Islanders Alter Power Play Unit Ahead Of Game vs. Edmonton
Ahead of their game against the Edmonton Oilers, the New York Islanders have made some changes to their power play.
The Rematch: Islanders' Matthew Schaefer vs. Edmonton's McDavid & Draisaitl — Part 2Rookie phenom Matthew Schaefer faces McDavid and Draisaitl again, minutes and stakes higher. Can he prove his growth against hockey's elite?After going 0-for-6 for the first three games of their seven-game road trip, power-play coach Ray Bennett has elected to play Simon Holmstrom on the top unit, moving the struggling Jonathan Drouin to the second unit.
#Isles PP this morning.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) January 15, 2026
PP1
Schaefer
Barzal-Holmstrom-Heineman
Ritchie
PP2
DeAngelo
Drouin-Duclair-Shabanov
Lee
This change did happen late in their 5-4 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, I believe.
Holmstrom has been playing at the top of his game as of late, with four goals and one assist over his last four games. Drouin, who signed a two-year deal this summer worth $4 million annually, has gone 23 games without a goal. He has six assists over that span.
The Islanders' power play sits last in the NHL at 15.2 percent. They've been, more or less, able to overcome the man-advantage issues this season thanks to strong defense and tremendous goaltending, both of which have played a part in their penalty-kill bounce-back.
We'll see if Holmstrom can take advantage of his elevated power-play role.
Puck drop between the Islanders and Oilers comes your way at 9 PM ET.
3 bold Knicks trade proposals ahead of 2026 deadline
The Knicks have hit a bit of a midseason rough patch, now 2-6 in their last eight games, missing Jalen Brunson, and in danger of falling out of the second seed.
With the season at a pivotal juncture, fans and even management may not be satisfied only making a modest upgrade at the incoming trade deadline.
New York’s cap, asset, and tradable talent limitations have left the rumor mill and fan base’s potential outcomes resigned to acquiring Jose Alvarado or Jeremy Sochan.
But if the losing continues and the Knicks get desperate, here are three bold trade ideas they can consider instead...
Knicks get: Cam Thomas
Nets get: Guerschon Yabusele and Tyler Kolek
What the Knicks lack in maneuverability they can make up for in pure, unadulterated risk-taking with this move. Thomas' value seemingly can’t be lower after a no-bid free agency followed by the Nets finding competence in his absence, which makes him an attractive candidate for an asymmetric trade.
New York would be risking a couple of reserve bodies, including Kolek, who remains a promising bench guard. This deal comes with a price if Thomas blows up across the river as well.
But if this trade can set Thomas right and get him to buy into a contender, the Knicks would get more than just another reliable ball-handler. He’s one of the most gifted young scorers in the league, a three-level threat who would be far more dangerous in a pointed role off the bench.
Yes, this trade is the basketball equivalent of your friend pitching you on the unheard-of stock trading at $0.12 that he swears is going to the moon. But the Knicks don’t have much more than $0.12 to spend, and need to find a rocket fast.
Knicks get: Ivica Zubac
Clippers get: Mitchell Robinson, Yabusele, 2026 Wizards protected first round pick, 2032 Knicks first round pick
If Thomas is the penny stock, Zubac is the giant real estate development your well-off grandfather helped funnel your savings into. The Knicks take a swing on a real upgrade at center in talent and reliability without gutting their rotation.
Zubac is coming off a career-year in which he averaged 16.8 points, 12.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks on 63 percent shooting from the field, made All-Defensive Second Team, and had a case to be an All-Star. He started off slower this year but is back at cruising altitude. While he isn’t the offensive rebounding freak Robinson is, he brings much more to the table overall.
Brunson would get his first real dynamic roll threat since Isaiah Hartenstein, someone who can screen hard, dive, and read the defense to make the right read. His low-post scoring is a major threat, too, offensive options that are largely off the table when Robinson’s playing.
The price might look steep, but the market appears hot for Zubac’s services and the Clippers have little incentive to move him unless they’re getting a nice return. Even this package might not be enough, but if Los Angeles is willing to hear it out, New York has to consider a move like this.
Knicks get: Jaren Jackson Jr.
Grizzlies get: Josh Hart, Robinson, Pacome Dadiet, 2026 Wizards protected first round pick, 2030 Knicks first round pick swap, 2032 Knicks first round pick, up to five second-round picks
Something short of a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, but in the same vein of one last all-in push to make the Finals. This would absolutely decimate New York’s asset pile, but land them an All-Star two-way player that solves a few of their problems at once.
That would require Jackson returning to some of his past glory, as this season has been a down one for him. If he can tap into the player who won Defensive Player of the Year in 2022-23, or averaged 22 points on 38 percent shooting from three last season, the Knicks could make real noise with him.
Losing Hart, a core piece of the team’s identity and best friend of the team’s best player, won’t be an easy pill to swallow. But he has his flaws -- size and how defenses treat him from behind the arc. Same goes for Robinson, who is limited offensively and can’t make free throws.
Jackson isn’t perfect, but he can be a defensive upgrade at the four, make up for some of New York’s lack of size, somewhat spread the floor, and slide down to the five at times if needed. He also happens to be a former client of Leon Rose, making him a more realistic target than one would think.
The price is the price, especially with the return Memphis got for Desmond Bane. But if the Knicks feel their backs approaching the wall, and this is the trade that’s available to them, why wouldn’t they at least consider it?
Tour de France reveals the six UK stage plans for historic 2027 Grands Départs
British roads will host the start of both races next year
First time both Grands Départs have been outside France
The men’s Tour de France will start in Scotland for the first time in 2027 and make its first visit to Wales when Britain stages the Grand Départ of the men’s and women’s races in the biggest festival of elite cycling on the isles since London 2012.
Across six days of racing on British roads, the men’s Tour will visit Edinburgh, Carlisle, Keswick, Liverpool, Welshpool and Cardiff, while the Tour de France Femmes races from Leeds to Manchester, then to Sheffield and also includes a central London stage. On Thursday night all host cities were illuminated by yellow beams in recognition of them staging the Tour.
Continue reading...NBA Trade Rumors 2025-26: Jonathan Kuminga demands trade, Ja Morant eyes Miami, more
With just a few weeks until the Feb. 5 trade deadline, there is a lot of trade talk smoke but a few fires as well. Here is the latest on some of the key names.
Jonathan Kuminga
As of today (Jan. 15), Jonathan Kuminga can be traded — and he has demanded as much, reports Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of ESPN.
Kuminga demanding a trade is like a sixth grader saying they like KPop Demon Hunters — everyone already assumed that that was the case.
What we know is that a deal is not imminent. Part of the issue is that Steve Kerr barely playing Kuminga this season — he has not touched the court in 13 games — has damaged the Warriors' leverage. While the Warriors are posturing that they could just hold on to Kuminga into the summer when he becomes an expiring contract that would interest more teams, nobody thinks they are actually going to do that, something echoed by a report at The Athletic.
Sacramento, which has long had a fascination with Kuminga and his potential, remains in the mix for his services, but the offer of Malik Monk and a top-12 protected first-round pick put on the table last summer is no longer available, reports The Athletic (Monk's trade value is up, Kuminga's down since that offer). The ESPN story also mentions Dallas as a potential landing spot.
The Golden State Warriors have spoken with the Lakers, who have some interest in Kuminga, reports The Athletic. However, there isn't much traction there (Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber for Kuminga works under the CBA, but the Warriors want players who can help them win now and may shrug at that offer; why would the Lakers trade anything of real value to take a flier on if Kuminga can fit next to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves?).
The key is that Golden State does not want to take back long-term money or bad contracts in any deal, but they want players who can help now. That said, the Warriors may ultimately have to take a deal they don't love, as it is clear both sides are more than ready to move on, something Tony Jones discusses at The Athletic. He also gets into why Kuminga and Warriors coach Steve Kerr have just never been on the same page.
"There are multiple reasons that Golden State can't wait to get him out of the building. He doesn't want to be a role player. He wants to be a star, which is understandable because that's how you get paid a boatload of money. But his self-awareness in that sense is nonexistent.
"He's not a ball-in-hand player. At this point in his career, he's a power forward who can make some shots and put the ball on the floor to attack closeouts. Kerr wants him to put his athleticism to use and play off the gravity Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler create. Attack gaps. Move without the ball. Finish at the rim. Most importantly, defend with energy. He doesn't do those things, and that's fine. What he needs to understand is that the Warriors wouldn't stop him from doing those things if he proved he could do them. He hasn't, and he has not come to grips with that."
The team that trades for Kuminga is essentially betting on the 6'7" wing's athleticism and potential breaking through in a different system — that he can consistently be the guy who (as Charania noted) averaged 24.3 points on 55.6% shooting in the final four games of the Warriors' second-round series loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves last May. The team that trades for him can either pick up the player option for next year and see how things fit, or work out a new deal (which would likely be shorter because he has to prove himself).
Ja Morant
It's the worst-kept secret in the league at this point: Ja Morant wants to go to Miami, something that's been reported multiple times in multiple places. You can add to that the report that Morant purchased a house in Miami to the list of reasons this might happen (although a number of players not with the Heat have offseason homes in the city).
Miami and Memphis have had "preliminary discussions," but talks have "not escalated," reports Anthony Chiang at The Miami Herald.
Morant and his team of advisors are meeting in Europe this week (where the Grizzlies are for games in Berlin and London) to discuss the situation and a path forward. Yahoo Sports’ Kelly Iko explained why Morant and his camp are pushing for Miami.
"The Heat have historically been regarded as one of the NBA's most detail-oriented and structured organizations, a major aspect of development that appeals to Morant, who has missed 34 games due to various suspensions. Morant also has a deep respect for Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, who also runs Team USA; Morant desires to represent his country in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Miami's veteran presence is an additional selling point and something Morant craves."
Two thoughts on the Heat and Morant, both discussed here before. First, Miami is not giving up much of anything to take this roll of the dice on Morant. The trade will certainly include Terry Rozier's contract (while he remains out and under federal indictment), and could include Simone Fontecchio or Davion Mitchel, and maybe a pick. Or it could be Rozier and Tyler Herro for Morant and Ty Jerome. The question is, are those deals palatable to the Heat?
Second, regarding Heat culture — it is not changing. Players come in and fit with it or flame out and get traded again (or let go). Morant would have to prove he can fit in, the system is not bending to him.
This whole saga still gives off the vibe that Memphis has a trade it can fall back on, it's just trying to find a better one. Toronto remains a team to watch, with Immanuel Quickley's salary being the big key, reports Marc Stein at The Stein Line.
Anthony Davis
The odd saga of Anthony Davis and reports of hand surgery on Wednesday — an ESPN report he was getting surgery, which Davis instantly denied, and the Mavericks coming out later in the day and saying he wouldn't get surgery but would get re-evaluated in six weeks — raised a few eyebrows around the league for this reason:
It sounded like someone was pulling the levers to make sure Davis would be traded before the deadline.
Which brings us to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, who said on the Hoop Collective podcast that Davis' agent, Rich Paul, is working hard to get the big man out of Dallas and to a new home before Feb. 5.
"It is very clear that Rich Paul, who represents Anthony Davis, wants Anthony Davis traded before the deadline — and why would he want that? Because he believes it's in his best business interest. Because he has taken a 'We'll see' from the Mavericks regarding an extension as a 'no'. And there are teams where clearly Rich Paul considers it likely that AD would get the kind of extension that he's looking for when he becomes eligible in August.
"The Mavericks were going to explore the trade market regardless and they have been. This is ongoing. They do not feel like they have to trade Anthony Davis. They are telling me and anybody who will listen that they're not trading AD just to make a deal... They are insistent that they will only make a deal that makes sense for them. And what exactly that threshold is, there's not clarity on that. But it's some combination of draft compensation, promising young talent, and financial relief in the form of expiring salaries.
"'Rich Paul is not going to bully us.' That is a direct quote from a member of the Mavericks organization... A third source: [Owner Patrick Dumont] has no problem going into next year and seeing, with a healthy Kyrie [Irving] and a healthy AD, alongside Cooper Flagg, and seeing what it looks like."
Dumont realized too late the mistake he made with the Luka Dončić trade — maybe not the "why would you trade him?" part, but the part about opening the process to the market, being patient, and dealing from a position of strength. He's learned his lesson and is applying it to the Davis trade process.
An Anthony Davis trade still feels like it will be part of a blockbuster offseason of trades, but not at the deadline.
Other trade rumors
• While Michael Porter Jr. is considered the player most likely to be traded at the deadline, the Brooklyn Nets did some negotiating through the media with Brian Lewis of the New York Post reporting that Brooklyn is willing to be patient waiting for the right deal, and that includes holding on to him past the deadline. Everyone is posturing right now, as we get closer to the Feb. 5 deadline the trade offers will get much more real.
• Golden State has been linked to Michael Porter Jr., but the sides haven't spoken in more than a month, and there's not a lot of interest there from the Warriors, reports Shams Charania and Anthony Slater at ESPN.
• The Warriors do have interest in Trey Murphy III, but the Pelicans continue to rebuff calls for him or Herbert Jones at the deadline.
• Indiana is in the market for a big man and has called Atlanta about Onyeka Okongwu, Dallas about Daniel Gafford, the LA Clippers about Ivica Zubac of the LA Clippers and New Orleans about Yves Missi, Marc Stein reports.
• The Orlando Magic are calling teams looking to trade backup point guard Tyus Jones for second-round draft capital, Stein says at The Stein Line. While Jones has not fit as hoped with the Magic, he might be a very good roll of the dice by another team.
Philadelphia Flyers At Pittsburgh Penguins Preview: Lineup Changes, Where To Watch
The Battle of Pennsylvania will shift to Pittsburgh on Thursday night, after the two previous meetings were held in Philadelphia.
The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers split those two games, with the Penguins winning the most recent one 5-1 on Dec. 1. It was one of the Penguins' most complete games of the season.
Philadelphia comes into this game on a four-game losing streak, having also just played in Buffalo on Wednesday. The Flyers lost 5-2 and also saw starting goaltender Dan Vladar leave early with an injury.
One of Samuel Ersson or Aleksei Kolosov will start in the net for the Flyers on Thursday.
Trevor Zegras continues to have a great first season with the Flyers, compiling 18 goals and 42 points in 45 games. He's also annoyed the Penguins in both of the teams' previous games this year, reigniting the rivalry a bit.
Travis Konecny has also been good, racking up 14 goals and 39 points in 44 games. Owen Tippett is second on the team in goals with 15 and has 28 points.
This is a massive game in the standings, as the two teams are tied with 52 points and just outside the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. A regulation win gets the winning team up to 54 points.
The Penguins are expected to roll with the same lines that they had during Tuesday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Forwards
Rakell-Crosby-Rust
Chinakhov-Novak-Malkin
Mantha-Kindel-Brazeau
Dewar-Lizotte-Acciari
Defense
Kulak-Letang
Wotherspoon-St. Ivany
Shea-Clifton
Stuart Skinner will start in goal for the Penguins after having the night off on Thursday. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. Fans can also listen to the game on 105.9 'The X.'
Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!
How Finnie, Sandin-Pellikka Could Be The Catalysts For Future Stanley Cup Contender
Managing the salary cap is one of the most difficult challenges in building a Stanley Cup contender. Championship teams often rely on a mix of stars who outperform their contracts, savvy long term extensions signed at the right time, or in rare cases, young difference makers producing well above the value of their entry level deals.
The Detroit Red Wings currently find themselves in that rare third category.
Detroit has benefited this season from two 20-year-old rookies who are not only regular contributors, but trusted players in key roles. Forward Emmitt Finnie and defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka have provided meaningful production while costing the organization less than a combined $1.8 million through the 2027-28 season.
Finnie has spent much of the season on Detroit’s first line, an uncommon responsibility for a rookie. Through 48 games, he has nine goals and 10 assists for 19 points and remains on pace for more than 30 points in his first NHL season. Despite a recent scoring dry spell, projections suggest Finnie could finish in the 40 to 45 point range, which would be a strong total for a 20-year-old adjusting to the NHL.
On the blue line, Sandin Pellikka has been equally impressive. The rookie defenseman has shown poise beyond his years, making confident plays with the puck and contributing offensively at a steady rate. He has recorded five goals and 12 assists for 17 points in 48 games, placing him on pace for roughly 30 points. That level of production is exceptional for a first year defenseman and adds another layer of depth scoring to the Red Wings defense.
ASP! ASP! 🤩
— NHL (@NHL) December 17, 2025
Axel Sandin-Pellikka does it himself to tie it for the @DetroitRedWings! pic.twitter.com/ipI0tNLvyq
Individually, neither stat line jumps off the page as a Stanley Cup defining performance. Collectively, however, the value of their contracts tells a different story.
Detroit’s ability to receive consistent, night to night contributions from two young players at such a low cap hit provides critical flexibility. If the Red Wings reach the playoffs this season but fall short of a deep run, that flexibility could become even more important moving forward.
Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.
Maintaining a competitive roster while holding significant cap space allows general manager Steve Yzerman to be aggressive, whether through free agency or at the trade deadline.
That financial freedom could position Detroit to pursue a high impact star such as Artemi Panarin or another marquee player should the opportunity arise. More importantly, it allows the organization to supplement its core without sacrificing long term stability.
As the Red Wings continue their progression toward becoming a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, Finnie and Sandin Pellikka’s entry level contracts may be remembered as quiet but crucial advantages.
Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Blackhawks Vs Flames: Projected Lineup, How To Watch, & More Ahead Of Game 47
The Chicago Blackhawks are set to take on the Calgary Flames at the United Center. Despite losing to the Edmonton Oilers on Monday, the Blackhawks come in with some recent success. At 6-3-1 in their last 10 games, they have found a way to stay afloat in the Western Conference.
Chicago was forced to play without Connor Bedard again on Monday. He was out with the “stomach bug” that has terrorized the Blackhawks' dressing room. He should be good to go for this match, however, as he had a full participation in practice on Wednesday and morning skate on Thursday.
This will be the Blackhawks’ third and final meeting with the Flames this season. The first two, one in each city, were won by the Blackhawks by a combined score of 9-2.
Scouting Calgary
The Calgary Flames appeared to be pulling themselves out of the league’s cellar, but they are right back down after going 4-6-0 in their last 10. At 30th place in the league, the trade deadline and draft lottery are likely at the top of the organization’s mind.
Huberdeau-Kadri-Farabee
Sharangovich-Backlund-Coronato
Zary-Frost-Klapka
Lomberg-Kirkland-Stromgren
Bahl-Andersson
Kuznetsov-Weegar
Hanley-Pachal
Wolf
Cooley
There will be some changes coming to the Flames over the next month, but for now, the Blackhawks must check hard against guys like Nazem Kadri, Joel Farabee, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Mikael Backlund.
If it ends up being Dustin Wolf in net for Calgary, he's the type of goalie that can steal games, so the Blackhawks need net-front attacking, good shot selection, and awareness with the puck when in the offensive zone.
Projected Lines, Defense Pairs, & Goalie For Chicago
The Chicago Blackhawks lost to the other team from Alberta by a score of 4-1 on Monday. 2 goals in 12 seconds with under two minutes remaining (the first was an empty netter) made the score look worse than the game was for Chicago, but a bounce-back is on their radar in this one.
Getting Bedard back will obviously boost the lineup, but they will be without Teuvo Teravainen for at least one game. He is out with an upper-body injury and will be re-evaluated after this match. Consider him day-to-day for now.
Greene-Bedard-Burakovsky
Bertuzzi-Dickinson-Mikheyev
Donato-Moore-Lardis
Dach-Foligno-Slaggert
Vlasic-Crevier
Kaiser-Levshunov
Grzelcyk-Murphy
Knight
Spencer Knight was in the starter's crease for Chicago. He will play against the Flames after a strong showing against the Oilers earlier in the week.
How To Watch
The game can be heard locally on AM 720 WGN in the Chicagoland area. To view this game, it can be found locally on CHSN. The puck will drop shortly after 7:30 PM CT.
Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Razor’s All Blacks lacked sharp edge but sacking Robertson does not guarantee revival | Robert Kitson
There is still time before 2027 World Cup to rescue the drooping silver fern but rebuilding an international team is hard and New Zealand’s aura has faded
As a keen surfer Scott Robertson is well aware how abruptly situations can change. One minute you are riding the perfect wave, the next you’re being dumped from a great height and having your world tipped upside down. Which is essentially how “Razor” will now be feeling after being ousted as All Blacks head coach barely two years into his tenure.
On the surface he was everything New Zealand rugby could have wished for. The serial domestic winner who had guided the Crusaders to seven successive Super Rugby titles, the empathetic everyman with the break-dancing skills to match. If anyone could connect with younger generations and encourage everyone to fall in love with the ABs again, surely he was da man?
Continue reading...Canadiens To Battle Surging Sabres
It’s been 14 years since the Buffalo Sabres made the playoffs in the spring of 2011, and it’s been even longer since they won a playoff series, all the way back in 2007. Since then, Buffalo has been the butt of all jokes and often used as a stopgap by good players before they went out to win championships elsewhere. Think about Ryan O’Reilly or Jack Eichel, for instance. However, this season could be different. Buffalo finished 2025 and started 2026 with a 10-game winning streak and has now won 14 of their last 16 games. With 54 points, Lindy Ruff’s men are in the first wildcard spot, just ahead of the Boston Bruins, on whom they have two games in hand.
The Montreal Canadiens have won their last five games against the Sabres and eight of the previous 10 duels between the two sides, but given Buffalo’s recent results, it feels like this is going to be a completely different game. The Sabres are 8-2-0 in their last 10 games, while the Canadiens are 6-2-2.
Canadiens: About The Texier Signing
Canadiens Sign Red-Hot Forward To Multi-Year Extension
Canadiens: Two-Man Advantage Is A Big Problem
Neither side has confirmed its starter yet, and given Samuel Montembeault’s fantastic performance on Tuesday night in Washington in the 3-2 overtime loss, one can wonder if he might have earned the right to start two games in a row despite the loss. When Montreal won the first duel of the season in October, Jakub Dobes was in the net and posted a .938 save percentage, stopping 30 of the 32 shots he faced. The Czech netminder has a 2-0-0 record against Buffalo with a 2.00 goals-against average and a .930 SV. Meanwhile, Montembeault has a 5-5-0 record with a 3.04 GAA and a .905 SV. As for Jacob Fowler, he has never faced the hosts, but if Martin St-Louis chooses the alternate goalies, it would be the youngster’s turn. The Canadiens are set to practice at 11:30 AM, and we should know who will start shortly thereafter.
At the other end of the ice, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has a 1-2-0 record against Montreal with a 4.54 GAA and a .847 SV, but he was in the net on Wednesday night when the Sabres beat the Philadelphia Flyers 5-2. With Alex Lyon on injured reserve, Colten Ellis is acting as backup. Ellis has never faced the Canadiens, but in 10 games this season, he has a 5-4-0 record with a 3.11 GAA and a .900 SV. Since this is such an essential divisional meeting, one can wonder if Buffalo may be tempted to use Luukkonen even though he played last night, as he only faced 22 shots. The Sabres have a hectic schedule ahead, though, with five games in just eight nights.
Up front, Rasmus Dahlin is the Sabres’ most productive player against the Canadiens with 19 points in 21 games, followed by Alex Tuch, who has 18 points in 19 games and Tage Thompson, with 16 points in 17 games. Clearly, Buffalo’s leaders enjoy taking on the Habs. Tuch and Thompson are both on a five-game point streak, and the Habs will have to keep a close eye on them. It will be interesting to see if Josh Norris will be in the lineup after leaving Wednesday night’s game with an upper-body injury.
Meanwhile, Brendan Gallagher has 24 points against Buffalo in his career, but he gathered them over 44 games. Captain Nick Suzuki is second with 20 points in just 18 meetings, while Philip Danault is third with 15 points in 25 games. Newly extended Alexandre Texier has four points in seven games, but he’s been red-hot of late, and with a new contract in his back pocket, he should be skating like the wind on Thursday night.
The game is set for 7:00 PM, and you can catch it on MSG-B, TSN2, and RDS. Jon McIsaac and Alex Lepkowski will be officiating, while Matt MacPherson and Jesse Marquis will be acting as linemen. With the Detroit Red Wings not playing tonight, a win would allow the Canadiens to leapfrog them in the standings and take second place in the Atlantic Division; they would remain behind the Tampa Bay Lightning since Jon Cooper’s men have played fewer games.
Edit: Jacob Fowler will get the start for the Canadiens and Kaiden Guhle will replace Jayden Struble in the lineup
Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.
Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.
Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable on The Hockey News.
Subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here.
Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers to visit White House for second straight year
The Florida Panthers will head to our nation’s capital on Thursday for a quick stop at an extremely prestigious place.
Before concluding their road trip with a back-to-back set against the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals on Friday and Saturday, the Panthers are stopping in Washington D.C. to visit with the president.
Similarly to last year, the Panthers, who are the defending Stanley Cup champions for the second straight season, will visit President Donald Trump at the White House.
The event is scheduled for 4 p.m. in the East Room of the White House.
During their visit last year, the Panthers brought the Stanley Cup and presented Trump with a personalized jersey.
Following the visit, Florida will make the short trip to Raleigh ahead of Friday’s matchup with Carolina. Then they’ll head right back to D.C. to face the Capitals the following night.
The Panthers are hoping to get either one or both of injured forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Brad Marchand in the lineup over the weekend, so we’ll see how things play out on that front.
LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA
Niko Mikkola Misses Practice; Deemed Healthy And Available For Panthers’ Next Game
Matthew Tkachuk, Brad Marchand practice with Panthers, nearing return to lineu
Can The Panthers' Strength Of Schedule Help Them Make The Playoffs?
NHL Rumors: 3 Potential Trade Fits For Penguins' Brett Kulak
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brett Kulak has created some chatter in the rumor mill as a potential trade candidate. With the Penguins retooling, it is certainly fair to wonder if they will flip the veteran pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) defenseman.
Due to this, let's look at three potential trade fits for Kulak if the Penguins decide to shop him.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs could use another experienced defenseman on their blueline, so a player like Kulak could grab their attention. He would be a nice addition to their bottom pairing and penalty kill if acquired.
Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings' defensive group could use a boost, and Kulak would provide them with just that if acquired. Due to his versatility, Kulak is capable of playing both sides, and that could benefit a team looking to break their playoff drought, like the Red Wings.
Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche have been excellent this season, as they have a 33-4-8 record. With this, they should be buyers at the deadline, and a veteran blueliner like Kulak could make sense for them. He would offer them another player with a ton of playoff experience and could slot nicely on their third pairing.
Cooper Flagg leaves Wednesday's loss to Nuggets early with ankle injury
Midway through the third quarter of the Mavericks' 119-108 loss to the Nuggets on Wednesday, rookie Cooper Flagg rolled his ankle and hobbled off the court. He was unable to return to the game and didn't speak to the press after the game either, as the team announced that he had suffered a right ankle sprain.
Cooper Flagg was laboring hard on his ankle. He went to the locker room.
— Ron Harrod Jr. (@RonKnowsSports) January 15, 2026
Flagg injured his left ankle in the teams win against the Nets on Monday.
The fans at the American Airlines Center were devastated. pic.twitter.com/BPgsQmlA3a
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd confirmed after the game that Flagg suffered the injury while guarding Peyton Watson, but that the injury may have been compounded by a previous issue.
"He stepped on someone's foot," Kidd said in the post-game press conference. "Last game, he twisted his ankle, too. We decided to hold him [out] for the second half."
Given what Flagg means to this team, and the fact that the Mavericks are 15-26 and will be without center Anthony Davis for the next six weeks, it would make sense for them to be cautious with their top draft pick. It would appear to be a long shot that Flagg would suit up to play on Thursday against the Jazz, which would mean extra minutes and usage for Max Christie and Naji Marshall. Marshal,l in particular, is a player who has emerged in the wake of Davis' injury, and is somebody I covered in a video this week.
Flagg has played through a few injuries this year, but only missed one game with an illness. So far, he's averaging 18.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 47.8% from the field overall. He's only shooting 28.7% from beyond the arc, which could use some improving, but he looks every bit the key building block the Mavericks were hoping for when they drafted him first overall out of Duke this year.
NBA Minutes Report: Franz Wagner returning, Wizards guards shining post-trade
Welcome to the Fantasy Basketball Minutes Report. Every week, I will review each team's updated minutes per game to see which players are seeing the court more or less than in previous weeks. With this information in hand, I'll try to discuss any relevant fantasy risers or fallers; players who we should be adding off waivers or removing from our teams.
The charts below are also great for exploring on your own. You can track the minutes over the last three, five, and ten games, and for the entire season, to see which trends stand out to you.
All of this data was made accessible by Kyle Bland, who is incredibly talented and also extremely generous. Be sure to follow him to check out all of his baseball data as well.
Young is the newest member of the Washington Wizards, but how much will he play the rest of this season?
Raphielle JohnsonAtlanta Hawks
| Name | Last 3 | Last 5 | Last 10 |
| Onyeka Okongwu | 33.8 | 34.5 | 32.9 |
| Nickeil Alexander-Walker | 33.4 | 33.5 | 33.9 |
| Dyson Daniels | 33.1 | 34.8 | 34.8 |
| Jalen Johnson | 32.6 | 34.1 | 35 |
| CJ McCollum | 25.7 | 25.7 | 25.7 |
| Luke Kennard | 23.7 | 22.6 | 21.7 |
| Vít Krejčí | 23.3 | 23.3 | 25.3 |
| Mouhamed Gueye | 21.8 | 19.9 | 15 |
| Corey Kispert | 19.7 | 19.7 | 19.7 |
We now have a few games in the post-Trae Young era, and, as expected, Nickeil Alexander-Walker has taken on the same big role he had when Young was hurt. He's been a top-40 player in fantasy basketball over the last two weeks and should be treated as one going forward. I don't believe CJ McCollom is going to take his minutes. Zaccharie Risacher has missed the last three games with a knee injury, and Kristaps Porzingis remains out with an Achilles injury as well. I expect more moves coming for the Hawks.
Boston Celtics
| Name | Last 3 | Last 5 | Last 10 |
| Jaylen Brown | 39.9 | 37.2 | 35.7 |
| Derrick White | 38.8 | 37.5 | 36.9 |
| Sam Hauser | 32.2 | 28.7 | 24.4 |
| Payton Pritchard | 31.9 | 32.1 | 34.2 |
| Neemias Queta | 27.6 | 26.3 | 25.6 |
| Anfernee Simons | 25.4 | 25.8 | 24.6 |
| Baylor Scheierman | 23.4 | 15.4 | 12.4 |
| Luka Garza | 20.6 | 20.9 | 20.6 |
| Jordan Walsh | 16.7 | 16.5 | 15.9 |
As I've been saying for the past few weeks, the Celtics' situation has remained steady, and they have been much better than many expected. For fantasy purposes, the only truly relevant players are Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, and Payton Pritchard. It's best not to hunt on the margins for others.
Brooklyn Nets
| Name | Last 3 | Last 5 | Last 10 |
| Michael Porter Jr. | 32.5 | 34.2 | 34 |
| Noah Clowney | 30.2 | 30.8 | 29.6 |
| Egor Dëmin | 28.6 | 28.9 | 28.7 |
| Nic Claxton | 27.2 | 27.1 | 28.2 |
| Drake Powell | 24.7 | 20.7 | 20.2 |
| Terance Mann | 24.1 | 24 | 24.7 |
| Cam Thomas | 23.7 | 23.3 | 22.1 |
| Day'Ron Sharpe | 20.8 | 21.9 | 22 |
| Tyrese Martin | 20.6 | 20.6 | 16.1 |
| Nolan Traore | 20.2 | 20.5 | 20.6 |
Nic Claxton missed a couple of games for personal reasons, which allowed Day'Ron Sharpe to step up and cement a role for himself in the rotation. Egor Dëmin has also emerged as a fringe top 100 player in fantasy basketball due to improved shooting, but aside from Michael Porter Jr., this is a large rotation of fringe-type players.
Charlotte Hornets
| Name | Last 3 | Last 5 | Last 10 |
| Moussa Diabaté | 31.8 | 30.9 | 31.2 |
| Miles Bridges | 30.8 | 31.2 | 30 |
| Kon Knueppel | 27.6 | 28.7 | 28.6 |
| LaMelo Ball | 27.2 | 26.4 | 27.2 |
| Brandon Miller | 24.6 | 26.2 | 31.3 |
| Sion James | 22.3 | 23 | 24.7 |
| Josh Green | 18.6 | 15.9 | 16.8 |
| Ryan Kalkbrenner | 18.2 | 18.2 | 18.2 |
| Collin Sexton | 17.8 | 20.6 | 21.6 |
Ryan Kalkbrenner returned this week, but Moussa Diabaté has been a top 100 player over the last month, which I discussed in a video this week.Aside from that change, it's pretty much status quo for the Hornets, with LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, and Kon Knueppel handling the vast majority of the load.
Chicago Bulls
| Name | Last 3 | Last 5 | Last 10 |
| Nikola Vučević | 32.3 | 33.1 | 32.4 |
| Coby White | 29.4 | 28.1 | 23.9 |
| Isaac Okoro | 29.1 | 27.4 | 26.9 |
| Tre Jones | 27.1 | 27 | 26.2 |
| Matas Buzelis | 26.8 | 28.9 | 28.3 |
| Ayo Dosunmu | 25.4 | 27 | 26.2 |
| Kevin Huerter | 24 | 24.3 | 25.1 |
| Jalen Smith | 23.2 | 23.2 | 23.2 |
| Patrick Williams | 20.5 | 17.2 | 16.7 |
The Bulls got back Coby White this week, but Josh Giddey and Zach Collins both remain out. Collins will be out until the middle of February with his toe injury, but Giddey should return next week. Tre Jones had stepped up with White out, but scored just seven points in 26 minutes with White back on Wednesday. The assists will be there, but it's not a really enticing profile. Ayo Dosunmu has been a top 80 player in fantasy basketball this month and is having his best season yet.
Cleveland Cavaliers
| Name | Last 3 | Last 5 | Last 10 |
| Evan Mobley | 33.1 | 34.5 | 31.5 |
| Donovan Mitchell | 32.9 | 33.9 | 33.3 |
| Jarrett Allen | 28.7 | 30 | 28 |
| Darius Garland | 28.4 | 31 | 30.4 |
| Jaylon Tyson | 25.6 | 24.5 | 25.4 |
| Sam Merrill | 21 | 25 | 25.2 |
| De'Andre Hunter | 20.1 | 21.8 | 22.6 |
| Craig Porter Jr. | 19.7 | 20.4 | 20.9 |
| Nae'Qwan Tomlin | 18.9 | 17.1 | 15.5 |
It was a rough Wednesday night for the Cavaliers, who endured injuries to both Darius Garland and Sam Merrill. Garland had been coming on of late. After being slowed by a toe injury early in the season, he was a top 50 player in fantasy basketball over his last seven games, and the Cavs had started to click a bit. Losing him would be a big blow for this team, and would likely lead to more minutes for Jaylon Tyson and Craig Porter Jr. With Dean Wade also sidelined, De'Andre Hunter should pick up more minutes if Merrill were to miss time.
Dallas Mavericks
| Name | Last 3 | Last 5 | Last 10 |
| Naji Marshall | 31.6 | 32.6 | 30.2 |
| P.J. Washington | 31 | 31 | 29.1 |
| Max Christie | 30.7 | 32.3 | 31.7 |
| Cooper Flagg | 26 | 30.1 | 32.8 |
| Brandon Williams | 25.4 | 20.2 | 24.1 |
| Klay Thompson | 23.3 | 25.2 | 23.2 |
| Ryan Nembhard | 22.3 | 20.1 | 18.6 |
| Daniel Gafford | 21.3 | 22.6 | 20.5 |
| Jaden Hardy | 21 | 21 | 15.4 |
| D'Angelo Russell | 18.7 | 18.7 | 15.8 |
It's also been a rough week for the Mavs. We found out that Anthony Davis will be out about six weeks with a fractured hand, which I covered in a video this week, and then Cooper Flagg sprained his ankle on Wednesday night. Naji Marshall remains the biggest beneficiary of the Davis injury, but this whole team may be in for a rough stretch if Flagg is out for a while.
Denver Nuggets
| Name | Last 3 | Last 5 | Last 10 |
| Jamal Murray | 37.8 | 37.4 | 37.6 |
| Peyton Watson | 36.4 | 36.1 | 36.1 |
| Tim Hardaway Jr. | 34.5 | 31.2 | 30.7 |
| Jalen Pickett | 31.2 | 29.5 | 25.7 |
| Aaron Gordon | 30.4 | 27.8 | 26.7 |
| Spencer Jones | 26.5 | 22.1 | 29.6 |
| Bruce Brown | 24.1 | 23 | 24.8 |
| Zeke Nnaji | 22.5 | 22.6 | 21.8 |
Even without Nikola Jokić, the Nuggets continue to win games. Their rotation has narrowed considerably over the last few weeks, especially with Christian Braun hurt again. Aaron Gordon has returned, and his minutes are slowly starting to tick back up, but Peyton Watson emerging as a top 35 player in fantasy basketball over the last two weeks has been huge. In his last eight games, he's averaging 23.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game. He will continue to play a big role on this team until Jokic is back.
Detroit Pistons
| Name | Last 3 | Last 5 | Last 10 |
| Isaiah Stewart | 31.2 | 31 | 25.9 |
| Javonte Green | 29.2 | 27.5 | 24.4 |
| Cade Cunningham | 29.1 | 35.2 | 34 |
| Ausar Thompson | 27.5 | 26.9 | 25.9 |
| Ronald Holland II | 25.2 | 22.3 | 21.1 |
| Paul Reed | 24.6 | 23.2 | 15.3 |
| Daniss Jenkins | 24.1 | 24.4 | 15.9 |
| Duncan Robinson | 23.8 | 24.3 | 26.4 |
| Jaden Ivey | 20.8 | 20.6 | 19.5 |
| Caris LeVert | 17.6 | 17.6 | 17.5 |
With Jalen Duren (ankle) sidelined, Isaiah Stewart has moved into the starting lineup and been really productive. However, Duren should be back this week, as should Cade Cunningham, who missed two games with a wrist injury. That has led to more minutes for Daniss Jenkins and Ronald Holland II. But things should settle back to normal this weekend.
Golden State Warriors
| Name | Last 3 | Last 5 | Last 10 |
| Stephen Curry | 29.7 | 31.3 | 32.6 |
| Jimmy Butler III | 27.6 | 29.7 | 31.3 |
| Draymond Green | 26 | 27.9 | 26.4 |
| Moses Moody | 20.4 | 21.6 | 22 |
| Brandin Podziemski | 20.1 | 21.9 | 23.1 |
| De'Anthony Melton | 20 | 22 | 22.6 |
| Gui Santos | 18.5 | 17.1 | 17.3 |
| Al Horford | 17.4 | 17.4 | 16.6 |
| Will Richard | 15.7 | 14.2 | 19.1 |
This is really just a two-man team with Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler; however, De'Anthony Melton is starting to settle into his role as a shooter and has been a top-150 player in fantasy basketball over the last two weeks. He could be a nice piece for this team as the season goes on.
Houston Rockets
| Name | Last 3 | Last 5 | Last 10 |
| Amen Thompson | 40.2 | 39.4 | 37.1 |
| Kevin Durant | 39.1 | 38.6 | 36.3 |
| Jabari Smith Jr. | 36.1 | 36.7 | 34.8 |
| Alperen Sengun | 35.8 | 35.8 | 27.5 |
| Aaron Holiday | 28.3 | 14.4 | 10.1 |
| Steven Adams | 24.9 | 27.2 | 25.8 |
| Reed Sheppard | 23.4 | 22.9 | 24.4 |
| Dorian Finney-Smith | 17 | 15.5 | 15.5 |
| Tari Eason | 15.5 | 25.6 | 26.1 |
Tari Eason is dealing with an ankle injury, but he's not expected to be out for too much longer, so he should return to his normal 25+ minutes per night. Aaron Holiday had one start in Eason's place, but his minutes should dry up again when Eason is back.
Indiana Pacers
| Name | Last 3 | Last 5 | Last 10 |
| Pascal Siakam | 32 | 33.2 | 33.7 |
| Andrew Nembhard | 31.3 | 31.1 | 32.2 |
| Aaron Nesmith | 30.1 | 31.7 | 29.6 |
| Jarace Walker | 24.4 | 20.7 | 19.3 |
| Jay Huff | 20.9 | 23.5 | 20.6 |
| Johnny Furphy | 20.8 | 23.8 | 19.3 |
| Quenton Jackson | 18.7 | 18.5 | 13.2 |
| Ben Sheppard | 18.6 | 20.4 | 20.2 |
| T.J. McConnell | 17.5 | 19.5 | 18.9 |
Isaiah Jackson (concussion) has cleared protocols and should be back this week, and Bennedict Mathurin also could return this weekend from his thumb injury. That will take minutes away from Jarace Walker, Quenton Jackson, and Johnny Furphy. This team just isn't super interesting in a year where they are not trying to contend.
The Pacers, Lakers and Thunder are among the teams with lengthy injury reports at the halfway point of Week 2.
Los Angeles Clippers
| Name | Last 3 | Last 5 | Last 10 |
| James Harden | 37.2 | 36.8 | 35.2 |
| John Collins | 33.8 | 31.7 | 29.6 |
| Kawhi Leonard | 30.6 | 31.3 | 33.9 |
| Jordan Miller | 29.6 | 26.1 | 18.5 |
| Ivica Zubac | 29.3 | 28.5 | 28 |
| Kris Dunn | 27.4 | 27.2 | 27.6 |
| Nicolas Batum | 20.9 | 20.7 | 22.2 |
| Kobe Sanders | 19.5 | 20.4 | 21.8 |
| Brook Lopez | 17.8 | 18 | 19.6 |
Ivica Zubac returned last week but is still dealing with some soreness in his ankle, so has missed some time this week. John Collins is also dealing with a groin injury, which is a bummer because he has started to emerge as a strong option for this team. Otherwise, it's just James Harden and Kawhi Leonard having All-Star seasons.
Los Angeles Lakers
| Name | Last 3 | Last 5 | Last 10 |
| Luka Dončić | 35.4 | 36.4 | 36.1 |
| Jake LaRavia | 33.7 | 34.9 | 33.3 |
| LeBron James | 32.9 | 33 | 33.1 |
| Marcus Smart | 30 | 32.3 | 30.1 |
| Deandre Ayton | 27.3 | 28.5 | 29.3 |
| Jarred Vanderbilt | 22.6 | 23.2 | 23.4 |
| Jaxson Hayes | 21.6 | 19.4 | 19 |
| Rui Hachimura | 18.3 | 18.3 | 24.1 |
| Gabe Vincent | 16 | 16.5 | 16.5 |
This remains a two-man team with Luka Doncic and LeBron James, and LeBron in particular has really come on of late, pushing up top-10 value over the last two weeks. Jake LaRavia and DeAndre Ayton are playing enough minutes to be usable in fantasy leagues, and Rui Hachimura returned to play 18 minutes after missing two weeks. There's not much of note here.
Memphis Grizzlies
| Name | Last 3 | Last 5 | Last 10 |
| Jaren Jackson Jr. | 30.4 | 32.2 | 32.4 |
| Cam Spencer | 29 | 30.2 | 27.1 |
| Santi Aldama | 28.1 | 27.8 | 30.5 |
| Olivier-Maxence Prosper | 26.3 | 26.3 | 17.6 |
| Cedric Coward | 26 | 21.5 | 24.7 |
| Jock Landale | 25.7 | 25.9 | 23.6 |
| Jaylen Wells | 25.6 | 25.9 | 27.8 |
| Vince Williams Jr. | 21.7 | 21.9 | 21.9 |
| Javon Small | 20.6 | 17.7 | 12.8 |
| GG Jackson | 18.7 | 20.1 | 21.1 |
This Grizzlies team has been banged up all year and cannot seem to get healthy. Zach Edey will now be out at least another six weeks. Ja Morant has missed the last five games with a calf injury and seems fully disinterested in being a part of the team. Brandon Clarke remains sidelined with a calf injury. Ty Jerome is probably out another week or two. That has led to Cam Spencer being the most consistent producer as Jaren Jackson Jr. continues to have a pretty mediocre year by his standards. Sant Aldama has been a top 100 player with Edey sidelined, and that value should continue.
Miami Heat
| Name | Last 3 | Last 5 | Last 10 |
| Tyler Herro | 32.7 | 31.7 | 31.7 |
| Bam Adebayo | 29.3 | 29 | 29.2 |
| Andrew Wiggins | 28.6 | 27.9 | 29.3 |
| Norman Powell | 27.2 | 28.6 | 29.2 |
| Jaime Jaquez Jr. | 25.6 | 25.6 | 25.1 |
| Pelle Larsson | 23.8 | 23.3 | 23.6 |
| Davion Mitchell | 23 | 25.2 | 27.3 |
| Kel'el Ware | 16.7 | 20.5 | 24.4 |
| Nikola Jović | 16.1 | 20 | 22.4 |
Last week, Tyler Herro returned after missing 11 games with a toe injury, andI recorded a video on the fallout of that.As I mentioned in the video, Nikola Jović will take a hit in both his minutes and usage.
Milwaukee Bucks
| Name | Last 3 | Last 5 | Last 10 |
| Kevin Porter Jr. | 35.6 | 37.4 | 37.2 |
| AJ Green | 32.8 | 31.9 | 32.4 |
| Ryan Rollins | 32.2 | 33.2 | 33.1 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | 31.6 | 31.5 | 29.5 |
| Bobby Portis | 24.6 | 22.7 | 23.8 |
| Myles Turner | 23.6 | 25.9 | 27 |
| Kyle Kuzma | 23.4 | 21.7 | 24 |
| Gary Trent Jr. | 15.8 | 18.3 | 18 |
The Bucks are fully healthy right now (well, aside from Taurean Prince being out), so the minutes allotment of late is what we should expect going forward. Ryan Rollins has become a fringe top 100 player with both Kevin Porter Jr. and Giannis Antetokounmpo playing nearly 30 minutes a game. Rollins has remained a fringe top-50 player over the last two weeks with Giannis back. Those are really the only three players performing with any sort of consistency.
Minnesota Timberwolves
| Name | Last 3 | Last 5 | Last 10 |
| Anthony Edwards | 36.5 | 34.9 | 34.2 |
| Donte DiVincenzo | 34.2 | 33.5 | 30.5 |
| Julius Randle | 31.9 | 31.5 | 31.5 |
| Jaden McDaniels | 30.8 | 32.8 | 29.8 |
| Rudy Gobert | 30.1 | 32.4 | 31.2 |
| Naz Reid | 29.3 | 27.3 | 25.9 |
| Bones Hyland | 17.8 | 15.1 | 15.3 |
| Mike Conley | 16.3 | 15.5 | 15.2 |
| Joan Beringer | 16.2 | 12.4 | 8.8 |
| Jaylen Clark | 14.1 | 13 | 14.7 |
Anthony Edwards has missed a few games with injury management on his right foot, and that could continue for a few weeks, but the Wolves are pretty healthy otherwise. Terrance Shannon is out for a couple of weeks with a foot injury, which has allowed Bones Hyland to see a small uptick in usage and for Joan Beringer to enter the rotation, but neither is producing much.
New Orleans Pelicans
| Name | Last 3 | Last 5 | Last 10 |
| Trey Murphy III | 36.4 | 36.4 | 36.8 |
| Zion Williamson | 31 | 30.7 | 30.2 |
| Saddiq Bey | 29 | 29 | 32 |
| Jeremiah Fears | 28.1 | 28.6 | 26.3 |
| Derik Queen | 24.2 | 25.2 | 26.8 |
| Yves Missi | 23.8 | 21.7 | 19.9 |
| Bryce McGowens | 20.5 | 26.6 | 24.4 |
| Jordan Poole | 20 | 22 | 23.5 |
| Karlo Matković | 17 | 14 | 15.5 |
Herbert Jones and Jose Alvarado continue to be sidelined by injuries, but Trey Murphy III has had a legit breakout season, emerging as a top-20 player in fantasy basketball. Derik Queen and Zion Williamson have also remained top-60 players, but those are the only players of note in New Orleans for now. Jeremiah Fears is averaging 14.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists over the last two weeks and has an intriguing skillset that he should continue to get to show off with Dejounte Murray out another three weeks or more.
New York Knicks
| Name | Last 3 | Last 5 | Last 10 |
| Mikal Bridges | 34.1 | 32.2 | 33.9 |
| Miles McBride | 34.1 | 32.1 | 29.6 |
| OG Anunoby | 33.2 | 32 | 34.2 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | 31.4 | 29.6 | 30.5 |
| Josh Hart | 31.3 | 31.3 | 31.3 |
| Jalen Brunson | 26.2 | 28.5 | 32.1 |
| Mitchell Robinson | 22.8 | 23.5 | 22.1 |
| Jordan Clarkson | 18.9 | 19.4 | 18.8 |
| Tyler Kolek | 16.8 | 16.9 | 16 |
What a poor effort from the Knicks on Wednesday against a bad Kings team. Yes, Jalen Brunson did twist his ankle in the first quarter, but this team was playing poorly then and failed to respond after their captain went down. Things need to change in New York, starting with its center. On a more positive note, Josh Hart is back and right back to producing. Tyler Kolek should see more minutes if Brunson misses any time with his ankle injury.
Oklahoma City Thunder
| Name | Last 3 | Last 5 | Last 10 |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 32.8 | 34.3 | 32.7 |
| Jalen Williams | 32 | 33 | 31.1 |
| Ajay Mitchell | 31.7 | 30.5 | 27.1 |
| Chet Holmgren | 28.4 | 30.7 | 29.6 |
| Luguentz Dort | 27.2 | 24.6 | 24.6 |
| Aaron Wiggins | 25.7 | 25.4 | 22.9 |
| Cason Wallace | 24.4 | 26.1 | 24.7 |
| Alex Caruso | 19.5 | 19.5 | 17.5 |
| Jaylin Williams | 18.7 | 18.7 | 18.7 |
Well, the Thunder finally beat the Spurs. Isaiah Hartenstein hasn't played since December 28th with his calf injury, but Jaylin Williams returned and had a good showing against the Spurs. Luguentz Dort is also battling an ankle injury, which has led to more minutes for Aaron Wiggins, but the Thunder are more than happy to spread out production on the fringes of their rotation, so they aren't missing a beat.
Orlando Magic
| Name | Last 3 | Last 5 | Last 10 |
| Paolo Banchero | 39.8 | 36 | 35.5 |
| Anthony Black | 36.9 | 33.4 | 33 |
| Desmond Bane | 36.1 | 33.7 | 34 |
| Wendell Carter Jr. | 34.1 | 29.8 | 30.9 |
| Noah Penda | 32.9 | 31.4 | 20.2 |
| Tristan da Silva | 21.1 | 23.1 | 23.5 |
| Goga Bitadze | 19.2 | 18.8 | 18.2 |
| Tyus Jones | 15.4 | 17.5 | 20 |
| Jase Richardson | 12.9 | 19.6 | 17 |
Franz Wagner is set to return on Thursday just in time for the Magic's game in Berlin, Germany.I covered the fallout from his return in a video this week.
Philadelphia 76ers
| Name | Last 3 | Last 5 | Last 10 |
| Tyrese Maxey | 36.9 | 35.4 | 38.2 |
| VJ Edgecombe | 34.9 | 35.9 | 37.7 |
| Joel Embiid | 30.3 | 29.4 | 33 |
| Kelly Oubre Jr. | 29.8 | 24.9 | 24.9 |
| Paul George | 29.1 | 31.1 | 32.6 |
| Quentin Grimes | 24.1 | 25.5 | 29.9 |
| Dominick Barlow | 19.9 | 21.5 | 20.2 |
| Adem Bona | 18.7 | 16.6 | 18.7 |
| Andre Drummond | 15.9 | 15.2 | 14.2 |
Kelly Oubre Jr. returned last week, so the 76ers have been fully healthy for at least a week now, which gives us a good sense of how they want their rotation to stack up. For now, that does not include Jared McCain; however, Dominick Barlow did get hurt on Wednesday. X-rays came back negative, but he may miss a few games, which would open up some more minutes for McCain or Trendon Watford.
Phoenix Suns
| Name | Last 3 | Last 5 | Last 10 |
| Devin Booker | 34.7 | 33.5 | 33.6 |
| Dillon Brooks | 30.8 | 30.3 | 31.1 |
| Royce O'Neale | 30.3 | 29.7 | 30.3 |
| Collin Gillespie | 27.2 | 26.9 | 27.4 |
| Mark Williams | 26.1 | 25.2 | 22.6 |
| Grayson Allen | 25.4 | 23.8 | 23.8 |
| Oso Ighodaro | 19.8 | 20.8 | 22.7 |
| Jordan Goodwin | 18.9 | 21 | 23.2 |
| Ryan Dunn | 16.1 | 17.4 | 18.2 |
The Suns are getting Grayson Allen back up to his normal minutes, which makes this team better. Devin Booker did hurt his ankle on Tuesday, so there's a chance he misses a game or two, which would only increase Allen's usage and maybe Collin Gillespie, who has struggled of late, averaging just 9.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists over his last seven games.
Portland Trail Blazers
| Name | Last 3 | Last 5 | Last 10 |
| Deni Avdija | 37 | 35.5 | 36.5 |
| Toumani Camara | 35.7 | 36.2 | 34.5 |
| Shaedon Sharpe | 32.5 | 31.9 | 31.2 |
| Caleb Love | 29.1 | 28.7 | 29.2 |
| Donovan Clingan | 28.4 | 29.9 | 29.3 |
| Sidy Cissoko | 25.4 | 23.6 | 23.1 |
| Rayan Rupert | 18.7 | 18.5 | 17 |
| Jrue Holiday | 18.6 | 18.6 | 18.6 |
| Javonte Cooke | 13.5 | 13.5 | 13.5 |
Jrue Holiday returned for two games this week, but Caleb Love has been tremendous for the Trail Blazers this month, which I discussed in a video this week. I do think Holiday will eventually take minutes away from Love, but the undrafted rookie has cemented himself as a real role player for this Blazers team. Kris Murray, Scoot Henderson, and Jerami Grant could all return within the next week, so that could shift minutes a lot.
Sacramento Kings
| Name | Last 3 | Last 5 | Last 10 |
| DeMar DeRozan | 38.3 | 37.2 | 34.1 |
| Precious Achiuwa | 35.9 | 26.9 | 22.7 |
| Russell Westbrook | 35.8 | 33.4 | 30.2 |
| Zach LaVine | 31.9 | 32.7 | 33.1 |
| Maxime Raynaud | 26 | 27.8 | 29.3 |
| Malik Monk | 25.7 | 24.1 | 19 |
| Dylan Cardwell | 19 | 17.8 | 18.8 |
| Nique Clifford | 16.8 | 17.9 | 20.2 |
Keegan Murray will be sidelined until early February with a back injury, but that has just meant extra production for Russell Westbrook and DeMar DeRozan. Zach LaVine has had some solid games and is a borderline top 100 player in fantasy basketball leagues, but there's little to be excited about in Sacramento.
San Antonio Spurs
| Name | Last 3 | Last 5 | Last 10 |
| Julian Champagnie | 35.1 | 34.1 | 31.5 |
| De'Aaron Fox | 34.5 | 33.5 | 33.8 |
| Stephon Castle | 32.5 | 31 | 32 |
| Harrison Barnes | 27.4 | 26.5 | 26.1 |
| Victor Wembanyama | 27 | 25.6 | 25.9 |
| Keldon Johnson | 24.8 | 26 | 25.4 |
| Luke Kornet | 22.5 | 23.2 | 24 |
| Dylan Harper | 19.8 | 19.5 | 21 |
Victor Wembanyama is still having his minutes monitored, but he's been productive, and the Spurs are winning, so we may have to assume that continues, which is why Luke Kornet continues to see solid minutes. Keldon Johnsonis also seeing an uptick in minutes with Devin Vassell out with an adductor injury; yet, it's been Julian Champagnie who has seen the biggest increase in usage and been a top 100 player in fantasy basketball over the last two weeks, averaging 14.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.
Toronto Raptors
| Name | Last 3 | Last 5 | Last 10 |
| Scottie Barnes | 38.9 | 36.5 | 36.4 |
| Immanuel Quickley | 36 | 35 | 33.4 |
| Collin Murray-Boyles | 35.6 | 32 | 29.8 |
| Brandon Ingram | 35.2 | 27.1 | 32.5 |
| Jamal Shead | 33.9 | 30 | 26.1 |
| Sandro Mamukelashvili | 19.5 | 22.1 | 22.3 |
| Gradey Dick | 17.7 | 17.6 | 16.4 |
| RJ Barrett | — | 31.5 | 28.8 |
The vibes are not great in Toronto. RJ Barrett is dealing with an ankle sprain, Jakob Poeltl has his back injury, and Immanuel Quickley is also battling a back injury. Plus,there are now trade rumors swirling about Barrett and Quickley, among others. This team could undergo a major upheaval in the next few weeks.
Utah Jazz
| Name | Last 3 | Last 5 | Last 10 |
| Lauri Markkanen | 36.3 | 39.9 | 37.8 |
| Keyonte George | 30.3 | 34.1 | 34.8 |
| Jusuf Nurkić | 30.2 | 31.4 | 30.7 |
| Brice Sensabaugh | 29.3 | 30 | 30.4 |
| Cody Williams | 28.4 | 24.3 | 21.4 |
| Svi Mykhailiuk | 26.2 | 26.6 | 23.1 |
| Walter Clayton Jr. | 25.1 | 24.5 | 22.4 |
| Isaiah Collier | 25 | 22.2 | 24 |
| Kyle Filipowski | 24.1 | 18.8 | 19.7 |
| Taylor Hendricks | 23.9 | 16.5 | 16.6 |
The minutes are evening out a bit in Utah as the team takes turns resting players to avoid being too competitive and losing their first-round pick. Brice Sensabaugh was electric on Wednesday, scoring 43 points against the Bulls. That's not likely to continue, and was primarily because Lauri Markkanen sat out that game.
Washington Wizards
| Name | Last 3 | Last 5 | Last 10 |
| Bub Carrington | 31.4 | 32.9 | 28.6 |
| Tre Johnson | 27.6 | 26.7 | 26.7 |
| Kyshawn George | 27.4 | 27.4 | 27.4 |
| Will Riley | 23.3 | 19.7 | 17.8 |
| Justin Champagnie | 23.2 | 23.4 | 24.5 |
| Bilal Coulibaly | 22.6 | 26 | 26.7 |
| Khris Middleton | 22.2 | 22.3 | 21.9 |
| Alex Sarr | 22.1 | 24.8 | 25.8 |
| Marvin Bagley III | 21.4 | 19.1 | 18.9 |
The Wizards traded for Trae Young, but they have no intention of playing him as they try to tank for a higher draft pick. The latest report is that Young will be out until mid-February with MCL/quad injuries. He'll probably return for a few games and then sit again to ensure the Wizards don't win too much. That means that young guards like Tre Johnson and Bub Carrington are going to get a lot of run the rest of the season.
How to watch Milwaukee Bucks vs. Atlanta Hawks: TV/live stream info, preview for MLK Day Peacock Exclusive
Head to NBC and Peacock this Martin Luther King Jr. Day for a special NBA quadruple header. The excitement tips off at 1:00 PM ET when the Milwaukee Bucks take on the Atlanta Hawks exclusively on Peacock.
Coverage continues at 2:30 PM on NBC and Peacock when the Oklahoma City Thunder go head-to-head with the Cleveland Cavaliers. At 5 PM, the Dallas Mavericks head to the "World's Most Famous Arena" to face the New York Knicks. Finally, at 8:00 PM, the Boston Celtics take on the Detroit Pistons.
See below for the full 2026 MLK Day NBA schedule on NBC and Peacock. Follow all of the NBA action on NBCSN and Peacock. Peacock will feature 100 regular-season games throughout the 2025-2026 season.
Click here to sign up for Peacock!
Monday's game marks the first of three meetings between the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks this season. It is also the fifth meeting between the two teams on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Hawks have won three of the last four matchups.
Atlanta has hosted an MLK Day game in every season since 1994, with the exceptions of 1998, 2017, and 2025, and has the best win percentage of any team on MLK Day.
Two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Porter Jr., and Ryan Rollins have led the Bucks in scoring this season, but the team has struggled to find consistency. Milwaukee has yet to record three consecutive wins this season.
RELATED:Bucks fans boo team during blowout loss, Giannis Antetokounmpo boos them back
Fifth-year wing Jalen Johnson has continued to lead in Atlanta after the Hawks traded veteran four-time All-Star Trae Young to the Wizards on January 9. Johnson leads the team in scoring, rebounding, assists, and more.
RELATED:Winners, Losers from the Trae Young trade to Washington
How to watch Milwaukee Bucks vs Atlanta Hawks:
- When: Monday, January 19
- Where: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
- Time: 1:00 PM ET
- Live Stream:Peacock
2026 MLK Day NBA Schedule (NBC and Peacock):
- Milwaukee Bucks vs. Atlanta Hawks (1 p.m. ET on Peacock)
- OKC Thunder vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (2:30 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock)
- Dallas Mavericks vs. New York Knicks (5 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock)
- Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons (8 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock)
How to watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock:
Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.
Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.
How to sign up for Peacock:
Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You'll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits—Peacock is here for whatever you’re in the mood for.
NBA on NBC 2025-26 Schedule
Click here to see the full list of NBA games that will air on NBC and Peacock this season.
What devices does Peacock support?
You can enjoy Peacock on a variety of devices. View the full list of supported devices here.