Memphis Grizzlies (25-54, 13th in the Western Conference) vs. Denver Nuggets (51-28, third in the Western Conference)
Denver; Wednesday, 9 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Denver will try to keep its nine-game home win streak alive when the Nuggets face Memphis.
The Nuggets are 33-16 against conference opponents. Denver leads the Western Conference with 121.8 points and is shooting 49.5%.
The Grizzlies are 19-30 against Western Conference opponents. Memphis is eighth in the Western Conference scoring 115.0 points per game and is shooting 45.8%.
The Nuggets are shooting 49.5% from the field this season, 1.2 percentage points higher than the 48.3% the Grizzlies allow to opponents. The Grizzlies average 13.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.3 more makes per game than the Nuggets allow.
The teams play for the fourth time this season. The Grizzlies won the last matchup 125-118 on March 19, with Ty Jerome scoring 21 points in the victory.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jamal Murray is shooting 48.3% and averaging 25.4 points for the Nuggets. Nikola Jokic is averaging 26.7 points over the last 10 games.
GG Jackson is shooting 49.6% and averaging 12.5 points for the Grizzlies. Walter Clayton Jr. is averaging 1.9 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Nuggets: 9-1, averaging 128.8 points, 45.3 rebounds, 33.4 assists, 6.0 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 51.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 121.5 points per game.
Grizzlies: 1-9, averaging 110.1 points, 33.7 rebounds, 24.9 assists, 9.6 steals and 3.1 blocks per game while shooting 44.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 129.8 points.
INJURIES: Nuggets: Zeke Nnaji: day to day (hip), Peyton Watson: out (hamstring), Spencer Jones: day to day (hamstring).
Grizzlies: Santi Aldama: out for season (knee), Jahmai Mashack: day to day (neck), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: out for season (finger), Taylor Hendricks: day to day (thumb), Ja Morant: out for season (elbow), Scotty Pippen Jr.: out for season (toe), Zach Edey: out for season (ankle), Ty Jerome: day to day (ankle), Jaylen Wells: out for season (toe), Taj Gibson: day to day (foot), Brandon Clarke: out for season (calf), Javon Small: day to day (thigh).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Portland Trail Blazers (40-39, ninth in the Western Conference) vs. San Antonio Spurs (60-19, second in the Western Conference)
San Antonio; Wednesday, 9:30 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: San Antonio hosts Portland looking to extend its five-game home winning streak.
The Spurs have gone 34-15 against Western Conference opponents. San Antonio is second in the Western Conference in rebounding with 47.1 rebounds. Victor Wembanyama paces the Spurs with 11.5 boards.
The Trail Blazers are 27-22 in Western Conference play. Portland is 21-17 in games decided by at least 10 points.
The Spurs average 13.6 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.0 more made shot on average than the 12.6 per game the Trail Blazers allow. The Trail Blazers are shooting 45.3% from the field, 0.3% higher than the 45.0% the Spurs' opponents have shot this season.
The teams play for the third time this season. The Trail Blazers won the last meeting 115-110 on Jan. 4, with Deni Avdija scoring 29 points in the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: De'Aaron Fox is averaging 18.4 points and 6.1 assists for the Spurs. Wembanyama is averaging 25.5 points over the last 10 games.
Avdija is averaging 24 points, seven rebounds and 6.7 assists for the Trail Blazers. Toumani Camara is averaging 4.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Spurs: 9-1, averaging 124.4 points, 50.1 rebounds, 31.5 assists, 7.4 steals and 5.4 blocks per game while shooting 49.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.7 points per game.
Trail Blazers: 7-3, averaging 119.1 points, 47.6 rebounds, 26.4 assists, 8.2 steals and 6.5 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.4 points.
INJURIES: Spurs: David Jones Garcia: out for season (ankle), Victor Wembanyama: day to day (rib).
Trail Blazers: Jerami Grant: day to day (calf), Shaedon Sharpe: out (calf), Vit Krejci: day to day (calf), Damian Lillard: out for season (achilles).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 21: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots the ball as Brook Lopez #11 of the Los Angeles Clippers defends during the first half at American Airlines Center on March 21, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
What feat of strength will Cooper Flagg perform next?
Find out when the Dallas Mavericks (25-53) wrap up their two-night residency in Los Angeles on Tuesday with a game against the Clippers at the Intuit Dome. Tipoff is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. CDT.
On Friday, Flagg gave the Orlando Magic 51 on 19-of-30 shooting. On Sunday, he backed it up with 45 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in a 134-128 win at the Lakers. If that trend continues, perhaps Flagg is due for a 40-point triple-double at the Clippers? Don’t discount the possibility.
Both he and the Mavericks coaching staff have shown us that getting Flagg the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award is a goal of the utmost importance as the season winds down. His 96 points in a two-game span is a mark only bested in NBA history by Wilt Chamberlain during his rookie year.
And the rest of the Mavs? It looks like they’re just trying to get to the finish line, as we all are. Here are three things we’ll be watching out for in the Mavericks’ Tuesday matchup with the Clippers.
Rookie of the Year race
Kon Knueppel and his Charlotte Hornets face the Boston Celtics just a couple of hours before the Mavs tip off against the Clippers. On Sunday, Knueppel laid a stinker on a 4-of-14 shooting night as the Hornets beat the Minnesota Timberwolves, 122-108.
Would Flagg continuing his scorching hot tear in the season’s final six games be enough to sway the Rookie of the Year voters over to his side? A third straight monster performance couldn’t hurt, especially since Knueppel has gone over the 20-point mark just once in his last nine games.
There was a time, as Flagg worked his way back from a foot injury in February, that Knueppel was simply out-playing Flagg on a nightly basis. That is no longer the case. It only makes sense that the last few games of the season would hold equal weight as voters consider whose name to put on their ballots.
Box score watching will likely be at least as compelling as the product the Mavericks put on the floor against the Clippers, who have won two of their last three after losing five straight at the end of March.
Guard play
Brandon Williams in particular has become an interesting case study at guard in recent games. On some nights he looks like the perfect tank commander, as his jumpshot leaves a little to be desired and his size makes him something of a liability on the defensive end. But at other times, he’s able to get to the basket at will, zooming past the defense in big moments that make one wonder whether he’s actually a useful piece for the future.
Combine his knack for scoring with the fact that the Mavericks’ latest win over the Lakers may have hurt their draft lottery odds as much as it helped Flagg’s Rookie of the Year chances, and you start to wonder what guards in the stellar 2026 NBA Draft class may even be available at all when the Mavs’ first pick comes around.
Is Williams a good option off the bench going forward? Or is he as replaceable as basically everyone else on this roster not named Flagg? He’s auditioning, and he’s playing like it lately, averaging 17 points per game in his last four outings.
Get it over with
Two of the Mavericks’ previous three games against the Clippers this year have gone into overtime. The Mavs lost to Los Angeles at home in overtime, 138-131, on Mar. 23 and dropped a double-overtime loss to the Clippers, 133-127, on Nov. 14.
The Mavs are now 17-26 this season in 43 clutch games after Sunday’s win at the Lakers. No matter how bad they look at times, they seem to always work their way back into games. Whether that’s more sheer force of will or simply Silly Season shenanigans at play, sometimes it’s hard to tell.
With a late start on our hands on Tuesday, all we’re really hoping for is a clear result at the end of regulation this time around. We’re so done with this season. All that’s left seems to be Flagg’s march to a postseason award.
How to watch
The Mavericks and the Clippers are slated for a 9:30 p.m. CDT tip on Wednesday from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif. The game will be televised locally on KFAA Channel 29 and on sister stations throughout the Mavericks’ regional viewership area. You can catch the stream on MavsTV and on NBA League Pass where available.
ATLANTA — Mike Brown acknowledged discussing a starting lineup change — “there’s always going to be chatter about it” — but isn’t close to acting and, at least for now, anticipates the status quo for the playoffs.
“I don’t believe in never ever. But right now we’re going to start that five and that’s how I foresee it,” the coach said. “If I feel I need to make a change at any time, I’ll make a change. But I don’t feel that way right now.”
League sources said moving Landry Shamet into the lineup was discussed. Earlier this season, Brown altered his starting lineup, replacing Mitchell Robinson with Josh Hart.
Brown said Monday his staff convinced him to abandon the original double-big lineup (with Robinson and Karl-Anthony Towns), a move made in December.
Onyeka Okongwu #17 of the Atlanta Hawks drives against Josh Hart #3 and Og Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks during the first quarter at State Farm Arena on April 06, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. Getty Images
“There’s debate literally all the time. Obviously there was a debate at the start of the season when we started two bigs [Robinson and Karl-Anthony Towns]. And there was debate almost every day because I was the only one with that [opinion] — and I was getting hammered at this angle, that angle, every angle. So we talked about it a lot.
“That’s just chatter that you have throughout the course of the year, trying to find ways to improve your team. So I think there’s always going to be chatter about [changing the lineup now]. … But there’s nothing I’ve felt close to acting on yet.”
The current Knicks starting lineup — Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Hart, OG Anunoby, Towns — had habitually produced poor first quarters before Monday’s 108-105 victory over the Hawks. It had the third-most minutes together in the NBA but carried a net rating of just plus-0.7 — including a first-quarter net rating of minus-8.1 in the first quarter.
But they built a three-point lead before the first sub Monday, and they closed out the win together with a clutch run down the stretch.
Brown used his likely nine-man playoff rotation with Miles McBride, Robinson, Shamet and Jordan Clarkson coming off the bench.
Knicks head coach Mike Brown reacts during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks, Monday, April 6, 2026. AP
It meant Jose Alvarado picked up his first healthy DNP.
“I’m good. I’m chilling,” Alvarado, acquired at the trade deadline by Leon Rose, said. “I’m ready for my moment. I’m ready for my name to get called whenever it is. … So just whenever it’s Jose’s time, whenever that time is, I’m ready.”
Towns said his right elbow impingement — which kept him out of Saturday’s win over the Bulls — has been an issue “for a while.”
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 6: Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 6, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
For a moment, everything stopped.
Inside the Frost Bank Center, the buzz of a marquee matchup, Victor Wembanyama versus Joel Embiid, gave way to silence as Wembanyama walked slowly toward the locker room, his night cut short before halftime. It should have been the turning point, but it became something else entirely.
The San Antonio Spurs didn’t flinch.
They steadied themselves, leaned on each other, and by the final buzzer, they were walking off the floor with a 115-102 win over the Philadelphia 76ers—a performance defined less by who they lost, and more by who they became. And it also became their 60th win of the season.
Before the injury, the game had all the makings of a heavyweight duel. Wembanyama was electric early, scoring 17 points in just over 15 minutes, matching Embiid possession for possession. Every touch felt significant, every bucket answered. It was the kind of rhythm that pulls a crowd to its feet.
Then, in an instant, it was gone. A hit in transition. A slow walk off the floor. No return. And just like that, the spotlight shifted.
That’s when Stephon Castle stepped forward. He had a steady command that never wavered as he controlled the pace, found teammates in rhythm, and filled every gap the Spurs suddenly had to navigate. By the end of the night, his stat line told the story: 19 points, 13 assists, and double-digit rebounds—but it was the composure that stood out most.
Possession by possession, Castle kept San Antonio grounded. And he wasn’t alone.
One by one, the Spurs followed. Shots came from different hands. Stops came from collective effort. What could have unraveled instead turned into something balanced, something connected. By halftime, they had the lead and by the fourth quarter, San Antonio was in firm control.
Joel Embiid kept pushing to help his team, scoring 34 points, fought through contact, and tried to drag Philadelphia back into the game. For stretches, it felt like he might. But the Spurs never let the moment slip.
Every time the 76ers threatened, San Antonio answered. The lead stretched. The clock ticked. And whatever window Philadelphia hoped to find quietly closed. When the final buzzer sounded, the Spurs had earned the 115-102 victory, but the final score only told part of the story.
San Antonio responded to losing its star player as well as a winnable game against Denver on Saturday. A team losing its star and refusing to lose its identity. A young group discovering, in real time, what it looks like to carry the weight together.
And as the Spurs walked off the floor, the image that lingered wasn’t the final score.
It was everything that came after Wembanyama left—and how, somehow, they never let the game leave with him.
ATLANTA — Two years ago, the Knicks were lovable underdogs.
A year ago, they were a little less lovable — a product of exhausting all their draft assets in trades and losing their rough-and-tumble identity — but they were underdogs, nonetheless.
“ ‘If they make it a six-game series, I’ll be proud of the Knicks,’ ” recalled Karl-Anthony Towns of the punditry surrounding last year’s second round against the Celtics.
Now? They better win. That’s the mandate not only from the outside but also the team owner, James Dolan, who replaced the coach in June and sent a public Finals-or-bust message in January. So it doesn’t matter that the Knicks still aren’t betting favorites to win the East, or that they’ll probably enter as the No. 3 seed.
They either advance past three rounds or they’re a disappointment and Giannis Antetokounmpo becomes the only way out.
“The perception and standards have obviously changed for us ever since we made that stride last year in the playoffs,” Towns said Monday. “Getting through the first round, we weren’t supposed to make it out of there. Then the second round, we definitely weren’t supposed to be making it out of there. We showed the world that we can beat these teams, especially in the playoffs.
Karl-Anthony Towns goes up for a shot as New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson defends during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York, USA, Tuesday, March 24, 2026. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
“But in doing that, we put the antennas up for the rest of the league as well. They know what we can do and on top of that, coming in with the expectations we had this year, finding a way to win the NBA Cup. Even through all the ups and downs, finding ourselves the third seed. The world is not unaware of how good we are. But it’s up to us to execute in a seven-game series and be disciplined and find a way to win.”
Towns was wrong about one thing. The Knicks were supposed to beat the Pistons in the first round last year and they succeeded in six games. But then they were projected for a beatdown administered by the Celtics and instead compelled mass celebrations outside of MSG.
It’s theoretically easier to play freer when unburdened by expectations. But Towns is taking the “pressure is a privilege” approach.
“Me, personally, I’ve been dealing with expectations since before I stepped into the league,” said Towns, the former No. 1 overall draft pick. “Honestly, it’s really the same thing. It’s been the story of my career. Dealing with expectations that are lofty. On top of that, the expectations I have for myself are even higher than what people give me. So I have a lot of work to do. But I’ve been used to it. So it’s a blessing to have pressure.”
Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks in plain clothes on the bench jokes around with guard Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks during the second half against the Bulls. Jason Szenes for the New York Post
Beyond the team success and the overflow of glory that would come with an NBA Finals appearance, there’s money at stake for individual players. Towns is eligible for a contract extension after the season. Same with Miles McBride. Meanwhile, Mitchell Robinson, Jose Alvarado, Jordan Clarkson and Mohamed Diawara could all be free agents. Players get paid off their postseasons. Just ask Mikal Bridges, who got $150 million after his breakthrough opening two rounds of 2025.
This year’s version of the Knicks — and Bridges, especially — doesn’t look as good as the version that beat the Celtics. But momentum is a helluva equalizer.
And if the Knicks can close the season strong against four straight playoff-bound opponents — including Monday against the Hawks — they can carry it into the first round.
“We can get to that level. We’re really good,” Alvarado said. “We just need to lock in on the details and stay like that. What really is in our way is ourselves. We just got to stay consistent and confident in who we are.”
Better late than never, says Towns.
“The playoffs should’ve started 10 games ago [for us],” the center said. “We should be building on our standards all year. That’s what the goal was. We have four good games where we can get some good tape, get our coverages right. See how we can execute different coverages, different things. And we could just find different ways to show what we can do, and have adjustments ready to go in the playoffs.”
Kevin Durant R of Houston Rockets breaks through against Draymond Green C of Golden State Warriors during the 2025-2026 NBA regular season basketball game between Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors in San Francisco, the United States, April 5, 2026. (Photo by Arthur Dong/Xinhua via Getty Images)
The Golden State Warriors had a bittersweet Easter Sunday. On the bright side, they welcomed Steph Curry back into the fold after the two-time MVP had missed 27 consecutive games with runner’s knee. On the less happy side, the Dubs lost a heartbreaker to the Houston Rockets, as their comeback fell just short in a 117-116 defeat.
Because it was a close game, the NBA released a Last 2 Minute Report for the contest. In L2Ms, the NBA combs through the final two minutes of close games from multiple camera angles, and assesses whether plays were correctly called (or non-called). Thankfully (or sometimes not thankfully), the L2Ms are released to the public, so we can see how the officials did in the most crucial moments.
In Houston’s victory, the league determined that there were three mistakes made by the officiating crew. All three were incorrect non-calls, which is to say whistles that weren’t blown, but should have been. And two of those three were whistles that would have been blown against the Rockets, benefitting the Warriors.
The first occurred with 1:28.6 remaining, when Curry made a layup that pulled the Warriors to within a point. According to the league, a shooting foul should have been called on Amen Thompson, giving Curry a free throw. Here’s the league’s ruling: “Thompson (HOU) jumps from A to B and initiates body contact with Curry (GSW) as he defends the shot.”
The second occurred shortly after, with 1:10.7 on the clock, when Alperen Şengün should have been whistled for a three-second violation, with the league stating, “Sengun (HOU) fails to fully clear the lane and is in the paint for longer than three seconds.” Just two seconds later, Şengün drained a short jumper, was fouled, and completed the three-point play. Instead of a turnover, the Rockets pushed their lead to four points.
The third and final officiating mistake came with 46 seconds remaining, when the refs failed to call a defensive three-second violation on Draymond Green. Here’s the ruling: “Green (GSW) fails to fully clear the lane and is in the paint for longer than three seconds without imminently actively guarding an opponent.” Had the play been properly whistled, the Rockets would have gotten a free throw and then retained possession. Instead, they had an empty trip down the court.
Ultimately, missed calls are a part of the game, and there’s no use crying over them. Sometimes they help the Warriors, and sometimes they hurt them.
The conclusion of the Men's NCAA Tournament means there's only one thing left for college basketball fans between now and the end of the men's college basketball season: "One Shining Moment."
To no surprise, the near 3-minute highlight reel didn't disappoint.
This year's version of "One Shining Moment," which has been the soundtrack of the Men's NCAA Tournament since 1987, included some of this year's top buzzer-beaters, like High Point's Chase Johnston's layup to upset No. 5 Wisconsin in the first round and Otega Oweh hitting a 3-pointer from the logo to force overtime and save Kentucky's season for an additional day.
It featured heartbreaking moments — depending on the fan base, of course — like Duke losing out on back-to-back Final Four appearances when Braylon Mullins hitting a 3-pointer to send Connecticut to Indianapolis after Cayden Boozer's last-second turnover vs. the Huskies in the Elite Eight.
It, of course, ended with the Wolverines finishing off one of the greatest seasons by a men's college basketball team with their first national championship since 1989.
'One Shining Moment' video for 2026 NCAA Tournament
Nov 24, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) controls the ball against Houston Rockets guard Josh Okogie (20) in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Tonight is the final road game for the 2025-26 Houston Rockets. Their next road game will be Game 1 or Game 3 of their first round series.
Obviously, this is a game that many associated with the Phoenix Suns have had circled on the calendar. Jalen Green has missed all three previous games between these teams and Kevin Durant missed the earlier game in Phoenix. Dillon Brooks has played all three games and has been his typical intense self. The other player in that trade, Khaman Maluach, has been a project (as expected) this season but has shown flashes for the Suns.
I expect the Suns and their fans to be rabid for this game. Brooks is going to hype the team up to the moon and the fans will want nothing more than to take down Durant and Houston’s six-game winning streak.
This game is also on national television and will be Houston’s latest game of the season, starting at 10pm local Houston time.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 6: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on April 6, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
2025-26 Sixers Bell Ringer season standings:
Tyrese Maxey – 22.5 VJ Edgecombe – 13 Joel Embiid – 10.5 Paul George – 8 Kelly Oubre Jr. – 5 Justin Edwards – 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 Philadelphia 76ers fell 115-102 to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night.
The Sixers were damn-near full strength for this one, with only Johni Broome (knee surgery) and Cam Payne, who strained his hamstring in Saturday’s contest, sidelined. The Spurs were similarly healthy and led by current NBA MVP candidate Victor Wembanyama.
Both of the big men in this one suffered some early bumps and bruises, with Embiid missing part of the first following a hard fall from a collision with Wemby. The Frenchman had his own early trip off the floor as well after seemingly hurting his shoulder in a collision with Paul George. Both were back in the game looking strong by midway through the second quarter to give us the true Embiid vs. Wemby battle we were hoping for, and it was damn fun to watch. By halftime, Embiid had 20 points, Wemby had 17 and the Sixers trailed the Spurs by seven.
Wemby ended up leaving the contest at halftime due to a rib contusion. Even without the San Antonio leader, though, things stayed tough for the Sixers with the Spurs staying out in front throughout the third. When Embiid went to the bench for some rest to start the fourth (after playing the entire second and third quarters), it only got worse, with the Spurs’ lead extending to double digits. The teams continued to trade buckets, but, unfortunately for the Sixers, trading buckets doesn’t really work when you’re down about 10 points the entire time.
The Spurs, even without Wemby for the entire second half, simply outplayed the Sixers.
Just three games left. The Sixers will have a few days off before starting their 16th and final back-to-back of the season on Thursday visiting the Houston Rockets.
Until then, let’s get to the Bell Ringer.
Paul George: 16 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals
<p>(Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images
It’s amazing to watch how locked in Paul George has been since returning from his 25-game suspension. He has been shooting the absolute lights out, especially from long range, and tonight was no exception. With Tyrese Maxey struggling and Joel Embiid dealing with some pain from a hard fall early, having someone like PG able to tack on points pretty much whenever called upon right now is huge.
He got things started tonight, opening the game with a triple and ending up hitting two more from long range before the end of the first. He led the Sixers after one with 11 points on 4-for-6 FG, 3-for-3 3PT shooting. He cooled off a bit as Embiid took over the offense, but was ready to contribute again when called upon here and there in the second half (minus the end of the game when no one from the Sixers could seem to score a single point).
PG doing all that while continuing to play the solid defense we all know he’s capable of has been a huge boost to the Sixers as of late — hopefully he can keep it going.
Finishing with 16 points, PG’s shooting was actually quite cold from two-point range, going 1-for-10. That being said, he continues his streak of success from long range since returning from suspension going 4-for-5 from beyond the arc on Monday.
George also finished Monday with five rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Joel Embiid: 34 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 blocks
<p>(Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images
We had a little bit of a scare with Embiid early on in this one after he took a hard fall from a collision with Wemby. After a few minutes clearly in some pain and hitting the bench early in the first, Embiid returned to the game to close the opening frame. Still laboring in some pain, it took a little bit for him to look comfortable offensively, but he went right to work defensively, coming up with some great stops.
Then, as the second quarter got underway, Embiid basically took over the offense for the Sixers, and it certainly seemed like the pain was not bothering him as much anymore. The big fella started working his way into the paint and going to war (and a physical one) with Wembanyama, battling for any inch of space he could get to sink buckets around or over the Frenchman’s eight-foot wingspan. After scoring just four points in his disjointed first period stints, Embiid put up 16 on 5-for-6 field goal and 1-for-2 long range shooting in the second frame. He led the floor at halftime with 20 points as well as six rebounds and two blocks.
From there, especially without Wemby to counter him, Embiid continued to command the Sixers’ offensive production, whether scoring buckets, getting to the line, or setting screens for his teammates to score off of. He ended up playing the entirety of the second and third periods.
It’s not just the scoring, though. It’s the fact that the scoring is coming along with a major uptick in defensive impact and rebounding in performances the latter half of this season. It’s at a level we haven’t been able to see from Embiid in quite some time, and we can only hope it continues.
Embiid finished Monday with a 34-point, 12-rebound double-double (including five offensive boards) with an assist and four blocks.
(Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The degree of difficulty of some of the buckets that VJ Edgecombe manages to sink continues to impress me. It’s not anything that will ever show on the stat sheet, but it absolutely should. Edgecombe continues to finish plays that very few players in the NBA could finish successfully, let alone a rookie.
Not only that, but he’s hitting these shots exactly when the Sixers need him to. It feels like whenever the Sixers are on the receiving end of an opponent’s scoring streak, it’s very frequently Edgecombe who stops the bleeding with a bucket.
The rookie finished Monday with 14 points, eight rebounds (two offensive), three assists, one steal and one block.
Dusty May the No. 1-seed Wolverines defeated No. 2 seed UConn on Monday, April 6, to claim the March Madness championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The championship is the second for the Wolverines, and first for the Big Ten since 2000.
Elliott Cadeau paced the Wolverines in the win, scoring 19 points while nabbing three rebounds and two assists to lead the Wolverines to a 69-63 victory in the championship game.
UConn, conversely, got into foul trouble early and was never able to fully recover against the size and physicality of the Wolverines, though they did an admirable job keeping it close down the stretch — certainly closer than any other team the Wolverines had faced. They were led in scoring by Alex Karaban, who finished the night with 17 points.
Here's a look at who won the 2026 national championship in the men's basketball NCAA Tournament:
Who won NCAA championship between Michigan, UConn?
Michigan won the 2026 NCAA men's basketball national championship with a 69-63 win over UConn.
Michigan won its second national championship in program history and first since 1989. With the win, the Wolverines snapped a 26-year drought for the Big Ten Conference. Michigan State won the 2000 national championship as the last Big Ten school, beating Florida.
Michigan-UConn score in NCAA championship
TEAMS
1H
2H
F
UConn
29
34
63
Michigan
33
36
69
Michigan-UConn stats
Stats
UConn
Michigan
FGs (%)
21-68 (31%)
21-55 (38%)
3PTs (%)
9-33 (27%)
2-15 (13%)
FTs (%)
12-16 (75%)
25-28 (89%)
Rebounds
46
39
Assists
9
7
Steals
4
6
Blocks
2
6
Turnovers
11
10
Points off turnovers
8
4
Fast break points
4
2
Points in paint
22
36
Fouls
22
13
Largest lead
3
11
Michigan-UConn highlights
Updated March Madness bracket, scores
East Region
First Round
No. 1 Duke 71, No. 16 Siena 65
No. 2 UConn 82, No. 15 Furman 71
No. 3 Michigan State 92, No. 14 North Dakota State 67
INDIANAPOLIS — Michigan beat Connecticut 69-63 in a defensive battle to complete a dominant run through the NCAA tournament and capture the program’s second national championship.
The Wolverines previously reached the championship game in 1965, 1976, 1989, 1992-93, 2013 and 2018, winning it all in 1989. Michigan is the first Big Ten team to win the title since Michigan State in 2000.
The narrower victory against the Huskies came after the Wolverines had steamrolled into Monday night, winning all five of their tournament games by an average of 21.6 points.
This is coach Dusty May’s first national title. He previously reached the Final Four with Florida Atlantic in 2023.
Playing two nights after injuring his left knee in the semifinals against Arizona, Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg had 13 points on 4 of 13 shooting. Point guard Elliot Cadeau had one of the best games of his career with 19 points and just one turnover. Morez Johnson Jr. posted 12 points and 10 rebounds.
UConn was led Alex Karaban’s 17 points. Guard Braylon Mullins had 11 points on 4 of 17 shooting and guard Solo Ball had 11 points in 16 minutes. Ball was dealing with a foot injury suffered against Illinois.
With its normally explosive offense struggling, Michigan’s defense stepped up to deliver the win.
The Huskies took a 16-15 lead midway through the first half as each team began to adjust to the other’s preferred tempo: more fast-paced for Michigan, more methodical for UConn. At this point, Cadeau and Johnson had combined for all of the Wolverines’ scoring.
The Huskies were already battling foul trouble, as Ball and point guard Silas Demary Jr. both picked up two quick whistles in the first eight minutes. They meant key early playing time for backup Malachi Smith, who finished with 6 points in 20 minutes of action.
Longer offensive possessions with extensive screening and ball movement along with suffocating perimeter defense helped UConn keep the Wolverines largely in check through the end of the first half.
Michigan went into the break ahead 33-29 after making 11 of 12 attempts from the free-throw line. But the Wolverines made just 11 of 30 attempts from the field and missed all eight shots from 3-point range. This was Michigan’s first half of play this season without at least one 3-pointer. UConn hit on just 10 of 30 attempts in the first half but made 5 of 15 from deep.
With its perimeter game missing, Michigan continued to attack the basket and took its biggest lead of the game at 41-33 on a Lendeborg and-one with 15:16 to play. This came amid a run of five UConn turnovers in eight possessions.
With 12:47 remaining, Cadeau made his team’s first 3-pointer to make it 48-37, giving Michigan its first double-digit lead. But the Wolverines were unable to land a knockout blow, at one point missing seven of eight shots, and UConn was able to make it a 50-45 game on a driving Demary layup with 8:24 on the clock.
Michigan answered with a 6-0 run to go in front 56-45 on a Lendeborg 3-pointer with 5:44 to play. That came after a potentially costly UConn possession that saw Karaban miss two free throws and then Demary miss a jumper following a Reed offensive rebound.
The Huskies continued to hang around, with Mullins drilling a 3-pointer after freeing himself with a pump fake to cut Michigan’s lead to 58-51 with 4:13 remaining. After two Cadeau free throws, a Karaban 3-pointer made it 62-56 at the two-minute mark.
In a huge moment on the ensuing possession, Michigan freshman guard Trey McKenney put home a 3-pointer of his own, pushing Michigan’s lead to 65-56 with 1:49 left.
After UConn forced a turnover with 45.7 seconds left, Ball banked in an arcing 3-point attempt to make it a 67-63 game. But Michigan would not be denied.
UConn would have a chance. After guard Roddy Gayle Jr. missed two free throws with 29.9 seconds to play, Karaban freed himself for a long jumper but came up short. Michigan corralled the loose ball with 13 seconds left and Trey McKenney would make two free throws to deliver the title.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The Memphis Grizzlies made 29 3-pointers Monday night against Cleveland, matching an NBA single-game record.
And it wasn't enough.
Nine Grizzlies made at least one 3 in a 142-126 loss to the Cavaliers. The Grizzlies shot 49.2% (29 for 59) from deep and 45.7% (16 for 35) from inside the arc.
The 3-point record had been shared by Milwaukee and Boston. The Bucks made 29 3s in a 144-97 victory at Miami on Dec. 29, 2020, and the Celtics equaled the record in a 132-109 win against the New York Knicks on Oct. 22, 2024.
“I think we can be pretty proud of how we played with this group today on the court,” Memphis coach Tuomas Iisalo said. “Guys wanted to go for it in the end, and we were all for it. Unfortunately couldn't set a singular record, but tied it. Nonetheless, very proud of our group.”
The Grizzlies made 10 3s in the first quarter, three in the second, six in the third and 10 in the final period.
The Cavaliers went 12 for 32 from 3 for the game.
“Incredible shooting performance by the Grizzlies. Give them credit,” Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said. “They shot the heck out of the ball.”
Memphis reserves Adama Bal and Dariq Whitehead each made six 3-pointers. Lucas Williamson went 5 for 12 from deep, and Olivier-Maxence Prosper was 4 for 5.
The Grizzlies lost for the 18th time in their last 20 games. They were averaging 13.7 made 3-pointers per game coming into the day.
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Paolo Banchero scored 31 points, Desmond Bane added 25 and the Orlando Magic beat the Detroit Pistons 123-107 on Monday night.
Jalen Suggs had 12 points, 12 assists, six rebounds and three steals for the Magic, who won for the fourth time in five games.
Jalen Duren and Daniss Jenkins scored 18 points apiece for Detroit. Kevin Huerter and Javonte Green added 17 each for the Pistons, who had 21 turnovers.
Jalen Brunson made two free throws with 1.2 seconds left to give New York a three-point lead. McCollum took an inbounds pass near the free-throw line and took two dribbles before launching a shot that banked in. But replays showed the ball was still in his hands as time expired.
It was the Hawks’ first home loss since early February and put an end to Atlanta’s 13-game home win streak.
Brunson led New York with 30 points and 13 assists, and Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. MVP chants erupted in State Farm Arena as a 17-point fourth quarter from Brunson carried New York to its 51st win of the season.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the Hawks with 36 points, 20 coming in the first half to help Atlanta to a 57-53 lead at halftime.
CAVALIERS 142, GRIZZLIES 126
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Evan Mobley scored 24 points, Dennis Schroder had 22 points and 11 assists, and Cleveland beat Memphis despite the Grizzlies tying the NBA single-game record with 29 3-pointers.
Cleveland (50-29) reached 50 wins for the second straight season and 14th overall.
Memphis (25-54) shot 29 for 59 (49%) from behind the arc with all nine Grizzlies making a 3-pointer. Memphis’s franchise record for 3-point shooting matched the NBA mark of 29 shared by the Milwaukee Bucks (versus Miami on Dec. 29, 2020) and the Boston Celtics (versus the New York Knicks on Oct. 22, 2024). Adama Bal broke Memphis’ franchise record on the 28th make with 3:25 left and he added another at 1:41.
SPURS 115, 76ERS 102
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Stephon Castle had 17 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds and San Antonio held on to beat Philadelphia after Victor Wembanyama left in the first half due to a left rib contusion.
Wembanyama’s status for the final week of the regular season is unknown.
San Antonio (60-19) is is 2 1/2 games behind Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City (62-16) and assured of finishing no worse than second in the conference.
Philadelphia lost its second straight as it battles to stay out of the play-in tournament. The 76ers (43-36) are a half-game behind the Toronto Raptors (43-35) for sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
Philadelphia center Joel Embiid had 34 points and 12 rebounds, and Paul George added 16 points.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Evan Mobley scored 24 points, Dennis Schroder had 22 points and 11 assists, and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat Memphis 142-126 on Monday night despite the Grizzlies tying the NBA single-game record with 29 3-pointers.
Cleveland (50-29) reached 50 wins for the second straight season and 14th overall.
Memphis (25-54) shot 29 for 59 (49%) from behind the arc with all nine Grizzlies making a 3-pointer. Memphis's franchise record for 3-point shooting matched the NBA mark of 29 shared by the Milwaukee Bucks (versus Miami on Dec. 29, 2020) and the Boston Celtics (versus the New York Knicks on Oct. 22, 2024). Adama Bal broke Memphis' franchise record on the 28th make with 3:25 left and he added another at 1:41.
Cleveland trailed by as many as 17 points in the first half before using a 31-12 run to lead 68-64 at the break. Keon Ellis scored 16 points in the first half, and Mobley and Schroder each added 12. Schroder also had eight assists.
Cleveland outscored Memphis 28-16 over the first eight-plus minutes of the third quarter to build a 96-80 lead. Sam Merrill made a baseline jumper with 0.3 seconds left in the third for a 101-90 lead.
Merrill finished with 21 points for Cleveland and Ellis scored 19. Jarrett Allen moved into eighth place for blocks in franchise history with 431. Donovan Mitchell and James Harden did not play for Cleveland in the second game of a back-to-back.
Olivier-Maxence Prosper scored 24 points for Memphis, which finished 13-27 at home this season. Dariq Whitehead and Adama Bal each had 20 points off the bench with six 3-pointers. Lucas Williamson added five 3-pointers and 17 points.
Memphis opened the second half with its 14th 3-pointer — in just 28 attempts.
Up next
Cavaliers: Play Wednesday in the first of two games against Atlanta.
Grizzlies: Close the season with three road games, beginning in Denver on Wednesday.
