March Madness 2025 & NBA Highlights: Duke Advances, Curry Injured, and Playoff Drama Unfolds
Your guide to the weekend’s biggest sports moments, from the NCAA tournament to NBA showdowns.
March Madness 2025 & NBA Highlights: Duke Advances, Curry Injured, and Playoff Drama Unfolds
Duke Survives First Round as Cooper Flagg Returns
The No. 1-seeded Duke Blue Devils kicked off their March Madness campaign with a dominant 89-55 win over No. 16 Mount St. Mary’s on Friday, fueled by the return of freshman phenom Cooper Flagg. The projected NBA lottery pick, who missed the ACC Tournament semifinals and finals with a left ankle sprain, showed no signs of rust, contributing 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks in just 28 minutes.
“It felt great to be back out there with my team,” Flagg said postgame. “We’re focused on making a deep run, and this was a strong start.”
Duke’s defense stifled the Mountaineers, holding them to 32% shooting, while sophomore guard Caleb Foster added 15 points. The Blue Devils advance to face No. 8 Baylor in the second round on Sunday.
How to Watch March Madness:
– Streaming: Paramount+, Max, Hulu + Live TV
– TV: CBS, TBS, TNT, TruTV
Steph Curry’s Injury Casts Shadow on Warriors’ Playoff Push
Golden State Warriors fans held their breath Thursday night when Steph Curry exited a 117-114 win over the Toronto Raptors with a pelvic contusion after a hard fall. An MRI confirmed no structural damage, but the two-time MVP will miss at least Saturday’s game against Atlanta.
Coach Steve Kerr emphasized caution: “We’re not risking anything long-term. Steph’s health is our priority.” The Warriors, sixth in the West, face a critical six-game road trip without their star. Jimmy Butler (24 points vs. Toronto) and Draymond Green (14 points, 10 rebounds) must step up to maintain playoff positioning.
Curry’s timeline remains fluid, but his absence tests Golden State’s depth. Rookie guard Brandin Podziemski, averaging 12.3 points in March, could see expanded minutes.
NBA Highlights: Butler’s Heroics and Nets-Pacers Brawl
Butler’s Clutch Block Secures Warriors Win
Jimmy Butler delivered the play of the night against Toronto, swatting Scottie Barnes’ layup attempt with 30 seconds left to preserve Golden State’s lead. “I told Draymond, ‘I can do that too!’” Butler joked postgame. The Warriors improved to 6-1 on their homestand, showcasing their defensive grit.
Nets-Pacers Scuffle Erupts in Overtime Thriller
A heated moment marred Brooklyn’s 105-99 overtime loss to Indiana. Nets forward Trendon Watford was ejected after shoving Myles Turner and Andrew Nembhard, sparking a benches-clearing scuffle. The Pacers capitalized in OT, with Tyrese Haliburton (28 points, 12 assists) leading the charge. “We lost our composure,” admitted Brooklyn coach Kevin Ollie.
March Madness Second-Round Preview: UCLA vs. Tennessee
Saturday’s marquee matchup features No. 7 UCLA (23-10) against No. 2 Tennessee (28-7) in Lexington. The Volunteers, led by All-SEC guard Chaz Lanier (29 points vs. Wofford), are favored by 4.5 points. UCLA’s defense, which held Utah State to 47 points, faces its toughest test.
Key Stats:
– Tennessee: No. 3 in defensive efficiency, allowing 62.1 PPG.
– UCLA: Ranks 18th in 3-point shooting (38.9%).
Expert Pick: Tennessee’s physicality and home-court edge give them the nod. Take the Vols -4.5 and the OVER 132.5 points.
Looking Ahead
March Madness continues with Cinderella stories and bracket busters, while NBA teams jockey for playoff seeding. Stay tuned for updates on Curry’s status and whether Duke can maintain its title momentum.
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