It’s a showdown of No. 1 seeds tonight in Motor City, with the Detroit Pistons trying to cement their NBA Finals credentials against the depleted but relentless Oklahoma City Thunder.
Some of Detroit’s flaws were exposed earlier this week in a double-digit loss to the Spurs, and my Thunder vs. Pistons predictions expect OKC to put up a fight despite key absences, with Cason Wallace doing his best SGA impression.
Take a closer look at this marquee matchup with my free NBA picks on Wednesday, February 25.
Thunder vs Pistons prediction
Thunder vs Pistons best bet: Cason Wallace Over 11.5 points (-120)
With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams on the shelf, the stage was set for a monster Chet Holmgren stretch. Instead, it’s increasingly been the Cason Wallace show.
Wallace torched the Raptors on Tuesday with 27 points on 11-for-16 shooting, and that’s where Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault went when he needed a bucket. The third-year guard is averaging 14.2 points per game in February, and he’s 8-for-13 from beyond the arc in his last two.
Wallace has cashed this Over in five of his past six road outings, and he’ll be the X-factor against a physical Detroit Pistons defense tonight.
Thunder vs Pistons same-game parlay
Wallace has played 30-plus minutes in three straight, and the heavy lifting should continue. This week’s scoring tear hasn’t taken anything away from his defense, and he’s grabbed 4+ rebounds in six of his last seven contests.
Even on the second night of a back-to-back set, I see OKC bringing the fight. The visitors are 7-2-1 against the spread in their past 10 games and 21-7 straight up on the road. Cade Cunningham is coming off a 5-for-26 dud against the Spurs, and now he’ll have to deal with the Thunder’s perimeter stoppers.
Thunder vs Pistons SGP
Cason Wallace Over 11.5 points
Cason Wallace Over 3.5 rebounds
Thunder +8.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Boards bonanza!
With two terrific defensive teams, I’m banking on a lot of missed shots, and this SGP taps into a feeding frenzy on the glass at both ends. Cade has grabbed 6+ rebounds in five straight, and Jalen Duren has had 13+ in consecutive contests, while OKC had a 49-34 rebounding edge over Toronto last night.
Thunder vs Pistons SGP
Cade Cunningham Over 5.5 rebounds
Jalen Duren Over 11.5 rebounds
Cason Wallace Over 3.5 rebounds
Lu Dort Over 3.5 rebounds
Thunder vs Pistons odds
Spread: Thunder +8 (-110) | Pistons -8 (-110)
Moneyline: Thunder +240 | Pistons -300
Over/Under: Over 220.5 (-110) | Under 220.5 (-110)
Thunder vs Pistons betting trend to know
The Pistons are just 8-13 ATS against Western Conference opponents this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Pistons.
How to watch Thunder vs Pistons
Location
Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
Date
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Thunder vs Pistons latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Feb 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Boston Celtics guard Derrick White celebrates against the Phoenix Suns in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
#1 – Two underdogs with similarities
When the season started, rare were those who expected the Phoenix Suns and the Celtics to be competing for playoff spots in their respective conferences. The franchise from Arizona traded their superstar Kevin Durant and had to let Bradley Beal go to rebuild a team around Devin Booker and the new coach Jordan Ott.
In the meantime, the Celtics saw the departures of Luke Kornet and Al Horford, traded Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday for economic reasons, and started the season without their franchise player, Jayson Tatum.
Feb 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla reacts against the Phoenix Suns in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
However, both of these teams were able to build strong teams and perform beyond expectations thanks to a few common strategic aspects. Phoenix, like Boston, increased its presence on the offensive glass and they both became among the best teams in that category. They also both increased their defensive pressure with more forced turnovers and, finally, they shot a lot of shots from beyond the line.
With these tactical tricks and the belief that the group could overachieve whatever the public might predict, these two teams are showing you can still be great after losing superstars. Now, time to deep dive into their matchup last night.
#2 – Derrick White as a leader
Jaylen Brown out, Payton Pritchard without rhythm, it was Derrick White’s turn to put the team on his back — and he did it, on both sides of the court. Yet, what is crazy about White as a leader is that he is doing it by making the team shine, with or without the ball. Offensively, most of his scoring came off the ball, as the team was setting screens all over the place to create chaos and play quickly in transition.
His ability to stay connected to the play and make rapid decisions to exploit any gap in the defense is what makes him one of the best connectors in the NBA. It’s simple and yet so important. After Nikola Vucevic screens for Payton Pritchard, he presents himself to offer a solution and be the connector between PP and Vooch so the big man can punish the mismatch.
Or here, when he receives the ball, quickly understands the defense made a mistake in their rotation, and finds Neemias Queta for the best shot possible.
On defense too, he always stays connected even when he looks a little late. On that play, you first think he is stuck in the screen, but he is able to use his timing, length, and hand-eye coordination to block the shot from behind.
22 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 blocks, and 1 steal… it doesn’t get better than that, and that’s exactly what the Celtics needed.
#3 – Harper the starter
Ron Harper Jr. not only started, but played 30 minutes of great Celtics basketball and proved he deserved every second he spent on the floor. His length and mobility are such important components of the Celtics’ defensive structure. He can defend larger dudes or smaller guards because of that body frame and his sense of the game.
He is also very active in the help, always ready to switch or trap the ball handler, leading to a lot of transition opportunities last night.
Offensively, he was well prepared to be present in the corner, to cut, and to keep the ball moving. Yet, his biggest added value came on the offensive glass with 4 rebounds and a lot of pressure on the defensive structure anytime a Celtic took a shot.
His energy and discipline would go a long way if he keeps that defensive intensity. Let’s hope the shooting will come and the Celtics could have a great 3-and-D player for the coming years. And he might not be the only one.
#4 – Baylor brings balance
Maybe it is the haircut, maybe it’s the vibe, or maybe it’s bigger than that, but Baylor Scheierman reminds me a lot of Luke Skywalker — and like Luke before him, he brings balance. While Jordan Walsh or Hugo Gonzalez remind me more of Jar Jar Binks with their crazy moves and high-intensity stretches, Baylor brings something far more stable, on both sides of the court.
On offense, he brings spacing while also being the best of the rest at navigating space with the ball. Like White, he is great at connecting the offense and making sure the gap created is exploited.
Similarly to Harper, he also brings a lot of juice on the glass and finished with another double-double with 11 rebounds last night. His defense isn’t as flashy as Walsh and Hugo’s, but it might be more impactful because he rarely makes mistakes. He reads the game so well that he anticipates the movement of the ball and his matchups.
As the season unfolds, it isn’t a surprise to see him getting this many minutes and becoming the fifth starter who brings balance to the team. But enough with Star Wars — now, let’s talk about play-calling!
#5 – Spain under the Sun
The Spain pick-and-roll has been a classic in basketball for a while now, but I remember when the Suns, with Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and DeAndre Ayton, played it so well in 2021 they almost won a title that year.
Well, the Celtics made sure to pay their respects to the 2021 Suns and played it on their first half-court possession. This play was not only a tribute to the former Suns, but also a very smart way to punish Mark Williams’ low positioning and lack of mobility.
This play is really great against this defensive coverage because it will always create a gap in the defense. Here, the Suns try not to defend the pick too high and close out pretty well on Sam Hauser, but there is a continuity option in the corner and Walsh plays it very smartly (well played by Queta too, who made sure the rim remained open for Jordan).
What is pretty nice with that play too is that the defensive structure often collapses, which opens opportunities for offensive rebounds, and the Celtics made sure to capitalize on that.
#6 – Offensive rebounds surge
Per cleaningtheglass.com, the Celtics grabbed offensive rebounds on 51.5% of their half-court offensive possessions. That’s literally the best offensive glass performance of the season for Joe Mazzulla’s team. And it had a HUGE impact.
To give a bit of perspective, the Celtics shot only 40% from the field, while the Suns shot 36%. So theoretically, the game should have been close… but the Celtics had 16 more field-goal attempts!
It was a collective effort, not only Neemias Queta or Baylor Scheierman fighting for extra possessions. On the play above, Queta isn’t even below the rim, but still, there are three Celtics fighting for the offensive glass and getting it done.
#7 – 11 points allowed in the third
After a pretty close first half, the Celtics wanted to send a message and show that their elite defense is back. Straight out of the break, the Celtics displayed an impressive defensive possession where everyone is fighting through screens, guys are helping in the gaps, and Queta is protecting the paint from behind as a safety. It caused a contested shot after 24 seconds of possession, showing the Suns didn’t figure out the Celtics’ defense.
The Celtics bet on the Suns missing their three-pointers and dared them to shoot while making sure the paint stayed protected. The result speaks for itself, as the Suns shot 1-for-9 from beyond the line and scored only 11 points overall in 12 minutes. The willingness to defend was on full display with this impressive transition defense from Scheierman and Harper, concluded by a bucket from Hugo.
The Celtics tried the double-big lineup with Vucevic and Queta… and it didn’t really work that time. I think the goal was to put even more pressure on the offensive glass while protecting the paint… but it also had a double negative effect.
First of all, on offense, the spacing shrank when the two big men were on the court, leading to far fewer driving lanes and weaker outside shooting to stretch the Suns’ defense.
On defense, the mobility and help defense decreased a lot with these two on the court at the same time. The Suns quickly understood it and involved their two matchups in screening actions. As both Queta and Vucevic were in drop coverage, the Celtics defenders had far less help and it created gaps in the defense.
Joe Mazzulla quickly put an end to that and went back to a more traditional way of using his big men for better spacing.
#9 – Centers as a hub
In the previous ten takeaways, we looked into the difference in offense with Queta and Vooch. Last night was a great example of how the Celtics can use them both in the same way: as offensive hubs.
Because Queta doesn’t shoot from three, the only way he can stretch defenders away from the paint is to have the ball in his hands. Because of that, Mark Williams is taken away from the rim and the Suns’ defense becomes weaker. It’s simple and yet very efficient.
These types of plays can be replicated with Vucevic as a hub because the former Bull is also pretty skilled with the ball in his hands and can pass from different angles.
Yes, both plays are pretty similar — and that’s the beauty of it. Different players, same play, same outcome.
#10 – Another quiet impactful night for Queta
Speaking of big men, Queta was very impactful last night, beyond the box score. His deep drop positioning really worked well against this team, and that was another impressive defensive night for the Celtics thanks to him. He was the player with the most contested shots last night, while also producing the most points thanks to screen assists.
The Portuguese big man keeps showing that he deserves that starting center spot for all the little things he brings that don’t always show up in raw stats but are definitely impactful for team performance.”
As much as this is Jalen Brunson’s Knicks team, its universe sometimes feels like it revolves around Karl-Anthony Towns. He’s the back line of the defense as the starting center, the No. 2 option offensively, and an emotional core relative to Brunson’s stoic demeanor.
When things are going well this isn’t an issue, but Towns was having a down scoring year, and when the Knicks hit a rough 2-9 patch following their NBA Cup victory, a disproportionate amount of the blame fell on him. Towns and the rest of the team did take their foot off the gas defensively, and he’s been struggling with the new offensive system all season.
But Towns has started to turn his season around, and the Knicks are rediscovering their winning ways. Here’s how the former first overall pick righted the ship, and what that means for the Knicks’ playoff prospects...
It’s hard to pinpoint the reason for Towns’ rough start to the year. It could be attributed partially to injury, as he played through a quad strain out of the gate, or adjusting to the new offensive system.
Perhaps it was just a slump, as his shot diet went largely unchanged outside of a general decrease in volume. He shot the same threes he usually did, from similar distances with similar coverage, and ditto for his drives and post-ups. They all just converted way worse than usual.
Through the end of November, Towns averaged 21.7 points on an uncharacteristic 51.3 percent clip from two-point range and 32.7 percent from three. His career averages are 56.6 percent and 39.8 percent, respectively, marking massive drawdowns.
This poor shooting appeared to impact his process. He started forcing things, not playing within the flow of the offense, further compounding the issue and letting it impact his defense.
Towns appeared to find his groove during New York’s dominant December. The Knicks lost four games all month and won the NBA Cup, while Towns shot over 44 percent from deep and recorded four 35-point performances.
January’s losing skid brought Towns back into his shooting woes as the defense around him collapsed to one of the worst in the league. His own performance didn’t help, and both he and the Knicks found themselves at rock bottom.
His name even popped up in trade rumors, beyond the obvious links to Giannis Antetokounmpo. They didn't come to pass, and for good reason, as Towns had already begun piecing his game and season back together.
Feb 22, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) dunks the ball against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at United Center. / Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
It started with defense and rebounding. Towns actually continued scoring at low efficiency while the Knicks rattled off eight straight wins, but his work on the other end was undeterred.
Towns put up back-to-back 20-rebound nights, and 10 straight double-digit rebound games in this latest stretch, making himself felt whether he was scoring or not. His defense picked up intensity, and the rest of the team followed.
Early on in the turnaround, Towns still looked uncertain and shaky offensively. But he stopped forcing and started picking his spots while looking for his teammates more.
His game simplified, and we’re starting to see the results of it bearing fruit. In Towns' last eight games, he’s at 65 percent shooting from two and 44 percent from three.
The output still isn’t extended, but he recently strung together five straight 20-point games for the first time this season, an excellent step. Some credit is due to his coaching staff and teammates for further emphasizing him as the clear-cut second fiddle, which has helped get him going.
Otherwise, most of his game has remained the same. Locking in defensively and not getting too into his own head offensively seemed to do the trick.
If this is a true development and not an aberration, it means the world to the Knicks, who are trying to compete for a championship. They wouldn’t have made it six games into last year’s Conference Finals without Towns' heroics in Detroit, his defensive leap against Boston, and his miracle Game 3 in Indiana.
New York needs Towns playing at his best, and even now we’re only returning to that form. If Towns gets more comfortable with finding his spots in this offense, and reverts back to that generational floor-spacer and scorer full-time, they’ll be in terrific shape.
There’s no reason this shouldn’t continue. The Knicks have proven themselves defensively capable with Towns in the middle, and nothing about this offensive system should be far outside of his skill set to handle.
The Knicks might need to continue catering more set plays and freelance playmaking in Towns' direction. He also needs to recognize when he has an advantage, command position and demand the ball more.
This season, and the previous one, has shown they can figure this out. It looks like they are already beginning to.
Conference heavyweights collide as the Denver Nuggets host the Boston Celtics in the Mile High City tonight.
Nikola Jokic has been tremendous, and my Celtics vs. Nuggets predictions expect the three-time MVP to stuff the stat sheet at home.
Here are my best free NBA picks for this prime-time bout on Wednesday, February 25.
Tip-off is set for 10:00 p.m. ET from Ball Arena in Denver, with the game airing on ESPN.
Celtics vs Nuggets prediction
Celtics vs Nuggets best bet: Nikola Jokic to record a triple-double (-115)
Nikola Jokic ranks second in all-time triple-doubles, and the Denver Nuggets superstar will add to his burgeoning total tonight in front of a home crowd in which he’s excelled this season.
Jokic has averaged 28.5 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 11.2 assists at Ball Arena, recording a triple-double in 12 of 19 games there.
Joker has recorded a league-high 21 triple-doubles this season, doing so in two straight and in four of his last six at home. The Boston Celtics defense is elite, but Jokic has recorded a triple-double in each of his last two home games against the C’s.
Celtics vs Nuggets same-game parlay
The Nuggets are just 12-14 ATS at home and 8-10 as the home favorite. Boston has excelled on the road, covering the spread in 20 of 30 games, including seven of 10 as the road dog. Back-to-backs haven’t been a problem for the Celtics, who are 6-3 ATS playing with no rest.
The Nuggets are 15-11 to the Over at home, but the Celtics are just 11-19 to the Under on the road. Boston boasts one of the stingiest defenses in the Association, and the C’s have hit the Under in two straight and eight of their last 10.
Celtics vs Nuggets SGP
Nikola Jokic to record a triple-double
Celtics +3.5
Under 230.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Brown blitz
Jaylen Brown has scored 30+ in 28 of 51 appearances, including 14 of 25 on the road. He sat out Tuesday and should be well-rested for tonight's marquee matchup with Denver.
Celtics vs Nuggets SGP
Nikola Jokic to record a triple-double
Celtics +3.5
Under 230.5
Jaylen Brown Over 29.5 points
Celtics vs Nuggets odds
Spread: Celtics +3.5 (-110) | Nuggets -3.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Celtics +140 | Nuggets -165
Over/Under: Over 229.5 (-110) | Under 229.5 (-110)
Celtics vs Nuggets betting trend to know
The Boston Celtics have hit the Game Total Under in 22 of their last 30 games (+13.20 Units / 40% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Nuggets.
How to watch Celtics vs Nuggets
Location
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Date
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Tip-off
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Celtics vs Nuggets latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The Knicks have depth, but they’re still figuring out how to use it.
The starting five, Mitchell Robinson, Jose Alvarado, and Landry Shamet are solidified. When Deuce McBride eventually returns from his sports hernia, he will be too. The battle for the ninth or tenth man, though, is up in the air.
On one end, you have exciting, 19-year-old rookie Mo Diawara, who has shown tremendous flashes on both ends just a few months after not being good enough to go top 50 in the NBA Draft. With his recent three-point outburst, he’s becoming more and more of a viable role player as a rookie.
But on the other end, you have another young player, but one who’s more experienced and is looking to make an impact in a new situation. Jeremy Sochan is still only 22, but fell out of favor in San Antonio and elected to sign in New York after being released mid-season.
These two are on the Knicks’ rotation bubble, with players like Tyler Kolek, Ariel Hukporti, and Kevin McCullar Jr. waiting in the wings in case of injuries. But which of the two makes more sense for the Knicks? Could they both play a role?
A rotation doesn’t need to be concrete. From game to game, things can change. The strengths of the two are different, but both are common in the sense of being full of potential with considerable downside. It’s easy to scheme both out of a game, which makes identifying specific matchups necessary.
Sochan’s biggest weakness is shooting; he’s always been a basket case on offense. He brings rebounding and a smidge of secondary playmaking, but he’ll make the people guarding Josh Hart look like Patrick Beverley if he gets the ball on the perimeter.
Diawara’s simply being a limited rookie. If you remember, he started the game against the Spurs on New Year’s Eve, which started the slump, and Mitch Johnson expertly schemed him out of the game. He sagged off Diawara, daring him to either shoot or put the ball on the floor. He’s not an advanced enough jumpshooter (especially in non-C&S situations) to shoot out of it, and his ballhandling needs improvement. It’s not a terrible thing for a rookie, but it must be considered.
So what are their strengths? Diawara is a switchable defender who can hold his own against most players due to his size and length, as is Sochan. Sochan is a great rebounder, while Diawara has sneakily been extremely effective on catch-and-shoot (41.5 3pt%) and corner threes (12-for-14).
Diawara is an asset in non-OG Anunoby minutes for a team that has a lot of guards and small wings in the rotation, but the team has specifically dominated minutes where Karl-Anthony Towns is playing and Jalen Brunson is sitting:
The best role for Diawara is to play the non-Brunson minutes, where KAT is the lead option on offense. Alvarado comes off the bench as the ballhandler, and his two-man game with him and Towns can collapse the defense enough to get it to an open shooter, such as Shamet or Diawara. It’s not a big role, but it’s a useful one for a rookie.
Figuring out a role for Sochan is more difficult, as he’s struggled mightily in his first few games as a Knick. It wasn’t going to be pretty every time, and it hasn’t yielded much in a small sample. Still, there might be one option that has the best chance of working out.
The Knicks are struggling badly when one of Towns or Robinson isn’t available. As much as we’ve wished Hukporti could emerge as a viable third center, it’s rough at times out there. When Towns had to sit for a bit in the fourth quarter against the Bulls, the offense ground to a halt.
That’s where Sochan comes in. Against teams without much size (like the Bulls, who deployed Jalen Smith and OAKAAK Guerschon Yabusele at the 5 that night), Sochan is a viable small-ball five who’s more versatile than Hukporti. Mike Brown hasn’t totally leaned into untraditional fives, but I think it’s worth considering deploying Sochan in that role over Hukporti when the team can’t throw one of Robinson or Towns out there.
There is a spacing component, as Sochan’s lack of perimeter shooting makes it so that it’s hard to see him on the floor with one of the Knicks’ worst/unwilling shooters (Robinson, Hart), but he can viably be used in spurts as a small-ball five in a lineup full of floor spacers.
The Stephen Curry-less Golden State Warriors head to the FedExForum this evening to take on the Memphis Grizzlies, with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Draymond Green has been stepping it up offensively lately, and my Warriors vs. Grizzlies predictions are targeting him to keep that trend alive here.
Read more in my NBA picks for Wednesday, February 25.
Warriors vs Grizzlies prediction
Warriors vs Grizzlies best bet: Draymond Green Over 10.5 points (-115)
Draymond Green is averaging 8.5 points per game this season, which is right on par for him. After all, the veteran is more of a defensive presence and playmaker than a scorer. However, Steph Curry remains sidelined, and Draymond has seen an uptick in minutes.
He’s played 24+ minutes in three of his last four, surpassing the 30-minute mark in two of those contests. Green has also cashed the Over in points in three of his last four.
Draymond registered 11 points on Tuesday, and he’s averaging exactly 10.5 PPG across two meetings with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2025-26.
Warriors vs Grizzlies same-game parlay
De'Anthony Melton has been on a different level lately, hitting the Over in points in three straight, erupting for 28 points in Tuesday’s loss to the Pelicans.
He also dropped 20 on Sunday against the Nuggets. Yes, this is a high total for a guy averaging just 12.7 PPG, but Melton is in his bag right now.
Dating to January 2025, the Golden State Warriors have won four straight against Memphis, including both this season.
While Golden State doesn’t have Curry and it's compiled an 11-17 record on the road, the Warriors will be motivated to bounce back after losing to a very poor Pelicans team.
Warriors vs Grizzlies SGP
Draymond Green Over 10.5 points
De'Anthony Melton Over 19.5 points
Warriors moneyline
Our "from downtown" SGP: Seein' Green
Green is averaging 5.1 dimes this season, and he’s cashed the Over in two of his last three. The veteran is also averaging 6.0 assists against the Grizzlies in ‘25-26.
The Golden State Warriors have hit the 2Q Moneyline in 12 of their last 17 away games (+8.60 Units / 40% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Warriors vs. Grizzlies.
How to watch Warriors vs Grizzlies
Location
FedExForum, Memphis, TN
Date
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
NBC Sports Bay Area, FDSN Southeast-Memphis
Warriors vs Grizzlies latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
MILWAUKEE, WI - FEBRUARY 24: Kevin Porter Jr. #7 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots a three point basket during the game against the Miami Heat on February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images
The Milwaukee Bucks put their disappointing loss to the Toronto Raptors in the rear-view mirror last night, taking down the Miami Heat 128-117. The Bucks’ defense shut the door on Miami, holding them to six points in the final six minutes of regulation. Read our full summary of the game here and catch a six-minute audio recap on the Bucks+ podcast, Bucks In Six Minutes, below.
What a fourth quarter it was for KPJ. He just went into total takeover mode. Also, having seven assists to just one turnover is the next step in his evolution.
It took Green until the second half to put in his first points, but he found other ways to contribute with five rebounds and four assists. You want more scoring and shooting from him, but efforts like last night are good enough.
If Kuzma didn’t tail off in the second half, he might have gotten highest grade on the team. Kuz got a little three-point happy throughout the game, but starting the game with nine of the Bucks’ first 11 points made up for a lot of that.
Thomas was due for a stinker. He did have a nice stretch to end the first half, converting a crazy and-one layup and drilling a step-back midrange jumper over Tyler Herro. Outside of that, though, it was a quiet night for Cam.
Big shoutout to the load Sims carried. He played the final 17:22 of the game and looked great (particularly in the fourth, helping to limit Bam to just two points and one rebound).
The Ous finally got loose in Milwaukee. After going scoreless in his home debut against Toronto, Dieng had himself a solid day against Miami; he was much more assertive and aggressive.
Grade: B
Doc Rivers
Doc nearly cost the team the game again in the fourth quarter. For some reason, he left in a lineup of Rollins, Thomas, Dieng, Sims, and Portis that was getting shredded by the Heat. He stuck with that lineup for too long in the fourth quarter, getting down by nine at one point. Rivers saved himself by subbing in Green, and the Bucks immediately went on a 9-0 run.
Grade: C+
DNP-CD: Gary Trent Jr., Gary Harris, Andre Jackson Jr., Pete Nance, Thanasis Antetokounmpo
Inactive: Alex Antetokounmpo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Taurean Prince
Bonus Bucks Bits
Doc used the term “manhandled” when describing their performance against the Raptors on Sunday. He was asked about how his team responded last night:
“This was a big response for us. This is what we haven’t done this year. We’ll get a nice stretch of games going, then we’ll lose, and then, in the next game, we’ll give in again. There were stretches where we could’ve given in, and we didn’t. I told them after the game, ‘that’s a gut kind of win for us.’”
Ousmane Dieng finally got on the scoreboard at Fiserv. I asked Doc about what he thought of the young wing’s performance.
“He was terrific, more in the second half. I thought in the first half he got beat a couple of times off the dribble, some of the fouls. In the second half, I just thought he got aggressive, pushed the ball, made plays, made threes. The kid is 22 [years old], and he’s gonna get better every night.”
On Sunday, the Lakers immortalized legendary former head coach Pat Riley with a statue outside Crypto.com Arena (still hate that name). Doc Rivers, who played under Riley when they were both on the New York Knicks, talked about Riley being the one who got him into coaching in the first place:
“People think I’m exaggerating, but I’m not; if Pat Riley never coaches me, I never coach; it’s that simple. Mike Fratello would argue he’s the one; he always told me I was going to coach, but I was hell-bent on going into TV when I was playing with the Hawks. During the summer, I worked for TNT and CNN, and I was going to become a broadcaster; that is what I wanted to do. Then I played for Pat Riley, and I just watched him coach. How he motivated, how he pushed, and it changed me. I’m sure it’s in one of Pat’s books; the big blow-up argument we had, a lot of it was over that. He said, ‘you’re gonna coach one day,’ and I was so mad at him at the time, I told him, ‘have you frickin’ lost your mind?’ The fact that I’m closing in on him, with a chance to pass him in wins, is crazy to me. I never thought I’d do it this long, and I’d like it this much because I never wanted to do it.”
Rivers also said that he thinks coaches should go back to wearing suits in the playoffs, after Pat Riley said as much. Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra seemed a bit more tepid about the idea:
“Pat and I debate about this all the time. We went to the Hall of Fame for Mickey Arison (owner of the Miami Heat). So, I had to wear back-to-back nights of suits, and I swear that’s all Pat was talking about. I could see the argument both ways. I think as long as we look professional and different from the players, I think that’s great. I think it’s becoming a little bit different in corporate America, but then I also see Pat’s point of view. When I see the footage of him from the Lakers to the Knicks to the Heat, he did look sharp.”
Up Next
The Bucks are back in action tonight in the second game of a back-to-back, as they’ll be hosting the new-look Cleveland Cavaliers with James Harden. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Central time, and you can watch it on both FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin and over the air on WMLW.
Feb 7, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) reacts during the second half against the BYU Cougars at Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Baker-Imagn Images | Aaron Baker-Imagn Images
Folks, it’s time. With the Dallas Mavericks firmly in position to compete for the NBA Draft Lottery, we need to take our first look at how the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft could play out. Myself, along with fellow Mavs Moneyball contributors David, Bryan and David hashed this all out during a live Pod Maverick during the all-star break, which you can see here.
Here’s where we settled in the lottery, with the remainder of the first round hashed out by me after the stream.
1) Brooklyn Nets – Darryn Peterson (G, Kansas)
Despite all his challenges, Peterson remains in the top spot. It’d be nice if over the course of the last month of the year, he’s able to consistently play full minute loads, as he did against Cincy and Houston on Saturday and Monday. However, the talent is undeniable, and he will be here until proven otherwise.
You could flip either of Dybantsa and Boozer around at two or three, depending on the team. Washington, in this scenario, takes Dybantsa to bolster their scoring with Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr manning the four and five.
3) Sacramento Kings – Cam Boozer (F, Duke)
Boozer follows suit and goes third to Sacramento, who desperately needs a steadying presence. With Sabonis likely on the move, Boozer is a plug and play starter.
4) Indiana Pacers – Caleb Wilson (F, North Carolina)
Indiana was favored by the Lottery Gods here in our sim, getting to keep their pick. The reward? Potentially the best defender in the class with Caleb Wilson.
5) Atlanta Hawks (via Pelicans) – Mikel Brown Jr. (G, Louisville)
The first real shocker comes at five, with Atlanta making Mikel Brown Jr. the first guard after Darryn Peterson to go off the board. However, when you dive into the numbers since conference play began for Brown Jr., he’s been every bit as good as the three guys who will follow him in this mock.
in conference play:
Flemings: 45.9% halfcourt rim (31.9% of FGA); 49.3% overall rim, 23.8% 3Pr
Brown: 59.1% halfcourt rim (25.9% of FGA); 65.6% overall, 57.5% 3Pr
Brown also 16-34 on pull-up threes
imo Mikel Brown Jr. has been the better player since conference play started https://t.co/ysFKw9ZmDH
As I said on the stream, this part of the draft is the ice cream shop. These guys are all comparable, and teams will simply be picking their favorite flavor.
6) Utah Jazz – Keaton Wagler (G, Illinois)
Wagler remains an interesting scout, as he and Acuff have similar strengths and weaknesses. The difference is that Wagler is 6’6”, which buys a lot of good will in NBA front offices.
Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images | Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
If the board were to fall this way, it’s a no brainer for the Mavericks. Kingston Flemings could be a day one starter at guard alongside Kyrie Irving. The defensive intangibles that come from playing for Kelvin Sampson at Houston are a huge strength, along with his offensive production. You could ask, “why would he fall?” An answer could be that the jumper just doesn’t look as good as some of the others here. However, it goes in all the same.
8) Memphis Grizzlies – Darius Acuff (G, Arkansas)
Memphis has had success in the past with smaller guards, in going from Mike Conley to Ja Morant. Acuff would be protected defensively here, as Cedric Coward and Zach Edey are pretty good safety blankets.
Yaxel Lendeborg went through the draft process last year before pulling out and transferring to Michigan. It’s paid off, as he has drastically improved as a player. His only real weakness is his age, but if Milwaukee is trying to win now, it’s a great pick. If not, they’ll probably take Ament.
10) Chicago Bulls – Nate Ament (F, Tennessee)
Tennessee forward Nate Ament (10) moves the ball while guarded by Oklahoma guard Nijel Pack (9) during an NCAA college basketball game on Feb. 18, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee. | Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The aforementioned Nate Ament has come a long way since the start of the season. Since SEC play began, he’s improved basically every statistical category from the non-conference slate. He might not make it all the way to the top five, as was projected preseason. However, the player we’ve seen for the last six weeks is the guy who was promised.
11) San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks) – Hannes Steinbach (C, Washington)
Leave it to the Spurs to take the international guy. Steinbach, of Wurzburg, Germany, has been a glass eater for the Huskies this season. There is development to be done with some of the finer things, but you don’t have to squint too hard to see the vision.
12) Charlotte Hornets – Jayden Quaintance (F/C, Kentucky)
Quaintance has struggled with complications from knee surgery last year and has missed a lot of the season. However, he remains here because he has a ton of potential on the defensive side of the ball. If healthy, he’s probably a top six guy in the class. As is, if he slips any further than this it would make sense for him to return to school.
Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images | Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Brayden Burries might be my favorite prospect in the class. He plays with an outstanding feel for the game, mainly off ball with Jaden Bradley handling point guard duties for the Cats. Burries is an excellent shooter, works well in the secondary creation role, and defends very well. I’d take him as high as nine.
Portland is a true wildcard here, as their draft is somewhat run by former ESPN draft scout Mike Schmitz. Philon has had some wild variance over the course of this draft cycle. It went overshadowed, as Darius Acuff scored 49, but Philon dropped 35 points and seven assists in that double overtime win against Arkansas. He’s got great burst to get to the rim, and he shoots it at high level. Philon is firmly in the mix here late in the lottery.
15) Miami Heat – Koa Peat (F, Arizona)
It’s fair to wonder if Koa Peat returns to school if he falls out of the lottery. Peat has some seasoning that needs to happen offensively in order to reach his potential, as it’s pretty much all bully ball right now. However, they don’t make them like this guy physically. He’s a brute.
16) Golden State Warriors – Karim Lopez (F, New Zealand)
Lopez has seen a steady rise all the way to the outskirts of the lottery. He is a bit of a combo forward, which could be intriguing to a team like Golden State.
17) Memphis Grizzlies (via Magic) – Thomas Haugh (F, Florida)
The Grizzlies are a data-driven organization, which makes a guy like Haugh an interesting option. He does it all for Florida and could be a fun option alongside Coward, Edey and a guy like Darius Acuff. However, Memphis could be a trade team if they package their two first round picks together.
18) Oklahoma City Thunder (via 76ers) – Joshua Jefferson (F, Iowa State)
It would be shocking if OKC didn’t try and package these picks together for one better lottery selection. If they do stick here, Joshua Jefferson could be a replacement for the likes of Isaiah Hartenstein.
19) Charlotte Hornets (via Suns) – Braylon Mullins (G, UConn)
Mullins would add more offensive pop to the Hornets, which would be pretty scary off of their bench. Again, keep an eye on Charlotte to potentially trade in the draft.
20) Toronto Raptors – Cam Carr (G, Baylor)
Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images | Chris Jones-Imagn Images
Baylor has been an unmitigated disaster this season. Their lack of a true point guard has hurt both Carr and Tounde Yessoufou, but the talent is still flashing. Carr is an excellent shooter and good at creating off secondary action, making him a nice fit in Toronto.
21) Detroit Pistons (via Wolves) – Morez Johnson (F, Michigan)
Detroit earned this swap at the trade deadline, which would allow them to take a guy in Morez Johnson that has been wonderful for Michigan this season. Detroit could use some forward help, especially if they decide not to pay some of the guys they currently have.
22) Los Angeles Lakers – Patrick Ngongba (C, Duke)
The need for a center is still there in Los Angeles. Luka Doncic has already shown the ability to win the west with a rookie center from Duke. So, might as well spin the block.
23) New York Knicks – Dailyn Swain (F, Texas)
Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images | Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
Swain has been a steady riser during this process, as he has really taken off since SEC play began. The worry here is the shot, because he is ready made in all other aspects of the game.
24) Atlanta Hawks (via Cavs) – Bennett Stirtz (G, Iowa)
Atlanta could use a guard that will help steady them, and Stirtz fits the bill nicely. He won’t ever be a star, but he seems destined to run second units for 12 years. He does almost everything well on the offensive end, but the limits defensively will cap him.
25) Denver Nuggets – Amari Allen (F, Alabama)
If Denver is truly unable to pay Peyton Watson this offseason, it’s time to start looking for his replacement. Amari Allen is perfect for that, as he will come in as a readymade shooter and defender.
26) Philadelphia 76ers (via Rockets) – Chris Cenac Jr. (F, Houston)
Cenac is awesome, but it’s fair to question whether he’d remain in the draft if he is slated to slip here. If he stays, teams are getting an elite rebounder, solid defender and a guy who isn’t afraid to shoot. He’s got nice touch, but the shot selection could use some work.
27) Boston Celtics – Aday Mara (C, Michigan)
Don’t let the Duke game fool you, Aday Mara has been really good for the Wolverines and is deserving of this first round consideration. For a Boston team that needs a big, he’d be an immediate fit.
28) Cleveland Cavaliers (via Spurs) – Christian Anderson (G, Texas Tech)
Christian Anderson is undervalued by almost everyone, which allows the fall here to 28 and Cleveland. The sophomore guard is an excellent offensive player, shooting over 40% from three and running an elite two man game with JT Toppin. With Toppin now out, it’s time to see Anderson do what he did in the FIBA U19 World Cup with Germany: Carry a team to victory.
Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images | Chris Jones-Imagn Images
Yessoufou has been victimized by Baylor’s lack of point guard play, so the numbers aren’t as impressive as you’d hope. But the athletic ability is truly elite, as Yessoufou is able to guard and is a connecting piece offensively. The shot doesn’t look as bad as the low 30’s percentage from three would tell you, so there is hope on that end, too. Think Lu Dort, but without everything you hate about Lu Dort.
Tyler Tanner is an absolute joy to watch. He is fantastic on the offensive end, and the effort can never be questioned. Of course, he’s listed at 6’0”, 170 pounds, which is why he finds himself here. But, there’s a spot in the league for guys like him. Minnesota could work, especially considering their need for guard play off the bench.
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Co-host Sri Lanka was knocked out of cricket’s T20 World Cup on Wednesday after losing to Group 2 rival New Zealand by 61 runs in the Super 8 stage.
New Zealand hit 168-7 after being put in to bat by Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka.
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 24: Bilal Coulibaly #0 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on February 24, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Joe Boatman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The highlight of last night’s Wizards loss to the Atlanta Hawks was almost certainly the singing of the National Anthem by the Chamblee High School Mixed Chorus and River Ridge High School Junior ROTC. Catch it on a replay, if you can. Those kids did great.
The game itself had me doing mental math figuring out how many more of these I have to watch this season. Because ugh.
Wizards rookie Will Riley had a good fourth quarter in the team’s loss to the Atlanta Hawks. | NBAE via Getty Images
If you time-shifted this one to the morning, I’d recommend just firing it into the sun. In the first minute, I’d jotted “sloppy” in my notes. A few seconds later, I wrote, “SLOPPY.”
The Wizards committed turnovers on each of their first five possessions. They were disorganized and discombobulated. They were getting pummeled on the glass. When they finally did start getting shots up, they were inaccurate, and the shot selection was…well…crummy.
There were some moments of hopeful basketball. Bilal Coulibaly made a couple strong drives on consecutive possessions for a potential and-one (he missed the free throw) and a dunk. Dyson Daniels, who was first team All-Defense last season, had trouble staying in front of him. At least on those possessions.
The second of those possessions came with 8:33 to go in the first quarter. The game degenerated from there.
Before Atlanta began The Slacking Off, they built a 38-point lead. Washington’s bench mob staged something of a “comeback” to cut the final margin to a semi-respectable 21 points. The game was not even that competitive.
For the record, I double-checked my in-game mental math, which turned out to be correct. The Wizards have 25 games left in the season.
Thoughts & Observations
Atlanta’s broadcast had the cinematic camera first used (at least in the NBA) by the Toronto Raptors. It blurs the background on player closeups and a few other shots and looks epic. Kudos to the Hawks for adding it.
Here are Washington’s offensive ratings (points per possession x 100) by quarter:
First: 74
Second: 85
Third: 72
Fourth: 155
The fourth quarter output was more a result of Atlanta defensive indifference than Washington offensive excellence. Kudos to the Wizards for making the shots, I guess.
Neither team played well on the offensive end. Washington’s 91 offensive rating was their fourth worst of the season. Atlanta’s 110 ortg was more than five points per 100 possessions below average…against one of the NBA’s worst defensive teams.
Given the number of possessions (108 for each team) an average NBA game would have produced 249 points. The Wizards and Hawks combined for 217.
All complaining aside, Coulibaly had a pretty decent game despite shooting 3-9. In 24 minutes, he had 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks.
If you’re looking for positives, focus on clips involving Will Riley (7-8 shooting) or Justin Champagnie (5-8) or Jamir Watkins (6-8).
Watkins, by the way, got hit with a well-deserved technical for flopping.
Jonathan Kumgina looked great in his Hawks debut. In 24 minutes, he had 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists and hit 3-4 from three-point range.
Four Factors
Below are the four factors that decide wins and losses in basketball — shooting (efg), rebounding (offensive rebounds), ball handling (turnovers), fouling (free throws made).
The four factors are measured by:
eFG% (effective field goal percentage, which accounts for the three-point shot)
OREB% (offensive rebound percentage)
TOV% (turnover percentage — turnovers divided by possessions)
FTM/FGA (free throws made divided by field goal attempts)
FOUR FACTORS
WIZARDS
HAWKS
LGAVG
eFG%
50.0%
44.9%
54.3%
OREB%
4.5%
32.8%
26.1%
TOV%
18.6%
9.3%
12.8%
FTM/FGA
0.167
0.215
0.208
PACE
108
99.5
ORTG
91
110
115.4
Stats & Metrics
PPA is my overall production metric, which credits players for things they do that help a team win (scoring, rebounding, playmaking, defending) and dings them for things that hurt (missed shots, turnovers, bad defense, fouls).
PPA is a per possession metric designed for larger data sets. In small sample sizes, the numbers can get weird. In PPA, 100 is average, higher is better and replacement level is 45. For a single game, replacement level isn’t much use, and I reiterate the caution about small samples sometimes producing weird results.
POSS is the number of possessions each player was on the floor in this game.
ORTG = offensive rating, which is points produced per individual possessions x 100. League average so far this season is listed in the Four Factors table above. Points produced is not the same as points scored. It includes the value of assists and offensive rebounds, as well as sharing credit when receiving an assist.
USG = offensive usage rate. Average is 20%.
ORTG and USG are versions of stats created by former Wizards assistant coach Dean Oliver and modified by me. ORTG is an efficiency measure that accounts for the value of shooting, offensive rebounds, assists and turnovers. USG includes shooting from the floor and free throw line, offensive rebounds, assists and turnovers.
+PTS = “Plus Points” is a measure of the points gained or lost by each player based on their efficiency in this game compared to league average efficiency on the same number of possessions. A player with an offensive rating (points produced per possession x 100) of 100 who uses 20 possessions would produce 20 points. If the league average efficiency is 115, the league — on average — would produced 23.0 points in the same 20 possessions. So, the player in this hypothetical would have a +PTS score of -3.0.
Players are sorted by total production in the game.
ATLANTA — After riding the bench in Golden State, Jonathan Kuminga finally got a chance to shine for the Atlanta Hawks.
He sure made the most of it.
In his Atlanta debut on Tuesday, Kuminga threw down thunderous dunks, knocked down 3-pointers and spent much of the night smiling in a 119-98 rout of the Washington Wizards.
Jonathan Kuminga dunks the ball during the game against the Washington Wizards on February 24, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NBAE via Getty Images
“It was great,” said Kuminga, who also had seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. “I was excited to be out there with the guys.”
The Hawks acquired Kuminga and guard Buddy Hield in a deal that sent center Kristaps Porzingis to the Golden State Warriors at the trade deadline.
Kuminga checked in off the Atlanta bench near the midway point of the first quarter and made an immediate impact against the woeful Wizards.
He dunked off a fast break — breaking into a big grin as he headed back up the court — and gave a tantalizing glimpse of his wide-ranging talents with a 3-pointer, four assists, two rebounds and a steal during his initial stint on the court.
Kuminga wound up playing nearly 24 1/2 minutes, taking on a bigger-than-expected role after Atlanta’s All-Star forward, Jalen Johnson, went down in the first quarter with a hip flexor injury and didn’t return.
“He connected with his teammates and let the game come to him,” coach Quin Snyder said of his new addition.
Kuminga missed his first six games with the Hawks, sandwiched around the All-Star break, while recovering from a left knee bone bruise sustained in his closing weeks with the Warriors.
The No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 draft, Kuminga was dropped from the rotation in Golden State and asked to be traded when his playing time dwindled.
The Hawks acquired Jonathan Kuminga at the trade deadline NBAE via Getty Images
At first, the Warriors indicated there weren’t a lot of teams showing interest. But the Hawks stepped forward as a trading partner, parting ways with Porzingis after he played just 17 games during his only season in Atlanta because of injuries and illness.
Kerr discounted any off-the-court issues with Kuminga, even though the 23-year-old from the Democratic Republic of the Congo played in just seven of his last 38 games with Golden State.
He started the season as a starter, averaging 12.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game during his limited time on the court.
Kuminga insisted that he wasn’t trying to send a message to the Warriors in his first appearance with the Hawks.
But he was clearly thrilled to be back on the court.
“Everybody has an opinion,” Kuminga said. “I really don’t play attention to what anyone else is saying. We’re trying to win as many games as we can here. That’s my main focus.”
DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 17: Klay Thompson #31 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket against Ace Bailey #19 of the Utah Jazz during the first half at American Airlines Center on January 17, 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Coming into Tuesday’s NBA slate, the Dallas Mavericks (21-36) sat seventh from the bottom of the league standings. Just the Utah Jazz (18-40), the Washington Wizards (16-40), the New Orleans Pelicans (16-42), the Brooklyn Nets (15-42), the Indiana Pacers (15-43) and the sad Sacramento Kings (13-46) entered play with worse records than the Mavericks.
With a loaded 2026 NBA Draft class looming, all eyes in those markets are now firmly affixed upon the Tankathon standings, with visions of Dybantsa and Boozer dancing in fanbases’ heads. The Mavs may not have what it takes to get all the way to one of the top 2026 prospects, but the player available at the seventh overall pick this year may be more impactful than the second overall pick next year. Getting the seventh pick in this year’s draft would be a win.
But can the Mavericks’ tank gain any precious ground on any of the six teams ahead of them in the race to the bottom? That’s why they play the final 26 of the 82-game NBA season.
Dallas’ strength of schedule the rest of the way is 11th in the league. That’s a point in their favor for piling up more losses over the next month and a half. The fact that they came into Tuesday’s slate of games 3.5 games up on the Jazz, who sit at sixth in the Tankathon standings, and a full five games up on the Wizards in fifth, doesn’t bode as well. In fact, the Mavs came into play Tuesday just one game behind the Memphis Grizzlies for the eighth-worst record in the NBA, inching a step closer toward moving from seventh to the eighth-best lottery odds with their 123-114 win at the Brooklyn Nets.
The tank is losing ground at the moment, in light of the Mavs’ back-to-back wins at Brooklyn and Indiana.
Snapshot: Race to the bottom
Team
Record as of Feb. 24
Remaining SOS
Chicago Bulls
24-35
13th
Memphis Grizzlies
21-35
6th
Dallas Mavericks
21-36
11th
Utah Jazz
18-40
21st
New Orleans Pelicans
17-42
23rd
Washington Wizards
16-41
4th
Brooklyn Nets
15-42
10th
Indiana Pacers
15-43
5th
Sacramento Kings
13-46
29th
After a cursory glance at the remaining schedule, I’ve got the Mavericks going 7-18 in their final 25 games, for a painful 28-54 record when it’s all said and done. That’s based on six scheduled wins and a belief that Dallas, a true blind squirrel, will find one more nut somewhere along the way.
If that happens, the Jazz would have to go 10-14 in their final 24 to tie the Mavs in the standings and bring conference record into play to decide the lottery-odds tiebreaker, or 11-13 to pass Dallas. The Jazz have an easier path to wins the rest of the way with their remaining strength of schedule at 21st in the league, but hoping they go 11-13 down the stretch seems like a bit of a stretch at this point.
The Mavs and the Jazz have already played all four of their matchups this year, splitting the four games between them.
It’s the same story with the New Orleans Pelicans. They’ve got more scheduled wins left in their final 23 games than the Mavericks have in their last 24, but they’d have to go 11-12 to finish out the year to give the Mavs a legitimate shot to pass them in the Tankathon standings. It looks like it’s going to be more ground than Dallas can make up at this point. It would be even harder to catch Washington, and their tank is emboldened by the fourth-best remaining strength of schedule in the NBA the rest of the way.
It looks more likely that the Mavericks will stay at the seventh-best odds in the lottery. In fact, it’s more likely that they slide to eighth than move up to sixth.
There are a lot of variables in play here. The sheer will of each team’s tanking effort is one that’s hard to quantify here. The Mavs, for instance, have consistently played hard in the face of a losing season, forcing their way into clutch loss after clutch loss along the way. The Jazz, on the other hand, are more blatant with their tank in terms of roster management.
At this point, if the Mavs are going to gain any ground, it will likely come at Utah’s expense, but it’s hard to see that happening. If you squint hard, you could convince yourself that Utah has 10 wins left on the schedule, but bad teams find a way to lose. It’s what bad teams do. And the Jazz are very much a team that has decided to be bad.
Keep an eye on this space, though, Mavs fans, because if Dallas can rattle off losses to Sacramento and Memphis on Thursday and Friday, or even split those two games, they’ll still have a chance to sneak past Utah before the year is out. Those would be two very valuable losses.
Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) jogs back after making a three-pointer against Houston Cougars during the game inside Allen Fieldhouse on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. | Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The 2026 NBA Draft is so good that it’s causing a moral crisis. There are nine teams in the tank race at the moment, and most of them feel like they’re putting out losing lineups on purpose with about 25 games to play in the season. This lottery will have huge stakes, and not just because there’s three potential No. 1 caliber prospects in BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, Duke’s Cameron Boozer, and Kansas’ Darryn Peterson.
The Indiana Pacers could pull off the ideal gap year without Tyrese Haliburton by landing a premium young prospect … unless their pick lands outside the top-4, and then it goes to the Los Angeles Clippers in the Ivica Zubac trade. The Dallas Mavericks hit the lottery last year for Cooper Flagg, and now they need to land him a great teammate without control of their first-round pick from 2027-2030. The Utah Jazz better land in the top-8, otherwise their pick goes to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The 2026 NBA Draft lottery will happen on Sunday, May 10, and until then the league’s worst teams are jockeying for position to maximize their ping pong balls. Here’s our latest mock draft, with more analysis on this class after the table.
Pick
Team
Player
Position
School
Age
1
Sacramento Kings
Cameron Boozer
Forward
Duke
Freshman
2
Indiana Pacers
AJ Dybantsa
Wing
BYU
Freshman
3
Brooklyn Nets
Darryn Peterson
Guard
Kansas
Freshman
4
Atlanta Hawks (via Pelicans)
Caleb Wilson
Forward
North Carolina
Freshman
5
Washington Wizards
Kingston Flemings
Guard
Houston
Freshman
6
Utah Jazz
Mikel Brown Jr.
Guard
Louisville
Freshman
7
Dallas Mavericks
Nate Ament
Wing
Tennessee
Freshman
8
Memphis Grizzlies
Dailyn Swain
Wing
Texas
Junior
9
Chicago Bulls
Patrick Ngongba
Center
Duke
Sophomore
10
Milwaukee Bucks
Yaxel Lendeborg
Forward
Michigan
Senior
11
Charlotte Hornets
Darius Acuff
Guard
Arkansas
Freshman
12
Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers)
Keaton Wagler
Guard
Illinois
Freshman
13
San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks)
Thomas Haugh
Forward
Florida
Junior
14
Portland Trail Blazers
Karim Lopez
Forward
NZ Breakers
Born 2007
15
Golden State Warriors
Hannes Steinbach
Forward/Center
Washington
Freshman
16
Miami Heat
Morez Johnson
Center/Forward
Michigan
Sophomore
17
Memphis Grizzlies (via Magic)
Jayden Quaintance
Center/Forward
Kentucky
Sophomore
18
Oklahoma City Thunder (via Sixers)
Cameron Carr
Wing
Baylor
Junior
19
Charlotte Hornets (via Suns)
Koa Peat
Forward
Arizona
Freshman
20
Toronto Raptors
Aday Mara
Center
Michigan
Junior
21
Detroit Pistons (via Wolves)
Braylon Mullins
Guard
UConn
Freshman
22
Los Angeles Lakers
Joshua Jefferson
Forward
Iowa State
Senior
23
Philadelphia 76ers (via Rockets)
Allen Graves
Forward
Santa Clara
Freshman
24
Denver Nuggets
Labaron Philon
Guard
Alabama
Sophomore
25
Atlanta Hawks (via Cavs)
Bennett Stirtz
Guard
Iowa
Senior
26
New York Knicks
Chris Cenac
Center
Houston
Freshman
27
Boston Celtics
Flory Bidunga
Center
Kansas
Sophomore
28
Cleveland Cavaliers (via Spurs)
Tyler Tanner
Guard
Vanderbilt
Sophomore
29
Dallas Mavericks (via OKC)
Tounde Yessoufou
Guard
Baylor
Freshman
30
Minnesota Timberwolves (via Pistons)
Amari Allen
Wing
Alabama
Freshman
Let’s dive into the biggest themes from this class over the last few weeks.
Ranking Boozer, Peterson, and Dybantsa in the top-3
There’s some movement on my personal board since I published a mid-season update at the start of the month. Here’s how I’d rank the ‘big three’ of the 2026 NBA Draft:
Cameron Boozer, F, Duke: The simple case for Boozer over Peterson and Dybantsa is that he’s the most productive and most versatile of the three while also being the youngest. It’s no coincidence that Boozer’s teams have won at the highest level in every setting: he positively impacts the game in so many ways without taking much off the table. At 6’9, 250 pounds, he can initiate a pick-and-roll like a guard, set a mean screen and make plays on the short roll as a big, pound the offensive glass, punish switches on the drive with his strength, or rip a catch-and-shoot three from deep. It’s understandable to question Boozer’s athletic fluidity, ability to finish over length, or high-level defensive impact, but he’s solid enough in those areas while shining basically everywhere else. If Boozer doesn’t pass your “eye test,” then your eye test probably sucks. I’ve always thought Boozer vs. Cooper Flagg is a better question than Boozer vs. Dybantsa or Peterson, and that continues to be true as he nears the stretch run of his one-and-done season.
A.J. Dybantsa, F, BYU: Dybantsa has been third on my board since the summer, but his strong Feb. combined with Peterson’s poor performance in conference play has elevated him to No. 2 for me for the first time. The BYU freshman is the prototypical big wing scorer NBA teams covet with a rare mix of length (7’1 wingspan), fluidity, and explosion. Dybantsa is a gifted driver with tight handles, impressive bend to turn the corner against defenders, and crazy stride length. His three-point volume has been underwhelming thus far, but otherwise he’s the total package as a scorer. I’m a bit skeptical of Dybantsa’s ability to impact the game in areas other than scoring. His playmaking has been surprisingly impressive thus far, but I wonder if some of that is due to BYU’s pristine system. His defense has been subpar, he’s only average as a rebounder, and he can have turnover problems. Ultimately, Dybantsa feels a clear step ahead of similar prospects like Brandon Miller and Ace Bailey in recent drafts because he’s more well-rounded as a scorer, but I wouldn’t put him in the Cooper Flagg/Jayson Tatum tier because he’s not as good at doing the dirty work.
Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas: Peterson washed Dybantsa at a high school level, and was so impressive as a senior that I briefly considered putting him over Boozer. The best version of Peterson would be a special guard prospect who can efficiently play a high-usage on-ball role while also being a knockdown shooter as an off-ball threat zooming around screens while also making a big impact defensively. The problem is that we haven’t seen Peterson’s best all year because of a bizarre set of injury issues that have limited his explosiveness at both ends. Peterson just isn’t getting into the paint off the bounce or jumping the passing lanes like he was expected to, but to his credit he’s still been a high-volume scorer on good efficiency. His shot-making has looked better than expected at Kansas, and if you believe his hamstring strain and cramping eventually resolve themselves, there’s still a case for him at No. 1. Peterson appeared to be the mainstream favorite to go No. 1 entering the year. Are we overreacting to a small sample by an injured player by dropping him to No. 3? It takes a leap of faith and heavy reliance on prior production to put Peterson over Boozer and Dybantsa, and I just don’t have the risk tolerance for that right now.
Mikel Brown Jr. makes it a strong top-6
Louisville freshman Mikel Brown Jr. has been considered a potential top-10 pick dating back to preseason. Two things slowed his momentum earlier in the season: a) a pesky back injury that kept him sidelined for an eight-game stretch, and b) an extended shooting slump. For his first 12 games this season, Brown was only shooting 27 percent from three, which was way below where he was expected to be. Over his last eight games, Brown has now made 32-of-83 (38.5 percent), which is more in line with his reputation.
No freshman EVER has more 3PM over a five-game stretch than Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr., with 27 3PM (!) in his last 5.
This level of shotmaking prowess (16.5 3PA/100 + 54% 3P) is truly unprecedented. pic.twitter.com/LyEApXsmRh
Pull-up shooting is a big part of what makes Brown such an appealing potential offensive engine. The Louisville guard bombs away from deep with 14.5 three-point attempts per 100 possessions, which is just a fraction below Peterson for tops in the class among likely first-round picks. Of the 71 players in DI taking at least 14.5 threes per 100, no player has a higher free throw rate than Brown’s 46 percent. Add in a 30 percent assist rate, and the picture of Brown as a lead guard comes into focus: he pumps out a ton of threes, he consistently gets to the foul line with his attacking off the dribble, and he has good playmaking vision to kick out to teammates when the defense collapses on him.
It’s fair to wonder how else Brown can impact the game. He has only one offensive rebound in his first 20 games this season. His stock rate of 2.9 percent is underwhelming. His turnovers have been an issue all year, including six against Baylor and seven against SMU in back-to-back games earlier this month. Age can be a knock too, as Brown will turn 20 during Final Four weekend, and is six months older than Jeremiah Fears, the stud one-and-done point guard in last year’s draft.
I like the shooting/passing/foul-drawing package from Brown enough to solidify him as the No. 6 overall prospect in the class. If he really turns it on in the home stretch, he can challenge Houston’s Kingston Flemings for the top point guard in the class.
The late lottery feels like a hornets’ nest
Why is this considered such a strong NBA draft class? Mostly because it has three potential No. 1 overall picks at the top, and then really good prospects at 4-6. After that, I think it gets really dicey.
I wouldn’t want to be picking in the back-half of this lottery. Here’s how ESPN’s Jeremy Woo, probably the most sourced reporter covering the draft, ranked the 6-11 range: Keaton Wagler, Darius Acuff, Nate Ament, Mikel Brown Jr., Karim Lopez, Thomas Haugh. While I can see the vision with a lot of these players, I would feel serious hesitation using a top-11 pick on them outside of the aforementioned Brown.
Darius Acuff pull-up dagger three to send Arkansas-Alabama to overtime. He's got 41 points at the end of regulation pic.twitter.com/EV8FUKdpdl
To my knowledge, there’s never been a 6’6+ one-and-done lottery pick to finish a season with zero dunks, and Wagler is in line to do that so far. His athletic limitations also show up in his low steal rate, but it’s fair to point out that Illinois’ system suppresses steals as they rank dead-last in DI in takeaway percentage. Wagler has made up for it by being a nuclear off-the-dribble shooter who cooks especially hard against bigs on switches. Is that really a sustainable way to live in the NBA for a top-10 pick, though? Acuff has been remarkably productive for Arkansas, but I’m worried about his defense, rebounding, and mid-range heavy shot profile. Ament has been killing it lately as a tall and skinny wing, but his finishing, shooting, and defensive playmaking are so poor that he feels mostly like a theoretical player to me. Lopez is a skilled and strong ball handler at 6’9, but I’m worried about his outside shooting and defense. Haugh is a decent connective wing, but I don’t think his defense is special, and it feels like he would be the lowest usage player in most five-man NBA lineups.
Maybe I’m wrong and Wagler will be a cross between SGA and Haliburton, Acuff becomes Gen Z Stephon Marbury, Haugh turns into a star role player, and Ament refines his skills and becomes an ideal modern wing. It could all happen. I just don’t think the second-half of the lottery plays into the narrative that this is a super strong draft.
Give me 10 underrated prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft
Don’t twist my arm! Here’s some guys I’m higher on than consensus with some brief scouting reports.
There is so much to unpack with Swain's game. He's a hyper efficient 2pt scorer, shooting 65.9% inside the arc with nearly 85% of his attempts unassisted.… pic.twitter.com/pg5au45n0o
Hannes Steinbach, F, Washington: Elite offensive rebounder who catches and finishes everything inside and shines in transition.
Aday Mara, C, Michigan: Massive center (7’3 with 7’7 wingspan) who can defend the rim in drop coverage and also throws some absurdly great outlet passes.
Meleek Thomas, G, Arkansas: Knockdown three-point shooter who limits mistakes as a passer and ball handler.
Joshua Jefferson, F, Iowa State: Mack truck forward who rebounds, defends, and can make some awesome passes off the bounce.
Flory Bidunga, C, Kansas: Athletic center who can protect the rim and finish lobs.
Which picks do you love and hate?
Conference tournaments are about to be in full swing, and then it’s time for the big dance. March Madness is the best, and it’s going to be even better this year with such a loaded draft class on display.
What picks did I totally blow it on? What picks did you love? Sound off in the comments.
UCLA men's basketball flat-out outplayed USC in Tuesday night's 81-62 win. The archrivals met for the first of their two Big Ten clashes on Feb. 24 in what was a crucial game for two teams on the bubble in USA TODAY Sports' latest Bracketology.
The two have been on opposite trajectories as of late, with the Bruins entering Tuesday fresh off Donovan Dent's overtime buzzer-beater to beat No. 11 Illinois and secure a much-needed quad 1 win. The Trojans, meanwhile, entered the night in the midst of a three-game losing streak capped off by a stunning 71-70 home loss to Oregon in which they led by six points with 59 seconds to go.
Those trends played continued as UCLA's physical defense and a 30-point gem from Donovan Dent derailed a Trojans team that couldn't find much offense from anyone not named Chad Baker-Mazara (25 points, eight rebounds, two assists).
"They're a very athletic team, obviously Baker-Mazara is a potent offensive player that can turn your lights out. Proud of the guys that got the job done," Bruins head coach Mick Cronin said postgame. "This late in the year, guys are just trying to win and stay healthy. ... Happy with the win, and nobody got injured. So, onward."
Here are the winners and losers from the first leg of the USC-UCLA rivalry:
WINNERS
UCLA's tournament hopes
The Bruins entered the day as one of the last four teams in, and they just got one step closer to March with a big quad 2 win – over their biggest rivals, nonetheless. After the Illinois game on Saturday, Feb. 21, players said they're feeling like they're at their highest point as a team right now.
Cronin sees it a little differently.
"I'm glad they feel that way," he said. "I would say you're only as good as your next game. When you win, your team's going to have a better feeling about those things. Sometimes you can play well and lose, though. We could've lost that game, I still thought it was one of the best comebacks we had played. ... But we got a little goal here for the end of the year. We got two down, three to go."
Donovan Dent
Dent followed up his heroics from the Illinois game with another stellar performance. He led all scorers with 30 points, two rebounds and seven assists (which also led the game). He shot 62.5% from the floor and was five-for-six from deep.
"I'm hoping this groove continues," he said. "This is the best time to get a groove, honestly. I was struggling early this season, so for me to get in a groove right now I feel like would be huge for our team and huge for myself."
It wasn't just Dent who shared the love on Tuesday. The team overall moved the ball especially well, finishing the game with 18 assists, seven more than USC. Trent Perry (four assists) and Skyy Clark (three) did their part in finding the open man.
"When we share the ball we're a very high level offense. When we share the ball," Cronin said. "That said, Donnie had a great game. Got Tyler (Bilodeau) some balls late. ... Got some different contributions (too)."
LOSERS
USC still outside the bubble
With Tuesday's loss, the Trojans have now dropped their fourth consecutive Big Ten game and second straight quad 1 game. All 10 of their losses this season have come in conference play. They took another step back, and now their tournament hopes are standing at the edge of a cliff.
"We're not in the tournament," USC head coach Eric Musselman said. "We're outside looking in. We have to figure out a way to win a game before we even worry about anything of that magnitude. We have three opportunities left, and then we have the Big Ten tournament.
"We're a team that has been on the bubble with three games left and we haven't played good basketball last four games, and obviously the Northwestern loss and the Oregon loss is going to hurt us for sure."
Growing pains for Alijah Arenas
Arenas' night can best be summed up by his reaction after subbing out when he was called for his third foul of the game early in the second half. He walked over to the sideline and slammed his hands on a chair in frustration.
It wasn't all bad. Arenas finished with 10 points to be the only Trojan besides Baker-Mazara to score in double figures. A lot wasn't good either, though. He didn't make his first field goal of the game until late in the second half as his opportunities to make an impact early in the game were limited by foul trouble. He also had five turnovers.
But these bumps on the road are to be expected for Arenas, who didn't make his season debut until late January due to a torn right meniscus.
"It's a learning curve for him," Musselman said. "We're trying to balance his minutes and teaching him on the fly and it’s super difficult because he missed all the summer, and he missed the first half of Big Ten, and he's a reclassification.
"He's an incredible talent who's got an awesome ceiling, and he's got an incredible future. ... But it's a process when you don’t – he doesn't have the whole summer. He doesn't have non-conference play, and so we're asking him to do a lot for sure."
AUSTIN TX, - November 9, 2025: Harrison Ingram #55 of the Austin Spurs is introduced before the game against the Birmingham Squadron on November 9, 2025 at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Per a Spurs press release:
The NBA G League announced that Austin Spurs forward Harrison Ingram has been named NBA G League Player of the Week for games played Feb. 9-22. This marks the first Player of the Week honor of Ingram’s career and the first for an Austin player this season.
Spurs forward Harrison Ingram just earned NBA G League Player of the Week honors after a dominant stretch with Austin.
His highlight came last week in a 116–115 win over the San Diego Clippers, where he nearly posted a triple-double with 23 points, 12 boards, and 8 assists in 36… pic.twitter.com/Z9xqePk2to
Ingram averaged 22.2 points, 13.4 rebounds and 7.4 assists over five games. He recorded four double-doubles and one triple-double as the Austin Spurs went 4-1.
Harrison Ingram filled up every column 📊 TRIPLE-DOUBLE. Impact on both ends. That Spurs DNA showing early. pic.twitter.com/Dadmqr9R9W
Ingram also posted a season-high 30 points against the Iowa Wolves on February 10th.
In his second season with the Silver and Black, Ingram has appeared in 76 games (72 starts) and holds career averages of 13.7 points, 10.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 33.3 minutes. His 31 career double-doubles rank third in franchise history.
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