SAN ANTONIO, TX - FEBRUARY 19: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs dunks the ball during the game against the Phoenix Suns on February 19, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much.
It’s the final stretch of the season, and your intrepid game thread writer has gone on vacation. While I’m on a boat in the middle of the ocean, you people get to watch the Spurs, and talk to each other in the game thread. No worries, I’ll be back before the playoffs. In the meantime: GO SPURS GO!!
[NOTE: while Mark is on vacation, the game prediction will be replaced by a random fact from the archives.]
Random Fact:
You can make a perpetual motion machine with a wad of chewing gum and a paperclip. I leave the details of how to accomplish this as an exercise for the reader
San Antonio Spurs vs Phoenix Suns March 19, 2026 | 7:00 PM CT Streaming: NBA League Pass TV: FanDuel Sports Southwest Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 9: Issac Okoro #35 of the Chicago Bulls plays defense as Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket during the game during Preseason on October 9, 2025 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
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!
Join our March Madness conversation!
Drop in SB Nation’s March Madness open thread during Thursday’s games where we’ll be talking about all the wild upsets, buzzer beaters, and Cinderella runs!
SB Nation’s cast of characters will be enjoying the game together, so join Chris Dobbertean, Mike Rutherford, Ricky O’Donnell, Mark Schofield, James Dator, and others for 12 hours of basketball chaos!
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 12: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket against GG Jackson #45 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at TD Garden on November 12, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Celtics center Nikola Vucevic will miss his 7th straight game when the Celtics face the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night. But Jayson Tatum and the rest of the Celtics will be available, as the team otherwise fields a clean injury report. Tatum has only missed one game since returning to the lineup almost two weeks ago.
Everyone on the Celtics is cleared to play tomorrow vs the Grizzlies, minus Nikola Vucevic.
Jayson Tatum will play in his 7th game (in two weeks)
Vucevic fractured his right ring finger on March 6th, and the Celtics announced the next day that he would be re-evaluated in three to four weeks. That means we’ll likely get a Vucevic update between March 27th and April 3rd — and the big man could be cleared to return to the floor with a few regular seasons remaining (the regular season concludes on April 12th).
The Grizzlies, meanwhile, have been very injury-riddled and are one of the Western Conference’s worst teams. Several key players have been shut down for the season: Kentavius Caldwell-Pope (right pinky finger), Zach Edey (left ankle), Scotty Pippen Jr. (right big toe), and Santi Aldama (right knee). And, Brandon Clarke (right calf strain), Jahmai (left ankle sprain), and Ja Morant (left elbow UCL sprain) are out.
In addition, Taj Gibson (right foot soreness) and GG Jackson (left knee soreness) are doubtful to play.
How the Celtics, Grizzlies stack up
The Celtics are riding a three-game win streak and enter Friday’s game with a 46-23 record. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, have dropped 8 of their last 10 games and currently have the West’s 11th-best record at 24-44.
Last time the two teams faced off was in November, and the Celtics came away with a 131-95 win.
With so many key absences, the Grizzlies have been led by rookie Cedric Coward, who is averaging 13.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.
The Celtics, meanwhile, continue to be led by Jaylen Brown, who is having a career season. Brown is averaging 28.5 points per game on the season, alongside 7 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and a steal.
Tatum, who returned to the lineup on March 6th, has been the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 20.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game.
The Celtics and Grizzlies will face off on Friday night at 8pm in Memphis’ FedEx Forum.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 16: LeBron James #23, Austin Reaves #15, and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers interact during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on March 16, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
UPDATE: Impressively and surprisingly, all three of the Lakers’ stars will play on Thursday. Less than 24 hours after battling the Rockets in Houston, LeBron James, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves are all available for the Lakers against the Heat in Miami.
Given both the quick turnaround between games and the distance traveled from Texas to Florida overnight, it felt like a foregone conclusion that the Lakers would be shorthanded against the Heat. However, only Maxi Kleber, who has been dealing with a back injury in recent weeks and is not with the team on this road trip, is out in this game.
Original story follows.
While the Lakers are currently on a roll, having won seven straight games after downing the Rockets on Wednesday, earning that eighth victory might be their toughest challenge yet.
The team is set to play on the second night of their back-to-back, and they have their three stars, Luka Dončić, LeBron James and Austin Reaves, all listed as questionable.
As expected, the Lakers have a longer injury report on the second night of a back-to-back. Luka Dončić, LeBron James and Austin Reaves are all questionable for LA's game tonight against Miami. pic.twitter.com/x54UnwjRKU
Everything about Thursday’s game screams schedule loss. The tip-off time for the game is 22.5 hours after the Lakers and Rockets started their game on Wednesday. To add to that, the team arrived at the airport after 5 a.m. in Miami on Thursday, roughly 15 hours before the start of the contest.
The Los Angeles Lakers, who play tonight at 8 pm local in Miami, arrived at their hotel South Florida after 5 a.m. folllowing their win Wednesday night in Houston (a game that started at 8:30 pm central).
When you also consider the fact that the Lakers’ star trio all played at least 34 minutes on Wednesday, it’s no surprise they are questionable for Thursday’s game.
Currently, Dončić has missed 12 games and can only miss five more and remain eligible. With just 13 games left in the season though, it’s unlikely that will become a factor.
LeBron and Reaves are both out of the running for any NBA awards, so it’s all about maintaining their health. James has been dealing with his left foot arthritis all year long, but Reaves’ right forearm contusion is a new injury. Given that he hasn’t missed any games from this ailment, it’s likely nothing for Lakers fans to be worried about.
Regardless, if any of the big three miss, it will make winning against Miami that much harder. The Heat are a pesky try-hard team and fighting for their spot in the postseason, so don’t expect them to take this game lightly.
Hopefully, enough key players on the Lakers can suit up and LA can avoid this scheduled loss.
The most likely culprit? No. 12 seed High Point, led by Chase Johnston, upending Greg Gard and No. 5 seed Wisconsin. No. 9 TCU technically scored an upset over No. 8 Ohio State, to say nothing of the near-disaster of No. 1 overall Duke eking out a 71-65 win over No. 16 seed Siena.
As of 7 p.m. ET on March 19, less than a million perfect brackets remain in either the ESPN or NCAA bracket challenges. Though the NCAA does not provide the full number of brackets submitted, ESPN does, providing some insight into just how maddening the NCAA Tournament has been.
Only 83,184 perfect remains out of 26,029,409 brackets submitted — a measly 0.3% of all brackets.
PALM HARBOR, Fla. (AP) — Sungjae Im, who missed two straight cuts upon his return from a wrist injury, found his form Thursday in the Valspar Championship with two eagles that offset a few late mistakes in his round of 7-under 64 for a one-shot lead over Brandt Snedeker.
The Copperhead course at Innisbrook was the third straight stop on the Florida swing where the conditions were firm and the greens already getting that yellow sheen. Im was up to the task by giving himself ample birdie chances and converting six of them.
He also holed eagle putts of 18 feet on the par-5 11th and 35 feet on the par-5 first after making the turn. Only a pair of bogeys over the last four holes slowed him.
The surprise was the 45-year-old Snedeker, the U.S. captain for the Presidents Cup, who received a sponsor exemption. He had a bogey-free round at Innisbrook for the first time in 14 years, running off three straight birdies to start the back nine in his round of 65.
Snedeker hasn't won in eight years and had only two top 10s in the last year. But he switched to a mallet putter a few weeks ago and is starting to see some putts go in, particularly some long ones.
He started with a 20-foot birdie on No. 1 and had a 45-foot birdie putt drop on No. 12.
“Playing perfect the way we want to see it play, firms and fast,” Snedeker said. “Had a really good game plan — just relied on my putter. I putted great today, made a bunch of footage of putts, and put myself in position off the tee hit a lot of fairways and greens and made it stress-free which was nice. So really excited about how it started, but a long way to go from here.”
Snedeker led the field in putting and made nearly 150 feet of putts, which included a pair of par putts from just outside 10 feet.
Davis Thompson was at 66, with Billy Horschel among those at 67. Horschel, who missed The Players Championship last week, is running out of time to either win or get back inside the top 50 to qualify for the Masters.
Riviera winner Jacob Bridgeman also had a bogey-free round, rare at Innisbrook, by holing a par putt from just inside 10 feet on the 18th. He was at 68 along with another bogey-free effort, this one from Xander Schauffele.
“That was a big one, even more than a normal par save. That one felt good,” Bridgeman said. “To go around here bogey-free, it means you’re playing some good golf. I made a couple nice saves today to keep myself in it.”
Bridgeman and Schauffele were part of a large group that included Matt Fitzpatrick, who was runner-up at The Players Championship last week.
Corey Conners shot 69, an ordinary round except for an extraordinary moment when he made consecutive eagles. He dunked his shot off the pin from the 18th fairway for a eagle, made the turn and holed out from 40 yards in the rough at the par-5 first.
Also at 69 was Jordan Spieth, who had reason to expect more.
Spieth looked as though he might catch Im even while playing in tougher, gusting conditions in the afternoon. He was 5 under on the front nine and had a 4-foot birdie putt on the par-5 11th. But he missed that, missed a 3 1/2-foot par putt on the 13th and dropped three shots over the three-hole stretch known as “Snake Pit,” including a double bogey on the 16th by driving into the water.
Defending champion Viktor Hovland was 2 over through six holes and salvaged a 70, while Brooks Koepka made his return to Innisbrook with three birdies, three pars and a 71.
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 17: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons controls the ball against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on March 17, 2026 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It is round two for the Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards, and things are looking much different than they were 48 hours ago. The Pistons beat the Wizards 130-117 on Tuesday night, but they lost Cade Cunningham after five minutes, and today are coming to grips with the idea he could be out much longer. Cunnigham has a collapsed lung that will keep him sidelined indefinitely. That indefinite timeline could be as little as two weeks or it could stretch deep into a Pistons’ first-round playoff series. There is also the notion of Detroit’s grip on the No. 1 overall seed in the East. They’ve held that spot since Nov. 7. With Cade missing time, that position feels tenuous. There is also the fact that Cunningham needs to play five more games to qualify for the first-team All-NBA spot he so rightly deserves. There is the question of how rusty he will be when he finally does come back. The mind reels. But tonight, the Wizards!
Game Vitals
When: 7 p.m. ET Where: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C. Watch: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit Odds: Pistons -14
In the final seconds of the NCAA Tournament first round game against Wisconsin, the Panthers were down by a point when Rob Martin got a loose ball, and up ahead was an open Johnston running toward the bucket. Martin passed it perfectly to Johnston. All that was left was for Johnston to make a 2-point spot.
It sounds unusual, but it’s in fact one of the wildest stats in college basketball. Prior to that moment, Johnston attempted 142 shots on the season; 138 were 3-pointers.
The four 2-point shots? All misses.
No pressure for the sharpshooter.
Luckily, it was a layup. Johnston rolled it into the bucket, and sealed High Point’s first NCAA Tournament win in school history.
It was unusual territory for Johnston, but it didn’t frighten him at all. Because he knew “we can go shock the world.”
“When Rob threw that off, I was just like, ‘I gotta put this in to win this game,’” he said. “I wasn't really thinking whether it's a 2 or 3. I was just trying to put it in and win this game.”
A moment that held the breath of every fan donning purple inside Moda Center, knowing it was asking someone for something out of their game. But those on the court knew their fortunate fate was sealed the moment it touched his hands.
In fact, the only thing they wondered was if it was going to be a slam.
“Chase got a little bit of bounce. Chase probably dunk a little bit,” Martin said, drawing laughs from his teammates. “But I knew Chase was gonna make a layup. Of course, I believe in him.”
While it was a one-of-a-kind moment for a one-of-a-kind achievement, it wouldn’t have been possible if Johnston hadn’t done what he does best: drill it from deep.
It was an intense battle between the Panthers and Badgers, but it looked like Wisconsin was about to pull away with an eight-point lead with five minutes left. Then Johnston, who had just three points at the moment, finally drained another 3-point shot.
Then another. And another, including one from the midcourt logo.
A nine-point flurry in four minutes made it a one-point game in the final minute, all to set up the game-winning layup.
But Johnston’s heroics weren’t done. After making the shot of his life, he told his coaches to take him out. He is a reliable defender, but he knew what was needed to preserve the win. Put in a bigger guy to defend the last-second attempt.
Wisconsin wasn’t able to retake the lead, and when it got another chance, wasn’t able to get the shot off as the High Point defenders hounded the long pass.
“He should get way more credit,” coach Flynn Clayman said. “That is not just a defender, but an all-around player.”
And just like that, March gets its new darling. The tournament is all about guys that go largely unnoticed all season, just for them to become the breakout star on the biggest stage in college basketball. Johnston wasn’t even the team’s leading scorer, it was Martin with 23 points.
But when you are the glass slipper for Cinderella, that’s all it takes to become the hero. This may just be the rare case of the guy that got thrust in the spotlight for doing something he isn’t known for.
That’s all OK, because Johnston has High Point still dancing.
“To be on this stage with these guys, and be able to hit a couple shots and finish with the layup,” Johnston said. “It's something that I'll never forget.”
Duke basketball avoided a scare against No. 16 seed Siena in the first round of the Men's NCAA Tournament on Thursday, March 19 as the No. 1 overall seed, overcoming a 13-point deficit in the second half to win 71-65.
Siena became the first No. 16 seed to lead a No. 1 seed at halftime in Men's NCAA Tournament history, leading 43-32 at the break. The Blue Devils outscored the Saints 39-22 in the second half to secure the victory, although fourth-year coach Jon Scheyer said it was the toughest NCAA Tournament moment he has experienced since taking over for Mike Krzyzewski in 2022.
"Toughest one," the longtime Duke assistant-turned head coach told reporters after the win. "Not close. Toughest moment, toughest game, toughest position I've ever been in in the tournament, no question about it. You have to credit Siena for that. Look, I remember a lot of our teams, we've had some games like this. 2018-19, North Dakota State, it's a one-possession game there.
"These games are fragile. Unfortunately, you have to lose some, I've been on the other end of some of these in the past where you have great appreciation for it, but it doesn't mean you can avoid it. ... You gotta show what you're made of, and these guys really did that."
Twins Cameron and Cayden Boozer led the way for Duke, scoring 22 and 19 points, respectively, to lead all scorers. The Blue Devils played a seven-man rotation without starting center Patrick Ngongba II and starting guard Caleb Foster, who are both hoping to return sometime during the NCAA Tournament, depending on how far Duke advances.
Duke had no issues with No. 16 seed Mount St. Mary's last season, winning 93-49 in the first round. Scheyer also cited Duke's 85-62 win over No. 16 seed North Dakota State in 2019, when he was an assistant and the Blue Devils only led by four points at halftime.
Only two No. 16 seeds have ever won an NCAA Tournament game: Fairleigh Dickinson defeated Purdue in 2023 and UMBC took down Virginia in 2018. 16 No. 1 seeds have only beaten No. 16s by single digits in NCAA Tournament history, none of which have gone on to win a national championship.
Scheyer said he isn't concerned with Duke's performance but acknowledged the Blue Devils must rebound before taking on No. 9 TCU in the second round on March 21.
"It's not concerning from the standpoint that, unfortunately this is the nature of the tournament," he said. "Look, I wish it could be just smooth sailing. These guys, even though we have returners from last year's team, were all in different spots. You can face a team like Siena; they were incredibly ready to play.
"We made some mistakes early that they made us pay for, and all of a sudden you want to win very badly. So, you want to start making plays to try and get back in the game that are probably uncharacteristic to who we've been."
The Brooklyn Nets announced on Thursday that forward Michael Porter Jr. has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain following an MRI. He will be sidelined and reevaluated in two to three weeks, per team PR.
Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain following an MRI performed on Wednesday. Porter Jr. is currently listed as out and will be reevaluated in two to three weeks.
Porter Jr. had already missed four straight games with a right ankle sprain, but during his return-to-play process, he experienced discomfort in his left hammy in a workout. The Nets play their final regular season game on April 12, three weeks and three days from this announcement. It seems all but certain that Porter Jr. has played his final game of the 2025-26 campaign.
And quite a campaign it was. In his first season in Brooklyn, MPJ played in 52 games, averaging a career-high 24.2 points along with 7.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists (also a career-high) while shooting 46/36/86, (59.5% true shooting). While a bit arbitrary, his 176 3-pointers marks a new franchise-record through a player’s first 52 games.
In fact, it came as a minor surprise that Porter Jr. did not make his first All-Star team this season — his numbers were even better before the break…
kinda fitting that MPJ is knocking down threes on a triple-vote day, isn't it?
This season marked MPJ’s first as a first-option for an NBA offense, and the Nets needed every bit of his production. Their offensive rating is over ten points higher when he plays vs. when he sits, though that, of course may factor into the calculus to effectively end his season, with the tank in full swing.
On one hand, Porter Jr.’s breakout season paints him as a foundational piece for a franchise desperately seeking talent. On the other, he is extension-eligible this summer, currently making $40 million a year. The Nets are nowhere near contention, and just one year ago, the team took on MPJ as a salary dump in order to obtain Denver’s unprotected 2032 first-round pick.
It is quite possible that Porter Jr. has played his final game as a Brooklyn Net.
Still, that remains a worry for the offseason. For now, Porter Jr. will rehab a hamstring injury (a process the Nets know all too well), be re-evaluated in 2-3, and hopefully avoid podcasting too much as his team gets ready for the NBA Draft Lottery on May 10.
Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets play their next game on Friday evening, hosting the New York Knicks. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
A Brooklyn Nets team with the third-worst record in the NBA will now be without its leading scorer, likely for the remainder of the season.
Michael Porter Jr. has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain and will be re-evaluated in three weeks, the team announced.
Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain following an MRI performed on Wednesday. Porter Jr. is currently listed as out and will be reevaluated in two to three weeks.
Three weeks from the day this was announced would fall just before the final weekend of the season. There is no chance the tanking Nets are pushing Porter Jr. to return for what will be a meaningless game or two at the end of the season.
Porter Jr. was thrust into a larger scoring role in Brooklyn and responded with the best season of his career. He has averaged a career high 24.2 points per game, plus 7.1 rebounds a night while shooting 36.3% from beyond the arc. He led Brooklyn in scoring and was tied for the team lead in rebounds.
Porter Jr. had missed the last four Nets games with a sprained ankle. The Nets have gone 3-14 in games he has missed this season.
Brooklyn is in a "race" for the league's worst record (with Sacramento, Washington, and Indiana), and the winner of that race gets the best lottery odds in what is considered an incredibly deep draft. Brooklyn heads into that draft looking for a foundational star player they can build around.
Whether Porter Jr., 27, is part of that future remains to be seen. He has a guaranteed $40.8 million owed him next season, and the Nets may try to trade him and his expiring contract for young players or draft picks. However, he has fit in with the Nets, and, as he is extension-eligible this offseason, Brooklyn may explore that with him.
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 15: Moses Moody #4 of the Golden State Warriors arrives to the arena before the game against the New York Knicks on March 15, 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 David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Moses Moody is working out diligently, shooting left-handed, and wearing a brace on his injured right wrist. Even so, he’s unlikely to return for the final three games of the Golden State Warriors’ road trip.
There had been some hope that Moses Moody (wrist sprain) could possibly return on this road trip, but it doesn’t seem to be trending that way. Moody still in a brace, getting a lot of left-handed work in.
Much like the 2008 presidential campaign of Barack Obama, the Warriors’ medical staff this season has focused heavily on the message of “Hope.” Hope that Jimmy Butler avoided an ACL tear, hope that 38-year-old Steph Curry could shake off his own knee injury, hope that the NBA’s oldest starting lineup could get through the brutal NBA regular season unscathed, and hope that science can find a solution to Kristaps Porzingis POTS and the public comments of PODZ.
“I look at it as a blessing in disguise, just because it's an opportunity”
Brandin Podziemski on how the Warriors are dealing with the rash of injuries. pic.twitter.com/95smgmsvm3
All that’s missing is a stylish Shepard Fairey mural of director of sports medicine and NHL dad Rick Celebrini in the Warriors training room.
While the team maintained hope that Moody’s on-court workouts and new left-handed shooting stroke could get him back on the court for their six-game road trip, it turns out that playing NBA basketball with one hand is quite difficult, especially when it’s not Moody’s dominant hand.
It does mean he’ll miss his team’s first matchup against his fellow 2021 draftee, Jonathan Kuminga, against the Atlanta Hawks Saturday. The Hawks have won 11 straight games which is basically the opposite of what the Warriors have done recently. Whatever elaborate handshake the two former teammates have developed over the years, let’s hope Moody is practicing how to do it left-handed.
The New Orleans Pelicans are really late to the party, but they’re finally healthy and clicking as they welcome the Los Angeles Clippers to The Big Easy tonight.
New Orleans is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games, including a win over L.A. last night, and my Clippers vs. Pelicans predictions point to Trey Murphy III as a difference-maker in this rematch.
Take a closer look at this March 19 clash with my free NBA picks.
Clippers vs Pelicans prediction
Clippers vs Pelicans best bet: Trey Murphy III Over 21.5 points (-112)
With no first-round pick to protect, the New Orleans Pelicans are still playing hard, and Trey Murphy III continues to be one of the reasons for hope in New Orleans. He’s had 22+ points in four of his last six outings, and there’s extra volume up for grabs tonight with Dejounte Murray sitting out.
Murphy III finished with 23 points last night, despite shooting just 7-for-17 from the field, and he’s making his three-pointers at a 42% clip this month.
Life would also get easier for all the Pelicans’ perimeter players if Kawhi Leonard rests on the second night of this back-to-back set.
Clippers vs Pelicans same-game parlay
The Pelicans are surging with six straight wins at Smoothie King Center, and I see the hosts extending that streak here, especially with Darius Garland and Bennedict Mathurin sidelined for the Clippers, plus Kawhi listed as questionable.
This Derik Queen prop offers value too, with the rookie hitting the Over in consecutive contests.
Clippers vs Pelicans SGP
Trey Murphy III Over 21.5 points
Derik Queen Over 7.5 points
Pelicans moneyline
Our "from downtown" SGP: Pels soar through the Bayou
This SGP taps into the ferocious dunkers on show tonight. Murphy III and Zion Williamson will lead New Orleans here, with the latter shooting 66% from the field in March.
Derrick Jones Jr. is a lock for more scoring opportunities with the Los Angeles Clippers depleted offense.
Clippers vs Pelicans SGP
Trey Murphy III Over 21.5 points
Zion Williamson Over 21.5 points
Derrick Jones Jr. Over 13.5 points
Pelicans moneyline
Clippers vs Pelicans odds
Spread: Los Angeles +1.5 (-110) | New Orleans -1.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Los Angeles +105 | New Orleans -125
Over/Under: Over 230.5 (-110) | Under 230.5 (-110)
Clippers vs Pelicans betting trend to know
The Pelicans are 8-2 ATS in the past 10 meetings between these teams. Find more NBA betting trends for Clippers vs. Pelicans.
How to watch Clippers vs Pelicans
Location
Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Date
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN SoCal, Pelicans+
Clippers vs Pelicans latest injuries
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PORTLAND, OR — The first upset of the 2026 NCAA Tournament is complete with No. 12 seed High Point taking down No. 5 seed Wisconsin 83-82 in the opening round of March Madness.
A popular upset pick, the Panthers entered the tournament one of the best scoring teams in the country. With Wisconsin another prolific scoring unit with a knack for knocking down 3-pointers, it was expected to be a high-scoring affair.
It wasn’t exactly the case, but it made for a classic finish inside Moda Center on Thursday, March 19.
The upset was powered by a late comeback by the Panthers. They trailed by eight points with five minutes to go when it was knocking down 3-pointers at-will to tie the game in the final minutes. High Point was down by one point in the final minute when Rob Martin found Chase Johnson, who hadn't shot a 2-point shot all season, ahead on a fastbreak for the go-ahead layup with 11 seconds left.
Wisconsin's Nick Boyd had his shot blocked in the final seconds, and High Point secured the ball and were fouled. It was unable to hit the front end of the one-and-one, but the Badgers couldn't drill the last second heave.
Even though Wisconsin came in one of the best 3-point shooting teams, averaging 11.8 made shots from deep, High Point knocked down more. It made 14, while the Badgers made nine.
Four High Point players were in double figures, led by 23 points from Rob Martin. Boyd led Wisconsin with 27 points.
Off the jump, it looked like this wasn’t going to be close. After scoring first, High Point struggled to find the basket, missing several 3-pointers as the Badgers were up by 10 points less than five minutes into the contest.
But the Panthers didn’t fold. They started attacking inside the arc and slowly chipped away at the deficit, keeping pace with Wisconsin. The deep shots eventually came, and the Panthers kept the momentum up out of halftime to retake the lead early in the second half to set up the thrilling finish.
Not only is it the first NCAA Tournament win in High Point history, but it also extends the longest active win streak in the country, making it 15-straight for the Panthers. Now the 12th seed awaits the winner of No. 4 seed Arkansas and No. 13 Hawai’i in the second round on Saturday, March 21.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 15: Max Strus #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers waits during the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Rocket Arena on March 15, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) | 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 Cavs fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Earlier this week, we asked Cleveland Cavaliers fans to participate in another one of our SB Nation Reacts Surveys. Now let’s get to the results.
First, we asked about the starting small forward position. Something that’s long been a point of discussion for this Cavalier team. It turns out, as much as things change, they stay the same.
A meme-worthy 67% of fans voted that Max Strus should remain the starter, once he’s fully healthy, of course. Strus made his season debut last Sunday and was already featured in Kenny Atkinson’s closing lineup against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Strus is still on a minutes restriction, seemingly in the early-20s range. But as we move forward, those minutes should increase, and Strus’ spot in the rotation should upgrade with it. I’d say it’s a safe bet to assume Strus will become the starter by the end of the season. It seems like you do too.
The Cavs currently hold the fifth-highest odds on FanDuel to win the championship this season. Strus returning should work in their favor.
Our other question was more fun. Whoever finishes with a higher three-point percentage between Sam Merrill and Jaylon Tyson is irrelevant. Still, fans chose to stick with Money Merrill for the remainder of the season.
Reputation is definitely carrying Merrill here, considering Tyson is shooting nearly 1% better from downtown with only 13 games remaining. I’m surprised the results weren’t closer to 50/50 as this feels like a total coin toss to me.
