Basketball

It’s no stretch to say the two biggest names in college basketball these days will be playing in the women’s tournament when March Madness goes into full swing later this week.

UConn’s Paige Bueckers established herself as the likely No. 1 pick in the upcoming WNBA draft well before she put together a second straight outstanding season and was named Big East player of the year for a third time.

The top two players selected in last year’s NBA draft and four of the top five picks in 2023 had never played in an NCAA Tournament before beginning their pro careers. That trend figures to end this year with Duke forward Cooper Flagg .

The East is a runaway. The West is a bigger runaway. And the NBA hasn’t seen anything quite like this in nearly 40 years.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Stephen Curry needs a break, and Warriors coach Steve Kerr is going to make it a priority to find some rest for his superstar.

Chicago Bulls (29-39, ninth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Phoenix Suns (32-37, 11th in the Western Conference) Phoenix; Wednesday, 10 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Phoenix will try to keep its three-game home win streak intact when the Suns face Chicago.

Philadelphia 76ers (23-45, 13th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (56-12, first in the Western Conference) Oklahoma City; Wednesday, 8 p.m.

Dallas Mavericks (33-36, 10th in the Western Conference) vs. Indiana Pacers (38-29, fifth in the Eastern Conference) Indianapolis; Wednesday, 7 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Indiana hosts Dallas trying to extend its four-game home winning streak.

Denver Nuggets (43-25, third in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (41-25, fourth in the Western Conference) Los Angeles; Wednesday, 10 p.m.

New York Knicks (43-24, third in the Eastern Conference) vs. San Antonio Spurs (28-38, 13th in the Western Conference) San Antonio; Wednesday, 8 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: The San Antonio Spurs host the New York Knicks in non-conference play.