NBA general managers and scouts are heading home from the 2026 men's NCAA Tournament with plenty to think about after three weeks of incredible action on the court. Now they have to figure out which March Madness performances are indicators of future greatness and which are more of a mirage.
The 2026 NBA draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY's latest mock draft , Duke's Cameron Boozer is expected to go in the first round. Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the Forward's draft night will play out.
Our draft order is based on ESPN's projected records and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
Duke freshman Cameron Boozer was dominant during his first NCAA season, earning national collegiate player of the year. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, rival teams believe Boozer would be the "preferred selection" for the Pacers because of his "potential fit" alongside Pascal Siakam and Ivica Zubac. The ACC Player of the Year isnt a human highlight reel but he offers consistency and a diverse, impactful skill set. More importantly, he can bring a culture of winning after multiple championships in high school and an elite Duke team that made it to the Sweet 16 before a heartbreaking last-second loss.
NBA general managers and scouts are heading home from the 2026 men's NCAA Tournament with plenty to think about after three weeks of incredible action on the court. Now they have to figure out which March Madness performances are indicators of future greatness and which are more of a mirage.
The 2026 NBA draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY's latest mock draft, UConn's Braylon Mullins is expected to go in the first round. Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the Guard's draft night will play out.
Our draft order is based on ESPN's projected records and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
Braylon Mullins 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 15 overall, Charlotte Hornets
Kalbrosky's Analysis:
Braylon Mullins, a five-star recruit and former McDonald's All-American, was a breakout star in the NCAA mens basketball tournament after hitting one of the most improbable 3-pointers in March Madness history. Mullins continued to show a winning mentality, helping earn a spot in the collegiate national championship game. The Big East All-Freshman wing shot 40.7 percent on 3-pointers during his first 18 games in the starting lineup. He is a useful off-ball threat, which gives him an immediately practical role at the next level.
NBA general managers and scouts are heading home from the 2026 men's NCAA Tournament with plenty to think about after three weeks of incredible action on the court. Now they have to figure out which March Madness performances are indicators of future greatness and which are more of a mirage.
The 2026 NBA draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY's latest mock draft , BYU's AJ Dybantsa is expected to go in the first round. Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the Forward's draft night will play out.
Our draft order is based on ESPN's projected records and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
AJ Dybantsa 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 1 overall, Washington Wizards
Kalbrosky's Analysis:
The Wizards have the second-worst offense in the NBA and could instantly inject life into their offense by selecting AJ Dybantsa, the NCAA scoring champion and Julius Erving Award winner. He emphasized that point during his one game for BYU in March Madness, putting up 35 points and 10 rebounds. The Big 12 Rookie of the Year led the nation in unassisted points scored (680) by a wide margin this season, per CBB Analytics. The emerging star also had 40 points against Kansas State in the Big 12 Tournament on March 10 and averaged 28.8 points per game over his final 17 appearances.
The Chicago Bulls are cleaning house in the front office.
Executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley have been fired, team president and CEO Michael Reinsdorf announced Monday, April 6.
"These decisions are never easy, especially when they involve people we respect both personally and professionally," Reinsdorf said in a statement posted on the Bulls' social media accounts. "We are grateful for their dedication and the work they've put in over the past six years. At the same time, we have not had the success our fans deserve, and it's my responsibility to go in a new direction."
The Chicago Bulls announced today that Artūras Karnišovas, Executive Vice President - Basketball Operations and Marc Eversley, General Manager have been relieved of their positions. pic.twitter.com/nFFK0U66ng
Karnisovas and Eversley were brought on at the beginning of the 2020-21 NBA season and posted a 224-254 record over six seasons. They took big swings early on, such as making a blockbuster trade for center Nikola Vucevic during that first year and signing DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso and Lonzo Ball in the summer of 2021.
The Bulls looked like the team to beat in the East at times early that season and held a 38-21 record at the All-Star break until knee injuries to Ball derailed the team – and the core never really recovered together. Their lone playoff appearance under Karnisovas was a first-round exit against the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2021-22 campaign.
When the Bulls began to move off of their current core, they failed to recoup any significant draft capital for DeRozan, Caruso or Zach LaVine. Karnisovas sold at this year's trade deadline, shipping off several talented players, including Vucevic, Coby White and Ayo Dosumnu, in what he called an attempt "to get out of the middle."
The Bulls currently sit in 12th place in the East with a 29-49 record, their fourth consecutive year without a playoff appearance. They have won just five of 29 games since Feb. 1.
"This move is about positioning our team for sustained success moving ahead," Reinsdorf said Monday. "I want our fans to know that I hear you and understand your frustration. I feel it as well. I know this will take time, and I am fully committed to getting this right. At the Chicago Bulls, our focus remains on building a team that can compete at the highest level and ultimately contend for championships.
"We are committed to taking the necessary steps to move the Bulls forward in a way that makes our fans proud."
CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 15: Guard Sam Merrill #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots during the third quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Rocket Arena on November 15, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Grizzlies 108-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For the second straight day, a skeleton-crew version of the Cleveland Cavaliers is taking on a more skeleton crew version of the Memphis Grizzlies. Cleveland will be without Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, and Max Strus. They will, however, have Sam Merrill, Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley.
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After six seasons in charge — and seemingly that many re-inventions of the roster — the Chicago Bulls have fired executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas as well as general manager Marc Eversley.
"Arturas and Marc have led with a deep commitment to the Chicago Bulls. These decisions are never easy, especially when they involve people we respect both personally and professionally," Bulls CEO and president Michael Reinsdorf said in a statement. "We are grateful for their dedication and the work they've put in over the past six years. At the same time, we have not had the success our fans deserve, and it's my responsibility to go in a new direction. This move is about positioning our team for sustained success moving ahead. I want our fans to know that I hear you and understand the frustration. I feel it as well. I know this will take time, and I am fully committed to getting this right. At the Chicago Bulls, our focus remains on building a team that can compete at the highest level and ultimately contend for championships. We are committed to taking the necessary steps to move the Bulls forward in a way that makes our fans proud."
Former Bulls sharpshooter Kyle Korver, currently an assistant general manager with the Hawks, is one of the names league sources told NBC Sports is connected to the job. Other names that sources said were connected to the job early on include former Atlanta Hawks GM Landry Fields, current Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy (this may be more of a wish list play by the Bulls, it is highly unlikely Dunleavy leaves Golden State), current Minnesota GM Matt Lloyd (a Chicago native who worked for the Bulls for 13 years), and CAA agent Austin Brown (this would be following in the footsteps of the Lakers and Knicks, who hired former agents as GMs and had some success with them).
Whoever gets the title of next basketball head of operations can be aggressive this summer: The Bulls will have up to $65 million in cap space as well as a lottery pick. However, what they need more than anything is a direction, a clear plan — that is what has been lacking for the Bulls for years.
The Bulls have been stuck on the treadmill of mediocrity under Karnisovas, making the playoffs just once in the past six years but finishing with at least 39 wins each of the four seasons previous to this one, meaning their draft picks were late in the lottery. Karnisovas built a team with potential early on, one that started 38-21 in the 2021-22 season, led by Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic and Lonzo Ball. However, a serious injury to Ball, who was the glue of that team, left them floundering. It's also a roster that aged quickly and was never the same again.
This season, the Bulls pivoted and started to semi-embrace tanking — as it stands today, the Bulls at 29-49 have the ninth-worst record and a better than 50% chance of drafting in that slot — but they have floor-raising young players on the roster in Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis. Part of Karnisovas' challenge, and the challenge for whoever is the next GM, is that ownership is rumored not to want to fully tank but also not pay the luxury tax for anything less than a contender.
The Bulls will want to move fairly quickly to get a new head of basketball operations in place, as we are just more than a month away from the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 3: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles the ball against Vj Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers in the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 3, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much.
On Saturday afternoon, two things happened that Spurs haven’t seen much this season. One: the Spurs stars failed to make plays in crunch time and two: the Spurs lost the game. It really was a perfect preparation for the playoffs where the team worked through their mistakes and still almost won the game, but also learned that wasting possessions on the road in a playoff atmosphere can cost games. The biggest question for the Spurs coming into the playoffs is their lack of playoff experience, and the Denver game is as close to a playoff game as many of the players on the current have had, and there’s no way that they don’t learn from the experience.
Tonight, they face the Sixers, who have been hampered with injuries all season long but have a relatively clean sheet tonight, with Maxey playing with a splint on his injured finger and former Spur (in name only) Cameron Payne out with a hamstring injury. Joel Embiid and Paul George should be ready to go, but with Embiid, it’s always hard to know how well he’ll move until you see him on the court. They also have a decent cast of supporting characters, with Kelly Oubre and Dominick Barlow. Did you realize that Kyle Lowry was still in the league? I didn’t, but he doesn’t play a lot, so he shouldn’t be a factor tonight. The most exciting matchup to watch will be VJ Edgecombe against Dylan Harper as the two super rookies showcase their talents.
The Spurs have no listed injuries, which means that Victor Wembanyama had no lasting effects from his hard fall on Saturday, where it looked like he banged his head on the hardwood in Denver after being tripped. The Spurs are the more talented team in this matchup, and they should be focused after the loss. The Spurs have four games left in the season, and the standings are set (OKC will NOT lose 3 of their 4 remaining games), so the remainder of the season will be an opportunity for Coach Mitch to work on preparing the team so that the mistakes of a few days ago don’t recur once the playoffs start. The Spurs won’t know their playoff matchup until after the first game of the play-in tournament, so they need to focus on poise and decisiveness more than specific plays, and I’m sure that’s what they’re going to be working on tonight. OK, GO SPURS GO!!!
Game Prediction:
Dom Barlow will attempt to dunk on Victor Wembanyama. It will not go well for him.
San Antonio Spurs vs Philadelphia 76ers April 6, 2026 | 7:00 PM CT Streaming: NBA League Pass TV: FanDuel Sports Southwest Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 05: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns looks on from the bench during the first half against the Chicago Bulls on April 5, 2026 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The end is here. One week left before the second season begins. It’s the one that matters: the postseason. But this final stretch still carries weight for the Phoenix Suns, and not only in the standings. There is another layer to watch. Devin Booker and his path to an All-NBA nod.
Since the league implemented the 65-game rule back in 2023, eligibility has become part of the conversation. To qualify, a player needs to appear in at least 65 qualifying games, with at least 20 minutes played in 63 of them. For the other two games to play, the player must have played at least 15 minutes.
Per the CBA:
A player shall be considered to have played in a Regular Season game if he played at least twenty (20) minutes of such game, provided that in respect of no more than two (2) Regular Season games per Season, such player will be considered to have played in a Regular Season game if he played at least fifteen (15) minutes and fewer than twenty (20) minutes in such game.
As we enter the final week, Booker has played 62 games. Of those, 60 meet the 20-minute threshold. Only two fall short: the early exit against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 1 and the limited run against the San Antonio Spurs on February 19. Both were under 10 minutes played.
And this is where the challenge arises for Booker. Four games remain. If Booker plays in all four and logs more than 20 minutes in each, he clears the threshold relative to games and becomes eligible for All-NBA consideration on the surface. But his “eligible” games are 64, seeing as he did not play 15 minutes in his early exits against the Lakers and Spurs.
You might look at it on the surface and say it doesn’t matter. That this isn’t an All-NBA caliber season for Devin Booker. And statistically, there is an argument there. 25.8 points per game, technically up from last season’s 25.6, but the efficiency has dipped. 45.5% from the field, his lowest since 2017–18. 33.0% from three, his lowest since 2018–19. Add in 6 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 3.1 turnovers, and it doesn’t scream peak Booker. It feels steady. Productive. Not dominant.
But the 65-game rule has changed the landscape.
Look at who is falling off the board. Luka Doncic sits at 64 games and is done for the regular season. Had he not hit 16 techs, thus being suspended for one game, he’d be eligible. Stephen Curry has only appeared in 40. Cade Cunningham, who had a real case for All NBA First Team, is sidelined at 61. Anthony Edwards is at 60, and even if he plays out the final 4 games with the Wolves, he will not reach the threshold. He’d end up at 64, with 63 games deemed “eligible” after he played just three minutes against the Pacers in October.
That changes the field. When you filter it down to guards who are actually eligible, Booker’s profile looks different. He becomes one of the top scoring options in that group, sitting sixth among eligible guards. His 6 assists per game places him 11th. Not elite, but solid. Consistent. Available.
So while it may not feel like one of his best seasons when you watch it night to night, when you stack it against the league and apply the rules that now govern awards, there is a real path there. Not because he has been perfect. But because he has been present, and in today’s NBA, that counts for more than it used to.
So what happens? Do the Suns make an appeal, seeing as Booker played in 66 games but had to leave due to injury? Rumor has it the Lakers will be doing the same for Luka, who sits at that 64-game mark, and all of his games exceed 15 minutes played.
I have said it before, and I will say it again: the 65-game rule feels arbitrary. I understand the intent. The league wants its stars on the floor, wants fans to see the players they paid to see, and wants availability to matter. That part makes sense. But the game does not operate in a vacuum. Injuries exist. They always have. And this season has been a perfect example. Top-tier players are missing time not by choice, but because their bodies forced it. That is what has reshaped this race. That is what has created openings for players who stayed on the floor.
And that is where Booker may benefit. Not because he has had his best season. Not because he has been dominant every night. But because he has been there. Because he has played. Because in a year where availability has thinned the field, that matters more than it used to. How the NBA navigates this scenario with Booker will be interesting.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 26: Donte Divincenzo #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket against Aaron Nesmith #23 of the Indiana Pacers in the third quarter during the home opener at Target Center on October 26, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Pacers 114-110. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Minnesota Timberwolves at Indiana Pacers Date: April 7th, 2026 Time: 6:00 PM CDT Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network – North Radio Coverage: Wolves App, iHeart Radio
The Wolves entered Sunday night’s game against Charlotte desperately needing a win to gain stability and maintain some semblance of control in the Western Conference standings. For three quarters, it looked like a normal, competitive NBA game. Minnesota hung around, traded punches, defended just well enough, and kept things within a possession or two. It wasn’t pretty (it rarely is with this team lately) but it was functional. You could see a path. You could talk yourself into it.
And then, somewhere late in the third, the whole thing cracked open.
Not slowly. Not subtly. Just… boom.
A one-point game turned into a double-digit deficit in what felt like two minutes. Then it stretched to 20+, and suddenly the Wolves weren’t just losing, they were disintegrating. The defense became a series of late rotations, wide-open looks, and revolving doors to the hoop. The offense devolved into turnovers, rushed threes, and missed layups that made you wonder if the rim had been raised a few inches mid-game.
It was one of those stretches where every possession feels like it’s somehow worse than the last. And the worst part? You’ve seen it before. This isn’t new. This is the recurring nightmare of the past week where the five-minute meltdown erases 40 minutes of decent basketball.
And just like that, they were done.
The Standings Gut Punch
If this were happening in January, you shrug, maybe fire off a few angry texts, and move on.
But it’s not January.
It’s the final stretch. And this loss didn’t just sting. It shifted things.
With Houston taking care of Golden State and the Lakers dropping one to Dallas, the Western Conference picture, which had been this chaotic, constantly shifting mess, suddenly snapped into something a little more rigid. A little more real.
Minnesota is now three games back of Houston with four to play.
Read that again. That’s not a gap you close. That’s a gap you stare at and try to rationalize.
Yes, there’s still a head-to-head matchup looming. Yes, mathematically, it’s not over. But realistically? The Wolves are holding an engraved invitation to the six seed.
And if that wasn’t enough, there’s the uncomfortable part nobody wants to say out loud: Phoenix is still there. Still lurking. Still holding the tiebreaker.
Would it take a collapse of truly spectacular proportions for Minnesota to fall into seventh? Absolutely. But if you’ve followed this franchise long enough, you know the phrase “spectacular collapse” isn’t exactly foreign territory.
So now Wolves fans are living in that weird emotional space where you’re 90% sure it’s the six seed… and 10% terrified you’re about to watch something go sideways in a way that ruins your season.
So Now What?
At this point, the conversation starts to shift. Yes, the standings still matter. Yes, you want to hold off Phoenix. Yes, maybe you squint and convince yourself there’s still a path to fifth. But more than anything, this is about getting right before the playoffs.
Because if this version of the Wolves, the one that unravels under pressure, is the one that shows up in round one?
It won’t matter who they play.
The Pacers Game
What appeared to be an early-April afterthought has suddenly become a must-win game for the Wolves. On paper, this is the easiest game left. A bottom-of-the-standings team. The kind of opponent you’d normally pencil in and move on. But nothing about this Wolves team is “pencil in” anymore, and the team can’t afford to let this one slip.
With Minnesota unable to field a healthy roster, their opportunities to notch a critical victory are growing thin. Their last battle with the Magic resulted in them being run out of the gym. Expecting them to go into Houston and pull out a short-handed W is asking a lot. Lose here to Indiana, and it’s not too far-fetched to envision a scenario where this team heads into its finale in New Orleans needing a victory to avoid the play-in.
This game with the Pacers isn’t about style points. It’s not about a bounce-back statement.
This is about survival.
Keys to the Game
1. Finish Defensive Possessions
At this point, the Wolves don’t have a defensive scheme problem. They have a finishing problem.
On many trips down the floor, they are actually doing enough on the initial action. They’re contesting. They’re forcing tough looks. They’re getting to that point where a possession should end… and then it doesn’t. The rebound kicks out. The loose ball bounces the wrong way. Someone hesitates instead of attacking it. And suddenly what should have been a stop turns into a putback, a reset three, or worse, a momentum swing.
That’s been the difference in these recent losses.
You can live with great offense beating great defense. What you can’t live with is giving teams second and third chances when you already did the hard part.
Against Indiana, this has to be a point of emphasis from the opening tip. Rudy Gobert can’t be the only one treating rebounds like they matter. Julius Randle has to bring force. The wings have to crash. It has to look like five guys who understand that the possession doesn’t end until someone in a Wolves jersey actually secures the ball.
2. Recognize the Avalanche, and Stop It Before It Starts
Every Wolves fan can feel it now. That moment when the game starts to tilt. When the offense gets a little rushed, the defense a half-step slow, and suddenly the teems is teetering. It’s subtle at first, a turnover here, a missed rotation there, but it builds.
And the Wolves keep letting it build.
Good teams don’t eliminate runs, that’s impossible, but they interrupt them. They sense when things are slipping and they respond immediately. A timeout. A set play. A drive to the rim to get to the line. Something to stop the bleeding. Minnesota hasn’t been doing that. They’ve been letting those stretches snowball into game-deciding runs.
That’s where Chris Finch comes in. That’s where the veterans come in. That’s where the group has to show some awareness and maturity. If Indiana strings together six quick points, the response can’t be another rushed three and a blown defensive rotation. It has to be intentional. It has to be controlled.
Because the difference between a 6–0 run and a 16–0 run? That’s the season right now.
3. Tighten the Rotation and Ride the Players Who Have It
We’re past the point of experimentation.
If someone doesn’t have it, whether it’s Naz Reid struggling through the shoulder issue, or a shooter who clearly doesn’t have his legs, Finch has to adjust. He can’t wait for it to fix itself in real time.
The Wolves need energy. They need decisiveness. They need players who are going to play with force.
If that means leaning into younger legs, giving someone like Beringer a real look, if that means riding the hot hand instead of the expected one… so be it.
The worst thing this team can do right now is stick to a script that clearly isn’t working. Find the five guys who are ready to compete that night. Then trust them.
4. Push the Pace
When this team gets stuck in the halfcourt right now, things tend to stall. But in transition? There’s still life. Bones Highland pushing tempo. Ayo getting downhill. Randle attacking early before the defense sets. Those are the moments where the offense feels natural again.
More importantly, upping the tempo prevents the kind of stagnation that leads to bad shots and live-ball turnovers, which are the exact things that have fueled opponents’ runs this past week.
Against Indiana, the Wolves need to play like a team that understands its current reality. They’re not at full strength. They’re not at full rhythm. They can’t afford to make the game harder than it needs to be.
Run. Attack. Force the issue. Get easy ones before the defense can settle in. When this team is playing fast and decisive, it looks like a completely different group.
5. Play With Urgency, Not Anxiety
This is the fine line.
The Wolves know what’s at stake. They know the standings. They know the margin for error is basically gone. And sometimes, that awareness shows up as tightness instead of urgency. That can’t happen here.
Urgency means focus, energy, purpose. It means sprinting back on defense, making the extra pass, attacking the glass.
Anxiety is the opposite. It’s rushed decisions, forced shots, and trying to make the “big play” instead of the right one.
The Wolves don’t need to play desperate. They need to play locked in. Because when they do, we’ve seen what it looks like. Boston. Houston. Those weren’t accidents.
That version of this team that still exists. They just have to channel it.
This Is About Who They Are, Right Now
At some point, the standings become secondary to something more important.
Identity.
Right now, the Wolves are sitting in that uncomfortable space where they’re good enough to beat anyone, but not stable enough to trust it. They’ve shown flashes of being a team nobody wants to see in a playoff series… and stretches where they look like a team that’s one bad quarter away from packing it up early.
That’s the tension of this moment. The six seed is probably where this is headed. The Houston gap is real. And unless something dramatic happens, Minnesota’s playoff path is starting to come into focus.
But how they arrive there still matters. If they limp into the postseason, still dealing with the same issues like the rebounding lapses, the offensive stagnation, and the mental collapses, then it won’t matter who they draw. Denver. Los Angeles. Whoever. That series is going to feel like an uphill battle from the jump.
But if they use these final games, starting with Indiana, to clean this up, to reestablish their defensive identity, to rediscover their rhythm and confidence?
Then suddenly the conversation changes. Then you’re not talking about a fragile six seed. You’re talking about a dangerous one.
That’s the opportunity sitting right in front of them.
Because the truth is, for all the frustration, for all the missed chances, for all the “what are they doing?” moments, this team is still right there. Still talented enough. Still experienced enough. Still capable of flipping this thing in a way that makes the last few weeks feel like noise instead of foreshadowing.
But that switch? It doesn’t flip itself.
And if they don’t find it now, against teams like Indiana, in games they absolutely have to bank, then we’re not going to be talking about matchups or paths or possibilities. We’re going to be talking about another season that felt like it had more in it… and never quite got there.
And at this point?
Nobody in that locker room, or watching from the outside, wants to sit through that ending again.
The Sixers’ odds of needing to go through the NBA’s play-in tournament increased Monday night.
With a 115-102 road loss to the Spurs, the Sixers dipped to 43-36. The defeat again meant that the Sixers fell from sixth to seventh in the ever-changing Eastern Conference standings. The Raptors hold a half-game lead over the Sixers for the final spot above the play-in. Toronto will host the 10th-seeded Heat on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
Both the Hornets and Magic now also sit at 43-36. The Sixers hold tiebreakers over each team.
Joel Embiid led the Sixers with a 34-point, 12-rebound performance.
Paul George scored 16 points. Tyrese Maxey tallied 15 points and VJ Edgecombe added 14.
Stephon Castle posted a triple-double for San Antonio with 19 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds.
The Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama was ruled out at halftime with a left rib contusion. He had 17 points on 7-for-11 shooting, five rebounds and three blocks in the first half.
The Sixers’ next stop in Texas will be Houston, where they’ll play the Rockets on Thursday night. Here are observations on their loss in San Antonio:
Injuries a central story
Kelly Oubre Jr. started instead of Dominick Barlow. It’s the first time that’s been the case since Oubre returned from his left elbow sprain in late March and that Sixers had all their rotation pieces available.
George drained three three-pointers in under six minutes. He had another excellent first quarter, posting 11 points on 4-for-6 shooting. George also picked up an early steal when he poked that ball away from De’Aaron Fox on the perimeter. That started a fast break which Oubre finished off with a put-back layup.
Uncertainty about Embiid’s status was the largest story of the first quarter.
The Sixers’ star big man landed awkwardly after blocking Wembanyama in the first minute of the game. Embiid sat on the scorer’s table with 7:42 left in the first quarter and the Sixers called timeout. Andre Drummond entered. It wasn’t clear exactly what was bothering Embiid, though he appeared to be flexing his left foot or ankle at one point.
Whatever the issue, Embiid subbed back in with 3:33 to go in the first. He swished a jumper from the right elbow 23 seconds later, although Embiid continued to move gingerly late in the first quarter. Eventually, he looked more steady and forceful.
For the Spurs, Castle and Wembanyama also had apparent injuries pop up in the first half.
Castle was cleared to return and fine for the rest of the night, but Wembanyama kept dealing with discomfort that seemed to stem from a collision with George. Luke Kornet started the second half at center.
Nothing doing for Maxey in first half
Maxey entered Monday averaging 28.6 points. He scored zero in the first half on 0-for-4 shooting.
The Sixers’ All-Star guard dished out seven assists over the first two quarters and wasn’t blatantly gun-shy. He was certainly more deferential than usual, though.
Embiid got into a good offensive rhythm in the second quarter. His highlights included a nimble step-back three over Wembanyama that cut the Sixers’ deficit to five points. The team trailed by seven at halftime.
The last time Embiid and Wembanyama matched up before Monday, Embiid scored 70. He was never anywhere near that pace Monday, but Embiid showed he’s still a serious challenge for any defender to face 1-on-1.
While Embid served as the Sixers’ primary defender on Wembanyama, Barlow also got key minutes guarding the Spurs’ 7-foot-4 superstar in the first half. As usual, he was intelligent and high-effort in that task.
Crucial Embiid-less stretch goes poorly
The teams exchanged runs early in the third quarter. The Sixers briefly went in front with an Embiid triple, but San Antonio replied with a 9-0 spurt.
The Spurs shifted to small ball after Kornet subbed out. Embiid’s physicality was a plus against whoever San Antonio had on the floor. The seven-time All-Star’s rebounding and free throw numbers were two reflections of his strong night in that department.
Embiid recorded five offensive boards and seven defensive boards. He set new season highs in free throws made (16) and free throws attempted (19).
Embiid played the whole third quarter. Andre Drummond opened the fourth on a night Adem Bona never left the bench.
The Sixers didn’t fare well during that important Embiid-less stretch. Drummond missed a corner three. Kornet then beat him down the floor and slammed in an alley-oop dunk. A Dylan Harper three put the Spurs up by 14 points.
Quentin Grimes’ subpar outing also did not help when the Sixers were were trying to tread water without Embiid. Grimes had five points on 2-for-7 shooting and two rebounds in 23 minutes as the Sixers’ sixth man. Oubre had an identical stat line of five points on 2-for-7 shooting and missed multiple late jumpers. Barlow subbed in for Oubre with 3:35 left in the fourth quarter.
The Sixers were left with almost no margin for error in the final minutes against an opponent that’s grown very accustomed to winning. The Spurs cemented their 60th victory.
It was widely expected that Michael Malone would return to coaching next season. His jumping to college was not.
Malone, who coached the Denver Nuggets to the franchise's only NBA title, reportedly will soon be announced as the new head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels, a story broken by ESPN’s Pete Thamel and since confirmed by other reports.
North Carolina had been big game hunting to replace Hubert Davis, who was fired after the Tar Heels' second consecutive first-round exit from the NCAA Tournament (his teams had won two total tournament games in the past four years and missed the big dance one of those seasons, an unacceptable outcome in Chapel Hill). Reports had linked Bulls coach — and two-time NCAA champion at Florida — Billy Donovan to the job, and he didn’t exactly deny it. Two coaches in the Final Four — Tommy Lloyd of Arizona and Dusty May of Michigan — also were liniked to the job.
Malone came more out of nowhere, but he brings an NBA pedigree that should be a draw for players (that and a large NIL budget). Malone did start his career as a college assistant coach, but the last time he was in the college game was 2001 at Manhattan. Malone is a respected Xs and Os coach, and with the dynamics of college basketball moving closer to those of the professional ranks, the theory is that Malone can step right in and have an impact.
Malone was expected to get a long look from some teams changing coaches this offseason, with reports that the New Orleans had a strong interest in him. With the North Carolina job off the table, it is more likely that Donovan returns to the Bulls. According to Marc Stein of the Stein Line, they want to keep him despite firing Arturas Karnisovas, the executive vice president of basketball operations and decision maker, as well as general manager Marc Eversley, on Monday.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MARCH 1: Daniss Jenkins #24 of the Detroit Pistons defends against Jevon Carter #2 of the Orlando Magic in the second quarter at the Kia Center on March 1, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Peter Joneleit/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The headline of today’s extremely good and compelling game preview by Brennan Sims was “The Pistons are not done.” The Detroit Pistons’ injury report might slightly disagree with that take. Detroit is down several players: Cade Cunningham, Tobias Harris, Duncan Robinson, Isaiah Stewart, and Caris LeVert, notably among them.
Now, the Detroit Pistons have spent an entire season proving every doubter wrong, and that includes the team’s ability to win games no matter which players are suiting up. This is the same team that took the Oklahoma City Thunder to overtime shortly after losing Cunningham to a collapsed lung, after all. But the Orlando Magic, tonight’s opponent, is no Washington Wizards or Utah Jazz. They are a playoff team and currently sit above .500. You can’t sit that many core rotational pieces and expect to have an easy path to victory.
But I like Detroit’s odds. It feels like a special Ausar game to me. Maybe that’s just me being tricked by the pleasant spring weather I experienced today. But Ausar is often special in invisible ways, and I’m manifesting a very visible dominating performance that sends a handful of highlight plays ricocheting through social media. It could also be another good Daniss Jenkins night. The Magic are not shy about fouling players who force the action inside, and when Jenkins has everything working, he can put some sauce on his drives and create real contact.
Game Vitals
When: 7:00 p.m. ET Where: Kia Center, Orlando, Florida Watch: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit Odds: Pistons -1
Projected Lineups
Detroit Pistons (57-21)
Daniss Jenkins, Kevin Hueter, Ausar Thompson, Javonte Green, Jalen Duren
Orlando Magic (42-36)
Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, Tristan da Silva, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr.
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 2: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on January 2, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The New York Knicks (50*-28) face the Atlanta Hawks (44-33) tonight at State Farm Arena. This matchup is a potential playoff preview as the third-place Knicks attempt to hold off the surging fifth-place Hawks in the Eastern Conference standings. New York’s Karl-Anthony Towns is expected to return from an elbow injury, while Atlanta remains without backup center Jock Landale due to an ankle sprain.
Tip-off is 7:00 pm EST on MSG Network. This is your game thread. This is Peachtree Hoops. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Picture yourself as a well-mannered individual and proceed accordingly. And go Knicks!
* Should be one more, but the NBA Cup disappeared after a blind date with the Stanley Cup.
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 21: Cameron Boozer #12 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on in the second half against the TCU Horned Frogs during the second round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 21, 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Let’s be honest, Cameron Boozer’s name was never in the conversation for #1, and he has slim chances at being #2. Even his projected #3 spot has been infiltrated by names such as Caleb Wilson or Darius Acuff.
Much like his father, who we should all be aware of by now if you dare call proclaim as a Jazz fan, Cameron is a highly polished 250-pounder juggernaut forward that’s a walking double-double machine. He’s strong, he’s steady, and he’s likely going to be the most reliable out of the three at the top of the draft.
Boozer was the longest-lasting competitor out of the top three, taking his first-seeded Blue Devils squad all the way to the Final Four of the March Madness Tournament — the story of Braylon Mullins’ walk-off fastbreak snipe shall be a story left until another day.
NBA Draft Profile: Cameron Boozer
Bio: 6 ft, 9 in | 250 lbs | 18 yrs old | Duke University
Accolades: Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year, Karl Malone Award Winner, ACC Player of the Year, National Player of the Year
NBA Comparison: Anywhere between the Kevin Love-Al Horford-PJ Washington archetype, Jayson Tatum’s defensive and scoring versatility
Mastery
The hype around Cam is that he’s going to contribute to winning; that’s almost an undeniable fact. He’s a bulky 90s computer with a Windows 11 operating system. Throughout March Madness, we’ve seen more of him putting the ball on the floor and getting to his spots by using his strength.
I am here to proclaim that Cameron Boozer is not a one-on-one replica of his dad. Carlos, who is currently playing a scouting and front-office role on the Jazz (whatever that implies), didn’t have Cameron‘s shooting, high-IQ and certainly not his handles.
The Boozer disciple was, however, blessed with his father’s upper body and nimble feet. Their free throws are identical, even though the form is completely different. Ge sets hard screens and is a threat to pop and roll. His pick and pop action is a tough assignment for defenders — his screening action equals buckets nearly every time.
Cameron’s bread and butter has always been his post-game. In high school, he completely dominated his opponents with his size, strength and touch. He dunks, he’s got a sweet touch, and he’s flat-out relentless. Mid-range isn’t too far out of his artillery. He’s got the tools and size that’ll translate nicely in the NBA.
Most burly bigs with Cam’s size struggle to drive to the rim, but Booz makes it look easy. He‘s shown many flashes as a fownhill creator, who has a tight handle to put his shoulder down, shove his defenders and finish well through contact. It’s an area of his game that will be one of the most valuable when it comes to success at the NBA level. His speed is impressive, but can he get a step on his opponents rather than relying on brute strength?
As a handler, Cam handles the rock quite well. He’ll randomly pull out combos that you’ve never seen guys of his caliber even think of attempting. You’ll have your patient eyes on him as a defender and then—oh, he just went past me off a behind-the-back and just dunked all over the rim.
That’s not to say he’s reliant on the inside. Jumpers are a last resort when defenders give him space, but his high-release shot makes him deadly off the catch. Back in December 2025, he was already shooting 47.2% from the three-point line in about 3 attempts per game. That included a key three-pointer in a 29-point performance against Florida. The fact that he’s already a decently reliable shooter is a big plus in the eyes of NBA scouts.
Cam provides a similar level on the defensive end to top it all off. He can guard from 2 to 5, depending on the matchups, using his physicality and strength to bring his opponents into the post and force tough shots. Off the ball, he parks in front of opponent driving lanes and positions himself smartly to clean the glass and limit opponents to one possession. He’s a great pick-and-roll drop defender that makes opponent decision-making less successful.
Margin
Booz isn’t the type of player who’s going to routinely jump over defenders for highlight-reel posters. He plays a very grounded game, relying more on his massive frame and footwork rather than raw pogo-stick leaping ability. His lack of vertical pop makes it tricky for him to finish in traffic when matched against true 7-footers with long wingspans. I worry that he’ll struggle to create easy separation against the freakish Wembys of the NBA.
Even though he’s a physical force, Cameron doesn’t really project to be a primary shot-blocker at the next level. He won‘t have the ‘twitchy’ second jump that elite rim protectors use to erase mistakes at the hoop. Most scouts see him more as a versatile forward who needs a dedicated shot-blocker to play alongside. There’s a big question mark about whether he can actually anchor a defense as a small-ball center. If not, then that really limits how Cameron can be utilized on a winning roster.
He’s definitely a threat from deep, but his shooting process is a bit slow and set rather than fluid. He usually needs a clear window and a wind-up to get his shot off. Faster NBA close-outs will exploit that. He also hasn’t shown much of a midrange pull-up game, mostly sticking to either rim finishes or spot-up threes. If he can turn that set-shot into a flick-of-the-wrist-weapon, he’ll become a much more needed three-level threat
When he catches the ball in the post, he often follows a pre-written script that smart scouts have already memorized. He tends to always spin toward the baseline or use the same shoulder, depending on which side of the floor he’s on. He’ll need to add some more counters to his counters so that the opponent can’t counter that counter with a counter. Diversifying his post-game will ensure that he isn’t just a one-trick pony when the game slows down in the half-court.
At times, Boozer has been critized for parking the car on defense to preserve energy for his offensive workload. There have been stretches where he seems less interested in impacting the ball as a help-side defender or rotation player. This lack of a high-motor, combined with his tweener size in some cases, makes it difficult to project him as a truly elite two-way. The Will Hardy mentorship program would have its hands busy.
Mandate
The verdict on Cameron Boozer is that he’s the ultimate safe harbor pick — a player who immediately contributes Utah’s size and versatility while providing a high-IQ offensive hub. Even if he doesn’t possess the flashy star explosiveness of Dybantsa or Peterson, Booz will have a place in this league for years to come if he lives up to the hype. His 2025-26 freshman season at Duke is statistically one of the best ever seen. For a Jazz team looking to pivot into playoff contention, Boozer is the best plug-and-play starter to find in the draft.
I’ll be blunt: Cameron Boozer would not be at the top of the board if the Jazz land the #1 pick — that honor would go to Ryan Smith’s funded AJ Dybantsa project. But Cameron Boozer’s family roots in the Jazz organisation don’t leave him too far down the list. This isn’t nepotism, this is a safe bet.
BROOKLYN, NY - APRIL 3: Jalen Johnson #1 of the Atlanta Hawks looks on during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on April 3, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Mike Lawrence/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
A big test against a possible first-round playoff opponent as the Atlanta Hawks (45-33) welcome to town the New York Knicks (50-28).
Jock Landale (ankle sprain) has been ruled out.
Starting lineup:
G CJ McCollum
G Nickeil Alexander-Walker
F Dyson Daniels
F Jalen Johnson
C Onyeka Okongwu
Please join in the comments below as you follow along.
Where, When, and How to Watch and Listen
Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
Start Time: 7:00 PM EDT
TV: NBA TV
Radio: Sports Radio 92.9 the Game (WZGC-FM)
Streaming: Peacock, Fubo (out of market), NBA League Pass (out of market), Youtube TV (NBA League Pass out of market)
