Across
- 1. merican professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association as a member of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference.
- 5. are an American professional basketball team based in San Francisco.
- 9. team plays its home games at Frost Bank Center.
- 13. His size, speed, and strength have earned him the nickname "Greek Freak".
- 14. a historic NBA team, famous for their dominant 1990s dynasty led by Michael Jordan, winning six championships (1991-93, 1996-98) with players like Scottie Pippen and coach Phil Jackson.
- 16. Hall of Famer who led them to two NBA championships (1994, 1995) and won MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards, while modern legends like James Harden and Kevin Durant (currently on the team) are key figures in franchise history, with Alperen Sengun emerging as a current star.
- 17. a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, competing in the NBA's Eastern Conference, known for their exciting, fast-paced offense, ABA dynasty roots (winning three titles), and iconic players like Reggie Miller.
- 21. is an American businessman and retired professional basketball player who is a minority owner of the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association.
- 24. an American professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association.
- 25. prominent force in Louisiana high school sports, known for producing top talent like Xavier Ferguson and Ian Edmond, achieving recent success with a state championship win despite being underdogs, and consistently ranking among the state's best, with Coach Jon McClinton leading the boys' team.
- 26. are a legendary NBA team, known for being the most successful franchise with a record 18 championships, including a dominant run in the 1950s-60s led by Bill Russell, the 1980s dynasty with Larry Bird, and recent titles in 2008 and 2024, playing their home games at TD Garden in Boston.
- 27. He is a member of the NBA's 50th and 75th anniversary teams, and an inductee in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
- 29. He previously played for the Wofford Terriers.
- 33. famous for their dominant men's basketball program with numerous NCAA championships, highest all-time wins, and a passionate fanbase known as the "Big Blue Nation".
- 34. an MVP and Finals MVP who led them to their only championship in 2011, while currently, Luka Dončić is their superstar and franchise cornerstone, considered among the league's elite and the best since Dirk.
- 35. Led by stars like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Giannis Antetokounmpo, they are known for their strong history, passionate fanbase, and recent success, overcoming a 50-year drought with their 2021 title.
- 38. Haven He was named the 2025 Gatorade Louisiana Player of the Year
- 39. is an American former professional basketball player who played his entire 18-year career in the National Basketball Association with the Indiana Pacers.
- 40. Jacques Dominique Wilkins is an American former professional basketball player who primarily played for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association.
- 43. was an American professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association from 1956 to 1969.
- 46. known for its recent depth and international flavor, showcasing an uptempo, balanced style with strong interior presence, led by key players like Carlos Hart, and aiming for success in the current 2025-26 season after past NCAA Tournament appearances, with current emphasis on free throws and balanced scoring.
- 47. professional NBA team based in D.C., competing in the Eastern Conference, known for their championship win in 1978
- 48. known for revolutionizing the game with his shooting.
- 49. features both men's and women's teams competing in NCAA Division I as members of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC),
Down
- 2. a Canadian professional basketball team in the NBA's Eastern Conference, founded in 1995, known for their 2019 NBA Championship win led by Kawhi Leonard, making history as the first Canadian team to do so.
- 3. A 6-foot-7 forward, Townsend started all 30 games and averaged 15.4 points and a team-high 7.1 rebounds.
- 4. leading the team in scoring (33.5 PPG) and assists, and even setting a franchise record for points per game after a major trade brought him to LA from Dallas, making him the centerpiece of their offense.
- 6. is arguably the franchise's best ever due to his dominance and records, while Zion Williamson is widely considered the best current player, despite injury concerns, known for his unique talent and high potential.
- 7. known for their strong men's basketball program and "All for One, One for All" spirit, with mascots D'Artagnan (a musketeer) and the Blue Blob.
- 8. Bulldogs They are known for their tenacity, symbolized by the bulldog mascot, a tradition started with live bulldogs named Handsome Dan in the late 1800s, making Yale the first to use a live mascot.
- 10. a professional basketball team in the NBA's Eastern Conference, established in 1989, known for iconic players like Shaquille O'Neal and Dwight Howard, reaching the NBA Finals in 1995 and 2009, and currently building around young talent like Paolo Banchero under coach Jamahl Mosley.
- 11. He played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils.
- 12. achieving success, including a top finish and individual player awards under Coach Ryan Hyland, highlighting their commitment to academics and athletics.
- 15. an American former professional basketball player.
- 18. is an American former professional basketball player who played in both the American Basketball Association and National Basketball Association for the Virginia Squires, San Antonio Spurs, and Chicago Bulls.
- 19. known for its strong defense and recent success, including a 2019 NCAA Championship and a notable resurgence in the 2025-26 season under coach Ryan Odom with a potent three-point offense and rising stars like Jacari White and Malik Thomas.
- 20. a professional NBA team, competing in the Western Conference's Southwest Division, known for their vibrant Louisiana identity, named after the state bird, and playing at the Smoothie King Center.
- 22. a professional NBA team in the Western Conference, known for their two championships in 1994 and 1995, led by legends like Hakeem Olajuwon.
- 23. competes in the Atlantic 10 Conference and recently finished a tough January 2026 stretch, struggling in conference play despite strong defensive stats like forcing turnovers and holding opponents to low points.
- 28. first player in Xavier history to lead the team in scoring four straight years.
- 30. is an American former professional basketball player and a current assistant coach at Brown University.
- 31. a professional NBA team in the Western Conference, founded in 1980, known for their 2011 NBA Championship led by Dirk Nowitzki and their current star Luka Dončić.
- 32. For the Baldwin, NY native, this marks the second time in his career that he has earned the honor, after picking up the final honor of the 2024-25 season.
- 36. a legendary NBA team, known for their 17 championships (tied for most ever), iconic purple and gold colors, and hosting superstars like Magic Johnson.
- 37. a professional NBA basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia, part of the Eastern Conference, known for their rich history dating back to 194
- 41. is an American former professional basketball player and coach.
- 42. historic NBA team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, competing in the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division, known for their three NBA championships (1955 as Syracuse Nationals, 1967, 1983) and legendary players like Julius Erving, Wilt Chamberlain, Moses Malone, and Allen Iverson.
- 44. a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake Cit
- 45. a Hall of Famer who led the "Bad Boy" Pistons to two NBA Championships, topping the franchise in points, assists, and steals.