GENOA, Italy (AP) — Rasmus Højlund scored a last-gasp penalty as 10-man Napoli won 3-2 at Genoa in Serie A on Saturday, keeping pressure on the top two clubs from Milan.
Højlund was fortunate Genoa goalkeeper Justin Bijlow was unable to keep out his low shot, despite getting his arm to the ball in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
The spot kick was awarded after Maxwel Cornet – who had just gone on as a substitute – was adjudged after a VAR check to have kicked Antonio Vergara’s foot after the Napoli midfielder dropped dramatically to the floor.
Højlund’s second goal of the game moved Napoli one point behind AC Milan and six behind Inter Milan. They both have a game in hand.
“We showed that we’re a team that never gives up, even in difficult situations, in emergencies, and despite being outnumbered, we had the determination to win. I’m proud of my players’ attitude, and I thank them and congratulate them because the victory was deserved,” Napoli coach Antonio Conte said.
His team got off to a bad start with goalkeeper Alex Meret bringing down Vitinha after a botched back pass from Alessandro Buongiorno just seconds into the game. A VAR check confirmed the penalty and Ruslan Malinovskyi duly scored from the spot in the second minute.
Scott McTominay was involved in both goals as Napoli replied with a quickfire double. Bijlow saved his first effort in the 20th but Højlund tucked away the rebound, and McTominay let fly from around 20 meters to make it 2-1 a minute later.
However, McTominay had to go off at the break with what looked like a muscular injury, and another mistake from Buongiorno allowed Lorenzo Colombo to score in the 57th for Genoa.
“Scott has a gluteal problem that he’s had since the season started. It gets inflamed sometimes," Conte said of McTominay. "He would have liked to continue, but I preferred not for him to take any risks because he’s a key player for us.”
Napoli center back Juan Jesus was sent off in the 76th after receiving a second yellow card for pulling back Genoa substitute Caleb Ekuban.
Genoa pushed for a winner but it was the visitors who celebrated after a dramatic finale.
"The penalty wasn’t perfect. I was also lucky, but what matters is that we won,” Højlund said.
Fiorentina rues missed opportunity
Fiorentina was on course to escape the relegation zone until Torino defender Guillermo Maripán scored deep in stoppage time for a 2-2 draw in the late game.
Fiorentina had come from behind after Cesare Casadei’s early goal for the visitors, with Manor Solomon and Moise Kean both scoring early in the second half.
A 2-1 win would have lifted Fiorentina out of the relegation zone, but Maripán equalized in the 94th minute with a header inside the far post after a free kick for what seemed like a defeat for the home team.
Fiorentina had lost its previous three games, including to Como in the Italian Cup.
Feb 5, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) and Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (15) reacts after a basket against the Charlotte Hornets during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images | Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Rockets vs OKC Thunder
February 7, 2026
Location: Paycom Center — Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
TV: ABC
Radio:KBME Sports Talk 790
Online: Rockets App
Time: 2:30om CST
Probable Starting Lineups
Rockets: Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun
Thunder: Jared McCain, Luguentz Dort, Alex Caruso, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 20: VJ Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball during the game against the Phoenix Suns on January 20, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Who: Phoenix Suns (31–21) vs. Philadelphia (29-22) When: 7:00 pm Arizona Time Where: Mortgage Matchup Center — Phoenix, Arizona Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports Listen: KMVP 98.7
The Phoenix Suns return home on Saturday night, looking to steady themselves after one of the most frustrating losses of the season. Waiting for them are the Philadelphia 76ers, making their lone trip to the Valley this season as they are in the midst of a five-game West Coast swing. Tonight is game four.
This is a familiar opponent. Phoenix handled business in Philadelphia two weeks ago, 116-110. Since then, the 76ers have found rhythm and confidence, winning five of their last six games. Their most recent outing was a loss to the Lakers, a game they controlled for long stretches before it slipped away late. A little help there would have been appreciated, Philly.
Amir Coffey has joined the Suns and is at the team's morning shootaround. #Suns
Jalen Green — QUESTIONABLE (Right Hamstring Management/Left Hip Contusion)
Grayson Allen — OUT (Right Knee Sprain)
Isaiah Livers — OUT (Left Shoulder Sprain)
76ers
Joel Embiid — QUESTIONABLE (Right Knee Injury Management)
Paul George — OUT (League Suspension)
Kelly Oubre, Jr. — AVAILABLE (Left Knee)
What to Watch For
Tyrese Maxey sets the tone. He is fast, fearless, and relentless in space. VJ Edgecombe complements him well as another young guard who thrives in chaos and pressure. Together, they apply constant stress on defenses, especially when rotations are slow or communication breaks down.
That pressure matters because of where Phoenix currently stands health-wise. Devin Booker is listed as questionable, along with Jalen Green. For Booker, this is the first time he has received that designation since injuring his ankle against Atlanta on January 23. He has missed seven straight games, with the Suns going 4–3 in that stretch.
Green last played a full game against Philadelphia. His availability carries weight here, especially given the matchup. Why? Because Grayson Allen is out after tweaking his right knee against Golden State. That absence thins the guard rotation in a hurry. If Booker and Green remain sidelined, the Suns are looking at Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin taking on major responsibility, with limited margin behind them.
Keys to a Suns Win
Ball security has to be sharp. Maxey lives off live-ball turnovers and broken possessions. He leads the NBA with 5.6 points per game off turnovers. Phoenix cannot feed that fire.
Shot quality matters. The Suns have to generate clean looks early in the clock, especially if legs are heavy in the backcourt. Interior balance helps everything. When Phoenix gets steady production inside, whether through rolls, seals, or second-chance points, it stabilizes the offense and slows the tempo of the game.
Execution late has to improve. The Warriors’ loss unraveled in the final minutes because structure disappeared. Whoever is on the floor needs clarity and trust in the reads.
Prediction
This one hinges on the injury report.
If Devin Booker plays, I like Phoenix’s chances. His presence brings order. It brings pacing. It brings a calming force that has been missing at the back end of games. If Jalen Green plays, I like the Suns’ chances. His explosiveness mirrors what Maxey brings, and we saw him hold his own against this same group before he went down.
If both are out, the climb gets steep. Not impossible. This team has made a habit of overshooting expectations. Still, the margin narrows fast when the backcourt is stretched thin.
Hey there Planeteers, hope you all had a great trade deadline week, even if the Suns weren’t the best on the court. With that being said, we were lucky to have another guest on our show this week: Siro, the Kenyan Suns Fan. He has a fantastic story and hopped on to discuss his thoughts on the team this year and what happened this week.
We also all gave one trade from the deadline a grade and discussed some of the other shocking moves that transpired. Check it out here
LONDON (AP) — England inflicted a 48-7 hiding on Wales to open its Six Nations title bid on Saturday at Twickenham.
England got a bonus-point seven tries, including three for winger Henry Arundell, in a 12th successive win dating to last year's Six Nations.
The 41-point margin of victory was England's biggest against Wales at home since a 62-5 result in a 2007 Rugby World Cup warmup.
That scoreline looked reachable at halftime when England led 29-0 but the game lost its fizz and descended into errors and indiscipline.
Wales also became more competitive but received four yellow cards and went down to 13 men twice. England received two yellow cards, including one for Maro Itoje just seconds after he came off the bench in a Six Nations match for the first time since 2020.
Wales suffered a record-extending 12th straight loss in the championship dating to 2023 and returns to Cardiff next weekend to face France, the title favorite.
England goes to Scotland, where it hasn't won since 2020.
“To start the championship with that kind of result, we're very pleased,” England coach Steve Borthwick told the BBC.
“I thought we defended exceptionally well, we kicked really well and we scored some nice tries but I think we left a lot out there on the grass. We could do a lot better. Those are the things we need to step up next week.”
England was heavily favored on Saturday and stretched and stressed Wales, but the visitor gifted the home side territory and possession from basic errors, especially in the first half.
“England fought more than us, they were harder in the tackle than us, the rugby they played was beautiful,” Wales try-scorer Josh Adams told the BBC.
“Teams like England, the way they're playing, it’s hard enough with 15 players on the pitch. So with yellow card after yellow card it's impossible to stay in the game and the pressure keeps piling."
Yellow cards galore
Sam Underhill charged down Wales fullback Louis Rees-Zammit — playing his first Six Nations game in three years after his NFL stint — and gave George Ford the opening points off the tee.
Two penalties against Wales, one for obstruction, gave England entry into the Wales 22 and Ford lined up Arundell for his first try.
After Wales front-rowers Nicky Smith and captain Dewi Lake were sin-binned within a minute of each other under tryline pressure, Arundell got his second try from a Ford kick-pass.
Wales conceded a second try while with 13 men when No. 8 Ben Earl carried Ellis Mee over the line.
Just before halftime, a dropped pass by Wales on its 22 was scooped by Fraser Dingwall who released Arundell for his third try, his 11th in 12 tests, and a first hat trick by England in the Six Nations since Jonny May against France in 2019.
“They were tap-ins but a hat trick is a hat trick,” Arundell told ITV.
Dingwall also laid on a try for Tom Roebuck, the late replacement for injured winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, to start the second half.
But at 36-0 in the 45th England went off the boil and Wales showed some pride.
Itoje, on the bench after grieving the death of his mother in December, entered to a loud cheer but went off seconds later when he offended with England on a yellow-card warning.
Wales scored immediately through an Adams try after quick rucks.
Wales center Ben Thomas made a try-saving tackle on Roebuck but was sin-binned for an illegal rip of prop Trevor Davison on the tryline. Taine Plumtree joined him two minutes later and reduced Wales to 13 men again.
Plumtree tackled Henry Pollock into touch over the tryline but his arm tackle around Pollock's neck earned him a yellow card and conceded a penalty try.
England finished the game with 14 after Tom Curry's yellow card but around that center Tommy Freeman had a try ruled out and a try given when he beat three defenders. Ford's sideline conversion hit the post, only his second miss from seven goalkicks.
For rookie Jase Richardson, he is following in his father's footsteps: In 2003, it was Jason Richardson and Desmond Mason battling it out in the dunk contest.
The Dunk Contest will be part of NBA All-Star Saturday Night — which also includes the Shooting Stars competition and the 3-Point Contest — which starts at 5 p.m. Eastern on Feb. 14 from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The earlier start time is because the All-Star weekend events will flow directly into continued coverage of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics on NBC.
Every moment of All-Star Weekend — the Rising Stars challenge on Friday. (Feb. 13), All-Star Saturday Night with the 3-Point Contest and Dunk Contest (Feb. 14), as well as the All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 15 — will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
The 75th NBA All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, Feb. 15, at 5 p.m. Eastern, a time earlier than in previous years, leading into more coverage of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The same is true of an earlier start for the All-Star Saturday Night series of competitions.
Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.
Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.
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A pair of black and blue teams tip off at United Center tonight when the Chicago Bulls host the Denver Nuggets.
Both teams are potentially dealing with key injuries, with Josh Giddey ruled out for Chicago and Nikola Jokic questionable for Denver.
Jamal Murray has stepped up in a big way for Denver over their last few games, and I’m predicting another high-flying game for the guard in my Nuggets vs. Bulls predictions & NBA picks for Saturday, February 7.
Nuggets vs Bulls prediction
Nuggets vs Bulls best bet: Jamal Murray Over 25.5 points (-115)
Nikola Jokic returned from a knee injury in late January but is right back on the injury list for tonight’s game with an ankle sprain. Of course, NBA players play through sprains all the time, but Jokic has not quite looked like himself since returning from his knee injury, shooting just 45% from the field.
Fortunately for the Denver Nuggets, they’ve got another capable scorer in Jamal Murray, who’s been carrying the load for the past month.
Murray is fresh off two straight games with 32+ points, and since the start of 2026, is averaging 27.7 ppg in 37 minutes per contest. The Nuggets guard is shooting and scoring more than ever, and seems to be thriving in this role.
Murray has scored Over 25.5 points in nine of his last 15 games and looks poised for another big performance vs. a Chicago Bulls defense that ranks fifth-last in the NBA (120.2 papg).
Nuggets vs Bulls same-game parlay
Christian Braun has played just 16 games this season due to an ankle injury and hasn’t been much of a factor in his few appearances this calendar year. The Nuggets guard has scored six points or fewer in each of his last six outings.
Still, the Nuggets should cover the spread tonight, especially if Jokic is good to go. Denver has covered the spread in 57.7% of its games this season – the third-highest mark in the NBA – while Chicago’s lineup is in turmoil right now with injuries and ongoing trades.
Nuggets vs Bulls SGP
Jamal Murray Over 25.5 points
Christian Braun Under 11.5 points
Nuggets -5.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Nuggets hope for a healthy Jokic
Jokic posted a triple double on Wednesday and leads the NBA with 17 this season – seven more than anyone else. If Joker is healthy, he’ll dominate against a depleted Bulls team.
Nuggets vs Bulls SGP
Jamal Murray Over 25.5 points
Christian Braun Under 11.5 points
Nuggets -5.5
Nikola Jokic to record triple-double
Nuggets vs Bulls odds
Spread: Nuggets -5.5 (-110) | Bulls +5.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Nuggets -215 | Bulls +180
Over/Under: Over 232.5 (-115) | Under 232.5 (-105)
Nuggets vs Bulls betting trend to know
The Over is 5-0 in the last five meetings. Find more NBA betting trends for Nuggets vs. Bulls.
How to watch Nuggets vs Bulls
Location
United Center, Chicago, IL
Date
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
Altitude, CHSN
Nuggets vs Bulls latest injuries
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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
Someone is going to need to check in on Jay Williams after Saturday's edition of "College GameDay" after the heart attack he just gave Duke basketball fans.
Why? Well, the former Blue Devils point guard started a Tar Heels chant during Saturday's pregame show inside Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina ahead of Saturday night's top-15 ranked men's college basketball matchup between the Tobacco Road rivals.
"I just want to witness this for one second because I usually never do this," Williams said before starting the chant while next to former Duke center Jay Bilas.
Bilas, perhaps speaking on behalf of former Duke players, was rather blunt with his response.
"What a suck up," Bilas said.
The Blue Devils head into Saturday's top-15 matchup looking for their fourth consecutive win over the Tar Heels, after sweeping the regular season series and picking up a win over UNC in the ACC Tournament semifinals last season.
Led by star freshman Cameron Boozer, Duke ranks No. 3 in the NET rankings with a 9-1 Quad 1 record, which is the second most Quad 1 wins — an important statistical used by the NCAA Tournament selection committee — in the country, only behind top-ranked Arizona.
The Tar Heels, led by their star freshman Caleb Wilson, find themselves ranked in the top 30 of the NET Rankings at No. 27. A win for Hubert Davis' squad would be a significant one, as it would give them just their fifth Quad 1 win of the season.
UNC and Duke are slated for a 6:30 p.m. ET tip-off on Saturday in Chapel Hill.
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 25: Dylan Harper poses for a photograph with father Ron Harper and brother Ron Harper Jr. after being drafted by the San Antonio Spurs during the 2025 NBA Draft - Round One on June 25, 2025 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, 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 2025 NBAE(Photo by Evan Yu/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Spurs’ representation at All-Star weekend just got even wider as the Spurs announced the Harpers will participate in the Kia Shooting Challenge together. That will include Spurs rookie Dylan Harper, his brother Ron Harper, Jr., who is currently a two-way player for the Boston Celtics, and their father: five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, Sr.
Dylan was already set to represent the Spurs in the Rising Stars Challenge, along with sophomore and reigning MVP of the event, Stephon Castle. Spurs two-way player David Jones-Garcia was also set to participate on the G League team but has been ruled out after undergoing ankle surgery last week. Also representing the Spurs will be their other rookie, Carter Bryant, in the dunk contest, and of course Victor Wembanyama will be an All-Star starter for Team World in the main event.
All-Star weekend will take place next weekend at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. You can check out the entire schedule here. Rising Stars will be on Friday, February 13 beginning at 8:00 PM CT on ESPN. Saturday will feature Shooting Stars starting at 4:00 PM CT, followed by the 3-point Shootout and Slam Dunk Contest (I guess the Skills Challenge is defunct now), and finally the All-Star Game on Sunday, beginning at 4:00 PM CT.
The Philadelphia 76ers play their fourth game in a five-game Western Conference swing when they head to Phoenix.
The Sixers have won five of their last six games, including two of the first three on this trip, while going 4-2 ATS.
Meanwhile, the Suns are squandering a favorable stretch, sitting at just 4-3 (3-4 ATS) during a run of 16 home games in 19 contests and coming off back-to-back home losses.
Phoenix is also banged up, which his why my 76ers vs. Suns predictions & NBA picks expect the Sixers to get a moneyline win on Saturday, February 7.
76ers vs Suns prediction
76ers vs Suns best bet: 76ers moneyline (+100)
The Philadelphia 76ers opened its Western Conference road swing with wins over Golden State and the Clippers. Those same two opponents have each posted wins at Phoenix, holding the Suns under 100 points.
The Phoenix Suns blew a 14-point lead against the Warriors, scoring just 15 points in the final quarter to help Golden State rally. They scored just seven points in the final 10 minutes and were shut out for the last 3:55.
Phoenix’s offense has sputtered largely due to injuries. Devin Booker has been out seven games with an ankle issue, and Jalen Green has missed six with hamstring and hip injuries, costing the Suns Booker’s scoring punch and Green’s 11 points per night on 42.3% shooting from three.
Making matters worse, Grayson Allen hurt his knee late in the Golden State game. That removes Phoenix’s most prolific three-point scorer and another 17.9 points per game.
The Sixers, meanwhile, are enjoying some stability after a crazy few weeks leading up to the trade deadline. The team lost the services of Paul George to suspension and had trade rumors swirling around before finally sending away Jared McCain. Despite that, the team has played well through the turmoil.
76ers vs Suns same-game parlay
The Suns have struggled to score, failing to reach 100 points in their last two home games and topping out at 102 or 103 in several recent outings.
With Phoenix ranked 22nd in pace and Philly 19th, a slower tempo favors the under, which has hit in both Suns games with totals this high and in three of five for the Sixers.
Meanwhile, Dillon Brooks has shouldered more offense with Booker out, boosting his shot attempts and averaging 25.1 points over the last seven games because even if Booker returns, his ankle could limit him.
76ers vs Suns SGP
Philadelphia 76ers moneyline
Under 224.5
Dillon Brooks Over 20.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Sixers getting more out of Edgecombe
VJ Edgecombe has been playing with growing confidence, shooting 18-of-36 over his last two games while posting performances of 19 and 25 points. He also torched Phoenix for 25 in their first meeting just over two weeks ago, showing he’s comfortable in that matchup.
76ers vs Suns SGP
Philadelphia 76ers moneyline
Under 224.5
Dillon Brooks Over 20.5 points
VJ Edgecombe Over 14.5 points
76ers vs Suns odds
Spread: 76ers +1.5 (-115) | Suns -1.5 (-105)
Moneyline: 76ers +100 | Suns -120
Over/Under: Over 222.5 (-115) | Under 222.5 (-105)
76ers vs Suns betting trend to know
The Phoenix Suns have only hit the Team Total Over in 12 of their last 35 games. Find more NBA betting trends for 76ers vs. Suns.
How to watch 76ers vs Suns
Location
Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, AZ
Date
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Tip-off
9:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBCS-Philadelphia, KTVK
76ers vs Suns 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
MADRID (AP) — Teenage star Lamine Yamal made up for missing an open goal with a trademark curler from outside the penalty area as Barcelona beat Mallorca 3-0 on Saturday to move four points ahead at the top of La Liga.
Robert Lewandowski had put Barcelona ahead and 18-year-old homegrown player Marc Bernal scored his first career goal late on to seal a convincing win. Yamal and Lewandowski have scored 10 league goals each this season.
Second-place Real Madrid can close the gap to one point if it wins at Valencia on Sunday.
Lewandowski pounced from close range in the 29th minute following good work down the left from Marcus Rashford. His shot was blocked and Lewandowski showed typically cool composure to control the ball and guide it past a defender before picking his spot.
Rashford's form has improved throughout the season and he came close to scoring in first-half injury time when his curling free kick produced a brilliant save from Leo Roman.
The ball fell to right back Jules Koundé near the penalty spot and his scuffed shot landed at the feet of Yamal, who somehow skewered wide from almost on the goal line.
The 18-year-old prodigy was given a pat on the back by Lewandowski, who is one of the modern era's most prolific scorers with over 650 club goals — including 344 with his former club Bayern Munich and more than 100 for Barça.
Yamal showed his class in the 61st minute with a brilliant strike, ghosting past one defender on the edge of the area and then planting a powerful dipping shot into the bottom corner, a strike hit so cleanly with his left foot that Roman did not even move.
Yamal and Lewandowski were replaced and both applauded Bernal's excellent goal in the 83rd.
Barça sliced Mallorca open in midfield with four quick passes to send Bernal racing through, and he showed good composure to cut inside a defender and stroke the ball inside the post.
In Saturday's only other game, Real Sociedad beat Elche 3-1 to move into eighth place.
Goals from Croatia midfielder Luka Sučić and Spain forward Mikel Oyarzabal put Sociedad 2-0 up, only for Portugal striker André Silva to pull one back close to halftime.
Iceland captain Orri Stein Oskarsson replaced Oyarzabal near the end and netted his side's third goal in the 89th.
Matches postponed
Two matches were called off.
Rayo Vallecano’s home match against Oviedo was postponed at short notice because of safety concerns over the field at Vallecas Stadium. The league also called off Sevilla vs. Girona due to adverse weather conditions.
While Oviedo said it understood the decision, the team criticized the short notice and was considering legal action.
It had previously led the fight to get a rival competition to the Champions League off the ground. But, in a short statement on Saturday, Barcelona said it would no longer be part of the contentious project. ___
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 6: Nikola Vucevic #4 of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball during the game against the Miami Heat on February 6, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
There’s a lot to unpack from last night’s comeback win over the Miami Heat.
Boston’s furious rally featured about as rough a shooting stretch as you can possibly imagine in a half of basketball, along with a 22-point comeback in a playoff-like atmosphere that featured blood, profanity, and a generational clash between 32-year-old Norman Powell and 20-year-old Hugo Gonzalez.
What also stood out was a new wrinkle added into the offense from newly acquired center Nikola Vučević, who utilized his size and Miami’s willingness to switch to put his back to the basket in nearly every appearance in the paint.
This year’s Celtics are dead last in post-up frequency by a healthy margin, averaging just 1.5 attempts per game. That’s a 1.4% frequency within their offense. That’s not a surprise based on their personnel, but it is a significant difference from last year, when they were third in post-ups with 6.5 attempts per game (6%) behind the back-to-the-basket activity of Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford.
The only consistent source of post-up scoring this season has come from Jaylen Brown, who has scored 62 of their 78 points through work in the post.
Enter Vooch, who is among the most active post players in the game. His 19.84% post-up frequency ranks him 13th out of 520 players and puts him in the 98th percentile of the league, according to Basketball Index. That volume has not been met with high efficiency, as Vučević has scored just 0.87 points per possession on 45.8% shooting. But as we saw last night, Vooch’s activity facing away from the basket is a bit more than just a set-up for self-creation.
What we saw against Miami was a promising start to this new piece of their offensive identity. After a rewatch of Vučević’s 27 minutes, I logged 30 possessions where he at least opened himself up to an entry pass with his back to the basket. On those possessions, he got into a post-up 12 times.
What stood out the most in his post possessions was his quick processing as a passer. Only one of his post-ups ended in a true assist, but the vision he showcased opened up scoring opportunities for cutters and shooters off the catch. He looked to Derrick White on 45 cuts twice in this game, one earning an easy bucket for his teammate and the other ending in a foul on the pass.
His vision to shooters from beyond the arc also created easy opportunities. Those passes on the perimeter didn’t necessarily show up in the box score but created wide open looks for White and Sam Hauser that just didn’t fall their way. The passes themselves were both highly impressive, quick-instinct finds.
Vooch takes no time to send the ball to the open corner, with Davion Mitchell forced to suck in and help off Hauser because of the position Powell is placed in by the mismatch. The Celtics haven’t had a big with this level of natural passing vision all season.
With four assists to go with a points/rebounds double-double, we saw his passing affect the game from different areas of the floor, like in his dribble-drive kickout to the corner to White for a go-ahead three late in the game, but it’s in the post that he looks the most comfortable setting up teammates.
Vooch’s understanding of when to dig in and set up shop with his back to the basket wisely correlated with the matchups he was given. While he did have one poor post-up that ended in an over-dribbling turnover against Bam Adebayo, he mostly sought to exploit the switch-heavy Miami defense that focused on maintaining higher pickup points on the perimeter to limit Boston’s 3-point shooting.
If he saw Jaime Jaquez, he was posting up. If it was Dru Smith, yeah, you bet he was posting up. And if it was Norman Powell, well, you get it.
We saw Vučević seek out these mismatches more often in the second half, particularly in the third quarter, where he flashed to the post 11 times, more than the 10 post flashes he made in the first half alone.
He received the ball five times in those instances, taking advantage of a switch onto Smith for his first post-up bucket of the night and later getting a nice entry pass from White after a scram switch from Jaquez left the paint open for an easy finish.
This game ended with Neemias Queta on the floor to help deliver the final stops needed to pull off the comeback, but the Celtics instilled a significant level of confidence in their new center addition. He played 27 minutes in his debut and six in the fourth quarter, which included opportunities in clutch time.
With 1:04 left to go in a two-point game, Brown sailed an entry pass just over Vučević that resulted in a turnover.
A tough result, no doubt, but a telling sign that even in his debut, Vučević’s teammates displayed a level of trust in his ability to impact the game when it’s down to the wire. The hope is, with time, they’ll be able to iron out those wrinkles. We certainly saw enough to indicate a positive first step to a great new relationship.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — For the first time since 2015, the NBA's Shooting Stars event is returning to All-Star weekend.
The league made that announcement Saturday, revealing the lineups for two of the three events that'll take place at next weekend's All-Star Saturday Night at the Los Angeles Clippers' home in Inglewood, California.
Shooting Stars — an event with three players per team — is taking the place of the skills competition, which is being tabled for at least this year.
Allan Houston — a past Shooting Stars champion — will return to the event this year for Team Knicks, with current New York players Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns joining him on that team. Also in the shooting event: Team Harper (Ron Harper Sr. and his sons, San Antonio's Dylan Harper and Boston's Ron Harper Jr.), Team All-Star (Richard Hamilton, Toronto's Scottie Barnes and Oklahoma City's Chet Holmgren) and Team Cameron (a nod to Duke, with Corey Maggette, Charlotte's Kon Knueppel and Atlanta's Jalen Johnson on that squad).
The last three Shooting Stars events were all won by the same trio — Chris Bosh, Swin Cash and Dominique Wilkins.
The Shooting Stars event has a two-round format, with all four teams competing in the first round and the top two advancing to the final round. Teams have 70 seconds to score points while rotating through seven designated shooting locations around the court, with all three players on a team shooting at each spot in a set order.
There will be a new dunk champion this year, with three-time winner Mac McClung not in this year’s field. McClung said going into last year’s dunk event that he expected it to be his last.
This year’s dunk participants: Miami's Keshad Johnson, San Antonio's Carter Bryant, Orlando's Jase Richardson and the Los Angeles Lakers' Jaxson Hayes.
Apr 2, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) looks to pass as Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) defends during the fourth quarter at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
On the flip side, both Young and Davis are currently dealing with injuries. Both players are expected to “play very little, if at all” throughout the rest of the season according to ESPN’s Tim Bontempts. NBA Insider Chris Haynes confirmed on Friday that Davis is not expected to play the rest of the season. That, along with C.J. McCollum and Khris Middleton both being in the moves that allowed the Wizards to acquire Young and Davis, means that the tank is on and the Wizards are going all-in on their young core to try and develop them and ensure they have the best possible odds at picking at the top of the 2026 NBA Draft. There is currently very little risk in their top-eight protected pick not converting.
With more short-term expectations and a more inflexible roster that does not necessarily lend itself to just picking the best player available, how should the Wizards approach the draft?
The first things to look at are Young and Davis’ contract situations. Young could technically become a free agent after this season, but will likely accept his player option and enter free agency after 2026-27. Davis will be under team control next season, then will have a player option for the 2027-28 season.
It would be very surprising if Young does not accept his player option. After an injury-plagued season this year and a relatively negative perception around the league, Young will likely be jumping at an opportunity to be the Wizards’ first option and try and rehabilitate his image. But then again, even if Young accepts the player option, he is only guaranteed to be around for one season unless he signs an extension.
Davis is about to turn 33 and has struggled to stay on the floor throughout his career, especially over the last few years. Last season, he strained his left adductor in his first game after the infamous trade that sent him to the Mavericks and suffered an eye injury that would end up requiring offseason surgery. Last month before the trade, Davis suffered ligament damage in his left hand. Earlier in his career, Davis also dealt with injuries to both ankles, both shoulders, his left calf, left knee, tailbone and left hand.
This is all to say that given Young and Davis’ injury histories and contracts, they should not necessarily be counted on as long-term fixtures in D.C. When it comes to the draft, the Wizards should still absolutely be looking toward the future and almost certainly draft the best player available regardless of fit at the top of the draft.
If I was Wizards general manager Will Dawkins, here is what my big board would look like post-trade deadline (only going eight deep because of the top-eight protection):
Darryn Peterson
AJ Dybantsa
Cameron Boozer
Kingston Flemings
Caleb Wilson
Keaton Wagler
Mikel Brown Jr.
Labaron Philon
Darryn Peterson, the 6’6” freshman combo guard from Kansas and AJ Dybantsa, the 6’9” freshman wing from BYU are my top two players in the draft and would instantly slot into the starting lineup next season alongside Young and Davis. Both Peterson and Dybantsa have the ability to be high-level starters on a competitive team as rookies, and could get that chance if they end up on the Wizards.
The first question mark comes with Duke freshman forward Cameron Boozer. At 6’9”, 250 pounds, Boozer projects to primarily play the power forward position while occasionally playing some small-ball center in the NBA. But, with Davis and Alex Sarr already on the team, it would be difficult for Boozer to earn a starting spot. Despite that, Boozer is still an impressive enough prospect to earn consideration despite the imperfect fit over the next tier of players–Kingston Flemings and Caleb Wilson.
Boozer, Davis and Sarr are all able to play both the four and five and have very different and complimentary play styles. If all three are healthy, they could each end up playing about 30 minutes per game even with Boozer or Sarr coming off the bench. Boozer would allow the Wizards to be extremely conservative with Davis’ playing time, making it a lot easier for him to take games off for load management knowing a player of Boozer’s caliber is able to step in.
It would be foolish of the Wizards to not consider drafting a player as talented as Boozer just for one guaranteed year of Davis.
Going down the draft is where things get a bit more tricky. I view Flemings, the 6’4” freshman guard from Houston and Wilson, the 6’10” freshman forward from North Carolina, very similarly. If the Wizards fall in the lottery, this is where they could begin looking more towards fit instead of pure talent. At this point, Wilson is a non-shooter. While he has been taking and making more threes over his last few games, it should still not be considered a part of his game. Wilson’s defensive potential is tantalizing and in a vacuum, he is probably more talented than Flemings. But, what Flemings has shown this year as the floor general for an elite Houston team can not be ignored. Flemings and Young would immediately become one of, if not the best playmaking backcourts in the entire NBA. Flemings’ defensive abilities would help mask some of Young’s inefficiencies and Young’s superb playmaking would take the pressure off of Flemings that many young point guard face and allow him to grow into his role as a lead ball handler in the NBA.
This is pure speculation, but one thing that could now be on the table for the Wizards if their pick falls in the draft is for them to consider a trade. With Davis and Young, the Wizards’ timeline has moved way up. There are now real expectations for them to be competitive. If there is no player they are absolutely in love with available where they are picking, likely if their pick falls in the six through eight range, it would not shock me if they try and find a deal for another young player, or even a more established veteran if they want to go all-in on next season.
6’6” Illinois freshman guard Keaton Wagler has had a shocking ascent up draft boards and is looking like an elite scorer. Louisville freshman Mikel Brown Jr. and Alabama sophomore Labaron Philon have very high upside and project to be above-average starting guards in the NBA. Other players like Arizona freshman forward Koa Peat, Tennessee freshman forward Nate Ament and Michigan senior forward Yaxel Lendeborg are endlessly talented, but would be clunky fits alongside a Davis-Sarr frontcourt. A trade would be shocking, and difficult to pull off with the Wizards no longer having as many tradable contracts, but should not necessarily be counted out if they fall in the lottery.
Look at the Indiana Pacers, who traded their first round pick this year that is protected from picks 1-4 and 10-30 to the Los Angeles Clippers for center Ivica Zubac. With Tyrese Haliburton expected to return next season from a torn achilles he suffered during last season’s NBA Finals, the Pacers have no need for a point guard. They likely view Wilson four on their big board, and understand that the next bunch of players after him would be ball handlers. It would not necessarily be unprecedented for the Wizards to make a deal if their pick falls in a similar range, especially if they agree to an extension with Young.
The way the Wizards acquired Young and Davis is a masterclass in asset management. But there are certainly risks in expediting the rebuild. The upcoming draft is still the most important factor in building a sustainable contender, and the Wizards should be very cautious about sacrificing any part of their future for short-term gain.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 27: Jared McCain #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates with Joel Embiid #21, Tyrese Maxey #0, Andre Drummond #1, and Trendon Watford #12 against the Milwaukee Bucks at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 27, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Bucks 139-122. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For several weeks earlier this season, Jared McCain had a copy of the book “The Inner Game of Tennis” in his locker.
According to the Amazon.com summary, the 1972 work by W. Timothy Gallwey is about “a revolutionary program for overcoming the self-doubt, nervousness, and lapses of concentration that can keep a player from winning” – and not just in tennis, but every walk of life.
No less a figure than Bill Gates called it “the best guide to getting out of your own way.”
While I never got the chance to ask McCain about it – and I had planned to – this would at least hint at the fact that the issues the young guard faced in Philadelphia were not confined to the knee injury that cut short his promising rookie year after 23 games, nor the thumb injury that caused him to get off to a slow start this season, his second with the Sixers.
Whatever was holding him back – whether he was still hobbled or indeed unable to get out of his own way – he seemed to be getting it together recently. And that’s the thing that gnaws at you, now that he has been traded to Oklahoma City: We never really got to see how his next chapter might read.
The arguments for dealing him are manifest. He was blocked by Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Quentin Grimes in the backcourt rotation. The Sixers gained the financial flexibility to sign Dominick Barlow to a big-boy contract. And those four draft picks obtained from the Thunder can be used in a future deal (though Daryl Morey told reporters he was unable to pull the trigger on anything that would have given the team immediate help).
That’s all well and good. But McCain is 21, and he played exactly 60 games for the Sixers. Nobody knows exactly what he is, nor what he might become. Put another way, he was an ACL tear away from getting big-time minutes here.
The suspicion is that he will never be an All-Star, but he could be a useful piece on a good team. That he has “an identifiable NBA skill,” as Brett Brown used to say – i.e., he can shoot – that will consistently resurface once he gets regular run again.
This is not an apples-to-apples comparison, but the Sixers cut Joe on Oct. 13, 2022, after he played sparingly for them over two seasons. The Thunder snapped him up three days later, and he has developed into a reliable off-the-bench sniper, nailing 41 percent of his three-point attempts over three-plus seasons.
And, of course, he earned a championship ring last spring.
The Thunder, ably operated by Sam Presti, are now hoping that the Philly pipeline delivers once more. While they are loaded and again rolling along – and while there is no clear role for McCain at present – he does represent a potential hedge against possible issues concerning their veteran wings.
The team holds an option on Lu Dort next season, and Alex Caruso, in the first season of a four-year, $81 million deal, is struggling at present. He’s also nearing his 32nd birthday. McCain is not the defender either of those guys are – who is? – but he offers another perimeter alternative, in the event Caruso is washed and/or OKC parts company with Dort (not as unlikely as it might appear, given the money the team has committed to its biggest stars – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams).
In short, this looks like the sort of low-risk transaction a smart, well-run team makes. If McCain doesn’t work out, no big deal; the Thunder has a bunch of other wings, and a bunch of assets to acquire anybody they might need.
And while it’s understandable why the Sixers went this route, it now seems like their reserve corps, already threadbare, is another man short. This is a team that is ranked 28th in the NBA in bench scoring, at 16.5 points a night. And in Thursday’s loss to the Lakers, their reserves were outscored by a staggering 61-14 margin. Given the precarious health of some of their front-line players, they are really walking a tightrope now.
McCain, for his part, bade a fond farewell to Philadelphia. On Instagram he wrote that Philly will “always be a home for me” and that he was “incredibly blessed to be drafted here.” And on TikTok he sang part of an Olivia Dean song entitled “A Couple Minutes,” notably these lines: “Although it’s over/I’ll always be there.”
Then he closed by saying, “I’ll always love ya, Philly.”
Yeah, it’s a business. We hear that time and again. But is it a good idea to give up on a guy like this? Only time will tell.
