Category: Sports News

He hears it in nearly every arena the Lakers enter.

“We want Bronny. We want Bronny.”

But on Monday night in Cleveland’s Rocket Arena, where the familiar chant reached arena-filling decibels, it felt different. It felt like home.

Bronny James provided some of the few Lakers highlights in the team’s worst loss of the year — a 129-99 drubbing by the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday — to turn an emotional homecoming for his father into a happy return for the 21-year-old. James scored eight points with two rebounds, an assist and a steal. He knocked down two three pointers and slammed a one-handed transition dunk to elicit a roar from the crowd that welcomed back a son they watched grow up.

“I was just excited to go out there and play,” James said. “I’m always ready to go out and play, whether that’s when the entire arena is saying ‘We want Bronny‘ or no one is. I was just really, really grateful that they put me in at that time and I was able to go out and get a few buckets.”

With the Lakers trailing by 20 by the third quarter, the chants for James started early. “We want Bronny” chants occur at nearly every Lakers game, almost turning the young guard’s playing time into a sideshow instead of much-needed opportunities for a developing player trying to find his footing in the NBA.

James hadn’t played in a game since Jan. 18 and hadn’t scored since Jan. 12. But he got on the scoreboard in thrilling fashion Wednesday night, tipping away a crosscourt pass and taking the ball in transition for a dunk that left even his dad nodding approval from the bench.

“He handles all of it so well,” said guard Gabe Vincent, who called Bronny “a light” in the Lakers’ otherwise forgettable blowout. “It's incredible. His maturity through it all is incredible. … It's great to see him have a moment like that.”

Read more:'Like it was yesterday.' Lakers lose in emotional return to Cleveland for LeBron James

The former USC guard who also scored his first NBA points in Cleveland as a rookie last year has bounced between the Lakers and the team’s G League affiliate this year as he hopes to make strides as a shooter and on-ball defender while “building up his tolerance for being in elite shape,” coach JJ Redick said. James has had some promising moments, especially when the Lakers were short-handed earlier this season, showing quicker decision making and increased confidence shooting the ball.

Monday was just the second time in his career that he made two threes in a game.

“He's as level headed and just as normal of a 21-year-old as I've ever been around,” Redick said.

When the Lakers got to the arena Monday, James was welcomed home by a childhood photo of him on a screen outside the visiting locker room. It showed him on stage in 2016 during the Cavaliers’ championship celebration wearing a championship hat and white T-shirt, holding up one finger.

Read more:Bronny James shows his improvement for shorthanded Lakers

LeBron James glanced at the championship banner from that team before the game Monday, fueling the intense emotions of what could be his last game in his hometown against the team that launched his NBA dreams in 2003.

The Cavaliers, wearing navy blue throwback uniforms, showed a tribute video for LeBron James during the first quarter, highlighting James’ takeover of Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals in which he scored 25 consecutive points. Bronny was 3 years old at the time. Almost two decades later, he remembered all the afternoons he spent at the Cavaliers arena after school.

“It’s literally my entire life,” Bronny said of the city of Cleveland. “So just really appreciative of all the people that show some love. I just remember being a kid and being here pretty much every day after school. It’s a bunch of nostalgia coming back and being here.”

The James family was prepared for the occasion. LeBron scanned the arena before the game to find his mother in a suite. She once watched him begin his career in this very arena, now she was watching both her son and her grandson play in the same game. After saying it out loud, the elder James struggled to process 5 idea.

“I don't even know how to even, like, wrap that all in one in my brain,” LeBron James said. “It’s so weird and so cool and so surreal. My mom gets to watch her son and her grandson play in the NBA at the same time.”

Gloria James waited in the hallway outside the Lakers locker room to take photos with her son and then her grandson. Bronny was the last Laker out of the arena, stopping to take dozens of photos with family members dressed in purple and gold Lakers jerseys. His grandmother told him to “act right.” He promised to oblige.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

The Phoenix Suns needed a win on Tuesday night. Badly. Two straight losses had already piled up, and the schedule ahead offers no mercy. Detroit is looming. Cleveland too. Then the Clippers. Lose this one, and a six-game skid was no longer theoretical, it was staring them down. So this game mattered. Not as a statement, but as a tourniquet. Stop the bleeding first, worry about momentum later.

What they can actually build on came from the middle of the floor. Mark Williams delivered his best night since arriving in Phoenix. 27 points on 13-of-16 from the field. Perfect in the second half. Calm, physical, dependable. He gave them interior stability and something this offense rarely has, a release valve that does not live beyond the arc.

And here is the contrast. The Suns are not an interior team by design. They do not hunt shots at the rim. They are 29th in the NBA in attempts inside five feet, taking 23.8 per game. That is who they are. On Tuesday, that script bent. 28 of their 77 shots, 36.3%, came from inside five feet. Not because the philosophy changed, but because Williams forced it to.

So to see them bend their identity and adjust how they operate, all in response to a specific opponent, speaks to the intellect and schematic feel that Jordan Ott brings to the bench. There is flexibility here. There is awareness.

But now comes the real question. Is it replicable?

Because the stretch ahead demands it. The Suns are entering a run where every ounce of offensive potency matters, no matter the matchup, no matter the look they are given. Can they keep feeding Mark Williams with enough consistency and with enough purpose to actually win games?

That is where this gets tricky.

On Tuesday night, when the Suns beat the Nets 106-102, the math worked in their favor. It was a plus matchup for Williams. Nic Claxton is a solid center and a legitimate defender. He grades out in the 80th percentile as a rim protector. But the Suns leaned into his lack of size, used switching to their advantage, and consistently put Williams in spots where he could thrive. They maximized the skill set.

And Williams has a very specific one. He finishes around the rim. Not through bodies, but around them. Fluid, patient, controlled. He grades out in the 92nd percentile in finishing talent.

The numbers back it up. Across two matchups this season, Williams guarded Claxton for 15:40. In that span, 72 points were scored on 70.9 possessions, and Claxton accounted for 11 of them, going 4-of-10 from the field. Flip it around. When Claxton guarded Williams, 13:49 of game time, the Suns scored 71 points on 58.8 possessions. Williams went 7-of-9 for 15 points.

Keep those numbers tucked away. They are going to matter later.

The hope is that nights like this become the norm for Mark Williams. The reality is they probably will not. Because for all the value he has brought this season, the size, the stability, the calming presence at center, there is a tradeoff on the other end of the floor. Williams can be hunted defensively. That is not a secret. It is also why we have seen so much Oso Ighodaro.

Credit to Oso for fully embracing that role and being effective in it. His value lives on the defensive end. He can switch. He can move. He can survive in space. That is what makes him playable. Opponents know the counter with Williams. They spread the floor, pull him out of the paint, run high screen actions, and force a decision. When Williams does not sit in drop coverage, the geometry breaks. The paint opens. Driving lanes appear. The offense gets comfortable. When he drops, pull the trigger from deep.

Oso does not bring the same offensive ceiling. That is clear. What he does bring is defensive versatility, and that matters in this league. It matters every night.

So the Suns have work to do here. They need to get more creative defensively when Williams is on the floor. They need to protect him in specific situations, anticipate when teams are clearly trying to target him, and manage those minutes with intent. Because his offense is worth it. It has real value.

But it is matchup-driven. When the opposing center is someone Williams can neutralize, or someone who cannot impose their will, he lasts longer. He becomes more effective. He tilts the math. When that is not the case, the margin shrinks fast.

And that, more than anything, is the challenge. And the next three games? That challenge will be tested.

Detroit first. Jalen Duren. That matchup already gave us a preview, and it was not encouraging. Williams logged 6:24 against him, covering 31.5 possessions. In that window, the Suns gave up 46 points. Duren went 5-of-9 for 10 points. On the other end, Duren guarded Williams for 5:45 across those same 31.5 possessions. The Suns scored 22 points in that span, and Williams finished with zero points on 0-of-2 shooting.

Then comes Cleveland the following night. Jarrett Allen, with Evan Mobley sidelined. Williams versus Allen has also happened once this season. The results were similar. Williams defended Allen for 6:51, covering 39.8 possessions. Cleveland scored 61 points in that stretch, and Allen put up 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting. Flip the matchup. Allen guarded Williams for 6:18 and 31.2 possessions. The Suns scored 31 points, and Williams again finished scoreless, 0-of-2 from the field.

And then the homestand closes on Sunday with the Clippers. Ivica Zubac is the assignment. A load. A true center. One the Suns can work if their high actions are sharp and if they can consistently pull him away from the paint. That said, the Clippers have been locked in defensively as a group lately, so that muddies the waters.

Across three matchups this season, Williams defended Zubac for 19:12, covering 86.3 possessions. In that time, Zubac scored 29 points on 12-of-17 shooting, and the Clippers scored 87 points overall. Offensively, Williams was more productive here. He scored 19 points in 16:12 and 84.9 possessions, going 7-of-12 from the field. The Suns scored 109 points.

That is the spectrum. The good, the bad, and the uncomfortable middle. And it brings us right back to the same place. Matchups decide everything.

I love what Mark Williams brings to this team. He gives them the rim running element they have been craving for a long time. He is long defensively, and while no one is confusing him for a perimeter stopper, he does a solid job as a deterrent when he is stationed in the paint. He is a capable rebounder too, even if it does not always feel dominant for a center. He grades out in the 81st percentile in defensive rebounding and the 93rd percentile in offensive rebounding.

All of that said, there is an important reminder here. He is making $6.3 million. You are getting exactly what you paid for, and probably a little more. Price for value paid? Check.

But over these next few games, as the Suns search for answers within the flow of a night, as they try to manufacture points without Devin Booker and Jalen Green, the focus has to sharpen. When Mark Williams is on the floor, he has to be involved. Intentionally. Deliberately.

Because he is not going to play with total regularity. Defensive limitations and matchup realities see to that, and there are other options on the bench who make sense in certain stretches. Still, there are moments in almost every game where you find yourself yelling it. “Give the ball to Williams!!!”

During this upcoming stretch, that instinct needs to become policy. At least in the moments that he is out there.

On Wednesday, the San Antonio Spurs announced a partnership with Austin-based Wanderlust Wine Co. Coincidence or not, the announcement came on the birthday of Gregg Popovich, a noted wine connoisseur.

The San Antonio Spurs announced a new partnership with Wanderlust Wine Co., making it the official wine of the organization. Wanderlust will also become an official partner of the team’s NBA G League affiliate, the Austin Spurs. The collaboration will come to life with future Spurs pop-up events at Wanderlust’s storefronts in Austin and sampling at select home games, furthering the strong connection between the team and its fanbase throughout the entire I-35 corridor.

Said Sammy Lam, founder & president of Wanderlust Wine Co.,

“We’re incredibly proud to partner with the San Antonio Spurs and Spurs Sports & Entertainment. This collaboration brings together two organizations that care deeply about community, innovation, and delivering memorable fan experiences. We’re excited to introduce Spurs fans to Wanderlust wines in a way that’s both premium and sustainable.”

The award-winning winery remains family-owned and laser focused on maintaining their green practices.

Brandon James, senior vice president of strategic growth and deputy general counsel for Spurs Sports & Entertainment added,

“We’ve been fortunate to engage with Wanderlust organically over the past few years, watching them grow and scale while staying true to Austin’s character. To now grow together through an official partnership is a big win for both organizations. Their strong connection to the community mirrors the special bond we share with our fans, making this partnership a natural fit.”

This partnership extends the Spurs organization’s presence in Austin. Through fan engagement activations, game watch parties, support for the local sports and fitness community, the Spurs continue community outreach.

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CLEVELAND — LeBron James is human, despite spending the last 23 years convincing us otherwise.

For one of the few times in his entire career, James seemed overwhelmed by the emotion of a game. He cried when the Cleveland Cavaliers played a tribute video for him after the first timeout, which is something he’s rarely done on a basketball court.

The video was highlights of James from his incredible Game 5 performance against the Detroit Pistons in 2007. He watched a version of himself that physically couldn’t be stopped by one of the best defensive teams of that decade, even though each defender was doing everything in their power to do so.

That clip was 19 years old and from multiple basketball lifetimes ago, even though James still remembers “that moment like it was yesterday.”

Basketball mortality isn’t something James has seemingly had to contemplate often. The guys he came into the league with have transitioned to different phases of their lives. Even someone like Derrick Rose, who was once thought of as the up-and-coming young player that represented a new generation to challenge James for his throne, just had his jersey retirement ceremony with the Chicago Bulls last weekend.

The regular laws of physics and aging have generally not applied to James, but that’s changing.

“I don’t take these moments for granted, because it could be,” James said when asked if this was his last game in Cleveland. “Obviously, I haven’t made a decision on the future, but it very well could be.”

The hometown fans didn’t take the moment for granted either. As has been the case for the last 23 years, they reacted to every move that he made once he entered the stage.

The crowd erupted when he first emerged from the tunnel for pregame warmups. Provided him with the loudest ovation during player intros. Groaned when he missed a putback layup. And gave him the loudest ovation of the night after the tribute video ran.

One of those people cheering was his mother. James took a moment to look up to her suite at the start of the game and gave her his signed jersey from the game as a present.

As has become a tradition the last two seasons, Bronny James has been one of the highlights of the night. He scored eight points once the game was decided, including a breakaway dunk that garnered one of the loudest crowd pops of the evening.

“My mom is here watching her son and her grandson,” LeBron said. “I don’t even know how to even wrap that all around in my brain, you know. It’s so weird and so cool, and so surreal. My mom gets to watch her son and her grandson play in the NBA at the same time. … Shit.”

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This warm and familial reception from his hometown stands in stark contrast to what James has been facing with the Los Angeles Lakers.

James is no longer the star the organization revolves around. He wasn’t offered a contract extension last off-season, and could enter free agency next season with his current team presumably not too concerned about whether or not he leaves.

His play on the court reflects this new reality. The night-to-night excellence isn’t to the level it’s been for the last two decades. Wednesday’s 11-point performance, in which James had more turnovers than assists, was the exception to what has been an All-Star caliber season. Still, it’s been rare to see James draw a blank on a game that meant something to him.

Aging is a difficult process. You’re trapped with the memories of who you used to be, even though that person can never be summoned again.

But the player that is currently there is still better than an overwhelming majority of the league and can still reach a gear that few can. That’s the reason why the Cavs are reportedly interested in opening the door for a possible third stint this summer.

While a reunion would be a great story, James would also fill a lot of holes around this core. His playmaking, size, and ability to beat mismatches are all things the Cavaliers have shown they needed based on previous postseason runs. And Wednesday made clear that the hometown fans would welcome him back with open arms.

Whether or not James would be up for a second return — or another season in general — remains to be seen. He’s accomplished everything there is to in the game and has nothing further to prove to the outside world. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean there isn’t motivation there to continue on.

“My why has been that I’m still playing at a high level,” James said. “I still love the process of putting in the work, inspiring, given what I got to the game because I’ll have more years in my life without it than I will with it. … The thought (of retiring) creeps in my mind more at 41 years old, of when the end is and where the finish line is to hang this thing up. … [I want to see] how much juice I can squeeze out of this orange.”

James is no longer the superhero in the baggy, navy blue jersey, carving through that great Pistons defense in overtime. No one can keep playing at that level forever.

At the same time, there’s something more inspiring and relatable about an all-time great waging a war they’ll eventually lose. Even though he’s closer to the end of that fight now, it’s not one he’s given up on yet.

“I’m in a battle with Father Time,” James said, “and I kind of take it personally. I want to see how many more times I can be victorious over him.”

The San Antonio Spurs spent much of Wednesday night searching for their footing, trailing early and struggling to slow Houston’s tempo. By the final buzzer, they had imposed their will, turning a shaky start into a dominant 111–99 road victory over the Rockets at Toyota Center.

San Antonio overcame a double-digit first-half deficit by tightening its defense, controlling the glass, and leaning on its size in the paint. The Spurs outscored Houston 58–38 in the second half and limited the Rockets to just 13 points in the fourth quarter, sealing the win with disciplined execution and physical play.

“I think it’s the job that everyone was doing around him [Wembanyama] that allowed Victor to be that impactful at the rim,” Spurs Head Coach Mitch Johnson said. “We had quite a bit of crowds at the rim and we did a much better job of securing loose balls in the second half and the latter part of the game.”

The Rockets dictated much of the opening half, attacking early in the shot clock and finding success from the perimeter. Houston built a lead that grew to 16 points as San Antonio struggled to contain dribble penetration and gave up second-chance opportunities.

That changed after halftime.

The Spurs emerged with a renewed focus on defense, shrinking the floor and forcing Houston into contested shots. San Antonio began to chip away late in the third quarter, closing the gap behind improved ball movement and a steady diet of interior scoring.

“It felt like we were freaking out a bit,” Johnson said. “It felt like we didn’t settle down into the game [in the first half], but we kept our composure.”

Victor Wembanyama was at the center of it all. He star finished with 28 points and 16 rebounds, anchoring the Spurs on both ends of the floor. Wembanyama repeatedly punished Houston inside, altering shots defensively while drawing fouls and creating space for teammates offensively.

San Antonio’s patience paid off early in the fourth quarter. After finally taking the lead late in the third, the Spurs opened the final period with an 11–0 run that shifted momentum decisively. Defensive stops led to transition opportunities, and the Spurs capitalized by attacking the rim and controlling the pace.

The Spurs’ advantage in the paint proved decisive. San Antonio consistently beat Houston to loose balls and dominated the rebounding battle, limiting the Rockets’ ability to generate second chances. As the game slowed, Houston struggled to find clean looks against San Antonio’s length and discipline.

Rookie guard Dylan Harper provided a significant boost off the bench, scoring 16 points and offering energy during critical stretches. His ability to attack downhill and convert at the rim helped stabilize the Spurs’ offense when the game tightened, preventing Houston from regaining momentum.

Amen Thompson led the Rockets with 25 points, showcasing his athleticism and aggressiveness throughout the night. But despite strong individual performances, Houston could not sustain its early success once San Antonio imposed its defensive structure. The Rockets committed key turnovers and endured extended scoring droughts in the fourth quarter as the Spurs closed out the game.

For San Antonio, the win served as a reminder of how effective the team can be when it commits to defense and physicality. After a recent stretch marked by inconsistency, the Spurs demonstrated their ability to respond under pressure and win a tough, grind-it-out game on the road.

The victory also highlighted the Spurs’ growth in late-game situations. Rather than rushing possessions or settling for contested jump shots, San Antonio remained composed, working the ball inside and trusting its defensive rotations.

As the Spurs continue to navigate a competitive Western Conference, Wednesday’s performance offered a blueprint for success — defend, rebound, and let discipline dictate the outcome. Against a young and energetic Rockets team, San Antonio proved that resilience and execution can still make a difference.

Game notes

• Charles Barkley said Stephon Castle “single handedly changed the game” for the Spurs. And if you look at the tape, he’s right. Castle was in Sengun and Kevin Durant’s business in the second half and made life difficult for him. While Durant finished with 24 points, he shot 8-for-17 and that is largely due to Castle.
• Can we stop with the Mitch Johnson hate? His coaching in the second half and adjustments of putting Wembanyama on Amen Thompson was a huge reason why the Spurs rallied for the win. The Spurs are 32-15 and are en route for the NBA Playoffs. He’s a huge reason why.
• San Antonio’s bench outscored Houston’s 38-14.
• Dylan Harper had a nice evening at the office with 16 points on 8-11 shooting.

1. Tough Day at the Office

After the Celtics went into Atlanta and beat the Hawks by 26, Atlanta decided to return the favor by beating Boston 117-106 in TD Garden. It was an annoying game to watch because every time the Celtics got close to coming back and cut into the lead, the Hawks would go on a run. The frustration was definitely boiling over for Boston, no better personified than when Joe Mazzulla lost it on the refs in the third quarter. Mazzulla essentially waved the white flag at the 4:39 mark of the fourth quarter and Atlanta exacted their revenge.

In the postgame interview, Joe Mazzulla was adiment about this being a game that you just flush away. From the hot Hawks shooting to the Celtics turnovers, Mazzulla just chalked it up to “just a bad day at the office.”

2. Celtics Slow Start Cost them the game

This loss started with the Celtics very slow start to the first quarter and it felt like they never recovered from it. The Hawks went on a 26-9 run to open the game up by 3:35 mark. Anfernee Simons tried to will the Celtics back into the game with 8 straight points out of the timeout, but the score was 38-18 after the first quarter. The Hawks shot 13-26 (50%) from the field and 7-12 (58%) from three. Although Boston got close multiple times in this game, the monster start by Atlanta really was the beginning of the end for this game.

3. Three Point Difference

In the past the Celtics have won and lost games this season just because of the three point shot. That was the great equalizer again in this game, but it was on the losing end for Boston. The Celtics shot 9-34 (27%) from three as a team in this one while the Hawks shot 18-42 (43%) from three. In a game where Boston lost by 11 and Atlanta made 9 more three pointers, that is a recipe for a guaranteed loss.

4. Brown/Pritchard/White Off Nights

It was a tough game for the Celtics three main offensive guys tonight as Jaylen Brown, Payton Pritchard, and Derrick White all combined to shoot 19-44 (43%) from the field but 1-13 (7%) from three. There were times where all three of them had short bursts in this game that cut in to Atlanta’s lead but it never felt all that cohesive.

Derrick White had a burst in the third quarter that started with a three on wing. He then was able to make a nice driving layup off of a good screen by Luka Garza. Next he was being defended by Jalen Johnson, was able to stop on a dime and hit a mid range jumper over him. Finally, he drove into the midrange and hit a floater over CJ McCollum.

Pritchard went on his short run at the beginning of the fourth quarter. He started with a pump fake over McCollum, got him up in the air, then finished a wide open layup. The next bucket came when he ran around a Garza screen and hit a nice midrange jumper over Onyeka Okongwu. Finally, he was matched up on Corey Kispert and hit another mid range jumper over him after make a quick stop.

Brown also had his burst in the fourth quarter but it was in the middle when the Celtics were trying to make their last attempt at winning the game. He started with a nice play where Luke Kennard was guarding him and Brown just took him to his spot in the midrange and splashed the jumper. The next play came on a drive blowing by Jalen Johnson where he was fouled and finished the layup for an And-1. The third play was a goal tending call against Dyson Daniels. Finally, he was matched up on Daniels again and hit a sweet midrange jumper with him draped all over him.

5. Anfernee Simons

In a game where a lot of guys struggled to get going, Anfernee Simons was able to play a pretty good game overall. He finished with 12 points on 5-7 shooting from the field and 2-4 from three. He was a big part of the Celtics turning the game around in the first quarter with some really huge baskets.

Simons came out of a Celtics timeout and finished a nice finger roll over the outstretched arm of Okongwu. Next he got the ball from Amari Williams and hit a side step three over Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Finally, on the next Celtics possession he hit another three over Alexander-Walker in essentially the same exact place.

6. Luka Garza

Another guy that had a good night for the Celtics in this game was Luka Garza coming off of the bench after missing Monday’s game against the Trail Blazers with an illness. Garza finished with 11 points, 6 rebounds, and a career high 6 assists.

All of Garza’s baskets came in the second quarter but they were pretty much all tough buckets. The first one was a put back layup where he sealed off Luke Kennard and was able to finish the play after Jordan Walsh missed a layup. The next play came when Brown found him wide open underneath the basket and finished an And-1 layup through contact. The third basket was another layup, this time off of a nice bounce pass by Derrick White. The fourth was an all out hustle play where he missed a layup, grabbed his own rebound, and put it back up to score. Finally, after Brown missed a layup, Garza was able to tap it back up twice to finish the basket.

When it comes to his new career high in assists, Garza had two of them that made him look like the new-aged Magic Johnson. The first one came off of a nice offense rebound off of a Sam Hauser missed three. Hauser then was able to relocate to the corner where Garza made a nice pass to find him to hit the three. The second started with a nice pick and roll between Hugo Gonzalez and Luka Garza. Garza received a bounce pass and made a nice pass over a double team to find a cutting Jordan Walsh who finished with a reverse layup.

7. Tough Amari Williams Game

Coming off a couple good games against the Bulls and the Trail Blazers, Amari Williams had a bit of rough game. Williams finished with 2 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists on 1-3 shooting. He started the game for the Celtics and played 10 minutes in the first quarter but after that was benched for the rest of the game until garbage time. The reason I can think of for his benching was a culmination of the two smoked layups and two turnovers in the first quarter.

His firs tough play came on a bad pass to Jaylen Brown. Williams was trying to make a bounce pass to Brown but just threw it into Dyson Daniels feet for a turnover that resulted in a Corey Kispert three. The next play came on the Celtics next offensive possession where he ran a pick and roll with Brown. Two defenders went to Brown and it looked like Williams had an easy layup but he just smoked it on the way up. The next one came on alley-oop pass from Derrick White that Williams didn’t slam down, but tried to lay it up and smoked again. Finally, at the end of the first quarter, he committed an illegal screen at half court on Alexander-Walker and Mazzulla pulled him for the rest of the night. This is normal for a rookie in the NBA to have growing pains but it was hard not to see Williams performance as a reason for the Celtics slow start in this game.

8. Baylor Scheierman Hustle

Baylor Scheierman had a quite two first quarters of this game but once he entered the game in the third quarter, he was chaos personified. Scheierman had all 6 of his points in the third quarter along with 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and a lot of hustle plays.

Scheierman started his run of great play by drawing a charge on Jalen Johnson where Johnson threw his shoulder into Baylor’s chest. Then on the next possession, Baylor drew the attention of three Hawks defenders and found Hugo Gonzalez wide open for a corner three. The next play came where the ball was being juggled in the air, Scheierman picked it off and drove to the lane for a layup. That was until Okongwu hit him with a horse collar tackle and Baylor went to the line and hit 1-2 free throws. Finally, at the 1:13 mark, Scheierman backed down CJ McCollum from the three point line to the basket and finished an And-1 layup over him.

9. No paint defense

Neemias Queta was ruled OUT before this game with an illness and I didn’t know the Celtics would look so poor in the paint without him. Clearly he is what makes their defense role because Boston ended up getting destroyed in the points in the paint battle, giving up 44. Hawks were able to take advantage of Williams to start the game in the first quarter, shooting 5-9. The second quarter was a little better for Boston as Garza took over and held Atlanta to 4-9 shooting. However, once the Celtics ran a small ball lineup in the third quarter, the Hawks were able to feast down low, shooting 8-9.

10. Bad Turnover Game

This was a game that was dominated by turnovers for the Celtics. The Hawks only finished with 9 turnovers but Boston ended with 16 turnovers on the night where Atlanta was able to generate 23 points off of them. These turnovers were most seen in the first half as the Celtics had 9 of them. This culminated with the tough shooting game from three was a big reason for the loss.

BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — Six direct places in the Europa League round of 16 are up for grabs and 11 teams remain in contention for the five last spots in the knockout stage in the final round of the opening phase on Thursday.

Only leader Lyon and second-placed Aston Villa have already qualified for the last 16. They are tied on points atop the standings with six wins and a loss.

Like in the Champions League, all 36 teams play in the last 18 games that kick off simultaneously, and the top eight finishers advance automatically after eight rounds.

The teams placed from nine to 24 enter a two-leg playoff.

Lyon hosts PAOK while Villa meets Salzburg at home.

Third-placed Freiburg, which trails the leaders by a point, travels to 21st-placed Lille and a point would be enough for the Bundesliga team to advance.

Roma in sixth is away at Panathinaikos in 19th. Sixteenth-placed Nottingham Forest plays seventh-placed Ferencváros at City Ground.

Celtic sits in the 24th and last qualifying place and needs a win against Utrecht, which is 34th and already eliminated. Scottish rival Rangers in 31st is also out of knockout contention.

___

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BOSTON — Jaylen Brown felt apologetic after Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu was left missing a tooth following Wednesday night’s 117-106 Celtics loss at TD Garden.

In the fourth quarter, Brown swung his right elbow and connected with Okongwu’s jaw on an offensive possession. Okongwu immediately clutched his face and was left bloodied and missing a tooth, though the 25-year-old later returned to the scene of the crime to shoot his two flagrant free throws. He then retreated to the player’s tunnel, cutting his night short with 6:43 remaining.

Brown addressed the collision with Okongwu and offered his sympathy, drawing from his own experience with facial injuries.

“Just being aggressive like I always am,” Brown said. “Just a basketball play, it’s unfortunate. Okongwu is a good player, and I know from my own experiences with a fractured face and chipped teeth — that s••t is a hassle. It wasn’t intentional, and I know it’s gonna be a long day at the dentist for him, so hopefully he has a good recovery.”

Two seasons ago, Brown took an elbow to the face from teammate Jayson Tatum that resulted in a maxillary facial fracture and required him to wear a protective mask upon his return. Brown missed just four games after a miscommunication while going for an offensive rebound left him dealing with discomfort and pain for nearly two weeks.

While Brown was the culprit this time, he’s uniquely qualified to speak from the perspective of someone who’s been through it.

Okongwu finished with 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting, adding six rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block in 28 minutes. After the Hawks closed out the Celtics, he took to social media while receiving medical treatment to send a message to his teammates, offering them a virtual pat on the back for a job well done.

“Good winssss birdsss,” Okongwu posted on his Instagram story.

But even with Okongwu left bloodied, the Celtics suffered the heaviest blow.

Atlanta faced little resistance as Boston struggled to find any rhythm. The Celtics shot just 9-for-34 (26.5%) from three, while the Hawks connected on 18-of-42 (42.9%) from beyond the arc. In the third quarter, Atlanta quickly went on a 10-4 run over the first 4:25 to take a 20-point lead (70-50), prompting Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla to call a timeout. The C’s then proceeded to shoot 2-of-11 from three to end the frame.

The defeat, while harsh, isn’t one Boston plans to harp on.

“I give credit to Atlanta,” Brown said. “They just beat us up and down the floor — offense and defense. They shot the ball really well, so give credit to them. They put a lot of pressure on us. This is the part of the season where you have to dig deep physically and mentally, and tonight wasn’t the best example of that.”

Okongwu’s missing tooth didn’t go in vain, and Hawks coach Quin Snyder doesn’t expect the sixth-year veteran to miss much time despite the injury. As one of the more durable members of the team, Okongwu has missed only two games all season.

“He’s tough,” Snyder told reporters. “He took quite a shot, and it’s a good thing that dentistry is a profession. I don’t know what he’s gonna need, but he’s pretty banged up. He took quite a shot. I told him he’s still handsome. But it’s a good thing that people can repair his teeth because he’s going to need some work.”

Will Tatum miss entire season? Forsberg, Abby react to ‘surprising' report originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

For the past several months, the question hasn’t been if Jayson Tatum will return to the Boston Celtics this season, but when he’ll return.

But a report Wednesday night has shifted that conversation.

According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, Tatum is “re-evaluating his situation and is now considering sitting out the entire 2025-26 season” while recovering from the Achilles injury he suffered last May.

Tatum recently expressed doubt over how he’d reintegrate with the Celtics when he returns to action, telling The Pivot podcast that he’s been thinking “every single day” for the last two weeks about the potential challenges of joining a team that’s playing like a legitimate contender without him (29-18 and third in the Eastern Conference entering Thursday).

Still, the overwhelming expectation was that Tatum would return at some point this season, with a home date in February or March looking like the general timeframe. So, what should we make of this latest plot twist?

NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg and Abby Chin shared their immediate reactions on the Celtics Talk Podcast after a loss to the Atlanta Hawks at TD Garden.

“My immediate reaction is to just dismiss it,” Forsberg said. “I do think Tatum showed a bunch of self-awareness in those comments on The Pivot where he kind of said, ‘Hey, the Celtics have a good thing going. I don’t want to come in and be a disruptor.’ On the other hand, the Celtics still need some pieces to be a true contender, and I ultimately think for them to be in that mix, Jayson Tatum needs to be on the court.

“So, very interesting that this is being thrown out into the universe. I don’t know if this is just it being reaffirmed that he’s having some real heavy thoughts about how he fits and not wanting to disrupt, or if he’s truly pondering if the best path is to just wait.”

“I’m surprised by this,” Chin added. “I feel like this entire season — and everything that we’ve heard coming from Jayson himself — was just how motivated he is to get back this season and to get back as soon as possible.

“And yes, while the Celtics have exceeded expectations, there was always the expectation that Jayson would return this season. And to me, that’s part of the plan and has been part of the plan. So, this is surprising. I’m curious to see where this goes from here.”

To be clear, Tatum hasn’t decided on his future one way or the other. The Celtics star told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne on Wednesday night that he has yet to make a decision on whether he’ll return this season because he “wants to get it right the first time, so it’s just a lot to think about.”

As Forsberg mentioned, it’s possible that Tatum is just wrestling with some internal doubts. This is the first major injury of his career — prior to his injury, no NBA player had appeared in more games than Tatum since he entered the league in 2017 — and he understandably doesn’t want to risk coming back too soon, especially if the Celtics are playing well.

“I do think we’re seeing a little bit of human nature,” Chin said. “I think this injury forced Jayson to confront his basketball mortality.”

That part is understandable. But if Tatum is truly concerned that he’ll somehow mess with the Celtics’ mojo by coming back, Forsberg has a message for the six-time All-Star.

“The Celtics have been good and they’re playing different, and I think Tatum has every right to think that there will be pain points or bumps in the road trying to re-acclimatize,” Forsberg said.

“I think the bigger thing is, he just needs to get over that, because the best version of the Celtics includes Jayson Tatum.”