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Utah Jazz vs Philadelphia 76ers: Recap and final score

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 4: Keyonte George #3 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 4, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Utah Jazz fell short against the Sixers, 106-102. For the most part, it was a duel between Keyonte George and Tyrese Maxey. George scored 30 points on 10/24 shooting from the field (41.7%) and 5/11 (45.5%) from three. It was very clear that Keyonte George was the equal of Tyrese Maxey, if not better. Maxey was also great, scoring 25 points on 8/22 (36.4%) shooting from the field and 2/10 (20%) from three. The comparison has been made often this season, with Keyonte George a strong candidate for Most Improved Player. The style is similar, and the numbers are very comparable. That’s what made this matchup so interesting. Now that it’s done, it’s time to start getting excited about the future for Keyonte George. His ability to run the offense, score at all levels, and defend at an improved level is pointing towards an elite season next year. It’s not out of the question to consider not just All-Star, but All-NBA, as real possibilities next year.

It wasn’t just Keyonte George who played well in the Jazz’s loss. Utah got some really solid minutes from Ace Bailey and Cody Williams. Cody Williams actually led the team in plus/minus at +15. It’s an absolute 180 from where we saw him last season. Williams’ potential to be a consistent and effective wing player is looking increasingly likely with each game. If he can consistently hit his open threes, Williams is looking like a nice pick at #10. Gone are the days of Jazz fans pining for Matas Buzelis. Ace Bailey’s percentages weren’t where you wanted them to be, but he’s showing more and more comfort in the Jazz’s system and initiating with the ball. Bailey is driving more regularly and even running pick-and-rolls. What’s great is that it’s looking more and more smooth. Not only that, Bailey is defending at a higher level and improving game after game. Bailey is playing with real force at times on the defensive end, and if he can consistently impact at a high level defensively, there’s a real chance he becomes a high-level, winning player in the league.

Isaiah Collier is also showing his value as a backup point guard. Collier had 18 and 5 tonight and scored at a solid clip. He can’t consistently hit threes, but his speed and power make up for it, at least as much as you can reasonably expect. That speed drives his greatest skill, his ability to get to the paint at will. Collier can bend the defense every night, and there’s a ton of value in that. With more time and work, Collier should be a vital part of the future and can be even better when surrounded by more consistent play around him.

Finally, it’s time to look at Blake Hinson as a potential part of the future. Hinson has done nothing but play well since joining the Jazz. In five games, Hinson is shooting 56% from the field and 52% from three. Not only that, Hinson brings real size (he’s 6’8”) and intensity on the defensive end. That combination makes him a valuable potential role player for the Jazz going forward. Yes, he’s 26, but now is the time for the Jazz to start looking at players as potential parts of the future. Hinson seems like the exact type of player that winning teams find in the G-League.

It’s nights like tonight, where Utah loses just barely at the end, that will be different next season. Utah is doing a fantastic job of keeping its pick this season. This decision is going to add another top prospect to the roster and will help the Jazz enter an era of winning basketball we haven’t seen since the early Donovan Mitchell years and up to the time of Deron Williams.

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Rapid Recap: Hawks 131, Bucks 113

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 04: Dyson Daniels #5 of the Atlanta Hawks defends Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second quarter at Fiserv Forum on March 04, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

For the second time this week, the Milwaukee Bucks blew a 16-point first-half lead and ended up getting blown out, this time to the Atlanta Hawks at Fiserv Forum, dealing a serious blow to their play-in hopes. Their losing streak is now at four games, and their average margin of defeat has been 24.2. Giannis Antetokounmpo had a game-high 24 points, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker paced Atlanta with 23.

NBA.com Box Score

Game Recap

Giannis scored eight of Milwaukee’s first 13 points with a couple dunks and swished a 17-footer to boot. After his first career DNP-CD on Monday, Kyle Kuzma was the Bucks’ first sub as Giannis exited. Ousmane Dieng then got cooking, matching the superstar’s 10 points before he had to exit with two fouls. The second unit was able to separate, spearheading a 15-4 run over the first’s final five minutes. Thanks to 72.7% shooting from the floor (6/9 from three), the home side led 38-25 after one.

Bobby Portis maintained the Bucks’ momentum in the second, dropping their first seven points en route to an early 16-point edge. Atlanta sliced that to seven pretty fast with a 9-0 run, fueled by a couple bad Milwaukee turnovers. The Hawks got as close as two as a lineup led by Buck-killer CJ McCollum abused an all-bench Bucks fivesome, but a Ryan Rollins jumper and a Portis three kept the visitors at bay as Giannis checked back in. Unfortunately, the reassembled starters struggled mightily on defense. Despite continued Giannis production, Atlanta tied the game with 2:21 left in the half and moved in front about a minute later, capping off their 41-point quarter, one-upping Milwaukee with 74% shooting in the period. Milwaukee got triples from Rollins and Myles Turner in the final minute, though, heading into the locker room ahead 71-66.

As has been the case recently, the starters came out flat in the third as the Hawks retook the lead with a quick 10-0 run, featuring the 2025–26 Bucks’ greatest hits: bad defensive rebounding, turnovers, and missed free throws. Frigid shooting was a bigger problem, though: Milwaukee missed nine of their first 10 attempts, and Atlanta went up 10 at the 4:54 mark, on a 20-5 run out of half. The Hawks led by as many as 13 as the Bucks kept leaving shooters wide open, often in the corner, and couldn’t corral defensive boards. With 12 minutes remaining, the visitors held a 98-89 advantage, outscoring the Bucks 32-18 in the third.

While it was still too easy for the Hawks from deep with wide-open shots galore, the Bucks were only down seven when Giannis reentered at 9:23. Milwaukee defensive miscues didn’t end with him on the floor, nor did their inability to put the ball through the hoop, and they fell behind by 14 not even three minutes later. The starting lineup got one more crack at it but had no success, falling behind by as much as 21. The last 2:27 was garbage time.

Stat That Stood Out

On Sunday in Chicago, the Bucks scored just 31 points in the second half as the Bulls ran them over. Tonight, the Bucks had just 36 once the starters began checking out, totaling just 42 points after halftime. Unacceptable.

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Mariners prove “close” only counts sometimes in baseball, lose 9-4

PEORIA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 27: Carlos Vargas #54 of the Seattle Mariners warms up before the spring training game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Peoria Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It never feels good to have someone tell you that “almost isn’t good enough,” or that “close doesn’t cut it.” Growing up in the south, the phrase I always heard was “close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.” People use these sayings whenever some who failed to reach a goal says that it’s okay because they were “close.” And often, they’re right. If you were “close” to making that big sale or if you “almost” didn’t crash your forklift the end result is still a disaster. Hell, the Mariners were close to making the World Series last year, and we all remember how that turned out.

But often, especially for the small stuff, close does count, so long as you do your best. Today, I almost did all my laundry. I’ll finish tomorrow. I’m close to finishing the book I’m reading, but I see how it’s going to end. Tonight the Mariners were, for a while at least, close to winning a Spring Training game. Maybe they’ll win the next one.

The Mariners almost had some productive at-bats against Robbie Ray in the first inning. Cole Young led off the game and worked a six pitch at-bat by fouling everything off before whiffing on pitch 6. J.P. Crawford watched from the on deck circle and wanted in on the fun, working a 7-pitch AB that ended in a groundout. Brennen Davis got bored and grounded out on the first pitch. Almost some productive outs.

The Giants almost put a rally together in their half of the first, with Matt Chapman and Will Brennan hitting back-to-back one out singles, but Mariners pitcher Cooper Criswell neutralized the threat by inducing a double play from Casey Schmitt. The Mariners were also close to putting a rally together in the second, but likewise stranded runners on first and second.

In the top of the third Jonny Farmelo hit a leadoff triple, and almost didn’t score with Cole Young and J.P. Crawford making back-to-back outs, but was able to scamper home on J.P.‘s groundball. After a few quiet innings it looked like the Mariners were close to carrying their slim lead into the “every starter leaves the game” portion of a Spring Training game. Alas, close did not count.

Carlos Vargas replaced Criswell on the bump in the bottom of the fourth, and sadly wasted no time in getting hit all up and down the field. Brennan, Schmitt, and Matos led off the inning with a trio of singles to load up the bases and put all of the pressure on Vargas’ shoulders. That pressure may have gotten to him, as he found it impossible to find the zone and issued a free pass to Grant McCray. From a pitcher’s perspective, a no-out bases loaded walk is very close to the worst possible outcome. You’re in the same situation and you just gave them a run for free. The worst possible outcome is of course a grand slam — hey what’s this video of Jake Holton doing here?

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After that back-breaker, the Giants really wanted to get another rally going. Christian Koss almost even got a hit to speed that along. But just almost, thanks to Cole Young.

Afterwards, the Giants went into full Spring Training mode and pulled half their starters from the game. The Mariners clawed back a couple of runs on a Cole Young single and a J.P. Crawford sac fly, but couldn’t keep the line moving long enough. And honestly? They didn’t even come close.

The Giants secondary squad contended with Jose A. Ferrer on the mound in the bottom of the 5th, and had no trouble extending their lead back to five runs, with the capper being a two-RBI double by Bryce Eldridge. Even though the Mariners were able to get another run back in the sixth, the game still wasn’t nearly close enough. In a close game when the offense is clicking, singles can turn into doubles and doubles can turn into homers. But when you’re down by a grand slam or more, everyone is sad. And no one plays good baseball when they’re sad.

[Speaking of sad, Jake had to end the recap here, because he is in Texas and did not realize this game would end at midnight his time. I am here to tell you things did not get better, tonight. The Mariners will try again tomorrow, in a home game back in Peoria at the normal 12 PM PT start time. -KP]

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Hawks dominate second half, defeat Bucks 131-113

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 04: Dyson Daniels #5 of the Atlanta Hawks defends Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second quarter at Fiserv Forum on March 04, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Atlanta Hawks were in Milwaukee on Wednesday night to face the Bucks. The Hawks, winners of four straight coming into this game, were looking to continue that streak against a Bucks team that has not played well this season. This was also a big game as far as standings and lottery odds implications.

The Hawks were without Jonathan Kuminga in this game because of knee inflammation, and the Bucks were without Kevin Porter Jr.

The Hawks got on the board to start the game with this lob from Jalen Johnson to Onyeka Okongwu.

Giannis Antetokounmpo came out with all gas in the first and helped the Bucks get the lead, but the Hawks kept fighting. Okongwu stayed locked in and knocked a three-pointer to keep them close.

Johnson continued to find his teammates, and got Zaccharie Risacher a clean three-pointer in the corner.

The Bucks were in a flow state for most of the quarter, and they couldn’t miss from the perimeter. As much as the Hawks tried to match them, their shots weren’t falling, and they went 3-for-11 from three in the first.

Going into the second, the Hawks trailed 38-25.

The Bucks started the second on fire, but the Hawks were able to settle in at some point and get some shots to go down. The big to big connection helped the Hawks get an easy two points.

CJ McCollum got it going with this shifty layup.

The Hawks kept cutting down their deficit, which was 16 points early in the second. They got it down to two points after Mouhamed Gueye knocked down a three-pointer.

The Hawks started doubling Antetokounmpo, and that to the Bucks getting some easy shots. The Hawks stuck with it, and were able to keep cutting their deficit.

The Hawks were able to take the lead at one point after Johnson’s and-one.

The Bucks took the lead back after that, and they were able to keep it going into halftime, as the Hawks trailed 71-66.

The Hawks came out strong in the third and knocked went on a 10-0 run before the Bucks called a timeout.

The Hawks took control of the game later in the third and got their first double-digit lead, thanks to Okongwu.

Risacher got a few threes to go down in the quarter to help the Hawks maintain their lead.

Going into the fourth, the Hawks led 98-89.

Gueye came out in the fourth and knocked down his second three-pointer of the game.

The Bucks did their best to try to cut down their deficit, but they’d either get in their own way or the Hawks would have an answer. Nickeil Alexander-Walker got into the teeth of the defense and put down a huge dunk.

Dyson Daniels was everywhere in the fourth quarter, whether he was on offensive boards or getting an easy shot in the paint.

The Hawks had a lead as big as 18 in the fourth, and the Bucks were not able to ever get back into the game.

Alexander-Walker finished with 23 points, Okongwu finished with 21 points and eight rebounds, Johnson finished with 20 points and nine assists, and Daniels finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The Hawks will be back in action on Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers.

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Braves News: Roster cuts, prospects, and domination

WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 03: Members of Team Venezuela look on during the singing of the national anthem prior to the game between the Team Venezuela and the Houston Astros at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Lawrence Brown/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Well in the aftermath of Jurickson Profar’s suspension, the Braves are down a (presumably) productive bat, but up $18 million dollars when you include luxury tax savings. That Mike Yastrzemski signing looks even more important now and Eli White is really not a bad platoon partner for him. That said, for a team that wanted to add a quality starting pitcher but was unable to and suffered a couple brutal pitching injuries right at the beginning of Spring Training, the Profar news really is an instance of “when it rains, it pours”. The team said they had money leftover before, but they certainly have more now. It will be really tough to add impact players in March, but they’ve almost got to be at least making calls on the trade market for another bat, a starting pitcher, or both. We’ll see if the front office can pull a rabbit out of a hat and bolster a roster that still has significant talent, but has already been substantially depleted before the season has even started.

Braves News

The Braves cut Rolddy Munoz, Owen Murphy, and Garrett Baumann from major league camp, as they have begun whittling down the roster.

Brady wrote up some prospect performances of note so far in Spring, including JR Ritchie and John Gil.

The Braves crushed Columbia in a lopsided Spring contest that at least made just about everyone on the Braves’ side look good.

MLB News

Reds’ star Hunter Greene is undergoing an MRI after experiencing elbow stiffness.

The Pirates and Reds made an intra-divisional depth trade, swapping members of their 40-man rosters.

ESPN ranked their top 100 players in baseball, featuring a handful of Braves.

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Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors game preview

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 26: Reed Sheppard #15 of the Houston Rockets drives to the basket on Brandin Podziemski #2 of the Golden State Warriors in the third quarter during the 2025-26 Emirates Cup at Chase Center on November 26, 2025 in San Francisco, 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Much like Monday night’s game, tonight will be another test for the Houston Rockets as they take on a Golden State Warriors team that is decimated by injuries. Houston might have some injuries of their own, too.

The Warriors have, of course, had Houston’s number in recent years and have even beaten the Rockets when the good guys were full strength and the Dubs weren’t. Remember, Jonathan Kuminga basically beat the Rockets twice last season by himself. As a fan, it’s easy to say “Don’t get beat by a team that’s injured,” but we’ve seen time and time again that the games aren’t played on paper. There’s no such thing as a comfortable win when it comes to the Warriors.

The Warriors still have a collection of talented players, even if it doesn’t reach the heights of Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler III. You know Draymond Green will look for any excuse to beat the Rockets and stick it to Kevin Durant. Brandin Podziemski can score in bunches. Pat Spencer would be the MVP if he only played the Rockets. Golden State just gave Gui Santos a bigger contract. And our old friend Nate Williams is now playing in the Bay Area.

Tip-off

6:30pm CT

How To Watch

Amazon Prime

Injury Report

Rockets

Alperen Sengun: DTD

Amen Thompson: DTD

Steven Adams: OUT

Fred VanVleet: OUT

Jae’Sean Tate: OUT

Jabari Smith Jr.: DTD

Warriors

Steph Curry: OUT

Jimmy Butler III: OUT

Kristaps Porzingis: OUT

Gary Payton II: DTD

Seth Curry: OUT

Moses Moody: OUT

Will Richard: OUT

L.J. Cryer: OUT

The Line (as of this post)

HOU -8.5

Check here for updates

Looking ahead because we can

Friday night at home against the Portland Trail Blazers

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Yankees news: George Lombard Jr.’s shining spring moment

TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 21: Jasson Domínguez #24 of the New York Yankees smiles before the game against the Detroit Tigers at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 21, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images

MLB.com | Ian Browne: George Lombard Jr.’s strong spring continued Wednesday as he took Red Sox ace Garret Crochet deep to lead off a Grapefruit League game. The Yankees’ top prospect pulled the ball 392 feet and it exited his bat at 104.2 mph. Crochet was “just trying to push it up in the zone instead of just throwing it up in the zone,” the 2025 AL Cy Young runner-up said after the game of the pitch that led to the long ball. “But that was a good swing, because it was still a good bullet by me.”

Lombard has flashed the leather at shortstop throughout camp, though he’s not expected to be in play for an Opening Day roster spot.

SNY | John Flanigan: Cam Schlittler has gotten the go-ahead to make his spring debut Friday against the Rays, easing concerns about his back. The starting pitcher was delayed earlier in camp due to back inflammation. Given his later start, it’s expected that he might only get stretched out to 65-80 pitches to start the season. Still, with fellow starters Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, and Clarke Schmidt expected to begin the season on the IL, the Yankees will take all the Schlittler they can get.

MLB.com | Alfred Santasiere III: In light of Schlittler’s scheduled return, what better time for a profile on the young right-hander? The sophomore touches on adjustments to big-league competition, evolving his pitch mix, and closing out the season strong. But the lion’s share of the Q&A provides a remarkably in-depth, sometimes inning-by-inning, breakdown of his instantly legendary performance in Game 3 of the Wild Card Series against his hometown Red Sox.

The Athletic | Chris Kirschner: ($) After the Dodgers’ repeat title last year, their blockbuster offseason acquisitions of Kyle Tucker and Edwin Díaz intensified backlash from many around the game decrying the lack of parity in today’s game. Don’t count the Yankees’ biggest stars among the detractors of LA’s approach. “They’re trying to get the best product on the field and finding a way to maximize whatever they can to get the best players,” says Aaron Judge, adding (perhaps pointedly), “I wish a lot of teams found a way to do that.”

“They’re maximizing their efficiency,” ace Gerrit Cole said in typically analytical fashion. “They are getting contracts that are making them better quality. It’s within the rules.”

Giancarlo Stanton lauded the Dodgers for creating “good buzz for baseball.”

Lastly, a couple Yankees went deep in World Baseball Classic exhibition play yesterday, with Aaron Judge launching a 453-foot moonshot for Team USA off the Rockies’ Kyle Freeland …

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… Paul Goldschmidt joining the Team USA slugfest by homering off John Brebbia …

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… and Jazz Chisholm Jr. belting a bomb of his own for Great Britain against Padres righty Eli Villalobos:

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Wiggins, Jones lead Florida State attack in fending off Pitt down the stretch in 75-74 win

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Chauncey Wiggins scored 18 points with the help of 4-of-7 shooting from 3-point range and Lajae Jones scored 18 points, and Florida State withstood Pittsburgh's rally to beat the Panthers 75-74 on Wednesday night.

Robert McCray V scored 14 points for Florida State (16-14, 9-8 ACC) which shot 48% (28 of 58).

Barry Dunning Jr. scored 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, reserve Nojus Indrusaitis scored 17 points, Cameron Cohren 14 and Damarco Minor scored 10 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Pitt (11-19, 4-13).

After building a 46-30 lead at halftime and maintaining most of it through the first 6 1/2 minutes of the second half, Pitt went on a 10-0 run and reduced its deficit to 60-51 with 11:06 remaining.

The Panthers continued to chip away and Minor made a 3-pointer to get Pitt within 73-71 with 11 seconds left. After fouling McCray with five seconds left, he made both foul shots to put the game out of reach.

Minor made a 3 at the buzzer for the game's final margin.

The surging Noles have won five of their last six and are 8-2 in their last 10. Pitt has dropped seven of its last nine.

Up Next

Florida State: Ends ACC play hosting SMU on Saturday.

Pitt: Concludes the regular season at Syracuse on Saturday.

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Okorie, Dent-Smith lead Stanford over Notre Dame 86-78

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Ebuka Okorie scored 24 points, Jeremy Dent-Smith added 21 and Stanford held off Notre Dame for an 86-78 victory on Wednesday night for the Cardinal's third straight win.

Stanford took the lead for good with about nine minutes to play in the first half and led by as many as 11 points in the second. Notre Dame pulled within three points twice inside the final two minutes, but Jaylen Thompson and Dent-Smith each answered with 3-pointers. Dent-Smith then shot 4 of 4 from the line to seal it.

The Cardinal shot 57% (32 of 56) overall and made 52% (12 of 23) from long range.

Okorie made three 3s and finished 10-of-19 shooting to go with seven assists, and Dent-Smith hit five 3s. AJ Rohosy added 11 points and Donavin Young 10 for Stanford (19-11, 8-9 Atlantic Coast Conference).

Jalen Haralson made 13 of 15 free throws and scored 19 points to lead Notre Dame (13-17, 4-13). Cole Certa added 17 points, Braeden Shrewsberry scored 14 and they combined for six of the Fighting Irish's nine 3-pointers.

Okorie scored 13 points and had four assists in the first half to help Stanford take a 45-37 lead into the break. The Cardinal shot 69% (18 of 26) from the floor and made 8 of 13 from long range. Okorie made all three of his 3-pointers in the first half. Haralson and Shrewsberry each scored nine points for the Fighting Irish.

Stanford had its largest lead, 64-53 with 9:07 to play.

Up next

Stanford plays at North Carolina State in a regular-season finale on Saturday.

Notre Dame ends its regular season Saturday at Boston College.

___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

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Hertl’s late power-play winner in OT caps Golden Knights’ rally past Red Wings

DETROIT (AP) — Tomas Hertl scored a power-play goal with 2:49 remaining in overtime and the Vegas Golden Knights rallied from a two-goal, third-period deficit to edge the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 on Wednesday night.

Hertl scored in front off a pass from Mitch Marner as Vegas snapped a three-game losing streak. Marner scored the tying goal with 3:24 left in regulation and had two assists.

Reilly Smith and Ivan Barbashev had the other goals for Vegas, which wrapped up a five-game road trip. Adin Hill made 23 saves in the Golden Knights’ third game in four nights.

Simon Edvinsson and Alex DeBrincat each had a goal and an assist for Detroit, which is now 24-1-3 when leading after two periods. Emmitt Finnie also scored for the Red Wings and Cam Talbot made 21 saves.

Vegas’ second-leading scorer, Mark Stone, missed the game due to an upper-body injury.

Vegas scored twice in the final nine minutes of regulation to erase a 3-1 deficit.

DEVILS 4, MAPLE LEAFS 3, SO

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Paul Cotter and Jesper Bratt scored in the shootout, Connor Brown forced overtime with a tying goal with 2:21 left in the third period and New Jersey beat Toronto, sending the Maple Leafs to their fifth straight loss.

Timo Meier and and Arseny Gritsyuk also scored in regulation for the Devils, who have won three in a row and improved to 25-8-1 when scoring at least three goals. Jacob Markstrom made 24 saves.

William Nylander, Matias Maccelli and Matthew Knies had goals for the Maple Leafs, who haven’t won since beating the Edmonton Oilers 5-2 on Feb. 3 — their last game before the Olympic break. Anthony Stolarz made 44 saves.

Cotter put a backhander past Stolarz to start the shootout for the Devils. After Nylander’s wrister was stopped, Bratt also scored on a backhander to put New Jersey up 2-0 in the shootout. Auston Matthews’ wrist shot was then stopped by Markstrom, giving the Devils the victory.

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Holmgren scores 28 as Thunder edge Knicks 103-100 for a fourth straight win

NEW YORK (AP) — Chet Holmgren had 28 points and eight rebounds, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 26 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder edged the New York Knicks 103-100 on Wednesday night.

Holmgren tied a career high with six 3-pointers and Lu Dort added 16 points for the Thunder, who recovered after the Knicks took the lead with a 40-point third quarter, going back ahead early in the fourth and nursing a small advantage the rest of the way.

Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby missed tying 3-point attempts on the final possession as Oklahoma City won its fourth straight and snapped New York’s three-game winning streak.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 17 points and 17 rebounds for the Knicks. Brunson had 16 points and a season-high 15 assists, but shot just 5 for 18. Anunoby also had 16 points.

HORNETS 118, CELTICS 89

BOSTON (AP) — Kon Knueppel scored 20 points and Charlotte extended itswin streak to six games with a win over Boston.

Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball each added 18 points. Coby White finished with 17 points and six assists to help Charlotte move above .500 for the first time since Oct. 26.

The Hornets never trailed and led by as many as 29 points while committing only five turnovers.

Derrick White led the Celtics with 29 points. Jaylen Brown added 20 points and 11 rebounds as Boston’s win streak was stopped at three games.

The Celtics came out sluggish playing in their sixth game in nine days, shooting just 38% (30 of 79) from the the field and committing 16 turnovers that led to 21 Charlotte points. Boston also was mostly cold from the 3-point line, connecting on only 10 of 36 attempts

Despite playing on the second night of a back-to-back, the Hornets sprinted out to an 8-0 lead as the Celtics missed their first eight shots.

76ERS 106, JAZZ 102

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Quentin Grimes hit two tiebreaking free throws with 16.4 seconds remaining, Tyrese Maxey scored 25 points and short-handed Philadelphia beat Utah.

Grimes finished with 16 points and Jabari Walker had 22 points for the 76ers, who were without Joel Embiid, VJ Edgecombe and suspended Paul George.

Keyonte George scored 30 points for the Jazz, who have lost seven in a row.

Philadelphia, which entered in sixth place in the Eastern Conference playoff race, trailed 100-94 with 4:51 left after George hit a 3. But Utah missed its next six field goals, and Philadelphia tied it at 100 on Adem Bona’s follow dunk with 1:50 left.

Isaiah Collier’s layup 46 seconds later put the Jazz ahead by two points, but Grimes tied it on a drive with 46.8 seconds remaining. After George misfired on a long-range shot for Utah, Grimes converted both free throws after being fouled. Utah coach Will Hardy did not call timeout, and a wide-open look from long distance by Kyle Filipowski was off.

TRAIL BLAZERS 122, GRIZZLIES 114

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Jrue Holiday had 35 points and 11 assists, and Jerami Grant added 30 points as Portland snapped a two-game skid with a win over Memphis.

Portland (30-33), making a push to qualify for the postseason, used a 24-19 scoring edge over the final nine minutes to seal the win. The Trail Blazers had lost three of their last four and four of their last six games entering Wednesday.

Robert Williams III had 20 points and 11 rebounds for Portland. Matisse Thybulle contributed three rebounds, an assist and a steal on his 29th birthday.

The Grizzlies got double-figure scoring from seven players, but it wasn’t enough against Portland as they lost their second straight and for the ninth time in 12 games. Memphis was playing the second game of a back to back after falling to Minnesota 117-110 on Tuesday.

HAWKS 131, BUCKS 113

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 23 points and Atlanta defeated slumping Milwaukee to win its fifth straight game and move above .500 for the first time since December.

Atlanta was 15-12 after a Dec. 14 victory over Philadelphia, but the Hawks lost their next seven games and hadn’t owned a winning record since.

Onyeka Okongwu had 21 points and Jalen Johnson added 20 points and nine assists as the Hawks erased an early 16-point deficit. CJ McCollum scored 18 points, while Dyson Daniels had 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The Hawks outscored the Bucks 65-42 in the second half.

Atlanta didn’t have Jonathan Kuminga available due to inflammation in his left knee, while Milwaukee was missing Kevin Porter Jr. because of swelling in his right knee.

Milwaukee fell five games behind 10th-place Atlanta in the Eastern Conference standings, putting the Bucks’ bid for a 10th straight playoff berth in serious jeopardy. The Bucks have lost their last four games by a combined 97 points.

CLIPPERD 130, PACERS 107

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 29 points, Bennedict Mathurin scored 23 on 8-for-11-shooting, and Los Angeles won its third in a row, beating Indiana.

Brook Lopez had 17 points for the Clippers while Darius Garland had 12 in his first home game since being acquired in a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers last month.

Pascal Siakam had 29 points in his return after sitting out three games with a left wrist sprain to lead Indiana, but the Pacers lost their seventh in a row and fell to the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with a 15-47 record.

Jay Huff had 18 and was 4 of 8 on 3-pointers, and Jarace Walker finished with 17.

The Clippers led 42-25 after one quarter and 63-51 at halftime, with Leonard racking up 20 points. The Clippers pulled away with a 16-2 run in the third quarter to extend a seven-point lead to 21 points.

The Clippers shot 12.2 percentage points better from the field (55.1%) than the Pacers (42.9%).

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Jordi Fernandez calls out Nets starters following humiliating Heat defeat

Nets coach Jordi Fernández reacts during a timeout.
Nets coach Jordi Fernández reacts during a timeout in Tuesday's drubbing against the Heat in Miami.

A ninth straight loss would warrant any coach having a strong word with his or her team.

Yet, after what was an abysmal Nets performance that made for their longest losing streak this season, as well as the worst skid in the NBA, Jordi Fernández had more than a warning for his team.

He issued a challenge.

After watching his best player in Michael Porter Jr. score just nine points, Fernández yanked him off the court with 9:33 remaining in the third.

Nets coach Jordi Fernández reacts during a timeout in Tuesday’s drubbing against the Heat in Miami. Imagn Images

Porter didn’t return until 9:43 in the final quarter in the eventual 124-98 loss to the Heat on Tuesday night.

“I want Mike and the first group to play as hard as they can,” Fernández said. “I want to challenge them to do it, because I’ve seen them doing it, especially on the defensive end. If that happens, I can live with whatever happens. If that is there, then you’re being selfless, you’re playing for the team, and just good things happen. I’m trying to just challenge every guy in different ways.”

The Nets have their first chance to answer the call against the Heat again Thursday night.

For Fernández, it hopefully cannot be that much worse of a performance — one that Nic Claxton called “an all-around stinker.”

Miami’s physicality on defense held the Nets to only 38.4 percent shooting from the field (33-for-86) and a brutal 18.8 percent (6-for-32) from deep, which is their third-worst mark from beyond the arc in a single game this season. They also committed 18 costly turnovers.

Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. gets his weak offering swatted away by Kel’el Ware (left) and Andrew Wiggins on Tuesday. AP

It was easily Porter’s worst game of the season, shooting 3-for-17 and 0-for-9 from beyond the arc.

It was once thought that his first-half tear would have earned the 27-year-old his first All-Star nod as he averaged 25.6 points per game in the first 38 games of the season.

Yet, his production has fallen off since the break, averaging just 19.8 points per game.

However, the stat sheet and Fernández’s challenge don’t just come down to the starters and veteran players.

Twelve of those turnovers came from two rookies alone.

Nolan Traore, who started the game, scored 14 points and logged six turnovers without a single assist.

Ben Saraf, who stood in for Egor Dëmin as the backup point guard, also committed six turnovers against four assists.

It was the most either of them has committed in Brooklyn.

“[Traore and Saraf] need to grow. They need to grow and watch it and learn from it,” Fernández said. “And I know they’re better. It’s not an excuse if they’re young. I’ve watched them play and they’re way better than 12 turnovers. How they organize the team, how vocal they are, all that, it’s important.”

Nets guard Nolan Traore turned the ball over six times against the Heat on Tuesday. Imagn Images

“Regardless how they happened, you can’t have that many [turnovers] for that many points,” forward Noah Clowney added. “I don’t know how many they scored off of [them], but even [if] we missed layups or they blocked shots, they were running the other way and scoring in transition because we don’t get back.”

The Nets (15-46), who sit second in the draft lottery race and 1 ¹/₂ games behind the Kings, are in the middle of a tanking season and trying to find some victories outside of the wins column.

However, it can weigh heavily on players as it has been made clear by the front office what the season mission is.

Still, the Nets will be challenged to reset Thursday and put up a fight in South Beach.

“I don’t know how to answer that. I take s–t day by day,” Clowney said when asked about the locker room environment during the losing streak. “I couldn’t tell you who we played last game. I try to forget about everything. Play, live in the moment. As far as the locker room, we’ll figure it out. We got to.”

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Acuff and Brazile lead No. 20 Arkansas past Texas

Darius Acuff Jr. had 28 points and 13 assists, Trevon Brazile scored a career-high 28 and No. 20 Arkansas beat Texas 105-85 on Wednesday night to clinch a double bye into the quartefinals of the SEC Tournament.

After securing a top-four finish in the Southeastern Conference standings, the Razorbacks (22-8, 12-5) will bypass the first two rounds next week in Nashville, Tennessee.

Acuff became the first player in Arkansas history with at least 25 points and 10 assists in a game. He had 19 points and eight assists by halftime as the Razorbacks took a 22-point lead into the break.

Brazile, a senior playing his final home game, shot 9 of 11 from the field and added seven rebounds.

Matas Vokietaitis led Texas (18-12, 9-8) with 21 points. He was one of four Longhorns players in double figures.

NO. 7 HOUSTON 77, BAYLOR 64

HOUSTON (AP) — Kingston Flemings had 21 points and seven assists, Emanuel Sharp added 19 points and Houston rallied for a win over Baylor.

Flemings and Sharp combined to shoot 13 of 26 from the field, and Sharp was 5 of 10 on 3-pointers.

Joseph Tugler finished with 14 points and six rebounds and Milos Uzan had 12 points for Houston (25-5, 13-4 Big 12), which used a big second-half run to overcome Baylor (15-15, 5-12).

The Cougars forced 18 turnovers and converted them into 28 points. They shot 46% and were 9 of 25 on 3-pointers.

Tounde Yessoufou had 20 points and 12 rebounds, Caden Powell added 12 points and Cameron Carr and Obi Agbim each had 11 for the Bears. Baylor shot 42% from the field and 8 of 25 from behind the arc, but made just two of their final 16 from long range.

NO. 15 PURDUE 70, NORTHWESTERN 66

EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — C.J. Cox scored 21 of his 27 points in the second half, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 48 seconds left that helped Purdue edge Nick Martinelli and Northwestern.

Cox outlasted Martinelli in a memorable duel in the final minutes, sending Purdue to a sorely needed victory. The Boilermakers (23-7, 13-6 Big Ten) had lost two in a row and three of four overall.

Trey Kaufman-Renn added 11 points and 10 rebounds, shaking off a shoulder injury in the second half. Fletcher Loyer finished with 10 points.

Martinelli, a senior playing his final home game, scored 19 of his 28 points in the second half. The Big Ten’s leading scorer moved into seventh on the school’s career list with 1,687 points, passing Northwestern assistant coach Bryant McIntosh.

Jayden Reid scored 16 points for the Wildcats (13-17, 5-14), who had won three in a row.

NO. 22 MIAMI 77, SMU 69

DALLAS (AP) — Tre Donaldson scored 17 points, Malik Reneau had a double-double and Miami beat SMU, ensuring the Hurricanes a double bye in next week’s ACC Tournament.

Reneau had 12 points and 11 rebounds while Tru Washington scored 15 for Miami (24-6, 13-4), which got its seventh win in eight games since the start of February. Freshman guard Noam Dovrat had 12 points on four 3-pointers for the second game in a row.

The Hurricanes played their first game as an AP Top 25 team since December 2023 after getting ranked on Monday. They matched their school record for regular-season wins and increased Division I’s best turnaround to 17 victories more than last season with first-year coach Jai Lucas.

Jaron Pierre Jr. had 27 points with six 3s and Boopie Miller scored 21 for the Mustangs (19-11, 8-9), who have lost three in a row after earlier this season getting double-digit wins at home over Top 25 teams North Carolina and Louisville. They haven’t been to the NCAA Tournament since 2017.

NO. 25 SAINT LOUIS 79, LOYOLA CHICAGO 65

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Amari McCottry scored 18 points, Dion Brown added 15 and Saint Louis clinched the top seed in the Atlantic 10 Tournament by beating Loyola Chicago.

The Billikens (27-3, 15-2) finished unbeaten at Chaifetz Arena for the first time in the building’s 18-year history and tied the school record with their 22nd consecutive home win, 19 coming this season.

Xavier Amos led the Ramblers (7-23, 3-14) with a season-high 25 points and Kayde Dotson scored 19. Amos made all seven of his shots in an 18-point first half, including four 3-pointers in a three-minute stretch to close an early 12-point deficit.

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Flemings, Sharp lead No. 7 Houston past Baylor 77-64

HOUSTON (AP) — Kingston Flemings had 21 points and seven assists, Emanuel Sharp added 19 points and No. 7 Houston rallied for a 77-64 win over Baylor on Wednesday night.

Flemings and Sharp combined to shoot 13 of 26 from the field, and Sharp was 5 of 10 on 3-pointers.

Joseph Tugler finished with 14 points and six rebounds and Milos Uzan had 12 points for Houston (25-5, 13-4 Big 12), which used a big second-half run to overcome Baylor (15-15, 5-12).

The Cougars forced 18 turnovers and converted them into 28 points. They shot 46% and were 9 of 25 on 3-pointers.

Tounde Yessoufou had 20 points and 12 rebounds, Caden Powell added 12 points and Cameron Carr and Obi Agbim each had 11 for the Bears. Baylor shot 42% from the field and 8 of 25 from behind the arc, but made just two of their final 16 from long range.

Trailing 58-54 with about eight minutes remaining, the Cougars went on a 23-4 run to grab a 77-62 lead on two free throws by Tugler with 1:21 left. Houston, which never led for the first 32 minutes, took the lead for good on a 3-pointer by Sharp with 7:16 remaining. The Bears were 2-of-9 shooting in the final eight minutes.

The Bears led 29-19 after a layup by Yessoufou with 5:47 remaining, but the Cougars closed the half on a 16-6 spurt and tied it at 35 going into halftime on two free throws by Flemings with 5 seconds left. Flemings scored eight points in the half-ending run.

Up next

Baylor: Hosts Utah on Saturday in its regular-season finale.

Houston: Travels to Oklahoma State on Saturday in the regular-season finale.

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Yankees prospect George Lombard Jr. has huge day against Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows George Lombard Jr. celebrates with Ben Rice after hitting a homer off Garrett Crochet in the first inning of the Yankees' 4-0 spring training win over the Red Sox on March 4, 2026

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In the Grapefruit League, at least.

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George Lombard Jr. took the Red Sox ace deep to lead off Wednesday’s exhibition, then drilled a single off him in his second at-bat for two of the three hits Crochet allowed.

“It’s always good getting to face the elite guys in the league,” Lombard said. “I was excited for it. Looking for something to hit, not trying to do too much with it and put a good swing on it.”


Lombard has already turned in a standout spring defensively, making highlight-reel plays at shortstop, third base and second base.

But he has also flashed his offensive potential with plenty of hard-hit balls like Wednesday, with his OPS now up to 1.196 through six games.

George Lombard Jr. celebrates with Ben Rice after hitting a homer off Garrett Crochet in the first inning of the Yankees’ 4-0 spring training win over the Red Sox on March 4, 2026. Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Crochet, the big lefty who most recently shut down the Yankees in a dominant start in Game 1 of the AL wild-card series last October, threw a 97 mph fastball at the top of the zone on a 1-2 count to Lombard to lead off the game.

The top prospect had no trouble catching up to it, clobbering it over everything (including the Green Monster replica) in left field for a 392-foot homer that came off the bat at 104.2 mph.

Then in the third inning, Lombard roped a 108.5 mph bullet that got past shortstop Trevor Story for a single.

“He’s been great,” manager Aaron Boone said. “You see what he’s capable of. The thing he does pretty well already, as a young hitter, is control the strike zone and has real pop. Obviously a no-doubter there to start things off. He’s just continuing to develop as a hitter.”

Luis Gil looked the sharpest he has all spring in his third start, striking out six and walking two across three-plus scoreless innings.

More significant than the results, Gil’s fastball velocity continued to tick up, averaging 95.7 mph (up from his 2025 average of 95.3) and maxing out at 97.9 mph on a strikeout of Trevor Story to end the third inning.

“It feels great, to know that the velo is there when you need it,” Gil said through an interpreter. “It also shows how the body is progressing and getting into shape to be able to execute pitches like that. Routine is very important and I feel like I’ve been building slowly to that.”


Boone acknowledged that Gil’s “progression has been slow” this spring, but told the righty he keeps getting better.

“I want to see more, because I know what he’s capable of,” Boone said. “Keep working him back to that early ’24 form where he was dominant. I feel like he’s moving in that direction but he’s got to keep doing that.”

Cam Schlittler is scheduled to make his spring debut Friday night against the Rays at Steinbrenner Field after being delayed by mid-back/left lat inflammation.

The Yankees slowed Schlittler’s buildup earlier in camp to let the back issue settle down, but the right-hander has since faced hitters twice and then threw a bullpen session Wednesday morning that cleared him for Friday’s start.

If the rest of his spring goes well, Schlittler should be built up to around 65-80 pitches by the time the regular season begins, Boone said.

Aaron Judge blasted a 453-foot home run in Team USA’s exhibition against the Rockies on Wednesday, taking lefty Kyle Freeland deep on a tape-measure shot that came off the bat at 115.9 mph.

Oswaldo Cabrera is also “trending” toward making his spring debut on Friday, Boone said, as the Yankees ease the utility player back into action coming off a broken ankle last May.