All articles tagged with #basketball
Kentucky men's basketball is reportedly planning an “epic” overseas preseason tour, with a destination not yet decided. Coach Mark Pope said an external group has invited the Wildcats on a trip that could boost team chemistry after three years since their last summer excursion, though no location has been finalized and it will not be Italy.
Waived by Oklahoma City, Malevy Leons earned his first real rotation opportunity with Golden State against Memphis, delivering 9 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and a block in about 18 minutes on 3-of-5 shooting, while Kerr praised his energy and defense; the performance hints at a future rotation role for the 6-foot-9 Dutch forward, who remains on a two-way contract for up to two more years, following the path of Gui Santos and Moses Moody.
With under two months left in the regular season, NBA.com highlights six teams—Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Oklahoma City Thunder, and San Antonio Spurs—as the contenders for the league’s best, each with distinct strengths and drawbacks: Celtics benefit from Jaylen Brown’s breakout and strong coaching while awaiting Jayson Tatum’s return; Cavaliers rely on Donovan Mitchell with Harden’s addition to unlock Mobley/Allen; Nuggets boast a high ceiling despite injuries and defensive concerns; Pistons feature Cade Cunningham in MVP-territory and a stingy defense; Thunder stay deep and balanced with Shai leading; Spurs ride Victor Wembanyama and a versatile supporting cast. No obvious frontrunner yet as the stretch run unfolds.
San Antonio vaults to No. 1 after a nine‑game win streak as the stretch run begins, with Detroit and Oklahoma City still near the top of their conferences. Cleveland climbs into genuine East contention, Denver’s depth shines around Jokic’s absence, and the Knicks’ title chances face scrutiny as teams navigate injuries and late‑season schedules.
An opinion piece argues that Jayson Tatum’s return from a torn Achilles this season would be a net positive for the Celtics, who have thrived without him—led by Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and coach Joe Mazzulla—and that a careful, limited return could boost their playoff prospects and chase a title run.
LA’s tight loss to Orlando drew mixed grades: LeBron James opened hot but faded, Deandre Ayton posted a 21-point, 13-rebound double-double, Austin Reaves struggled to find his rhythm before a late surge, and Luka Dončić provided playmaking with inefficient shooting, underscoring an uneven Lakers night despite clutch-game optimism.
Notre Dame was routed 100-56 by No. 1 Duke as head coach Micah Shrewsberry injured his lower left leg, later reported as an Achilles injury, and left the court in a walking boot with assistance. He returned briefly in the second half but remained seated much of the time. The Irish were also missing their top scorers Markus Burton and Jalen Haralson with ankle injuries, and it’s unclear whether Shrewsberry will coach in the next game versus NC State.
Sports Illustrated’s late-season NBA championship power rankings crown the Thunder No. 1 due to elite defense and deep depth, even as health concerns linger for key players. The 12-contender field ranges from the Spurs (Victor Wembanyama) and Pistons (Cade Cunningham) near the top to the Nuggets, Cavaliers, Timberwolves, Rockets, Knicks, Lakers, Celtics, Raptors, and 76ers, each with distinct strengths and flaws that could shape a title run. Historical trends still favored top seeds, but recent play shows variance that keeps the race wide open going into April.
Sports Illustrated’s final February Bracket Watch centers the Big Ten in a tight bubble race as four teams sit near the cut line with conference tournaments looming; Duke holds the overall No. 1 seed while Michigan, Arizona, and UConn anchor the other top seeds, and Indiana, UCLA, Ohio State, and USC remain under close watch as the Mountain West bid picture stays unsettled.
Former WNBA All-Star Kara Braxton, a 10-year veteran who won two titles with the Detroit Shock, died at 43 in a Cobb County car crash in Georgia. Braxton also played for Tulsa, Phoenix and New York in the WNBA and overseas, and is survived by her husband and two sons; her son Jelani Thurman played for Ohio State’s 2024 national championship team and recently transferred to North Carolina.
Boston rolled past Los Angeles 111-89, pulling away in the fourth as Payton Pritchard and Jaylen Brown combined for 62 points; the Lakers shot 39.1% and 30% from three, with LeBron James leading L.A. with 20 points and Reaves adding 15. The team’s next game is vs the Orlando Magic on Tuesday.
Kentucky fell 75-74 to Auburn, suffering a third straight loss as Otega Oweh poured in a career-high 29 points. A late controversial foul on Collin Chandler with 14 seconds left helped Auburn seal the win, while Kentucky’s frontcourt watched a decisive sequence. Mark Pope’s postgame hallway rant criticizing officiating drew headlines, adding to a tense week for UK as four regular-season games remain and an at-large bid for the NCAA Tournament hangs in the balance.
No. 1 Michigan fell 68-63 to No. 3 Duke in Washington, D.C., after Aday Mara ran into early foul trouble, Michigan’s guards Cason and McKenney provided a spark, Nimari Burnett, Cadeau, and Roddy Gayle Jr. went quiet for a stretch, Yaxel Lendeborg heated up and hit a late clutch shot, both teams struggled from deep, and Duke controlled the boards (41-28) to seal the win.
Michigan is favored to beat Duke at Capital One Arena on Feb 21, 2026, with a -2.5 spread (-110) and -155 moneyline, while Duke is +130. The Wolverines’ frontcourt and stronger 3-point defense give them the edge, with betting trends leaning toward the Under 151 and a Michigan first-half spread of -1.5; tip-off is 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The NCAA selection committee released its first top-16 seeds for the men’s tournament, with Michigan, Duke and Arizona as No. 1s and Iowa State earning the final No. 1 after a win over Houston; UConn sits No. 5 as the rest of the upper echelon includes Illinois, Purdue, Kansas and Gonzaga. The piece highlights potential region placements, the weight of Wins Above Bubble, and notes Alabama’s omission despite proximity to the cut due to seven losses and Charles Bediako’s ineligibility—emphasizing this is a snapshot that will evolve before Selection Sunday.