By The Associated Press (AP) — Luke Kornet called on the Atlanta Hawks to cancel their upcoming collaboration with Magic City, saying he and other NBA players were surprised by the team's decision to promote the adult entertainment club.
The San Antonio Spurs center wrote Monday that allowing the March 16 event during the Hawks' game against the Orlando Magic “would reflect poorly on us as an NBA community, specifically in being complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women in our society.”
“Regardless of how a woman finds her way into the adult entertainment industry, many in this space experience abuse, harassment, and violence to which they should never be subjected,” Kornet added in a blog post.
The Hawks announced the promotion last week, saying it would include a live performance by Atlanta native T.I., and have two versions of Magic City's famed chicken wings and a special hoodie available for purchase.
But Kornet noted that the press release “failed to acknowledge that this place is, as the business itself boasts, ‘Atlanta’s premier strip club.’” Therefore, he asked the Hawks to cancel the promotion.
“We desire to provide an environment where fans of all ages can safely come and enjoy the game of basketball and where we can celebrate the history and culture of communities in good conscience,” Kornet wrote. “The celebration of a strip club is not conduct aligned with that vision.”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: Luke Kennard #10 and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate during the first half of their game against the Boston Celtics at Crypto.com Arena on February 22, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Luiza Moraes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Lakers (36-24) will remain at home as they host the New Orleans Pelicans (19-43) on Tuesday. L.A. looks to sweep the season series against New Orleans for the second season in a row.
The Lakers commendably took care of business over the weekend by stringing together back-to-back blowout victories against Pacific Division counterparts. It doesn’t fully make up for the losing skid they recently endured, but it’s certainly a good sign that this team is back on track.
The best part of the last two victories was that several developments stood out, all of which could be considered integral for the Lakers’ success in this last stretch of the season and playoff time.
Here’s what we saw in the last two games:
Luka Kennard stepping up
Kennard put up 27 points off the bench in the two games, making him the highest scorer among the non-starters. This is a huge development for the purple and gold because not only does Luke improve their bench scoring, but he also provides another threat in their above-average offense with his ability to space the floor, cut to the basket, screen for his teammates and operate off the ball at all times.
The last two games showed how huge an X-factor the newest Laker can be every single game and that’s a huge advantage for them.
Lakers got their shooting rhythm back
The common denominator in the Lakers’ three-game losing streak was their shooting struggles. It happens to most teams and it’s a matter of how quickly they can snap out of it. The Lakers were able to do that over the weekend thanks to a number of things.
Austin Reaves and LeBron James shot better, there was more ball movement on offense and there was an improved mix of lineup and rotations. These all played a role in their victories over the last two games and the hope is for the team to carry them over moving forward.
The team winning means good vibes are back
For as inconsistent as this team has been all season, what has never been a problem is their chemistry. They seem to know how to have fun around each other and that becomes more prominent when they win games. Just look at how Rui Hachimura was the target of laughs prior to the game against the Sacramento Kings last Sunday.
Rui replaced Lebron for the pregame routine and couldn’t throw the ball correctly😭
Vando and everyone can’t stop laughing. Laravia telling him where to aim and Luka is like forget it 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/hPWBdpHD9w
Or when the team was cheering on Maxi Kleber, who had himself a night against the Kings as well:
Maxi Kleber said he feels his teammates reactions from the bench in his big plays like his two posters Sunday in win vs. SAC:
“Every time I do something, you know, you look to the bench, everybody's celebrating. So obviously it's good push for me, good push for the team.” pic.twitter.com/gMgQ6YlxNA
All these prove that the team is not entirely in disarray and there are a couple of things worth being hopeful about moving forward. Only time will tell if it’s enough to make a huge impact for the Lakers’ success down the line.
But in the meantime, they’re worth taking note of as each game passes. Let’s see if the Lakers can continue to build on their recent success and make it three wins in a row against the Pelicans on Tuesday.
Notes and Updates
The Pelicans team that the Lakers will face are also one of the worst defensive teams in the league because they struggle to guard the perimeter and allow too many easy transition points. They also don’t rebound the ball very well and don’t really have the depth on offense to make up for their flaws. The Lakers should be able to take advantage.
Moreover, the Lakers have owned the Pelicans over the last two seasons as they’ve won nine out of their last 10 games against them.
There are no injuries stated on the Lakers’ injury report for this one.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Landen Roupp #65 and Carson Whisenhunt #88 of the San Francisco Giants prepare for the game at Oracle Park on September 22, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Andy Kuno/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants entered the offseason with a lot of young starting pitchers who were equal parts exciting and unproven. Pitchers who could break camp with the team and prove to be a vital asset in the bullpen and critical rotational depth, like Hayden Birdsong was in the first half of last year. But also, pitchers who could show that they’re just not ready to contribute at the Major League level yet, like Hayden Birdsong in the second half of last year.
As the Giants poked around the trade market, it seemed that some of those pitchers could end up being on the way out. But ultimately, it was just the one at the back of the pecking order — Kai-Wei Teng — who didn’t make it to Scottsdale. The rest of the crew is there, fighting for bullpen jobs, backup starting jobs, and spots on the AAA Sacramento rotational totem pole.
Perhaps the biggest story of the Giants spring has been the divergent paths we’ve seen those pitchers take. Trevor McDonald, for instance, has been nothing short of brilliant: in three innings he’s yet to allow a hit or a walk, while striking out five. Birdsong, on the other hand, has been a disaster: in his two outings, he’s allowed 10 baserunners and eight earned runs, while recording just four outs. And Blade Tidwell? He’s thrown gas, and looked emphatically like one of the team’s 13 best pitchers.
Two other young pitchers had only made one appearance going into Monday’s game, a 6-5 win over the Chicago White Sox that pushed the Giants to 8-2 in Cactus League play. And, yet again, we saw them take very different paths.
Incumbent starter Landen Roupp took the bump to start the game. Roupp had been strong in his first outing of the year, and he was even stronger in this one. He struck out Chase Miedroth to open the first, then struck out Luisangel Acuña immediately afterwards, en route to a 1-2-3 first inning. His second inning was just as strong: while he didn’t have any strikeouts, he needed just 12 pitches to set down the side in order, inducing two ground balls and a soft liner.
That was it for Roupp, and it provided reason to think that his spot in the rotation is secure, as it should be. He needed just 25 pitches to cruise through two perfect innings, and was completely control.
Unfortunately, you can probably tell that this is a setup for something less happy — the proverbial other hand of the young pitching performances. Which brings us to the third inning, when Carson Whisenhunt took the mound. Whisenhunt had a hot-and-cold act in his first game of the spring, pitching one dominant inning and then falling apart in the next. In this game, unfortunately, he skipped past the first act.
Whisenhunt allowed a single to Jarred Kelenic on the first pitch he threw, and it was a moment that would, unfortunately, set the tone. He was able to get a fairly soft ground ball from Kelenic, hit right to the shortstop position. But with the Giants shifting, the ball found a hole for a tough-luck, seeing-eye single.
That was bad luck, but the rest of the outing was self-inflicted. After striking out the next batter, Whisenhunt allowed a 106.3-mph double to Korey Lee to score the first run. With two outs, Acuña scorched a 106.6-mph single for a second run.
Still, Whisenhunt got through the inning, and was awarded a second one. He started it by walking old friend LaMonte Wade Jr., then allowed a double to Lenyn Sosa. Immediate trouble. A sacrifice fly scored a third run, and then Kelenic again struck, this time not needing the shift to help him out: he smoked a 110.6-mph double — the hardest-hit ball of the day — to score the fourth and final run that Whisenhunt would allow. He would strike out the next batter, then get pulled from the game.
As in his first outing, Whisenhunt showed both greatly improved velocity, and velocity that couldn’t hold. Early in his outing, he threw five straight fastballs and averaged 96.7 mph with them. His final five fastballs, on the other hand, averaged just 94.9.
Ultimately, it was a case of nothing quite working for Whisenhunt, other than that early increase in velo. He only threw 28 of 46 pitches for strikes, and his signature changeup wasn’t able to be a weapon. He threw it just nine times, and it resulted in four balls, three swinging strikes, a foul ball, and a double.
It’s early. Not just for Whisenhunt and Birdsong, but also for the pitchers who are performing well. But we’re certainly seeing a divergence in the early goings.
On offense, the Giants — who sent a B-squad to Camelback Ranch — did the bulk of their damage with a White Sox-assisted rally in the third inning. It started when Buddy Kennedy and Jesús Rodríguez drew back-to-back one-out walks. That led to Parks Harber coming through with a big hit: an RBI double. Admittedly, it was a double that was hit right at the center fielder Acuña but, as we’ve seen so many times this spring, it simply wasn’t caught. On the other hand, Harber scorched it at 105 mph, so he deserved some good things out of it.
That only scored one run, but Christian Koss would follow with a two-run single to cap a three-run inning.
After falling behind 5-3, the Giants would get close in the sixth inning with a small ball rally, when Bo Davidson, Grant McCray, and Jake Holton hit back-to-back-to-back singles. Excitingly, Davidson and McCray absolutely smoked their hits, which registered 110 and 106.5 mph, respectively.
San Francisco would tie it in the eighth in the most unexpected way: a solo home run from Nate Furman. The second baseman brings a lot of skills to the Giants, but power certainly is not one of them. In 194 Minor League games, he’s hit just 12 home runs.
But he figured out the way to do it in the desert though, with metrics you won’t see on many home runs in Major League games: a 95.9-mph exit velocity, a distance of 365 feet, and an expected batting average of .210.
They would take the lead in the ninth inning on another solo home run, this time from a slightly more expected source: Kennedy, who had his first big hit since coming to camp as a Minor League free agent. And that was enough for a 6-5 win, helping the Giants avoid their first tie of spring.
Rodríguez had quite a utility player game. He started at second base, and later moved to left field for a few innings. The Giants only used him as a catcher following July’s trade with the Yankees, but have been using him all over the field this spring.
Victor Bericoto continued his tremendous spring, hitting 1-2 with a loud double while starting in right field.
Speaking of starting in the outfield, with Harrison Bader dinged up and Jung Hoo Lee in Korea, Luis Matos got the start in center field. It will be interesting to see if the Giants trust him there, which definitely opens up pathways to make the Opening Day roster, which is a necessity if the Giants want to keep him around, since he’s out of options. Matos has been swinging a hot bat this spring, though he went 0-2 in this game, though his first out required a very nice defensive play.
Jerar Encarnación, who started in left field, and Tyler Fitzgerald, who came off the bench to play third base, continued their tough springs. Both batters hit 0-2, with Encarnación striking out in both at-bats, and Fitzgerald having a strikeout and a pop out. Encarnación is 3-19 with seven strikeouts, no walks, and no extra-base hits this preseason; Fitzgerald is 2-17 with five strikeouts, no walks, and two doubles, though one of his hits was a pop up that the defense neglected to catch.
Spencer Bivens had a bit of a hiccup. He gave up three hits, two walks, and a solo home run in 1.2 innings, with one strikeout, and threw 20 of 35 pitches for strikes.
Nick Margevicius, on the other hand, had a nice day. He tossed 2.1 scoreless innings, with three hits, no walks, and no strikeouts.
Darien Smith came over from Minor League camp to record the save with a perfect ninth inning, with one strikeout. That’s always fun to see!
The Giants didn’t use any hard throwers in this game: Whisenhunt had the nine hardest-thrown balls of the game for San Francisco. The hardest throw by a non-Whisenhunt Giants pitcher was a 95.7-mph sinker from Bivens.
The five hardest-hit balls of the day for the Giants: Davidson’s single (110 mph), an Osleivis Basabe line out (107.9), McCray’s single (106.5), a Casey Schmitt single (105), and Harber’s double (105). Rodríguez’s single, Kennedy’s home run, Bericoto’s double, and a Harber ground out also cleared the 100-mph mark.
The Giants now get a break from Cactus League play to host Team USA as they prep for the World Baseball Classic. That game is Tuesday at 12:05 p.m. PT, and you can watch it on ESPN. Tidwell is expected to start.
TUCSON, ARIZONA - MARCH 03: The World Baseball Classic logo is seen during the game three of the World Baseball Classic Qualifiers between Brazil and Germany at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium on March 03, 2025 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Wednesday is the first game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic. All seven of the Padres involved left the team over the weekend. Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Wandy Peralta joined the Dominican Republic team for an exhibition in the DR. Xander Bogaerts joined the Netherlands team in Florida for their exhibition against Tampa Bay on Wednesday.
Mason Miller joined the USA team in Arizona for their exhibition against the Rockies on Wednesday. Pitchers Ron Marinaccio and Alek Jacob joined the Italy team in Arizona for their exhibition against the Angels on Wednesday.
Minor league players for the Padres are also involved in the WBC. RHP Michael Cienfuegos will be with Panama, LHP Omar Cruz and RHP Victor Lizarraga will join Mexico, Carter Loewen joins Canada and RHP Josh Mallitz will be on the Israel team.
The official first game of the Classic will be on Wednesday between Chinese Taipei and Australia in Tokyo. That game will be broadcast on FS1 at 7 p.m. PT. All the other games that day will be the exhibition games between WBC teams and spring teams for their MLB organizations.
The WBC has four locations with five teams in each location. The tournament is a four-pool round robin with a single-elimination quarterfinal and a semi-final and championship round that will take place in Miami. Pool play will take place March 5-11 with quarterfinals March 13-14. The semi-finals will be March 15-16 and the championship game on March 17.
The Padres will play Team Great Britain for their exhibition in Peoria on Wednesday and it will be televised on Padres.TV/MLB.TV at 12:10 p.m. PT.
Team USA features a loaded roster that includes Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes and Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal as well as Padres closer Mason Miller as their closer.
Padres third baseman Manny Machado is the captain of the Dominican team, an official designation that will be displayed on his uniform for the DR.
Power rankings
MLB.com polled 20 members of their staff to power rank the WBC teams. Over the previous five tournaments, there have only been three countries to win the championship. The Dominican Republic has won once, the USA have won once and Japan has taken the title three times.
Those three teams continue to rank in the top three for the current tournament, with Japan ranked first, the USA second and the DR third.
All games will be carried on Fox channels, including Spanish language game broadcasts. Fox Sports, Fox, FS1, FS2 and Tubi are all carrying games during the tournament. Refer to the schedule for specific games and times. The USA has their first game Friday versus Brazil and that will be on Fox at 5 p.m. PT.
U.S. pitcher Clayton Kershaw answers questions from reporters during a workout at Papago Park Sports Complex in Phoenix on Monday. (Chris Coduto / Getty Images)
How do you improve on the perfect ending?
Clayton Kershaw stood in the desert heat Monday, wearing a far darker shade of blue than the Dodgers do. He does not need a medal, or a chance to fail. His election to the Hall of Fame will be a formality.
In his farewell year, the Dodgers won the World Series, becoming baseball’s first back-to-back champions in 25 years. He secured a critical out. He bathed in adoration at the championship rally, and he told the fans he would be one of them this year.
“I’m going to watch,” he hollered that day, “just like all of you.”
He wore a dark blue jersey with red and white piping. As Team USA ran through its first World Baseball Classic workout, Kershaw participated in pitchers’ fielding practice and shagged fly balls during batting practice. He could have been home with his five kids, and instead he was rushing off the mound to take a throw at first base.
That November night in Toronto, as it turned out, was not the last time we would see him in uniform.
“Feels good,” he said Monday. “I wouldn’t put on a uniform for anything else. This is a special thing.”
He put the World Baseball Classic into red, white and blue perspective.
“It’s a bucket list thing for me,” he said.
He is either self-deprecating or painfully honest about his capabilities right now, or perhaps a little of both.
“I think, for our country’s sake, it’s probably better if I don’t,” Kershaw said.
Former Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw fields a ground ball during a workout at Papago Park Sports Complex on Monday. (Chris Coduto / Getty Images)
Never say never. Team USA planned to run a tremendous rotation of Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes, Joe Ryan and Logan Webb, but now Skubal says he will pitch just once in the tournament. Skenes says he’ll pitch twice. Ryan says he won’t pitch in the first round, at least.
Kershaw might be needed beyond the role he was promised: save the team from using the current major league pitchers in blowouts or extra innings.
In 11 career at-bats against Kershaw, Ohtani has no hits. Kershaw won’t duck the assignment if gets it, but he considers it so unlikely he is happy to share his game plan publicly.
“It’s throw it, pitch away, play away, hope he flies out to left,” Kershaw said. “Don’t throw it in his barrel.
“I can’t imagine, if it comes down to USA vs. Japan, with the arms that we have, that I’ll be needed. But I’ll be ready.”
Kershaw’s average fastball velocity dropped to 89 mph last season, but he led the majors in winning percentage. He could eat innings for some team — maybe even the Dodgers, with Blake Snell and Gavin Stone all but certain to be unavailable on Opening Day.
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, right, celebrates with teammates after the Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays for the 2025 World Series title. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
But, even with his success last year and even with the joy of wearing a uniform once again, he insists he isn’t interested in pitching beyond the WBC.
“I don’t want to,” he said. “You can’t end it better than I did last year. I had a great time last year. It was an absolute blast and honor to be on that team. I think that was the perfect way to end it. Honestly, I don’t know if I would have enough in the tank to pitch for a full season again. I’m really at peace with that decision.
“This is kind of a weird one-off thing, but you can’t really turn down this opportunity. It wasn’t easy to get ready for this, with no motivation for a season, but I actually am in a pretty good spot with my arm. I’ll be fine. If they need me, I’ll be ready.”
Kershaw said he has kept in touch with his old Dodgers teammates, with some connecting on video calls from the weight room or clubhouse at Camelback Ranch. He arrived in the Phoenix area two days before the workout, but he skipped a trip to Camelback Ranch.
“I’ve thought about it,” he said. “I miss the guys. I think it’s probably just better, at least for this first year, for me mentally to just stay away, just for spring training.”
Kershaw said he would be at Dodger Stadium for the championship ring ceremony March 27.
He is content with what he calls “Dad life.” He and his wife, Ellen, just welcomed their fifth child, and Dad life includes lots of shuttles to baseball and basketball practice.
This wouldn’t be a Dodgers story these days without some reference to the team’s big spending so, for what it’s worth, Kershaw spent some time Tuesday chatting with Skubal, who will be the grand prize on the free-agent market next winter, or whenever the likely lockout might end.
That’s a rational explanation, Kershaw says, for Skubal pitching just once in the WBC.
“Everybody knows the situation he is in, contract-wise,” Kershaw said. "Any innings we can get out of him is a huge bonus to this team. He’s great. Super competitive. We’re honored to have him.”
Should we assume Skubal will be pitching for the Dodgers next season? Kershaw laughed.
“No comment,” he said, then walked away to get ready for the first game of his post-retirement life.
PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 26: Royce O'Neale #00 and Collin Gillespie #12 of the Phoenix Suns celebrate after the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 26, 2026 at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Alright, this won’t be as dramatic as the title, but man… what an important win that was. It’s been 84 years since the last Suns game with this random massive gap in the schedule, so let’s rewind a bit.
With 0.9 seconds on the clock, Royce O’Neale buried a corner three, assisted by Collin Gillespie, but originally created by a sweeping Grayson Allen drive and kick to CG in the corner, who found Royce. That clutch three secured a 113-110 win. It wasn’t just a win. It was a firm reminder that the Suns have no intention of sinking into the Play-In abyss.
ROYCE O'NEALE HITS THE GO-AHEAD 3 TO WIN IT FOR THE SUNS 🚨
If you’ve been watching the Phoenix Suns over the last two weeks, you’ve probably been pulling your hair out. I know I have. Before Thursday night, the vibes were, frankly, in the dumps. We were looking at a team that had dropped six of its last eight, an offense that looked like it was stuck in a mud pit, and a rotation decimated by injuries to Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, and Jordan Goodwin.
Fast forward to the closing seconds against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Footprint Center. The Suns had blown a 12-point fourth-quarter lead. LeBron James had just tipped in a game-tying bucket with 22 seconds left. The ghosts of “disappointing stretches” were starting to rattle again.
Then, Royce O’Neale happened.
The Tiebreaker + “Win of the Season”
Make no mistake, this was the biggest win of the year. Not because of our hatred for LA (that helps), but because of the math. By taking down the Lakers, the Suns officially secured the season tiebreaker. We are now just one game back from L.A. in the loss column for that coveted No. 6 seed. Despite their recent spiral, the fact that the top-6 is still in play is remarkable, especially with Devin Booker’s return soon.
We saw the Suns return to the basics: scrappy defense, transition buckets, and a “death by Royce O’Neale” finish that Lakers fans will be seeing in their nightmares. It was a rollercoaster of a game, but you’d expect nothing less from these relentless Suns.
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Jalen Green.
It is okay to hold players accountable, and right now, the accountability is loud. Green finished with 9 points on 4-of-15 shooting. The iso-ball is getting stagnant, and the 10 assists over his last five games are concerning as well. There are red flags there that are tough to ignore.
I will give him a break for now because he’s currently set up to fail in a system missing its top two scorers while he is trying to trust his body again.
This is a guy who has only played 11 games this season and is clearly still trying to get his legs under him after the recurring hamstring injury. He’s being asked to be Batman when he was brought here to be a high-level Robin. The “perfect storm for failure” is currently swirling around him, but if this inefficiency continues once Book returns, the conversation changes from “he needs time” to “he’s messing with the flow of the offense.”
I truly believe this is the worst he’ll ever look as a Sun, and it’s only uphill from here.
Bright Spots
The brightest spotof last Thursday’s win wasn’t just the final score; it was the continued evolution of Oso Ighodaro. Oso played 34 minutes to Mark Williams’ 13. This season, he has transformed from a tentative rookie we saw a year ago into a decisive attacker who isn’t afraid to mix it up. Jordan Ott is not afraid to close games out with him, and in certain matchups, he prefers it.
This vicious poster on LaRavia was a testament to the player he has slowly become right before our eyes.
Pair him with Rasheer Fleming — who gave us some serious “young Kawhi” defensive vibes while checking LeBron and Luka — and you start to see a viable future for the Suns’ frontcourt. Fleming is a disruptor who can switch everything, and if his three-ball becomes consistent, he is the bridge player this team has been begging for since the Brooks injury.
The Suns shot 50 threes last game. They lived by the long ball and nearly died by it, but that is the modern NBA.
With Devin Booker expected to return soon, the goal is simple: survive and advance. Yes, my basketball brain is ready for March Madness, if you couldn’t tell.
Aaron Judge attempted to fire up Team USA on Monday as it gets ready for the start of the World Baseball Classic this week.
The Yankees outfielder — donning a red, white and blue uniform — got up in front of America’s roster full of All-Stars and delivered a speech that was all about sacrifice and being there for one another.
“We’re going to lay it all on the line,” he said. “If we do that, we’re bringing the gold home, man. I’m telling you.”
Aaron Judge #99 of Team USA talks with Ken Griffey Jr. (L) during a workout at Papago Park Sports Complex on March 02, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Team USA will kick off its quest to win the WBC on Tuesday, when it plays in an exhibition matchup against the Giants in Scottsdale, Ariz. It will have one more tuneup in the desert on Wednesday against the Rockies.
The Stars and Stripes squad will then fly to Houston for its tournament-opening game against Brazil. Tilts with Great Britain, Mexico and Italy will then follow in the ensuing days.
America is loaded with talent — in addition to Judge, Cal Raleigh, Will Smith, Bryce Harper, Bobby Witt Jr., Kyle Schwarber and more will be available for manager Mark DeRosa.
On the mound, Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal, Logan Webb, Clayton Kershaw and a host of others have each signed up to pitch for America.
The last time USA participated in the WBC was in 2023, when it fell to Shohei Ohtani and Team Japan in the championship.
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 31: Ty Jerome #2 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against Jaden McDaniels #3 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at FedExForum on January 31, 2026 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Minnesota Timberwolves at Memphis Grizzlies Date: March 3rd, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM CST Location: Target Center Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network – North Radio Coverage: Wolves App, iHeart Radio
There’s a very specific kind of confidence that creeps in when you beat the Denver Nuggets on national television. It’s the “we’re back” confidence. And right now, the Minnesota Timberwolves are flirting with that version of themselves.
Six wins in their last seven. A convincing Sunday afternoon win over Jokic and the Nuggets. A leapfrog in the standings. Suddenly they’re sitting tied for the third best record in the West, staring at the Houston Rockets, and licking their chops.
It feels good. It should feel good.
But before we start fantasizing home court in Round 1, let’s take a healthy dose of reality. The margin for error in the West is still razor thin. The Wolves have momentum, but they haven’t exactly looked like world-beaters during this stretch. They’ve won games that should’ve been comfortable by making them unnecessarily dramatic. They’ve flirted with disaster against inferior opponents and needed fourth-quarter gear shifts to survive.
Which brings us to this week’s three-game homestand: Memphis. Toronto. Orlando.
On paper? Bankable wins. In reality? Potential landmines.
Because the Wolves don’t have a “talent” problem. They have a “professional urgency on random Tuesday nights” problem. Which makes this Memphis Grizzlies team one of the most dangerous opponents they could face…
The Setup: The Games You Have to Bank
March is a gauntlet. After this homestand, Minnesota heads west to face both L.A. teams, Golden State, and then south for the fourth and final showdown with OKC. That’s not a sightseeing tour. That’s a standings reshuffle waiting to happen.
So if the Wolves want that three-seed, if they want home court in Round 1, if they want to avoid staring down OKC in the second round like it’s a dentist appointment, they have to stack the games that are sitting right in front of them.
Memphis is one of those. And before you (or the Wolves) begin to mentally add a digit to the win column, stop and remember that these Grizzlies have already beaten Minnesota twice this season. The most recent upset was at the start of February in one of those games where the Wolves assumed they could flip the switch late, only to realize the power had been disconnected.
When we get to April and we’re recapping the “what could have been” portion of the season, those Memphis losses are going to glow in neon. This is a team Minnesota has a clear talent advantage over. And yet, lack of intensity and professionalism already put two notches in the loss column.
They cannot afford a third.
#1: Take This Personally (And Take It Seriously)
The Grizzlies punched Minnesota in the mouth twice. Both times, the Wolves walked in thinking it was a formality. That can’t happen again.
This needs to be one of those games where the Wolves remember the taste of blood. Where they come out like they’ve had this date circled since February 2nd. Where they don’t “feel it out” for a quarter and a half.
Jump on them early. Crank the defensive aggression up immediately. Dive for loose balls. Sprint in transition. End defensive possessions with rebounds. Make Memphis feel like they wandered into the wrong building.
Because if you let them hang around, if you let this become a fourth-quarter coin flip, you’re inviting déjà vu.
And Wolves fans have had enough déjà vu this season to last a lifetime.
#2: Blanket Ty Jerome
Memphis has pivoted away from the core that knocked the Wolves out of the playoffs in 2022. Jaren Jackson Jr. is gone, shipped to Utah at the deadline. Desmond Bane was jettisoned before the season. The identity that once made Memphis dangerous has been dismantled piece by piece. Ja Morant is still there, only because nobody else was eager to take on that particular roller coaster. This is not the same Grizzlies team that one appeared to be the next great Western Conference contender.
But Ty Jerome? He’s real. He already proved a month ago that he can hang with Minnesota and put enough points on the board to steal the game. And if you let him get comfortable, he’ll start doing that annoying thing where role players turn into All-NBA guys for a night.
Anthony Edwards. Ayo Dosunmu. Jalen Clark. Donte DiVincenzo. They all need to take turns sitting in Jerome’s jersey.
#3: Keep Jaden McDaniels Unlocked
Jaden McDaniels is the Wolves’ secret ingredient. When he’s passive, the Wolves are good. When he’s aggressive, they’re terrifying. We saw it against Denver. McDaniels attacking downhill, finishing at the rim, getting high-percentage looks. He tilted the floor.
The Wolves need to treat the next six weeks as a referendum on fully integrating McDaniels as a third pillar of this offense. Not an afterthought. Not a “stand in the corner and wait” guy.
If this team heads into the postseason as a legitimate three-headed monster of Ant, Randle, and McDaniels, that’s a completely different ceiling. Minnesota needs to be done with six-point Jaden games. Finch and the staff need to scheme him into action early. Get him touches. Get him downhill. Let him feel the game.
#4: Keep the Ball Moving
One of the more encouraging trends from Sunday? Edwards passing out of doubles. He didn’t force it against Denver. He trusted the read. He let teammates cook. That’s when Minnesota’s offense feels like a five-lane highway instead of a one-man street.
Memphis probably won’t double Ant the way Denver did. But the philosophy has to stay the same: Share it. Swing it. Keep the defense honest.
There is zero reason for this to devolve into iso-heavy, dribble-the-air-out-of-the-ball basketball. The Wolves are far more dangerous when the ball is whipping around the perimeter and the defense is chasing shadows. This is not a “prove you’re the best player in the building” game. It’s a “prove you’re the most professional team in the building” game.
#5: Defend the Perimeter Like It’s a Playoff Game
The only way Memphis stays alive here is if Minnesota gifts them space with lazy rotations, turnstile perimeter defense., and wide-open threes because someone didn’t feel like tagging the shooter.
Don’t give them that.
If Memphis earns tough buckets, fine, but don’t be the reason they get easy ones. Close out hard. Contain at the point of attack. Rotate with purpose. Make it feel suffocating.
This should be a blowout win. Honestly? Anything less is unacceptable.
The Big Picture: Climb the Ladder, One Rung at a Time
The Wolves did the hard part Sunday.
They beat Denver. They flipped the script. They vaulted in the standings. It was a statement win.
But statement wins only matter if you don’t step on a rake 48 hours later.
The dog days of January and February are behind us. The postseason is visible on the horizon. Now it’s about stacking wins. Banking games you’re supposed to win. Turning momentum into separation.
You want the three-seed? You want home court? You want the opposite side of OKC? Then treat Memphis like what they are right now: a stepping stone.
No coasting. No “we’ll turn it on later.” No letting inferior teams dictate terms.
Here are some of the more notable trades this season. Follow along for analysis on deals as the NHL trade deadline approaches:
March 2: Oilers acquire Connor Murphy
The trade: The Edmonton Oilers acquire defenseman Connor Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks for a 2028 second-round pick.
Analysis: The Blackhawks retain 50 percent of the $4.4 million cap hit for the pending unrestricted free agent. The Oilers have been leaking goals, and the 6-foot-4 Murphy is a solid defensive defenseman. He played on the No. 1 unit of the league's best penalty kill, led the Blackhawks in blocked shots and was third in hits.
Feb. 24: Penguins, Avalanche swap defensemen
The trade: The Pittsburgh Penguins acquire defenseman Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round pick from the Avalanche for defenseman Brett Kulak.
Analysis: The Avalanche pick up salary cap space and add a defenseman who has been to the Stanley Cup Final the past two seasons. The Penguins had acquired pending unrestricted free agent Kulak in the Stuart Skinner trade, Girard is also a pending UFA, and Pittsburgh gets a draft pick in the deal by flipping Kulak.
Feb. 4: Kings acquire Artemi Panarin
The trade: The Los Angeles Kings acquire forward Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers for forward Liam Greentree and conditional third-round (2026) and fourth-round (2028) picks.
Analysis: The Kings are hurting for offense and Panarin can provide plenty. He also signed a two-year extension with an $11 million cap hit, ensuring he'll be around after Anze Kopitar retires at season's end. It didn't help the team, though, that Kevin Fiala broke his leg at the Olympics before Panarin suited up. Panarin had a full no-movement clause, so the Rangers were limited in their return, but Greentree was the Kings' top prospect and the third-round pick could become a second-rounder.
Feb. 4: Devils acquire Nick Bjugstad
The trade: The New Jersey Devils acquire forward Nick Bjugstad from the St. Louis Blues for forward Thomas Bordeleau and a conditional fourth-round pick.
Analysis: This is the third time Bjugstad has been moved near the trade deadline because the 6-6 forward is a good fit in the bottom six. He has another year left on his contract.
Jan. 27: Islanders acquire Ondrej Palat
The trade: The New York Islanders acquire left wing Ondrej Palat, a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick from the New Jersey Devils for forward Maxim Tsyplakov.
Analysis: That's two trades in two days with a division rival. Palat is a two-time Stanley Cup winner (with the Lightning) and kills penalties. Tsyplakov didn't get a lot of ice time with the Islanders but has potential.
Jan. 26: Islanders acquire Carson Soucy
The trade: The New York Islanders acquire defenseman Carson Soucy from the New York Rangers for a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
The trade: The San Jose Sharks acquire forward Kiefer Sherwood from the Vancouver Canucks for second-round picks in 2026 and 2027, plus defenseman Cole Clayton.
Analysis: Sherwood had been mentioned as a trade candidate since the Canucks started slowly. The pending free agent is among the leader in hits and had 17 goals at the time of the deal. The Sharks are playing better than expected and this deal shows they are trying to push for a playoff spot.
Jan. 19: Golden Knights acquire Rasmus Andersson
The trade: The Vegas Golden Knights acquire defenseman Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames for defenseman Zach Whitecloud, defense prospect Abram Wiebe, a conditional first-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and a conditional second-rounder in 2028.
Analysis: The Golden Knights had been without Alex Pietrangelo all season and Andersson gives Vegas another puck-moving defenseman. The Flames get a good return for a pending unrestricted free agent. Andersson is the second defenseman Vegas had acquired from Calgary recently after the 2024 trade for Noah Hanifin. Hanifin eventually signed an extension and the Golden Knights will seek the same from Andersson.
Dec. 29: Penguins acquire Yegor Chinakhov
The trade: The Pittsburgh Penguins acquire forward Yegor Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets for forward Danton Heinen, a 2026 second-round draft pick and a 2027 third-rounder.
Analysis: Chinakhov had requested a trade last season. He's a pending restricted free agent so the Penguins have control over his future. Heinen is a pending UFA.
Dec. 19: Canadiens acquire Phillip Danault
The trade: The Montreal Canadiens acquire center Phillip Danault from the Los Angeles Kings for a 2026 second-round pick.
Analysis: Danault is coming back to Montreal. He was a key shutdown player during the Canadiens' 2021 run to the Stanley Cup Final.
Dec. 19: Blue Jackets acquire Mason Marchment
The trade: The Columbus Blue Jackets acquire forward Mason Marchment from the Seattle Kraken for a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick.
Analysis: Marchment had been off to a slow start after signing a four-year deal. But he scored 22 goals in each of his last two seasons in Dallas.
Dec. 12: Wild acquire Quinn Hughes
The trade: The Minnesota Wild acquire Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks for Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, Liam Ohgren and a 2026 first-round pick.
Analysis: This is a sign that the Wild are going for it and it gives them a dynamic former Norris Trophy winner to match Cale Makar if they face the Avalanche in the playoffs. The Wild gave up a lot - Buium was great at Denver and for the USA at the world junior championships - and Hughes acknowledged that and appreciated it. That could help sway Hughes when he's eligible to sign a contract extension in July.
Dec. 12: Oilers, Penguins swap goalies
The trade: The Edmonton Oilers acquire Tristan Jarry and forward Samuel Poulin from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Stuart Skinner, defenseman Brett Kulak and a 2029 second-round pick.
Analysis: The Oilers pull the plug on Skinner, who was either spectacular or bad during back-to-back runs to the Stanley Cup Final. But they land another inconsistent goalie in Jarry, who has had injury troubles. Skinner and Kulak are pending free agents, so the Penguins could flip them at the deadline. If Skinner works out, it would allow the Penguins to continue developing goalie Sergei Murashov in the American Hockey League.
Mitchell Robinson (r.) reacts during the Knicks' March 1 win over the Spurs.
The Knicks load management plan with Mitchell Robinson can be frustrating at times, but it’s hard to argue that it hasn’t worked.
Robinson has played 44 games this year, already more than either of the past two seasons.
He is on pace to play more games this year than any of the past three seasons.
The 7-footer has not played both legs of a back-to-back this year.
The Knicks also have sat him at times during busy portions of the schedule, even when it wasn’t part of a back-to-back.
All of that has helped keep Robinson more available than he had been in years.
“We love the medical group that we have,” coach Mike Brown said Sunday. “[Vice president of sports medicine] Casey [Smith] and [senior vice president of player performance] Quentin [Dolan] and [head athletic trainer] Anthony [Goenaga], they’ve done a nice job heading it with our doctors. They’ve spearheaded this, so I’ve gotta give those guys a ton of credit.
Mitchell Robinson (r.) reacts during the Knicks’ March 1 win over the Spurs. Jason Szenes for the NY Post
“And starting with Mitch because he’s bought into this plan and he’s tried to execute it at the highest of high levels. So I give all those guys a ton of credit because I’m just kind of jumping on the bandwagon and following their lead. To see him out there, because the best thing almost anybody can have is their availability, so to see him out there as much as he’s been out there has been really good for us.”
The most important step will be ensuring Robinson is healthy for the postseason.
The Knicks face the Raptors on Tuesday in Toronto, then return home to host the Thunder on Wednesday.
Robinson is not listed on the Knicks’ injury report, meaning he will be available against the Raptors and will likely sit against Oklahoma City.
The Knicks defense has been a roller coaster this year.
But it seems they’re hitting their groove in that department.
Over the past 15 games, the Knicks recorded a defensive rating of 105.3 — best in the NBA over that stretch.
“I think it’s just another example of where we can be defensively,” Josh Hart said after the 114-89 win over the Spurs on Sunday at Madison Square Garden. “We have to do that on a nightly basis. Now it’s all about getting better every day, getting better so we’re the best team we can be when we’re in the playoffs. We have to continue to build off this, and not have lows at this point. It can’t be up and down.”
Monday marked six years since the Knicks hired Leon Rose as team president.
NASHVILLE, TN –The Detroit Red Wings will have John Gibson examined further, but early indications are he's fine.
Gibson left the Red Wings' game after the first period after incurring an upper-body injury at Bridgestone Arena on Monday, March 2, and did not return .
"Right at the end of the period, he took a shot up high into the shoulder area," coach Todd McLellan said. "It was kind of like a stinger, if you will. When you get those, you don't get the feeling back right away.
"I think he's OK now. He's walking around. But we'll have him looked at when we get home."
The Wings (35-20-6) next play Wednesday at home against the Vegas Golden Knights. Tuesday is a day off.
He said he found out he would be entering the game with "about nine or 10 minutes left on the clock from the first intermission. I knew that he was in some discomfort so I just kind of started to stretch out, get ready just in case, and then got the official word around the 10-minute mark."
During the Los Angeles Lakers dismantling of the Golden State Warriors on Saturday at the Chase Center in San Francisco, fans caught a moment between head coach J.J. Redick and superstar Luka Doncic.
Doncic — the franchise’s newest crown jewel — was walking towards the Lakers bench when Redick reached out and grabbed his arm. Not violently, but firmly enough that it got Doncic’s attention.
The two exchanged words along the sideline as Redick followed Doncic back to the Lakers’ bench. Doncic sat down and the player and coach continued to exchange words before Redick made one last comment and began walking back towards the scorer’s table. That’s when Luka popped up like a match had just struck gasoline.
Thankfully, Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt was nearby to witness the whole thing and he immediately rose from the bench clapping, loud and deliberate, inserting himself into the space like a seasoned diplomat breaking up a bar fight before the first punch flies.
Vanderbilt’s actions were subtle, but brilliant. It clearly saved everyone from turning a heated exchange into a headline that would have drowned out the Lakers 129-101 dominant win.
Coaches and superstars clash all the time. On the opposite sideline, Steve Kerr and Draymond Green have clashed several times this season alone. Phil and Kobe clashed. Riley and Magic did too. Fire is required to forge steel.
Whatever was said between the coach and superstar is likely squashed at this point, but the fan’s video shows that even the greatest are not exempt from temper’s flaring and sometimes you need a veteran like Vanderbilt to sense the moment and step between the two before things escalate even further.
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DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 29: Kon Knueppel #7 of the Charlotte Hornets looks to pass the ball during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on January 29, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Cooper Neill/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks (21-39) travel to Charlotte to take on the Hornets (30-31), hoping to snap a three-game losing streak. It’ll be hard to imagine getting a better game than the last Mavericks-Hornets matchup, even though Charlotte walked away with the win, 123-121. The injury report is longer for the Mavs this time around, and with Cooper Flagg likely out, Dallas will have to get solid production from everyone who suits up. Here are three things to watch as the Mavericks take on the Hornets.
The Rookie of the Year race is tight
The last time these two teams met, we got a classic. Cooper Flagg notched his career high of 49 points, also adding 10 rebounds and 3 assists. His former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel hit eight of his 12 threes, posting 34 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. The two future stars put on a show and proved why the Rookie of the Year race is one of the closest ever.
For the first time since November, betting sportsbooks have Kon Knueppel edging out Cooper Flagg for Rookie of the Year. The two former teammates have separated themselves as being on a tier of their own in the 2025 NBA draft class. Each has shown their basketball brilliance in different ways. Knueppel is a marksman, shooting an astounding 44% from three this season on eight attempts per game. He broke the NBA rookie record for three pointers made in a season, netting his 207th — in 59 games. The previous record was held by Keegan Murray in 2023, who took 80 games to reach 206 made threes. Knueppel, who was taken fourth in the 2025 draft, has also put up an impressive stat line of 19.3 points per game, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. He’s arguably the biggest reason why the Charlotte Hornets could reach their first season of being above .500 since 2022.
Cooper Flagg, the perennial favorite to win the Rookie of the Year race, has slipped behind Knueppel largely because he’s been sidelined with a left foot sprain since February 10. Charlotte will be his eighth consecutive game missed. Before the injury, Flagg was living up to the hype of everything Mavs fans were hoping to see from the number one overall pick. He’s averaging 20.4 points per game, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists — all slightly ahead of his former Duke counterpart.Prioritizing Flagg’s health is, of course, most important. Once he returns, it could be a photo finish for who takes home the Rookie of the Year trophy.
Charlotte is better than its record
After an abysmal start, the Hornets have been red hot. It looked like Charlotte was headed for another rebuilding year as it started 15-26 by the halfway point in the season. Since then, they’ve won 15 of 20 games and now the only thing standing between them and a .500 record is the Mavericks. They have a 3.0 net rating this season, better than the Heat, Raptors, Sixers, Magic, Lakers, Suns, and Warriors — all teams that are above .500. In their past 20 games, the Hornets own the third-best net rating in the NBA at 9.8, only behind the Pistons and Celtics.
Charlotte’s athleticism and size cause matchup problems for many teams. They are second in the NBA in offensive rebounding percentage at 35.8. If the Mavs want any chance at keeping the Hornets from breaking the .500 plateau, they’ll have to keep them off the glass. Charlotte’s offensive rating has also cracked the top-10 in the NBA, scoring 117.5 points per 100 possessions, largely due to its efficient three-point shooting. They make 15.9 threes per game, trailing only the Warriors, and are third in percentage at 37.8%, trailing only the Nuggets and Bucks. Shooting a lot of threes and elite offensive rebounding for second and third opportunities will put you in the upper third of efficient NBA offenses.
Embrace the weird stat lines
The injury list these days reads more like a Walmart receipt. With so many key rotation guys out, the Mavs are digging deep into their bench to fill minutes. In a season that’s largely lost and with eyes already shifting to the draft, these last 22 games still have purpose. They’re a glorified tryout for real minutes on (hopefully) a much better team next season.
If 48 minutes are largely filled by your bench, you’re bound to get some bizarre stat lines. In Dallas’s 100-87 loss to Oklahoma City on Sunday, Moussa Cisse recorded 12 rebounds, 0 points, 0 assists, 0 blocks, and 0 steals. But with weird stat lines come real questions. Who should be on the roster next season? Now is the time to find out. Is Cisse a viable big man Dallas should give a roster spot to next season? Caleb Martin was the leading scorer with 18 points against the Thunder. Can he reset his value and be a real contributor next season? How does Ryan Nembhard respond after securing his NBA contract? Who will the Mavericks choose to run the bench unit once Kyrie returns? Where does Brandon Williams fit in? In the bigger picture, these minutes matter.
A lot of losing is happening, but that’s OK. This grind part is important for the rebuilding process. Speaking of the Thunder, who are widely considered the favorite to repeat as NBA champions, let’s look at the beginning of their rebuild. In the 2021-2022 season, the Thunder lost 16 games by 20+ points, including a 50-point loss to the Clippers and a 73-point loss to the Grizzlies. In comparison, the Mavericks have four losses by 20+ points this season. The Thunder finished with a record of 24-58. This is the same season Oklahoma City discovered Lu Dort as an elite defender, Aaron Wiggins as a real scoring threat, and Kenrich Williams as a serviceable wing who can contribute off the bench. Most of that 2022 roster didn’t make the 2025 title team, but these guys did. Oklahoma City knew Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the star, but who were the guys that could contribute around him? With no pressure to win games, now is the time to find out who those players are for the Mavericks. This is part of the process.
How to watch
It can be hard to get motivated to watch Mavericks games without Cooper Flagg. But even without him, these games are a good way to see what Dallas has around him. The star is the hardest part to get in a championship puzzle. The hardest part is done. But as fans saw with Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Doncic, the talent you put around your star matters. With or without Flagg, let’s see how the Mavs compete.
The Mavs and Hornets tip off at 6:00 PM CST on KFAA Channel 29, MavsTV streaming, and NBA League Pass.
SAN FRANCISCO – Draymond Green’s uneven performance this Warriors season has been a frequent topic of discussion in the streets of Dub Nation, with debate running hot in recent weeks and those ready to send him away winning more than their share.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr, however, consistently has defended Green, insisting his presence is essential to the best version of the team, which has been without Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler III since January.
Kerr received a dollop of evidence supporting his belief Monday night at Chase Center during the pivotal third quarter of a 114-101 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Warriors had led most of the game and were up 71-61 when Green was subbed out for Moses Moody with 4:37 left in the third quarter. LA star Kawhi Leonard had 14 points on eight field-goal attempts, with the ball rarely finding him behind Green’s bloodhound defense. Within a minute of Draymond going to the bench, Leonard drained a midrange jumper and two free throws. The Clippers were within six, closed with a 16-8 run and were within two entering the fourth quarter.
The complexion of the game changed during the non-Draymond minutes, with the Clippers moving in and taking control.
“He’s still one of the great defenders in the league,” Kerr said of Green. “And he set the tone in that first half, and we were able to sustain the lead for much of the third. But they went on a run late in the third quarter, and cut it to two going into the fourth. They had a lot of momentum.
“But we had to get him out. He can’t play the whole game. And he played 31 minutes, which is a lot for him at this stage. But that was the key stretch.”
Green, who turns 36 on Wednesday, averages 26.6 minutes per game and has topped 31 in only 11 of the 50 games in which he has played this season. No doubt he was stretched.
That stretch during which he sat touched off the avalanche that buried the Warriors, who were outscored 53-30 over the final 16:37. They had led by as much as 16 in the third quarter and then trailed by as much as 17 in the fourth. Leonard finished with a game-high 23 points.
“We weren’t able to sustain the energy that we needed defensively,” Al Horford said. “I still felt like we were going to be able to in the fourth quarter, kind of come back and win the game. Kawhi went on a great run and that kind of put it away.”
A game featuring two teams vying for NBA play-in tournament position suddenly vanished from the Warriors, leaving their record at 31-30, one game above .500 for the first time since Jan. 5.
Though Green was unavailable after the game – he has been uncharacteristically distant from media lately – his value on this night spoke volumes.
His presence, warts and all, still matters.
“One thousand percent,” De’Anthony Melton said. “What Draymond does especially on defensive end, it’s still in the top percentile.”
Green’s offense has taken the brunt of the criticism. He’s averaging 8.5 points per game, shooting 40.9 percent from the field, including 31.7 percent beyond the arc – where he generally gets open looks. He scored only four points on 1-of-5 shooting, all from deep, against the Clippers.
“Obviously, everyone’s going to talk about his shooting and stuff like that,” Melton said. “But at the same time, he’s Draymond. You know what I mean? Everybody acting like, this is something, that it’s just like new or that he’s changed his game. In some of these instances, we gotta hit shots. We gotta hit shots.
“I saw a graphic today showing the lowest-scoring All-Stars. And Draymond was an All-Star averaging 11 points (11.3 in 2017-18). Scoring has never been his emphasis.”
Is Green the same player he was eight seasons ago? No. No way. He was during that time a blur, blasting downcourt as an offensive playmaker and, on the other end, scrambling to defend three or four opponents in one possession.
But there are times when his presence matters greatly. There haven’t been many such times this season, as the Warriors have put away several games during non-Draymond minutes down the stretch.
But this game, which came with stakes attached, is one in which his absence was a determining factor in an outcome the Warriors didn’t want.
