LeBron James plays in record 22nd All-Star Game, says he’s still unsure about his future

Lakers star LeBron James speaks during a news conference before the NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Dome on Sunday. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

LeBron James eased his way to the interview podium Sunday with a giant water jug in his hand and a do-rag covering his hair, the last of the NBA All-Stars to speak with the media before the games began.

James was selected as a reserve, breaking his NBA record of 21 consecutive starts but extending his record for most appearances to 22.

At 41 and playing in his record 23rd season, James was asked about his future, because his eventual retirement always seems to be a source of curiosity.

So, James was asked before he played in the “U.S. vs. “World” All-Star Game tournament at Intuit Dome whether he had any inkling about what he wants to do next season.

“I want to live,” James said. “When I know, you guys will know. I don’t know. I have no idea. I just want to live. That’s all.”

James played on Team Stripes, joining fellow veterans Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, who didn’t play because of a right knee injury.

They are long-time combatants, friends and U.S. Olympic teammates. And they are All-Stars again, all older than 37 and still playing at a high level.

“It’s always an honor to see those guys,” James said. “We have had such an unbelievable journey throughout our individual careers and then intersecting at certain points in our careers, matchups in the regular season, Finals appearances, postseason appearances, then Olympics two summers ago. When it comes to me, Steph and KD, we’ll be interlocked for the rest of our careers, for sure. It’s been great to be able to have some moments with those guys, versus those guys, teaming up with those guys.”

The All-Star format has changed from East versus West to U.S. versus the World.

Team Stars forward Scottie Barnes, left, celebrates with Cade Cunningham after hitting a three to beat Team World in the first matchup of the All-Star Game tournament Sunday at Intuit Dome. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)

There were three teams — Team Stars, Team Stripes and Team World, and they played 12-minute games in a round-robin tournament.

Game 1 was Team World vs. Team Stars, a game that went into overtime after Anthony Edwards tied the score 32-32 at the end of the first 12 minutes.

Team Stars, the first team to score five points in overtime, won 37-35 on a Scottie Barnes three-pointer.

Victor Wembanyama led Team World with 14 points, six rebounds and three blocks. Edwards had 13 points for Team Stars.

Team Stripes then beat Team Stars, 42-40, on a three-pointer by De’Aaron Fox as time expired.

Edwards, who had 11 points in the second game, took over late, scoring and then getting a steal before drilling a three-pointer for a 40-39 late.

But Fox’s three delivered a win for “the old heads,” as James called his squad, which included Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, who had five points and five rebounds. James had eight points for Team Stripes, which advanced to face Team World and won again, 48-45, for a rematch with Team Stars in the championship game.

Leonard was dominant in his second game, scoring 31 points. James had two.

Luka Doncic, James’ Lakers teammate and the leading All-Star vote-getter, played for Team World because he is from Slovenia. Doncic, who missed the Lakers’ last four games of the first half because of a hamstring strain, had five points in the opening game and sat out the second.

James was asked whether he could have imagined a format of U.S. versus the World.

“No,” James said, laughing. “No. I mean, East-West is definitely, it’s a tradition. It’s been really good. Obviously, I like the East and West format. But they are trying something. But we’ll see what happens. I mean, it’s the U.S. versus the World. The World is gigantic over the U.S. So, I’m just trying to figure out how that makes sense. But, I don’t want to dive too much into that. Yeah, East-West is great. We’ll see what happens with this.”

Just before tipoff, former President Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama were introduced to a standing ovation.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Syla Swords scores 24, No. 7 Michigan beats No. 13 Michigan State 86-65 to sweep season series

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Syla Swords had 24 points and Olivia Olson scored 23, helping No. 7 Michigan beat No. 13 Michigan State 86-65 on Sunday to sweep the season series.

Mila Holloway, who finished with 15 points, made a 3-pointer to give the Wolverines (22-4, 13-2 Big Ten) their first lead with 5:53 left in the first half and scored eight points in one minute to spark a 10-0 run.

The Spartans (20-6, 9-6) were outscored 26-9 in the second quarter and didn’t recover, losing for the fourth time in five games.

Michigan State’s Kennedy Blair scored 21, Jalyn Brown had all 11 of her points in the first half and Grace VanSlooten scored seven of her 10 points in the first quarter when the visitors led by as much as eight points.

Spartans forward Juliann Woodard was taken off the court in a wheelchair after appearing to be hit in the head while going for a rebound in the fourth quarter.

The rivals met as ranked teams in the AP Top 25 women’s basketball poll for the second time this season, and the third time overall. Michigan won 94-91 in overtime at Michigan State two weeks ago.

The rematch drew a season-high 11,627 fans, the third-largest crowd to watch a women’s basketball game at Crisler Center.

Michigan honored Naz Hillmon, the school’s first woman to earn AP All-America honors in 2022, by raising a banner with her name and number (00) to the rafters. The Atlanta Dream forward was named the WNBA’s Sixth Player of the Year last September.

Up next

Michigan State: Hosts Northwestern on Wednesday.

Michigan: At No. 15 Iowa on Sunday.

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No. 10 Oklahoma holds off No. 23 Alabama 79-71 after late fourth-quarter surge

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Raegan Beers scored 21 points and Payton Verhulst added 17 to help No. 10 Oklahoma beat 23rd-ranked Alabama 79-71 on Sunday.

Oklahoma led by double digits on three separate occasions, but each time Alabama cut the deficit down to four points or less.

The Sooners (19-6, 7-5 SEC) rallied behind freshman Aaliyah Chavez’s nine points in the fourth quarter to win the game, she finished with 15 points, six rebounds and six assists.

Oklahoma had its struggles offensively- — missing five of its first six shots from the field and only shooting 23% from 3-point range and 58% from the free throw line for the game. Turnovers were also an issue with 19 which resulted in 15 Alabama points.

Alabama (20-6, 6-6) was led by Ta’Mia Scott’s 17 points and 11 apiece by Jessica Timmons and Ace Austin.

The Crimson Tide featured a more balanced scoring attack with six players with at least eight points, but couldn’t hold off the Sooners down the stretch to secure a second win over a top 10 team this season.

Alabama rallied to take a 57-54 lead in the third quarter by using an 18-4 run — its first advantage since early in the opening quarter. However the Crimson Tide only made three of 15 shots the rest of the way and were outscored 21-11 in the final quarter.

Oklahoma had 14 offensive rebounds which led to 19 second chance points and was plus-20 on the boards for the game.

Up next

Oklahoma travels to Georgia on Thursday.

Alabama hosts No. 3 South Carolina on Thursday.

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Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes responds to Manny Machado, Bryce Harper comments about spending

Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes, in response to complimentary comments about the Dodgers’ spending from Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, said “the validation is winning championships.” (Ethan Swope / Associated Press)

Coming off an offseason in which the Dodgers spent over $300 million on just two free agents, the two-time defending champions’ luxurious spending has undoubtedly been a topic of conversation and consternation around Major League Baseball.

However, when asked about the Dodgers’ record-setting payroll Sunday, the Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper and the San Diego Padres’ Manny Machado were complimentary of the way the Dodgers do business.

“I love it,” Machado told reporters at the team’s facility in Peoria, Ariz. “They figured out a way to do it. … I think every team has the ability to do it. I hope all 30 teams could learn from that.”

Machado spent a half of a season with the Dodgers in 2018 before inking a $300-million contract with the Padres. That same winter, the Dodgers met with Harper, who eventually signed a $330-million contract with the Phillies. Harper shared the same sentiment as Machado when he spoke with reporters in Clearwater, Fla.

“I love what the Dodgers do, obviously,” Harper said. “They pay the money, they spend the money. I mean, they’re a great team. They run their team like a business, and they run it the right way.”

Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes, while speaking with media at Camelback Ranch Sunday, made it clear that his organization isn’t searching for approval from any outside sources.

“We’re not looking externally for validation,” Gomes said. “The validation is winning championships and putting out as good a team as we can each and every year, and all we’re trying to do is get a little bit better each and every season, with the goal of winning championships. [Our] coaching staff, our players I think view it as that. Good, bad or indifferent, the external stuff is something we can’t worry about.”

Gomes also credited Dodgers ownership for providing the financial resources to help the front office continue to bolster its roster each winter.

“[We’ve had] incredible support from ownership,” Gomes said. “We’ve always [been] in the position to address the needs that will help us go out and win another championship, so I think a lot of it is looking at what’s needed in the roster and what’s available. We’ve been in the fortunate position to be able to acquire guys that fit that really well.”

Roki Sasaki throws live BP

Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki throws during a spring training workout on Sunday at Camelback Ranch. (Brynn Anderson / Associated Press)

Right-hander Roki Sasaki took the mound in front of hundreds of fans Sunday at Camelback Ranch, throwing live batting practice to teammates Hyeseong Kim and Seby Zavala as he readies himself for his second season with the Dodgers.

The 24-year-old Sasaki threw a smooth 16 pitches, punching out the right-handed hitting Zavala, and inducing a pair of groundballs to shortstop from the lefty Kim.

“I feel healthy,” Sasaki said through interpreter Will Ireton. “And also, my mechanics are in a way better spot from last year, so I felt really good in the bullpen and in today’s live BP.”

Sasaki is hoping to add to his pitch mix. He’s been experimenting with a pitch that he describes as a “cutter-slider-ish pitch.”

“I did throw the cutter-slider-ish pitch [today],” Sasaki said. “[I’m] still not really sure what direction I want to take with the cutter-slider, but the feedback from the pitching coaches is that it was very good, so I’d like to take this time during spring training to really hone in on the direction of my cutter-slider.”

Gomes has confidence that Sasaki will see success with a third pitch in 2026.

“He’s fully capable of it,” Gomes said. “We’ve seen a lot of really good [stuff from him], like the sinker, the cutter that he’s throwing… Last year, I don’t think he was ever in a great spot health-wise, really until the end of the year. All of the stuff we’ve seen so far, he’s looked really, really good. I mean, the bullpens have been exceptional. The pitch movements. He’s throwing the cutter, sinker. He’s having an expanded arsenal.”

Injury updates

Just days before opening camp, the Dodgers re-signed Kiké Hernández and Evan Phillips to one-year contracts as they both recover from elbow injuries.

On Sunday, Gomes provided updates on both of their recoveries.

“Kiké’s progressing well,” Gomes said of Hernández, who had surgery to repair his left elbow in November. “He’s in a place where he should start swinging here pretty soon. We’re going to be really mindful of how we progress to this and making sure that when he comes back, that he’s not only healthy, but he’s healthy and ready to go. So, we’ll kind of check it out week by week.”

On Phillips, who had Tommy John surgery last June, Gomes said: “Same thing. Sometime probably midseason. It all depends on how the build-up goes and if there are any slow-downs or hiccups, depending on once he gets going into the mound progression and the full [Tommy John] stuff, but he’s feeling really good. Throwing looks great. Body looks great, so I think it’s just being mindful and viewing him almost as like a trade-deadline acquisition in some way, shape or form. That’s kind of how we have it in our heads.”

Staff writer Anthony Solorzano contributed to this report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Could Astros Listen to Yordan, Keep Paredes?

HOUSTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 15: Yordan Alvarez #44 of the Houston Astros bats in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Daikin Park on September 15, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images

There’s only one real way to make the current situation work, and that involves the Astros giving in to Yordan Alvarez’ desires.

We have reached a point that seemed impossible to navigate all offseason. The Houston Astros have fully opened Spring Training and both Isaac Paredes and Christian Walker are still on the team.

It has been a foregone conclusion one of the two would have been traded for other needs on the roster by the time Spring Training expanded to more than just pitchers and catchers. Yet, here we are.

Throughout interviews, all of the Astros players who could potentially be impacted by the infield logjam have towed the company line, saying they are only focused on playing their best and that everything else is up to management. They also all want to play everyday, and based on the plans laid out thus far by manager Joe Espada that doesn’t seem to be feasible.

Unless… Yordan Alvarez gets his way and gets to play LF a lot more?

The Astros seem to be suggesting more DH days for Yordan Alvarez than Left Field this season.

When Jason Bristol asked if how he feels about playing less in the field changes as he gets further into his career, Yordan didn’t flinch:

“It depends how you look at it… I’ve never… pic.twitter.com/NHxYGxLS8u

— Kim Davis (@kimydavis) February 15, 2026

It’s a point that has been made many times by both myself and my show partner Shaun Bijani on AREA45 on Sportsradio 610. Yordan has never gotten hurt playing the field, and he WANTS to play the field.

Now, Yordan does not grade well as an outfielder because he has very limited range, however he does have a strong and accurate arm. If the team was willing to try to live with Jose Altuve in LF, surely it can live with Yordan Alvarez in LF?

There are some caveats here are well. Notably, current projected CF Jake Meyers can run down anything, and is well versed in helping cover for whomever the Astros may have in LF on any given day when necessary. Having Cam Smith or Zach Cole in RF would also allow Meyers to be more concerned with LF because either of those 2 in RF can cover a lot of ground as well. Therefore, the team can mitigate the fact that Yordan has limited range.

Also, there is an offensive side to the coin. Yordan is a career .297 hitter, with a career .389 OBP and career .961 OPS, but his numbers are even better when he plays LF.

When Yordan plays LF, he is a career .330 hitter with a .415 OBP and a 1.046 OPS. That sample is over 769 AB and 896 PA, so it is a well represented sample size.

Is it possible the Astros listen to their superstar slugger and let him grab his glove a lot more often?

Alvarez playing LF opens up the DH slot for whichever among the infielders is getting the day off from their regular position. This would allow Paredes to DH, play 1B with Christian Walker at DH, play 3B with Carlos Correa at DH, maybe even play 2B with Jose Altuve at DH.

Whether or not Paredes can still play 2B at the MLB level is a legitimate question. He last played the position in 2023, and the metrics were not kind to him. Overall, he has started 53 games at 2B in his career, and the metrics overall show he’s been passable. It is unlikely he will be a better 2B than Jose Altuve, but if he is, Altuve hit his best last season in the DH role (.816 OPS at DH, .759 at 2B, .742 in LF).

Being able to rotate the DH spot would allow Espada to give days off without losing guys bats, and with players all saying how they want to play every day and play 150 games, this would be the most likely path to that happening.

While Yordan playing LF doesn’t necessarily change the fact the Astros are still very right-handed offensively, they do have the option of playing both Zach Cole and Joey Loperfido against righthanded pitchers to help balance the lineup out, and both of those players are capable of playing CF. It is also possible they make a deal for another lefthanded OF bat without surrendering anyone major from the lineup, and can play three lefty bats in the OF and maybe one at DH to have a highly balanced lineup. A trade like the one theorized by David Schoenfield of ESPN of Jake Meyers to the Angels for Josh Lowe would give the Astros three lefthanded OF bats (Cole, Loperfido, and Lowe) and two righthanded OF bats (Smith, Dezenzo) in addition to Yordan, creating lineup opportunities of 5 righties and 4 lefties in the lineup.

It is also possible that the team doesn’t want to listen to Yordan, but a deal for either Paredes or Walker doesn’t materialize, and they find themselves in a situation where they need to find a way to get all their best hitters in the lineup as much as possible. Giving Yordan more time in LF would certainly help them accomplish that goal. They could be forced to listen to Yordan because the other alternatives are just too inferior.

The Astros also start the season with 24 games in 26 days. It would likely be a pretty good idea to have a way to keep everyone fresh early, and not overplay someone into an injury due to fatigue. Correa has a long injury history, Altuve has a recent injury history and is about to enter his age-36 season, Walker has been plagued by oblique injuries in recent years and is about to enter his age-35 season, and Paredes is coming off a torn hamstring so not needing to push those guys hard early would be ideal.

Yordan has never played more than 56 games in LF in a season, and that was in 2022, a season he finished 3rd in MVP and helped lead the Astros to a World Series Championship. He played 53 games in LF in 2024, and it is his only other top-10 MVP finish. Perhaps Yordan is on to something? Perhaps playing him 80-90 games in LF would be a benefit to the team and to Yordan’s production?

If the Astros haven’t been able to find a viable trade for Paredes or Walker yet, maybe they should try listening to Yordan?

Let us know in the comments if you agree with Yordan and would let him play more in LF?

Tyler Reddick wins the Daytona 500 in a car owned by Michael Jordan

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Tyler Reddick wins the Daytona 500 in a car owned by Michael Jordan.

Padres elated to land ‘baller’ Nick Castellanos after his Phillies divorce

PEORIA, AZ — Nick Castellanos spoke calmly, evenly, almost emotionless Sunday after signing with the San Diego Padres, says there are no hard feelings for the way his tenure ended with the Philadelphia Phillies.

He also has no regrets.

Castellanos, released by the Phillies after attempting to trade him all winter, apologized in an open letter to Phillies’ fans for bringing a beer into the dugout during a game against the Miami Marlins in June after being pulled from a game.

“What I will learn from this is just letting my emotions get the best of me in a moment,” Castellanos said. “Possibly if I see things that frustrate me, or I don’t believe are conducive to winning, to speaking up when I see it instead of letting things just pile up over time. Then, finally when I address it, it’s less emotional.”

Yet, he has no remorse over publicly venting his frustrations.

“In the moment, I felt how I felt and I spoke from the heart,” Castellanos said, “and I was honest in every word that I said. You know, it’s not like I was outwardly ever displaying that, like I kept it all inside. But when I was asked a question [by Phillies’ beat reporters in September], I shot straight.

“And then people perceived it how they wanted to.”

When asked if he wished things had ended differently in Philadelphia, he shook his head, citing only the failure to win a World Series championship.

“I mean, I think winning solves everything,” Castellanos said. “So, I think the one thing that I wish would have ended up different that we would have won.”

Castellanos, 33, who was in the final year of a five-year, $100 million contract, was labeled as a malcontent, with several teammates privately calling him selfish in a report by The Athletic. When he openly criticized Phillies manager Rob Thomson for his lack of communication, the Phillies decided they didn’t want him back, and told every team that he was available.

A.J. Preller, Padres president of baseball operations, said he spoke frequently with Phillies president Dave Dombrowski about acquiring Castellanos beginning last November, while knowing that he likely would be released if he wasn’t traded. They stayed patient, and pounced Thursday when he was released.

The Padres immediately set up a Zoom call with Castellanos. Preller, GM Josh Stein and rookie manager Craig Stammen spoke to him, and determined that whatever problems he might have had in Philadelphia, he’d be just fine in the San Diego clubhouse.

“We did a lot of homework,” Preller said. “We were just trying to get a grasp of exactly what happened. So we talked to a ton of people that have history with Nick, teammates, coaches, people have been around him. … It was more about the clubhouse dynamic, getting information about work ethic and the love of the game and what kind of teammate he is.”

Preller admits he was originally unaware of the beer incident. So, yes, they talked about that, too

“Obviously, everyone’s got their side of the story,” Preller said, “but I think for us it was most important about getting face-to-face with him, hearing his thoughts.”

Castellanos’ explanation was convincing enough for the Padres to go ahead and sign him.

“You know, I’ve made many mistakes on this job,” Preller said, “and ultimately when people own up to those mistakes – and he did that in our call – it’s about giving guys another opportunity. He gets a fresh start here and a fresh opportunity.”

Said Stammen: “You know, we just laid out expectations. He wants the truth. He wants to be direct. He’s a direct person. And I think the more that I can be that way for him, and the Padres can support him in that manner, the better off we’ll be.”

Preller convened with Padres chairman John Seidler and president Eric Gruepner, while also getting the blessing from several of their veterans – including third baseman Manny Machado – before offering Castellanos a job. Machado, a childhood friend of Castellanos growing up in Miami, immediately gave his blessing.

“I really don’t know the details of what happened over there,” Machado said. “Don’t really care. Honestly, I’m just happy we got him for what we got him for, and he’s going to improve our team tremendously. That’s all that we care about, you know.

“At the end of the day, we want him to come out here and ball out. I know that he’s a baller. He can play the outfield, play a little bit at first base. He can hit with the best of us in the big leagues. So, you know, to have him in our lineup is going to be huge. …

“I got my guy here with me, and it’s going to be a fun year playing together.”

Castellanos, who has hit 250 homers with 920 RBIs and a .785 OPS in his 14-year career, says he’s looking forward to proving that he still is an everyday player. He has been to the postseason five times in the last six years, but has never won a World Series, believing that winning a title with Machado would be the ultimate dream.

And while Castellanos says San Diego is a perfect fit and is his son’s favorite city, he brought up the Padres’ close-knit relationship with players, believing that his deteriorating relationship with Thompson or coaches wouldn’t happen in San Diego.

“How they treat their players,” Castellanos said, “and how they have their backs. Even if you know something goes a little awry, they still stand with them. They don’t deviate from their commitment to him as a person. So all those things come into account.”

The way the Padres figure it, they’re adding a two-time All-Star who still hit 17 homers and drove in 72 runs, for virtually nothing. They are paying Castellanos just the $780,000 minimum salary with the Phillies picking up the remainder of his $20 million contract. (“I mean, talk about getting a $20 million player for pennies on the dollar,” Machado said).

So, if Castellanos doesn’t perform well, turns out not to be a fit in the clubhouse, the Padres could easily dump him. No harm, no foul, and no risk.

“They’re giving me an opportunity, that’s all I can ask for,” Castellanos said, “to be able to come here, be myself, work hard, make a club, earn my playing time, and just help really in any that I can ….

“I think this is a very talented team. There’s a lot of veterans here. And the city of San Diego has never won a World Series. So however I can contribute to that and help this team accomplish that goal, I’m more than willing to do so.”

Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nick Castellanos Padres contract is fresh start after ugly Phillies divorce

Booker helps No. 4 Texas hold on against No. 22 Tennessee 65-63

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Madison Booker scored 14 points while Jordan Lee and Rori Harmon each added 12 as No. 4 Texas held off No. 22 Tennessee, 65-63, Sunday.

The Longhorns (24-3, 9-3 in Southeastern Conference) led by as many as 10 points midway through the fourth quarter. The Lady Volunteers (16-7, 8-3) closed the gap to one with a 3-pointer from Janiah Barker and two 3-pointers by Talaysia Cooper.

Two free throws by Booker put Texas up by three with 16 seconds left. Cooper answered with a layup to make the difference 64-63. Lee made one of two free throws for a 65-63 score. Cooper, who led the Lady Vols with 29 points, had the ball stripped as time expired.

Barker added 12 points for Tennessee and Nya Robertson had 11.

The first half, which ended in a 34-34 tie was full of spurts. Texas had an 18-2 run from late in the first quarter to early in the second to lead by 14. Tennessee scored the last 10 of the second quarter to tie it up. Cooper led all scorers with 15.

This was the second game in a row that Tennessee point guard Mia Pauldo has missed. The freshman point guard, who is averaging 11.6 points, sustained a concussion against South Carolina.

Within the past couple weeks, both Texas coach Vic Schaefer and Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell didn’t hold back the criticism of their teams.

After a 16-point loss to Vanderbilt Thursday, Schaefer said, “We have no heart. We’re not tough. It’s probably the softest team I’ve had in years.”

Following a 30-point loss to UConn and a 43-point debacle against South Carolina, Caldwell said she has a team “that’ll just quit on you.” She stressed there was a lack of leadership.

Up next

Texas: The Longhorns travel to Arkansas Thursday.

Tennessee: The Lady Vols play at Ole Miss Tuesday in a game that was postponed because of weather a couple weeks ago.

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No. 2 UCLA women beat Indiana 92-48 and extend win streak to 19 games

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kiki Rice had 17 points and nine rebounds, Lauren Betts added 16 points and 14 rebounds, and No. 2 UCLA beat Indiana 92-48 on Sunday to extend its win streak to 19 games.

UCLA (25-1, 15-0 Big Ten), which is unbeaten since a 76-65 loss to No. 4 Texas on Nov. 26 at the Players Era Championship, has the third-longest active win streak in the nation behind North Dakota State (21 straight) and UConn (43).

Betts had her 10th double-double this season and the 43rd in her career. Charlisse Leger-Walker and Gianna Kneepkens had 12 points apiece for the Bruins and Gabriela Jaquez scored 11. Sienna Betts and Lena Bilic each had 10 points.

Maya Makalusky led Indiana (14-13, 3-12) with 13 points. Lenee Beaumont added 11 points on 4-of-14 shooting and Nevaeh Caffey scored 10. Shay Ciezki, the Big Ten’s leading scorer who went into the game averaging 24.0 points (No. 5 nationally), left the game due to an apparent ankle injury late in the first quarter and did not return.

The Hoosiers shot a season-low 31% (15 of 48) from the field, 4 of 20 (20%) from 3-point range, and tied their season low for points in a game. Indiana went into the game shooting 47.9% this season, which ranked 14th nationally.

UCLA grabbed a season-high 23 offensive boards, outrebounded the Hoosiers 51-24 overall, and outscored them 28-2 in second-chance points. The Bruins committed just four turnovers and forced 13 by Indiana, which they converted into 25 points.

Up next

UCLA: Hosts No. 25 Washington on Thursday.

Indiana: Hosts Oregon next Sunday.

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2026 All-Star Game Thread

LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 14: Jalen Duran #0, Cade Cunningham #2, Chet Holmgren #7, Devin Booker #1, Scottie Barnes #4, Tyrese Maxey #0 and Jalen Johnson #1 of Team USA Stars pose for a portrait during the NBA All-Star Game Portraits as part of NBA All-Star Weekend on Saturday, February 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The 75th NBA All-Star Game will get underway on Sunday at 5 p.m. ET from the Intuit Dome, home of the Los Angeles Clippers. Returning to NBC for the first time in decades and also streaming on Peacock, this year’s All-Star Game will feature a round-robin tournament with four 12-minute games between three teams: two with United States players and one made up of players from across the globe.

Of particular note for Sixers fans, Tyrese Maxey will be suiting up for the “USA Stars” squad. Maxey, along with the likes of Cade Cunningham, Devin Booker and others, will play in the first game of the day against the World team.

The NBA has caught some flak for how its All-Star Saturday events went about, myself included, given its early start time, a lukewarm at best Slam Dunk Contest and just a general sense of “eh” about it all. The game’s biggest and brightest stars, however, have the opportunity to change the narrative of the weekend overall with a strong showing during this little All-Star tourney. I hope they do! It would be great for both the fans and the league.

As the basketball action unfolds, come chat in our open thread and talk about Maxey, the Sixers and anything hoops related (or unrelated, I guess). Soak it up given that the Sixers as a whole won’t return to the court until this upcoming Thursday when they host the Atlanta Hawks.