Grayson Allen 'Day-to-Day' as Suns Face Blazers in Play-In Game The Phoenix Suns are preparing for their NBA Play-In game against the Portland Trail Blazers on April 14, with guard Grayson Allen listed as questionable due to a left hamstring injury. Allen, who has been a key contributor for the Suns this season, is expected to be evaluated on a day-to-day basis, according to head coach Jordan Ott. The Suns’ injury report for the game includes Allen as the sole listed concern, with Ott expressing confidence in the team’s readiness for the matchup. Allen’s injury timeline began during the Suns’ April 10 game against the Los Angeles Lakers, where he sustained left hamstring soreness in the first half. The injury forced him to sit out the second half of that contest. He did not play in the Suns’ final regular-season game on April 12 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, a 135-103 victory for Phoenix. Despite his absence, the Suns secured their win, maintaining their position in the Western Conference standings. Allen’s status for the Play-In game remains uncertain, though Ott noted that the team is “in a good place” and has “all hands on deck” to prepare for the matchup. The Suns, ranked No. 7 in the West, face the No. 8-seeded Blazers in a critical contest to determine the seventh playoff seed. The winner of the game will secure a first-round series against the second-seeded San Antonio Spurs on April 19, while the loser will face the winner of the 9-10 game between the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors for the eighth seed. That team would then meet the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder in a first-round matchup starting April 19.#phoenix_suns #portland_trail_blazers #jordan_ott #mortgage_matchup_center #grayson_allen
Mavs vs. Suns Recap: John Poulakidas Scores 23 In Loss To Phoenix The Dallas Mavericks fell to the Phoenix Suns 112-107 in a thrilling matchup at Mortgage Matchup Center on Wednesday night, despite a valiant comeback effort led by rookie John Poulakidas. Poulakidas, who entered the game in his 11th NBA contest, delivered a career-high 23 points, including five three-pointers, to spark a late rally that briefly put Dallas within one point of the Suns. The Mavericks, however, could not sustain their momentum and fell to 25-55 on the season, while Phoenix secured the Western Conference’s seventh seed with two games remaining. The game began with the Suns dominating early, building an 18-point lead by the third quarter. Phoenix’s Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks carried the offense, combining for 65 points and 14 assists, while Khaman Maluach made his NBA debut with 14 rebounds and three blocks. The Suns’ 16-0 run in the third quarter stretched their lead to 71-53, leaving the Mavericks in a precarious position. However, Dallas’ undermanned roster, missing key players such as Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and Naji Marshall, refused to quit. Poulakidas emerged as the Mavericks’ unlikely hero, showcasing his poise and scoring ability in a pivotal moment. In the first quarter, he blocked a putback attempt by Booker and followed it with a pull-up jumper, setting the tone for his performance. His ability to stay aggressive despite missed shots became a defining trait. “I went into this game with the right mindset, just trying to refocus and stay aggressive,” Poulakidas said. “The last few games, I’ve had good looks that didn’t drop, but I know they will. So it’s about staying confident, even when I’m missing shots that I know I make every day.” The rookie’s impact was felt throughout the game.#phoenix_suns #devin_booker #dallas_mavericks #mortgage_matchup_center #john_poulakidas
UCLA and South Carolina Set for March Madness National Championship Clash The women’s NCAA Tournament will culminate in a high-stakes national championship matchup as No. 1 seed UCLA faces No. 1 seed South Carolina on April 5, 2026. The game, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona, will be broadcast live on ABC and ESPN, with streaming options available via Fubo. This showdown marks a pivotal moment in the 68-team tournament, with both teams vying for their first title since 2017 for South Carolina and their first championship since 2023 for UCLA. South Carolina, the defending national champions, entered the tournament with a strong record, having advanced through the Round of 62 by defeating No. 16 Southern 103-34, followed by a dominant Round of 32 victory over No. 9 USC 101-61. In the Sweet 16, they edged No. 4 Oklahoma 94-68 before advancing to the Elite Eight with a 78-52 win against No. 3 TCU. Their Final Four appearance saw them overcome No. 1 UConn 62-48, setting the stage for their first national championship since 2017. UCLA, meanwhile, has been a powerhouse throughout the tournament. The Bruins began with a 96-43 rout of No. 16 CA Baptist in the Round of 62, then defeated No. 8 Oklahoma State 87-68 in the Round of 32. They advanced to the Sweet 16 with a 80-56 win over No. 4 Minnesota, followed by a 70-58 Elite Eight victory against No. 3 Duke. UCLA’s Final Four run included a 51-44 triumph over No. 1 Texas, positioning them as the top seed for the championship. The national championship game will be the culmination of a grueling tournament path for both teams.#ucla #south_carolina #phoenix #mortgage_matchup_center #usa_today_sports
Audi Crooks and the eighth-seeded Iowa State women’s basketball team kick off their March Madness campaign with a first-round matchup against ninth-seeded Syracuse on March 21. The Cyclones, who finished seventh in the Big 12 conference, enter the tournament with a 22-9 record. Crooks, a standout scorer for Iowa State, has been a dominant force throughout her career, setting multiple school records and leading the team in scoring. Crooks has averaged 22.6 points per game while shooting 60.1% from the field over her three seasons with the Cyclones. Her performance has been instrumental in shaping Iowa State’s program, as she holds the school’s records for single-game points, single-season points, and field goals. In November 2025, she shattered her own single-game scoring record with 47 points against Indiana, including 19 field goals—both marks set a new standard for the program. Her 329 made field goals in the 2024-25 season remain the best single-season total in school history. Crooks’ achievements extend beyond her collegiate career. She broke her mother’s high school field goal percentage record while playing at Bishop Garrigan in Algona, Iowa. Her mother, a former player at the same school, had previously held the record, making Crooks the first to surpass it. Crooks was named first-team All-State as a freshman, joining her high school teammate Molly Joyce, who also earned the honor. The duo is believed to be the first freshman pair in Iowa history to achieve first-team All-State recognition in the same season. Crooks continued her dominance through high school, earning All-State honors every year and being named Iowa Miss Basketball her senior year. Her success at the collegiate level has also earned her national recognition.#iowa_state #march_madness #audi_crooks #syracuse #mortgage_matchup_center
