ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 1: Jonathan Kuminga #0 of the Atlanta Hawks dunks the ball during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on March 1, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Atlanta Hawks were in action on Sunday evening to face the Portland Trail Blazers. The Hawks came in on a three-game winning streak, with the Blazers being the final game of their recent homestand. As for the Blazers, this was their second game of a back-to-back after losing to the Charlotte Hornets yesterday.
The Hawks were able to get Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker back in the game after they missed the previous one against the Washington Wizards.
The Hawks started off raining three-pointers, with Onyeka Okongwu hitting a pair of them.
The defense and ball movement were on full display for the Hawks in the first, and it helped them build a double digit lead while also putting 40+ points on the board.
Jonathan Kuminga came in and lived at the free throw line, and was also a beneficiary of the ball movement.
The Hawks continued to maintain their lead as they kept making shots and getting stops on defense. Corey Kispertās hot shooting from Thursday ran over to this game.
The game was pretty much decided, but that didnāt mean the Hawks stopped competing. Okongwu was able to knock down his seventh three-pointer of the night.
The end of the bench came in after this play, and the Hawks walked away with their fourth straight win.
Okongwu finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists, Kuminga finished with 20 points and seven rebounds, and McCollum finished with 19 points.
The Hawks will be back in action on Wednesday to face the Milwaukee Bucks.
BROOKLYN, NY - MARCH 1: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers is introduced before the game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 1, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, 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 Cavs are at their best when they get their bigs involved offensively, especially Jarrett Allen. Opponents know this as well and are packing the paint anytime one of Clevelandās bigs is rolling or available for a pass inside. This led to more than a few of their turnovers on Sunday afternoon.
Additionally, James Harden wasnāt as sharp as he usually is with the ball. Heās responsible for five of Clevelandās giveaways. Some of these were uncharacteristically sloppy. This could also be a byproduct of playing through a broken thumb.
Opponents know that the Cavs want to get the bigs involved and that Harden isnāt 100%. This will make them more susceptible to turnovers, even against a poor defense like Brooklynās. Cleveland will need to be better in this area if they want to avenge Fridayās loss to the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.
Speaking of things that also went wrong on Friday, the Cavs ā once again ā nearly blew this game late.
They were up seven with a minute and a half left against a bad Nets team, and then proceeded to shoot themselves in the foot. The Cavs allowed the Nets to score on four of their final five possessions, committed two turnovers, and missed two crucial free throws of their own.
The combination of poor clutch defense and not effectively closing the game out at the line is also what did them in against Detroit. Evan Mobleyās big offensive rebound after a Dennis Schrƶder missed free-throw saved them from being in the same situation they were in then.
A better team than Brooklyn mightāve taken advantage. These late situations are where they miss Donovan Mitchell ā who sat out his third straight game with a groin injury ā most.
There were still good things to take from this game, particularly how Harden opens up the offense with his passing.
Harden wasnāt perfect, but the way heās a threat to get the ball to everyone on the court unlocks the offense in a way few in the league can for their team.
Harden has the unique ability to both make every pass and see every opening as if heās watching everything unfold in slow motion above the action.
This play is a good example of that.
Iām not sure if Harden ever actually sees Sam Merrill on this pass. What he does know is that thereās two defenders on the ball, and two down low taking away the inside pass, and the opposite wing is covered up as well. By process of elimination, the corner must be open, which is where he riffles the pass too.
Merrill was actually drifting away from the corner when he caught it, but the velocity of the pass gives him enough time to set his feet and square his shoulders for the on-balance three.
This also illustrates how Harden just reads and reacts to everything so quickly. He keeps the decision tree open as long as possible, and if the defense gives a better opportunity to one of his teammates, Harden is going to get the ball to them even if heās already going up with his own shot.
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There arenāt many players who can make passes like this.
Harden contributed a team-high 22 points in the win, but did so on just nine attempts from the field. He did a great job of getting to the line, as he took 12 free throws, which ties his most in a game in a Cavs uniform. Overall, he came into this game attempting over four fewer free-throw attempts in Cleveland than he did with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Most of the fouls he drew came from attacks off-the-dribble. Thatās notable because if there were something heād be hesitant to do coming back from a broken thumb, itād be driving to the hoop.
Even though he did on Sunday, Harden hasnāt really looked to score since coming to Cleveland. With the Clippers, he was averaging 17.5 shot attempts per game. So far with Cleveland, heās only taken 17 or more shots once in the eight games heās played with the Cavs.
Throughout his career, Hardenās shot attempts have mostly reflected the context and offense he was in. In his prime with the Houston Rockets, he routinely averaged over 18 shots a game. When heās playing off another star player, heās adjusted his shot attempts down. This was most recently seen when he took under 15 shots a game alongside Joel Embiid when he was with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Harden has mostly tried to set up his teammates in Cleveland. Thatās what the situation has called for. And heās done an excellent job of doing that so far. Itāll be interesting to see if that changes on Tuesday assuming Mitchell will still be out of the lineup.
The Cavs need Donovan Mitchell to play at a faster pace.
Hardenās deliberate style has helped the offense, but itās done so most when heās paired with Mitchellās frenetic energy.
Mitchell has been a one-man break starter this season as the Cavs have gotten out in transition 1.9% more (90th percentile) when heās on the court compared to when heās off.
The Cavs were missing this on Sunday. They played at one of their slowest paces of the year, with only 95 possessions. They werenāt able to get anything easy in the open court and mostly relied on Harden and others to create in the half-court. It was good enough to get the win, but it wasnāt their best overall offensive process.
Mitchell and Hardenās opposite styles have blended nicely. That is more apparent when only one of them is on the court.
Keon Ellis has great hands, even if he has a broken finger. He finished with five blocks and three steals in this game. Itās nearly unheard of for a guard at his size to get his hands on the ball with such frequency.
Just look at some of these blocks and steals. I donāt think Iāve seen someone with this combination of size, closing speed, and hands. And he also never gives up on a player and has seemingly endless energy. Heās a complete game-changer on that end.
In another life, Ellis wouldāve made for a great free safety.
Evan Mobley is turning the corner. He has now strung together two good games, which is encouraging given how disjointed things looked offensively for him when he first came back from the calf strain after the All-Star break.
Head coach Kenny Atkinson mentioned on Friday that it typically takes Mobley time to find his groove after he returns from an injury. I wouldnāt say heās found it yet, but the team did play its best basketball with him as they outscored Brooklyn by 24 when he was on the court.
Things are trending in the right direction.
Allen has continued his aggressive play.
He tied Mobley for the most shot attempts on the team (12), which is exactly what you want to see.
The Cavs have continually challenged Allen to be more involved offensively. He was when Harden was out for two games, and that carried over on Sunday when he returned to the floor. The offense will continue to be at its best when heās involved like this.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - DECEMBER 5: Brandon Williams #10 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket around Chris Youngblood #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center on December 5, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 William Purnell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks (21-38) host the Oklahoma City Thunder (46-15) on Sunday night, finishing out a three-game home stand where theyāve yet to win. After winning two in a row, Dallas put in two commanding tank performances against the Grizzlies and Kings. The Thunder are coming off an incredible overtime win against the Denver Nuggets.
Hereās the main things you need to know:
WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs Oklahoma City Thunder
WHAT: Last home game before a road trip
WHERE: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
WHEN: 7:00 pm CST
HOW: KFAA Channel 29, MavsTV streaming, NBA League Pass
The injury report is lengthy for Dallas, as has been the custom this year. Cooper Flagg remains out with this foot sprain, which is starting to get concerning (but of course, this injury must heal correctly). Marvin Bagley will miss again with the neck sprain following the injury against the Kings. PJ Washington is doubtful with the same ankle sprain but the designation suggests progress on that front. Naji Marshall is questionable with a finger injury, but I bet he plays. Caleb Martin is also questionable with lower back soreness.
The Thunder have several players out as well. Jalen Williams has a hamstring injury. Ajay Mitchell has been out for a while with a few injuries. Thomas Sorberās been out the whole year and someone named Brandon Carlson is out as well with a lower back injury.
This short homestand has been brutal, but given the state of the Dallas roster itās not shocking. Theyāre tired and you can only play hard like they do for so many months before something gives. Nothing would surprise me with regard to the Thunder game tonight (well a Dallas win would); they could keep it close or get blown out.
Be sure to chime in with your predictions in the comments!
Consider joining Josh and me on Pod Maverick live after the game on YouTube, we should start LATE. Thanks so much for spending time with us here at Mavs Moneyball. Letās go Mavs!
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) ā Colorado quarterback Dominiq Ponder died early Sunday morning in a single-car crash, police said. He was 23.
Ponder was driving a 2023 Tesla when he lost control on a curve and hit a guardrail, according to the Colorado State Patrol. The car struck an electrical line pole and rolled down an embankment.
Ponder was pronounced dead at the scene in Boulder County. Police said a preliminary investigation āshows that speed is suspected as a factor.ā
Ponder played in two games for the Buffaloes last season, going 0-for-1 passing and carrying the ball twice for a loss of 4 yards. The 6-foot-5 sophomore from Opa Locka, Florida, began his collegiate career at Bethune-Cookman before transferring.
The Buffs were slated to begin spring practice on Monday.
āGod please comfort the Ponder family, friends & Loved ones,ā Colorado coach Deion Sanders posted on X. āDom was one of my favorites! He was Loved, Respected & a Born Leader. Letās pray for all that knew him & had the opportunity to be in his presence. Lord youāre receiving a good 1.ā
Colorado offensive coordinator Brennan Marion reposted Sanders' statement and called Ponder a joy to be around and coach.
āGetting that call from his dad today didnāt feel real,ā Marion posted. āLove you Dom! God cover his family & our team, especially our qb room!ā
Colorado athletic director Fernando Lovo said Ponder āepitomized the values of passion, enthusiasm, leadership, toughness, and intelligence that were revered by his teammates and coaches alike.ā The athletic department said it would make counseling resources available to players and staff.
Fellow Colorado quarterback Colton Allen also paid tribute to Ponder on Instagram.
āDom, you were a blessing to so many people,ā Allen wrote. āYou had a presence about you that just made everything better. You brought so much joy to me and everyone around you. Iām grateful for every lift, every practice, every rep, every conversation we got to share. Iāll carry those with me for the rest of my life.ā
The Big 12 Conference extended its condolences in a post on X.
The USC men's basketball team is losing one of its most key players at one of the most critical points of the season.
Chad Baker-Mazara, a sixth-year graduate student, is no longer with the program, the team announced in a statement Sunday afternoon.
No further details were provided by the team, but Ryan Kartje of the Los Angeles Times reported that "it wasnāt any one incident, but an accumulation of issues that led to Baker-Mazaraās departure."
Baker-Mazara put up 14 first-half points in USC's 82-67 loss to Nebraska on Saturday but exited the game just three minutes into the second half after he fell hard on the baseline while trying to chase down Nebraska's Pryce Sandfort. He briefly went into the locker room and did not re-enter the game.
"He said he couldnāt go," head coach Eric Musselman told reporters after the game.
USC was Baker-Mazara's fifth team in six years. He began his college career at Duquesne before transferring to San Diego State a year later and earning Mountain West sixth man of the year honors. From there, Baker-Mazara spent a year in junior college at Northwest Florida State before landing at Auburn, where he played two seasons and had a prominent role in their Final Four run in the 2024-25 season. He re-entered the portal shortly thereafter and ended up at USC.
Baker-Mazara started 22 of 26 games for the Trojans this season and has been their leading scorer after Rice went down with a season-ending right shoulder injury just six games into the season. He averaged 18.6 points on 44.4% shooting (38.3% from three), 4.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists ā all career-highs.
The Trojans have been one of the teams on bubble watch for March. They're currently one of the first four out in USA TODAY Sports' latest bracketology, but they've lost five straight games, including a critical Quad 1 matchup against rival UCLA last Tuesday.
They'll finish out the regular season this week with a road game against Washington on Wednesday before returning home for one more clash against the Bruins on Saturday.
DENVER, CO - MARCH 1: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles the ball during the game against the Denver Nuggets on March 1, 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 Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Minnesota Timberwolves gutted out an ugly win at the Intuit Dome on Thursday night before having two days off to prepare for a familiar opponent. The last time these two teams met up in a nationally televised affair was fireworks on Christmas Night between Nikola JokiÄ and Anthony Edwards duking it out in an overtime thriller where Denver came out on top.
This game could have big playoff implications as the weather warms up and teams prepare for the playoff battle ahead. Both teams head into today boasting a 37-23 record in a dead tie for the 4th seed in the Western Conference. While the Nuggets have already secured the tiebreaker, the ability to move ahead of them this late in the season is a prime opportunity to get up to the three seed.
Denver started the game out of rhythm and missing open looks, while the Timberwolves followed suit with some wobbly offense of their own. Anthony Edwards was having a tough time as Denver was committed to double-teaming him wherever he got the ball, and the rest of the offense was not able to capitalize on those advantages. A few lapses on defense, where Minnesota lost their assignments, led to JokiÄ killing them with passes on backdoor cuts. The three-time MVP scored 13 points and dished four assists in the first. Minnesota was outplayed in the frame and ended down 31-22 after the first 12 minutes.
Bones Hyland was getting Bizzy to close the first quarter and start of the second. He set fire to a Timberwolves team that needed an extra jolt in a Sunday afternoon game. He helped to tie the game early in the second, leading a 9-0 run, and finished the half with 15 points on a perfect 5/5 from the floor. Minnesota killed in the non-JokiÄ minutes and used that to go on another big 12-0 run later in the period. Nikola JokiÄ came back in to keep the game close, but the Timberwolves closed the half strong with a couple of Ayo buckets and Ant getting a runout to the rim for a layup to give the Wolves a 58-50 lead at halftime.
And just like that, this game is tied at 31. Wolves have begun the second quarter on a 9-0 run. Bones Hyland is responsible for all of those points. He's scored 7 of them and just assisted on that Ayo transition layup.
The offensive floodgates were wide open for both teams to start the third quarter. Donte used his hustle and grit and parlayed it into some flamethrower shooting. He hit four threes in the quarter to help the Timberwolves maintain their solid lead. JokiÄ kept the Nuggets afloat; he had 17 of his own in the third and kept the game from getting out of hand. After an 8-0 run late, Julius stopped the bleeding with an And-1 to help Minnesota maintain their eight-point advantage with a 90-82 score heading into the final 12 minutes.
The Timberwolves were in a prime position to grow their lead to start the fourth, with JokiÄ heading to the bench and them dominating those minutes in the first half. Naz Reid took that challenge head-on. He drilled a three and had a couple of nifty Big Jelly finishes around the hoop ā skipping for joy after the final one. Jamal Murray punched back with a high-flying dunk to get the crowd back into it, and Denver would not go away. Even with this, the Timberwolves used their defense and turned it into offense to shut down the hopes for a comeback. Anthony Edwards led the way with 21 while Jaden added 20 of his own.
ā Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) March 1, 2026
Donteās Hustle
Donte DiVincenzo always shows up ready to roll. In a game where the Timberwolves struggled to wake up for the early afternoon tipoff in Denver, he continued to bring it. While the shot can be streaky at times, this is something that he can and does do consistently. Whenever there was a chance for him to go make a play, he did it. You combine this grittiness with the hot shooting, and it was one special performance.
DDV drilled four threes in the third quarter while mixing in his patented hustle to give the Wolves runouts and extra possessions. Those things add up over the course of the game, none bigger than him coming from Nikola JokiÄās blind spot to take the ball from him and help Jaden get a fast break layup when the game still felt like it was in the balance during the fourth quarter. He scored 17 points and added five assists and three boards along with a pair of steals.
Donte DiVincenzo sneaky post-up steal on Nikola Jokic + Jaden McDaniels transition layup pic.twitter.com/JlME3YroJU
Early in the game, when Minnesota was struggling, part of the reason was that Denver was committed to double-teaming Anthony Edwards wherever he was on the floor. It threw Ant off his rhythm and made him have to work hard for all his opportunities early on.
The way to combat this was through getting out in transition. The Timberwolves outscored Denver in fast-break points 30-6. They utilized their strong defense to get out for easy opportunities and grease the wheels of the offense. They also outscored Denver 22-11 in points off turnovers. The age-old saying of āthe best way to beat a zone is to go before it gets set upā also applies to this defensive scheme.
The Timberwolves head back home to take on the Memphis Grizzlies, which marks the end of their three-game road trip, where Minnesota went 3-0. Tuesdayās game against Memphis will air on FanDuel Sports Network at 7 PM CT.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 01: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on March 01, 2026 in New York City. 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 Jordan Bank/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers narrowly took down the Brooklyn Nets. Letās go over todayās winners and losers.
LOSER ā Playing down to your opponent
I understand that Sunday afternoon games can lead to weird outcomes. But, seriously? A dog fight with the Brooklyn Nets?
Itās one thing when multiple key players are in street clothes. I was willing to take the moral victory against Milwaukee and Detroit. But this Cavalier squad is simply too talented to struggle against the Nets. Especially when James Harden, albeit playing with a broken finger, is back on the floor.
I donāt want to take too much away from Brooklyn. They executed their gameplan and played superb defense for most of the game. Itās just that Cleveland has enough tools in their box to overcome anything the Nets could throw at it. Not being able to counter something as redundant as trapping Harden is a huge disappointment for the Cavs.
Much of this comes down to energy and focus. Two issues that have plagued the Cavaliers at their worst this season. Iām not going to crush them for a Sunday game in March. But these things will need to be cleaned up as we enter the home stretch of the season.
WINNER ā The James Harden Whistle
This was a nice change of pace.
Harden recently ended a game with zero free-throw attempts for just the fifth time since 2021. Naturally, we began to wonder if that was a sign of trouble. Could Hardenās favorable calls be neutralized by being in the Wine and Gold?
That wasnāt the case in Brooklyn.
While some of the officiating was questionable, Harden earned 12 free throw attempts. He missed four of them, which was out of character, but maybe heās just getting used to actually taking them again. Letās hope his free-throw rate starts to normalize moving forward.
Harden finished with 22 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists. It wasnāt a perfect game, but the Cavs needed his creation tonight.
WINNER ā Evan Mobley
The Cavs have a few things on their to-do list before the season ends. Integrating Harden and the other newcomers is at the top of the list. But getting Mobley into a consistent groove might be the most important task.
Mobleyās had a bumpy season. He struggled early, then began to put things together before suffering multiple calf strains. These setbacks have muddied what was otherwise looking like a return to form for Mobley.
Weāve seen him dominant off the dribble in specific games. Heās remarkably light on his feet for a seven-footer, and his explosive leaping ability allows him to finish over anyone when heās playing with aggression. Getting that assertive version of Mobley has always been the challenge.
Tonight was a small glimpse of that. Mobley had success scoring in the paint against Brooklyn, punishing mismatches and filling the gaps for easy buckets. His 6-12 shooting was complemented by 10 free throw attempts, a sign that heās putting his head down and drawing contact by being aggressive.
Mobley also collected 13 rebounds, including the game-sealing offensive board.
The Cavs will want to build on this performance and keep Mobley as a focal point of their offense moving into the final stretch of the regular season.
WINNER ā Keon Ellis
Five blocks and three steals speak for themselves. That type of defensive production is hard to find, and I remain perplexed that the Sacramento Kings couldnāt see the value in it.
Ellis is fitting in perfectly with the Cavs. You canāt overstate how useful it is to have a point-of-attack deterrent at your disposal. Unleashing chaos on the opponent is what Ellis does in his sleep. He shrinks the floor with his rangy athleticism and superb instincts. Today was just another example of how talented he is as a defender.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) ā Sara Hjalmarsson and Laura Messier scored in a 57-second span in the first period, Raygan Kirk made 25 saves and the Toronto Sceptres beat the Vancouver Goldeneyes 2-1 on Sunday.
Hjalmarsson opened the scoring at 7:10, taking a pass from Claire Dalton and firing a shot from the low hash mark. Messier quickly doubled the lead with her first PWHL goal, with Dalton getting her second assist.
Toronto improved to 6-1-3-8, following its 5-2 victory in Seattle on Friday night in its return from the Olympic break.
Izzy Daniel scored for the Goldeneyes (5-1-2-9) at 9:07 of the third. Emerance Maschmeyer stopped 22 shots for Vancouver.
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) ā Michael Misa scored 1:40 into overtime, and the San Jose Sharks topped the Winnipeg Jets 2-1 on Sunday for their second straight win.
Misa scored for the second straight game when he drove down the slot before beating Winnipeg goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. It was the fourth goal of the season for the No. 2 overall pick in last year's NHL draft.
Will Smith also scored for San Jose, and Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 27 shots. The Sharks had lost five in a row before Saturday's 5-4 victory over Edmonton.
Morgan Barron scored for Winnipeg, and Hellebuyck finished with 31 saves. The Jets lost for fourth time in five games.
Barron put Winnipeg in front when he beat Nedeljkovic from the left circle 2:44 into the first. It was Barron's first goal since Dec. 21 and No. 8 on the season.
Smith tied it at 1 with his 18th goal 1:47 into the third. Macklin Celebrini picked up his team-high 54th assist on the play.
Hellebuyck and the Jets lost their second straight in overtime after falling 5-4 at Anaheim on Friday night in the goalieās first game since backstopping the United States to Olympic gold.
Up next
Both teams are at home on Tuesday night. The Jets face the Chicago Blackhawks, and the Sharks take on the Montreal Canadiens.
CHESTER, Pa. (AP) ā Tayvon Gray scored in the ninth minute of stoppage time to help New York City FC beat the Philadelphia Union 2-1 on Sunday.
Hannes Wolf scored in the 36th minute to give NYCFC (1-0-1) a 1-0 lead.
Olwethu Makhanya was shown his second yellow card in the second minute of stoppage time and the Union played a man down the rest of the way.
Agustin Ojeda, from the left corner of the 18-yard box, flicked an arcing cross to the back post where Gray skipped a header back inside the front post to cap the scoring.
Wolf, who had a career-high 11 goals in 2025, scored his first of the season to give NYCFC a 1-0 lead in the 36th minute. On the counter-attack, NicolƔs FernƔndez had his shot from the left corner of the 6-yard box parried by goalkeeper Andre Blake, but Wolf slammed home the first-touch putback.
The Union's Stas Korzeniowski drew a penalty, conceded by Thiago Martins, and Indiana Vassilev converted from the spot to make it 1-1 in the 89th.
Blake finished with eight saves for Philadelphia (0-2-0), which won the 2025 Supporter's Shield.
Matt Freese had three saves, which included a kick-stop of a shot by AgustĆn Anello in the 60th minute and a diving parry that denied Nathan Harriel in the 81st.
Ojeda cut back to evade Union defender Frankie Westfield, but his shot from the center of the area banged off the right post.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 01: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on March 01, 2026 in New York City. 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 Jordan Bank/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Brooklyn Nets 106-102. It shouldnāt have been this close, but a win is a win.
All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.
James Harden
22 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 turnovers
Harden will be playing through a broken finger on his non-dominant hand for the foreseeable future. If these are the results, we canāt complain too much.
I donāt think this was Hardenās sharpest game. He turned it over five times and maybe held onto the ball longer than he should have. Still, he was the engine to the offense and helped get them across the finish line on an otherwise sloppy day.
Grade: B
Jarrett Allen
20 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals
February is over. March is here. And Jarrett Allen is still balling.
These games are becoming too regular. Cleveland is 11-2 this season when Allen scores 20+ points. He shot 7-12 from the floor tonight.
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Evan Mobley
17 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block
Mobleyās starting to settle back into a groove. He was strong off the bounce in this game and has put together two quality performances in a row. His offensive rebound late in the game sealed the deal.
Grade: Aā
Jaylon Tyson
9 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 3 turnovers
Tyson can be hard to grade sometimes. He struggled to generate offense when Harden was being trapped (3-7 shooting and 3 turnovers). But when the game called on him, he nailed a huge three-pointer in the fourth quarter.
Grade: C+
Dennis Schroder
12 points, 5 assists, 1 rebound
Schroderās playing through a sprained ankle, but you wouldnāt be able to tell watching him. Heās still lightning quick, dashing into the paint, and he converted a ridiculous layup high off the glass in this one.
Ellis returned from a broken finger and didnāt miss a beat. He was disruptive as ever, deflecting passes and ruining Brooklynās possessions. Eight stocks is absurd stuff.
Every time Porter hits a three-pointer, I wonder why he doesnāt shoot them with more confidence. His hesitant trigger can make it difficult to keep him on the floor. Playing him at power forward makes it borderline impossible.
Grade: D
Thomas Bryant
4 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Bryant wasnāt as impactful tonight. Still, heās a steady presence off the bench.
Edey initially underwent surgery in June to stabilize a stress reaction in his ankle and didn't make his season debut until Nov. 15, but he has dealt with lingering discomfort that has limited him to playing just 11 games.
"Based on the unanimous opinion of consulting expert physicians, Edeyās lateral ligaments remain stable post-surgery with ongoing discomfort and talar bone stress being driven by progressive laxity of the deltoid (medial) ligaments," the Grizzlies said in the statement. "The upcoming procedure will reinforce the medial ligament complex and accelerate bone healing."
The Grizzlies added that this surgery is meant to address the discomfort and talar bone stress in his ankle. He is expected to make a full recovery, and the team said a timeline will be provided following his surgery. But his 2025-26 season is likely done, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, part of the USA TODAY Network.
In his 11 games played this season, Edey averaged 13.6 points,11.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks. He has not played in a game since Dec. 7.
Edey, the No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft after a memorable run in that year's NCAA tournament, averaged 9.2 points and 8.3 rebounds as a rookie for the Grizzlies in 2024-25. He also missed 12 games early in his rookie season due to a left ankle sprain.
The Grizzlies also announced that Brandon Clarke, who has been sidelined since Dec. 20 with a right calf strain, will need further rehab "before advancing to the next step" in his return to the court. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
NEW YORK (AP) ā James Harden scored 22 points in his return to the lineup with a broken thumb and the Cleveland Cavaliers snapped a two-game skid with a 106-102 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.
Harden missed two games after fracturing his thumb earlier in the week. He bounced back and shot 5 for 9 from the field, 4 for 7 from 3-point distance and 8 for 12 from the line, with nine rebounds and eight assists. He was injured Tuesday night in a 109-94 home victory over New York. X-rays Wednesday showed a non-displaced fracture of the distal phalanx. The 17-year veteran was traded by the Los Angeles Clippers to Cleveland on Feb. 4.
Jarrett Allen scored 20 points and Evan Mobley added 16 points and 13 rebounds as the Cavaliers improved to 12-1 in their last 13 games against the Nets. Sam Merrill finished with 15 points and Dennis Schroder had 10.
Michael Porter Jr. scored 26 points on 10-for-17 shooting, and Danny Wolf added 23 points and nine rebounds for Brooklyn, which lost its eighth straight game and for the 11th time in 13 games. Nolan Traore contributed 17 points and Grant Nelson 11 as the Nets slipped to 15-45 overall.
The Nets led 56-42 at halftime, helped by 50% (21 for 42) shooting from the field.
The Cavaliers rallied in the second half and led by eight points with just over three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter before Brooklyn rallied.
Brooklyn closed within three points (102-99) on a basket by Traore with 28.6 seconds left and within a point (102-101) following two free throws by Wolf with 9.2 seconds showing. Schroder made a pair of free throws and Wolf hit 1 of 2, giving the Cavs a two-point lead with 5.9 seconds left. Schroder and Mobley added free throws in the final seconds to seal the win.
Cleveland's Donovan Mitchell was sidelined for a third straight game due to a groin injury. Dean Wade also sat out due to a sprained ankle.
BROOKLYN, NY - MARCH 1: James Harden #1 and Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers high five during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 1, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, 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
It wasnāt pretty by any stretch, but the Cleveland Cavaliers did enough to end their brief two-game losing streak. They defeated the Brooklyn Nets 106-102 thanks to strong performances from James Harden and Jarrett Allen.
Cleveland got off to a good start. They exerted their sizeable talent advantage early on as they opened up an 11-point advantage midway through the first quarter. It seemed like they were going to run away with this, but they couldnāt maintain the focus to do so.
Turnovers allowed the Nets to get back into the game. Cleveland coughed it up 11 times in the first half, slowing any momentum their offense had gathered. Brooklyn wasnāt able to capitalize as they only registered seven points off turnovers in the first half. The turnovers did allow them to slow down Clevelandās offense.
The Cavs were held to just 46 points in the first half, allowing the Nets to take a six-point advantage into the break.
Clevelandās offense came back to life in the third quarter, thanks to 12 points and two assists from Harden in that frame. The defense tightened up as well, as they outscored Brooklyn 28-23 in that frame to head into the fourth quarter down just one.
This continued into the fourth quarter as the Cavs methodically wore the Nets down and had some timely shooting from Sam Merrill.
Evan Mobley had a strong start to the fourth with a hybrid bench lineup that helped the Cavs maintain their momentum and retake the lead. Cleveland gradually extended their lead to nine once the majority of its starters reentered the game.
However, that didnāt last. Cleveland once again struggled to close the game. They were up seven with a minute and a half left, but let the Nets cut the deficit to one thanks to more missed free throws and an eight-second violation. It was a fitting end for what was a sloppy game.
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Harden performed well in his first game back in the lineup after breaking his thumb in last Tuesdayās win over the New York Knicks. He appeared able to make his normal passes and didnāt seem like he had trouble dribbling, which is something head coach Kenny Atkinson said he was struggling to do as recently as Friday.
Harden led Cleveland in scoring and assists as he poured in 22 points on 5-9 shooting to go along with eight assists and nine boards.
Harden wasnāt the only Cavalier to return to the lineup after breaking a finger. Keon Ellis also played his first game since doing so in Wednesdayās loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, and looked like his usual self, earning his way into the closing lineup. He was active defensively, coming up with five blocks and three steals while contributing four points in the victory.
Brooklyn did their best to keep Allen out of the paint. They swarmed him every time he got the ball, which led to a somewhat inefficient scoring night by his standards as he went 7-12 from the field. However, an inefficient scoring night from Allen is still more efficient than most of the league.
The Cavs are at their best when Allen is heavily involved in the offense. That was the case once again as he provided 20 points and six rebounds in the victory.
Mobleyās stat sheet doesnāt jump off the page, but the Cavs played their best basketball when he was on the floor. Cleveland outscored Brooklyn by 24 when he was playing, as he finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds, including four big offensive rebounds, in the victory. This was his second strong game in a row after struggling to find his place in his first few games back from injury.
Merrill hit several timely threes as he went 4-6 from beyond the arc en route to 15 points.
The Nets were led by 26 points from Michael Porter Jr. on 10-17 shooting. Danny Wolf provided 23 points and nine rebounds off the bench.
It was an ugly game, but the Cavs did enough to win. Thatās what matters, given the injuries theyāve had to play through and the fact that this was their seventh game in 11 days.
The Cavaliers will look to avenge Fridayās loss to the Detroit Pistons as they welcome them to town on Tuesday. Tip-off is at 7 PM.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 31: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers and Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics high five after the game during the 2025-26 Emirates Cup on October 31, 2025 at the Wells Fargo Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
After one of the most efficient offensive performances in NBA history on Friday against Brooklyn, Boston is in a groove with five wins in its last six. The Sixers arrive without their anchor, Joel Embiid, while whispers of Jayson Tatumās return will have to wait. The spotlight points back at Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey, and with a 2-1 series lead in Philadelphiaās favor, here are three questions that could decide if Boston evens things out on their home floor.
Can Boston carry Fridayās efficiency into a tighter matchup?
Friday bordered on absurd. Boston shot 66.7% from the field and 64.7% from three, finishing with the highest effective field goal percentage and true shooting percentage in a single game in NBA history. They made 22 threes on 34 attempts and assisted on 38 baskets. It was a precise, collective takedown, and now comes the follow-up.
Philadelphia defends more effectively than Brooklyn, and theyāve been a bit of a thorn in Bostonās side this season. In the three prior meetings, the Sixers held the Celtics to 30.2% from three while hitting 38.7% of their own. Those games were decided by a possession or two, with Philly holding a +2 point differential across the series.
That was a different Boston team, though. Since the November 11th loss to the Sixers, the Celtics have climbed from 12th in net rating to second, and now carry the NBAās second best offense and seventh-ranked defense. The architecture of this team has changed. Theyāve built enough of a defensive infrastructure to stay in control without needing an explosive shooting night.
The wildcard tonight is Scheierman, listed as questionable after fracturing his thumb. Heās carved out a starting role, establishing himself as a useful connective piece, averaging over 25 minutes per night in the last 10 games. His presence or absence changes the rotation. If he canāt go, Mazzulla will need to redistribute minutes among his backup wings. Itās possible Ron Harper Jr. gets another opportunity, along with elevated minutes for Walsh and Gonzalez.
Itās worth noting how different this roster looks from the last time these teams met. Minott and Simons are gone. Vucevic slid above Garza into the backup center role. Walsh, Gonzalez, and Scheierman werenāt even solidified rotation players yet in those matchups ā now theyāre core contributors. The Celtics have cycled through roles and rotations all year and kept winning. If Scheierman is sidelined or limited, itās just the latest version of that.
Boston doesnāt have to replicate Fridayās win over Brooklyn. They just need to execute and be good enough defensively that the offense doesnāt have to be historic to win.
Without Embiid, do the Sixers have enough?
Embiidās absence removes the Sixersā most reliable half-court solution, and they havenāt been the same team when he sits. With Embiid on the floor, Philadelphia carries a 121.3 offensive rating. Without him, it plummets to 113.9. Thatās a significant drop, especially when facing a team thatās found a great defensive balance like Boston.
With the big man out and Paul George still serving his suspension, the offense falls solely on Maxeyās shoulders. Thatās not unfamiliar territory for him ā heās been Philadelphiaās leading scorer all season. Heāll push tempo and hunt early advantages, testing Bostonās point-of-attack defense. The question is how much the supporting cast can take off his plate.
Quentin Grimes and Kelly Oubre are the most proven supporting options, but VJ Edgecombe is the name to watch. He torched Boston in the season opener, and his explosive downhill style could cause problems if he gets comfortable. If he and Grimes get going, Philly could have enough juice on the perimeter to stick around. If not, Maxey will likely have too much on his shoulders to keep pace.
With Derrick White as the defensive anchor, and Gonzalez and Walsh behind him, Mazzulla has length and versatility to cycle through matchups against the Sixers ball-handlers without sacrificing much on the other end. The Sixers will have to work hard to generate good looks, and without Embiid to bail them out when a possession breaks down, Boston could run away with it if their offense breaks the trend against Philly.
Can Jaylen Brown Outduel Tyrese Maxey?
Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey are both averaging 29.1 points per game, tied for fourth in the league. Both are carrying their offenses without their co-star, and have been the driving force behind their teamās success.
In the three meetings this season, Maxey has averaged 29 points, 5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists against Boston. Brown sits at 27, 5, and 5. Maxey has gotten the better of it, and his team has the narrow edge to show for it. Tonight is another opportunity for Brown to leave his mark with a primetime national TV showdown.
Brownās February wasnāt quite as masterful as his elite December and January stretch, but heās still stacking consistently strong games. Friday was another example ā 28 points on 12 shots, four threes, nine assists, while never forcing the issue. Heās operating within the offense and still being its engine, creating a version of himself that helps elevate Bostonās supporting cast, while stile leaving room to take over.
Maxey presents a different kind of challenge. Heās smaller but relentless, and gets to his top gear quicker than almost any guard in the league. He can fill it up fast, and tilts momentum in just a short stretch of possessions. Boston will likely turn to White as the primary defender, but Maxey has historically found ways to put pressure on the Celtics defense.
This is a game that could turn on which primary option controls the flow, but Bostonās supporting cast is stronger, and if Brown and Maxeyās clash ends roughly equal, the Celtics should come out on top.
