Thomasine Nodababus

Houston's Chris Cenac Jr. declares for NBA draft: Latest mock projection

Houston freshman forward/center Chris Cenac Jr. has officially declared for the 2026 NBA Draft, forgoing his remaining three years of college eligibility at the University of Houston. The 6-foot-11, 240-pound New Orleans native, a former five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American, averaged 9.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and shot 48.5% from the field in 37 games during his breakout rookie season under coach Kelvin Sampson. Scouts praise his size, rebounding instincts, athleticism around the rim, and developing perimeter skills, though questions remain about his consistency and three-point shooting. Current mock drafts project the 19-year-old as a mid-to-late first-round pick, with many placing him in the 20-27 range depending on team needs for frontcourt depth and upside. The declaration comes as the Cougars prepare for the future without one of their top young talents, while Cenac now turns his focus to pre-draft workouts and showcasing his two-way potential ahead of June’s draft.

Game Recap: Suns beat Mavericks 112-107 in Khaman Maluach’s first NBA start

Phoenix Suns rookie center Khaman Maluach delivered an impressive performance in his first NBA start, helping the Suns edge the Dallas Mavericks 112-107 on Wednesday night at Footprint Center. The 19-year-old 7-foot-2 South Sudanese prospect finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks while showcasing his rim-protecting instincts and surprising mobility in 28 minutes of action. Devin Booker led Phoenix with 37 points, including key baskets in the fourth quarter, as the Suns improved to 44-36 and officially clinched the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference. Kevin Durant added 22 points and Bradley Beal contributed 18 off the bench in a balanced offensive effort. The Mavericks, playing without several rotation players, kept the game close behind solid contributions from their bench, but Phoenix’s defense tightened late, forcing crucial stops to secure the victory. Maluach’s promising debut start provided an encouraging glimpse into the Suns’ future frontcourt as they head into the playoffs.

Devin Booker scores 37, Suns clinch No. 7 spot in West with a 112-107 win

Devin Booker poured in 37 points as the Phoenix Suns clinched the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference with a hard-fought 112-107 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night at Footprint Center. Booker, who added six rebounds and five assists, delivered several clutch buckets in the fourth quarter to hold off a late Portland surge. The Suns improved to 44-36 on the season and locked up their playoff spot with just a few games remaining in the regular season, avoiding the play-in tournament for the first time since 2023. Kevin Durant chipped in 22 points while Bradley Beal added 18 off the bench in a balanced Suns attack. Phoenix’s defense tightened in the final minutes, forcing crucial turnovers and converting at the free-throw line to seal the win. The victory marks a solid turnaround for the Suns after a rocky start to the 2025-26 campaign, setting them up for a first-round matchup against a top Western Conference seed.

Max Strus makes eight 3s scores 29, Jarrett Allen returns as Cavs roll to 149-128 win over Heat


Cleveland Cavaliers sharpshooter Max Strus erupted for a season-high 29 points, draining eight three-pointers, while Jarrett Allen made a successful return from injury as the Cavs cruised to a 149-128 victory over the Miami Heat on Friday night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Strus went 8-of-12 from beyond the arc and added five rebounds in a dominant offensive display that helped Cleveland shoot a blistering 58% from the field overall. Allen, back after missing time with a sprained ankle, contributed 14 points and 11 rebounds in 28 efficient minutes, providing stability in the frontcourt alongside Evan Mobley. The Cavs led by as many as 31 points in the blowout, improving to 57-17 and further solidifying their spot atop the Eastern Conference standings. Miami, now 36-38, struggled to contain Cleveland’s hot shooting and depth throughout the contest.

Tyrese Haliburton says he's returned to 5-on-5 action as Pacers star takes big step in Achilles recovery

Indiana Pacers All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton announced a significant milestone in his recovery from a ruptured right Achilles tendon, revealing he has returned to 5-on-5 basketball action for the first time since suffering the devastating injury in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals last June. The 26-year-old took to social media on Wednesday night to share the positive update, writing “Played 5 on 5 today for first time since June” alongside a praying hands emoji. Haliburton has missed the entire 2025-26 season, during which the Pacers have struggled to a dismal record without their floor general and playmaking leader. This full-contact scrimmage marks a major step forward roughly 10 months post-injury, as he continues a cautious rehabilitation program aimed at being ready for the start of the 2026-27 campaign. Fans and the organization are encouraged by the progress, hoping the dynamic guard can reclaim his elite form and help Indiana rebound next season.

Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley help Cavaliers hold off Hawks 122-116

Cleveland Cavaliers stars Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley combined for 68 points as the Eastern Conference leaders held off a late surge from the Atlanta Hawks to secure a hard-fought 122-116 victory on Wednesday night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mitchell exploded for 38 points, including several clutch buckets in the fourth quarter, while Mobley added 30 points and 14 rebounds with dominant interior play and timely defense. The Cavs built a 15-point lead in the third quarter, but the Hawks mounted a spirited comeback behind Trae Young’s 28 points and sharp passing. Cleveland’s defense tightened late, forcing crucial turnovers and converting at the free-throw line to seal the win. The victory improves the Cavs to the top seed in the East with just a handful of regular-season games remaining, while Atlanta dropped its fourth straight. Mitchell and Mobley’s dynamic duo performance once again showcased why Cleveland remains a serious playoff threat heading into the postseason.

Celtics’ Jayson Tatum returns to MSG for first time since Achilles injury in pivotal game for Knicks

Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum will make his emotional return to Madison Square Garden on Thursday night for the first time since tearing his right Achilles tendon there during last year’s playoffs against the New York Knicks. The injury occurred in the fourth quarter of Game 4 in the second round, sidelining Tatum for nearly 11 months and forcing a lengthy rehabilitation. Now in his 16th game back after a remarkably quick recovery, Tatum has looked solid, averaging around 21 points while helping Boston maintain its strong standing in the Eastern Conference. Thursday’s matchup carries extra weight as a pivotal late-season game for the Knicks, who could see their playoff positioning impacted by the result. Tatum has described the return as “just another game on the schedule” despite admitting he is not thrilled to revisit the site of the traumatic moment, saying he knew he would eventually have to face the hurdle. With the Celtics pushing for favorable seeding and the Knicks fighting for momentum, the highly anticipated clash at the Garden adds layers of drama and resilience to both teams’ playoff preparations.