Oct 27, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) dribbles past Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane (3) during the fourth quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The NBA All Star break is a great time to take stock, look at the standings, and think ahead to the playoffs. A lot of things could still change between now and the first round, but let’s take a quick look around.
The Celtics are currently in 2nd place, half a game ahead of the New York Knicks and 1.5 games ahead of the Cleveland Cavs. The Detroit Pistons have a healthy 5.5 game lead for 1st place, so the Celtics are probably looking at a seed in the 2-4 range.
On the opposite end of the potential playoff bracket are the usual suspects vying for a play-in berth. The Bulls, Hawks, and Heat are all looking at the Charlotte Hornets like “hey, who’s the new kid?”
The candidates for a tough 1st round matchup would likely come from the middle group of teams.
Toronto Raptors – The Raps have the look of a typical “tough-out” team. They have length at a number of positions, versatile defenders, and players that could get hot in a hurry (Ingram, Barrett). They don’t seem to have the pieces necessary for a long run, but they could make things interesting in a 1st round series.
Philadelphia 76ers – The future is now in Philly with Tyreese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe creating the “VJ Maxx” backcourt. Joel Embiid is starting to look like his old self, and while I have jokes for days about his playoff performances against the Celtics, we don’t have Al Horford around anymore. They should also have a very well rested Paul George for the playoffs (in theory).
Orlando Magic – On paper the Magic should be a better team than they’ve been on the court. Banchero, Wagner, and Bane is a pretty nice top 3. Suggs, Black, and Wendell Carter Jr. seems like a solid rotation as well. However, injuries and fit have limited the success of this team thus far. Still, that doesn’t mean they couldn’t find the right buttons to push in any given 1st round series. They’d be out for revenge after last year’s 1st round loss as well.
Personally, I don’t fear the play-in teams all that much, but it is worth noting that the Hornets have been one of the hottest teams in the league for a couple of months now. If they keep this up they’ll play themselves into a top-6 finish.
So what do you think? I’m sure most of us are pretty confident in the Celtics ability to win the first round, especially with a reasonably healthy Jayson Tatum. But which team would make you the most concerned if they land in our bracket?
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 12: Ousmane Dieng #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 12, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Milwaukee Bucks took down the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder 110-93 in what might have been their best team performance of the year. Granted, this was nowhere near OKC’s best team, missing a bunch of guys, including their two initiators in SGA and Jalen Williams, but the Thunder are tough to beat with whoever they’ve got. Having seven Bucks reach double-digit scoring just shows how well the team moved the ball and played off each other. Brilliant stuff. Read our full summary of the game here and catch a six-minute audio recap on the Bucks+ podcast, Bucks In Six Minutes, below.
If you watch closely, you can see how much AJ’s game has evolved this season—last night was a prime example. At Green’s size, getting his shot off is half the battle, and his trigger has gotten so much quicker, whether that be off the dribble or off the catch, but he keeps getting more and more off. His passing game—and particularly his ability to manipulate in the pick-and-roll—has also improved leaps and bounds. He had a play last night where he came hard off the pick, probed the drop big to the point where they slightly committed to him, which forced the corner defender to tag the roller, opening up the wing shooter, whom AJ promptly hit with his left hand. Scrumdiddlyumptious!
After a few down games, Bobby played much better in this one. He took advantage of his size against the smaller OKC lineup, making the right play more often than not. Love the rebounding as well.
Dieng continues to impress. He’s obviously shot the ball really well thus far, which is notable because he’s a career 30% three-point shooter. However, the part of his offensive game that impressed me the most last night was his ability to mix it up and take what the defence gave him. He drove with purpose off hand-offs, scoring once for himself and lobbing to the roller on the other. He curled hard off an off-ball screen and nailed a movement three. There was even a play where he got the rebound and immediately pushed it coast-to-coast before finishing at the rim with a nice Euro-step. I wrote in the preview that I wanted to see if he could “get places” against an elite defence, and he did exactly that. Oh, and then there’s the five stocks on defense. Whew!
Grade: A+
Kyle Kuzma
28 minutes, 14 points, 5/15 FG, 2/6 3P, +8
Not the greatest offensive showing from Kuz, but he did hit some big shots at crucial moments. I also liked his defence; thought his physicality was great.
This is the difference between what happens when Cam tries to score (in the iso-heavy way that he does) against a good defence vs. a mediocre one. Somewhat like KPJ, I suspect it’ll be a roller coaster ride this year watching Thomas. There will be high highs and low lows.
Grade: C-
Jericho Sims
20 minutes, 8 points, 5 rebounds, 4/5 FG, +6
As Zac wrote in the player grades for the last game, Sims just looks so much more confident out there. Dare I say, it even looks like he’s having fun! Sure, the box score isn’t as spectacular as last game, but the way he’s attacking the glass and playing with physicality has been awesome to watch.
Just another awesome game from Nance. I guess he’s just a capital-S shooter now!? He’s letting that thing go with confidence, man. I also love the way he’s playing with quick instincts. There was a play last night where he flashed high to receive the cross-court pass, flipped it to AJ Green (who was moving at speed before Nance even caught it), and screened for him. Green then threw it back on the short roll, and Nance had the wherewithal to quickly toss it to the corner before the help arrived.
Grade: A-
Darvin Ham
Hey man, credit where it’s due. Ham (and Doc in previous games) managed the lineups really well. I’ve noticed, in general, they seem to be moving away from specialists like Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince, and (to an extent) Gary Harris in favour of “basketball players.” Meaning guys who can pass, dribble, shoot, and defend at a decent level, even if they aren’t elite at one of those skills. Ousmane Dieng is a good example of this sort of player. He’s probably not the standstill shooter that Trent is, but he’s a lot more playable in different contexts. And to be clear, Dieng still has to prove himself over the season, but speaking just as a conceptual matter. This is where basketball is heading; specialists will go by the wayside soon enough, if they haven’t already. Off the top of my head, think about Corey Kispert and Luke Kennard; these dudes just aren’t coveted the way they used to be.
Grade: A-
Garbage time: Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Andre Jackson Jr., Gary Trent Jr.
DNP-CD: Gary Harris
Inactive: Alex Antetokounmpo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Taurean Prince, Myles Turner, Ryan Rollins
Bonus Bucks Bits
Mark Daigneault on Ousmane Dieng: “He was great. He was great last night too. We want guys to leave here and do well. We’re rooting for him. And he deserves that. He’s got a lot of good basketball ahead.” (Credit to Brandon Rahbar on Twitter for the quote).
An underrated element of being tall and able to handle the ball is that you don’t have to be super explosive to get places on the court. Dieng can make simple reads well because he can pass over people. That said, I still think he needs to work on that part of his game to reach another level.
If the Bucks keep winning, there’s going to come a point where I’m off “team tank.” I’m not there yet, but legit wins against quality teams will get me there. It’ll be hard to do “better” than 10th anyway; Chicago is playing like 13 guards and two centres right now. I’m joking, but seriously, that might actually be true!
I found some of the OKC bench’s reactions to Dieng’s shotmaking throughout the game quite amusing.
The Bucks were going at Jared McCain a lot, both as an on-ball and off-ball defender. They tried to hide him on AJ Green, which did not work.
Nikola Topic. Welcome back, young fella.
Up Next
Now all the teams get a long break with All-Star weekend coming up. The Bucks are back on February 20 against the New Orleans Pelicans; it’s a road game. Catch the action on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin at 7:00 p.m. Central.
DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 24: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots over Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at American Airlines Center on January 24, 2026 in Dallas, 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 Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
To no one’s surprise, Cooper Flagg was officially named a “Rising Star” by the NBA and was tapped to compete in the “Rising Stars Challenge” during the 2026 All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles before suffering a foot injury in Tuesday’s 120-111 loss at the Phoenix Suns. It got us thinking: What other Mavericks have been named a rising star? How did those selections pan out? Let’s take a look back at the history of the Dallas Mavericks and who turned heads when they entered the NBA.
Dereck Lively II (2024, 2025)
The Mavericks were ecstatic to draft Dereck Lively II out of Duke. So much so, they were willing to “tank” to get him. To improve its odds of keeping a top 10 pick in the 2023 NBA draft, Dallas rested stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving during the final stretch of games. The league fined the Mavs $750,000 for “conduct detrimental to the league.” Dallas ultimately was able to keep the 10th pick, which was sent to Oklahoma City. The Thunder drafted Cason Wallace, and the Mavs took Lively II. Despite the fine, the risk was worth the reward. He was an integral piece in the Mavericks’ 2024 NBA Finals run.
For his career, Lively II has averaged 8.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks. His recent stretch of injuries has become concerning for the Mavs, but he turned 22 on February 12, so there’s still a long runway for his development. Lively was selected as a Rookie and Sophomore for the Rising Stars Challenge.
Luka Doncic (2019, 2020)
*Bangs head against wall*
Surprise, surprise – Luka Doncic made the Rising Stars Challenge in his rookie and sophomore seasons. After the blockbuster draft night swap that sent Doncic to the Mavs and Trae Young to the Hawks, Dallas quickly found its new star from Slovenia.
Following 21 years of a European superstar in Dirk Nowitzki being the face of the franchise, the reins were quickly handed off to Doncic at just 19 years old. As a rookie, he averaged 21.2 points per game, 7.8 rebounds, and 6.0 assists – the best stats of any Mavericks rookie and also won Rookie of the Year. Who is the next closest, you ask? Cooper Flagg – 20.4 points per game, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists. There’s a reason Doncic and Flagg have comparisons outside of “the trade” that inevitably helped Dallas land the number one overall pick. Both are widely regarded as the most skilled rookies ever to put on a Mavericks uniform.
For his career, Doncic is averaging 29.0 points per game, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.3 assists. He’s a six-time all-star. In his seven years as a Maverick, he brought the team five winning seasons, two Conference Finals appearances, and one NBA Finals appearance. And then, he got traded.
Dennis Smith Jr. (2018)
Dennis Smith Jr. was first regarded as a potential player to build the franchise around. The star guard out of North Carolina State was an athletic phenom. His rookie season didn’t disappoint, averaging 15.2 points per game, 5.2 assists, and 3.8 rebounds. Smith Jr. was selected as a rookie to the Rising Stars Challenge.
However, a year later and heading into the 2018 draft, Dallas was confident it could find another star, having a top five pick. Ultimately, they selected Luka Doncic, and it wasn’t long until Smith Jr. was viewed as the high-flying, athletic running-mate for Doncic.
The chemistry never had a chance to grow between the two potential stars. Smith Jr. only played 32 games his sophomore season before being traded to the New York Knicks for a package that included Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr. After a promising first year with the Knicks, Dennis Smith Jr. hasn’t been able to stay healthy. He’s been a journeyman in his eight-year career, with two stops in Dallas, and one each in New York, Detroit, Portland, Charlotte, and Brooklyn. For his career, Smith Jr. has averaged 9.7 points per game, 4.2 assists, and 3.0 rebounds. He’s only averaged playing 41 games per season over his eight seasons in the NBA.
Dwight Powell (2016)
The current longest-tenured Maverick made his appearance in the 2016 Rising Stars Challenge. With Toronto hosting all-star weekend, Canada’s own Dwight Powell was selected to represent Team World.
Powell was drafted 45th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in 2014. Before his rookie season, he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers and then the Boston Celtics. Ultimately, he landed in the Lone Star State as part of the Rajon Rondo deal during the 2014-2015 season.
Powell has become a staple for the Mavs both on the court and as a veteran off the bench. He was the starting center during the Mavs 2022 Western Conference Finals run and provided meaningful minutes in the 2024 NBA Finals run. Powell is entering his 12th season and has averaged 6.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game for his career.
There are three things that are inevitable in life: death, taxes, and Dwight Powell on the Mavericks.
Devin Harris (2005, 2006)
Devin Harris has been more than just a Mavericks commentator. He was selected to play in the Rising Stars challenge during his rookie and sophomore seasons. Harris was selected fifth overall in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards, who traded him to Dallas in a package for Antawn Jamison.
The Mavs were high on the Wisconsin guard for his quickness and ability to get to the rim. The Mavericks had a gaping hole at the point guard position after letting Steve Nash walk in the offseason. Ultimately, Dallas tried to fill the Nash void with a combination of Jason Terry and Devin Harris.
His rookie campaign was a bit underwhelming, but it became clear the Mavs could use a spark plug like Harris. In his rookie season, he averaged 5.7 points per game, 2.2 assists, and 1.0 steals. He was an integral part of the Mavericks playoff pushes in the 2000’s.
Harris was traded to the New Jersey Nets in 2009 in a package for future hall of fame point guard Jason Kidd. For his career, Harris averaged 10.8 points per game, 3.9 assists, and 2.2 rebounds. He was selected as an all-star in 2009.
Josh Howard (2004, 2005)
Josh Howard was selected 29th overall by the Mavericks in the 2003 NBA Draft. This draft is notorious for being loaded with talent, producing guys like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and Carmelo Anthony. Dallas found their two-way talent in selecting Howard out of Wake Forest. He appeared in the Rising Stars Challenge in his rookie and sophomore seasons.
After the departures of Steve Nash and Michael Finley, Howard was catapulted to the second scorer responsibility beside Dirk Nowitzki. He spent 10 years in the NBA, including seven with the Mavericks. He achieved all-rookie honors in 2004 and was selected as an all-star in 2007. At his peak, Howard was a certified bucket and also served as Dallas’s point-of-attack defender.
Howard was a crucial piece in the playoff runs during the prime Nowitzki era. For his career, he averaged 14.3 points per game, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists.
Dirk Nowitzki (1999)
When most people think about the Dallas Mavericks’ history, the first person that comes to mind is often the seven-foot, awkward, lanky kid from Wurzburg, Germany. Dirk Nowitzki was selected 9th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1998 NBA Draft and then traded to Dallas for Robert “Tractor” Traylor.
Nowitzki was unlike anything the NBA had seen before. He was a mobile big man who could play on the perimeter and shoot the lights out. His patented one-legged fade away jumper has influenced the game of many greats today, including Lebron James and Kevin Durant.
Nowitzki’s silhouette on the floor in the American Airlines Center is a constant reminder of how great he truly was. Not to mention, his statue outside of the arena that reads “Loyalty Never Fades Away” as Nowitzki played all 21 seasons in a Mavericks uniform.
Nowitzki was selected to participate in the Rising Stars Challenge in 1999 and quickly positioned himself as one of the game’s greats. Nowitzki is a 14-time all-star, 2007 league MVP, 2011 NBA Champion, and seventh on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 31,560 points. For his career, he averaged 20.7 points per game, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. Nowitzki is etched into Mavericks history (as of now) as the greatest to put on the uniform.
Samaki Walker (1997)
Samaki Walker was selected 9th overall in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Mavs. The two-way power forward out of Louisville had an incredibly high upside, being a versatile big man who could score inside and defend the rim.
He never panned out in the NBA. His claim to fame is being punched by Kobe Bryant during his time as a Los Angeles Laker. Walker was selected to the Rising Stars Challenge, averaging 5.0 points per game and 3.4 rebounds.
He played 10 seasons in the NBA with stops in Dallas, Los Angeles, San Antonio, Miami, Washington, and Indiana. For his career, Walker averaged 5.3 points per game and 4.7 rebounds.
Jason Kidd (1995)
Jason Kidd was the definition of a true point guard. Dallas needed a true floor general to facilitate the offense coming into the 1994 off-season. The Mavs took Kidd second overall in the 1994 NBA Draft. The California guard had an immediate impact. After a dreadful 13-69 season in 1994, the Mavericks improved to 36-46 in 1995. During his rookie season, he averaged 11.7 points per game, 7.7 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.9 steals.
Kidd was selected as a rookie to the Rising Stars Challenge for his injection of winning play on his new team. But it didn’t last long. The 1996 season had Dallas slip back to 26 wins. The Mavericks traded Kidd the day after Christmas during the 1996 season to the Phoenix Suns.
Jason Kidd spent five years in Phoenix, seven in New Jersey, one in New York, and eight in Dallas. Kidd’s return to Dallas in 2008 led to him co-starring with Dirk Nowitzki en route to the 2011 championship.
Kidd spent 19 seasons in the NBA. He’s third all-time in assists with 12,091 and third all-time in steals with 2,684. He’s a 10-time all-star and NBA champion. For his career, Kidd averaged 12.6 points per game, 8.7 assists, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.9 steals.
Jamal Mashburn (1994)
Jamal Mashburn was heavily touted coming out of Kentucky. He was one of the most complete offensive players in recent history, while still playing both sides of the floor. The Mavericks drafted the 6’8 small forward with the fourth overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft. The Mavericks were looking for an offensive powerhouse to share the reins with Derek Harper and Jim Jackson, and they found one in Mashburn. This earned him a selection to the Rising Stars Team in 1993.
His other team was a different story. Team success with the Mavericks just wasn’t there. The 1990’s were abysmal Dallas and Mashburn was right in the middle.
For his career, Mashburn averaged 19.2 points per game, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.0 assists. He played 12 seasons, four each with Dallas and Miami, and two each with Charlotte and New Orleans. Mashburn was selected as an all-star once in 2003. Although his tenure in Dallas is forgettable, he’s still considered one of the better scorers of the early 1990’s.
Popeye Jones (1993)
Popeye Jones was drafted 41st overall by the Houston Rockets in the 1992 NBA draft and later traded to the Mavericks on draft night. The Murray State power forward was a tenacious rebounder and provided strength and athleticism on the interior. Jones was selected in his sophomore season for the Rising Stars Challenge. By his second season in the NBA, he was averaging a double-double of 10.3 points per game and 10.6 rebounds.
Jones averaged 7.0 points per game and 7.4 rebounds over an 11-year career. He spent four years with the Mavericks, two each with Toronto and Washington, and one each with Boston, Denver, and Golden State.
Jones has also had a successful 15+ year coaching career with stops in Dallas, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Indiana, and Denver. He won a championship as an assistant coach with the Nuggets in 2023.
Rising Stars Challenge Starts Friday
Through 46 years, rising stars haven’t come all that often with the Mavericks. But those who get selected by the NBA often go on to have impactful careers. Cooper Flagg is the newest Maverick to make this list. So, let’s just enjoy the ride.
The Rising Stars Challenge begins Friday, February 13, at 8 PM Central time on NBC and Peacock.
MILAN (AP) — Casey Dawson withdrew from the men's 10,000 meters in speedskating at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Friday, hours before the race, leaving the event without its only American entrant.
U.S. Speedskating said Dawson wanted to focus instead on the team pursuit, which holds quarterfinals on Sunday, and the individual 1,500 meters next Thursday. Dawson finished eighth in the 5,000 meters last weekend.
U.S. coach Gabe Girard said the decision “does not come as a surprise and always was a part of the options coming” for the Winter Games.
The United States hasn't won an Olympic gold in the 10,000 since Eric Heiden did so as part of his five victories at the 1980 Lake Placid Games. The country's last medal at speedskating's longest distance was Chad Hedrick's silver at the 2006 Turin Olympics.
Among the contenders Friday were Sander Eitrem, the Norwegian who won the 5,000 in an Olympic-record time in Milan, and Davide Giotto, the Italian who set the 10,000 world record of 12 minutes, 25.69 seconds in January 2025 and claimed a bronze in the event at the 2022 Beijing Games.
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 25: Shams Charania looks on during the 2025 NBA Draft - Round One on June 25, 2025 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE(Photo by Evan Yu/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The NBA Celebrity Game has become a staple of All-Star Weekend to kick off the festivities on Friday night. This year’s 22-person roster includes an NBA owner, one famous reporter, several NFL stars, and then a bunch of people I need to Google as a childless 38-year-old man who is mostly out of touch with popular culture.
The 2026 NBA Celebrity Game features an obvious hook: Shams Charania will be playing for a team coached by Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brothers Alex and Thanasis Antetokounmpo. Charania has been pushing Giannis trade rumors hard since the summer, and especially so at the trade deadline, but Antetokounmpo remains with the Bucks. Will Giannis give Shams a hard time for his reporting? Tune in to find out.
The NBA Celebrity Game will go down on Friday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. ET from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Here’s a look at the full roster, with introductions to every celebrity below.
Team Antetokounmpo
Giannis, Alex, and Thanasis Antetokounmpo will coach this team along with Dodgers star Mookie Betts.
Keegan-Michael Key: Hey, I know this guy! A 54-year-old actor and comedian, he’s probably best known for Key & Peele. This gives me another excuse to link one of the best sports skits ever.
Rome Flynn: The 34-year-old actor is best known for his work in How To Get Away With Murder and The Bold and the Beautiful.
Dylan Wang: A 27-year-old Chinese actor and singer best known for his role in Meteor Garden. He has 6.2 million Instagram followers, and his Wikipedia page says he’s a huge fan of LeBron James!
Shams Charania: If you follow the NBA, you know Shams. He has replaced Woj as the guy who gets all the scoops. Charania is 31 years old, and a native of suburban Chicago.
Jenna Bandy: Bandy is a popular sports content creator. Look at this throw!
Rick Schnall: Schnall is the 57-year-old minority owner of the Atlanta Hawks
Tacko Fall: Wow, Tacko Fall! I used to write about him often. Fall is a 7’6 big man who went undrafted in 2019 but played for the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers before going on to have a career playing in China.
Jeremy Lin: Linsanity is back! Jeremy Lin is a former NBA player who rose to stardom with the Knicks. He’s 37 years old, and most recently played in Taiwan.
GloRilla: A 26-year-old rap star from Memphis. You may have heard “TGIF.”
Cafu: A former Brazilian soccer star, and one of the greatest fullbacks of all-time. He’s 55 years old.
Amon-Ra St. Brown: Detroit Lions superstar wide receiver.
Team Anderson
Actor Anthony Anderson, social media influencer Lethal Shooter, and NBA trainer Chris Brickley will coach this team.
Simu Liu: A 36-year-old Canadian actor and stuntman. He’s best known for the Marvel movie Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Jan 20, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, left, and Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong are seen during the first half of the game between the Chicago Bulls and the LA Clippers at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images | Matt Marton-Imagn Images
State Farm is hosting a celebrity 3-point contest on Friday night during NBA All-Star weekend. The contest will take place at the NBA Crossover in Los Angeles.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is set to take part in the contest, joined by internet personality Druski and streamer PlaqueBoy Max. The event will feature a mix of professional athletes—such as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain—alongside various online personalities and entertainers, with Williams headlining the group.
I think it should be noted to make things clear, this is a State Farm event and not NBA. Lol https://t.co/0o1fFAjXEP
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 17: Donovan Mitchell shoots the ball during the Starry 3 point contest as a part of State Farm All-Star Saturday Night on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers will have two representatives at All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles with Donovan Mitchell and Jaylon Tyson. Mitchell will be participating in the 3-Point Contest and All-Star Game, while Tyson will be in the Rising Stars game.
The format of these events changes seemingly every season. Let’s get into what we can expect this go around.
Rising Stars
When: Friday, Feb. 13 at 9 PM
TV: Peacock
The Rising Stars game will feature first and second-year NBA players and a handful of G League participants. The 21 NBA players have been broken up into three teams. The G League players are on a team of their own.
The four teams will participate in a mini-tournament of three overall games. There will be two semi-final games. The first team to 40 points in the semi-final games will advance, and the loser will be eliminated. The two winning teams will face off in the finals. The final game will be won by the first team to reach 25 points.
Tyson is on a team drafted by Tracy McGrady. His team is as follows:
Tre Johnson
Kon Knueppel
Ajay Johnson
Alex Sarr
Cam Spencer
Jaylon Tyson
Kel’el Ware
3-Point Contest
When: Saturday, Feb. 14 at 5 PM
TV: NBC and Peacock
The 3-Point Contest will be the first event of All-Star Saturday. This is a change from their normal order of activities. Considering this is the best event of All-Star Weekend, and it features Mitchell, it’s worth watching.
This will be the second time Mitchell has been in the 3-Point Contest as a Cavalier and the third time overall. In his most recent showing, he wore a number 5 Cavs’ jersey with “Money Merrill” on the back in honor of Sam Merrill. He said on Wednesday that he plans on doing that again this time around.
Here are the participants for the 3-Point Contest:
Devin Booker
Kon Knueppel
Damian Lillard
Tyrese Maxey
Donovan Mitchell
Jamal Murray
Bobby Portis Jr.
Norman Powell
NBA G League Next Up Game
When: Sunday, Feb. 15 at 2:30 PM
TV: NBA TV
The Charge will have two representatives at this year’s version of what is the G League All-Star Game with Killian Hayes and Norchad Omier
Hayes has had an incredible season so far. He’s averaging 23.5 points, 8.3 assists, 4 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game on .467/.323/.795 shooting splits in 26 outings with the Charge.
Omier is a candidate to get the two-way spot that Nae’Qwan Tomlin recently vacated by signing a standard deal. Omier is averaging 18.5 points and 11.1 rebounds on .601/.270/.790 shooting splits.
The Next Up Game is consistently a pretty solid event. There’s generally a real competitive level to this game that isn’t there in most of the other All-Star Weekend activities. Like the other events, this will also follow the same mini-tournament format.
NBA All-Star Game
When: Sunday, Feb. 15 at 9 PM
TV: NBC and Peacock
The All-Star game is once again trying a new format. This year, the All-Stars were broken up into three teams. Two teams are made of U.S. players, while the third is the international team.
The three teams will play in a round-robin tournament, with each team playing each other. The mini games will be just 12 minutes long.
The teams with the top two records after the three games will face off in the final game.
Mitchell’s team will consist of the veteran U.S. players, as seen below.
Jaylen Brown
Jalen Brunson
Stephen Curry (not participating due to injury)
Kevin Durant
Brandon Ingram
LeBron James
Kawhi Leonard
Donovan Mitchell
Norman Powell
We’ll see if the new format changes make the game more competitive.
Let us know in the comments what event you’re most excited to see and whether you think the new format will change anything.
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.
This week, I hope everyone will join me in welcoming Diamondhacks as the newest member of the Fantable!
Fantable Questions of the Week
Q1: With two-thirds of the season behind us, the Suns are a borderline playoff/Play-In team. Which side of that line do you think they will ultimately fall on at the end of the regular season?
Diamondhacks: It could easily go either way, with the Wolves, us, and the Lakes all facing tougher-than-average remaining strength of schedule. But since Rod threatened to revoke my BSOTS cafeteria privileges if I didn’t answer the question, I’ll guess Play-In. Some of our key guys may be wearing down, and we’re not surprising opponents much anymore. Coaches like Lue, Kerr, and Nurse are more aggressively targeting emergent difference makers (ie, Collin, Oso, and Goody). Everybody, even Anthony Edwards, knows who “they” are now.
Jalen Green is still the wild card, but unless he can reliably turbocharge this offense, my worry is that most of our structural and surprise upside this season has already been realized. If Ott can get Jalen to do that, reasonably efficiently, on top of everything else the Suns have accomplished, then I think we have the Coach of the Year.
Ashton: It really does depend on injury reports. Yeah, hot take.
Tankathon ranks the Suns’ remaining strength of schedule as the fifth-hardest in the nation. The good news is that Denver, Thunder, and Wolves rank above them. Dallas and Clippers are in the tank, right? And LeBron is fighting arthritis in his left foot.
Six seed seems to be correct to me.
Rod: I think they have a really good chance of ending the regular season as the 6th or maybe the 5th seed and avoiding the play-in games…IF they stay relatively healthy between now and then. And by that I mean no serious injuries that keep key players out for more than a game or two at a time. If everything falls just right, I could even see them finishing the RS as 4th seed, but that’s a ‘best case scenario’ that I consider unlikely.
At worst, I really can’t see them falling below the 8th seed in the play-ins unless something bizarre happens to completely derail the rest of the regular season. I really doubt that happening, but I also can’t just write off that possibility.
I’m not much of a betting man, but I’d go with the over on the playoff/play-in line for the Suns right now. I think the AS break will be good for them, and they return rested and re-energized to make a strong run to the regular season finish line.
Q2: Jamaree Bouyea’s stats have taken a big hit lately. In November, his averages were 5.8 ppg (per 36 = 19.3) while shooting 55% from the field and 54.5% from three in 10.8 minutes per game. In February, his stats dropped to 4.5 ppg (per 36 = 9.9) with shooting percentages of 40% from the field and 9.1% from three in 16.4 minutes per game.
Why do you think his performance has dropped off lately?
Diamondhacks: JB’s month-by-month decline could be for tangible competitive reasons, like teams are defending him better. A more abstract (and hopeful) take is that his seasonal rate stats still align very closely with (admittedly limited) career numbers. So maybe the fast start and subsequent decline are more of a passive or random statistical variation; thus, he’ll bounce back from the latter a little. It’s hard to say, because his sample sizes are still so small. We don’t really know what his established level is yet, but it seems increasingly unlikely to me that he’ll reprise his captivating November.
Ashton: He didn’t even play in the game against the Mavs. So, let’s go with the obvious clue here: playing time. And in order to get that playing time, he needs to pack his bags for Tempe and let Amir Coffey cook a little with the NBA minutes.
Bouyea stats in G League are actually pretty good. I can’t link G League stats in my write-ups, but the guy is averaging 20.2 points per game over five games played! So, do I think his performance has dropped off? It depends on the context.
Rod: Probably the biggest reason is simply that he’s no longer a surprise to other teams, and they have added him to their list of players to game plan for. The Suns have also played some tough teams since he returned after missing 10 games with a concussion. The ‘rust’ from his downtime while recovering combined with the tougher competition was likely a double whammy that hurt his stats. Hopefully, he’ll be back closer to his normal self following the AS break.
Q3: What are your thoughts on Amir Coffey and his possible role with the Suns?
Diamondhacks: He’s Royce’s backup and Ryan Dunn’s three-point insurance. Like O’Neale, Coffey pours in 40+% on corner threes. Coffey’s gritty and earned 1700 minutes under Ty Lue. The caveat is that this year’s stint with the Bucks has been more of a grind.
Ashton: This may be the shortest Fantable write-up I have done yet, based on word counts. We do not all know, and this question is way too early to ask. I waited for the Mavs game to try to answer this question, and I still have nothing. He was +1 in that game, and maybe he does something more against the Thunder (yikes!) tonight, but that is not a good introduction for him jelling with the team.
What can I say? He was solid with the Clippers, but the Bucks treated him like a red-headed stepchild (with respect to red-headed stepchildren), and I find that a little bit worrisome. Of course, it is the Bucks, and I have not watched one of their games since 2021.
Rod: I have a feeling that Coffey may have just been a bad fit in Milwaukee and will do better in the Valley. In most of his seasons with LAC, he was a three-point shooter, nailing 38.4% there, and close to 50% of his FGAs were from three. With the Bucks, his playing time was way below his career average, as was his FGAs. I wish I’d seen more of Milwaukee this season so I’d have a better idea of why he was pretty much buried at the end of their bench, but I think he may get more of a chance to play here, especially if his three-point shooting returns to form.
With the Suns so reliant on the three, he could carve himself out some rotation minutes, especially if GA remains sidelined for a while. But more than that, he’s going to have to fit in defensively to stay on the court. I don’t think he’s going to completely move anyone else out of Ott’s player rotation but he should be at least a solid insurance player at both SG and SF. He looked pretty good in limited minutes against Dallas and OKC without much practice time with the team so I’m currently happy with him.
As always, many thanks to our Fantable members for all their extra effort this week!
Quotes of the Week
“I think this (All-Star break) is a time where we can evaluate exactly who we are, how we’ve been. I think even in this last stretch without Book (Devin Booker), I just don’t think we’ve been as good defensively, honestly. That’s where we got to get back to.” – Jordan Ott
“Our focus has to be really high. Especially in this West, a differential of two to three games where you can get in that playoff hunt and you can be a four or five, even three (seed). You have to be real focused in the gym when we come back, and move these last 25 games with some purpose.” – Dillon Brooks
“I think it (the OKC loss) is motivation to be better the next 25 games. The last game we had no Book (Devin Booker), no Jalen (Green), no Grayson (Allen). We get healthy and put it together and we will go at these 25 games like we are trying to prove something like we did in the beginning of the year.” – Dillon Brooks
“I got a lot of stuff to learn, a lot of stuff to go over but at the end of the day, you still got to do your job. So, that stuff will come. But still got to go out and compete.” – Amir Coffey
Suns Trivia/History
On February 16, 2009, the Suns fired head coach Terry Porter after 51 games and replaced him with assistant Alvin Gentry. The Suns had a 28–23 record, ninth in the Western Conference, with Porter. Under Gentry the Suns would go 18-13 to finish the season with a 46-36 record and miss the payoffs for the first time after four straight appearances and two trips to the Western Conference Finals under former head coach Mike D’Antoni.
On February 18, 1990, Tom Chambers had the first 50+ point game in Phoenix Suns history, scoring 56 points in a 131-113 win at Golden State. The previous record of 49 points belonged to then assistant coach Paul Westphal scored 10 years earlier on Feb. 21, 1980 in a 125-116 victory against the Detroit Pistons. Head coach Cotton Fitzsimmons left Chambers in the game until there was only 3 minutes left hoping he would reach 60 points.
On February 19, 2015, after Goran Dragic publicly announced that he no longer trusted the Suns front office and wanted to be traded, the Suns made a flurry of in-season moves at the trade deadline including:
A 3-team trade in which Phoenix traded Goran Dragić and Zoran Dragić to the Miami Heat for Danny Granger, a 2017 1st round draft pick and a 2021 1st round draft pick plus John Salmons from New Orleans.
A second 3-team trade in which the Suns traded a 2018 1st round draft pick to the Philadelphia 76ers and Tyler Ennis and Miles Plumlee to the Milwaukee Bucks for Brandon Knight and Kendall Marshall.
And a third 3-team trade in which the Suns traded Isaiah Thomas to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Marcus Thornton and a 2016 1st round draft pick. The third partner in the trade, the Detroit Pistons, acted as a facilitator in the trade and had no direct dealings with the Suns.
The trades did not work out for the Suns who were 29-25 before they happened and went 10-18 the rest of the season to finish 39-43, missing the playoffs for the fifth straight season in what would continue to grow into a 10 year playoff drought.
This Week’s Game Schedule
Thursday, Feb 19 – Suns @ San Antonio Spurs (6:30 pm)
This Week’s Valley Suns Game Schedule
None.
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
There’s a debate to be had about the NBA’s ring culture.
Some spoilsports say it spoils the sport. They’ll argue that the emphasis on championship pursuits causes fans to lose sight of the forest for the trees. A season should be measured in increments. Winning five more games than expected is worth celebration. Beating a rival on the road is a season high.
It all sounds like what you’d say if your team had no chance to win the NBA championship.
What else is this about? What is the existential impetus if not for ultimate glory? The game is about the NBA Championship. Anything else is, to be blunt, loser talk.
Having established that, the Houston Rockets will not win the NBA championship in 2025-26. It’s simply not going to happen. As far as real contenders go, they’re on the outside looking in:
Especially in a bloody Western Conference.
Rockets can’t survive the Western Front
Before we talk about the competition, let’s talk about the Rockets.
They have two All-Stars. That’s good! They’re deep. That’s good too!
Let’s get more granular. The Rockets are deep: with talented but fundamentally flawed players. It’s always something. Amen Thompson can’t shoot (neither can Sengun). Reed Sheppard can’t defend. Jabari Smith Jr. can’t create. Tari Eason can’t stay healthy.
Look at the Oklahoma City Thunder. Seriously, as a psychological exercise, just try to set aside your fandom for a moment and marvel at the structural integrity of the basketball Death Star they’ve built. Almost everyone can shoot. Everyone (and I do mean everyone) can defend.
Their 118.1 Offensive Rating ranks fourth. Their 106.1 Defensive Rating ranks first by a considerable margin. Unsurprisingly, their 12.1 Net Rating serves to tell the world that, barring catastrophic injury luck, this team’s next NBA title is already portended.
Heading into 2025-26, we knew this. Ostensibly, the Rockets were next in line. They were meant to have a puncher’s chance in case something awful did happen to the Thunder.
It’s been said ad nauseam, but the “something awful” actually happened to the Rockets. Some will parrot the sentiment that “if the Rockets were that reliant on Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams, they weren’t going to win an NBA title anyway”. Bad argument. Those are structural pieces. We’ve seen superteams fail to win NBA titles because they didn’t pay attention to the role players you need to assemble a game plan. Every (contending) team has talent. It’s best to have a plan outside of “out-talent the talent”.
The Rockets planned to control the possession battle by minimizing turnovers (VanVleet) and dominating the offensive glass (Adams et al). With VanVleet missing the entire season, their 15.7% Turnover Percentage ranks 27th. They still lead the league in Offensive Rebounding % (39.9%) by a healthy margin, and they probably will throughout the entire year, but that part of their plan is less sound with Adams on the sidelines.
All of which is to say: They aren’t better than the Spurs either. San Antonio’s 6.1 Net Rating paces Houston’s 5.0 mark. Much of that owes to Victor Wembanyama, aka The Bogeyman, aka The Croque-Mitaine. He is nightmare incarnate for everyone who doesn’t live in what I, as a Canadian, understand to be a worse part of Texas than Houston.
(Take that, Tim Duncan!)
How about the Nuggets? That’s where it gets interesting. Their 4.1 Net Rating is worse than Houston’s. The Rockets have a deeper roster. Still, it would be hard to deny that Nikola Jokic is the most effective player between the two squads. Even in the age of parity where teams are trending towards depth, having (by far) the best player in a series is a distinct advantage.
Otherwise, the Rockets are right there. Unfortunately, sitting with two or three teams ahead of you in the conference does not a contender make. Even by Stone’s stunningly frank admission, this is not their year.
How is next year looking?
Rockets need better luck next year
Time will tell.
The Rockets have problems. There is a laundry list of needed improvements:
Sengun needs to be more efficient. He just does. It’d be nice if the defense were consistent, too, but at least he’s permanently upgraded from “permanently bad status.” Next year, we need to be able to point to one (1) spot on the floor and say “that’s where he butters his bread”.
Thompson needs more offensive utility. If the on-ball experiment still looks like an experiment, get him cutting, screening, and rolling more frequently.
Sheppard. I’m not sure what to prescribe. Grow? Is that a fair request? Could he just grow taller? He needs to find a way to survive defensively.
All of these flaws, and yet, the Rockets are fourth in the West without two foundational veterans. With some internal growth and the return of those guys, they could be in the mix for the 2026-27 NBA championship.
Coach Tyronn Lue and All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard remain with the Clippers, who are in another round of rebuilding after recently trading guard James Harden and center Ivica Zubac. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
The Clippers’ days as the biggest losers in professional sports are long gone, and this NBA All-Star weekend was supposed to be a time to celebrate it.
The team that spent its first four decades of existence as a punch line and a purgatory has now had 14 consecutive winning seasons with a succession of basketball greats wearing its uniform. After decades of playing in dingy gyms from Buffalo to San Diego to downtown Los Angeles, the Clippers now hold court in a lavish, futuristic new arena built by the richest owner in professional sports, Steve Ballmer.
Yet perhaps it’s cosmically appropriate for this crowning All-Star moment to arrive in the middle of a profoundly chaotic season for the Clippers, whose newer fans have been getting a taste of the bad old days from a team that once spent almost every year mired in some kind of mess.
“We’ve dealt with a lot this year,” said Clippers guard Kris Dunn, whose team closed the first half of the season Wednesday with a 105-102 victory in Houston. “Our whole mentality throughout the year has just been to try to find a way. It’s been tough.”
The season began under the cloud of an NBA investigation into a suspicious endorsement deal for superstar Kawhi Leonard which might have been a way for the team to circumvent the salary cap — and which infuriated front offices around the sport, no matter what the league eventually decides. Leonard, Ballmer and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank all deny wrongdoing, but the Clippers could face penalties if the league disagrees.
The Clippers then got off to a shambolic 6-21 start during which they kicked franchise icon Chris Paul off the team just six weeks into the 40-year-old point guard’s much-anticipated farewell season. A couple of weeks after Paul’s banishment, coach Tyronn Lue’s Clippers improbably started winning again, with former league MVP James Harden and veteran center Ivica Zubac stepping up alongside Leonard to lead a 16-3 surge into the playoff race.
But then Frank blew up his roster last week, trading Harden to Cleveland and Zubac to Indiana. The moves probably improved the long-term outlook for a team that began the season with the NBA’s oldest roster, but they might have ended an era. They still have Leonard, who scored 27 points, including a three-point play in the final seconds, in Wednesday’s win.
“As hard as these moves are, we’re extremely excited about where we’re going,” Frank said. “We want to win now.”
The Clippers’ current streak of 14 winning seasons was pretty much unthinkable only 15 years ago, when this franchise had managed only six winning seasons in 40 years. They’ve made the playoffs 12 times and won their first three Pacific Division titles in this stretch.
But the Clippers’ past five months have contained enough drama for a decade around many clubs, and the All-Star weekend will be a welcome opportunity for the team and its fans to catch their breath. This is the first All-Star weekend hosted solely by the Clippers, who shared the honor three times previously with their eternal older brothers, the 17-time champion Lakers.
The Clippers (26-28) once had to cover up the Lakers’ banners when they both played at the former Staples Center, but they don’t have those problems in their new $2-billion palace that puts the Lakers’ aging arena to shame.
And at least Clippers fans won’t have the bittersweet experience of watching Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is injured and won’t play in Inglewood. The reigning league MVP and NBA Finals MVP began his career with the Clippers in 2018, only to be traded to Oklahoma City a year later along with a jaw-dropping bounty of draft picks for Paul George.
The entire future beyond All-Star weekend is murky for the Clippers, between the looming investigation and uncertainty across the roster. But after the league marvels at the wonders of Intuit Dome, Frank and the respected Lue will continue working to keep the good times going.
“Yes, this is where I want to be,” Lue said. “Having an owner like Mr. Ballmer, who’s unbelievable, it does so many things for me. ... I want to be here.”
Tipping off the festivities on Friday is the time-honored fan favorite NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, where novice players with varying levels of fame — and athletic ability — face off against each other. Public personas in past editions of the games have ranged from actors and musicians to retired athletes, to politicians.
So, who will be playing in this year's Celebrity All-Star Game, and how can you watch? Here is everything you need to know.
Who is playing in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game?
The All-Star Celebrity Game rosters are headlined by actor and comedian Keegan-Michael Key, actor Simu Liu, rapper GloRilla, "Love Island USA" star Nicolas Vansteenberghe, Grammy-award winning producer and LA native Mustard and ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania.
Also in the mix are current professional athletes such as Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen alongside retired legends such as Jason "White Chocolate" Williams and two-time FIFA World Cup champion Cazzu.
The teams will be coached by the Antetokounmpo brothers, Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts, Anthony Anderson, Lethal Shooter and NBA player development trainer Chris Brickley.
You can find the full rosters and coaches for the Celebrity Game here.
The best basketball players in the world meet up once again in the NBA All-Star Game this weekend from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, home of the Los Angeles Clippers.
After tweaking the format again due to players over the years showing an utter disregard for playing hard, the league introduced a USA vs. World competition to make the game more competitive.
Last year's game was divided up into four teams: Team Chuck, Team Shaq, Team Kenny, and Team Candace. Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, who played for Team Shaq, was named the game's Most Valuable Player.
The 3-point contest, the slam dunk competition, and the shooting stars game are back in All-Star Saturday.
Here is what to know about the 2026 NBA All-Star weekend:
What is the new NBA All-Star format?
Each team will be divided into three teams with at least eight players each. Two of the teams will be made up of players from the United States (USA Stars and USA Stripes), and the third will feature international players. (Team World).
Games will be 12 minutes long, and each team will play every other team in the elimination rounds. If all teams end up with 1-1 records, teams with the highest point differential will play for the championship
In the sport of college basketball, about the only thing that is certain is uncertainty. The final NCAA men's tournament bracket still won’t be announced for over a month, and it will in all likelihood look quite different from this latest projection from our USA TODAY Sports team of bracketologists.
In just the last few days since our most recent effort, we’ve seen half the teams that were projected as top two seeds lose. That includes Arizona, though the Wildcats are still comfortably on the first line. Iowa State, which lost to a TCU team much farther down the Big 12 standings, will slip back to a No. 3.
The Big Ten shook things up as well. Purdue replaces Nebraska on the No. 2 line as the Boilermakers outlasted the Cornhuskers in overtime. Also falling back is Illinois to a No. 3 seed after the Fighting Illini lost in overtime for the second consecutive game.
In the ACC, Virginia is back in the top 16 as a No. 4 seed, while North Carolina slides a line after losing at Miami. Virginia Tech inched closer to the bubble with a win at Clemson but still has work to do to make the field.
Bracketology: NCAA Tournament projection for March Madness
March Madness Last four in
Miami (Fla.), Southern California, San Diego State, UCLA.
March Madness First four out
: New Mexico, Virginia Tech, TCU, Missouri.
NCAA tournament bids conference breakdown
Multi-bid leagues: Big Ten (11), SEC (10), ACC (8) Big 12 (7), Big East (3), West Coast (3), Mountain West (2).
It might have taken slightly longer than usual, but we have at last reached the point in the men’s college basketball season when the grind is finally catching up to even the best teams.
Several top-10 squads and numerous other ranked teams have already been beaten this week, including the No.-1 team in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll tasting defeat for the first time. Those Arizona Wildcats return to action on another busy Saturday, as well as the team that handed them that first loss.
We begin the day in the ACC, where the Tigers are coming off an unexpected home loss to Virginia Tech and must now brave the Cameron Crazies. The Blue Devils for their part were able to shake off last weekend’s setback at North Carolina with a business-like win at struggling Pittsburgh despite the absence of center Patrick Ngongba, who sat out with a wrist injury and might still be unavailable. Clemson spreads its scoring wealth but often lacks a true takeover guy, which could again be a problem against a Duke squad that appears to have figured out its defensive issues.
No. 9 Kansas at No. 4 Iowa State
Time/TV: 1 p.m. ET, ABC
It has not been a good week for basketball in the state of Iowa. The Cyclones cracked the top five only to squander a late lead at TCU. All that will be forgotten, however, if they can defend their home court and avenge last month’s loss to the Jayhawks, who are fresh off that Arizona victory but have not been as reliable on the road. As usual, much of the pregame chatter concerns KU’s mercurial freshman Darryn Peterson, who missed Monday’s win due to flu symptoms. Whether or not Peterson is available, the Cyclones will have to figure out their own offensive inconsistencies, starting with facilitator Tamin Lipsey finding his own shooting touch.
Kentucky at No. 14 Florida
Time/TV: 3 p.m. ET, ABC
Florida’s quest for a repeat championship didn’t begin well. But the Gators seem to have found their winning formula just in time. Their modest winning streak could get a test here, however, as the Wildcats got a few days off to recharge after outlasting Tennessee last Saturday. It will be a homecoming of sorts for UK’s Denzel Aberdeen, who was part of Florida’s title team a season ago before transferring to Lexington. He and Otega Oweh could give the Wildcats the edge in perimeter fire power, but there might not be answers for Florida’s inside trio led by Thomas Haugh.
No. 12 Purdue at No. 25 Iowa
Time/TV: 5 p.m. ET, Fox
Like their in-state counterparts from Ames, the Hawkeyes also return home from a subpar road outing. Iowa’s loss at Maryland dinged an otherwise solid body of work, but a win against the Boilermakers would help repair the damage. Purdue is coming off a valuable victory at Nebraska, though the result was nearly a catastrophic collapse. The game features two of the league’s top floor leaders, Purdue’s Braden Smith and the Hawkeyes’ Bennett Stirtz. Both teams can be overly reliant on three-pointers, though the Boilermakers are better equipped to compensate with rebounds if the shots aren’t falling.
No. 16 Texas Tech at No. 1 Arizona
Time/TV: 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
The prime time headliner finds the Wildcats looking to bounce back from defeat for the first time. The Red Raiders were all business in their midweek tuneup against struggling Colorado, but the environs at the McKale Center won’t be nearly as friendly. Texas Tech’s inside-out tandem of J.T. Toppin and Christian Anderson will need someone else to help with the scoring load against Arizona’s balanced lineup. Wildcats forward Koa Peat will look to find his rhythm early after Monday’s rough outing against Kansas.
The Slam Dunk Contest has been long considered the crown jewel of NBA All-Star weekend. The climactic point between the Rising Stars Game on Friday and the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, the dunk contest has been home to some of the most iconic moments in the history of the league — an indelible flash point in the legacies of stars such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter and Dominique Wilkins.
But while the history of the dunk contest is undeniable, its present has fallen flat despite attempts of stars such as Jaylen Brown trying to bring hype back to the event. This year, the field includes four young players — two of which are rookies — and though the initial reaction has been disappointment, don't rule out the chances of this year being a sleeper.
Here's everything you need to know about the 2026 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest:
When is the 2026 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest?
The 2026 NBA All-Star dunk contest will be held on Saturday, Feb. 14 in Los Angeles at the Intuit Dome, home of the Clippers. The dunk contest will directly follow the 3-point contest and the return of the shooting stars competition.
All-Star Saturday begins at 5:00 p.m. ET.
When is the 2026 NBA 3-Point Contest?
The 3-point contest is one part of the Saturday festivities, which begin at 5 p.m. ET. The 3-point contest will preceed the popular slam dunk event.
Who is participating in the 2026 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest?
The dunk contest will have a new champion this year after three-time defending champion Mac McClung announced to ESPN through his father he'd be sitting out this year .
This year, the field features two rookies in Bryant and Richardson. Richardson, selected 25th overall by the Magic in last year's draft, is the son of two-time Slam Dunk Contest winner Jason Richardson (2002 and 03). Hayes is in his third season with the Lakers and seventh NBA season in total.
While not a starter, he's thrived in a backup role in LA and and has been the beneficiary of more than a few lobs from LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Johnson is in his second NBA season; his rookie year was split between Miami and their G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
The field is set for AT&T Slam Dunk ⬇️
A new champion will be crowned, with all four players making their event debuts.
Who won the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest last year?
McClung won the dunk contest in 2025, capping off a three-peat for the G League star that began in 2023. Though he won't be competing in 2026, McClung revealed on Twitter that he plans on sharing the dunks he had been working on after the contest ends.
But since we prepared for it Chuck, I’ll be releasing the dunks we came up with after the contest! https://t.co/gi5Z1xMg4K
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro netted 24 points in the final round of action to take the prize last year. He beat out the likes of sharpshooters Darius Garland and Buddy Hield.
Who are the judges for the 2026 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest?
The NBA announced that the judges for the 2026 Slam Dunk Contest will feature four former winners, including Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famers Dominique Wilkins and Dwight Howard. Three-time dunk contest winner Nate Robinson — a three-time winner in 2006, 2009 and 2010 — and Brent Barry round out the field.
Wilkins, who won the dunk contest in 1985 and 1990, is one of the greatest dunkers of all time, having earned the nickname, "The Human Highlight Reel." He's best known for his legendary dunk contest battles with Michael Jordan in the late 80s, the first of which birthed Jordan's iconic dunk from the free throw line.
Howard won the dunk contest in 2008, and one year later helped Robinson secure the second of his three-peat by standing in as the 5'9 guard leapt over him for the jam.
The NBA announced that a fifth judge will be a content creator voted on by fans as the NBA ID member rep. The nominees are comedian Druski, NBA shooting coach Chris “Lethal Shooter” Matthews and Dude Perfect co-founder Tyler Toney.
Will it be Tyler Toney, Lethal Shooter or Druski? Vote for your choice now on the NBA App and see who represents the fans, Saturday at 5pm/et on NBC and Peacock!
What are the rules for the 2026 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest?
The full list of rules for the NBA Slam Dunk Contest can be found on the All-Star website.
Four dunkers will compete in the two-round competition. For each dunk, a score from 40 to 50 will be given by each judge. The average of the five judges’ scores will be the individual dunk score. The two players with the highest dunk scores at the end of the first round will advance to the second and final round.
For each scored dunk in both rounds (Dunks #1 and #2 in the First Round and Dunks #1 and #2 in the Final Round), each dunker will have 90 seconds and a maximum of three attempts to complete the dunk. If the player has not completed the dunk at the expiration of the 90 seconds, he will be given a final try to complete the dunk. If the player does not complete the dunk, he will receive a score of 40 points.
Tiebreakers in the first round will be decided by a vote from the judges; the player with the most votes will advance. In the second round, a tiebreaker will be decided by a one-dunk dunk off to determine the champion.
