The Memphis Grizzlies equalled the NBA single-game record by hitting 29 three-pointers on Monday night, yet still suffered a 142-126 home defeat by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Nine different players found the target from beyond the arc for the Tennessee franchise.
However, their historic perimeter shooting was not enough to secure victory against a dominant visiting side.
The home team shot an impressive 49.2% from deep, converting 29 of their 59 attempts.
A historic but fruitless achievement
This remarkable tally matches the overall NBA benchmark previously shared by the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics.
Milwaukee set the original milestone during a 144-97 victory over the Miami Heat in December 2020.
Boston subsequently equalled that feat earlier this season during an October win against the New York Knicks.
Consequently, this performance marks the highest number of three-pointers ever made by a losing team in basketball history.
They surpass the previous unwanted record of 27, which was established by the Golden State Warriors in 2024.
Reserves shine amidst difficult run
Bench players Adama Bal and Dariq Whitehead led the perimeter barrage with six three-pointers apiece.
Lucas Williamson added five more from deep, while Olivier-Maxence Prosper successfully converted four of his five attempts.
The team sank 10 threes in both the first and fourth quarters to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Conversely, the victorious Cavaliers only required 12 successful shots from three-point range to comfortably seal their road win.
This latest defeat extends a dismal run of form for a struggling Memphis squad.
They have now lost 18 of their past 20 fixtures, despite vastly exceeding their season average of 13.7 three-pointers per game on this historic night.
San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was ruled out of Monday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers after suffering a bruised left rib.
The injury occurred when the 22-year-old collided with 76ers forward Paul George near the halfway line during the second quarter.
Despite briefly returning to the bench after initial treatment in the locker room, the Frenchman asked to be substituted again just before half-time.
Post-season award eligibility on the line
Medical staff officially ruled the towering centre out for the remainder of the contest after he failed to emerge with his team-mates for the third quarter.
The early exit leaves the NBA Defensive Player of the Year favourite perilously close to missing the league’s threshold for post-season accolades.
Because he played 15 minutes and 40 seconds, the appearance burns one of two allowed exceptions to the NBA’s strict 20-minute minimum rule.
He must now play at least 20 minutes in one of San Antonio’s final three regular-season fixtures to maintain his eligibility for awards, which also includes a strong push for MVP honours.
A dominant run interrupted
Before departing, the third-year veteran had already amassed an impressive 17 points, five rebounds, and three blocks in highly limited action.
The physical setback halts a spectacular run of form that saw him record at least 30 points, 15 rebounds, and three blocks in his previous three outings.
That phenomenal streak tied for the second-longest in NBA history, trailing only Shaquille O’Neal’s four-game run in 1999.
Prior to Monday’s tip-off, the transcendent talent was leading the Texas franchise across all major statistical categories, averaging 24.9 points, 11.6 rebounds, and an unparalleled 3.1 blocks per game.
The Chicago Bulls have sacked executive vice-president Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley following a deeply disappointing NBA season.
The front-office duo depart after overseeing a prolonged period of underachievement, culminating in a dismal 29-49 record.
This latest slump leaves the Illinois franchise languishing in 12th place in the Eastern Conference standings.
It marks the fourth consecutive season the six-time NBA champions have failed to qualify for the post-season playoffs.
Early promise gives way to injury and decline
The team had initially enjoyed a blistering start to the current campaign, winning six of their opening seven games for the first time since the Michael Jordan era.
However, mounting injury problems quickly derailed their progress and exposed a severe lack of squad depth.
This physical toll resulted in the side enduring four separate losing streaks of at least five matches over the course of the year.
Across their tenure, the dismissed executives managed just one winning season and a solitary playoff appearance, which ended in a swift 2022 first-round exit against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Deadline day gamble fails to pay off
In a desperate bid to revitalise the squad, the hierarchy dramatically overhauled the roster at the recent trade deadline.
They shipped out seven players, including fan favourites Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu, in a move the former vice-president claimed would “get out of the middle”.
Yet the sweeping roster changes neither improved their draft lottery odds nor secured viable long-term prospects for the rebuilding project.
Further controversy arose when recent acquisition Jaden Ivey was released last week following a series of alarming social media outbursts.
Reinsdorf promises a new direction
Franchise owner Michael Reinsdorf acknowledged the deep frustrations of the fanbase while announcing the leadership change on Monday.
“These decisions are never easy, especially when they involve people we respect both personally and professionally.”
Michael Reinsdorf, Chicago Bulls Owner
The owner stressed that the sweeping administrative changes were strictly made to position the team for sustained future success.
“I want our fans to know that I hear you and understand your frustration. I am fully committed to getting this right.”
North Carolina intend to hire former Denver Nuggets boss Michael Malone as the university’s next basketball head coach.
The appointment comes a month after the Tar Heels dismissed Hubert Davis following a disappointing first-round exit from the NCAA tournament.
The veteran tactician will make the transition to the collegiate game following a decade-long tenure in the NBA.
Championship pedigree arrives in Chapel Hill
The incoming manager brings significant elite-level experience to the esteemed university programme.
He famously guided Denver to the only NBA championship in their franchise history during the 2023 season.
However, the title-winning coach was relieved of his duties last April and subsequently worked as a television analyst.
A new era for the Tar Heels
The former NBA analyst faces the immediate task of rebuilding a collegiate roster that fell short of expectations this year.
His predecessor, Davis, was removed from his post after a shock defeat to VCU abruptly concluded their postseason campaign.
North Carolina will now rely on their new leader to restore the historic basketball powerhouse to national prominence.
The Chicago Sky have traded two-time WNBA All-Star Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream in exchange for two future first-round draft picks.
The blockbuster transaction sees the Dream send their 2027 and 2028 first-round selections, alongside a 2028 second-round pick swap, to secure the services of the dominant forward.
This high-profile departure follows a strained sophomore season where the highly touted prospect publicly criticised Chicago’s roster construction before eventually issuing an apology to her teammates.
Statistical dominance and franchise impact
Despite the off-court friction, the former seventh overall draft pick delivered exceptional performances on the hardwood.
She led the WNBA in rebounds with 12.6 per game for the second consecutive year and recorded a league-high 23 double-doubles.
The prolific interior player also paced her former team in both scoring and assists, averaging 14.7 points and 3.7 assists respectively during a difficult campaign.
Her absence was heavily felt down the stretch, as Chicago managed just one victory in 14 games without their talisman and finished with a dismal 10-34 overall record.
Looking towards the future
The trade signals a significant rebuilding phase for Chicago, who have now missed the postseason for two consecutive years.
General manager Jeff Pagliocca framed the decision as a necessary step to achieve better structural equilibrium across the squad.
This trade is designed to achieve roster balance and represents a great opportunity for all parties,
Pagliocca noted in an official club statement.
Angel has achieved many record-breaking milestones in her first two years in the WNBA and has been a competitive force for the Sky.
Armed with five first-round selections over the next three seasons, the Illinois franchise possesses substantial draft capital to reshape their struggling roster.
Meanwhile, the Atlanta Dream inherit a generational talent whose rookie contract runs through the 2026 season, with a team option available for 2027.
Michigan will battle UConn for the NCAA national championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Monday following their respective semi-final victories.
Mara steps up for compromised Lendeborg
Michigan’s preparations have been severely complicated by fitness concerns surrounding All-American forward Yaxel Lendeborg.
The standout star sustained left MCL and ankle sprains during Saturday’s semi-final and remains heavily compromised despite being expected to play.
In his absence, Aday Mara delivered a towering performance to ensure his team did not falter against Arizona.
The 7ft 3in centre contributed a game-high 26 points, nine rebounds and two blocks in a commanding display.
The towering Spaniard will likely need to shoulder a similarly heavy burden on Monday night.
The passing threat of the Huskies
The Wolverines boast one of the most formidable defensive units in American college basketball.
Their immense length frequently forces opponents into difficult, isolated shots rather than fluid team possessions.
However, effective ball movement has proven to be the primary blueprint for dismantling this elite defence.
In all three of Michigan’s defeats this season, the opposition recorded a collective assist rate of 64%.
UConn must replicate that unselfish passing to penetrate the defensive wall in Indianapolis.
Defending the perimeter
The Huskies’ relentless movement in half-court sets will severely test a Michigan lineup featuring three large men forced to defend in space.
Perimeter threats Alex Karaban, Braylon Mullins and Solo Ball caused constant problems for Illinois in the other semi-final.
Mullins secured that victory with a crucial late three-pointer created by aggressive off-the-ball screening from team-mate Tarris Reed Jr.
If the Wolverines cannot reliably track these shooters through constant screens, the national title will ultimately head to Connecticut.
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons have secured top divisional seeds as the 2025-26 NBA regular season enters a pivotal final week of playoff positioning.
Five teams in the Western Conference have already guaranteed their postseason spots.
The reigning champions remain the standout franchise after clinching their division for a third consecutive season.
The Oklahoma City outfit are now on a quest to become the NBA’s first repeat champions since 2018.
Pistons secure summit despite Cunningham injury
The situation at the very top of the Eastern Conference is also settled.
Detroit have locked in the number one seed despite losing star point guard Cade Cunningham to a collapsed lung for the final weeks of the campaign.
Below the Michigan franchise, the Boston Celtics are strong favourites to wrap up the second spot but still require specific results to mathematically guarantee the position.
Knicks and Cavaliers fight for home advantage
The New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers are locked in a tense battle that will likely go down to the final days of the season.
The two franchises are vying for the third and fourth seeds, with the Atlanta Hawks set to play a decisive kingmaker role.
Currently sitting fifth, the Georgia-based team hosts New York on Monday before facing Cleveland in a crucial double-header on Wednesday and Friday.
The outcomes of these specific fixtures will go a long way toward determining who will face the Hawks in the first round.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors remain tied for the sixth and final automatic playoff spot with four games remaining.
A recent home defeat to the Sacramento Kings could prove costly for the Canadian franchise as the pressure mounts.
Hornets emerge as dangerous play-in contenders
Teams currently occupying the play-in tournament spots are desperate to find form before the elimination games begin.
The Charlotte Hornets have emerged as the most dangerous outfit likely to come through that high-stakes route.
After a dismal 16-28 start, the North Carolina team have surged since January, claiming impressive victories against San Antonio, Boston and Oklahoma City.
A fully healthy backcourt pairing of LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller has transformed their offensive output.
They have been further aided by fearless performances from Kon Knueppel, who is currently the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year.
Should they advance, a fiercely contested first-round matchup against Detroit remains a possibility following a significant on-court altercation between the two teams in February.
Alternatively, head coach Charles Lee could face his former employers in Boston, adding further intrigue to an already compelling postseason bracket.
Stephen Curry scored 29 points on his return from a 27-game absence but missed a buzzer-beating shot as the Golden State Warriors suffered a 117-116 defeat by the Houston Rockets in San Francisco on Sunday.
The veteran guard volunteered to come off the bench to manage his minutes, ending an extended spell on the sidelines caused by a persistent knee issue.
He replaced his brother, Seth Curry, late in the first quarter to a standing ovation from the home crowd.
“First run was rough. Second run was great.” – Stephen Curry
Finding a rhythm
Despite an initial travel violation, the talismanic playmaker quickly found his stride during the second quarter.
Head coach Steve Kerr extended his star player’s minutes in the second half, allowing him to score 22 points across the final two quarters.
The returning point guard orchestrated a dramatic late rally to overturn a 10-point deficit in the final five minutes.
He lined up a potential game-winning 30-footer at the buzzer, but the jump shot fell agonisingly long.
“Looked great when it left his hands. I was a little nervous seeing that ball in the air.” – Kevin Durant, Rockets forward
Play-in tournament looms
Golden State are now guaranteed to finish with a losing record for the first time since the 2019-20 season.
They currently hold a 36-42 record and are heavily favoured to enter the postseason as the 10th seed in the Western Conference.
The franchise faces a crucial play-in tournament eliminator against either the LA Clippers or Portland Trail Blazers next week.
Kerr expects his leading scorer to rejoin the starting lineup soon, but remains cautious about managing the unpredictable “runner’s knee” condition.
“I don’t think there’s a tougher defender in the league for him to have his first game against than Amen Thompson. Steph looked amazing.” – Steve Kerr, Warriors head coach
The team remains optimistic they can mount a serious playoff push, bolstered by the anticipated return of veteran centre Al Horford from a calf strain.