NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 03: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after making a three-point basket during the third quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on February 03, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Ishika Samant/Getty Images) | Getty Images
LOS ANGELES — In the NBA world, it feels like an eternity since Austin Reaves burst out of the gate to open the season. The conversations were about his All-NBA candidacy with an All-Star appearance seemingly a given.
However, a pair of calf injuries means that nearly two months had passed since Reaves had his last truly special game this season…until Thursday
Midway through the third quarter against the Sixers, it looked like the Lakers were on their way to another disappointing home loss. They trailed by double figures and with Luka Dončić ruledout for the rest of the game, where the production was going to come from was a mystery.
That’s when Reaves went to work.
With less than four minutes left in the quarter, Reaves overwhelmed the Sixers. He started by drilling a running pull-up 3-pointer, then he drove inside and converted on a layup, followed by an assist to Jake LaRavia.
In a span of 64 seconds, the game went from creeping toward a blowout loss to a tight contest.
Reaves saved his best for the last quarter. He drilled a 32-foot 3-pointer to beat the shot clock. Then he converted a tightly contested stepback three and, suddenly, Crypto.com Arena was his stage and everyone inside his audience.
Fans were in a raucous. Reaves was grinning from ear to ear, high-fiving teammates and celebrating whilereminding Lakers fans why they fell in love with him in the first place.
“He was unbelievable tonight,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said after the win. “I know he made threes tonight and hit a couple that were pretty incredible, but his drives and his thrust, [he] got to the free throw line…got in the paint and made plays and scored at the rim. It was really great to see.”
The result wasn’t secured until the closing seconds, but the Lakers held on and beat the Sixers 119-115. Considering the deficit, Luka’s absence and his limited availability, it was one of the best performances of the season by Reaves.
Philly treated Reaves like a superstar. They played as physically as the refs allowed. He was double-teamed all game long and was guarded full-court during crunch time.
It didn’t make much of a difference.
Reaves still ended the game scoring 35 points off the bench, the most by any Laker reserve this season. He went 12-17 from the field and made five 3-pointers, the same amount the Sixers converted as a team.
While the numbers were impressive, his willingness to do whatever it took to win stood out the most.
Reaves was applying pressure on the rim, leading to trips to the line and putting Sixers players in foul trouble. He continued to sacrifice his body in an attempt to draw charges and shift the momentum in LA’s favor. For many players, this would be a career night, but for Reaves, it was another day at the office.
“Winning’s the main thing,” Reaves said. “Regardless of stats, at the end of the day, did you win or lose is how I look at the game. There’s not many moral victories.
“You can go have a great game and lose and I’m not going to say nobody really cares because there’s people out there that just look at the stats. But people that actually know basketball and appreciate the right things in basketball, care about winning basketball. And that’s what I’ve kind of prided myself on playing my whole career is trying to play the right way and have fun on the court.”
There’s still plenty the Lakers have to fix. The Sixers dominated for long stretches. LA’s defense was as resistant as a turnstile. And the Lakers’ starting center, Deandre Ayton, watched the entire fourth quarter like the rest of us.
Still, Reaves was spectacular. While basketball players’ careers have peaks and valleys, Reaves has had a projection chart that all Fortune 500 companies would envy with steady growth each year and no sign of plateauing.
“Anybody in this league that’s surprised about AR and his ability,” Marcus Smart said, “it’s a shame,”
Thursday was a reminder of just how special those abilities are.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 05: Pat Spencer #61 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after hitting a three pointer against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 05, 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
The shorthanded Golden State Warriors pulled off quite a win on Thursday night. Despite playing without Steph Curry, they ended the game on a 22-5 run to steal a 101-97 victory from the Phoenix Suns. It was satisfying and emotional, to say the least, given that the trade deadline had just passed. The beat reporters could hear the celebration from outside the locker room, with Steve Kerr saying it “felt like we won a championship.”
So let’s grade the players who pulled off the feel-good win. As always, grades are based on my expectations for each player, with a “B” grade representing the average performance for that player.
Note: True-shooting percentage (TS) is a scoring efficiency metric that accounts for threes and free throws. Entering Thursday’s games, league-average TS was 57.9%.
Moody had a slightly easier task than he usually has when facing the Suns, as Devin Booker was out with an injury. But even though he wasn’t having to guard an All-Star, Moody still found a way to strongly influence the game with his defense. It wasn’t a good offensive game, but the defense and rebounding were special … and his amazing hustle play in the final seconds just might have clinched the game. That play bumps him up a half-grade.
Grade: A- Post-game bonus: Tied for the team lead in rebounds.
Jimmy Butler III is out for the year with an injury and Jonathan Kuminga has been traded. As a result, we’re going to see a lot of Santos. And if this game is any indication, that’s a pretty exciting thing. He was everywhere on the court. Absolutely everywhere.
Grade: A+ Post-game bonus: Led the team in assists.
This wasn’t Dray’s best game, but you could see in his energy and on his face that he was deeply relieved to still be on the team. It’s been a long career for Green, and this was his first time being on the block at the trade deadline … something he said he hopes to never experience again. He was pretty happy to defer to teammates in this game, and it worked out well. Awesome defense.
Spencer played his final game on a two-way contract, and will certainly be rewarded with a guaranteed deal now that the Warriors have cleared both cap and roster space. He celebrated by scoring a career-high, while running the offense well and making huge plays.
Under normal circumstances, he would get a good grade, brought down a little by the turnovers. But because of the situation, he gets a perfect one.
Grade: A+ for performance and feels Post-game bonus: Led the team in points.
Melton is playing out of his mind at the moment, and I’m so glad he stayed on the team through the deadline. That not only means that we get to watch him play this year, but that the Warriors likely think they can retain him next season, too.
The Warriors ended the game on the run of all runs, and I’d argue that Melton was the biggest reason for it. The stats may not be great (other than the plus/minus), but trust your eyes here: Melton was quite arguably the biggest reason they won.
Grade: A Post-game bonus: Best plus/minus on the team.
Just a sensational game from GPII in every area of the game. Despite usually being the smallest player on the court, he was second in the entire game in rebounds, behind only Phoenix center Mark Williams … and in less than 20 minutes of action! That included the biggest rebound of the game, on Dillon Brooks’ go-ahead three attempt in the waning seconds. His defense was as good as we’ve come to expect, and he had one of the best offensive games of his career. Safe to say, they don’t win that game without Payton.
Grade: A+ Post-game bonus: Tied for the team lead in rebounds.
Podz was awful in this game, but you can’t really blame him. He was so ill that he took himself out of the contest, which is saying something for someone who is such a gamer. He was sick enough that Kerr said his status is in doubt for Saturday.
Grade: Feel better! Post-game bonus: Worst plus/minus on the team.
It has been abundantly clear lately why the Warriors were so excited to bring in Horford this offseason. And I’m guessing they’re hoping like heck that he picks up his player option for next year.
I’m guessing we see Richard get a bigger role as the season goes on, and I’m excited to watch that. His defense in this game was just … stunning, really. To quote Bob Fitzgerald, how did this guy fall to the second round? An absolute baller.
BOTTOM LINE: New York visits the Detroit Pistons after Jalen Brunson scored 42 points in the Knicks' 134-127 overtime victory against the Denver Nuggets.
The Pistons are 23-7 in Eastern Conference games. Detroit is the top team in the Eastern Conference with 57.3 points in the paint led by Jalen Duren averaging 13.4.
The Knicks are 22-11 against Eastern Conference opponents. New York has a 14-14 record against opponents above .500.
The Pistons average 11.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.9 fewer makes per game than the Knicks give up (13.9). The Knicks are shooting 47.2% from the field, 2.9% higher than the 44.3% the Pistons' opponents have shot this season.
The teams square off for the second time this season. The Pistons won 121-90 in the last meeting on Jan. 6. Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 29 points, and Brunson led the Knicks with 25 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Cunningham is averaging 25.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 9.8 assists and 1.5 steals for the Pistons. Duren is averaging 17.6 points and 9.7 rebounds over the last 10 games.
Brunson is averaging 27.4 points and 6.1 assists for the Knicks. OG Anunoby is averaging 18.7 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Pistons: 7-3, averaging 116.6 points, 43.0 rebounds, 26.6 assists, 11.3 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 47.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.3 points per game.
Knicks: 8-2, averaging 115.5 points, 49.4 rebounds, 27.4 assists, 8.4 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 47.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 99.9 points.
INJURIES: Pistons: Dario Saric: day to day (not injury related), Jalen Duren: day to day (knee), Tobias Harris: day to day (hip).
Knicks: OG Anunoby: day to day (toe), Karl-Anthony Towns: day to day (eye), Josh Hart: day to day (undisclosed), Miles McBride: out (ankle).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Houston Rockets (31-19, fourth in the Western Conference) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (40-12, first in the Western Conference)
Oklahoma City; Saturday, 3:30 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Houston hits the road against Oklahoma City looking to prolong its three-game road winning streak.
The Thunder are 30-8 against Western Conference opponents. Oklahoma City averages 120.2 points and has outscored opponents by 12.3 points per game.
The Rockets have gone 17-15 against Western Conference opponents. Houston scores 115.2 points while outscoring opponents by 5.1 points per game.
The Thunder make 48.8% of their shots from the field this season, which is 2.9 percentage points higher than the Rockets have allowed to their opponents (45.9%). The Rockets are shooting 47.2% from the field, 4.0% higher than the 43.2% the Thunder's opponents have shot this season.
The teams square off for the third time this season. The Thunder won the last matchup 111-91 on Jan. 16. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 20 points to help lead the Thunder to the victory.
TOP PERFORMERS: Chet Holmgren is averaging 17.7 points, 8.6 rebounds and two blocks for the Thunder. Isaiah Joe is averaging 2.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Kevin Durant is averaging 26 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists for the Rockets. Alperen Sengun is averaging 18.5 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Thunder: 5-5, averaging 116.3 points, 43.0 rebounds, 25.2 assists, 8.4 steals and 5.8 blocks per game while shooting 48.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.5 points per game.
Rockets: 6-4, averaging 107.6 points, 48.1 rebounds, 25.2 assists, 10.2 steals and 6.8 blocks per game while shooting 44.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.8 points.
INJURIES: Thunder: Luguentz Dort: day to day (knee), Ajay Mitchell: day to day (abdominal), Nikola Topic: out (groin), Alex Caruso: day to day (injury management), Jalen Williams: out (thigh), Isaiah Hartenstein: day to day (eye), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: out (abdominal), Thomas Sorber: out for season (knee).
Rockets: Jae'Sean Tate: day to day (wrist), Fred VanVleet: out for season (acl), Tari Eason: day to day (injury management), Steven Adams: out for season (ankle).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Denver Nuggets (33-19, third in the Western Conference) vs. Chicago Bulls (24-28, 11th in the Eastern Conference)
Chicago; Saturday, 8 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Denver looks to end its three-game losing streak with a victory over Chicago.
The Bulls have gone 15-11 in home games. Chicago is third in the NBA with 34.9 defensive rebounds per game led by Josh Giddey averaging 7.4.
The Nuggets are 19-9 on the road. Denver is 14-13 against opponents over .500.
The Bulls score 117.0 points per game, 0.8 more points than the 116.2 the Nuggets allow. The Nuggets average 13.8 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.1 fewer makes per game than the Bulls allow.
The teams play for the second time this season. The Bulls won the last meeting 130-127 on Nov. 18. Giddey scored 21 points to help lead the Bulls to the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Matas Buzelis is averaging 15 points and 5.3 rebounds for the Bulls. Jalen Smith is averaging 10.7 points over the last 10 games.
Nikola Jokic is averaging 29.1 points, 12.1 rebounds and 10.5 assists for the Nuggets. Jamal Murray is averaging 22.2 points and 6.9 assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Bulls: 4-6, averaging 115.1 points, 43.9 rebounds, 28.9 assists, 6.3 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 120.0 points per game.
Nuggets: 4-6, averaging 109.8 points, 41.9 rebounds, 25.1 assists, 7.1 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 45.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.2 points.
INJURIES: Bulls: Noa Essengue: out for season (shoulder), Tre Jones: day to day (hamstring), Zach Collins: out (toe), Collin Sexton: day to day (not injury related), Josh Giddey: day to day (hamstring).
Nuggets: Cameron Johnson: out (knee), Spencer Jones: day to day (head), Tamar Bates: out (foot), Aaron Gordon: out (hamstring), Peyton Watson: day to day (hamstring).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Charlotte Hornets (24-28, 10th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Atlanta Hawks (26-27, ninth in the Eastern Conference)
Atlanta; Saturday, 7:30 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Charlotte seeks to keep its eight-game win streak alive when the Hornets take on Atlanta.
The Hawks are 5-3 against the rest of their division. Atlanta has a 6-6 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
The Hornets are 6-4 against the rest of their division. Charlotte is 1-6 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
The Hawks average 14.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.4 more made shots on average than the 13.1 per game the Hornets give up. The Hornets average 15.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.1 more made shots on average than the 13.1 per game the Hawks give up.
The teams meet for the third time this season. The Hornets won 133-126 in the last matchup on Dec. 19. LaMelo Ball led the Hornets with 28 points, and Jalen Johnson led the Hawks with 43 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Johnson is averaging 23.2 points, 10.6 rebounds and 8.2 assists for the Hawks. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is averaging 19.9 points over the last 10 games.
Ball is shooting 40.5% and averaging 19.1 points for the Hornets. Brandon Miller is averaging 3.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Hawks: 6-4, averaging 115.7 points, 45.4 rebounds, 30.0 assists, 8.3 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 45.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.8 points per game.
Hornets: 9-1, averaging 112.7 points, 48.9 rebounds, 26.0 assists, 7.0 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 46.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 100.4 points.
INJURIES: Hawks: Onyeka Okongwu: day to day (dental), Jonathan Kuminga: day to day (knee), N'Faly Dante: out for season (knee).
Hornets: Coby White: out (calf), Tidjane Salaun: day to day (illness), KJ Simpson: day to day (hip), Xavier Tillman: out (personal).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Utah Jazz (16-36, 13th in the Western Conference) vs. Orlando Magic (26-24, seventh in the Eastern Conference)
Orlando, Florida; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: The Orlando Magic host the Utah Jazz in non-conference action.
The Magic are 16-9 on their home court. Orlando is sixth in the Eastern Conference with 16.1 fast break points per game led by Franz Wagner averaging 3.9.
The Jazz are 6-19 on the road. Utah ranks seventh in the Western Conference with 43.8 rebounds per game led by Jusuf Nurkic averaging 10.2.
The Magic average 115.0 points per game, 11.8 fewer points than the 126.8 the Jazz allow. The Jazz average 118.3 points per game, 2.8 more than the 115.5 the Magic give up.
The teams meet for the second time this season. The Magic won 128-127 in overtime in the last matchup on Dec. 21.
TOP PERFORMERS: Desmond Bane is averaging 19.2 points and 4.3 assists for the Magic. Paolo Banchero is averaging 23.8 points over the last 10 games.
Nurkic is averaging 11.2 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists for the Jazz. Ace Bailey is averaging 15.9 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Magic: 4-6, averaging 110.3 points, 39.7 rebounds, 26.6 assists, 8.8 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 44.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.6 points per game.
Jazz: 2-8, averaging 113.8 points, 41.8 rebounds, 29.8 assists, 9.0 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 47.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 123.2 points.
INJURIES: Magic: Franz Wagner: day to day (ankle), Colin Castleton: out (thumb).
Jazz: Kevin Love: day to day (illness), Keyonte George: day to day (ankle), Walker Kessler: out for season (shoulder), John Konchar: day to day (neck), Vince Williams Jr.: day to day (not injury related), Jaren Jackson Jr.: day to day (not injury related).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Golden State Warriors (28-24, eighth in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (30-19, fifth in the Western Conference)
Los Angeles; Saturday, 8:30 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Brandin Podziemski and the Golden State Warriors take on Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers in Western Conference action.
The Lakers are 4-6 against Pacific Division opponents. Los Angeles is fifth in the Western Conference with 51.8 points per game in the paint led by Deandre Ayton averaging 11.8.
The Warriors have gone 18-14 against Western Conference opponents. Golden State is the NBA leader averaging 16.5 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 36.5% from downtown. Stephen Curry leads the team averaging 4.5 makes while shooting 39.1% from 3-point range.
The Lakers make 49.9% of their shots from the field this season, which is 2.9 percentage points higher than the Warriors have allowed to their opponents (47.0%). The Warriors average 115.9 points per game, 0.3 fewer than the 116.2 the Lakers allow to opponents.
The teams square off for the second time this season. The Warriors won 119-109 in the last meeting on Oct. 22. Jimmy Butler III led the Warriors with 31 points, and Doncic led the Lakers with 43 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Doncic is averaging 33.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 1.5 steals for the Lakers. LeBron James is averaging 18.5 points over the last 10 games.
Podziemski is averaging 11.8 points and 3.5 assists for the Warriors. Moses Moody is averaging 13.1 points over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Lakers: 6-3, averaging 115.9 points, 42.6 rebounds, 25.7 assists, 8.8 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 50.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.6 points per game.
Warriors: 5-5, averaging 116.6 points, 41.0 rebounds, 30.1 assists, 11.5 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.4 points.
INJURIES: Lakers: Luka Doncic: day to day (leg), Adou Thiero: out (knee).
Warriors: Jimmy Butler III: out for season (knee), Kristaps Porzingis: day to day (illness), LJ Cryer: day to day (hamstring), Stephen Curry: day to day (knee), Seth Curry: out (back).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Dallas Mavericks (19-32, 12th in the Western Conference) vs. San Antonio Spurs (35-16, second in the Western Conference)
San Antonio; Saturday, 6 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: San Antonio is looking to extend its three-game win streak with a victory over Dallas.
The Spurs are 9-3 against division opponents. San Antonio is second in the Western Conference in rebounding averaging 46.5 rebounds. Victor Wembanyama paces the Spurs with 11.1 boards.
The Mavericks are 3-8 against opponents in the Southwest Division. Dallas is 8-9 when it has fewer turnovers than its opponents and averages 14.3 turnovers per game.
The Spurs are shooting 47.3% from the field this season, 1.0 percentage point higher than the 46.3% the Mavericks allow to opponents. The Mavericks are shooting 47.1% from the field, 1.5% higher than the 45.6% the Spurs' opponents have shot this season.
The teams play for the third time this season. The Spurs won the last meeting 135-123 on Feb. 6, with Wembanyama scoring 29 points in the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Wembanyama is averaging 24.2 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.7 blocks for the Spurs. De'Aaron Fox is averaging 17.1 points over the last 10 games.
Cooper Flagg is averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the Mavericks. Naji Marshall is averaging 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Spurs: 7-3, averaging 115.6 points, 45.6 rebounds, 28.4 assists, 7.0 steals and 7.3 blocks per game while shooting 47.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.9 points per game.
Mavericks: 4-6, averaging 118.5 points, 47.4 rebounds, 25.6 assists, 7.5 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 47.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.7 points.
INJURIES: Spurs: Luke Kornet: day to day (ankle), Lindy Waters III: day to day (knee), Jeremy Sochan: day to day (quad).
Mavericks: Dereck Lively II: out for season (foot), P.J. Washington: day to day (concussion protocol), Brandon Williams: day to day (leg), Kyrie Irving: out (knee).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Washington Wizards (14-36, 13th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Brooklyn Nets (13-37, 14th in the Eastern Conference)
New York; Saturday, 3 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Brooklyn heads into the matchup with Washington as losers of three straight games.
The Nets are 9-21 in Eastern Conference games. Brooklyn is 1-2 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
The Wizards are 9-20 in Eastern Conference play. Washington has a 4-25 record against opponents above .500.
The Nets' 13.8 made 3-pointers per game this season are only 0.1 more made shots on average than the 13.7 per game the Wizards give up. The Wizards average 12.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.5 more makes per game than the Nets allow.
The teams square off for the third time this season. The Wizards won the last meeting 119-99 on Jan. 3, with Justin Champagnie scoring 20 points in the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Michael Porter Jr. is scoring 25.1 points per game with 7.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists for the Nets. Egor Demin is averaging 10.4 points and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 43.2% over the past 10 games.
Alex Sarr is averaging 17.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks for the Wizards. Bub Carrington is averaging 2.9 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Nets: 1-9, averaging 99.6 points, 40.7 rebounds, 23.4 assists, 6.7 steals and 3.2 blocks per game while shooting 42.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.7 points per game.
Wizards: 4-6, averaging 111.1 points, 43.8 rebounds, 25.8 assists, 9.8 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 44.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.0 points.
INJURIES: Nets: Ochai Agbaji: day to day (not injury related).
Wizards: Dante Exum: out for season (knee), Anthony Davis: out (finger), Cam Whitmore: out for season (shoulder), D'Angelo Russell: day to day (illness), Tre Johnson: day to day (ankle), Trae Young: out (quad).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Philadelphia 76ers (29-21, sixth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Phoenix Suns (31-21, seventh in the Western Conference)
Phoenix; Saturday, 9 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Philadelphia aims to keep its five-game win streak alive when the 76ers take on Phoenix.
The Suns are 17-8 on their home court. Phoenix is third in the Western Conference at limiting opponent scoring, allowing just 111.4 points while holding opponents to 46.8% shooting.
The 76ers are 14-9 on the road. Philadelphia ranks fourth in the Eastern Conference with 12.3 offensive rebounds per game led by Charles Bassey averaging 3.5.
The Suns score 113.8 points per game, 1.6 fewer points than the 115.4 the 76ers give up. The 76ers average 12.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.5 more makes per game than the Suns allow.
The teams meet for the second time this season. The Suns won 116-110 in the last matchup on Jan. 21.
TOP PERFORMERS: Mark Williams is scoring 12.3 points per game and averaging 8.1 rebounds for the Suns. Dillon Brooks is averaging 22.0 points and 4.9 rebounds over the last 10 games.
Joel Embiid is scoring 26.1 points per game and averaging 7.4 rebounds for the 76ers. Tyrese Maxey is averaging 20.7 points and 3.0 rebounds over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Suns: 6-4, averaging 111.3 points, 41.4 rebounds, 23.6 assists, 9.5 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.2 points per game.
76ers: 6-3, averaging 117.2 points, 41.2 rebounds, 27.6 assists, 9.8 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 48.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.3 points.
INJURIES: Suns: Isaiah Livers: day to day (shoulder), Grayson Allen: day to day (knee), Jalen Green: day to day (hip), Devin Booker: day to day (ankle).
76ers: None listed.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Feb 5, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Jeff Green (32) handles the ball against the Charlotte. He was, unfortunately, the best Rocket going tonight. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images | Erik Williams-Imagn Images
All of us have a player we like more than others on the team. All of us probably have a player we don’t like as much on the team. Tonight’s game pretty much united both, as with the exception of the deep bench, and maybe, Durant’s night, everyone on the Rockets was fairly dismal. It was a dismal loss, coming back to back on a another dismal loss.
You might look at Kevin Durant’s 31pt 11-21 shooting night and conclude he had a good outing. He didn’t, in my opinion. It wasn’t that he lacked effort, and didn’t make the typically very difficult looks he often gets, he did for the most part. But the fact that Durant is getting mostly tough looks is a deeper problem in itself, whether he can make them most nights or not. The bad part was that KD had 6 liveball turnovers (and a couple of bad plays that weren’t ruled as turn overs but sort of were) to one assist. I’m not a great turnover worrier, but these were almost all back breaking, progress killers. They were almost all of the “pressing to make a pass, to make it happen, to be a hero” sorts, but that pass rarely seemed to connect with anyone but a Hornet. Durant and Amen Thompson recorded 12 of their 18 turnovers.
Charlotte scored 17pts off those turnovers. The Hornets have been, contrary to expectation, rather good lately. They’re 9-1 in their last 10 games, compared to the Rockets 6-4. Since getting a taste of success, the Hornets have seemed hungry for more, and are playing hard. Playing with much more energy tonight than the Rockets, anyway. The Rockets were playing back to back, and the Hornets had rested three days, but if a team fancies itself as one that might go far in the playoffs, that excuse just doesn’t play. The Hornets themselves had 20 turnovers, but it didn’t hurt them as much, it seems. About midway through the third quarter it was clear to me that the Rockets flaccid offense wasn’t going to get the job done.
You might look at Kevin Durant’s night as a good one, turnovers aside. Well, then, that is arguably worse, because earlier in the season the Rockets would generally win games where Durant had a good offensive night. Tonight, despite that, it wasn’t close. The ten point margin was due to the deep bench crew, lead by Uncle Jeff, narrowing the gap, and forcing the Hornets to play their starters late. While that was the most enjoyable Rockets stretch of the game, the outcome never seemed in the balance.
Every Rocket starter besides Jabari Smith Jr, had a pretty bad game. Jabari might have bad nights, but I will say I rarely can fault his effort. I suppose Josh Okogie didn’t stink, but after scoring the opening five points for the Rockets, went on to score one point more all evening. Amen was 3-7 with 7ast against 5 To. Sengun was 3-11, but with 9 boards and 5 assists. Reed was bad, too. The exceptional lift he used to get on his threes is gone right now, and he’s shooting some almost as a set shot. They aren’t going in that way.
The Rockets, despite having less energy than the Hornets tonight, did try. They were all clearly trying. But the most recent Spurs game saw the move of attacking Sengun, and teams that are awake, and the Hornets and Boston are in that group, have been doing it, too. (Hat tip to AK.) We’re seeing tons of offenses call up Sengun in pick and roll actions, and then use a guard or small forward to beat him to the rim. If help comes at the rim, the pass goes to the corner, over and over. Or it doesn’t come, and it’s an easy basket. The reaction to counter this by the Rockets has been impossible to detect, by me, anyway.
Meanwhile, on offense, I counted very few moments when Sengun didn’t have four defenders around him in the paint. Clint Capela was the single Rockets player with a positive game +/-. Sengun was the only regular whose – wasn’t double digits. The deep bench was +12 against starters in garbage time, though!
What I’m seeing is a team with no answers on defense, or offense, other than, you guessed it, try harder. That’s an answer that can work sometimes, but it’s also exhausting if that’s appears to be a coach’s sole response to adversity. The Rockets look like a team for whom the stimulant blast of “TriHrdR” brand energy drink has flatlined.
If the defense is lacking answers, though, the offense doesn’t even know the questions. The Rockets totaled fewer than 200 points in two nights. Their opponents, in those two nights, did not score more than the average for NBA teams, and below their own season average. The Rockets weren’t close to winning either one, because the offense, when it loses the rebounding battle, as it did the last two nights, shows just how weak, inept, and fundamentally outmoded it is. Over the past two nights the Rockets, who trail only the Sacramento Kings in lowest number of 3pt shots attempted, shot around 40 fewer threes than the opposition, and in equal portions.
Let’s look at KD’s night one more time through the three point lens. He went 3-4. That’s nice, but the volume is nothing much. That means, though, he shot 8-17 from two, and that’s just not quite efficient enough to justify that many shots for two points. Not quite breaking even analytically isn’t good enough. Neither is Sengun going 3-11. Jabari Smith’s 6-9 from two is fine, but unusual. Simply said, to compete with that high a three point attempt margin against them, the team has to do something else exceptionally well. Score from two point range. Shooting a ton of free throws well. Having the sort of massive rebounding edges the Rockets enjoyed early on, (once again, opponents have adjusted to this by devoting the same amount of effort to the boards, to blunt that edge). The Rockets had none of these.
Bluntly, the Rockets do not run an offensive system in the sense of players knowing what to do and when to do it. Watch their organization on offense, and their lack of reaction to what teammates are doing. Nobody seems to know what actions they should run with what teammates, or what they should be doing except “spacing” around the arc for an offense that hardly shoots any threes by modern standards. I could go on, but simply put, the offense barely exists, and what does exist is outmoded and inadequate.
The average number of points scored in an NBA game this season is around 114. The Rockets lost decisively not breaking 100 points in two games. Their opponents scored fewer than average points, and yet the Rockets had no viable chance of winning either game.
The answer isn’t more defense when the team holds an opponent to under NBA average points. How much additional effort would equalize 40 fewer three point attempts in two nights?
The schedule features OKC in OKC on Saturday. I don’t see things improving immediately.
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 5: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on February 5, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
For the better part of three quarters of this game, it felt like the typical “first home game after a long road trip” performance from the Lakers. They lacked energy, focus and their superstar as Luka Dončić left the game late in the first half due to injury.
Then, everything flipped in the third quarter as the Lakers not only got back into the game but took control. A chaotic ending made things hairy at the end but the result was as unexpected a win as the Lakers have had in some time.
While Austin Reaves is going to take home lots of plaudits in this one, a lot of guys had their hands all over this victory.
So, let’s dive into the win. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance for that player.
This was a very rough showing from LeBron. He felt out of rhythm throughout and while he had a couple of highlight reel dunks, he also had some really frustrating turnovers, including one that nearly sparked a miracle comeback late.
LaRavia didn’t do much wrong in this. The main reason he didn’t play more was because head coach JJ Redick rode a lineup predominantly of bench players in the fourth quarter.
You can look at Ayton’s game in two ways. He was either a player who was fine in his minutes before Redick stuck with Maxi Kleber on a night he was incredible or he was a starting center who just got benched for the third-string center.
There was a lot of Marcus Smart in this one. In another game, he probably fouls out of the game. But the officials were certainly letting him play in this one, so he was up to his old Marcus Smart tricks.
Still, he missed some late free throws and also had a part in the crazy turnover late that nearly let the Sixers steal the game back.
We were well on track to a disappointing Luka game before he left with an injury. He was a pretty big part in the lethargic and lackluster first half from the Lakers in this one.
Put this one up there with his outing in Utah earlier this season as wins Maxi Kleber had a huge hand in. The stats don’t tell the whole story in this one, but each one of his rebounds came on the offensive end and it felt like all four led to a bucket.
Another solid night off the bench for Rui, who started in place of Luka in the second half. He had some really big baskets late in the third quarter as part of a run that really flipped the tide.
A truly chaotic Vando game, especially in the fourth quarter. He was a big part of the second half comeback, especially defensively. But if I never see another corner three from Vando, that’ll be too soon.
Saving the best for one of the last, it’s hard to describe just how good Reaves was in this one. He only returned to the court days ago after over a month and just had one of his best games of the season. He was everything the Lakers needed both with and without Luka, including a pair of huge 3-pointers to start the fourth quarter.
Grade: A+
Dalton Knecht
He had one shift, made multiple mistakes defensively and then didn’t play again. The only surprise of the day for Knecht is that he wasn’t traded.
JJ Redick
I had some questions about the zone and how ineffective the team was defensively, but there’s only so much he can do on that end. I always appreciate when a coach rides the hot hands, which he certainly did in the second half. He also managed Reaves well to keep him under his minutes restriction while keeping him on the floor for the end of the game.
Grade: B+
Thursday’s DNPs: Bronny James, Nick Smith Jr., Drew Timme
For three quarters Wednesday night, the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks traded punches beneath the bright lights of the American Airlines Center, neither willing to blink. When the moment finally demanded composure, the Spurs found it — in their stars, in their depth and in a closing burst that turned a tight contest into a statement road victory.
Behind a sharp finish in the final minutes, San Antonio pulled away for a 135-123 win, silencing a raucous Dallas crowd and capping one of the Spurs’ most complete offensive performances of the season.
“We did a little bit better in our game plan and execution,” Spurs Head Coach Mitch Johnson said. “We were wanting to be perfect, but we did a good job. Especially at the end of shoring it up.”
The Spurs let their intentions be known early. The ball zipped from side to side, shooters stepped confidently into open looks, and Victor Wembanyama wasted little time making his presence felt. The 7-foot-4 franchise piece stretched the floor with early three-pointers and punished switches inside, setting the tone for a night in which San Antonio’s offense rarely stalled.
Dallas answered with its own firepower. Each Spurs run seemed to be met by a Mavericks response, and by halftime the game had settled into a rhythm — fast, physical and unrelenting. The Mavericks leaned on their young talent to keep pace, repeatedly attacking the rim and refusing to let the visitors create separation.
“Vic’s energy, especially lately, has just been setting the tone for us, anchoring us defensively. Offensively, it’s obviously great to make shots, but his ability to just draw so much attention, make plays, being a willing passer, that’s just allowed us to get into a flow,” Spurs forward Harrison Barnes said.
That resistance peaked in the third quarter. San Antonio’s lead shrank as Dallas chipped away possession by possession, briefly turning the game into a one-score affair. The building stirred, and momentum threatened to swing.
Instead, the Spurs steadied themselves.
As the fourth quarter unfolded, San Antonio leaned on patience and execution. De’Aaron Fox, quiet for stretches, found his rhythm when it mattered most, burying a pair of critical three-pointers that pushed the Spurs back in front. Wembanyama continued to draw defensive attention, creating space for teammates and anchoring the offense during the game’s defining stretch.
With the Mavericks pressing, the Spurs answered nearly every challenge. A timely basket here, a defensive stop there — and suddenly the margin grew. A late emphatic finish at the rim punctuated a decisive closing run, draining the remaining hope from Dallas’ comeback bid.
By night’s end, balance told the story. Seven Spurs reached double figures, a reflection of an offense that never relied on a single answer and a roster that proved capable of closing on the road.
For San Antonio, Thursday was a confident road win forged in pressure, sealed by poise, and carried home with the quiet satisfaction that comes from finishing the job when it mattered most.
“If there’s one message to take away, it’s that we trust ourselves,” Wembanyama said. “We trust the process. And what I appreciate is that the leadership trusts those guys, just as I do. So we’re all on the same wavelength.”
Game Notes
With the win, the Spurs are now at 35 wins, surpassing their win total from a year ago.
The victory marked another confidence-building road performance for a young Spurs roster learning how to finish games away from home.
Victor Wembanyama set the tone early, stretching the floor and drawing defensive attention that opened looks for teammates. He finished with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists. In two games against Dallas this season, Wemby is averaging 34.5 points per game.
3 point shooting was won by the good guys: Spurs 41.5 % (17-41); Mavericks 38.7 % (12-31).
PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 5: Head Coach Steve Kerr and Moses Moody #4 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates during the game against the Phoenix Suns on February 5, 2026 at PHX Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors played their token post-trade deadline game on Thursday night, tipping off against the Phoenix Suns just seven hours after the deadline ended, and less than 24 hours after trading away Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield, and Trayce Jackson-Davis, while receiving Kristaps Porziņģis and a second-round pick.
It’s always interesting to see how a team will do post-deadline or post-deal. You might recall last year’s game, where the team, openly emotional after trading Andrew Wiggins right before tip-off, brought the energy of a funeral to a loss against the lottery-bound Utah Jazz.
This Thursday was different. Sure, the Warriors had sent off three players who were loved and respected in the locker room. But in the grand scheme of things, it was a quieter deadline than it had the potential to be, and that was on display with how the Warriors played.
Draymond Green, who had been on the trading block for the first time in his career, knew that his historic run with the Warriors would continue. Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, De’Anthony Melton, Quinten Post, Al Horford, and Gary Payton II, who had seen their names floated in rumors and hypothetical deals, knew that this was still their home for the foreseeable future. Gui Santos and Will Richard, seeing that the team had not gone all-in, could trust that they would get steady developmental minutes going forward. And Pat Spencer, playing in his final game of eligibility on a two-way contract, was aware that both cap space and roster space had been created that would allow him to sign a guaranteed deal for the rest of the year.
And so the Warriors that took the court were not tense, nervous, or sad. They were free, joyful, and energized.
The task in front of them was difficult, however. The Suns have been one of the best teams in the NBA over the last month or so and are fully clicking: even with Devin Booker sidelined, they were heavy favorites against a Warriors team that is still playing without Steph Curry (and was quite shorthanded after trading three players, while Porziņģis is not yet with the team).
With only two centers at his disposal, Steve Kerr opted to open the game with a small ball lineup, starting the quintet of Melton, Spencer, Moody, Santos, and Green. Immediately that small lineup issued a warning sign, when Phoenix’s burly center, Mark Williams, climbed over Green for an offensive rebound on the first possession of the game. A crab dribble, a drop step, and a jump hook later, and the Suns were on the board with size and might that Golden State would be hard pressed to match up with.
But the Dubs used their lack of size to their advantage, with a perimeter-oriented attack that was almost comical. Half out of an inability to penetrate, and half a result of getting good looks, the Warriors first eight shots were all from three-point range. They made four of them, prompting an early Phoenix timeout and a 12-9 Golden State advantage.
The Warriors were giving Phoenix fits on the other end of the court, but it mostly didn’t matter. Because of the size advantage, the Suns were content to miss shots, knowing they’d simply get more; eight of their first 14 points came on second-chance opportunities, and they fueled a 10-2 run that gave Phoenix control of the game, and forced a Kerr timeout.
When the timeout ended, Kerr had put Santos back in the lineup, and he rewarded the decision by immediately draining a three, and setting to work doing everything on defense, the glass, and in loose-ball situations.
And still, the Warriors stayed behind the three-point line. A hilarious 19 of their first 20 shots came from distance, as the game started to resemble a three-point contest. Despite their contrasting styles, neither team could gain separation, and the Suns led 29-25 after the first quarter.
It wasn’t always a pretty defensive game, but it sure was early in the second quarter, as the Warriors absolutely put the clamps on the Suns. Their defense created looks for their offense, and Golden State ran off a 12-2 run to open the quarter as they started to take control of the game. They were still living almost entirely on threes, but with renewed defense — and a leap in rebounding effort and ability — they were starting to look good. Some of that improvement on rebounding came the way you would expect it: despite Kerr starting the game with no centers, he toyed in the second quarter with a two-center lineup, inserting both Post and Horford into the game as the Warriors started to equalize in the paint.
At halftime, the Warriors led 59-55, and had attempted 37 threes … and just one free throw. In that regard, the game was looking a lot like Tuesday’s blowout loss to the Philadelphia 76ers … but in almost every other regard, it was a much nicer game.
Except for one. In that game against Philly, the Warriors had played it close in the first half, and fallen apart in the second half. That, unfortunately, started to be the case for the Warriors against the Suns, too. Unlike against the Sixers, it wasn’t a case of energy or effort. Kerr ripped his team after Tuesday’s loss, criticizing their lack of heart — an understandable void, given the looming deadline.
But free and fearless on Thursday, the Warriors played with excellent energy, though in the second half it appeared, for a while, as though it wouldn’t matter. But before the bad, the good: the Warriors came firing out of the gates, simply bringing more energy than their counterparts, and pushing the lead to double-digits. The defense was great, the shots were falling, and life was good.
Then Phoenix drained back-to-back threes, forcing a Kerr timeout, and rudely punched Golden State in the face with a dunk out of the timeout. The effort and defensive performance remained strong, but it felt like the Warriors were clinging to the lead with the most tenuous of grips. Finally, with just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter, Phoenix successfully erased the entirety of the deficit, and took their first lead in a long while.
The wheels were starting to come off for the Dubs. There were a handful of turnovers, with both Kerr and the players feeling that fouls should have been called. As a result, their frustration was mounting, and it was entirely visible. Phoenix was on an 18-5 run, though the Warriors weren’t letting the score get out of hand. They trailed 82-76 entering the final frame, and while they were clearly still in the game, it was apparent that it could slip away from them at any moment.
But it was the start of the fourth quarter that truly made it feel like the Warriors would lose. On the first possession, Jamaree Bouyea drained a jumper. The Warriors missed a shot, then Collin Gillespie poured in a three. They turned the ball over, then Gillespie made another three. Just like that, the Suns had scored eight points in less than two minutes, and it was a 14-point game. It was now or never for the Warriors, and without Curry or Jimmy Butler III, you’d be forgiven for assuming “never” would win that battle.
It did not. The Warriors responded brilliantly. They held serve for a few minutes, keeping the game from turning into a blowout, but not yet mounting a proper run. Then the run came: a 12-3 spurt that pulled them within four points with four minutes remaining. It was a gritty, hard-fought, all-defense game now, with deflections galore and numerous bodies hitting the floor seemingly on every possession. The run turned to 16-5 with two minutes remaining, with the deficit now cut to two points. And then, with the tension molasses thick, the teams played a full minute without a bucket. The Warriors trailed 97-95 as the clock switched from minutes to seconds, but they had the ball.
The excitement was just beginning.
Melton, who has been playing at a near All-Star level pace lately, broke down the defense, got to the rim, and artistically laid in a game-tying finger roll with 55.8 seconds remaining. It was just early enough that the Suns couldn’t stall and play for a guaranteed two-for-one. They worked the clock a bit, though, in hopes of accomplishing just that, but the Warriors had different plans.
Moody, whose defense all night was excellent, blocked a Gillespie shot while Santos leaked out. The result? A Santos transition layup with 28.7 seconds remaining. The Warriors had successfully flipped the two-for-one, and led 99-97, knowing they’d get another possession even if Phoenix scored.
What followed was one of the wildest sequences of the season. With the shot clock running down for the Suns — after a sensational defensive possession by the Dubs — the offensively-revived Dillon Brooks was forced to chuck up a very difficult three. He missed, but the rebound soared long and high, fully up for grabs. The smallest player on the court fittingly grabbed it, with Gary Payton II rising above the trees for the rebound.
He was immediately hounded by a Phoenix team that needed to foul or force a turnover quickly. They effectively avoided the former, and nearly caused the latter. Payton, surrounded by reaching limbs, desperately tried to clear the ball out to Horford, and appeared to throw it out of bounds instead. Horford raced to the baseline, grabbed the ball as he fell out of bounds, and hurled it back into play, attempting to save it. It seemed as though it would end up in the hands of Gillespie, with enough time left for another shot, but Moody played the role of a free safety, turning a deflection into a 50-50 ball, and winning that effort-driven coin flip. Falling to the floor as the ball drifted towards the sideline, Moody dove and smacked the ball up the court into the waiting hands of Melton, alone on the other end of the court.
As the clock rushed to zero, Melton dribbled, jumped, and laid the ball in. It glided through the net as the buzzer sounded and the Warriors, who had ended the game on a 22-5 run, somehow had escaped with a 101-97 victory.
The Warriors were beaten in the paint 32-22, but found other ways to win. Despite the early struggles, they somehow outrebounded Phoenix 53-42, and had 17 fast-break points, while allowing just nine. They finished the night 20-for-55 on threes, for a 36.4% clip.
Spencer led the way with a career-high 20 points on 6-for-11 shooting, and added six rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Santos was tremendous, with 18 points on 6-for-9 shooting, plus four rebounds, seven assists, a steal, and a block. Melton had 17 points and three steals while being a game-high +21, while Payton finished with 15 points and eight rebounds. The only Warrior who struggled with Podziemski, who played just 12 minutes and took himself out of the game as he was battling an illness.
Brooks led the Suns with 24 points, but needed 24 shots to get there. Grayson Allen added 21, and Williams finished with a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds. The Warriors improved to 28-24, and will now head back to California, but stay on the road: they visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night at 5:30 p.m. PT on ABC. Porziņģis is expected to be with the team by then and, if he’s cleared by the doctors, will make his Warriors debut.
