected at this stage. The important part is that the flashes are becoming more consistent. For a team leaning into development, Flagg isn’t just putting up numbers he’s showing real signs of growth as a lead initiator, and that’s the biggest takeaway moving forward.
DALLAS, TX - MARCH 23: Gui Santos #15 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on March 23, 2026 at American Airlines Center 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Down eight at halftime and down nine in the fourth quarter to a Brooklyn Nets team that came into Chase Center with one of the worst records in the NBA, the Golden State Warriors looked like a squad still jet-lagged from everything the road took from them. The Dubs coughed up twenty-six turnovers and this looked like a bad loss brewing to a tanking team.
And then Gui Santos decided he didn’t care about any of that.
The 23-year-old finished with 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting, a career statement carved out against a legitimately bad team, yes, but carved out nonetheless. When a young player finds that kind of rhythm, the opponent’s record becomes irrelevant. Santos was locked in.
The fourth quarter told the real story. Brooklyn tied the game 106-106 with under a minute left, Ben Saraf’s driving dunk over Draymond Green threatening to turn a sloppy Warriors performance into a loss nobody could explain away. Then De’Anthony Melton, who finished with 14 points and 9 rebounds, stepped to the line and hit the go-ahead free throw. Melton stopped Saraf on the next possession and Green, ice in his veins at the line down the stretch, sealed it at 109-106. That closing sequence was Warriors basketball at its most essential: survive the mess you made, close it with character.
The Warriors have clinched a spot in the play-in after tonight’s win.
Two wins in a row. First game back home after a road trip that tested this team’s identity at every stop.
Here’s the real concern the scoreboard can’t hide, though. Twenty-six turnovers against a 17-56 team is not a footnote; I see it as more of a flashing warning light. The Warriors gave up 28 points off those turnovers. Against a playoff contender, this game isn’t close at the end. That number needs to get addressed in practice, in film, in conversation, because the schedule doesn’t stay this forgiving.
But tonight, Chase Center got its team back. Santos gave them a reason to be loud. Sometimes winning ugly is exactly what a team healing from the road needs most.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 25: Blake Hinson #2 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket during the game against the Washington Wizards on March 25, 2026 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Utah Jazz likely had this game circled on the calendar for some time. It’s the matchup of two ultra tankers facing off, and the prize for losing was all-important playoff positioning. The Utah Jazz came out on top … I mean, as the losers 133-110.
At halftime, the Jazz were down a massive amount, way more than anyone expected.
It’s a good thing because the Jazz got an incredible boost from Blake Hinson. In 11 minutes tonight, Hinson was 4/5 from three, 6/8 from the field, and a +15 in a blowout loss. His shooting with this Jazz team has been incredible, and he’s looking like one of the big steals of the current rebuild. It’s really nice to see because it’s showing that Utah is finding players from multiple avenues that can contribute. Utah has Hinson for two seasons minimum with his two-way contract, but they may want to find a way to give him a standard contract next season. His shooting and overall feel for the game make him a valuable role player. Not bad at all for the Jazz to find a player like that from the G-League, and they didn’t have to use a single asset to make it happen.
We also need to give Ace Bailey some major credit for some of his highlight plays. Bailey had a bad shooting night tonight, but it felt like every one of his scores was a highlight dunk. This reverse dunk was unbelievable.
He’ll still have some up and down nights shooting the ball, but the ceiling for Ace Bailey continues to rise.
Finally, there needs to be huge credit given to Cody Williams, who has been asked to do things outside of his comfort zone. Overall, he’s doing a solid job. Williams had a great night with 24 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist. He’s playing under control and, most importantly, with real confidence. That confidence is great to see, as it shows Williams can be a contributor to winning basketball for the Jazz. If he continues on this trajectory, there’s no reason not to believe he can’t be a core part of a future playoff rotation.
It’s a massively important loss for the Jazz, who stay in the hunt for the #4 spot with the Kings.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 25: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates after a basket against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images) | Getty Images
INDIANAPOLIS — The Lakers’ season was not going to be defined by a late March road trip. But when the games truly start to matter, the six games LA battled through could very well serve as a reference point.
Across those six games, the Lakers faced a myriad of challenges, both on and off the court. They found solutions for nearly all of them and, as a result, head back home with a real chance to finish the regular season on a high.
“This is the thing that we’ve talked about a bunch is just play the game in front of you and win the game in front of you,” head coach JJ Redick said. “It’s not about looking ahead. It’s more, ‘What does this game present?’ And each game on this trip presented a different problem that we had to solve and a different matchup nightmare that we had to solve and our guys did a great job of executing throughout the trip.”
The problems presented themselves in a myriad of ways. In Houston, it was athleticism. In Miami, it was sleep deprivation. In Detroit, it was physicality. In Indiana, it was the speed and pace of play.
And on Monday, it was Bronny James who provided a spark.
Mar 25, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) shoots the ball over Indiana Pacers center Jay Huff (32) during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images | Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
The seldom-used sophomore guard parlayed his recent success in the G League into a rare appearance with the depleted parent Lakers. And they weren’t ceremonial minutes, but important ones that included a momentum-stopping jumper late in the fourth quarter to stem the tide of a Pacers run.
“He did a great job today,” Luka said of Bronny. “A big game from him. That pull-up two [in the fourth quarter], it was a big bucket. It was probably one of the most important shots of the game. They’re coming back, he hits that one. I think he did really great in those minutes.”
While Bronny is not the solution himself, he is emblematic of the Lakers’ ability to find answers. When the playoffs came around last season, they ran out of ideas quickly, bowing out in swift fashion as a result.
This season, the Lakers are a more resilient group with an ability and willingness to problem-solve, something they proved time and time again over the last week-and-a-half.
“I think we did a great job – even the game we lost that we could have won – I think just not giving up,” Luka said. “Numerous times, teams went on a run and we didn’t give up. We just kept at it.”
By keeping at it, the Lakers have positioned themselves for a strong finish. Of their final nine games, six are at home, seven are in California and only once will they have to leave the Pacific time zone. Games against Brooklyn, Washington, Dallas and Utah will match them up against tanking teams.
Following Wednesday’s results, they sit 1.5 games up on Denver, two games up on Minnesota and 3.5 games up on Houston with tiebreakers over all three teams.
Even with a game against OKC left on the schedule, the Lakers, should they simply take care of business in the final two weeks of the regular season, are primed to lock up the No. 3 seed for a second year in a row.
But if they’re to avoid the fate that followed last year’s team after the regular season ended, it’ll likely be performances like these six road games they can turn to in order to see their ride through the postseason last a little bit longer.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 25: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat drives to the basket against Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Rocket Arena on March 25, 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 Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t put their best foot forward to start this game. Let’s go over today’s winners and losers.
LOSER- Coming Out Flat
Second night of a back-to-back. Numerous key players are down due to injury. Random, meaningless game in March. I understand all of the context.
That still doesn’t mean it’s okay for the Cavs to come out as flat as they did tonight.
Miami built an early 20-point lead after pouncing all over Cleveland’s poor effort. Some of the Cavaliers’ offensive concerns can be excused due to simply missing shots (they shot 3-15 from three in the first half). But their defensive integrity was nowhere to be found. That’s especially concerning, considering Kenny Atkinson previously called them out for their poor defense against the Magic just 24 hours ago.
It’s a combination of scheme and execution. The Cavs have always rotated early and dug deep into the paint to provide help on drives. But their timing and process on this strategy have been worse as of late. They are frequently over-committing and opening themselves up to three-point onslaughts. It’s worrying that even middling offenses like the Heat can impose their will on the Cavaliers so quickly to start a game.
The Cavs proved they can ‘flip a switch’ once the second half began. The comeback was as electric as anything. With that said, I can’t blame any of the hometown fans who booed their team during the first half. That was a bad effort — and they dug themselves a hole that was ultimately too much to get out of.
WINNER – Donovan Mitchell’s Second Half Effort
Mitchell has a knack for getting the Cleveland crowd on its feet. This Cavalier team was being booed off the floor entering halftime. By the end of the third quarter, Mitchell had them in a full frenzy as his 13 points fueled a comeback and tied the game.
It was everything we’ve come to expect from Mitchell. Elite three-point shooting. Dazzling dribble moves. And a one-man heat check that brought his team (and the crowd) back to life. Mitchell hit three three-pointers in the third quarter, including back-to-back shots to swing the momentum all the way back into Cleveland’s favor.
As previously mentioned, Atkinson called out his team’s ‘compete level’ after their narrow win over Orlando. Specifically, he urged his two leaders (presumably Mitchell and James Harden) to respond. It took a full half for Mitchell to get the message, but by the end of the game, it was clear he took it to heart.
Mitchell opened the fourth quarter by diving for the ball and forcing a jumpball. That kind of scrappiness from a player who is currently on fire shooting the rock is the definition of leading by example. Mitchell’s energy sparked the run.
LOSER – Evan Mobley
Think of the things you don’t want to see from Evan Mobley. Indecisiveness. A lack of confidence. Probing aimlessly and taking shots that feel hopeless.
That’s what we saw tonight.
At one point in the first half, Mobley was working one-on-one against Bam Adebayo with the shot clock winding down. Mobley took a step-back dribble, and as he was gathering for the jumper, Bam visibly waved him off and turned around for the rebound. Mobley nearly airballed the shot.
It’s worth saying the Heat deployed a great defensive scheme. Their mixture of zone and double-coverage kept Mobley from finding an open space to operate. They sped him up and made him passive. That’s a credit to Miami.
“They mixed in a lot of zone,” said Kenny Aktinson after the game. “Those guys are tough; they’re a darn good defensive team. I think Evan’s next evolution is when they start swarming him, making those decisions.”
Later in the fourth quarter, Mobley had a deep-seal on Kel’el Ware. The Cavs dumped him the ball, and Mobley proceeded to get blocked at the rim. That sums up the night.
Every player has bad games. It’s worth noting that Mobley had been playing his best stretch of the season, and arguably one of the best of his career. But this type of performance is something we all wish we could forget.
PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 25: Jericho Sims #00 of the Milwaukee Bucks dunks the ball past Donovan Clingan #23 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half at Moda Center on March 25, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Down Giannis, Gary Harris, Bobby Portis, Kyle Kuzma, and Kevin Porter Jr., the Milwaukee Bucks got walloped by the Portland Trail Blazers 130-99. Ryan Rollins was the lone bright spot for the Bucks, notching a career-high 36 points, while Donovan Clingan led the Blazers with 14 points and 15 rebounds (six offensive).
The Bucks got off to a rough start, giving up a 10-0 run almost immediately before Ryan Rollins halted it with a Dame-esque side-step three. The Bucks would climb back into it, luckily, with Ousmane Dieng nailing a bomb to make the deficit just two, 14-12, at the seven-minute mark. Unfortunately, Milwaukee lost the rope from there, with Portland’s lead expanding to double digits behind a Jerami Grant run. You could tell the Bucks were light on bodies when Andre Jackson Jr. and Thanasis (yes, Thanasis) got run towards the end of the period, which… went about as you’d expect. Blazers up 42-27 after one.
Old friend Jrue Holiday was licking his chops at his former side, nailing his fourth triple of the game to open the second, but was answered in kind by AJax from the top of the key. The Bucks answered a fair few Blazers’ buckets as the quarter progressed, but the home team began to run over them and push their lead to above 20 by the seven-minute mark. Donovan Clingan was murdering the Bucks’ small front line, gobbling up rebound after rebound on both ends, giving his team a boatload of second-chance opportunities. By halftime, up 71-49, the Blazers had 10 O-boards to the Bucks’ three and 12 second-chance points to the Bucks’ two.
Milwaukee’s defence did not improve in the third quarter, but its offence sure did, losing the period by just one, 33-32. Ryan Rollins was the story, scoring 17 points in the period, including going 3/5 from deep. There were also some nice moments where player development shone through, with Jericho Sims knocking down a floater after moving Donovan Clingan. But yeah, the defence was as non-existent as it had been all game; a lot of that was just because the Bucks were so small, but there were certainly tactical mistakes. Portland led 104-81 after three.
After keeping the Blazers’ lead from ballooning out much further than 20, the Bucks relented to start the fourth, allowing it to expand to 30 following Scoot Henderson’s third bomb of the night. On the plus side, Rollins recorded a new career high of 34 points after hitting his sixth three-pointer of the game, besting his previous high of 32 (which came earlier this season against the Warriors, obviously). Rollins would check out with four minutes to go after notching 36 in total, making way for Cormac Ryan to get his second chance at NBA minutes this season. All in all, another disappointing night for the Bucks.
Stat That Stood Out
The Bucks actually did OK in quarters 2-4, but gave up 42 points in the opening frame, which ultimately did them in.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 03: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks and LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets chat during the game at Madison Square Garden on December 03, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Tonight, the Knicks (48*-25) visit the Hornets (38-34) at Spectrum Center. New York has won seven straight, including Tuesday’s 121-116 victory over the Pelicans. Meanwhile, Charlotte went 7-3 over their last 10 and is riding a strong home stretch with a four-game win streak on the line. Expect a spicy one tonight!
New York leads the season series 2-0. The teams last met December 3, 2025, with the Knicks winning 119-104 at Madison Square Garden. Karl-Anthony Towns led New York with a 35-point, 18-rebound double-double, while the Hornets were paced by LaMelo Ball with 32 points. They’ll next meet in the final game of the season, on April 12.
Charles Lee’s Hornets boast one of the better offenses in the league, ranking 4th in offensive rating while posting a solid 12th in defensive rating. They score 116.4 points per game and allow 111.8, giving them the league’s sixth-best net rating.
Ball (19.7 PPG, 7.1 APG) orchestrates the attack and Brandon Miller (20.3 PPG, 39% 3PT) provides scoring punch and floor spacing. Miles Bridges (17.2 PPG, 5.9 RPG) is still a bully, while rookie Kon Knueppel (probable with back soreness) adds sizzling shooting. Expected starters tonight are likely Ball, Miller, Knueppel, Bridges, and Moussa Diabaté (8.2 PPG, 8.8 RPG).
On the injury report, New York lists Miles McBride (ankle) and Landry Shamet (knee) as OUT. The Hornets have Tidjane Salaun (calf) OUT, with Pat Connaughton (illness) questionable.
Prediction
ESPN win probability sits around 51% for the Knicks. Basically a toss up. These Hornets are a tough out at home with their offensive firepower and recent momentum. They take the second-most shots from downtown and are the league’s third-best shooting team from there. Will New York’s Wingstop meet the challenge? We shall see. Expect our heroes to face early trouble from Charlotte’s spacing and longballs. It’s hard to envision the Knicks winning all four games of the regular season series, and this one certainly does look like a toss up. The fact that New York has only played two overtime games this season caught my eye, too. Something tells me this could be the third. Knicks by one in a thriller.
Game Details
Who: New York Knicks (48*-25) vs Charlotte Hornets (38-34) Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026 Time: 7 PM ET Place: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC TV: MSG Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky
* Should be one more, but NBA Cups scoff at record keeping.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 25: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers helps up James Harden #1 during the first half against the Miami Heat at Rocket Arena on March 25, 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 Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers four-game winning streak was snapped by the Miami Heat.
All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.
Donovan Mitchell
28 points, 4 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 turnovers
The first half was on par with some of the defensive effort we’ve seen this week from Mitchell. The second half, though? That’s more like it.
Mitchell ramped up his ‘compete’ level and helped turn this game around. His scoring is one thing. We’ve seen him get hot in a hurry before. But when he’s diving to the floor, fighting for loose balls, and getting into the jersey of his opponent? That’s the type of stuff that gets Cleveland roaring.
Grade: B
James Harden
18 points, 7 assists, 9 rebounds, 5 turnovers
This was an uncharacteristically quiet game from Harden, who had previously been in a flow state. He wasn’t overly aggressive hunting for his shot tonight, and the defense was, well, you know how the defense was.
Harden shot 3-9 from three and 1-1 from inside of two-point range. The Heat did a fine job packing the paint, and Harden wasn’t able to punish them enough with his pull-up jumper.
Grade: C-
Evan Mobley
8 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists
Miami made a conscious effort to keep Mobley in a box. He saw multiple jerseys on every post entry and had trouble getting around Bam Adebayo. This is a tougher matchup for Mobley when Jarrett Allen isn’t on the court to put pressure on the Heat’s frontcourt. We saw the results of that tonight.
That said, Mobley has no one to blame but himself for this one. He looked uncertain of himself from the start. And as the game wore on, Miami took more and more space from him. His failed isolation attempt on Kel’el Ware was the lowlight of the night.
Grade: F
Keon Ellis
17 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals
Ellis hasn’t been spacing the floor as we’d hope recently (1-7 from downtown tonight). He did, however, make himself available in the dunker’s spot for a handful of easy opportunities.
He also knocked the ball out of Tyler Herro’s hands three times in the same possession. That was sick.
Grade: B+
Sam Merrill
18 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists
Merrill is having his best season as a slasher. He got to the rim relentlessly against the Magic last night and replicated some of that success versus Miami. He’s been quick to catch and attack this year rather than pump fake or relocate for a three-pointer. That’s given him the advantage he needs to get into the lane and showcase his floater and layup.
“I was joking, he’s like a drive-first guy now,” Kenny Aktinson said. “Teams are running him off. He’s a hot shooter, we know what that coverage is, so he’s just running through catches… that’s called player development.”
Grade: B+
Dennis Schroder
4 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds
We might be finding out why Schroder was available at the deadline. Or rather, why the Sacramento Kings were willing to give up Keon Ellis for De’Andre Hunter simply to get Schroder off their books.
That’s not to say Schroder is a bad player, or that he can’t help the Cavs down the stretch, but his last few games haven’t been great. He shot 1-5 and wasn’t great defensively. He gets some credit for his effort on the glass and for dealing 6 assists with 0 turnovers.
Grade: D+
Nae’Qwan Tomlin
6 points, 4 rebounds
The Cavs played Tomlin out of necessity tonight. His lack of a viable jumper has made it difficult to keep him on the floor. He isn’t being guarded in the corner, and he’s mostly taking up space in the paint when he sits in the dunker’s spot. He also picked up four fouls in his first nine minutes tonight.
It’s been rough on Tomlin Island.
Grade: D–
Tyrese Proctor
0 points, 1 rebound, 0 assists, 2 steals
Proctor was thrown into this game during the second quarter as the wheels were falling off. These were his first meaningful minutes since February, and that matched the eye test. He wasn’t overly involved in anything — and smoked an open layup in the fourth quarter.
I’ll be lenient with his grade, considering his place in the rotations and the expectations I have for him as a young pup.
Grade: D+
Thomas Bryant
4 points, 5 rebounds
Bryant’s first half was abysmal. He went 0-4 from the floor and was a minus-17 as Miami’s athleticism left him in the dust. He turned it around gradually in the second half, even rounding out to a positive in the plus-minus before the Heat slammed the door shut in the fourth quarter.
Again, this was just one of those nights where you missed Jarrett Allen.
