Harden suffered a broken right thumb during the team's win over the New York Knicks on Tuesday. The injury was not discovered until after the game.
Harden, famously a left-handed shooter, could theoretically play through the injury. In fact, per ESPN's Shams Charania, Harden intends to do just that. However, that might be out of his control for now. Here's what to know about James Harden's latest injury.
Will James Harden play tonight?
Harden is currently listed as questionable for Wednesday night's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. His status for future games is still up in the air, although, as stated earlier, Harden intends to play through it.
Feb 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Boston Celtics guard Ron Harper Jr. (13) celebrates a three point shot against the Phoenix Suns in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
On the front-half of a back-to-back, the Boston Celtics faced off against a short-handed Phoenix Suns team, securing a commanding 97-81 victory. The Celtics weren’t at full-strength themselves, though, Jaylen Brown missing the game with a knee contusion. It was a night where the offense was dragging, but the defense picked up all the slack.
This was Boston’s 7th time holding their opponent under 100 points in their last 12 games. It was also the second lowest point total that the Celtics allowed in a game this season, the lowest being a win over Milwaukee in a game which the Bucks only scored 79 points.
Everyone in Boston has been stepping up their intensity as of late, and the man who stepped up into JB’s spot in the starting lineup against Phoenix was a huge part of that. That man was Ron Harper Jr., who, as of now, is still on a two-way contract. This was only Ron’s 24th game of his four-year career, and just his second start, both coming this year.
He certainly stepped up to the moment, bringing every bit of intensity the Celtics needed against a gritty team like Phoenix right from the tip. In the first quarter alone, Ron picked up four rebounds, all on the offensive glass. All of them were contested, too, but he simply outworked everyone else to wrangle in every loose ball.
Ron Harper Jr had 4 offensive rebounds in that 1st quarter. His length in comparison to other guys at his position is a huge plus. When you couple that with activity you get this production pic.twitter.com/yqXIFiXXnD
Not only that, but he did an excellent job of “guarding his yard,” holding his matchups to just 3-12 shooting for the game. He also picked up a steal, and an emphatic chase-down block in what might have been the highlight of the night.
Jamaree Bouyea was running a 1-on-1 fastbreak for Phoenix, Baylor Scheierman the lone defender in front of the play. Baylor did an excellent job staying upright and not fouling to slow Bouyea down as he went up for a layup, and that gave Ron just enough time to catch up to the play and spike the shot against the backboard, igniting a fastbreak for Boston which resulted in a Hugo Gonzalez layup on the other end, and a Baylor-Ron dap up mid-play.
Ron finished the night with 8 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block. After the game, Coach Mazzulla was asked about what allowed him to trust Ron in these moments: ““He cares about the details. Obviously, the offensive stuff — he can make shots, he can think, he can play. But defensively, just competing, understanding the details, executing the game plan, taking pride in defense… He just loves basketball… Just another guy who — We can count on him… And he’s earning that.”
Sam Hauser shared some similar praise for Harper, saying “he makes the most of it, that’s for sure. He fits right in like nothing… And he’s a great player. He’s a great defender, and he helps us in a lot of different ways.”
Harper is still working towards a standard contract, which almost feels inevitable given his play as of late, along with the Celtics financial situation for this season. If he were to get a standard deal, he would come relatively cheap and help Boston stay under the Luxury Tax while bringing in a high-impact player. The Celtics won’t be making a standard signing for some time, though, as they try to wait as long as possible to make it a pro-rated deal that keeps some money off the books.
With Ron’s two-way status, he remains eligible to appear in all 23 of Boston’s remaining games this season, though he won’t be eligible for the playoffs unless he gets a standard deal. He’s been bringing excellent vibes both on and off the court, and would be a worthy addition to the roster, even if he doesn’t see much playing time.
Jayson Tatum’s return to the court is getting closer.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Celtics star has progressed to full 5-on-5 scrimmage work in recent practices, marking a significant step in his recovery from a torn Achilles. Boston has held multiple workouts during its recent road swing, with Tatum steadily increasing his on-court activity in controlled settings.
“Right now, it’s about him continuing to put in the time, continuing to get his conditioning up, and that comes through a number of practices and scrimmages,” Charania said. “There are two elements right now at play. One is increasing the strength in both of his calves off of that Achilles tendon injury, and the big hurdle of all this is getting 100 percent there on the mental side — getting the confidence in his leg fully when he’s back.”
The shift to live action, even in practice, is one of the final hurdles in the rehab process. Conditioning, lateral movement and game-speed reps are difficult to simulate without full competition. Now, Tatum is getting those reps.
The Celtics have consistently emphasized that Tatum will dictate the pace of his return. There is still no official timetable, and neither the team nor Tatum has attached a target date to his debut. As Charania described it, the Celtics are allowing Tatum to control the timeline.
40 weeks🙏🏽 I’ve really grown to appreciate this journey I’ve been on and allow time for me to pat myself on the back for showing up everyday!
“The common theme that I’ve gotten around Jayson Tatum is he will be back on the floor when ‘JT feels like JT,’” Charania said. “The Celtics have continued to let him lead that process. He’s in the driver’s seat. They will take Jayson Tatum’s lead as far as when he feels like he’s ready and cleared.”
Boston has managed well in his absence, winning nine of its last 10 games and climbing near the top of the Eastern Conference standings. The team has leaned heavily on its defense, rebounding, and depth development, with young wings and role players stepping into larger responsibilities.
Still, Tatum’s eventual return changes the equation. Selected to the All-NBA 1st Team each of the last four seasons, his scoring gravity, late-game shot creation and two-way versatility remain central to Boston’s ceiling.
For now, it’s a milestone. Full 5-on-5 participation is progress. The next phase will be sustaining that workload, building stamina and clearing the final medical and performance benchmarks.
There is no date circled publicly on the calendar. But we now know the Celtics are one step closer to getting their franchise cornerstone back on the floor.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 24: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after scoring against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first quarter of an NBA game at Smoothie King Center on February 24, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors will not have Draymond Green available to play in Wednesday night’s matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies. While Green had been listed as questionable earlier in the day, the team later announced that the four-time All-Star was downgraded. So, the Dubs will face the Grizzlies without Green, Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, De’Anthony Melton, Kristaps Porzingis, or Seth Curry available for head coach Steve Kerr. Green has appeared in 48 games this season and is averaging 8.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.1 assists on 41.0%/32.0%/70.7% shooting.
The Dubs should still have a fighting chance for victory despite the absences since they are facing a tanking Grizzlies squad that is arguably missing just as sizable a portion of its rotation. The Grizzlies injury report listed Ja Morant, Zach Edey, Santi Aldama, Cedric Coward, Brandon Clarke, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as out. Grizzlies forward Kyle Anderson is also listed as questionable.
Despite Green’s pedigree, the Warriors have often looked far more fluid offensively with him on the sidelines this season. Green’s already limited offensive game has been even more diminished in his mid-30s and has empowered opposing defenses to focus attention elsewhere. With Draymond out, the Warriors will primarily rely on Al Horford and Quinten Post at the center position, two legitimate three-point shooting threats.
On 2/24, inside the serene halls of Hoag Hospital, Vanessa Bryant stood in a place that once echoed with the first cries of her four daughters and unveiled something that now carries a different kind of sound — legacy.
The “Kobe & Vanessa Bryant Family Court” isn’t a basketball court dressed in purple and gold. It’s a welcome and departure space inside the Sue & Bill Gross Women’s Pavilion, where mothers cradle newborns and fathers hold the future in trembling hands.
Vanessa Bryant stood in a place that once echoed with the first cries of her four daughters. X/kobehighlightIt honors Kobe’s No. 24 and Gianna’s No. 2 — numbers stitched into basketball history. Getty Images
It honors Kobe’s No. 24 and Gianna’s No. 2 — numbers stitched into basketball history and now etched into something more intimate: community care.
On 2/24, Vanessa Bryant unveiled the new Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Court at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, a date that honors both Kobe’s No. 24 and Gianna’s No. 2.
"Today on 2/24, we unveiled the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family court at Hoag Hospital in Newport… pic.twitter.com/1I6JGszZe7
Vanessa, steady and resolute, reminded everyone that Hoag will always hold a sacred place in her heart. This is where her daughters were born. Where nurses became extended family. Where life, not legend, took center stage.
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There are critics who say public memorials risk becoming monuments to nostalgia. They miss the point. This isn’t nostalgia. It’s infrastructure for hope.
Families will pass through that court for decades, unaware of the full weight of the numbers 2 and 24. That’s the beauty of it.
Legacy doesn’t always need applause. Sometimes it just needs a doorway — and the courage to keep walking forward.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 24: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 24, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Justin Casterline/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This is always good news to hear, but especially so after some recent reporting.
The Sixers released their injury report for their upcoming contest against the Miami Heat and it is relatively clean. Most notably Joel Embiid is listed as probable with right knee injury management and shin soreness after returning earlier this week against the Indiana Pacers.
The Sixers have an injury report for tomorrow's game vs. Miami:
Joel Embiid – right knee injury management; right shin soreness — PROBABLE
After that return in Indy, a game in which Embiid dropped 27 points, he told the Inquirer’s Gina Mizell that he experienced what was basically a stress reaction in his right leg during his recovery process over the All-Star break. The full article from a reporter is well worth a read, but Embiid likened the feeling to an electric shock and said he had trouble walking.
Of course the team only specified “shin soreness” on every injury report, but that report being less than 100% accurate is just another Wednesday for these guys.
Having Embiid good to go will be crucial for this Eastern Conference bout at home. The Sixers are currently just 1.5 games up on the Miami Heat for that sixth and final playoff spot that avoids the Play-In tournament. Miami of course isn’t the only team they’re trying to fend off — the Sixers only a half game up on the Orlando Magic as well.
Miami’s injury report is littered with banged up rotation players, but most of them are listed as available. Tyler Herro, Norman Powell and Andrew Wiggins will all play despite being listed with various ailments and Davion Mitchell is questionable with a head injury and an illness.
Marques Johnson is a hoops legend. He is a Crenshaw High School icon who helped lead the UCLA Bruins to a national championship at the end of the John Wooden era (and was the first winner of The Wooden Award), was a No. 3 pick of the Milwaukee Bucks in 1977 and went on to play 11 years in the NBA, was a five-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA player who averaged 20.1 points and 7 rebounds a game for his career.
Johnson has been dunking on his birthday for 15 years, ever since, as a joke, he jumped over two Matchbox cars in a joking play off Blake Griffin's over-a-car dunk at the 2011 All-Star Game.
At 70, the long-time Bucks color analyst can still throw it down.
Remember the 1998 movie “Sliding Doors“? It represents how minor, coincidental or inconsequential actions can lead to major, life-changing consequences. The “what if …” or parallel universe phenomenon.
Well, there are sliding door moments in sports history, too, and today’s is that Michael Jordan, not Kobe Bryant, could have been the original “Black Mamba.”
According to Baxter Holmes of ESPN, back in 2003, inside a sleek conference room at Nike headquarters, executives studied a braided, black industrial sleeve called Tech Flex. It looked like a snake. It felt like a snake. Someone typed “most badass black snake” into a search bar and found their answer: the black mamba. Lightning fast. Deadly. Precise. The perfect metaphor for Jordan as he prepared to launch the Air Jordan 19 sneaker.
The Washington Wizards Michael Jordan (L) of the East Squad of the NBA All-Stars brings the ball upcourt against Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half of the 52nd annual NBA All-Star game. REUTERS
There was just one problem that nobody knew about.
Jordan was afraid of snakes.
Not mildly uncomfortable. Not uneasy. Terrified. The kind of phobia that makes a competitor who never blinked in the Finals suddenly shift in his chair during a marketing pitch. He allowed one print ad — a black mamba coiled around the $165 sneaker in ESPN The Magazine — and then he shut it down. Reconcept. Move on. Kill it before it kills the brand.
In the March 13, 2004, issue of ESPN The Magazine, a two-page spread featured the full ad — the Air Jordan 19, wrapped by a black mamba snake.
And so the “Black Mamba” slithered into the archives of history, but only briefly before it was reborn.
A year later, fate intervened in the dark glow of a television screen. “Kill Bill Vol. 2” flickered across the room as Bryant watched Darryl Hannah’s assassin introduce a venomous serpent as “Death Incarnate.”
Bryant, drowning in scandal, scrutiny and a Colorado courtroom, needed armor. He needed separation from the noise. He created the Black Mamba — not as a sneaker pitch but as a survival mechanism.
Nike insiders insist Bryant never knew the moniker was once floated for Jordan. Different silos. Different eras. A coincidence so bizarre it feels scripted.
But imagine if Jordan had embraced it.
Imagine “Mamba Day” belonging to No. 23. Imagine sneakers textured in snakeskin before Bryant ever held one for that iconic SLAM cover.
The first image of Bryant with the black mamba snake appeared on the cover of SLAM Magazine in the summer of 2006.
Imagine “Mamba Mentality” attached to the man already nicknamed “Air Jordan.”
It wouldn’t have worked.
Jordan was a predator, yes — but he was myth built on flight, not venom. He soared. Jordan’s other nickname, “His Airness,” was apropos.
Kobe Bryant was different. Yes, he studied Jordan on VHS tapes as a kid. Yes, he also could jump high and dunk with the best of them — just ask Dwight Howard. But when Kobe was in kill mode, he struck. Just like a deadly snake.
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Miami Heat legend and basketball Hall of Famer Chris Bosh didn't go into specifics but said he received a medical scare, to the point where he woke up covered in his own blood, in a recent social media post.
Bosh, an 11-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion, posted a video of himself to Instagram where he was sitting inside of his car, explaining his recent episode in vague detail because he could not recall what happened.
"It was crazy. It was fast. It was instant. There was no warning. I didn’t have any time to prepare for it,” Bosh said during an Instagram post.
"I was getting ready to go on a date with my wife and the next thing you know, I was, I was on the ground," Bosh said. "I won’t get into specifics, but you can kind of see I’m still recovering. I’m not gonna try to hide that one in case I look different.”
PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 24: The sneakers worn by Ron Harper Jr. #13 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Phoenix Suns on February 24, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Nov 17, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) looks to pass beside Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) in the first quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard-Imagn Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers are in a packed portion of their schedule, playing their fifth game in seven nights on the road against the Milwaukee Bucks. There’s a good chance we see them strategically rest a few players tonight. Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell have already been ruled out (Mobley with the calf, Mitchell with a groin strain).
James Harden is also listed as questionable after suffering a fracture in his right thumb last night versus the New York Knicks. It’s impossible to know with this stuff — but it appears Harden’s injury was a best-case scenario and he shouldn’t miss much time. Of course, take that with a grain of salt.
Cleveland is getting a slight relief in their opponent tonight. After facing the Knicks yesterday and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, the Milwaukee Bucks should seem easier. That’s partly why the Cavs are resting a few of their key players. They might not even need them tonight.
With that said, it’s important to never overlook an opponent. The Bucks may be without Giannis Antetokounmpo, but they still have NBA players on their roster who can burn you.
Former Cavalier Kevin Porter Jr. is playing quality basketball recently, scoring 32 points in his last game against the Miami Heat. Bobby Portis is a bucket, as well. He’ll be someone to watch for in this matchup.
Cavs injury report: Evan Mobley – OUT (calf), Donovan Mitchell – OUT (groin), James Harden – QUESTIONABLE (hand), Max Strus – OUT (foot), Tristan Enaruma – OUT (G League), Riley Minix – OUT (G League), Darius Brown – OUT (G League)
Bucks injury report: Giannis Antetounmpo – OUT (calf), Taurean Prince – OUT (neck), Alex Antetokunmpo – OUT (G League)
Cavs expectedstarting lineup: Dennis Schroder, Sam Merrill, Dean Wade, Jaylon Tyson Jarrett Allen
Bucks expected starting lineup: Kevin Porter Jr, Ryan Rollins, AJ Green, Kyle Kuzma, Myles Turner
Nov 30, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) gets out of the way as center Evan Mobley (4) grabs a rebound during the first half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images | David Dermer-Imagn Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers had one of their best wins of the season as they held the New York Knicks to under 100 points on Tuesday. Many of the players who contributed to that win won’t be available for their game the following evening against the Milwaukee Bucks.
In total, Cleveland will be without at least two starters from yesterday’s win and could be down three. Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley will both be held out of Wednesday’s game.
Mitchell is listed as being out with a right groin strain. Mobley is out due to maintenance from the left calf injury that kept him out for several weeks starting at the end of January.
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can buy the Let ‘Em Know shirt HERE. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE.
The Cavs might also be without the services of James Harden. The team announced that he suffered a broken right thumb during the win over the Knicks, but might not miss any time. He’s officially listed as questionable for the game.
Additionally, the Cavs will also be without Max Strus (foot), who’s yet to play this season. Their three two-way players — Darius Brown, Tristan Enaruna, and Riley Minix — are also unavailable.
If Harden isn’t able to go, the Cavs could be left with a projected starting lineup of Dennis Schroder, Sam Merrill, Jaylon Tyson, Dean Wade, and Jarrett Allen.
The Bucks will still be without the services of Giannis Antetokounmpo who will be missing this game with a calf strain. Taurean Prince (neck surgery) and Alex Antetokounmpo (G League) will also be held out of this game.
PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 11: Khaman Maluach #10 of the Phoenix Suns looks to pass the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 11, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The injury bug that has chewed through the Phoenix Suns can wear you down if you let it. This team has been a pleasant surprise, but then February showed up swinging. The team entered the month 30-19, but following their loss to the Celtics on Tuesday, they are now 3-7 in the month.
You glance at the calendar and realize March is staring back at you. Which means we have lived through nearly a full month, All-Star break and all, of some truly ugly basketball. But of course, context matters. Guys are playing roles they were never meant to live in, carrying usage they were not built for, and trying to hold things together with duct tape and effort. Still, averaging 79 points over the last two games is not exactly a comfort blanket.
You need some warm n’ fuzzies? Okay. I got you.
As I’ve stated plenty of times recently, injuries create opportunity, and that door is finally open. The rookies are getting real minutes and actual run. It’s not the end-of-bench cardio that shows up in a blowout. They are on the floor when the game still has a pulse. The results have not been perfect, but they have been encouraging. There is something there. Enough to squint, nod, and believe that this stretch, as messy as it feels, might actually be giving the Suns information that matters.
One thing worth celebrating in the middle of all this chaos is that Mark Williams has stayed healthy. In a season where the injury bug has been relentless, Williams has logged more games than he ever has in an NBA season. It deserves recognition. It also deserves context. He is in unfamiliar territory, pushing deeper into a season than his body is used to, and that kind of fatigue shows up in new ways. Some nights, you can see it. The legs look heavy. The tank feels closer to empty.
Okay, that might not be warm. Nor fuzzy. But…
That combination, injuries around him, and a visibly tired Mark Williams, has cracked the door open for Khaman Maluach. The Suns’ tenth overall pick in the 2025 draft, and potentially the last lottery swing they get for a long time, has stepped into real minutes. And honestly, I have liked what I have seen. The moment has not swallowed him. There is poise there. There is purpose. In the middle of a month that has felt like survival basketball, Maluach has quietly given the Suns something to lean into and something to watch closely as this season keeps unfolding.
There has been a steady hum of concern around him all season, mostly because the minutes have been sparse. Before the All-Star break, he appeared in 23 of the Suns’ 55 games and averaged 4.6 minutes a night. When you stack his raw numbers next to the top 10 picks from his rookie class, he trails them across the board. He has logged 137 total minutes. The next lowest among that group is Dylan Harper, the second overall pick in San Antonio, sitting at 1,000 minutes. On paper, it looks alarming.
That lack of playing time has nothing to do with a lack of talent. Anyone tossing around the word “bust” at this stage, especially with a 19-year-old big man, needs to slow their role and stop being a jabroni. Big men take time. They always have. The game asks more of them mentally and physically. And in Khaman’s case, he is still early in his basketball life, having picked up the sport only a few years ago.
The Suns have been deliberate with him. Purposeful. They have given him opportunities without rushing the process, choosing development over exposure. He has been grinding in practices, bouncing to the G League, learning the system, and adjusting to the speed of the NBA game. That patience deserves credit, and it is beginning to show.
In a stretch of the season short on bright spots, Maluach has quietly become one. The minutes are still modest, but the impact is there, and when he is on the floor, he looks like he belongs.
Since February 11, Khaman has appeared in four games and logged 42 total minutes. In that small window, he has put up 22 points and 21 rebounds, shooting 61.5% from the field and 40% from deep on 2-of-5. It is an extremely small sample, but the per 36 numbers jump off the page. 18.8 points. 18 rebounds. Warm! Fuzzy!
It is a reminder that development is never a straight line. There are peaks, valleys, and everything in between, and all of it shapes how a player is perceived. Maluach has had rough nights in the G League, especially against the Rip City Remix and fellow first-rounder Yang Hansen, where he got moved off his spots, turned it over, and raised eyebrows. That happened. He absorbed it. He kept working.
Now, with the door opening after the Nick Richards trade to Chicago, he is landing exactly where you want him. Earning minutes. Feeling resistance. Responding to it.
The Suns have lived through the other version too many times. Lottery picks handed roles before they were ready, development rushed, confidence crushed, careers shortened. This path feels different. Slower. More intentional and methodical. And right now, watching Maluach stack good habits on top of hard lessons, it feels like the right one.
The hope is that Khaman does not become another familiar Suns story, and the deliberate way the organization has handled his development suggests they are aware of that history. In the games he has played in February, he has looked long, physical, and more than anything, tenacious. He wants the rebound. He wants to contest shots. He wants to fit into a system built on disruption and effort, and that matters.
That is the takeaway right now in his young career. You cannot teach height. You cannot teach length. You can scream about effort until you are hoarse, but you cannot teach give-a-shit either. Maluach plays like he cares. The three-ball has looked clean, and that alone opens doors. A big who can stretch the floor changes lineups, spacing, and possibilities, especially alongside someone like Oso Ighodaro.
There is something quietly interesting forming with this young group. The scoreboard might feel heavy during this stretch, but underneath it, long-term pieces are being shaped. Maluach sits right at the center of that, and he is the reason I find myself feeling a little warm and fuzzy watching all of this unfold.
Tony Bennett speaks during the Atlantic Coast Conference's media day in 2024, his last season as coach of Virginia. (Chris Carlson / Associated Press)
Former Virginia coach Tony Bennett, who led the Cavaliers to the 2019 national title, has been hired by the Lakers as an NBA draft advisor to Rob Pelinka, the team’s president of basketball operations and general manager. Bennett’s record was 364-136 from 2009-24.
“As we refine and build out our NBA draft and scouting processes, we could think of no better basketball mind than Tony Bennett to have as a resource," Pelinka said in a statement. "Tony’s track record of forming culture, with high-character, high-skill and high-IQ players is revered and respected across all basketball circles. Tony will be an incredible asset to our basketball leadership, to our scouts and to our draft department as a whole. We are truly excited."
Virginia honored Bennett in a ceremony before Saturday's 86-83 win over Miami, naming the court at John Paul Jones Arena after him.
Bennett was the AP national coach of the year in 2007 and 2018. He led Virginia to six ACC regular-season championships. He previously coached at Washington State from 2006-09.
“When Rob and I began talking, what stood out to me was the chance to help out such a storied organization,” Bennett said in a statement. “The Lakers carry a tradition that speaks for itself, so to be connected to it and assist Rob and the Lakers in any way I can is exciting.”
Bennett played under his father, Dick Bennett, at Wisconsin-Green Bay before playing four years in the NBA, including three for Charlotte from 1992-95.
Each season, the NBA’s Most Improved Player award signals the arrival of a rising star – a player who has taken a meaningful leap forward from contributor to franchise cornerstone.
Recent winners such as Paul George, Jimmy Butler, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Ja Morant and Tyrese Maxey have combined for over 25 All-Star appearances. Antetokounmpo, of course, went on to win multiple MVP awards and lead the Milwaukee Bucks to an NBA Championship – a reminder that this honor often precedes true superstardom.
This year’s race appears similarly compelling. The top three contenders all rank inside the league’s top 33 in Value Over Replacement Player, indicating that their improvement on the court has translated into tangible on-court value, not just inflated counting stats.
Using FTN’s new NBA StatsHub, let’s break down this year’s NBA Most Improved Player candidates and determine whose leap has been the most impressive as the regular season enters its stretch run.
Defining the Award
According to NBA.com, the Most Improved Player award is intended to recognize an ascending player who has made a dramatic improvement from the previous season or seasons – often one whose growth has directly contributed to his team’s success.
Since the 2011-2012 lockout-shortened campaign, only one player has won the award while playing on a team that finished with fewer than 37 wins, reinforcing the importance of team context in the voting process.
Last year’s winner, Dyson Daniels, was a relative outlier. He joined Pascal Siakam as the only players in the past decade to capture the award while averaging fewer than 20 points per game. Daniels’ candidacy was bolstered by elite defensive production, highlighted by his 3.1 steals per game.
Overall, Daniels improved his per-game averages by 8.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.6 steals – a statistical jump that helped the Hawks improve their record by four wins from the year prior.
Using the above historical framework as context, we turn to NBA StatsHub to evaluate this season’s leading contenders.
Jalen Johnson (+110, DraftKings)
FGOE: +2.1% PTOE: +0.7 Team Record: 29-31
Jalen Johnson has emerged as one of the league’s breakout stars this season, posting career-highs across the board with 23.0 points, 10.6 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game. He and Nikola Jokić are the only players averaging 20 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists this season, putting Johnson in rare elite company.
The advanced metrics reinforce that production. Johnson owns a +2.1% Field Goal Percentage Over Expectation, indicating that his scoring efficiency exceeds league-average expectations based on shot quality. He ranks eighth in the league in the NBA in Value Over Replacement Player, a strong signal of all-around impact. Among Hawks players with at least 600 minutes logged, only Dyson Daniels (+7.3) has a better Net Rating than Johnson (+4.3).
Johnson’s improvement isn’t confined to one area – he has scaled his role while maintaining efficiency, contributing as a scorer, rebounder and facilitator. Entering the stretch run, he has positioned himself as the clear frontrunner for this award.
Jalen Duren (+360, DraftKings)
FGOE: +4.6% PTOE: +1.0 Team Record: 42-14
The primary case for Jalen Duren centers on his role as the No. 2 option on the top-seeded Detroit Pistons. Team success has historically carried weight in Most Improved Player voting, and Duren’s scoring jump has coincided with Detroit’s rise to the top of the Eastern Conference.
However, players of Duren’s archetype have rarely captured this award. The last traditional center to win Most Improved Player was Jermaine O’Neal in 2002. Unlike perimeter creators, interior finishers are often more dependent on playmaking around them to generate efficient scoring opportunities. Cade Cunningham’s emergence as an elite facilitator has undoubtedly played a role in Duren’s scoring increase from 11.8 points per game last season to 18.0 this year.
It’s also worth noting that Duren averaged 11.6 rebounds during the 2023-2024 campaign, compared to 10.5 rebounds this season. While his efficiency metrics are strong – +4.6% Field Goal Percentage Over Expectation – the overall statistical leap is less comprehensive than some of his peers. Based on historical precedent, he would be an outlier if he were to win this award in 2026.
Deni Avdija (+450, DraftKings)
FGOE: +0.1% PTOE: 0.0 Team Record: 28-31
Like the other candidates in this year’s Most Improved Player race, Deni Avdija is enjoying a career-best campaign. He has increased his scoring by 7.5 points per game compared to last season while nearly doubling his previous career-high in assists.
However, much of that statistical growth appears to be volume-driven rather than efficiency-driven. Avdija ranks 151st out of 273 qualified players in Field Goal Percentage Over Expectation and 147th in Points Over Expectation, indicating that his scoring has largely aligned with expectation rather than exceeding it.
Defensively, Avidja has struggled, too. Portland’s defensive rating is 7.2 points better with him off of the floor this season, and he is tied for the second-lowest defensive rating on the Trail Blazers in FTN’s Player Ratings.
Health is another complicating factor. Avidja has played meaningful minutes in only one game since the All-Star break and appears likely to miss additional time while managing a bothersome back injury, which could limit his ability to build momentum in the race.
The Takeaway
NBA StatsHub illustrates that Johnson has improved across the board while maintaining strong efficiency metrics as a scorer, rebounder and a facilitator.
Duren’s role on a top-seeded team strengthens his candidacy, but historically, voters have leaned towards players who create offense independently rather than those whose production is heavily tied to surrounding playmaking.
Avdija’s statistical jump is notable, yet his efficiency profile and recent back injury make his path to the award more complicated.
The NBA’s Most Improved Player award has historically rewarded meaningful, measurable leaps in production – not merely expanded opportunity. When evaluating this year’s top contenders using recent precedent, Jalen Johnson is a clear standout among his peers.
