JJ Redick and Luka Doncic pictured during a game in January [Getty Images]
Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick says he and star player Luka Doncic have a "great relationship" despite a heated exchange between the pair that went viral.
The Lakers were on a three-game losing streak going into Saturday's game at the Golden State Warriors but were leading comfortably when Doncic was replaced late in the first quarter.
The Slovenian, 27, tried to avoid a fist bump from Redick as he walked to his seat on the bench, and the Lakers coach then followed Doncic down the sideline.
The pair exchanged words as Doncic took his seat before Redick turned to walk back towards half court.
As he did, Doncic got back to his feet and said more towards Redick while his team-mate Jarred Vanderbilt stood up, ostensibly to clap encouragement for the Lakers but also putting a barrier in front of Doncic, who sat back down moments later.
Speaking before Tuesday's 110-101 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, Redick said: "I don't know why it went viral. It felt very normal to me.
"I didn't think much of it at the time, to be honest with you. I don't think Luka did either."
Doncic had claimed four points and three assists by that point, and returned on Saturday to finish with a game-high 26 points.
The six-time All-Star scored another game-high 27 points as the Lakers won a third straight game on Tuesday to stay sixth in the Western Conference standings.
"He and I have a great relationship," Redick added. "I really value our relationship. And I think those things happen. Not every game, but they happen very frequently.
"It's a competition. And there's two guys here who, in this case, are trying to win a basketball game and be on the same page about stuff."
The Western Conference leaders Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Chicago Bulls 116-108 on Tuesday while second-placed San Antonio Spurs thumped the Philadelphia 76ers 131-91.
The Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons suffered a 113-109 loss at the Cleveland Cavaliers, for whom Jaylon Tyson scored 22 points and new signing James Harden added 18, while the third-placed New York Knicks took advantage with a 111-95 win at the Toronto Raptors.
Mar 3, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77), guard Austin Reaves (15) and guard Marcus Smart (36) react against the New Orleans Pelicans in the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Lakers are securely at the point of the season where winning by any means necessary is the objective. After a pair of easy wins over the Warriors and Kings, they had to grit one out on Tuesday to knock off the Pelicans.
After a very unserious three quarters, the Lakers turned it up to a gear in the fourth that they haven’t reached often this season. Even if it was against the lowly Pelicans, it was a stretch of defensive play that should inspire some confidence in what this team can do moving forward.
As a result, a lot of these grades are going to be pretty funky in this one. How do you grade three bad quarters and one stellar final quarter? Surely, we can all come to the same conclusion and agree on these grades, right?
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.
LeBron was decent in the first quarter, fantastic to start the second, then faded into the background most of the rest of the game. In short, it’s about the opposite of everyone else in this game.
This was Smart’s most impactful game of the season. Even on a night when he was just 3-9 from the field, he was all over the place. Seven stocks, seven assists and a huge 3-pointer late in this one. It was just a peak Smart performance.
While his center counterpart had a fantastic game in his own right, Ayton wasn’t bad. Especially relative to his recent performances, Ayton had a good showing. It wasn’t great, but it was a vast improvement.
Reaves was pretty much the embodiment of this game. For three quarters, he was a mixture of invisible and bad, an alarming trend over recent weeks. But come the fourth quarter, he knocked down a pair of threes, had a big stop on Zion Williamson that nearly tore his arm off.
As is often the case, Luka was at the center of much of the good and much of the bad. He had seven turnovers, was inefficient shooting the ball and still hit some huge shots down the stretch, including the game-sealing three.
A very quiet game from Rui, who never looked like he had much of a rhythm and, as a result, didn’t factor into this one in the fourth, where he never played.
For as bad as Rui was, Luke stepped up in his place. The Lakers haven’t had that luxury this season, having multiple players off the bench who can provide a scoring punch. But Kennard has fit in seamlessly, to the point that he was closing the game and knocking down big shots.
What a game from Hayes, and not in any way that would be expected. The box score isn’t going to do any sort of justice for him as it was his defense, shockingly, that stood out most. He was incredible on Zion down the stretch, as was the whole team, helping the Lakers get stop after stop.
Another solid LaRavia outing, albeit in short minutes. With Kennard and Rui — except on Tuesday — as the scoring options, LaRavia is more properly slotted into a role where his scoring feels more like a bonus than a necessity.
Grade: B-
JJ Redick
Redick did a good job of refocusing his group when it looked like things were really spiraling out of control through the first three quarters. The officials had taken center stage, but LA regrouped, put together one of their best defensive stretches of the season and did it with a lineup mixed with bench players and starters.
Observations from Yankees spring training Tuesday.
On the left
Lefty relievers Tim Hill and Brent Headrick each threw a scoreless inning, with Headrick striking out two.
Caught my eye
J.C. Escarra, trying to prove he should make the club as a third catcher and backup first baseman (with Ben Rice starting at first), clubbed his second home run of the spring, this one off a left-hander as he went 2-for-2 with three RBIs.
J.C. Escarra belts a two run homer in the fifth inning of the Yankees’ 11-1 exhibition win over Panama at George M. Steinbrenner Field on March 3, 2026. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Steal the one
Playing for Panama, José Caballero robbed Jasson Domínguez of a hit when the shortstop made a strong diving stop on a one-hopper to the hole and fired to first for the out.
Wednesday’s schedule
Luis Gil will make his third start of the spring when the Yankees visit the Red Sox at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Fla.
Mar 3, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Martin Necas (88) moves the puck againt Anaheim Ducks center Jansen Harkins (24). Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Late Tuesday night the Colorado Avalanche completed a successful Southern California back-to-back in their 5-1 disposal of the Anaheim Ducks. It capped off a stretch of five games in seven nights following the Olympic break and the Avalanche now get two days of rest before the trade deadline.
The Game
Colorado got the scoring going early and often with Cale Makar landing on the scoresheet first in this contest. The opening period also saw a new trick in the Avalanche arsenal — a power play goal. Utilizing the brilliant idea of having Martin Nečas take the one-timer from the left side worked again as the Avalanche entered the first intermission with a 2-0 lead.
A bit of drama in this game came from the Ducks early in the second period when Cutter Gauthier took advantage of a scramble in the Avalanche zone to cut the lead. By the end of the period, however, order would be restored on the first of two Parker Kelly goals on the night and a 3-1 Avalanche lead at the second intermission.
The third period was largely academic as the Avalanche were not going to give up their lead. Gabe Landeskog overachieved by finding the back of the net on a great feed from Nathan MacKinnon for the latter’s 100th point on the season. Parker Kelly added another insurance goal at the midpoint and Colorado secured the 5-1 victory.
Takeaways
It was announced prior to the game that Artturi Lehkonen is out week-to-week with the upper-body injury suffered in Los Angeles. In his place Jason Polin was recalled from the Colorado Eagles and played eight minutes on the fourth line.
Now the focus turns to the upcoming trade deadline before the team’s next game. How many players have played their last game in an Avalanche uniform?
Upcoming
Another important Central Division game in a showdown with the Dallas Stars on Friday, March 6th. Puck drop is at 6:00 p.m. MT in the Lone Star State.
New Orleans Pelicans (19-44, 13th in the Western Conference) vs. Sacramento Kings (14-49, 15th in the Western Conference)
Sacramento, California; Thursday, 10 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Sacramento aims to end its eight-game home losing streak with a win against New Orleans.
The Kings have gone 10-33 against Western Conference teams. Sacramento has a 10-34 record against teams above .500.
The Pelicans have gone 12-28 against Western Conference opponents. New Orleans is 6-32 against opponents over .500.
The Kings average 10.1 made 3-pointers per game this season, 4.3 fewer makes per game than the Pelicans give up (14.4). The Kings average 114.9 points per game, 6.2 fewer points than the 121.1 the Kings allow to opponents.
The two teams square off for the second time this season. The Pelicans defeated the Kings 120-94 in their last meeting on Feb. 10. Trey Murphy III led the Pelicans with 21 points, and Maxime Raynaud led the Kings with 21 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Raynaud is scoring 10.7 points per game and averaging 7.2 rebounds for the Kings. DeMar DeRozan is averaging 14.1 points and 2.1 rebounds over the last 10 games.
Murphy is averaging 22 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals for the Pelicans. Saddiq Bey is averaging 21.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Kings: 2-8, averaging 108.6 points, 44.3 rebounds, 26.4 assists, 9.4 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 44.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 124.8 points per game.
Pelicans: 6-4, averaging 116.9 points, 44.3 rebounds, 27.3 assists, 8.1 steals and 6.1 blocks per game while shooting 48.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.1 points.
INJURIES: Kings: Domantas Sabonis: out for season (back), Dylan Cardwell: out (ankle), De'Andre Hunter: out for season (eye), Zach LaVine: out for season (finger), Keegan Murray: out (ankle).
Pelicans: None listed.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Mar 3, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) dribbles past Sacramento Kings guard Nique Clifford (5) during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Justine Willard-Imagn Images | Justine Willard-Imagn Images
The Phoenix Suns got a much-needed win against a reeling Sacramento Kings team, 114-103. The Suns, now 35-26 this season, are one win away from matching their season win total from last season at 36. They did it the same way they have done it all season, winning on the margins and as a team.
The Suns had six players score in double figures, hit 19 3-pointers, outrebounded Sacramento 53-40, and scored 32 points in transition. The Suns were generating wide-open looks all night, and even when shots were not going down, they were relentless on the offensive glass and forcing the Kings into turnovers in the middle two quarters of basketball. Even when Maxime Reynaud scored 22 points, Precious Achiuwa scored 18, and Russell Westbrook scored 16, with all going on their own stretches of high-level play to keep the Kings alive, the Suns stuck with their game plan and walked out of Sacramento with a series sweep over the Kings.
The Suns countered each of these Kings’ individual performances with standout performances as well. Collin Gillespie showcased his shooting, going 5-for-8 from three, grabbing six rebounds, and tossing out nine assists. Oso Ighodaro had a double-double at halftime and finished the game with 14 points and 14 rebounds, with eight coming on the offensive boards. Rookie forward Rasheer Fleming continued to reward head coach Jordan Ott with stellar play when he went on his own individual 8-0 run in the third quarter and continues to look more comfortable on an NBA court. He finished with a career high of 8 points and six rebounds in 15 minutes of play.
While many of the Suns played well, Jalen Green needed his performance the most to get back on track after a dreadful month of February shooting from the field. He finished with a team-high 20 points and four steals. It was not all positive for Green, he had seven turnovers and one assist, but after a slow start in the first quarter, he was key to multiple Suns runs in the second and fourth quarters. The faster the Suns played, the more comfortable he looked driving to the basket and he found some semblance of a rhythm that he can hopefully take with him for the rest of the season.
Devin Booker’s first game back from injury was successful despite shooting 6-for-19 from the field and scoring 17 points; he made it through the game healthy and shook off the rust.
Game Flow
First Half
Collin Gillespie started the first quarter with a bang, knocking down back-to-back threes but the Kings controlled the first quarter with their defense. Jalen Green and Mark Williams both struggled largely in their first shift. Green drove on Russell Westbrook twice and got stripped twice, resulting in fastbreak layups on the other end for the Kings. Devin Booker stabilized the Suns’ offense, knocking down a corner 3-point shot and a midrange pull-up in his return to play. The Kings led 14-13 halfway through the quarter when the bench players checked into the game.
That’s when the Malik Monk heater happened.
Monk scored 11 points on 3-for-3 from long distance. One of his threes was a desperation banked three as the shot clock expired, the typical Malik Monk heater experience. Outside of Gillespie and Booker, the Suns struggled to score and played sloppily despite getting decent looks and matchups. The Kings led 30-22 after the first quarter.
The second quarter started all Suns with an emphatic 19-2 run to begin the period. Allen started the quarter with a deep 3-point hit to set the tone, and the Suns exploded from there. The ball moved on offense, and most importantly, the Suns got stops and pushed the ball in transition creating some highlight plays. Green knocked down his first three of the game in transition and capitalized with an emphatic alley oop dunk for the and-1.
Oso Ighodaro got in on the action as well, as the Suns forced another stop where he capped off a beautiful sequence with an alley-oop dunk. He had a double-double at halftime. It was the best Jalen Green has looked since returning from his injury, and the Suns led 41-32.
The Suns continued to score but could not get any stops as Precious Achiuwa dominated the Suns inside for 16 first-half points, and Westbrook hit multiple jumpers in a row to get the Kings back into the game and tie it at 48-48. For what felt like the first time all season, Booker was aggressive and confidence shooting behind the 3-point and hit not one, not two, but three pull-up 3-point jumpers to score 14 first half point points to give the Suns a 59-55 halftime lead. Hopefully, this is the month where the lid comes off the rim for Booker from long distance. Transition points were the difference in the first half, with Phoenix outscoring Sacramento 19-9.
Second Half
The back-and-forth continued in the third quarter, with Westbrook on his third 3-point shot of the game. Then Collin Gillespie and the Suns’ defense intensity and offensive flow took over the game. The game swung on one possession: despite O’Neale and Booker missing three wide-open 3-point shots, Gillespie battled for multiple offensive rebounds before knocking down a 3-point shot of his own. Then, after getting a stop, Gillespie hit another three in transition, and the proverbial dam broke.
The Suns continued to force the Kings into bad shots and turnovers, resulting in back-to-back O’Neale bombs from three to give the Suns a decisive 76-63 lead on an 11-0 run. The Kings did not back down, though, getting back to within six, down 79-73, but this time it was Rasheer Fleming who knocked down back-to-back triples and threw down to give the Suns a 14-point lead on his personal 8-0 run.
The Suns dominated the rest of the quarter with their offensive rebounding, forcing turnovers, and shooting threes for a decisive 90-75 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Suns’ unit of Allen, Gillespie, Fleming, Ighodaro, and Ryan Dunn put the finishing touches on the Kings early in the fourth quarter. The Suns continued to flow offensively with precise movement and pace, resulting in open shots for Allen and Gillespie and open dunks at the rim for Ighodaro. When Green checked back into the game, he knocked down a 3-point shot and got to the rim as well. Ahead by as much as 20, the game was all but over until Ott checked Booker, O’Neale, and Williams back into the game, where turnovers and sloppy play from the Suns allowed the Kings to cut the Suns’ lead to 12, 108-96. The final nail in the coffin came on a Booker 3-point shot to put the Suns back up 112-96 with 3:10 left to end the game.
Up Next
The Suns return home to host the Chicago Bulls Thursday night at the Mortgage Matchup Center at 7 pm Arizona time.
Brooklyn Nets (15-46, 14th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Miami Heat (33-29, eighth in the Eastern Conference)
Miami; Thursday, 7:30 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Miami hosts Brooklyn looking to prolong its three-game home winning streak.
The Heat are 17-18 in conference play. Miami is third in the league with 54.4 points in the paint led by Jaime Jaquez Jr. averaging 10.2.
The Nets have gone 11-27 against Eastern Conference opponents. Brooklyn is the worst team in the Eastern Conference scoring averaging 106.8 points per game while shooting 44.5%.
The Heat are shooting 46.4% from the field this season, 3.2 percentage points lower than the 49.6% the Nets allow to opponents. The Heat average 106.8 points per game, 9.9 fewer points than the 116.7 the Heat allow.
The teams square off for the third time this season. In the last matchup on March 4 the Heat won 124-98 led by 23 points from Bam Adebayo, while Noah Clowney scored 17 points for the Nets.
TOP PERFORMERS: Adebayo is averaging 18.7 points and 9.9 rebounds for the Heat. Andrew Wiggins is averaging 16.3 points and 5.8 rebounds over the last 10 games.
Michael Porter Jr. is scoring 24.1 points per game and averaging 6.9 rebounds for the Nets. Clowney is averaging 2.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Heat: 6-4, averaging 119.9 points, 50.5 rebounds, 28.0 assists, 8.9 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.7 points per game.
Nets: 1-9, averaging 104.2 points, 37.7 rebounds, 26.1 assists, 8.5 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 44.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.9 points.
INJURIES: Heat: Nikola Jovic: day to day (back), Norman Powell: out (groin).
Nets: Egor Demin: day to day (injury management).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Chicago Bulls (25-37, 12th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Phoenix Suns (34-26, seventh in the Western Conference)
Phoenix; Thursday, 9 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Chicago will attempt to stop its five-game road losing streak when the Bulls visit Phoenix.
The Suns have gone 20-12 at home. Phoenix is sixth in the league allowing just 111.4 points per game while holding opponents to 46.9% shooting.
The Bulls are 9-19 on the road. Chicago is second in the Eastern Conference with 34.6 defensive rebounds per game led by Josh Giddey averaging 7.0.
The Suns are shooting 45.3% from the field this season, 2.2 percentage points lower than the 47.5% the Bulls allow to opponents. The Bulls average 115.7 points per game, 4.3 more than the 111.4 the Suns give up.
TOP PERFORMERS: Mark Williams is averaging 11.6 points and 8.1 rebounds for the Suns. Collin Gillespie is averaging 13.9 points over the last 10 games.
Matas Buzelis is averaging 15.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks for the Bulls. Collin Sexton is averaging 13.6 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Suns: 4-6, averaging 103.7 points, 44.1 rebounds, 22.6 assists, 8.8 steals and 3.3 blocks per game while shooting 42.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.2 points per game.
Bulls: 1-9, averaging 108.9 points, 42.7 rebounds, 25.3 assists, 8.9 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 44.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.9 points.
INJURIES: Suns: Jordan Goodwin: out (calf), Dillon Brooks: out (hand).
Bulls: Anfernee Simons: day to day (wrist), Noa Essengue: out for season (shoulder), Jaden Ivey: out (knee), Patrick Williams: day to day (quadriceps), Zach Collins: out for season (toe), Jalen Smith: day to day (calf).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: Oklahoma City seeks to keep its three-game win streak alive when the Thunder take on New York.
The Knicks have gone 23-8 at home. New York is fourth in the league averaging 14.8 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 37.5% from deep. Jalen Brunson leads the team averaging 2.9 makes while shooting 37.8% from 3-point range.
The Thunder are 23-8 on the road. Oklahoma City is seventh in the Western Conference with 25.5 assists per game led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaging 6.4.
The Knicks make 47.2% of their shots from the field this season, which is 3.6 percentage points higher than the Thunder have allowed to their opponents (43.6%). The Thunder average 13.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.1 fewer makes per game than the Knicks give up.
TOP PERFORMERS: Karl-Anthony Towns is shooting 48.0% and averaging 19.8 points for the Knicks. Brunson is averaging 24.8 points over the last 10 games.
Isaiah Joe is shooting 44.6% and averaging 11.0 points for the Thunder. Jared McCain is averaging 2.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Knicks: 7-3, averaging 115.3 points, 44.5 rebounds, 28.9 assists, 8.8 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 48.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 103.7 points per game.
Thunder: 8-2, averaging 114.9 points, 45.9 rebounds, 25.5 assists, 9.4 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 45.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.5 points.
INJURIES: Knicks: Miles McBride: out (ankle).
Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: day to day (abdominal), Ajay Mitchell: day to day (abdomen), Branden Carlson: day to day (back), Jalen Williams: out (hamstring), Thomas Sorber: out for season (knee), Isaiah Hartenstein: day to day (injury management).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: Charlotte is looking to keep its five-game win streak alive when the Hornets take on Boston.
The Celtics are 27-13 against Eastern Conference opponents. Boston is sixth in the NBA with 46.2 rebounds led by Nikola Vucevic averaging 8.8.
The Hornets are 19-21 in conference matchups. Charlotte is 7-8 when it turns the ball over less than its opponents and averages 15.0 turnovers per game.
The Celtics average 15.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.7 more made shots on average than the 12.8 per game the Hornets allow. The Hornets average 16.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.1 more made shots on average than the 13.9 per game the Celtics allow.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jaylen Brown is averaging 29 points, 7.1 rebounds and five assists for the Celtics. Payton Pritchard is averaging 17 points and 5.8 assists over the past 10 games.
Kon Knueppel is averaging 19.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists for the Hornets. Brandon Miller is averaging 22.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Celtics: 8-2, averaging 109.4 points, 50.7 rebounds, 27.1 assists, 6.1 steals and 6.4 blocks per game while shooting 45.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 98.5 points per game.
Hornets: 7-3, averaging 117.3 points, 47.8 rebounds, 27.4 assists, 8.5 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 45.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.2 points.
INJURIES: Celtics: Jayson Tatum: out (achilles), Neemias Queta: day to day (rest).
Hornets: Coby White: day to day (injury management).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: Utah heads into the matchup against Philadelphia as losers of six straight games.
The 76ers are 16-16 on their home court. Philadelphia has a 14-21 record against opponents above .500.
The Jazz are 7-22 on the road. Utah ranks third in the Western Conference scoring 52.1 points per game in the paint led by Lauri Markkanen averaging 11.7.
The 76ers score 116.0 points per game, 9.8 fewer points than the 125.8 the Jazz allow. The Jazz average 12.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.3 fewer makes per game than the 76ers allow.
TOP PERFORMERS: Tyrese Maxey is averaging 29 points, 6.7 assists and two steals for the 76ers. VJ Edgecombe is averaging 15.9 points over the last 10 games.
Isaiah Collier is scoring 11.0 points per game and averaging 2.5 rebounds for the Jazz. Brice Sensabaugh is averaging 15.6 points and 3.4 rebounds over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: 76ers: 4-6, averaging 111.7 points, 42.3 rebounds, 22.0 assists, 10.2 steals and 5.4 blocks per game while shooting 44.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 120.3 points per game.
Jazz: 2-8, averaging 115.8 points, 44.6 rebounds, 26.7 assists, 11.3 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 45.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 120.0 points.
INJURIES: 76ers: Johni Broome: out (knee), Joel Embiid: out (oblique), VJ Edgecombe: day to day (back), Kelly Oubre Jr.: day to day (illness).
Jazz: Lauri Markkanen: out (ankle), Vince Williams Jr.: out for season (acl), Walker Kessler: out for season (shoulder), Jusuf Nurkic: out for season (nose), Jaren Jackson Jr.: out for season (knee).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: Deni Avdija and the Portland Trail Blazers take on Cam Spencer and the Memphis Grizzlies in Western Conference action.
The Grizzlies are 18-24 against Western Conference opponents. Memphis has a 2-4 record in one-possession games.
The Trail Blazers are 22-18 in Western Conference play. Portland gives up 118.4 points to opponents and has been outscored by 3.2 points per game.
The Grizzlies are shooting 46.2% from the field this season, 1.4 percentage points lower than the 47.6% the Trail Blazers allow to opponents. The Trail Blazers average 115.2 points per game, 2.5 fewer than the 117.7 the Grizzlies allow to opponents.
The two teams match up for the fourth time this season. The Trail Blazers defeated the Grizzlies 122-115 in their last matchup on Feb. 8. Jerami Grant led the Trail Blazers with 29 points, and Olivier-Maxence Prosper led the Grizzlies with 25 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Spencer is shooting 47.7% and averaging 11.4 points for the Grizzlies. Jaylen Wells is averaging 1.8 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Avdija is averaging 24.4 points, seven rebounds and 6.6 assists for the Trail Blazers. Jrue Holiday is averaging 19.3 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Grizzlies: 3-7, averaging 117.2 points, 36.9 rebounds, 28.6 assists, 12.6 steals and 5.4 blocks per game while shooting 48.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.2 points per game.
Trail Blazers: 5-5, averaging 113.2 points, 45.0 rebounds, 26.2 assists, 7.7 steals and 6.2 blocks per game while shooting 45.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.9 points.
INJURIES: Grizzlies: Santi Aldama: day to day (injury management), Taj Gibson: day to day (coach decision), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: out for season (finger), Ja Morant: out (elbow), Zach Edey: out for season (ankle), Brandon Clarke: out (calf).
Trail Blazers: Kris Murray: day to day (illness), 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.
After ninth red card this season, Chelsea are running out of time to fix discipline issues and must turn things around at Aston Villa
It is natural for young people to feel they have all the time in the world. For Liam Rosenior, though, part of the challenge with Chelsea’s tyros is making them knuckle down. They have to realise the competition is about to heat up. The sun was shining at training this week and the warmer weather brings a greater sense of urgency. The yellow footballs have gone into storage, signalling that the business end of the season is approaching.
“Today it’s the first time we trained with the white balls,” Rosenior said. “That’s normally a sign we’re into that period. When those white balls come out, we can’t make those mistakes that we’re making. You’re running out of time – and that’s the message myself and my staff have given the players this morning.”
Will it be the players’ fault if a slightly cobbled together England goes down in Roman flames after a selection that suggests the head coach’s patience snapped?
The temperatures are rising, the daffodils are out and, within the England camp, the time has come for a major spring clean. Steve Borthwick has certainly snapped on his marigolds with rare vigour in his bid to banish his side’s February blues, with most areas of his team sheet either hosed down or completely flushed away after the less‑than‑fragrant performance against Ireland.
A grand total of 12 changes, three of them positional, is almost approaching Thames Water-levels of murky discharge. Not since the infamous tombola days of the 1960s and 70s, when England’s selectors sometimes called up any old Tom, Dick or Harrovian, has a red rose head coach deviated more strikingly from the strong and stable gospel of devil‑you‑know cohesion.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Jalen Green scored 20 points, Grayson Allen had 18 and the Phoenix Suns beat the NBA-worst Sacramento Kings 114-103 on Tuesday night to sweep the four-game season series.
Seventh in the West at 35-26, the Suns won their second straight and got back Devin Booker after the star guard missed four games because of a right hip injury. He scored 14 of his 17 points in the first half.
Collin Gillespie scored 17 points — hitting 5 of 8 3-pointers — and had nine assists and six rebounds. Oso Ighodaro added 14 points and 14 rebounds. Phoenix is without Dillon Brooks because of a fractured left hand.
The Suns used a 14-0 run in the third quarter to turn a 63-62 deficit into a 76-63 lead. Royce O’Neale capped the run with consecutive 3-pointers.
Maxime Raynaud had 22 points — on 10-of-12 shooting — and 10 rebounds for Sacramento in the opener of a five-game homestand. The Kings dropped to 14-49. They are 2-3 following a franchise-worst 16-game losing streak.
Precious Achiuwa added 18 points, DeMar DeRozan had 17 and Russell Westbrook 16. Kings forward Keegan Murray missed his third straight game because of ankle injury.
Phoenix led 59-55 at the half. Ighodaro had 12 points and 10 rebounds in the half, and Achiuwa had 16 points for Sacramento.
