MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 21: AJ Green #20 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Isaiah Joe #11 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum on January 21, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Milwaukee Bucks, winners of four of their last five, do battle for the final time before the All-Star break tonight when they take on the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder smashed the Bucks in the first game this season, but without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, it could be closer this time (though I’m not holding my breath). It is also a back-to-back for both teams, which could throw a spanner in the works for either side.
Where We’re At
The Bucks are riding high after a terrific win last night over a playoff team, the Orlando Magic. Of course, the major storyline from that game was how the newbies, Cam Thomas and Ousmane Dieng, performed in their first real minutes. Thomas went nuclear with 34 points on 12/20 shooting, including some preposterous makes, but we already knew he was capable of that. On the other hand, it was really more of a coming-out party for Dieng—who hadn’t had anywhere near that much opportunity in OKC—dropping 17 points on 5/8 from deep. Now it’s really about whether these guys can replicate that level of productivity (or even come close to it).
Without SGA, the Thunder have actually been stumbling a bit lately, losing the first two of their last four games (though they were against the Spurs and Rockets). However, Jalen Williams, who had been out for an extended period with a hamstring complaint, returned on Monday against the LA Lakers, dropping 23 in a win. Williams followed that up with 28 against Phoenix, with OKC winning that one too. So overall, this team is still a juggernaut; it’ll take a mammoth effort to take ‘em down.
Injury Report
Both teams are on a back-to-back, so the injury reports will be out at midday, but it’s safe to assume Giannis (neck), Taurean Prince (neck), and Ryan Rollins (foot) will miss for the Bucks. For OKC, we can assume SGA (abdominal) will be out, as will Ajay Mitchell (abdominal) and Thomas Sorber (ACL).
Player To Watch
I want to see if Ousmane Dieng can get places on the floor against the Thunder defence. Most of his shots were open threes against the Magic, and while it’s great that he knocked them down, I don’t think he’ll get those same easy looks tonight. The knock on him has been that he doesn’t play with enough explosion and force. Maybe he can start to prove that wrong as the season rolls along, but if he showed some stuff tonight against his former team? Oh, that’d be cool.
LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) — Now, it's Chloe Kim's turn to grasp a special spot in snowboarding's record book.
Kim will be in the halfpipe Thursday night, trying to become the first snowboarder to win three straight Olympic gold medals.
The 25-year-old from California hurt her shoulder four weeks ago, disrupting her lead-in to the Milan Cortina Games. Wearing a brace in qualifying on Wednesday, she put down a solid run to lead the standings and said her injury felt fine.
“I've been doing this for 22 years,” Kim said. “Muscle memory is a thing.”
Kim traditionally has the highest-flying most difficult runs in her sport. She is the first woman to land two separate kinds of 1080-degree double corks — two head-over-heels flips — and some version of those could be on tap for the night-time contest at the Livigno Snow Park.
Snoop Dogg is expected to show up to watch one of the biggest names in the Olympics go for history. So will Kim's boyfriend, Myles Garrett, the defensive end for the Cleveland Browns.
Shaun White will be on hand, as well. He is the only other snowboarder with three gold medals in a sport that arrived at the Olympics in 1998.
Two riders — Ester Ledecka in parallel giant slalom and Anna Gasser in big air — had a chance for three straight earlier in these Olympics, but neither ended up on the podium.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 11: Jose Alvarado #5 of the New York Knicks smiles after the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on February 11, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It never gets old when Knicks fans invade road arenas to root for the visiting team.
On Wednesday, it happened again to the poor 76cheesteaks.
“His quickness, his ability to shoot the basketball, his ability to pass and make plays without getting knocked off his body, is going to be huge. But he had a great offensive game for us and we need that fire from him. We need that passion. We need that sense of urgency, and it sparks us.”
On Alvarado’s impact vs. Philadelphia:
“He was really, really good for us. He ignited us in many different ways.”
On Knicks’ knack for sharing the basketball:
“I’m blown away with our guys’ ability to share the basketball with one another. A lot of good playmakers, a lot of good passers, so to see that was a lot of fun.”
On the team’s assist-to-basket ratio against the Sixers:
“I don’t know if I’ve seen this before. We had 48 baskets and 41 assists. So unbelievable night in that regard.”
On responding to adversity:
“They are a resilient group of guys. We’re not going to go up the whole year. Everybody expects us to go up the whole year and win it all. But this is a process. We’re going to up, we’re going to take a step backwards, we’re going to figure it out. That’s why there’s coaching, that’s why there’s practice, that’s why there’s shootaround. That’s why we have those guys in the locker room we have figured out and just go out and play the next game and figure out if you can play better the next game and that’s what our guys did.”
On seasonal fluctuations:
“We’re not going to do this the whole year. Everyone wants us and expects us to do this the whole year and go win it all. But this is a process. We’re going to do this, take a step backwards, and when we do, we’ll figure it out. That’s why there’s coaching, that’s why there’s practicing, that’s why there are shootarounds and coaching and guys that figure it out and play a little better the next time than you did the last time.”
On All-Star recognition vs. resting:
“It’s kind of mixed emotions thing. As a coach you do want your guys to get recognized for the stuff they do on the floor. Even like in the summertime, come Olympic time, European Cup time, this Cup time or that Cup time, you want your guys to play on any stage they can and get recognition and success. But there’s always a part of you, too, like, let this guy get some rest, too, or that guy get some rest and hopefully he takes it a little easy. So again, I get pulled and tugged in both directions. At the end of the day you want as much individual recognition as possible for your guys as they can get.”
On staying focused during the pre-ASW-break:
“It’s mixed … I know these guys are thinking about it. If they’re thinking about it everybody else is to a certain degree is and hopefully you can lock in just long enough to figure out how to get a win.”
On making a statement with a brutal blowout after the OT loss to Indiana:
“We knew this was a big game for us in the standings so we just had to come back. The game yesterday didn’t go our way, but we had to be us come back and get a win today.”
On his confrontation with Trendon Watford:
“He did a hard foul, but I think he did a little extra with the staring. I’m just not gonna go for none of that. It was just in the moment. That’s when I’m at my best, I guess, getting a little active. It worked out in my favor.”
On his career-tying shooting night:
“I had it rolling. I didn’t know I had eight [3s] — I should’ve made one more so I could break my tie.”
On the fan support, even on the road:
“I see the fans, their energy is unmatched. They show their support, they’re gonna use their voice and it gets me going, so I’m gonna do the same energy back for them.”
On finding his rhythm with the Knicks:
“I always thought I was a great shooter, a good shooter. Obviously, it’s getting better and I’m going to keep getting better. I’m just getting in rhythm with the system, the plays, the coaching staff. But they’re doing a great job making it super easy. Today went my way.”
On embracing his identity:
“As soon as I got here, that was the first thing they probably said to me: ‘We need you to be who you are, do not change that.’ This is Game 3 for me, but I’m slowly getting into it.”
“That’s what we need. That’s what we want from him. Obviously that toughness, ability to help us get organized, ability to knock down shots. And defensively bring energy, bring physicality, get in the passing lanes, those kinds of things. That’s why he’s here.”
On Knicks’ fans takeover in Philly:
“It’s fun. Kind of getting used to it now. Everywhere on the East Coast it’s really Knick fans coming out and showing love. Boston is tough obviously. Everywhere else we feel like we always have the majority of the fans on the East Coast. Shoutout to them. They come and show love and we appreciate it.”
On his All-Star break mindset:
“I’m checked out now. I’ve got my wine right here. I’m living my best life.”
On Alvarado’s role:
“That’s what we need. That’s what we want from him. Obviously that toughness, ability to help us get organized, ability to knock down shots. And defensively bring energy, bring physicality, get in the passing lanes, those kind of things. That’s why he’s here. Honestly, I didn’t realize he had that many shots, that many threes, but it shows what he’s capable of. We’re going to need him a lot down the stretch.”
May 14, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics fans cheer in the second half during game five of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images | Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
Most know that this blog has been around for quite a while (21 years and counting) and the community has evolved over the years. We have some people that have been commenting since the first days, some that joined during the title years, some that joined just to complain about the down years, and some that just arrived recently.
However, there’s another category of folks out there, the silent majority. Now, I don’t mind people just reading. I think we could operate just fine as a magazine or newsletter or whatever format. But from the very beginning, I’ve believed in the power of interaction. Put another way, people say that “content is king,” which is true, but let’s extend it to say “and community is queen.”
So this is my call to all the readers that haven’t signed up for a CelticsBlog account. The time is right to join the community and contribute your voice. Or to quote Dead Poets Society quoting Walt Whitman: “That the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?”
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So join up and add your voice to the conversation!
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 08: Will Riley #27 of the Washington Wizards blocks a shot in the first quarter against Kasparas Jakucionis #25 of the Miami Heat at Capital One Arena on February 08, 2026 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Wizards lost by 25 to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a game that I just don’t want to think or write about. Except for this: the person watching last night’s game with me thought it was nice James Harden was introduced as part of a ceremony to honor old-time players. They were shocked to learn he was playing.
Instead of talking about defensive rotations and offensive actions against Cleveland, let’s zoom out and take stock of the Wizards season so far.
Wizards big man Alex Sarr continues to be the NBA’s busiest rim protector. | Getty Images
The Measuring Stick
Here’s where the Wizards currently rank in the various key stats of team strength (where they ranked at the last update, which was Jan. 20, is in parentheses):
Offensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions): 28 (28)
Defensive rating (points scored per 100 possessions): 29 (29)
I’m reasonably sure I’ve spotted moments of growth and improvement, though those moments haven’t been consistent enough to send a signal through the numbers. That signal isn’t necessarily important right now. The roster is extremely young, and the overarching organizational goal is keeping their top eight protected first round pick.
At least in theory, we might hope to see some positives in the individual numbers, but team data will remain in the basement because the team needs to lose.
Some of this will (and has been) done at the roster level. For example, sitting everyone with “injuries” in a must-lose game against the Brooklyn Nets. Some of it will (and has been) done at the lineup level, such as playing two-way and G League guys for entire fourth quarters (and winning a game anyway) or starting the diminutive lineup they did against Cleveland last night (the tallest player was the 6-8 Kyshawn George).
Offensive Four Factors
eFG%: 26 (23)
Offensive Rebounding Percentage: 16 (19)
Turnover Rate: 24 (26)
Free Throws Made/Field Goal Attempts: 26 (27)
Over the past few weeks, the Wizards are shooting a little worse but getting a few more offensive rebounds. This is something of a young team cliche, which is fine.
Defensive Four Factors
eFG%: 24 (22)
Defensive Rebounding Percentage: 30 (30)
Turnover Rate: 27 (28)
Free Throws Made/Field Goal Attempts: 23 (21)
Effectively no change on the defensive end. Opponents are shooting slightly better, which has been sorta offset by committing fewer fouls that send opposing players to the free throw line. The signal here is clear: the Wizards don’t make the other team miss shots, they’re worst in the league at getting the ball when the opposing team misses, and they don’t force turnovers. They also foul at an elevated rate relative to the league.
Player Production Average
Below is a table with updated results from the Player Production Average (PPA) metric so far this season. PPA is an overall rating metric I developed that credits players for things they do that help a team win (scoring, rebounding, play-making, defending) and debits them for things that hurt the cause (missed shots, turnovers, fouls, ineffective defense). PPA is similar to other linear weight rating metrics such as John Hollinger’s PER, David Berri’s Wins Produced, Kevin Pelton’s VORP, and the granddaddy of them all, Dave Heeren’s TENDEX.
PPA weighs a player’s performance per possession against that of his competitors season by season. While PPA falls into the category of a linear weight metric, the values for statistical categories float a bit season-to-season based on league performance.
PPA is pace neutral, accounts for defense, and includes a “degree of difficulty” factor based on the level of competition a player faces while on the floor. Beginning with the 2019-20 season, I added a position/role adjustment designed to reflect how roles and on-court positioning affect individual abilities to produce certain stats.
Inputs include:
on-court team defensive rating
points
rebounds (offensive and defensive weighed differently)
assists
steals
blocks
shot attempts
turnovers
personal fouls
starts
minutes
In the table below, I’ve included each player’s PPA last time, currently (through games played Feb. 11 — game 53), as well as games played and minutes per game. The Garbage Time Brigade has their own section.
In the table below, LAST = the player’s PPA when I last ran an update, which was through games played Jan. 19, 2026.
PLAYER
GAMES
MPG
LAST
PPA
Alex Sarr
41
28.2
145
138
Justin Champagnie
50
19.3
96
108
Kyshawn George
43
30.1
94
97
Tre Johnson
40
25.0
80
82
Bilal Coulibaly
33
26.8
81
80
Malaki Branham
28
9.8
56
58
Bub Carrington
53
28.0
51
53
Tristan Vukcevic
33
11.9
46
52
Cam Whitmore
21
16.9
49
49
Will Riley
45
16.6
34
46
GTB
GAMES
MPG
PPA
PPA
Kadary Richmond
1
6.0
315
Jaden Hardy
1
15.0
99
Skal Labissiere
3
12.7
73
Anthony Gill
19
3.8
48
48
Jamir Watkins
17
13.4
29
29
Keshon Gilbert
3
16.0
8
A few quick observations:
Alex Sarr’s production has been drooping a bit lately. Over the past few weeks, he has had some good games and great moments, as well as some real duds. He’s more than a little overtaxed inside where he continues to be the NBA’s busiest rim protector.
Justin Champagnie has generally produced when given minutes.
When I mentioned earlier how perceived improvement isn’t sending a signal in the numbers, I was thinking in part of the overall consistency in individual production numbers. Scanning the list, Sarr has declined a bit, Champagnie and Will Riley have improved, and everyone else has been about the same.
Final PPA numbers for traded guys — with the Wizards and then with their new team:
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 11: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena on February 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Sixers’ woes against the Knicks go beyond the 49-point thrashing they received on national television on Wednesday evening. They go beyond the remnants of the team’s 2024 playoff loss to New York. When the Knicks come to South Philadelphia, those issues begin before tip-off.
The Sixers have a Knicks fan problem that was exacerbated during Wednesday’s loss. It sounded like the game was being played at Madison Square Garden with how many Knicks fans were in attendance. When the Sixers are hosting New York, the prices jump for tickets on the secondary market. That’s been the case for a while. I can distinctly remember being a freshman in college in the city and overhearing a couple New Yorkers discuss getting “cheap” tickets to a Sixers-Knicks game because the fans here “don’t care.” This was during New York’s Carmelo Anthony era and during the Sixers’ lone season with Andrew Bynum on the roster. Can you blame Philadelphians for not caring at that point?
There will be some consternation, as there has been over the years, blaming fans in the Philly region for “allowing” this to happen. The day I blame the fans is the day I stop writing. There’s a difference between being a bandwagon fan who tunes out during some lean years, which is fine for casual observers, and being just so utterly fed up that you don’t want to put your money into a claw machine you know is never going to give you a prize. Maybe it’ll latch onto one for a fleeting moment, but that bad boy is slipping away like a Game 7 victory in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Again, I don’t begrudge Sixers fans for not going on Wednesday. I considered going just to do something, but the ticket prices were more than they usually are for a weeknight game on the likes of SeatGeek and StubHub, so I passed. Are people going to be mad that fans decided not to see the Joel Embiid-less Sixers lose by nearly 50 freaking points? Are we supposed to be mad at fans that they didn’t expose themselves to embarrassment of that magnitude?
People in Philly are voting with their wallet. This isn’t 2018 or 2019. The Sixers, after a plethora of second-round exits and the infuriating way they handled the trade deadline last week, aren’t a prime asset in anyone’s entertainment portfolio right now outside the hardest of the hardcore fans. When Embiid plays, they’re awesome and the building blocks of in-prime superstar Tyrese Maxey and beloved rookie VJ Edgecombe are there, but people don’t want to get hurt again while getting wrapped up in the perpetual nonsense that is the NBA regular season.
Speaking of wallets, let’s just be honest. New Yorkers, on the whole, have more cash than the average Philadelphian. A Knicks game in South Philly is way cheaper than a Knicks game at MSG. Whether people are doing a quick Amtrak trip, taking a Peter Pan bus or are simply transplants to a less expensive urban dwelling, money talks for that fan base. Knicks fans, even during their frequent dark times, love their team. Given the juice the franchise has had in recent years, it’s not surprising to see this hit another level when the Knickerbockers come to town.
There doesn’t appear to be a clear-cut fix for this. People are out on the Sixers locally. They have distinct disdain for management. New Yorkers are willing to fork over the dough for a quick, cost-effective road trip. Winning cures all and it will likely take the Sixers reaching a threshold they haven’t hit in a quarter of a century, whether that’s merely an Eastern Conference Finals appearance or a NBA Finals berth outright, to get that arena truly rocking again.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 11: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dunks against Jamir Watkins #5 of the Washington Wizards during the second half at Rocket Arena on February 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Sam Merrill scored a career-high 32 points. He was on fire from deep, going 9-10 from three. He also made both of his shots inside the arc. Merrill simply couldn’t miss, and there was nothing the Wizards could do to contain him.
James Harden assisted on six of Merrill’s 11 field goals. He did a great job of finding Merrill whenever he could. We’ve seen how Harden can open up the game for guys like Jarrett Allen. Clearly, he can have that same kind of effect on an off-ball shooter like Merrill as well.
Cleveland took 40% of their shots at the rim (86th percentile). Washington didn’t have the personnel inside to keep the Cavs from getting to the basket, and the Cavs took advantage. The restricted area is still, and always will be, the most efficient place to score from. There’s no reason to go away from your advantage once you create it.
Jarrett Allen went 8-8 from the field to finish with 21 points. It seems like Allen has made every shot that he’s put up recently, which has led to his teammates calling him Wilt. In his last four games, Allen has gone 34-44 (77.3%) from the field. He’s playing some of the best basketball of his career right now.
The Cavs are now 9-0 when Allen scores 20 or more points. Allen playing his best offensively has led to wins. Now, the question is figuring out how to get this version of Allen when Evan Mobley gets back into the equation.
Harden took just four shot attempts in over 28 minutes. The last time he took four or fewer shots was in April 2024 during a game he played under 10 minutes. Harden isn’t too concerned about his lack of scoring. “I’m top 10 in scoring all-time. Scoring isn’t a problem for me.”
The Cavs had their highest free-throw rate in a game this season. Harden is to thank for that with his 12 free throw attempts. This is an area he’s going to help immensely.
Washington controlled the offensive glass, finishing with 28 second-chance points. Offensive rebounding has been an issue of late, and understandably so. Being without both Dean Wade and Mobley hurts in this department. Still, you’d like to see the Cavs do a better job on the glass. Fortunately for them, they gathered many of their misses as well and had 27 second-chance points of their own.
The Cavs played at a 105.5 pace. Despite concerns that the offense would play slower with Harden, they’ve actually increased their pace. Over the past three games, Cleveland has been playing at a 102.3 pace. For context, their season-long average is 101.8. It’ll be interesting to monitor this as Harden continues to get implemented into Kenny Atkinson’s system.
Donovan Mitchell has taken more shots since playing with Harden. He had 19 attempts on Wednesday and is averaging 22 in the three games he’s played with Harden. For reference, Mitchell is averaging 20.8 field-goal attempts per outing on the season. One of the concerns with adding Harden would be that he could take away some of Mitchell’s shots and keep him from doing what he does best. So far, that hasn’t been the case. He’s only made life easier for Mitchell.
The Cavs have registered a 125.6 offensive rating with both Mitchell and Harden on the floor this season. Cleveland’s offense has been humming in the 54 minutes the duo has spent on the court together. This has led to a +10.9 net rating together.
LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) — A big upset in men's moguls at the Milan Cortina Olympics was decided by a razor-thin margin. Hardly a margin at all, really.
Unheralded Australian freestyle skier Cooper Woods snatched the gold medal away from the sport's most decorated skier, Mikael Kingsbury of Canada, after both scored 83.71 points in Thursday's final. The tiebreaker in moguls is the “turns” score, a mark judges base on how cleanly the skiers moved their way through the bumps.
Turns make up 60% of a moguls score — with the two jumps and a racer's speed counting for 20% each. In this case, turns meant everything. Woods won that element 48.40 to 47.70.
That's how the Olympic gold ended up in the hands of the 25-year-old Woods, who had managed one podium finish in 51 World Cup events, and silver ended up with Kingsbury, who last month became the first moguls skier to amass 100 wins on the sport's top circuit.
This is Kingsbury's third Olympic silver medal, adding to second-place finishes in 2014 and 2022. He broke through for gold in at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games.
Woods wept with joy after as he realized his achievement of beating the moguls GOAT while Aussie fans cheered in the stands, with one holding up an inflatable wallaby.
Ikuma Horishima of Japan repeated as the bronze medalist from four years ago.
The Oklahoma City Thunder (42-13) host the Milwaukee Bucks (22-30) tonight in each team’s final game before the All-Star Break. Each side will take the court minus their biggest star as Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen) remain sidelined for the Bucks and Thunder respectively. Despite these absences, the Thunder have won two straight, including a rout of the Suns, while the Bucks have won four of their last five.
This is the third game in four nights for the Thunder. Last night, OKC blasted the Suns in Phoenix, 136-109. Jalen Williams led the way on offense with 28 points. Isaiah Joe chipped in 21 points off the bench. Milwaukee was in Orlando last night and knocked off the Magic, 116-108. In his second game with the Bucks, Cam Thomas came off the bench and scored 34 in just 25 minutes including four three-pointers.
This is the second of two regular season meetings between these teams. OKC routed the Bucks on January 21, 122-102. SGA led the Thunder with 40 points, 11 assists, and 7 rebounds, while Giannis scored 19 points for the Bucks.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game Details and How to Watch Live: Bucks at Thunder
Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026
Time: 7:30PM EST
Site: Paycom Center
City: Oklahoma City, OK
Network/Streaming: FDSN Oklahoma, Amazon Prime Video
Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest NBA Player News for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Game Odds: Bucks at Thunder
The latest odds as of Thursday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Milwaukee Bucks (+490), Oklahoma City Thunder (-675)
Spread: Thunder -12.5
Total: 215.5 points
This game opened Thunder -13.5 with the Total set at 216.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups: Bucks at Thunder
Milwaukee Bucks
PG Jaden Ivey
SG Anfernee Simon
SF Isaac Okoro
PF Matas Buzelis
C Guerschon Yabusele
Oklahoma City Thunder
PG Cason Wallace
SG Luguentz Dort
SF Jalen Williams
PF Chet Holmgren
C Isaiah Hartenstein
Injury Report: Bucks at Thunder
Milwaukee Bucks
Ryan Rollins (foot) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Taurean Prince (neck) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Oklahoma City Thunder
Shair Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Jalen Williams (hamstring) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Ajay Mitchell (abdomen) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Nikola Topic (cancer) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Important stats, trends and insights: Bucks at Thunder
The Bucks are 10-18 on the road this season
The Thunder are 22-5 at home this season
The Thunder are 27-28 ATS this season / 13-14 ATS at home
The Bucks are 23-29 ATS this season / 12-16 ATS on the road
The OVER has cashed in 21 of the Bucks’ 52 games this season (21-31)
The OVER has cashed in 29 of the Thunder’s 55 games this season (29-26)
The Thunder are 4-5-1 ATS in their last 10 games overall
Last night snapped a 3-game streak in which Chet Holmgren pulled down double-digit rebounds
Isaiah Hartenstein is averaging 7.2 rebounds through 5 games in February
Bobby Portis scored just 4 points in 16 minutes last night
Kyle Kuzma has averaged 3.8 assists through 5 games in February
Rotoworld Best Bet
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SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - DECEMBER 07: Ace Bailey #19 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the first half of a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Delta Center on December 07, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I don't love it, I just don't MIND it. I only mind if you mess with the game once it starts. They're bad, they wanted to be bad, they rested guys, they got killed. I don't enjoy it but I don't find it to be THROWING a game. https://t.co/a5QvFHvcCN
That was the sort of outrage posted to social media after the Jazz…*checks notes*…won their second game in a row over three matches? No, of course not the lineup — or concept of one — the Sacramento Kings threw into the fire in Utah’s 121-93 victory last night in the Delta Center. But there’s still one more test for the Jazz to experiment with their vile ways on, as the divisional rival Portland Trail Blazers are in town. They find themselves in a pickle with a 26-29 record without a head coach, replaced by interim coach Tiago Splitter. Man, just yesterday, he was hitting hook shots over Chris Bosh in the Finals. However, they remain undefeated over the Jazz in the regular season, winning their last two matches against this squad. But because of peer pressure from basketball minds such as Bobby Marks, the Jazz have been forced back to their winning ways; at least three quarters of competitive basketball is what you can expect to receive due to the league’s intervention to make sure the Jazz aren’t disgracefully resting their good players. Despicable. Vile. Unethical. Anyways, the Pacers just played a lineup of two-way players and guys on 10-day contracts.
But with both teams coming off a back-to-back one game before the All-Star break, who knows what atrocities you can expect to see on the injury report? Or maybe there won’t be any casualties at all, considering the Jazz are one of the only teams without a single participant during All-Star Weekend in LA. Sadly, no Ace Bailey in Rising Stars, no Cody Williams in the Dunk Contest, or Lauri Markkanen in the main event, because Brandon Ingram was allowed to replace the injured Steph Curry, for reasons that can only be explained by Adam Silver.
You can expect Keyonte George to be out throughout the break due to his lingering ankle issues. I saw a full quarter of the newly established big three, and that was enough excitement to keep me patient until 2027. But even without him, the Jazz have created a revolution. The finger-pointing shall be no more: since Jackson Jr.’s debut, the Jazz have posted the third-best defensive rating in the NBA at 101.6. In context, they’re the worst-rated defensive team all season, with a 120.9 rating. That’s…wow. I need a moment to sit down. I’m a proud parent watching my kid put the square-shaped object into the square hole. I watched them get taken out by the mighty Hornets, getting 150 points getting dropped on their dome, and now I bear witness to them putting a halt to the unstoppable Kings as they score a measly 93.
Okay, maybe the Magic, Heat, and Kings are not top-tier offensive juggernauts. But neither is Portland: they hold the 22nd-best offense and the 19th-best defensive rating. They’re one of those teams trying to cash in, despite one of the most brutal Western Conference skill gaps in existence. There is the idea that a strong, lengthy lineup they pose will be able to outrebound and outwork you, ranking second in the league in offensive rebound percentage at 34.5%. They score 18.4 second-chance points a game due to these opportunities. I love rooting for underdogs like ourselves, but I don’t believe they can escape unscathed and make a deep playoff run in the West. As a mid-level team, scrapping for the playoffs? You have my support, dear friend.
They struggle to find their identity without newly found superstar Deni Avdija — a driving specialist who draws some of the most fouls in the NBA. He attempts around 9.4 free throws in a game, hitting them at an 80.2% clip. Defenses often have to collapse on him, but how will he fare when facing Jaren Jackson Jr. for two and a half quarters? The Jazz can now proudly limit his rim-finishes, making him more reliant on facilitating and perimeter shooting. His assist numbers might rise, but scoring efficiency drops.
Utah will probably want to tug on the reins a little bit. Under no circumstances would anyone want to gift OKC a free lottery pick. The Jazz could probably still circumvent the media’s thunderstorm of anti-tank extremism; they just have to, y’know, not mess with DraftKing’s—I mean, the NBA’s glorious integrity.
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 6: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball during the game against the Miami Heat on February 6, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Payton Pritchard spent the first 48 games as the Celtics starting point guard.
Pritchard had never been a full-time starter, starting just 17 of 347 career games entering this season. He finally had the opportunity this season until the Celtics traded Anfernee Simons to the Bulls.
The trade left the Celtics without a guard off of the bench who could create a shot for himself or others consistently, so head coach Joe Mazzulla gave the defending Sixth Man of the Year his old job back.
Since that point, Pritchard has been awesome, scoring 20 points in 4 of the 5 games. He has also played over 30 minutes in all of those games and he looks ultra confident in the familiar role. Boston needed a punch in that 2nd unit with Simons gone and Payton is the best option to play that role. He has averaged 21.8 points, 6.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game in the 5 games since moving to the bench.
There could be for a number of reasons Payton has been great. He could be comfort in the role. He has been a reserve his whole career and maybe he was struggling to figure out how to fit in with the starters. Although, that would be strange because he plays with those guys a lot anyways.
It could be more opportunity. When he comes into the game for the first time, one of Derrick White or Jaylen Brown is typically headed to the bench. He enters the game and the Celtics give him the ball to create offense.
He gets the switch onto a bad defender in Norman Powell and goes to work, drilling the step back three.
It wasn’t that he wasn’t doing this stuff as a starter; he was doing it less. He had not been getting to his spots as confidently as he has since the move to the bench. He has also made his threes, making almost 40% of his threes in the last 5 games.
Josh Okogie goes to switch the screen as Amen Thompson sticks on Neemias Queta so he doesn’t get a free roll to the rim. That leaves no one on Pritchard and he makes them pay.
“I can start, I can come off the bench, it don’t matter,” he said after the Celtics win against the Mavericks on February 3rd. “Just what the team needs, being killer in my role. That’s what it takes.”
Pritchard was awesome again in the Celtics dominant win over the Bulls on Wednesday night, scoring 26 points with 8 assists and 5 rebounds off of the bench. He played confident all night and hit shots.
Just get the matchup you like and go to work. He loves that step-back where he takes two steps back to create the space. This short mid-range shot has been money all year for Payton.
Whether it is confidence, opportunity or his shot luck has improved, Payton Pritchard has been great since moving back to the bench. If the Celtics are going to accomplish their goals, they’ll need Pritchard to play like this.
PROVO, UTAH - FEBRUARY 7: AJ Dybantsa #3 of the BYU Cougars controls the ball during the first half of the game between Houston Cougars and BYU Cougars at Marriott Center on February 7, 2026 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Bryan Byerly/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) | ISI Photos via Getty Images
The 2026 NBA Draft lottery was always going to have half the league sitting on pins and needles. This has been considered a stacked draft class for years as top prospects A.J. Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, and Darryn Peterson tore up the high school ranks. The group at the top looks even stronger now with breakouts from Caleb Wilson and Kingston Flemings, and the trade deadline made the stakes of the lottery even higher.
There are 10 teams trying to tank for better lottery odds to end this season. The Utah Jazz are resting their best players in the fourth quarter to try to lose games, the Washington Wizards won’t even play healthy players, and teams like the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks feel like they’re pivoting to a rebuild after years of doing their best to compete. The trade deadline put even more pressure on the lottery. The Los Angeles Clippers can now pick as high as No. 5 overall after trading Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers will be praying their pick lands in the top-4 so they can keep it.
There’s big movement from our previous 2026 NBA mock draft, which featured a deeper dive into the individual prospects. Our last mock was more based off my personal board, but now that I’ve shared my board, let’s change the thought process for this mock and try to guess what NBA teams would actually do in each spot. I did one spin of the lottery order via Tankathon for this mock draft, and the results were shocking. Let’s dive in.
1. Atlanta Hawks (via Pelicans) – A.J. Dybantsa, F, BYU
I have Cameron Boozer at No. 1 and Dybantsa at No. 3 on my big board, but the NBA likely won’t see it the same way. While I have concerns about Dybantsa’s defensive instincts and limited three-point volume, there’s no doubt he’s still a monster scoring prospect with a ridiculous blend of length, strength, explosion, and flexibility. He can put pressure on the rim at will as a driver, and he’s shown awesome touch in close by making 76 percent of his shots at the rim. Dybantsa also already has a polished back-to-the-basket game that should work well in high leverage situations, and he’s a capable floor spacer by hitting 37.2 percent of his threes, mostly on open catch-and-shoots. Dybantsa has some things to clean up like any young player, but he’s going to score like crazy with good efficiency in the NBA for a long time. He’s a cleaner fit next to Jalen Johnson than Boozer, and his body of work this season has been more impressive than Peterson, who has been slowed down by injuries.
2. Milwaukee Bucks – Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas
Milwaukee was the big winner of our lottery simulation, and this is a league-changing outcome. Suddenly, Giannis Antetokounmpo would have a bright future with the Bucks as they land a guard with All-NBA upside in Peterson. The Kansas freshman has underwhelmed expectations as he’s battled a hamstring strain and cramping issues, but he’s been putting up huge scoring numbers (43.5 points per 100 possessions on 62 percent true shooting). We still haven’t seen the best of Peterson yet with the Jayhawks, but his shot-making has already been phenomenal and his rim pressure and defensive playmaking should be a lot better when he’s 100 percent physically.
3. Brooklyn Nets – Cameron Boozer, F, Duke
The Nets really need to land a top-4 pick because they owe swap rights to the Houston Rockets in 2027. Boozer is the best prospect in this class in my eyes for his offensive versatility and long track record of impacting winning. Boozer is an awesome shooter, driver, and playmaker for his size at 6’9, 250 pounds. He’s not the most explosive or fluid athlete, but he makes up for it with strength, outstanding feel for the game, and a constantly increasing skill level. He’s been the most productive of the ‘big three’ prospects this year while also being the youngest, turning 19 years old shortly after draft day. It’s easy to take Boozer’s greatness for granted because he’s been so steady for so long, but he’s going to be a franchise cornerstone for whatever team selects him, regardless of draft slot.
4. Chicago Bulls – Caleb Wilson, F, North Carolina
The Bulls were the other big winner of our lottery simulation, moving up from the No. 10 slot to cash in on a 13.9 percent chance to land a top-4 pick. This is a great draft to land the No. 4 pick in with two of Wilson, Boozer, and Houston point guard Kingston Flemings likely available. Wilson could push Dybantsa out of the No. 3 spot on my personal board soon with his non-stop motor and two-way upside as a 6’10 forward. The Tar Heels freshman is a buzzsaw defender who can pick up 94-feet, provide secondary-rim protection, and get into the passing lanes. He doesn’t have a reliable three-point stroke yet, but he’s still an impactful offensive player by dunking everything as a finisher, gaining extra possessions on the glass, hitting tough mid-range shots, and adding value as a passer. Wilson feels more like a star role player than a traditional star, but he’d be a fantastic addition to Chicago’s rebuild and would finally give the fanbase some real hope.
It’s going to be particularly important to finish with the worst overall record for the tanking teams this year because it means you’re guaranteed a top-5 pick. While it’s a bummer for Sacramento to fall this far, at least they still land an awesome point guard prospect in Flemings who can replace a lot of what they lost by trading De’Aaron Fox. Flemings has a wicked combination of burst, change-of-direction, and the ability to stomp on the brakes as a driver. He’s a really good playmaker and mid-range shooter, and he should increase his free throw rate and three-point volume in time. He’s the rare lead guard prospect who should be a plus defensively. Getting a prospect of Flemings’ caliber at the No. 5 pick is one reason why this is such a strong draft.
6. Los Angeles Clippers (via Pacers) – Mikel Brown Jr., G, Louisville
Mikel Brown Jr.'s historic night as heard on the Louisville Sports Radio Network.
His 45 points and 10 3s against NC State tie two single-game program records. Brown also broke the ACC single-game freshman scoring record.
The Pacers fell out of the top-4 in this lottery simulation, and that means their pick goes to the Clippers for the Ivica Zubac trade at the deadline. I tweeted that Brown was due for some positive regression to the mean as a shooter a couple weeks ago, and then he went out and made 10-of-16 threes in a win over NC State earlier this week. His combination of pull-up shooting, better-than-expected rim attacking, and solid playmaking with good positional size at 6’5 separates him from the other prospects in this range in my eyes, and if he stays on fire to end the year, maybe he can push Flemings for the No. 5 spot on my board. Yes, the Clippers just acquired a really good 26-year-old point guard in Darius Garland, but they can’t afford to draft for fit with a pick this high. Brown looks like the best prospect on the board by a sizable margin.
7. Washington Wizards – Keaton Wagler, G, Illinois
Wagler has been the biggest riser of the draft class, going from the No. 150 overall recruit to a possible top-10 pick. His off-the-dribble shooting is the most enticing part of the package, but he’s also shown an impressive ability to create off the bounce without an assist. Wagler has not dunked the ball this season, and is pretty clearly limited in terms of his athletic explosion, and it impacts him on the defensive end, too. At the same time, if he keeps shooting and scoring like this, it will be hard for the league to pass on him in the top-10. I’m fascinated to see if he can maintain his momentum through the end of the season for a stacked Illinois team talented enough to make a Final Four run.
8. Utah Jazz – Nate Ament, F, Tennessee
Ament is killing it lately after a slow start, averaging 25.4 points and seven rebounds over his last five games on 50 percent shooting from three and 45.2 percent shooting on twos. I’m still worried that he settles too much, and struggles to get to and finish at the rim. Adding more strength and refining his dribble, pass, and shoot skill set should improve that over time. The tools that made him a top-5 recruit entering the year are still there as a 6’10 wing, and I’d bet on it being too tempting to pass up for teams in this range.
9. Dallas Mavericks – Hannes Steinbach, F/C, Washington
Steinbach is an elite rebounder with a specialty on the offensive glass, he’s an efficient scorer, and he catches everything thrown at him. It feels like Steinbach has a wide range, but the added increase on hitting the offensive glass around the league should ultimately benefit him. He would be a nice lob target for Cooper Flagg as the rookie star continues to improve his pick-and-roll playmaking, and he’d also help get Flagg extra possessions with tip-outs and putbacks on the glass. His three-point shot is a work in progress and opinions on his defense are all over the map, but Steinbach has some special gifts as he continues to develop in other areas.
It sure seems like Quaintance returned too early from his torn ACL suffered late last season at Arizona State. He didn’t look like the same player in his four games back before shutting it down, and that makes him in the top-10 a super risky bet. Still, I’ve been high on Quaintance’s future dating back to his high school days, and I don’t want to hold these four games against him after such a serious injury. When he was at Arizona State as a 17-year-old last year, Quaintance looked like an elite defensive big man prospect. The Grizzlies seem like the type of franchise that might take a chance on him despite already having Zach Edey entrenched at center.
11. Charlotte Hornets – Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Michigan
Lendeborg will be 24 years old when his rookie year starts, but he should still have appeal in the lottery with both the tools and skill set to be a modern NBA forward. At 6’9, 235 pounds with a 7’4 wingspan, Lendeborg has shown he can defend all over the floor, crush the glass, and stroke three-pointers during his winding college career. His development track has been unusual because he didn’t start playing organized basketball until he was 15 years old, so his age shouldn’t be held against him too much. He feels like the perfect frontcourt connector to finish off Charlotte’s young core.
12. San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks) – Patrick Ngongba, C, Duke
I usually give the Spurs a shooter in this spot, and in the comments their fans always start complaining when they see “guard” next to their name. Fine! San Antonio gets one of my favorite prospects in Patrick Ngongba in this version, a 6’11 big man with immaculate finishing touch, slick passing ability, and proven paint protection instincts. Ngongba would have more appeal if he was a dominant rebounder, but I still think he’s worth a lottery pick.
After a slow start, Burries has been looking like the five-star combo guard Arizona was promised on the recruiting trail, averaging 21.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and three assists on 64.3 eFG% over his last five games. Burries is really old for a freshman (he’ll be 21 in Sept.), but his ability to act as a secondary handler with three-level scoring ability will be intriguing after the top-10. He’s one of the biggest risers in this class since the start of the season, and he makes sense for an OKC team that could still use more long-term shooting and scoring punch.
Portland is No. 29 in three-point percentage this season, and Mullins can immediately help out in that area. The 6’6 UConn freshman might be the best off-ball shooter in the class with a quick and pure stroke from deep, and a decent enough combination of frame and athleticism to have some impact in other areas. I wish he could do more off the bounce, but at this point it feels like we haven’t seen the best version of him yet after an early season ankle injury and then a concussion. There’s still time with March Madness approaching.
15. Miami Heat – Koa Peat, F, Arizona
Peat can’t shoot from the outside at all, but he’s immediately been a winning role player on an elite veteran team from the moment he stepped on campus. His powerful frame, playmaking, and play-finishing is an enticing combo if his shot can develop enough to not completely kill a team’s spacing.
16. Golden State Warriors – Cameron Carr, G, Baylor
Carr’s 7’2 wingspan and 41 percent three-point stroke will earn him plenty of fans in NBA front offices. He’s painfully skinny right now and I’m not sold on his ability to attack off the dribble or his defense, but his production has been outstanding, and it’s very hard to find wing shooters with this type of length.
17. Memphis Grizzlies – Bennett Stirtz, G, Iowa
Stirtz is a pick-and-roll master who plays at his own pace. He can shoot it off the dribble, score with crafty finishes around the rim, and throw every pass in the halfcourt based on the coverage he’s seeing. His defense will be picked apart in the predraft process, but he checks a lot of boxes for a lead guard. He feels like a Grizzlies type of prospect to me.
18. Oklahoma City Thunder – Chris Cenac Jr., C/F, Houston
Cenac is a potential stretch five as a 6’10 big man with a 7’4 wingspan with soft touch from deep. He slides his feet well defensively on the perimeter, but still needs to work on his instincts and feel for the game on both ends of the floor. He’s been coming on strong in conference play, and the fact that he committed to play for a notoriously hard-charging coach in Kelvin Sampson seems like a good signal about his makeup to me.
19. Charlotte Hornets (via Suns) – Darius Acuff, G, Arkansas
Acuff has been one of the most productive guards in college basketball this year as he’s continued to put up huge numbers against top competition. I’m a bit worried about his defensive projection and shot selection, but his production this year would be hard to ignore if he slips this far. Would the Hornets still take another guard after trading for Coby White (an impending free agent, to be fair) at the deadline? I think so, given White’s ability to play off the ball.
20. Toronto Raptors – Aday Mara, C, Michigan
The Raptors desperately need a center of the future with Jakob Poeltl being slowed down by a back injury. Mara is a good bet in this range as a 7’3 center who can contest shots in drop coverage and throw some amazing outlet passes to kickstart the break.
21. Detroit Pistons (via Wolves) – Tyler Tanner, G, Vanderbilt
The Pistons got this pick with a sneaky-good trade deadline deal that earned them swap rights with the Wolves. Detroit could go in a lot of different directions here, but I like the idea of adding a lightning-quick point guard in Tanner who has been one of the country’s best players in his sophomore season. Tanner is extremely small (he’s generously listed at 6-foot, 175 pounds by Vandy), but he’s super athletic, much improved as a shooter, and plays way more physical than someone his size should. The Pistons have the defensive personnel to help insulate him, and he could do a lot to help unclog their offense.
22. Los Angeles Lakers – Morez Johnson, F, Michigan
Johnson can protect the paint defensively, score efficiently inside, and is just starting to flesh out his three-point stroke. He would add some much needed physicality to the Lakers front court, and he has the length and strength to make up for being a tad short at 6’9.
23. Atlanta Hawks (via Cavs) – Thomas Haugh, F, Florida
Haugh should be a winning role player in the league with his combination of defense, floor spacing, and above-the-rim finishing. Don’t want to take my word for it? Here’s what Dan Hurley said:
Dan Hurley on Thomas Haugh: "He's one of my favorite players in recent memory…. That guy’s like a first-team All-American. He should be a lottery pick. He’s tremendous" pic.twitter.com/9WTHgSKnWO
Swain is one of the top sleepers in this class. The Texas junior has a great frame and impressive athleticism for a wing, and he should be able to defend and rebound in the league from day one. He’s shown way more comfort attacking off the dribble this year, and his three-point shot gets a tad better every season even if it remains a weakness. He’s going to be a steal for whoever drafts him, and he’d be a great fit in Denver.
25. New York Knicks – Labaron Philon, G, Alabama
There’s so many good guards in this draft class that a couple of them with a chance to go in the lottery are bound to fall a little further than they should. I love Philon’s drive-and-kick ability, deadly floater, and improved outside shooting, but he’s just really small for an NBA guard without Tanner’s defensive production. He would love playing like OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges behind him … if those guys are still on the Knicks next season.
26. Philadelphia 76ers – Karim Lopez, F, New Zealand Breakers
The Sixers acquired this pick from the Pelicans in the Jared McCain trade, which mostly felt like a cost-cutting move for Philly, so they better make this selection count. Philly has been searching for a modern four for years, and it feels like Lopez fits the bill. He has a great frame as a strong 6’9 forward who can attack downhill, finish at the rim, and get to the foul line. He may go 10 spots higher than this.
27. Boston Celtics – Tounde Yessoufou, G, Baylor
Yessoufou was a five-star freshman who projects as a point-of-attack defender at the next level. His offense hasn’t always been pretty during his freshman year, but he’s coming on strong lately. It feels like he has to be a really good shooter to make it work in the NBA given his lack of handling and playmaking. I’m not sold on the shot yet, but he could get an acceptable level eventually given his defensive abilities.
28. Cleveland Cavaliers – Joshua Jefferson, F, Iowa State
Jefferson is one of the best players in college basketball, and he’s shown he has role player potential even as a star during his senior season at Iowa State. He has a good frame for an NBA forward, and his passing, rebounding, and defense should all play at the next level.
Arenas is getting a late start to his freshman season after being involved in a terrifying car accident, but he’s really starting to play well as he gets his feet wet as a freshman at USC. The son of Gilbert Arenas just seems to get anywhere he wants off the dribble with impressive size and shot-making for a guard. He could be a lottery pick in 2027 if he returns to school and shines for a full season, but there’s still a chance he comes out this year.
30. Dallas Mavericks – Meleek Thomas, G, Arkansas
Thomas is a walking bucket with speed, shiftiness, and impressive shooting off the dribble or on spot-ups. He feels primed to be a really good bench scorer for a long time, and that’s a great value with the last pick in the first round, which the Mavericks acquired from the Wizards in the Anthony Davis trade.
Kansas State basketball fans wore brown paper bags over their heads at Wednesday's game versus Cincinnati, though it may have been the players who wanted to hide after coach Jerome Tang's postgame tirade.
Tang ripped his team following the Wildcats' 91-62 home loss to Cincinnati — a third straight home loss by 24 or more points and fifth straight loss overall.
"This was embarrassing," Tang said. "These dudes do not deserve to wear this uniform, and there will be very few of them in it next year. I'm embarrassed for the university, I'm embarrassed for our fans, and our student section. It's just ridiculous.
"We have practice at 6 a.m. tomorrow. I have no answers or no words. Y'all got two questions, so whoever wants to ask two questions, I'll answer 'em to the best of my ability right now. But right now, I'm pissed."
The Wildcats (10-14, 1-10 Big 12) allowed 16 Cincinnati 3-pointers, second-most ever by a K-State opponent. The team's lack of effort was highlighted by a failed block out on a missed free throw allowing a Bearcats player get the rebound and dunk.
About 20 Kansas State students wore paper bags over their heads with messages pleading for someone to pay Tang's $18.6 million buyout. Fans booed the Wildcats during a first-half timeout when they were down by 22 at the under-eight timeout.
"These dudes have to have some pride, man," Tang said. "It means something to wear a K-State uniform. It means something to put on this purple, man. Our university's all about that, and it's why I love this place, man. They don't love this place, so they don't deserve to be here."
The next question was about the paper bags and the booing.
"I'd wear a paper bag, too, if I was them," Tang said as he got up and walked away.
On Tuesday night in Los Angeles, Victor Wembanyama had a 40-point game against a depleted Lakers.
25 of those points came in the first quarter giving Wemby the third highest scoring quarter in Spurs history behind George Gervin (33 points in 1978) and David Robinson (28 in 1994).
Highest scoring quarters in Spurs history:
1. George Gervin – 33 in 2nd (4/9/78) 2. David Robinson – 28 in 4th (4/24/94) 3. Victor Wembanyama – 25 in 1st tonight
37 of Wemby’s 40 came in the first half. He wrapped up the 40 with a single three-pointer in the 3rd quarter. Overall he closed out his night in 26 minutes and 6 seconds.
Per @stathead, since 1976-77, only Sleepy Floyd and Patrick Ewing have scored at least 40 points in less than 27 minutes. Victor Wembanyama did it tonight in 26:06.
This was Victor’s sixth 40-point game, pushing him past Tim Duncan. Let that resonate for a minute. Wemby has more 40-point games in just over 150 games than Big Fundamental had over his 19 year career.
Victor Wembanyama now has more 40-point games than Tim Duncan.
Most 40+ point games in Spurs history:
1. George Gervin – 67 2. David Robinson – 22 3. Mike Mitchell – 10 4. Victor Wembanyama – 6 4. Manu Ginobili – 6 6. Tim Duncan – 5 6. LaMarcus Aldridge – 5
The sky is the limit with Victor Wembnyama. And with a supporting cast consisting of the reigning Western Conference Player of the Week Stephon Castle (see 40-point triple-double) as well as NBA 6th Man hopeful Keldon Johnson, and the inaugural NBA Clutch Player of the Year De’Aaron Fox, the Spurs are having quite a season.
Brian Windhorst said it best, “We don’t put ceilings on Victor Wembanyama. If you say to me ‘Can Victor Wembanyama do X?’ my answer almost always is going to be ‘yes.’”
Go Wemby Go!
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