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Hart's late 3s lift Knicks past Celtics 112-106 in Tatum's MSG return
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18.115 min•19 days ago
Jefferson’s Comeback Plan: MRI, Pool Work and ISU’s Sweet 16 Hopes
Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson will undergo an MRI and begin pool-based, non-weight-bearing rehab after an ankle injury suffered in the NCAA Tournament; ISU coach T.J. Otzelberger said diagnostics with McFarland Orthopedics will guide the next steps, with Jefferson doing multiple rehab sessions daily in an acute stage and no fixed timetable, as he pushes to be available for the Sweet 16 in Chicago if possible.
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ISU’s Jefferson up in the air for Kentucky, but eyeing a game-time test
Cyclone Fanatic•20 days ago
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ISU’s Joshua Jefferson sidelined by left ankle sprain as trainer details recovery plan
Cyclone Fanatic•20 days ago
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Cyclones land a friendly NCAA draw, eye a deep Midwest run
Iowa State earned a favorable NCAA Tournament draw, seeded No. 2 in the Midwest and based in St. Louis, with a first-round matchup against Tennessee State, potential follow-ups against Kentucky or Santa Clara, and a bracket that could lead through a half featuring Michigan, Texas Tech and Alabama on the way to Indianapolis; coach T.J. Otzelberger says the Cyclones are healthy and poised for a deep postseason run.
Iowa State’s Sweet 16 route takes shape in a stacked St. Louis pod
Iowa State earned a No. 2 seed in St. Louis for the 2026 NCAA Tournament and opens against 15-seed Tennessee State, with a potential Sunday matchup against Kentucky or Santa Clara. The piece analyzes each foe’s strengths: Tennessee State features scoring guards Aaron Nkrumah and Travis Harper II and a high‑energy, turnover‑based defense; Kentucky brings athleticism and a high-powered offense led by Otega Oweh, Denzel Aberdeen, and Collin Chandler but inconsistent defense; Santa Clara boasts efficient offense and deep shooting (led by Christian Hammond) and strong floor spacing, plus solid ball security but less rim protection. Taken together, the article frames ISU’s path to the Sweet 16 as favorable if they navigate the first weekend against a trio of capable, up-tempo opponents in this pod.
Arkansas Set to Chase Eighth SEC Title Against Vanderbilt in Nashville
Arkansas (25-8, No. 3 seed) heads to Nashville to face Vanderbilt (26-5, No. 4 seed) in the SEC Championship at Bridgestone Arena, aiming for the Razorbacks' eighth conference title and first final since 2017. They beat Vanderbilt 93-68 in January behind a double-double from Trevon Brazile; Arkansas leads the series 32-15 and is 6-1 against Vanderbilt in SEC Tournament play. The game airs Sunday at noon CT on ESPN with Learfield radio coverage.
Momcilovic's dagger fadeaway fuels No. 5 ISU's rout of No. 9 Kansas
Momcilovic's fadeaway 3 late in the second half capped a 20-2 run as No. 5 Iowa State defeated No. 9 Kansas 74-56 at Hilton Coliseum. Momcilovic scored 18 points, Lipsey added two 3s, and Batemon contributed 11 off the bench as ISU forced 10 Kansas turnovers in the first half. Dominykas Pleta's early offensive rebound helped set the tone. Iowa State improves to 22-3, 9-3 Big 12; Kansas drops to 19-6, 9-3. The Cyclones host Houston next.
Tatum Practices with Maine Celtics in Achilles Rehab, Signals Return Timeline Near
Jayson Tatum, rehabbing from a torn Achilles, was assigned to the Maine Celtics for a day of practice to work with the G-League squad before being recalled to the Boston Celtics. The move is a typical step in an injury comeback, but there is no set timetable for his return beyond continued progress.
Eastern Conference Deadline Shakeup Reforms the Playoff Picture
After a quiet start, the East delivered a feverish deadline with Knicks landing Jose Alvarado via a Bulls intermediary, Celtics upgrading with Nikola Vucevic, Cavaliers adding James Harden and reshaping guard depth, Hawks rebooting their timeline with veteran and young talent, and Bulls loading up with multiple guards and draft assets; Wizards and Pacers also swung notable moves as teams chase playoff positioning and future flexibility, signaling a markedly reshaped landscape for the conference heading into the stretch run.
Pacers land Zubac in blockbuster center swap with Clippers
Indiana trades Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks (one 2026 protected 1-4 and 10-30; if not conveyed, an unprotected 2031 first) and a 2029 unprotected first, plus a second, to the Clippers to land Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown. The move gives Indiana a much-needed center upgrade ahead of Tyrese Haliburton’s return, while Zubac (under contract through 2027-28) averages about 14.4 points and 11.0 rebounds this season and Mathurin is set to be an RFA this offseason.
Embiid erupts for 40 as 76ers outscore Pelicans after George suspension
Joel Embiid scored 40 points with 11 rebounds to lift the Philadelphia 76ers to a 124-114 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, coming hours after Paul George was suspended 25 games for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy. Tyrese Maxey added 18 and Saddiq Bey poured in 34 for New Orleans, while the Sixers hit 17 three-pointers and celebrated Allen Iverson’s 2001-era anniversary as they closed out the game late.
Mo Dioubate's late surge fuels UK comeback past Tennessee
Mo Dioubate came off the bench to score 10 points and grab six rebounds, sparking Kentucky's rally from 17 down to beat Tennessee 80-78 in Knoxville, with eight of his points in the second half and a game-changing impact that earned praise from coach Mark Pope and helped secure a Quad 1A win for the Cats.
Cats rally past Vols, Pope drenched in celebration after huge road win
Kentucky erased a 17-point deficit to beat No. 24 Tennessee 80-78 in Knoxville, extending UK’s streak of road wins against the Vols to four years. After the buzzer, a benches-clearing scuffle broke out involving Otega Oweh and Jaylen Carey, with teammates defending one another; Mark Pope sprinted in to break up the skirmish. Back in the locker room, Pope was drenched with water in a celebratory Gatorade shower captured on social media.