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The NBA levied the punishment because Kidd publicly criticized officiating and used profane language during a media interview following the Mavericks’ 111-107 loss to the Houston Rockets on Jan. 31.

Kidd’s comments came after a controversial call late in the game in which the head coach thought Dallas guard Cooper Flagg was fouled on a contested layup. Instead, it was ruled clean, potentially contributing to the Mavericks’ four-point loss. Kidd didn’t mince words in his postgame press conference, not hesitating to call out the game’s officiating.

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd reacts against the Minnesota Timberwolves. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

“I saw a foul. The referees were unacceptable. It’s a foul, and he needs to be at the free throw line,” Kidd said of Flagg. “Now, does he make both? That’s up to the player, but the referees did not do their job. They were terrible.”

Kidd went off on an expletive-filled tirade when he was asked about criticism surrounding his usage of his prized rookie. He then refused to answer any further questions from media members.

“I don’t give a f–k what you guys write. Because you guys have never played the game,” Kidd said. “And so, I build players. So, I know what the f—k I’m doing. So, to take criticism, it only makes me better.”

The loss to the Rockets marked their fourth in a row as they continue to slide further down the standings. They enter Monday’s slate one spot out of a playoff berth in the Western Conference, three-and-a-half games behind the Portland Trail Blazers, and 14.5 games behind the San Antonio Spurs in the Southwest division.

Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) defends against a shot by Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32). Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Dallas continues to feel the effects of trading star guard Luka Doncic to the Lakers a year ago. The Mavericks did add 2025 No. 1 pick Flagg, who is having a stellar season, upping his scoring average to 19.8 points per game after 49- and 34-point efforts against Charlotte and Houston, respectively.

Meanwhile, Doncic trade piece and No. 1 scoring option Anthony Davis is currently out with a hand injury he suffered in January.

Kidd is in his fifth year with the Mavericks, trying to turn this season around. He steered Dallas to the NBA Finals in 2023-24, losing to the Boston Celtics. But since then, the Mavericks have yet to show that same level of success, especially after Doncic was shipped off last February.

Now, his fine after Dallas’ defeat to the Rockets is yet another setback across two disappointing years.

February 2, 2026

Giannis Antetokounmpo landing spots: Trade partners for Bucks as deadline nears

Now more than ever, it’s a near inevitability that Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are nearing the end of their relationship.

It may come before the Thursday, Feb. 5 trading deadline, or it may come in the offseason, but Antetokounmpo has reportedly indicated that he’s ready to move on from the Bucks. Milwaukee, understandably, has started to listen to offers and may consider shipping the two-time Most Valuable Player before the deadline.

Yet, even if a deal cannot be reached by then, the Bucks could still move Antetokounmpo over the offseason, when suitors would have more financial flexibility and draft capital available to package in an offer.

With that said, which teams can actually present compelling cases to land the versatile star?

Here are potential landing spots for Giannis Antetokounmpo:

Chicago Bulls

This is an option that has come on strong over the past few days. The Bulls have been caught somewhere between trying to contend in the East but coming up short and showing hesitation to fully rebuild. A trade for Antetokounmpo would indicate Chicago is going all-in.

The Bulls, however, have a mix of young players and draft capital. Chicago can package several first-round picks and pick swaps over the next few drafts, so the question will come down to how Milwaukee views Chicago's players. Point guard Josh Giddey (23) and shooting guard Ayo Dosunmu (26) are the most appealing trade chips, but the Bulls will also probably try to unload guard Coby White (25) or center Zach Collins (28).

As with any team that would be looking to swing a deal, it would be hard to part with these high-value assets unless Antetokounmpo would commit to his new franchise for the long-term. Chicago is close to Milwaukee, and that might provide some comfort for Antetokounmpo.

Miami Heat

This is going to depend on what the Bucks are actually prioritizing in a return, but the Heat may have a compelling case. Miami has more depth than star power and it has some younger players with promise who could be part of a Bucks rebuild.

The centerpiece would be 2024-25 All-Star guard Tyler Herro (26 years old), who has had injury concerns, but who has been a steady scoring threat when on the floor. Second-year center Kel’el Ware (21) is another intriguing player who has excellent rebounding ability; Ware ranks seventh in the NBA in rebounds this season (435), despite playing considerably fewer minutes than the players ahead of him. Ware has had motor concerns, but he’s an excellent lob threat and can stretch the floor with shooting range.

Miami can also offer a combination of Jaime Jaquez Jr. (24), Pelle Larsson (24), Nikola Jović (22), Kasparas Jakučionis (19) and two first-round draft picks. And, if Miami can move Andrew Wiggins (perhaps to the Lakers, say), the Heat could potentially recoup another pick to package in an Antetokounmpo deal.

Golden State Warriors

Whereas Miami has a blend of talent and draft capital, the Warriors have an abundance of picks. Golden State can trade up to four first-round draft picks, but it lacks young and promising players that might entice the Bucks. Jonathan Kuminga is the lone piece in that equation, and — even then — he has been inconsistent and has frequently played himself out of Steve Kerr's rotation.

In fact, just to make the salaries work, Golden State would need to include costly veterans like Draymond Green (turns 36 in early March) or Jimmy Butler (36; torn anterior cruciate ligament). For a team that would be looking to rebuild, those are simply not exciting options. For Milwaukee to like this deal, it would need to think that the post-Stephen Curry years would lead to lean seasons, and therefore more desirable draft picks. It might be hard, however, for Bucks general manager Jon Horst to justify a trade that ships Antetokounmpo if there's no promising young player attached to it.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Reportedly, Minnesota is being aggressive in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, but it may lack the draft capital to pull it off. All of which means the Timberwolves would need to include a third or fourth team to execute the deal.

What they do have is early- and mid-career players who may tempt Milwaukee. Jaden McDaniels (25), Terrence Shannon Jr. (25), Rob Dillingham (21) and Joan Beringer (19) are the young pieces. But, given that the Timberwolves would need to involve another team(s?), veterans like Julius Randle and Naz Reid could potentially need to be involved.

The Bucks would certainly listen, but there's no question this doesn't get done unless other teams reroute first-round draft picks toward Milwaukee.

New York Knicks

This had reportedly been Antetokounmpo’s preferred landing spot, given its market size, ability to compete for championships and proximity to international airports that can get him to his native Greece with relative ease.

And while the Knicks do have some interesting assets that could entice the Bucks, New York doesn't have draft capital or young players with promise.

For one, the easy assumption is that forward-center Karl-Anthony Towns would be a seamless swap, but Milwaukee just signed center Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million contract that keeps him with the Bucks through the 2027-28 season, with a player option for the following year.

Turner and Towns have similar skill sets, and Towns feels like a redundancy in Milwaukee. The Bucks are probably more intrigued by wings OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, with whom New York might be less willing to part. The Knicks would almost certainly require the addition of a third or fourth team to facilitate the deal.

The Bucks reportedly prefer younger talent and draft capital, neither of which the Knicks necessarily have, at least right now. Towns is 30, Bridges 29, Anunoby 28. Backup point guard Miles McBride is 25, but he would need to be a secondary piece in any deal. For this to work, the Knicks would need to get creative in finding ways to sweeten their package.

Either way, an ESPN report Monday, Feb. 2 indicated that the Knicks aren't aggressively pursuing Antetokounmpo and like their core. An alternative read of this report is that New York may be trying to preserve optics if it received an indication that the Bucks didn't express interest in their package.

Atlanta Hawks

This looks like another interesting spot because the Hawks do have a balance of both young talent and draft capital. For one, the Hawks already own a massively valuable draft pick, an unprotected 2026 first-rounder that’s the most favorable between the Pelicans and the Bucks. New Orleans currently has the NBA’s third-worst winning percentage and the Bucks are 18-27. There’s a high likelihood that this pick will be a high lottery selection.

The Hawks may not want to part with that selection, but Atlanta nonetheless has plenty of draft capital and swaps it can offer.

The Bucks, though, may want to get talented forward Jalen Johnson in return. The Hawks have built their team around Johnson and may not make him available. That would complicate things, as Zaccharie Risacher, rookie Asa Newell and Luke Kennard likely won’t be enough to sway Milwaukee.

The field

Could the Phoenix Suns be a player in a package led by Jalen Green, a dynamic but inconsistent athlete who has played just four games this year? Could the Cleveland Cavaliers feel they need to make a drastic shift to contend, potentially packaging Evan Mobley in a deal? Could the Dallas Mavericks send veterans like Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson to Milwaukee? What about a young team like the Washington Wizards, who have more young players than veterans?

What about teams that are already contenders like the Houston Rockets or San Antonio Spurs? Could they tear up their current (and successful) builds for a push to compete? This seems less likely.

There’s always the possibility of the infamous mystery team that could be lurking. The reality is, of the 29 teams in the NBA aside from the Bucks, all but one or two of them are probably discussing if there’s a viable path to get him.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Giannis Antetokounmpo landing spots, best Bucks trade partners

February 2, 2026

Dallas coach Jason Kidd was fined $35,000 for blasting referees after a loss to the Rockets

NEW YORK (AP) — Dallas coach Jason Kidd has been fined $35,000 for public criticism of officiating and using profane language during a media interview, the NBA announced Monday.

Kidd made his comments after the Mavericks’ 111-107 loss at Houston Rockets on Saturday.

“The referees did not do their job tonight,” Kidd said during the postgame media session. “They were terrible.”

Kidd thought Cooper Flagg was fouled when the rookie No. 1 pick drove for a layup and missed with 25 seconds remaining and the Mavericks trailing by two points.

Kidd ended his postgame remarks with an expletive-laden response to a question about criticism the coach has received over using Flagg as a point guard when Flagg had little experience at that position coming into the NBA.

___

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

February 2, 2026

Caitlin Clark details how she can learn from Luka Dončić

The Lakers’ disappointing Sunday night started off well for one of the team’s best players.

Just before Los Angeles got beaten up 112–100 by the Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York, Luka Dončić received some high praise from Indiana Fevers’ Caitlin Clark.

Caitlin Clark offered up praise for Lakers star Luka Dončić ahead of LA’s Sunday night matchup against the Knicks. JASON SZENES/ NY POST

The WNBA superstar was making her debut as a special contributor for NBC during the “Sunday Night Basketball” pregame show, and when she was asked about an NBA player who she admired, she quickly singled out Dončić.

Caitlin Clark names Luka Dončić as an NBA player she can "learn from" as she tries to improve her own game. https://t.co/tDuEIjFuFS pic.twitter.com/L73trHngOZ
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 2, 2026

“Luka’s amazing,” she said. “He’s incredible. I think the way he can not only score the ball, but also the way he passes.”

The Fever guard then complimented Dončić’s ability to toy with defenders despite being “not the fastest” and “not the most athletic.”

“I think that’s something I can certainly learn from,” she said. “I always kind of want to run away from the defense, rather than absorbing the contact and taking up the space that they give me.”

Dončić came close to a triple-double on Sunday night, but the Lakers still lost to the Knicks. NBAE via Getty Images

Minutes after Clark’s glowing breakdown, Dončić went out and filled up the stat sheet in a way he’s done all season.

In 36 minutes, he recorded 30 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists.

The Lakers, though, are now losers of two of their last three, and have another road matchup with the Nets up next on Tuesday.

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February 2, 2026

Tuskegee men's basketball coach Taylor handcuffed after intervening in postgame incident

ATLANTA (AP) — Tuskegee men's basketball coach Benjy Taylor was handcuffed after intervening in an incident involving his team and members of Morehouse's basketball and football teams over the weekend.

A statement from civil rights attorney Harry Daniels' office said Taylor was concerned about Morehouse football players who “were acting aggressively” toward Tuskegee players and their parents during postgame handshakes on Saturday.

The statement said the football players' presence is prohibited by conference-mandated security protocols. It said after Taylor asked a second officer to enforce those protocols to diffuse the situation, the officer handcuffed him and escorted him from the court.

Though Taylor was not charged, he has hired Daniels and attorneys Gregory Reynald Williams and Gerald Griggs to represent him. The attorneys say they are considering a civil lawsuit.

Daniels said Taylor was right to try to protect his team, and the officer was out of line.

“It would be bad for a police officer to treat anyone like this,” Daniels said. “But to do it to a man like Coach Taylor, a highly respected professional and role model, to put him in handcuffs, humiliate him and treat him like a criminal in front of his team, his family and a gym full of fans is absolutely disgusting and they need to be held accountable.”

A statement from Tuskegee president Mark Brown and athletic director Reginald Ruffin said the school leaders were proud of Taylor's commitment to the athletes and the school's values.

“During the events in question, Coach Taylor acted solely out of his fundamental responsibility to protect his student-athletes and staff — particularly in an environment where agreed-upon and customary game‑management and security protocols were not properly carried out," the statement said. "His conduct remained measured, professional, and entirely consistent with the expectations of a head coach entrusted with the safety of his team.”

Morehouse did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

___

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February 2, 2026

Bright Side Wonders, Week 15: Should the Suns have 2 All-Stars?

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JANUARY 29: Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball past Ronald Holland II #5 of the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center on January 29, 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

Without Devin Booker for the entirety of the week and Jalen Green and Collin Gillespie for parts of it, the Phoenix Suns went 3-1 to finish out their five-game home stand this week, with wins over the Nets, Pistons and Cavs and a loss to the Clippers.

Here are the main questions for Week 15 that we want your thoughts on:

Dillon Brooks not an All-Star

Devin Booker will not have any teammates joining him in the All-Star game this season. Despite some chatter from national pundits about Dillon Brooks being a deserving candidate, he did not make the team.

Brooks, averaging a career-high in points per game with 21.1, is one of the main reasons the Suns have surprised many this season, with his tenacious play and energy, and he just set his career-high with 40 points against the Pistons. Many have lauded him for his impact on the team’s culture, something many questioned about the squad a season ago.

Do you think Brooks should have been an All-Star? Why or why not?

Another Signature Win

Phoenix beat the Pistons last week in dominant fashion, 114-96. Along with Brooks’ aforementioned 40-piece, the team out-rebounded Detroit 47-37 and limited them to 20.7% shooting from three. Phoenix beat both the East and West’s one seeds in January and beat the Pistons without Devin Booker or Jalen Green in the lineup.

Whenever the Pistons got close, the Suns responded quickly by forcing Cade Cunningham into bad shots and hitting timely baskets and getting to the free throw line consistently.

Does a win like the team’s against Detroit make you confident that the Suns can compete with the West’s best come playoff time, independent of seeding?

The Trade Deadline is Almost Here

It appears the Suns won’t be making many moves this trade season, at least according to Suns Owner Mat Ishbia’s appearance on the Zach Lowe Show last week.

Phoenix has been one of the biggest surprises of the season, and if they dealt a key member of the rotation even for a better player, they risk the chance of changing the dynamic that has helped them be on a 49-win pace. While Nick Richards’ name has been floated as someone who could be dealt to help the team cut salary, he’s been out of the rotation for a few months.

If you were the GM of the Suns this week, would you be looking to make any moves or keep the roster as is?

For more questions on the Suns follow @HoldenSherman1 on X for content after every game.

Dillon Brooks with his second-straight 26-point night, doing so on 15 shots. Brooks struggled with his shot for most of the team's road trip.

Is Brooks' slump over? @BrightSideSun
— Holden Sherman (@HoldenSherman1) January 28, 2026

February 2, 2026

Editor-in-chief mailbag: Trade deadline week is here

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 12: Elton Brand, Daryl Morey, and Head Coach Nick Nurse of the Philadelphia 76ers look on during 2025 NBA Draft Lottery on May 12, 2025 in at Chicago, Illinois at McCormick Convention Center. 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 Melissa Tamez/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The NBA trade deadline is this Thursday. What direction the Sixers will go is anyone’s guess. They can throw themselves into the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes or simply do some housekeeping to make sure Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker get standard deals. Simply ducking the luxury tax would apparently not sit well Joel Embiid.

What do you want to see? What do you not want to see? Is there a specific player or position you think the team should target? Hit me with your thoughts and questions below.

Also, I’m going to leave this pinned to the front of the site through the deadline so we can keep the conversation going.

February 2, 2026

The pros and cons of the Cavs potentially trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 02: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter of a game at Fiserv Forum on November 02, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Hello, everyone. The NBA trade deadline is days away. That means we’re going to be covering every rumor, no matter how obscure, for the rest of the week.

Today, I want to unpack the pros and cons of the Cleveland Cavaliers hypothetically trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

If you’re wondering how or if this type of move is possible, I’d suggest reading Jackson’s breakdown from yesterday. To cut to the chase, here are the three deals he included:

Offer 1

Cavs trade: Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, 2030 first-round pick swap, ‘31 first-round pick, ‘32 first-round pick swap
Bucks trade: Antetokounmpo

Offer 2

Cavs trade: Garland, Allen, Jaylon Tyson, ‘30 first-round pick swap, ‘32 first-round pick swap
Bucks trade: Antetokounmpo

Offer 3

Cavs trade: Evan Mobley, Max Strus, ‘30 first-round pick swap, ‘32 first-round pick swap
Bucks trade: Antetokounmpo

With those offers in mind, let’s get into the nuance of making a move this drastic.

Pro: Massive Talent

The best player in the Eastern Conference would play for Cleveland. That’s pretty straightforward.

Cavs fans know better than anyone that sometimes simply having the best player on the floor is enough to win you a game, series, or even the championship. Giannis might not be as dominant as LeBron James was, but in a wide-open Eastern Conference, one could assume that all he needs is a decent supporting cast to trample his way back to the NBA Finals.

Cleveland would have a stronger supporting cast than Milwaukee, no matter which deal they go with. Antetokounmpo’s star power would either be flanked by a combination of Mitchell and Mobley—or Mitchell, Allen, and Garland. Either way, that’s a minimum of three All-Star caliber players in the starting lineup.

The rest of the rotation would still be strong, too. The Cavs would be keeping Sam Merrill (and/or Max Strus), Keon Ellis, Dean Wade, and Dennis Schroder. I’d imagine they fight tooth and nail to keep Tyson, as well. I actually wouldn’t be surprised if Tyson was considered untouchable. He’s the type of player you don’t give up so easily.

All of this to say, Cleveland gets an MVP and bona fide superstar in Antetokounmpo. A player who is capable of elevating his performance in the playoffs and meeting all their needs for size and shot creation. You can argue that Giannis is enough to make up for the loss of Allen and Garland on his own. And, he might be better currently than Mobley ever will be.

Circling back to my first point, the Cavs wouldn’t just be getting the best player in the deal; they’d be gaining the best player in the conference. That’s historically a good sign.

Con: A few Cautionary Tales

Big swings can lead to embarrassing misses. We haven’t seen a team win a championship after making a homerun swing since the Los Angeles Lakers won with Anthony Davis in the 2020 Bubble.

Seriously, those massive “all-in” moves haven’t been paying off for anyone else.

The Oklahoma City Thunder built their championship roster from the ground up with smart drafting and small moves on the margins. The Boston Celtics did the same, tinkering with trades for Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, but never selling the farm or letting go of the J’s.

The Denver Nuggets followed the same formula. They didn’t panic and trade Jamal Murray. Instead, they gave that group enough time to grow together, while making ancillary moves to improve the supporting cast until they finally broke through in 2023.

And then there’s the 2021 Bucks, who kept their group together despite multiple failures before winning the title over the Phoenix Suns. It wasn’t until the Bucks gave up on that core (maybe justifiably) that everything truly collapsed.

Now think of the teams that have taken big swings during this same stretch.

The Brooklyn Nets whiffed on their big three of Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and Kevin Durant. The Suns would later make a similar mistake, coming up woefully short on a big three of their own.

Milwaukee, as mentioned, traded for Damian Lillard before realizing how valuable Holiday’s defense actually was. The Dallas Mavericks… well, I don’t really know what the Mavericks were thinking when they traded Luka Doncic. That one’s on them.

My point is, each of the last five champions stuck to their guns. This is true for most championship teams if you comb back through NBA history. Seismic changes rarely pay off. And, it’s even more unlikely that a massive move at the trade deadline works in your favor.

Relating this to the Cavs, they may already have the talent to win a championship. Kneecapping their future for a 31-year-old star who relies heavily on his athleticism could be a short-sighted and unnecessary move.

For example, let’s say they include Mobley and Tyson in the deal. Two young stars with loads of potential in exchange for an aging Antetokounmpo (with mounting injuries). That’s the type of move that lends itself to immense criticism a few years down the line if it doesn’t work out. A self-inflicted, franchise-altering error is something you should work hard to avoid.

Championship squads might shuffle the deck, but they don’t throw away the cards and start a brand new game. The NBA’s landscape has changed enough that being a top-heavy squad isn’t going to cut it. You need depth, continuity, and admittedly, a whole lot of luck. Cleveland would be seriously testing their luck with an overhaul at the deadline.

Conclusion:

I can’t fault anyone who wants to trade for Antetokounmpo. Hell, I wouldn’t exactly be complaining if #34 was wearing a Cavs jersey. It’s not hard to get excited about a player of his caliber joining the roster.

The packages required for Antetokounmpo aren’t unreasonable. But they are loaded with the potential to backfire. Mobley looks like he’ll be a DPOY, All-NBA candidate for the next 10 years. Garland has been one of the league’s best floor generals when healthy. Allen just put up 40 points and 17 rebounds in 30 minutes. Does Cleveland need to give up one (or multiple) of those players for a star who could be a short-term rental (either due to health or free agency)?

It takes guts to win a championship. While I highlighted the dangers of putting all your chips in the middle, it’s still true that every title team took risks. The question is whether or not you believe the Cavs need to take that risk at this point in their timeline.

February 2, 2026

How the Hornets became the NBA’s hottest team

CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 31: LaMelo Ball #1 and Kon Knueppel #7 of the Charlotte Hornets high five after the game against the San Antonio Spurs on January 31, 2026 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Charlotte Hornets are playing better than any team in the NBA right now. Seriously. This isn’t a hunch, or based on the eye-test, but objectively the Hornets have been brilliant. They weren’t just dominant in January, they were historic. Going 11-6, and currently on a six game win streak — coach Charles Lee has the team cooking in a way they haven’t … well, ever.

It’s not just that the Hornets are winning, but how they’re winning. This team is dominating on both sides of the floor. After beating the Mavericks in overtime on Saturday night Charlotte matched the all-time record for road differential in a single month, finishing at +151 — which is tied with the 2010-11 Heat, a team that featured LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh.

Kon Knueppel may or may not win Rookie of the Year, because Cooper Flagg is playing brilliant basketball — but no rookie has been more important to their team than Knueppel. Emerging as far more than a connective piece, Knueppel has become the Hornets’ primary three point shooter on a team already loaded with talent from behind the arc. The rookie is shooting 42.7% from deep, lifting his eFG% to 60.9% this season. Not only is Knueppel knocking down everything, but he’s doing it as a volume shooter who is averaging 7.7 threes attempted per game.

This was on full display Saturday night, when Knueppel went 8-12 from beyond the arc in an explosive performance.

The highest-end player comparison for Knueppel out of the draft was Klay Thompson. Now it appears there’s a very real chance he could exceed that assessment. Knueppel has become a three-level scorer who is both capable of knocking down threes as a spot-up shooter, but also creating his own shot — something people didn’t think was in his bag entering the draft. He’s also an underrated defender, who is able to mitigate his lack of on-ball ability with spacing and awareness, often taking his man out of the play before they get the ball.

When the Hornets drafted Kon the question was less whether or not he would be a good player, and more how he’d fit alongside Brandon Miller. Both have similar attributes, with Miller being taken with the No. 2 pick in 2023 because of his three point shooting and shot creation — which the Hornets desperately needed to take focus off LaMelo Ball.

There have been bumps in the road during this learning process, but the Hornets have finally found their footing. Utilizing a starting lineup of LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, and Moussa Diabate has become the team’s secret sauce. Offensively it gives the team three shooters around the perimeter, with Bridges and Diabate both being solid finishers around the rim. Meanwhile on defense it’s a varied mix of the on-ball defenders in Ball and Melo, the off-ball ability of Knueppel, and the rim protection of Bridges and Diabate which has been the different maker.

This shines through in the Hornets’ overall rankings this season, as well as their year-over-year improvement from Basketball Reference.

3rd in thee-point field goals (+17.5%)
16th in free throws (+19.3%)
7th in rebounding (+1.2%)
11th in assists (+10.3%)
14th in points scored (+10.6%)
12th in point allowed (+0.3%)

The offensive numbers are what’s eye popping here, as the team has become better able to play with unity and purpose. The Hornets of the past existed as a monolith: Either LaMelo Ball was shooting the ball, or making an assist — with little in between. It made for eye-popping individual numbers, and a whole lot of losses. Now the offense is designed around the second or third pass, stretching the floor in ways that are very difficult to defend with as many shooters as the Hornets boast.

This has been a huge boon to LaMelo Ball, who is attempted five less field goals on average, but is posting more assists along with a career-low in turnovers. As a result we have a core in Charlotte that is dictating the pace, buying in to Charles Lee’s system, and seeing results from it.

The Hornets' top 4 in EPM are their 4 best young players. Often, a young team overachieving is subtly led by a few veterans. But the Hornets are playing good basketball because their young core is cohesively driving winning.

That's super encouraging. pic.twitter.com/8ASRe7uN1o
— Jackson Frank (@jackfrank_jjf) January 29, 2026

The key player we haven’t talked about is Moussa Diabate, who has become the ideal center for this new-look Hornets team. Signed to a two-way contract at the tail end of the 2024 season, Diabate showed enough in a short period of time that Charlotte shopped Mark Williams, eventually trading him to the Suns. The difference between the two centers is dramatic, with Diabate being less of an offensive threat — but far better on the defensive end, and a more aggressive rebounder. It’s not that Diabate is better than Williams, but he’s strictly better for this version of the team, fitting in much better as an ancillary piece, rather than forced focal point.

All that’s left to be answered is how far this team can go? Currently at 22-28 there’s a significant early season hole Charlotte needs to dig out of in order to make the playoffs. However, there is an outside chance if they can keep up their stellar January performance to find a backdoor into the postseason, likely as a play-in team.

The real hype should be for 2026-27. If the Hornets can find a long defender to play the four and give some more defensive backbone next to Diabate then the current scoring trio are good enough to really make noise in a weaker Eastern conference. Factor in that Charlotte is $12M under the tax theshold, giving them the room to bulk out their bench — and we really could be looking at a team a year from now that is threatening to be one of the best teams in the conference.

For now fans will gladly accept this run. The Hornets have put everything together around its young core, and the vibes are off the charts. For a team that normally inspires apathy it’s been the biggest turnaround in the NBA this season, and the sky is the limit.

February 2, 2026

San Antonio rides third-quarter run to victory over Magic

SAN ANTONIO, TX -FEBRUARY 1: Keldon Johnson #3 of the San Antonio Spurs greets Dylan Harper #2 back to the bench during action against the Orlando Magic in the second half at Frost Bank Center on February 1, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images

In a true display of resilience, the San Antonio Spurs overcame a blizzard and several travel delays to gut out a 112-103 victory against the Orlando Magic on Sunday. The Magic responded after the Spurs got off to a hot start, outscoring Orlando 37-21 in the first quarter. A dominant third quarter gave San Antonio the boost they needed to finish off the Magic at home.

DYLAN IS HOOOOPIN' 🔥🙌

📺 @FanDuelSN_SW pic.twitter.com/ryzCtHwhZy
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) February 2, 2026

Dylan Harper and Victor Wembanyama led the third-quarter run. Harper built off his stellar performance against the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday with another great outing on Sunday. He got to the rim, showed touch in the paint, and made highlight defensive plays.

Harper’s finish ability is not normal for a rookie. He looked stopped dead in his tracks on this play, but he just uses his next-level body control and touch to scoop the ball in around the defense.

WHAT A MOVE 🌀

📺 @FanDuelSN_SW pic.twitter.com/BG4DUxrkyQ
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) February 2, 2026

Shots like this offer a glimpse into what Harper can be in a few years. Hitting these kinds of turnarounds in the mid-range show that the rookie has the touch; he’s still developing at range and at the pace of the NBA game. If he can do that, he’ll unlock another level for San Antonio’s offense.

WHAT A BLOCK 🚫

📺 @FanDuelSN_SW pic.twitter.com/8xOyI7Jap4
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) February 2, 2026

This block was a tantalizing look at what Harper could become defensively. He’s so long and athletic, and has good instincts on the defensive end. Pair that with his ability to get into the paint and his improving shooting touch, and the Spurs could have another All-Star on their hands. Harper had 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists in the win.

OH MYYYY CARTER BRYANT 🤯🤯🤯

📺 @FanDuelSN_SW pic.twitter.com/x2hHV7uTFp
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) February 2, 2026

Don’t forget Harper’s court vision. Here, he finds the cutting Carter Bryant for a monster jam. Bryant has started to get his feet underneath him a bit more for the Spurs as the season goes on. He looks much more comfortable and isn’t forcing things as much as he used to. Dunks like these are what make his upcoming appearance in the NBA Dunk Contest so exciting.

THE DUNK. THE BLOCK. 🤯

📺 @FanDuelSN_SW pic.twitter.com/RefjzJ27PC
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) February 2, 2026

Wembanyama once again fought through physical defense to will the Spurs to victory. No matter how many limbs and bodies the Magic threw at him, Wemby responded by getting into the paint, finishing, or getting fouled. His defensive impact was felt, especially in the third quarter, where Orlando scored just 18 points. Wembanyama had 25 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, and 5 blocks in the win.

WITH AUTHORITY 😤

📺 @FanDuelSN_SW pic.twitter.com/oloV9ZV5gJ
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) February 2, 2026

Wembanyama has looked stronger and a bit more resilient to contact in the last week. The Orlando and Houston games were physical bouts that tested Wemby’s will, and he stepped up to the occasion in both matchups. Plays like this show what a stronger, more physical Wembanyama can do. He absorbs the contact and still has the strength to fight through it and finish over the top with his length—scary stuff from the Spurs All-Star.

San Antonio will get a few days off before another matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 4th. Check out the video below to see full highlights from the Spurs’ win over the Magic.

February 2, 2026

DONE DEAL: Spurs confirm Abbott, Dorrington loans

TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 27: George Abbott of Tottenham Hotspur in action during the match between Vissel Kobe and Tottenham Hotspur at National Stadium on July 27, 2024 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Masashi Hara/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Well, it’s a done deal at least as far as these loans go. Spurs’ academy account on social media has confirmed the previously discussed loans of George Abbott and Alfie Dorrington. Abbott is heading to Mansfield Town in League One to join up with his Spurs academy teammate Oliver Irow, while Dorrington is heading to Salford City, currently third in the table in League Two.

George Abbott has joined League One side Mansfield Town on loan for the remainder of the season.

Go smash it, George! 👊

🔗 https://t.co/es4hQWnE2n pic.twitter.com/8scEw2pchL
— Tottenham Hotspur Academy (@Spurs_Academy) February 2, 2026

Alfie Dorrington has joined League Two side Salford City on loan for the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign.

Good luck, Alfie! 🙌

🔗 https://t.co/7FdG2IagQT pic.twitter.com/nQUoJtwP4C
— Tottenham Hotspur Academy (@Spurs_Academy) February 2, 2026

There’s not a ton left to say about these two loans that isn’t already left unsaid. Neither are expected to feature in the first team at Spurs if they stayed, and both were recalled from unsuccessful loans in the fall so it was always very likely that they’d head back out.

Abbott hopefully can integrate himself into his new team. He did very well on loan at Notts County last season, but injuries derailed his time at Wycombe. As for Dorrington, I’m now kind of afraid that League Two/League One might just be his level. I don’t expect Spurs to hold on to either player very long after this season, and I think selling them both this summer is the expected move.

Only 30 minutes to go.

February 2, 2026

Week in Review: Spurs overcome winter, delays and bad-quarter demons to salvage difficult week

Jan 28, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) celebrates with forward Keldon Johnson (3) after Johnson scores a basket during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Welcome to Week in Review: a Monday feature that looks back at the week that was for the San Antonio Spurs, takes a look at the week ahead, and more. Enjoy!

Week 14: Consistency continued to plague the Spurs in January as they alternated wins and losses. After opening the week with a comfortable home victory against the Jazz, they went out on the road, where they proceeded to blow a 16-point first-half lead to their rival Rockets after getting outscored by 15 points in the fourth quarter. The same almost happened again in Utah, but Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox saved the day by playing like superstars when it mattered most. Unfortunately, complacency struck again at home against an improving Pelicans team, and while the Spurs came back from 20 down to take a late lead, they couldn’t hold on, giving away another winnable game to split the week.

Week 15: 2-1 (33-16, 2nd in West)

111-99 win at Houston Rockets

In a complete 180 from their match-up the week before, when the Spurs started hot before the Rockets exploded in the second half, this time it was the Rockets who were off to a hot start. With the Spurs down by as much as 16 while looking careless and uninterested, they suddenly flipped the switch midway through the third quarter and started playing with more physicality and discipline. What started as a frustrating game for the Spurs turned into to them blowing by the Rockets on their way to victory, giving them a 2-1 series lead and a key victory for seeding and tie-breaker purposes.

106-111 loss at Charlotte Hornets

With the Hornets playing well above their record lately, plus the game being moved back to a morning tip-off with the hopes of getting the Spurs out before the winter storm hit (news flash: they didn’t), this was destined to be sneakily tough trap game. That ended up being the case, and despite winning three of four quarters, one horrific stretch to close the second ended up putting the Spurs in just a deep enough hole that they couldn’t climb all the way back out, despite cutting what had been a 20-point lead to two late in the game.

112-103 win vs. Orlando Magic

If the Spurs were ever going to be forgiven for a loss, this would have been it. After sitting on the tarmac for two hours in Charlotte just to have to stay overnight, they then experienced engine trouble and had to make an emergency landing in Atlanta to switch planes. As a result, the tip-off for this game was moved back twice, and the Spurs had to go straight to the arena from the airport. Perhaps being back on non-frozen terra firma gave them new life, but despite another ghastly second quarter, this time getting outscored 40-23, the Spurs dominated the first and third and didn’t let the physical, trash-talking Magic (mainly Desmond Bane) get in their heads in one of their more admirable victories of the season, considering the situation.

Power Rankings

John Schuhmann, NBA.com — 3 (last week: 4)

OffRtg: 116.2 (10) DefRtg: 111.1 (3) NetRtg: +5.1 (6) Pace: 100.4 (17)
The Spurs have alternated wins and losses for their last seven games, a stretch that includes one of each in Houston. They came back from 16 points down to beat the Rockets on Wednesday and are sending their coaching staff to L.A. for All-Star Weekend.
Three takeaways
1. The Spurs held the Rockets to just 23 points on their final 39 possessions (0.59 per) as they came back from 16 points down on Wednesday. They’ve trailed only 17 of their 49 games by double digits and are now 6-11 in those games, with five of the wins having come against Houston (twice), Denver, New York and Oklahoma City.
2. The Spurs still rank third in defensive rebounding percentage, but they grabbed just 61.7 percent of available defensive boards over their last three games of January, with second chance points being much more than the overall difference in their recent losses to the Pelicans (outscored 27-9 on second chances) and Hornets (18-4). They began February by holding the Magic to one of their worst offensive rebounding games of the season.
3. Devin Vassell re-entered the starting lineup on Saturday afternoon and, interestingly, he replaced Harrison Barnes instead of Julian Champagnie. It was the first time in more than 10 years that the 33-year-old Barnes (one of three Spurs that have played in every game) came off the bench in a regular season game, but he was on the floor (instead of Champagnie) down the stretch and committed a damaging foul on a Miles Bridges 3-point attempt with a little more than a minute left.
Coming up: The last time the Thunder were in San Antonio, the Spurs had a rest advantage and won by 20. They’ll have a rest advantage again for the fifth (and final) regular season meeting on Wednesday.

Law Murray, The Athletic — 3 (last week: 4)

Trade deadline Photoshop: PF Sam Hauser
The Spurs earned an elevated trip in these standings mostly on the strength of a comeback win in Houston, and head coach Mitch Johnson will join Victor Wembanyama at the All-Star Game. The Spurs have a lot of interesting scenarios, but I do wonder what happens at power forward. You can never have too much shooting, so I have a Jeremy Sochan for Hauser swap here; I’m sure there would be some outgoing picks from San Antonio to complete a deal like this. Just keep an eye on the power forward spot for the Spurs, whether that’s Sochan or even starter Harrison Barnes.

Brett Siegel, Clutch Points — 3 (last week: 3)

The Spurs have alternated wins and losses over their last six games and have struggled to find consistent offensive production at times, which led to disappointing losses to the New Orleans Pelicans and Charlotte Hornets.
Before the trade deadline, the Spurs are said to be seeking extra frontcourt depth next to Victor Wembanyama and Luke Kornet. Jeremy Sochan is expected to be moved, and there has been chatter about possibly moving Kelly Olynyk as well for a key upgrade.

Coming up: Wed. 2/4 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (39-11); Thurs. 2/5 at Dallas Mavericks (19-30); Saturday 2/7 vs. Dallas Mavericks

Prediction: 2-1 —This is becoming a boring cycle of predicting 2-1 every week, but the strength of schedule and the Spurs’ lack of consistency make it hard to predict anything else. They get a chance for revenge against a Thunder squad that has had similar issues lately and that the Spurs are uniquely built to challenge. They then have that dreaded away-home miniseries that no one likes against the improving Mavs. This isn’t the same deer-in-the-headlights Mavs team they blew out to open the season (Cooper Flagg has grown a lot since then), but they’re still missing Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, so the Spurs should at least get the in at home, if not both.

February 2, 2026

Best NBA Player Props Today for February 2: Ant Goes Marching Downtown

It’s a light night of action with just four games on the schedule, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of value to be found in the NBA player props market.

My favorites include LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards to get hot from downtown and cash us some even-money props in the process.

Those and more NBA picks for Monday, February 2, are below.

Best NBA player props today

Player	Pick
LaMelo Ball	Over 3.5 Made Threes	<<+100>>
Jabari Smith Jr.	Over 7.5 Rebounds	<<+100>>
Anthony Edwards	Over 3.5 Made Threes	<<+100>>

MORE NBA FREE PICKS

Prop #1: LaMelo Ball Over 3.5 Made Threes

+100 at bet365

You can’t stop the buzz around these Charlotte Hornets, who’ve won six in a row, and the New Orleans Pelicans won’t stop LaMelo Ball from jacking up treys.

Ball has been a big part of the hype around this team, thanks to his 3-point prowess. The Hornets guard is shooting 43.8% from beyond the arc over his last six games.

The Pelicans' perimeter defense is putrid, surrendering the second-most 3-point attempts and makes per game.

At even money, Ball to drain 4+ threes is a great bet tonight, something he’s done three times over this stretch.

Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: GCSEN, FDSN SE-CHA

Prop #2: Jabari Smith Jr. Over 7.5 Rebounds

+100 at bet365

The only interesting thing about the Houston Rockets visiting the Indiana Pacers is that it’s one of the best rebounding teams in the NBA going against the worst.

The long and athletic Rockets lead the NBA in rebounding rate, while the Pacers have the fourth-lowest and surrender the fourth-most opponent rebounds per game.

The Rocket who lifts off on the boards here is Jabari Smith Jr. The 22-year-old is averaging 7.0 rebounds per game. That’s up to 8.2 over his last five games, and he’s hauled down eight boards or more four times over that span.

Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: SCHN, FDSN IN

Prop #3: Anthony Edwards Over 3.5 Made Threes

+100 at bet365

Anthony Edwards went off for 33 points in a win over the Memphis Grizzlies last time out, and he did it while not having a great shooting night.

Now, they go at it again tonight, and I’m betting that changes.

The Grizzlies’ injury report is something out of a horror show and is part of why they’ve lost 13 of their last 16 games. And now, they allow the fifth-most threes per game.

Ant went just 1-for-6 from three in that game, but is shooting 44.8% from deep over his last 12, hitting four or more 3-pointers eight times.

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Peacock

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Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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February 2, 2026

Rockets vs Pacers Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

The best version of the Houston Rockets belongs in any NBA championship conversation, but they’ll be without Kevin Durant tonight as they visit the Indiana Pacers.

Though Houston is within touching distance of the No. 2 seed in the West, my Rockets vs. Pacers predictions and NBA picks expect a real fight at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with a healthier Indiana team showing signs of life.

Rockets vs Pacers prediction

Rockets vs Pacers best bet: Andrew Nembhard Over 2.5 rebounds (-140)

Without Tyrese Haliburton, this was always going to feel like a lost season for the Indiana Pacers. Still, a cleaner injury report is at least reigniting the spark that carried Indiana to the 2025 NBA Finals.

Andrew Nembhard is a perfect example. He’s been a difference-maker in recent wins over the Thunder, Bulls, and Hawks, and I’m banking on his grit for my best bet tonight against the Houston Rockets.

Even with Houston’s physicality on the glass, this rebounds O/U line feels too low for Andrew Nembhard. He’s grabbed 5+ boards in each of his last four contests, and this jumps out as a value pick, despite the heavy vig. Nembhard averaged 4.2 rebounds per game in January, and he’s consistently hitting the 30-minute mark in Rick Carlisle’s rotation.

With the visitors running a lot of plays through Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson, Nembhard likely won’t see much involvement in those assignments, and he should be well placed to clean up possessions on the glass.

Both these teams are missing their biggest offensive weapons, and some clunky offense could drive big rebounding numbers here. Don’t be surprised if Nembhard is in the middle of that action.

Rockets vs Pacers same-game parlay

The Under has been a winning ticket in nine of Houston's last 10 games, and now they’ll be trying to find good looks without having Durant as a bailout option. The Pacers have trended towards the Under in a big way this year, and Houston boasts the NBA’s fourth-stingiest defense, allowing just 109.9 ppg.

I’m expecting a solid stat line from Thompson, who should grab a chunk of KD’s shots and rebounds. He averaged 8.3 rpg in January, and he’s gone past this number in five of his past eight contests.

Rockets vs Pacers SGP

Andrew Nembhard Over 2.5 rebounds
Under 218.5
Amen Thompson Over 7.5 rebounds

Our "from downtown" SGP: Spicy P strikes again!

Siakam’s All-Star nod on a 13-36 Pacers team says it all. He’ll be the hosts’ best path to buckets against a stubborn Houston defense, and he’s finished with 24+ points in six of his last eight games.

Rockets vs Pacers SGP

Andrew Nembhard Over 2.5 rebounds
Under 218.5
Amen Thompson Over 7.5 rebounds
Pascal Siakam Over 23.5 points

Rockets vs Pacers odds

Spread: Rockets -5.5 | Pacers +5.5
Moneyline: Rockets -225 | Pacers +190
Over/Under: Over 218.5 | Under 218.5

Rockets vs Pacers betting trend to know

The Under is 30-19 in Pacers games this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Rockets vs. Pacers.

How to watch Rockets vs Pacers

Location	Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Date	Monday, February 2, 2026
Tip-off	7:00 p.m. ET
TV	SCHN, FDSN-Indiana

Rockets vs Pacers latest injuries

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