The Mavs were still awaiting takeoff on the plane, stranded on the tarmac in Dallas as of 3 p.m. CT for their originally scheduled 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT) tip-off in Milwaukee. Dallas Hoops Journal's Grant Afseth reported the start time had already been pushed back by an hour to 8 p.m. (7 p.m. CT) before the NBA postponed the game.
The Mavericks-Bucks game is now the third NBA matchup this weekend impacted by the winter storm as midwestern and east coast states have experienced several inches of snow, and southern states have been hit by icy conditions with temperatures expected to drop to as low as -58 degrees in some areas. A total of 17 states have declared a state of emergency.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the Los Angeles Lakers, who played in Dallas on Saturday night, will attempt to fly to Chicago Sunday afternoon for Monday's game against the Bulls. The Lakers, like the Mavericks, remained stuck in Dallas, however.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been playing better basketball of late, but there’s reason to believe they could make a move before the Feb. 5 trade deadline. One of the players that teams have reportedly been trying to target recently is versatile defensive forward Dean Wade.
According to Chris Fedor of cleveland.com, “no fewer than 10 teams have reached out and expressed interest” in Wade. Up until this point, the Cavs have rejected those offers. We’ll see if that continues for the next week and a half.
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Wade is an attractive asset for contenders. He’s an incredible defender who can guard numerous positions. The Cavs have used him as both the primary defender on guards like Devin Booker and as a small-ball center when the team needs to space the floor.
That unique skillset is useful when playing alongside two shot-blocking centers in Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Lineups with that trio on the court are outscoring opponents by 16 points per 100 possessions (97th percentile) with a 101.6 defensive rating (99th percentile).
Aside from his value on the court, Wade’s expiring $6.6 million contract fits into a lot of teams’ cap sheets. And if a team were to trade for Wade, they would have his Bird Rights, which means that they could go over the salary cap to sign him. A team trading for and signing Wade to a larger contract this offseason could also create an additional salary slot that they could trade in the future, which is incredibly beneficial if you’re a team that’s already over the salary cap.
Trading Wade wouldn’t make sense for the Cavs right now. They don’t have any other bigs that can provide what he does, even if the Cavs don’t think they’ll be able to sign him this upcoming offseason.
We’ll see what moves, if any, the Cavs make at the fast-approaching trade deadline.
The Dallas Mavericks will look to get back in the win column after breaking a four-game winning streak as they visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday night.
Dallas has been playing good basketball over the past couple of weeks, and I’m taking them to beat a struggling Milwaukee squad in my Mavericks vs. Bucks predictions below.
Let’s take a closer look at tonight’s matchup in my free NBA picks for Sunday, January 25.
Mavericks vs Bucks prediction
Mavericks vs Bucks best bet: Mavericks moneyline (+120)
Tonight’s game will likely see both teams without their star players on the court. And while the Dallas Mavericks will miss rookie sensation Cooper Flagg, the Milwaukee Bucks are truly in for a tough time with out superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who will be out for several weeks with a calf injury.
That’s an especially tough pill for Milwaukee to swallow considering how much the team has been struggling even with Giannis in the lineup. The Bucks have lost five of their last six games overall, including each of their last three at home.
Contrast that with Dallas, which seems to be coming into its own as a competitive NBA team, if one that’s still a year or more away from being a true playoff contender. And it’s not all about Flagg, as players like Max Christie (13.3 ppg) have come up big in recent weeks to show that this team has a wealth of young talent to draw on.
Without Antetokounmpo, it’s hard to see Milwaukee getting many wins against competent teams, and the Mavericks are losing far less without Flagg in the lineup than the Bucks are by losing their iconic MVP candidate. I’m taking Dallas to get the win outright on the road tonight.
Mavericks vs Bucks same-game parlay
Along with taking the Mavs to win outright tonight, I’m also going to place a bet on the Over, as this number is just too low for two teams that play around league-average pace and have generally gone above tonight’s number.
I’m also taking Max Christie to hit his scoring total of 17.5 points, as he’s gone Over this total in four straight games, and should get even more usage if Flagg isn’t in the lineup.
Mavericks vs Bucks SGP
Mavericks moneyline
Over 218.5
Max Christie Over 17.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Max effort
Christie has dished out at least two assists in 13 straight games, and has hit 3+ in two of his last four outings.
Mavericks vs Bucks SGP
Mavericks moneyline
Over 218.5
Max Christie Over 17.5 points
Max Christie Over 2.5 assists
Mavericks vs Bucks odds
Spread: Mavericks +2.5 | Bucks -2.5
Moneyline: Mavericks +120 | Bucks -140
Over/Under: Over 218.5 | Under 218.5
Mavericks vs Bucks betting trend to know
Dallas is 4-1 SU in its last five games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Mavericks vs. Bucks.
How to watch Mavericks vs Bucks
Location
Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
Date
Sunday, January 25, 2026
Tip-off
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
MavsTV, FDSN Wisconsin
Mavericks vs Bucks latest injuries
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.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
The suddenly mortal Oklahoma City Thunder haven’t looked like a juggernaut lately, and they’ll be shorthanded again tonight as they host the upstart Toronto Raptors.
After a 24-1 start, OKC is just 13-8 in its last 21 games. My Raptors vs. Thunder predictions expect the hosts to lean heavily on Chet Holmgren here in what should be a tighter battle than the line suggests.
Take a closer look at my NBA picks for this January 25 clash.
Raptors vs Thunder prediction
Raptors vs Thunder best bet: Chet Holmgren Over 28.5 points + rebounds (-112)
Last year, the Oklahoma City Thunder held the fort without Chet Holmgren, who only logged 32 games in an injury-hit regular season. This year, they’d be lost without him – and his role should only expand with OKC’s growing injury list.
The hosts will be without Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein, Alex Caruso and Ajay Mitchell tonight against the Toronto Raptors. That’s a lot of firepower in street clothes, and Holmgren is the likeliest candidate to step up to relieve the burden on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Chet delivered a 25-point, 13-rebound effort on Friday against the Pacers, and this is the time for a serious uptick in his 11.5 FGA per game. We’ve seen that in two of his past three outings, and I’m banking on 15+ shots here.
January has been a strong month on the boards for Holmgren. He’s averaging 10 RPG, and that spells trouble for a Toronto team that’s missing Jakob Poeltl and possibly rookie Collin Murray-Boyles, too. Look for the visitors to lean into small-ball lineups, giving Chet a major edge on the glass.
While this O/U line is a little higher than Holmgren’s season averages, he’s walking into the type of volume that an All-Star candidate should thrive on.
Raptors vs Thunder same-game parlay
The Raptors have put together a 3-1 West Coast road trip so far, and they’ve posted a solid 15-9 mark on their travels this year. Meanwhile, the Thunder are 1-4 ATS in their last five home games, so I’m taking the points here with a double-digit spread, especially given OKC’s injury list.
Even so, it’s hard to see Toronto staying close without a top-tier effort from Scottie Barnes, so I’m adding his points prop Over for this SGP. He’s averaging 22.8 PPG across his past eight contests, despite some miserable 3-point shooting, and he went past this number in his last visit to OKC.
Raptors vs Thunder SGP
Chet Holmgren Over 28.5 points + rebounds
Raptors +11
Scottie Barnes Over 18.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Cason keeps rolling along
Cason Wallace is going to see extra opportunities tonight, with the Thunder’s backcourt injuries, and he drilled three 3-pointers against the Pacers on Friday. He’s 11-for-22 from downtown across his last six games, and he’ll get open looks when SGA draws a crowd.
Raptors vs Thunder SGP
Chet Holmgren Over 28.5 points + rebounds
Raptors +11
Scottie Barnes Over 18.5 points
Cason Wallace Over 1.5 3-pointers
Raptors vs Thunder odds
Spread: Raptors +11 | Thunder -11
Moneyline: Raptors +390 | Thunder -510
Over/Under: Over 224.5 | Under 224.5
Raptors vs Thunder betting trend to know
The Raptors are 6-3 ATS in their last nine contests. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Thunder.
How to watch Raptors vs Thunder
Location
Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Date
Sunday, January 25, 2026
Tip-off
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
TSN, FDSN Oklahoma
Raptors vs Thunder latest injuries
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.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
The Detroit Pistons are back at it, trying to rebound from a disappointing loss to the Houston Rockets. The good news is, if you need a get-right game, you can’t do much better than face the Sacramento Kings. The Kings have lost four in a row, crashing back into reality after a fun little four-game winning streak. To win, however, Detroit is going to need to figure out its offense — particularly if Cade Cunningham remains significantly less than 100% and can’t be counted on for 30-ish points. Jalen Duren can still do his work inside, but the spacing is a huge issue, and the lack of a second creator is an uncomfortable reality while Jaden Ivey remains post-injury-Ivey and Caris LeVert remains … Caris LeVert. It’d be nice to see Javonte Green and Daniss Jenkins find a groove that leads to the confident, efficient outside shooting that the Pistons are capable of in spurts.
Game Vitals
When: 3 p.m. ET Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit Odds: Pistons -13.5
The winter storm sweeping through parts of the eastern and southern United States hit Memphis hard, leading the NBA to postpone the game scheduled for Sunday between the Denver Nuggets and the Grizzlies, the league announced.
The game "has been postponed due to inclement weather in the Memphis area," the league said in announcing the decision.
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 19: James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers interacts with fans after the game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on January 19, 2026 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Almost had it, but not quite. The Brooklyn Nets had the Boston Celtics on the ropes Friday night, but a late mistake proved costly as they ultimately fell short in double overtime. The L was the team’s fourth in a row.
The opponent tonight, amazingly, is back in the playoff chase. A couple months ago, the Los Angeles Clippers looked dead in the water and were dangerously close to landing near the top of the NBA Draft, which would wind up going to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Luckily for them, they’ve figured things out. They beat the LA Lakers on Thursday night and have won eight out of their last ten games.
Where to follow the game
YES Network on TV. Gotham Sports on streaming. WFAN on radio. Tip after 9:30 PM.
🤕
No Cam Thomas (left ankle sprain), Nolan Traore (illness), Haywood Highsmith (surgery recovery) or Noah Clowney (back soreness.) Ben Saraf is back with the big club
No Bradley Beal, Bogdan Bogdanovic, or Derrick Jones. Kawhi Leonard is questionable. Chris Paul remains in exile thanks to the Clippers front office.
As the Nets PR staff noted to ND, the trip west was eventful thanks to the weather in the Northeast…
Nets flight to LA was affected by weather. It got in to LA late last night. The charter was delayed 4 hours on the ground, then flight took over 7 hours to get to LA as plane needed to fly around some weather. Team arrived around 10 pm LA time, 1 am NY time. Game is 9 pm LA time.
But they are now safely ensconced in L.A. where it’s 62 degrees and partly sunny.
Nic Claxton and Day’ron Sharpe are going to be in for a fight on the inside tonight. Ivica Zubac is tied for fifth in the NBA in rebounding at a shade over 11 boards per game. He’s especially tough to deal with on the offensive glass as he captures almost four o-boards a night. To make things more challenging for the Brooklyn duo, Zu is tremendous at the rim. The big guy has shot 70 percent on shots inside of three feet for six consecutive seasons and has an especially soft touch on jump hooks and the like. With Clowney banged up, more will be on their plates tonight. Both of these teams have struggled on the glass this month. Brooklyn is 29th in rebounding in January while Los Angeles is 25th. Whoever wins the possession battle has a great chance of winning this game.
If the Nets want to keep up with the Clips, they’re going to need a huge night from Michael Porter Jr. MPJ struggled in the first matchup against Los Angeles, which was a game after he experienced an MCL sprain against the Orlando Magic. He’s toughing it out, but it has taken a bit of a toll on his performance. Either way, he’ll see if he can make something happen, especially if Leonard is limited tonight.
This Nets team has a great tendency to bounce back and fight harder after tough losses. It speaks to the buy in across the roster and with a team looking to find its future, something that’s a good value to possess. As Nic Claxton recently said:
“It’s so many games when you play an 82-game season. So, you really just can’t get too high, you can’t get too low. You get beat by 50, you got to be ready to respond. If you lose a tough game like this, you just kind of just got to be even-keeled through everything.”
Gotta keep picking yourself up every time you get knocked down.
Player to 👀: James Harden
Just when you think it’s over, Harden reminds you how special he is. This is year 17 for the future Hall of Famer and while he’s not at the gravity bending highs of his peak, is still incredibly good at what he does. The Beard is still a great finisher at the rim, a foul drawing magnet, and has gotten his turnover rate considerably down even as he’s taken on more offensive responsibilities. Harden still has his flaws of course, but the good he does outweighs it. As the Clippers hope to go on a miracle run this postseason, they’re going to need their lead guard to play at a superstar level if they want to beat the bevy of title contenders in the Western Conference.
With no Traore, Egor Dёmin and Drake Powell will get more minutes at the guard position. Dёmin hasn’t crossed the 25 minutes played plateau in each of his past four games, but that should change tonight with Traore and Cam Thomas out. This is the start of a five game road trip that will take the Nets across the country. We’re deep in the dog days of the NBA season as everyone’s waiting for the trade deadline to pass and then the All Star break so they can get some much needed rest. For rookies trying to find their footing, it’s especially tough as the grind of the NBA season is starting to wear on them a bit. A good outing from the kids tonight would give them a nice boost as they face some tough competition ahead.
From the 📺
It’s Conference Championship Sunday in the NFL, and the Seattle Seahawks are looking to reach their first Super Bowl in over a decade. We can’t watch it here because the NFL doesn’t do YouTube embeds, so watch it here. While you do that, special shouts to Alicia Keys
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The NBA postponed two games on Sunday in Memphis and Milwaukee because of the massive winter storm that has made for dangerous travel conditions across much of the U.S.
The Dallas Mavericks tried twice to fly to Milwaukee for their game against the Bucks on Sunday night, but conditions didn't allow it. A decision to postpone was announced a few hours before tipoff. Earlier Sunday, a game between the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies was postponed about three hours before tipoff.
Reschedule dates were not announced.
The Memphis area was experiencing a mixture of snow, sleet and freezing rain that began falling early Saturday morning and continued Sunday morning. South and east of Memphis, freezing rain has collected on power lines and trees, causing widespread outages and blocked roads. Authorities had recommended people stay off the streets as the wintry mix and frigid temperatures caused a refreeze.
The Nuggets said they planned to fly out at some point on Sunday, depending on the conditions at Memphis International Airport. They are scheduled to play at home Tuesday against the Detroit Pistons.
The Grizzlies are scheduled to play the Rockets in Houston on Monday.
An NBA G League game scheduled for Monday between the Memphis Hustle and Stockton Kings in Southaven, Mississippi, was postponed and rescheduled for Feb. 19.
At least two college women's basketball games were postponed: No. 17 Tennessee’s visit to No. 18 Mississippi on Monday and Tulane's visit to Memphis on Tuesday. Reschedule dates were not announced.
In men's basketball, a game featuring Tennessee at No. 21 Georgia was pushed back a day from Tuesday to Wednesday. Purdue Fort Wayne and IU Indianapolis, and Southern Illinois and Evansville had Sunday games postponed without make-up dates announced.
The schedule changes come after dozens of games were moved around earlier in the week in anticipation of the storm.
EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — Celtic missed its chance to close the gap on Heart of Midlothian on Sunday after conceding late to draw 2-2 with the Scottish Premiership leader.
Claudio Braga's 87th-minute goal at Tynecastle Park leveled the game and kept first-place Hearts six points clear of the defending champion.
But the draw saw Rangers move up to second and within four points of Hearts with a 3-0 win against Dundee.
Hearts is the surprise leader in Scotland in a league that has long been dominated by Celtic and Rangers.
Celtic has lost two managers already this term — following the departure of Brendan Rodgers and the dismissal of Wilfried Nancy — and is being led by club icon Martin O'Neill on an interim basis for the second time this season.
Yet it remains in contention at the top and looked to pick up a vital win at Hearts when Yang Hyun-jun opened up a 2-1 lead in the 62nd.
But the visitors went down to 10 men when Auston Trusty was sent off 15 minutes later.
Hearts eventually made the numerical advantage count with Braga's equalizer.
Celtic had taken an early lead through Benjamin Nygren, but Stuart Findlay made it 1-1 just after halftime.
James Tavernier, Danilo and Djeidi Gassama struck in Rangers' win against Dundee at Ibrox, with two of those goals coming in time added on.
The dozens of men’s college basketball games that took place on Saturday, Jan. 24 were defined by a slew of eyebrow-raising efforts from what’s being hailed as the best freshman class in years.
Illinois’ Keaton Wagler scored 46 points – more than double his previous career high – in an upset win at No. 4 Purdue, projected No. 1 overall NBA draft pick AJ Dybantsa poured in a career-high 43 points in BYU’s victory over rival Utah and even in a losing effort, Houston’s Kingston Flemings had 42 points in a loss at No. 12 Texas Tech. According to ESPN research, it marked the first time in at least 20 years that multiple freshmen scored 40 or more points in a single day.
One of the more notable performances of the day came from someone who was playing in the G League a week ago.
In his first college game since 2023, Alabama’s Charles Bediako had 13 points, three rebounds, two blocks and two steals in 25 minutes in a 79-73 loss to Tennessee.
Bediako’s return had been one of the most controversial and breathlessly discussed subjects in the sport for much of the week. After playing two seasons for Alabama, from 2021-23, the seven-foot center declared for the NBA draft and played the next three seasons in the G League, most recently for the Motor City Cruise. Though Bediako has been playing professional basketball for the past three years, he has never played in an NBA game.
On Tuesday, Jan. 21, he filed a request to Tuscaloosa County (Alabama) Circuit Court for a temporary restraining order and/or preliminary injunction, with a Judge James Roberts Jr. granting a temporary restraining order the following day that made Bediako immediately eligible to suit up for coach Nate Oats and the No. 17 Crimson Tide.
Under the terms of the restraining order, Bediako is eligible until his next injunction hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 27, which means the Tennessee loss could end up being the only game he plays.
"Right now I'm just focused on the team," Bediako said after the game. "Obviously, I'm just going to take what happened today, just continue to do the film, and right now our main focus is on this next game (against Missouri)."
Bediako made five of his six field-goal attempts in the loss to the Volunteers.
He was much more productive than many other former G League players who have joined college basketball teams for this season. Thierry Darlan is averaging just 6.5 points per game for Santa Clara, big man Abdullah Ahmed is averaging only 2.8 points in 14.8 minutes per game for No. 13 BYU, and London Johnson has yet to play in a game for No. 21 Louisville. James Nnaji, a seven-foot center who was selected in the 2023 NBA Draft and has played professionally in Europe, has only 10 points in six games for Baylor.
The trend of former professional players joining the college ranks has earned ire from across the sport and from the NCAA itself, which voiced its disapproval with the judge’s ruling on Bediako.
"These attempts to sidestep NCAA rules and recruit individuals who have finished their time in college or signed NBA contracts are taking away opportunities from high school students," the NCAA said in a statement on Wednesday. "A judge ordering the NCAA let a former NBA player take the court Saturday against actual college student-athletes is exactly why Congress must step in and empower college sports to enforce our eligibility rules."
GUWAHATI, India (AP) — Opener Abhishek Sharma hit a whirlwind 68 not out off 20 balls as India beat New Zealand with ease, winning the third Twenty20 match by eight wickets on Sunday with 10 overs to spare.
India took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
Sharma reached his 50 off only 14 deliveries, including four sixes, and put on 102 off 40 balls with skipper Suryakumar Yadav (57 not out off 26) as India reached 155-2 in 10 overs in reply to New Zealand's 153-9 in 20 overs.
“This is what my team wants from me – I want to execute it all the time,” Sharma said. “It is not easy to do it, but I keep trying.”
Jasprit Bumrah returned for India and took 3-17 in four overs as New Zealand was restricted to a sub-par score.
Glenn Phillips top-scored for the Black Caps with 48 off 40 and Mark Chapman was out for 32.
India won the first T20 in Nagpur by 48 runs, and the second T20 in Raipur by seven wickets.
The fourth T20 is at Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.
India's chase
Chasing 154, India started badly by losing Sanju Samson for a golden duck to Matt Henry.
But Sharma hit five sixes and seven fours overall to put New Zealand’s bowling to the sword.
Ishan Kishan hit 28 off 13 deliveries as the pair added 53 off only 19 balls for the second wicket. Kishan then holed out off Ish Sodhi, yet it didn’t end New Zealand’s misery.
India set a hectic pace scoring 100 in only 6.3 overs. Yadav got his second consecutive half-century – off 25 balls. He finished with three sixes and six fours overall.
New Zealand struggles
New Zealand was put into bat but failed to make a good start. Bumrah bowled Tim Seifert for 12 after Harshit Rana dismissed Devon Conway for one.
Hardik Pandya (2-23) made it 34-3 in 5.1 overs with Rachin Ravindra's dismissal for four.
New Zealand never really recovered from those early blows despite a 52-run partnership between Phillips and Chapman, who both fell to wrist spinner Ravi Bishnoi (2-18).
Bumrah then returned for another spell and got two more wickets.
Alright, I have settled down. The initial shock has passed. The wave hit, it knocked me over, and now I am back on my feet, looking around and taking inventory.
Jalen Green goes down. Devin Booker follows. In real time, that kind of night does not invite patience or perspective. It invites panic. It invites spirals. It invites every scar this fan base carries to start itching again. And yes, I reacted as it was happening. Loudly. Honestly. Without a filter. Thank you for letting me do that in real time.
But here is the pivot.
Once the noise fades, once the adrenaline drains out, you are left with the same choice you always are. You can stay in doom mode, or you can look ahead. I am choosing the latter, not because it is easy, but because it is necessary. “Get busy living or get busy dying. That’s goddamn right.”
Injuries have a way of dragging Suns fans straight to the worst possible conclusion. History does that to you. Experience does that to you. This is a fan base conditioned to brace for impact. So if my first reaction leaned dark, understand where it came from.
I am a Suns fan. Of course it did.
Looking forward starts tonight against the Miami Heat, and at least now we know what the injury report says. Devin Booker is out with an ankle injury. Jalen Green is listed as questionable with the hamstring. All things considered, that is actually encouraging.
Personally, I do not think either one plays.
This feels like the organization shifting into protection mode. Less short-term urgency, more long view. Protect the bodies. Preserve the runway. This is about health, not pride. That is where they are right now.
We are at the halfway point of the season. There are still 37 games left on the schedule. 17 days from now, the All-Star break arrives. Between now and then, the Suns play 10 games. Nine of them are at home.
If you want to map out an ideal window for two players carrying a combined $88.7 million cap hit to miss time, this is about as clean as it gets. They can stay around the team. They can rehab without constant travel. They effectively get an extra eight days folded into the recovery process because of the break.
None of this will be easy. The competition is real. The combined winning percentage of the upcoming opponents sits at .539. That is the stretch. That is the test.
The Suns have 10 games remaining before the All-Star break. Their opponents’ combined winning percentage sits at .539.
We will wait for more reporting to come out, but the hope is that Jalen Green is not nearly as injured as the fear suggests. That is the optimism baked into the questionable tag.
He pulled up lame because he felt something tweak, not because something exploded. It did not look violent. It did not look aggressive. It was nothing like November against the Clippers, when he was clutching his hamstring in obvious pain. This looked different. This looked like awareness. He felt something was off, recognized it immediately, and removed himself from the situation.
Now, full disclosure. This is speculation. I am not a doctor. I am not in the locker room. I do not have access to imaging or medical notes. I am reacting to what my eyes tell me, same as everyone reading this, same as the folks who will weigh in below. That context matters.
If this turns into only a couple of missed games, it could actually work in the Suns’ favor.
Because in a strange way, this becomes a handoff moment. Almost like Devin Booker tapped Jalen Green on the shoulder and said, “Your turn”. This is Green’s chance to live inside these lineups, to feel the speed of the game with this group, to learn how these possessions breathe without Booker on the floor. It is reps. It is information. It is clarity.
For the coaching staff, it becomes a live experiment. You get to see how Green operates with teammates not named Devin Booker. You get to see how the spacing holds. How the actions flow. How well everyone meshes. How cleanly the schemes execute when the hierarchy shifts.
Those answers carry weight. Not only now, but later. Down the road. In the postseason, when options matter and familiarity becomes currency.
On the Booker side of things, that one looked rough. No medical degree here, but it immediately registered as something that could linger. All of his weight came down on it, and in real time it looked like a high ankle sprain at minimum.
nasty looking ankle injury for Devin Booker, who had been on fire for the Suns with 31 points in the first 3 quarters 😬 pic.twitter.com/VXpgErMBN3
Context matters too. He had already tweaked that ankle earlier in the road trip against the Heat, which turns this into an insult on top of injury situation. Stack enough stress on the same joint, and eventually it gives you a reminder. That is what this felt like.
It would not be surprising if we do not see Devin Booker again until after the All-Star break. We still need the medical report. We still need clarity on the severity.
As frustrating as it is, this is also one of those injuries that forces rest in the middle of the year. It creates space to heal. It creates time to get right. And with the break looming, the timing is not catastrophic. If there was ever a window to absorb something like this and still keep the bigger picture intact, this is it.
Both of those injuries were brutally unfortunate, no question. But if you zoom out and look at the reality of how the NBA operates right now, this is the landscape. Every team is dealing with it. Night after night. The Suns are not some isolated case.
Jalen Green has missed 41 games this season. That means this team has been fully intact for two games out of 45. Two. That is the context we are living in.
According to Spotrac, the Suns have lost 100 combined games to injury so far, translating to $23.1 million in cash value tied up in missed time. 100 games sounds massive until you stack it against the rest of the league. That number is tied for the sixth-fewest in the NBA. Portland leads the league at 259 games lost.
This is not unique to Phoenix. You see it every night. Ja Morant hits the injury report. Giannis Antetokounmpo hits the injury report. Anthony Davis is out for an extended stretch. At this point, I honestly do not know how the league will hand out end-of-season awards when the threshold is 65 games played. Nobody gets there anymore. The pace is relentless. The wear accumulates. Bodies break down.
The Suns are dealing with injuries. So is everyone else. This is the modern NBA. And while it never feels good when it hits your team, it is not happening in a vacuum.
As it applies to the Suns, this is the same stretch every team eventually has to survive. This is the part of the season where theory turns into proof. Where availability thins out and the ideas either hold or they do not.
This becomes the real test for Jordan Ott. Not when everything is clean and the roster is whole, but when talent is stripped away and the structure has to carry the weight. The question is simple: How replicable are his schemes when the names change?
If this team has shown anything, it is that the identity does not live in star power. It lives in effort. In competitiveness. In connectivity. In communication. Those things travel. Those things do not get ruled out on an injury report. This group has that in spades.
Now it is time to show the rest of the league that even without Devin Booker, or without Jalen Green, this is still a problem on any given night.
And for the love of basketball sanity, let us not turn that into 23 shot attempts from Dillon Brooks every game. We need him doing what he does best. Setting the tone. Being the enforcer. Making life miserable for the other team. Not trying to moonlight as the primary shot creator.
Looking forward begins now, not because this is comfortable or clean, but because this team has built an identity sturdy enough to stand upright when the ground starts shaking.
Veteran NBA coach J.B. Bickerstaff will coach his first NBA All-Star Game next month.
Boston's loss to Chicago on Saturday ensured Detroit will have the No. 1 seed in the East on Feb. 1 (the cut-off date for deciding the coaches). This will be Bickerstaff's first time as an All-Star Game head coach, and he will coach one of the three teams — two USA, one world team — in this year's All-Star Game format (more on that below).
J.B. Bickerstaff will be the Pistons’ first All-Star head coach since Flip Saunders in 2005-06. pic.twitter.com/kAiOIl81mg
The Pistons have been the clear No. 1 seed in the East and looked every bit the title contender this season, with a 32-11 record that leads the East and is second in the league (to the Thunder). This is the second year of the turnaround Bickerstaff has led in Detroit, he took over a 14-win team two seasons ago and led it to the playoffs last season. Bickerstaff finished second in Coach of the Year voting last season and is considered the frontrunner to win the award this season.
Another coach will come from the West. Because Oklahoma City's Mark Daigneault coached the All-Star Game last year, he is ineligible to coach this year, which leaves either Mitch Johnson from No. 2 seed San Antonio or David Adelman from No. 3 seed Denver as the most likely coach from the West (just half a game separates their teams in the standings).
All-Star Game format
This year, the NBA All-Star Game returns to NBC and debuts on Peacock — and it falls right in the middle of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. That was a perfect setup for the first-of-its-kind All-Star Game format, a USA vs. World showdown that fans and players have been asking for.
The 24 All-Star players — 12 from each Conference, the 10 starters have been named — will be divided into three teams, two USA teams and one world team. Those three teams will compete in a round-robin tournament of four 12-minute games. Each of the three teams will have a minimum of eight players (if the USA or World teams are short on players, the league office will select one or more players to reach the required number).
At the end of the round-robin, the two top teams will play a championship game (the fourth 12-minute game of the day) for the title.
The 75th NBA All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, Feb. 15, at 5 p.m. Eastern, an earlier time than in previous years, leading into more coverage of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
Luka Doncic hugged Mark Cuban. He laughed and exchanged words with his former Dallas Mavericks teammates.
He even accidentally started walking toward the Mavericks’ locker room at halftime before correcting himself and spinning around.
Doncic was back home in Dallas, where he was drafted, grew into a superstar and thought he’d spend his entire career.
Jan 24, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) looks back during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Saturday marked his second time playing at American Airlines Center after the Mavericks stunningly dealt him to the Los Angeles Lakers at the trade deadline last Feb. Emotions went from being at a feverish pitch in his return last April to softening to nostalgia this time around.
“I mean, obviously there’s always going to be emotions,” said Doncic, who had 33 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds in the Lakers’ 116-110 win. “I was happy to be back here. I went to my house, I saw my cars. But obviously it’s always going to be emotions. I really appreciate how they cheered for me when I was introduced. It’s always going to be a special place for me.”
During Doncic’s introductory news conference with the Lakers on Feb. 4, he walked onto the podium looking like a man who had been betrayed. He said the last 48 hours felt like a month, adding, “I thought I was going to spend my whole career there.”
Then came his return to Dallas in April. Doncic buried his face in a towel as tears streamed down his cheeks during the Mavericks’ video tribute for him. He responded with a 45-point, eight-rebound, six-assist and four-steal performance.
Nine months later, Doncic has settled into the fact that he wears a purple and gold jersey.
So have Mavericks fans, who went from holding a mock funeral outside American Airlines Center with a $3,000 casket to mourn Doncic’s departure to now paying their respects with a standing ovation as he was introduced and chanting MVP as he shot free throws in the second quarter.
Ironically, Doncic torched the Mavericks on Saturday with one of the very things his former team criticized him for lacking: Defense. When the Lakers began clawing their way back from a 15-point fourth quarter deficit, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd strategized to have his team attack Doncic.
It backfired.
“We counted after the game, he had six straight stops where they targeted him,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “Just a fantastic job from him. Then [he] makes the game-sealing defensive play with the charge on [Naji] Marshall.”
Jan 24, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) shoots the ball over Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) during the second half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Things have come full circle for Doncic, who felt deeply slighted by the trade, but has responded to the criticism about him being out of shape and unwilling to play defense by entering this season in arguably the best shape of his career.
He’s leading the league in scoring (33.4 points a game) and was the top vote-getter by fans for the All-Star Game. Kidd was asked Saturday if he wishes he could’ve done more to stop the trade.
“Luka’s moved on,” Kidd said. “And we’ve moved on. He’s playing extremely well. He’s leading the league in scoring. He has his team in the hunt. For that, we wish him the best. That’s the business of basketball, you’ve got to move forward.”
Doncic opened this season playing MVP-caliber basketball, leading the Lakers to a 15-4 record. Currently, the Lakers are in fifth place in the very crowded Western Conference with a record of 27-17, which is pretty impressive considering LeBron James missed the first 14 games of the season because of sciatica and Austin Reaves has missed the last month because of a calf strain.
Meanwhile, ever since dealing Doncic for Anthony Davis, the Mavericks have been in a tailspin. Injuries to Davis and Kyrie Irving have derailed the franchise. Despite getting Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 pick last year, Dallas is in 12th place in the West at 19-27. Nico Harrison, who orchestrated the Doncic trade, was fired as general manager in November.
Jan 24, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) moves the ball to the basket past Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) during the second quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Mavericks fans let it be known how much Doncic still means to them by commuting to the arena amid a severe winter storm that was expected to bring two to three inches of sleet to the area.
“That was really special,” Doncic said. “I didn’t know what to expect before because I know how the city gets when the weather is this bad. But I really appreciate a lot of people showing up.”
Doncic reciprocated the love, surprising 22 fans who supported him on social media with a suite, a pregame meet-and-greet and gift bags with his jersey and signature shoe.
“That was something that was special for me to do,” Doncic said. “I see what a lot of them did on social media and after I got traded, how much support they gave me. Obviously, there’s a lot more fans than that, but I could only fit 22 of them.”
For Doncic, Dallas will always be the place where his professional career began, where he spent seven years, where he became one of the top players in the NBA.
But now, instead of mourning the view in the rearview mirror, he’s able to look forward.
