Category: Basketball

For the Denver Broncos, irrepressible optimism was replaced by exorbitant doubt in a matter of moments.

The Broncos will have to continue their journey through the AFC Championship Game, and potentially beyond, without starting quarterback Bo Nix. It was announced shortly after Denver’s 33-30 AFC divisional-round win over the Buffalo Bills that Nix had broken his ankle on one of the game’s final plays.

The injury means backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham will be asked to start at home against the New England Patriots with a Super Bowl berth on the line. Denver entered the postseason as the AFC’s No. 1 seed and owns an 8-1 home record this season. But the sudden change at quarterback has made the Patriots 5.5-point favorites and dramatically shifted the outlook of the Broncos’ season.

It is not the first time across sports that a late-season injury to a key player has significantly altered championship hopes. In some cases, backups stepped in and saved the day.

In Week 14 of the 2017 NFL season, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles came in for injured MVP candidate Carson Wentz and finished the journey through a Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots.

In 1990, Jeff Hostetler took over for New York Giants starting quarterback Phil Simms, who broke his foot in Week 15. Five wins and one precariously wide-right kick from Buffalo Bills kicker Scott Norwood later, Hostetler and the Giants were Super Bowl champions.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out. Here are 10 examples across sports in which a major injury changed a team’s fortune. Let us know in the comments which ones we missed.

Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson, 2019 Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors suffered a double whammy in the 2019 NBA Finals. With the Warriors trailing the series 3-1 entering Game 5, Durant tore his Achilles after just 12 minutes of court time. Golden State managed to win the game to stay alive, but then Klay Thompson tore his ACL in Game 6. Without the team’s second- and third-leading scorers that season, the Warriors lost the finals 4-2 to the Toronto Raptors.

By the start of the next season, Durant was with the Brooklyn Nets. Thompson would miss the entire season, and Stephen Curry played only five games after breaking his left hand.

Kenyon Martin, 1999-2000 Cincinnati Bearcats

The Bearcats were 28-2, ranked No. 1, and in Martin had the national player of the year and eventual No. 1 NBA Draft pick by the New Jersey Nets. But the big man broke his fibula in the Conference USA Tournament. UC was dropped to a No. 2 seed, then lost in the second round of the 2000 NCAA Tournament, 69-61, to Tulsa.

Martin had led the conference in scoring (18.9 points per game) and blocks (3.5), while adding 9.7 rebounds. Without Martin, the Bearcats were outrebounded 39-34 in their tournament loss to the Golden Hurricane.

Kyrie Irving, 2015 Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavs’ All-Star point guard fractured his kneecap in Game 1 of the 2015 NBA Finals, the first of four straight finals matchups between the Cavaliers and Warriors.

In the prior series, Kevin Love suffered a severe left shoulder injury against the Boston Celtics that knocked him out of the finals as well. Though LeBron James tried to carry the load alone, the absence of the team’s second- and third-leading scorers and leading rebounder was too much even for James to overcome.

The Warriors went on to win the series in six games, their first of four titles in the Steph Curry-Steve Kerr era.

Tyrese Haliburton, 2025 Indiana Pacers

Haliburton was the Pacers’ best player in the 2025 playoffs, taking Indiana to Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the favored Oklahoma City Thunder.

But he was playing with a strained right calf that he suffered in Game 5, and it proved to be a ticking time bomb. After catching fire and hitting three triples in the first seven minutes of Game 7, his calf gave out on a drive, and he tore his Achilles.

As Haliburton left the court in tears, the Pacers were trailing only 18-16. Oklahoma City went on to win 103-91 to take the series.

Colt McCoy, 2009-10 Texas Longhorns

Texas’ starting quarterback, a first-team All-American, suffered a pinched nerve in his throwing shoulder in the first quarter of the 2010 national championship game against Alabama.

McCoy had finished third in Heisman voting that season, but freshman Garrett Gilbert had to replace him, and Texas lost 37-21 to a Crimson Tide squad led by Heisman winner Mark Ingram.

Juju Watkins, 2025 USC Trojans

USC was a No. 1 seed in the 2025 NCAA Women’s Tournament when Watkins tore her ACL against Mississippi State in the second round. Watkins was fourth in the nation in scoring that season, averaging 23.9 points per game. She won AP player of the year and was named a first-team AP All-American after leading USC to a Big Ten title.

Without her, the Trojans managed to dispatch the Bulldogs 96-59 and advanced to the Elite Eight, where they lost to eventual champion UConn, 78-64.

Jim Rice, 1975 Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox had two leading contenders for AL Rookie of the Year in 1975, future Hall of Famer Jim Rice and outfielder Fred Lynn. Lynn took home rookie of the year and AL MVP, the first to win both in the same year, but Rice was stellar that season as well. He hit 22 home runs with a .309 batting average, .350 on-base and .491 slugging percentage.

In late September, Rice broke his hand after being hit by a pitch against the Detroit Tigers. He missed the rest of the season, including the entire postseason. In his absence, the Red Sox made the Fall Classic, but lost to the Cincinnati Reds in an exhilarating seven-game series coined “the series that saved baseball.”

The defeat also furthered the “Curse of the Bambino,” as Boston had remained without a championship since selling Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees following the 1919 season. The World Series could not break the curse until 2004.

Brock Purdy, 2022-23 San Francisco 49ers

Purdy’s improbable rookie season ended at the worst time, with a UCL injury in the first quarter of the 2023 NFC Championship Game against the Eagles, which the 49ers lost 31-7. The Mr. Irrelevant pick, taken last in the 2022 NFL Draft, had fought his way up from the practice squad to take over starting duties that season in Week 13 after Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo suffered major injuries.

Purdy had won seven consecutive games, including the first two rounds of the playoffs, before being forced to exit the NFC Championship Game. Josh Johnson was tabbed to finish the game but suffered a concussion in the third quarter, which, for a brief moment, had running back Christian McCaffrey readying a helmet with a radio before Purdy returned. Purdy was unable to throw, however, and simply had to hand the ball off for the remainder of the game.

Carey Price, 2013-14 Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens goaltender suffered a knee injury when New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider crashed into him in Game 1 of the 2014 Eastern Conference final. Price was out for the rest of the series, and the Canadiens lost the series 4-2.

Price had career bests in games played (59), wins (34), goals-against average (2.32) and save percentage (.927) that season. Without him for much of the series, the Rangers peppered the Montreal net for 23 goals over six games, an average of 3.83 per contest.

Derrick Rose, 2011-12 Chicago Bulls

Chicago’s point guard was on top of the basketball world entering the 2012 NBA playoffs. Chicago was the No. 1 seed, and Rose was one year removed from being the youngest MVP in NBA history.

But he tore his ACL in Game 1 of the first-round series against the eighth-seeded Philadelphia 76ers. Without its MVP, Chicago lost the series 4-2, and Rose’s career never fully recovered. Since then, the Bulls have only been to the playoffs five times and have only won two playoff series.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

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The next several weeks will be busy for the NBA calendar.

First, the trading deadline is a little more than two weeks away, and any blockbuster deals could alter the balance of power within the league. Then, All-Star Game weekend is set for Feb. 15, and starters were already announced.

Yet, as several teams that started the season hot have cooled somewhat, the action on the court has continued. The most obvious example of that is the New York Knicks, who have lost nine of their last 11 games.

Here are USA TODAY Sports’ NBA power rankings after Week 12 of the 2025-26 regular season:

USA TODAY Sports NBA power rankings

Note: Records and stats through Jan. 20. Parentheses show movement from last week’s rankings.

NBA Week 13 power rankings: Top 10

1. Oklahoma City Thunder, 36-8 (—)

2. Detroit Pistons, 31-10 (—)

3. San Antonio Spurs, 30-14 (—)

4. Denver Nuggets, 29-15 (—)

5. Boston Celtics, 26-16 (—)

6. Phoenix Suns, 27-17 (+2)

7. Toronto Raptors, 26-19 (+2)

8. Houston Rockets, 26-15 (+7)

9. Minnesota Timberwolves, 27-17 (-2)

10. Los Angeles Lakers, 26-16

While the Thunder won’t challenge for the best record in NBA history, and while they may drop the occasional game, it’s clear they remain a threat to repeat. Their defense is elite and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander might be marching toward his second consecutive Most Valuable Player award. Speaking of MVP candidates, the Nuggets have remained competitive in the absence of Nikola Jokić, and still boast the league’s top offensive rating (122.9). With the slide the Knicks have taken, Boston is now in the No. 2 seed in the East, and there may need to be a serious conversation about what to do if and when Jayson Tatum is cleared to return from his torn Achilles.

NBA Week 13 power rankings: Nos. 11-20

11. New York Knicks, 25-18 (-5)

12. Philadelphia 76ers, 23-19 (-1)

13. Cleveland Cavaliers, 24-20 (—)

14. Golden State Warriors, 25-20 (+2)

15. Orlando Magic, 23-19 (-3)

16. Miami Heat, 23-21 (+1)

17. Portland Trail Blazers, 22-22 (+1)

18. Chicago Bulls, 21-22 (+2)

19. Los Angeles Clippers, 19-24 (+2)

20. Atlanta Hawks, 20-25 (-6)

The Knicks held a players-only meeting amid a four-game losing streak. Their offense has stagnated as the actions rely on Jalen Brunson far too much. The Warriors had been playing better recently, but don’t be surprised if they tumble down this list soon; with Jimmy Butler (torn anterior cruciate ligament) out for the season, their offense should struggle significantly. And the Trail Blazers and Clippers are a pair of teams out west who have found their rhythm.

NBA Week 13 power rankings: Nos. 21-30

21. Memphis Grizzlies, 18-23 (+1)

22. Milwaukee Bucks, 18-24 (-3)

23. Dallas Mavericks, 18-26 (+2)

24. Charlotte Hornets, 16-27 (-1)

25. Utah Jazz, 15-29 (-1)

26. Brooklyn Nets, 12-29 (+1)

27. Sacramento Kings, 12-32 (+2)

28. Indiana Pacers, 10-34 (—)

29. Washington Wizards, 10-32 (-3)

30. New Orleans Pelicans, 10-35 (—)

The Grizzlies got Ja Morant (right calf contusion) back, and he delivered, dropping 24-13-5 in a win over the Magic. Memphis, though, will need to determine if his fit on the roster is sustainable, or if it can flip him for any assets in a trade. Dallas has been something of a surprise recently, winning three consecutive, including a 17-point blowout against the Knicks. Even without Anthony Davis, No. 1 rookie Cooper Flagg continues to improve with each passing week. And the Wizards showed some promise in late December, but have since lost seven consecutive games, and are tied with the Hawks for the worst offensive rating (107.6) in January.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA power rankings: New York Knicks falling, Houston Rockets rising

Another season, another name, another kid from Dallas. At street level, the city appears to be like any other – yet it continues to produce league-shaping NBA players. The main highway through Dallas cleaves down the middle of Texas. Taking it south brings you closer to the center of the state’s basketball talent pool. The road slopes downward as the city’s cosmopolitan polish thins out, neighborhoods split cleanly from downtown by sun-baked concrete and beige. Pink, green, and blue houses sit behind chain link fences, where yards are scoured down to dirt. Auto mechanic shops line the frontage roads with open bays and hand-painted signs peeling in the sun. Farther south, the road dips again, and space opens up to the heart of the story.

Welcome to Duncanville.

By then, you’re already deep inside a suburb that’s transformed its high school system into an NBA pipeline. Duncanville isn’t an outlier. It’s the clearest expression of how serious North Texas has become about harvesting basketball lightning. Dallas is the incubator. Duncanville is the headquarters.

Two of the nation’s most important high school basketball buildings sit here. First, Duncanville High School holds more basketball memory than some professional arenas. State titles in 2019, 2021, and 2025, led by NBA rising stars Anthony Black and Ron Holland II, hang as proof. Few public high school programs in the country have consistently produced more NBA players than Duncanville, which has provided the league with six pros in the last five years.

But not all hoops history is clean. The University Interscholastic League (UIL), Texas’s governing body for public-school athletics, stripped Duncanville’s 2022 Class 6A championship after eligibility violations tied to improper enrollment and academic ineligibility, including issues related to Black’s grades. Had that title remained, Duncanville would have been credited with three consecutive state championships (2019, 2021, and 2022); the 2020 season was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Such a distinction, unmatched by any other Texas Class 6A boys’ program in the modern era, would have formally inscribed the school as a rare three-peat champion in UIL records.

That season, Duncanville became the first Texas school to be crowned MaxPreps National Champion since 2010. During the early 2020s, Duncanville and nearby Richardson High School were not only the two highest-ranked schools in Texas but also, at one point, ranked first and second in the entire nation. Those two teams featured three future NBA lottery picks and produced five NBA players between them.

Since 2020, Dallas-Fort Worth has produced multiple NBA lottery picks: Black (sixth overall in 2023); Cason Wallace (10th overall in 2023); Holland (fifth overall in 2024); and Tre Johnson (sixth overall in 2025).

Related: Life after LeBron James: who will inherit the NBA’s future?

North Texas has also cultivated rising stars drafted outside the 14 lottery spots, including Liam McNeeley, Keyonte George, Ja’Kobe Walter and Marcus Sasser. Then there are the two superstars: the Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey, who starred at South Garland High School, and 2021 No 1 pick Cade Cunningham – both All-Star starters this year. Born and raised in nearby Arlington, Cunningham played his first two years of high school ball at Bowie High School before transferring and eventually being drafted first overall by the Detroit Pistons. He was the first No 1 overall pick from the Dallas-Fort Worth area in more than 20 years, since Kenyon Martin in 2000.

Digging further past the high school,the highway delivers you to the second basketball mecca: Duncanville Fieldhouse. For decades the building, a state-of-the-art sports facility and events venue with six full-sized hardwood basketball courts, has functioned as both proving ground and sanctuary – a cathedral of sweat. College coaches, NBA scouts and generations of future pros have cycled through its courts, long before anyone knew their names – Trae Young, De’Aaron Fox, Desmond Bane – stacking eras atop one another in a living archive of Dallas basketball.

Come back next weekend, and you could be watching a future NBA All-Star in the making.

These tournaments turn Duncanville Fieldhouse into a reunion. Former teammates spot each other across courts, dap up and argue about who cooked whom a decade ago, adding another stratum to the region’s mythology, sons repping the same jerseys their fathers and grandfathers once did. Dallas basketball history unfurls in real time as the smack-talk swells. The lineage doesn’t stop at one gym.

Less than 15 minutes from Duncanville sits Faith Family Academy, wedged between South Dallas’ Laurel Land Cemetery and the ghetto-fabulous mall, Big T Bazaar. Faith Family is caught between death and hustle, daring kids to dream bigger. In Dallas basketball, a few miles is no distance at all – just another exit, another set of jerseys, the same stakes.

Like Duncanville, Faith Family has long been among the country’s most accomplished and relentlessly dominant boys’ basketball programs. A distinction that tends to sound hyperbolic until one begins listing years. Between 2019 and 2024, the school assembled four UIL state championships – an ascent that spanned classifications as Faith Family moved upward, defying the gravity of Texas high school sports. That run was echoed and then surpassed by another three-peat in Class 4A from 2022 through 2024, placing the program among the select handful of Texas schools to have won three straight state titles.

Last season, its first beyond the confines of the UIL, Faith Family, an Oak Cliff–based charter school, entered the Elite Interscholastic Basketball Conference – among the nation’s most unforgiving prep leagues – and promptly claimed the league championship. In the 2026 state rankings, Faith Family alone places two players inside the Texas top seven: twins Gavin and Gallagher Placide, an interior pairing signed to play together at Wake Forest. Nor are they an anomaly. Across the Trinity River, Dynamic Prep accounts for three top-12 Texans; farther north, Frisco Heritage adds two top-nine prospects, including the son of former NBA All-Star Josh Howard – evidence that the gravitational center of Texas, and the nation, basketball has shifted decisively toward Dallas.

Both Duncanville and Faith Family are projected to yield picks in the 2026 NBA Draft. Faith Family alumnus JT Toppin, who carried Texas Tech to the Elite Eight last season, is now a sophomore and appears pro-bound. Duncanville’s KJ Lewis, a former teammate of Black and Holland, now plays at Georgetown. Toppin follows a path already worn by rising Boston Celtics forward Jordan Walsh, another Faith Family alumnus.

What Dallas has consistently molded is modern NBA wings: long, pliable athletes who blur positional lines. These 6ft 6in to 6ft 9in initiators defend multiple positions, handle the ball, create off the dribble, and orchestrate offense in real-time. Players like Cunningham and Black are the architects of the new game, excelling as two-way threats in a league that prizes size and versatility above all else.

This season, the Dallas pipeline has reached the league’s highest tier. Cunningham and Maxey sit among the NBA’s MVP candidates, while George continues to ascend into a star role. Dallas is shaping the league’s center of gravity. Even last season’s NBA Finals featured two area players facing off: Wallace for Oklahoma City and Myles Turner for Indiana.

Why Dallas? The city is different because its basketball ecosystem is unusually integrated, not fragmented.In most major cities, elite talent splinters between private schools, sneaker circuits and suburban flight, while public schools are drained of continuity. North Texas does the opposite. Public schools like Duncanville, charters like Faith Family, AAU programs and prep powerhouses all orbit the same geography, often the same neighborhoods, feeding one another instead of competing. Talent stays local longer, playing against peers of equal caliber night after night. It’s created rich density. For thousands of kids here, basketball is one of the few systems that still rewards imagination with something resembling upward mobility, proving American alchemy still has the ability to turn a leather ball into a key.

Former players have come to Dallas to invest in its basketball future, most notably Jermaine O’Neal, who founded Dynamic Prep. The program has started this season strong, earning the No 1 spot in the SC Next Top 25 team rankings as of early December. Dynamic Prep is led by the top-ranked national prospect in the 2027 class: Marcus Spears Jr, son of the Dallas Cowboys legend. Two of the school’s former stars, including O’Neal’s son, are now freshmen at Southern Methodist University. Another notable area connection is Dawson Battie, the nephew of NBA legend Tony Battie, who plays for Dallas’ St Mark’s and is ranked as the 11th-bestplayer in the 2027 class.

Perhaps most integral is the deep-rooted AAU culture in South Dallas. At its center is Urban DFW Elite, led by Jade Colbert, the first and only Black woman to serve as an AAU CEO in the country. Urban DFW Elite has become its own pipeline, producing NBA talent including Marcus Sasser, Darrell Arthur and Dink Pate.

This season, 19 of the league’s 30 teams roster at least one North Texas player, from MVP candidates in Cunningham and Maxey to rising stars like Black and George. While those numbers may not seem remarkable for a large metropolitan area, Dallas has often been ignored as a basketball city when compared with places such as Atlanta, New York and Atlanta. Dallas players extend across the league like highways, connecting the NBA back to the heat of a North Texas summer.

Those roads all trace back to the same kind of Dallas neighborhood: unremarkable stretches of urban sprawl where some of the most consequential basketball institutions in Texas – and arguably the country – call home. No coastline, just churches and cemeteries. And hallowed basketball gyms, where one generation after another learns the work. In all that ordinariness, the extraordinary emerged. Of all the different roads that lead to the NBA, Dallas has become the most heavily traveled highway in the state.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Rory McIlroy believes the PGA Tour and LIV Golf have grown “too far apart” to form an alliance and bring a splintered sport back together.

“I just don’t see a world where it can happen at this point,” McIlroy said Wednesday at the Dubai Desert Classic on the European tour.

Brooks Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour from LIV has brought into sharper focus the fading hopes of any form of deal being struck by top officials on the two circuits.

Even U.S. President Donald Trump has gotten involved in negotiations at one point, but there’s no sign of a commercial partnership that was first mooted in 2023 when the tours announced a framework agreement.

To McIlroy, who was once one of the most outspoken critics of LIV before distancing himself from talks, it looks as far away as ever.

“Just I don’t see a world where the two or three sides or whoever it is will give up enough,” he said, in a reference to the involvement of the European tour in talks. “Like for reunification to happen, every side is going to feel like they will have lost, where you really want every side to feel like they have won.

“I think they are just too far apart for that to happen.”

Message to Rahm, Hatton

Among the top players still with LIV are Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, who were McIlroy's teammates in Europe's Ryder Cup win at Bethpage Black last year.

Rahm and Hatton are currently going through an appeal process after being sanctioned with fines by the European tour for playing the LIV Golf circuit. They are still allowed into European tour events while the process plays out.

McIlroy said paying the fines would be a sign of their commitment to the Europe's Ryder Cup team ahead of the 2027 matches in Ireland.

“We went really hard on the Americans about being paid to play the Ryder Cup, and we also said that we would pay to play in Ryder Cups,” McIlroy said. “There’s two guys that can prove it.”

McIlroy's goals

McIlroy will be playing on the European tour for a second straight week, having finished tied for third at the Dubai Invitational on Sunday. He shared the lead at one stage in the final round but wound up two strokes back from winner Nacho Elvira.

The No. 2-ranked McIlroy said he is constantly shifting his expectations and goals after completing the career Grand Slam last year.

For the Northern Irishman, it’s mostly about “finding joy in the process.”

“I think I need to show up at tournaments with enthusiasm every single time,” he said. “So playing in the places that I want to play, playing the tournaments I want to play. Not feeling like I’m at a tournament because I’m obligated or have to be there but because I want to be there.”

Asked what he still wanted to achieve in golf, McIlroy said: “Olympic medal. (British) Open at St. Andrews. Yeah, maybe like a U.S. Open at one of those like old, traditional golf courses — whether it’s Shinnecock this year or Winged Foot or Pebble Beach, (or) Merion.

“I would have told you two years ago,” he added, “if I won the Masters, it would have been great and I could have retired or whatever. But when you keep doing things, the goal posts keep moving, and you just keep finding new things that you want to do.”

___

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

A college football national champion has been crowned, which means it’s time to turn the spotlight on college basketball.

The men’s season is in full swing as conference play is underway, and there has been plenty to discuss — from sensational freshmen, national title favorites and disappointments. The season is more than halfway done, and Selection Sunday is just 54 days away before one of the most exciting months in sports tips off.

So what’s happened in the first two months, and what should be paid attention to as we approach the NCAA tournament? Here are the top storylines in college hoops:

Who is the best college basketball team so far?

Arizona sits atop the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll with a perfect 18-0 start.

The Wildcats have running through every opponents ever since the season opening win over defending champion Florida, with a blend of young (Koa Peat and Brayden Burries) and experience (Jaden Bradley and Motiejus Krivas) paving the way. They average 90 points a game, win by an average margin of 21 points and have done it against talented teams with a 7-0 Quad 1 record.

Arizona has been a regular-season power under Tommy Lloyd, but he may finally have the right recipe to break the long Final Four drought in Tucson.

Plenty of national championship contenders exist

While Arizona is at the top, other teams lurking in the water. It sounds odd, but there's parity — it's just at the top level, as you can easily make the case for several teams to win it all.

Michigan, Connecticut, Purdue, Duke have proven to be formidable teams that are on a straight path to March. You also can't forget Houston, Gonzaga, Iowa State and Nebraska (more on the Cornhuskers soon). It's making for a very compelling race for the top seeds in the bracket.

Last season was the second time and first since 2008 with all four No. 1 seeds making the Final Four. There's a solid chance that could happen again in 2006.

Can Florida repeat?

What's harder than winning a national championship? Doing it again, and Florida is learning how challenging it is to repeat.

The Gators lost so much from last season's title team, but Todd Golden restocked it to give optimism they could contend. It was a rough beginning with a season opening loss to Arizona and a 5-4 start, falling to marquee opponents in close contests. However, Florida has found a rhythm since then, winning eight of its past nine with some notable ranked wins during the stretch. While it has five losses, they've all been by at least six points.

It feels like Florida has mostly been written off from defending its crown, but don't count out the Gators just yet. They have found an identity and can be a top-four seed in a bracket.

Historic runs for Nebraska, BYU

Two programs are chasing unprecedented highs, one expected and one out of nowhere.

Let's start with Brigham Young, which brought in talented freshman AJ Dybantsa to take the Cougars to the next level after reaching the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2011. BYU is on track, eyeing those signature wins that will solidify what could lead to their first Final Four in program history.

In Lincoln, it's a dream. Nebraska remains undefeated, rallying the campus around a sport that hasn't had much significance. The Cornhuskers have proven they aren't a fluke and not only are in position to finally get their first NCAA tournament win, but there could be much more in store.

Fantastic freshmen

This may be the best freshmen class in some time, with the new kids on the block taking over and having NBA teams drooling of them turning pro.

Dybantsa has not disappointed from BYU, showcasing No. 1 pick potential with 22.5 points per game. Duke's Cameron Boozer is a certified bucket-getter for the Blue Devils, and Kansas' Darryn Peterson has commanded the floor, even though injuries have limited him. An emerging star has been North Carolina big man Caleb Wilson.

You also can't forget Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. and Houston guard Kingston Fleming, Peat and Burries at Arizona, as well as several other talented freshmen. They'll all be fun to watch in the tournament and could make up most of the lottery picks in the 2026 NBA draft.

Braden Smith chases assist record

Preseason national player of the year favorite Braden Smith is still in great position to win the award, with the Purdue guard closing in on the all-time assists record while leading a Boilermakers team still chasing that first national title.

Smith leads the country with 9.4 assists per game, and with 927 career dimes, is 149 more away from Bobby Hurley's record of 1,076. With that average, Smith can break the 36-year-old record by the time the NCAA tournament begins, cementing himself among the best point guards to play the game. The Boilermakers are hoping there are more opportunities for him to go up the leaderboard deep in March.

Big 12, Big Ten powers

The toughest conference is really a tie between the Big 12 and Big Ten, making it a gauntlet for any team to survive. Combined the conferences make up 10 of the top 13 spots in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, with five each.

Both leagues dominated the nonconference schedules, winning more than 80% of such contests and the only two to have a winning percentage over 50% against other Power conference teams. It's going to be entertaining to watch these conference races and who ends up at the top, and there's a great chance the national champion emerges from the Big 12 or Big Ten.

ACC is back

After sending just four teams to the NCAA tournament last season, the ACC has responded emphatically and looks like it can prove its worth against other Power conferences.

It's no surprise Duke, North Carolina and Louisville have done well, but there's been some surprises like Virginia, surging under Ryan Odom, and Clemson not skipping a beat. There's also been NCAA tournament-worthy starts from Miami, NC State and SMU, with squads like Virginia Tech, Stanford and California lurking. It's been a fun league to watch again. There's a good chance the ACC can double its amount of bids in March, and not just have Duke be the only one advancing.

Who steps up in SEC?

The SEC was the class of college basketball last season with a record 14 teams in March Madness, two of whom made the Final Four. The conference isn't as strong as it was, but it remains as open of a race to who can emerge.

There's no real power team, with Vanderbilt leaking after its 16-0 start. Florida has been mentioned, and other squads in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia and Texas A&M have shown potential but aren't just complete. Kentucky and Tennessee have mostly disappointed and are hard to trust. The SEC will likely send at least eight teams, but you can't confidently say who those eight will be and if they will be able to replicate any success.

Transfer portal frustration

A major talking point has been the new players coming to college basketball, and whether they should be allowed to play. There's been some controversy about allowing former professional basketball players to play college basketball, whether they were in the G League or actual NBA draft picks.

They've been ruled eligible to play, drawing the ire of the most prominent coaches in the country from Tom Izzo to John Calipari as the NCAA watches. Will the trend continue, or will there be changes made after so much disapproval?

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College basketball top storylines to watch with college football over

Following another playoff-like matchup against the Eastern Conference–leading Detroit Pistons, head coach Joe Mazzulla praised the defensive strides second-year wing Baylor Scheierman has made, even in defeat. 

When asked about Scheierman’s growth as a decision-maker on both ends of the floor, Mazzulla pointed to a different area of development. “To me, his growth is more about his defensive versatility,” he said. 

That versatility has not gone unnoticed by those who regularly watch the Celtics. Scheierman exceeded expectations defensively as a rookie, particularly as a playmaker on that end, but seeing him take on such varied assignments — “sometimes he’ll guard the best player, sometimes he’ll guard the big,” as Mazzulla noted — stood out enough to warrant a deeper look into his defensive impact. 

Last year, albeit in low minutes, we didn’t see much of Scheierman guarding many different positions or quite frankly, the ability to, and the numbers show it per Bball Index. 

A portion of this is definitely attributed to the fact that more of his playing time last season came in garbage minutes, but even as he began to crack the rotation toward the end of the year, he was typically matched up against low-usage players on opposing teams.  

This year, things look much different.  

Scheierman has dramatically flipped several metrics that have proven important to the Celtics this season, including matchup difficulty, defensive positional versatility, and the percentage of time spent guarding stars and starters. Among those, the spike in matchup difficulty stands out most.  

His defensive impact is impressive on its own, but it becomes even more striking when considering that he’s gone from guarding the least threatening players to consistently taking on the league’s top scorers.  

Last season, he ranked at the very bottom of the league, just the 3rd percentile, in matchup difficulty. This year, he has catapulted to the 70th percentile, a shift that has been a major factor in boosting his overall defensive positional versatility grade from the 58th percentile to an elite 98th percentile, placing him among the league’s best. 

Mazzulla highlighted Scheierman’s versatility in Monday’s game, saying, “There’s a couple possessions where he’s on [Isaiah] Stewart, a couple possessions where he’s on [Cade] Cunningham.” The Stewart matchup, in particular, may have flown under the radar.  

The Celtics’ bigs ran into serious foul trouble in the first half. Neemias Queta picked up two fouls, while Luka Garza accumulated four in just three minutes and 15 seconds of play. Xavier Tillman saw some time, but for the final three minutes of the second quarter, Scheierman, who hadn’t played in the opening frame, was tasked with playing center on defense.  

Here, he hits an important three stopping a Pistons run then goes down and matches up with Stewart. As Cade drives, he’s right there to stop the drive forcing a shot over the top which allows Derrick White to swat it.  

In the third quarter, Sam Hauser picked up his fourth foul just three minutes in, which led to Scheierman logging the remaining nine minutes of the period. During that stretch, he matched up with Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, and Tobias Harris on multiple possessions.  

He also shined in the team’s only win over the Pistons this season, logging a season-high 30 minutes, scoring 13 points, and delivering strong defensive play.  

But when we talk about versatility, there’s one clip that sums it all up.  

Mazzulla closed his remarks on Scheierman by saying, “I think just his continued growth in defensive physicality and understanding of the system is kind of where he’s made the most growth to where you build a level of trust.”  

When your coach is willing to ask you to guard superstars as different as Cade Cunningham and Victor Wembanyama, it’s safe to say that trust has been earned. 

Good morning, it’s Wednesday, January 21st. The Cleveland Cavaliers are 24-20 and play the Charlotte Hornets tonight on the road.

Cleveland is 1-1 against the Hornets this season. They dropped their first meeting in a disappointing overtime loss, then bounced back a week later to beat the Hornets 139-132 in Rocket Arena. The Cavs were 4-0 against the Hornets last season.

Today’s Game of the Day

• Oklahoma City Thunder at Milwaukee Bucks – 9:30 PM, ESPN, FanDuel Sports Network

Even if these two teams aren’t in the same stratosphere, I can’t pass up a chance to watch Giannis Antetokounmpo try to work his way around this elite Thunder defense. It’s like watching an immovable object take on an unstoppable force. Few teams in the league can give Giannis a greater challenge than the Thunder.

OKC has won three of its last four matchups with the Bucks. Their last loss was in the 2024 NBA Cup Final, when Milwaukee took home the trophy. I’m not sure if anyone remembers that, so I figured I’d remind you, just in case.

The Rest of the NBA Slate

• Indiana Pacers at Boston Celtics – 7:30 PM
• Brooklyn Nets at New York Knicks – 7:30 PM
• Detroit Pistons at New Orleans Pelicans – 8 PM
• Atlanta Hawks at Memphis Grizzlies – 8 PM
• Toronto Raptors at Sacramento Kings – 10 PM

Cavs links of the day

• How Chet Holmgren exposed the Evan Mobley problem in Cleveland – Cleveland.com
• Cavs outclassed by OKC – Cleveland 19 News
• Winners and Losers: Donovan Mitchell runs into his kryptonite – Fear the Sword
• Donovan Mitchell deserved to be an All-Star starter – Fear the Sword

NBA links

• NBA midseason trends: Four storylines to watch amid playoff race – ESPN
• Reports: Warriors’ Jimmy Butler out for season with right knee injury – NBA.com
• Lakers’ LeBron James not voted NBA All-Star Starter – ESPN

After 16 consecutive DNP-CDs, Jonathan Kuminga returned to the court Tuesday night and put up 20 points. The out-of-favor Buddy Hield made all six of his three-pointers on his way to 25 points. But the Golden State Warriors starters didn’t play any defense and the Toronto Raptors shot 21-for-34 on three-pointers in a 145-127 win.

The starting lineup seemed to be reeling without Jimmy Butler, who is out for the season with a torn ACL. Brandin Podziemski joined the starters in Butler’s place, and the team replaced Quinten Post with Gui Santos to start the second half. Steph Curry missed his first five three-pointers. In the first quarter, the starters missed all seven of their threes and shot 6-for-17 overall while Toronto ran out to a 26-10 lead.

That lead would grow to 30 points midway through the third quarter, before Kuminga and Buddy Hield helped cut the lead to 108-94 with 12 minutes to play. Hield’s fifth three-pointer got the lead to single digits with five minutes to go, but the Raptors answered with back-to-back threes from Brandon Ingram (22 points 4-for-6 from deep) and Sandro Mamukelashvili (14 points, 4-for-4 on threes) that shut down the comeback.

The Warriors are storming back 👀 pic.twitter.com/p8rSMs37V3

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) January 21, 2026

Hield was +10 in 19 minutes, meaning the Warriors were -28 in the 29 minutes when he sat. Will Richard was +7 in his 23 minutes and Kuminga was +3, but the team simply couldn’t stop the Raptors scorching shooting. The Raptors scored 70 points in the first half, the highest total the Warriors have given up all season, then scored 75 in the second half.

The main culprit was Immanuel Quickley, who tied a career high with 40 points and made nearly every shot he took. Quickley was 11-for-13 from the field, 7-for-8 on three-pointers, and a perfect 11-for-11 from the foul line — all while dishing out 10 assists. Five of those dimes turned into three-pointers, meaning Quickley was involved in 12 of Toronto’s 21 threes — and three more turned into layups or dunks. He had three turnovers, but got two steals. It may have been one of the most efficient 40-point games in NBA history.

Out West, Immanuel Quickley was putting on a SHOW!

😤 40 PTS
😤 10 AST
😤 7-8 3PM
😤 11-13 FGM
😤 TOR W

He's the first player in NBA history to record 40+ PTS, 10+ AST, and 5+ 3PM while shooting over 80% from the floor! pic.twitter.com/scRvWk0tUd

— NBA (@NBA) January 21, 2026

Scottie Barnes was nearly as efficient, shooting 12-for-18 and handing out 11 assists, while also making both his free throws. And Mamukelashvili, one of the best free agent bargains of the summer, finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds, along with four assists, two steals, and a block. He also showed off a sweet shot fake when the Warriors over-committed to stopping him behind the arc.

MAMU WITH AUTHORITY 💪😤 pic.twitter.com/va5UttuxgB

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 21, 2026

The loss ended the Warriors’ four-game win streak and a stretch where they went 12-4 in 16 games. But it also reignited the years-long debate about Jonathan Kuminga, who is either a victim of Steve Kerr, a victim of his agent, a future All-Star, an untradeable player, a waste of Steph Curry’s prime, or the player who’s about to spark the Warriors’ run to a Cinderella play-in tournament run.

Hield and Kuminga are the most common Warriors to see in trade rumors and they both demonstrated their usefulness. They could easily end up back in the starting lineup or back out of the rotation when the Warriors go on the road again, though Kerr called Hield “one of the most professional players I’ve ever coached.”

Kerr on Buddy Hield: “One of the most professional players I’ve ever coached. Just the energy, the spirit, whether he’s playing or not, what he brings to the gym is amazing.”

— Sam Gordon (@BySamGordon) January 21, 2026

It’s hard to blame the team for coming out flat after the emotional devastation of the Butler injury. It’s impressive that Kuminga responded so well after his month on the bench and it’s somewhat stunning that Kerr managed to play 13 guys significant minutes and even got LJ Cryer and Malevy Leons some run.

It’ll be interesting to see what happens leading into the trade deadline and when the Warriors go on the road for the first time in two weeks. They have to hope it includes more three-point defense.

In back-to-back games, the Lakers have rallied in the second half to pull out wins. On Sunday against the Raptors, they trailed by three entering the fourth before coming out on top.

Then, on Tuesday in Denver, they were down by 14 entering the third quarter and shut down the Nuggets’ offense, holding them to just 36 points the rest of the way.

Winning games while trailing for most of them isn’t a recipe for success, but it was encouraging to see the Lakers fight back in both games and get victories against a pair of winning teams.

So, let’s dive into the win. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance for that player.

LeBron James

34 minutes, 19 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 6 turnovers, 2 fouls, 8-15 FG, 1-1 3PT, 2-6 FT, +13

This was a complete game from LeBron. He attacked the paint all night long and was integral in LA’s comeback. His emphatic dunk in the fourth put an exclamation point on the game and killed any hopes the Nuggets had of winning.

CRUNCH TIME HAMMER TIME pic.twitter.com/n1bLdUtN9R

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 21, 2026

Grade: B+

Jake LaRavia

27 minutes, 7 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, 3-5 FG, 0-2 3PT, 1-1 FT +4

LaRavia disappeared in this game. He didn’t bring much offense, the defense was poor and the rebounding was non-existent. If he is going to remain a starter, he has to be more consistent.

Grade: D

Deandre Ayton

15 minutes, 4 points, 8 rebounds, 1 foul, 2-5 FG, -1

Considering Ayton was ruled out for the second half, grading him feels a bit unfair. Overall, he was cleaning up the glass well and started a bit slow offensively. Hopefully, his eye injury isn’t too serious, and he can return soon.

Grade: B

Marcus Smart

31 minutes, 15 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls, 4-9 FG, 3-6 3PT, 4-5 FT, +6

Smart was a second-half superstar for the purple and gold. All of his 15 points came after halftime. Not only did he score for LA, but he did his typical Smart things. He was hustling and flying around the court, being a ball of energy. The Lakers took that momentum and used it to change the trajectory of the game.

Grade: A-

Luka Dončić

36 minutes, 38 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, 12-21 FG, 3-9 3PT, 11-12 FT, -2

This was Luka’s first game since being named an All-Star as a Laker. He demonstrated why he was the NBA’s top vote-getter with his performance against the Nuggets.

In the first quarter, he was a perfect 6-6 from the field. As the game progressed, his rebounding and assists increased and he dismantled Denver.

This was a superstar performance from Dončić and a reminder that regardless of their current position in the league, the Lakers have a very bright future with Luka entering his prime.

Grade: A

Gabe Vincent

17 minutes, 5 points, 3 fouls, 1-2 FG, 1-2 3PT, 2-3 FT, +3

If Vincent’s shot isn’t falling, he doesn’t need to be playing. In this game, his shooting was limited, but his play helped more than it hurt.

Still, the minutes felt like a bit much given what he has provided since returning from his lower back injury.

Grade: C

Jaxson Hayes

23 minutes, 9 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 fouls, 4-5 FG, 1-4 FT, +16

With Ayton out, Hayes had to step up and he was fantastic. He did what he always does, and that’s score near the rim, be explosive and be a willing defender.

Grade: B+

Rui Hachimura

28 minutes, 9 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 fouls, 4-13 FG, 1-3 3PT, -2

This was the most Hachimura has played since returning from his calf injury. His scoring was efficient, but he looked much better and had a good rebounding game.

If he continues to play this well and no other Lakers step up, don’t be surprised if he’s back in the starting lineup during this road trip.

Grade: B–

Jarred Vanderbilt

18 minutes, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 foul, 0-2 FG, 0-1 3PT, -2

While Vanderbilt’s strongest qualities are on the defensive side of the ball, he needs to provide some offense as well. In this game, he scored no points and missed both shot attempts. The defense was good, and he gave the Lakers some size, but he needs to do more.

Grade: C+

Drew Timme

11 minutes, 9 points, 3 rebounds, 1 foul, 4-6 FG, 1-1 3PT, 0-1 FT, +5

Timme has been taking advantage of his opportunities. He had a great game against the Raptors, and the moment he checked in, he hit a 3-pointer at the top of the key.

He brought some offensive production and positive defensive energy to this game, helping LA earn a rare win in Denver.

Grade: B+

JJ Redick

Redick adjusted well to losing his starting center. He gave Timme more time, and he also made some other good moves, like increasing Hachimura’s minutes.

While Redick played 10 guys, he still ran a tight rotation, with everyone who played logging at least 10 minutes.

Grade: A

Tuesday’s DNPs: Maxi Kleber, Dalton Knecht, Kobe Bufkin, Bronny James

Tuesday’s inactives: Austin Reaves, Adou Thiero, Chris Mañon

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

Houston Rockets (26-15, fourth in the Western Conference) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (23-19, fifth in the Eastern Conference)

Philadelphia; Thursday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Houston seeks to extend its three-game win streak with a victory against Philadelphia.

The 76ers have gone 11-12 at home. Philadelphia scores 116.5 points and has outscored opponents by 1.1 points per game.

The Rockets are 11-12 in road games. Houston leads the Western Conference with 16.1 offensive rebounds per game led by Steven Adams averaging 4.5.

The 76ers' 13.0 made 3-pointers per game this season are only 0.4 more made shots on average than the 12.6 per game the Rockets allow. The Rockets are shooting 47.9% from the field, 1.4% higher than the 46.5% the 76ers' opponents have shot this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Tyrese Maxey is averaging 30 points, 6.7 assists and 2.1 steals for the 76ers. Joel Embiid is averaging 21.8 points and 6.2 rebounds over the last 10 games.

Kevin Durant is averaging 25.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists for the Rockets. Reed Sheppard is averaging 2.3 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: 76ers: 5-5, averaging 116.3 points, 42.3 rebounds, 22.8 assists, 10.6 steals and 6.7 blocks per game while shooting 47.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.3 points per game.

Rockets: 5-5, averaging 105.9 points, 50.1 rebounds, 21.9 assists, 7.7 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 43.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.7 points.

INJURIES: 76ers: Paul George: day to day (knee), Joel Embiid: day to day (injury management).

Rockets: Fred VanVleet: out for season (acl), Steven Adams: out (ankle).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Miami Heat (23-21, eighth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (22-22, ninth in the Western Conference)

Portland, Oregon; Thursday, 10 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Portland will attempt to keep its three-game win streak alive when the Trail Blazers take on Miami.

The Trail Blazers are 12-10 in home games. Portland is fourth in the Western Conference in rebounding with 45.2 rebounds. Donovan Clingan paces the Trail Blazers with 10.9 boards.

The Heat are 8-14 on the road. Miami is sixth in the NBA with 45.7 rebounds per game led by Kel'el Ware averaging 9.8.

The Trail Blazers' 14.0 made 3-pointers per game this season are the same per game average that the Heat allow. The Heat average 119.5 points per game, 1.3 more than the 118.2 the Trail Blazers allow to opponents.

The teams square off for the second time this season. In the last meeting on Nov. 9 the Heat won 136-131 led by 29 points from Nikola Jovic, while Deni Avdija scored 33 points for the Trail Blazers.

TOP PERFORMERS: Clingan is scoring 11.3 points per game and averaging 10.9 rebounds for the Trail Blazers. Shaedon Sharpe is averaging 21.6 points and 4.8 rebounds over the last 10 games.

Bam Adebayo is averaging 17.2 points and 9.6 rebounds for the Heat. Norman Powell is averaging 19.7 points and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 49.6% over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Trail Blazers: 8-2, averaging 116.5 points, 44.6 rebounds, 23.9 assists, 7.9 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 46.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.2 points per game.

Heat: 4-6, averaging 115.0 points, 45.0 rebounds, 28.3 assists, 8.0 steals and 3.4 blocks per game while shooting 44.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 121.2 points.

INJURIES: Trail Blazers: Jerami Grant: day to day (achilles), Scoot Henderson: out (hamstring), Matisse Thybulle: out (thumb), Robert Williams III: day to day (knee), Jrue Holiday: day to day (calf), Blake Wesley: out (foot), Kris Murray: out (back), Damian Lillard: out for season (achilles).

Heat: Tyler Herro: out (toe), Kel'el Ware: day to day (hamstring).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Denver Nuggets (29-15, third in the Western Conference) vs. Washington Wizards (10-32, 14th in the Eastern Conference)

Washington; Thursday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Denver hits the road against Washington trying to continue its four-game road winning streak.

The Wizards are 6-14 on their home court. Washington allows the most points in the Eastern Conference, giving up 123.6 points and is allowing opponents to shoot 47.6%.

The Nuggets are 17-7 on the road. Denver averages 121.4 points and has outscored opponents by 4.4 points per game.

The Wizards' 12.6 made 3-pointers per game this season are just 0.5 fewer made shots on average than the 13.1 per game the Nuggets allow. The Nuggets are shooting 49.9% from the field, 2.3% higher than the 47.6% the Wizards' opponents have shot this season.

The teams play for the second time this season. The Nuggets won the last meeting 121-115 on Jan. 18. Jamal Murray scored 42 points to help lead the Nuggets to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Alex Sarr is averaging 17.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks for the Wizards. Tre Johnson is averaging 12.9 points over the last 10 games.

Murray is averaging 26 points and 7.4 assists for the Nuggets. Peyton Watson is averaging 22 points and 6.2 rebounds over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Wizards: 2-8, averaging 110.5 points, 43.0 rebounds, 24.0 assists, 8.7 steals and 5.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 120.1 points per game.

Nuggets: 6-4, averaging 110.4 points, 36.8 rebounds, 25.1 assists, 6.0 steals and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 46.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.0 points.

INJURIES: Wizards: Tristan Vukcevic: day to day (knee), Bilal Coulibaly: out (back), Cam Whitmore: out for season (shoulder), Trae Young: out (quad).

Nuggets: Cameron Johnson: out (knee), Tamar Bates: out (foot), Nikola Jokic: out (knee), Jonas Valanciunas: out (calf), Christian Braun: day to day (ankle).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Toronto Raptors (25-19, fourth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Sacramento Kings (12-32, 14th in the Western Conference)

Sacramento, California; Wednesday, 10 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Raptors -4.5; over/under is 223.5

BOTTOM LINE: Russell Westbrook and the Sacramento Kings host Scottie Barnes and the Toronto Raptors in non-conference play.

The Kings are 9-15 on their home court. Sacramento has a 10-22 record against opponents above .500.

The Raptors are 13-9 on the road. Toronto is the NBA leader with 19.2 fast break points per game led by RJ Barrett averaging 4.0.

The Kings average 10.6 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.2 fewer makes per game than the Raptors allow (12.8). The Kings average 114.2 points per game, 6.5 fewer points than the 120.7 the Kings give up.

TOP PERFORMERS: Westbrook is averaging 15.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and seven assists for the Kings. Zach LaVine is averaging 2.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Immanuel Quickley is shooting 42.4% and averaging 16.3 points for the Raptors. Jamal Shead is averaging 1.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Kings: 4-6, averaging 110.3 points, 41.3 rebounds, 24.6 assists, 6.6 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 48.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.4 points per game.

Raptors: 5-4, averaging 115.4 points, 41.8 rebounds, 30.9 assists, 7.6 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 47.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.7 points.

INJURIES: Kings: Keegan Murray: out (ankle).

Raptors: Jakob Poeltl: day to day (back), Collin Murray-Boyles: day to day (thumb), RJ Barrett: day to day (ankle), Ja'Kobe Walter: day to day (hip).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Los Angeles Lakers (26-16, fifth in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (19-24, 10th in the Western Conference)

Inglewood, California; Thursday, 10 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Clippers host the Los Angeles Lakers trying to prolong a three-game home winning streak.

The Clippers are 10-14 against Western Conference opponents. The Clippers have an 11-15 record in games decided by 10 or more points.

The Lakers are 4-5 against Pacific Division teams. The Lakers are 5-0 in games decided by less than 4 points.

The Clippers average 112.3 points per game, 4.2 fewer points than the 116.5 the Lakers give up. The Lakers are shooting 49.6% from the field, 2.6% higher than the 47.0% the Clippers' opponents have shot this season.

The teams meet for the third time this season. The Clippers won 103-88 in the last matchup on Dec. 21.

TOP PERFORMERS: Ivica Zubac is scoring 14.8 points per game with 10.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists for the Clippers.

Luka Doncic is scoring 33.5 points per game with 7.7 rebounds and 8.7 assists for the Lakers. LeBron James is averaging 22.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and seven assists over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Clippers: 7-3, averaging 112.5 points, 38.9 rebounds, 23.3 assists, 8.9 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 47.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.3 points per game.

Lakers: 5-5, averaging 113.4 points, 42.6 rebounds, 25.3 assists, 6.9 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 48.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.6 points.

INJURIES: Clippers: Kawhi Leonard: day to day (ankle), Bradley Beal: out for season (hip), Derrick Jones Jr.: out (knee), Bogdan Bogdanovic: out (hamstring).

Lakers: Austin Reaves: out (calf), Adou Thiero: out (knee), Deandre Ayton: day to day (eye).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

San Antonio Spurs (30-14, second in the Western Conference) vs. Utah Jazz (15-29, 13th in the Western Conference)

Salt Lake City; Thursday, 9 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Utah hosts the San Antonio Spurs after Keyonte George scored 43 points in the Utah Jazz's 127-122 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Jazz are 9-21 against Western Conference opponents. Utah allows the most points in the league, giving up 127.4 points per game while allowing opponents to shoot 49.4%.

The Spurs have gone 17-12 against Western Conference opponents. San Antonio ranks sixth in the Western Conference with 25.9 assists per game led by Stephon Castle averaging 7.0.

The Jazz are shooting 46.7% from the field this season, 0.8 percentage points higher than the 45.9% the Spurs allow to opponents. The Spurs' 47.2% shooting percentage from the field this season is 2.2 percentage points lower than the Jazz have allowed to their opponents (49.4%).

The teams meet for the third time this season. The Spurs won 123-110 in the last matchup on Jan. 19. Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 33 points, and George led the Jazz with 30 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: George is averaging 24.4 points and 6.7 assists for the Jazz. Brice Sensabaugh is averaging 16.3 points over the last 10 games.

De'Aaron Fox is averaging 20.2 points and six assists for the Spurs. Wembanyama is averaging 22.1 points and 7.8 rebounds while shooting 46.5% over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Jazz: 3-7, averaging 118.1 points, 43.3 rebounds, 30.6 assists, 8.4 steals and 3.0 blocks per game while shooting 48.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 129.7 points per game.

Spurs: 5-5, averaging 109.7 points, 46.8 rebounds, 25.8 assists, 7.1 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 43.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.5 points.

INJURIES: Jazz: Lauri Markkanen: day to day (illness), Georges Niang: day to day (foot), Brice Sensabaugh: day to day (illness), Kevin Love: day to day (rest), Walker Kessler: out for season (shoulder).

Spurs: Devin Vassell: out (thigh).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.