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Luka Doncic Faces His Old Squad as Lakers Welcome Mavericks Tonight

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Luka Doncic Faces His Old Squad as Lakers Welcome Mavericks Tonight

Get ready for a blockbuster showdown tonight, Tuesday, Feb. 25, at 10 p.m. ET on TNT, when the Los Angeles Lakers square off against the Dallas Mavericks.

It’s the first clash between the two teams since the jaw-dropping Feb. 2 trade that flipped the script on the NBA Luka Doncic heading to L.A. in exchange for Anthony Davis, a deal that rocked the sports world.

The trade set the internet ablaze, racking up over 4 million mentions in just 48 hours. Big names like Lil Wayne, Patrick Mahomes, and Metro Boomin couldn’t hide their shock, while Mavericks fans took to social media and even staged protests outside the arena to vent their frustration over losing the 25-year-old Slovenian star who’d been the face of their franchise since they drafted him.

Since landing Doncic, the Lakers have been unstoppable, boasting the league’s best record since Jan. 15 at 14-4.

LeBron James, still a force at 40, has been torching defenses with 29.1 points per game over his last six outings, and Austin Reaves has found his groove, averaging 21.3 points since Christmas.

On the flip side, Dallas has hit some bumps. Anthony Davis, in his Mavericks debut on Feb. 8, suffered a left adductor strain and won’t be re-evaluated for another two weeks.

Kyrie Irving’s picked up the slack, though, dropping 30-plus points in four of his last seven games to keep the Mavs afloat.

Both stars have wasted no time settling into their new homes.

Doncic pitched in with a hefty $500,000 donation to wildfire recovery in Los Angeles, showing his heart’s already with the city.

Davis, meanwhile, promised to breathe new life into his foundation in Dallas, vowing to bring fresh energy to both the team and its fans.

Tonight’s game isn’t just a matchup it’s a collision of past and present, with Doncic facing his former crew for the first time since the trade that flipped the script. Buckle up!

Lakers vs. Mavericks: Who’s Playing and Who’s Out as Luka Faces His Old Team?

Tonight’s showdown between the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers is shaping up to be a wild one, with Luka Doncic squaring off against his former squad for the first time since the blockbuster trade deadline swap.

The injury reports are out, and both teams are feeling the strain especially Dallas, whose frontcourt is a walking wounded list. Here’s the scoop on who’s in and who’s sidelined for this TNT clash at 10 p.m. ET.

The Mavericks are limping in with a battered lineup. Their center rotation’s been hit hard, with nearly every big man sidelined in recent weeks—prompting them to ink Moses Brown to a 10-day deal just days ago.

He’s been filling in as best he can, but it’s been rough going. Dallas’ injury report hasn’t budged since the All-Star Break: Anthony Davis (adductor strain), Dereck Lively II (right ankle stress fracture), Daniel Gafford (right MCL sprain), and Caleb Martin (right hip strain) are all still out.

Davis, the ex-Laker prize from the Doncic trade, barely got through three quarters in his Mavs debut before going down he, Gafford, and Lively are all set for re-evaluation on March 6th.

Dwight Powell’s doubtful with a right hip strain but might be close to a return, while P.J. Washington’s questionable with a right ankle sprain, though he’s gutted it out in both games since the break.

Over in L.A., LeBron James is on the Lakers’ injury report with “left foot injury management,” but he’s listed as probable good news for fans hoping to see the 40-year-old maestro in action. Ex-Maverick Maxi Kleber, though, is out after right foot surgery, leaving a gap in the Lakers’ depth.

Meanwhile, Luka Doncic is finally off the injury list, his calf strain woes behind him and no more minutes restrictions holding him back. You can bet he’s itching to drop a monster game on his old crew.

With Dallas’ frontcourt in tatters and LeBron likely suiting up, all eyes are on Doncic to deliver against a Mavericks squad that’s still figuring things out post-trade. Who’s in, who’s out, and who’ll shine? Tonight’s answers should make for one heck of a show.

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Nuggets Coach Michael Malone Gives Blunt Assessment of Nikola Jokic’s MVP Case

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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.

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Wizards Rookie Matches Kobe Bryant, Luka Doncic With NBA Milestone

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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.

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Steph Curry Makes History With Unprecedented Career Move

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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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