South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said on social media Saturday that the school is working to try and help a few former players return home from Israel where they are playing professionally.
The trio of former Gamecocks — Tiffany Mitchell, Destiny Littleton and Mikiah Herbert Harrigan — as well as other former WNBA players are playing basketball in Israel, which along with the United States, launched a major attack on Iran on Saturday.
“Please pray for our @GamecockWBB @TiffMitch25 @2121Mikiah @dstnylttltn24 who are in a war zone in Israel,” Staley said on X. "We are working a plan to get home. Let us pray for our loved ones to return home safely asap! Thank you in advance.”
Mitchell played last season in Seattle, while Harrigan was on the Phoenix Mercury. Other players in the Israeli league with WNBA ties include Victoria Vivians, Christyn Williams, Shyanne Sellers, Arella Guirantes and Evina Westbrook.
“It’s 12:48 am and I’m going to attempt to get some sleep,” Littleton tweeted. “Prayers for safety for everyone impacted.”
SANDY, Utah (AP) — Teenager Aiden Hezarkhani scored his first career goal, Ariath Piol scored early in the second half and Real Salt Lake continued to dominate the Sounders at home with a 2-1 victory on Saturday.
Real Salt Lake (1-1-0) improves to 14-1-4 when the Sounders (1-1-0) visit America First Field. Seattle hasn't won in Sandy since winning a U.S. Open Cup match in 2016.
Hezarkhani staked Real Salt Lake to a 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute, scoring with assists from defender Juan Manuel Sanabria — in his league debut — and Luca Moisa. Hezarkhani, 18, played 57 minutes in two appearances last season.
Piol made it 2-0 two minutes into the second half with assists from 18-year-old Zavier Gozo and defender Philip Quinton. Piol had a goal and two assists in 24 appearances as a rookie last season. Quinton's assist was his first in 50 career appearances. Gozo's assist was his first this season and fourth in 29 career appearances.
Seattle cut its deficit to a goal when Cristian Roldan took a pass from Albert Rusnák and found the net in the 62nd minute.
That was it for the Sounders in their first match since learning Jordan Morris would miss 4-to-6 weeks with a quad injury he suffered eight minutes into a season-opening 2-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids in Seattle.
Rafael Cabral saved eight shots for Real Salt Lake as the 35-year-old begins his second season in the league.
Andrew Thomas finished with two saves for the Sounders as mainstay Stefan Frei moves into a backup role.
Dec 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Ryan Nembhard (9) drives to the basket around Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Dallas is set to host the West-leading Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, their final home game before playing eight of their next nine games on the road.
OKC is fresh off a hard-fought OT victory against conference foes Denver, while Dallas is coming off an equally crucial matchup against Memphis, and it’s safe to say both teams were pretty happy with the outcomes of their last games.
This matchup should prove to be a much easier walk for both teams to get where they’d like to go, as Oklahoma has defeated Dallas twice already this season, the last victory coming in the form of a 21-point drubbing back in early December. Though with Dallas owning the Thunder’s first this season (currently the 29th pick as Detroit has the league’s best winning percentage), Thunder losses should also be of interest to Mavs fans with an eye towards the future
Flaggless in Dallas
Even in a season where the goal isn’t to compete for a championship, or even a postseason birth for that matter, when you have a player like Cooper Flagg put together a historic rookie performance, there’s still reason for engaged viewing. It’s unlikely that Flagg, who’s been out of action since the All Star break with a foot injury, will return to the floor quite yet. He’s officially a game-time decision as of this writing.
That’s all well and good, but for fans’ sake, hopefully at least some of the younger core will be back in action after nearly all of them were out for the Memphis game. With no Flagg and Derek Lively out for the season, the only young guys Mavs fans have to watch in hopes of future development are the recently re-signed Ryan Nembhard and perhaps Marvin Bagley, should the Org see fit to keep him around after this season.
A perfect storm
For a team like Oklahoma City, going 6-and-4 over their last 10 games is a bout as close to a “slump” as you’re going to get. Comparing the team’s performance in wins and losses over those games, it’s actually remarkable how little difference there is in how the Thunder perform, suggesting that Thunder losses are more about opponent overperformance than their own underperformance. Field goal attempts, rebounds, free throw attempts are all about equal between wins and losses for Oklahoma City.
About the only notable difference is, in their wins, the Thunder take fewer threes and shoot about 8% better from the floor, and their opponents score about 108 points versus scoring just 115 in games they lose.
So I suppose the blueprint for beating the Thunder is to try and catch them on an off shooting night where they’re settling for more threes and hope your own team gets a little hot. Otherwise, good luck to you.
About the on
Dwight Powell, Mr. Maverick
They’ll never make me hate you, Dwight Powell. From Rondo-trade throw-in, to putting up historically efficient offensive numbers (his 2021-22 season is second all-time for Ortg), to a guy who has survived every roster shakeup since the Nowitzki era. He’s gotten to where he is by never trying to do more than he was capable of, filling a specific role, and being the ultimate team-first kind of guy. Who is more deserving to just go out there and run amok for a while? Powell’s three-point shooting experiment ended after 2018-19 (a big reason his offensive efficiency spiked after that), and the most he’s taken in a season since then is 39. Fewer than one attempt every two games. He’s had five or fewer the past three seasons, on only three so far this year. Let him shoot. He should work to surpass his season’s worth of three-point attempts in a single game. Also, I want to see if Adam Silver considers letting Dwight Powell shoot seven threes in a game worthy of a fine for anti-competitive practices.
How to watch/listen
You can watch the game at 7:00 pm on KFAA Channel 29 or MAVS TV (streaming), or listen at 97.1FM KEGL (English), and 99.1FM KFZO (Spanish).
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 26: Jonathan Kuminga #0 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts during the third quarter against the Washington Wizards at State Farm Arena on February 26, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After a lengthy saga, Jonathan Kuminga was finally traded from the Golden State Warriors to the Atlanta Hawks at the trade deadline in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis. In his first game with the Hawks a 119-98 win over Trae Young’s Washington Wizards, Kuminga logged 27 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals in 24 minutes. Considering how tumultuous his time with the Warriors was, this was great to see — especially because Kuminga is only 23 years old, and the sky is the limit for the young forward. Kuminga started off so promising for Golden State, so it’s great to see that a change of scenery seemed to help his game.
On his podcast, Draymond Green had this to say:
“Incredible, incredible game.
JK was just getting out and running. [When the Hawks are] hitting him in transition, he gets to it. Once he gets downhill and he gets dunks, then the three-ball starts falling…Just a beautiful game and I’m happy to see it.
I actually talked to him the night before on FaceTime. I’m like, “Man, when are you playing?” He’s like, “I’m at it tomorrow, big bro. I’m back tomorrow night.” I’m like, “Let’s get it.” And, you know, the young fella came out with 27 [points]. What a great debut. Happy to see him playing. Happy to see him smiling.”
With a new young core emerging for the Hawks following Trae Young’s departure to the Washington Wizards, there’s a chance that Kuminga may thrive in a starting role, or at least lead the bench mob.
“I just want to see the young fella keep it going,” Green said. “I know he will. Just continue to get better man. Take advantage of the opportunity. New beginnings don’t come around often, so you’ve got to take advantage of them when you get them.”
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Timo Werner assisted on a goal in his MLS debut on Saturday night and the San Jose Earthquakes beat Atlanta United 2-0.
Preston Judd and Ousseni Bouda each scored a goal for San Jose.
Judd gave San Jose a 1-0 lead in the 24th minute. Following an Atlanta turnover in its defensive half, Jamar Ricketts raced to the left corner of the 18-yard box and lobbed a cross to the front post, where Judd skipped a header into the net.
Werner, a 29-year-old forward acquired in late January, made his MLS debut when he subbed on for Judd in the 61st minute and quickly made an impact.
On the counter-attack in the 79th minute, Werner played a cross from the right side to a charging Bouda for a half-volley finish from point-blank range that made it 2-0.
The Earthquakes (2-0-0) had just 45% possession but outshot Atlanta 13-8, 6-1 on target.
Daniel De Sousa Britto — known simply as “Daniel” — had a save and recorded his second consecutive shutout.
Lucas Hoyos had four saves for Atlanta (0-2-0). The 36-year-old Hoyo replaced 41-year-old Brad Guzan, who retired at the end of last season after making 225 appearances over the club’s first nine MLS seasons.
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 28: Jamal Shead #23 of the Toronto Raptors plays defense during the game against the Washington Wizards on February 28, 2026 at Capital One Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Washington Wizards returned home on Saturday for a contest against the Toronto Raptors. Washington led by three at halftime but succumbed to Toronto’s second-half surge in its 134-125 loss.
Washington made five of its first eight 3-pointers to begin the game and shot 7-13 from deep in the opening quarter. Jamir Watkins, who didn’t play in the Wizards’ 126-96 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday, made his first two triples, as did Jaden Hardy, who bounced back after a 5-for-19 shooting display in his last showing.
Bilal Coulibaly starred in the first half, tallying 11 points, four rebounds and four assists, all of which were team highs at the time. The Raptors trimmed Washington’s 13-point advantage to just three at halftime, with the score 64-61 entering the second half.
Kyshawn George continued his perfect shooting by knocking down a 34-foot three before dunking through contact on the ensuing offensive possession to give him 14 points on 5-for-5 shooting. But George missed his next two shots, and as he cooled off, so did the Wizards.
Will Riley made some nifty passes in the third quarter to pull Washington back, but Toronto’s improved effort gave it a 98-92 lead entering the final frame.
The Wizards rested four of their five starters — George, Coulibaly, Bub Carrington and Tre Johnson — for the entire fourth quarter as the Raptors pulled away. Johnson (ankle sprain) and George (knee contusion) were on minutes restrictions, coach Brian Keefe said pregame.
Washington competed for four quarters for the first time in four games, but it wasn’t enough as they fell to the Raptors, 134-125. Riley scored a team-high 19 points on 6-10 FG.
Feb 28, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra reacts against the Houston Rockets during the second quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Signs of life against another Florida team might have been premature. The Rockets were largely outsmarted today by the Heat. You might say Miami nightlife is undefeated, and that playing at 3:30 in the afternoon was never going to work out well for the young Rockets, but there might have been a little more on display today than that. Or a lot less.
What I mean by that is, over the Rockets past 20 games, roughly 1/4 of an NBA season, and 1/3 of the games they’ve played so far, the team has an NBA average number of points or above, about 114 points, exactly five times. One was an overtime game they lost to the 76ers. But let’s count it. That means the Rockets did not reach NBA average scoring in 75% of those games. The other teams against whom they exceeded average, just average, scoring: Indiana, New Orleans, Utah and Sacramento. Those are all terrible teams, two are tanking deliberately and those teams have managed 65 combined wins this season, with none of them above 18.
Looked at another way, the Rockets have managed to break NBA average scoring exactly one time, or in 5% of their games, in the past 20, against a decent NBA opponent. Once.
That’s, frankly, inadequate offense.
You might want to blame this on the players, and to an extent it’s true, I think. You might want to blame it on the style of play, and the utter lack of offensive structure or purpose. I’d apportion that blame 25% Players 75% Coaching and Approach. Your view may differ and you are most welcome to it. There’s no guarantee I’m right.
The most positive thing for the Rockets long term, though, is that I am right. If the players are the heart of the problem, the future of the Rockets as a legitimate contender is in deep trouble. Unless more development occurs. It’s hard to see offensive development at the moment, as many of the young Rockets have flatlined, or declined as offensive players under Ime Udoka. You can blame them for their own decline, that’s certainly one approach. One I disagree with.
Why was 20 year old Alperen Sengun a more efficient player under Stephen Silas of all people? In Silas’ last season Sengun had a 60 True Shooting Percentage. It declined slightly in Udoka’s first season to 59% (rounding up both times). Now it seems stuck at 55% over the past two seasons, and currently falling. Why isn’t a maturing player getting better? Character flaw? Laziness? What changed? It’s a general rule of thumb that players tend to get better until around age 26-28. That isn’t happening. It’s not happening with most of them. Why?
It’s easy enough to blame the players, until you realize that even with one of the all time scoring greats, playing very well, the Rockets, as a team, have not broken average scoring against any but essentially the absolute weakest of NBA teams for 95% of the past 20 games, amounting to 1/3 of their season. Is the whole team at fault, individually, as bad players? Or is it something else? Because that’s simply woeful offensive output. One player playing more hasn’t fixed it. Why? In my view, because the problem is systemic.
On to today’s version of “Lather, Rinse, Repeat”.
The Rockets play two games against Miami every season. You can almost set your clock to them being outsmarted by the Heat in one of those games. Lately, despite a recent Finals appearance, Miami has been good, not great, or even below average. That’s something you might very well blame on their players, or rather the talent level, as they are never poorly coached. But they are awake. Miami’s front office, and their head coach Eric Spoelstra,seem capable of seeing the team’s flaws, and taking steps to fix them.
Miami hired former Memphis lead assistant, and Ja Morant casualty, Noah LaRoche to teach them his motion, largely pick and roll free, offense. This, to me, was Spoelstra’s recognition that his approach simply wasn’t producing enough points. Has it worked? In a word, yes. Miami is averaging above the NBA average of 114 points per game, at 119. Last season, with essentially the same crew, minus norm Powell, they scored 110 on average. It might be just due to Powell, but seeing how many times that offense mismatched the Rockets without a pick, I’m dubious. In my view, due to positive coaching action, their offense is far better. A talent problem still remains if a team’s best player is Bam Adebayo.
I would argue that Miami boasts a lot less talent than the Rockets. Yet, once again, the Rockets got outsmarted and outplayed by the Heat. Sure, the Rockets have injuries, and it’s fair to mention it. But in the 4th quarter the Rockets simply got stonewalled by a zone defense. Again. They had no answer except to charge into 2-4 defenders and put up a terrible shot, over and over and over. This lead to predictably bad results, minus HoF player Kevin Durant, who took, but made, similarly awful shots.
There are ways to beat a zone. Good high school teams have zone buster sets, and attacks. The Rockets appear to lack any such thing. Still if the zone defense is good, and Miami’s is very good, and mobile, then there are certain things that must happen to break it.
One is, get behind it with baseline cuts, and player movement without the ball into the back of the zone, and either shoot, or pass it out when the zone reacts by converging at the rim.
Nope, the Rockets didn’t do that. Nobody moves.
Another is to overload the zone, and either find a screen for a shot in the overload, or whip the ball back to the non overloaded side that could be open.
No. Again, no player movement from the Rockets, they just stand, “spaced out” watching a one on four attack. Why the team stands around like that, as there isn’t a player really capable of a drive and kick attack most of the time (I include Reed, Amen AND Fred VanVleet in this assessment) baffles me.
Another is to set up a distributor in the middle of the paint, and have players cut into or out of the zone. The idea is to force coverage of the player in the paint, and then catch the zone out of position with passes out, or attacks by that player.
Nah. That speaks to purpose. Of recognizing a likely problem, and having a solution ready. Miami’s “go to” change up is always a zone defense of some sort. The waited around in a close game, until the 4th quarter, then went to it and choked the Rockets out. The Rockets managed a losing 22 points in the 4th.
Another is to attack the rim, and then kick the ball to shooters, or cutters, having, again, pulled the zone out of shape and forced help.
Well, the Rockets certainly attacked into the teeth of the zone. They didn’t pass out, and no one moved, cut, or followed those attacks. They stood around waiting for offensive rebounds, as if those, rather than baskets, were the goal. (There are other zone breaking methods, of course, but rest assured, we saw none of those, either.)
The good news is that the Rockets lost their lead in the 3rd quarter, late. So they did not add a 12th blown 4th quarter lead to their already commanding 11 blown 4th quarter leads. Nice to be far out ahead of the pack of literally any good NBA team in something, right? (Pelicans are next with 9 such blown leads. The average is about 4.)
This looked like most other Rockets losses. The defense holds yet another opponent below NBA average points, but loses because the Rockets themselves can barely break 100 points against all but the worst of the NBA.
I wish I had more sunshine for you, but that’s what I’m seeing. With no change in sight, and no recognition, at least publicly, that change is needed. The Rockets have enough raw talent to hang around third in the Western Conference. But they could be so much more.
Philadelphia center Joel Embiid, who has already missed 28 games this season, will miss at least three more after an MRI revealed an oblique strain, the team announced Saturday.
Embiid was bothered by his oblique during Thursday night's win over Miami, even going back to the locker room for a short stint after being hit by Kel'el Ware. Embiid returned to the game and hit a clutch 3-pointer in the final minute, but did not speak to reporters after the game (and coach Nick Nurse had no update on his condition.
Embiid had played in the 76ers' last two games after missing the previous five with knee and shin issues. When he has played, he has been brilliant this season, averaging 26.6 points and 7.5 rebounds a game. Philadelphia, currently the No. 6 seed in the East (1.5 games ahead of Orlando and the play-in), and it needs a healthy Embiid to have a shot to pull off an upset in the playoffs.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Myles Colvin scored 32 points on a near-perfect shooting effort and Wake Forest rallied in the second half to defeat Syracuse 88-83 on Saturday night.
Colvin made seven of eight 3-pointers and his only 3-point miss came with 1:22 remaining in the game. He shot 9 of 12 overall and was 7 for 7 at the free-throw line.
Tre’Von Spillers scored 16 for Wake Forest (15-14, 6-10 ACC) and Juke Harris added 13. Off the bench, Cooper Schwieger scored 11 points and Sebastian Akins added 10 points.
Donnie Freeman scored 28 points and Nate Kingz 20 for Syracuse (also 15-14, 6-10). Naithan George had 13 points and 10 assists, and Sadiq White Jr. scored 12 off the bench.
The Orange trailed 14-13 before they buried seven 3-pointers in the final 12-plus minutes of the first half. They made 10 of 18 from beyond the arc in the first half and led 46-42 at halftime. They made only 3 of 8 from deep in the second half.
Syracuse's largest lead of the second half was 56-49 five minutes after halftime before Wake Forest began to rally. Near the 11-minute mark Colvin drained a 3 that began a near nine-minute stretch in which the Deacs made 10 of 11 shots, including eight in a row.
Still, a driving layup by Freeman had Syracuse within 84-80 in the final minute, but an offensive rebound and putback by Schwieger gave Wake Forest a six-point margin with 30 seconds left.
Up next
Syracuse: The Orange visit No. 24 Louisville on Tuesday and finish the regular season with a home game against Pitt on Saturday.
Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons visit No. 11 Virginia on Tuesday and host Cal on Saturday.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to snap their two-game losing streak as they finish off their three-game road trip against the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday afternoon.
Cleveland has lost their last two games without the services of either Donovan Mitchell (groin) or James Harden (thumb). They will still be without Mitchell, but Harden could be making his return to the lineup.
The Nets are a good team to break a losing streak against. They’ve lost seven in a row and have made it clear that they aren’t trying to win games at this point in the season. We’ll see if the Cavs can take advantage of that.
TV: FanDuel Sports Network – Ohio, FanDuel Sports Network App, NBA League Pass
Point spread: Cavs -11
Cavs injury report: Donovan Mitchell – OUT (groin), James Harden – QUESTIONABLE (thumb), Dean Wade – OUT (ankle), Keon Ellis QUESTIONABLE (left index finger fracture), Max Strus – OUT (foot), Riley Minix – OUT (G League)
Nets injury report: Nick Claxton – QUESTIONABLE (thumb), Egor Demin – (foot), Tyson Etienne – OUT (G League), Chaney Johson – OUT (G League), E.J. Lindell – OUT (G League), Drake Powell – OUT (G League)
Cavs expectedstarting lineup: Dennis Schroder, Sam Merrill, Jaylon Tyson, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
Nets expected starting lineup: Nolan Traore, Egor Demin, Noah Clowney, Michael Porter Jr. Nic Claxton
Jan 24, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Ryan Nembhard (9) controls the ball in front of Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the second quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Dallas Mavericks gave point guard Ryan Nembhard a well-deserved chance after leading the NCAA in assists per game with 9.8 during his senior season with the Gonzaga Bulldogs. He finished with a school record 325 total assists in 2024-25.
After proving his worth in the NBA on a two-way contract and splitting his time with the G League’s Texas Legends, Nembhard has signed a two-year contract (per Todd Ramasar and Jaafar Choufani of Life Sports Agency). It will be a standard NBA contract that includes a team option for the 2026-27 season. Veteran guard Tyus Jones was waived to create the roster spot.
Nembhard brought a spark to coach Jason Kidd’s team when he was with the big club, averaging 9.9 points on a 44.4 three-point shooting percentage and 6.1 assists per game in 17 starts for the Mavericks. That included three double-double performances.
He will be a key piece of the rotation in Dallas and a favorite to play alongside the face of the franchise, forward Cooper Flagg.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho
NEW YORK (AP) — Iron Horse won the $300,000 Gotham by a length Saturday to earn Kentucky Derby qualifying points.
Ridden by Manny Franco, Iron Horse ran a mile in 1:37.94 and paid $3.88 to win as the 4-5 favorite in the field of eight.
Iron Horse earned 50 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby on May 2.
“He fought hard,” Franco said. “The other horse, I’ve got to give a little credit to, but I knew that my horse had enough to get it done.”
Crown the Buckeye was second and earned 25 qualifying points. Right to Party was another 6 1/2 lengths back in third and earned 15 points. Exhibition Only was fourth and earned 10 points, while Balboa got five points for finishing fifth.
Trainer Chad Brown said Iron Horse would remain in New York and be pointed toward the $750,000 Wood Memorial on April 4. The colt improved to 2-0 in his career. He is a son of 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist.
“Race by race, he’s still learning,” Franco said. "This was just his second start and I’m just happy to be on him.”
The 74th edition of the Gotham marked its final running at Aqueduct before it moves to the newly redesigned Belmont Park next year.
Feb 24, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson talks to referee Suyash Mehta (82) during the second half against the New York Knicks at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
At the same time, they were on the wrong end of several critical calls that ended up costing them the game, according to the league’s Last Two Minute Report.
The league admitted that there were four incorrect calls in the last two minutes of regulation and the last two minutes of overtime. Three of the missed calls benefited Detroit and played a large role in them coming away with the win. Let’s review each of these missed calls.
First, Jaylon Tyson’s turnover with just under two minutes left that helped spur Detroit’s comeback shouldn’t have happened. A review of the play indicates that Jalen Duran fouled Jarrett Allen when he attempted to make the pass.
Here is the league’s comment for the missed call: “Duren’s (DET) hand slides off the ball and initiates contact with Allen’s (CLE) wrist, affecting his ability to make his intended pass. The illegal contact causes the errant pass.”
The Cavs were firmly in control of the game at this time, and Cade Cunningham had just fouled out. If this is called on Duran, as it should’ve been, then the game probably ends in a much more anticlimactic way.
The second incorrect call forced Allen to miss the rest of the fourth quarter and overtime. Allen was whistled for a shooting foul against Duran, which led to free throws with 48 seconds remaining.
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The report states: “Allen (CLE) makes contact with the ball and legally blocks Duren’s (DET) shot attempt at the basket.”
This missed call cost the Cavs the most. It meant that they had to play the rest of the game without their best player that evening, and the Pistons received two points in what should’ve been an empty possession. This call was the one that the Cavs’ locker room most vocally disagreed with afterward, even though Allen took the high road.
“You know, everybody’s biased, I don’t think so,” Allen said when asked afterward if he felt the block on Duren was a foul. “But obviously the refs have different angles, so I’m not going to complain about it.”
The Cavs weren’t able to challenge this missed call since they had already won two challenges earlier in the game. However, if this play had been reviewed, the officials would’ve likely overturned the call on the floor. It was pretty clear that Allen didn’t foul Duren.
The third missed call was the only one that benefited the Cavs.
Cleveland shouldn’t have been awarded the ball when Marcus Sasser knocked the ball out of Tyson’s hand shortly after he came down with an offensive rebound off of Craig Porter Jr.’s missed free throw with under 10 seconds left in regulation.
The report states: “Sasser (DET) cleanly dislodges the ball from Tyson (CLE) and Tyson is the last player to touch the ball before it goes out of bounds. Possession should be awarded to the Pistons.”
This missed call gave Evan Mobley a chance to win the game at the line. If he made both, it would’ve been a two-possession game, but he split them, giving Detroit a chance to tie the game on their final possession.
The last errant call happened at the end of overtime. Sam Merrill should’ve been awarded three free throws after Sasser closed out too hard while trying to contest a potential game-tying three with 18 seconds in overtime.
The report states: Sasser (DET) contests Merrill’s (CLE) jump shot attempt and initiates illegal lower-body contact following the release of the shot attempt.
This was the most egregious missed call of the four. I’m not sure how this wasn’t called a shooting foul at the time. Sasser wrongly went under the screen and closed out way too hard. This is a foul at every level of basketball.
It’s worth noting that the league agreed with the call on the floor that Daniss Jenkins was attempting a half-court shot when Tyson intentionally fouled him at the end of regulation. The report says that Jenkins was in the upward shooting motion when Tyson contacted him.
The Cavs had chances to win this road game, and still should’ve even though these calls went against them. However, if any of the three missed calls that went against the Cavs were called correctly on the floor, the outcome of this game would’ve been different.
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Tramon Mark had 23 points and Dailyn Swain added a double-double in Texas' 76-70 win over Texas A&M on Saturday afternoon.
Swain finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds in posting his seventh double-double this season for the Longhorns (18-11, 9-7 Southeastern Conference). Jordan Pope scored 16 and Matas Vokietaitis added 14.
The Aggies (19-10, 9-7) were led by Rashun Agee with 22 points and eight rebounds. Marcus Hill totaled 17 points and eight rebounds, while Pop Isaacs scored 14.
Texas shot 44% (27 of 62) from the field and 94% (15 of 16) from the free-throw line. Texas A&M shot 38% (23 of 60) from the field.
The Longhorns led early in the first half, but the Aggies responded with an 11-0 run to take their first lead of the game, 24-20 with 5:43 to play in the half, and went into the break up 30-29. Texas regained the lead off its first bucket in the second half and continued to push ahead.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Kelvin Yeboah's rebound goal and Drake Callender's four saves gave Minnesota United FC a 1-0 win over Cincinnati FC on Saturday.
Callender made a host of key saves for Minnesota (1-1-0, 4 points), including a leaping save on a shot from Obinna Nwobodo in the 71st minute.
Roman Celentano also saved four shots for Cincinnati (1-0-1, 3 points), including two in the span of three minutes early in the second half.
Cincinnati had five corners in the first 25 minutes.
There were 11 added minutes after a lengthy head injury evaluation of Cincinnati captain Michael Boxall, who exited in the 77th minute for Devin Padelford.
The 2025 MLS MVP Evander, who exited the opener against Atlanta with a hamstring injury, did not play after entering Saturday as questionable.
Minnesota's star acquisition, Columbia international James Rodríguez, is yet to debut.
The 20-degree temperature at kickoff was the coldest in FC Cincinnati's MLS history.
Up next
Cincinnati: Will host Toronto FC next Sunday.
Minnesota: Travels to face Nashville SC on Saturday.
