Basketball
LeBron, Luka say their roles in clutch will go ‘both ways’

The Los Angeles Lakers’ dynamic duo of LeBron James and Luka Doncic are still finding their groove, especially in those nail-biting final moments.
In their latest clash against the Charlotte Hornets, it was Doncic who lobbed the inbounds pass to James with just 6.3 seconds on the clock, setting up a shot that could’ve sealed the deal.
Though the Lakers came up short, Doncic sees their late-game roles as a two-way street. “He had it going, so obviously we’re going to go to him,” he said. “I think it will go both ways. One time it’s going to be him, one time me. So, I think it depends how the game is going.”
James was on fire in the fourth, dropping 16 points on 6-for-8 shooting, including 2-for-3 from deep, before missing his last two shots including a buzzer-beater that clanged short after Gabe Vincent snagged a rebound and fed him again.
Doncic, meanwhile, chipped in five points on 2-for-5 shooting in the quarter. Coach JJ Redick loves the flexibility this pairing brings. “As a coach, you’re excited that you have two guys that can be the passer and be the guy who gets the pass,” he said. “But it felt like LeBron, particularly in the fourth, just found a nice rhythm and I felt really comfortable with that. And we got two good looks.”
James felt confident with the play Redick drew up, saying, “I felt pretty good” about taking the above-the-break 3 that trimmed the Hornets’ lead to 98-97 with 6.8 seconds left.
“We run the set that JJ draws up,” he explained. “You execute it. And we executed it. We just didn’t make it.”
Despite the loss, James racked up 26 points on 10-for-22 shooting, 11 assists, seven rebounds, and two blocks. Doncic flirted with a triple-double 14 points, 11 boards, eight assists but struggled with 5-for-18 shooting and six turnovers.
The team’s offense sputtered, with Austin Reaves (3-for-9) getting tossed in the third after back-to-back techs and Rui Hachimura (17 points) going 1-for-8 from three.
“Obviously, it’s going to take a little time,” Doncic admitted. “Today, a lot of rustiness for my part. Started the game with like four or five turnovers. That can’t happen.
So, just got to play basketball the right way.” The Lakers fired off a season-high 51 threes, hitting just 15 (29.4%). Redick saw the effort but not the execution: “I thought, our effort and competitive spirit was good enough to win. Just, we were really poor offensively for 90% of the game.”
James, nursing a left ankle tweak that sidelined him for the All-Star game, noted Doncic’s still getting his legs back after a calf injury kept him out since Christmas. “He still doesn’t know all the plays, he doesn’t know all the defensive coverages, all the signals, and things that we’ve built since September,” James said. “So obviously, we’re trying to fast-track it on the fly.
He’s coming back from his injury. He’s getting back into form. So, we’re all working through it together.” With time, this duo’s clutch chemistry could become a game-changer.
Austin Reaves breaks silence on shocking ejection vs. Hornets
The Los Angeles Lakers came up short in a tight 100-97 loss to the Charlotte Hornets, and they felt the absence of Austin Reaves in the clutch moments after he was tossed from the game in the third quarter.
The ejection came after a heated exchange with referee Rodney Mott, sparked by a no-call on a drive to the basket that Reaves believed should’ve been a foul.

Speaking after the game, Reaves owned up to earning the first technical foul but was left puzzled by the second one that sent him to the locker room early.
“I get the first one, obviously I approached him, I vocally said what I needed to say. And the second one, I was surprised,” Reaves admitted. “I’m walking away and as soon as I heard the whistle I kind of knew what had happened, but felt like it was quick.”
The trouble started when Reaves drove to the hoop and got tangled with Jusuf Nurkic, who knocked the ball loose. Reaves was convinced it was a foul, and his fiery reaction led to the double-technical ejection.
Reflecting on it, Reaves conceded he needs to keep his cool better. “I’ve been in the league for four years now and I’ve heard many, many things said to the refs from certain people and nothing to be done.
But when it’s unexpected from somebody, that’s when I guess the biggest issues happen,” he said. “I got to be better. I don’t need to put myself in that position.” His absence down the stretch hurt, especially as the Lakers fought to close the gap.
The team’s still adjusting to life with Luka Doncic, who’s been back for three games since a Christmas Day injury sidelined him. They’re 1-2 in that stretch, and the offense hasn’t quite clicked yet. Still, Reaves sees promise in their approach.
“I think the shots that we’re getting are quality shots. I don’t think we’ve made them at a pace that we would like to, or we feel like we’re capable of,” he said. “We’ll live with the shots we’re taking because I believe they’re good shots.”
Doncic’s rust is evident as he works back into rhythm, but Reaves remains optimistic about the process.
Next up, the Lakers head out for a quick two-game road trip, facing the Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets, before settling in for a six-game homestand that’ll carry them into March.
With Reaves vowing to stay level-headed and the new lineup gelling, there’s hope they’ll find their stride soon.
For now, though, that ejection sting lingers as a lesson learned in a tough loss.
Basketball
Nuggets Coach Michael Malone Gives Blunt Assessment of Nikola Jokic’s MVP Case

The Denver Nuggets secured a crucial road victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night in a high-stakes battle featuring two of the NBA’s top MVP contenders.
Nikola Jokic once again showcased his dominance, delivering an effortless yet staggering 35-point, 18-rebound, and eight-assist performance to outduel Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Following the game, Nuggets head coach Michael Malone didn’t hold back in making his case for Jokic in the MVP conversation.
“If you didn’t know that Nikola won three MVPs and I put Player A and Player B on paper, and you had no idea that the guy that’s averaging a triple-double, the guy who’s top-three in the three major statistical categories things that no one’s ever done he wins the MVP 10 times out of 10,” Malone said.
Then, with added emphasis, he continued: “And if you don’t think so, then I think you guys are all full of s—.”
Despite Jokic’s brilliance, Gilgeous-Alexander remains the frontrunner for this year’s MVP award.
However, Malone was quick to praise the Thunder star, acknowledging his greatness while also standing firmly behind his own player.
With a significant portion of the season still to play, Jokic and the Nuggets have a chance to maintain their momentum.
If they continue their red-hot form, voters may reconsider and ultimately decide that the Serbian big man deserves a fourth MVP instead of crowning a new face.
Basketball
Wizards Rookie Matches Kobe Bryant, Luka Doncic With NBA Milestone

Washington Wizards’ rookie Carlton “Bub” Carrington has etched his name into NBA history, joining an exclusive club alongside legends Kobe Bryant and Luka Doncic.
In Monday’s game against the Toronto Raptors, Carrington became just the third player in league history to record over 250 assists and 100 three-pointers before turning 20 years old.
Despite the Wizards’ 104-119 loss in Toronto, the 19-year-old added to his impressive resume by dishing out five assists and knocking down a three-pointer in 26 minutes of action.
His latest feat not only places him in elite company with Bryant and Doncic but also cements his place in Wizards history. Carrington is now the second-fastest rookie in franchise history to reach 100 three-pointers, achieving the milestone in 62 games.
The only player to do it faster? Bradley Beal, who hit the mark in 60 games during the 2012-13 season.
Carrington was originally selected 14th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2024 NBA Draft before being traded to Washington, along with Malcolm Brogdon, in exchange for Deni Avdija. Since joining the Wizards, he has steadily carved out a key role on the team.
So far this season, Carrington has played in 62 games, starting in 42 of them. He is averaging 9.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists across 29.3 minutes per game, while shooting 40.3% from the field and 34.7% from beyond the arc.
For a young player still finding his footing in the league, Carrington’s rapid rise and record-breaking performances suggest a bright future ahead in Washington.
Basketball
Steph Curry Makes History With Unprecedented Career Move

Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry has once again made history, this time off the court.
On Monday, March 10, Davidson College announced that Curry has taken on a new role as one of the assistant general managers for their basketball program, alongside fellow alumnus Matt Berman.
Curry’s decision is unprecedented, making him the first active player in major U.S. professional sports to accept an administrative position with an NCAA team, according to ESPN.
“The Davidson experience is top notch,” Curry said in a statement released by the school. “My journey from when I got to Davidson in 2006 to now demonstrated that I had the opportunity to play basketball at the highest level, got a great education, an amazing network through the Davidson alumni and continue to wave the Davidson flag. I want very talented, high character student-athletes to have that same experience.”
Assistant GM Role and the NIL Era
With the rapid evolution of college sports under the new NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) rules, Davidson is looking to leverage Curry’s influence and leadership to strengthen their basketball program within the competitive Atlantic 10 conference.
As part of his commitment, Curry, along with his wife Ayesha and longtime Davidson supporters Don, Matt, and Erica Berman, will launch an eight-figure initiative known as the Curry-Berman Fund, designed to support both the men’s and women’s basketball programs.
In his new advisory role as assistant general manager, Curry will provide guidance to Davidson’s basketball teams, offering mentorship and strategic insights.
“The goal for this is to invest in the next student-athlete that’s coming into Davidson today,” Curry said. “They don’t have to take cuts on what the market says they deserve to be part of the brand of what it means to be a Davidson scholar-athlete with integrity in your academic experience.”
He emphasized the importance of education and long-term opportunities for student-athletes, adding: “The commitment to a four-year graduation process provides countless opportunities professionally in sports or as a game changer in life. And that leads into my role as an assistant GM with Matt Berman – our ability to be a resource and a sounding board for the program, but also support each student-athlete, to develop personal relationships with each of them to help guide them every step of the way through their Davidson experience.”
A Full Circle Moment for Curry
Davidson College played a crucial role in Curry’s rise to basketball stardom after he was overlooked by the bigger ACC programs in the region.
During his time at Davidson, Curry set the NCAA single-season record for three-pointers as a sophomore and won conference player of the year honors twice before declaring for the NBA Draft after his junior year.
Selected by the Warriors with the No. 7 pick in 2009, Curry has since built a legendary career, winning four NBA championships, an Olympic gold medal, and earning recognition as the greatest shooter in basketball history. Despite his immense success, he never forgot his roots.
A testament to his dedication, Curry kept a promise to his mother to finish his studies. In 2022, he completed his undergraduate degree as part of Davidson’s class of 2010, taking online courses to fulfill his academic requirements.
Now, Curry has officially come full circle, returning to Davidson not just as an alumnus but as an active leader, working to shape the next generation of Wildcats.
His involvement is a game-changer, setting a new precedent for how professional athletes can give back to their collegiate programs while still playing at the highest level.
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