GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — Kaitlyn Duhon scored 14 points, Harissoum Coulibaly added 11 and Khady Leye sank the go-ahead layup with 5.2 left on the clock for No. 15 seed Auburn in a 50-49 win over No. 10 seed Texas A&M in the first round of SEC Tournament on Wednesday night.
Leye finished with 11 points and 15 rebounds for the Tigers (15-16). She committed a blocking foul on the previous possession that sent Janae Kent to the free throw line with 11 seconds to play for Texas A&M. Kent sank both shots to take a 49-48 lead.
Leye slipped through the screen and drove to the basket to put up the shot. The Aggies didn't have enough time to get the shot they wanted and airballed their last attempt. It is the first time the Tigers have beaten the Aggies in the postseason tournament, and it snapped Texas A&M’s five-game winning streak.
The Aggies (14-12) were led in scoring by Ny'Ceara Pryor with 25 points.
Up next
Auburn will play No. 24 Ole Miss in the second round on Thursday. The Rebels are the No. 7 seed in the tournament.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Berry Wallace scored 22 points, Destiny Jackson added 21, and No. 10 seed Illinois beat 15th-seeded Wisconsin 82-70 on Wednesday in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.
Cearah Parchment scored 14 points for Illinois (20-10) and Lety Vasconcelos — the tallest player in program history, listed at 6-foot-7 — scored a career-high 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting
Wisconsin (13-17) has lost 10 in a row, including a 92-60 loss at Illinois on Feb. 11.
Gift Uchenna tied her season high with 24 points on 10-of-16 shooting, Kyrah Daniels scored 17 and Laci Steele 12 for the Badgers. Destiny Howell, who went into the game averaging a team-leading 14.1 points per game, finished with six points on 2-of-12 shooting.
Uchenna scored seven points in a 12-3 run that cut Wisconsin's deficit to a point a little more than four minutes into the third quarter, but the Illini scored 16 — eight by Vasconcelos — of the next 19 to take a 62-48 lead with 41 seconds left until the fourth.
Illinois shot 83% from the free-throw line, where the Illini outscored Wisconsin 24-10.
The Illini have won seven of eight against Wisconsin and lead the series 44-43
Jackson had five assists moved past Jill Estey (154 in 1990-91) into second on the program's single-season assist list with 156. Alexis Smith set the record of 168 in 2012-13.
Up next
Wisconsin: Season complete.
Illinois: Plays seventh-seeded and No. 18 Michigan State in the second round Thursday.
Mar 27, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) dribbles the ball against Dallas Mavericks forward-center Dwight Powell (7) in the third quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images | Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images
The NBA slows for no team, and Dallas continues to struggle with injuries as they get set to continue their extended road trip, this time with a game against the Orlando Magic.
Cooper Flagg and Marvin Bagley have been rules out, while Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall, and Brandon Williams are all game-time decisions. It’s bad enough being without Flagg and Bagley, who has shown promise in the early returns of his Maverick tenure, but that’s a lot of scoring production from three guys who will be up in the air until game time. Get ready to learn AJ Johnson, Mavs fans.
What’s old is new
Dallas started this season looking like a team stuck in the mud, scoring the fewest points per game in the league through October, managing just 107.8. They’d gotten that number up to 114.2 at the start of February, which, while not setting the league on fire, wasn’t dead last.
However, in the eight games Flagg (and others) has been out, the Dallas offense is back to its old ways. They’re putting up 108.9 per game, 25th in the league over that span; 25th in the league. It hasn’t helped that even the guys who have been healthy are experiencing a slump. Max Christie is shooting the three ball at below .300 after starting the season making nearly half his shots from deep. Missing so many other players who would open up good looks for him has obviously played a role, but even his good looks have ended up as bad misses lately.
If the Mavs really are going to be without Flagg et al, hopefully Christie, or someone else who may or may not be named John Poulakidas, can get it going from three. It might not be enough to get a win, but it’s always fun to watch a Dallas player on a heater.
Magic’s big two
Dallas’ defense had its work cut out for it against the explosive Hornets. Charlotte had seven players attempt five or more three-point shots in the process of going 20-51 from behind the arc as a team. It’s some solace then that, in Orlando, the defensive concerns largely hinge around two players — Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane. Those two, over the Magic’s last 10 games, are the only ones averaging more than 15 points for Orlando, putting up 24 and 26, respectively. Banchero specifically is coming off a 37-point performance on Tuesday against Washington.
If Dallas’ defenders can slow those two, they may stand a chance to keep the game close. With Franz Wagner out, Orlando doesn’t have quite the amount of scoring depth that Charlotte had. Guys can get hot, but if Dallas doesn’t let Paolo beat them, they at least make Orlando earn it. It’s a shame Flagg isn’t quite ready to be back on the floor, because the Flagg/Paolo matchup, two of the league’s most promising young wings, will be a fun one to watch as both players round into All-Stars.
The thrill of the free throw
With as bad as Dallas’ offense has been, there’s one spot where the Mavs are thriving without Flagg — at the free-throw line.
In his eight-game absence, Dallas is drawing 22.6 personal fouls per game, the third-highest mark in the league, and is attempting a league-leading 29.1 free throws per contest. When Charlotte’s three-point onslaught began during Dallas’ game on Tuesday, the huge discrepancy in free throws kept the game nearly level until the third quarter.
It’s not the most thrilling style of basketball, but it’s impressive that Jason Kidd has found something that his players can control, and it’s putting their head down and trying to get to the basket. A good strategy when the team is missing as much shooting talent as it is, currently.
How to watch/listen
You can watch the game at 6:00 pm on KFAA Channel 29 or MAVS TV (streaming), or listen at 97.1FM KEGL (English), and 99.1FM KFZO (Spanish).
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 26: Rasheer Fleming #20 of the Phoenix Suns defends Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 26, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Lakers 113-110. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Something that has happened over the years since I started writing here at Bright Side of the Sun back in 2020 is that my approach to the craft has changed. It evolved. Slowly, almost without me noticing at first. The longer you do this, the more you feel a responsibility to look at the game with a clearer lens. So I started leaning into the analytical side of things. When I sit down to write, I try to examine what I am watching with a little discipline. I look at the numbers. I watch the possessions again. I try to understand why something is happening rather than reacting to the first emotional wave that hits you while you are on the couch.
The goal is balance. Acknowledge the different sides of the conversation. Lay out the context. Let the statistics speak when they need to. Lean on the eye test when the numbers do not tell the full story. Then land somewhere that feels honest and grounded based on what actually happened on the court. In short, I try to stay level-headed. Present. Rooted in reality. I allow space for possibilities and projections, although I try to keep my feet planted on the floor while doing it.
Although let’s be real for a second. I am still a fan.
I still get excited about the dumb stuff. I still fire off ridiculous takes on social media like a lunatic shouting from the top of a tower overlooking the Valley. I will tweet something absurd in the heat of a moment and then turn around later and write something far more measured and thoughtful about the exact same thing.
*John writes column about tempering expectations and preaching patience*
That is part of the fun of sports. The hope. The adrenaline. The moment when you leap out of the chair and yell something that would make no sense if it were written down five minutes later. The overreaction is baked into the experience. Yes, there are moments when it gets exhausting. Anyone who has read my writing over the years knows I have complained about it plenty. Yet it is also part of the culture of being a fan. It always has been.
So for this column, I am leaning into that side of it. The fan hat is going on. The analytical brain can sit quietly in the corner for a minute. Today, we are letting the emotional side of the ride take the wheel.
I know it has only been a couple of games where we have truly seen Rasheer Fleming flash glimpses of what he could become, although I am fully here for it. I am talking full fan mode, leaning forward on the couch, eyes wide, letting the imagination run a little wild. Because the possibility that he is scratching the surface of what he might become as a player is the kind of thing that gets the gears turning.
And if he hits — if he truly hits — it shifts the trajectory of this franchise in a meaningful way.
Maybe I am holding onto that idea a little too tightly. I can admit that. The draft cupboard is not exactly overflowing right now, and the Suns need one of these recent picks from the past couple of seasons to turn into something real. Something more than a guy who fills ten minutes off the bench and disappears into the rotation chart. They need impact, they need growth, and they need a young player who bends the arc of the roster forward.
That context probably fuels some of my excitement.
Although when you watch what Fleming has done over the last two games, it is hard not to feel something. You see the length. You see the instincts. You see those defensive possessions where he slides, contests, disrupts, and suddenly the court feels smaller for whoever he is guarding. Then he pops up on the other end with a confident three or a strong finish and the mind starts wandering.
You may not be as hyped as I am, and that is fair. I acknowledge that I might be a few feet off the ground right now. Although you watch those moments and the feeling creeps in. Something might be there.
Shout out to Kellan Olson for putting the following clip together.
Back-to-back exciting performances from Suns second-round pick Rasheer Fleming.
6-foot-9 and 240 pounds with a 7-foot-5 wingspan and a whole lot of agility. It gets dangerous when an athlete as good as him starts chaining together winning plays. pic.twitter.com/M2YESzYIbQ
What I see in Rasheer Fleming are shades of a young Kawhi Leonard.
Yes, those are massive shoes to fill. Yes, it is way too early to start tossing around a comparison like that. Although remember, this is a fan piece. The measured and tempered version of me can clock back in tomorrow. Today, the imagination is allowed to roam a little.
Because imagine it for a second. Imagine if the Suns somehow ended up with a player who became 80% of what Kawhi Leonard has been. That is a guy who owns two championships. A Finals MVP. A player who, for a stretch of years, lived in that conversation with the very best in the league. Not a brief flash. Not a single magical season. Multiple years where he bent playoff series with his presence on both ends of the floor.
When you step back and think about where the Suns are as a franchise, the thought carries a little extra weight.
Phoenix spent a mountain of draft capital to get here. The moves to acquire Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal drained a lot of the future chips from the table. That reality places a little extra pressure on the youth that remains.
Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro arrived in the 2024 draft. If those two grow into dependable rotation players for this organization, that already qualifies as a success based on where they were selected. When we talk about Khaman Maluach, the expectations rise slightly, because a lottery pick always carries a heavier spotlight. Early signs suggest the 19-year-old is developing the right way and might start carving out real impact in a season or two.
Then there is Rasheer Fleming.
The Suns took him with the first pick of the second round in the 2025 draft. They maneuvered to get him. They saw something in the kid from Saint Joseph’s that made them move pieces around the board. A humble kid from a military family. A personality that fits the blueprint of someone who wants to show up, do the work, and let the effort speak for itself.
If that pick hits, if it becomes anything beyond a simple rotation piece, the ripple effect could be massive. Imagine if he turns into an All-Defense type of player. Imagine if he sneaks into an All-Star conversation someday. What a story that would become. What an endearing player he would be for the fan base.
It is unfair to place those ideas on his shoulders right now. I know that. Although when you watch him move on the floor, when you see that NBA-ready body and those long arms stretching across passing lanes, the imagination cannot help itself.
Personally? I am getting ridiculous with it. I am buying Rasheer Fleming rookie cards like a man who has lost control of his own wallet. Autos. Topps Chrome. I grabbed one yesterday that has a piece of his jersey stitched right into the card. That is how deep the hype spiral has gone.
This 21-one-year-old kid with wings like a condor reminds me of a young Kawhi. “Baby Claw.” That nickname is fantastic, and all credit goes to Miah Scott for that one.
Eventually, I will come back to reality. He probably will too. The NBA does that to everybody. Not every night becomes a highlight reel. Growth does not travel in a straight line where every game is better than the last.
Although that little voice sits in the back of the brain and whispers a question. “What if it does last?” What if that is the road Rasheer Fleming is about to walk down? What if jersey number 20 becomes the one Suns fans start tossing into their carts when they scroll through the team shop? It sounds ridiculous after a couple of flashes from a rookie. Although it is fun to think about.
The road ahead is long. The climb is steep. These small flashes along the way are the mile markers that make the journey enjoyable. They keep the imagination alive. They give fans something to hold onto. A little annoying at times. A little irrational. Although that is sports. That is why we watch.
Maybe it becomes something. Maybe it becomes everything Suns fans are hoping for. For now, the flashes are enough to let the imagination run, and sometimes that is the most fun part of the ride.
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 9: Kyshawn George #18 of the Washington Wizards looks to pass the ball during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on January 9, 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
Washington Wizards forward Kyshawn George will miss three weeks with a partially torn UCL in his left elbow, the team announced Tuesday.
George injured his elbow in the Wizards’ 123-118 loss to the Houston Rockets on Monday. He left the game in the third quarter and didn’t return before missing the team’s next game against the Orlando Magic.
The 22-year-old forward has ascended in his second NBA season, averaging 14.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.
George joins a long list of injured Wizards that includes Alex Sarr, Anthony Davis, Tristan Vukcevic and several more.
TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 4: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles against Brandon Ingram #3 of the Toronto Raptors during the second half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on February 4, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Toronto Raptors Date: March 5th, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM CST Location: Target Center Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network – North Radio Coverage: KFAN FM, Wolves App, iHeart Radio
If you’re a Timberwolves fan, you know how this goes.
They win four straight, you convince yourself the three-seed is inevitable… and then the Wolves play a random midweek game against a feisty team and suddenly you’re stress-eating Oreos at 10:43 p.m. wondering how you got here again.
Minnesota has won four straight after taking care of Memphis on Tuesday night. They’re technically tied with Houston in the standings, even if the head-to-head tiebreaker currently has them sitting in the four spot. Things are looking up.
But the Wolves’ job is nowhere close to finished.
The Memphis Win
The Wolves didn’t exactly stroll through their outing with Memphis. They were sluggish early and fell into a hole. For a minute it looked like we might be headed toward another one of those night….
But they stabilized in the second quarter, chipped away, and eventually the talent gap showed. By the fourth, Minnesota turned on the jets and the game tilted the way it should tilt when you have the deeper roster and the best player on the floor.
Speaking of which… Anthony Edwards dropped his ninth 40-point game of the season. Ninth!
Memphis was feisty, played hard, and put on a solid performance. But in the end, it didn’t matter because Edwards is a cheat code when he decides a game is over.
The Raptors Landmine Game
Now comes Toronto, one of those opponents that always looks harmless on paper until you actually play them. The Raptors aren’t among the league’s elite, but they’re solid. They have scorers and defenders. They push the pace. They play with energy. And they’re jockeying for their own positioning out East, meaning this is not some “show up and collect the win” opponent.
Also, they’re going to be mad.
They absolutely remember last month’s game in Canada, when Minnesota came back, stole their lunch money, and left Anthony Edwards to deliver that “Bruce Lee died” line like he was doing crowd work at a comedy club. That kind of thing leaves a mark. Teams don’t forget that. So if Minnesota walks into Wednesday night thinking, “We already handled these guys,” then congratulations: you’ve just written the first chapter of a very familiar Wolves horror story.
Here are the keys to the game…
#1 – Turn the Key on Defense and Don’t Let Up
This Raptors team will absolutely take whatever you give them. If the Wolves come out sleepwalking, Toronto will run, slash, move the ball, and suddenly you’re down 12. The Wolves need to treat this like a dogfight from the opening tip. Defensive intensity from the jump.
And this is where Minnesota’s depth should matter. The Wolves are deeper now. They can throw bodies. They can rotate. They can stay fresh. Between the trade deadline pickup of Ayo Dosunmu and grabbing Slo-Mo after his buy-out, they have more options to keep legs moving and pressure up. This should be a game where Minnesota’s defensive depth shows up like a wave, not a couple of isolated moments of effort.
#2 – Use the Size Advantage Like You Actually Know You Have It
This one is simple: the Wolves have a three-headed interior monster with Gobert, Randle, and Naz. It’s a real, tangible advantage that should show up in the most basic basketball ways:
Win the rebounding battle
Protect the rim
Create second-chance points
Punish smaller lineups
Force Toronto into tough shots
And this isn’t just about “posting up” It’s about wearing a team down. It’s about making the Raptors feel Gobert’s presence on every drive. It’s about making Randle’s physicality a problem. It’s about Naz bending their coverage because he can pop out and torch you.
If Minnesota is serious about stacking wins, they can’t treat their size like an accessory. It has to be the engine.
#3 Connect from Deep
Against Memphis, the Wolves shot 29% from three. That’s not “slightly off.” That’s “someone please check the rim” territory. Edwards was an amazing 7-for-13 from deep, but the rest of the team? Three made threes on 21 attempts. That’s the kind of stat that makes you blink twice and re-check it like a typo.
The Wolves got away with it because Memphis is dismantled and outgunned. Toronto is not going to be so forgiving. If Minnesota is going to win, the supporting cast has to hit shots.
#4 Ignite the Offense with Ball Movement
The Wolves offense is at its best when it’s generous. When Edwards and Randle play the dual role of scorers and facilitators, the whole floor opens up. The ball moves. The defense shifts. The shots get cleaner. The Wolves look like a real contender.
When it devolves into ISO ball, you can literally feel the offense stiffen. Yes, Ant can bail you out. That’s part of the fun. But the whole point of chasing the three seed is that you’re trying to be a team that doesn’t need late-game miracles against middle-tier opponents.
#5 Feed the “Three-Headed Monster” and Keep Jaden Involved
The Wolves’ ceiling isn’t just Ant + Randle. It’s Ant + Randle + Jaden McDaniels becoming a real, consistent third pillar.
McDaniels has been a strong contributor the past two games against Denver and Memphis. That can’t be a two-game blip. It needs to be a trend. When Jaden is engaged, cutting, attacking closeouts, hitting open threes, and finishing around the rim, the Wolves become a nightmare because now you’re dealing with three guys who can tilt the game.
While that matters for Wednesday, it matters even more big-picture. If Minnesota wants to be more than a “dangerous second-round team,” they need that third threat. They need the three-headed monster to show up consistently, not occasionally.
Ant and Randle have to make a point of it: get Jaden touches early. Let him feel involved. Let him build momentum. Because when he’s part of the offense, it unlocks everyone else.
Bank the Win
Toronto isn’t OKC. They’re not Denver. They’re not the kind of opponent you circle in red ink and treat like a playoff rehearsal. But that’s exactly why this game matters. These are the wins you bank. These are the nights you protect your home floor. These are the games that separate you from the play-in chaos and move you toward the three seed.
Minnesota has a four-game streak going. They’re tied in the standings with Houston. Denver is lurking. The margin is razor-thin. And the Wolves are about to head into a road trip that gets real, real fast.
So this is the assignment: Show up with urgency, defend like you mean it, use your size like a weapon, move the ball like a contender, and let your depth do what it’s supposed to do.
Because the three seed isn’t going to fall into Minnesota’s lap. Not in this West.
The Lakers hired former Dodgers executive Michael Spetner as the team’s new chief strategy and growth officer, a freshly minted position designed to stretch the Lakers’ brand across the globe.
New Lakers owner Mark Walter (not pictured) has already implemented Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman (left) and front office executive Farhan Zaidi as special advisers to Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, and recently hired Lon Rosen as president of business operations . (Photo by Scott Varley/Digital First Media/Torrance Daily Breeze via Getty Images) Dodgers Front Office Press Conference MediaNews Group via Getty Images
“As we look to redefine what’s possible across the sports landscape for fans and partners, we will build on the Lakers legacy and orient toward the future to consider what’s next,” Rosen said in a statement released by the Lakers. “Michael’s leadership will help us optimize our business to ensure long-term value.”
While Spetner didn’t sign Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto or Roki Sasaki, he was working behind the scenes building analytical frameworks, developing business intelligence tools, and most importantly, helping the Dodgers plant their flag in Japan.
With international players including Luka Doncic and Rui Hachimura now in purple and gold, Spetner will now bring that same playbook courtside.
The Lakers said Spetner will oversee long-term business strategy and identify international growth opportunities — executive-speak for something much simpler: turning the Lakers into an even bigger global empire than they already are.
The Dodgers have become an international powerhouse in recent years, and Walter is applying that same philosophy to the Lakers.
The Dodgers have won three championships in the last six years, and fans are hoping Walter can bring that same pedigree to the Lakers.
Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 24: Trae Young #3 of the Washington Wizards speaks to the media prior to the game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on February 24, 2026 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. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Washington Wizards guard Trae Young takes center stage in his expected debut Thursday against the Utah Jazz at Capital One Arena.
Game info
When: Thursday, Mar. 5 at 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
How to watch: Monumental Sports Network, League Pass
Injuries: For the Wizards, Kyshawn George (elbow), Tristan Vukcevic (thigh), Jamir Watkins (ankle), and Anthony Gill (illness) are questionable, while Anthony Davis (hand, groin), Cam Whitmore (shoulder), Alex Sarr (hamstring), and D’Angelo Russell (not with team) are out.
For the Jazz, Lauri Markkanen (hip), Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee), Walker Kessler (shoulder), Jusuf Nurkic (nose), and Vince Williams Jr. (knee) are out.
What to watch for
Two words, nine letters: Trae Young. Washington hoops fans can catch their first glimpse of Young playing in a Wizards uniform since the blockbuster trade that sent the All-Star point guard to D.C. Young has successfully worked his way back from lingering MCL and quad injuries in his right leg.
Young may have been too eager to return to the court on Monday against the Houston Rockets, when Trae got ejected for straying too far from the bench during rookie Jamir Watkins’s altercation with Tari Eason. Young, thankfully, was not slapped with a suspension.
Trae Young announced he won’t receive a suspension for walking onto the court during an alternation in last night’s game:
The matchup against the Jazz also carries serious draft lottery implications.
The Wizards, who enter Wednesday’s slate of games sporting the fourth-worst record in the league, can completely secure their top-8 protected pick if they finish with a bottom-4 record. Utah owns the fifth-worst record and sits two games above Washington in the standings.
The Jazz will be on the second night of a back-to-back, and may very well sit some of their few remaining key players in Thursday’s tanktastic matchup.
The New York Knicks (40*-22) host the Oklahoma City Thunder (48–15) tonight at MSG, with both teams playing the second night of a back-to-back after wins. This marks the first meeting of the season between OKC, who hold the league’s best record, and the Knickerbockers.
Tip-off is 7 PM on MSG and ESPN. This is your game thread. This is Thunderous Intentions. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Enjoy yourselves and let everybody else do the same. And go Knicks!
* Should be one more, but want NBA Cup Finals are riddles trapped inside enigmas.
After clawing back from an eight-point deficit with just fewer than three minutes to play in the fourth quarter, the New York Knicks got a pair of clean looks with seconds left in their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Yet, in what could be a potential NBA Finals preview, it was the Thunder who escaped Wednesday, March 4 with a 103-100 victory to improve their record to 49-15, the best mark in the NBA.
Thunder forward Chet Holmgren led all players with 28 points, 22 of which came in the first half.
Reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 26 points and 8 assists, extending his streak of consecutive games with at least 20 points scored to 124.
Throughout the game, the Knicks tried to force the ball out of Gilgeous-Alexander’s hands, and he repeatedly made the right pass to open Thunder players.
The Knicks had six players reach double figures, with Karl-Anthony Towns leading the way with 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting. He also hauled in a game-high 17 rebounds, though he fouled out late in the game.
They got two open looks to tie the game, but both rimmed out.
Coach Mike Brown drew up a play that got Jalen Brunson an open look at a would-be game-tying 3 in the left corner. Brunson put up the shot but it bounced off the rim. The ball was tipped out to Knicks forward OG Anunoby near the top of the key. Anunoby scooped the ball, stepped back, but the shot fell short and bounced off front rim.
Simply put, the Knicks went cold at the wrong time. New York, which entered the fourth quarter with a three-point lead, shot just 33.3% in the final period, eventually ceding the lead to the Thunder.
Oklahoma City capitalized and attacked the paint, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hitting a few big baskets late, none other than a stepback 3, Oklahoma City’s final bucket.
New York has battled back and has the chance to tie the game at 103. Coach Mike Brown called a timeout to draw up a play. Both teams are in the bonus, so the Thunder may opt to put New York on the line.
After getting a quick blow on the bench, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has returned for Oklahoma City, which is now up 91-86, with 6:33 left to play in the game.
Gilgeous-Alexander, who has 21 points, extended his streak of consecutive games with at least 20 points to 124, which is just two behind Wilt Chamberlain's record of 126.
It's not that the Thunder shot poorly in the third quarter — they converted their attempts at a 46.7% clip — it's that they took seven fewer shots than the Knicks did.
And with those attempts, New York capitalized. The Knicks shot 14-of-22 (63.6%) from the floor in the third quarter to erase a 10-point deficit at the start of the quarter. And with the final shot of the third, a corner 3 from Mikal Bridges, the Knicks took their first lead since very early in the second quarter. Five different Knicks are scoring double figures, with Karl-Anthony Towns — who remains a perfect 6-of-6 from the floor — leading the team with 15 points.
For the Thunder, turnovers were the main issue in the third. After Chet Holmgren dropped 22 points in the first half, he failed to score a single point in the third. He continues to lead the team, though Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has added 19 points and 7 assists.
The New York run in the third quarter has continued. The Thunder have committed several turnovers in the period, and a Jalen Brunson 3 that clanked off the rim before caroming off the backboard and through the net tied the game at 72 apiece with 2:56 left in the third quarter.
After taking a hard fall when attempting to haul in a rebound, Alex Caurso fell onto the court and immediately grabbed at his leg. He was slow to get up and trudged toward the bench, where he spoke briefly with a trainer. The two went into the locker room, though Caruso reemerged shortly after.
New York has gone on an 11-4 run to close the deficit to 6 points with 5:28 left in the third quarter. Landry Shamet has come off the bench to spark the run with a couple of scoop layups, while Mikale Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns have also added baskets.
After airballing a corner 3 with 10:50 to play in the third quarter, Knicks forward Josh Hart immediately clutched at his lower back in apparent discomfort. At the next whistle, Hart took himself out of the game and headed into the New York locker room with a trainer.
After several minutes, Hart reemerged and took his spot on the bench, still grimacing. A trainer placed a black band around his chest and back.
New York, which shot just 35.6% from the floor in the first half, scored just 40 points before intermission, marking its lowest scoring first half of the 2025-26 season so far. The previous low was 42 points, which came Feb. 6 in an eventual 38-point loss against the Pistons.
Although both these teams are playing the second legs of back-to-backs that started in different cities, it was the Knicks who displayed that more in the first half.
New York struggled to find the bottom of the net in the second period, shooting just 7-of-22 (31.8%) Oklahoma City emphasized closing out, contesting New York's perimeter shots and rarely giving away an open look.
Jalen Brunson shot just 1-of-8 in the half for 2 points, while center Karl-Anthony Towns attempted just 4 shots, though he made each one, scoring 9 points. Mohamed Diawara also has a team-high 9 points.
The Thunder, meanwhile, are playing in control. They're shooting a reasonable 46.3% from the floor, but they're merely looking for the best shot available. As the Knicks have thrown bodies at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the ball has swung around to find the open player. More often than not, that has been Chet Holmgren, who leads all players with 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting, including a blistering 6-of-8 (75%) from 3-point range.
Gilgeous-Alexander has added 11 points, but has a team-high 7 assists.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has started this game extremely well. He has been an efficient 4-of-7 from the floor — with no 3 pointers attempted — for 9 points. But the Knicks are closing his lanes to penetrate as soon as he attacks the paint. This is not at all dissimilar from the way other teams defend SGA, but he's quickly getting the ball out of his hands to find open teammates.
And, if they're not immediately open, OKC players have swung the ball around to find that open look. Gilgeous-Alexander leads all Thunder players with 5 assists.
In many ways, this was a quarter the Knicks should've lost by a lot more.
They shot just 39.1% from the floor, and All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson finished the period just 1-of-5 for 2 points. They lost the rebounding battle by four. Yet, New York overcame early shooting struggles to get key stops on the Thunder late in the first to keep things manageable.
Chet Holmgren was the star for Oklahoma City, leading all players with 14 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander chipped in 9 on 4-of-5 shooting and added 2 assists.
The Knicks, meanwhile, have Mohamed Diawara to thank for this not being out of hand. He came off the bench and instantly drained a pair of 3s and also swiped the ball out of Jared McCain's hands for a steal that led to a Landry Shamet bucket. His play seemed to invigorate the Knicks, who had six different players score at least one point in the first quarter. Diawara and OG Anunoby tied for a team-high 6 points in the period.
Knicks coach Mike Brown was also called for a technical foul after he argued a non-call on a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drive, when Brown thought that Jalen Brunson had drawn a charge. Brown appeared to make like contact with the official, who only assessed the one tech.
As Oklahoma City has moved the ball around, it has often found forward Chet Holmgren, who has started the game 5-of-7 (including 4-of-6 from 3) for a game-high 14 points.
In fact, with 3:32 left to play in the period, he has outscored the Knicks entire team, which is 5-of-17.
The Thunder came out strong and dictated pace, draining five of their first six field goal attempts. OKC pushed pace and moved the ball around to compromise New York’s defense, which was slow to help.
The Knicks, however, made their first shot before having their following five clank out. New York is getting quality looks, they’re just not dropping, particularly from 3; the Knicks have started the game just 1-of-6 (16.7%) from beyond the arc.
Despite that, New York is only down 17-10 midway through the period.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder, similar to many teams who get hyped up to play in this iconic venue, tend to play well here. It's the one trip Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder will make here this season — barring any potential matchup in the NBA Finals.
In case this is indeed his one trip here, SGA made it count with his pre-game look.
DULUTH, Ga. (AP) — La’Nya Foster scored 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds, Erica Moon added 17 points, and Georgia Tech defeated Florida State 72-60 in a first-round game at the ACC Tournament on Wednesday.
The Yellow Jackets led for all but 2 minutes but didn't put the game away until a 9-2 run late in the fourth quarter gave them a 70-56 lead.
Talayah Walker had 16 points and seven rebounds for Georgia Tech (14-17), the No. 11 seed.
No. 14 seed Florida State (10-21) got 16 points from Sydney Bowles.
Georgia Tech spotted Florida State the first four points of the game but the Yellow Jackets hit five of their next seven shots to build a 14-6 lead halfway through the first quarter. Georgia Tech went up by 11 later in the quarter before Florida State cut the gap to 22-16 heading to the second.
Georgia Tech scored nine points in a 1:20 stretch of the second quarter to push their lead back to 10. It was 39-29 at halftime.
Each time Georgia Tech's lead reached 10 points in the first three quarters, the Seminoles bounced back. Georgia Tech went up 54-40 with 3 1/2 minutes left in the third but Florida State cut it to 56-48 by the end of the quarter.
Up next
Georgia Tech plays No. 6 seed Virginia Tech on Thursday. The winner will advance to the quarterfinals against third-seeded North Carolina.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Linda Caicedo scored the lone goal in the second half and Colombia defeated Argentina 1-0 in the SheBelieves Cup tournament on Wednesday.
The United States was set to play rival Canada in the later match at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.
Caicedo, who plays professionally for Real Madrid, scored in the 64th minute to put Colombia in front. It was her 18th international goal and came off an assist from Leicy Santos.
The United States downed Argentina 2-0 in the SheBelieves opener on Sunday in Nashville. Colombia fell 4-1 to Canada in its tournament opener.
Shortly before the match, Bay FC announced that it had acquired Argentina defender Aldana Cometti from French club FC Fleury. Cometti joins the National Women's Soccer League club on a two-year contract with a team option for a third.
Argentina, ranked No. 30 in the world, made one other SheBelieves Cup appearance in 2021, finishing fourth. Colombia, ranked No. 20, previously played in the tournament last year and finished third.
Colombia will face the United States on Saturday in the tournament finale in Harrison, New Jersey. Argentina will play Canada in the early game.
A packed NBA arena somewhere far from Los Angeles — maybe it’s in Milwaukee, or Memphis, Orlando, or Indianapolis — and out of the tunnel walks the most recognizable basketball player on the planet wearing your team’s jersey.
He’s announced in the starting five alongside your team’s superstar.
“At forward, No. 23, standing 6-foot, nine out of St. Vincent’s St. Mary’s High School…LeBron James!”
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans in the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The crowd would lose its mind.
That’s the most recent retirement tour idea being floated by “Dan in Manhattan Beach,” — LeBron James signing one-week contracts with all 30 NBA teams next season for the ultimate farewell tour.
Think about it like Taylor Swift’s ERAS tour only in the NBA. It would be the most absurd traveling circus in the history of professional sports.
Bill Simmons read Dan’s idea as a half-serious experiment on a podcast for his website The Ringer on Tuesday.
“What if instead of signing with any one team for next season, LeBron makes his retirement tour an actual retirement tour by signing a one-week contract with all 30 teams?” Simmons suggested to his co-host David Jacoby, reading Dan’s idea on the podcast.
One week with each franchise. At least one home game start. Limited-edition jerseys everywhere. Every city gets its moment with LeBron James.
“This will never happen,” his co-host David Jacoby admitted. “But this is a brilliant idea.”
LeBron James runs back on defense after scoring against the Indiana Pacers during the first half of Game 2 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on April 18, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. Getty Images
Of course it won’t. The NBA would collapse under the paperwork alone.
But stop for a second and imagine it.
James throwing lobs to Anthony Edwards in Minnesota.
Running the pick-and-roll with Nikola Jokic in Denver.
A three-headed monster of James, Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg in Dallas.
A reunion in Miami, a reunion in Cleveland, heck a reunion with the Lakers!
Merchandise sales would explode. Ticket prices in every city across the country — including Canada would go through the stratosphere. Every city would be guaranteed at least one surreal night where the King briefly ruled their kingdom.
LeBron James of the Miami Heat drives to the basket against the Indiana Pacers during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs. Getty Images
And the best part for LeBron?
He would mathematically guarantee himself a championship ring no matter which team wins the Finals. A walking insurance policy for basketball immortality. And at the end of it all, James gets to pick which team he wants to play for in the NBA Playoffs.
It’s ridiculous. It’s impossible. And it might just be genius.
In an era where sports often feel painfully predictable, maybe the craziest idea of all is to turn LeBron’s final act of his career into the biggest traveling show the NBA has ever seen.
Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Shay Ciezki had 22 points and seven assists, Nevaeh Caffey scored nine of her 13 in the fourth quarter, and No. 13 seed Indiana overcame a 20-point deficit to beat Nebraska 72-69 on Wednesday in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.
Indiana (18-14) has won four in a row and is 7-2 following its 0-10 start in Big Ten play.
No. 12 seed Nebraska (18-12) has lost seven of its last nine games and may have seen its NCAA Tournament bubble burst.
Amiah Hargrove led the Cornhuskers with 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting and Britt Prince had 20 points and eight assists. Logan Nissley scored 12 and Jessica Petrie added 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Ciezki had her 21st game this season with at least 20 points and passed Mackenzie Holmes (692 points, 2022-23) for second on Indiana’s single-season scoring list with 694 points this season.
Lenee Beaumont made two 3s in an 8-0 spurt that gave Indiana a 68-67 lead — its first of the game — with 1:06 left. Prince missed a pull-up jumper before Ciezki darted to the rim for a layup with 32 seconds to go. Hargrove had an offensive rebound and putback that made it a one-point game with 17 seconds remaining before Caffey made two free throws to cap the scoring.
Prince and Nissley missed potential tying 3-point shots in the closing seconds.
Beaumont scored 11 of her 14 in the second half and Edessa Noyan had 12 points and 10 rebounds for Indiana, which trailed 45-25 late in the second quarter.
Then-No. 25 Nebraska beat the Hoosiers 78-73 at home Jan. 8 to snap an eight-game skid in the series, which Indiana leads 14-7.
Up next
Indiana: Plays 11th-ranked and fifth-seeded Ohio State in the second round on Thursday.
Nebraska: Awaits a potential postseason invitation.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 9: Keyonte George #3 of the Utah Jazz dribbles the ball against Justin Edwards #19 of the Philadelphia 76ers in the first half at the Wells Fargo Center on March 9, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Utah Jazz will head to Philadelphia to take on the 76ers with a chance to improve their draft positioning even more. The Sixers will be without some key players so it makes this a little interesting for the Jazz.
76ers are going to be pretty shorthanded tonight without Embiid, George, or Edgecombe. https://t.co/Zn27aAx820
The big takeaway here is that Keyonte George is available. That alone means the Jazz have a chance to take this one. George has had an outstanding season and is showing, with every game, that he’s an pace for a big season next year.
How to watch
Who: Utah Jazz vs Philadelphia 76ers
When: 5:30 PM MT
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena – Philadelphia, PA
How to watch Utah Jazz vs Philadelphia 76ers: Jazz+, KJZZ
