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NBA News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Sunday, March 8

Jaylon Tyson Available but Moves to Bench Sunday

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Tyson has been cleared to play against the Celtics after dealing with a neck strain. Despite his availability, he will move to the bench Sunday as Donovan Mitchell returns to the starting lineup. Tyson has started the previous four games, averaging 15.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 3.3 three-pointers, and 1.0 steals over 34.0 minutes per contest during that stretch.

Michelle Beadle Criticizes Luke Kornet Over Hawks Promotion Critique

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Reporter Michelle Beadle publicly criticized Spurs center Luke Kornet for his blog post lobbying to cancel the Atlanta Hawks' upcoming "Magic City Monday" promotion. Kornet, who argued the event objectifies women, was called out by Beadle for misrepresenting the cultural institution and overstepping by commenting on a game not involving his team. Kornet had urged league brass to intervene, claiming the promotion makes the NBA complicit in the mistreatment of women.

Kon Knueppel Continues Rookie Scoring Surge

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Charlotte Hornets standout Kon Knueppel is building a strong Rookie of the Year case, coming off a 27-point performance against the Heat on Friday. Knueppel has scored 20+ points in six of his last eight games and has been particularly productive on the road, averaging 21.4 points away from home. Having knocked down 21 three-pointers over his last five contests, he remains a primary scoring threat for the Hornets as they climb the Eastern Conference standings.

Klay Thompson Targets Over 2.5 Threes Against Toronto

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Mavericks guard Klay Thompson enters tonight's matchup in Toronto following back-to-back elite shooting performances, where he combined for 12-for-23 from beyond the arc. Thompson is hitting 39% of his 3-pointers this season and has cleared the 2.5-triple mark in five of his last seven outings. As a key offensive contributor off the bench for Dallas, he remains a focal point for perimeter scoring as the team navigates its current injury report.

Steve Kerr Criticizes NBA Rules Following Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 15 FTs

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Warriors coach Steve Kerr expressed frustration with NBA rules after Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shot 14-of-15 from the free-throw line in a 104-97 Thunder win. Kerr noted that while Gilgeous-Alexander is clever at drawing contact, the current rules regarding off-arm usage and defensive restrictions allow offensive stars to exploit the game. Gilgeous-Alexander currently leads the NBA in made free throws for the fourth consecutive season, averaging 8.3 per game.

Jaxson Hayes Poised for Increased Role vs. Knicks

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Hayes is expected to see increased minutes against the Knicks if starter Deandre Ayton remains sidelined with knee soreness. Coach JJ Redick and teammates have expressed confidence in Hayes, who has averaged 11.4 points on 81.6% shooting in eight starts this season. Known for his energy, vertical spacing, and improved connection with Luka Dončić, Hayes is coming off a 19-point performance against the Nuggets and 9 points against the Pacers.

Deandre Ayton Day-to-Day With Left Knee Soreness

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Ayton is currently day-to-day due to left knee soreness. The center sat out Friday's win over the Pacers after being limited to just 4.5 minutes in Thursday's loss to the Nuggets. Having started all 54 games he has played this season, his status for Sunday's game against the Knicks remains uncertain. The Lakers are prepared to rely on backup Jaxson Hayes should Ayton be unable to suit up.

Joel Embiid to be Re-evaluated During Week 20

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Joel Embiid remains sidelined with an oblique injury and is scheduled for re-evaluation during Week 20. He will miss at least the first two games of the 76ers' five-game week on Monday and Tuesday. In his absence, Andre Drummond and Adem Bona have been sharing center responsibilities for Philadelphia. The team is currently navigating a difficult injury period with several key players, including Paul George, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe, also dealing with health issues.

VJ Edgecombe Status Uncertain Due to Back Injury

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VJ Edgecombe is questionable for the start of the 76ers' five-game Week 20 schedule due to a back injury that caused him to miss the final two games of Week 19. Edgecombe's status remains a concern for Philadelphia, which is already dealing with multiple injuries to key players including Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey. The team will need to manage its rotation carefully throughout the upcoming week to compensate for these absences.

Paul George Remains Sidelined Entering Week 20

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Paul George continues to be sidelined for the Philadelphia 76ers as the team enters a busy five-game Week 20 schedule. George remains unavailable alongside teammate Joel Embiid, leaving the 76ers shorthanded as they navigate a critical stretch of the season. The team faces significant injury concerns across the roster, impacting their rotation and depth as they attempt to maintain their position in the Eastern Conference standings.

Saturday, March 7

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Nears Wilt Chamberlain's Scoring Record

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 27 points in a 104-97 win over the Warriors, extending his streak of 20-point games to 125. He is now one game away from tying Wilt Chamberlain's record of 126. Since returning from an abdominal strain, he has led the Thunder to five straight wins, helping the team reach 50 victories this season. Despite recent shooting struggles from deep, he has been highly efficient at the free-throw line, shooting 92.7% over his last four games.

Banned NBA Player Jontay Porter Records Triple-Double in Pro Return

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Jontay Porter, banned for life from the NBA in 2024 for gambling, returned to professional basketball Saturday with the USBL's Seattle SuperHawks. In a 111-88 win over the Lilac City Legends, Porter recorded 21 points, 14 rebounds, 14 assists, three blocks, and two steals. Porter, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in July 2024, expressed gratitude for the opportunity. The USBL stated they support his redemption, while associate coach Gary Payton plans to mentor him.

Ryan Rollins Nears Triple-Double in Bucks Win Over Jazz

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Ryan Rollins recorded 13 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists in 40 minutes during Saturday's 113-99 victory over the Jazz. Falling just two assists shy of a triple-double, Rollins continued his strong post-All-Star break form, averaging 15.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists over his last nine outings. Despite shooting 5-for-15 from the field, his ability to contribute across the stat sheet was pivotal in helping the Bucks snap a four-game losing streak.

Adem Bona Involved in Collision with Tyrese Maxey

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Adem Bona was involved in a late-game collision with teammate Tyrese Maxey during the final 30 seconds of Saturday's 126-116 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. The incident occurred in the paint while Maxey was attempting a steal, resulting in an apparent hand injury for the All-Star guard. Bona, a 6-foot-10, 235-pound big man, remains a part of the 76ers' rotation as the team navigates a stretch of games without key contributors like Joel Embiid and Paul George.

Tyrese Maxey Suffers Right Hand Injury in Loss to Hawks

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Tyrese Maxey exited Saturday's 126-116 loss to the Hawks with 16 seconds remaining after colliding with teammate Adem Bona. Before the injury, Maxey scored 31 points, five assists, and three steals in 38 minutes. The All-Star guard is scheduled for X-rays on his right hand, and his status for Monday's game against the Cavaliers remains uncertain. Maxey currently leads the team and ranks fourth in the NBA with a career-high 28.9 points per game.

Bennedict Mathurin Records Double-Double in Clippers Win

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Bennedict Mathurin posted 21 points and 10 rebounds in Saturday's 123-120 win over the Grizzlies, marking his second double-double of the season. Despite struggling from 3-point range—going 1-for-18 over his last six games—he was perfect at the charity stripe. Since his early February acquisition from the Pacers, Mathurin has averaged 18.4 points and 6.4 rebounds, providing consistent production for the Clippers as they improve to 31-32 on the season.

Derrick Jones Jr. Contributes in Clippers Win Over Grizzlies

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Derrick Jones Jr. added 16 points to help the Los Angeles Clippers secure a 123-120 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night. His performance was part of a balanced offensive effort that saw the Clippers win for the fourth time in five games, despite the team hitting a season-low four 3-pointers. Jones continues to play a key role in the Clippers' rotation as they push for a postseason bid in the Western Conference.

Darius Garland Returns to Starting Lineup in Clippers Win

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Darius Garland returned to the starting lineup for Saturday's 123-120 win over the Grizzlies, recording 21 points, six assists, and four rebounds in 26 minutes. After missing Friday's game due to left toe injury management, Garland provided a spark with 11 points in the fourth quarter. Since his early February trade from the Cavaliers, the point guard has averaged 12.0 points and 5.0 assists over three appearances for the Clippers as he continues to manage his toe injury.

Kawhi Leonard Leads Clippers to Victory Over Grizzlies

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Kawhi Leonard recorded 28 points, five rebounds, and two steals in Saturday's 123-120 win over Memphis, following a 30-point performance in Friday's loss to the Spurs. While he struggled from beyond the arc, shooting 1-for-9 over his last two games, he remained efficient at the free-throw line. Leonard has been in elite form, averaging 29.0 points over his last 11 games and maintaining a streak of at least one steal in each of his last six appearances for the Clippers.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Leads Bucks to Victory Over Utah Jazz

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Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded 27 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, and four steals in 27 minutes during Saturday's 113-99 win over the Utah Jazz, snapping a four-game losing streak. Antetokounmpo, who recently returned from a 15-game absence due to a right calf strain, is being monitored under a minutes restriction. He has reached the 20-point threshold in back-to-back games, though he has struggled at the free-throw line, shooting 13-for-23 over his last two appearances.