Category: Basketball

The NBA's postseason isn't far away, and perhaps getting close enough to take attention away from the various league issues that took attention away from the court in the lead-up and throughout All-Star weekend festivities.

Less than two months and 30 regular-season games remain for most NBA teams, and the 2026 playoff picture is clear enough at this point to see it will be defined by a few key races in the Eastern and Western Conference standings.

The Detroit Pistons still have a comfortable lead over a trio of more established contenders for the No. 1 seed in the East, but how the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers shake out among the top six will be a subplot in the weeks ahead. The Oklahoma City Thunder must hold off the San Antonio Spurs for the top seed in the West, while the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves jockey for position beneath them.

There's also a fascinating chase for the NBA's play-in tournament, now entering its seventh season as an addition to the league's postseason schedule and sixth year in this current four-team format. Given how many franchises are in tank mode already this season, there aren't many teams outside the top 10 at the moment actively trying to make the playoffs.

Here's a breakdown of the current NBA playoff picture, including what teams would make the postseason if the regular season ended today:

Following the All-Star break, NBA play resumed, and there’s only a quarter of the season left before we get to the playoffs.

All of which means teams are largely split into two buckets: those trying to improve their seeding and standing in their respective conferences, and those who are shutting down players or sitting starters in the fourth quarter, seemingly in an attempt to tank to improve their draft positioning.

Yet, with a massive victory over the New York Knicks, the Detroit Pistons are maintaining their grasp atop this list. And, as Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player, continues to miss games, it’s opening the door for Detroit All-Star Cade Cunningham to potentially take that honor, too.

Here are USA TODAY Sports’ NBA power rankings after Week 16 of the 2025-26 regular season:

FLORENCE, Italy (AP) — Moise Kean scored for the third match in a row to help Fiorentina beat Pisa 1-0 and climb out of the Serie A drop zone on Monday.

The result lifted Fiorentina into 16th place and out of the relegation zone for the first time in months. It has the same amount of points as Cremonese and Lecce but was above both on goal difference.

Pisa, which has still won only once all season, was second to last with the same points as last-placed Verona. Both clubs were nine points from safety with 12 games remaining.

Kean followed recent goals against Torino and Como with an early strike from close range after a blocked shot fell kindly at his feet.

Pisa goalkeeper Nícolas made several fine saves while Fiorentina’s second win in a row was only its second clean sheet of the year.

Pisa has gone 15 matches without a league win.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

One of the bigger storylines this men's college basketball season has been the health status of Kansas basketball guard Darryn Peterson, one of the sport's top players.

In an interview with ESPN's Myron Medcalf, Peterson spoke out on the current narrative, which has been sparked by social media, regarding his availability for games or coming out of them as he continues to deal with the numerous injuries he has sustained this season.

"Everybody's got an opinion on it," Peterson recently told ESPN. "But basketball is my life. If I could have been out there every game this year, I would have. If you would have asked me last year, what were my goals for this year, I would never mention missing games. So all this stuff kind of just happened, but I've got to deal with it."

REQUIRED READING: Who is rising, falling in latest March Madness bracket prediction?

Peterson's comments to Medcalf are some of his first public remarks this season, as he has not spoken in many availabilities this season.

The Jayhawks 6-foot-6 freshman guard has missed 11 games this season, including Kansas' loss to Duke in the Champions Classic and its win over then-No. 1 Arizona on Feb. 9, with the majority of those being due to a lingering hamstring injury. He has also not been able to finish games due to cramps from that hamstring injury.

However, in the 16 games that Peterson has played in, he has lived up to the hype and expectations that surrounded his name heading into the season. He scored 32 points in an overtime win over TCU, scored 26 points on 11-of-13 shooting against Baylor, and 23 points on 7-of-12 shooting against Oklahoma State before exiting due to injury.

Dillon Brooks exited the game against Orlando early in the first quarter, and it did not take long to learn it was his left hand. Then the real news dropped. The hand was fractured, and the absence would not be short-term. 

The diagnosis was revealed today, scheduled for four to six weeks. It’s a significant stretch of time that removes one of the Suns’ most physical tone setters from the rotation and further thins an already strained roster.

Four weeks from now would land Dillon Brooks’ return on March 24 against Denver. That would mean roughly 15 games missed, and everyone understands that represents the most optimistic outcome. The six-week timeline feels more realistic, which would push his return to April 7 against Houston. At that point, the Suns would have four games left in the regular season.

That is where the real question lives. If Brooks is out that long, when does it make sense to bring him back? Do you shut him down through the rest of the regular season and save him for the Play-In? Or do you hope the six-week mark holds, give him a handful of games to get his legs back, and let him ramp up heading into postseason play?

It is another frustrating reminder of how little continuity this team has had all season. Jalen Green has missed 48 games. Devin Booker has missed 14 and counting. Grayson Allen has missed 22. All you can do is hope a player in the middle of a career year heals cleanly and comes back ready when it matters most.

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The Houston Rockets are massive home favorites against the Utah Jazz tonight, but Houston has a problem getting buckets these days.

It seems a little odd considering the roster, but that’s exactly what’s happening to Kevin Durant & Co., and a matchup against Utah may not be as easy as it appears.

My Jazz vs. Rockets predictions and NBA picks explain why points will be hard to come by for the home team in this Western Conference matchup set to tip off at 9:30 pm ET on Monday, February 23. 

Jazz vs Rockets prediction

Jazz vs Rockets best bet: Rockets team total Under 120.5 (-115)

The Houston Rockets have way too many problems scoring.

The Rockets rank 26th in offensive rating over their last 12 games. That’s worse than the Wizards. And their 104.9 points per game during that stretch are next-to-last.

Now, you’d think a matchup with the Utah Jazz would be the cure for what ails them. But hold on.

The Jazz were playing horrific defense for most of the first half, but they have ranked 10th in defensive rating since February 1.

Houston’s team total of 120.5 is inflated. The Rockets haven’t topped this number in 12 games. 

Jazz vs Rockets same-game parlay

What’s one way the Rockets can get more buckets? By moving the ball more. And that’s exactly what Reed Sheppard has been trying to do.

The second-year guard is averaging 4.0 assists over his last five games, topping 3.5 three times over that stretch. And while Utah has been playing better defense, the Jazz still rank dead last in opponent assists per possession. 

The other thing that a struggling offense means is rebounds, and Lauri Markkanen has gone Over his number in five of his last six games.

Jazz vs Rockets SGP

• Rockets team total Under 120.5
• Reed Sheppard Over 3.5 assists
• Lauri Markkanen Over 4.5 rebounds

Our "from downtown" SGP: Rebound Town

The Rockets can't shoot. The Jazz can't rebound. Rebounds for all!

Jazz vs Rockets SGP

• Lauri Markkanen Over 4.5 rebounds
• Ace Bailey Over 3.5 rebounds
• Kevin Durant Over 5.5 rebounds
• Amen Thompson Over 7.5 rebounds

Jazz vs Rockets odds

• Spread: Jazz +13 (-110) | Rockets -13 (-110)
• Moneyline: Jazz +575 | Rockets -850
• Over/Under: Over 228.5 (-110) | Under 228.5 (-110)

Jazz vs Rockets betting trend to know

The Rockets have hit the Game Total Under in 21 of their last 25 games for +16.60 Units and a 60% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Jazz vs. Rockets.

How to watch Jazz vs Rockets

Jazz vs Rockets latest injuries

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Tonight's marquee NBA game is undoubtedly the San Antonio Spurs vs. the Detroit Pistons, with both teams riding extended win streaks.

We ran our NBA player prop projections to see where the lines don’t quite match the numbers.

If you’re locking in your NBA picks, these Spurs vs. Pistons predictions are the spots where the model sees value on Monday, February 23.

Spurs vs Pistons computer picks for February 22

Spurs	Pistons
Champagnie o7.5 points  -112	Thompson o8.5 points  -125
Wembanyama o23.5 points  -115	Cunningham u27.5 points  -110
Vassell o1.5 assists  +100	Harris o5.5 rebounds  +115

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Spurs computer picks

Julian Champagnie Over 7.5 points (-112)

Projection: 9.1 points

Julian Champagnie doesn’t need plays drawn up for him to clear this number. A few catch-and-shoot looks, and one trip in transition put him well on pace. The model has Champagnie north of nine points, giving this a comfortable margin Over 7.5.

He's gone Over this number in seven of his last nine games. 

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Victor Wembanyama Over 23.5 points (-115)

Projection: 24.8 points

Victor Wembanyama carries enough usage to live in the mid-20s most nights. He scores inside, stretches the floor, and gets to the line, which keeps his floor high. The projection puts Wembanyama nearly a full bucket above this line.

He's gone Over this number in five of eight February games.  

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Devin Vassell Over 1.5 assists (+100)

Projection: 2.1 assists

Devin Vassell only needs two assists to cash this, and that’s well within his normal role. With the ball in his hands consistently, a couple of simple kick-outs or drive-and-dish reads get him there. The model gives Vassell a solid edge at even money.

He's gone Over this number in three straight and in five of his last six. 

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---

Pistons computer picks

Ausar Thompson Over 8.5 points (-125)

Projection: 10.6 points

Ausar Thompson scores more on activity than on isolation. Cuts, offensive boards, and transition chances add up quickly. The projection has Thompson clearing double digits, creating separation from this 8.5 line.

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Cade Cunningham Under 27.5 points (-110)

Projection: 25.5 points

Cade Cunningham is capable of a 30-point night, but the model points toward a mid-20s output. If the defense crowds him and forces the ball elsewhere, Cunningham’s scoring dips just enough to stay Under.

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Tobias Harris Over 5.5 rebounds (+115)

Projection: 5.9 rebounds

Tobias Harris logs steady minutes and spends enough time around the paint to flirt with six boards. At plus money, the projection gives Harris a small but playable edge Over this number.

He's gone Over 5.5 boards in three straight and in five of the last six. 

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How to watch Spurs vs Pistons tonight

Location	Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
Date	Monday, February 23, 2026
Tip-off	7:00 p.m. ET
TV	Peacock

Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

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The trade deadline has come and gone. The NBA’s All-Star weekend, along with the break, has come and gone. We’re staring at the last 25 or so games and just trying to find a way to make it through. Here’s the last Lounge if you need to reference any of the nearly 800 comments.

Where we turn our attention likely has to be towards the NBA Draft. There’s a lot of that coverage overall on Mavs Moneyball, but there will be even more because the Mavericks are a tough watch (particularly if Cooper Flagg isn’t going to play).

I am just starting to formulate some opinions on our potential pick, but there are so many good players it’s hard to be too invested in any one guy.

Past that, I’m starting to get a bit bored with the NBA in general right now. Too many tanking teams. I like basketball but this is all bleh and it’s felt that way for most of the 2026 part of the season. What’s interesting you right now?

Remember to use THE FEED too. There’s a lot you can do in that area and my bosses are encouraging us all to use it more and more.

Thanks for spending your time here, I mean it. Your patronage is why this place exists. We want comments. We want all this sort of interaction. Go Mavs!

NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA fined Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. and Miami Heat forward Myron Gardner $35,000 each on Monday for their scuffle in a game over the weekend.

With 1:55 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Heat’s 136-120 victory on Saturday night, Gardner bumped Pippen from behind and knocked him down. Pippen then jogged down court to confront Gardner and gave him a hard two-handed shove, resulting in a melee that spilled into the seats with 1:19 remaining. Both received technical fouls and were ejected.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Welcome to Week in Review: a Monday feature that looks back at the week that was for the San Antonio Spurs, takes a look at the week ahead, and more. Enjoy!

Week 17: The Spurs started off the Rodeo Road Trip by sweeping a couple of games against injured Lakers and Warriors teams to head into the All-Star break riding a six-game winning streak. They then had a big showing at All-Star weekend in Los Angeles, leaving their mark all over the state of California.

Week 18: 2-0 (40-16, 2nd in West)

121-94 win vs. Phoenix Suns (in Austin)

Already missing Dillon Brooks to suspension for receiving his 16th technical of the season, the Suns then lost Devin Booker to hip soreness at halftime, leaving a shorthanded Phoenix team reeling against a Spurs squad that picked up right where they left off after the All-Star break. The Spurs weren’t their most efficient selves in the first half but played well enough to build a sizeable lead, and by the third quarter the offense was back on a roll, turning the fourth quarter into extended garbage time at the Moody Center.

139-122 win vs. Sacramento Kings (in Austin)

Facing the team with the worst record in the NBA and on a 15-game losing streak, the Spurs’ good old friend Complacency gave them a visit. After a dominant start to the game, they took their foot off the gas for a while, allowing the depleted Kings to get as close three late in the third quarter quarter before once again flipping the switch and turning a close game against an inferior opponent into a fourth-quarter blowout.

Power Rankings

John Schuhmann, NBA.com — 2 (last week: 2)

OffRtg: 117.3 (6) DefRtg: 110.7 (3) NetRtg: +6.6 (4) Pace: 101.0 (13)

The Spurs remain undefeated (8-0) in February, having won their two games in Austin handily. All eight wins have been by nine points or more, with the last four coming by an average of 21.3.

Three takeaways

1. The first two games of this eight-game winning streak were somewhat ugly, but the Spurs have scored a remarkably efficient 127.2 points per 100 possessions over the last six. Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper still aren’t making a lot of 3s, but they’ve combined to shoot 63-for-91 (69%) inside the arc over these last six games.
2. The Spurs have won their last six games against teams that are currently over .500 and have the second-best record (19-11) within that group overall. They’re four games into a stretch where they’re playing eight of 10 against winning teams, and the team with the league’s best record (and the best record against other winning teams) is up next.
3. The game in Detroit on Monday will probably be won or lost inside. While the Pistons have outscored their opponents in the paint in 32 of their last 33 games, the Spurs have outscored their opponents by an average of 18.3 points in the paint over their eight-game winning streak. Victor Wembanyama has been playing bigger (offensively) of late, taking 57% of his shots in the paint over the last 10 games, up from just 33% over his previous eight.

Coming up: The Spurs have the league’s best record (14-3) in interconference games and now embark on their longest road trip of the season (five games over nine days), which includes visits to four of the top six teams in the East. Wembanyama has played just one career game (fewest against any opponent) against the first-place Pistons, who the Spurs will face twice in the next 11 days.

Law Murray, The Athletic — 2 (last week: 2)

Post All-Star break: We have a third 40 before 20 team! And it is the Spurs, a team that hasn’t made the playoffs since the pandemic. The Spurs defense was on point against the Phoenix Suns, and then Victor Wembanyama lit up the Kings.

Brett Siegel, Clutch Points — 1 (last week: 1)

With the Cavs losing on Sunday, the San Antonio Spurs are the only team with a win streak longer than six games, as they have now won eight straight and are undefeated in February.

Victor Wembanyama continues to impress, with six double-doubles this month and six games with three or more blocks. As long as Wemby, Stephon Castle, and De’Aaron Fox are healthy heading into the final stretch run of the season, the Spurs have a strong chance at potentially catching the Thunder for the 1-seed in the West.

Coming up: Mon. 2/23 at Detroit Pistons (42-13); Wed. 2/25 at Toronto Raptors (34-23); Thurs. 2/26 at Brooklyn Nets (15-41); Sun. 3/1 at New York Knicks (37-21)

Prediction: 3-1 — This is not your big brother’s Eastern Conference. Other than the Nets, the Spurs are playing three of the top 5 teams in the East this week, beginning with the a Pistons team that has the best record in the NBA in what should be a strength-on-strength match-up, followed by a better-than-expected Raptors team and a Knicks squad that has been hovering around .500 in 2026, but MSG tends to be one of those cursed places for the Spurs (although at this point, they’d say the same of San Antonio). That being said, if the Spurs win tonight, which I whole heartedly believe they can, amend this prediction to 4-0, the Spurs getting their first double-digit winning streak since the 2016-17 season (which would just require also beating the Raptors), and an undefeated February.

Perhaps the biggest, most anticipated weekend of one of the most thrilling men’s college basketball seasons in recent memory delivered.

The top four teams in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll faced off last Saturday, with No. 1 Michigan taking on No. 3 Duke in a neutral-site game in Washington, D.C. and No. 2 Houston hosting No. 4 Arizona.

Behind 18 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists from Cameron Boozer, the Blue Devils knocked off the top-ranked Wolverines 68-63, snapping Michigan’s 11-game win streak. Even without star freshman Koa Peat, Arizona went on the road and beat Houston 74-66, handing the Cougars their first home loss this season.

REQUIRED READING: Who is rising, falling in latest March Madness bracket prediction?

The notable results weren’t limited to those matchups. Of the top 10 teams in the latest Coaches Poll, nine of them lost at least once last week.

How will those outcomes affect the next batch of rankings?

Here’s a look at the latest Coaches Poll and AP Top 25 for Feb. 23:

College basketball rankings

First-place votes in parentheses.

USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

1. Duke (27)
2. Arizona (4)
3. Michigan
4. Houston
5. Iowa State
6. UConn
7. Florida
8. Purdue
9. Gonzaga
10. Nebraska
11. Illinois
12. Virginia
13. Michigan State
14. Kansas
15. St. John's
16. Texas Tech
17. Arkansas
18. Alabama
19. North Carolina
20. Louisville
21. Vanderbilt
22. Tennessee
23. BYU
24. Saint Louis
25. Miami (Ohio)

Others receiving votes: Wisconsin 35; Villanova 25; Georgia 18; Utah State 7; Iowa 6; Saint Mary's 5; Miami 5; Clemson 1

AP Top 25

1. Duke (56)
2. Arizona (5)
3. Michigan
4. Iowa State
5. Houston
6. UConn
7. Florida
8. Purdue
9. Gonzaga
10. Illinois
11. Virginia
12. Nebraska
13. Michigan State
14. Kansas
15. St. John's
16. Texas Tech
17. Alabama
18. North Carolina
19. BYU
20. Arkansas
21. Miami (Ohio)
22. Tennessee
23. Saint Louis
24. Louisville
25. Vanderbilt

Others receiving votes: Wisconsin 47; Saint Mary's 30; Villanova 15; Miami 10; Utah State 8; NC State 7; SMU 4; Texas A&M 3; Iowa 3; UCF 3; High Point 2; Stephen F Austin 2; Navy 1

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Men's college basketball rankings: Updated Coaches Poll, AP Top 25

There’s a change at the top once again in the USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll following a busy week of high-profile matchups.

Duke is now the No. 1 team. The Blue Devils received 27 of 31 first-place votes this week after upending previous No. 1 Michigan in one of those marquee clashes. The Blue Devils received 27 of 31 first-place votes. The lofty perch is not new for the Duke program, though this is the first No. 1 ranking of the current season for the Blue Devils.

Arizona claimed the remaining four No. 1 votes and is back up to second overall after a defeat of Houston. Michigan slips to No. 3, and Houston also slides two spots to No. 4. Iowa State moves up a spot to No. 5 as the Cyclones swap positions with Connecticut.

TOP 25:Complete USA TODAY Sports men's basketball poll

Florida continues to climb the rankings after a rough non-conference start. The Gators move up four more places to check in at No. 7 this week, seemingly rounding into form in time to defend their NCAA title. Purdue, Gonzaga and Nebraska round out the top 10.

A pair of SEC contenders, No. 18 Alabama and No. 22 Tennessee, rejoin the poll this week. Clemson and Wisconsin drop out.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College basketball poll moves Duke to No. 1 in Top 25 rankings

There’s never a bad time to snap a four-game losing streak, but the Sixers 27-point win over the Minnesota Timberwolves felt like one of their most needed of the season. 

Not only were they reeling, but with Joel Embiid suddenly missing five straight games with various sore body parts, Paul George suspended, and no additions made at the trade deadline all emphasized the fact that there was no help on the way either. 

On top of all that, the All-Star break coming in the midst of this losing streak made it linger longer than a typical four-game skid would, with the Sixers going over two calendar weeks in between wins. 

They looked rather helpless going into that game against Minnesota as well. Not only was it the second night of a back-to-back, but they were coming off what head coach Nick Nurse called the worst loss of the season, a second half collapse to the lowly New Orleans Pelicans. 

With their backs against the wall they turned in one of their best offensive performances of the season, with their reeling backcourt leading the way. Both Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe had been showing signs of wear and tear due to their heavy workloads. They looked recharged in Minnesota, with Maxey dropping an efficient 39 points while Edgecombe put up 24 thanks to a new career-high six made three-pointers. 

In the walk-off interview for NBC Sports Philadelphia, Maxey pointed out a return of positive energy. As watching the previous four games wasn’t enough, there were plenty of signs off the court that the vibes were off, from Embiid’s trade deadline plea being thoroughly rejected to Maxey voicing confusion of his role. It felt like the lowest point of the season spirit-wise as well, and its departure was noticed in the win over the Wolves.

“We got back to playing with a little bit of spirit, you seen guys smiling a bit,” he told Kate and Alaa before praising the individual performance of Quentin Grimes. 

If anything this win may have showed just how tall of an order it is for the Sixers to keep themselves afloat with Embiid out of the lineup just as much as the losing streak did. They need both Maxey and Edgecombe to be unconscious to give themselves a chance. 

What’s made this stretch even tougher is that they’ve had to go through that a really demoralizing trade deadline as well. Despite the best player on the team begging for a serious deadline, all they did was dump a fan favorite player and add one guard who was playing Europe on the buyout market. 

The reality that there were no reinforcements on the way was intensified during the losing streak. They weren’t just losing games, but they looked hopeless in doing so. Their only way through is to power through but in Minnesota, they were able to channel that in a positive direction.

“We didn’t have a choice, we don’t got an option man,” Maxey told the broadcast when asked how the team flushed the New Orleans loss so quickly.

Embiid’s return is the only tangible on-court change this team has left up its sleeve. The losing streak has shown the flaws in this roster and the deadline to try to improve them has come and gone. They have one intangible up their sleeves though and that is a positive spirit.

They’ll certainly need to sustain for more than one game and of course nothing is as good for the spirit as winning ball games. The only other change the Sixers can make though finding good vibes again and blowing out the Timberwolves was a step in the right direction.