BOTTOM LINE: Atlanta will try to keep its three-game home win streak alive when the Hawks take on Portland.
The Hawks have gone 13-16 in home games. Atlanta averages 30.3 assists per game to lead the Eastern Conference, paced by Jalen Johnson with 7.9.
The Trail Blazers are 13-17 on the road. Portland has a 6-4 record in games decided by less than 4 points.
The Hawks average 117.1 points per game, 1.0 fewer point than the 118.1 the Trail Blazers give up. The Trail Blazers' 45.1% shooting percentage from the field this season is 2.2 percentage points lower than the Hawks have allowed to their opponents (47.3%).
The teams play for the second time this season. In the last matchup on Jan. 16 the Trail Blazers won 117-101 led by 24 points from Shaedon Sharpe, while Onyeka Okongwu scored 26 points for the Hawks.
TOP PERFORMERS: Johnson is averaging 23 points, 10.6 rebounds and 7.9 assists for the Hawks. CJ McCollum is averaging 19.3 points over the last 10 games.
Toumani Camara is scoring 13.0 points per game and averaging 5.3 rebounds for the Trail Blazers. Jerami Grant is averaging 2.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Hawks: 6-4, averaging 116.4 points, 48.1 rebounds, 28.7 assists, 9.0 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 44.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.1 points per game.
Trail Blazers: 6-4, averaging 116.6 points, 45.8 rebounds, 27.0 assists, 8.1 steals and 6.3 blocks per game while shooting 46.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.9 points.
INJURIES: Hawks: Nickeil Alexander-Walker: day to day (foot), Jalen Johnson: day to day (hip).
Trail Blazers: Deni Avdija: day to day (back), Shaedon Sharpe: out (calf), Damian Lillard: out for season (achilles).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
IRVINE, Calif. (AP) — Jurian Dixon and reserve Jovan Jester Jr. both scored 13 points to help UC Irvine hold off UC Santa Barbara 64-60 on Saturday night.
Dixon added six rebounds and Jester grabbed four boards with four steals for the Anteaters (20-10, 13-5 Big West Conference). Andre Henry added 12 points off the bench.
Colin Smith had 16 points and six rebounds to pace the Gauchos (18-12, 11-8). Zion Sensley added 14 points and Aidan Mahaney scored 12.
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn scored a career-high 42 points and Tyrin Jones made a go-ahead layup with 12 seconds left in overtime to rally UNLV to an 85-83 victory over Nevada on Saturday night.
Gibbs-Lawhorn made 14 of 22 shots with eight 3-pointers and all six of his free throws for the Rebels (15-14, 10-8 Mountain West Conference). Jacob Bannarbie added 15 points and six rebounds, while Jones scored 12 off the bench.
Vaughn Weems scored a career-high 30 for the Wolf Pack (19-10, 11-7). Tayshawn Comer scored 15 but made only 3 of 12 shots, while Elijah Price added 10 points.
Weems had 12 points in the first half to help Nevada take a 37-35 lead into halftime. Gibbs-Lawhorn had 19 points in the second half and his 3-pointer with 37 seconds left tied it 74-all and forced OT.
Canterbury defeats St George Illawarra 15-14 in Las Vegas
Knights beat Cowboys 28-18 in NRL opener at Allegiant Stadium
Canterbury skipper Stephen Crichton stood up like only he can to land a field goal with six seconds of golden point remaining to sink a gallant St George Illawarra 15-14.
A record Las Vegas crowd of 45,719 got their first taste of golden point and it took 89 minutes and 54 seconds of a cracking, old-fashioned arm wrestle to split the teams.
Feb 25, 2026; Lakeland, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Ernie Clement (22) slides safe into third during the third inning against the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | Mike Watters-Imagn Images
SAN FRANCISCO — If they hadn’t already, the Warriors can probably kiss any hopes they had of avoiding the play-in tournament goodbye.
Golden State looked listless, lackadaisical and downright lost at times Saturday night against the team it would have to chase down to secure anything higher than the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference.
The Warriors quickly fell into a double-digit hole against the Lakers and never recovered in a lopsided 129-101 loss. In front of a national television audience, they fell behind by as many as 32 points — 17 just in the first quarter — and never cut the deficit to single digits.
Golden State Warriors forward Gui Santos, center, moves the ball between Los Angeles Lakers forward Jake LaRavia (12) and guard Marcus Smart (36) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) AP
The loss means the Warriors trail the Lakers by 4.5 games with 22 to play and would need to win their final meeting April 9 just to even the season series at two games apiece.
“It’s a lot. It’s a lot to make up in 22 games,” coach Steve Kerr acknowledged.
Steph Curry (knee) missed his 10th consecutive game, Kristaps Porzingis (illness) was ruled out shortly before tipoff and what was left of the Warriors’ starting five crumbled against the Lakers’ Big 3.
LeBron James (22 points, nine assists, seven rebounds), Luka Doncic (26 points, eight assists, six rebounds) and Austin Reaves (18 points) had all checked out for the final time by the midpoint of the fourth quarter and still individually bested the Warriors’ top scorer, Gui Santos (14).
Rookie Will Richard added to the Warriors’ injury woes, rolling his ankle and leaving the game in the second quarter.
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry, left, speaks to Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, right, after an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) AP
Only more miles will be required to be put on the Warriors’ aging and ailing group the further they fall in the standings. As the No. 8 seed as it currently stands, they would need to either beat the seventh-seeded Suns on the road or prevail in a second play-in contest against the Trail Blazers or Clippers, who have the Nos. 9 and 10 spots all but locked down.
After the loss, the Warriors trail the Suns by three games for the No. 7 seed with a 2.5-game cushion on the Blazers in the No. 9 spot.
“We don’t even talk about it,” Kerr said. “That’s not anything that is worth discussing because we just have to try to go out there and win and see what happens.”
The Warriors emerged from the play-in last season to upset the Rockets in the first round. But the veteran group said the pedal-to-the-metal final two months of the season, including the play-in win, caught up to them as Curry went down injured and they lost to the Timberwolves in five games the following round.
Making matters more complicated, Golden State is already without Jimmy Butler for the rest of the season and is unsure when Curry will be cleared to return. The team is set to provide an update on his right knee Sunday, but Curry reportedly suffered a setback over the All-Star break and the ailment commonly known as runner’s knee already has a varying timetable.
In an interview with ESPN during the game, Curry said he expects it is “going to be a little longer” before he is cleared to return. Golden State hosts the Clippers on Monday.
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealander Daniel Hillier held off a late charge from Australian Lucas Herbert Sunday to defend his overnight lead and to win the 105th New Zealand Open by two shots.
Hillier also overcame strong winds and cold conditions to post a final round 67 for a 22-under four-round total of 262 at the par-72 Millbrook Resort. Herbert shot 67, finishing 20 under at 264.
The winner of the New Zealand Open receives automatic entry to The Open Championship but as Hillier already has qualified that prize passes to Herbert who will now play at Royal Birkdale from July 16.
Hillier, who was married earlier this week, led by one shot at 18 under coming into the final round. He made birdie, birdie, par, eagle, birdie to finish his third round and to seize the outright lead.
Hillier turned at 20-under Sunday, a shot ahead of Herbert who had just birdied the 10th hole. Hillier bogeyed the 10th and again saw his lead cut to one shot, but made birdies at the 11th and 12th holes to reestablish his lead.
Herbert had a chance to chip in on the par-three final hole to put pressure on the leader but his shot from off the green slid past the hole. Hillier was able to make par and was showered by champagne on the 18th green.
He became the first New Zealander since 2017 to win his national open.
“This is the second-best day of my life after my wedding earlier in the week,” Hillier said. "It was a lot more stressful coming down the stretch.
“This has been the absolute best week of my life. To break the Kiwi drought was very special. I've been dreaming of this a long time. I knew I had the game to do it but it was just a matter of not getting ahead of myself.”
Five-time PGA Tour winner Kevin Na of the United States shot a final round 72 to finish in a tie for 19th place.
Na has spent the last four years on the LIV tour but has decided to return to traditional tours in 2026 and made the New Zealand Open the first tournament on his return.
CARSON, Calif. (AP) — João Klauss scored two goals two minutes apart in the first 13 minutes — after a score by Lucas Sanabria — and the Los Angeles Galaxy cruised to a 3-0 victory over Charlotte FC on Saturday night.
Sanabria gave the Galaxy (1-0-1) the lead in the 8th minute with an unassisted goal. Sanabria had two goals in 21 appearances as a rookie last season.
Klauss took a pass from Gabriel Pec and scored in the 11th minute, then scored unassisted two minutes later for a three-goal lead. Pec's first assist this season gives him 24 through his first 64 matches.
Klauss scored the lone goal in a 1-1 season-opening draw with visiting New York City FC. He came over in a cash-for-player trade with St. Louis City in the hopes he'd help ease the loss of superstar Riqui Puig for a second straight season after complications from a torn ACL. So far, so good for the 29-year-old forward with 28 goals in 81 career appearances.
Novak Micovic needed to make just one save to notch his fourth clean sheet in his 26th career start for the Galaxy.
Kristijan Kahlina saved eight shots for Charlotte (0-1-1), which was coming off a 1-1 draw at St. Louis City on a goal by Pep Biel — one of 11 players in the league with double-digit goals and assists last season.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - FEBRUARY 28: Christian Koloko #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a three point basket during the game against the Golden State Warriors on February 28, 2026 at Chase Center 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Lakers took an important step toward capturing the Pacific Division title, one of the NBA’s most prestigious awards.
Jokes aside, it is interesting how little divisions matter in the NBA. Because so many teams make the playoffs, the divisions are kind of useless. In the past, division winners were guaranteed home court advantage, but that would make the current seventh-seed Magic and the Lakers the third seeds in the conferences.
The problem doesn’t have a clear solution, but outside of local rivalries, there isn’t much juice to these divisional games and never has been. Should the league make any changes? Should division standings have more of an impact on playoff seeding?
It feels like those games should matter more, but it’s unclear what that solution should be.
Anyway, the Lakers completely dominated in this one, as a team should when facing a Warriors side without Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler or Kristaps Porzingis.
So, let’s dive into the win. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance for that player.
A very professional approach to this one from the team and Smart, who took this game seriously from the start with a strong defensive effort that helped them to an early lead.
The dominant win really overshadowed another poor showing from Ayton. I won’t harp on it too long to bring down the vibes, but there’s a growing argument for Hayes to take his starting spot.
Reaves also needed a good game and had that in the first half. He was aggressive in attacking the rim and looked much closer to the version of Austin that opened the season.
The Lakers led big in the first half despite Luka being largely a non-factor. He rectified that by hitting everything in the first four minutes of the third quarter. It was a very happy birthday for Luka.
This was pretty safely Kennard’s best game as a Laker, and not just because he hit four threes. His ability to attack closeouts and finish at the rim remains a valuable asset.
Even if Hayes only played a short amount, it’s amazing how much different — and better — the offense looks with a center willing to roll hard to the rim and is a legitimate lob threat.
A lot of role players had good games for the Lakers with LaRavia among them. Some of his stats came in garbage time, but he was also hitting shots when it mattered, including the three that emptied the benches for both teams.
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (AP) — Pelicans forward Zion Williamson has another potential injury to deal with after leaving New Orleans’ game at Utah in the second quarter Saturday night.
The Pelicans announced Williamson would not return due to an injury to his right ankle in a game New Orleans went on to win 115-105.
Interim coach James Borrego said Williams “tweaked the ankle,” but didn't have an immediate update on severity of the injury. “Hopefully, it's nothing serious, and we'll have him back out there very soon,” Borrego said.
It’s the latest setback for the oft-injured player who had already missed 16 games this season due to various ailments. The game against Utah was the two-time All-Star’s 35th straight — an NBA career-best for Williamson — dating to Dec. 11, after he sat out five games with a right hip adductor strain.
Williamson had four points, two assists and a rebound in 11 minutes of playing time against Utah.
Selected by the Pelicans with the No. 1 pick in the 2019 draft out of Duke, Williams has been limited to playing just 258 of 543 potential regular-season games, and never more than 25 in a row before this most recent stretch. He also missed the entire 2021-22 season with a broken right foot.
The Pelicans’ lineup was already depleted in playing without small forward Trey Murphy (right shoulder), center Yves Missi (left calf) and guard Dejounte Murray (reconditioning).
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Saddiq Bey scored 24 points as New Orleans beat the Jazz 115-105 on Saturday night to complete a two-game sweep in Utah after Pelicans star Zion Williamson left the game with an ankle injury.
Williamson left early in the second quarter with a right ankle injury and didn’t return. He had four points, two assists and a rebound in 11 minutes.
Pelicans interim coach James Borrego said only that Williams “tweaked” his ankle. He said he would get more information and hoped it was nothing serious.
Bey, coming off a 42-point performance in Thursday's 129-118 win of the Pelicans, shot 7 for 16 from the field and 3 for 8 from long distance, and was helped by 7-for-10 shooting from the line.
Jeremiah Fears and Bryce McGowens each scored 18 points, Herbert Jones scored 10 of his 17 points in the first half and Jordan Poole added 11. Fears chipped in 11 rebounds and five assists as New Orleans won its fourth straight and for the sixth time in eight games.
Isaiah Collier's 21 points led Utah, which lost its fifth straight. Keyonte George, who was back in the lineup after missing 10 games with ankle sprains, scored 17. Elijah Harkless scored 14, Ace Bailey had 13, Kyle Filipowski added 12 and Brice Sensabaugh 10.
The Pelicans used a 15-0 run to close out the second quarter for a 25-point lead at 65-40 at the break. New Orleans shot 50% (22 for 44) from the field in the first half, while the Jazz sent 14 for 52 (27%).
Utah cut its deficit to 16 points after three quarters and scored the first nine points of the fourth to close within seven. New Orleans then went on an 8-0 run to restore a comfortable advantage and was never threatened again.
For New Orleans, Trey Murphy III missed his fifth straight game due to a right shoulder injury. Dejounte Murray (return to competition conditioning) and Yves Missi (left calf strain) were also out.
The Jazz were missing Jaren Jackson Jr. (left knee), Walker Kessler (left shoulder), Lauri Markkanen (hip), Jusuf Nurkic (nose) and Vince Williams Jr. (left knee).
The Utah Jazz successfully lose yet another must-lose tank-off game vs the New Orleans Pelicans, with the final score of 105-115.
The Pelicans have nothing to lose since their pick goes to the Atlanta Hawks this year, but with this loss, the Utah Jazz and Pelicans are now tied for the 5th-best odds in landing a top-3 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Despite the return of Keyonte George, this was one of the ugliest losses of the season, and I don’t mean ugly as in “oh, we’re playing our bench,” I mean that the Jazz just could not buy a bucket at all — there was a lid on the rim (34% FG as a team). However, the Jazz had a nice late scoring run in an attempt to come back into the game after being down by 20+ points — it was fun, but it didn’t amount to anything greater.
It was nice to see Keyonte out there again; it felt like a breath of fresh air considering the basketball we’ve been witnessing recently. He ended the game with 17 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and no turnovers! Great to see the kid out there, and I’m looking forward to watching him ball out as we get closer to the end of the season.
It is always a joy to watch Elijah Harkless. He brings the intensity and grit that’s a sight for sore eyes, and something we haven’t seen on the Jazz in a while. He ended the game with 14 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and he led the team in plus-minus! Could we see him be a rotation player for the Jazz next season?
For the Pelicans, even after Saddiq Bey dropped 42 on us the other night, the Jazz seemingly did not learn their lesson, as he was the New Orleans Pelicans’ highest scorer with 24 points. The Utah Jazz’s defensive issues will be somewhat resolved next season as they’ll have a loaded defensive frontcourt duo in Jaren Jackson Jr. and Walker Kessler, but as far as the youth we are trying to develop, and some of the returning players next year (contractually speaking), we’ve really got to trim the fat & consolidate in return for some positive defenders. Out of the 8 draft picks the Jazz have selected in the previous 3 drafts, and out of the ones the Jazz have kept, I’d say that the Jazz don’t really have an impactful defensive player. Now, barring development, the hope is that Ace Bailey provides net positive value on defense, especially with him being a top 5 pick.
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 23: Atlanta starting pitcher Spencer Strider (99) looks on from the dugout during the MLB game between the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves on September 23rd, 2025 at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Spencer Strider looked pretty good on Saturday, even if he didn’t necessarily look like the Spencer Strider that we have been used to. His pitches looked good in terms of shape and he threw them for strikes. His velocity was sitting lower-90s though, so it will be worth monitoring whether that is a new normal or just a first start of spring trend.
In the bullpen. James Karinchak continues to be impressive on the mound. He had his third one-inning appearance of spring today and had his third inning of two strikeouts, which is promising for the former star reliever. He earned 3 whiffs in his inning of work and continues to make a compelling case for a spot on the Opening Day roster.
Braves News
Spencer Strider had an interesting start against the Orioles’ starters, in which he was fairly effective but with low-90s velocity and good pitch shape. Meanwhile, a few infield prospects showed promise at the plate, with John Gil homering and Alex Lodise absolutely lacing a double.
The most chaotic time of the NHL regular season has finally arrived, as the trade deadline is just one week away on Mar. 6.
And even though the Pittsburgh Penguins have already made several moves this season, they figure to have a bit more up their sleeve.
After their 3-2 shootout loss to the New York Rangers on Saturday, the Penguins remain in second in the Metropolitan Division, nine points behind the Carolina Hurricanes and tied points-wise with the New York Islanders at 73. Even if the team is in a good position now, they have the league's toughest strength of schedule remaining for the regular season, and they will be forced to make it through most of it without their best player in center Sidney Crosby, who is expected to miss three more weeks with a lower-body injury.
Here are five possible center options for the Penguins to target via trade:
Shane Wright
Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
The young center for the Seattle Kraken has failed to establish consistency at the NHL level so far, and it seems that his value has decreased a bit.
Even though the Kraken may not be keen to sell lower on Wright, they do have some up-and-coming center depth in their organization - namely Jake O'Brien - and they may be able to get some value in return. As of January, the Kraken were, apparently, looking for a scorer in return, so this might be a situation where a an established NHL player could go the other way - someone like a Justin Brazeau or an Anthony Mantha, even a Rickard Rakell for the right return package.
Seattle is currently in the West's second wild card spot, so they, too, are fighting for a playoff position. It remains to be seen how the team approaches the deadline or if Wright is even on their trade board.
Schenn, 34, doesn't really fit the mold of "younger players with term" that Dubas and the Penguins would want to acquire. He is also 34, owed $6.5 million for two more seasons, and has seen a steep drop in production this season, registering just 12 goals and 24 points in 59 games so far this season.
But, this could be a situation where the Penguins might be able to buy low on Schenn from the struggling St. Louis Blues, and, potentially, even add to their draft cupboard. Of course, they wouldn't be able to get Schenn for nothing, and there is some inherent risk attached.
However, his playoff experience, two-way prowess, and knack for not shying away from physicality could suit the Penguins well down the stretch, especially without Crosby. Plus, it provides an opportunity for rookie Ben Kindel to get elevated in the lineup without repercussion, as Schenn is a good, reliable third-line center option.
Mercer could be an intriguing name to keep an eye on, as the New Jersey Devils are, unexpectedly, in legitimate contention for a lottery spot this season.
The 24-year-old center has 13 goals and 30 points in 60 games this season, and he, like Wright, is the exact kind of player the Penguins and Dubas would be interested in, if available. In fact, he probably would fit the mold of the player archetype Dubas tends to gravitate toward as well, as he is a high-IQ playmaker with excellent vision, a 200-ft game, positional versatility, and a potential higher ceiling in terms of production.
The cost would likely be fairly high, and there's no guarantee that the Devils' 18th overall pick in 2020 is even on the market for sure - even if GM Tom Fitzegerald expressed that he is ready to shake things up with the roster. But, if he is, the Penguins should be calling on the forward who is signed at $4 million through the end of next season.
Ah, the Pittsburgh kid. It's no secret that the New York Rangers are shifting to a rebuild, and they will surely be looking to shed some of their veteran players, making Trocheck one of the top options on the trade market.
Trocheck, 32, is signed through the end of the 2028-29 season at $5.625 million average annual value, which makes his contract a bit hefty to take on. Still, the veteran center is just about as good a third-line center option out there, and his 12 goals and 38 points in 45 games would certainly help with the Penguins' offensive attack.
However, even if he could help the Penguins this season, his lengthy contract and age don't really fit into the Penguins' future plans, and his is likely to come at a premium. There are probably options that make better sense on the market, but if - for whatever reason - he can be had at a low cost, it may be worth it.
Yep, Pettersson's name is here yet again, and - at this point - it should come as no surprise. But with the Vancouver Canucks in the basement of the league by a longshot, it's likely that GM Patrick Allvin will be in a position to sell.
The 27-year-old center - not long ago, one of the league's very best - has fallen off a bit the last two seasons, with only 13 goals and 35 points in 51 games so far in 2025-26. His $11.6 million cap hit through 2029-30 seems daunting, but the Penguins certainly have the cap space, and he might be the perfect example of an underperforming elite player who is long overdue for a change of scenery.
Because of his cap hit and his decline in production for two consecutive seasons, the Penguins may be able to buy low here. If the price is right, Pettersson should absolutely be considered - especially since when, at his best, the fifth overall pick in 2017 is one of the elite playmaking centers in the NHL and has a pretty nasty weapon in his shot, too, as a three-time 30-goal scorer.
