DENVER, COLORADO - FEBRUARY 25: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics dives for a loose ball against Cameron Johnson #23 of the Denver Nuggets in the first half at Ball Arena on February 25, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Boston Celtics could’ve secured a four-game road trip sweep over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night, had it not been for their second-half tumble. Defensive lapses, a no-show from the reserve unit, and countless missed opportunities doomed the Cs.
But instead of sulking in the aftermath, Jaylen Brown took a different, more constructive approach to digesting the team’s 103-84 defeat in Denver.
“I think we’ll be pleased by how many open looks we had,” Brown told reporters, per CLNS Media. “It’s not like our offense didn’t create the advantages we were looking for. We got a bunch of great shots, it felt like. It just didn’t go down tonight.”
Boston fell victim to a collection of factors that snowballed into a storm greater than the blizzard they avoided back in New England this past weekend. Even so, there was a bright side worth pinpointing, as Brown did. The Celtics consistently generated quality looks throughout the second half, which made the result all the more frustrating. Shot creation wasn’t the issue. Shot conversion, however, was.
They finished 12-of-43 from 3-point range (27.9%), with Brown, Sam Hauser, Baylor Scheierman, and Payton Pritchard — all reliable perimeter threats — accounting for 13 of those misses. Of those attempts, 10 came on quality or wide-open looks. Over time, those misses dug a deeper divot, eventually forcing Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla to pull the plug and sit his starters on the bench for the final 5:33 of the fourth quarter.
DENVER, COLORADO – FEBRUARY 25: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets drives against Ron Harper Jr. #13 of the Boston Celtics in the first half at Ball Arena on February 25, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Brown doesn’t believe any of that is worth overanalyzing as the team heads back home.
“It’s a long season. It’s a journey,” Brown told reporters. “One game doesn’t make or break us. Tonight, we could’ve played better, we could’ve converted a little bit more — second night of a back-to-back. We don’t hang our heads, though. We move on to the next.”
Leaving regret in the rearview mirror has become one of this season’s greatest strengths for the Celtics. It’s a principle that Mazzulla has preached since the start of the campaign, and one the team has consistently embraced. Whether during their most dominant performances and their ugliest slip-ups, the Celtics have continued to put that short-term memory into practice — pragmatically.
Boston won’t dwell on a single play, no matter how costly, but that doesn’t mean that details are ignored. Film gets reviewed. Mistakes get addressed. There’s a balance, and everyone in the locker room understands it.
Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokić finished scoring 30 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, but it was far from pretty. Jokić opened the night 4-of-11 in the first quarter, and nearly half of his 28 shot attempts came from beyond the arc. The three-time league MVP wasn’t the sole difference-maker responsible for dragging the Celtics and tilting the game, even though his double-double suggests it.
For the most part, Boston’s defense held its own against Jokić.
“I think we did a pretty good job on him,” White told reporters, per CLNS Media. “… He’s really good and does a little bit of everything for them, so I think our big did a pretty good job on him.”
The Celtics have 24 hours to unwind and reassess before hosting the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night. Until then, they’ll roll with the approach that’s brought them this far in moving on from their Denver collapse. They’ll search for whatever opportunities remain in place to improve, make use of their miscues against the Nuggets, and establish the best way to strategize. It’s a collective effort.
“It would’ve been great to finish out strong in the road trip with a win,” Brown told reporters. “But 3-1 on a West Coast swing, coming straight out of the All-Star break, is not half bad. So, we just got to continue to get better little by little. I like where we’re at as a group. I think we’re playing some really good basketball. I think our guys have developed in areas that we continue to push along, so we just got to keep that up.”
Boston still owns the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, with a one and a ½ game lead over the New York Knicks. The race for the top spot also remains within reach, as the Celtics trail the Detroit Pistons only by five games. So while their 20th loss of the season was a tough one to stomach in real time, Boston remains in a favorable position worth highlighting.
“I like where we’re at as a group,” Brown told reporters. “I like where we’re at as a team.”
Cooper Flagg is currently the odds-on favorite to win Rookie of the Year. His Duke roommate, Kon Kneueppel, is behind him at around +220 (you bet $100, you win $220). Flagg is currently injured (and Dallas is tanking), and, as somewhat of a betting man myself, I wondered why I should not take the juice on Kneuppel in anticipation that Flagg doesn’t reach the 65-game threshold. This led me to a Marc Stein tweet where he explained that the threshold does not apply to the Rookie of the Year award. Why? Outside of MVP, you could argue that Rookie of the Year is the most coveted award in basketball. Unlike the other trophies, you only have one shot to win it. The NBA’s desire for players to play more is the genesis for this arbitrary number of games, and yet it does not apply to the award that theoretically should have the most participation. This is a sign of a fundamentally broken system, and instead of trying to assign more random parameters around qualification, they should scrap it all and let chaos win.
Cade Cunningham could win the MVP this year by default, essentially. This is not a knock on Cade, as he is the leader of the East’s best team currently. But at their current pace, the only top-five MVP candidate (by betting odds) outside of Cunningham that is on track to play 65-plus games this season is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is on pace for just 67 and is also currently hurt. So we may see a year where Nikola Jokic, averaging a triple-double while leading the league in rebounds and assists, Luka Doncic, averaging 32.5 points, and Victor Wembanyama, blocking nearly three shots a game to go with his 24 points and 11 rebounds on a Spurs team that has improved its win total by seven games already, all do not qualify for MVP. And for what? To satisfy a made-up, health-related rule in a league that is increasingly more injured as the days pass? It is completely asinine. The voting has always been narrative-based and subjective, and now is the time to lean in and remove any objectivity so creativity can run free.
Adam Silver has said the NBA is a social league, and one that values internet clips and reactions. What if, instead of closed-door voting, they broadcast the deliberation? Imagine a room with Bill Simmons, Kendrick Perkins, and other NBA talking heads duking it out over why Nikola Jokic’s advanced metrics outweigh Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s bucket-getting ability. Or maybe they throw Chuck Klosterman in there, and he dispels any Luka Doncic support, citing Nico Harrison’s probable cause for trading him. That would do numbers on social media, Adam! After all, the media ultimately writes the history books. The discussion around the games is done by the people who vote for these awards, so why restrict their subjectivity at all?
It’s time to get weird. The NBA’s half-baked attempt to put bumpers up on award voting has failed, even if all the aforementioned players reach 65 games played. That these conversations even happen is an indictment of this fragile algorithm. These awards ultimately matter only in debate circles and online forums, so trying to act like they are a sacred relic with high standards is counterintuitive to the goal. In fact, let’s go a step further. Each candidate should have to pitch their case to a Shark-Tank-esque panel of writers and analysts. You want clips, commissioner? How about one of Shaquille O’Neal saying “I’m out” after Victor Wembanyama points to his three-point efficiency at 7’4” as a pillar of his MVP argument.
There are better ways to decide these awards. If the rules apply to some, but not all of them, then it’s time to get rid of the rules. The NBA is an experimental league. We have seen this with All-Star weekend, the play-in tournament, and the NBA Cup. The awards should be the next thing to throw fun wrinkles at.
Cooper Flagg is currently the odds-on favorite to win Rookie of the Year. His Duke roommate, Kon Kneueppel, is behind him at around +220 (you bet $100, you win $220). Flagg is currently injured (and Dallas is tanking), and, as somewhat of a betting man myself, I wondered why I should not take the juice on Kneuppel in anticipation that Flagg doesn’t reach the 65-game threshold. This led me to a Marc Stein tweet where he explained that the threshold does not apply to the Rookie of the Year award. Why? Outside of MVP, you could argue that Rookie of the Year is the most coveted award in basketball. Unlike the other trophies, you only have one shot to win it. The NBA’s desire for players to play more is the genesis for this arbitrary number of games, and yet it does not apply to the award that theoretically should have the most participation. This is a sign of a fundamentally broken system, and instead of trying to assign more random parameters around qualification, they should scrap it all and let chaos win.
Cade Cunningham could win the MVP this year by default, essentially. This is not a knock on Cade, as he is the leader of the East’s best team currently. But at their current pace, the only top-five MVP candidate (by betting odds) outside of Cunningham that is on track to play 65-plus games this season is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is on pace for just 67 and is also currently hurt. So we may see a year where Nikola Jokic, averaging a triple-double while leading the league in rebounds and assists, Luka Doncic, averaging 32.5 points, and Victor Wembanyama, blocking nearly three shots a game to go with his 24 points and 11 rebounds on a Spurs team that has improved its win total by seven games already, all do not qualify for MVP. And for what? To satisfy a made-up, health-related rule in a league that is increasingly more injured as the days pass? It is completely asinine. The voting has always been narrative-based and subjective, and now is the time to lean in and remove any objectivity so creativity can run free.
Adam Silver has said the NBA is a social league, and one that values internet clips and reactions. What if, instead of closed-door voting, they broadcast the deliberation? Imagine a room with Bill Simmons, Kendrick Perkins, and other NBA talking heads duking it out over why Nikola Jokic’s advanced metrics outweigh Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s bucket-getting ability. Or maybe they throw Chuck Klosterman in there, and he dispels any Luka Doncic support, citing Nico Harrison’s probable cause for trading him. That would do numbers on social media, Adam! After all, the media ultimately writes the history books. The discussion around the games is done by the people who vote for these awards, so why restrict their subjectivity at all?
It’s time to get weird. The NBA’s half-baked attempt to put bumpers up on award voting has failed, even if all the aforementioned players reach 65 games played. That these conversations even happen is an indictment of this fragile algorithm. These awards ultimately matter only in debate circles and online forums, so trying to act like they are a sacred relic with high standards is counterintuitive to the goal. In fact, let’s go a step further. Each candidate should have to pitch their case to a Shark-Tank-esque panel of writers and analysts. You want clips, commissioner? How about one of Shaquille O’Neal saying “I’m out” after Victor Wembanyama points to his three-point efficiency at 7’4” as a pillar of his MVP argument.
There are better ways to decide these awards. If the rules apply to some, but not all of them, then it’s time to get rid of the rules. The NBA is an experimental league. We have seen this with All-Star weekend, the play-in tournament, and the NBA Cup. The awards should be the next thing to throw fun wrinkles at.
CHICAGO - OCTOBER 23: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls smiles during a game against the Seattle SuperSonics on October 23, 1996 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. 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 1996 NBAE (Photo by Noren Trotman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
There is nothing like a good discussion amongst people when things are civil and both can present coherent and thoughtful views while also being willing to hear what the other has to say, even if you don’t agree with them.
However more often than not these discussions delve into arguments usually with either side digging in to their view and getting nasty and mean and then the insults come out and the name calling starts and next thing you know you are both frustrated.
Even though I am all for a good discussion, there are some arguments that people make that as soon as I hear them I just walk away before I get started because there is no point, since I already know that person isn’t open to hearing any opinion other than the one they just espoused.
So what is one of those arguments I am tired of?
It has to be the basketball G.O.A.T. conversation. In the past 10 years or so there has been a rise to declare LeBron James the G.O.A.T. over the real G.O.A.T. Michael Jordan. I have tried to defend his case but those who think it is LeBron have no desire to listen. So just for the sake of consistency, let me lay it out one more time:
NBA Championships: Jordan is 6-0, LeBron 4-6. Jordan never played a game 7 in a Championship game, which I think is as impressive as anything.
NBA Finals MVPs: Jordan 6, LeBron 4
NBA MVPs: Jordan 5, LeBron 4
NBA Defensive Player of the Year: Jordan 1, LeBron 0
NBA Defensive first team: Jordan 9, LeBron 5
NBA Scoring Champion: Jordan 10, LeBron 1
In these next stats keep in mind that Jordan played 14.5 seasons compared to James 23
NBA All-Stars: Jordan 14, LeBron 22 (though Jordan never pulled out of one hours before tip off preventing a substitution from happening)
NBA All-Star MVP: Jordan 3, LeBron 3
All NBA: Jordan 11 (10 first, 1 second), LeBron 21 (13 first, 4 second, 4 third)
Olympics: Jordan 2 golds in 2 trips, LeBron 3 golds and a Bronze in 4 trips
PPG: Jordan 30.1, Lebron 26.9 (yes LeBron has more points but he also has played 8.5 more seasons)
PPG Playoffs: Jordan 33.4, LeBron 28.4 (Again, I understand LeBron has more points but also played 113 more games than Jordan)
I could keep going but instead I am going to end with this story. I was at the dentist one day. The dental assistant was a Duke fan and she knew I went to UNC. She started talking about how Duke was better and I mentioned how none of Duke’s players were any good in the pros (this was back in the early 2000’s) due to injury or just being bad. Her response was well who does UNC have, Michael Jordan? I thought about this for half a second and just started laughing because not only did UNC have some of the best players in the league at that time with Antwan Jamison, Rasheed Wallace, Jerry Stackhouse, and Vince Carter, but at the same time, even if they didn’t, they still had the Greatest of All Time…Michael Jordan.
Are you a Jordan guy or do you think its LeBron? Are there other arguments you are tired of? Let us know in the comments below.
CHICAGO - OCTOBER 23: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls smiles during a game against the Seattle SuperSonics on October 23, 1996 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. 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 1996 NBAE (Photo by Noren Trotman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
There is nothing like a good discussion amongst people when things are civil and both can present coherent and thoughtful views while also being willing to hear what the other has to say, even if you don’t agree with them.
However more often than not these discussions delve into arguments usually with either side digging in to their view and getting nasty and mean and then the insults come out and the name calling starts and next thing you know you are both frustrated.
Even though I am all for a good discussion, there are some arguments that people make that as soon as I hear them I just walk away before I get started because there is no point, since I already know that person isn’t open to hearing any opinion other than the one they just espoused.
So what is one of those arguments I am tired of?
It has to be the basketball G.O.A.T. conversation. In the past 10 years or so there has been a rise to declare LeBron James the G.O.A.T. over the real G.O.A.T. Michael Jordan. I have tried to defend his case but those who think it is LeBron have no desire to listen. So just for the sake of consistency, let me lay it out one more time:
NBA Championships: Jordan is 6-0, LeBron 4-6. Jordan never played a game 7 in a Championship game, which I think is as impressive as anything.
NBA Finals MVPs: Jordan 6, LeBron 4
NBA MVPs: Jordan 5, LeBron 4
NBA Defensive Player of the Year: Jordan 1, LeBron 0
NBA Defensive first team: Jordan 9, LeBron 5
NBA Scoring Champion: Jordan 10, LeBron 1
In these next stats keep in mind that Jordan played 14.5 seasons compared to James 23
NBA All-Stars: Jordan 14, LeBron 22 (though Jordan never pulled out of one hours before tip off preventing a substitution from happening)
NBA All-Star MVP: Jordan 3, LeBron 3
All NBA: Jordan 11 (10 first, 1 second), LeBron 21 (13 first, 4 second, 4 third)
Olympics: Jordan 2 golds in 2 trips, LeBron 3 golds and a Bronze in 4 trips
PPG: Jordan 30.1, Lebron 26.9 (yes LeBron has more points but he also has played 8.5 more seasons)
PPG Playoffs: Jordan 33.4, LeBron 28.4 (Again, I understand LeBron has more points but also played 113 more games than Jordan)
I could keep going but instead I am going to end with this story. I was at the dentist one day. The dental assistant was a Duke fan and she knew I went to UNC. She started talking about how Duke was better and I mentioned how none of Duke’s players were any good in the pros (this was back in the early 2000’s) due to injury or just being bad. Her response was well who does UNC have, Michael Jordan? I thought about this for half a second and just started laughing because not only did UNC have some of the best players in the league at that time with Antwan Jamison, Rasheed Wallace, Jerry Stackhouse, and Vince Carter, but at the same time, even if they didn’t, they still had the Greatest of All Time…Michael Jordan.
Are you a Jordan guy or do you think its LeBron? Are there other arguments you are tired of? Let us know in the comments below.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 23: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket during the game against the Miami Heat on November 23, 2025 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Philadelphia 76ers are coming off back-to-back wins over the Minnesota Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers. They’ll return home for one game to host the Miami Heat before heading back out on the road to face the Boston Cetlics
The Sixers and Heat met earlier this season, with Miami coming away with a 10-point win. Kel’el Ware was a major factor, finishing with 26 points and 16 rebounds as the Heat dominated the glass. Jaime Jaquez Jr. also made his presence felt, adding 21 points in the victory.
Since then, it has been an up-and-down year for Miami. At 31–28, they find themselves hovering around the middle of the Eastern Conference and once again looking like a play-in team. There are plenty of reasons for the uneven season. Injuries have played a significant role, with Tyler Herro sidelined for much of the year. The pairing of Bam Adebayo and Ware has also lacked consistency. One night it clicks, the next Ware barely sees the floor. On top of that, Miami stood pat at the trade deadline while other teams around them made moves to improve.
Still, this is a talented, well-coached group that competes on most nights. Their newest addition, Norman Powell, has put together an excellent season and earned an All-Star nod. With Herro back, the Heat have two dynamic scorers who can space the floor and carry the offense when needed.
Earlier in the season, when the Heat and Sixers matched up, Miami was trying to implement a drive-and-kick offense that was much more unorthodox than the standard pick-and-roll systems you typically see. It led to early success, with the Heat boasting a top-five offense and piling up wins. Since then, there has been noticeable pushback from a few players, and Miami has shifted back to a more conventional approach. The key to this matchup for the Sixers will be limiting second-chance opportunities, as the Heat simply had far too many in their first meeting.
Fortunately for Philadelphia, it appears Joel Embiid will be available this time around. Embiid was solid in their last matchup, scoring 27 points in 26 minutes. He moved well, and looked good in 26 minutes of play. The Sixers are coming off two strong, convincing victories and will look to extend their win streak to three after a post-trade deadline slide that had them drifting toward play-in territory.
The catalyst in both wins has been Tyrese Maxey, who is coming off a near triple-double with 32 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and three stocks. If the Pacers game had been more competitive, he likely would have reached the milestone. Maxey has looked much more like himself, showing versatility in his shot selection with deep threes and tremendous finishes around the basket. His backcourt mate, VJ Edgecombe, has also been playing strong basketball. He was dominant from beyond the arc in the win over the Timberwolves and effective scoring inside the arc against the Pacers. The Sixers will need all the backcourt firepower they can get to match Miami’s.
Speaking of the backcourt, Quentin Grimes turned in another strong performance last game, and it could be a sign he is rounding back into the form we saw earlier in the season. He has now scored in double figures in back-to-back games and has looked noticeably more explosive doing it.
The Sixers need all the bench production they can get, and this feels like a matchup where Grimes will be especially important. His scoring punch, along with his ability to space the floor and make plays, will be key as Philadelphia looks to counter Miami’s shooting and ball movement.
Ahead of this matchup, Embiid is listed as probable, which is an encouraging designation. Johni Broome and Paul George remain out. For Miami, Herro appears good to go, along with Andrew Wiggins, Norman Powell and Dru Smith. Nikola Jovic is the key player out, and Davion Mitchell is questionable with an illness.
This matchup carries weight for several reasons, starting with the standings. The Heat sit just 1.5 games behind the Sixers, with the Orlando Magic wedged between them. A loss would risk dropping Philadelphia into play-in territory, while a win would create some much-needed breathing room.
The season series also adds another layer of importance. After this game, the Sixers and Heat will meet only once more. A Miami win would secure the regular-season tiebreaker, which could loom large given how tight the standings are. If the Sixers take this one, the series would be split, setting up the March 30 meeting as the deciding game for the tiebreaker.
There is plenty at stake. The Sixers appear to have steadied themselves after what felt like their lowest point of the season. Now they have an opportunity to build on that momentum and secure a crucial win.
Game Details
When: Thursday, February 26, 7:00 p.m. ET Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic Follow:@LibertyBallers
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 23: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket during the game against the Miami Heat on November 23, 2025 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Philadelphia 76ers are coming off back-to-back wins over the Minnesota Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers. They’ll return home for one game to host the Miami Heat before heading back out on the road to face the Boston Cetlics
The Sixers and Heat met earlier this season, with Miami coming away with a 10-point win. Kel’el Ware was a major factor, finishing with 26 points and 16 rebounds as the Heat dominated the glass. Jaime Jaquez Jr. also made his presence felt, adding 21 points in the victory.
Since then, it has been an up-and-down year for Miami. At 31–28, they find themselves hovering around the middle of the Eastern Conference and once again looking like a play-in team. There are plenty of reasons for the uneven season. Injuries have played a significant role, with Tyler Herro sidelined for much of the year. The pairing of Bam Adebayo and Ware has also lacked consistency. One night it clicks, the next Ware barely sees the floor. On top of that, Miami stood pat at the trade deadline while other teams around them made moves to improve.
Still, this is a talented, well-coached group that competes on most nights. Their newest addition, Norman Powell, has put together an excellent season and earned an All-Star nod. With Herro back, the Heat have two dynamic scorers who can space the floor and carry the offense when needed.
Earlier in the season, when the Heat and Sixers matched up, Miami was trying to implement a drive-and-kick offense that was much more unorthodox than the standard pick-and-roll systems you typically see. It led to early success, with the Heat boasting a top-five offense and piling up wins. Since then, there has been noticeable pushback from a few players, and Miami has shifted back to a more conventional approach. The key to this matchup for the Sixers will be limiting second-chance opportunities, as the Heat simply had far too many in their first meeting.
Fortunately for Philadelphia, it appears Joel Embiid will be available this time around. Embiid was solid in their last matchup, scoring 27 points in 26 minutes. He moved well, and looked good in 26 minutes of play. The Sixers are coming off two strong, convincing victories and will look to extend their win streak to three after a post-trade deadline slide that had them drifting toward play-in territory.
The catalyst in both wins has been Tyrese Maxey, who is coming off a near triple-double with 32 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and three stocks. If the Pacers game had been more competitive, he likely would have reached the milestone. Maxey has looked much more like himself, showing versatility in his shot selection with deep threes and tremendous finishes around the basket. His backcourt mate, VJ Edgecombe, has also been playing strong basketball. He was dominant from beyond the arc in the win over the Timberwolves and effective scoring inside the arc against the Pacers. The Sixers will need all the backcourt firepower they can get to match Miami’s.
Speaking of the backcourt, Quentin Grimes turned in another strong performance last game, and it could be a sign he is rounding back into the form we saw earlier in the season. He has now scored in double figures in back-to-back games and has looked noticeably more explosive doing it.
The Sixers need all the bench production they can get, and this feels like a matchup where Grimes will be especially important. His scoring punch, along with his ability to space the floor and make plays, will be key as Philadelphia looks to counter Miami’s shooting and ball movement.
Ahead of this matchup, Embiid is listed as probable, which is an encouraging designation. Johni Broome and Paul George remain out. For Miami, Herro appears good to go, along with Andrew Wiggins, Norman Powell and Dru Smith. Nikola Jovic is the key player out, and Davion Mitchell is questionable with an illness.
This matchup carries weight for several reasons, starting with the standings. The Heat sit just 1.5 games behind the Sixers, with the Orlando Magic wedged between them. A loss would risk dropping Philadelphia into play-in territory, while a win would create some much-needed breathing room.
The season series also adds another layer of importance. After this game, the Sixers and Heat will meet only once more. A Miami win would secure the regular-season tiebreaker, which could loom large given how tight the standings are. If the Sixers take this one, the series would be split, setting up the March 30 meeting as the deciding game for the tiebreaker.
There is plenty at stake. The Sixers appear to have steadied themselves after what felt like their lowest point of the season. Now they have an opportunity to build on that momentum and secure a crucial win.
Game Details
When: Thursday, February 26, 7:00 p.m. ET Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic Follow:@LibertyBallers
HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 16: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets works against Wendell Carter Jr. #34 of the Orlando Magic during the second half at Toyota Center on November 16, 2025 in Houston, Texas. 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 Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Houston Rockets got the blowout win we hoped for against the Sacramento Kings. Now, they turn their attention to the Orlando Magic as Houston plays out the second night of a back-to-back and the first game in a three-game road trip out East.
The Magic are coming off a big emotional win over the Lakers in Los Angeles, 110-109 after knocking off the Clippers in Inglewood two nights earlier. Orlando trailed for the first three quarters against the Lakers before some clutch plays allowed them to pull off the win. Paolo Banchero dropped 36, Desmond Bane added 22, and Wendell Carter Jr. scored 20. And they could get Gonzaga one-and-done star Jalen Suggs back tonight.
The Magic are starting to show their talent a bit, and when Franz Wagner returns in March, look out.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 16: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets works against Wendell Carter Jr. #34 of the Orlando Magic during the second half at Toyota Center on November 16, 2025 in Houston, Texas. 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 Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Houston Rockets got the blowout win we hoped for against the Sacramento Kings. Now, they turn their attention to the Orlando Magic as Houston plays out the second night of a back-to-back and the first game in a three-game road trip out East.
The Magic are coming off a big emotional win over the Lakers in Los Angeles, 110-109 after knocking off the Clippers in Inglewood two nights earlier. Orlando trailed for the first three quarters against the Lakers before some clutch plays allowed them to pull off the win. Paolo Banchero dropped 36, Desmond Bane added 22, and Wendell Carter Jr. scored 20. And they could get Gonzaga one-and-done star Jalen Suggs back tonight.
The Magic are starting to show their talent a bit, and when Franz Wagner returns in March, look out.
Mar 9, 2020; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; NBA Hall of Fame player Dominique Wilkins, left, congratulates Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) after their double overtime win against the Charlotte Hornets at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-Imagn Images
Dominique Wilkins needs no introduction around these parts. His jersey hangs in the State Farm Arena rafters after a Hawks career that saw him total nine All-Star Games and seven All-NBA appearances.
So when he speaks, you listen.
If you’ve been living under a rock, a lot has happened with the Hawks this season. Trae Young has departed, and at the same time Jalen Johnson has ascended to stardom, becoming a first-time All-Star earlier this month. ‘Nique spoke with DJ Saddiqi of Casino dot org on his meteoric rise, saying:
“Well, I must say he’s a little bit of Scottie Pippen as far as being a point forward,” Wilkins led with. “Pippen was a point forward and was very effective at the position. This guy Jalen, he brings even another element, because the way he rebounds, the way he passes, and he flirts with a triple-double every single night. I love Jalen Johnson. The way he plays, man, and he’s so deserving of this honor that he received during All-Star weekend. I couldn’t be happier for him.”
On his relationship with Johnson and his family
“I look at Jalen like someone like your brother in a sense,” Wilkins continued. “I have a great relationship with him. I have a great relationship with his mom and dad. I saw the growth in him two years ago, and I said to his parents, ‘Don’t worry, he’s gonna do very well in this league, and he’s gonna be a great player in this league. Just be patient.’ And now look where he’s at.”
On Jalen Johnson’s improvement
“Jalen Johnson has developed quicker than a lot of people have given credit for or expected,” Wilkins said. “But they always say, take care of your business at hand. Don’t worry about too much down the road right now. Worry about what you’re doing now. You take this one game at a time, one month at a time, one year at a time.”
“He’s still a young guy, so it’s a few different areas where he can get better, and he will get better,” Wilkins detailed. “He will get better defensively. He will get better as far as different ways he can score. As a young guy, you can always get better. You can always add new things to your game to make you an even more lethal player. Being 24 years old, he’s still learning right now.”
On the current Hawks
It’s clear the Hawks have undergone a whirlwind series of changes to their roster in the past calendar year. As a result of the instability, the team is in ninth place in the East and slightly under .500 (29-21). But Wilkins believe the foundation has been laid, explaining:
“What you’re trying to do right now in this part of this season is continue to build some chemistry. And once you build that chemistry — hopefully sooner than later — we still have a chance to do a lot of damage, because there’s still 30 games left in the season. You have to make up some ground, because you’re right there. The Eastern Conference is very close, and we have a very good young team: Jalen Johnson, you got Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels. Now you bring over Jonathan Kuminga, and you got Onyeka Okongwu, who’s come along now, and young Zaccharie Risacher, so you got all these younger kids now developing on the job. I think that’s the way it should be done. I look for us to make a move as far as the way we play and try to win games in the second half of the season, because now coming out of this All-Star break, now you really refocus yourself on winning games.”
On the youth and winning streaks
“We have something special and we can be that new young team that makes a difference in that Eastern Conference,” Wilkins explained. “I look for us to make a difference now. Not waiting for next year, because we are right there. In this league, it’ll only take you a month to get hot. You look at the Charlotte Hornets. They won 10 of the last 12, so they got hot at the right time going into the All-Star break, coming into the second half of the season. You need a quick run like that, maybe not eight or nine games, but you get on a five or six-game winning streak, that changes things.”
On the exit and lasting legacy of Trae Young
Young was the franchise pillar for the better part of 8 seasons here in Atlanta, and he leaves behind a résumé as good as any player since Dominique Wilkins himself. Wilkins can also empathize closely with being traded away from a franchise so key to one’s own identity.
Wilkins spoke on the trade, saying that, “sometimes in life, things don’t work out, and it’s time. We all have been through it. I’ve been through it, and it’s nobody’s fault. It’s just the way the business is running, how it’s done. Trae was a tremendous player in an Atlanta Hawks jersey. No one could ever take that from him. What he did was very special.”
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 24: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns goes to the basket against Sam Hauser #30 and Neemias Queta #88 of the Boston Celtics during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 24, 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
Welcome to Inside the Suns, your weekly deep-down analysis of the current Phoenix Suns team. Each week the Fantable — a round table of Bright Siders — give their takes on the Suns’ latest issues and news.
Fantable Questions of the Week
Q1: After returning from injury, Jalen Green’s offensive production for February has been underwhelming. 15 ppg, 35.3 FG%, 23.7 3PT%, 60 FT% on 12 FGAs per game. What are your thoughts on this?
GuarGuar: I don’t think he’s best as a #1 option, which is what he’s had to be these past few games with all the injuries. He’s also been injured literally all season and it was a hamstring reinjury, so I’ll give him some grace to come back to form. He’s gotta get used to NBA action again and regain that confidence in his body.
Ashton: Can you imagine being Jalen Green right now? He finally returns to the court, looks around, and there is an M.A.S.H. unit sitting on the bench. If we see “Hawkeye” (Alan Alda – not Marvel) on the bench, then I know the Suns are in trouble.
Between having work off some of the rust, he just does not have the starting player support needed to get those percentages up. The bench players and rookies are not going to help. But GA spotting up for a three or Book pulling double teams while making timely passing decisions would. Brooks doing his usual bullying thing would seriously help.
Sure, there is a bit of concern about the FT percentage, but that can be fixed. A broken and hobbled starter squad cannot. I would not read too much into it.
OldAz: He has not been on the court with these teammates all season, and now he has to be the focal point of the offense with the normal #1 and #3 options missing. On top of that, he has to do it without the needed practice time to even figure out what that offense looks like. And finally, he is supposed to do it while working himself back into game shape. One for finally, the pressure of fan expectations (based on his salary and a couple tantalizing games when Book and Brooks were playing) has to make every miss feel like the hole is a foot deeper. I believe he will work his way through this, but it is not going to be quick or easy.
Rod: It’s frustrating for fans, and I’m sure it is for him too. The team has recently been devastated by injuries that have left him in the position of trying to carry much of the scoring load instead of being eased back into the rotation after returning from his own injury, which already caused him to miss the bulk of this season. We already knew he wasn’t an especially efficient scorer, which has been very apparent lately as he’s been relied on way to much at this point.
He’s certainly not a perfect player, far from it, but he’s better than what we’ve seen lately. At full or even half-strength, I believe this team is good enough to cover for each other’s flaws, but, as it is now, those flaws are going to stand out even more and we’ve been seeing a lot more of those lately from more players than just Jalen.
Q2: Dillon Brooks’ broken hand will likely cause him to be out for 4-6 weeks, meaning that it is possible for him to miss all of the Suns’ remaining games. If that happens, do you believe that the Suns will finish the regular season with a record good enough to qualify for the play-in games?
GuarGuar: Barring absolute catastrophe, I think we are locked into the Play-In game. Unfortunately, with this injury, I think it’s really tough for us to finish higher than 7th and not have to play in the Play-In. We’d need to really get hot starting in March when Booker gets back. Hopefully, Brooks comes back sooner than expected. His toughness is much needed on this squad.
Ashton: I was a real proponent of the Suns taking the sixth seed. Now? It is time for a major revision. The two-way players are not going to be able to play much longer, and the rookies really just have not developed in the NBA, though they are doing fine in the G League.
To be honest, what a rotten turn of events for the Suns and their fans. Even if some of the starters outside of Brooks return, what remains is the question of how long they can stay healthy. I will take the under, but the over that Book can sell more shoes.
With all that said, I am not all doom-and-gloom. The Suns will need to lose a lot of games to fall out of the tenth seed. They have a six-game lead over the Clippers as of Tuesday afternoon.
I think the Suns will go dancing. Is it March Madness yet?
OldAz: I write this on Monday night, and the Suns have an 11-game cushion on the 11th-place Grizz with 24 to play. Those same Grizzlies are 14 games under .500 and on pace to win 31 games (the Suns have 33 currently). I am not sure I am prepared to contemplate this question further, as that would be an all-time collapse by the hometown team.
Rod: While I don’t think this is likely, I do believe there’s a small possibility of it happening, depending upon the health of the rest of the team…and how determined the teams currently below 10th in the West are to tank the rest of the season. With Brooks out for all of the rest of the regular season, I see it as pretty difficult for the Suns to stay put as the 7th seed, and could drop well down the play-in ladder though. At this point, I’m just hoping that they can avoid falling to 9th or 10th, where they would have to win two play-in games just to get into the playoffs.
Q3: With the recent rash of injuries, rookies Khaman Maluach and Rasheer Fleming have gotten some meaningful rotation minutes. Do you believe they proved that they’re ready for more, even when the team gets healthy again?
GuarGuar: I don’t know if they can crack the rotation yet when everyone is fully healthy (if that ever happens again this season haha), but I have liked what I’ve seen from them recently. Man Man had some bright stretches during that Portland game and Rasheer is beginning to look a tad more comfortable offensively. I still doubt they would be in the rotation come play-in/playoff time, though.
Ashton: No. This is probably the short answer, but they just have not been given the time to develop the minutes against NBA caliber players.
If this were a buy/sell question, I would sell. Maybe we will change the title of Inside the Suns to ‘Around the Suns Horn’ article.
Suns are going to lose some games in the immediate future (please beat the Lakers, and I will call it a win during the injury stretch), and the best-case scenario is that Fleming and KM get some decent development minutes for the future.
But for now, I will keep my expectations low.
OldAz: I thought this about Fleming the last time he got meaningful minutes and held his own, but alas, those minutes dried up pretty quick. Player development takes commitment, and I am hoping these injuries force the Suns to make a little (or a lot) more of this necessary commitment. I wouldn’t mind seeing KM get some more minutes too, but it seems to me that with Brooks out, Dunn and Fleming combining for 40+ minutes a night would not be a bad thing, even if the growing pains cost them a few wins in a stretch where they were likely to struggle anyway.
Rod: Not just yet. What I have seen from them lately in encouraging though and, hopefully, they’ll show that even more as they’re given more court time until the team heals up. And I do believe they’re now at the point where, even with the team fully healthy, it’s really worth taking a chance on putting them in under certain circumstances, particularly when the Suns are facing bigger teams whose size is creating problems for them.
As always, many thanks to our Fantable members for all their extra effort this week!
Quotes of the Week
“We do have to find ways to turn teams over, and a lot of that’s Goodie (Jordan Goodwin), so we’re going to have to find ways to manufacture it. That’s a big piece of what we do.” – Jordan Ott
“Especially with those guys being out (Book, Brooks, Goodwin), everybody has got to be aggressive to get open looks, take the open drive and knock down open shots.” – Royce O’Neale
“We’re 30th in free throws differential since February 1. We can’t get to the free throw line, cant get their rim.” – Jordan Ott
“When he (Dillon Brooks) first found out (that his hand was broken), he was probably disappointed. The next morning I think he was in here shooting with one hand. He’s crazy, but that’s who he is. That’s how hard he works and a testament to him as a player and a person. He’s special in that way.” – Collin Gillespie
“Everybody has got to have a little grace. He (Jalen Green) has been out for three quarters of the season. It’s not an easy thing to do to just insert yourself back into the lineup and be able to just play at that level or play at the speed of the game. I have a ton of grace for him because I’ve been through that where I missed a whole year. He’s missed like three quarters of the season. It’s not easy and he’s done an incredible job of just fitting in seamlessly. It’s been pretty cool to see.” – Collin Gillespie
Suns Trivia/History
On February 27, 1972, the Suns’ 6’1″ rookie reserve guard Mo Layton led all scorers with a career high 37 points to fuel a Suns 127-125 come-from-behind victory over the Cavaliers in Cleveland. It was the single 30+ point game of Layton’s 5-year NBA career. He only played for the Suns for two seasons, averaging a modest 8.2 ppg before being waived by the Suns before the beginning of the 1973-74 season. He also spent a short time that year playing for the ABA’s Memphis Tams under his former Suns head coach, Butch van Breda Kolff. Coach van Breda Kolff owns the dubious distinction of having the shortest tenure ever as a Suns head coach after he was fired just 7 games into the 1972-73 season.
On March 3, 1993, the 41-13 Phoenix Suns – as expected – defeated the 19-35 Philadelphia 76ers 125-115 in Phoenix. The one unexpected thing during that game was 76ers backup center, 7’7″ Manute Bol, who was mostly known only for his shot blocking, making 6 three pointers, 2 more than the entire Suns team. Suns forward Charles Barkley was both amazed and amused by it all.
That one time Manute Bol drained six three-pointers in one half against the Suns was so fucking awesome even Charles Barkley had to give him five. pic.twitter.com/DliDRzGnvA
On March 6, 2019, Devin Booker became the youngest player ever to make 500 3-Point Field Goals at 22 years, 127 days.
On March 6, 2020, Suns’ backup center Aron Baynes scored 37 points, gathered 16 rebounds, and recorded 2 blocks while making 9 of 14 shots (64.3%) from three while taking over for injured starting center Deandre Ayton in a 127-117 home win over the Portland Trail Blazers. In NBA history, no one else had ever done all of those things in one game.
This Week’s Game Schedule
Thursday, Feb 26 – Suns vs Los Angeles Lakers (7:00 pm) Tuesday, March 3 – Suns @ Sacramento Kings (9:00 pm) Peacock
This Week’s Valley Suns Game Schedule
Thursday, Feb 26. Valley Suns vs South Bay Lakers (7:00 pm) ESPN+ Saturday, Feb 28 – Valley Suns @ Texas Legends (6:30 pm) Monday, March 2 – Valley Suns vs Salt Lake City Stars (6:30 pm) Prime Video
Important Future Dates
March 1 – Playoff eligibility waiver deadline March 4 – Final day to sign players to two-way contracts March 28 – NBA G League Regular Season ends March 31 – 2026 NBA G League Playoffs begin April 12 – Regular season ends (All 30 teams play) April 13 – Rosters set for NBA Playoffs 2026 (3 p.m. ET) April 14-17 – SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament April 18 – NBA Playoffs begin
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 24: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns goes to the basket against Sam Hauser #30 and Neemias Queta #88 of the Boston Celtics during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 24, 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
Welcome to Inside the Suns, your weekly deep-down analysis of the current Phoenix Suns team. Each week the Fantable — a round table of Bright Siders — give their takes on the Suns’ latest issues and news.
Fantable Questions of the Week
Q1: After returning from injury, Jalen Green’s offensive production for February has been underwhelming. 15 ppg, 35.3 FG%, 23.7 3PT%, 60 FT% on 12 FGAs per game. What are your thoughts on this?
GuarGuar: I don’t think he’s best as a #1 option, which is what he’s had to be these past few games with all the injuries. He’s also been injured literally all season and it was a hamstring reinjury, so I’ll give him some grace to come back to form. He’s gotta get used to NBA action again and regain that confidence in his body.
Ashton: Can you imagine being Jalen Green right now? He finally returns to the court, looks around, and there is an M.A.S.H. unit sitting on the bench. If we see “Hawkeye” (Alan Alda – not Marvel) on the bench, then I know the Suns are in trouble.
Between having work off some of the rust, he just does not have the starting player support needed to get those percentages up. The bench players and rookies are not going to help. But GA spotting up for a three or Book pulling double teams while making timely passing decisions would. Brooks doing his usual bullying thing would seriously help.
Sure, there is a bit of concern about the FT percentage, but that can be fixed. A broken and hobbled starter squad cannot. I would not read too much into it.
OldAz: He has not been on the court with these teammates all season, and now he has to be the focal point of the offense with the normal #1 and #3 options missing. On top of that, he has to do it without the needed practice time to even figure out what that offense looks like. And finally, he is supposed to do it while working himself back into game shape. One for finally, the pressure of fan expectations (based on his salary and a couple tantalizing games when Book and Brooks were playing) has to make every miss feel like the hole is a foot deeper. I believe he will work his way through this, but it is not going to be quick or easy.
Rod: It’s frustrating for fans, and I’m sure it is for him too. The team has recently been devastated by injuries that have left him in the position of trying to carry much of the scoring load instead of being eased back into the rotation after returning from his own injury, which already caused him to miss the bulk of this season. We already knew he wasn’t an especially efficient scorer, which has been very apparent lately as he’s been relied on way to much at this point.
He’s certainly not a perfect player, far from it, but he’s better than what we’ve seen lately. At full or even half-strength, I believe this team is good enough to cover for each other’s flaws, but, as it is now, those flaws are going to stand out even more and we’ve been seeing a lot more of those lately from more players than just Jalen.
Q2: Dillon Brooks’ broken hand will likely cause him to be out for 4-6 weeks, meaning that it is possible for him to miss all of the Suns’ remaining games. If that happens, do you believe that the Suns will finish the regular season with a record good enough to qualify for the play-in games?
GuarGuar: Barring absolute catastrophe, I think we are locked into the Play-In game. Unfortunately, with this injury, I think it’s really tough for us to finish higher than 7th and not have to play in the Play-In. We’d need to really get hot starting in March when Booker gets back. Hopefully, Brooks comes back sooner than expected. His toughness is much needed on this squad.
Ashton: I was a real proponent of the Suns taking the sixth seed. Now? It is time for a major revision. The two-way players are not going to be able to play much longer, and the rookies really just have not developed in the NBA, though they are doing fine in the G League.
To be honest, what a rotten turn of events for the Suns and their fans. Even if some of the starters outside of Brooks return, what remains is the question of how long they can stay healthy. I will take the under, but the over that Book can sell more shoes.
With all that said, I am not all doom-and-gloom. The Suns will need to lose a lot of games to fall out of the tenth seed. They have a six-game lead over the Clippers as of Tuesday afternoon.
I think the Suns will go dancing. Is it March Madness yet?
OldAz: I write this on Monday night, and the Suns have an 11-game cushion on the 11th-place Grizz with 24 to play. Those same Grizzlies are 14 games under .500 and on pace to win 31 games (the Suns have 33 currently). I am not sure I am prepared to contemplate this question further, as that would be an all-time collapse by the hometown team.
Rod: While I don’t think this is likely, I do believe there’s a small possibility of it happening, depending upon the health of the rest of the team…and how determined the teams currently below 10th in the West are to tank the rest of the season. With Brooks out for all of the rest of the regular season, I see it as pretty difficult for the Suns to stay put as the 7th seed, and could drop well down the play-in ladder though. At this point, I’m just hoping that they can avoid falling to 9th or 10th, where they would have to win two play-in games just to get into the playoffs.
Q3: With the recent rash of injuries, rookies Khaman Maluach and Rasheer Fleming have gotten some meaningful rotation minutes. Do you believe they proved that they’re ready for more, even when the team gets healthy again?
GuarGuar: I don’t know if they can crack the rotation yet when everyone is fully healthy (if that ever happens again this season haha), but I have liked what I’ve seen from them recently. Man Man had some bright stretches during that Portland game and Rasheer is beginning to look a tad more comfortable offensively. I still doubt they would be in the rotation come play-in/playoff time, though.
Ashton: No. This is probably the short answer, but they just have not been given the time to develop the minutes against NBA caliber players.
If this were a buy/sell question, I would sell. Maybe we will change the title of Inside the Suns to ‘Around the Suns Horn’ article.
Suns are going to lose some games in the immediate future (please beat the Lakers, and I will call it a win during the injury stretch), and the best-case scenario is that Fleming and KM get some decent development minutes for the future.
But for now, I will keep my expectations low.
OldAz: I thought this about Fleming the last time he got meaningful minutes and held his own, but alas, those minutes dried up pretty quick. Player development takes commitment, and I am hoping these injuries force the Suns to make a little (or a lot) more of this necessary commitment. I wouldn’t mind seeing KM get some more minutes too, but it seems to me that with Brooks out, Dunn and Fleming combining for 40+ minutes a night would not be a bad thing, even if the growing pains cost them a few wins in a stretch where they were likely to struggle anyway.
Rod: Not just yet. What I have seen from them lately in encouraging though and, hopefully, they’ll show that even more as they’re given more court time until the team heals up. And I do believe they’re now at the point where, even with the team fully healthy, it’s really worth taking a chance on putting them in under certain circumstances, particularly when the Suns are facing bigger teams whose size is creating problems for them.
As always, many thanks to our Fantable members for all their extra effort this week!
Quotes of the Week
“We do have to find ways to turn teams over, and a lot of that’s Goodie (Jordan Goodwin), so we’re going to have to find ways to manufacture it. That’s a big piece of what we do.” – Jordan Ott
“Especially with those guys being out (Book, Brooks, Goodwin), everybody has got to be aggressive to get open looks, take the open drive and knock down open shots.” – Royce O’Neale
“We’re 30th in free throws differential since February 1. We can’t get to the free throw line, cant get their rim.” – Jordan Ott
“When he (Dillon Brooks) first found out (that his hand was broken), he was probably disappointed. The next morning I think he was in here shooting with one hand. He’s crazy, but that’s who he is. That’s how hard he works and a testament to him as a player and a person. He’s special in that way.” – Collin Gillespie
“Everybody has got to have a little grace. He (Jalen Green) has been out for three quarters of the season. It’s not an easy thing to do to just insert yourself back into the lineup and be able to just play at that level or play at the speed of the game. I have a ton of grace for him because I’ve been through that where I missed a whole year. He’s missed like three quarters of the season. It’s not easy and he’s done an incredible job of just fitting in seamlessly. It’s been pretty cool to see.” – Collin Gillespie
Suns Trivia/History
On February 27, 1972, the Suns’ 6’1″ rookie reserve guard Mo Layton led all scorers with a career high 37 points to fuel a Suns 127-125 come-from-behind victory over the Cavaliers in Cleveland. It was the single 30+ point game of Layton’s 5-year NBA career. He only played for the Suns for two seasons, averaging a modest 8.2 ppg before being waived by the Suns before the beginning of the 1973-74 season. He also spent a short time that year playing for the ABA’s Memphis Tams under his former Suns head coach, Butch van Breda Kolff. Coach van Breda Kolff owns the dubious distinction of having the shortest tenure ever as a Suns head coach after he was fired just 7 games into the 1972-73 season.
On March 3, 1993, the 41-13 Phoenix Suns – as expected – defeated the 19-35 Philadelphia 76ers 125-115 in Phoenix. The one unexpected thing during that game was 76ers backup center, 7’7″ Manute Bol, who was mostly known only for his shot blocking, making 6 three pointers, 2 more than the entire Suns team. Suns forward Charles Barkley was both amazed and amused by it all.
That one time Manute Bol drained six three-pointers in one half against the Suns was so fucking awesome even Charles Barkley had to give him five. pic.twitter.com/DliDRzGnvA
On March 6, 2019, Devin Booker became the youngest player ever to make 500 3-Point Field Goals at 22 years, 127 days.
On March 6, 2020, Suns’ backup center Aron Baynes scored 37 points, gathered 16 rebounds, and recorded 2 blocks while making 9 of 14 shots (64.3%) from three while taking over for injured starting center Deandre Ayton in a 127-117 home win over the Portland Trail Blazers. In NBA history, no one else had ever done all of those things in one game.
This Week’s Game Schedule
Thursday, Feb 26 – Suns vs Los Angeles Lakers (7:00 pm) Tuesday, March 3 – Suns @ Sacramento Kings (9:00 pm) Peacock
This Week’s Valley Suns Game Schedule
Thursday, Feb 26. Valley Suns vs South Bay Lakers (7:00 pm) ESPN+ Saturday, Feb 28 – Valley Suns @ Texas Legends (6:30 pm) Monday, March 2 – Valley Suns vs Salt Lake City Stars (6:30 pm) Prime Video
Important Future Dates
March 1 – Playoff eligibility waiver deadline March 4 – Final day to sign players to two-way contracts March 28 – NBA G League Regular Season ends March 31 – 2026 NBA G League Playoffs begin April 12 – Regular season ends (All 30 teams play) April 13 – Rosters set for NBA Playoffs 2026 (3 p.m. ET) April 14-17 – SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament April 18 – NBA Playoffs begin
Mar 9, 2020; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; NBA Hall of Fame player Dominique Wilkins, left, congratulates Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) after their double overtime win against the Charlotte Hornets at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-Imagn Images
Dominique Wilkins needs no introduction around these parts. His jersey hangs in the State Farm Arena rafters after a Hawks career that saw him total nine All-Star Games and seven All-NBA appearances.
So when he speaks, you listen.
If you’ve been living under a rock, a lot has happened with the Hawks this season. Trae Young has departed, and at the same time Jalen Johnson has ascended to stardom, becoming a first-time All-Star earlier this month. ‘Nique spoke with DJ Saddiqi of Casino dot org on his meteoric rise, saying:
“Well, I must say he’s a little bit of Scottie Pippen as far as being a point forward,” Wilkins led with. “Pippen was a point forward and was very effective at the position. This guy Jalen, he brings even another element, because the way he rebounds, the way he passes, and he flirts with a triple-double every single night. I love Jalen Johnson. The way he plays, man, and he’s so deserving of this honor that he received during All-Star weekend. I couldn’t be happier for him.”
On his relationship with Johnson and his family
“I look at Jalen like someone like your brother in a sense,” Wilkins continued. “I have a great relationship with him. I have a great relationship with his mom and dad. I saw the growth in him two years ago, and I said to his parents, ‘Don’t worry, he’s gonna do very well in this league, and he’s gonna be a great player in this league. Just be patient.’ And now look where he’s at.”
On Jalen Johnson’s improvement
“Jalen Johnson has developed quicker than a lot of people have given credit for or expected,” Wilkins said. “But they always say, take care of your business at hand. Don’t worry about too much down the road right now. Worry about what you’re doing now. You take this one game at a time, one month at a time, one year at a time.”
“He’s still a young guy, so it’s a few different areas where he can get better, and he will get better,” Wilkins detailed. “He will get better defensively. He will get better as far as different ways he can score. As a young guy, you can always get better. You can always add new things to your game to make you an even more lethal player. Being 24 years old, he’s still learning right now.”
On the current Hawks
It’s clear the Hawks have undergone a whirlwind series of changes to their roster in the past calendar year. As a result of the instability, the team is in ninth place in the East and slightly under .500 (29-21). But Wilkins believe the foundation has been laid, explaining:
“What you’re trying to do right now in this part of this season is continue to build some chemistry. And once you build that chemistry — hopefully sooner than later — we still have a chance to do a lot of damage, because there’s still 30 games left in the season. You have to make up some ground, because you’re right there. The Eastern Conference is very close, and we have a very good young team: Jalen Johnson, you got Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels. Now you bring over Jonathan Kuminga, and you got Onyeka Okongwu, who’s come along now, and young Zaccharie Risacher, so you got all these younger kids now developing on the job. I think that’s the way it should be done. I look for us to make a move as far as the way we play and try to win games in the second half of the season, because now coming out of this All-Star break, now you really refocus yourself on winning games.”
On the youth and winning streaks
“We have something special and we can be that new young team that makes a difference in that Eastern Conference,” Wilkins explained. “I look for us to make a difference now. Not waiting for next year, because we are right there. In this league, it’ll only take you a month to get hot. You look at the Charlotte Hornets. They won 10 of the last 12, so they got hot at the right time going into the All-Star break, coming into the second half of the season. You need a quick run like that, maybe not eight or nine games, but you get on a five or six-game winning streak, that changes things.”
On the exit and lasting legacy of Trae Young
Young was the franchise pillar for the better part of 8 seasons here in Atlanta, and he leaves behind a résumé as good as any player since Dominique Wilkins himself. Wilkins can also empathize closely with being traded away from a franchise so key to one’s own identity.
Wilkins spoke on the trade, saying that, “sometimes in life, things don’t work out, and it’s time. We all have been through it. I’ve been through it, and it’s nobody’s fault. It’s just the way the business is running, how it’s done. Trae was a tremendous player in an Atlanta Hawks jersey. No one could ever take that from him. What he did was very special.”
Feb 25, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) dribbles in the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
When you think about the Oklahoma City Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander comes to mind.
SGA has been the face of the Thunder, winning the league MVP and Finals MVP last season. When he’s been healthy, he’s been dominant again this season.
But with SGA missing time due to an injury, another former Kentucky Wildcat has stepped up the last few games. Cason Wallace has been a key piece for the Thunder, averaging around 23 points per game the last three games to go along with about 5 rebounds and just over 7 assists.
On Tuesday, Wallace led OKC to a victory in Toronto with 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists on 11-16 shooting. Last night, the Thunder fell to the Detroit Pistons, but Wallace scored 23 points to go along with 5 assists and knocked down 3-6 from beyond the arc.
It’s unknown right now when SGA will return. He’s expected to be evaluated in the coming days, but if you’re the Thunder, you have to like how Cason Wallace has emerged in his absence and what he can provide moving forward during the remainder of the season.
Tweet of the Day
The case for Kentucky Basketball having a GM is very simple
1. College BB is a business and you need someone understanding and handling that business daily
2. Virtually every good program in the country has one except us
Broadcaster Stephen A. Smith is known for his outspoken personality, whether it’s discussing sports across the ESPN platform or talking about politics wherever he can.
Smith spoke with Graham Bensinger, host of "In Depth with Graham Bensinger," and provided some clarification on several notable topics involving himself, including his relationship with Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and a potential 2028 presidential campaign.
Stephen A. Smith on beef with LeBron James
Smith has often been critical of James, the face of the NBA for nearly two decades.
Smith didn’t completely shy away when asked about the tension between him and the 23-year NBA veteran. The media personality was not willing to fully divulge some of the things powering the “beef,” though.
“My daughters love LeBron. And I had to look at them and say, ‘Yeah, he is phenomenal.’ They ain't lying. He's one of the greatest ever. And so, again, you can have differences with people, but if you're a grownup, if you're a man, you're able to compartmentalize and say, 'we might have a disagreement.'
“We might have a beef,” Smith said. “... It doesn't mean you should look at him in a negative kind of way. I might have affected him in ways that other people haven't, and that might have provoked him to do whatever, I don't know. But at the end of the day, I just know that I'm 58 years old and I'm not interested in walking around bitter and with a grudge and with all of this other nonsense.
Smith’s latest remarks come nearly a year after he was confronted by James while sitting courtside after the Lakers’ 113-109 overtime win over the New York Knicks at Crypto.com Arena on March 6, 2025.
Smith has leaned on the support of his peers and colleagues when he needs it.
“There are people who helped (following the confrontation with James),” Smith said. “Charles Barkley got on me. Kenny Smith is like a brother to me, got on me. Shaq, and then guys internally, Ryan Clark, Marcus Spears. I love those brothers. They're my brothers. And they weren't the only ones.”
Will Stephen A. Smith make a presidential run?
Smith has dabbled in politics over the years as a media personality. He decided to expand that part of his career, hosting a show on SiriusXM radio, covering politics and news that's happening outside of the sports world. That began in September 2025.
He’s also been mentioned as a potential 2028 presidential candidate.
“Do I desire the campaign and be on the campaign circuit and running for office? No, I do not,” Smith said. “Do I desire to be on a debate stage to call out these politicians for what they have done to compromise this country? Yes, I do.
“That's where it gets serious for me, because you can enter the debate and then leave after the debate and decide you're not running.”
Smith also made it clear he intends to have the opportunity to ask politicians to justify what they've "done to contribute to the chaos that's happened in the streets of America."
“I want you to look at us in the face and justify the divide that you've caused, the friction that you've caused,” Smith said.
