NBA news.
Celtics star Jayson Tatum's status upgraded to available, clearing way for season debut after Achilles tendon surgery
BOSTON (AP) — Celtics star Jayson Tatum’s status upgraded to available, clearing way for season debut after Achilles tendon surgery.
Caruso, Hartenstein exit OKC win with injuries
Alex Caruso (left hip contusion) and Isaiah Hartenstein (left calf tightness) were ruled out during the team’s 103-100 victory over the Knicks on Wednesday night and will be reevaluated Thursday.
Knicks’ Brown: SGA tops in convincing refs of fouls
“SGA, he’s a tough cover, and he does a great job of convincing the referees — probably better than anybody in the league — that he’s getting hit,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said after his team’s 103-100 loss to the Thunder on Wednesday night.
Anthony Davis cleared to begin limited on-court activities, will be re-evaluated again in 2 weeks, Wizards say
Although Trae Young is poised to make his Washington Wizards debut on Thursday, the team’s other recently acquired star still has a ways to go in his recovery.
Anthony Davis, out with ligament damage in his left hand, will be re-evaluated again in two weeks, the Wizards announced Thursday, hours before their home game against the Utah Jazz.
Davis was re-evaluated Wednesday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, per the team’s statement.
“He continues to progress as expected and has been cleared to begin limited individual on-court basketball activities,” the statement reads.
Davis hasn’t played since Jan. 8, when he injured his hand while defending Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen on a baseline drive.
At the time, the 10-time All-Star big man was playing for the Dallas Mavericks. But the Mavericks traded Davis to the Wizards as part of an eight-player deal ahead of the deadline last month.
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This story is being updated.
2026 NBA Draft Class On Track To Break 2017 Record For Most Freshmen In Lottery
The 2026 NBA Draft freshman class is historically deep, with the group on pace to challenge or surpass the record 11 freshmen selected among the 14 lottery picks in 2017. All nine prospects atop ESPN’s current rankings are first-year college players, with five additional freshmen inside the top 20 within striking distance of lottery consideration.
The 2017 draft class was headlined by freshmen Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball, Jayson Tatum, Josh Jackson, De’Aaron Fox, Jonathan Isaac and Lauri Markkanen.
The 2026 class has been strong enough to drive deliberate losing across the NBA, with multiple franchises openly prioritizing improved lottery odds to position themselves for a top pick.
At the center of the conversation are Kansas guard Darryn Peterson and BYU forward AJ Dybantsa, the two leading candidates for the No. 1 selection. Peterson entered the season as the consensus frontrunner, regarded as the draft’s most gifted shot creator and perimeter shooter. A difficult freshman year marked by injury and illness has complicated his standing, though NBA scouts have consistently urged patience pending a full medical review at the combine.
Dybantsa has steadily closed the gap as the 6-foot-8 forward leads the Big 12 in scoring at 26.2 points per game, has improved his three-point shooting to 34.7% and carries a 7-foot wingspan that scouts believe gives him the highest two-way ceiling in the class. Sources indicate NBA front offices are splitting hairs between the two prospects heading into March.
Duke forward Cameron Boozer ranks third, putting together arguably the best statistical season of any prospect in the class while leading the 28-2 Blue Devils. He is on pace to break Zion Williamson’s record for box plus-minus at Duke, per BartTorvik.com, and projects as the most NBA-ready player in the group. His lack of rim protection and lateral quickness have kept some evaluators from placing him higher.
North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson ranks fourth despite fracturing his hand in February and is working toward a return for the NCAA tournament. Houston’s Kingston Flemings, Illinois’ Keaton Wagler, Tennessee’s Nate Ament, Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr. and Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr. round out the nine consensus lottery prospects, all freshmen.
Beyond that group, Arizona’s Braydon Burries has generated the most momentum among secondary prospects after a strong second half of the season. Washington’s Hannes Steinbach, UConn’s Braylon Mullins, Houston’s Chris Cenac Jr. and Arizona’s Koa Peat are also projected first-round freshmen with outside lottery potential.
The 2017 draft produced 16 freshmen in the first round overall. The 2026 class is positioned to challenge that benchmark as well.
Is the buzz in Charlotte real + will Jayson Tatum return this season?
On today’s Big Number, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine break down the NBA’s hottest team: the Charlotte Hornets.
What’s the secret behind their sudden rise to dominance? Then, the pair discuss the nuances of the Achilles injury return on the back of rumblings that Jayson Tatum may return this season. Is it a good idea, or should Tatum take it easy? That and more on today’s TBN!
(01:04) The Big Number: Kon Knueppel’s historic year from 3
(19:20) Little Number 1: Ball and Miller effectiveness
(26:45) Little Number 2: When Diabate starts the Hornets win
(31:00) Little Number 3: LaMelo has found his role
(39:39) Should Jayson Tatum return?
🖥️ Watch this full episode on the Yahoo Sports NBA YouTube channel
Check out all episodes of The Big Number and the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv
Pacers vs Clippers Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game
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Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn could be one of the most underappreciated players in the NBA.
He’s not only Los Angeles’ top perimeter defender, but the veteran guard has upped his offensive efforts over the past month, averaging almost 10 points per game in the Clippers’ last 10 outings.
Los Angeles is a sizable home favorite against the Indiana Pacers tonight, and my Pacers vs. Clippers predictions and NBA picks like Dunn to keep contributing on both ends of the floor.
Pacers vs Clippers best bet: Kris Dunn Over 7.5 points (-105)
As mentioned, Kris Dunn has been doing more on the offensive side since early February.
He’s scored 8+ points in seven of the L.A. Clippers’ past 10 games, including 16 points in the recent win over Golden State.
Dunn, who went 7-for-10 in just 26 minutes Monday, faces an Indiana Pacers team riding out a lost season. Indiana has dropped six straight showings and sits 27th in defensive rating over its last 10 outings.
Wednesday’s game will have a quicker tempo, with Indiana involved, and Dunn’s player projections range from 7.9 to 8.8 points.
The Clippers are fighting to stay in the conversation for the play-in tournament while the Pacers are in full “tank mode”, sliding into L.A. on a six-game losing skid. Indiana is 1-9 SU and 4-6 ATS in non-conference road games.
Dunn is averaging almost 10 points over the last 10 games. His projections flirt with nine points versus a Pacers team trying to tank for a Top 3 pick.
Andrew Nembhard is seeing his playing time tick down with Indiana giving up on the season, and the guard is nursing a sore back. His projections are as low as 12.4 points tonight.
In La La Land, you need a strong supporting cast. With the Clippers running away from the Pacers, I like L.A. to spread the love around to Dunn, Brook Lopez, and Kobe Sanders — all of whom are projected to top their scoring totals tonight.
The Pacers have only covered twice in the past 11 games since February 3. Find more NBA betting trends for Pacers vs. Clippers.
| Location | Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA |
| Date | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 10:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | FDSN-Indiana, FDSN-SoCal |
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Hawks vs Bucks Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game
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The Milwaukee Bucks brought back Giannis Antetokounmpo, but it is fair to wonder to what end. The Atlanta Hawks are four games ahead in the standings for the final Play-In spot in the Eastern Conference, and that should become five games tonight.
My Hawks vs. Bucks predictions and NBA picks will not put faith in Atlanta, but they will also not put faith in Giannis aside from crashing the glass on Wednesday, March 4.
Hawks vs Bucks best bet: Giannis Antetokounmpo Over 10.5 rebounds (+110)
Giannis Antetokounmpo returned to the court on Monday, his first action since late January. The Milwaukee Bucks’ cornerstone struggled from the field, going 7-of-18 for 19 points, but he was still an asset.
Antetokounmpo’s 11 rebounds showed he’s still impacting the game despite being out of rhythm. That rhythm might take time to return, but those misses create more chances for him to crash the boards against the Atlanta Hawks.
Antetokounmpo’s rhythm will struggle as long as he is on a minutes restriction, playing just 25 in his return.
Milwaukee’s three-game losing streak will also plague some of his play, as the Bucks have little incentive to win or stress their superstar.
Milwaukee has not cracked 100 points in its last three games, a trend that underscores that this roster is more broken than Antetokounmpo deserves.
Milwaukee is 0-3 against the spread in its last three games, falling short of bookmakers’ expectations by at least 20 points in each of those games. Find more NBA betting trends for Hawks vs. Bucks.
| Location | Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI |
| Date | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 9:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
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Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
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Pelicans vs Lakers Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game
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LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are using a softer stretch of schedule to build momentum in the Western Conference.
Los Angeles has won two in a row and hosts the New Orleans Pelicans for an extended stay in La-La Land on Tuesday.
James’ offensive outputs have been tempered since the All-Star break, with Los Angeles running into some stronger defensive foes before two blowout wins.
New Orleans is way down the NBA’s defensive metrics, so my Pelicans vs. Lakers predictions and NBA picks call for a return to form for “King James”, most notably when it comes to his playmaking.
Pelicans vs Lakers best bet: LeBron James Over 5.5 assists (-150)
This prop bounces between 5.5 and 6.5 assists from LeBron James. And while the lower end of that number carries a hefty -150 ask, projections for the Los Angeles Lakers’ veteran are too good to ignore.
James has dished out six or more dimes just twice in the six post-break outings, with his potential assists slipping from 12.0 pre-break to 8.7 in this current span. That said, the New Orleans Pelicans’ defense is dreadful and allows an average of 28 assists.
LeBron’s forecasts range from 6.2 to 7.5 assists, and he handed out eight the last time he faced NOLA.
The Lakers are actually healthy for once and have a chance to build momentum with a third straight victory. The Pelicans are playing their fourth straight road game and third game in four days.
James’ potential assists took a hit against some tougher defenses post-break (Boston, Orlando, Phoenix), but NOLA is among the worst defensive clubs, and LeBron is pegged for more than seven dimes tonight.
Rui Hachimura is at his best when the L.A. stars are on the floor and drawing extra attention from the defense. He’s forecast for as many as 12 points tonight.
LeBron went for eight rebounds and eight assists in his last run-in with the Pelicans, and game projections call for “King James” to top those props while powering L.A. to a win and cover in a low-scoring finish (237 points).
The L.A. Lakers are 10-1 SU and 8-3 ATS versus the New Orleans Pelicans over the last three seasons. Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Lakers.
| Location | Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA |
| Date | Tuesday, March 3, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 10:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | GCSEN, Spectrum SportsNet |
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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.
Zion Williamson Opens Up On Mental Toll Of Injuries
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson acknowledged Monday that public criticism of his commitment has been the most painful aspect of an NBA career repeatedly interrupted by injury. The 2019 No. 1 overall pick spoke candidly during a sit-down interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews on “NBA Today.”
“The part that would get at me the most is people saying I didn’t care and I care a lot,” Williamson said. “I really care and when you’re not on the court and you just have to sit on the sideline, how much my critics hate it, I hate it more than them. Because I don’t want to be on the sideline, I want to be out there on the court. That was a part of the process of looking in the mirror. Am I doing enough? Am I really doing what I need to do? Going through all those injuries and missing lots of time because of it, it did a lot on my mental, but it also helped me grow as a pro.”
Williamson identified the third year of his career when he missed the entire 2021-22 season as his lowest point. Facing an uncertain surgical outcome, he endured relentless public scrutiny over his fitness and dedication.
Williamson, who is represented by
“There was a lot of criticism on my weight, my care for the game,” he said. “But the whole time I’m looking at a doctor and the doctor is telling me that, ‘yeah we’re going to perform this surgery, but if this surgery doesn’t work we really don’t know the next step.’ And people are saying what they’re saying and everybody is entitled to their own opinion. It is what it is. I’m in Portland rehabbing, not knowing if my foot’s going to heal. And it was frustrating and I was really low because I just wanted to play basketball. I just wanted to play the game I loved, but every time you turn the TV on and every time I checked my phone, it was nothing but negative criticism. And at the time, it did a lot.”
Williamson played just 24 games as a rookie, missed the full 2021-22 campaign and was limited to 29 games in 2022-23 due to a hamstring injury. He has surpassed 50 games played in a season only twice across six years.
Williamson currently has the NBA’s 10th best PER this season and is 43rd in RealGM’s Player Value Index Rankings.
Williamson, who is represented by Bill Duffy, can become a free agent in 2028.