NBA commissioner Adam Silver still supports the 65-game requirement for player awards and indicat...

<p>NBA commissioner Adam Silver still supports the 65-game requirement for player awards and indicated the league isn't looking to change the rule.</p><p>"I'm not ready to (stand) here saying, 'I don't think it's working.' I think it is working," Silver <a href="https://x.com/NBA/status/2036876631953043461">said</a> following a board of governors meeting Wednesday. "I think if you look at the numbers, the pre-implementation of this rule, the numbers were going in the wrong direction."</p><p>Beginning with the 2023-24 campaign, the league instituted a 65-game minimum for end-of-season player awards, including MVP and All-NBA teams. The aim was to dissuade teams from "load managing" their biggest stars, which was a growing trend in the wake of the Toronto Raptors' success while balancing <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/4200" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/4200">Kawhi Leonard</a>'s quad and knee concerns during their title-winning 2018-19 campaign.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>However, the rule has attracted renewed criticism in recent weeks. Detroit Pistons star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96056" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96056">Cade Cunningham</a> was playing in his 61st game of the regular season March 17 when he suffered a collapsed lung five minutes into their matchup against the Washington Wizards. With Cunningham uncertain to return before the end of the regular season, the National Basketball Players Association on Tuesday <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3507166" href="https://thescore.com/news/3507166">called</a> for the 65-game awards requirement to be changed, if not outright abolished.</p><p>"I'm not ready to say, standing here today, that because there may be a sense of unfairness for one player, that the rule doesn't work," Silver added.</p><p>Other MVP hopefuls are also at risk of becoming ineligible, including three-time winner <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37604" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37604">Nikola Jokic</a> and San Antonio Spurs phenom <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/110276" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/110276">Victor Wembanyama</a>. Jokic must play in eight of the Denver Nuggets' remaining nine contests to hit 65 games, while Wembanyama, who boldly <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3506848" href="https://thescore.com/news/3506848">argued</a> his own MVP case Monday, must appear in at least seven of the Spurs' final 10 games.</p><p>Though he has slightly more of a buffer, reigning MVP <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/60411" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/60411">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander</a> hasn't secured his eligibility, either; the Oklahoma City Thunder guard is at 60 regular-season games with 10 to play.</p>

Basketball: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks to the media during a press conference at the St. Regis Hotel New York, NY 9/10/2025CREDIT: Erick W. Rasco

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/35004855/related

Silver: NBA's 65-game rule for player awards 'is working'

Kansas head coach Bill Self denied rumblings suggesting he's decided to retire after 23 seasons w...

<p>Kansas head coach Bill Self denied rumblings suggesting he's decided to retire after 23 seasons with the Jayhawks.</p><p>"No news. All b.s.," Self wrote in a text message to <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article315182003.html">The Kansas City Star's Gary Bedore</a> on Wednesday. "Bad info."</p><p>There were rumors that the longtime Kansas boss was going to announce his retirement Wednesday, though a source close to the coach also told <a href="https://x.com/MattNorlander/status/2036803655425208685">CBS Sports' Matt Norlander</a> that was "bad information."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Speculation about Self's future intensified following the Jayhawks' 67-65 second-round loss to St. John's in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday. The two-time Associated Press Coach of the Year <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3505990" href="https://thescore.com/news/3505990">revealed</a> that he had not yet committed to returning to Allen Fieldhouse in 2026-27 due to concerns about his health. Self, 63, said he intended to make a decision once he spoke with his family.</p><p>The Kansas bench boss does not have a timeline for a decision, he told Bedore.</p><p>In 2023, Self had two stents inserted to treat blocked arteries near his heart and missed the Jayhawks' entire postseason. He had another two stents inserted in July 2025. Self missed a road game against Colorado this January after a precautionary trip to the hospital, where he received IV fluids after reporting feeling unwell.</p><p>"I've gone through some stuff off the court, so I'll get back and get with family and visit and see what's going on," Self said after Sunday's loss. "I love what I do. I need to be able to do it where I'm feeling good and healthy to do it fairly well. I'll get back home and it will all be discussed."</p><p>The Oklahoma native joined the Jayhawks ahead of the 2003-04 campaign and has since claimed two national titles in 2008 and 2022.</p><p>In his 23 total seasons at the helm, the only year in which Kansas did not play in the NCAA Tournament was 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the Big 12 Tournament and March Madness. However, the Jayhawks were the top seed after winning the regular-season crown and likely would have received an at-large bid if they didn't win the conference tournament.</p><p>Self was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.</p>

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 22: Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks gestures during the first half against the St. John's Red Storm in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, California.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/35003149/related

Self dismisses Kansas retirement rumors as 'bad info'

The Milwaukee Bucks are waiving guard Cam Thomas, the team announced.  Thomas signed with Milwauk...

<p>The Milwaukee Bucks are waiving guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96032" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96032">Cam Thomas</a>, the team announced.</p><p>Thomas signed with Milwaukee on Feb. 8 after being cut by the Brooklyn Nets days prior. He averaged 10.7 points in 18 games with the Bucks.</p><p>With the open roster spot left by Thomas' departure, Milwaukee is converting forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/111214" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/111214">Pete Nance</a>'s two-way contract to a standard NBA deal.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 24-year-old Thomas will not be eligible for the postseason if he ends up signing with a playoff team since he was signed after the March 1 cutoff.</p><p>Thomas averaged 15.6 points in 24 games for Brooklyn this year after picking up his qualifying offer, which remains the second-highest scoring output by anyone on the Nets this season. The franchise reportedly long sought to trade the LSU product but eventually released him after failing to find a trade partner by the February deadline.</p><p>After landing in Milwaukee, the 27th overall pick in the 2021 draft appeared to take a shot at his former club when he blamed Brooklyn for not showing trust in him.</p><p>"They don’t believe in nobody," he told <a href="https://nypost.com/2026/02/27/sports/bucks-cam-thomas-shreds-nets-after-ugly-divorce/">Stefan Bondy of the New York Post</a>.</p><p>Thomas owns career averages of 15.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists with shooting splits of 43.5/34/85.1 over five NBA seasons.</p>

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 21: Cam Thomas #24 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket during the game against the Phoenix Suns on March 21, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34986813/related

Bucks waive Cam Thomas after 18 games

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant passed Michael Jordan for fifth on the NBA's all-time regula...

<p>Houston Rockets forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/345" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/345">Kevin Durant</a> passed Michael Jordan for fifth on the NBA's all-time regular-season scoring leaderboard in Saturday's 123-122 win over the Miami Heat.</p><p>Durant, a 16-time All-Star, vaulted Jordan with a three from the corner off a pass from Reed Sheppard. The field goal, his ninth of the contest and fifth from deep, helped Houston extend a late fourth-quarter lead over the Heat.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kevin Durant corner 3, assisted by Reed Sheppard! <a href="https://t.co/Q3XXChqg4d">pic.twitter.com/Q3XXChqg4d</a></p>— Rockets Clips (@Rockets_Clips) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rockets_Clips/status/2035540165402165298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Rank</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Points</th>
<th>Games</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>LeBron James*</td>
<td>43241</td>
<td>1612</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>Kareem Abdul-Jabbar</td>
<td>38387</td>
<td>1560</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>Karl Malone</td>
<td>36928</td>
<td>1476</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>Kobe Bryant</td>
<td>33643</td>
<td>1346</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>Kevin Durant*</td>
<td>32294</td>
<td>1190</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td>Michael Jordan</td>
<td>32292</td>
<td>1072</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td>Dirk Nowitzki</td>
<td>31560</td>
<td>1522</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8</td>
<td>Wilt Chamberlain</td>
<td>31419</td>
<td>1045</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td>James Harden*</td>
<td>29160</td>
<td>1212</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10</td>
<td>Shaquille O'Neal</td>
<td>28596</td>
<td>1207</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><em>*Active</em></p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Rockets held on to win thanks to an <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/110271" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/110271">Amen Thompson</a> tip-in at the buzzer off Durant's missed attempt. The play saved Ime Udoka's squad from what would have been a painful collapse on Durant's historic night. Houston held an eight-point lead with 3:25 to play, but the Heat stormed back with a 13-4 run to take the lead with five seconds left, setting the stage for Thompson's winner.</p><p>"It is pretty sweet to be in the same category with the greats," Durant <a href="https://x.com/NBA/status/2035568511385239571">said</a> after the win.</p><p>"A lot of these guys have inspired me to come out here and work on my game as much as I can and contribute to a team in a positive way. ... MJ is in a world of his own. He's in a planet, a galaxy, of his own as somebody that I look up to, respect, and who basically shaped the game for me."</p><p>Durant surpassed both Dirk Nowitzki and Wilt Chamberlain on the all-time scoring list earlier in the season. He also climbed to 10th place in all-time 3-pointers made during the 2025-26 campaign, overtaking Vince Carter.</p><p>The 37-year-old is in his 18th NBA season and playing for his fifth different franchise. A four-time scoring champion (2010-12, 2014), Durant missed the entire 2019-20 campaign after rupturing his Achilles tendon in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals.</p><p>Durant, who joined the Rockets from the Phoenix Suns as part of an NBA-record seven-team blockbuster trade, leads the team with 25.7 points per game on 51.7% shooting heading into Saturday.</p>

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 21: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets looks on during the game between the Miami Heat and the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on March 21, 2026 in Houston, Texas.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34965035/related

Durant passes Jordan for 5th on NBA's all-time scoring list

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic accused Orlando Magic's Goga Bitadze of insulting his family ...

<p>Los Angeles Lakers star <a href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/68198">Luka Doncic</a> accused Orlando Magic's <a href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/76007">Goga Bitadze</a> of insulting his family in Serbian during an exchange between the pair during Saturday's 105-104 win, resulting in both players receiving double technical fouls.</p><p>"I let my team down getting that last tech," Doncic told reporters postgame, according to <a href="https://x.com/khobi_price/status/2035545260454023674">Khobi Price of the California Post</a>. "But honestly, I wasn't trying to. He said if we talk, he would 'f--- my whole family.' At some point, this is a basketball court. ... I got to stand up for myself. But I know I got to do better."</p><p>However, Bitadze disputed Doncic's version of events and suggested the Slovenian was the first to hurl insults, according to <a href="https://x.com/mcten/status/2035550799485358409">ESPN's Dave McMenamin</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><blockquote>
<p>I have all the respect for Luka and what he has done. I really respect everybody's family. Where I come from, it's really sacred and we really respect each other's family. I would never directly say that. ... He just said some inappropriate things in the Serbian language. I played in Serbia, and I understand. I don't know if he knew I understood what he said, so I just said it back.</p>
<p>It was nothing towards his family or anybody. His family, I really, truly respect them. What (Doncic) came out and said, I don't think that's the truth. I know that's not the truth. I know what I said. ... I apologize if it crossed the line. He said something about my mother, which is really inappropriate. We don't say that stuff. ... So I just said whatever he told me about my mother and said it back. That was pretty much it."</p>
</blockquote><p>Officials assessed Doncic and Bitadze with double technicals late in the third quarter after the Lakers guard appeared to say something to the Magic center while running back on defense. Doncic said the exchange between him and Bitadze initially began on the previous possession.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Luka Doncic receives his 16th tech of the season and if it stands he will be suspended for Monday’s game vs. the Pistons. <a href="https://t.co/UNUABrb6W2">pic.twitter.com/UNUABrb6W2</a></p>— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNNBA/status/2035523907529097530?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>With the technical being Doncic's 16th of the season, Lakers head coach JJ Redick said the team would appeal the foul in hopes the star would avoid an automatic one-game suspension. In their appeal to the league, the Lakers contend that Bitadze should have received a warning before the refs issued the technicals, a source told <a href="https://x.com/mcten/status/2035546453108457625">McMenamin</a>.</p><p>"We'll obviously try to get that rescinded," Lakers coach JJ Redick <a href="https://x.com/big_business_/status/2035536978519667166">said</a> postgame. "Not sure what happened. I do know there were certain things said in a language that the referees couldn't understand in references to Luka's mom."</p><p>Bitadze, 26, was born in Georgia but signed with Serbian club Mega Basket in 2016. He remained under contract in Serbia until 2019, when he was drafted 18th overall by the Indiana Pacers.</p><p>Doncic never played in Serbia but is fluent in the language.</p><p>Despite the technical, Doncic finished with 33 points, shooting 12-of-30 (3-of-13 from distance). He also added eight assists, five rebounds, and four steals to help Los Angeles win its ninth straight. Redick's squad will visit the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons on Monday, though Detroit will be without star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96056" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96056">Cade Cunningham</a>, who's expected to be out until April with a collapsed lung.</p>

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: Luka Doncic #77 and Head Coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers talk during the game against the Chicago Bulls on March 12, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34966348/related

Doncic claims Bitadze insulted his family in Serbian 

A skirmish broke out midway through the Oklahoma City Thunder's 132-111 win over the Washington W...

<p>A skirmish broke out midway through the Oklahoma City Thunder's 132-111 win over the Washington Wizards on Saturday, sending players from both teams into the baseline seats at Capital One Arena.</p><p>As Thunder big man <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102798" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102798">Jaylin Williams</a> prepared to inbound the ball following a made basket by Wizards forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93884" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93884">Anthony Gill</a>, the former exchanged quick shoves with forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96046" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96046">Justin Champagnie</a> under the basket. Referee Nate Green quickly separated the two.</p><p>Champagnie then made contact with the face of Thunder guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/121739" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/121739">Ajay Mitchell</a>, prompting players from both teams to rush over, which knocked some of them into the seats behind the stanchion.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thunder Wizards scuffle <a href="https://t.co/Nn4dEGkWdt">pic.twitter.com/Nn4dEGkWdt</a></p>— Moonball (@moonball30) <a href="https://twitter.com/moonball30/status/2035478559859589156?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Mitchell, Williams, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/110284" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/110284">Cason Wallace</a> were tossed for the Thunder, while the Wizards lost Champagnie for the remainder of the contest.</p><p>Oklahoma City entered the break up 69-64. Mark Daigneault's squad outscored Washington 63-47 in the second half to ensure its 11th straight victory and maintain a 3.5-game lead over the San Antonio Spurs for the league's best record.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/60411" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/60411">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander</a>, who was on the court during the altercation but not directly involved, led all scorers with 40 points, extending his NBA-record streak to 130 games of at least 20 points.</p>

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 21: Ajay Mitchell #25 of the Oklahoma City Thunder is pulled out of a scrum of players by teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 21, 2026 in Washington, DC. Ajay Mitchell #25 of the Oklahoma City Thunder received a double technical and ejected from the contest.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34960442/related

4 ejected after Thunder-Wizards scuffle spills into seats

The Miami (Ohio) storybook season continues.  Junior forward Eian Elmer scored 23 points to lead ...

<p>The Miami (Ohio) storybook season continues.</p><p>Junior forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/110727" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/110727">Eian Elmer</a> scored 23 points to lead the RedHawks past SMU 89-79 in the NCAA Tournament's First Four on Wednesday.</p><p>Miami will move on to face No. 6 seed Tennessee on Friday.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Mustangs led 49-48 when the RedHawks responded with a 15-1 run, including two threes by Icelandic forward Almar Atlason, to break open a double-digit lead for the first time in the game. Miami hit a total of 16 threes, 10 of which came in the first half.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Miami rained in 1️⃣6️⃣ threes against SMU 🥵☔️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarchMadness</a> <a href="https://t.co/lqWWgF9844">pic.twitter.com/lqWWgF9844</a></p>— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarchMadnessMBB/status/2034478914806903072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>SMU trimmed the deficit to seven but couldn't fully overcome Miami's momentum.</p><p>Jaden Toombs recorded a team-high 20 points for the Mustangs, while Jaron Pierre added 18.</p><p>Miami last won an NCAA Tournament game in 1999, when it reached the Midwest Region semifinals before falling to Kentucky.</p>

DAYTON, OHIO - MARCH 18: Trey Perry #1 of the Miami (OH) Redhawks reacts to a good play against the SMU Mustangs during the First Four round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball tournament held at UD Arena on March 18, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34925689/related

Miami (OH) rallies in 2nd half to knock off SMU in First Four

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 20 points in 26 minutes as the Oklahoma City Thunder steamrolled t...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/60411" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/60411">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander</a> scored 20 points in 26 minutes as the Oklahoma City Thunder steamrolled the Brooklyn Nets 121-92 for their 10th consecutive victory.</p><p>It's Oklahoma City's second 10-game winning streak of the campaign following a franchise-record 16-game run earlier this season.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/121672" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/121672">Jared McCain</a> scored a team-high 26 in the win, setting another season-high for the second-year guard since his arrival from the Philadelphia 76ers. He's now up to 11.9 points per game with the Thunder, nearly doubling the 6.6 points he averaged in 37 games this year with Philadelphia.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Gilgeous-Alexander narrowly extended his NBA record for games of 20-or-more points to 130 early in the second half before sitting out the remainder of the contest.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/110223" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/110223">Jalen Wilson</a> led the Nets with 15 points off the bench, while rookie guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/171812" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/171812">Nolan Traore</a> chipped in with 13 points on 4-of-11 shooting.</p><p>Brooklyn's 24 points at the half were the fewest first-half points in the NBA since 2016, according to <a href="https://x.com/TimBontemps/status/2034430709247430954?s=20">ESPN statistician Matt Williams</a>.</p><p>The win keeps the Thunder 3.5 games clear of the San Antonio Spurs, who have won 19 of their last 21 games to threaten Oklahoma City's reign atop the Western Conference dating back to November 2024. San Antonio was also responsible for snapping the Thunder's 16-game winning streak on Dec. 13.</p><p>The Nets have now lost five straight games and 15 of their last 17 contests.</p>

BROOKLYN, NY - MARCH 18: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 18, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34924391/related

Thunder pummel Nets for 2nd 10-game winning streak of season

Dontae Horne scored 25 points with seven rebounds and four steals as Prairie View A&M topped Lehi...

<p>Dontae Horne scored 25 points with seven rebounds and four steals as Prairie View A&amp;M topped Lehigh 67-55 in their First Four matchup Wednesday.</p><p>Prairie View advances to play No. 1-seeded Florida in the NCAA Tournament's first round.</p><p>The result is the Panthers' first-ever win at the NCAA Tournament after losing their opener in two previous trips.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Prairie View's Cory Wells added a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds, along with three steals and three blocks.</p><p>Hank Alvey led the way for Lehigh with 23 points and a team-high 15 rebounds.</p><p>Lehigh's leading scorer, Nasir Whitlock, finished with five points on 2-of-15 shooting. The last time Whitlock did not reach double figures in a game was when he had two points in a 69-47 loss at West Virginia on Nov. 9.</p>

DAYTON, OHIO - MARCH 18: Dontae Horne #2 of the Prairie View A&M Panthers drives to the basket against Joshua Ingram #4 of the Lehigh Mountain Hawks during the second half in the First Four game of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 18, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34923298/related

Prairie View rolls past Lehigh, will face Florida in 1st round

The Las Vegas Aces are wasting no time with a new collective bargaining agreement on the way.  La...

<p>The Las Vegas Aces are wasting no time with a new collective bargaining agreement on the way.</p><p>Las Vegas intends to re-sign four-time MVP A'ja Wilson to the new supermax deal worth $1.4 million, sources told <a href="https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/aces/aces-star-expected-to-re-sign-on-new-wnba-supermax-deal-3726601/">Callie Fin of the Las Vegas Review-Journal</a>.</p><p>The league and players' union reached an agreement in principle on a new CBA early Wednesday morning after several days of negotiations. Among the substantial changes, both parties reportedly agreed to raise the WNBA's max single-season salary from just under $250,000 to $1.4 million beginning in 2026.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Wilson, 29, earned $200,000 in each of the last two seasons on her previous contract with the Aces, according to <a href="https://www.spotrac.com/wnba/player/_/id/29875/aja-wilson">Spotrac</a>. The discounts helped the franchise assemble the rest of the team around the former No. 1 pick, contributing to three championships over the last four years.</p><p>Also a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and the 2018 Rookie of the Year, Wilson holds a strong argument as the best active player in the WNBA. The two-time Finals MVP averaged 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 1.6 steals in 40 regular-season games last season. She was even better in the playoffs, putting up a career-high 26.8 points in 12 postseason games to lead Las Vegas back to the title.</p>

LAS VEGAS, NV - AUGUST 17: A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces smiles during the game against the Dallas Wings on August 17, 2025 at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34921511/related

Report: Aces plan to re-sign Wilson to new CBA's $1.4M supermax

Erik Spoelstra has no regrets for helping Bam Adebayo's etch his name in the history books Tuesda...

<p>Erik Spoelstra has no regrets for helping <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/53731" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/53731">Bam Adebayo</a>'s etch his name in the history books Tuesday.</p><p>"I apologize to absolutely no one. Period," the longtime Miami Heat coach told reporters Thursday before their matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks, courtesy of <a href="https://x.com/MikeCugnoCBS4/status/2032215424260042916">Mike Cugno of CBS Miami</a>.</p><p>"Going into the game, it's a Tuesday night game against a team where they're not playing for anything, where their organization is trying to lose - we've already lost a game in that kind of situation. We have players that are sitting out and I spoke to Bam - as our best player and team captain - for him to be locked in and ready. And he sure was."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Adebayo's record night overtook Kobe Bryant's 81-point game as the second-highest scoring performance ever in the NBA, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain's historic 100-point night. However, Spoelstra and the rest of the Heat have received criticism for how they helped Adebayo surpass Bryant's mark late in the final minutes of Tuesday's fourth quarter, aggressively pressuring the Wizards and rushing the ball back to Adebayo's hands despite leading by 20-plus for most of the frame.</p><p>The 28-year-old big man also made 36 of 43 free throws in the contest. Comparatively, Bryant had 23 fewer free-throw attempts during his marquee performance against the Toronto Raptors in January 2006, going 18-for-20. Adebayo's 82nd and 83rd points came at the free-throw line with 1:16 to play before Spoelstra pulled the three-time All-Star for good.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">83 POINTS FOR BAM ADEBAYO.<br><br>THE SECOND-MOST EVER.<br><br>Wilt: 100<br>Bam: 83<br>Kobe: 81 <a href="https://t.co/5AxI6j8m35">pic.twitter.com/5AxI6j8m35</a></p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/2031554188337979593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Wizards head coach Brian Keefe also took issue with how the fourth played out, <a href="https://www.nba.com/wizards/videos/media-availability-brian-keefe-3-11-26">calling</a> it "not a real basketball game" in his postgame comments.</p><p>While lopsided, the win was crucial for the Heat's playoff chase as it helped bump them up to sixth with the Raptors' loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. Adebayo, meanwhile, is now averaging 20 points through 58 games this year.</p>

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 10: Head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat celebrates as Bam Adebayo #13 leaves the game during the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at Kaseya Center on March 10, 2026 in Miami, Florida. Adebayo passed Kobe Bryant for the second most points scored in an NBA game with 83 in the 150-129 win.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34847805/related

Spoelstra: 'I apologize to absolutely no one' over Bam's 83-point game

USC guard Chad Baker-Mazara is no longer on the team, the Trojans announced Sunday.  The 26-year-...

<p>USC guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/85291" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/85291">Chad Baker-Mazara</a> is no longer on the team, the Trojans announced Sunday.</p><p>The 26-year-old graduate student, who's averaging 18.5 points in 25 games this season, scored 14 points in 19 minutes in USC's 82-67 defeat to Nebraska on Saturday. He's been the Trojans' leading scorer since starting guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/103348" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/103348">Rodney Rice</a> underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in December.</p><p>He appeared to head to the locker room during the second half of Saturday's contest with an injury. Upon re-emerging, however, Baker-Mazara did not return to the USC bench and instead sat in an open courtside seat adjacent to the team.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Interesting part of Nebraska vs. USC game yesterday, Chad Baker-Mazara left the game with an injury briefly, came back out to the court but didn't sit on the main bench with the team rather courtside for the rest of the game.<br><br>Today, USC moves on from Baker-Mazara.⬇️ <a href="https://t.co/PQdAqQco8P">https://t.co/PQdAqQco8P</a> <a href="https://t.co/RXt0syRiDE">pic.twitter.com/RXt0syRiDE</a></p>— Chase Matteson (@ChaseMatteson) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChaseMatteson/status/2028251280884306274?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The Trojans have two regular-season games remaining before the Big Ten Tournament begins March 10. They face Washington on the road Wednesday before hosting UCLA in their finale Saturday.</p><p>Baker-Mazara joined USC, his fourth Division I stop in five years, ahead of the 2025-26 campaign following two strong seasons at Auburn. After becoming a full-time starter in his second year with the Tigers, he helped the squad reach the NCAA Tournament Final Four before losing to Florida.</p><p>Saturday's defeat was the Trojans' fifth straight loss, dealing a huge blow to their hopes of an at-large bid for this year's March Madness tournament.</p>

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 21: USC Trojans guard Chad Baker-Mazara (4) dribbles up the court during the college basketball game between the Oregon Ducks and the USC Trojans on February 21, 2026 at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34688667/related

USC says Baker-Mazara no longer on roster

Toronto FC signed American striker Josh Sargent on Friday after a drawn-out transfer saga with No...

<p>Toronto FC signed American striker Josh Sargent on Friday after a drawn-out transfer saga with Norwich City.</p><p>The cost of the deal is approximately $22 million and could climb to $27 million with add-ons, sources told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7036805/2026/02/20/josh-sargent-transfer-toronto-fc-norwich-city-usmnt/">Tom Bogert of The Athletic</a>. Sargent joins as a Designated Player on a contract until 2031.</p><p>The reported fee makes Sargent the most expensive recruit in Toronto's history. The previous club-record arrival was attacking midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo, who joined for just under $11 million USD (€9.1 million) from Genk in 2019, according to <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.us/toronto-fc/transferrekorde/verein/11141">Transfermarkt</a>. South Korea star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/12696" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/12696">Son Heung-min</a> currently holds the league record from when he switched Tottenham Hotspur for Los Angeles FC last August for a reported $26.5-million fee, meaning the amount of Sargent's transfer could eventually surpass that sum.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Sargent moved to Norwich in August 2021 ahead of the club's return to the Premier League. The forward scored four times in 29 appearances across all competitions that season, but the club was relegated back to the Championship following a last-place finish.</p><p>Over four seasons in England's second tier, Sargent's netted 51 goals with 12 assists across 121 Championship matches. However, the 26-year-old missed Norwich's last 10 matches after asking to be left out of an FA Cup third-round visit from Walsall amid Toronto's reported interest. He was subsequently banished to train with the club's under-21 squad while the club dug in its heels over a transfer. Eventually, the Canaries approved the $27-million overall package offered by the MLS franchise.</p><p>"I get the fans' frustration completely," Norwich captain Kenny McLean told <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0n2j7qk">BBC Radio Norfolk</a> last Saturday about Sargent's situation with the club. "A couple of months ago, we were talking about having the best player in the Championship."</p><p>Norwich City have risen from 22nd to 17th place in the Championship since Sargent was frozen out. Former Toronto FC player Ali Ahmed has been among the key figures behind Norwich's upturn in fortunes.</p><p>As part of Sargent's move to Toronto FC, his new club has sent $500,000 in general allocation money to St. Louis City SC, who owned the right of first refusal for Sargent. St. Louis could receive another $225,000 in GAM depending on add-ons.</p><p>Sargent has scored five times in 29 appearances for the United States men's national team, but he's never played in the country's top domestic league. The Missouri native joined Germany's Werder Bremen as a youth player in January 2018 before making his first senior appearance in December of that year. He was relegated with Werder Bremen in 2021 after notching 11 goals in 70 Bundesliga appearances.</p><p>"He is a proven goalscorer, with a winning mentality and the intelligence that will lead our attack for years to come," Toronto FC general manager Jason Hernandez said in a statement.</p><p>Toronto FC were in search of an experienced attacker after cutting ties with Italian duo Federico Bernardeschi and Lorenzo Insigne in July. Robin Fraser's incoming transfers since those high-profile departures include a host of experienced MLS players, such as Djordje Mihailovic and Walker Zimmerman, who have a combined 56 caps for the USMNT; former Sporting Kansas City winger Daniel Salloi; and Raheem Edwards.</p>

Josh Sargent of Norwich City applauds after the Sky Bet Championship match between Norwich City and Queens Park Rangers at Carrow Road in Norwich, England, on November 29, 2025.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34596960/related

Toronto FC sign USMNT's Sargent in reported club-record $27M deal

Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen will miss the next two weeks before being re-evaluated after an MR...

<p>Utah Jazz star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/53404" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/53404">Lauri Markkanen</a> will miss the next two weeks before being re-evaluated after an MRI revealed a hip impingement, sources told <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/2027204652199022612">ESPN's Shams Charania</a>.</p><p>Markkanen reportedly suffered the injury, as well as one to his ankle, during practice Wednesday.</p><p>However, tests on the forward's ankle returned clean, according to Charania.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Markkanen is the third Jazz player in as many days to be ruled out for an extended period. The team announced Monday that <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37599" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37599">Jusuf Nurkic</a> won't play again this season after undergoing a procedure on his nose. Hours later, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102781" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102781">Vince Williams Jr.</a> injured his knee against the Houston Rockets, with reports emerging Tuesday that the guard sustained a torn ACL.</p><p>Utah is also likely without trade acquisition <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/62285" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/62285">Jaren Jackson Jr.</a> for the rest of the campaign after he underwent knee surgery to remove a noncancerous growth.</p><p>Markkanen has played just 42 games during the 2025-26 campaign, his fewest in a single year since joining the Jazz in September 2022. Still, the 7-foot-1 Finnish star is putting up some of the best numbers of his career, including a team-high 26.7 points per game. He's also contributing 6.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and one steal per game.</p><p>The NBA fined the Jazz $500K earlier in February for withholding Markkanen and Jackson from the fourth quarters of consecutive games against the Orlando Magic (Feb. 7) and Miami Heat (Feb. 9). Markkanen has appeared in only two of their five games since.</p>

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 09: Lauri Markkanen #23 of the Utah Jazz looks on against the Miami Heat during the first quarter of the game at Kaseya Center on February 09, 2026 in Miami, Florida.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34641945/related

Report: Markkanen out at least 2 weeks with hip impingement

The NBA pushed back on claims made by Rick Carlisle during a radio appearance in which the Indian...

<p>The NBA pushed back on claims made by Rick Carlisle during a radio appearance in which the Indiana Pacers head coach vehemently disagreed with the team's $100K fine received earlier in February.</p><p>"Coach Carlisle's description of the process that went into the decision to fine the Indiana Pacers is inaccurate," a league spokesperson said Tuesday in a statement provided to <a href="https://twitter.com/sam_amick/status/2026394355209302225">The Athletic's Sam Amick</a>. "An independent physician led the medical review. In addition, the Pacers' general manager and the team's senior vice president (of sports medicine and performance) were interviewed as part of the process.</p><p>"The Pacers confirmed that (they) had provided all of the information requested by the league, and the team reported that an interview with Coach Carlisle or a team physician wasn't necessary."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The NBA fined Indiana for violating the league's player participation policy in a Feb. 3 game against the Utah Jazz. The league said that three Pacers starters - <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/39061" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/39061">Pascal Siakam</a> and two unnamed players - could've played despite being ruled out. The Pacers announced prior to tipoff that they would rest Siakam, while <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102757" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102757">Andrew Nembhard</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93847" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93847">Aaron Nesmith</a>, two of the team's most frequent starters this season, were listed out with respective back and hand injuries.</p><p>Carlisle addressed the penalty earlier Tuesday on <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/the-fan-morning-show/rick-carlisle-joins-us-and-discusses-league-fining-team-zubacs-potential-debut">105.7 The Fan</a>, criticizing the investigative process and disputing that Nesmith was healthy enough to participate.</p><p>"There was a league lawyer that was doing the interview that kind of unilaterally decided that Aaron Nesmith, who had been injured the night before and couldn't hold the ball, should have played in the game, which just seems ridiculous," he said. "And during the interview process - I was not on it, but I heard details - we asked them if they wanted to talk to ... our doctors about it because it's something that was documented by our doctors and trainers.</p><p>"They said no, they didn't need to. They talked to their doctors, who did not examine Aaron Nesmith. We asked them if they wanted to talk to the kid, and they said no, they didn't need to. This was shocking to me. And during the interview, they also asked if we considered medicating him to play in a game when we were thirty games under .500. So, I was very surprised."</p><p>Nesmith returned to Indiana's starting lineup for its next three games but didn't dress against the Brooklyn Nets on Feb. 11 due to low back soreness. He's since missed the team's last two games after spraining his right ankle during Thursday's loss to the Washington Wizards.</p>

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 20: Head coach Rick Carlisle of the Indiana Pacers looks on against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on February 20, 2026 in Washington, DC.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34610331/related

Carlisle's complaints about Pacers' fine 'inaccurate,' NBA says

Utah Jazz guard Vince Williams Jr. will miss the rest of the season after tearing his ACL against...

<p>Utah Jazz guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102781" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102781">Vince Williams Jr.</a> will miss the rest of the season after tearing his ACL against the Houston Rockets on Monday, sources told <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/2026385093107826789">ESPN's Shams Charania</a>.</p><p>Williams sustained the injury when he awkwardly planted his left leg following a collision with Rockets forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102780" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102780">Tari Eason</a> in the second quarter. As Williams ran back to defend a Rockets fast break, Eason appeared to bump the Jazz guard by Utah's bench, causing him to lose balance. The 25-year-old needed help off the court before being carried to the locker room.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Josh Okogie steals the ball and Tari Eason finishes with the fastbreak dunk after bumping into Vince Williams Jr., who got injured and carried to the locker room (with replays)<br><br>Rockets and Peacock commentaries <a href="https://t.co/9HnovfEaTN">pic.twitter.com/9HnovfEaTN</a></p>— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrBuckBuckNBA/status/2026137757941203434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Eason said he didn't intend to hurt Williams on the play and that he checked in on the Jazz guard after the contest to apologize.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"I've known Vince for a little bit, and he's just a really good dude, hard-working dude," Eason told <a href="https://www.deseret.com/sports/2026/02/23/vince-williams-jr-knee-injury-utah-jazz/">Sarah Todd of Deseret News</a>. "It was just respect. I've got a lot of respect for him, and I know it's his contract year. ... I didn't intend on doing anything. My intentions are always just to play hard. So I went to go holler and just check on him.</p><p>"Obviously, nothing helps, but just tell him that I apologize. You know, nobody's trying to hurt anybody."</p><p>Williams, the 47th overall pick in 2022, arrived in Utah on Feb. 3 as part of the eight-player deal that also brought over big man <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/62285" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/62285">Jaren Jackson Jr.</a> In 40 combined games with both teams this season, Williams is averaging 7.5 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.9 rebounds.</p><p>Williams is the third Jazz player expected to miss the rest of the season since the trade deadline. Center <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37599" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37599">Jusuf Nurkic</a> was ruled out Monday as he's set to undergo nose surgery, while Jackson is also likely to be sidelined following an operation to remove a noncancerous tumor in his knee.</p>

HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 23: Vince Williams Jr. #0 of the Utah Jazz dribbles the ball during the game against the Houston Rockets on February 23, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34608576/related

Report: Jazz guard Williams tore ACL in collision with Rockets' Eason

Utah Jazz center Jusuf Nurkic will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season after he undergoes a ...

<p>Utah Jazz center <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37599" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37599">Jusuf Nurkic</a> will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season after he undergoes a surgical procedure on his nose Wednesday, sources told <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisBHaynes/status/2026028201114562906">Prime Video's Chris Haynes</a>.</p><p>Nurkic would join trade-deadline acquisition <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/62285" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/62285">Jaren Jackson Jr.</a> and fourth-year big <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102795" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102795">Walker Kessler</a> as the third Jazz player who's expected to miss the rest of the campaign. Jackson <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3477567" href="https://thescore.com/news/3477567">underwent</a> a procedure earlier in February to remove a noncancerous growth in his left knee, while Kessler had season-ending shoulder surgery in November.</p><p>Nurkic, 31, has started 36 of his 41 games with Utah this season and is averaging a double-double of 10.9 points and 10.4 rebounds. He's also tallied a career-best 4.8 assists per game.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Jazz acquired the Bosnian center last summer in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets, who received <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/60062" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/60062">Collin Sexton</a> and a second-round pick in return.</p><p>In January, Nurkic became the first player in Jazz history to register triple-doubles in three consecutive games, doing so against the Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs, and Miami Heat.</p><p>However, Utah held him out of the team's next matchup three days later against the Los Angeles Clippers with an unspecified injury or illness. Nurkic has played in half of the team's 10 games since.</p>

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - JANUARY 22: Jusuf Nurkic #30 of the Utah Jazz runs up the court against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half of a game at the Delta Center on January 22, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34599192/related

Report: Jazz's Nurkic to miss rest of season after nose surgery

Kevin Durant isn't calling time on his international career just yet.  The Houston Rockets star r...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/345" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/345">Kevin Durant</a> isn't calling time on his international career just yet.</p><p>The Houston Rockets star revealed that he hopes to represent the United States at the Olympics for a fifth time when Los Angeles hosts the Summer Games in 2028.</p><p>"Hell yeah, I want to play," Durant told <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48014969/kevin-durant-says-plans-play-2028-olympics-los-angeles">ESPN's Vincent Goodwill</a> recently. "I would love to, but I've got to stay on top of my game.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"I'm not expecting - I want to produce on the floor and make (Team USA managing director Grant Hill) and whoever is making the decisions want to put me on the team ... not just for seniority. I want to still prove I can help the team win. Today, yeah, I feel like I'll put my name in that hat."</p><p>Durant, 37, would likely be one of the oldest - if not the oldest - players on Team USA in two years' time. However, the four-time Olympic gold medalist is still crafting a strong case for his potential inclusion during his 18th NBA season. The 16-time All-Star is Houston's leading scorer with 26.1 points per contest through 52 games.</p><p>He's also close to registering a third 50-40-90 season, with 50.6/40.4/88.1 shooting splits, and ranks second among all players aged 30 or older with 1,909 total minutes this season, courtesy of <a href="https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/tiny/CSKyb">Stathead</a>.</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>Age</th>
<th>Minutes</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Julius Randle</td>
<td>MIN</td>
<td>31</td>
<td>1942</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kevin Durant</td>
<td>HOU</td>
<td>37</td>
<td>1909</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DeMar DeRozan</td>
<td>SAC</td>
<td>36</td>
<td>1867</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Derrick White</td>
<td>BOS</td>
<td>31</td>
<td>1855</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>James Harden</td>
<td>LAC/CLE</td>
<td>36</td>
<td>1752</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Durant suggested that he's motivated by critics who question the Americans' long-time dominance in the spot amid the rise of several European stars in the NBA.</p><p>"I just don't like the talk around the USA versus European style of how you approach the game," Durant said. "All I hear is, 'AAU is destroying the game; the Euros do it right, while the Americans do it wrong.' It's a lot of bullshit with that.</p><p>"I can read between the lines on that. It's a shot at Black Americans. We're controlling the sport. They're tired of us controlling the sport. 'France is coming for you.' Really? We smacked them boys."</p><p>Having compiled 518 points over four tournaments, Durant is USA Basketball's all-time men's scoring leader in Olympic competition. He was named MVP of the 2020 Tokyo Games after dropping a game-high 29 points in the final against France.</p><p>If Durant joins the national squad in 2028, another podium finish would likely see him overtake Carmelo Anthony for the most games played for Team USA at the Olympics. He needs four more appearances to pass his former American teammate's all-time mark of 31.</p><p> </p>

Basketball: 2024 Summer Olympics: USA Kevin Durant (7) in action, victorious with American flag following Gold Medal Game vs France at Bercy Arena. Paris, France 8/10/2024 CREDIT: Erick W. Rasco (Set Number: X164583 TK1)

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34598092/related

Durant intends to play for U.S. at 2028 Olympics in L.A.

UCLA head coach Mick Cronin publicly apologized to Bruins big man Steven Jamerson II on Friday fo...

<p>UCLA head coach Mick Cronin publicly apologized to Bruins big man <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/106740" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/106740">Steven Jamerson II</a> on Friday for sending him to the locker room during Tuesday's defeat at Michigan State.</p><p>"I thought that he took the guy out, like the kid at Providence took the guy from St. John's out. It's the only reason I sent him to the locker room," Cronin told reporters, including <a href="https://x.com/aaron_heisen/status/2024901146855526705">Aaron Heisen of Southern California News Group</a>. "I thought he literally made a dirty play and tried to wipe the guy out. ... He still got a (flagrant-1 foul). To be honest with you, I don't even know if he deserved that. But I watched it. Coach (Tom Izzo) thought the same thing when I communicated with him."</p><p>Cronin added: "(Based on) their reaction, I thought he tried to crush this kid. ... So, I apologize to Steve."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>With 4:26 left in the second half and UCLA down 27 points, Jamerson committed a hard foul at the rim after chasing down a fast break by Spartans center Carson Cooper. The two briefly went face to face before Cronin demanded that Jamerson go to the locker room. The 6-foot-10 forward didn't return to the contest.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">After the foul, UCLA HC Mick Cronin ejects his own player, Steven Jamerson III. <a href="https://t.co/KOFMCDRYjg">pic.twitter.com/KOFMCDRYjg</a></p>— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBBonFOX/status/2023966358242025978?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>However, that wasn't the only viral incident involving Cronin on Tuesday. The Bruins bench boss also garnered attention postgame when a reporter's question about Michigan State's student section prompted a cagey response.</p><p>"I could give a rat's ass about the other team's student section. I would like to give you kudos for the worst question I've ever been asked," Cronin said before interrupting another reporter's question to continue the exchange.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">UCLA coach Mick Cronin's thoughts on the Michigan State student section. <a href="https://twitter.com/ThisistheIZZONE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ThisistheIZZONE</a> <a href="https://t.co/7pJJHEs7sQ">pic.twitter.com/7pJJHEs7sQ</a></p>— Owen Oszust (@Owen_Oszust) <a href="https://twitter.com/Owen_Oszust/status/2023987592555847753?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The 54-year-old didn't specifically address the postgame incident Friday but said he needed to "dial back some of my humor."</p><p>"You have to realize - and I have to do a better job of this - that, in this climate, you've got to be careful with what you say," Cronin said. "I'm a good fit here because I know I'm not bigger than the brand. And the brand matters here. The school matters. The last thing I want to do is bring negative publicity to our school.</p><p>"It's not about me. I don't care what people think about me. I need to do a better job knowing, well I am the coach here, and I need to make sure I don't do anything to embarrass our school. So, for that, I apologize. That I don't want. I apologize to our people: school, students, everybody in our community."</p><p>Tuesday's loss was UCLA's third in the last five games, dropping the team to 9-6 in Big Ten play. It also dealt another blow to its NCAA Tournament hopes; <a href="http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/page/bracketology/ncaa-bracketology-2026-march-madness-men-field-predictions">ESPN's Joe Lunardi</a> currently has the Bruins slotted for one of the last four at-large bids in his latest Bracketology projection.</p>

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 17: UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin sends forward Steven Jamerson (24) to the locker room after a hard foul during a college basketball game between the Michigan State Spartans and UCLA Bruins on February 17, 2026 at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, MI.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34556929/related

UCLA's Cronin sorry for ejecting own player after perceived 'dirty play'

Mat Ishbia is not on Team Tank.  The Phoenix Suns owner strongly rebuked teams attempting to secu...

<p>Mat Ishbia is not on Team Tank.</p><p>The Phoenix Suns owner strongly <a href="https://x.com/Mishbia15/status/2024531384581165102">rebuked</a> teams attempting to secure a higher draft pick by effectively punting on the 2025-26 season, calling out the practice on X as "behavior done by losers" while commenting on a related column by Yahoo Sports' Tom Haberstroh.</p><blockquote>
<p>This is ridiculous! Tanking is losing behavior done by losers. Purposely losing is something nobody should want to be associated with. Embarrassing for the league and for the organizations. And the talk about this as a "strategy" is ridiculous.</p>
<p>If you are a bad team, you get a good pick. That makes sense. But purposely shutting down players and purposely losing games is a disgrace and impacts the integrity of whole league.</p>
<p>This is much worse than any prop bet scandal. This is throwing games strategically. Horrible for fans that pay to watch and cheer on their team. And horrible for all the real teams that are competing for playoff spots.</p>
<p>Awful behavior that Adam Silver and the NBA will need to stop with massive changes, and I have complete confidence that with his leadership, he will fix it. Those of us in a position of influence need to speak out… the only "strategy" is doing right by fans, players, and the NBA community.</p>
</blockquote><p>Ishbia did not name specific teams. However, the NBA issued substantial fines to the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers ahead of the All-Star break for personnel decisions that undermined "the foundation of NBA competition," according to commissioner Adam Silver.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Utah, which received a $500,000 fine, held forwards <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/53404" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/53404">Lauri Markkanen</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/62285" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/62285">Jaren Jackson Jr.</a> out for consecutive fourth quarters against the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat despite the two being "able to continue" in both, per the league. The Pacers were dinged $100,000 after an independent review ruled <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/39061" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/39061">Pascal Siakam</a> and two other starters should not have been held out in a loss to the Jazz on Feb. 3.</p><p>The Jazz lost to Orlando but defeated Miami, a point Jazz owner Ryan Smith raised in response to the league's statement.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">🙄 agree to disagree … Also, we won the game in Miami and got fined? That makes sense … <a href="https://t.co/sHQrggB2Xa">https://t.co/sHQrggB2Xa</a></p>— Ryan Smith (@RyanQualtrics) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanQualtrics/status/2022126389093446149?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Neither the Jazz nor the Pacers own the worst records in their respective conferences, however.</p><p>The 14-39 Washington Wizards sit last in the Eastern Conference by winning percentage despite having one fewer loss than Indiana. The race to the bottom may be even tougher in the West; Utah (18-38) sits third last ahead of both the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings, teams that ostensibly entered the season with playoff hopes (the Pelicans don't even own a first-round pick this year).</p><p>The Wizards and Kings don't seem keen to make a late-season push, either. Sacramento announced Wednesday that center <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/38429" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/38429">Domantas Sabonis</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/30738" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/30738">Zach LaVine</a> will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery for meniscus and hand tendon injuries, respectively. Meanwhile, Wizards debuts for both <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/60633" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/60633">Trae Young</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/11373" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/11373">Anthony Davis</a> still seem far off despite Young last playing for the Atlanta Hawks on Dec. 27 and Davis last appearing for the Dallas Mavericks on Jan. 8.</p><p>Ishbia's Suns appeared set for a rebuild this past summer when the team traded away <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/345" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/345">Kevin Durant</a>, bought out <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/11887" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/11887">Bradley Beal</a>, and hired a first-year head coach in Jordan Ott. However, the team has defied expectations, with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37815" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37815">Devin Booker</a> leading a new-look core to the seventh-best record in the West.</p><p>This year's draft class contains several highly touted prospects, headlined by a likely top three of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/172510" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/172510">Cameron Boozer</a> (Duke), <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/173442" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/173442">AJ Dybantsa</a> (BYU), and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/172193" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/172193">Darryn Peterson</a> (Kansas).</p>

PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 8: Mat Ishbia owner of the Phoenix Suns talks to the media during his introductory Press Conference on February 8, 2023, at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34543928/related

Suns' Ishbia rips tanking teams: 'Losing behavior done by losers'

https://rich-content.thescore.com/authors/jonathan-soveta/content_cards

Jonathan Soveta

News Editor

https://rich-content.thescore.com/authors/michael-j-chandler/content_cards

Michael J. Chandler

Supervising editor

https://rich-content.thescore.com/authors/daniel-rouse/content_cards