MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 18: Brice Sensabaugh #28 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 18, 2026 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
After a three-game roadtrip, the Utah Jazz are returning home to host the Milwaukee Bucks.
Milwaukee has had a tumultuous season. After rumors that star Giannis Antetokounmpo was looking for a new home, trade talks fizzled and nothing materialized. Now the Bucks, 28-40 and in the 11th seed in the Eastern Conference, have found themselves at odds with Antetokounmpo again after he suffered a hyperextended left knee and a bone bruise:
The Milwaukee Bucks want Giannis Antetokounmpo to shut down for the remainder of the season after his latest injury and the team's playoff chances dwindled, but Antetokounmpo has refused the team's requests and wants to play again, sources tell ESPN.
The Bucks have not found their footing after attempting to pair Antetokounmpo with Damian Lillard a couple of seasons ago. Lillard suffered an injury and was dumped to the Portland Trail Blazers for nothing. Kyle Kuzma, an addition the Bucks hoped would bring an additional offensive punch, hasn’t panned out. And the signing of Miles Turner to a four-year, $108 million contract already seems like an overpay.
Regardless, the Jazz must continue their effort to climb up the lottery rankings tonight. Utah is only 2.5 games behind the Sacramento Kings for fourth. Although it is unlikely that Utah leapfrogs the Kings, Sacramento is 5-5 over their last 10.
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 12: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons dribbles the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 12, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Detroit Pistons are the surprise team of the NBA season. Two years ago, the Pistons won only 14 games. This season, they own the best record in the Eastern Conference at 49-19 overall thanks to the league’s No. 2 defense and the rise of Cade Cunningham as an All-NBA caliber player.
Now the Pistons’ dream season is facing a set back: Cunningham has a collapsed lung, and will miss an “extended period” of time, according to ESPN insider Shams Charania.
Cunningham has emerged as a fringe MVP candidate this season by averaging 24.5 points, 10 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game. He’s also a key part of Detroit’s elite defense, and might be the best defender of any star guard in the league. The 24-year-old was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, and is now fulling living up to the hype that started when he was back in high school.
The Pistons could make the 2026 NBA Finals, but they need Cunningham to do it. A collapsed lung typically has a timeline of anywhere from 3-8 weeks. The NBA Playoffs being April 18.
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 18: Kristaps Porzingis #7 of the Golden State Warriors shares a laugh with former teammate Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the second half at TD Garden on March 18, 2026 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 Winslow Townson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
#1 – Kristaps Porzingis felt like home
What a start for a comeback. After showing transparency about how emotional that comeback was for him, KP didn’t lose his focus. As soon as the game started, KP reminded Brad Stevens why he traded for him in the first place. The Latvian big man brought strong rim protection off the jump, blocking two shots back to back.
Quickly after that, he triggered a bomb from deep just like old times, as Neemias Queta was way too low in his positioning against such an elite shooter.
Overall, despite the loss, it was a great night for Kristaps Porzingis, who seems to finally be back in shape and ready to play multiple games in a row – and on top of that, he received a nice standing ovation and video tribute in the first quarter.
It’s been only six games, but the Celtics’ best offensive weapon might already be built around Jayson Tatum and his pick-and-roll game. It is really efficient because it either creates space for JT because of the screen – or the defense will focus on JT and that leaves the roll man open – and if the defense protects both, be sure that #0 will find the open players despite the crowd around him.
Jayson Tatum has been back from 6 games and his pick-and-rolls are already the best Celtics offensive weapon.
The Celtics really wanted to go after the Warriors’ drop coverage. This is one of the reasons why JT is such a valuable ball-handler in pick-and-roll situations. When the defense drops like here with Porzingis, he will pull up from deep with ease.
The Celtics also added a little twist with a Spain pick-and-roll, with Sam Hauser setting a backscreen to free KP. This creates chaos within the Warriors defense, and JT goes to the rim for a layup.
The pick-and-roll keeps on going for Jayson Tatum and Neemias Queta, and that could be a game changer for the Celtics’ season.
#3 – Jaylen Brown carried the Celtics early
It’s hard to find a good balance between off-ball threat and ball dominance when you are skilled at both, like Brown. Especially when there are other ball-handlers around him.
Well, in the first quarter, JB found a great equilibrium between drives with force and cutting from behind while the defense was looking somewhere else.
Yet, when he had the ball, things were working pretty well for the Celtics too, as he kept driving on whoever the Warriors were putting on him. On this play, he doesn’t even use the screen from Neemias Queta and bullies two Warriors to find his way to the rim.
Having a force like JB in the post-up and on drives is amazing when a play call doesn’t go as planned. Below, the screens and the cuts from Hugo Gonzalez aren’t enough to create separation from the off-ball movement with Pritchard, so Brown just goes for it.
After a strong start (19 points on nine shots in 12 minutes), Jaylen Brown had more difficulty getting going, but the playmaking from JT and others was enough to finish what he started. His struggles later in the game were also caused by an aggressive Warriors defense that forced him into five turnovers.
#4 – Defenses are becoming more aggressive
This trend is correlated with recent Celtics opponents, but you can see that teams are trying to be more aggressive on the Celtics ball-handlers. Like Phoenix a couple of days ago, the Warriors were willing to commit fouls sometimes so they could generate turnovers. In their rotation concepts too, the Warriors didn’t hesitate to leave a weakside player alone to cut a passing lane.
The Celtics will need to learn from these possessions because there is a pattern. The weakside defender, like Green below, waits until the drive from Brown starts and then goes for it.
Yet, the Warriors also made a lot of fouls because of this level of aggression. For example, with nine minutes left in the 3rd quarter, the Celtics were already in the bonus. On the other side of the court, the Celtics also have some defensive concepts to bother the Warriors.
#5 – A taste of his own medicine
A couple of seasons ago, the Warriors made the bold strategy to leave Jaylen Brown open to start the game – resulting in an absolute massacre, as Brown didn’t let that bother him and kept shooting until the Warriors were forced to adapt. Well, last night it was Draymond Green who was left open from three, and safe to say things didn’t go the same way.
As the game started, the Celtics put Jayson Tatum on Kristaps Porzingis because the Latvian big man wouldn’t be able to post up the big wing. While JT was on KP, Neemias Queta was roaming off Draymond Green. Despite making the first two triples, the Celtics kept the same approach.
This created a wall for the Warriors ball-handler. Like in the clip above, there is no driving lane, and the Warriors are forced into another empty possession with a Draymond Green three.
Beyond that defensive bet they made on the Warriors forward, the Celtics also wanted to test Porzingis’ ability to deal with double teams.
#6 – Sending double on KP
Back in February, the Celtics didn’t hesitate to trap Porzingis when he was posting up a mismatch.
So, coming into the game, the Latvian big man was ready for what could be coming. As he posted up his former teammate Derrick White, he was mindful that the pressure could come from anywhere. Ron Harper Jr. runs toward him, leaving Green alone at the rim for a second, and KP finds him straight away.
So, in the next similar situations, the Celtics were far more careful, using stunts instead of doubling the big man, with the Draymond Green defender always ready to help. A great example of how offenses and defenses learn and adapt to each other in the NBA, even in the regular season.
#7 – Payton Pritchard playmaking
With the high focus the Warriors defense had on the Jays, it was important that someone else could carry the ball and the burden of creation – so PP stepped up when asked to do so. We saw it all season long: Payton’s ability to go anywhere on the court with the ball in his hands thanks to his amazing handle and low center of gravity. With those abilities, he can get to his spot whenever he wants.
As the season unfolds, defenses are more and more inclined to help on his drives. With more responsibilities this year, Pritchard has learned how to better read his plays and use his gravity to find open teammates, like on this play for Luka Garza.
Not only is Pritchard creating for himself, but the Celtics are calling some great actions for him. On this Double Get action, Jayson Tatum is the first screener and Neemias Queta is the ball-handler, ready to hand it off to PP. With the space and Pritchard’s speed, this is really hard to stop for a defense.
#8 – Queta all-around impact
Speaking of Neemias Queta, his impact on this game and on the team’s offense has been really versatile over the last few games. As Joe Mazzulla mentioned when talking about his relationship with Jayson Tatum in the pick-and-roll, the Portuguese big man has made great improvements as a connector.
Like @NIKNBAYT, I loved how much the chemistry in pick-and-roll situations between Jayson Tatum and Neemias Queta is building-up every game.
When I asked Joe Mazzulla about it for the @celticsblog, he made a big emphasis on Queta's improvement as a connector.
And it shows in a lot of situations. In this play, Queta runs into the paint after a pindown screen for Jayson Tatum. As he gets the ball on the short roll, he reads the defensive help and swings it to Sam Hauser, open in the corner.
As the season keeps going, the Celtics keep having more guys to build their offense around. Queta is not only impacting the game with his rebounding and screens now. It goes beyond that, as they keep passing and touching the ball a lot more.
#9 – Celtics spacing
Before the game, I asked Steve Kerr about the Celtics offense and the process behind picking the poison between giving the stars isolation or helping and living with the ball movement it creates.
The Golden State Warriors coach explained that beyond the individual talent, what makes it very hard to defend is the spacing in which the Celtics are playing. For him, the Celtics currently have the best spacing in the NBA – which is scary knowing how much talent they lost in the summer.
Yet, with great coaching and smart court geometry, it reminds one of the most efficient teams at the rim, with a 71% field-goal percentage on shots within 4 feet from the basket.
#10 – Legends live forever
It was quite unusual to witness such a giant and charismatic man standing in the middle of the room as we were walking into the press conference room. Everybody seemed to be in awe of that surprise.
Then came an unprepared collective interview with questions about the past and current Celtics. What stood out was the Robert Parish respect and appreciation for Joe Mazzulla and the culture he built with this group.
The other thing that struck me was the stars in the eyes of everyone in the room. It’s rare to be a spectator of such a genuine, cute moment like this one, where everyone seems to be feeling the same admiration for a player. A legend.
Mar 18, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Former Boston Celtics player Robert Parish reacts to the crowd during a break against the Golden State Warriors in the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images
Boston Celtics legend Robert Parish has kept an eye on the current team from afar. On Wednesday night, he returned to TD Garden for a closer look.
Parish, a four-time NBA champion, nine-time All-Star, and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, has a resume that speaks for itself. He was part of Boston’s iconic 1986 championship team alongside Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Dennis Johnson, and Bill Walton, won three titles with the Celtics, and had his No. 00 jersey retired in 1998.
“Obviously Parish is a legend, so it’s good to see him out there,” Jaylen Brown told reporters, per CLNS Media. “He looked good — looks in great shape — so it’s great to have him around. I haven’t gotten to meet him or talk to him, so hopefully next time he comes back, I’ll make it an emphasis to go say hello.”
Midway through the first quarter, the Celtics played a tribute video for Parish. “Chief” chants immediately broke out, and when the jumbotron camera turned to the now 72-year-old, they grew into a roaring ovation.
Parish turned around and stood with both arms extended toward the thousands in attendance, embracing the crowd and the long-lasting respect he holds within the city.
“It was cool to see him,” Jayson Tatum told reporters, per CLNS Media. “I got a chance to chat with him a bit during warmups before the game — to show my respect. It’s always an honor to see the legends of the game and former players that paved the way for us as NBA players and obviously as Celtics players. So as a team, and as fans in the arena, we love when former players come back to the games.”
Seeing the Celtics of the past is nothing new to Tatum or Brown. Throughout their nearly decade-long run together, the two have been exposed to the organization’s royalty from day one. The late, great Tom Heinsohn served as a color commentator for nearly 40 years before his passing in 2020. Brown has frequently spoken highly of his encounters with Bill Russell before his passing in 2022, and this season, the Jays have watched the likes of Dee Brown, Isaiah Thomas, and Robert Parish be celebrated as part of the team’s “Legendary Moments” campaign.
BOSTON, MA – MARCH 18: Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtic Robert Parish waves to the crowd during the second quarter of the game between the Boston Celtics and the Golden State Warriors at TD Garden on March 18, 2026 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 Winslow Townson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For a moment, Parish stole the spotlight, even during the awaited return of Kristaps Porziņģis. From the moment Parish stepped foot on the court and made his way to his seat, all eyes were on him.
It made Tatum think back to watching Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett have their jerseys retired and the reception they received. Now, as a champion and a Celtics legend in the making, Tatum has a deeper understanding of every Boston great who walks through the door.
“I was here when Paul got his number retired. I was here for KG,” Tatum told reporters. “Those were two obviously very special moments and special days, and I feel lucky and honored that I was just around and on the team and got to see and witness that.
“Those guys dedicated a lot to the game of basketball, to this organization, so to see them come back on that night — and other times they do come back — receive the welcome and love and appreciation that they earned and deserve, as a player, I understand what they went through and what goes into being an NBA player. So it’s really cool to see other people receive their flowers and witness it.”
When it was time to celebrate Tatum, Brown, and the 2024 champion Celtics, legends came to pay their respects. Pierce, Garnett, Ray Allen, Bob Cousy, and Cedric Maxwell stood by their side as they raised a banner of their own into the rafters and added to the storied history they’ve all helped write. With that torch still in their hands, Tatum and Brown are crafting the latest chapter, turning the once-counted-out Celtics of Opening Night into a title contender and aiming to return to the NBA Finals for the third time in five seasons.
Parish, watching them every step of the way, believes they have what it takes, citing Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla as the main reason.
“They have the right coach in place because that’s where it starts — with the coach,” Parish told reporters pregame, per CLNS Media. “And the team has definitely taken on Joe’s personality — that toughness, grinding it out on both ends of the court — take no prisoners. I like the fact that, another area they mirror us in, they play hard, they play smart, and they play together, and I like that.”
Before Wednesday night, Parish said he and Mazzulla had never spoken. They took a few moments to break the ice and introduce themselves before Mazzulla’s pregame press conference.
“Never met the man, I’m just watching him from afar, and the vibe he’s giving off, seeing him on TV, watching him when I’ve been in the building from afar — he’s serious, and I like that. It kind of reminds me of Bill Fitch. That tough love. I like that.”
With Parish watching, Brown delivered a history-making performance, scoring 32 points against the Warriors and surpassing Celtics great Dave Cowens to move into 10th place on Boston’s all-time scoring list with 13,202 points.
“This job isn’t what it is unless the people before us, who left it better than they found it, who compete at the highest level and made it what it is,” Mazzulla told reporters, per CLNS Media. “So the ability to make history and get into that is the stepping stone of leaving it better than you found it, of setting the standard for what the people before us have come to represent, and it’s something that he takes seriously.”
Mar 7, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Ousmane Dieng (21) shoots the ball against Utah Jazz forward Ace Bailey (19) in the second half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
After losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday, the Bucks get back to make-believe basketball against the Utah Jazz tonight in Salt Lake City. Neither team is officially out of Playoff contention, but let’s not fool ourselves—tonight’s game exists merely to make up the numbers as both sides trudge towards the season’s end and, hopefully, draft lottery respite. The Bucks have played the Jazz once so far this season, winning 113-99 on the back of near triple-doubles from Giannis, Ryan Rollins, and Ousmane Dieng.
Where We’re At
The Bucks are now 28-40, six-and-a-half games behind the 10th-placed Charlotte Hornets, which is good or bad, depending on how you view things. They’ve won just twice in their last 11 games—to the shamelessly tanking Indiana Pacers and these shamelessly tanking Utah Jazz—which is also good or bad, depending on how you view things. Oh, and Giannis is out for another extended period, which is, you guessed it, good or bad, depending on how you view things. But hey, if you try hard enough, you can see this as a meaningful basketball game and one the Bucks might actually win—all it takes is a little imagination.
The Utah Jazz are in red-hot form, losing four in a row—the seventh time they’ve lost four-or-more consecutive games this season. Two games ago, in a 116-111 loss to the Sacramento Kings—yes, the same we “will never tank” Kings that sit bottom of the Western Conference and are officially eliminated from Playoff contention—the Jazz started C. Williams, B. Sensabaugh, E. Harkless, I. Collier, and A. Garcia. Bet you can’t list all of their first names. Or their positions. Yesterday, against the much “safer” Minnesota Timberwolves (even without Anthony Edwards), regular starters Kyle Filipowski (rest) and Ace Bailey (concussion) returned in a 147-111 blowout. But, hey, at least the Jazz seem to know what they’re doing, which is more than can be said for the Bucks under Doc Rivers, who’ve tried special effects (see scheme) and plot twists (see line-ups), but really need more of an idea.
Injury Report
For the Bucks, Giannis (Left Knee; Hyperextension; Bone Bruise) is out (and apparently not happy about it), while Kevin Porter Jr. (Right Knee; Synovitis) and Myles Turner (Injury/Illness – Right Calf; Strain) are questionable, and Kyle Kuzma (Right Elbow; Contusion) is probable.
Having played yesterday, the Jazz’s injury report is not yet submitted—and it’s absolutely anyone’s guess who ends up on it.
Player to Watch
Let’s go with Butters St—, err, Ousmane Dieng. As the newest and youngest member of the Bucks’ core, Dieng has the best chance at saving Imaginationland Bucks fans from more misery—both now and in the longer term. Against the Cavs, he put up a smooth 19 points (including 5/8 threes), five rebounds, one assist, and one steal. It’s not the first time he’s excelled as a Buck either. So, if he booms again tonight—and continues to for the rest of this godforsaken season—you mightn’t have to look toward the future because, my boys (and girls), it might already be here. Imaginaaaaation, imaginaaaaation, imaginaaaaation, imaginaaaaation…
How To Watch
Tune in at 8:00 p.m. CDT on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin.
March Madness is underway and today's college stars have a chance to cement themselves in this summer's NBA draft class. The 2026 draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY's latest mock draft, Texas's Dailyn Swain is expected to go in the first round.
Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the Guard-Forward's draft night will play out.
After transferring from Xavier to Texas during the offseason, Dailyn Swain has become one of the more intriguing breakout players in college basketball. The All-SEC forward is versatile and contributes a little bit of everything for the Longhorns on both sides of the ball, scoring well both in the paint and on fastbreaks. Another element that is notably compelling is that Swain is efficient one-on-one in isolation against his defenders.
March Madness is underway and today's college stars have a chance to cement themselves in this summer's NBA draft class. The 2026 draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY's latest mock draft, Louisville's Mikel Brown Jr. is expected to go in the first round.
Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the guard's draft night will play out.
Mikel Brown Jr. 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 9 overall, Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls need to simply draft the best player available with whatever pick they have and will likely keep Louisville floor general Mikel Brown Jr. highlighted on their big board. The All-ACC guard has deep shooting range and is among the freshmen leaders in 3-pointers made from beyond 25 feet (27) this year, per CBB Analytics. Brown was averaging 29.2 points per game over his last five appearances, including 45 points against NC State on Feb. 9 while hitting 10 shots from beyond the arc, before getting hurt on Feb. 28.
March Madness is underway and today's college stars have a chance to cement themselves in this summer's NBA draft class. The 2026 draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY's latest mock draft, Duke's Cameron Boozer is expected to go in the first round.
Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the forward's draft night will play out.
He is projected here at No. 3 overall, but depending on which team gets the No. 1 overall pick, Duke freshman Cameron Boozer is potentially the top player in the class. The Kings have the second-worst offense in the Western Conference and could instantly inject life into their offense by selecting Boozer, who was arguably the best player in college basketball during his first NCAA season. The ACC Player of the Year isnt a human highlight reel but his statistical profile jumps off the page by virtually any metric and he is nothing short of a dominant paint scorer. Boozer offers consistency and a diverse, impactful skill set. More importantly, he can bring a culture of winning after multiple championships in high school and an elite Duke team in college.
March Madness is underway and today's college stars have a chance to cement themselves in this summer's NBA draft class. The 2026 draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY's latest mock draft, Duke's Patrick Ngongba II is expected to go in the first round.
Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the center's draft night will play out.
Patrick Ngongba II 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 23 overall, Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers could use a big man like Patrick Ngongba II, who is an above-average passer for his position. His assist rate is the highest among underclassmen listed at 6-foot-11 or taller, per Bart Torvik, and he is at the top of his game when passing to a driving perimeter player. Ngongba is a big-bodied prospect who can carve out space as one of the most prolific cutters in college basketball. He is on an encouraging development track, displaying year-over-year improvement from his freshman to sophomore campaign.
March Madness is underway and today's college stars have a chance to cement themselves in this summer's NBA draft class. The 2026 draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY's latest mock draft, North Carolina's Henri Veesaar is expected to go in the first round.
Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the center's draft night will play out.
Henri Veesaar 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 29 overall, Cleveland Cavaliers
We have seen a remarkable improvement from Henri Veesaar after transferring from Arizona to North Carolina. The 7-foot big man from Estonia has an excellent shot diet on offense. The All-ACC big man is scoring efficiently at the rim (especially when cutting or rolling) and on 3-pointers, while also holding his own as a rebounder and passer. Any team looking for a big man who can provide NBA minutes on an expedited timeline, like the Cavaliers, will have him high on their priority list.
March Madness is underway and today's college stars have a chance to cement themselves in this summer's NBA draft class. The 2026 draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY's latest mock draft, Arkansas's Darius Acuff Jr. is expected to go in the first round.
Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the guard's draft night will play out.
Darius Acuff Jr. 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 6 overall, Dallas Mavericks
Now led by Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks need to find players who can help Dallas stay competitive on offense and Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. can do exactly that. The SEC Player of the Year is excellently efficient at operating ball screens or in isolation. He leads freshmen for points created per 40 minutes (43.1) either by himself or through an assist, per CBB Analytics. He can score well from either side of the court and is among the freshmen leaders in both alley-oop assists (15) and field goals made in transition (62) this season. There is a reason rival coach Sean Miller thinks this generational guard should have his name in the mix at No. 1 overall.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 10: Luke Kornet #7 of the San Antonio Spurs and Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics talk before the game on March 10, 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
When the Boston Celtics passed through San Antonio on March 10, former teammates Derrick White and Luke Kornet reconnected.
This season, White and his college roommate Alex Welsh launched the White Noise Podcast. Together, they tell stories from their time together at the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs as well as highlighting aspects of White’s professional career.
In this, Episode 24, White and Welsh sat with Kornet at the Spurs practice facility and discussed a variety of basketball topics including Kornet’s moves to San Antonio, playing with Victor Wembanyama, and Luke’s transition away from being a three-point shooter.
Kornet and White have a great rapport, they riff off one another leading to some humorous anecdotes. At one point, White asks Kornet how he feels about losing his starting spot to Victor Wembanyama. The exchange underscores Kornet’s quick wit and self-effacing nature.
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March Madness is underway and today's college stars have a chance to cement themselves in this summer's NBA draft class. The 2026 draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY's latest mock draft, Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg is expected to go in the first round.
Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the forward's draft night will play out.
The Grizzlies could add to their rebuilding core after trading away Jaren Jackson Jr. by selecting Yaxel Lendeborg, who is perhaps the most NBA-ready player in this draft class. The Big Ten Player of the Year offers a bit of everything on both sides of the ball and has silenced skeptics who were unsure how his game would scale after transferring from mid-major UAB to high-major Michigan. The Grizzlies have drafted players with similar trajectories like Jaylen Wells and Cedric Coward.
March Madness is underway and today's college stars have a chance to cement themselves in this summer's NBA draft class. The 2026 draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY's latest mock draft, Michigan's Morez Johnson Jr. is expected to go in the first round.
Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the forward's draft night will play out.
Morez Johnson Jr. 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 25 overall, New York Knicks
Morez Johnson Jr. is one of the best, most underrated two-way players in the NCAA. He is a crucial part of the Michigan identity this season and has thrived since transferring to the Wolverines from Illinois. Johnson's shooting form at the free throw line looks good, and he scores well near the rim, especially when cutting to the basket. The former FIBA U-19 Team USA standout and All-Big Ten big man is a trustworthy defensive playmaker, too, and should find minutes at the next level.
March Madness is underway and today's college stars have a chance to cement themselves in this summer's NBA draft class. The 2026 draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY's latest mock draft, Houston's Kingston Flemings is expected to go in the first round.
Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the guard's draft night will play out.
Kingston Flemings 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 5 overall, Utah Jazz
The Jazz currently have the worst defensive rating in the league but could potentially improve that by selecting Houston freshman Kingston Flemings. The All-Big 12 guard has several games when he has recorded at least three steals, notching eight against Arizona State earlier this season. He scored 42 points against No. 11 Texas Tech on Jan. 24 and had a strong performance against Baylor, recording 21 points with seven assists and two steals on March 4. With highs as high as his thus far, it will not take long for him to hear his name called on draft night.
