Category: Basketball

Basketball News

Posted on

Sixers Bell Ringer: Stars shine bright to pull out big win over Hornets

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 28: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates his shot against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half with teammates Joel Embiid #21, Trendon Watford #12, Kelly Oubre Jr. #9 and Quentin Grimes #5 at Spectrum Center on March 28, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Helen McGinnis/Getty Images) | Getty Images

2025-26 Sixers Bell Ringer season standings:

Tyrese Maxey – 22
VJ Edgecombe – 12
Joel Embiid – 10
Paul George – 6
Justin Edwards – 4
Kelly Oubre Jr. – 4
Quentin Grimes – 3
Jared McCain :’( – 3
Dominick Barlow – 2
Andre Drummond – 2
MarJon Beauchamp – 2
Adem Bona – 1
Cam Payne – 1
Jabari Walker – 1
Trendon Watford – 1
15th roster spot – 1

The Sixers traveled to Charlotte for a Saturday evening tilt with the red-hot Hornets.

For the first time since January, the Sixers had their full complement of players available as Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr both returned to the lineup following extended absences. The Sixers entered tonight’s contest in seventh place in the Eastern Conference playoff standings, just one game up on the eighth-place Hornets and also just one game back of the fifth-place Toronto Raptors and a half game back of the sixth-place Atlanta Hawks.

Joel Embiid picked up where he left off against Chicago in the first quarter of this one. Embiid led the Sixers with 14 first-quarter points. No other Sixer had more than four points in the opening frame. The Sixers struggled to contain the Hornets’ attack as they knocked down six threes in the first. The Hornets were led by Brandon Miller, who put in 16 first-quarter points. Charlotte led 36-25 after one.

The Sixers fought back, winning the second quarter 39-33. Embiid led all scorers with 21 points at the half. Embiid was joined in double figures by Tyrese Maxey and Paul George, who put in 17 and 12 points, respectively, in the first half. The Sixers trailed 69-64 at the halftime break.

There was zero separation in the third quarter as the teams tied 28-28 in the period. George’s eight points in the third put him up to 20 for the game. The Hornets continued to kill the Sixers on the offensive glass as they had for the entirety of the first half. Charlotte led 97-92 after three.

The Sixers’ stars shined bright in the fourth quarter to give the Sixers their first lead of the night and ultimately the win. They held the Hornets to 17 fourth-quarter points. Maxey, George and Embiid all made timely shots and stops down the stretch to get the Sixers over the finish line for a 118-114 victory.

Time for the Bell Ringer.

Joel Embiid: 29 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 8-for-19 from the field

Embiid did most of his work in this one in the first half as he had 21 points at the intermission. Embiid’s massive block down the stretch on a Brandon Miller corner three in the final seconds helped propel the Sixers over the finish line. Embiid has continued to flash his defensive prowess as the year has gone on after a slow start on that end early in the season.

Tyrese Maxey: 26 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, 10-for-18 shooting, 3-for-4 from three

Welcome back, Tyrese Maxey. The Sixers’ star guard returned to the lineup and continued to add to his All-Star campaign, stuffing the stat sheet and sharpshooting as is common practice for him. Maxey was a handful in transition all night for the Hornets as his speed allowed him to get to the rim and finish with an array of different finishes. Maxey’s massive slam over Miles Bridges early in the fourth quarter helped spark a Sixers run and momentum they would carry through the end of the contest.

Paul George: 26 points, 13 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 assists, 9-for-19 from the field

Paul George is looking as good as he ever has in a Sixers uniform since his return from his league mandated suspension. George’s work on the glass was big in this contest as the Hornets gave the Sixers issues on the boards for a majority of this one. George hunting threes is a welcomed sight for the Sixers, who will need him to consistently be around that 20 points per game mark if they want to make a run in the postseason. George’s defense continues to be high level and makes a glaring difference with him in the lineup.

The veteran forward has also been more aggressive going to the rim than we have really seen him be in his Sixers tenure. Paul George as a three-level scorer and high-volume three-point shooter adds a completely different element to this Sixers team and raises both their floor and ceiling significantly.

Posted on

Bucks vs. Spurs Player Grades: Trent has throwback game in beatdown by red-hot Spurs

Mar 28, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. (5) shoots during the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Missing Giannis Antetokounmpo and most other major contributors, the Milwaukee Bucks got what was expected against a superior team with its full roster available, losing to the San Antonio Spurs 127-95. This loss eliminates them from playoff contention. Read our full summary of the game here and catch a six-minute audio recap on the Bucks+ podcast, Bucks In Six Minutes, below.

View Link

Player Grades

Gary Trent Jr.

26 minutes, 18 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 8/11 FG, 2/4 3P, -9

With so much scoring sitting out, someone had to step in to fill the bucket. Trent Jr. was that guy, dropping 18 points—two short of his season high—and showing flashes of the player whose dead-eye shooting and stellar decision-making endeared him to fans down the stretch last season. He came to play and showed a confidence in his shot that’s been lacking in this lost season.

Grade: A-

Jericho Sims

22 minutes, 10 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 5/7 FG, 6/10 3P, -5

Sims continues to show promising growth while logging bigger minutes filling in for the team’s injured bigs. He hit a non-dunk, non-putback jumper, a rarity for him. He gobbled up five boards on both the defensive and offensive boards. He “led” the team with a -5, a significant achievement in a 32-point blowout.

Grade: A

Ryan Rollins

25 minutes, 12 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 5 turnovers, 1 steal, 5/15 FG, 0/7 3P, -18

It’s a sign of Rollins’ development that he can have a modestly positive effect on a game even when he’s way off his best form. He was ice-cold from 3-point range, missing all 7 of his triples. His five turnovers led the team, symptomatic of a player going too fast and losing control. But they also tell a story of a guy with a high motor who’s consistently probing the defense and looking for good looks for himself and his mates.

Grade: C+

Taurean Prince

26 minutes, 5 points, 3 rebounds, 0 assists, 2/8 FG, 1/6 3P, -29

Not much to like here. Prince’s three-point woes would be a headline most days, except that today his teammate (Rollins) outdid him. But no one on the squad can compete with his -29, or would want to. That stat can mislead, but in this case, it felt pretty accurate.

Grade: D

Ousmane Dieng

36 minutes, 12 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 5/14 FG, 1/4 3P, -16

Dieng played well in flashes, finding teammates for open looks and playing solid D. But his shot was off, and his overall impact left plenty to be desired.

Grade: C-

Pete Nance

30 minutes, 5 points, 5 rebounds, 2/3 FG, 1/2 3P, 3 assists, 4 turnovers, -22

Nance never quite got booted up in this game. He wasn’t actively bad, but he wasn’t doing much to contribute positively either. Hard to stomach the low numbers given the high minutes.

Grade: C-

Myles Turner

28 minutes, 15 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 5/12 FG, 4/9 3P, -28

Turner’s -28 looks brutal, but the eye test was kinder. He was a big part of a defense that held Wemby sort of in check, as much as that’s possible. And he found his range from deep, making impact triples at the start of both halves.

Grade: B–

AJ Green

27 minutes, 7 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2/6 FG, 2/6 3P, -18

Another mostly no-show game for Green when the team most needed a lift. BUT: two blocked shots! The research team is hard at work digging this up, but we’re going to bet that AJ has gone entire seasons without two rejections. All-Defensive team nod incoming?

Grade: C+

Andre Jackson Jr.

14 minutes, 11 points, 1 rebound, 4/9 FG, 3/7 3P, -16

Ajax scored efficiently, exciting the crowd with back-to-back triples (and nearly back-to-back-to-back) during a brief third-quarter run when it looked like they might have a chance. While his scoring was efficient and his shooting was far less woeful than his teammates’, his overall impact was meh at best.

Grade: C+

Limited Minutes: Cormac Ryan

Inactive: Antetokounmpos (Giannis, Alex, Thanassis), Bobby Portis, Kyle Kuzma, Kevin Porter Jr.

Bonus Bucks Bits

  • One “win”: the Bucks didn’t give up two triple-doubles. Stephon Castle got his, and Wemby was close. It was more a statement of boredom with a long-ago decided game that the French Phenom didn’t go all-out to get the needed extra assists to pad his stats.
  • As mentioned, this 44th loss seals Milwaukee’s fate: they will miss the postseason for the first time since 2016.

Up Next

The Bucks are right back at it tomorrow, Sunday, March 29, for a home game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Catch the action at 2:30 p.m. CDT on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin.

Posted on

Hawks continue home win streak, defeat Kings 123-113

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 28: Nickeil Alexander-Walker #7 of the Atlanta Hawks shoots the ball during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 28, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Atlanta Hawks were in action on Saturday evening to face the Sacramento Kings. The Hawks were coming into this game after a tough loss against the Boston Celtics yesterday, and they were looking to get back on track against a team who hasn’t played well.

The Kings have had a long injury list throughout the season, but the Hawks came into this game with a few of their own. Dyson Daniels, Jonathan Kuminga, and Onyeka Okongwu were ruled out for this game.

Mohamed Gueye got the start this evening, as the Hawks decided to go with a big lineup.

Jalen Johnson made easy work of the lineup as well, getting a drive to the rim for two easy points.

Both teams went back and forth throughout the quarter, with the Hawks having the biggest lead at five. Zaccharie Risacher came off the bench and knocked down a few shots to keep the team afloat.

The Kings ended up with the lead going into the second.

It wasn’t the best start for the Hawks in the second, as the Kings extended their lead. The Hawks stayed close throughout the quarter, but the Kings found a way to always get a shot, thanks to DeMar DeRozan. They were eventually able to tie it up after Johnson found Jock Landale for this shot.

The Hawks opened up the quarter from there and went on a huge run. Nickeil Alexander-Walker knocked down a three-pointer to extend the lead.

McCollum got shifty at the end of the half to get to his bread and butter, and the Hawks went into halftime with a 66-54 lead.

The Hawks continued their ball movement in the secod half, and Alexander-Walker went between the legs for this pass to Johnson.

The Hawks maintained their lead throughout the quarter, but the Kings snuck up just a little bit down the stretch. They led 88-82 going into the fourth.

Gueye opened up the fourth with a three-pointer.

The Kings stayed with it, and they were able to cut down their deficit and eventually tie the game. The Hawks woke up from there, and Johnson gave the team five straight points. After that, he assisted Alexander-Walker on a three-pointer to give the Hawks an eight-point lead.

The Hawks built a double digit lead, and they were on a roll down the stretch. Landale got in on the fun with this three-pointer.

The Hawks were able to get stops down the stretch as well that helped them maintain their lead, and they walked away with another win.

Alexander-Walker finished with 27 points, Johnson finished with 26 points and 10 assists, Landale finished with 19 points and 13 rebounds, and McCollum finished with 22 points.

The Hawks will be back in action on Monday to face the Boston Celtics.

Posted on

Hyo Joo Kim sets 54-hole LPGA record and builds 4-shot lead over Korda

PHOENIX (AP) — Hyo Joo Kim blew past Nelly Korda and right into the LPGA record book Saturday with her second score this week of 11-under 61, giving her the lowest 54-hole score in LPGA history and a four-shot lead in the Ford Championship.

Kim had seven consecutive one-putt greens, including her torrid start to the back nine on the Cattail course at Whirlwind Golf Club when she went birdie-birdie-eagle-birdie as she started to pull away.

Even her bad shots turned out good. On the par-4 16th, the 30-year-old South Korean looked away in disgust when she pulled her approach, only for the ball to bounce right and take the slope down to 7 feet for yet another birdie.

She had a two-putt birdie on the 17th, and her par on the 18th put her at 25-under 191, breaking by one shot the 54-hole record previous shared by four players.

“All round everything was great — putter, iron, driver, everything was as I would want it to go,” Kim said.

There was little Korda could do about. She started with a two-shot lead, posted a bogey-free 67 and goes into the final round trailing by four shots.

“It was great,” Korda said. “I mean, playing with someone like Hyo Joo today it didn’t feel like that good of a round. She played unbelievable golf, putted really well. Overall, I'm never going to complain about a bogey-free round and 5 under. So it was solid.”

Kim is the defending champion in Phoenix, and she is coming off a victory last week in the Founders Cup when she held off a late rally by Korda to win by one. Sunday will be their fifth consecutive round playing in the same group.

“Nelly is my favorite player. It's been great playing together,” Kim said.

Kim also shot a 61 in the opening round when morning conditions were ripe for good scoring. That round was overlooked because Lydia Ko shot a 60. Ko has faded since then with rounds of 71 and 69, while the South Korean with the smooth putting touch has soared.

Kim took only 25 putts in the third round. Korda had said Friday after her third straight round playing with Kim, “Watching someone putt the way that she does, I mean it's always so mesmerizing for me.”

Mimi Rhodes, the 24-year-old LPGA rookie from England, earlier posted a 63 and was in a large group tied for third that included Ko, Chizzy Iwai, Minami Katsu and Ina Yoon. But all of them are nine shots behind.

Sunday was shaping up as a two-person race between players who already have won this year. Korda took the season opener that was cut to 54 holes because of extreme cold and wind in Florida, while Kim won last week at Sharon Heights.

At stake for Kim is a chance to break the 72-hole record set by Sei Young Kim at 257 in the 2018 Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic.

“You see her make putt over putt over putt and hit really good shots, but you have to really remind yourself that it’s just Saturday,” Korda said. “There is still 18 more holes left.”

___

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Posted on

Embiid, George rally 76ers' to 118-114 win over Hornets, snap Charlotte's 5-game win streak

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Joel Embiid scored 29 points, Paul George finished with 26 points and 13 rebounds and Philadelphia 76ers rallied from 13 points down in the second half for a 118-114 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday night.

With its fourth win in five games, Philadelphia extended its lead over Charlotte to two games in the race for the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Tyrese Maxey returned to the Sixers' starting lineup and added 26 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. The All-Star guard had been sidelined since March 7 due to a tendon injury in his right pinkie finger.

Brandon Miller hit five 3-pointers and finished with 29 points and eight rebounds for Charlotte, which had its five-game winning streak halted. LaMelo Ball pitched in with 20 points and eight assists, and Moussa Diabate added 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Charlotte led 36-25 after the first quarter. Philadelphia’s 39-point second quarter cut the lead to 69-64 at halftime. Embiid led all scorers with 21 points in the first half, while Maxey added 17. Miller led Charlotte with 18 points in the opening periods.

Charlotte made 10 of 24 shots from beyond the arc in the opening half, while the Sixers went 10 for 19.

Charlotte used a 11-0 run over a four-minute stretch to open a 15-point lead midway through the third quarter. The Sixers rallied and closed within five points at 97-92 heading into the fourth quarter.

Philadelphia took its first lead of the game at the 8:51 mark of the fourth. The lead changed hands nine times in the final eight minutes of the game.

The Sixers went ahead for good when George hit a 3-pointer with 1:04 to play. Charlotte had two chances to tie the game, but Ball’s 3-point attempts missed the mark.

Up next

76ers: At the Miami Heat on Monday.

Hornets: Host the Boston Celtics on Sunday night.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Posted on

Moriyasu hails Japan's late tactical switch as Ito sinks Scotland 1-0 amid Hampden boos

GLASGOW (AP) — Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu hailed his team's tactical flexibility after a late Junya Ito strike secured a 1-0 victory over Scotland in a pre- World Cup friendly at Hampden Park, leaving the home side facing a chorus of boos.

In a key warm-up for their eighth successive World Cup appearance, the Samurai Blue overcame a bright Scotland start to dominate the second half. Substitute Ito proved the difference in the 84th minute with a clinical finish from 12 yards to settle a tight contest.

While Scotland manager Steve Clarke admitted he was “surprised and disappointed” by the negative reaction from the Tartan Army, Moriyasu focused on his side’s defensive discipline and late clinical edge.

“I am very pleased to play in such a fantastic atmosphere,” Moriyasu said. “It was a tough game and we managed to keep a clean sheet. Toward the end, we changed the setup to get the goal. It was great for building confidence.”

The visitors survived an early scare when Zion Suzuki pushed a Scott McTominay effort onto the post, but Japan gradually asserted control. Kodai Sano clipped the bar before the break, and the pressure eventually told when Ito got the breakthrough.

The result leaves Scotland winless in four meetings against Japan as both sides prepare for the World Cup in North America starting in June.

Japan plays England at Wembley Stadium in London on Tuesday.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Posted on

Game Thread: Suns vs. Jazz

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 31: Oso Ighodaro #11 of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket against Walter Clayton Jr. #13 of the Utah Jazz during the first half of the Emirates NBA Cup game at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 31, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Jazz 118-96. 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 Kelsey Grant/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Game 74.

Posted on

Pistons 109, Timberwolves 87: Becoming Friends with the Rim

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 28: Naz Reid #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles the ball against Ronald Holland II #5 of the Detroit Pistons in the third quarter at Target Center on March 28, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Pistons defeated the Timberwolves 109-87. 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

With under a minute left in the third quarter, Terrence Shannon Jr. gathered the ball on the Wolves end of the floor and began a three-on-one fastbreak down 12 points.

With Julius Randle or the rim as his options, he dropped it off behind him to Bones Hyland, who had zero Detroit Pistons players within 15 feet of him on the right wing. Slowing down, he took a dribble, and hoisted an important three that would cut the lead to single digits.

Bonk.

Front rim.

For a Timberwolves team 30% from the field and 23% from three at the end of the third quarter, it was a perfect encapsulation of a game that went wayward offensively from the start.

For much of the game, the Wolves were actually getting pretty good looks from behind the arc. Wide open threes from the wing for Naz Reid, Bones Hyland, Donte DiVincenzo, and even Julius Randle. The problem is, they fell at such a measly rate that Detroit was able to turn them into points at a high rate.

The Pistons outscored the Wolves on 21-10 on the fastbreak, the main source of being able to build their lead in second half. The Wolves would also go on to shoot their worst field goal percentage of the season at 31%, just below their previous worst against Orlando (34%).

Despite the Wolves having just a five point halftime deficit, the unraveling came in the aforementioned latter half for Minnesota. The Pistons were able to dismantle the Wolves offense slowly by taking Julius Randle away as their playmaking hub. With a similar approach to Naz Reid as well, Detroit doubled the primary passers in the Wolves offense late with their back to the basket, and forced them to make quick decisions. Reid and Randle would combine for seven turnovers, and combine for 5-28 from the field.

No clearer realization than Saturday as to how bad the Wolves need their three rotation players injured back in the fold.

The good news? They might be getting them back shortly.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MARCH 28: Julius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket during the game against the Detroit Pistons on March 28, 2026 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Cut off at the Top

Julius Randle couldn’t sit in his usual cadence of 4-8 dribbles with his back to the basket before making his finishing move to ultimately score.

By the time he was thinking about what he was going to do next and starting to feel comfortable a couple dribbles in, the Pistons would bring a hard double and rotate to his primary passing option. It ultimately would end up with Randle committing four turnovers, and decentralizing the Wolves primary playmaking hub that they needed to play through heading into the game.

“We didn’t play with very much pace [on offense],” coach Chris Finch said afterward. “Our offense fed their transition game more than anything else.”

It wasn’t just Randle that was getting sped up but the scrambling and crisp rotating that the Pistons were doing. Even without Cade Cunningham, they stayed true to their physical identity and and made the Wolves think faster than they wanted to.

Naz Reid was another example. Not only going 0-7 from three, he also committed three uncharacteristic turnovers, mostly coming from possessions with his back to the basket.

It feels often with Reid that the first few shots he takes often dictate what the rest of his game is going to be. Though he can come alive and go on a signature blowtorch scoring run, it often helps if he is able to find his place in the game early.

As Finch pointed out, Saturday was one where it went sour from the jump.

“He missed two wide open ones when he first got in the game, and the next couple shots were a little forced in the post…trying to plow through physicality,” he said. “He was praying for something to go his way.”

Praying for something to go your way could apply for many of the people who took the floor not named Rudy Gobert and Donte DiVincenzo.

But as I said above…trying to force the playmaking from a couple areas on the floor against an incredible defensive team like Detroit (second in the league in defensive rating (108.7)), it often won’t go your way. It just might help to get some of your reinforcements back.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – MARCH 28: Terrence Shannon Jr. #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket against Caris LeVert #8 of the Detroit Pistons in the third quarter at Target Center on March 28, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Pistons defeated the Timberwolves 109-87. 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

Emptying the Notebook

1). Out of necessity, Terrence Shannon Jr. made the second start of his NBA career on Saturday. He tallied eight points, and was one of the bright transition spots for the Wolves. He also did a nice job causing chaos on the glass, not necessarily with high rebounding numbers, but jarring balls loose for other Wolves players to secure a second chance. He won’t be in the rotation when his team was at full strength, but I thought it was an encouraging stint for him after a discouraging beginning to the season.

2). The Julius Randle double team stuff is real. He loved to play at his own pace. When a double team speeds him up and forces him to make a quick decision, he needs someone else around him to move and make themselves open. He shoots 40% when he’s being guarded tightly, and there’s a reason the second most passes he makes to a person is Donte DiVincenzo; it’s because he moves a TON. It’ll be interesting to see how teams play randle moving forward. Anthony Edwards makes it so that they can’t really double him. When he’s off the floor? It seems as though it’s the right strategy.

Up Next

The Wolves will have a travel day on Sunday and head down for a Monday evening clash with Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks. Over his last eight games, Flagg has averaged 23.8 points, 6.8 assists and 6 rebounds, making a late push for Rookie of the Year.

With the slew of injuries the Wolves have taken on, it would be fair to assume at least one of Ayo Dosunmu or Anthony Edwards will be back in the fold.

Tipoff is at 7:30 PM CST.

Highlights

Posted on

Healthy Sixers secure statement road win over red-hot Hornets

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 28: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on March 28, 2026 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Even if no one predicted this would be an important one when the schedule came out, that’s a great win for the 76ers.

Philadelphia snuck out with a 118-114 win over the Charlotte Hornets Saturday night.

They are 41-33 (Birds), still the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference.

In his first game back in three weeks, Tyrese Maxey eased his way back into 26 points on 10-of-18 shooting along with eight assists.

Joel Embiid, off another big first quarter, finished with a game-high 29 points going 8-of-19 from the floor with six rebounds and two blocks, including a crucial denial with 7.4 seconds remaining. Paul George steadily put up 26 points, 12 rebounds and four steals shooting 9-of-19 from the field.

VJ Edgecombe sliding back into that fourth option role, finished with 13 points on 11 shots. Brandon Miller led the Hornets with 29 as well.

Remarkably, the Sixers were pretty much at full strength, only missing Johni Broome (meniscus tear). Charlotte was without Tidjan Salaun (calf strain).

Here are some thoughts at the buzzer.

First Quarter

  • Charlotte’s fast pace gave them an edge on the boards early, flying quicker to rebounds to give them two second possession opportunities. LaMelo Ball and Embiid both hit each other in the face inadvertently trying to secure rebounds. Ball definitely took a more direct hit. A challenge successfully took Embiid’s foul away but not before the big fella got T’d up for catching Ball with an elbow.
  • It was slow going early for a Sixers offense that couldn’t buy a jumper. Embiid bullied his way past Ryan Kalkbrenner for a layup, but missed the short midrange working the two-man game with Maxey. He finally nailed one from three and another from the free throw line, but the guards playing off him missed the good looks they got.
  • Coming off the bench in this one, Kelly Oubre Jr. made his first shot burying a corner three, but he was whistled for a travel on his next attempt. Embiid continued to be the offensive engine, putting up 14 in the first, though less efficient than Wednesday, doing so on nine shots. Charlotte got hotter as the quarter wore on. Miller led the way there especially after Cam Payne fouled him on a three-point attempt. Maxey had only attempted a transition layup, but got to the line with a second left in the quarter, making both to cut the Hornets’ lead to 11.

Second Quarter

  • Maxey looked for his shot a bit more running a unit with Embiid on the bench, nailing a fadeaway from the block and a three from the wing. George also had a lot of responsibility. He poked free a steal, then hit a three and a layup on the other end. The Sixers’ defense still needed work though, with Grant Williams getting open in the corners and Miles Bridges doing so by the basket, the Hornets kept the Sixers at bay.
  • Coby White also did quite a bit of damage making his first five shots of the night, but the Sixers were able put something together when Embiid checked back in. Edgecombe collapsed the defense to hit the center for a wide open three. On the next possession, Embiid took advantage of a 4-on-3, guiding Maxey to the corner for a three of his own. Another pull-up three from Maxey gave a good indication of how his pinky is feeling and prompted a Charlotte timeout.
  • Somehow giving up multiple offensive rebounds on multiple possessions didn’t completely undo all of that good work they’d done. Ball got going off the dribble again, finding Kon Knueppel for an open three in the process. Strong takes to the basket from Maxey and George kept the Hornets lead at five at the break.

Third Quarter

  • PG nailed another pull-up to start the second half, and while Dominick Barlow put back his second attempt, Charlotte was still conclusively winning the rebounding battle. The Sixers just hadn’t adjusted to how many Hornets would crash for the ball every time a shot went up. Two more threes from Miller prompted a quick timeout from Nick Nurse. They gave up four more second-chance points coming out of the timeout in what turned into an extended 17-2 run.
  • Aside from Kalkbrenner blocking his poster attempt, Edgecombe had a fairly reserved first half — he only attempted four shots. He attacked more in the third, driving for a couple of baskets before knocking down a three that capped off an 8-0 Sixers run in response.
  • The Sixers continued to claw back after a Charlotte timeout too. Embiid made a nice read to find Oubre wide open for a dunk. Maxey ran a nice fast break with Justin Edwards then hit a nice up-and-under layup. Again, it was an inability to get rebounds that halted their momentum. They gave up every kind of offensive rebound possible. They got outmuscled on free throws, they got drawn in on threes and watched long rebounds go over their heads, the whole nine yards. A split pair of free throws by Embiid kept the Sixers within five after three.

Fourth Quarter

  • Maxey posterized Miles Bridges and got the whole Sixers bench buzzing. A few moments later, Maxey gave the Sixers their first lead of the game with a nice layup off the glass and Oubre followed that up with an even more impressive poster on Moussa Diabate. The only thing not going the Sixers’ way during this stretch was George picking up his third, fourth and fifth fouls.
  • An adjustment Nurse made to start the fourth was going to Andre Drummond over Adem Bona. Drummond only had two rebounds, one on each end, but they were not conceding second-chance opportunities possession after possession. Drummond also had a nice block during the run and a kickout for a Quentin Grimes three.
  • Not many stoppages of play meant Embiid couldn’t check back into the game until there was 5:40 left, and by that time threes by Ball and Knueppel swung the lead back to Charlotte. Edgecombe took it back with a three coming out of a Sixers timeout, then they slowed their offense feeding Embiid. He went 1-of-2 before a Ball three tied the game again.
  • A pair of free throws from Oubre was answered quickly by a deep three by Bridges. Both teams got a pair of stops before the Hornets answered another pair of free throws with another deep three, this time from Ball. Embiid quickly drew a foul on the other end. He only split the pair, but Williams couldn’t corral it and the Sixers kept possession. George somehow sprung free on the inbound and drilled a corner three.
  • PG didn’t let up for a moment. He and Maxey were able to get their hands on a pass for a steal as the Hornets were trying to get up the court. Maxey was also able to get to the line, but he also split his pair, keeping the Sixers at a three-point lead. Ball’s long attempt rimmed out, but the Hornets got another chance when the ball went out of bounds. It got swung to Miller in the corner, and Embiid was able to get out and block it. With seven seconds remaining and four on the shot clock, the Hornets went to Ball, who pump faked George, but came up short on his final attempt, sealing the win for the Sixers.
Posted on

Illinois beats Iowa, reaches Final Four for first time since 2005

The first ticket to the Final Four has been punched.

Behind 25 points from freshman superstar Keaton Wagler, No. 3 seed Illinois pulled away from No. 9 seed Iowa 71-59 on Saturday, March 28 in the Elite Eight of the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament.

The victory clinched the Fighting Illini’s first Final Four appearance since 2005, when a Deron Williams-led team that won 37 of its first 38 games fell to North Carolina in the national championship game.

'Got to stay ready.' Real MVP of Elite 8 game after buzzer delay: Air horn

Next Saturday in Indianapolis, they’ll face the winner of Sunday’s matchup between No. 1 overall seed Duke and No. 2 seed UConn.

With his father, former NBA All-Star Peja Stojaković, Andrej Stojaković had 17 points 7-of-9 shooting for Illinois. Tomislav Ivišić added 13 points and two blocks for the Illini.

Despite a subpar outside shooting day from one of the nation’s best offenses, coach Brad Underwood’s team dominated the glass, getting 16 offensive rebounds that led to 13 second-chance points.

The Illini took control late in what had been a back-and-forth game that featured seven ties and 13 lead changes. Trailing 51-50 with 7:20 remaining in regulation, Illinois rattled off eight unanswered points while holding Iowa scoreless for 2:54 and without a made field goal for 5:37.

In his final college game, Bennett Stirtz had a team-high 24 points for the Hawkeyes, who were appearing in their first Elite Eight since 1987. Nobody else on Iowa’s team had more than 10 points.

After shooting 57.1% from the field in the first half, the Hawkeyes shot just 23.1% in the second half, missing 20 of their 26 field-goal attempts, including 12 of their final 13 shots.

When is the Final Four?

  • Final Four Dates: Saturday, April 4 and Monday, April 6

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Illinois vs Iowa: Illini beat Hawkeyes in Elite 8, advance to Final Four

Posted on

Pistons vs. Wolves final score: Detroit D too much for Minny

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 28: Kevin Huerter #27 of the Detroit Pistons drives to the basket during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 28, 2026 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Detroit Pistons might have had one of their worst offensive showings of the season against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday afternoon. Lucky for them, their elite defense showed up and allowed the Pistons to coast to a 109-87 win. It was the sixth time Detroit has held an opponent to 90 or fewer points this season. They are the only team in the league to hit that mark six times.

They also held the Timberwolves to just 31% shooting from the floor, the Pistons’ second-lowest mark of the season against any opponent.

Both teams were shorthanded, including their superstars. The Pistons played without Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Stewart. The Wolves played without Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and Ayo Dosunmu. Both teams have been winning without their stars, however, because other players have been able to step up. That wasn’t the case for either team in what was mostly a defensive slugfest on Saturday.

Jalen Duren was limited to just 10 points and 13 rebounds in 29 minutes, attempting only seven shots. He had trouble dealing with Rudy Gobert’s length, and Minnesota, like most teams lately, has it in their game plan to limit passes to Duren in the post whenever possible. Daniss Jenkins, meanwhile, who has been on a bit of a hot streak since stepping into the starting lineup for Cunningham, was mostly awful against the Timberwolves.

Up until about the five-minute mark of the fourth quarter, when the game was pretty well decided, Jenkins was shooting 2-of-12 with as many assists as turnovers (three). He was sloppy with his handle, making ill-advised passes into non-existent windows, missing clear passing lanes, and giving up a lot of penetration on defense. In garbage time, he was able to hit four pretty easy looks, which allowed him to escape with a respectable 12 points on the night.

It’s not the first time Jenkins has had a stinker like that; he’s a second-year player, after all, but it might be the first time the Pistons have won a Daniss no-show in a while. They did it because so many other role players did just enough on offense — Detroit had seven players in double-figures, with Tobias Harris’ 18 leading the way — and because Detroit’s elite defense made everything difficult for an underpowered Minnesota attack.

To shout out just a couple specific guys — every Ron Holland three is a blessing, and we got two of them tonight to go with his stellar defense. Also, Kevin Huerter is looking more and more like a rotation mainstay, but I don’t know how it will happen when both Cunningham and Stewart return. Huerter had 11 points and made several smart reads as a cutter and a ball handler. He’s reminding me more and more of the rotation impact Dennis Schröder had on Detroit last year. A steadying presence who isn’t giving away anything on either side of the floor, and someone you trust to make the right decision if he has the ball in his hands.

Wolves’ role players not named Donte DiVincenzo couldn’t get anything going against Detroit’s stifling defense. Julius Randle, Naz Reid, Bones Hyland, and Mike Conley combined to shoot 8-for-38 from the floor. That’s 21% from the field. Only DiVencenzo was able to ride some hot 3-point streak shooting into a respectable night. He scored a game-high 22 and hit five threes. But he had 14 attempts, and was just 7-of-18 from the floor overall.

Even as Detroit was trying to give the game away with its patented rash of mind-boggling turnovers, Minnesota could do nothing with them. Detroit committed 19 turnovers on the night, and Minnesota was only able to turn those 19 extra possessions into seven points.

Unsurprisingly, Ausar Thompson and Holland get the lion’s share of the credit with their ability to hound players on the perimeter. Thompson had four steals and Holland two, as just one way to quantify their impact. But, really, it was a team effort. Caris LeVert had a couple of big blocks inside, Huerter continues to move and switch very well on defense, and Harris and Paul Reed were locked in and giving Detroit everything they had.

Detroit is now one win away from clinching the Central Division title, improved Detroit’s NBA Draft position courtesy of a pending swap with the Timberwolves, and they now sit 4.5 games up on the Boston Celtics for the first seed in the Eastern Conference.

Posted on

Mitchell Robinson, Jordan Clarkson stepping into key Knicks leadership roles

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows 03/22/26 New York Knicks vs Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden: Center Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks pulls a rebound away from forward Anthony Gill #16 of the Washington Wizards, Image 2 shows Guard Jordan Clarkson of the New York Knicks reacts after hitting a 3-point shot during the second half when the New York Knicks played the Golden State Warriors Sunday, March 15, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, NY
Knicks

The Knicks are finding important leadership voices beyond their main stars. 

Fans mostly see one side of Mitchell Robinson: a silly, goofy personality who doesn’t take himself too seriously. Recently, however, Robinson has been one of the most vocal players calling out a few worrying Knicks trends and emphasizing the need to fix them ahead of the postseason. 

“The guys are starting to trust me a lot more,” Robinson said after practice Saturday. “They’re putting trust in me, so I’m telling them what I see and things that I think we can get better at. Being more vocal, it’s coming naturally. The guys mentioned a few times, I’m the anchor of the defense. They trust me on the defensive end. That helps a lot.” 

After the Knicks barely escaped with a one-point win over the tanking Nets last week, Robinson said, “Our approach got to be better. We can’t just look at their record and say, ‘we’ll whoop their ass.’ We just got to be better altogether. Until we figure that part out, then it’s going to be a long roller coaster.” 

Center Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks pulls a rebound away from forward Anthony Gill of the Washington Wizards Jason Szenes / New York Post

After the Knicks lost to the Hornets on Thursday, Robinson commented on an Instagram video of himself, saying, “don’t even matter unless we change our approach we ain’t doing s–t special keep that bulls–t up myself included [sic].” 

The video showed Robinson mentoring second-year center Ariel Hukporti, giving him advice on how to tailor his rebounding strategy based on who was taking a shot. 

It’s part of personal growth for Robinson, the longest-tenured Knick. During his first few years in the league, he was not nearly as comfortable with the media. Now, he’s consistently letting his thoughts — and concerns — be heard. 

Two things he’s repeatedly harped on are the Knicks’ approach and connectivity. 

“We’re gonna do some talking and get better connected and stuff like that,” Robinson said. “That’s basically what we have to do, at this point right now. 

“In the playoffs, you’re playing the same team, potentially, seven times. The more we’re connected, the better off we’ll be. You’ve seen what we did last year, and we’re trying to go farther.” 

There is value in having veterans beyond Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns provide different voices and perspectives in the locker room. Robinson is not the only one. 

Coach Mike Brown identified Jordan Clarkson, who has been playing himself back into the rotation lately, as another important leader. 

Guard Jordan Clarkson of the New York Knicks reacts after hitting a 3-point shot during the second half when the New York Knicks played the Golden State Warriors on March 15, 2026 at Madison Square Garden. Robert Sabo for NY Post

“You can have leadership in a lot of different ways,” Brown said Saturday. “As of late, the reality of it is, a guy like Jordan Clarkson is starting to separate himself and showing that he’s one of the leaders of the team. Just because you start, just because you score a ton or shoot a ton, or you’re one of the best defenders, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re a leader. Because one of the things is, leaders aren’t afraid to tell the truth. They do what they say. Being a leader means you gotta be on point all the time. You can’t be worried about whether your teammate likes you at the time because you’re saying something that’s truthful or you’re holding people accountable or not. 

“So when you look at a guy like Jordan, who’s been through a lot, who’s still stayed ready, even when he was out, for him and listening to him speak up in front of the group now, that’s starting to show real leadership. Other guys have spoken up, other guys are trying to do it, and Mitch is one of them.” 

Brunson is the formally recognized captain. Hart is the biggest talker. Towns, given his stature, is expected to be influential with his voice. 

But Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby are not particularly vocal. This leaves a bit of a void behind the aforementioned trio — one that Robinson and Clarkson can fill.

Posted on

Hubert Kós leads Texas men to second straight swimming and diving championship

ATLANTA (AP) — Hubert Kós broke his own NCAA record while defending his title in the 200-yard backstroke to help the Texas men win a second straight national championship in swimming and diving on Saturday.

Kós won with a time of 1 minute, 34.13 seconds as the Longhorns piled up 445.5 points. He set an NCAA record of 1:34.21 in winning the event last season. Kós also broke the NCAA record in the 100 backstroke earlier this meet. Florida junior Jonny Marshall finished second and Virginia sophomore David King took third.

Runner-up Florida had 416 points. Indiana (351), Arizona State (328) and Tennessee (272) rounded out the top five.

Virginia freshman Maximus Williamson began the day by winning the 200 IM in 1:38.48. Indiana senior Owen McDonald was second, followed by Texas senior Baylor Nelson.

Florida senior Josh Liendo clocked a 39.91 to win the 100 freestyle. LSU junior Jere Hribar was second, followed by Tennessee senior Gui Caribe.

Arizona State junior Ilya Kharun won the 200 butterfly in 1:37.66, a half-second in front of Michigan senior Tyler Ray. Virginia freshman Thomas Heilman placed third.

Kharun, Adam Chaney, Remi Fabiani and anchor Jonny Kulow won the men’s 400 free relay with a NCAA record time of 2:42.15. N.C. State placed second and Florida was third. The Sun Devils won five of the seven relay races.

Texas A&M freshman Emilio Trevino won the title in platform diving with 465.40 points. Purdue sophomore Tyler Wills (451.15) and Florida sophomore Jesus Gonzalez (427.25) followed.

Coach Bob Bowman has led Texas to back-to-back championships. He guided Arizona State to the championship in 2024 before taking the Longhorns job.

Hall-of-Fame coach Eddie Reese led Texas to 15 championships during his 46-year run from 1978-2024.

___

AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

Posted on

Real MVP of Elite 8 game after buzzer delay: Air horn. 'Got to stay ready'

HOUSTON – After a buzzer malfunction at Toyota Center caused an 11-minute delay during the first half of Saturday’s Elite Eight game between Iowa and Illinois, officials sitting courtside resorted to an old-fashioned solution.

Kevin Johnson sat at the scorer’s table armed with two blue-and-white air horns, which he used to signal timeouts, substitutions and the end of each half.

Kevin Johnson used an airhorn after a shot clock malfunction during Saturday's Illinois vs. Iowa Elite Eight game in Houston.

Johnson, who has worked for the Houston Rockets as a game clock operator for 25 years, said the game operations crew always keeps air horns and stopwatches available in the arena just in case. On Saturday, as the delay dragged on, Johnson had a feeling they would be needed. He relayed a message into his headset and an employee scurried through the back hallways of Toyota Center to fetch the two emergency horns.

“They tried to go up and they were going to cut (the scoreboard) off. I said, ‘OK in the meantime, just get the air horns out here in case there’s a problem,’” Johnson said. “They were going to try and switch them back but the horn is tied to the whole thing. When they turned the screens back on, the horn is not going to stay cut off.”

Johnson was working the NCAA regional games in Houston along with the rest of the Rockets’ regular scorer’s table crew. He and shot clock operator Larry Stick, another longtime member of the Rockets’ staff, said a similar malfunction happened once before at a Rockets game many years ago – but they emphasized that incidents like that are rare in NBA arenas.

However, Johnson and Stick said it’s not unusual for scorekeepers and clock operators who work high school games to use manual air horns.

At NBA games, Johnson and Stick control the horn by flipping a switch on a Tissot handset, which resembles a simplistic video game controller.  But that controller broke on Saturday, which caused a constant buzzing sound to emanate from the scoreboard overhanging the court.

At halftime, arena employees tried to switch out the Tissot unit entirely, but it still didn’t work. The scoreboard and horn remained inoperable for the second half. So Johnson returned to his seat, put down his cup of blue sports drink and positioned the air horn on the table in front of him.

“Got to stay ready,” he said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Iowa-Illinois game delayed by buzzer malfunction. Break out the air horn

Posted on

Moses Itauma knocks out Jermaine Franklin with big uppercut in 5th round

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Moses Itauma delivered another devastating knockout by sending Jermaine Franklin Jr. to the canvas with a powerful uppercut in the fifth round of their heavyweight fight on Saturday.

Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs), who could soon be in line for a world title shot, staggered Franklin in the center of the ring and the referee waved the fight off as the American fell face first.

Franklin, who went the distance with former two-time world champion Anthony Joshua three years ago, had been billed as Itauma's toughest test yet.

The 21-year-old British southpaw had been dispatching opponents early — none of his previous nine opponents had made it through two rounds.

Franklin (24-3, 15 KOs) was knocked down in the third and ultimately made it to midway through the fifth at Co-op Live Arena. After the uppercut, Itauma threw one final right that seemed to graze the falling Franklin.

Itauma turned pro three years ago in a debut KO victory that lasted just 23 seconds.

The 32-year-old Franklin, a native of Saginaw, Michigan, had won his previous three bouts since his loss to Joshua in April 2023.

___

AP boxing: https://apnews.com/boxing