Category: Basketball

When the Celtics and Hornets face off on Sunday night, it will be a match-up between two of the Eastern Conference’s hottest teams. And, in many ways, the two franchises are interconnected — both due to their personell and emerging styles of play.

Earlier this month, ESPN analyst Jay Williams drew the connection himself: “They’re like a younger version of the Boston Celtics,” he said of the Hornets. “Their games actually mirror each other.”

The parallels between the Celtics and Hornets are striking.

Both teams are heavily reliant on three-pointers — the Hornets have made the most threes in the NBA this season (1193), and the Celtics have made the third-most (1113). Both teams routinely win the margins, meaning they get up more shots than their opponents; the Celtics average the 4th-most offensive rebounds per game, the Hornets average the 7th-most.

And, both franchises have been a part of two of the most extreme midseason turnarounds the league has seen in recent years. The Hornets were 12 games below .500 on January 22nd. Since then, they’ve gone 23-7, completely turning their season around.

The Celtics underwent a similar turnaround in 2022 en route to their first Finals appearance of the Jayson Tatum/Jaylen Brown era. That season, they entered the All-Star break with a 20-21 record, and ended up going 31-10 the rest of the way.

What’s fueled Charlotte’s turnaround? And, why does it feel like the Celtics organization’s tentacles are all over the Hornets?

CelticsBlog caught up with Hornets guard Kon Knueppel, a frontrunner for Rookie of the Year, to dive into that question. [The conversation was part of Knueppel’s new partnership with Cheez-It; the rookie star has launched the Double Double Cheez-It Bundle, as an ode to his favorite snack flavor].

Knueppel is averaging 19 points per game and shooting 43.6% from three. He’s already set the record for most three-pointers made in a rookie season (256) and has established himself as one of the most lethal shooters in the game.

The Charlotte Hornets organization is filled with ex-Celtics

Knueppel credited Hornets head coach Charles Lee for powering the team’s success this season. Lee was Joe Mazzulla’s lead assistant during the 2024 championship, and is in his second year as Charlotte’s head coach.

“Charles has been great,” Knueppel said. “He really preaches daily improvement. So even when you know the losses were stacking up early in the season, it was really just about continuing to get better each day. And I think going into each day with that mindset, living in the present, is really good, especially for our young team.”

Lee headlines a long list of critical Hornets personnel who were previously part of the Celtics organization.

Two members of the Hornets coaching staff — Blaine Mueller and Jermaine Bucknor — also hail from that Celtics championship team. Mueller, who was the head coach of the Maine Celtics in 2023-2024, is one of Lee’s lead assistant in Charlotte.

And Bucknor, who was a player development coach in Boston, is also on the staff. Bucknor leads Hornets guard Sion James’ player development work, and oftentimes cosplays some of the NBA’s best players when the Hornets are going through scouts (Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero is an example of a player Bucknor cosplays).

“He’s a good guy to have around,” Knueppel said. “He’s still a bucket, so whenever we need a scout team, he’s in there getting buckets. He’s great.”

The connections don’t end there: last summer, the Hornets named Patrick Chasse as new vice president of Medical and Performance. Chasse had previously been the Celtics’ head athletic trainer since 2022, and began with the organization in 2020.

Knueppel said the Hornets’ midseason turnaround could primarily be attributed to guys getting healthy.

“Brandon [Miller] missed a lot of games,” Knueppel said. “He dislocated his shoulder, or separated his shoulder, in the second game of the season. So, he missed about 20 games early, and LaMelo [Ball] missed 10 games early. So having those guys out of the lineup, obviously super important players for us. And then when they come back, they’re on they’re on minutes restrictions, and they’re not playing back-to-backs. So, getting those guys back healthy, playing full-time, was really important. And then getting guys like Grant Williams and Josh Green back back healthy as well, who are big-time role players for us, was huge.”

And, the Hornets veterans include two former Celtics: Grant Williams and Xavier Tillman. Williams was traded to Charlotte in 2024, and quickly became a key locker room presence. Knueppel named him as one of the most welcoming guys on the roster. He, Williams, and Pat Connaughton use the sauna together after every home game and chat.

“He’s been really, really good for us rookies, really good to us, making us feel comfortable, taking us out to dinner, paying for dinner when he doesn’t have to, making us feel welcome,” Knueppel said. “So, he’s been phenomenal. He’s been a really good friend.”

The Hornets are now making a playoff push, and Williams has routinely drawn from his own experiences making playoff runs with the Celtics in order to advise the younger guys who haven’t been there before.

“He talks about it a lot –  just the standard that we have to hold ourselves to, and how it’s going to be in the playoffs, committing to what we do, and our identity on a nightly basis is important,” Knueppel said. “He really, really talks about that a lot.”

The most recent ex-Celtics addition?

Tillman, who was traded from the Celtics to the Hornets at the trade deadline. Knueppel said Tillman has been a great veteran presence, and that the team has really enjoyed having his family around.

“He’s one of the best locker room presences you can have in the league,” Williams said of Tillman earlier this month. “I bet you everyone here in Boston would say the same.”

As they gear up to face the Celtics, on Sunday the Hornets are currently 39-35, good for the 10th-best record in the Eastern Conference. But, they’re only 2.5 games behind the Toronto Raptors for the 5th seed, with 7 games left to play.

And, they’ve become an increasingly daunting first-round opponent.

“We have a chance to get out of the play-in,” Knueppel said. “And so that’s really the goal at the end of the day – we have a couple of tie-breakers with teams in our division. So it’d be great to get into that.”

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The Milwaukee Bucks are getting a glimpse into a grim Giannis-less future, and a nightmare week wraps up with a visit from the Los Angeles Clippers this afternoon.

Milwaukee has lost its last three games by a combined 96 points, including a thumping against Kawhi Leonard & Co. at Intuit Dome, and my Clippers vs. Bucks predictions and NBA picks explain why a similar script is brewing for this rematch, with Darius Garland continuing his hot streak.

Clippers vs Bucks prediction

Clippers vs Bucks best bet: Darius Garland Over 18.5 points (-120)

Maybe Darius Garland has just been healthier this month. Maybe there’s some extra juice after the Cavaliers gave up on him at the trade deadline. Either way, his strong March numbers have solidified the Los Angeles Clippers as a dangerous potential first-round playoff opponent — assuming they get there.

With that in mind, the Garland points prop is the standout pick for me today. He poured in 30 points for L.A. on Friday against the Pacers, making 10 of his 19 shots, including six 3-pointers, and he’s gone past this O/U number in eight of his last 10 outings.

I’m buying into the crafty point guard’s 21.8 ppg average in March, and a lackluster Milwaukee squad is an ideal opponent. Garland is shooting better than 50% from downtown as a Clipper, and, while that’s not sustainable in the long run, don’t count on him slowing down this afternoon. After all, the Bucks have allowed 120+ points in seven of their past eight contests.

The hosts’ woeful defense isn’t likely to get any better on the second day of a back-to-back set, and we saw Stephon Castle toy with Milwaukee on the way to 22 points and a triple-double yesterday. Garland is a different kind of guard, but there’s a blueprint for attacking a Milwaukee Bucks team that’s seemingly counting the days until the offseason.

This game has blowout written all over it, but the prop line is low enough that Garland can do his damage in limited minutes.

Clippers vs Bucks same-game parlay

A healthy Garland next to Kawhi gives the Clippers a new ceiling, and I’m wagering on more hot shooting from the former Cav, who’s drilled 22 threes across his last four games.

The Clippers cruised to a 129-96 victory over the Bucks on Monday, so there’s appeal for laying the points, especially with Bobby Portis and Kyle Kuzma on the injury report for Milwaukee. Plus, the hosts are 3-7 ATS in their past 10 contests.

Clippers vs Bucks SGP

• Darius Garland Over 18.5 points
• Darius Garland Over 2.5 threes
• Clippers -14

Our "from downtown" SGP: A wrong Turn!

The Myles Turner contract is looking like a major blunder for the Bucks, and he’s shown very few signs of carrying Milwaukee during Antetokounmpo’s latest spell on the sidelines.

He had 15 points yesterday, but he’s averaging just 8.3 ppg and 3.8 rpg in March. The hosts could have done worse than stick with Brook Lopez, who’s scored 10+ points in four straight games.

Clippers vs Bucks SGP

• Myles Turner Under 10.5 points
• Myles Turner Under 4.5 rebounds
• Brook Lopez Over 9.5 points
• Clippers -14

Clippers vs Bucks odds

• Spread: Clippers -14 | Bucks +14
• Moneyline: Clippers -1000 | Bucks +650
• Over/Under: Over 221.5 | Under 221.5

Clippers vs Bucks betting trend to know

The Bucks are 1-5 ATS in their last six games without Giannis Antetokounmpo. Find more NBA betting trends for Clippers vs. Bucks.

How to watch Clippers vs Bucks

Clippers vs Bucks latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Rockets fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

This week’s Rockets question asked you who thought was the biggest player loss for the Rockets. The choices were Fred VanVleet, for his effect on the offense, Dillon Brooks for the defense and as the heartbeat of the team, or Steven Adams for his toughness and offensive rebounding. Here’s your answer:

As you can see, the vast majority of you picked Fred VanVleet, and that wasn’t entirely unexpected. Houston’s offense has looked disjointed all season, and not having an experienced point guard was a big reason why. I was curious to see the percentages though, because I still maintain that losing Brooks was the biggest. Houston’s entire identity as a hard-nosed defensive force is no longer. Tari Eason and Amen Thompson are no longer the Terror Twins, there’s no in-your-face attitude, and the Rockets have gone soft. They’re KD’s team now. I don’t think that’s necessarily the case if Brooks is still in town. He got my vote.

Thanks for participating. Make sure you check out our friends over at FanDuel. The Rockets are +8000 to win the NBA Title. That’s an 8k payout on a $100 bet.

Be back soon!

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The Orlando Magic snapped a six-game losing skid on Thursday and will look to stay in the win column tonight when they visit the Toronto Raptors.

Tristan da Silva has stepped up in a big way for Orlando, and I’m looking for the forward to keep producing in my Magic vs. Raptors predictions and NBA picks for Sunday, March 29.

Magic vs Raptors prediction

Magic vs Raptors best bet: Tristan da Silva Over 10.5 points (-120)

Injuries have hampered the Orlando Magic this season, with Franz Wagner out indefinitely due to a high ankle sprain and Anthony Black also on the injury list with an abdominal strain.

But injuries often come with silver linings in the form of opportunities for other players, and Tristan da Silva has seized his.

The sophomore forward was averaging 20 minutes and change before the All-Star break, but he’s playing over 30 minutes per game this month.

Increased playing time often translates to increased confidence, and the 24-year-old is a prime example. Da Silva has seen his field-goal attempts per game jump from 6.8 in February to 9.9 in March, while his scoring has doubled to 14.3 ppg this month.

Orlando’s 2024 first-round pick has scored Over 10.5 points in four straight games and 11 of his 15 appearances this month. Considering da Silva has scored 18+ points in each of his last three contests, tonight’s line feels way too low.

Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane have been great for the Magic of late, averaging about 26 and 20 ppg, respectively, but da Silva is arguably their third-best player right now. 

He’ll top 10.5 points with ease tonight in Toronto.

Magic vs Raptors same-game parlay

The Magic have been scoring with ease of late, cashing the Over in nine of their last 11 games, and that push has largely been led by Banchero and da Silva.

Banchero has scored 30+ points in three straight games and Over 23.5 points in 10 of 15 contests this month. The Magic forward is averaging 26.4 ppg over that span.

Magic vs Raptors SGP

• Tristan da Silva Over 10.5 points
• Paolo Banchero Over 23.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Double-double trouble

Both teams could be down two starters today, with the Toronto Raptors' Immanuel Quickley (out) and Brandon Ingram (questionable) also on the injury list. That means key players on both sides will need to step up in a variety of roles.

Banchero has 24 double-doubles this season, including six this month. On the Raptors side, Jakob Poeltl has three in his last six outings, while Scottie Barnes has two in his last three games.

Magic vs Raptors SGP

• Paolo Banchero double-double
• Jakob Poeltl double-double
• Scottie Barnes double-double

Magic vs Raptors odds

• Spread: Magic +2.5 (-115) | Raptors -2.5 (-105)
• Moneyline: Magic +115 | Raptors -135
• Over/Under: Over 225.5 | Under 225.5

Magic vs Raptors betting trend to know

Tristan da Silva has scored Over 10.5 points in four straight games. Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Raptors.

How to watch Magic vs Raptors

Magic vs Raptors latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

For the negative segments of the fanbase and bloviators in the media, Thursday night’s loss to the Charlotte Hornets will serve as enough of a sample size to write the Knicks off for the umpteenth time this season. However, true observers won’t let it distract from the simple fact that New York’s been one of, if not the most dominant team in the league over the past two months.

Ugly games against deep lottery teams and Stephen A. Smith rants may take up the noise, but the Knicks are 23-8 since their embarrassing rock bottom blowout to the Dallas Mavericks in late January. They are tied for the second-highest net rating in the NBA in that span, outscoring opponents by 11.7 points per 100 possessions.

They also went on separate seven- and eight-game win streaks, beating the Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs along the way. What spurred this turnaround, and how have the Knicks been able to stay the hottest team in the NBA?

The life of a contender can be very boom-or-bust over an 82-game season. New York is equally susceptible, hitting a major wall after starting the season 23-9 and winning the NBA Cup.

They stumbled into the new year with a 2-9 skid, dropping games to dreg after dreg, as their defense plummeted to near-worst in the league during this span. The team completely lacked energy, focus, and seemingly chemistry, capping the losses with a 17-point home drubbing to the lowly Mavericks. 

But contenders have bad months - the real ones can shake them off and not string two back-to-back. So the Knicks did, rattling off eight in a row to kick into high gear.

It started, first and foremost, with the defense. Even when the Knicks looked strong in the early season, their defense was good-to-average, passable if not worrying for a team with championship aspirations.

Since January 21, they’ve had the best defense in the league, holding opponents to 106.7 points per 100 possessions, a full point ahead of Oklahoma City. A key to the shift was the coaching staff simplifying the defensive system, as well as emphasizing protecting the middle and corners. 

While the change empowered each individual player to step up their defensive games, including the vaunted wing defensive combo of OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, one in particular deserves added credit for his leadership on this end, and that’s Karl-Anthony Towns.  

Despite the coaching and system changes, Towns has consistently brought it defensively throughout the season, even through injury and a slower offensive season. He’s been asked to jump between different schemes more, and taken on the challenge to success, now having one of his best defensive years.

The Knicks have still maintained a robust offense during this tear - good for sixth in the league. But this may be even more impressive than the defense, given some of the shooting woes of their key scorers.

New York has won all these games with Jalen Brunson averaging 23.8 points on 50 percent shooting from two and 35 percent from three. Those are well below his usual numbers, yet he’s stayed grounded as the floor general, picking up his assist count and off-ball play to make up for the drop-off. 

Mikal Bridges is also in a dry spell of his own, failing to crack 15 points in the last 11 games. He’s averaged 13 points on 55 percent shooting from two and 33 percent from three since the Knicks started winning again - one can only imagine what the offense looks like once these two get going again.

It’s been Towns once again on this end, shaking off his rough start to the year to average 21 points on 63 percent shooting from two and 41 percent from three his last 20 games. Head coach Mike Brown once again had to find some midseason solutions to get KAT going, and did so in the nick of time.

The bolstering of New York’s depth has been another big factor. Mohamed Diawara went from creeping into to demanding a spot in the rotation, the Knicks acquired Jose Alvarado and Landry Shamet got healthy, all in this span, no small developments. 

It can be easy to get lost in the day-by-day of the regular season, but the further you zoom out, the more impressive and ready for the playoffs this Knicks team looks. No matter what the doubters may say about a single loss, New York has been atop the league since before the trade deadline, and that means a little more. 

The Denver Nuggets, ranked fourth in the Western Conference, will host the Golden State Warriors, who are 10th in the Western Conference. Denver, favored by 12.5 points with a moneyline of -650, has a 47-28 record, while Golden State stands at 36-38. The over/under for the game is set at 238.5 points.

How to Watch Golden State Warriors vs Denver Nuggets

• Date: Sunday, March 29

• Time: 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT

• Where: Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado

• TV Channel: NBC, Peacock

• Live Stream:NBA League Pass | Follow on Yahoo Sports

Team Records

• Golden State Warriors: 36-38 (#10 in Western Conference)

• Denver Nuggets: 47-28 (#4 in Western Conference)

Odds (via BetMGM)

• Spread: Denver Nuggets -12.5

• Moneyline: Denver Nuggets -650 / Golden State Warriors +475

• Over/Under: 238.5

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The Charlotte Hornets host the Boston Celtics a day after having their five-game winning streak — both straight up and ATS — snapped by Philadelphia on Saturday.

Just a half game separates teams No. 8 through 10 in the Eastern Conference Play-In race, so this game will be critical for Charlotte, currently in the 10th spot.

It doesn’t seem as critical for Boston, which has a lengthy injury report heading into the showdown. That’s why my Celtics vs. Hornets predictions and NBA picks look for the Hornets to cover as home dogs.

Celtics vs Hornets prediction

Celtics vs Hornets best bet: Hornets +1 (-110)

The Charlotte Hornets have stepped up against highly rated opponents this season. The Hornets are 12-8 ATS as a home dog and 27-17 ATS in all games as an underdog. The Hornets also recorded covers against No. 3 New York, No. 8 Orlando, and No. 9 Miami on their recent hot streak.

The Boston Celtics, meanwhile, enter coming off back-to-back covers, but the Celtics seem to be treating Sunday’s game as a load management day. Starting a four-game road trip, as well as this being the first night of a back-to-back, Boston has three of its top four scorers listed as questionable.

Jayson Tatum will be a game-time decision as the team manages his recovery from the major injury. All-Star Jaylen Brown (28.6 points) missed Friday’s game with Achilles tendonitis and is questionable again Sunday.

Derrick White (17.1 points) played after being questionable with a knee contusion on Friday. He has the same status as does 9.8-point scorer Neemias Queta, who also played Friday.

The short-handed Celtics could have trouble on the perimeter. Charlotte has made the most 3-pointers in the NBA and has the third-best accuracy from three. Boston’s defense is in the bottom half of the league in both categories, even when everyone is suited up and healthy.

Charlotte has covered its last three against the Top-4 seeds in the East, including a 29-point win in Boston earlier this month.

Celtics vs Hornets same-game parlay

Both teams rank in the Bottom 6 in pace of play, and their recent games have shown that they aren’t speeding up for the stretch run. Boston has gone Under in three of the last four. Charlotte is on a streak of four straight Unders and has gone Under in seven of 10.

Knueppel, a rookie of the year candidate, leads the NBA in 3-pointers made and has already set the rookie record. He’s also fifth in 3-point percentage. He should have a big day against a Boston team that struggles defending the perimeter and could be missing some wings.

Celtics vs Hornets SGP

• Hornets +1.5
• Under 215.5
• Kon Knueppel Over 17.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Sting like a bee!

Knueppel has made 18 threes in his last five games and 13 in his last three. Miller has made 22 in his last five and has hit at least half his 3-point attempts in three of those games. They're well-positioned to torch the Celtics on the outside.  

Meanwhile, Ball and White should be able to slash and score, with Boston likely missing at least a few of the injured wings and bigs. Ball has scored 20+ in his last six games.

White is shooting 27 percentage points better from the field and 36 points better from three since joining Charlotte at the deadline. He’s scored at least 15 in four of the last five.

Celtics vs Hornets SGP

• LaMelo Ball Over 20.5 points
• Kon Knueppel Over 3.5 threes
• Brandon Miller Over 3.5 threes
• Coby White Over 14.5 points

Celtics vs Hornets odds

• Spread: Celtics -1 | Hornets +1
• Moneyline: Celtics -115 | Hornets -105
• Over/Under: Over 215.5 | Under 215.5

Celtics vs Hornets betting trend to know

The Celtics have gone Under the total in 35 of their last 50 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Hornets.

How to watch Celtics vs Hornets

Celtics vs Hornets latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

The Oklahoma City Thunder, ranked #1 in the Western Conference, host the New York Knicks, ranked #3 in the Eastern Conference. Oklahoma City is favored with a spread of -8.5 and a moneyline of -350, indicating a 74.7% implied probability of winning, while New York's moneyline is 280.

How to Watch New York Knicks vs Oklahoma City Thunder

• Date: Sunday, March 29

• Time: 7:30 PM ET / 4:30 PM PT

• Where: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

• TV Channel: NBC, Peacock

• Live Stream:NBA League Pass | Follow on Yahoo Sports

Team Records

• New York Knicks: 48-26 (#3 in Eastern Conference)

• Oklahoma City Thunder: 58-16 (#1 in Western Conference)

Odds (via Bet MGM)

• Spread: Oklahoma City Thunder -8.5

• Moneyline: Oklahoma City Thunder -350 / New York Knicks +280

• Over/Under: 224.5

The Atlanta Hawks have done incredibly this season, being on the outside of the playoff picture in some ways, then going all the way to sixth place in the Eastern Conference, where they currently remain.

The Hawks’ win streak was halted by the Houston Rockets recently on March 20th, but they followed that loss up with wins against the Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, and Detroit Pistons. They lost to the Boston Celtics 109 to 102 on March 27th and faced the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night.

Hawks injuries

The Atlanta Hawks were without forward Jonathan Kuminga, who was dealing with a knee injury and was managing that. Guard Dyson Daniels had a left toe sprain and was questionable but did not play. Center Onyeka Okongwu was also ruled out with a finger sprain.

Game analysis

In the first half, the Hawks struggled from three quite a bit, missing 12 of 18. They also had six turnovers, but in the second quarter, they fought back from down to gain the lead and concluded the half with a score of 66 to 54. Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the team with 14 points, going 8-for-8 on free throws.

In the second half, the Hawks got off to a great start, leading 78-66 in the third quarter with about seven minutes to go. As time went on, the Kings started to claw back into the game, being down less than 10 points in the fourth quarter. But the offensive play of Hawks guard Jalen Johnson and company, knocking down big shots from three.

Hawks win despite injuries

The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Sacramento Kings 123 to 113, despite injuries to several key players, including Dyson Daniels.

We asked Atlanta Hawks head coach Quinn Snyder how he assessed their performance even with said injuries, and he responded with, “we were gritty.” Snyder also harped on their defense defending better as the energy went up.

What’s next for the Atlanta Hawks?

The Hawks now have a record of 42-33, sixth in the Eastern Conference, and they’ll face the Boston Celtics on Monday, March 3oth at State Farm Arena.

Back home. The Brooklyn Nets wrapped up their four game West Coast road trip with a late night affair against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Nets gave the Lakers a good fight, but not good enough to come away with a win. The losing streak is at ten.

The opponent tonight is counting the clock down as well. The Sacramento Kings are finishing up another lost season and were on the road last night to take on the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks continued their good run and beat Sacramento 123-113.

At the start of Sunday, Brooklyn is in second place in lottery odds, one game behind the Indiana Pacers while Sacramento is in fourth, two and a half back of the top spot with eight games left. Indiana plays the Heat at home at 5:00 p.m. ET. The season ends two weeks from tonight and race to the bottom is going to be unpredictable.

YES Network on TV. Gotham Sports on streaming. WFAN on radio. Tip after 6:00 p.m. ET.

🤕 Injuries

The following are out:

• Egor Demin
• Danny Wolf
• Michael Porter Jr
• Day’ron Sharpe

Josh Minnott is questionable. The Nets three two-ways and one 10-day are available.

The following are out:

• Russell Westbrook
• Domantas Sabonis
• Zach Lavine
• Keegan Murray
• De’Andre Hunter
• Drew Eubanks

🏀 The game

Sacramento won the first meeting.

Everyone’s locked in to this game for tank purposes, so it helps to start thinking of who the top prospects are. One of them who will be playing before this game starts is Cameron Boozer of Duke. Over at The Kings Herald, Akis Yerocostas wrote about Boozer and what he brings to the table:

I’ve seen some fans and analyst be wary of Boozer because of past production from Duke guys that didn’t pan out in the league like Mavin Bagley or Jahlil Okafor. Boozer is a far different player from both of those guys. He’s more polished than Bagley, and more mobile than Okafor. He’s a better playmaker than both of them, and while he’s not a shotblocker, has good defensive instincts. If you were to compare him to any former Duke big man, Paolo Banchero would be a closer comparison, but Boozer has been better in every category than Banchero was in college. I do think Boozer would need to be built around a little more differently than some of these other guys, but I think any team drafting him will end up with a #1 option they can rely on.

The Draft Lottery will be here quicker than we know it. In the meantime, we’ve got you covered.

This one could turn in to a three point bonanza. These teams are dead last in opponent’s three point percentage and one big run on either side could turn this game ugly in a hurry. The Kings are on the second leg of a back-to-back and we’ll see if they have enough energy to make it through this one.

Nic Claxton playing this game should help against Maxime Raynaud. Raynaud hit the Nets for 22 points and ten rebounds in the first meeting, and Clax’s assignment tonight will be to push him out of the paint. Raynaud has been a positive presence for Sacramento and might be a player that is part of their future going forward.

👀 Player to watch: DeMar DeRozan

You look up one day and suddenly realize that DeMar’s been in the NBA for 17 years and has scored 26,660. He’ll likely surpass Dominique Wilkins for the 17th spot all-time tonight. He only need eight. DeRozan has been a solid and steady pro for much of his time in the league and could probably play 20 seasons if he wanted to. He’s most comfortable in the midrange area and is shooting close to 50 percent in that area of the court. Great players always know how to get to their sweet spots on the court, and DeMar is able to make things happen when the moment calls for it. As Sacramento tries to get back to respectability, we’ll see if DeRozan can be a long term presence going forward.

Ziaire Williams will get the start and look to make things hard on the former All-Star. Williams has crossed the 20+ minute mark in five consecutive games and figures to do so tonight as well. He’ll be tasked with contesting all of DeRozan’s shots and forcing him into mistakes. A good showing tonight will go well in making his case for being part of the team next season. The games may not mean much across the greater NBA landscape, but every day is an opportunity to impress someone.

📺 From the Vault

Time to close out the Elite Eight in style!

More reading: The Kings Herald, SB Nation NBA, New York Post, New York Daily News, Clutch Points, Nets Wire, Steve’s Newsletter

• Brooklyn Nets Game Notes – Brooklyn Nets
• Sacramento Kings Game Notes – Sacramento Kings
• Brooklyn plays Sacramento on home slide – AP

Even after Thursday night’s loss to the Charlotte Hornets, the Knicks have remained one of the hottest teams in the league over the last couple of months. Thankfully, that has helped distract some fans from focusing too much on the absence of backup guard Deuce McBride, who has been out since January with a sports hernia injury. Thanks in large part to Jose Alvarado, Mo Diawara, and the surprising resurgence of Jordan Clarkson, New York has managed sans McBride and has not missed him quite as much as expected.

Don’t get it twisted, though, if the Knicks want to reach their ultimate goal, McBride will play a pivotal role. And reports suggest that he is nearing a return.

Ian Begley of SNY reported Saturday that McBride “remains on track to return to the court during the current road trip” and added that we could even see him make an appearance Sunday.

Some good news for Knicks after bad loss in CHA: Miles McBride remains on track to return to the court during the current road trip, possibly as soon as Sunday. McBride was ruled out of CHA game on Friday a day before tipoff; Sunday’s game vs OKC has not yet been ruled out for…

— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) March 28, 2026

“Some good news for Knicks after bad loss in CHA: Miles McBride remains on track to return to the court during the current road trip, possibly as soon as Sunday. McBride was ruled out of CHA game on Friday a day before tipoff; Sunday’s game vs OKC has not yet been ruled out for him, per SNY sources. McBride is rehabbing from surgery to repair a sports hernia and has been out since Jan. 28.” — SNY’s Ian Begley

As of Sunday morning, he remains listed as questionable for today’s clash against the Thunder, but considering there was a chance he’d be out until the playoffs, this is a great sign pointing towards him having more time to re-acclimate than previously believed.

The interesting piece to this puzzle becomes the rotation. With teams shrinking their rotations during the playoffs to eight or nine players, Clarkson, Diawara, Landry Shamet, and Alvarado won’t all be in the rotation.

Diawara provides some much-needed athleticism and size on the wings, Clarkson provides experience, ball-handling, and self-creation, Shamet provides some much-needed shooting and defense, and Alvarado provides toughness and ball-handling. All of them have clear lanes to earning minutes, but most of them also have weaknesses as well.

Playing Alvarado and McBride may leave the backcourt too small against certain teams. Clarkson’s defense has been much improved lately, but he can still have his limitations on that end of the floor. Shamet has been one of the unheralded and unexpected saviors of the 2025-26 season, but he had fallen into a bit of a shooting slump prior to his recent injury. And then there’s Diawara, who has quickly turned into a fan favorite but is still prone to making rookie mistakes.

Looking at Mike Brown’s tendencies throughout the year, I’d assume it’s Clarkson and Shamet who get the first nod, with Diawara maybe getting spot minutes depending on the matchup. Brown has not shied away from changing up his second unit, though, so expect it to be a very fluid situation during the playoffs, where things can always change on a whim.

The final 2026 Final Four spot will come down to the marquee Elite Eight matchup between Duke and UConn. The two have combined for 11 national championships since 1991.

"You have two of the biggest brands in college basketball going at it to make it to the Final Four. I think it's super special," UConn forward Alex Karaban said. "I think it's super exciting. I know we're excited as a team. You've seen Duke. You've seen UConn throughout your entire life when you watch college basketball growing up. To be another piece of that story of those two programs going at it, I think it's awesome."

Sunday will be the first meeting between the schools since the 2014-15 season. They last met in a NCAA Tournament in 2004, with UConn winning 79-78.

Caleb Foster 'had no business playing': But he did — and led Duke to Elite 8

Duke vs UConn: 'Two of the biggest brands in college basketball going at it to make Final Four'

Here's what you need to know about today's Elite Eight game, including predictions and how to watch:

HIT REFRESH FOR UPDATES.

UConn vs Duke basketball live score

TEAMS	1H	2H	F
UConn	—	—	—
Duke	—	—	—

What time is Duke vs UConn in Elite 8?

• Time: 5:05 p.m. ET, Sunday, March 29.

What channel is Duke vs UConn? How to watch, streaming info

• The game is airing on CBS, streaming via Paramount+.

Duke vs UConn Elite 8 prediction, odds

∎ Anna Snyder, Fayetteville Observer: Duke 70, UConn 68

Expect a physical, back-and-forth game, but with Caleb Foster back in the rotation, Duke has just enough offensive balance to edge UConn and make its way back to the Final Four.

• Austin Curtright: UConn
• John Leuzzi: Duke
• Jordan Mendoza: Duke
• Ehsan Kassim: UConn
• Moneyline: Duke (-220); UConn (+180)
• Spread: Duke (-5.5)
• Over/under total: 133.5

Duke will reach Final Four if...

• John Leuzzi: It can keep UConn's offense out of rhythm.
• Jordan Mendoza: Out-muscles Connecticut.
• Ehsan Kassim: Cam Boozer takes over.
• Austin Curtright: If contains Tarris Reed Jr.

UConn will reach Final Four if...

• John Leuzzi: Tarris Reed Jr. continues to impact the paint.
• Jordan Mendoza: It shoots lights out.
• Ehsan Kassim: It can continue to get Duke to turn the ball over.
• Austin Curtright: Its bench can keep up with Duke's deep rotation.

Caleb Foster injury update: Will Duke guard play vs UConn?

Twenty days after Foster fractured his right foot in a win against North Carolina, he returned to play Friday against St. John's.

Foster came off the bench to score 11 points, corral three rebounds and dish out a pair of assists across 19 crucial minutes to spark the No. 1 Blue Devils’ 80-75 win against No. 5 St. John’s to reach the East Region finals.

He rolled out of the Duke locker room with his right foot wrapped in ice and his right knee perched atop a one-legged scooter, a bag of ice strapped and wrapped around his left calf for good measure.

"He's doing well. For us, he's not doing anything on the court (Saturday)," Scheyer said. "Even for these guys, it's been more of a walk-through day getting ready. First time playing in a few weeks, he's sore and recovering like you would expect, but nothing concerning."

Cameron Boozer NBA draft stock, mock draft predictions

Boozer is widely projected as a top-3 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Here’s a look at where various mock drafts from major outlets have the Duke freshman going:

• USA TODAY (as of March 13):No. 3 overall to the Sacramento Kings
• ESPN (as of March 11):No. 3 overall to the Indiana Pacers
• CBS Sports (as of March 17):No. 3 overall to the Brooklyn Nets

Is Cameron Boozer related to Carlos Boozer?

Cameron Boozer and his twin brother, Cayden (also a freshman for Duke) are the sons of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer.

Before his 13-year career in the NBA, Carlos Boozer was a standout forward for the Blue Devils under Mike Krzyzewski from 1999-2002. A member of Duke's 2001 national championship team, Carlos Boozer finished his three-year career with the Blue Devils with more than 1,500 points scored and started 93 of the 101 games in which he appeared.

How old is Alex Karaban? How long has Alex Karaban been at UConn?

Karaban is 23 years old and enrolled at UConn in 2022. He was part of the Huskies' 2023 and 2024 national championship teams.

Braylon Mullins 2026 NBA Draft, mock draft prediction

No. 29 overall to Cleveland Cavaliers.

Kalbrosky's Analysis:

Braylon Mullins, a five-star recruit and former McDonald's All American, missed the start of the season due to an ankle injury. But he has returned to action for the Huskies and has shown what makes him such an appealing player. He is a useful off-ball threat, which gives him an immediately practical role at the next level. The Big East All-Freshman wing shot 40.7 percent on 3-pointers during his first 18 games in the starting lineup, but it may be tough for scouts to forget his 0-for-8 performance from beyond the arc during his first game in March Madness.

See USA TODAY's full mock draft here

Braylon Mullins stats

(all stats as of March 15)

• 12 points per game
• 3.5 rebounds per game
• 1.4 assists per game
• 43.5% field goal percentage
• 34.5% three-point field goal percentage

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Duke vs UConn basketball news, predictions, Elite 8 time, how to watch

The calendar says the playoffs are right around the corner. Normally, this part of the season is about tightening the rotation, leaning on your stars, and getting everyone ready for the games that actually matter. But for Minnesota, the past few weeks have turned into a live-fire evaluation of everything beyond Anthony Edwards.

Since going down with injury on March 13th, Edwards has been watching from the sideline while the rest of the roster has been forced to answer a question that tends to define playoff runs more than we like to admit: What do you actually have when your safety net disappears?

And to their credit, the Wolves didn’t just tread water. They made it interesting.

They beat a desperate Phoenix Suns team that’s been breathing down their neck in the standings. They walked into TD Garden and knocked off the Boston Celtics, something this franchise hadn’t done since flip phones were still a thing. And then they survived one of the most chaotic, logic-defying overtime games of the season against the Houston Rockets.

Which is why this week’s SB Nation Reacts poll landed a little differently than usual.

If this team is going to make a real run, its third straight deep push into the postseason, who’s the guy that swings it? Who’s the piece that turns them from “tough matchup” into something nobody wants to see in a seven-game series?

And the answers from the Canis Hoopus faithful tell you exactly where the belief, and the uncertainty, still lives with this team.

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No. 1: Ayo Dosunmu — The New Toy… or the Missing Piece?

Let’s start with the winner, because this is where things get interesting.

Dosunm”u topping the list feels like one part recency bias, one part “shiny new trade acquisition energy,” and one part we’ve been waiting for this exact type of player all season”. And honestly? All three can be true.

Since arriving from the Chicago Bulls at the deadline, he’s done something Minnesota desperately needed: he’s changed the tempo of their offense. He pushes in transition, he attacks seams, and most importantly, he’s been knocking down threes at a highly efficient clip.

Coming into the season, point guard was clearly one of Minnesota’s biggest question marks. Mike Conley Jr. aged himself out of the starting lineup, and Rob Dillingham didn’t developed quickly enough to solve the problem. Dosunmu doesn’t answer everything, but he answers enough to matter.

And in a playoff series? That’s all you need. One guy who flips a quarter. One guy who swings a Game 4. One guy who turns a 2–2 series into a 3–2 advantage.

That’s how role players become guys.

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No. 2: Jaden McDaniels — The Swing Piece

McDaniels finishing second feels right and also somehow still underrated.

We already know what he is defensively. He’s the guy you throw at the other team’s best scorer and say, “good luck.” He did it during that 2024 Western Conference Finals run. He can absolutely put elite players in a straight jacket.

But the real question, the one that defines Minnesota’s ceiling, is what he does offensively.

When he’s just spacing the floor and hitting occasional threes, the Wolves are good. When he starts attacking, really attacking, by getting downhill, finishing at the rim, and becoming that third scorer behind Edwards and Julius Randle… that’s when things tilt. That’s when Minnesota becomes terrifying.

Suddenly it’s not a two-man show. It’s a three-headed problem.

The frustrating part? It’s not always there. It comes and goes. And that’s what makes McDaniels the ultimate X-factor. Because if they can unlock that version of him consistently, the entire equation changes.

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No. 3: Rudy Gobert — The Floor, the Ceiling, and Everything in Between

Rudy was my personal answer to this poll.

If you’ve watched this team long enough, you already know the truth: everything they want to be defensively starts and ends with Gobert.

He’s not just an anchor. He’s the entire foundation. When he’s engaged, locked in, and active? The Wolves look like a top-tier defense that can strangle games. When he’s off, in foul trouble, or disengaged? Things unravel quickly.

That’s the Gobert paradox.

We’ve seen the absolute peak in Game 5 against the Lakers, where he basically snatched their souls and ended the series himself. And we’ve seen the opposite like a few weeks later in the Western Conference Finals against OKC where he disappeared, put up minimal numbers, and couldn’t impose himself.

Feast or famine.

But if Minnesota is going to make a serious run? They need feast Gobert. The version that controls the paint, dominates the glass, and quietly turns every possession into a grind. That’s the version that makes everything else work.

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No. 4: Julius Randle — Can He Be Consistent?

Randle landing fourth might be the most revealing result on the list. Not because it’s wrong, but because it shows how expectations shape perception.

We’ve already seen what Randle can be in the playoffs. In 2025, during those first two rounds, there were stretches where he was the best player on the floor, even with Edwards out there. He bullied teams, created offense, and acted as both scorer and facilitator.

That version of Randle? That’s a problem for anyone. But then came OKC. The inconsistency. The drop-off.

Even this season, it’s been a bit of a roller coaster. Strong start. Post-All-Star dip. Then flashes again lately, especially with Edwards out, where he’s stepped back into that primary role and delivered big performances against teams like Phoenix and Houston.

So why fourth?

Because with Randle, it’s no longer about “can he do it?” It’s about “will he do it consistently?”

In a weird way, that’s a compliment. He’s expected to show up. He’s expected to be great. The question is whether he can stay at that level for two straight months. If he does? Everything changes.

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No. 5: Naz Reid — The Flamethrower off the Bench

Reid finishing last feels fair… but also slightly dangerous to underestimate.

Yes, he’s a sixth man. Yes, his minutes are more limited. But he’s also the kind of player who can swing a game in eight minutes. When he’s hitting threes, spacing the floor, and finishing inside, he turns Minnesota’s second unit into something legitimately scary. When he’s off? It can get inconsistent fast.

We saw both versions in the 2025 postseason.

Every playoff run needs a guy like Reid. The unexpected punch. The bench explosion. The “where did that come from?” performance that flips a game you had no business winning.

He may not be the most impactful player overall. But in the right moment? He might be the most important one on the floor.

---

The Big Picture: This Isn’t About One Guy Anymore

Here’s the part that matters.

The Wolves are still long shots at+4000 to win the title. The West is brutal. The margins are razor thin. And this team has been anything but consistent.

But this recent stretch without Edwards has revealed something that might matter more than any odds number: They’re deeper than we thought.

They’ve beaten good teams. They’ve survived utter chaos. They’ve shown they can win ugly, win physical, and win connected.

If you’re looking for the blueprint for a playoff run, it’s not just “Ant goes supernova.” It’s this:

• Edwards as the engine
• Randle as the co-star
• Gobert anchoring everything defensively
• McDaniels as the swing piece
• Dosunmu and Reid as the wild cards

That’s not just a roster. That’s a formula.

The question, the one that’s going to define the next two months, is whether all of those pieces show up at the same time.

Because if they do? This stops being a “fun team with potential” conversation… and starts becoming something a lot more serious.

And if you’re feeling a little frisky about it, yeah, you could do worse than taking a look at those +4000 odds over at FanDuel Sportsbook.

If you think the Milwaukee Bucks are playing against the Los Angeles Clippers today (after getting walloped by them on Monday), you are mistaken.

Where We’re At

The Bucks have but one opponent, and it is the Chicago Bulls. It’s simple: finish below the Bulls and get rewarded with a modicum of higher probability at snagging a good pick come June. The Clippers are merely the next hurdle to crash into. With all due respect to my esteemed colleague Jack Trehearne, the Bucks most certainly are tanking: look no further than here. With that said, I want to maximize the runtime for the folks who (along with the draft pick) are the future of this team, with or without Giannis. Check out what that means below.

Hopefully the Clippers will again be a willing hurdle. They sit in the Western Play-In, and although unlikely to escape that purgatory, I’m sure they would rather be in the 7/8 game and ideally host it. Shoutout to Old Friend Brook Lopez reclaiming a starting spot in Zubac’s absence. And when is the hammer going to come down on Kawhi?

Injury Report

UPDATE: Deep breath… Thanasis (left calf soreness), Kyle Kuzma (right achilles tendonopathy), Ryan Rollins (left hip flexor soreness), and Myles Turner (right patella tendonopathy) are questionable, and Giannis (left knee hyperextension and bone bruise), Gary Harris (personal reasons), Kevin Porter Jr. (right knee synovitis), and Bobby Portis (left wrist sprain) are out.

For the Clippers, Isaiah Jackson is questionable with a right ankle sprain, while Bradley Beal (left hip fracture) and Yanic Konan Niederhauser (right lisfranc ligament tear) are out.

Player To Watch

Gary Trent Jr. obviously hasn’t spent much time at the rim in recent games, as he notched team-highs in points in two of the last three games. I’ll be watching to see if he continues to eat up minutes that could be spent on younger Bucks.

How To Watch

FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin at 2:30 p.m. CDT.

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After being able to derail run-and-gun teams like Saint Louis and Alabama in the second round and Sweet 16, No. 1 seed Michigan will have a different challenge on its hands with No. 6 Tennessee in Sunday's Elite Eight.

The Vols dig in on the defensive end, run two-big lineups and are the nation's top offensive rebounding team (as evidenced in their Sweet 16 win over Iowa State).

"We understand that especially at this point of the season, any team is a challenge," Michigan's Nimari Burnett said. "We're also ready to take the challenge to them as well. We look forward to a really good, physical game but also playing our style of play on both end of the floor."

More: At Michigan, Dusty May's son is the student manager his dad once was

'Regular-Season Rick' winning in March: Rick Barnes won't gloat about it, though

For Tennessee, this a third straight trip to the Elite Eight... but a chance to reach the program's first Final Four.

"For me, it's definitely an added motivation. I'm hungry for it," Vols guard Bishop Boswell said. "Last year, I was here and we were able to get to the Elite Eight thanks to the senior guys. We weren't able to get it done. To see their faces, it hurt absolutely last year, watching the ceremony and everything of that nature and just seeing we weren't able to get to that point."

Here's what you need to know for today's Elite Eight matchup, including predictions and how to watch:

HIT FRESH FOR UPDATES.

Michigan vs Tennessee basketball live score

TEAMS	1H	2H	F
Tennessee	—	—	—
Michigan	—	—	—

Michigan vs Tennessee live updates

Pregame

How do players feel about SEC, Big Ten conference debates?

College basketball fans and the media love to debate which conference in college basketball is the best. The discussion in 2026 has surrounded the SEC and the Big Ten. Here's what Tennessee and Michigan players feel about the debate, ahead of the Sweet 16 in Chicago.

What time is Michigan vs Tennessee in Elite 8?

• Time: 2:15 p.m. ET, Sunday, March 29.

What channel is Michigan vs Tennessee? How to watch, streaming info

• The game is airing on CBS, streaming via Paramount+.

Michigan vs Tennessee prediction, odds

∎ Tony Garcia, Detroit Free Press: Michigan 81, Tennessee 69.

Michigan has played every style this season and rarely had a problem. Yaxel Lendeborg comes off a historic game and has made 10 of 18 3's in United Center in U-M's four games in Chicago the past two weeks. With Trey McKenney and Gayle providing consistent scoring off the bench, Mara and Johnson as a deep front line and Cadeau pacing the offense, U-M may take a moment to figure out Tennessee's defense that walls off at the rim, but should eventually be able to drive and kick its way to victory.

∎ Shawn Windsor, Detroit Free Press: Michigan 75, Tennessee 67

The Wolverines just beat the SEC’s best offensive team and now they face the SEC’s best defensive team. As U-M has shown all season, few teams adapt as well as it does. The Wolverines will again.

∎ Wynton Jackson, Knoxville News-Sentinel: Michigan 77, Tennessee 72

Tennessee's path to victory remains constant: win big on the offensive glass, limit mistakes down the stretch and turn to either point guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie or Ament for big buckets in crunch time. The Vols have had considerable frontcourt advantages in their first three NCAA Tournament games, but Michigan narrows that gap. There's an even fewer margin for error against Michigan, one that Iowa State couldn't exploit without injured Joshua Jefferson.

The Wolverines are the most complete team Tennessee has faced thus far, and at risk of getting egg on our face (again), Michigan should advance to the Final Four.

• Jeff Seidel: Michigan 79, Tennessee 70
• Carlos Monarrez: Michigan 92, Tennessee 78
• John Leuzzi: Michigan
• Jordan Mendoza: Michigan
• Ehsan Kassim: Michigan
• Austin Curtright: Michigan
• Moneyline: Michigan (-350); Tennessee (+275)
• Spread: Michigan (-7.5)
• Over/under total: 146.5

Michigan will reach Final Four if...

• John Leuzzi: Slow down Tennessee's offense, and break through Tennessee's front court.
• Jordan Mendoza: It controls the tempo.
• Ehsan Kassim: It can limit Tennessee's offensive rebounding.
• Austin Curtright: It takes advantage of its size advantage. Yaxel Lendeborg and Aday Mara make up perhaps the best frontcourt in college basketball, and they've been wildly efficient under the basket this season.

Tennessee will advance to Final Four if...

• John Leuzzi: It can stop Yaxel Lendeborg, and win on the offensive glass.
• Jordan Mendoza: Wins the battle of the bigs.
• Ehsan Kassim: It finds a way to neutralize Yaxel Lendeborg.
• Austin Curtright: Limits turnovers. While Tennessee upset Iowa State in the Sweet 16, it surrendered 16 turnovers against the pesky Cyclones defense. It won't get any easier to score against Michigan, either.

How old is Yaxel Lendeborg?

Yaxel Lendeborg is 23 years old. Lendeborg played three seasons at Arizona Western Community College before heading to UAB where he played two seasons. This is his first year at Michigan.

Is Elliot Cadeau deaf? Michigan PG overcame hearing, vision issues

Elliot Cadeau is half-deaf in one ear, dealt with blurred vision in one eye. That hasn't stopped Michigan point guard from turning in his best season.

∎ Read more about Cadeau overcoming adversity via USA TODAY Sports' Paul Myerberg.

Nate Ament injury update: How much will Vols star play vs Michigan?

The All-SEC freshman is still dealing with soreness. He played 29 minutes in the Vols' second round win over Virginia, scoring 16 points and 25 minutes in Tennessee's Sweet 16 win over Iowa State, scoring 18 points.

"There's no chance I'd sit out a March Madness game," he said prior to the UVA game. "It's about what can we do to get back to 100%, or as close to it as we can."

Tennessee coach Rick Barnes called the injury a "problem," and Ament won't be fully healthy until he gets time off at the end of the season.

"We need Nate. He knows it, but he will give us everything that he can, and that's really all I can say about it. If it's up to him, he would play every minute if he could," Barnes said.

Has Tennessee ever been to a Final Four?

No. Tennessee men's team has never been to a Final Four.

Rick Barnes March Madness record

Barnes is 38-25 in his career in the NCAA Tournament and led Texas to the 2003 Final Four.

Nate Ament 2026 NBA Draft, mock draft prediction

No. 11 overall to Portland Trail Blazers.

Kalbrosky's Analysis:

After a relatively slow and inefficient start to the season, Tennessee freshman Nate Ament is starting to realize some of his lofty expectations. The freshman averaged 21.6 points per game while shooting 38.9 percent on 3-pointers during a 13-game stretch before an injury against Alabama on Feb. 28. The All-SEC forward then had 27 points (4-of-6 on 3-pointers) with eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks and a steal against Auburn on March 12. It will only take one team to fall in love with Ament and given so much of what he brings to the table cannot be taught, that team is probably picking fairly early in the lottery.

See USA TODAY's full mock draft here

Nate Ament stats

(all stats as of March 15)

• 17.5 points per game
• 6.6 rebounds per game
• 2.5 assists per game
• 40.5% field goal percentage
• 33.1% three-point field goal percentage

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michigan vs Tennessee basketball news, predictions, Elite 8 time, how to watch