Victor Wembanyama recorded the fastest double-double in NBA history and scored a season-high 41 points as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Chicago Bulls 129-114 on Monday night.
The French phenom secured 10 points and 10 rebounds in just eight minutes and 31 seconds of court time.
That blistering pace shattered the previous record set by Jim Washington of the St. Louis Hawks in March 1966.
The reigning Rookie of the Year finished the game shooting 17 for 27 from the field, capping his dominant performance with a driving, one-handed dunk in the fourth quarter.
Spurs extend winning streak
San Antonio’s commanding victory marks their ninth consecutive win of a highly impressive campaign.
Stephon Castle provided crucial support for the surging hosts, contributing 21 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.
The Texas franchise demonstrated their remarkable depth by having six different players reach double figures in scoring while building a massive 29-point lead in the third quarter.
Jones returns as Bulls struggle
Chicago point guard Tre Jones registered 23 points in his first return to San Antonio since being traded in the deal that brought De’Aaron Fox to the Spurs.
Despite additional scoring contributions from Leonard Miller and Collin Sexton, the struggling visitors suffered their fourth consecutive defeat.
The Bulls arrived for the matchup facing serious off-court turbulence, taking to the floor merely two hours after waiving injured guard Jaden Ivey for conduct detrimental to the team.
A sluggish start briefly saw San Antonio trail early, prompting an angry timeout from head coach Mitch Johnson just 71 seconds into the contest.
However, the towering centre’s historic early barrage quickly sparked a decisive 20-13 run to permanently seize control of the game.
Top seeds Texas have reached the women’s Final Four for a second consecutive year after securing a dominant 77-41 victory over Michigan in Fort Worth on Monday.
The emphatic win extends a 12-game unbeaten streak for Vic Schaefer’s side as they continue their pursuit of a first national championship since 1986.
Junior forward Madison Booker spearheaded the attack with a game-high 19 points, subsequently earning the regional’s most outstanding player award.
Conversely, the second-seeded Wolverines struggled immensely throughout the contest, finishing their season with a dismal 23% shooting performance from the field.
Turning point fuels dominant postseason run
The Longhorns’ current imperious form stems from a pivotal moment in mid-February following a disappointing defeat against SEC rivals Vanderbilt.
In the immediate aftermath of that loss, head coach Schaefer publicly criticised his players’ mentality and labelled them the softest squad he had managed in years.
“We have no heart. We’re not tough. It’s probably the softest team I’ve had in years. It translates from practices … my fault. I’ll wear it. It stops now.”
The public admonishment clearly resonated with the squad, who have not tasted defeat since that dressing down.
UCLA await in Phoenix showdown
Schaefer’s revitalised team have blitzed their way through the NCAA tournament, winning their four matchups by an astonishing average margin of 35.5 points.
This remarkable postseason dominance follows their recent SEC tournament triumph earlier in March.
The reigning SEC champions will now travel to Phoenix this Friday to face fellow top seeds UCLA in a highly anticipated national semifinal.
Having previously defeated the Bruins during the Players Era Championship in November, the Texas outfit will be confident of advancing past the stage where they fell to South Carolina last year.
The Chicago Bulls have waived guard Jaden Ivey after the 24-year-old made a series of anti-gay comments on social media.
The decision follows several recent videos posted online by the player, which included extensive rants regarding religion and other topics.
In one specific post, he criticised the NBA for celebrating Pride Month, describing the inclusive initiative as “unrighteousness.”
Injury struggles and recent trade
The former Detroit Pistons star arrived in Chicago last month via a trade but only managed to make four appearances for his new franchise.
A severe left knee injury subsequently ruled the playmaker out for the remainder of the basketball season.
Prior to these recent controversies, the American had spoken publicly about his personal battles with depression.
Draft pedigree and free agency
Selected with the fifth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, the athletic prospect initially showed significant promise while featuring for a rebuilding Detroit roster.
However, persistent knee problems restricted him to just 30 games during the 2024-25 campaign and continued to hamper his progress following the recent transfer.
Having failed to agree a contract extension with his former employers last summer, the released guard now enters the upcoming offseason as an unrestricted free agent.
The Milwaukee Bucks face a franchise-altering decision regarding Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future as ten NBA teams begin early preparations for the offseason.
A year after preparing for a playoff run, Milwaukee and the Indiana Pacers have been eliminated from postseason contention.
Injuries to key players, including Tyrese Haliburton and the two-time MVP, severely derailed both franchises this season.
Front offices across the league are now pivoting towards the arduous process of draft preparation, free agency, and the trade market.
Brooklyn Nets weigh Michael Porter Jr extension
The Brooklyn hierarchy faces a major dilemma regarding the future of Michael Porter Jr.
The forward arrived from the Denver Nuggets last July in a blockbuster trade involving Cameron Johnson.
He has impressed during his debut campaign in New York, averaging a career-high 24.2 points per game.
The 27-year-old will be eligible to sign a lucrative four-year deal worth $234m this summer.
However, a recent left hamstring strain suffered in March could complicate extension negotiations.
Brooklyn possesses significant financial flexibility, boasting up to $55m in cap room heading into free agency.
They also have no incentive to intentionally lose games next season because the Houston Rockets hold the right to swap first-round picks in 2027.
Chicago Bulls seek to escape mediocrity
The Chicago Bulls are aiming to break out of the NBA’s middle tier after a frantic trade deadline.
The Illinois franchise completed a league-high seven trades to acquire eight second-round picks.
They also brought in promising former first-rounders Rob Dillingham and Jaden Ivey to bolster their roster.
Executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas praised the team’s newfound financial flexibility.
“That gives us real options, whether that is free agency, the draft, trades or continuing investment in development.”
Chicago could open up $64m in cap space if they choose to renounce Ivey’s free agent hold.
The team will combine this immense spending power with a likely top-10 draft pick to accelerate their rebuild.
Top seeds UCLA overcame a rare halftime deficit to defeat the Duke Blue Devils 85-70 in Sacramento on Sunday, securing their place in the Women’s Final Four.
The Californian side trailed for the vast majority of the opening stages before Gianna Kneepkens sank a crucial three-pointer to snatch a 47-45 lead in the third quarter.
That decisive shot sparked a dominant period where the Bruins outscored their opponents 20-8 to take control of the Elite Eight tie.
A significant factor in the comeback was the awakening of star center Lauren Betts.
Betts dominates the paint
The 6ft 7in senior struggled initially with just eight first-half points but finished the contest with a commanding 23 points and 10 rebounds.
In doing so, she recorded her sixth career double-double in the NCAA tournament.
The dominant post player also joined Brittney Griner as the only competitor since 2012 to register 20 points, 10 rebounds, and five blocks in a game at this late stage of the tournament.
Duke had initially frustrated the number one overall seeds by employing an aggressive defensive strategy.
Blue Devils’ early promise fades
The Atlantic Coast Conference outfit capitalised on early nerves, scoring 16 points off 12 turnovers while applying constant pressure inside the paint.
Taina Mair was the standout performer for the defeated side, finishing with 21 points and seven rebounds.
The talented guard also matched the school’s single-season record by registering her 201st assist of the campaign.
However, the Blue Devils could not sustain their first-half momentum against a team determined to avenge last year’s semi-final heartbreak.
Chasing a maiden national title
Trailing by eight points at the interval was an unusual position for the Bruins, who had only been behind at halftime once before this season.
That previous occasion resulted in their solitary defeat of the 2025-26 campaign at the hands of Texas.
The Los Angeles-based program is now one step closer to claiming its first-ever women’s national championship.
They will travel to Phoenix on Friday to face either Michigan or the very Texas side that handed them their only loss.
Michigan have routed Tennessee 95-62 at Chicago’s United Center to reach the NCAA Final Four for the first time since 2018.
The top-seeded Wolverines dominated the Midwest regional final on Sunday to secure their 35th victory of a record-breaking season.
Second-year head coach Dusty May has masterminded a remarkable turnaround for a programme that won just eight games only two years ago.
They will now face West Region champions Arizona in Saturday’s national semi-final in Indianapolis.
Lendeborg leads the charge
Forward Yaxel Lendeborg spearheaded the emphatic win with a flawless display, registering 27 points, seven rebounds and four assists without a single turnover.
The recently crowned Big Ten Player of the Year has now recorded 20 or more points in three consecutive tournament appearances.
He becomes the first player from the Ann Arbor school to achieve that scoring feat since Juwan Howard in 1994.
Transfers fuel dominant run
The maize and blue roster has been heavily bolstered by high-profile transfers who proved decisive against the sixth-seeded Volunteers.
Former North Carolina guard Elliot Cadeau dictated the tempo with a game-high 10 assists, while UCLA arrival Aday Mara contributed 11 points and two blocks.
An explosive 21-0 scoring streak midway through the first half effectively ended the contest before the interval.
The rampant victors then opened the second period with a 21-12 run to extinguish any fading hopes of a miraculous comeback.
Volunteers suffer Elite Eight heartbreak
Tennessee’s defeat marks their third consecutive Elite Eight exit under veteran coach Rick Barnes.
Senior guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie fought valiantly to lead his team with 21 points, but the opposition’s blistering pace proved overwhelming.
Michigan are now firmly setting their sights on ending a 35-year wait for a national championship title.
Top seeds the Arizona Wildcats have secured their first Final Four appearance in 23 years with a decisive 79-64 victory over Purdue in San Jose.
The historic triumph also set a new school record for victories in a single season, taking their tally to 36.
Head coach Tommy Lloyd’s side will now travel to Indianapolis to face either Michigan or Tennessee.
It marks a monumental milestone for the basketball programme, whose last Final Four appearance came under legendary coach Lute Olson in 2001.
Freshmen shine on the biggest stage
Despite facing a veteran Boilermakers outfit, the victors were propelled by an outstanding display from their youngest talents.
First-year starters Brayden Burries, Ivan Kharchenkov and Koa Peat combined for a remarkable 52 points.
Senior guard Jaden Bradley offered vital experience, contributing a further 14 points to the historic win.
The top-seeded side initially raced into a 19-12 advantage before their opponents mounted a spirited comeback.
Purdue introduced 7ft 4in sophomore Daniel Jacobsen to disrupt the rhythm, with his sheer size temporarily shifting the momentum.
Lloyd breaks collegiate coaching records
However, the Wildcats required just five second-half minutes to regain control and definitively pull away.
The result cements Lloyd’s historic impact during his fifth season at the helm.
The former Gonzaga assistant has now amassed 148 victories over his first five campaigns, eclipsing Brad Stevens’ previous collegiate coaching record.
Having previously guided his squad to three Sweet 16 appearances, the elusive Final Four hurdle has finally been cleared.
End of an era for Purdue
Defeat spells the conclusion of a remarkable collegiate career for Purdue point guard Braden Smith.
The veteran finished with a team-high 13 points but struggled from the floor, converting just four of his 15 attempts.
Smith departs collegiate basketball as the all-time career assist leader with 1,103, having broken Bobby Hurley’s longstanding record earlier this season.
The Boilermakers finish their campaign with a 30-9 record, falling short in their bid for a second Final Four trip in three years.
Top seeds South Carolina and third seeds TCU have advanced to the Elite Eight of the Women’s NCAA Tournament following commanding Sweet 16 victories on Saturday.
The pair will now face each other for a coveted spot in the Final Four after a thrilling day of collegiate basketball.
Michigan and Texas also demonstrated their might, controlling their respective matchups to successfully book their places in the next round.
Gamecocks stifle Sooners to advance
South Carolina ruthlessly dismantled Oklahoma 94-68 to highlight their championship credentials.
The tournament favourites completely disrupted the offensive rhythm of their opponents from the opening tip-off.
They restricted the Sooners to fewer than 70 points for just the fourth time this season.
A major key to the emphatic victory was the defensive containment of Raegan Beers.
The imposing 6ft 4in senior centre was frequently double-teamed by a physically imposing rotation, limiting her to just five made field goals on the night.
Miles and Suarez power Horned Frogs
Earlier in the day, TCU overcame a sluggish start to defeat tenth seeds Virginia 79-69 and reach their second consecutive Elite Eight.
Trailing at the end of the first half, the Horned Frogs sparked into life with a devastating 11-point scoring streak immediately after the break.
The dynamic duo of Olivia Miles and Marta Suarez were utterly unplayable, combining for a staggering 61 points.
Remarkably, the pair scored or assisted on every single one of their team’s 79 points during the contest.
Virginia’s Kymora Johnson fought valiantly to energise her squad and apply pressure in the paint.
However, the Cavaliers simply could not match the blistering second-half pace dictated by the masterful passing of Miles.
A heavyweight Elite Eight clash awaits
TCU must now prepare for a daunting encounter against a formidable South Carolina defence.
If the Texas-based programme are to cause a monumental upset, they cannot afford another slow start.
They will need to establish early offensive dominance and capitalise on the playmaking brilliance of their star guard to break down the top seeds.