Just woke up, and we’re still thinking about what Steph did last night. Might need to take the day off and throw something on the grill…

Today’s Lineup

🎉 Happy birthday to Pascal Siakam, Sidy Cissoko, and Enjoyers Rami, Jack, Eren, Jeremy, Aaron, and Joey! 🎉

Game Recaps

Steph toys with history as Warriors outpace Grizzlies in 134-125 footrace

We get it—it’s easy to take greatness for granted, especially when a star’s been doing it for over 15 years. But every now and then, a game comes along that throws a bucket of cold water on your face and forces you to wake up and watch.

That’s exactly what Steph Curry (52 PTS, 10 REB, 8 AST, 5 STL) just did.

As a shooter? This was vintage Steph. The ball-on-a-string handle, the hypnotic step-backs, the 30-foot heat checks in transition, and those blink-and-you-miss-it catch-and-shoot daggers. The NBA’s undisputed three-point GOAT was this close to breaking Klay Thompson’s single-game three-point record.

The craziest part? On a night where he almost made history for his shooting, it was his all-around game that really had us stunned. The unselfish playmaking. The constant off-ball movement that bent Memphis’ defense in ways you can’t coach. The five steals, just for good measure. Steph was everywhere, doing everything.

Lakers lean on role-players to top Rockets 104-98

In a battle between two of the West’s best, both teams gave us a little taste of what they’re cooking this season. The Rockets may not have walked away with the win, but they did manage to keep both Luka Dončić (20 PTS, 9 AST) and LeBron James (16 PTS) relatively quiet—a feat in itself. Big credit to Amen Thompson (20 PTS, 2 STL) as well, who’s looking more and more like a future All-Star with every game.

But when it came down to crunch time, it was the Lakers who got it done. They kept the aggressive Rockets off the glass, took care of the ball, and let their other guys do some damage. Gabe Vincent and Dorian Finney-Smith each knocked down six triples, spacing the floor like seasoned snipers and making life easier for LA’s star duo.

And just in case you forgot how nasty Luka’s bag is… 😮‍💨

Elsewhere around the NBA…

• Opposing big men must hate to see Ivica Zubac (18 PTS, 20 REB) coming on the offensive glass. He had nine second-chance boards to keep the Clippers’ offense afloat in a gritty 96-87 Monday night win over the Magic.

• Is it time for a little Jarace Walker (15 PTS) shout-out? He made it three straight games in double figures as Tyrese Haliburton (18 PTS, 11 AST) scored 11 points in the final 4:11 to help the Pacers narrowly beat the Kings 111-109 on Monday.

• The Deni Avdija (32 PTS, 15 REB, 10 AST) renaissance has been one of the best stories down the stretch, and it continued in a major way as the Blazers raced by the Hawks on the road 127-113.

• Without his partner in crime Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo (37 PTS, 11 REB) stepped up in a major way for the Bucks, helping Milwaukee take down Phoenix 133-123 despite a big night from Devin Booker (39 PTS, 11 AST).

• And how about ending it off with one of the games of the year?? On a career night where the headlines seemed all but written for Nikola Jokic (61 PTS, 11 REB, 10 AST) and his quest for a 4th MVP, Anthony Edwards (34 PTS) dropped 24 in the 4th quarter and 2 OT's to spoil the Nuggets party as Nikeal Alexander-Walker (21 PTS) hit a trio of walk off free throws to send the Timberwolves home with a wild back-and-forth 131-129 W.

Numbers to Remember: Final Four Edition

+36.85

…the KenPom rating of the remaining teams in the men’s Final Four, the highest average in history. Only six teams have ever finished a season with a +35 or higher, and every single one of Duke (+39.62), Houston (+36.47), Florida (+36.05), and Auburn (+35.26) is already there. In short: the Final Four is stacked.

23.2

…the average age of Auburn’s starting lineups from their Sweet 16 and Elite 8 games, older than five NBA teams during that same stretch and nearly four years older than Duke’s (19.3). Six of the seven players on the Tigers’ roster who get at least 20 minutes per game are seniors, including National Player of the Year candidate Johni Broome. This provides an interesting contrast to the NBA, where some of the best teams in the league (we’re looking at you, OKC) are younger than ever.

75%

…Lauren Betts’ field goal percentage during UCLA’s run to the women’s Final Four. That’s not a typo. The Bruins’ star center is averaging nearly 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game in the tournament—including a six-block masterpiece against LSU in the Elite 8. Up next? A dream matchup against UConn’s Paige Bueckers, who has casually dropped three straight 30-point games. This Final Four matchup has the potential to be one for the ages…

Three in the Key

Signing Off

Steph’s brilliance is a reminder to appreciate greatness while it’s here, on the court and in life. The little things, the quiet moments, the people you count on—don’t wait ‘til it’s gone to realize how special it is! 🙏

Catch you next time,

-Spencer Poole