VITORIA-GASTEIZ, Spain (AP) — Lucas Boyé scored twice for Alaves to draw with Girona 2-2 in an end-to-end La Liga encounter at Estadio Mendizorroza on Monday.
The second straight draw for Alaves lifted it three points clear of La Liga’s relegation zone.
Girona was three places and three points better off, although only six points separate Girona in 11th and Mallorca in the last of the three relegation spots.
The home side took the initiative after just five minutes when Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga missed Yusi’s low cross, allowing Boyé to side-foot home from close range.
However, Girona came roaring back and 14 minutes before the break it was level, Axel Witsel’s glancing header touched into the net by Vladyslav Vanat.
Girona took the lead in the 73rd minute when Azzedine Ounahi’s superb reverse pass split the Alaves defence. Viktor Tsygankov showed a cool head to round the keeper and slot the ball into the empty net.
But Boyé’s header a minute from time gave Alaves a deserved draw that could be crucial in its fight against the drop.
“We’re at home, and we know that to reach our objective as quickly as possible we have to pick up three points here, especially against direct rivals,” Boyé said. “We’re frustrated by the draw and by not getting all three points.”
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 07: Jalen Green #4 and Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns walk during a timeout in the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 07, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Coming out of the All-Star break, the Phoenix Suns had three games in four nights, going 1-2 with a dramatic win over the Orlando Magic and tough losses where the offense struggled against the San Antonio Spurs and Portland Trailblazers. While it was a short week, the team lost multiple key players due to injury.
Here are the main questions for Week 18 that we want your thoughts on:
Getting Through the Injury Bug/Jalen Green’s big shot
Two questions in one block here. In the Suns’ three games this week, Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks and Jordan Goodwin all went down with injuries and missed the next game. Booker will be re-evaluated later this week, Brooks broke his hand and is out without a timeline, and Goodwin strained his calf and is also without a timeline.
Phoenix has now played 14 games this year without Booker and are en route to play at least two more. On a side note, if Booker misses four more games, he’ll be ineligible for All-NBA awards this year.
With the Suns’ top scorers likely out for an extended period, look for Jalen Green to get more into a rhythm with his new teammates. He played 30 minutes for the first time as a Sun on Saturday in the team’s double-overtime win that ended with him hitting a buzzer-beating three, green has been inefficient so far in his first ten games as a Sun, shooting 38% from the field and 31% from three. His shooting splits are the lowest of any season of his career. Averaging over 20 points per game in his previous three seasons combined, he has the potential to lead the team in scoring amid the injuries.
JALEN GREEN HITS THE GAME-WINNING @TISSOT BUZZER-BEATER TO WIN IT FOR THE SUNS IN 2OT!
Is the answer to the Suns’ injury issues getting Jalen Green more acclimated into the offense? Who else needs to step up for the time being?
Offensive Issues
The Suns didn’t shoot over 40% from the field once this week. Their win against Orlando was the first time since 2023 a team won while shooting under 35% from the field, and their 77 points against Portland was the least points they’ve scored in a game all year, and is tied for the second-least points a team has scored in a game this season.
To win games, independent of whose in the lineup, the Suns need to hit more shots. While Grayson Allen missed Sunday’s contest due to injury management, he should be back in the lineup Tuesday.
What is wrong with the Phoenix offense? How can it improve?
For more questions on the Suns follow @HoldenSherman1 on X for content after every game.
Jalen Green went 6/26 from the field, but finished the game with a buzzer beater.
What do you make of his performance tonight and his ability to come up clutch when he's most needed?@BrightSideSun
Lakers backup center Jaxson Hayes’ status is being considered “day-to-day” after imaging on his right ankle revealed a “little bruise,” coach JJ Redick told reporters after Monday’s practice.
Hayes played five first-half minutes during Sunday’s home loss to the Celtics before the team ruled him out of halftime because of a right ankle injury.
Jaxson Hayes guards Payton Pritchard of the Boston Celtics. Getty Images
When in the lineup, the 7-foot Hayes has consistently been the backup big man behind starting center Deandre Ayton.
Hayes has averaged 6.8 points on 77% shooting and 3.8 rebounds through 47 games.
Redick said he believed Hayes would be listed as questionable for Tuesday’s home game against the Magic.
Magic guard Jalen Suggs is listed as questionable for Tuesday because of a strained back after sitting out Orlando’s Sunday win over the Clippers because of back spasms.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 19: Jimmy Butler III #10 of the Golden State Warriors stands on the court during their game against the Miami Heat at Chase Center on January 19, 2026 in San Francisco, California. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Having torn his ACL on January 19th, Jimmy Butler is out for the season — and likely a little bit of next season, too.
However, despite this, he is still incredibly dedicated to being a Golden State Warrior. Earlier this week, Butler sent this email to Warriors season ticket holders reminding them of how much he loves playing for Golden State:
“Dear Warriors Season Ticket Family,
I have played in front of many incredible crowds over my 15 seasons in the NBA, but there was always something about playing in the Bay Area that made it feel like more than just another game. It was always electric. So, when I received the phone call on February 5, 2025, that I had been traded to the Warriors, I knew it had a chance to be special. But even I wasn’t prepared for what it means to be part of Dub Nation, playing in front of the loudest, most loyal and dedicated fans in the NBA.
The energy you provided us down the stretch last year was magical, as we finished the season winning 23 of 31 games and, ultimately, clinching a playoff berth. And playing with Steph and all of my teammates in The Bay has been an incredible experience. Steph is truly the greatest shooter and showman of all time, and I am honored to be the Robin to his Batman. The energy you gave us during the first round against Houston was palpable, and further reinforced my desire to play through my Game 2 injury. It was your love, encouragement, and joy that helped me dig deep to play – and win – for this fanbase. Ultimately, last year’s playoffs left us with a big “what if,” as Steph’s injury was too much for us to overcome in the Western Conference Semifinals vs. Minnesota. But we knew what we had and were eager to play meaningful basketball once again this season.
After a roller coaster start to this season, we were finally rounding into form in mid-January, winning 12 of 16 games, looking like the playoff contender we envisioned and the NBA feared. Every NBA season is a puzzle and we were beginning to figure ours out. Unfortunately, on January 19 against Miami, I tore my ACL. I was/am devastated. For me, for my teammates, and for all of you. After being in this league for as long as I have — 15 years now — you eventually realize that you only have a certain number of these golden opportunities. We had that opportunity this year in a league filled with parity and a team full of promise. Nonetheless, we move forward and will continue to battle our way to the postseason. I am excited to see my guys compete for the remainder of this season, but also heartbroken to know that I will not be out there with them. They’re my brothers.
Despite experiencing almost every emotion over the last 12 months — from the highs of the fourth most wins in the NBA to the lows of a pair of season-ending injuries — your support has been unwavering. I can see clearly now why you, our Warriors season ticket family, are known as the best fans in the NBA. You are our most loyal supporters, and your incredible energy is the fuel that drives this team.
I can promise you that I will attack my rehab with a singular focus that will enable me to get back to playing the game that I love, in front of the fans that I have grown to love and appreciate. My life has shown me repeatedly that when something happens that is out of my control, all I can do is work and wait for the answer and the why. Both have always been shown to me, and this time will be no different. This story, which has been interrupted twice, is not complete. Not by a long shot. This period is simply a part of our journey. I can’t wait to see what next season holds and will treasure the opportunity to put my jersey back on and take the court with Steph, Dray, and the rest of the guys, in front of you all. I’m sure that when I return and hear all of you in unison chant “WAAAAARRRRRRIIIIORRRSSSSS,” it will push me forward and provide an incredible adrenaline rush.
I am the author of my story. I always have been and I always will be. I look forward to you all continuing this journey with me and with us. If you have learned anything about me over our year-plus together, it’s that I am never hard to find.
I will be back, and I need you back, too. Here’s to what’s ahead.
Go Dubs”
Since being acquired by the Warriors in January of 2025 (after a lengthy and dramatic saga with the Miami Heat), Butler has played in 68 games and has become a fan-favorite player both on and off the court. Even at age 36, he was still a valuable asset for the Warriors up until his ACL tear, putting up an average of 20 points per game. Hopefully, Butler will stay a Warrior after his recovery — he certainly seems dead-set on it, based on what he said in his email.
LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Manchester United supersub Benjamin Sesko scored 13 minutes after entering the field to give his side a 1-0 win over Everton in the Premier League on Monday.
It was the third time in four games that Sesko has scored after coming off the bench and secured points for United.
“I believe in me and so do the other players as well,” Sesko told Sky Sports. “They know what they are going to get when I arrive in the game. It's up to me to deliver of course.”
His goal with 19 minutes remaining finished off the slickest move of an otherwise stodgy game.
Bryan Mbeumo controlled Matheus Cunha’s superb long ball and played a perfectly weighted pass to the feet of Sesko, who steered the ball past Jordan Pickford with aplomb.
“It was a great finish," United interim coach Michael Carrick said. “It was a ruthless finish. I liked the way he put it away with real confidence. It was great play from Cunha and Mbeumo to set it up and we are dangerous on the break.”
Until then defenses had been on top and the lack of attacking fluency was not helped by a heavy pitch that appeared to slow down both teams.
The result took fourth-placed United three points clear of Chelsea and Liverpool. United was three behind Aston Villa.
It also extended Carrick’s unbeaten run to six games since he replaced Ruben Amorim on Jan. 13.
The defeat was a blow to Everton’s hopes of a place in next year’s European competitions and left it languishing in ninth, behind Brentford and Bournemouth and eight points adrift of Chelsea and Liverpool.
David Moyes’ men have gone seven games without a win at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
“Generally we did very well in lots of bits," Moyes said. "We got done on the counterattack and they ran away and got the goal that was there. We put in a great effort to get the goal but lacked the quality to make it count.”
The Lakers’ struggles against more physical opponents hasn’t been a talking point in a while, but Sunday’s blowout loss to their longtime cross-country rival, the Boston Celtics, brought it back to the forefront.
Yes, the offense and the process behind it on Sunday afternoon was abysmal, especially in the first half. This led to the Lakers scoring their second-fewest points in a game this season (89) to the Celtics at Crypto.com Arena.
LeBron James drives to the basket against the Boston Celtics. AP
Part of the Lakers’ struggles were because they settled for what the Celtics wanted them to take: midrange shots against the deep drop defensive coverage Boston used with multiple big men when defending on-ball screens.
Just over 40% (40.7%) of the Lakers’ shot attempts against the Celtics came from midrange (outside of four feet from the rim to the 3-point line), which was tied for their seventh-highest mark of the season. Coach JJ Redick highlighted how the Celtics’ drop coverage put the Lakers in uncomfortable positions.
“There were opportunities to put more pressure on the rim,” Redick said. “Particularly in the first half. A lot of times when teams are on a deeper drop versus all our guys that play pick and roll, it kind of puts you a little bit in a bind of not having the obvious choice to pass, if that makes sense? So we just got to do a better job of just finding guys and moving the ball.”
But the Celtics also presented similar issues that the Lakers have struggled to consistently have an answer for: a physical team that establishes a hard-nose style of play early on.
Once the Lakers didn’t match physicality with physicality, frustration began to build.
And the Lakers took out their frustrations toward the officials – albeit after multiple egregious non-calls that favored the Celtics.
There was the technical foul Marcus Smart picked up after Jaylen Brown elbowed him in the face, with Smart being assessed the technical for arguing about the play. Reaves was also T’d up for arguing about the play.
Redick was given a technical later in the game while arguing Neemias Queta should’ve been called for goaltending or basket inference on a LeBron James layup attempt.
LeBron James gets to the basket against the Celtics. NBAE via Getty Images
And once those frustrations were built up, the Lakers struggled to stay in the game.
“We can get that way sometimes,” Reaves said. “When you don’t get those calls, you can’t stay frustrated. You got to move on to the next play. I’m a culprit of that. I got to do better in that situation, and our whole team does as well.”
And the frustrations also affected the Lakers’ offensive playstyle.
Too often they resorted to one-on-one basketball or going to high pick and rolls without off-ball actions or movements once the Celtics took control of the game.
“Got to be able to understand games that are going to be tailored to play different ways,” Reaves said. “[With the] scoring ability [of] Luka [Doncic] and Bron, there’s going to be nights where you take matchups and you score and you win that way, and it’s going to be nights like [Sunday]. Got to do a better job all of us, myself included, playing with the pass. When you do that, everything’s going to open up more for one-on-one basketball. That’s what you want to do.”
The Celtics presented a similar challenge the Lakers will experience in the postseason.
Sunday showed they have more progress to make before passing the test.
Kevin Durant, 37, is feeling the Olympics call to him yet again. After the United States won gold in both men and women's hockey in Milano Cortina, the former NBA MVP and the United States' all-time leading Olympic scorer debunked the theory that 2024 was the last Olympic ride for many of the games biggest stars.
"You guys, the media, have projected that," Durant told ESPN. "That narrative, where did the last dance thing come from? I didn't say I wasn't playing. LeBron said he wasn't. You didn't hear that from me or Steph."
Curry is unlikely to participate in 2028 and James has already said that he will not play. Durant added that he wants to play, but only if he is still at the "top of [his] game."
He said, "I want to produce on the floor and make Grant and whoever is making the decisions, want to put me on the team." He continued, "I want to still prove I can help the team win."
Durant's Olympic resumé
As mentioned earlier, Durant is the United States' all-time leading scorer at the Olympics. He began his Olympic career in 2012, playing in London.
Durant averaged 19.5 points per game in the London Olympics, all while hitting more than 48.5% of his three-point attempts. Durant has averaged at least 19.8 points per game in every Olympics since with his worst mark coming in 2024, when he averaged just 13.8 points per game in Paris.
The U.S. has won gold at every Olympics Durant has participated in.
When and where will the 2028 Olympics be?
The 2028 Olympics will take place in Los Angeles, California. The basketball games, specifically, will be played at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood.
The first basketball game of the event will take place two days prior to the Opening Ceremonies on Wednesday, July 12, 2028, with the gold medal game not yet set but likely on Sunday, July 30, 2028. Durant will be 39 years old.
Los Angeles, CA - February 22: Guard Luka Doncic, left, along with teammate guard Marcus Smart #36 and guard Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers on the bench late in the second half of a NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 22, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images
Both a lack of effort and a lack of execution doomed them, bitter pills to swallow in a rivalry game. But while it may not have ultimately affected the outcome of the game, officiating was also a big storyline.
Across the course of the contest, though mostly in the first half, the Lakers had some fair complaints toward the officials. At least one missed goaltending call and questionable foul calls culminated in a sequence in which both Austin Reaves and Marcus Smart received technical fouls.
The technicals came after Jaylen Brown appeared to elbow Smart in the face on a play when Smart was called for a foul.
Reaves was assessed a technical immediately after the foul for clapping at the official. Smart protested for quite a while after before eventually earning his own technical After the contest, Reaves was asked about hte play, leading to some larger thoughts on what is and isn’t a technical in the league now.
“I mean, I thought (Jaylen Brown) elbowed Marcus [Smart] in the face,” Reaves said. “I didn’t say anything disrespectful. He told me I got a tech because I clapped my hands. I just said, ‘Offensive foul’ over and over again. I kind of walked by him, didn’t turn around and say anything else. But he told me that it’s an automatic tech when you clap, I guess, towards a ref.
“I don’t know. I’ve heard way more disrespectful things said to officials and nothing, no tech or anything. But yeah, I mean, there’s a level of frustration. You want to stand up for your teammates. But alsoI know he elbowed him in the face and might have fouled him before. But yeah, I didn’t think that it warranted a tech, but it’s not for me to say.”
Complaints about officials always land pretty hollow after a blowout loss to a rival, but it doesn’t mean they’re wrong either. Officiating was, at best, lackluster in this contest and the Lakers were on the wrong end of things.
That being said, they also let the poor officiating impact their play. Every questionable play became an opportunity to complain to the refs again. The focus shifted from the game to the officials and Boston took full advantage, opening up a double-digit lead late in the second quarter that changed the game.
For as little or much as it matters, Reaves acknowledged that the Lakers can’t let that happen moving forward.
“When you don’t get those calls, you can’t stay frustrated,” Reaves said. “You got to move on to the next play. I’m a culprit of that. I got to do better in that situation and our whole team does as well.”
Unfortunately, this has become a trait of this Lakers team. It’s pretty easy to point the finger at Luka Dončić, but this is a team-wide problem and everyone else shouldn’t escape blame.
But so long as this remains a constant for the Lakers, they will fail to be a real contender.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - FEBRUARY 19: The sneakers worn by Nikola Vuevi #4 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Golden State Warriors on February 19, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 10: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors and Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers look for the ball during the game on January 10, 2020 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to February Daily Topics at Golden State of Mind. A question (almost) every day this month to give the community a prompt to talk about!
There are still 25 games left for the Golden State Warriors to play. We have no idea how those 25 games will go. Yet despite that, we can feel fairly confident that the Dubs will end up in the play-in tournament.
After Sunday’s shocking win over the Denver Nuggets, the Warriors are 30-27, and sit in eighth place in the Western Conference. All four of the play-in seeds are potential landing spots for Golden State: they’re just 2.5 games behind the seventh-place Phoenix Suns, just 2.5 games ahead of the ninth-place Portland Trail Blazers, and a mere three games atop the 10th-place Los Angeles Clippers.
It seems highly unlikely that the Warriors rise out of the play-in seeding: both the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves sit 4.5 games ahead of the Dubs. And it’s even less likely that the Warriors fall out of the play-in seeding, as they’re a full eight games ahead of the tanking Memphis Grizzlies, who are the first team out.
So it’s almost certainly the play-in for the Warriors.
But how things shake out once in the play-in is subject to change. Those four teams could end up in any order, or the Suns could jump into the top six, while the Lakers or Timberwolves (or possibly even the Nuggets or Houston Rockets) could slip to the seventh spot.
As a reminder, the No. 7 team hosts the No. 8 team in the play-in tournament, while No. 9 hosts No. 10. The winner of that 7/8 matchup makes the playoffs as the seventh seed, while the loser hosts the 9/10 winner, with the eighth seed on the line.
So who would you like the Warriors to face, with a spot in the playoffs on the line? Among the current play-in teams, the Warriors are 3-1 against the Suns, 1-3 against the Blazers, and 1-1 against the Clippers. They’re 1-1 against the Lakers, and 1-2 against the Wolves.
It feels to me like Portland should be the easiest matchup, but their athleticism gives Golden State fits. The Clippers have been gutted with the James Harden and Ivica Zubac trades, but they’re always a tough out for the Dubs, and Kawhi Leonard is on a serious heater. The Suns seem to be the best of those other play-in teams, yet I also trust the Warriors against them. So that’s my pick. What’s yours?
Bonus question: if the Warriors make it out of the play-in tournament, would you rather they have a first-round matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder or the San Antonio Spurs?
Kevin Durant of Team USA during the game against Serbia in July 2024 at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille, France. NBAE via Getty Images
“Hell yeah, I want to play,” Durant told ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill. “But I’ve got to stay on top of my game. I’m not expecting. I want to produce on the floor and make Grant [Hill, USA Basketball Men’s National Team managing director since 2021] and whoever is making the decisions want to put me on the team. Not just for seniority; I want to still prove I can help the team win.
“Today, yeah, I feel like I’ll put my name in that hat,” he added.
Durant is widely regarded as one of the best players of all time, and alongside LeBron James and Steph Curry, is considered one of the top-three greatest players of his generation.
In his first season with Houston, the 37-year-old is averaging 26.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game while shooting 50.6% from the field, 40.4% from three, and 88.1% from the free-throw line.
Durant admitting he wants to play in 2028 when Los Angeles serves as the host city has caught many pundits off guard. Many assumed the 2024 Olympic Games would be the last one for the trio of James, Curry and Durant after the three — playing together for the first time — dramatically led Team USA to the gold medal with victories over Nikola Jokić and Serbia in the semifinals, and Victor Wembanyama and host-nation France in the finals.
L–R: LeBron James, Durant, and Steph Curry of Team United States after their win against Team Serbia during the Paris Olympic Games in 2024. Getty Images
But Durant was quick to point out that neither he nor Curry said it was their final go-round.
“That narrative, where did the last dance thing come from?” Durant asked Goodwill. “I didn’t say I wasn’t playing. LeBron said he wasn’t. You didn’t hear that from me or Steph.”
Durant already boasts the best Olympic career of any male US basketball player.
His four gold medals is a record in basketball, and a fifth one would not only extend his record, but put him in all-time rarified company.
Durant dunks against Spain during the quarterfinal game of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Getty Images
Durant’s desire to be on the 2028 squad is far from the most pressing matter on Hill’s mind.
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra has been tapped to replace Steve Kerr as the new head coach of Team USA. No stranger to the environment, Spoelstra won gold in 2024 as a part of Kerr’s staff, giving him an understanding of expectations about what’s needed to win Olympic gold again as the competition continues to ramp up.
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WHITE PLAINS, NY - JANUARY 23: Emanuel Miller #2 of the Windy City Bulls shoots a three point basket during the game against the Westchester Knicks on January 23, 2026 at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Evan Yu/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Spurs signed wing Emanuel Miller to a two-way contract, the team announced. Stanley Umude was waived to make room for the new signee.
Miller, 25, is a 6’5 wing who went undrafted after attending Texas A&M and Texas Christian University, but has spent time with the Bulls and Cavaliers on two-way deals before landing in San Antonio. Known as a tough defender and athletic finisher, he’s excelled in the G League, averaging 17 points, five rebounds, and two assists during the Tip-Off Tournament and 18 points, seven rebounds, and two assists in 15 regular-season games. His three-point shot is a work in progress, but he’s shown flashes of competence as a floor-spacer both in college and as a pro.
Umude, a San Antonio native, was signed in late December and played two games with the big team. He spent most of his time in Austin with the G League affiliate and posted impressive numbers. The front office is now moving on to Miller, who is a similar prospect in terms of strengths and weaknesses.
Minutes are scarce with the big team, so it’s unlikely the new addition will get more run than Umude got in San Antonio, but he’s a productive and talented player who seems deserving of a closer look.
The Spurs now have David Jones-Garcia, Harrison Ingram, and Miller on two-way contracts. Jones-Garcia underwent ankle surgery and is out for the rest of the season.
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 13: Egor Demin #8 of Team Vince drives to the basket during the game against Team Melo during the Rising Stars Game as part of the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend on Friday, February 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Nets are back in action after the All-Star break. Despite a worthy campaign from Michael Porter Jr and a Rising Stars appearance from Egor Dëmin, it was a break that for the most part excluded the Nets. Whether Brooklyn deserved more All-Star-related love or not, they’re going to march on now, and we’ll do the same. Erik Slater of ClutchPoints is here to guide us through Brooklyn’s restart.
In this episode of The Brooklyn with Pooch & Collin, we touch on:
Less than two months and 30 regular-season games remain for most NBA teams, and the 2026 playoff picture is clear enough at this point to see it will be defined by a few key races in the Eastern and Western Conference standings.
There's also a fascinating chase for the NBA's play-in tournament, now entering its seventh season as an addition to the league's postseason schedule and sixth year in this current four-team format. Given how many franchises are in tank mode already this season, there aren't many teams outside the top 10 at the moment actively trying to make the playoffs.
Here's a breakdown of the current NBA playoff picture, including what teams would make the postseason if the regular season ended today:
The final day of the regular season is Sunday, April 12.
When is NBA play-in tournament?
The NBA play-in tournament will begin Tuesday, April 14 and conclude Friday, April 17.
How does NBA play-in tournament work?
The tournament is divided into two rounds for each conference:
Round 1
Game 1: No. 7 seed vs. No. 8 seed
Game 2: No. 9 seed vs. No. 10 seed
The No. 7 and No. 9 seeds play at home in the first round. The winner of Game 1 secures the No. 7 seed in their respective conference playoff bracket. The loser of Game 1 continues to the second round and hosts the winner of Game 2. The loser of Game 2 is eliminated from playoff contention.
Round 2
Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 winner
The winner of this game secures the No. 8 and final seed in the playoffs. The loser is eliminated from playoff contention.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes for the basket against Sam Hauser #30 of the Boston Celtics during the second half of their game at Crypto.com Arena on February 22, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Luiza Moraes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Tommy Points for everyone.
On a night where the Lakers honored Pat Riley, the prince of pomade himself, and the greater Showtime era, it’s fitting to see Boston win by way of physicality and vigor.
This 111-89 win was dominated both on the margins and in the more visibly loud areas of scoring and defending. Boston won the rebounding battle with a 50-39 difference, while consistently getting the first stop, holding LA to 39% shooting (LeBron and Luka were a combined 18-of-43, with James dishing five assists to Doncic’s three). This was just LA’s second loss this season where they scored under 90 points.
Defending with the aggressive intent to disrupt while connected enough to avoid giving up 2-on-1 advantages, Boston’s help activity made it both difficult for LA’s stars to score, and for them to exploit that attention to feed the ball into space — not an easy feat when it comes to playmaking mavens such as Doncic or James.
Joe Mazzulla on stopping Luka, LeBron, Reaves: "Everybody's like, how do you defend them? How do you defend them?"
In their quest to disrupt shooting angles and passing lanes, the Celtics collectively had 19 deflections on the ball, led by Jaylen Brown with five and four from Derrick White. They collectively recovered nine loose balls in the process. Both of those hustle data figures are well above their per game averages. For the season, Boston is 21st in deflections (16.3) and 14th in loose balls recovered (4.5).
The Lakers only turned the ball over eight times for the game, yet the way they were flummoxed made possessions ending in shots still feel like an abject failure. Compounded by a game-long officiating battle — featuring a lack of get-back defense on made baskets and one particularly foul-heavy possession that sent Brown to the line four times — the Lakers simply lost their composure, and Boston continuously grinded them down. The first half alone felt like you’d died and went to Hustle Heaven.
If this late first quarter sequence headlined by Hugo Gonzalez and Derrick White’s full court defense doesn’t make you want to run through a brick wall, then you need to get your pulse checked.
The hustle element of this team hasn’t been an issue this season, even in their biggest off nights, but Sunday night’s primetime rivalry showdown was a special kind of high-energy performance. To do it in Staples Center (I’m not calling it that) with Riley in the house against a team led by two stars that are forever linked to this franchise means something.
It’s one game on the record, just a small part of a greater process and purpose, that’s what Joe Mazzulla would tell you, and it’s true at the end of the day, but the team that won last night played like their season was on the line. A desperation to disrupt, but a connectivity that makes it hard to exploit. The Celtics of decades past would be proud.
If Heinsohn was on the call he’d have had a hard time dishing out just one Tommy Point. Why not spread the love and credit all twelve Celtics that stepped foot on the floor.
