The California trip got off to a thud of a start with a 5-1 loss in Anaheim as the Islanders could not get much going and could not finish nor get better looks against the Ducks’ backup-backup goalie.
Ville Husso made 42 saves, but the game really turned in the first period as the Islanders gave up three quick goals, the first one on a Ducks power play, to erase the Anders Lee power play goal that opened scoring.
Trailing 3-1 going into the first intermission, the Isles outshot Anaheim 13-4 in the second period (though that looks more lopsided than it was) but still couldn’t get back on the board.
When Ryan Poehling scored early in the third to make it 4-1, that was about it. With Mathew Schaefer’s regular partner Ryan Pulock out, Poehling’s goal was another occasion where Schaefer and Scott Mayfield were not in sync heading back to the D zone, though Calum Ritchie was the guiltiest party leaving Poehling all alone in front with time to beat David Rittich.
As Anders Lee said, they need to wipe this one away quickly because they play again Thursday night in L.A. They banked some runway with their three comeback wins coming out of the Olympic break and five-game win streak overall, but they need to get something from the next two games against Western wild card chasers.
NEW YORK — Chet Holmgren knew that, for the Oklahoma City Thunder, it could’ve gone the other way.
Minutes before he tried to fit his 7-foot-1 frame into a padded folding chair here at Madison Square Garden, his team escaped with a 103-100 win Wednesday, March 4 over the Knicks that didn’t come without drama.
New York whittled an eight-point deficit inside the final three minutes, eventually putting up a pair of clean looks inside the final six seconds with the chance to tie the game. The first shot was long — the second one, short.
And so, the Thunder outlasted New York in another reminder that, for Oklahoma City, things won’t come easy.
“We made enough plays down the stretch on both ends to close it out,” Holmgren told reporters. “They made some plays, too — they just didn’t quite convert. If they do, it’s a different-looking game.”
This Thunder team isn’t nearly as dominant as the one that won the championship last season. For one, Oklahoma City already has more losses (15) than it did last year (14), with 18 games still remaining. For another, points are more difficult to come by; this season’s Thunder ranks seventh in offensive rating, scoring 116.9 points per 100 possessions, after it ranked third in the league (119.2) last year.
Ultimately, it may not matter. The Thunder (49-15) remain the best team in the NBA and are a legitimate threat to become the first team to repeat as NBA champions since the Warriors did so in 2018. This is only magnified when you consider that they’ve done all this despite being saddled with injury issues since training camp.
Jalen Williams, an All-Star last season, has played just 26 games and is currently out with a strained right hamstring. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just returned from a nine-game absence. Center Isaiah Hartenstein has played just 35 games, and he left the Knicks game Wednesday midway through the third quarter with left calf tightness. Alex Caruso (left hip contusion) was also knocked out.
But as they have all season long, role players filled in.
“We’re a pretty deep team,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after the game. “With the injuries we’ve gone through this year, for us to still be in the mix for the top seed in the league and in the West is pretty impressive.”
Against the Knicks, third-year guard Cason Wallace started his 51st game of the season. He was the primary defender on Knicks All-Star Jalen Brunson and swiped 4 steals on the night. Veteran forward Kenrich Williams played just 6:13 in the game — all in the fourth quarter — and hit a big 3 early in the period that quieted a New York run.
“It just speaks to the guys that have had to step up, like Isaiah Joe, Cason — the past few weeks have transformed their game and have shown what they can be as basketball players in big roles,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Guys like myself come back and kind of diminish their role and it’s a little bit unfair. Hats off to those guys for doing whatever the team asks from them, literally. If the team asks them to do more, they do more. If the team asks them to do less, they do less.
“To win a championship, no matter how good your best players are, you need to have those guys on your team. We know that, and we’re thankful for them, for sure.”
Prior to Wednesday night’s game, Williams went through an extended shootaround session in which he moved with ease and didn’t appear hampered whatsoever. He was loose, he joked with Gilgeous-Alexander, and he laced shot after shot.
If he can stay on the floor, he’ll provide a massive boost for the Thunder on both sides, especially late in games. Williams earned All-Defensive second-team honors last season and his shot creation in the NBA Finals helped the Thunder close the Pacers.
Yet, the final 18 games of the regular season will test this team more than any stretch since winning the title. According to Tankathon.com, the Thunder have the NBA’s third-toughest remaining schedule (.535), and Oklahoma City only has a 3½-game lead on the Spurs for the top seed in the West.
And if the Thunder are to retain the No. 1 seed, it will be because of games like these — games against great teams, on the road in iconic venues — games in which the Thunder are shorthanded, for them to pave the foundation to get there.
“I don’t have pixie dust,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “It’s those guys. They’re the ones executing. They’ve got the competitive maturity at this point to understand how to win. That doesn’t mean we’ll win every game, but they understand the path you have to walk through.
“Their ability to click in the way they did tonight is a necessary skill. And it’s great for us to get experiences like this — and have success in those experiences. That’s how you build your muscle through the course of the regular season to make yourself as mentally tough as you can be.”
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 29 points, Bennedict Mathurin scored 23 on 8-for-11-shooting, and the Los Angeles Clippers won their third in a row, 130-107 over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night.
Brook Lopez had 17 points for the Clippers while Darius Garland had 12 in his first home game since being acquired in a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers last month.
Pascal Siakam had 29 points in his return after sitting out three games with a left wrist sprain to lead Indiana, but the Pacers lost their seventh in a row and fell to the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with a 15-47 record.
Jay Huff had 18 and was 4 of 8 on 3-pointers, and Jarace Walker finished with 17.
The Clippers led 42-25 after one quarter and 63-51 at halftime, with Leonard racking up 20 points. The Clippers pulled away with a 16-2 run in the third quarter to extend a seven-point lead to 21 points.
The Clippers shot 12.2 percentage points better from the field (55.1%) than the Pacers (42.9%).
Norchad Omier had only one basket but according to the Clippers, became the first Nicaraguan to score in the NBA.
Up next
Pacers: At the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Nikolaj Ehlers sealed his seventh career hat trick with an empty-net goal and the Carolina Hurricanes held off the Vancouver Canucks for a 6-4 victory on Wednesday night.
Sean Walker, Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho each added a goal and an assist for the Hurricanes. Seth Jarvis had two assists and Brandon Bussi stopped 18 shots.
Filip Hronek had a goal and two assists for the Canucks, who have lost seven straight and have just two wins in their last 23 games (2-17-4).
Vancouver traded defenseman Tyler Myers to Dallas earlier in the day for a 2027 second-round draft pick and a 2029 fourth-rounder.
Marco Rossi scored and had an assist and Brock Boeser and Nils Hoglander added goals for the Canucks. Kevin Lankinen allowed four goals on 22 shots before getting pulled midway through the second period. He was replaced by Nikita Tolopilo, who made nine saves in relief.
The Canucks took a 2-1 lead on goals by Rossi and Hronek 44 seconds apart in the opening period.
Carolina took control with four consecutive goals in the second, with Walker, Ehlers, Aho and Ehlers again to make it 5-2.
Boeser scored with 43 seconds left in the second and Hoglander scored his first of the season to cut the Canucks' deficit to one at 5-4 6:45 into the third. But Ehlers sealed the win — and his hat trick — with 14 seconds left.
Vancouver played without forward Evander Kane, who general manager Patrik Allvin said was recovering from the flu.
VANCOUVER, CANADA - MARCH 4: Nikolaj Ehlers #27 of the Carolina Hurricanes scores a hat trick during the third period of their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on March 4, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
The Carolina Hurricanes got a hat trick from Nikolaj Ehlers and defeated the Vancouver Canucks, 6-4 on Wednesday night at Rogers Arena.
It was a tight game at the end as Ehlers netted his last goal into an empty net with just 14 seconds left. It was his second hat trick of the season and the seventh of his career.
At times it seemed like the Hurricanes might run away with things as they outshot the home team, 33-22, but Vancouver made it interesting.
After taking the lead early on a powerplay goal by Andrei Svechnikov, the Canucks scored twice before the end of the first period to carry a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.
The Canes would come roaring back in the second period and scored four straight goals to pull ahead.
Sean Walker, Ehlers, Sebastian Aho, then Ehlers again provided the offensive push.
Aho’s goal gave him 60 points making him just one of four other Finnish players to score 60 points or more in eight straight seasons. He joins Kurri, Selanne, and Rantanen.
The Canucks scored late in the second and early in the third to make it a one goal game but it stayed that way until near the end.
Brandon Bussi picked up another win giving him a 25-3-1 record. Bussi didn’t look sharp at times but made the saves he needed to when it counted, which he has done often this season. That makes nine wins in a row for the netminder.
Brandon Bussi now the fastest goaltender in NHL history to 25 career wins.
Boston, MA - March 4 - Former Celtics, Charlotte Hornets forward Xavier Tillman (26) meets up with Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) and forward Sam Hauser (30) after the NBA game at the TD Garden. (Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images). | MediaNews Group via Getty Images
BOSTON — For the first time in two years, when Xavier Tillman took the TD Garden parquet for his pregame shooting, he wasn’t donning Celtics green.
Instead, the 26-year-old forward wore Hornets blue, making his return to Boston for the first time since he was unexpectedly traded to the Charlotte Hornets last month.
And, from the moment he stepped onto the parquet, more than two hours before tip-off, Tillman was in reunion-mode.
First, he embraced all of the Celtics assistant and player development coaches. Then, over the course of the next 45 minutes, he caught up with former teammates, giving Baylor Scheierman and Hugo Gonzalez both big hugs, and catching up with everyone from the ball boys to the equipment staff to team security.
After his shooting workout concluded, Tillman tried to head back to the visiting locker room. But, with nearly every step he took, he ran into yet another member of the Celtics organization, and immediately broke into jovial conversation.
It was quintessential Xavier Tillman.
“[He] has great relationships with the staff,” said Joe Mazzulla.
Xavier Tillman is backing at TD Garden and catching up with some of the ball boys and arena staff pic.twitter.com/tmwFl1Q8SK
Tillman ultimately got a tribute video in Wednesday’s game, a 118-89 Hornets win over the Celtics. The video highlighted some of his biggest plays for the 2024 Finals, including a clutch three-pointer and a block on Luka Doncic.
Xavier Tillman gets a tribute video and loud applause from the TD Garden crowd pic.twitter.com/7bCiCBwn3k
He ended up getting a second major round of applause when he checked into the game with 4 minutes to play; the TD Garden crowd was eager to celebrate him despite the fact that Wednesday’s game had gone to the wayside for the Celtics.
Cool moment: with the Celtics down by 25 with 4 mins to go, Xavier Tillman is checking in for the Hornets
Tillman looked so comfortable in reunion-mode that it was hard to believe that just a month ago, he was a member of the Celtics answering questions about his peers getting traded. Just a few weeks ago in the Dallas Mavericks visiting locker room, it was Tillman who reflected on the Anfernee Simons trade.
“They always talk about it being a business, but you build relationships with people, and you grow to really care about them and their families,” Tillman said then. “And it’s always tough to see your friends get separated from you.”
Little did he know, his tenure in Boston was also in its final days.
Inside trade deadline day for Xavier Tillman
Tillman started thinking that a trade might be coming when moves began piling up ahead of the trade deadline. First, it was the Anfernee Simons trade, which came a few days ahead of the deadline.
“I had some inklings after Ant got traded that, ‘ok, we’re making some moves,‘” Tillman said pregame on Wednesday.
Then, in the hours leading up to the deadline, the Celtics traded Josh Minott to the Brooklyn Nets and Chris Boucher to the Utah Jazz. The team was on the way home from a two-game Texas roadtrip, and Tillman was about to head home from the airport when he got word that it’d be his last day in green.
“My agent was like, ‘Yeah, I think something’s going to happen,‘” Tillman said.
After two years in Boston, Tillman’s time was up, and a new chapter in Charlotte began.
The good news? He immediately reunited with a few familiar faces: three coaches from the 2024 Celtics championship team. Former lead assistant coach Charles Lee was now the head coach in Charlotte, while player development coaches Jermaine Bucknor and Blaine Mueller were now Hornets assistants.
“Those guys welcomed me with open arms, and it’s been really seamless for me to be here on this team,” Tillman said. “The guys have welcomed me in, shown me their culture, and it’s been easy to really buy into what they got.”
Lee was especially excited to reunite with Tillman, who he loved coaching two years ago.
“My time here in Boston, being with X, he brought a joy to the building every day,” Lee said. “He works extremely hard. He gets along with his teammates, and we needed that veteran presence, someone that’s ready for 5 seconds of play, 10 seconds of play. I’ve thrown him out there for a minute, one possession.”
Lee was excited to bring in Tillman, the person, first and foremost. And, over the past few months, he’s connected with other members of the Stay Ready Group — the players mostly out of the Hornets rotation who are tasked with
“He interacts and talks about his experiences, and builds relationships with our players really well,” Lee said. “So, I was looking forward to just getting a guy who I think can help be a good veteran in our locker room, and help our young players as we continue on throughout this season or journey.”
Tillman’s presence in Charlotte has already been felt
Former Celtic Grant Williams, one of several Hornet veterans, said Tillman brings a maturity beyond his years.
“He’s one of the best locker room presences you can have in the league,” Williams said. “I bet you everyone here in Boston would say the same.”
Reflecting on Tillman’s tenure, Mazzulla stressed that, in addition to being a culture-setter, Tillman was also someone he relied on on the floor. In November, after 9 DNPs, Tillman laced up for a season-high 30 minutes in a win against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Mazzulla points to that game as a defining point in the season.
“When he did play, I thought he was impactful for us,” Mazzulla said. “He started at Cleveland on the second night of a back-to-back, and that’s kind of when we went on a run, and where I really thought we started to develop the identity that we’re trying to create and maintain now. And so, over the years, when he’s been on the floor for us, he’s been impactful.”
As Tillman looks back on his time in Boston, the 2024 championship run undoubtedly stands out.
But above that are the connections he formed off the floor.
“I just think [about] the relationships I was able to build being here,” Tillman said. “I think about guys like Jordan [Walsh], and think about guys like Payton [Pritchard] and Sam [Hauser] and Neemi[as] Queta, and then obviously, all the staff, like, those are guys who — we’re playing cards together. We’re actually building genuine bonds.”
Grant Williams said he’s already observed first-hand Tillman’s unique ability to build those relationships.
“He not only checks in on you as a human being and makes sure you’re good, he asks you personal questions,” Williams said. “He wants to know you deeply, not just as an acquaintance or as a co-worker, but also as a friend. And I think that his value stretches way further than just his time on the court.”
Over the past two years, one of the biggest beneficiaries of that support was Jordan Walsh.
“Me and X were like this,” Walsh said last month, crossing his fingers. “And so that first game back, I’m always looking for somebody to talk to, for inspo, points, or whatever it may be, and he just wasn’t there. And I was like, dang it just feels different. Everything feels different.“
On Wednesday, Tillman said he’s long rooted for Walsh’s success.
“I was one of his biggest fans, for sure, just watching him continue to develop in the games and continue to build his confidence day in and day out,” he said. “And then, even when things don’t go as well as he’d hope, [I’d] keep preaching confidence to him, because I see how good a player that he is, and that he just needs to let it shine. And so that was my biggest thing to him, is just always staying true to who he is and staying true to the work that he puts in — because he’s really good.”
Tillman, for what it’s worth, has found himself in a great landing spot. On top of the familiarity with Lee, Bucknor, and Mueller, the Hornets have been one of the NBA’s best teams of late.
Over the past two months, Charlotte has the best record in the entire league at 20-8. And, they’ve won 6 straight games by 15+ points, the longest such streak since the 2017-2018 Warriors.
In Wednesday’s match-up between the Celtics and the Hornets, he found himself on the winning side.
And, after the final buzzer, Tillman was swarmed by many of the same teammates with whom he won a championship.
Xavier Tillman is clamored by former Celtics teammates after the final buzzer pic.twitter.com/xF5PqSDBKw
SEATTLE (AP) — Dylan Holloway scored the go-ahead goal in the second period, Brayden Schenn had three assists and the St. Louis Blues beat the Seattle Kraken 3-2 on Wednesday night.
Robert Thomas added a goal and an assist, and defenseman Logan Mailloux also scored as the last-place Blues improved to 9-17-3 on the road with their second consecutive victory away from home against a playoff contender.
Joel Hofer made 34 saves for St. Louis, which won 3-1 on Sunday at Minnesota after going 2-8-1 in its previous 11 games.
Seattle defenseman Vince Dunn had a goal and an assist. Jaden Schwartz also scored for the Kraken, who had won five in a row at home without giving up more than two goals in any of them. Philipp Grubauer stopped 24 shots.
Seattle fell to 2-1 on its six-game homestand and 7-4-0 in its last 11 overall. The Kraken, who hold the second wild card and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, remained one point behind third-place Edmonton in the Pacific Division with a game in hand on the Oilers.
Holloway gave the Blues a 2-1 lead with his 12th goal at 7:40 of the second. The 24-year-old forward scored St. Louis' first hat trick this season and added an assist when he returned from a sprained ankle to lead the Blues over Seattle 5-1 at home in their first game back from the Olympic break last Thursday.
Thomas made it 3-1 just 1:33 into the third. Dunn trimmed Seattle's deficit to one at 13:34.
Up next
Blues: Visit the San Jose Sharks on Friday night, the third stop on a four-game trip.
Kraken: Host the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night.
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Cutter Gauthier scored twice in a span of just over three minutes in the first period, backup Ville Husso stopped 42 shots and the Anaheim Ducks beat the New York Islanders 5-1 on Wednesday night.
Beckett Sennecke, Ryan Poehling and Frank Vatrano also had goals to help Anaheim to its 13th win in 16 games.
David Rittich had 20 saves for the Islanders, who had their five-game winning streak snapped despite outshooting the Ducks 43-25. Anders Lee scored the 304th goal of his career, tying Clark Gillies for the fourth-most in franchise history.
Husso, who stopped 16 shots in the first period and 13 in both the second and third, had a timely performance amid speculation the Ducks are pursuing a backup goalie behind Lukas Dostal before Friday’s trade deadline.
He turned away a flurry of shots after New York pulled Rittich with 8½ minutes left in the game. Vatrano, who missed the previous 22 games because of an upper-body injury, scored into an empty net with 4:11 remaining to seal Anaheim’s win.
Lee banged the rebound of Tony DeAngelo’s shot from near the blue line past Husso for a 1-0 lead 4:58 into the game.
But the Ducks scored three times in the final 7:04 of the period for a 3-1 lead. Gauthier took a pass from Sennecke on a power play and snapped a shot from the left circle past Rittich.
Just 3:09 later, the 22-year-old Swede took a pass from Leo Carlsson and scored from the right circle for his team-leading 31st goal to give the Ducks a 2-1 lead with 3:55 left.
Sennecke snapped the rebound of Ian Moore’s shot into a nearly open net from the doorstep for his 20th goal.
The Islanders had erased 2-0 deficits in each of their last three wins, but the Ducks kept them off the board in part by killing three penalties in the second period.
Poehling squeezed a backhand tip-in just past Rittich’s skate and over the goal line 2:11 into the third for his seventh goal and a 4-1 lead for Anaheim.
SEATTLE (AP) — Zoom Diallo scored a career-high 26 points, Hannes Steinbach added 22 with a career-best 24 rebounds, and Washington rolled past Southern California 91-72 on Wednesday night.
Washington took the lead for good with 12:31 remaining. A 13-0 run that started with 4:33 to play pushed the Huskies' lead to 85-65 with about two minutes left. Diallo scored on a dunk and Nikola Dzepina added a 3 to end the surge.
The Huskies (15-15, 7-12 Big Ten) swept the season series against USC, and have won three of their last five. The Trojans (18-12, 7-12) have lost six straight and 11 of their last 17 games.
Diallo shot 11 of 19 overall and had nine rebounds. His previous career high was 24 points against Utah on Dec. 29. Steinbach surpassed his 16-rebound game against Utah on Feb. 24. He was 9-of-12 shooting against the Trojans.
Quimari Peterson made three 3s and added 13 points for Washington. Wesley Yates III chipped in with 11 points.
Alijah Arenas scored 19 points and Ezra Ausar had 17 for USC. Jacob Cofie and Jordan Marsh added 14 points apiece.
Up next
USC hosts UCLA in a regular-season finale on Saturday.
Washington ends it regular season at Oregon on Saturday.
GOLD COAST, Australia (AP) — South Korea scored two quick goals to take a commanding lead after 15 minutes before finishing off a 3-0 win over Philippines on Thursday, making it back-to-back Group A victories for the 2022 runners-up at the Women’s Asian Cup.
Jeon Yu-gyeong opened the scoring in the 12th minute and Park Soo-jeong doubled the lead in the 15th. Mun Eun-Ju put the result beyond doubt ni the 56th with a close-range volley.
Mun scored moments after Olivia McDaniel made an impressive fingertip save to deny Son Hwa-yeon's curling left-foot shot.
The South Koreans scored from the resulting corner with Mun pouncing after McDaniel punched away the curling incoming kick but not getting it clear of the box.
South Korea leads Group A with six goals from two wins following its opening 3-0 result against Iran on Monday. Philippines' bid for a quarterfinal spot is precarious after losing to the Koreans after an opening 1-0 loss to Australia.
Australia, the 2023 World Cup semifinalist, was playing Iran later Thursday at the Gold Coast.
In her pre-match news conference, striker Sara Didar choked back tears as she shared the concerns of her Iranian team for their families and loved ones amid the war at home while they’re away contesting the continental championship.
State of play
In Group B openers on Tuesday, Myong Yu Jong had a first-half hat trick in North Korea's 3-0 win over Uzbekistan and defending champion China beat Bangladesh 2-0.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 4: Keyonte George #3 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers 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
The Utah Jazz fell short against the Sixers, 106-102. For the most part, it was a duel between Keyonte George and Tyrese Maxey. George scored 30 points on 10/24 shooting from the field (41.7%) and 5/11 (45.5%) from three. It was very clear that Keyonte George was the equal of Tyrese Maxey, if not better. Maxey was also great, scoring 25 points on 8/22 (36.4%) shooting from the field and 2/10 (20%) from three. The comparison has been made often this season, with Keyonte George a strong candidate for Most Improved Player. The style is similar, and the numbers are very comparable. That’s what made this matchup so interesting. Now that it’s done, it’s time to start getting excited about the future for Keyonte George. His ability to run the offense, score at all levels, and defend at an improved level is pointing towards an elite season next year. It’s not out of the question to consider not just All-Star, but All-NBA, as real possibilities next year.
It wasn’t just Keyonte George who played well in the Jazz’s loss. Utah got some really solid minutes from Ace Bailey and Cody Williams. Cody Williams actually led the team in plus/minus at +15. It’s an absolute 180 from where we saw him last season. Williams’ potential to be a consistent and effective wing player is looking increasingly likely with each game. If he can consistently hit his open threes, Williams is looking like a nice pick at #10. Gone are the days of Jazz fans pining for Matas Buzelis. Ace Bailey’s percentages weren’t where you wanted them to be, but he’s showing more and more comfort in the Jazz’s system and initiating with the ball. Bailey is driving more regularly and even running pick-and-rolls. What’s great is that it’s looking more and more smooth. Not only that, Bailey is defending at a higher level and improving game after game. Bailey is playing with real force at times on the defensive end, and if he can consistently impact at a high level defensively, there’s a real chance he becomes a high-level, winning player in the league.
Isaiah Collier is also showing his value as a backup point guard. Collier had 18 and 5 tonight and scored at a solid clip. He can’t consistently hit threes, but his speed and power make up for it, at least as much as you can reasonably expect. That speed drives his greatest skill, his ability to get to the paint at will. Collier can bend the defense every night, and there’s a ton of value in that. With more time and work, Collier should be a vital part of the future and can be even better when surrounded by more consistent play around him.
Finally, it’s time to look at Blake Hinson as a potential part of the future. Hinson has done nothing but play well since joining the Jazz. In five games, Hinson is shooting 56% from the field and 52% from three. Not only that, Hinson brings real size (he’s 6’8”) and intensity on the defensive end. That combination makes him a valuable potential role player for the Jazz going forward. Yes, he’s 26, but now is the time for the Jazz to start looking at players as potential parts of the future. Hinson seems like the exact type of player that winning teams find in the G-League.
It’s nights like tonight, where Utah loses just barely at the end, that will be different next season. Utah is doing a fantastic job of keeping its pick this season. This decision is going to add another top prospect to the roster and will help the Jazz enter an era of winning basketball we haven’t seen since the early Donovan Mitchell years and up to the time of Deron Williams.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 04: Dyson Daniels #5 of the Atlanta Hawks defends Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second quarter at Fiserv Forum on March 04, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For the second time this week, the Milwaukee Bucks blew a 16-point first-half lead and ended up getting blown out, this time to the Atlanta Hawks at Fiserv Forum, dealing a serious blow to their play-in hopes. Their losing streak is now at four games, and their average margin of defeat has been 24.2. Giannis Antetokounmpo had a game-high 24 points, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker paced Atlanta with 23.
Giannis scored eight of Milwaukee’s first 13 points with a couple dunks and swished a 17-footer to boot. After his first career DNP-CD on Monday, Kyle Kuzma was the Bucks’ first sub as Giannis exited. Ousmane Dieng then got cooking, matching the superstar’s 10 points before he had to exit with two fouls. The second unit was able to separate, spearheading a 15-4 run over the first’s final five minutes. Thanks to 72.7% shooting from the floor (6/9 from three), the home side led 38-25 after one.
Bobby Portis maintained the Bucks’ momentum in the second, dropping their first seven points en route to an early 16-point edge. Atlanta sliced that to seven pretty fast with a 9-0 run, fueled by a couple bad Milwaukee turnovers. The Hawks got as close as two as a lineup led by Buck-killer CJ McCollum abused an all-bench Bucks fivesome, but a Ryan Rollins jumper and a Portis three kept the visitors at bay as Giannis checked back in. Unfortunately, the reassembled starters struggled mightily on defense. Despite continued Giannis production, Atlanta tied the game with 2:21 left in the half and moved in front about a minute later, capping off their 41-point quarter, one-upping Milwaukee with 74% shooting in the period. Milwaukee got triples from Rollins and Myles Turner in the final minute, though, heading into the locker room ahead 71-66.
As has been the case recently, the starters came out flat in the third as the Hawks retook the lead with a quick 10-0 run, featuring the 2025–26 Bucks’ greatest hits: bad defensive rebounding, turnovers, and missed free throws. Frigid shooting was a bigger problem, though: Milwaukee missed nine of their first 10 attempts, and Atlanta went up 10 at the 4:54 mark, on a 20-5 run out of half. The Hawks led by as many as 13 as the Bucks kept leaving shooters wide open, often in the corner, and couldn’t corral defensive boards. With 12 minutes remaining, the visitors held a 98-89 advantage, outscoring the Bucks 32-18 in the third.
While it was still too easy for the Hawks from deep with wide-open shots galore, the Bucks were only down seven when Giannis reentered at 9:23. Milwaukee defensive miscues didn’t end with him on the floor, nor did their inability to put the ball through the hoop, and they fell behind by 14 not even three minutes later. The starting lineup got one more crack at it but had no success, falling behind by as much as 21. The last 2:27 was garbage time.
Stat That Stood Out
On Sunday in Chicago, the Bucks scored just 31 points in the second half as the Bulls ran them over. Tonight, the Bucks had just 36 once the starters began checking out, totaling just 42 points after halftime. Unacceptable.
PEORIA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 27: Carlos Vargas #54 of the Seattle Mariners warms up before the spring training game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Peoria Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It never feels good to have someone tell you that “almost isn’t good enough,” or that “close doesn’t cut it.” Growing up in the south, the phrase I always heard was “close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.” People use these sayings whenever some who failed to reach a goal says that it’s okay because they were “close.” And often, they’re right. If you were “close” to making that big sale or if you “almost” didn’t crash your forklift the end result is still a disaster. Hell, the Mariners were close to making the World Series last year, and we all remember how that turned out.
But often, especially for the small stuff, close does count, so long as you do your best. Today, I almost did all my laundry. I’ll finish tomorrow. I’m close to finishing the book I’m reading, but I see how it’s going to end. Tonight the Mariners were, for a while at least, close to winning a Spring Training game. Maybe they’ll win the next one.
The Mariners almost had some productive at-bats against Robbie Ray in the first inning. Cole Young led off the game and worked a six pitch at-bat by fouling everything off before whiffing on pitch 6. J.P. Crawford watched from the on deck circle and wanted in on the fun, working a 7-pitch AB that ended in a groundout. Brennen Davis got bored and grounded out on the first pitch. Almost some productive outs.
The Giants almost put a rally together in their half of the first, with Matt Chapman and Will Brennan hitting back-to-back one out singles, but Mariners pitcher Cooper Criswell neutralized the threat by inducing a double play from Casey Schmitt. The Mariners were also close to putting a rally together in the second, but likewise stranded runners on first and second.
In the top of the third Jonny Farmelo hit a leadoff triple, and almost didn’t score with Cole Young and J.P. Crawford making back-to-back outs, but was able to scamper home on J.P.‘s groundball. After a few quiet innings it looked like the Mariners were close to carrying their slim lead into the “every starter leaves the game” portion of a Spring Training game. Alas, close did not count.
Carlos Vargas replaced Criswell on the bump in the bottom of the fourth, and sadly wasted no time in getting hit all up and down the field. Brennan, Schmitt, and Matos led off the inning with a trio of singles to load up the bases and put all of the pressure on Vargas’ shoulders. That pressure may have gotten to him, as he found it impossible to find the zone and issued a free pass to Grant McCray. From a pitcher’s perspective, a no-out bases loaded walk is very close to the worst possible outcome. You’re in the same situation and you just gave them a run for free. The worst possible outcome is of course a grand slam — hey what’s this video of Jake Holton doing here?
After that back-breaker, the Giants really wanted to get another rally going. Christian Koss almost even got a hit to speed that along. But just almost, thanks to Cole Young.
Afterwards, the Giants went into full Spring Training mode and pulled half their starters from the game. The Mariners clawed back a couple of runs on a Cole Young single and a J.P. Crawford sac fly, but couldn’t keep the line moving long enough. And honestly? They didn’t even come close.
The Giants secondary squad contended with Jose A. Ferrer on the mound in the bottom of the 5th, and had no trouble extending their lead back to five runs, with the capper being a two-RBI double by Bryce Eldridge. Even though the Mariners were able to get another run back in the sixth, the game still wasn’t nearly close enough. In a close game when the offense is clicking, singles can turn into doubles and doubles can turn into homers. But when you’re down by a grand slam or more, everyone is sad. And no one plays good baseball when they’re sad.
[Speaking of sad, Jake had to end the recap here, because he is in Texas and did not realize this game would end at midnight his time. I am here to tell you things did not get better, tonight. The Mariners will try again tomorrow, in a home game back in Peoria at the normal 12 PM PT start time. -KP]
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 04: Dyson Daniels #5 of the Atlanta Hawks defends Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second quarter at Fiserv Forum on March 04, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Atlanta Hawks were in Milwaukee on Wednesday night to face the Bucks. The Hawks, winners of four straight coming into this game, were looking to continue that streak against a Bucks team that has not played well this season. This was also a big game as far as standings and lottery odds implications.
The Hawks were without Jonathan Kuminga in this game because of knee inflammation, and the Bucks were without Kevin Porter Jr.
The Hawks got on the board to start the game with this lob from Jalen Johnson to Onyeka Okongwu.
Giannis Antetokounmpo came out with all gas in the first and helped the Bucks get the lead, but the Hawks kept fighting. Okongwu stayed locked in and knocked a three-pointer to keep them close.
The Bucks were in a flow state for most of the quarter, and they couldn’t miss from the perimeter. As much as the Hawks tried to match them, their shots weren’t falling, and they went 3-for-11 from three in the first.
Going into the second, the Hawks trailed 38-25.
The Bucks started the second on fire, but the Hawks were able to settle in at some point and get some shots to go down. The big to big connection helped the Hawks get an easy two points.
The Hawks kept cutting down their deficit, which was 16 points early in the second. They got it down to two points after Mouhamed Gueye knocked down a three-pointer.
The Hawks started doubling Antetokounmpo, and that to the Bucks getting some easy shots. The Hawks stuck with it, and were able to keep cutting their deficit.
The Bucks did their best to try to cut down their deficit, but they’d either get in their own way or the Hawks would have an answer. Nickeil Alexander-Walker got into the teeth of the defense and put down a huge dunk.
The Hawks had a lead as big as 18 in the fourth, and the Bucks were not able to ever get back into the game.
Alexander-Walker finished with 23 points, Okongwu finished with 21 points and eight rebounds, Johnson finished with 20 points and nine assists, and Daniels finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The Hawks will be back in action on Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers.
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 03: Members of Team Venezuela look on during the singing of the national anthem prior to the game between the Team Venezuela and the Houston Astros at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Lawrence Brown/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Well in the aftermath of Jurickson Profar’s suspension, the Braves are down a (presumably) productive bat, but up $18 million dollars when you include luxury tax savings. That Mike Yastrzemski signing looks even more important now and Eli White is really not a bad platoon partner for him. That said, for a team that wanted to add a quality starting pitcher but was unable to and suffered a couple brutal pitching injuries right at the beginning of Spring Training, the Profar news really is an instance of “when it rains, it pours”. The team said they had money leftover before, but they certainly have more now. It will be really tough to add impact players in March, but they’ve almost got to be at least making calls on the trade market for another bat, a starting pitcher, or both. We’ll see if the front office can pull a rabbit out of a hat and bolster a roster that still has significant talent, but has already been substantially depleted before the season has even started.
