Davis' time in Chapel Hill ends with a 125–54 record in five seasons and one Final Four appearance. According to Davis' contract, obtained by the USA TODAY Network, North Carolina owes Davis $5.312 million for firing him as of April 1.
"We appreciate all that Hubert has done for Carolina as a player, assistant coach, head coach and community leader – he has helped make special memories we will never forget,"UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham said in a statement announcing Davis' firing. "This was not an easy decision because of Hubert's tremendous character and all he has given to the program, but we must move forward in a way that allows our team to compete more consistently at an elite level."
The firing marks what has been a rough end to Davis' tenure after such a promising start. In his first season at his alma mater, taking over Roy Williams, he led the Tar Heels to the 2022 national championship game as a No. 8 seed. But UNC was unable to hold onto a double-digit lead against Kansas in the contest.
It felt like it would be the start of a successful run for Davis and keep the blue-blood as a national power, but North Carolina hasn't gotten close since then. It started the following season the No. 1 team in the country but ended up missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010.
While North Carolina made the Sweet 16 in 2024, it had first round exits in each of the past two tournaments, the first time that's happened in program history. Against VCU on Thursday, March 19, the Tar Heels surrendered a 19-point lead as the Rams forced overtime, where UNC failed to make a field goal in the extra period in the eventual loss to the 11th seed.
Now, North Carolina begins one of the most intriguing searches in all of college basketball.
Davis was an assistant on Williams' staff for nine seasons prior to being named head coach, and was the favorite to land the job when Williams retired. With Davis lasting just five seasons, North Carolina will have to decide if it goes outside of the "Carolina family" — someone with past ties to the program — or go for a major hire.
"Hubert cares deeply for our University, and it has been inspiring to watch him instill that love and Tar Heel tradition into the players he has coached," executive associate athletic director Steve Newmark," said in a statement. "Chancellor Roberts, Bubba and I join all of the Carolina community in thanking Hubert and his family for all they have done for UNC."
The job is considered one of the highest profile roles in all of the sport, with a rich tradition, large fan base and an abundance of resources, a coach has everything they could need to succeed. But with that, it also carries tremendous pressure, with the expectation to be a national championship contender every year. The 10 seasons since its last national championship is its longest drought this century.
No matter who North Carolina hires, it will have major ripple effects to all of college basketball.
CINCINNATI (AP) — Joe Flacco has agreed to terms to return to the Cincinnati Bengals, where he will serve as a backup for Joe Burrow.
Flacco was dealt to the Bengals from the Cleveland Browns in October and made six starts for Cincinnati while Burrow was out with a toe injury.
The 41-year-old Flacco played well despite going 1-5 as a starter with the Bengals. He threw for at least 200 yards in four of his six starts, and the Bengals offense averaged more than 27 points per game.
He also started the first four games for the Browns last season with two touchdowns with six interceptions.
Flacco, who was Super Bowl MVP with the Baltimore Ravens during the 2012 season, has played for the Broncos, Jets, Eagles, Jets again, Browns, Colts, Browns again and the Bengals.
He has thrown for 48,176 yards, 272 TDs and 172 INTs in 19 seasons. He is 10-6 in the playoffs with 3530 yards passing, 26 TDs and 12 INTs.
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 11: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Thomas Bryant #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers high five during the game against the Orlando Magic on March 11, 2026 at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers will try to push their winning streak to four games as they take on the Orlando Magic on national TV.
Share your thoughts as the game unfolds. If you aren’t a member of the community, sign up so you can talk to your fellow Cavalier fans and make your voice heard!
Dealing with a busted bracket?
The Sweet 16 is almost here – who’s still alive? We’re reviewing the week that was in the first week of the NCAA tournament and turning our focus to remaining teams. How bad (or good!) is your bracket? Join us in the SB Nation March Madness Feed and let’s talk about who’s most likely to make a run to glory.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 01: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on 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
Cleveland Cavaliers head coachKenny Atkinson provided an update for injured center Jarrett Allen, and it was an encouraging one.
“He’s ramped it up in the last few days,” Atkinson said before Tuesday night’s game against the Orlando Magic. “Trending positive, watched him yesterday on the court. I think we are in the last stage of getting him ready.”
Allen has now missed nine games in a row, having first felt discomfort on March 3 against the Detroit Pistons. The team has described it as tendonitis, though there has been a bit of ambiguity since it was first thought to be a banged knee. But his impending return would be a boon for the Cavs, who have missed the pick-and-roll dynamism and rim protection. That has not stopped the Cavs from finding ways to win games, however.
Evan Mobley has filled the role of center admirably with more confidence and force of late, though his inability to hit free throws leaves a lot to be desired. But the overarching theme is that his play is translating in a way that should persist even when his front-court mate is back in the starting lineup.
“When he (Mobley) goes back to the four when Allen is back, I anticipate him playing better,” Atkinson continued. “I feel like post-All-Star, Evan has just been a different character.”
Sure enough, Mobley is shooting nearly 10% better from the floor after the All-Star Break compared to prior while maintaining similar rebounds, steals, and blocks. The return of Allen will impede those numbers, surely, but the bigger question for Mobley has been aggressiveness and confidence. If that manages to continue even with Allen’s return, it would be a very positive development for the Cavs as they head toward the postseason.
The patellar tendon attaches the kneecap to the shinbone and is crucial in helping straighten out a leg. This tear is more common among football players (especially linemen), but it has also happened in the NBA to Jeremy Lin, Victor Oladipo, and Dante Exum, among others. Full recovery can take anywhere from nine months to a year, meaning Moody will miss at least some of next season.
The injury occurred in overtime, when Moody stole the ball from Dallas' rookie Cooper Flagg near midcourt and was going in for the exclamation point dunk when his knee gave way.
This is the second knee injury to a Warriors rotation player that will bleed into next season. Jimmy Butler's torn ACL will force him to miss a portion of next season.
Moody had a solid season for the Warriors, averaging 11.9 points per game while shooting 40.2% from 3-point range. This was Moody's first game back after missing 10 games with a sprained wrist.
Moody is in the first year of a three-year, $37.5 million contract signed this past summer. He will make $12.5 million next season and $13.4 million in the 2027-28 season.
NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 29: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks handles the ball during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on December 29, 2025 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The New York Knicks (47*-25) host the New Orleans Pelicans (25-47) tonight at Madison Square Garden. This matchup gives the Knicks a chance to pad their Eastern Conference standing against a weak Western team that doesn’t always play like it. Zion broke 30 points when they played last, and Dejounte Murray has given the birds a little lift since returning 10 games ago. Underestimate them at your peril, Knickerbockers.
Tonight’s tip off is 7:30 p.m. EST on MSG and NBA TV. This is your game thread. This is The Bird Writes. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Be shining stars of humanity. And go Knicks!
* Should be one more, but NBA Cups have false bottoms.
LONDON (AP) — Arsenal underlined its credentials for back-to-back Women’s Champions League titles by beating English rival Chelsea 3-1 in the first leg of the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Also, Wolfsburg took a 1-0 lead over record eight-time champion Lyonnes in a meeting of two of the competition’s most storied names.
Stina Blackstenius — with her first Champions League goal since the winner in the final against Barcelona last season — and Chloe Kelly gave Arsenal a 2-0 halftime lead at Emirates Stadium.
Lauren James curled a brilliant long-range shot into the top corner to reduce the deficit for Chelsea but Arsenal regained its two-goal cushion when Alessia Russo drove home from the edge of the area.
Chelsea finished higher in the league stage — third place, compared to Arsenal in fifth — but has work to do in next week’s return leg across London to reach the semifinals for the fourth straight season.
Lineth Beerensteyn scored the only goal for Wolfsburg with a deflected 14th-minute shot against Lyon in the 12th Champions League meeting between the teams, which makes it tied for the most-played fixture in the competition’s history.
Four of those matches have been in finals, highlighting their status.
Kadidiatou Diani hit the post late in the game for Lyon, whose most recent of its eight titles came in 2022.
Remaining quarterfinals
The other two first-leg matches in the quarterfinals are on Wednesday, when Real Madrid hosts Barcelona in a big Spanish rivalry and Manchester United makes its debut at this stage against Bayern Munich.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 19: Austin Reaves #15 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers speak during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on March 19, 2026 in Miami, Florida. 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 Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There are few things Austin Reaves is more willing to do than appear on a fellow Lakers’ podcast.
Reaves was a frequent guest on D’Angelo Russell’s podcast, appeared on JJ Redick’s podcast prior to him becoming head coach and, on Tuesday, completed a trifecta by joining LeBron James and Steve Nash for the latest episode of “Mind the Game.”
It was an episode full of fun tidbits and anecdotes with lots of discussion about basketball as well, which comes with any episode of “Mind the Game.”
For those who may have missed the interview or are looking for a recap, we have you covered with all the best moments.
Turning down a “dream” to join Lakers
Off the rip, the episode immediately dives into Austin turning down the opportunity to be drafted and join the Lakers on a two-way deal instead. Most of it was not new information as it’s been reported he turned down being drafted by the Pistons to go undrafted and join the Lakers.
He’s also discussed making a list of teams that were the best fit with the Lakers topping the list and the Bucks being second. When asked about it by Nash, Reaves dove a little deeper into everything.
“My agents, they set up a plan. The plan was we knew LA had a two-way open on draft night and knew it was a situation to where I could possibly step in and get a contract because I don’t know how many guys were actually under contract at that time. There were a lot of free agents, a lot of signings to be done. We knew that going in.
[Detroit] called at [pick No.] 42 and they came up to me and it’s every kid’s dream to hear their name called on draft night and I’m no different. But it came down to sticking to a plan and that’s what we did. It sucked to not hear my name called but, obviously, putting ourselves in a good position was much more important.”
The little tidbit about the Lakers having lots of free agents and, as a result, a clearer opportunity for him to make the roster was some great insight by his agency. And he wasn’t wrong. In free agency in the summer of 2021, the Lakers signed Carmelo Anthony, Kent Bazemore, Malik Monk, Trevor Ariza, Wayne Ellington, Dwight Howard, Kendrick Nunn, Rajon Rondo and Deandre Jordan.
So, only a couple of players.
Reaves talked a little bit more about the list his agency made and why they felt it would work in Los Angeles.
“They have a bunch of analytics guys that were grading teams…I think it was Lakers, Bucks, maybe one other team that was Tier 1, like best possible fit…So, kind of dove into that and listened to that. On another level, like we talked about, there was maybe like four or five guys under contract at the time because they ended up having to sign like seven guys.
Knowing that there was going to be a possibility to snag that 13th, 14th roster spot and then on top of that, like [LeBron], IQ level, I feel like I have a pretty good IQ for the game and felt like that was one way I could get my foot in the door was to lean on that and lean on just knowing the game of basketball and that’s what he does.”
Making it on the Lakers
Reaves’ origin story with the Lakers has been well-documented. At the team’s player mini-camp, Reaves was so impressive that he earned a standard deal before training camp even began. He spoke about that mini-camp and the role both LeBron and Anthony Davis played in his ascension.
“We get in the gym and I think we got to playing 3-on-3 or something. I got a couple buckets then drove downhill. I thought I had a layup then AD came out of nowhere and I was like, ‘Oh, f—’ and last second, kind of behind-the-back pass to [LeBron]. He come down the lane and dunked. It was just, from then on out, they were like, ‘You’re good. Just be yourself.’ Him and AD, I’ll give them all the credit I can give them, from day one of being like, ‘Be you. On the court, off the court, whatever it is, be you.’”
Prior to even taking the court with him, LeBron had watched film of Austin in college and had an…interesting takeaway.
Getting a co-sign from @KingJames is the ultimate badge of honor.
Something Reaves talked about on the show that he had not previously mentioned was his upbringing. Both of his parents played basketball at Arkansas State, which is where they met. His brother, Spencer, played at a Division II school, Central Missouri.
As for Reaves? Well, he almost didn’t pursue basketball at all and wouldn’t have if his family had it’s preference. As a kid, Reaves played both basketball and baseball. But, entering the seventh grade, Reaves’ father told him he needed to pick one so that he could focus on that sport and, ultimately, get his college education paid for.
Following a summer of basketball with his older brother, Reaves made his choice, but it wasn’t the choice his father would have made.
“We had a summer basketball camp and I moved up two grades to play with my brother and we were beating teams by 30 and I was like, ‘Oh, this is much faster. Baseball is kind of slow.’ So I went back to my dad and I was like, ‘I want to play basketball’ and he was like, ‘You’re f—— stupid’ and I was like, ‘Damn.’
But he was like, ‘Obviously, you got my support.’…He thought I was a better baseball player. I was small. I didn’t grow until my junior year of high school. At the time, I understand why [he thought I should play baseball]. My best friend’s dad, which was our baseball coach, we were driving home, he was taking me home and I told him I was quitting baseball and he told me that basketball wasn’t going to work out and I was like ‘Well, we’ll see.’”
I think basketball worked out for Reaves.
Despite his parents playing basketball, it was Austin’s brother who played the biggest role in his early basketball career. Austin described his older brother as a gym rat who was driving to get shots up at 12 or 13 years old — which Reaves then quickly acknowledged was “probably illegal” — and brought his younger sibling with him.
“I remember there was nights that he would be going to the gym at seven, eight o’clock at night and he’d be like, ‘Hey, you want to go?’ And I was like, ‘Eh, not really’ and he’d be like, ‘You’re coming anyway.’ Like, I had no choice. He’d drag me out of the house. We’d go shoot for a couple hours and then he’d just beat me really bad 1-on-1…He’s probably the biggest basketball influence in my life. He instilled work ethic.”
That led to him landing at Wichita State and, eventually, Oklahoma. It was with the Sooners that Reaves realized he could make it in the NBA after legendary head coach Lon Kruger told him he could be a first round pick. Reaves, in fact, was not a first round pick, but if you ask LeBron James, there’s a clear and obvious reason why.
“You know why. You know why. You know how that s— is. Because they look at him. The judge the book by it’s cover situation. I saw the talent. That guy that I’m seeing [in college film] is not an undrafted [player]. There’s not way that guy goes undrafted. But, it’s – come on man.”
Dealing with a busted bracket?
The Sweet 16 is almost here – who’s still alive? We’re reviewing the week that was in the first week of the NCAA tournament and turning our focus to remaining teams. How bad (or good!) is your bracket? Join us in the SB Nation March Madness Feed and let’s talk about who’s most likely to make a run to glory.
Coming up in the clutch
The last notable discussion to come out of the pod was a segment on playing in clutch moments. Reaves has thrived in them throughout his career — this episode was even filmed before his heroics against the Nuggets — and has not shied away from those moments.
Perhaps the biggest play in the clutch he’s made this season was the game-winner in Minnesota, which he discussed.
“Ah, we’ll win” 🤣
Austin Reaves explains what was going through his head before the game winning shot against Minnesota. Tap into the full conversation, link in bio. pic.twitter.com/pt3dD0Rgf7
Very interestingly, that led to LeBron talking about how hard he would be on himself during clutch moments when he didn’t come through early in his career and how he came to accept the pressure of those moments.
“Early on in my career, I always hated the feeling of letting my teammates down. If I missed or whatever, if I turned the ball over, if I didn’t make the right play either shot or pass or whatever, I was like, ‘F—, I let these guys down. They trusted me to make it happen and I didn’t make it happen.’
Early on in my career, that really got to me. Then I just got to a point where it was like they’re putting you in this position because they trust you for a reason.”
The Lakers have continued to trust in Reaves throughout his career and he has rewarded them time and time again.
The trio finished the episode looking at some clips and breaking down Austin’s game before going back to an old classic between LeBron and Reaves.
We’ve officially reached the stage in the NBA’s regular season where you watch a game between two non-playoff teams and think to yourself, “who are these players?”
For the Utah Jazz, who are desperately trying everything in their power to raise their lottery odds and stay away from picks 9-16, the last few weeks have been filled with players that leave the viewer asking, “where did we get him from?”
But Ace Bailey, the Jazz’s 2025 No. 5 draft pick, is a name that everyone knows, and is one of the few reasons to tune into the Jazz. In the sea of two-way players, 10-day contracts, and jerseys made the day of, Bailey sticks out, and his recent play is giving hope that he will be a key piece for a healthy, competing Jazz team next season.
How well is Ace Bailey playing in March?
This month has been Bailey’s best statistical month in the NBA by far.
In 10 games, Bailey is averaging 21.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. That’s seven points better than his second-best scoring month in three minutes less a game. He is also shooting incredibly efficient from deep, at 43.3% on 9.7 attempts per game.
His confidence is a lot higher than in previous months too, scoring on a lot more isolation opportunities and not hesitating and catch-and-shoot threes.
In his last four games is where you really see the ceiling for Bailey, averaging 28.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.3 blocks per game.
Against the Raptors — albeit, in a blowout loss — Bailey scored 37 points and had one of the nastiest blocks of the season, pinning RJ Barrett’s layup against the backboard. Moments on defense where he showcases his athleticism and length didn’t come as often as I would’ve liked during his rookie season, but they’re not missing entirely. He has all the skills to be a decent defender in the NBA, and hopefully with the Jazz’s length across the starting lineup in 2026-27, he can dig into that more.
How real is this?
It’s always hard to tell in situations like these if a player’s late-season stats actually mean anything. Just two years ago, Kenneth Lofton secured a near 30-point triple-double for Utah, and now he plays for the Shanghai Sharks.
However, I think back to earlier in the season when Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George were playing night in and night out, and how Bailey was slowly but surely starting to mesh with the rest of the team. Making the right passes, cutting at the most opportune times, using his length as a good weak side defender.
Combine the slow process of getting him acclimated to the NBA game in November with the pure numbers that he’s putting up in March, and I think he could be a real impact player for a playoff-level Jazz team next season
A month ago, I wrote about Moses Moody seizing his opportunity. The timing felt right. The stats were backing the eye test that the Golden State Warriors, battered and shorthanded, had found something real in their 23-year-old wing, something they could finally trust.
He was no longer auditioning, we were witnessing the rise of a performer.
Last night in Dallas, Moody stole the ball from Cooper Flagg with 1:13 left in overtime, got out in space for what looked like a wide-open dunk to seal the win, planted his left foot, and the floor grotesquely gave out beneath a season that had finally started to mean something. Torn patellar tendon…season over.
Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody has been diagnosed with a torn patellar tendon in his left knee, sources tell ESPN. Moody's career-best season is over and a lengthy rehab will be required. pic.twitter.com/A8IqhgbXIL
The cruelty isn’t just in the injury. It’s in the return. Moody had missed the previous ten games with a right wrist sprain. He came back Monday and gave the Warriors everything he had: 23 points, three steals, playing that swarming defense Dub Nation is getting accustomed to. Moody changed the game for them; then they wheeled him off on a stretcher while Steph sat on the bench with his head in his hands.
That image isn’t leaving anytime soon.
This is what stings beyond any box score. Moody was the living argument for the Two-Timeline strategy actually working. The Warriors drafted him 14th overall in 2021 believing Golden State could compete for championships in the present while developing a player to carry the franchise into its next chapter. That bet looked shaky for stretches. Jonathan Kuminga, the other cornerstone of that draft class vision, is now in Atlanta. The timeline got complicated, as timelines tend to when rings are on the line and patience runs out.
But Moody stayed. Moody grew. In his fifth year, starting 49 of 60 games and averaging career highs across the board, he was becoming exactly what this roster needed: a reliable, versatile two-way wing who could guard the league’s best perimeter scorers and make sound decisions with the ball when there was no veteran safety net beneath him.
And this team needed him badly. Curry has been out 22 consecutive games with a persistent right knee issue. Butler tore his ACL in January. Horford is down with a calf strain. This team has been running a relay race through the injury report, handing the baton to whoever’s still standing. Moody was supposed to be one of the last men standing. That was his whole arc this season.
Steve Kerr postgame on Moses Moody:
"I just saw his leg buckle and I saw him go down in a heap in pain. We don't know what it is, but it sure looked bad and just hoping for the best. Whatever the best case scenario is, that's what we're all hoping for, but it looked bad . . . Mo… pic.twitter.com/bWYeXs4eLN
The patellar tendon recovery is long. Typically nine months to a full year before a player is back at full competitive form. Moody will miss the rest of this season and likely the opening stretch of the next. He’s in year one of a three-year, $39 million extension the Warriors gave him because they believed in who he was becoming. Nothing about last night changes who he’s becoming.
The Warriors made a bet on a timeline and Moses Moody was the proof it could work. That proof isn’t gone, rather it’s just delayed, same as everything else beautiful this franchise keeps being asked to wait for.
The National Basketball Players Association had some words to say about Cade Cunningham’s award eligibility.
Cunningham has played 61 games this season, but a collapsed lung might hold him from reaching the 65-game threshold required to be considered for major awards like MVP and the All-NBA team.
ESPN reported last week that the injury could sideline him for an “extended period of time” and that he’d be re-evaluated in two weeks.
Cade Cunningham has played 61 games this season, just short of the threshold for MVP. Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
He also narrowly misses the 62-game injury exception for season-ending injuries, which goes into effect if players play more than 85 percent of their team’s games before the injury and reach 62 contests.
“Cade Cunningham’s potential ineligibility for [end of] season awards after a career-defining season is a clear indictment of the 65-game rule and yet another example of why it must be abolished or reformed to create an exception for significant injuries. Since its implementation, far too many deserving players have been unfairly disqualified from end-of-season honors by this arbitrary and overly rigid quota.” the NBAPA’s statement read, as first reported by The AP.
Cunningham is averaging 24.5 points, 9.9 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game this season while shooting 46.1 percent from the floor and 34.6 percent from 3-point range
“Cade has delivered a first-team All-NBA season,” Cunningham’s agent, Jeff Schwartz, told ESPN. “If he falls just short of an arbitrary games-played threshold due to legitimate injury, it should not disqualify him from recognition he has clearly earned over the course of the season. The league should be rewarding excellence, not enforcing rigid cutoffs that ignore context. An exception needs to be made.”
His success has helped the Pistons to a 52-19 record, the best team in the Eastern Conference. Detroit sits five games ahead of the No. 2 seed Celtics in the conference and eight games ahead of the Cavaliers in the Central Division.
But Cunningham’s injury could hamper the Pistons as they finish out the regular season.
Cade Cunningham is averaging the second-highest points per game in his five-year career. NBAE via Getty Images
“Obviously, it’s tough,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Thursday. “Tough for Cade to go through what he’s going through now. How important he is to the team, how important being with his team is to him doesn’t make it easy. He’s a huge part of what we do from a leadership standpoint.”
Across five years with the Pistons since being drafted with the first overall pick in 2021, Cunningham has proved his worth.
He’s averaging 22.6 points for his career, including a career-high 26.1 mark last season. He also snagged his first two All-Star selections in the last two years while finishing seventh in MVP voting in 2024-25.
Now, potentially his best season yet could result in no recognition.
MIAMI, FL - MARCH 19: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during the game against the Miami Heat on March 19, 2026 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. 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 Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lakers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Even by Luka Dončić’s standards, the run he’s been on recently has been something special.
Luka has been named Western Conference Player of the Week for back-to-back weeks, and with the Lakers now sitting at No. 3 in the West, he is being discussed more as an MVP candidate.
But with only a couple of weeks left, is it too late for him to make a run at the current favorite, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?
For our SB Nation Reacts survey this week, we asked if you think Luka should be in the conversation for MVP and where he finishes in MVP voting.
Luka has a strong case as an MVP candidate. He’s an All-Star, the NBA’s leading scorer and undeniably the best player on a contending team.
The pushback he could face is that his defensive numbers don’t make a compelling case for him, and if the Lakers fall to fifth or sixth in the standings, critics will say he’s a great player on a mediocre team.
Still, voting hasn’t happened yet, so Dončić could still win. Also, if he keeps playing at this high a level the rest of the way, he could continue garnering support.
The KIA MVP Ladder has Luka at No. 2 in the MVP race, behind only SGA, and Nikola Jokić is third.
All three players have great cases. With the Thunder as defending champions and SGA having another great season, his individual reward might be another MVP.
Jokić remains the engine that keeps Denver running and he’s set to finish the year once again averaging a triple-double. Over the past five seasons, he’s won the MVP three times and the worst he’s finished in voting is second.
Can Luka make a push here and finish as a top vote getter in MVP voting or even win the award?
Share your opinion by voting and letting us know down below!
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 10: Trendon Watford #12, Joel Embiid #21, and Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers sit on the bench during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 10, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Don’t look now, but the Sixers actually might have over half of their starting lineup available.
Philadelphia released their injury report ahead of their matchup with the Chicago Bulls, and there’s some potentially good news: Joel Embiid is listed as questionable. Embiid has yet to play in the month of March, suffering an oblique strain on Feb. 26 after a collision with Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware. Embiid has only played in five games since the beginning of February.
During this absence, there was a slight glimmer of hope he’d get on the court earlier. Embiid was briefly listed as doubtful for their March 19 matchup against the Sacramento Kings, but was ultimately ruled out hours before tip-off.
The Sixers didn’t hold an official practice Tuesday, but Nick Nurse said in a pregame availability the day before that Embiid would go through a heavier workout and the team would go from there. Given the upgrade in status, it would seem everything is going well so far.
Nurse says Joel Embiid had a “decent” on court workout after shootaround today.
Nurse says tomorrow should be a “heavier session” for Embiid and they’ll see where they’re at after it.
After being banged up for most of the month, the Sixers could suddenly get a lot of reinforcements back all at once. Regardless of if Embiid is able to go against the Bulls or not, Paul George will play in his first game back from his 25-game suspension. Despite the lack of practice, George did speak to reporters for the first time since the suspension.
Quentin Grimes, who missed the Sixers’ last game against the OKC Thunder with an illness, is only questionable against the Bulls. Dominick Barlow, who sprained an ankle two games ago in Utah, is not listed on the injury report.
Another reunion with an old friend isn’t likely for this one though. For the Bulls, Guerschon Yabusele is listed as doubtful with an ankle sprain. He didn’t play in their most recent matchup against the Houston Rockets. On top of guys they’re trying to shut down for the year, Anfernee Simons and Isaac Okoro are also doubtful for Chicago.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MARCH 12: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 12, 2026 at Paycom Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
When the Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder face off on Wednesday night, both teams will be at relative full-strength. Everyone is available for the Celtics, except for Nikola Vucevic, who first suffered a fractured right ring finger on March 6th and remains out.
Jayson Tatum, meanwhile, will appear in his 9th game for the Celtics; so far, he’s averaged 19.1 points and 8.9 rebounds.
For the Thunder, Jalen Williams will play in his second consecutive game; he’s coming off an 18-point performance on Monday night against the Philadelphia 76ers. Williams has appeared in only 27 games this season, dealing with a myriad of wrist and hamstring injuries.
How the Celtics, Thunder stack up
Despite having an injury-riddled season, the Thunder have been the NBA’s most dominant team all season. They currently have the league’s best net rating at a +11.1. The Celtics have the league’s third-best net rating at a +7.8.
The Thunder have won 15 of their last 16 games, and 12 straight.
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The Celtics, meanwhile, will look to bounce back from a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night. The Celtics have won 6 of their last 10 games, and are 6-2 with Jayson Tatum in the lineup.
Last time the two teams faced off, the Thunder came away with a 104-102 victory, thanks to game-winning free throws from Chet Holmgren off of an offensive rebound. But both teams were without key players in that March 12th game; the Thunder were without Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein, while the Celtics were without Tatum and Derrick White.
HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 16: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets looks to pass the ball during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 16, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, 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 (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Houston Rockets Date: March 25th, 2026 Time: 8:30 PM CDT Location: Target Center Television Coverage: ESPN, FanDuel Sports Network – North Radio Coverage: KFAN FM, Wolves App, iHeart Radio
When the Minnesota Timberwolves walked out of TD Garden with a victory, their first in that building since 2005, it wasn’t just another road win. It was the kind of bizarre, rollercoaster performance that perfectly encapsulates this entire Timberwolves season.
Maybe even more impressively, it was the second time in about a month they slayed a two-decade dragon. First Toronto. Now Boston. What’s next? A 37-year NBA Finals drought???
But here’s the thing. If you tuned in early, you probably weren’t thinking “professional win.” You were thinking, “Oh no, here we go again...“
The Wolves Flip the Script
The opening minutes looked exactly like a team missing its superstar playing on the road against a contender. The Wolves came out disjointed, sloppy, and unable to buy a basket. They were turning the ball over and struggling to generate any sort of offensive rhythm. Boston held a 15-point lead in the 2nd quarter, and it felt like one of those nights where the postgame write-up basically writes itself: “They fought hard, but without Edwards…”
And then, because this team refuses to follow any predictable script, they flipped it. Minnesota steadied itself. The defense tightened. The ball movement improved. Shots started to fall. And slowly but surely, that 15-point deficit disappeared… until somehow, almost unbelievably, the Wolves took the lead into halftime on a Bones Hyland buzzer beater.
Right on cue, the third quarter began with Boston ripping off an 11–0 run, part of a brutal trend where Minnesota was outscored 22–2 to start the first and third quarters combined. That’s the kind of stat that usually ends games. That’s the moment where most teams, especially shorthanded ones, fold.
But not this group. Not on this night. Instead of spiraling, they regrouped again. The defense locked back in. The offense found its footing. And from that point forward, Minnesota outplayed Boston on its home floor, grinding out a win that had no business existing based on how the game started.
That’s the paradox of this team in a nutshell. They can look completely lost… and then turn around and beat a contender in its own building.
The Bones and Ayo Show
Without Anthony Edwards, this game needed someone, or multiple someones, to step into the vacuum. And once again, it was the backcourt duo of Ayo Dosunmu and Bones Highland who answered the call.
Ayo continues to look like one of the most important midseason additions this team has made in years. He plays with control, makes smart reads, and most importantly, shoots with confidence and efficiency. When he’s knocking down threes and keeping the offense moving, the Wolves feel organized, which is something that hasn’t always been the case this season.
Bones, meanwhile, brought exactly what Bones always brings: instant offense. The kind of microwave scoring that can swing a quarter in a matter of minutes. His ability to heat up quickly has become invaluable in this stretch without Edwards.
Together, they provided the offensive spark Minnesota needed, continuing a trend that’s quietly become one of the most important storylines of the Edwards absence.
The Bigger Picture
Here’s what makes this win both encouraging and frustrating at the same time. The Wolves have now shown they can beat elite teams, even on the road, without Anthony Edwards. And yet, against the teams they’re directly battling in the standings? They’re 2–9 against the Lakers, Nuggets, Suns, and Rockets.
That’s not bad luck. That’s a pattern.
Which is why what comes next matters more than what just happened.
Houston and a Season-Altering Opportunity
Wednesday’s matchup against Houston isn’t just another game.
It’s the game.
The Wolves are tied in the standings with the Rockets, and unlike with the Lakers or Nuggets, this is one of the few scenarios where Minnesota can still flip the tiebreaker in its favor.
Win this game, and suddenly you’re talking about climbing into the top four. Lose it, and you’re once again chasing ground you’ve already given away too many times this season.
And the Wolves will likely have to do it, again, without Anthony Edwards.
Which means everything we saw in Boston needs to carry over.
Keys to the Game
#1. Lean into connected, disciplined team defense. What worked in Boston wasn’t just effort. It was structure. The Wolves stayed connected, rotated properly, and forced the Celtics into difficult looks while limiting the damage from secondary options. Against Houston, that same formula has to apply. You’re not stopping Kevin Durant. You’re trying to contain him, and that requires five-man defensive cohesion, not just individual matchups.
#2. Win the rebounding battle and control the paint. Houston is a physical team that thrives on second-chance opportunities. If Gobert and Randle don’t show up on the glass, this game will tilt quickly. Minnesota has to treat every missed shot like a 50/50 ball and put forth pure effort on the boards. This is a game where Gobert needs to feel like a vacuum.
#3. Continue the backcourt production without Edwards. Ayo and Bones don’t need to replicate Edwards individually. but collectively, they need to continue filling that scoring and playmaking gap. If they can combine for another strong offensive performance, it gives Minnesota a legitimate pathway to generating enough offense against a tough Houston defense.
#4. Demand more from Randle and McDaniels as offensive initiators. Without Edwards, the burden shifts. Randle needs to be both a scorer and facilitator, while McDaniels has to remain aggressive and attack mismatches. Passive play from either one will stall the offense and allow Houston to dictate the game.
#5. Stay composed when the game tightens. This is where the Wolves have failed repeatedly this season. In big moments of big games with big stakes, things have unraveled. Against Houston, that cannot happen. The Wolves need to stay within themselves, avoid the careless turnovers, play settled and focused basketball, and trust the system that worked in Boston.
A Chance to Change the Narrative
Beating Boston was impressive. Beating Houston would be meaningful.
Because this season, more than anything, has been defined by missed opportunities in games that matter most.
This is one of those games.
The Wolves have shown they can rise to the occasion. Now they have to prove they can do it when it actually changes something.
