However, the Big 12 Player of the Year delivered one of the biggest shots thus far of March (and of his career) Friday night in an all-time thriller for No. 1 Arizona against No. 7 Iowa State in the Big 12 semifinals. With the ball in his hands in a tied game at 80-80 and time expiring, Bradly drove right, faded, shot, and found the bottom of the net for the buzzer-beating winner to send the Wildcats to Saturday's conference tournament championship game.
Bradley's shot at the T-Mobile Center came seconds after Tamin Lipsey hit a game-tying 3-pointer in front of the Cyclones bench to allow for the possibility of playing overtime in Kansas City on Friday.
"JB's one of a kind. He's put in the work like I've seen everyone else do on the team. We have the ultimate confidence in him. He won Big 12 Player of the Year for a reason," Bradley's teammate, Anthony Dell'Orso, told ESPN's Rece Davis, Jay Williams and Seth Greenberg after the game.
The Wildcats had to come from behind to win Friday's semifinal, as they trailed the Cyclones 43-37 after the first half. Arizona, which trailed as many as 12 points in the first half, finished the game on a 26-20 run against Iowa State to keep its chances of being a 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament alive.
Bradley finished with 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field with seven assists, two steals, two rebounds and a block.
Arizona will face the winner of Houston vs. Kansas in March 14's championship game at 6 p.m. ET.
DENVER, CO - MARCH 5: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets passes the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 5, 2026 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. 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 Morgan Engel/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Lakers (41-25) have a crucial game to win against the Denver Nuggets (41-26) on Saturday. This is the last time these two teams meet in the regular season, they are currently even in their season series at 1-1.
Just when it felt like the Lakers were falling apart two weeks ago, they’ve completely turned it around once again and are now sitting in third place in the Western Conference standings.
Granted, that can change in an instant, but the fact that they’re a top seed in the West means they’re doing things right. Now, the goal is to remain in that spot.
That will be possible if the purple and gold take care of business against the visiting Nuggets on Saturday.
The same Nuggets team that they’ve had two close games with this season. This time, Aaron Gordon is back, which means Denver will be at their healthiest this year against LA on Saturday.
It should make another exciting clash between two teams who are not only looking to claim the tiebreaker but also to overtake each other in the standings.
Here are three factors that could determine the winner of this heavyweight match.
Whose defense is worse?
Defense will matter a lot in this game because the Lakers and Nuggets have one thing in common: being below-average in that department. The Lakers are 20th in defensive rating and Denver is right behind them, at 21st.
Over the last two games, LA has been successful scoring in the paint against Denver. They’re +26 in points generated inside the paint across both games. The non-Nikola Jokic minutes specifically are when the Lakers should look to capitalize. They’ve also been successful in generating second-chance opportunities and transition points against the Nuggets this season. That should continue if the Lakers want to win on Saturday.
Which superstar will rise to the occasion?
Speaking of defense, it’s a given that the Lakers will have to do everything to contain Jokić. They also have to make sure that Jamal Murray doesn’t play extraordinarily well and now Gordon too.
The Lakers’ defense will have their hands full and will need to put a ton of pressure on the Nuggets as well. For that to happen, Luka Dončić will have to play very well, as well as Austin Reaves and LeBron James. Now is the perfect time for the supporting cast to make sure they don’t disappear too.
Both teams may have their flaws, but they employ All-Stars who can take over games. The question is, who will be the superstar in this one? Hopefully, it will be one that dons the purple and gold armor.
Who will be the X-factor?
In the Lakers’ first victory against the Nuggets this season, it was Marcus Smart who pitched in 15 points to help Dončić and James complete the comeback win. In their second game, when the Nuggets barely escaped the Lakers, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Christian Braun stood out. It’ll be interesting to see who comes up big for both teams on Saturday. The likeliest candidates to be the Lakers’ X-factor are: Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton or even Jaxson Hayes.
Let’s see if the Lakers can find a way to tip things in their favor and win the season series against the Nuggets for the first time in six years.
Notes and Updates
For the Lakers’ injury report, Maxi Kleber (lumbar back strain) is out, while Jaxson Hayes (back soreness) is probable.
As for the Nuggets, Peyton Watson (right hamstring strain) is out while Aaron Gordon (right hamstring) is probable.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 5: Draymond Green #23 and Moses Moody #4 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 5, 2025 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
After two very disappointing losses on Monday and Tuesday, the Golden State Warriors are back in action tonight, hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves. It won’t be as disappointing if they lose this game, given how good the Wolves are, but … well … it sure would be nice if they won.
Unfortunately, they’re once again at a health disadvantage. Here’s the full injury report for both teams.
Warriors
Out — Steph Curry (right patellofemoral pain syndrome)
Another week, another Curry injury update that pushes his return further down the road. We’re not far from starting to question whether he’ll be back this season at all.
Out — Jimmy Butler III (right ACL surgery)
Well, I’m not exactly breaking any news here, am I?
Out — Moses Moody (right wrist sprain)
This is Moody’s fifth consecutive missed game. He does seem to be nearing a return, though. The Warriors begin a six-game road trip on Sunday, and the expectation is that Moody will return at some point during that trip.
Out — Draymond Green (left low back injury management)
Green is technically still listed as questionable on the official injury report, but the Warriors just announced he won’t play. That’s a big blow to the team.
Timberwolves
Out — Joan Beringer (on G League assignment)
That’s it. That’s the entirety of the injury report. Technically they list Anthony Edwards and Ayo Dosunmu as available (as the Warriors did with De’Anthony Melton and Quinten Post), but that’s not really an injury is it? The Dubs are limping, and facing a very healthy team. We’ll see how that works out for them.
Enjoy the game, Dub Nation. It kicks off at 7:00 p.m. PT on Prime Video.
MIAMI (AP) — Austin Wells hit a walk-off three-run homer in the seventh inning that ended the game under a tournament rout rule, and the Dominican Republic beat South Korea 10-0 Friday night to reach the World Baseball Classic semifinals.
Seeking its second title and first since 2013, the Dominicans play the United States or Canada in a semifinal on Sunday in Miami and will start Luis Severino. The Dominicans are 5-0 in the tournament, have outscored opponents 51-10 while batting .312 and with 14 homers tied the WBC record set by Mexico in 2009.
Fernando Tatis Jr. drove in two runs and has 11 RBIs in the tournament. He is tied for third in a single WBC, trailing only Masataka Yoshida’s 13 for Japan in 2023 and Wladimir Balentien’s 12 for the Netherlands in 2017.
Wells, who entered as a defensive replacement in the top of the seventh, reached down and drove a first-pitch cutter from Hyeong Jun So off the front of the second deck in right. Wells was born in Arizona to a mother is of Dominican descent.
He hit the Dominicans' second walk-off homer of the tournament after Juan Soto's drive that ended a 12-1 group stage win over the Netherlands.
Backed by three runs in the second inning and four in the third, winner Christopher Sánchez struck out eight in five innings of two-hit ball.
South Korea, which lost a semifinal in 2006 and the final in 2009, had been eliminated in the first round three straight times before reaching a quarterfinal this year. The South Koreans had two hits, batted .222 and finished with a 5.91 ERA.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. walked against loser Hyun Jin Ryu and scored the game's first run from first base with a head-first slide on Junior Caminero’s double into the left-field corner. Julio RodrĂguez followed with an RBI groundout and Tatis had a run-scoring single.
Soto scored on Guerrero’s double in a four-run fourth, hooking an arm around catcher Dong Won Park with a head-first slide.
On a night established to celebrate fathers and daughters, it was only fitting that two Lakers stars stole the show.
A sellout crowd of nearly 19,000 fans all received hats as the Lakers hosted their third annual “Girl Dad Night,” a celebration of girls in sports and the fathers who champion them.
A black baseball cap with white stitching on the brim, featuring a white “L” logo and “GIRL DAD NIGHT” in yellow and white text, on a black surface.Luka Dončić coloring with daughter.LeBron James holding hands with his daughter Zhuri, both looking forward.
Luka Doncic, father to 2-year-old Gabriela and newborn Olivia, produced the finest scoring performance of his young Lakers tenure, exploding for 51 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in the Lakers’ 142-130 victory over the Bulls.
LeBron James, who returned to the lineup after missing the last three games, quietly stitched together another vintage all-around performance — 18 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, two steals and a block. A little over a week after bringing his daughter, Zhuri, with him on the road to San Francisco, James spent Thursday reflecting on fatherhood and the responsibility that comes with raising a daughter in a world constantly watching.
“The way I treat her mother. The love that I have inside the family. The accountability,” James said when asked what the most important lesson he taught his daughter is. “One of the best compliments Savannah and I get is when people say our kids are well-mannered and great kids. That’s the greatest compliment we can get.”
James smiled when asked about the title that filled the arena.
“I love girl dads. It’s pretty cool, and I’m happy to be one,” he said, admitting his daughter “definitely softened me up a lot.”
LeBron James on returning to the lineup, playing alongside Luka and AR, why it took for him to be ready for this game, and being a girl dad in the Lakers 142-130 victory over the Bulls tonight. pic.twitter.com/ebVb6Sq6JK
Kobe Bryant smiling and making a peace sign, sitting between his two daughters who are also smiling, in a stadium audience.
The Lakers launched Girl Dad Night in March 2024 during Women’s History Month as a tribute to Kobe Bryant and former owner Jerry Buss, two of the most famous girl dads in franchise history. Bryant’s love for his daughters — and especially for Gianna’s basketball dreams — helped reshape how sports culture celebrates girls and the fathers who lift them up.
Thursday’s game felt like an extension of that legacy.
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Fathers and daughters were spotlighted throughout the night. In-game host Ray A. Castillo shared the spotlight with his daughters, Alexis and Hayley. The national anthem was performed by father-daughter duo Matt and Savanna, and the Laker Girls even danced at halftime alongside their dads.
Two men and two Laker Girls stand on a basketball court.
Weeks earlier, the Lakers welcomed father-daughter pairs from local nonprofit organizations to their training facility for a basketball clinic and empowerment workshop — surprising them with tickets to Thursday’s game.
Below are many of the photos of the Lakers girl dads.
President Donald Trump has breathed new life into an old story – that he supposedly intervened during a fight between Basketball Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant and Jayson Williams, a 9-year NBA veteran, when Bryant and Williams were in New York for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game.
“Kobe was having a hard time with somebody and it worked out fine,’’ Trump said, although he did not mention Williams by name.
Charles Oakley, then a star power forward with the New York Knicks, was on the elevator when Williams, then with the New Jersey Nets, punched Bryant, according to "Three-Ring Circus: Kobe, Shaq, Phil, and the Crazy Years of the Lakers Dynasty" – a book by Jeff Pearlman, a New York Times-bestselling author.
The elevator was at the Grand Hyatt in New York, then owned by Trump, according to Pearlman’s book.
Oakley, during a phone interview with USA TODAY Sports, said he doesn’t remember being on the elevator during the reported incident but that he’s heard Williams tell the story of the fight.
“He had told it to some people that I was around,’’ Oakley said. “Jayson, he liked to be a story. He's a storyteller. I told him, 'Jayson, I mean, you 55, 57. You probably told that story 50 times.' ’’
Williams, 58, did not respond to a request for comment by email and did not answer a phone call from USA TODAY Sports. His voicemail box was full.
The altercation reportedly broke out after Bryant got into an elevator occupied by Williams and Oakley, Williams greeted Bryant and then took offense to Bryant's cold replay, according to Pearlman's book, which states that Williams lunged and punched Bryant in the cheek.
"Trump, of all people, grabbed Williams and told Bryant, 'Get out of here. Quickly.' ''
Bryant got off the elevator, according to Pearlman's book.
Bryant died in 2020 during a helicopter crash that also killed his daughter Gianna and seven other people.
MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Henry Bolte, Breyson Guedez and Nick Kurtz homered on consecutive pitches from San Diego’s Michael King in the Athletics’ Cactus League game with the Padres on Friday.
Bolte hit a 401-foot, three-run shot to right on an 0-1 pitch from King in the fourth inning. Guedez followed by delivering a 450-foot blast to right on the first pitch he saw from King. The next pitch King threw resulted in a drive that Kurtz sent just over the left-field wall.
The Padres eventually won the game 13-9.
Kurtz is trying to build off an outstanding 2025 season in which he earned AL rookie of the year honors and batted .290 with a .383 on-base percentage, 36 homers and 86 RBIs in 117 games. ___
BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — Keira Hanson scored 23 points, Malia Lenz posted a double-double and Vermont beat Maine 61-43 on Friday night to win a second straight America East Conference championship and earn an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Hanson sank 9 of 13 shots with three 3-pointers for the top-seeded Catamounts (27-7), who will appear in the main event for the third time in four seasons and the ninth overall. Lenz totaled 13 points and 14 rebounds. Nikola Priede pitched in with 14 points, eight rebounds and two blocks. Jadyn Weltz went 0 for 7 from beyond the arc but finished with 11 points and five assists.
Adrianna Smith had 22 points and 15 rebounds to pace the second-seeded Black Bears (19-13), who were aiming for their 11th NCAA Tournament appearance. Smith made 7 of 18 shots, while her teammates hit 8 of 34.
Lala Woods hit a 3-pointer to give Maine a 9-2 lead with 4:29 left in the first quarter. Hanson sank back-to-back 3-pointers and Priede had the final two baskets in a 12-2 run that gave Vermont a 14-11 lead after one quarter.
Priede's layup extended Vermont's lead to 14 with 3:36 left in the second period. Woods and Asta Blauenfeldt hit 3-pointers for Maine and the Catamounts went scoreless as the Black Bears closed within 29-21 at halftime.
Hanson and Priede had the first two baskets of the third and the Catamounts outscored Maine by nine in the period for a 48-31 advantage heading to the fourth.
The two teams split two games during the regular season with both winning at home.
MEMPHIS, TN - NOVEMBER 3: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons is guarded by Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies on November 3, 2025 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
We know the season has been a mess for the Memphis Grizzlies, who seemed primed to move on from franchise staple Ja Morant, found out there was no market for him, and instead sold high on Jaren Jackson Jr. But it’s been even worse than you think since Christmas. The Grizzlies are tied with the Brooklyn Nets for the fewest wins since Dec. 26. They excel at nothing, but really struggle with defensive rebounding, last in the NBA, bottom 5 in turnover percentage, bottom five in points off turnovers against, and bottom two in allowing points in the paint. I feel like I’m repeating myself, but this feels like it has the potential to be another big game for Detroit’s big men, just as with the most recent Nets game and the Sixers game.
Tonight, the Pistons will be without Tobias Harris, while Caris LeVert returns. Ausar Thompson remains out. This also feels like a great time to remind fans everywhere, and risk jinxing territory, that the Pistons have the NBA’s best record on the second night of back-to-backs at 8-2.
Game Vitals
When: 7:30 p.m. ET Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit Odds: Pistons -16
Projected Lineups
Detroit Pistons (47-18)
Cade Cunningham, Marcus Sasser, Duncan Robinson, Isaiah Stewart, Jalen Duren
Memphis Grizzlies (23-42)
Ty Jerome, Cedric Coward, Cam Spencer, Taylor Hendricks, Olivier-Maxence Prosper
DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 03: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dunks against Quentin Grimes #5 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second half of an NBA basketball game at American Airlines Center on January 03, 2025 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 Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
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NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 10: T.J. McConnell #9 of the Indiana Pacers and Jose Alvarado #5 of the New York Knicks look on during the game on February 10, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Knicks (42*-25) visit the Indiana Pacers (15-51) tonight at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. New York is favored by A LOT because Indy has the league’s worst record and generally stinks. Yet do not be fooled by their extensive injury list (Siakam, Nesmith, McConnell, Toppin, and Jackson are all OUT) nor tempted by hubris, Knickerbockers. Coach Rick Carlisle always circles your games on the calendar and prepares for them like it’s a bar exam. The roster might be reduced to Ethan Thompson, a hot dog vendor, and three cheerleaders, but Indy never quits against the Knicks.
Tip-off is 7:30 pm EST on MSG. This is your game thread. This is Indy Cornrows. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Enjoy each other’s company, respectfully. And go Knicks!
* Should be one more, but NBA Cup wins are Russian spies.
ITHACA, N.Y. (AP) — Madison St. Rose scored 18 points, Fadima Tall had 11 points and 10 rebounds, and No. 23 Princeton routed Brown 65-51 on Friday night in the Ivy League Tournament semifinals.
Princeton (25-3), the No. 1 seed, moves on to play Saturday for the title — after not reaching the championship game last year for the first time in the tournament’s history.
Princeton scored 12 of the opening 15 points of the game to take control. The score was 23-6 after the opening 10 minutes and 36-14 at halftime after Princeton held Brown to 15% shooting (4 for 27). The Tigers shot 50% in the half, including 6 of 11 behind the arc — with 3-pointers from five different players.
Brown made six 3-pointers in the opening six minutes of the third quarter, but its deficit was still 47-32.
Princton made just 2 of 12 field goals in the fourth but held on by making 7 of 10 free throws, while Brown went 2 of 14 from 3-point range.
Ashley Chea added 12 points and Skye Belker scored 11 for Princeton, which outrebounded Brown 46-33.
Grace Arnolie scored 17 points and Olivia Young added 13 for Brown (16-11), the No. 4 seed. Alyssa Moreland, who entered averaging 11.0 points and 10.4 rebounds, played just six minutes due to a leg injury.
Eleven of Brown's 16 field goals were from behind the arc. The Bears shot 29% overall and turned it over 18 times.
Up next
Princeton plays on Saturday against the winner of the other semifinal between Harvard and Columbia. The Tigers have won 21 of its last 23 games — with both losses coming against the Lions.
VITORIA-GASTEIZ, Spain (AP) — Villarreal equalized 1-1 deep in stoppage time and broke the hearts of relegation-threatened Alaves in La Liga on Friday.
The home side seemed destined for a first win in six games and a debut three points for coach Quique Sanchez Flores, who was taking charge at home for the first time since replacing Eduardo Coudet nine days ago.
Alaves had gone ahead in the 40th minute courtesy of an own goal from center back Rafa Marin.
Toni MartĂnez’s clever backheel from the byline smacked off Marin’s head just four meters from goal and flew past his own goalkeeper.
However, a late equalizer was always a worry for a side that has conceded as many league goals in the last quarter of an hour as they have in the first half of their matches this season.
TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 23: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket during the game against the Toronto Raptors on February 23, 2025 at the Scotiabank Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
