Spurs Chase History with 11-Game Win Streak as NBA Playoff Race Intensifies

The San Antonio Spurs extended their remarkable winning streak to 11 consecutive victories with a commanding 126-110 triumph over Brooklyn on February 28, while the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a 113-110 loss to Phoenix on February 27—a defeat that occurred before March began, as the Western Conference playoff race intensifies.

Why This Matters

• Historic streak: The Spurs are now just two wins away from matching their franchise record of 13 consecutive victories set in 2015-16, positioning them as genuine title contenders.

• Durant milestone: Kevin Durant became only the sixth player in NBA history to reach 32,000 career points, moving within striking distance of Michael Jordan's 32,292.

• Italian sports dominance: Beyond basketball, Italian athletes secured multiple podiums across snowboarding, alpine skiing, taekwondo, and track events, signaling a strong close to the winter sports season.

Spurs Surge Past Brooklyn Despite Quiet Night from Wembanyama

The San Antonio Spurs maintained their position as the NBA's hottest team, recording their 11th straight win despite an uncharacteristic performance from star center Victor Wembanyama, who managed just 12 points on 3-of-9 shooting. The French Olympic champion's off night mattered little as Julian Champagnie stepped up with 26 points, supported by Stephon Castle (18), De'Aaron Fox (14), and Devin Vassell (14).

San Antonio entered March with a 43-16 record, sitting second in the Western Conference and riding a wave of momentum rarely seen in recent franchise history. The team has remained unbeaten throughout February, a stretch that now puts them within reach of their own 2015-16 benchmark of 13 consecutive wins—still 22 victories short of the all-time NBA record of 33 straight set by the 1971-72 Lakers.

The Spurs' current run reflects a balanced offensive approach and defensive discipline, qualities that have allowed them to compensate for occasional lapses from their marquee players. With key matchups ahead against the New York Knicks (March 1) and Philadelphia 76ers (March 3), the team faces immediate tests of whether this streak can extend deeper into the month.

Durant Joins Elite Scoring Club with 32,000-Point Milestone

At 37 years old, Kevin Durant authored another chapter in his Hall of Fame career, pouring in 40 points to lead the Houston Rockets past the Orlando Magic 113-108. More significantly, he became the sixth player in NBA history to reach 32,000 career points, joining an exclusive group that includes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387), Karl Malone (36,928), Kobe Bryant (33,643), Michael Jordan (32,292), and active leader LeBron James (43,034).

Durant now stands among the all-time greats in career scoring, positioning him to potentially surpass Michael Jordan—an achievement that would cement his legacy among the sport's most prolific scorers.

The Houston forward delivered 26 of his 40 points after halftime, orchestrating a comeback from a 19-point deficit. His recent surge also saw him overtake Kobe Bryant for the fifth-most 30-point games in NBA history with 432 such performances, just four shy of Karl Malone's fourth-place total of 435.

"Being mentioned alongside some of the greatest athletes of all time—not just basketball players, but all athletes—is an honor," Durant said post-game, reflecting on the milestone with characteristic humility.

Lakers Fall to Phoenix in Late-Game Drama

The Los Angeles Lakers absorbed a 113-110 loss to the Phoenix Suns on February 27 when Royce O'Neale sank a game-winning shot with just 1.7 seconds remaining. Despite Luka Doncic's strong performance and a last-second effort from LeBron James, the Lakers couldn't capitalize on their final possession.

Grayson Allen paced Phoenix with 28 points, continuing his efficient scoring run that has helped the Suns maintain their playoff positioning. For Los Angeles, the loss was part of a difficult stretch that tested their defensive consistency as they prepared for upcoming matchups.

Elsewhere in the NBA's action, the Philadelphia 76ers edged the Miami Heat 124-117 behind Tyrese Maxey's five three-pointers (28 points total) and Joel Embiid's double-double of 26 points and 11 rebounds. Italy-born forward Simone Fontecchio logged just over nine minutes, contributing 3 points in limited action.

Italian Sports Roundup: Winter Season Finale Brings Multiple Podiums

As Italy's winter sports season approaches its conclusion, Italian athletes have delivered impressive performances across multiple disciplines, showcasing the nation's sporting depth and excellence.

Bormolini Claims World Cup Lead in Snowboarding

Maurizio Bormolini delivered a commanding performance at the Parallel Giant Slalom (PGS) in Krynica, Poland, securing his third World Cup victory of the season and seizing the overall lead in the discipline standings. The Italy snowboarder posted the fastest qualifying time and cruised through the knockout rounds, defeating South Korea's Sangho Lee by 71 hundredths in the final.

With 620 points, Bormolini now leads the parallel standings, surpassing compatriot Aaron March (557 points). He also tops both the giant slalom (488 points) and PSL classifications with five races remaining. The victory, achieved just weeks after the Milan-Cortina Olympics, was dedicated to his newborn daughter Vittoria and marked a personal triumph after missing out on Olympic gold.

"I started with a clear goal of success. Since I didn't manage it at the Olympics, I dedicate this victory to my daughter born just days before Milan-Cortina, to my fiancée, and to my entire family," Bormolini said.

Franzoni Fourth in Garmisch as Brignone Struggles

Giovanni Franzoni once again led Italian men in alpine skiing, finishing fourth (tied with Austria's Vincent Kriechmayr) in the World Cup downhill at Garmisch-Partenkirchen's legendary Kandahar course. The 24-year-old's result—just weeks after earning silver in the Olympic downhill—confirms his status as a rising force in speed events.

Switzerland's Marco Odermatt captured his 54th career win and ninth of the season in a Swiss podium sweep, while Austria's drought in speed disciplines extended to 23 races over two years—a historical low for the traditionally dominant nation.

On the women's side in Andorra, Sofia Goggia managed sixth in the Super-G while Federica Brignone, hampered by recurring leg pain, finished 15th after errors on the Soldeu course. Germany's Emma Aicher (22) claimed her fifth career win and third of the season.

Indoor Track: Fortunato Sets World Record

At the Italy Indoor Athletics Championships in Ancona, Francesco Fortunato shattered the 5,000m race walk world record with a time of 17:54.48. The achievement comes as redemption after a 2025 record was invalidated due to a judging technicality. Fortunato will make his debut in the new half-marathon race walk format at the World Team Championships in Brasilia on April 12.

Rising star Alessia Succo, just 17, demolished the Italian U20 60m hurdles record twice in one day, clocking 8.08 seconds in both heat and final—also the best-ever European U18 performance. Larissa Iapichino won the long jump with 6.78m, while Antonella Palmisano claimed the 3,000m race walk title.

Taekwondo Sweep at Bulgarian Open

Italy's taekwondo program continued its upward trajectory with a dominant showing at the Bulgarian Open. Vito Dell'Aquila captured gold in the -63kg category, his latest podium finish ahead of the Roma Grand Prix. Simone Alessio (-87kg) and Anna Frasica (-53kg) both earned silver medals in the senior competition.

The junior squad was even more impressive, topping the team standings with three golds, two silvers, and two bronzes. Virginia Lampis (-44kg), Clio Sottile (-55kg), and Sofia Frassica (-63kg) led the gold rush, signaling depth and promise ahead of the World Junior Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, this April.

Olympic Champions Voetter and Oberhofer Win in St. Moritz

Just two weeks after their Olympic triumph on the Eugenio Monti track in Cortina, Andrea Voetter and Marion Oberhofer claimed their first World Cup victory of the season in doubles luge at St. Moritz. The Italy duo dominated both heats, finishing in a combined 1:48.506—nearly six-tenths ahead of Germany's Storch/Patz pairing. The win marks the seventh World Cup gold of their career.

MotoGP Controversy in Thailand

Pedro Acosta officially won the Thailand Sprint for KTM, but only after Marc Márquez was penalized by race officials for an aggressive pass deemed too forceful. The Ducati rider yielded the lead to Acosta on the final lap, leaving the 21-year-old Spaniard—now the youngest-ever Sprint winner—feeling conflicted about the victory.

"It was beautiful to have a Sprint like this, but I don't feel fully a winner because Marc let me pass at the end," Acosta admitted. Márquez, returning from injury, accepted the decision without protest: "The race direction decides. I follow the rules."

Italy's Marco Bezzecchi, starting from pole on the Aprilia, was favored for victory but crashed out on lap two while dueling with Márquez. Raul Fernandez salvaged third for Aprilia, underscoring the Italian manufacturer's competitiveness early in the 2026 season.