WASHINGTON (AP) — Alperen Sengun had 32 points and 13 rebounds, Kevin Durant scored 30 and the Houston Rockets beat the Washington Wizards 123-118 on Monday night.
Trae Young was ejected from the game after leaving the bench to come on the court to complain to a referee, days before he is expected to make his Wizards debut.
Durant made all 11 free throws and added seven assists and six rebounds in his only game close to his Maryland home this season. Amen Thompson had 22 points and 12 rebounds, while Reed Sheppard finished with 19 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and six steals in his first career double-double.
Bilal Coulibaly scored 23 points and Sharife Cooper had 21 for the Wizards.
Washington coach Brian Keefe said before the game that Young was trending toward being ready to play Thursday against Utah. The All-Star point guard was limited to just 10 games this season with Atlanta and was sidelined by knee and quadriceps injuries when the Wizards acquired him in January.
But Young didn't wait to get into the action, getting ejected in the third quarter during a confrontation between Houston's Tari Eason and Washington's Jamir Watkins. Eason was also thrown out.
Washington was 12 for 19 from 3-point range in the first half but just 6 for 28 inside the arc as Houston led 60-51. Thompson had 12 points and Durant 11 in the third quarter as the Rockets pushed the lead to 18, and they led by 19 in the fourth before Washington made the score close with a 38-point period.
Washington center Julian Reese fouled out with two points in his NBA debut. The brother of WNBA player Angel Reese started and played 28 minutes.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 02: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Luka Garza #52 of the Boston Celtics during the second quarter at Fiserv Forum on March 02, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The return of Giannis wasn’t enough to propel the Milwaukee Bucks over the Boston Celtics (who were missing All-Star wing Jaylen Brown and starting center Neemias Queta), losing 108-91. It’s the third straight loss by 20 or more for the Bucks. Payton Pritchard led the Celtics with 25 points on 5/10 shooting from beyond the arc. Giannis carried a sluggish Bucks offense with 19 points and 11 rebounds on 7/18 shooting.
Ousmane Dieng was tapped to join the starting five in Giannis’ return, with Ryan Rollins heading to the bench. The Ous got loose early, scoring five of Milwaukee’s first seven. Following Giannis’ first bucket in 38 days, the Bucks went up seven on the Celtics. Boston responded with a 10-0 run, with Hugo González converting two baskets inside, followed by threes from Sam Hauser and Derrick White. After Dieng’s second three of the quarter with 5:36 to go, Milwaukee’s offense went into a nearly three-minute dry spell; Boston took advantage, going up six before Bobby Portis finally got the Bucks back on the board. The Celtics scored the last three buckets of the opening frame, with Hauser capping it off with a mid-range buzzer-beater, putting the visitors ahead 30-20.
Boston kept the pedal to the metal to open the second quarter, going on an 8-0 run to put them up 18. Giannis returned and finally ended the run with a dunk, but that didn’t slow down the Celtics one bit, as they drilled four straight threes to take a 22-point lead with about six minutes left. The Bucks were able to chip into that lead slightly in the final three minutes, though, responding with a 10-3 run, with Giannis, Dieng, and Myles Turner all converting on much-needed buckets. Turner found the bottom of the net once again to close the half on a three-pointer, as the Bucks went into the locker room down 57-43.
Giannis stepped on the gas to open the third, scoring seven straight and cutting Boston’s lead to single digits in just over two minutes! González and Hauser responded, however, torturing the Bucks from three-point range; the pair combined for three triples as part of a 15-0 run for the visitors, growing their lead to 24. It was an unlikely hero that brought Milwaukee life, though, with Pete Nance—who had gotten two DNP-CDs and garbage time minutes in the last four games—helping spark a 9-3 run with a pair of corner threes. But of course, White and Payton Pritchard scored the final six points of the period, with the latter draining a high-arching mid-range shot in the dying seconds. The bucket put Boston ahead 83-65 after three.
The Celtics made sure there was no chance of a Bucks comeback early in the fourth quarter. Pritchard continued to make triples, converting two more as part of a 13-4 opening run, ballooning Boston’s lead to 27, before the Bucks called a timeout. Pritchard splashed home another, making it an even 30-point lead with 4:47 left as Doc called another timeout to empty his bench. Another tough L for the Bucks.
Stat That Stood Out
Despite being relatively the same in size down low, the Bucks were dominated on the inside. The Celtics outscored them 34-22 in the paint and outrebounded them 63-47.
Mar 2, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Cam Thomas (24) shoots against Boston Celtics guard Hugo Gonzalez (28) in the first half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
The Celtics didn’t have their usual stars on hand Monday night against the Milwaukee Bucks, but like many nights this season, it didn’t matter. The Prove-It Unit made a statement. Behind a relentless bench performance and a breakout night from Hugo Gonzalez, Boston turned a competitive game into a runaway road win.
First Quarter
Milwaukee struck first, with Giannis Antetokounmpo scoring the game’s opening basket at the 10:53 mark. The Celtics responded quickly. Hugo Gonzalez got Boston on the board with a driving finish just under a minute later, then followed it up with a dunk in transition to settle things early.
Sam Hauser connected from behind the arc at 9:04, his first of the night, to keep Boston within striking distance as both teams traded possessions in the opening minutes.
Coming out of the first TV timeout, the Celtics’ bench group shifted the tone.
After Nikola Vucevic scored inside with a hook, Payton Pritchard checked in around the six-minute mark. Ron Harper Jr. then entered shortly after and made an immediate impact, drilling a no-hesitation corner three at 4:39 and recording multiple blocks on the defensive end. Boston’s energy picked up during that stretch, particularly on the glass.
Luka Garza contributed on the offensive boards, extending possessions and finishing around the rim. Jordan Walsh didn’t score in the quarter but tied for the early rebounding lead with four boards. Nine Celtics appeared in the opening period and eight of them scored.
Milwaukee stalled a bit when Giannis Antetokounmpo went to the bench, and Boston capitalized. Sam Hauser closed the quarter with a missed three, grabbed his own rebound, and, à la Larry Bird, converted a circus midrange shot just before the buzzer. The Celtics led 30–20 after one.
Second Quarter
Boston continued to build the lead early in the second.
A Bucks travel led to a quick transition opportunity for the Celtics, where Hauser hit a no-dip wing three off a pass from Vucevic — the catch-high, release-high shot that he and Baylor Scheierman frequently practice, as CelticsBlog’s Noa Dalzell noted.
Gonzalez recorded a chasedown block from behind and later finished in transition after Pritchard pushed the pace, converting the and-one at the line. Through the middle of the quarter, the Celtics’ Prove-It Unit kept the game tilted in Boston’s favor with activity on both ends.
Antetokounmpo returned around the 9:20 mark and immediately impacted the game, dunking in transition over Derrick White and later beating Gonzalez off the dribble for another finish at the rim. Milwaukee briefly gained momentum, but Boston responded.
Gonzalez hit a corner three at 7:57 to make it 43–24. Pritchard and White both connected from deep as the Celtics’ lead grew to 52–30 with 6:20 remaining in the quarter. Milwaukee answered with threes from Bobby Portis, Kevin Porter Jr., and Dieng to stay within reach.
Defensively, Boston was active in help situations and forced multiple turnovers. Gonzalez stripped Antetokounmpo on one possession, and Garzilla continued to clean up on the offensive glass on the other side.
Luka Garza hasn't played much since Boston got Nikola Vucevic. But tonight is a good example of the "stay ready" role and making the most of things when you get minutes. 7 points and 4 rebounds (3 offensive) in the first half. Great energy and hustle, as we've come to expect too.
The Celtics’ lead reached 22 before a late stretch of sloppy play allowed Milwaukee to chip away. A few turnovers and missed shots in the final two minutes helped the Bucks cut the deficit to 14 at halftime. Mazzulla appeared frustrated with the final possession after Boston turned the ball over rather than getting a clean look.
Still, the Celtics controlled most of the half and went into the break up 54–40.
Third Quarter
Milwaukee opened the half aggressively.
Hauser hustled out to block an AJ Green three on the first possession, but Vucevic airballed his third attempt from deep on the other end. Giannis Antetokounmpo began to impose himself, finishing through contact and converting an and-one at the 10:49 mark to cut the lead to single digits.
Vucevic steadied things briefly with a soft finish inside off a White feed, but Antetokounmpo continued to pressure the rim, bullying his way to another layup as the deficit dipped to nine.
Boston answered.
Hauser drilled a contested three from the wing, and Gonzalez recorded his second career double-double at the 9:30 mark. Fifteen seconds later, he buried a corner three to push the lead back to 15.
White and Vucevic re-established their two-man rhythm, connecting inside to make it 67–50 with 8:33 remaining. That capped a 10–0 Boston run in under two minutes.
From there, the Celtics’ Prove-It Unit swung momentum again.
Gonzalez blocked a perimeter attempt, sprinted the floor and finished on a cut to reach 15 points. Hauser connected on another contested three at 7:28. Gonzalez later absorbed contact in the post to draw an offensive foul on Antetokounmpo.
By the six-minute mark, Boston’s lead was back to 23.
Milwaukee responded with threes from Portis and Dieng, trimming the deficit during a 15–5 stretch. A successful Bucks challenge overturned a Ron Harper Jr. finish at the rim, and tensions rose briefly after a jump ball sequence involving Luka Garza and Porter Jr.
Boston closed the quarter cleanly. White converted a tough reverse layup to halt the run, and after another Milwaukee turnover, the Celtics secured the final possession for the third straight quarter. Pritchard delivered, stepping back for a high-arching midrange jumper that fell just before the buzzer.
Boston left little doubt early in the final frame.
Vucevic opened the quarter with a finish inside to push the lead back to 20. Milwaukee struggled to generate clean offense, including an airballed three and a sloppy sideline turnover as Giannis Antetokounmpo checked back in at the 10:27 mark.
Pritchard stretched the margin further at 10:10, drilling a deep three to give him 16 points and seven assists at that point. On the other end, Antetokounmpo missed at the rim but drew a late whistle on Gonzalez. Cam Thomas later earned free throws after strong help defense from White was wiped away by a foul call on Vucevic.
Boston stayed composed.
White continued orchestrating, finding Vucevic for another interior finish to make it a 21-point game again. After Antetokounmpo missed a wide-open three that rattled out, the Celtics delivered what felt like the decisive sequence.
Walsh grabbed an offensive rebound to extend the possession, and Pritchard — after missing a step-back — relocated beyond the arc. Walsh found him again. This time it dropped. Bucks timeout. Boston up 24 with 7:45 remaining.
From there, the gap only widened.
Gonzalez secured his 14th and 15th rebounds of the night as Milwaukee continued to miss at the rim against Boston’s layered help defense. White knocked down a contested three to reach 18 points and nine assists before checking out for the night. Pritchard followed with another deep three as the lead touched 30, drawing another timeout from Doc Rivers.
Hugo Gonzalez is only the 2nd Celtic rookie to have at least 18 points, 16 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks in a game.
The other? Larry Bird against Detroit (23-19-3-2 on 11/14/79)
Scheierman added a late three and flashed a thumbs-up toward the bench. Tonje checked in with 2:30 remaining for just his second appearance as a Celtic, joined by Amari Williams and Max Shulga in the final minutes.
Gonzalez put the finishing touch on his 18-point, 16-rebound performance with a late three in the closing minute, sealing a dominant road win that pushed the Celtics to 41–20 on the season.
Boston will return home Wednesday to face the Charlotte Hornets.
Magic City is famous throughout Atlanta. Photograph: Prince Williams/WireImage
San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet has called on the Atlanta Hawks to abandon their collaboration with a famous strip club.
Magic City is an Atlanta institution and been mentioned in a string of hip-hop records, as well as hosting rappers such as Drake, Lil Yachty, Migos, Jack Harlow and Future. It is also popular with athletes: past visitors have included Michael Jordan, while MLS’s Atlanta United celebrated their title at the club in 2018. The club gained widespread attention in 2020 when the Los Angeles Clippers’ Lou Williams visited the club after leaving the NBA’s quarantine bubble during the Covid pandemic.
The Hawks recently announced a theme night with Magic City for their game against Orlando Magic on 16 March. The night will feature a performance from Atlanta native TI, while fans will be able to buy Magic City’s famous wings and branded hoodies.
However Kornet, a devout Catholic, said he disapproves of the night, writing in a Medium post that it “would reflect poorly on us as an NBA community, specifically in being complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women in our society.”
In a press release, the Hawks said Magic City is an “iconic cultural institution,” and praised “its pivotal role in hip-hop and Black culture.”
However, Kornet noted that the press release made no mention of the fact that Magic City “is, as the business itself boasts, ‘Atlanta’s premier strip club.’”
Kornet added that he believed the night was inappropriate for many NBA fans.
“We desire to provide an environment where fans of all ages can safely come and enjoy the game of basketball and where we can celebrate the history and culture of communities in good conscience,” he wrote. “The celebration of a strip club is not conduct aligned with that vision.”
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 05: Stephen Curry #30 talks with Will Richard #3 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 05, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Warriors defeated the Suns 101-97. 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 Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors failed to beat a Southern California team on Saturday. They’ll try again tonight. Two days after a blowout loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Warriors are hosting the LA Clippers tonight at the Chase Center. The good news is that the Clippers aren’t playing very good basketball these days. The bad news is that the Warriors are, once again, the walking dead.
Here’s the full injury report.
Warriors
Out — Kristaps Porziņģis(illness)
Yep, unfortunately, Porziņģis is still out. Steve Kerr unfortunately created some unnecessary drama by speaking about whether or not Porziņģis has POTS, but regardless of the answer to that, the one-time All-Star will miss his fifth straight game. He’s only played once since the Warriors acquired him nearly a month ago.
Out — Will Richard (right ankle sprain)
This is a big loss for the Dubs. Richard has been playing wonderfully lately, and is so important to everything they do on defense. Speaking of defense…
Out — Gary Payton II (left ankle impingement)
No Richard and no GPII spells bad news for Golden State’s perimeter defense. Some people will have to step up.
Out — Steph Curry (right patellofemoral pain syndrome)
It’s an 11th straight missed game for Curry. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like we’re going to see him anytime soon.
Out — Jimmy Butler III (right ACL surgery)
It’s been more than a month since Butler tore his ACL. I still feel bummed writing this segment of the injury report.
Out — Seth Curry (left sciatic nerve irritation)
Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear as though we’ll see either Curry brother anytime soon.
Clippers
Out — John Collins (neck soreness)
Collins is have a strong first year with the Clippers, and he’s been fairly healthy. This will be just his sixth absence of the season.
Out — Bradley Beal (left hip fracture)
No new news here, as Beal suffered a season-ending injury right at the start of his Clippers tenure. A bummer to see.
Enjoy the game, everyone! It tips off at 7:00 p.m. PT on Peacock and NBC Sports Bay Area.
Danny Wolf attempts a shot during the Nets' March 1 loss to the Cavaliers.
Danny Wolf was instructed to miss a free throw intentionally in the closing seconds of Sunday’s loss to the Cavaliers, but the rookie’s admittedly “too hard” attempt missed the rim entirely for a violation that essentially ended the Nets’ last chance to come back and win.
Coaches and teammates jokingly gave him a hard time afterward, but they agreed that the mistake should not detract from what was likely the strongest performance of Wolf’s initial NBA campaign.
The 6-foot-11 forward put up a career-best 23 points with three made 3-pointers, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals in 27 minutes off the bench.
“Obviously, you see the points, but it’s nine rebounds, five assists, one turnover; that’s elite,” coach Jordi Fernández said after the game. “Very happy for him. Well deserved. He was confident from the beginning, all the shots looked really good.
“He can handle, get to the rim. He did everything, and you cannot control all the time if you’re going to be able to score at that level, but the good things and the good intentions were there.
“So huge growth in this game for him, and happy to see it because he deserves it.”
The 21-year-old Wolf was the final of an NBA-record five first-round picks by the Nets in 2025, selected at No. 27 overall out of Michigan.
Danny Wolf attempts a shot during the Nets’ March 1 loss to the Cavaliers. Robert Sabo for the NY Post
Each has started at least five games, led by lottery pick Egor Dëmin’s 45.
Wolf has started eight times but ranks second to Dëmin among the quintet with averages of 8.9 points in 20.5 minutes over 46 appearances entering consecutive games Tuesday and Thursday’s against the Heat in Miami.
The lottery-bound Nets have dropped eight straight games to sink within a half-game of the Pacers for the worst record in the Eastern Conference.
“I have another [22] games left to improve on this year to finish my rookie year, but I gotta go game by game and hopefully we can string together some wins,” Wolf said. “I think you have a bunch of guys in the NBA, and most guys come from winning teams, whatever level that is. However long I can think of my basketball career, I’ve been a part of winning teams, and you know the feeling.
Danny Wolf dribbles the ball during the Nets’ March 1 loss to the Cavaliers. NBAE via Getty Images
“This is the first time I’ve been a part of — I don’t want to say we’re a losing team, obviously our record is 15-45 — but we’re the youngest team in the NBA, and there’s a lot of valuable lessons.”
One of those for Wolf will be to not repeat his mistake on the intentionally missed free throw if that situation arises again.
“It’s harder to miss the way I missed it than it is to make a free throw,” Wolf said. “After I made the first one, my thought process was to hit the front of the rim, but I threw it definitely a little bit too hard.
“You live, and you learn; it’s something new that I needed to know that I need to work on that I didn’t know before. So, that’s definitely on me.”
Assistant coach Juwan Howard was seen talking and laughing with the rookie right after the play, “understandably so,” Wolf added.
Teammate Michael Porter Jr. said he also joked with Wolf that “maybe he’s been in the weight room too much,” but the team’s scoring leader also stressed that shouldn’t be the focus after the rookie’s overall performance Sunday.
“His all-around game — outside game, 3s, getting to the lane, layups, throwing dimes, post-ups — I thought that he was spectacular and played with a high motor and was all over the floor,” Porter said. “So he’s just got to be able to replicate that, and through misses and makes, be able to play like that.
“I thought he didn’t start the game off making his first couple of shots, but I could still see in his energy and his aggression that he was going to have a good game, regardless.”
Dëmin (plantar fascia management) remains out for Tuesday’s game, while Nic Claxton (thumb) is probable.
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 2: Kyshawn George #18 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket during the game against the Houston Rockets on March 2, 2026 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 Kenny Giarla/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Washington Wizards faced the Houston Rockets on Monday night at Capital One Arena. The Wizards made 19 of their 35 3-point attempts, but that hot shooting wasn’t enough as they lost to the Rockets, 123-118.
Julian Reese, who signed a two-way contract with the Wizards on Saturday, started at center in his NBA debut with Anthony Gill (illness), Anthony Davis (finger sprain), Alex Sarr (hamstring strain) and Tristan Vukcevic (thigh contusion) all sidelined.
Kyshawn George, who made his first five shots in Saturday’s loss to the Toronto Raptors, opened 3-for-4 from the field with an early eight points. Bilal Coulibaly came alive toward the end of the first half, scoring 11 of his 14 first-half points in a three-minute stretch where he made three straight 3-pointers.
But Washington had no answer for Alperen Sengün, who scored 19 first-half points as he dominated the paint. The Wizards trailed 60-51 at halftime and faced an uphill battle against a talented Rockets squad.
That battle became even tougher after three straight Wizards turnovers allowed Houston to open a 16-point advantage. But Washington refused to go away, embarking on a 10-0 run that started with Reese’s first NBA bucket and ended with a Bub Carrington triple.
Tempers flared in the third quarter when Tari Eason shoved Jamir Watkins twice before a mini scuffle broke out. Eason received two technical fouls, which resulted in his ejection. Watkins received a technical foul.
Trae Young walked onto the court to argue with officials, which resulted in his ejection. So, before Young makes his Wizards debut on Thursday, he might be suspended for Tuesday’s game for leaving the bench area during an in-game altercation.
Once the dust settled, Houston pulled away to earn a dominant victory. Washington dropped its fifth straight game and fell to 16-44 on the season.
Coulibaly finished with a season-high 23 points and made five triples, which marked a career high for threes made in a game.
Kyshawn George, who took a hard screen in the first half, left the game in the third quarter and didn’t return due to a left elbow sprain.
Zion Williamson said the criticism he faces from people “comes with the territory,” but what’s been the toughest thing for him during his career was hearing people question how much he cares.
The Pelicans’ star took part in a sit-down interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews on Monday’s edition of “NBA Today.” He was asked what the most difficult thing has been during his six year NBA career, which has been hindered by injuries.
“There are pros and cons to being in a certain position. Critics come with the territory,” Williamson said. “The part that would get at me the most is, people saying I didn’t care and I care a lot. I really care and when you’re not on the court and you just have to sit on the sideline, how much my critics hate it, I hate it more than them. Because I don’t want to be on the sideline, I want to be out there on the court. That was a part of the process of looking in the mirror. Am I doing enough? Am I really doing what I need to do?
Zion Williamson talks with ESPN’s Maria Taylor. ESPN/X
“Going through all those injuries and missing lots of time because of it, it did a lot on my mental, but it also helped me grow as a pro.”
Williamson has struggled to stay healthy during his time in the NBA and critics of the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft have bashed him for everything from his fitness and his weight to whether he cares about playing.
During his rookie season, he played in just 24 games and didn’t make his debut until Jan. 22, 2020, after suffering a torn meniscus during the preseason.
He missed all of the 2021-22 season and had his 2022-23 campaign cut short due to a hamstring injury that limited him to just 29 games.
Williamson is on track to surpass 50 games, which he has only done twice in his career, although he tweaked his ankle during a win over the Jazz on Saturday night.
"The part that would get at me the most is people saying I didn't care. I care a lot… How much my critics hate it, I hate it more than them. I don't want to be on the sideline. I want to be on the court"
The Pelicans star said that missing his third year in the NBA was the “most difficult point” of his career.
“There was a lot of criticism on my weight, my care for the game,” he said. “But the whole time I’m looking at a doctor and the doctor is telling me that, ‘yeah we’re going to perform this surgery, but if this surgery doesn’t work we really don’t know the next step.’ And people are saying what they’re saying and everybody is entitled to their own opinion. It is what it is. I’m in Portland rehabbing, not knowing if my foot’s going to heal.
“And it was frustrating and I was really low because I just wanted to play basketball. I just wanted to play the game I loved, but everytime you turn the TV on and every time I checked my phone, it was nothing but negative criticism. And at the time, it did a lot.”
Rob Gray-Imagn Images
When Williamson has been healthy, he has been a presence in the front court.
For most of this season, Josh Hart’s 3-point shooting was a surprising weapon for the Knicks.
From the start of the season to the All-Star break, he was shooting 40.7 percent from deep — which would represent a career-best. But in six games since the break, he shot just 24 percent from behind the arc.
Was his first-half shooting sustainable? Is his recent form a sign of things to come? Or will he end up somewhere in the middle, as he has been most of his career?
Hart went just 1-for-6 in Sunday’s 114-89 win over the Spurs at Madison Square Garden. He seemed to grow hesitant with his shot, passing up open looks.
“The frustrating thing for me [is I’m] in a slump,” Hart said after the game. “The confidence is coming and going.”
Hart’s ability to at least be a competent 3-point shooter is vital to the Knicks starting lineup and coach Mike Brown’s 3-heavy offense. Felllow starters Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges are usually strong 3-point shooters. Hart tends to be the weakest among them in that regard — meaning opponents often match up their center on him defensively, allowing their big man to sag off of Hart and camp in the paint as a rim protector and help defender. It’s what the Spurs did Sunday, putting Victor Wembanyama on Hart. That also allows opponents to have a wing guard Towns, who usually operates outside the perimeter rather than as their center.
But for much of the season, Hart has made opponents pay for that decision. Given his current shooting struggles, though, he’s had to adjust.
Knicks guard Josh Hart drives to the basket as San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama gives chase. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
“I ain’t make a damn thing, so I gotta do something else,” Hart said. “That’s all I’m thinking about. … I’m putting the work in; I gotta make sure I play my game, shoot my shots with confidence and those kinds of things. But if you can’t hit the side of a barn, you gotta do something different. Wemby’s in a deep drop against me, I gotta make sure I have the opportunity to get guys wide-open shots on some of those handoffs, pitch backs, stuff like that.”
Characteristically, Hart still has found ways to impact winning. When he’s not making his 3s and opponents sag off him, he uses that extra space to become even more aggressive as a screener, as a ball handler forcing the defense to collapse and in crashing the offensive glass. He finished with seven assists and 10 rebounds in Sunday’s win.
At one point during the third quarter, he set a screen to free up Brunson, who missed his shot. Hart then grabbed the rebound, kicked it out to Bridges and then got it back from Bridges, who cut toward him to initiate a dribble handoff. Hart handed it off to Bridges and subsequently set a screen for him to create space, and Bridges promptly drilled the 3.
Knicks guard Josh Hart reacts on the court against the Spurs. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
For good measure on the other end of the floor, he poked the ball away from De’Aaron Fox, leading to a breakaway for Anunoby (who missed the dunk).
“Shooting, it was probably, obviously, one of my worst games of the season, worst three- or four-game stint,” Hart said. “But I think, for me, I was extremely happy in terms of how I was able to get past that and affect the game in different ways. Obviously, don’t want to have an abysmal shooting night like that, but for me, I was able to help guys get shots, defensively bring it.”
There is a portion of the fan base that constantly calls for Hart to be removed from the starting lineup, especially when he struggles with his shot, in favor of Landry Shamet or, when healthy, Miles McBride. While each is a more consistent shooter, neither possesses nearly the playmaking or rebounding prowess of Hart. Both also are better in shorter stints rather than in heavy workloads that Hart regularly logs.
In terms of shooting, Hart was a positive for most of the year rather than a weakness. Whether he can return to that production will be a key X factor heading into the postseason.
By The Associated Press (AP) — Luke Kornet called on the Atlanta Hawks to cancel their upcoming collaboration with Magic City, saying he and other NBA players were surprised by the team's decision to promote the adult entertainment club.
The San Antonio Spurs center wrote Monday that allowing the March 16 event during the Hawks' game against the Orlando Magic “would reflect poorly on us as an NBA community, specifically in being complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women in our society.”
“Regardless of how a woman finds her way into the adult entertainment industry, many in this space experience abuse, harassment, and violence to which they should never be subjected,” Kornet added in a blog post.
The Hawks announced the promotion last week, saying it would include a live performance by Atlanta native T.I., and have two versions of Magic City's famed chicken wings and a special hoodie available for purchase.
But Kornet noted that the press release “failed to acknowledge that this place is, as the business itself boasts, ‘Atlanta’s premier strip club.’” Therefore, he asked the Hawks to cancel the promotion.
“We desire to provide an environment where fans of all ages can safely come and enjoy the game of basketball and where we can celebrate the history and culture of communities in good conscience,” Kornet wrote. “The celebration of a strip club is not conduct aligned with that vision.”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: Luke Kennard #10 and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate during the first half of their game against the Boston Celtics at Crypto.com Arena on February 22, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luiza Moraes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Lakers (36-24) will remain at home as they host the New Orleans Pelicans (19-43) on Tuesday. L.A. looks to sweep the season series against New Orleans for the second season in a row.
The Lakers commendably took care of business over the weekend by stringing together back-to-back blowout victories against Pacific Division counterparts. It doesn’t fully make up for the losing skid they recently endured, but it’s certainly a good sign that this team is back on track.
The best part of the last two victories was that several developments stood out, all of which could be considered integral for the Lakers’ success in this last stretch of the season and playoff time.
Here’s what we saw in the last two games:
Luka Kennard stepping up
Kennard put up 27 points off the bench in the two games, making him the highest scorer among the non-starters. This is a huge development for the purple and gold because not only does Luke improve their bench scoring, but he also provides another threat in their above-average offense with his ability to space the floor, cut to the basket, screen for his teammates and operate off the ball at all times.
The last two games showed how huge an X-factor the newest Laker can be every single game and that’s a huge advantage for them.
Lakers got their shooting rhythm back
The common denominator in the Lakers’ three-game losing streak was their shooting struggles. It happens to most teams and it’s a matter of how quickly they can snap out of it. The Lakers were able to do that over the weekend thanks to a number of things.
Austin Reaves and LeBron James shot better, there was more ball movement on offense and there was an improved mix of lineup and rotations. These all played a role in their victories over the last two games and the hope is for the team to carry them over moving forward.
The team winning means good vibes are back
For as inconsistent as this team has been all season, what has never been a problem is their chemistry. They seem to know how to have fun around each other and that becomes more prominent when they win games. Just look at how Rui Hachimura was the target of laughs prior to the game against the Sacramento Kings last Sunday.
Rui replaced Lebron for the pregame routine and couldn’t throw the ball correctly😭
Vando and everyone can’t stop laughing. Laravia telling him where to aim and Luka is like forget it 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/hPWBdpHD9w
Or when the team was cheering on Maxi Kleber, who had himself a night against the Kings as well:
Maxi Kleber said he feels his teammates reactions from the bench in his big plays like his two posters Sunday in win vs. SAC:
“Every time I do something, you know, you look to the bench, everybody's celebrating. So obviously it's good push for me, good push for the team.” pic.twitter.com/gMgQ6YlxNA
All these prove that the team is not entirely in disarray and there are a couple of things worth being hopeful about moving forward. Only time will tell if it’s enough to make a huge impact for the Lakers’ success down the line.
But in the meantime, they’re worth taking note of as each game passes. Let’s see if the Lakers can continue to build on their recent success and make it three wins in a row against the Pelicans on Tuesday.
Notes and Updates
The Pelicans team that the Lakers will face are also one of the worst defensive teams in the league because they struggle to guard the perimeter and allow too many easy transition points. They also don’t rebound the ball very well and don’t really have the depth on offense to make up for their flaws. The Lakers should be able to take advantage.
Moreover, the Lakers have owned the Pelicans over the last two seasons as they’ve won nine out of their last 10 games against them.
There are no injuries stated on the Lakers’ injury report for this one.
PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 26: Royce O'Neale #00 and Collin Gillespie #12 of the Phoenix Suns celebrate after the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 26, 2026 at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Alright, this won’t be as dramatic as the title, but man… what an important win that was. It’s been 84 years since the last Suns game with this random massive gap in the schedule, so let’s rewind a bit.
With 0.9 seconds on the clock, Royce O’Neale buried a corner three, assisted by Collin Gillespie, but originally created by a sweeping Grayson Allen drive and kick to CG in the corner, who found Royce. That clutch three secured a 113-110 win. It wasn’t just a win. It was a firm reminder that the Suns have no intention of sinking into the Play-In abyss.
ROYCE O'NEALE HITS THE GO-AHEAD 3 TO WIN IT FOR THE SUNS 🚨
If you’ve been watching the Phoenix Suns over the last two weeks, you’ve probably been pulling your hair out. I know I have. Before Thursday night, the vibes were, frankly, in the dumps. We were looking at a team that had dropped six of its last eight, an offense that looked like it was stuck in a mud pit, and a rotation decimated by injuries to Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, and Jordan Goodwin.
Fast forward to the closing seconds against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Footprint Center. The Suns had blown a 12-point fourth-quarter lead. LeBron James had just tipped in a game-tying bucket with 22 seconds left. The ghosts of “disappointing stretches” were starting to rattle again.
Then, Royce O’Neale happened.
The Tiebreaker + “Win of the Season”
Make no mistake, this was the biggest win of the year. Not because of our hatred for LA (that helps), but because of the math. By taking down the Lakers, the Suns officially secured the season tiebreaker. We are now just one game back from L.A. in the loss column for that coveted No. 6 seed. Despite their recent spiral, the fact that the top-6 is still in play is remarkable, especially with Devin Booker’s return soon.
We saw the Suns return to the basics: scrappy defense, transition buckets, and a “death by Royce O’Neale” finish that Lakers fans will be seeing in their nightmares. It was a rollercoaster of a game, but you’d expect nothing less from these relentless Suns.
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Jalen Green.
It is okay to hold players accountable, and right now, the accountability is loud. Green finished with 9 points on 4-of-15 shooting. The iso-ball is getting stagnant, and the 10 assists over his last five games are concerning as well. There are red flags there that are tough to ignore.
I will give him a break for now because he’s currently set up to fail in a system missing its top two scorers while he is trying to trust his body again.
This is a guy who has only played 11 games this season and is clearly still trying to get his legs under him after the recurring hamstring injury. He’s being asked to be Batman when he was brought here to be a high-level Robin. The “perfect storm for failure” is currently swirling around him, but if this inefficiency continues once Book returns, the conversation changes from “he needs time” to “he’s messing with the flow of the offense.”
I truly believe this is the worst he’ll ever look as a Sun, and it’s only uphill from here.
Bright Spots
The brightest spotof last Thursday’s win wasn’t just the final score; it was the continued evolution of Oso Ighodaro. Oso played 34 minutes to Mark Williams’ 13. This season, he has transformed from a tentative rookie we saw a year ago into a decisive attacker who isn’t afraid to mix it up. Jordan Ott is not afraid to close games out with him, and in certain matchups, he prefers it.
This vicious poster on LaRavia was a testament to the player he has slowly become right before our eyes.
Pair him with Rasheer Fleming — who gave us some serious “young Kawhi” defensive vibes while checking LeBron and Luka — and you start to see a viable future for the Suns’ frontcourt. Fleming is a disruptor who can switch everything, and if his three-ball becomes consistent, he is the bridge player this team has been begging for since the Brooks injury.
The Suns shot 50 threes last game. They lived by the long ball and nearly died by it, but that is the modern NBA.
With Devin Booker expected to return soon, the goal is simple: survive and advance. Yes, my basketball brain is ready for March Madness, if you couldn’t tell.
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 31: Ty Jerome #2 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against Jaden McDaniels #3 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at FedExForum on January 31, 2026 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Minnesota Timberwolves at Memphis Grizzlies Date: March 3rd, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM CST Location: Target Center Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network – North Radio Coverage: Wolves App, iHeart Radio
There’s a very specific kind of confidence that creeps in when you beat the Denver Nuggets on national television. It’s the “we’re back” confidence. And right now, the Minnesota Timberwolves are flirting with that version of themselves.
Six wins in their last seven. A convincing Sunday afternoon win over Jokic and the Nuggets. A leapfrog in the standings. Suddenly they’re sitting tied for the third best record in the West, staring at the Houston Rockets, and licking their chops.
It feels good. It should feel good.
But before we start fantasizing home court in Round 1, let’s take a healthy dose of reality. The margin for error in the West is still razor thin. The Wolves have momentum, but they haven’t exactly looked like world-beaters during this stretch. They’ve won games that should’ve been comfortable by making them unnecessarily dramatic. They’ve flirted with disaster against inferior opponents and needed fourth-quarter gear shifts to survive.
Which brings us to this week’s three-game homestand: Memphis. Toronto. Orlando.
On paper? Bankable wins. In reality? Potential landmines.
Because the Wolves don’t have a “talent” problem. They have a “professional urgency on random Tuesday nights” problem. Which makes this Memphis Grizzlies team one of the most dangerous opponents they could face…
The Setup: The Games You Have to Bank
March is a gauntlet. After this homestand, Minnesota heads west to face both L.A. teams, Golden State, and then south for the fourth and final showdown with OKC. That’s not a sightseeing tour. That’s a standings reshuffle waiting to happen.
So if the Wolves want that three-seed, if they want home court in Round 1, if they want to avoid staring down OKC in the second round like it’s a dentist appointment, they have to stack the games that are sitting right in front of them.
Memphis is one of those. And before you (or the Wolves) begin to mentally add a digit to the win column, stop and remember that these Grizzlies have already beaten Minnesota twice this season. The most recent upset was at the start of February in one of those games where the Wolves assumed they could flip the switch late, only to realize the power had been disconnected.
When we get to April and we’re recapping the “what could have been” portion of the season, those Memphis losses are going to glow in neon. This is a team Minnesota has a clear talent advantage over. And yet, lack of intensity and professionalism already put two notches in the loss column.
They cannot afford a third.
#1: Take This Personally (And Take It Seriously)
The Grizzlies punched Minnesota in the mouth twice. Both times, the Wolves walked in thinking it was a formality. That can’t happen again.
This needs to be one of those games where the Wolves remember the taste of blood. Where they come out like they’ve had this date circled since February 2nd. Where they don’t “feel it out” for a quarter and a half.
Jump on them early. Crank the defensive aggression up immediately. Dive for loose balls. Sprint in transition. End defensive possessions with rebounds. Make Memphis feel like they wandered into the wrong building.
Because if you let them hang around, if you let this become a fourth-quarter coin flip, you’re inviting déjà vu.
And Wolves fans have had enough déjà vu this season to last a lifetime.
#2: Blanket Ty Jerome
Memphis has pivoted away from the core that knocked the Wolves out of the playoffs in 2022. Jaren Jackson Jr. is gone, shipped to Utah at the deadline. Desmond Bane was jettisoned before the season. The identity that once made Memphis dangerous has been dismantled piece by piece. Ja Morant is still there, only because nobody else was eager to take on that particular roller coaster. This is not the same Grizzlies team that one appeared to be the next great Western Conference contender.
But Ty Jerome? He’s real. He already proved a month ago that he can hang with Minnesota and put enough points on the board to steal the game. And if you let him get comfortable, he’ll start doing that annoying thing where role players turn into All-NBA guys for a night.
Anthony Edwards. Ayo Dosunmu. Jalen Clark. Donte DiVincenzo. They all need to take turns sitting in Jerome’s jersey.
#3: Keep Jaden McDaniels Unlocked
Jaden McDaniels is the Wolves’ secret ingredient. When he’s passive, the Wolves are good. When he’s aggressive, they’re terrifying. We saw it against Denver. McDaniels attacking downhill, finishing at the rim, getting high-percentage looks. He tilted the floor.
The Wolves need to treat the next six weeks as a referendum on fully integrating McDaniels as a third pillar of this offense. Not an afterthought. Not a “stand in the corner and wait” guy.
If this team heads into the postseason as a legitimate three-headed monster of Ant, Randle, and McDaniels, that’s a completely different ceiling. Minnesota needs to be done with six-point Jaden games. Finch and the staff need to scheme him into action early. Get him touches. Get him downhill. Let him feel the game.
#4: Keep the Ball Moving
One of the more encouraging trends from Sunday? Edwards passing out of doubles. He didn’t force it against Denver. He trusted the read. He let teammates cook. That’s when Minnesota’s offense feels like a five-lane highway instead of a one-man street.
Memphis probably won’t double Ant the way Denver did. But the philosophy has to stay the same: Share it. Swing it. Keep the defense honest.
There is zero reason for this to devolve into iso-heavy, dribble-the-air-out-of-the-ball basketball. The Wolves are far more dangerous when the ball is whipping around the perimeter and the defense is chasing shadows. This is not a “prove you’re the best player in the building” game. It’s a “prove you’re the most professional team in the building” game.
#5: Defend the Perimeter Like It’s a Playoff Game
The only way Memphis stays alive here is if Minnesota gifts them space with lazy rotations, turnstile perimeter defense., and wide-open threes because someone didn’t feel like tagging the shooter.
Don’t give them that.
If Memphis earns tough buckets, fine, but don’t be the reason they get easy ones. Close out hard. Contain at the point of attack. Rotate with purpose. Make it feel suffocating.
This should be a blowout win. Honestly? Anything less is unacceptable.
The Big Picture: Climb the Ladder, One Rung at a Time
The Wolves did the hard part Sunday.
They beat Denver. They flipped the script. They vaulted in the standings. It was a statement win.
But statement wins only matter if you don’t step on a rake 48 hours later.
The dog days of January and February are behind us. The postseason is visible on the horizon. Now it’s about stacking wins. Banking games you’re supposed to win. Turning momentum into separation.
You want the three-seed? You want home court? You want the opposite side of OKC? Then treat Memphis like what they are right now: a stepping stone.
No coasting. No “we’ll turn it on later.” No letting inferior teams dictate terms.
Mitchell Robinson (r.) reacts during the Knicks' March 1 win over the Spurs.
The Knicks load management plan with Mitchell Robinson can be frustrating at times, but it’s hard to argue that it hasn’t worked.
Robinson has played 44 games this year, already more than either of the past two seasons.
He is on pace to play more games this year than any of the past three seasons.
The 7-footer has not played both legs of a back-to-back this year.
The Knicks also have sat him at times during busy portions of the schedule, even when it wasn’t part of a back-to-back.
All of that has helped keep Robinson more available than he had been in years.
“We love the medical group that we have,” coach Mike Brown said Sunday. “[Vice president of sports medicine] Casey [Smith] and [senior vice president of player performance] Quentin [Dolan] and [head athletic trainer] Anthony [Goenaga], they’ve done a nice job heading it with our doctors. They’ve spearheaded this, so I’ve gotta give those guys a ton of credit.
Mitchell Robinson (r.) reacts during the Knicks’ March 1 win over the Spurs. Jason Szenes for the NY Post
“And starting with Mitch because he’s bought into this plan and he’s tried to execute it at the highest of high levels. So I give all those guys a ton of credit because I’m just kind of jumping on the bandwagon and following their lead. To see him out there, because the best thing almost anybody can have is their availability, so to see him out there as much as he’s been out there has been really good for us.”
The most important step will be ensuring Robinson is healthy for the postseason.
The Knicks face the Raptors on Tuesday in Toronto, then return home to host the Thunder on Wednesday.
Robinson is not listed on the Knicks’ injury report, meaning he will be available against the Raptors and will likely sit against Oklahoma City.
The Knicks defense has been a roller coaster this year.
But it seems they’re hitting their groove in that department.
Over the past 15 games, the Knicks recorded a defensive rating of 105.3 — best in the NBA over that stretch.
“I think it’s just another example of where we can be defensively,” Josh Hart said after the 114-89 win over the Spurs on Sunday at Madison Square Garden. “We have to do that on a nightly basis. Now it’s all about getting better every day, getting better so we’re the best team we can be when we’re in the playoffs. We have to continue to build off this, and not have lows at this point. It can’t be up and down.”
Monday marked six years since the Knicks hired Leon Rose as team president.
During the Los Angeles Lakers dismantling of the Golden State Warriors on Saturday at the Chase Center in San Francisco, fans caught a moment between head coach J.J. Redick and superstar Luka Doncic.
Doncic — the franchise’s newest crown jewel — was walking towards the Lakers bench when Redick reached out and grabbed his arm. Not violently, but firmly enough that it got Doncic’s attention.
The two exchanged words along the sideline as Redick followed Doncic back to the Lakers’ bench. Doncic sat down and the player and coach continued to exchange words before Redick made one last comment and began walking back towards the scorer’s table. That’s when Luka popped up like a match had just struck gasoline.
Thankfully, Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt was nearby to witness the whole thing and he immediately rose from the bench clapping, loud and deliberate, inserting himself into the space like a seasoned diplomat breaking up a bar fight before the first punch flies.
Vanderbilt’s actions were subtle, but brilliant. It clearly saved everyone from turning a heated exchange into a headline that would have drowned out the Lakers 129-101 dominant win.
Coaches and superstars clash all the time. On the opposite sideline, Steve Kerr and Draymond Green have clashed several times this season alone. Phil and Kobe clashed. Riley and Magic did too. Fire is required to forge steel.
Whatever was said between the coach and superstar is likely squashed at this point, but the fan’s video shows that even the greatest are not exempt from temper’s flaring and sometimes you need a veteran like Vanderbilt to sense the moment and step between the two before things escalate even further.
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