The MSG crowd saw more than just a heavyweight fight on Wednesday night.
As the Knicks and the defending champion Thunder duked it out on the court, Mike Brown did something he hasn't done as the head coach of the Knicks. He picked up a technical foul.
Now, Brown has a public persona of being calm, especially during games -- he's no Tom Thibodeau -- but the frustrations with the officiating boiled over for the first-year Knicks coach. And in the first quarter, Brown erupted.
With the Thunder up, 20-18, with two minutes remaining in the first quarter, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shed his defender and drove to the basket, where Jalen Brunson met him. The Knicks captain stood his ground to take a charge, the defending MVP ran through Brunson and finished the play with a bank shot. No foul was called on the play. What made the no-call more significant was that SGA had already committed two personal fouls. A third foul would have put OKC's best player on the bench for a good portion of the first half, and perhaps the result of the game would have been different.
After the game, Brown pointed to the free-throw difference as a major factor in the loss while complimenting SGA's play.
"SGA, he’s a tough cover. He does a great job of convincing the referees -- better than anybody in the league -- that he’s getting hit," Brown said. "Them shooting 84 percent from the free-throw line compared to our 73 percent was a factor throughout the course of the game."
Brown was asked about picking up his first technical foul of the season and why Wednesday night was different for him when it came to the officiating.
"One of the things I wanted to get across to the guys is that we're good enough to win despite whatever the officials are calling out on the floor," Brown explained. "We need to have that mentality.
"Trying to leave the officials alone is something I pointedly tried to do. Tonight, SGA had two fouls and Jalen was there, and he ran him over. Just like the call they made on OG [Anunoby]. I don’t understand why that was a no-call. That should have been his third, the bucket shouldn’t have counted and we should have gone the other way with the basketball. To see that, knowing that Jalen is standing there and he’s putting his body on the line and our guys are fighting their asses off to try to win a ball game, it didn’t sit well with me."
"I’m going to have his back every single night. He has ours," Brunson said of Brown. "Regardless of what he does or the tech he gets, or whatever. I’m going to have his back."
Although both teams shot a similar number of free throws -- OKC had 25 attempts to New York's 22 -- it was the timing and magnitude of the calls that seemed to tip the game in the Thunder's favor.
Another example came in the fourth quarter. Karl-Anthony Towns was having an impressive game, dominating the boards and giving the Knicks offense a lift in spurts. However, he picked up a fifth foul late in the final frame after a Thunder review overturned an out-of-bounds call. Towns then picked up his sixth foul shortly after, trying to guard SGA.
"It’s obviously frustrating. You want to win the game and this one’s tight. You want to win the game and be out there with your teammates," Towns said of his late foul calls. "It’s unfortunate that it was called. After the review, it was called. At the moment, I’m not even thinking of the foul, I’m just thinking about staying locked in at the goal at hand…just go out there, play solid basketball and give us the best chance to win."
Despite Towns being out of the game for the final possessions, the Knicks had a chance to send it into overtime. However, Brunson missed a three and Anunoby missed a wide-open three-pointer of his own after the offensive rebound as time expired.
Brunson said after the game he wished he had his shot back, but when asked about the noticeable mark under his right eye, the Knicks captain said it was a little black eye before ending his availability with a quip.
On Wednesday, Pittsburgh Penguins' GM and POHO Kyle Dubas made clear what his plans are for both Friday's NHL trade deadline and for the foreseeable future.
The Penguins figure to be one of the most interesting teams to watch on deadline day, as they find themselves second in the Metropolitan Division in a season many thought was going to be a lost one. They are near the top of the league in some of the most important categories - including goal differential (plus-29), regulation wins (27), and points percentage (.625) - and they are a legitimately good hockey team with a future that's becoming increasingly bright because of Dubas's asset management and track record with the NHL Draft.
However, they will still be without their best player in Sidney Crosby for a few weeks, and they have the league's most difficult schedule to close out the season. They could use a boost to their roster at the trade deadline, but Dubas made it clear that they are looking for specific types of players.
"In terms of acquisitions, I think where we look is both up front and on defense," Dubas said on the Penguins' 'GM Show' on iHeart Radio. "And I think the ideal acquisition for us will be a player that's in their 20s - closer to their mid-20s - that has some team control. Either they're signed or they are a pending-restricted free agent, or just where they're not a rental.
"That said, if we get closer to Friday, and there's a chance to add to the team with someone who is a rental, we could look at that, too. Everyone looks at the deadline as a time that you have to act, and I think it is."
Dubas also mentioned the Egor Chinakhov acquisition - the Penguins sent a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 third-round pick, and forward Danton Heinen to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Chinakhov - as a blueprint for the type of trade they'd be looking for.
So, with that said, which forwards and blueliners would make sense for the Penguins? Who could fit the "Chinakhov template?"
Unfortunately, for both Perfetti and the Jets, things have not gone as planned this season. Just one year after capturing the President's Trophy as the league's top team in the regular season, the Jets may be lottery-bound, and Perfetti is having a somewhat forgettable year in his fifth season of NHL action.
The 24-year-old forward has a whole lot more potential as an offensive weapon, and a year ago, the Jets' 10th overall pick in 2020 would almost certainly have cost another first. But, with just eight goals and 22 points in 46 games this season in a second-line wing role, his stock has likely gone down.
He hasn't quite lived up to his billing in Winnipeg, and there have been trade rumors surrounding him for a long time. The Penguins might be able to snag the pending-RFA forward in hopes that he can rebound and be re-signed as a key part of their roster for the coming years.
Logan Stanley - Left Defenseman, Winnipeg Jets
Stanley is a towering defenseman at 6-foot-7, 231 pounds, and not only is he unafraid to use his size to his advantage in terms of physicality and reach, he's also a player who finally experienced a bit of a breakout in 2025-26.
He has nine goals and 21 points so far this season, and the left-side blueliner has the defensive toolset that the Penguins should be coveting as well. At 27 years old, he's still young enough to fit the mold of what they're looking for, and he isn't afraid to stand up for his teammates, as he is a bit of an old-schooler in terms of style.
Stanley is a pending-RFA, and he's a guy Winnipeg should want to keep. But it's possible that they sell high on him during what has, by far, been his most productive season as an NHLer.
Yes, the Blue Jackets are in the middle of a race to secure a playoff spot, and they have been one of the hottest teams in hockey for the last several weeks. In fact, they sit just five points behind the Penguins in the Metropolitan Division standings.
But that didn't stop them from making Johnson a healthy scratch on Feb. 28 against the New York Islanders. He has six goals and 18 points in 57 games this season, which is a steep dropoff from last season, when he recorded 24 goals and 57 points in 68 games.
Like Perfetti, he's 24 years old, he was drafted within the top-10 (fifth overall in 2021), he's a natural center who can play effectively on the wing, and he could badly use a change of scenery - not unlike his former-teammate-turned-Penguin in Egor Chinakhov. He is on the books for one more season at $1.8 million.
Simon Nemec - Right Defenseman, New Jersey Devils
Well, Devils' general manager Tom Fitzgerald did say his team would be listening on offers for some of his players, as New Jersey has found itself in the mix for a top-five pick this season. And one of those players is 22-year-old blueliner Simon Nemec.
He surely fits the "reclamation project" mold, as Nemec is still very raw and very much a work in progress. However, he has superstar potential, even if any team may have to be a little bit patient as he develops the defensive side of his game a bit more.
Nemec may the player on this list who would come with the highest acquisition cost, as the Devils will surely want a young scoring winger. Unfortunately, that's not something the Penguins have quite developed at the NHL level yet - other than Ben Kindel, who should be near-untouchable - so they would likely have to overpay and overcompensate for not necessarily having the available assets.
I wrote about Wright recently, and the song remains the same. His biggest issue at the NHL level so far has been consistency, and in his second semi-full NHL season, that might not be the end of the world.
So, it would likely still take a bit of a haul to bring the 22-year-old center to Pittsburgh, as it is rumored Seattle wants an established scoring winger in return. Of course, the Penguins have a few of those - such as Anthony Mantha and Rickard Rakell - but they may be pieces they're not willing to part with in the midst of a playoff run, especially with such a tight locker room.
He has 11 goals and 23 points in 60 games this season - a dropoff from last season - and he doesn't quite seem to fit in Seattle's system. However, he still has a year remaining on his entry-level contract, so they won't be in any hurry to move him unless a good offer comes along.
Zach Whitecloud - Right Defenseman, Calgary Flames
Perhaps the most logical and sensical name on this list is Whitecloud's, even if he is 29.
Whitecloud was traded to Calgary when Rasmus Andersson was sent to the Vegas Golden Knights earlier this season, and he is a right defenseman with some size who is fundamentally very solid - much like a Parker Wotherspoon. He can contribute occasionally on offense with two goals and 11 points in 59 games this season, but his steady defense and physicality are his bread and butter.
He is signed for two more years at $2.75 million AAV, and he is a great option to have as insurance on the right side behind Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang. He would make for a steady, solid bottom-pair defenseman, especially for their stretch run this season, and the acquisition cost shouldn't be terribly high.
For the same reason that Nemec may be made available by the Devils, Mercer is, too. However, he wouldn't cost nearly as much, and he would help fill a pressing need for the Penguins in the short- and long-term.
The 24-year-old has 13 goals and 30 points in 60 games this season, and his positional versatility, high IQ, 200-foot game, and offensive potential are all intriguing. But even if he isn't much more productive than he is at this point, he is a near-perfect third-line center for this team, and it would allow the Penguins to bump Ben Kindel up in the lineup.
He's signed for $4 million through the end of next season, so there is some staying power. The Penguins may be able to unlock more out of a player who already fills a need, and Mercer is someone Dubas should certainly target if he is available.
Braden Schneider - Right/Left Defenseman, New York Rangers
Even if Schneider has the tools to become an effective blueliner, he is largely unproven at this point, and the defensive side of his game could certainly use some work.
He is a pending-RFA, and there is some risk in acquiring a player like him - even if the 6-foot-3, 24-year-old blueliner certainly has a higher ceiling to reach and can play both sides. But this could be a perfect example of a guy who - like Chinakhov - needs a change of scenery and a new system to maximize his raw two-way talent and provide opportunity.
The Penguins shouldn't overpay here, but the Rangers won't sell him off cheap, either. This is a risk v. reward situation for them to weigh, and it could be one where all those second-round picks could come in handy.
Well, if there is a big fish on this list not named Robert Thomas (probably TOO big a fish for the Penguins at the moment), it's Pettersson. And it's no secret why.
Despite having two down years in a row when it comes to production, the 27-year-old is still very much capable of being one of the league's elite centers, and it was only two seasons ago where he was above point-per-game and three seasons ago when he registered 39 goals and 102 points. With only 13 goals and 35 points in 51 games so far in 2025-26 - as well as his $11.6 million cap hit through the 2029-30 season - there's a decent chance that this is the lowest acquisition cost for Pettersson there is going to be.
So, Dubas should be on the phone. This is a player long in dire need of a change of scenery, and the Penguins probably have the assets to pull it off without too much detriment to their future. And, well, he could be a big part of the picture for them.
Pavel Mintyukov - Left Defenseman, Anaheim Ducks
As long as the 22-year-old Mintyukov stays in Anaheim, he will probably be in the shadow of Jackson LaCombe and Olen Zellweger, both of whom have passed him on the depth chart. And it wasn't long ago that Mintyukov was unhappy with his role.
However, his play has elevated throughout the season, and he is now part of a Ducks team that is in the midst of a playoff chase. But he is still getting third-pair minutes, and there are still blueliners such as Ian Moore who will continue to push for playing time.
His puck-moving ability and offensive upside is reason enough to acquire him, as his seven goals and 17 points on the season put him just about on pace to match or surpass his rookie output. Anaheim should want to keep him - especially as they push for the playoffs - but they may still move the pending-RFA for the right price.
And if he is available, he's one of the more intriguing options for the Penguins.
With Nashville down a defenseman, a center and a winger, three call-ups were made Wednesday night following the Nick Blakenburg trade.
According to Nick Kieser of Lower Broad Hockey, LW Reid Schaefer, D Ryan Ukfo and C Fedor Svechkov have all been recalled from the Milwaukee Admirals.
Schaefer has played 27 games in Nashville this season as a rookie, recording four goals and two assists for six points and 13 penalty minutes. In Milwaukee, he has 28 points (15G, 13A) in 31 games and 55 penalty minutes.
This is Ufko's first call-up of the season. He has 44 points (11 goals, 33 assists) in 50 games and 20 penalty minutes. Ufko was the Admirals' lone AHL All-Star and is second in the league in defenseman points.
Svechkov has spent the majority of the season with the Predators, recording nine points (2 goals, 7 assists) in 49 games. He was assigned to the Admirals ahead of the Olympic break. In 10 games in Milwaukee, Svechkov has eight points (5 goals, 3 assists).
D Nick Blakenburg Traded To Colorado Avalanche For 2027 5th Round Pick
🔁TRADE:
We've acquired a fifth-round draft pick in 2027 from Colorado in exchange for defenseman Nick Blankenburg.
The Predators now have 12 picks in the 2027 NHL Draft, four of which are in the third round.
The 27-year-old was in the final season of a 2-year, $1.55 million contract, with him becoming an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. Blankenburg is also the third upcoming UFA that's been traded by the Predators.
Blankenburg is in the midst of the best season of his career, scoring 21 points (6G, 15A) in 49 games and logging just 10 penalty minutes. This is the first season he has not split time between the NHL and AHL since 2022-23, and the first time he has recorded more than 20 points.
The Predators now have nine picks in the 2028 NHL Draft: two in the second and third rounds, one in the first round, and rounds four through seven.
Smith's trade was written on the walls as he played just three seconds in the Predators' 3-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, likely due to the trading rule. Smith was originally scratched alongside McCarron.
This season, Smith had 10 points (6G, 4A) in 41 games and 31 penalty minutes, skating on Nashville's fourth line. He is in the final year of a 2-year, $2 millon contract and will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.
Sedoff, a 24-year-old, 6-foot, 2-inch defenseman, was signed by the Golden Knights to a 3-year, entry-level contract in 2023, worth $2.61 million, which will expire at the end of this season.
Sedoff has yet to play an NHL game, spending three seasons with the Henderson Silver Knights. This season, in 38 games, Sedoff has no goals, four assists and 15 penalty minutes.
The Predators announced McCarron had been scratched prior to Tuesday’s road game against the Blue Jackets due to “roster management purposes.”
Nashville now has eight picks in the 2028 NHL Draft: one first round, two second round and one each in rounds three through seven.
He is in the final year of a 2-year, $1.8 million contract. McCarron will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.
The 31-year-old, 6-foot-6-inch center has played in 59 games this season, recording 5 goals and 7 assists for 12 points. McCarron has also logged a team-high 73 penalty minutes.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jaliya Davis recorded a double-double and No. 11-seed Kansas beat 14th-seeded UCF 56-35 in the opening round of the Big 12 tournament on Wednesday night.
Davis scored 10 points on 5-of-11 shooting and collected 11 rebounds — her third career double-double for the Jayhawks (19-12). They will go on to play sixth-seed Colorado on Thursday.
The Jayhawks broke the game open with a 15-0 run spanning the first and second quarters to jump ahead 24-10, which featured two layups from Davis and back-to-back 3-pointers from Brittany Harshaw and Sania Copeland.
The Knights (11-19) were led in scoring by Jacorriah Bracey, with 10. UCF didn't scored in the final 5:50, and shot 25% (14 of 57) including 11% (2 of 19) from 3-point range.
Up next
UCF: Season over.
Kansas: will play No. 6 seed Colorado on Thursday.
And A.J. Minter was supposed to be a key piece of the Mets bullpen last season after signing a two-year, $22 million deal, but he made just 13 appearances before a lat injury led to season-ending surgery.
Both were back on the mound Wednesday, Scott in a 5-2 win over Team Israel at Clover Park and Minter in a minor league game on a back field.
And the results were encouraging, as Scott hit 96 mph in his 2 ²/₃ scoreless innings, walked none and struck out five in a performance the right-hander had envisioned “for a long time,” he said.
“Probably 18 months,” Scott said. “As soon as I got the surgery, I knew this was on the horizon. It was just about being consistent, keeping up day-to-day. I was thinking of this day for a long time.”
Regardless of how Scott does this spring, it seems likely he’ll open the season with Triple-A Syracuse, since the Mets don’t have any room in the rotation.
Christian Scott throws live batting practice during Spring Training at Clover Field on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Still, Carlos Mendoza called the 48-pitch outing “pretty impressive.”
“It’s been a long road for him and it hasn’t been easy,’’ the manager said. “To go through the rehab process after he had a taste of [the majors] in 2024, when he was really good for us.”
Scott’s command stood out, in particular.
“He attacked,’’ Mendoza said. “One thing from him, he’s not gonna back down.”
Neither is Minter, whom the Mets believe can be an integral part of their new-look relief corps.
“The first one is always the hardest,’’ the lefty said of his return to the mound. “It was good to get back out there and I was happy with the results.”
Mendoza said before Minter’s outing that he could be back in late April or sometime in May.
“This is a guy that’s used to pitching high-leverage,’’ the manager said. “We saw it last year before he went down. With teams nowadays playing the matchups, you want a left-handed pitcher that can get righties and lefties [out].”
As for the rest of the bullpen, Mendoza said with Minter out, it’s not essential that the team carry two lefty relievers, thanks to the presence of newcomers Luke Weaver and Devin Williams.
“We’ve got guys that are platoon-neutral,’’ Mendoza said. “We’re gonna take what we feel is our best guys north with us.”
With the NHL Trade Deadline fast approaching, the Winnipeg Jets appear to be at a crossroads. While several teams around the league are expected to sell off assets, Winnipeg’s recent play may complicate any plans to move key pieces before the deadline.
Much of the trade speculation surrounding the Jets has centered on defenseman Logan Stanley, a pending unrestricted free agent who has been linked to potential deals in recent weeks. However, beyond Stanley, Winnipeg has not been heavily involved in major trade rumors.
According to Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos, fans should not expect anything dramatic from the Jets before the deadline. Speaking Monday, Kypreos said he believes there are “no blockbuster moves coming out of Winnipeg,” adding that the organization is unlikely to move one of its top young assets like Cole Perfetti.
Instead, Winnipeg may be leaning toward keeping its core intact as the team continues to collect points. Since Jan. 6, the Jets have quietly posted a 9-5-6 record. That mark ties them with the Anaheim Ducks and the Minnesota Wild for the 11th-best record in the NHL during that span. The club has also earned points in four consecutive games heading into a difficult matchup Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
How Winnipeg performs in that game and in the days leading up to the deadline could influence its strategy. If the Jets continue to hold their own against top competition, recent reports suggest the team may shift away from selling and instead, they could look to strengthen its lineup.
David Pagnotta: There's interest from the Jets in Shane Wright, they're trying to solidify their second line - The Sheet (1/23)
The club is believed to be interested in adding scoring help to the second forward line while improving its depth offense. That approach could push the Jets toward pursuing a notable addition rather than dealing away pieces.
Whether Winnipeg ultimately sells, stands pat, or attempts to add ahead of the deadline remains to be seen. One thing that is clear is the Jets are not ready to concede the season, and there is belief within the team that it is better than its overall numbers suggest.
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PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 4: Jabari Walker #33 and Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on during the game against the Utah Jazz on March 4, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David DowNBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Tyrese Maxey – 22 Joel Embiid – 9 VJ Edgecombe – 9 Paul George – 6 Jared McCain :’( – 3 Kelly Oubre Jr. – 3 Dominick Barlow – 2 Andre Drummond – 2 MarJon Beauchamp – 1 Adem Bona – 1 Justin Edwards – 1 Quentin Grimes – 1 Trendon Watford – 1 15th roster spot – 1
This will technically count as an NBA game in which the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Utah Jazz 106-102.
The Sixers were very shorthanded. VJ Edgecombe was ruled out for a back contusion after exiting last night’s game just before halftime after falling hard. In addition to the rookie, Joel Embiid (oblique), Paul George (suspension) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (illness) were all also unavailable.
So, Tyrese Maxey and the hospital Sixers against a tanking Jazz squad… unstoppable force versus immovable object? Complete lack of force versus very movable object?
The Sixers led by five at halftime led by a burst of scoring by Jabari Walker with 15 points on perfect 5-for-5 field goal and 4-for-4 long range shooting. Maxey was the other main contributor with 14 points at the break on slightly less efficient shooting. And then, as it always does, the third frame came along. The Sixers let the Jazz — who are basically actively trying to lose basketball games — go on a 10-0 run to start the second half, taking their first lead of the game.
It wasn’t a pretty fourth quarter for either team as the Sixers had to claw their way back from down six late. A win is a win, I suppose.
This game was the second leg of a back-to-back for the Sixers. Now, thankfully, they’ll get a couple of days to rest before their next contest visiting the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night.
Mar 4, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Jabari Walker (33) shoots the ball against the Utah Jazz in the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
The San Antonio Spurs’ demolition of the Sixers on Tuesday night wasn’t good for much, but it might have helped Jabari Walker get into a groove. After putting up 20 points (yes, mostly in garbage time, but still) last night, Walker came into Wednesday’s game red hot — I’m talking perfect shooting through halftime level hot.
Walker came into the game off the bench in the second half of the first frame and immediately got to work, sinking back-to-back triples within a few minutes of taking the floor. He then settled right back into the corner of the arc, pump-faked his way into a drive to the basket and drew a trip to the line. He scored seven points in his first four minutes on the floor to close the first frame. But he wasn’t done — he contributed the Sixers’ first eight points in the second period on two triples and a layup. Fifteen straight Sixers’ points across the end of the first into the beginning of the second came from Walker. At halftime, he had 15 points on perfect 5-for-5 field goal and 4-for-4 three-point shooting.
Not only was Walker racking up some points, but he also was incredibly aggressive on the offensive boards (which led to a few of his points, actually) and played some physical, effective defensive as well.
Walker finished Wednesday with 22 points, 10 rebounds (three offensive), two assists and a block in 28 minutes off the bench.
Sure, it’s just garbage time versus the Spurs and a good performance against a tanking Jazz team, but it’s never a bad thing to get a player moving in a more productive direction… especially for a team that desperately needs more help from its bench like the Sixers do.
Tonight's video goes to Jabari Walker, who put up a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double off the bench for the Sixers. It was his second +20-point performance in just over 24 hours.
<p>(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images
There is a lot of discussion, mainly on social media, judging Tyrese Maxey on his ability to completely carry the Sixers team on his back.
I’m not sure what else he could have done in this one (other than just shoot with more efficiency, but more on that in a second). From the jump, the Jazz went with the defensive strategy of just sticking a double or even triple team on Maxey at all times. Not a bad idea, considering he was really the only shooting threat on paper from the Sixers’ lineup tonight. Even with all of that attention, though, Maxey managed to make it work. He started using his speed and footwork to maneuver through the defense before they could trap him, getting into the paint to find opportunities there and sometimes earning a trip to the line in the process.
His shooting… could have been better. He finished the night just 8-for-22 from the floor and 2-for-10 from long range. That being said, it’s sometimes harder to criticize Maxey when you know in part that the shot selection is him desperately trying to make something happen for the Sixers. You obviously want him to shoot better than 36.4%, but this felt like one of those nights you kind of have to take it with a grain of salt.
All that being said, Maxey finished the night with a team-leading 25 points with two rebounds, six assists, one steal and three blocks.
Tyrese Maxey doing all he can — the three-point play to tie the game, then the defense and assist to retake the lead for Philadelphia. pic.twitter.com/JorrBGVHtM
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 4: Quentin Grimes #5 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket against Ace Bailey #19 of the Utah Jazz in the third quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 4, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Jazz 106-102. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I won’t lie, this was far from the perfect game from Quentin Grimes. He had a few head-scratching-level questionable passes and couldn’t hit at all from long range. He had three turnovers. But, Grimes also stayed aggressive the entire game, and started driving hard into the paint to down under the rim where he was able to achieve a lot more success. Don’t believe me? Take a look at Grimes’ shot chart for this game.
In a game like this… whatever works, I guess!
Grimes had a number of really important points as well, such as four in the last 47 seconds of the game — a lay-up to tie the game at 102 apiece, and then two free throws on the following possession to take a two-point lead for Philadelphia. He finished the game with 16 points (on 7-for-12 field goal shooting), five rebounds (three offensive), two assists and one steal.
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 4: Adem Bona #30 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks the ball during the game against the Utah Jazz on March 4, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It wasn’t a perfect game from Adem Bona, either. To be frank, sometimes it just seems like he cannot grab on to the basketball without it bouncing off of his hands for the life of him. That being said, there aren’t many players that bring the amount of energy to the Sixers that Bona does. Whether it’s getting up for a big block, battling for every board or dunking the ball with all his might, Bona brings an undeniable boost to this Sixers lineup at times.
It was simply a solid night from the backup five (who actually started tonight instead of Andre Drummond in Joel Embiid’s absence). Bona finished the game with 12 points on 6-for-8 shooting from the floor with five rebounds (three offensive), an assist, a steal and a block.
If nothing else, at least enjoy watching this excellent put-back Bona slammed home on a missed Maxey three-point attempt.
GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — Ace Austin scored all of her 14 points in the fourth quarter Wednesday night and Alabama beat Missouri 65-48 in the first round of the SEC Tournament and extend the Tigers' skid.
Alabama (22-9), which had lost back-to-back games and five of six, won its first conference tournament game since 2022. The Crimson Tide plays No. 6 seed Tennessee on Thursday.
Austin hit four 3s in a 12-2 run to open fourth that made it 14-point game with 6:39 remaining and the Tigers got no closer.
Diana Collins scored 13, Ta’Mia Scott finished with 12 points and three blocks, and Essence Cody added 10 points for Alabama. Karly Weathers scored just four points on 1-of-9 shooting, 1 of 8 from 3-point range, but finished with a career-high 16 rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block.
Missouri (16-16) has lost six games in a row. Jordana Reisma led the Tigers with 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting while Grace Slaughter had 11 points and 11 rebounds.
The Tigers hit just 25% and had more turnovers (eight) than made field goals (seven) before the intermission in their lowest-scoring half this season. Alabama made 11 of 34 (32%) from the field and had 10 assists before the break and took a 31-20 lead into halftime.
Then-No. 21 Crimson Tide won 74-63 at Missouri on Jan. 12 and Alabama leads the series 12-9, 2-1 at neutral sites.
The Calgary Flames have acquired defenceman Olli Määttä, prospect centre Jonathan Castagna, and three second-round selections in the 2026 NHL Draft (belonging to the New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, and Utah Mammoth) from Utah. In return, Calgary has traded defenceman MacKenzie Weegar to the Mammoth.
Määttä, a veteran blueliner from Jyväskylä, Finland, brings more than a decade of NHL experience to the Flames’ defensive group. The 31-year-old left-shot defenceman is 6-foot-2 and 207 pounds, and has appeared in 22 games with Utah this season. He is known for his steady defensive play, positioning, and veteran leadership on the back end.
Also joining the organization is centre Jonathan Castagna, a developing prospect currently playing at Cornell University. Castagna is in his third NCAA season and has been a key offensive contributor for Cornell, leading the team in scoring with 14 goals and 18 assists for 32 points through 29 games.
The Flames also receive significant draft capital in the deal, adding three second-round picks in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Bo Bichette is prepared for some hostility from the city of brotherly love.
The Mets’ new third baseman, who spurned the Phillies this offseason to join their National League East rivals, knows the Philadelphia faithful won’t take kindly to his decision — and he’s fine with it.
“If I know Philly fans, probably not the best,” Bichette said Wednesday during an appearance on “Foul Territory” about the type of response he expects to receive during games at Citizens Bank Park.
Bo Bichette signed a three-year, $126 million deal with the Mets this offseason. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“I’ve never been booed by an opposing crowd like that. … I look forward to it. In my opinion, that’s actually pretty cool to experience, so I look forward to it.”
Aside from reuniting with superstar slugger Kyle Schwarber, Bichette would have been the Phillies’ biggest splash of the offseason.
“I can’t say that we ever thought it was done,” Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told reporters about the Bichette negotiations. “We thought we were very close to having a deal done. We thought it was going to happen, but it wasn’t done. There’s a difference between the two.”
Bo Bichette is anticipating plenty of boos from Phillies fans.
After missing out on superstar outfielder Kyle Tucker, the Mets pivoted to Bichette, inking the longtime Blue Jays shortstop to a three-year, $126 million pact with a higher average annual value and multiple opt-outs.
The Phillies’ front office was reportedly “livid” about the deal, with Dombrowski calling it a “gut punch” while a local radio host mocked the Mets as “losers” for swooping in and landing Bichette.
But New York ultimately made the splash, landing last season’s AL batting title runner-up with plans to shift him to third base — a position he has never played professionally.
Any intradivision backlash has taken a backseat this spring as Bichette begins adjusting to the hot corner — a transition he called a “challenge.”
Bichette admitted during his “Foul Territory” interview that he isn’t fully comfortable at his new position yet, but expects that to come with time.
Bo Bichette grounds out in the fourth inning during the Mets’ spring training loss to the Nationals at Clover Field on Feb. 28, 2026, in Port St. Lucie. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“It’s a little weird,” Bichette said of adjusting to third base. “Practice is good, and I’m trying to get to the point where I’m just letting my athleticism take over.
“At the end of the day, you’ve just got to catch the ball and throw to first, but when you play a different position, you start thinking of different ways to make it, things like that, so those are the kind of things I’m working through.”
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Jrue Holiday had 35 points and 11 assists, and Jerami Grant added 30 points as the Portland Trail Blazers snapped a two-game skid with a 122-114 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night.
Portland (30-33), making a push to qualify for the postseason, used a 24-19 scoring edge over the final nine minutes to seal the win. The Trail Blazers had lost three of their last four and four of their last six games entering Wednesday.
Robert Williams III had 20 points and 11 rebounds for Portland. Matisse Thybulle contributed three rebounds, an assist and a steal on his 29th birthday.
The Grizzlies got double-figure scoring from seven players, but it wasn't enough against Portland as they lost their second straight and for the ninth time in 12 games. Memphis was playing the second game of a back to back after falling to Minnesota 117-110 on Tuesday.
Jaylen Wells led the way with 24 points, and GG Jackson added 20 for Memphis. Forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper, who earlier in the day signed a multi-year contract, had 17 points and nine rebounds in his eighth start for the Grizzlies. Jahmai Mashack came off the bench to score 13 points, Cam Spencer scored all 12 of his points in the first half and added seven rebounds and seven assists, while Walter Clayton Jr. added 12 points and Javon Small 11.
Ja Morant missed his 18th straight game for Memphis due to a left elbow injury, and Zach Edey is out for the rest of the year after having surgery on his left ankle earlier in the week.
Up next
Trail Blazers: At the Houston Rockets on Friday.
Grizzlies: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.
The Nashville Predators have dealt a third player in the last 24 hours, sending defenseman Nick Blankenburg to the Colorado Avalanche for a 2027 5th-round draft pick.
The Predators now have 12 picks in the 2027 NHL Draft, four of which are in the third round.
The 27-year-old was in the final season of a 2-year, $1.55 million contract, with him becoming an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. Blankenburg is also the third upcoming UFA that's been traded by the Predators.
Thank you for everything you've done for Smashville, Blanks 🤝
Blankenburg is in the midst of the best season of his career, scoring 21 points (6G, 15A) in 49 games and logging just 10 penalty minutes. This is the first season he has not split time between the NHL and AHL since 2022-23, and the first time he has recorded more than 20 points.
Blankenburg was signed by the Columbus Blue Jackets out of college at the end of the 2021-22 season and played the Columbus's final seven games of the year. He spent three seasons with the Blue Jackets before signing as a free agent with Nashville in the 2024 offseason.
As a Predator, he played in 109 games, recording 10 goals and 27 assists for 37 points.
Nashville Predators trade deadline transactions
March 3
C Michael McCarron traded to Minnesota Wild for 2028 2nd round pick
LW Cole Smith traded to Vegas Golden Knights for 2028 3rd round pick and D Christoffer Sedoff.
March 4
D Nick Blakenburg traded to Colorado Avalanche for 2027 5th round pick
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - FEBRUARY 02: Nick Blankenburg #37 of the Nashville Predators plays the puck. (Photo by Casey Gower/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
We’re less than 48 hours away from the NHL Trade Deadline this upcoming Friday, and the Avs have made another trade a week after acquiring defenseman Brett Kulak from the Pittsburgh Penguins. This time around, Colorado acquired right shot defenseman Nick Blankenburg from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2027 5th-round draft pick.
The 27-year-old Blankenburg will very likely be Colorado’s 7th defenseman for this season, and serve as “break glass in case of emergency” depth, in case the Avs need an NHL-caliber defenseman to slot in for any number of reasons. In 49 games for Nashville this season, Blankenburg has recorded six goals and 15 assists for a total of 21 points this season, and is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer on an expiring $775K contract.
Blankenburg is a good set-and-forget third-pairing defenseman and should be more than fine stepping into the lineup whenever he might be called upon. It is interesting that after a week of hearing how much the Avalanche value big strong and size on the back end that they’d target not only another right hander as well as someone listed at 5-foot-9 and 177 lbs. But the price must have been right and Blankenburg is an affordable depth addition.
As previously mentioned, we’re less than 48 hours before the deadline as of tonight and action has started to pick up around the league. Colorado has yet to address their forward group, which might be next on the docket after seemingly setting their defensive core for the rest of the season.
Observations from Yankees spring training on Wednesday
Big blast
Ben Rice crushed his first home run of the spring, a 412-footer off Red Sox reliever Justin Slaten that came off the bat at 108.8 mph and cut through the wind blowing in from right field.
Yankees first baseman Ben Rice (22) rounds second base after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park at Fenway South. Jim Rassol-Imagn ImagesBen Rice is congratulated by third base coach Luis Rojas after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning of the Yankees’ 4-0 spring training win over the Red Sox at JetBlue Park on March 4, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Bird botch
At first base, Rice made a diving stop to his right to knock down a hard ground ball from Isiah Kiner-Falefa, got to his feet to collect the ball and then flipped to Jake Bird for what should have been an out.
The first base umpire claimed Bird did not actually step on the bag, but it was a strong play by Rice nonetheless.
Caught my eye
With the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth, shortstop Braden Shewmake made a diving catch in shallow left field, then got onto one knee to fire home and throw out the runner trying to tag up from third for the inning-ending double play.
Thursday’s schedule
Paul Blackburn will make his second start of the spring as the Yankees host the Twins on Thursday afternoon at Steinbrenner Field.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Katie Fiso scored 20 points, Ehis Etute had 16 points and 12 rebounds and Oregon defeated Purdue 82-64 in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament on Wednesday night.
Mia Jacobs had 14 points and nine rebounds for 11th-seeded Oregon (21-11).
Lana McCarthy had 14 points and nine rebounds before fouling out, and Hila Karsh and Tara Daye each scored 11 points for Purdue (13-17), the 14th seed.
Etute scored eight points in the first quarter and the Ducks led 21-12 after one.
In the second, the Boilermakers had a seven-minute stretch in which they missed all 10 of their shots. Oregon’s lead ballooned to 47-24 at halftime.
After shooting 24% and scoring only 24 points in the first half, Purdue shot 73% in the third quarter and scored 25 points. The Ducks shot only 25% in the third quarter but still led 64-49 heading to the fourth.
Oregon shot 47% in the first half and held on despite shooting only 33% after halftime.
The Ducks and Boilermakers met barely a week ago, on Feb. 25, with Oregon winning 71-65 at Purdue.
Up next
Oregon plays No. 6-seed Maryland on Thursday with the winner moving on to play third-seeded Michigan in the quarterfinals.
