Category: NBA

Herald Bulls’ last-second three sinks Celtics on second night of back-to-back

Globe Celtics fall in final seconds against Bulls despite gritty Jaylen Brown game: 7 takeaways

Kevin Huerter 3-pointer with 0.2 seconds left completes Bulls’ 3-point barrage over Celtics

Even on second night of a back-to-back, hamstring injury unable to keep Jaylen Brown from Celtics’ lineup

Celtics GreenComments from the Other Side – Bulls 1/24/26

CelticsBlog 10 Takeaways from the Celtics last second loss to Bulls

Despite the circumstances, Celtics won’t make excuses for nail-biting loss to Bulls

Celtics drop second game of back-to-back, lose to Bulls 114-111

Celtics .com Keys to the Game: Bulls 114, Celtics 111

NBC Sports BostonCeltics-Bulls recap: Brown shines, but C’s lose on last-second 3

NESNLatest Raptors Trade Report Might Make Celtics Fans Uncomfortable

Mass Live Celtics star makes honest confession on health after Bulls loss

Celtics guard makes blunt admission after tough loss to Bulls

Jaylen Brown is the Celtics ‘Name to Know’ Player of the Game in Saturday’s loss to Bulls

4 takeaways as Celtics lose to Bulls after key miscue leads to game winner

76ers sign Celtics Summer League standout to 10-day contract

Celtics WireHow important is Sam Hauser’s shooting for the Celtics?

What has led to the Celtics defying expectations this season?

The Boston Celtics have reason for optimism this season

Celtics’ Sam Hauser is leading the NBA in this key stat this month

The difference between Europe, NBA, per Celtics rookie Hugo Gonzalez

Danilo Gallinari still believes Celtics would have won a title with him

NBA Legend sends warning to Celtics’ Jayson Tatum

Will the Celtics make a big move at the trade deadline?

Should the Celtics do whatever it takes to land and elite big man?

What has led to the Boston Celtics stellar play this season?

Hugo Gonzalez has icy veins on-court, but even he had nerves joining NBA

Celtics jersey history No. 55 – John Thomas (1997-98)

Celtics history: IT gets 38 vs. Rockets; Knicks held to 46 points

Boston’s tired legs can’t defend the 3 as Celtics fall 114-11 to Bulls

Jaylen Brown on why the Celtics are playing harder this season

Boston Sports JournalSimone’s Six: Red-hot shooting, Robin, and a breakdown in Celtics-Bulls

BSJ Game Report: Bulls 114, Celtics 111 – Jaylen Brown’s heroics weren’t enough

Hardwood HoudiniCeltics just swallowed an ugly dose if irony in latest heartbreak

NBA Hall of Famer realizing what Celtics fans always knew about Jaylen Brown

Celtics have undeniable opportunity to cement themselves as title contenders

Chowder and Champions Celtics’ Latest Trade Rumor Provides Hope for Jayson Tatum’s Potential Return

Celtics’ Derrick White Concerns Have Been Overblown

CLNS Media/YouTubeGarden Report: Celtics vs Bulls Postgame Show on CLNS Media

Hoops RumorsCeltics Notes: Queta, Deadline, Center, Williams, TPE, More

Barstool SportsThe Basketball Brain Of Brad Stevens Is Very Clearly The 8th Wonder Of The World

Over The Span Of 24 Hours The Celtics Got A Front Row Seat To Both The Thrill Of Victory And The Agony Of Defeat

BasketNewsLuka Doncis surpasses Jayson Tatum in an epic 3-point milestone

Boston Celtics trade target revealed before deadline

HeavyCeltics ‘Aggressive’ in Pursuit of Key Piece by NBA Trade Deadline: Report

Celtics Locked in Six-Team Battle for $15M Rim Protector: Report

Celtics’ Anfernee Simons Sends Clear Message After Loss To Bulls

Lakers Nation Marcus Smart’s Finger ‘Popped Out’ In Fourth Quarter Against Mavericks

SI .comNew Video Perfectly Shows Joe Mazzulla’s Savvy Move to Set Up Celtics’ Buzzer-Beater

Chicago Bulls catch fire from deep, beat Celtics at buzzer 114-111: Five reasons why Boston fell short

Bulls RoundtableHuerter’s Shot Secures Bulls Win on Derrick Rose Jersey Retirement Night

NBA/YouTubeBarkley: ‘Bad feeling’ Jayson Tatum is coming back

CELTICS at BULLS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | January 24, 2026

Clutch Points4 Celtics trade deadline proposals to address the center position

NBA AnalysisCeltics need a center before the trade deadline after painful loss to Bulls exposes frontcourt flaws

Total Pro SportsCharles Barkley Fires Back at Claims ‘Inside the NBA’ Was Sidelined for Criticizing Players

The Sports Hub5 Takeaways: Bulls shoot their way past Celtics on Derrick Rose Night

Celtics fall to last second shot in Chicago, 114-111

Rookie Wire Celtics rookie Amari Williams comes up clutch in overtime win vs. Nets

Celtics RoundtableBoston Celtics Fall 114-111 In Chicago As Fatigue Shows Late

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been playing better basketball of late, but there’s reason to believe they could make a move before the Feb. 5 trade deadline. One of the players that teams have reportedly been trying to target recently is versatile defensive forward Dean Wade.

According to Chris Fedor of cleveland.com, “no fewer than 10 teams have reached out and expressed interest” in Wade. Up until this point, the Cavs have rejected those offers. We’ll see if that continues for the next week and a half.

Wade is an attractive asset for contenders. He’s an incredible defender who can guard numerous positions. The Cavs have used him as both the primary defender on guards like Devin Booker and as a small-ball center when the team needs to space the floor.

That unique skillset is useful when playing alongside two shot-blocking centers in Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Lineups with that trio on the court are outscoring opponents by 16 points per 100 possessions (97th percentile) with a 101.6 defensive rating (99th percentile).

Wade has also worked well as a starter. Units with him, Mobley, Allen, and Donovan Mitchell are outscoring opponents by 17.5 points per 100 possessions (98th percentile).

Aside from his value on the court, Wade’s expiring $6.6 million contract fits into a lot of teams’ cap sheets. And if a team were to trade for Wade, they would have his Bird Rights, which means that they could go over the salary cap to sign him. A team trading for and signing Wade to a larger contract this offseason could also create an additional salary slot that they could trade in the future, which is incredibly beneficial if you’re a team that’s already over the salary cap.

Trading Wade wouldn’t make sense for the Cavs right now. They don’t have any other bigs that can provide what he does, even if the Cavs don’t think they’ll be able to sign him this upcoming offseason.

We’ll see what moves, if any, the Cavs make at the fast-approaching trade deadline.

As a role player, Marcus Smart’s job is fairly simple: play hard on defense, hit your open shots and be a banshee. That means doing all the dirty work that goes unnoticed so the Lakers can be in a position to win games.

What also went unnoticed was a bit of medical work he did to himself during the fourth quarter. Smart appeared to jam his finger after deflecting a pass in the final frame, but never came off the floor.

After the game, he revealed that he dislocated his finger but just popped it back in and kept playing.

Marcus Smart said his right index finger – which he had surgically repaired last summer – popped out in the 4th quarter, but he didn’t want to come out of the game, so he just bent over and popped it back in. He’s about to go get it wrapped and iced up now.

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) January 25, 2026

It’s unreal that Smart didn’t miss a beat, given that it was the right index finger he had surgery on last summer that got dislocated. Smart injured this finger late last season when he was a member of the Wizards. He missed a few games down the stretch and had surgery this summer.

It’s on-brand that Smart just kept on playing. Plenty of other players would’ve been done for the night, or at the very least, taken a moment to have a medical staff member pop it back in place for him.

Smart, being the competitor he is, didn’t want to miss a second. So he just took care of it himself and kept playing.

Regardless of whether Smart has a good game or not, his toughness is never in question. He’s always preaching defensive physicality and leading by example.

These are the kind of moments that need to be remembered and celebrated when it comes to Smart and what he brings to this team. It’s why the Lakers stars were so excited about Smart’s arrival in the first place.

He’s a winning player and raises your team’s level of toughness just by his mere presence. While the lows can be infuriating, the highs are equally impressive.

And thanks to Smart contributing to Lakers head coach JJ Redick’s small-ball unit in the fourth, they completed their comeback, ensuring Luka Dončić remained undefeated against his former team.

So credit to Smart, for stepping up in the moment and doing what a banshee needs to do, whatever it takes to win.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

Who: Phoenix Suns (27–18) vs. Miami Heat (24–22)

When: 6:00 PM Arizona Time

Where: Mortgage Matchup Center — Phoenix, Arizona

Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports, NBATV

Listen: KMVP 98.7

---

Alright, Game 46 of the season, and once again you’ll be spending your Sunday night with me. Which, you know, I truly appreciate. Our Suns host the Miami Heat for the last time this season (unless we somehow meet in the NBA Finals…), and there’s definitely a revenge vibe around this matchup: Phoenix lost to them in crunch time 12 days ago.

The Heat haven’t really found their rhythm yet, as they’ve posted a .500 record and a 5–5 stretch over their last ten games. On our side, I’d like to stay optimistic: the recent record is solid, but losing Devin Booker and Jalen Green back-to-back in the last game hurts. A lot.

Probable Starters

Injury Report

Suns

• Devin Booker — OUT (Right Ankle)
• Jalen Green — QUESTIONABLE (Right Hamstring)
• Jordan Goodin — AVAILABLE (Jaw Sparin)

Heat

• Kel’el Ware — OUT (Right Hamstring)
• Terry Rozer — OUT (Put it all on Red)
• Norman Powell — QUESTIONABLE (Back Tightness)
• Davion Mitchell — DOUBTFUL (Left Shoulder)
• Pelle Larsson — AVAILABLE (Finger)
• Jamie Jaquez, Jr — AVAILABLE (Left Knee)
• Tyler Herro — OUT (Ribs)
• Kasparas Jakucionis — QUESTIONABLE (Facial Contusion)

What to Watch For

First, as mentioned earlier, this is an immediate rematch of a highly offensive duel. The two teams faced each other on January 13, 2026, with Miami winning 127–121 in a wide-open game. Bam Adebayo (29 points) and Norman Powell (27 points) punished Phoenix in crunch time. On our side, the Booker–Brooks–Allen trio combined for 74 points.

Second, it’s always a stylistic clash. And statistically, the contrast is fascinating. Miami plays fast (1st in pace), constantly trying to score in transition or early in the shot clock. Phoenix, on the other hand, plays slower (20th in pace), preferring half-court sets, three-point shooting, and structured offense.

And finally, no matter the outcome, this game matters. The Suns are hovering between 6th and 8th in the West, while the Heat want to escape the middle of the Eastern Conference pack. Every win matters in the seeding race, especially for Phoenix, who are clearly looking to secure a playoff spot without going through the play-in.

Key to a Suns Win

I don’t have 20,000 reasons. I have one. And it includes several layers: Phoenix needs to impose itself where it is strongest. That means generating and exploiting second-chance opportunities and extra possessions, especially through offensive rebounding (6th in the league with 12.8 per game) and steals (1st with 10.4).

Our win will also depend on three-point shooting and how easily we can generate those looks. Without Booker, late-clock situations, mid-range creation, and overall offensive organization will be more complicated, so they’ll need to play faster, cleaner, and smarter. And limit turnovers.

Finally, the defense has to show up. The Suns have been elite on that end in 2026 (4th-best defense in the league since January 1st). They need to limit the guys who hurt them last time: Bam and Norman. Forcing Bam to shoot from distance and attacking Powell’s playmaking weaknesses by trapping or isolating him could be options. Obviously, they’re not the only threats, but they’re the pillars of Miami’s system.

Prediction

I’m expecting an exciting, fast-paced game with shots falling and possessions rarely ending in wasted opportunities. I can’t wait to watch this one, and I think the Suns pull it out, painfully, but this roster will get it done. I believe in them.

Suns 117, Heat 113

The Dallas Mavericks will look to get back in the win column after breaking a four-game winning streak as they visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday night.

Dallas has been playing good basketball over the past couple of weeks, and I’m taking them to beat a struggling Milwaukee squad in my Mavericks vs. Bucks predictions below.

Let’s take a closer look at tonight’s matchup in my free NBA picks for Sunday, January 25.

Mavericks vs Bucks prediction

Mavericks vs Bucks best bet: Mavericks moneyline (+120)

Tonight’s game will likely see both teams without their star players on the court. And while the Dallas Mavericks will miss rookie sensation Cooper Flagg, the Milwaukee Bucks are truly in for a tough time with out superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who will be out for several weeks with a calf injury.

That’s an especially tough pill for Milwaukee to swallow considering how much the team has been struggling even with Giannis in the lineup. The Bucks have lost five of their last six games overall, including each of their last three at home. 

Contrast that with Dallas, which seems to be coming into its own as a competitive NBA team, if one that’s still a year or more away from being a true playoff contender. And it’s not all about Flagg, as players like Max Christie (13.3 ppg) have come up big in recent weeks to show that this team has a wealth of young talent to draw on.

Without Antetokounmpo, it’s hard to see Milwaukee getting many wins against competent teams, and the Mavericks are losing far less without Flagg in the lineup than the Bucks are by losing their iconic MVP candidate. I’m taking Dallas to get the win outright on the road tonight.

Mavericks vs Bucks same-game parlay

Along with taking the Mavs to win outright tonight, I’m also going to place a bet on the Over, as this number is just too low for two teams that play around league-average pace and have generally gone above tonight’s number.

I’m also taking Max Christie to hit his scoring total of 17.5 points, as he’s gone Over this total in four straight games, and should get even more usage if Flagg isn’t in the lineup.

Mavericks vs Bucks SGP

• Mavericks moneyline
• Over 218.5
• Max Christie Over 17.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Max effort

Christie has dished out at least two assists in 13 straight games, and has hit 3+ in two of his last four outings. 

Mavericks vs Bucks SGP

• Mavericks moneyline
• Over 218.5
• Max Christie Over 17.5 points
• Max Christie Over 2.5 assists

Mavericks vs Bucks odds

• Spread: Mavericks +2.5 | Bucks -2.5
• Moneyline: Mavericks +120 | Bucks -140
• Over/Under: Over 218.5 | Under 218.5

Mavericks vs Bucks betting trend to know

Dallas is 4-1 SU in its last five games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Mavericks vs. Bucks.

How to watch Mavericks vs Bucks

Mavericks vs Bucks latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

The suddenly mortal Oklahoma City Thunder haven’t looked like a juggernaut lately, and they’ll be shorthanded again tonight as they host the upstart Toronto Raptors.

After a 24-1 start, OKC is just 13-8 in its last 21 games. My Raptors vs. Thunder predictions expect the hosts to lean heavily on Chet Holmgren here in what should be a tighter battle than the line suggests.

Take a closer look at my NBA picks for this January 25 clash.

Raptors vs Thunder prediction

Raptors vs Thunder best bet: Chet Holmgren Over 28.5 points + rebounds (-112)

Last year, the Oklahoma City Thunder held the fort without Chet Holmgren, who only logged 32 games in an injury-hit regular season. This year, they’d be lost without him – and his role should only expand with OKC’s growing injury list. 

The hosts will be without Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein, Alex Caruso and Ajay Mitchell tonight against the Toronto Raptors. That’s a lot of firepower in street clothes, and Holmgren is the likeliest candidate to step up to relieve the burden on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Chet delivered a 25-point, 13-rebound effort on Friday against the Pacers, and this is the time for a serious uptick in his 11.5 FGA per game. We’ve seen that in two of his past three outings, and I’m banking on 15+ shots here.

January has been a strong month on the boards for Holmgren. He’s averaging 10 RPG, and that spells trouble for a Toronto team that’s missing Jakob Poeltl and possibly rookie Collin Murray-Boyles, too. Look for the visitors to lean into small-ball lineups, giving Chet a major edge on the glass.

While this O/U line is a little higher than Holmgren’s season averages, he’s walking into the type of volume that an All-Star candidate should thrive on.

Raptors vs Thunder same-game parlay

The Raptors have put together a 3-1 West Coast road trip so far, and they’ve posted a solid 15-9 mark on their travels this year. Meanwhile, the Thunder are 1-4 ATS in their last five home games, so I’m taking the points here with a double-digit spread, especially given OKC’s injury list.

Even so, it’s hard to see Toronto staying close without a top-tier effort from Scottie Barnes, so I’m adding his points prop Over for this SGP. He’s averaging 22.8 PPG across his past eight contests, despite some miserable 3-point shooting, and he went past this number in his last visit to OKC.

Raptors vs Thunder SGP

• Chet Holmgren Over 28.5 points + rebounds
• Raptors +11
• Scottie Barnes Over 18.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Cason keeps rolling along

Cason Wallace is going to see extra opportunities tonight, with the Thunder’s backcourt injuries, and he drilled three 3-pointers against the Pacers on Friday. He’s 11-for-22 from downtown across his last six games, and he’ll get open looks when SGA draws a crowd.

Raptors vs Thunder SGP

• Chet Holmgren Over 28.5 points + rebounds
• Raptors +11
• Scottie Barnes Over 18.5 points
• Cason Wallace Over 1.5 3-pointers

Raptors vs Thunder odds

• Spread: Raptors +11 | Thunder -11
• Moneyline: Raptors +390 | Thunder -510
• Over/Under: Over 224.5 | Under 224.5

Raptors vs Thunder betting trend to know

The Raptors are 6-3 ATS in their last nine contests. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Thunder.

How to watch Raptors vs Thunder

Raptors vs Thunder latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

The Detroit Pistons are back at it, trying to rebound from a disappointing loss to the Houston Rockets. The good news is, if you need a get-right game, you can’t do much better than face the Sacramento Kings. The Kings have lost four in a row, crashing back into reality after a fun little four-game winning streak. To win, however, Detroit is going to need to figure out its offense — particularly if Cade Cunningham remains significantly less than 100% and can’t be counted on for 30-ish points. Jalen Duren can still do his work inside, but the spacing is a huge issue, and the lack of a second creator is an uncomfortable reality while Jaden Ivey remains post-injury-Ivey and Caris LeVert remains … Caris LeVert. It’d be nice to see Javonte Green and Daniss Jenkins find a groove that leads to the confident, efficient outside shooting that the Pistons are capable of in spurts.

Game Vitals

When: 3 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -13.5

Projected Lineups

Detroit Pistons (32-11)

Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Sacramento Kings (12-34)

Russell Westbrook, Keon Ellis, DeMar DeRozan, Precious Achiuwa, Domantas Sabonis

Almost had it, but not quite. The Brooklyn Nets had the Boston Celtics on the ropes Friday night, but a late mistake proved costly as they ultimately fell short in double overtime. The L was the team’s fourth in a row.

The opponent tonight, amazingly, is back in the playoff chase. A couple months ago, the Los Angeles Clippers looked dead in the water and were dangerously close to landing near the top of the NBA Draft, which would wind up going to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Luckily for them, they’ve figured things out. They beat the LA Lakers on Thursday night and have won eight out of their last ten games.

Where to follow the game

YES Network on TV. Gotham Sports on streaming. WFAN on radio. Tip after 9:30 PM.

🤕

No Cam Thomas (left ankle sprain), Nolan Traore (illness), Haywood Highsmith (surgery recovery) or Noah Clowney (back soreness.) Ben Saraf is back with the big club

No Bradley Beal, Bogdan Bogdanovic, or Derrick Jones. Kawhi Leonard is questionable. Chris Paul remains in exile thanks to the Clippers front office.

The game

LA won the first meeting earlier this month.

As the Nets PR staff noted to ND, the trip west was eventful thanks to the weather in the Northeast…

Nets flight to LA was affected by weather. It got in to LA late last night. The charter was delayed 4 hours on the ground, then flight took over 7 hours to get to LA as plane needed to fly around some weather. Team arrived around 10 pm LA time, 1 am NY time. Game is 9 pm LA time.

— NetsDaily (@NetsDaily) January 25, 2026

But they are now safely ensconced in L.A. where it’s 62 degrees and partly sunny.

Nic Claxton and Day’ron Sharpe are going to be in for a fight on the inside tonight. Ivica Zubac is tied for fifth in the NBA in rebounding at a shade over 11 boards per game. He’s especially tough to deal with on the offensive glass as he captures almost four o-boards a night. To make things more challenging for the Brooklyn duo, Zu is tremendous at the rim. The big guy has shot 70 percent on shots inside of three feet for six consecutive seasons and has an especially soft touch on jump hooks and the like. With Clowney banged up, more will be on their plates tonight. Both of these teams have struggled on the glass this month. Brooklyn is 29th in rebounding in January while Los Angeles is 25th. Whoever wins the possession battle has a great chance of winning this game.

If the Nets want to keep up with the Clips, they’re going to need a huge night from Michael Porter Jr. MPJ struggled in the first matchup against Los Angeles, which was a game after he experienced an MCL sprain against the Orlando Magic. He’s toughing it out, but it has taken a bit of a toll on his performance. Either way, he’ll see if he can make something happen, especially if Leonard is limited tonight.

This Nets team has a great tendency to bounce back and fight harder after tough losses. It speaks to the buy in across the roster and with a team looking to find its future, something that’s a good value to possess. As Nic Claxton recently said:

“It’s so many games when you play an 82-game season. So, you really just can’t get too high, you can’t get too low. You get beat by 50, you got to be ready to respond. If you lose a tough game like this, you just kind of just got to be even-keeled through everything.”

Gotta keep picking yourself up every time you get knocked down.

Player to 👀: James Harden

Just when you think it’s over, Harden reminds you how special he is. This is year 17 for the future Hall of Famer and while he’s not at the gravity bending highs of his peak, is still incredibly good at what he does. The Beard is still a great finisher at the rim, a foul drawing magnet, and has gotten his turnover rate considerably down even as he’s taken on more offensive responsibilities. Harden still has his flaws of course, but the good he does outweighs it. As the Clippers hope to go on a miracle run this postseason, they’re going to need their lead guard to play at a superstar level if they want to beat the bevy of title contenders in the Western Conference.

With no Traore, Egor Dёmin and Drake Powell will get more minutes at the guard position. Dёmin hasn’t crossed the 25 minutes played plateau in each of his past four games, but that should change tonight with Traore and Cam Thomas out. This is the start of a five game road trip that will take the Nets across the country. We’re deep in the dog days of the NBA season as everyone’s waiting for the trade deadline to pass and then the All Star break so they can get some much needed rest. For rookies trying to find their footing, it’s especially tough as the grind of the NBA season is starting to wear on them a bit. A good outing from the kids tonight would give them a nice boost as they face some tough competition ahead.

From the 📺

It’s Conference Championship Sunday in the NFL, and the Seattle Seahawks are looking to reach their first Super Bowl in over a decade. We can’t watch it here because the NFL doesn’t do YouTube embeds, so watch it here. While you do that, special shouts to Alicia Keys

More reading: Clipperholics, SB Nation NBA, New York Post, New York Daily News, Clutch Points, Nets Wire, Steve’s Newsletter, City of Nets

• Brooklyn Nets Game Notes – Brooklyn Nets
• Los Angeles Clippers Game Notes – Los Angeles Clippers
• Brooklyn faces Los Angeles on 6-game road skid – AP
• Nets’ Nolan Traore set to miss Clippers game with illness after coming off best game of season – Dan Martin — New York Post

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The NBA postponed two games on Sunday in Memphis and Milwaukee because of the massive winter storm that has made for dangerous travel conditions across much of the U.S.

The Dallas Mavericks tried twice to fly to Milwaukee for their game against the Bucks on Sunday night, but conditions didn't allow it. A decision to postpone was announced a few hours before tipoff. Earlier Sunday, a game between the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies was postponed about three hours before tipoff.

Reschedule dates were not announced.

The Memphis area was experiencing a mixture of snow, sleet and freezing rain that began falling early Saturday morning and continued Sunday morning. South and east of Memphis, freezing rain has collected on power lines and trees, causing widespread outages and blocked roads. Authorities had recommended people stay off the streets as the wintry mix and frigid temperatures caused a refreeze.

The Nuggets said they planned to fly out at some point on Sunday, depending on the conditions at Memphis International Airport. They are scheduled to play at home Tuesday against the Detroit Pistons.

The Grizzlies are scheduled to play the Rockets in Houston on Monday.

An NBA G League game scheduled for Monday between the Memphis Hustle and Stockton Kings in Southaven, Mississippi, was postponed and rescheduled for Feb. 19.

At least two college women's basketball games were postponed: No. 17 Tennessee’s visit to No. 18 Mississippi on Monday and Tulane's visit to Memphis on Tuesday. Reschedule dates were not announced.

In men's basketball, a game featuring Tennessee at No. 21 Georgia was pushed back a day from Tuesday to Wednesday. Purdue Fort Wayne and IU Indianapolis, and Southern Illinois and Evansville had Sunday games postponed without make-up dates announced.

The schedule changes come after dozens of games were moved around earlier in the week in anticipation of the storm.

Separately, on Saturday, the NBA postponed a game between the Warriors and Timberwolves to “prioritize the safety and security of the Minneapolis community” after the fatal shooting of a man by a federal officer in a commercial district less than two miles from where the Timberwolves play.

___

AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — Celtic missed its chance to close the gap on Heart of Midlothian on Sunday after conceding late to draw 2-2 with the Scottish Premiership leader.

Claudio Braga's 87th-minute goal at Tynecastle Park leveled the game and kept first-place Hearts six points clear of the defending champion.

But the draw saw Rangers move up to second and within four points of Hearts with a 3-0 win against Dundee.

Hearts is the surprise leader in Scotland in a league that has long been dominated by Celtic and Rangers.

Celtic has lost two managers already this term — following the departure of Brendan Rodgers and the dismissal of Wilfried Nancy — and is being led by club icon Martin O'Neill on an interim basis for the second time this season.

Yet it remains in contention at the top and looked to pick up a vital win at Hearts when Yang Hyun-jun opened up a 2-1 lead in the 62nd.

But the visitors went down to 10 men when Auston Trusty was sent off 15 minutes later.

Hearts eventually made the numerical advantage count with Braga's equalizer.

Celtic had taken an early lead through Benjamin Nygren, but Stuart Findlay made it 1-1 just after halftime.

James Tavernier, Danilo and Djeidi Gassama struck in Rangers' win against Dundee at Ibrox, with two of those goals coming in time added on.

___

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

The dozens of men’s college basketball games that took place on Saturday, Jan. 24 were defined by a slew of eyebrow-raising efforts from what’s being hailed as the best freshman class in years.

Illinois’ Keaton Wagler scored 46 points – more than double his previous career high – in an upset win at No. 4 Purdue, projected No. 1 overall NBA draft pick AJ Dybantsa poured in a career-high 43 points in BYU’s victory over rival Utah and even in a losing effort, Houston’s Kingston Flemings had 42 points in a loss at No. 12 Texas Tech. According to ESPN research, it marked the first time in at least 20 years that multiple freshmen scored 40 or more points in a single day.

One of the more notable performances of the day came from someone who was playing in the G League a week ago.

REQUIRED READING: 'Utterly ridiculous.' Tom Izzo takes aim at Alabama over Charles Bediako case

In his first college game since 2023, Alabama’s Charles Bediako had 13 points, three rebounds, two blocks and two steals in 25 minutes in a 79-73 loss to Tennessee.

Bediako’s return had been one of the most controversial and breathlessly discussed subjects in the sport for much of the week. After playing two seasons for Alabama, from 2021-23, the seven-foot center declared for the NBA draft and played the next three seasons in the G League, most recently for the Motor City Cruise. Though Bediako has been playing professional basketball for the past three years, he has never played in an NBA game.

On Tuesday, Jan. 21, he filed a request to Tuscaloosa County (Alabama) Circuit Court for a temporary restraining order and/or preliminary injunction, with a Judge James Roberts Jr. granting a temporary restraining order the following day that made Bediako immediately eligible to suit up for coach Nate Oats and the No. 17 Crimson Tide.

Under the terms of the restraining order, Bediako is eligible until his next injunction hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 27, which means the Tennessee loss could end up being the only game he plays.

"Right now I'm just focused on the team," Bediako said after the game. "Obviously, I'm just going to take what happened today, just continue to do the film, and right now our main focus is on this next game (against Missouri)."

Bediako made five of his six field-goal attempts in the loss to the Volunteers.

He was much more productive than many other former G League players who have joined college basketball teams for this season. Thierry Darlan is averaging just 6.5 points per game for Santa Clara, big man Abdullah Ahmed is averaging only 2.8 points in 14.8 minutes per game for No. 13 BYU, and London Johnson has yet to play in a game for No. 21 Louisville. James Nnaji, a seven-foot center who was selected in the 2023 NBA Draft and has played professionally in Europe, has only 10 points in six games for Baylor.

The trend of former professional players joining the college ranks has earned ire from across the sport and from the NCAA itself, which voiced its disapproval with the judge’s ruling on Bediako.

"These attempts to sidestep NCAA rules and recruit individuals who have finished their time in college or signed NBA contracts are taking away opportunities from high school students," the NCAA said in a statement on Wednesday. "A judge ordering the NCAA let a former NBA player take the court Saturday against actual college student-athletes is exactly why Congress must step in and empower college sports to enforce our eligibility rules."

REQUIRED READING: Minnesota's Niko Medved speaks after Minneapolis shooting: 'All of it's heartbreaking'

How old is Charles Bediako?

Born on March 10, 2002, Bediako is 23 years old.

Charles Bediako stats

Since leaving Alabama, Bediako appeared in 82 G League games across three seasons with the Austin Spurs, Grand Rapids Gold and Motor City Cruise.

Here’s a look at his stats from his professional career:

• 2023-24 (Austin): 5.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 0.5 blocks in 14.6 minutes per game
• 2024-25 (Grand Rapids): 9.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 24.5 minutes per game
• 2025-26 (Motor City): 4.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in 15.1 minutes per game

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Charles Bediako scores 13 for Alabama in first game after G League

(All times Central)
Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts
Monday, January 26
COLLEGE BASKETBALL (MEN'S)
7 p.m.

Penn State at Ohio State — FS1, Fox Sports App, Fubo Sports

NBA BASKETBALL
7 p.m.

Philadelphia at Charlotte — FDSN SE Charlotte, NBCS Philadelphia +, NBA League Pass

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV.

GUWAHATI, India (AP) — Opener Abhishek Sharma hit a whirlwind 68 not out off 20 balls as India beat New Zealand with ease, winning the third Twenty20 match by eight wickets on Sunday with 10 overs to spare.

India took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Sharma reached his 50 off only 14 deliveries, including four sixes, and put on 102 off 40 balls with skipper Suryakumar Yadav (57 not out off 26) as India reached 155-2 in 10 overs in reply to New Zealand's 153-9 in 20 overs.

Sharma's innings was India’s second fastest fifty in men's T20s.

“This is what my team wants from me – I want to execute it all the time,” Sharma said. “It is not easy to do it, but I keep trying.”

Jasprit Bumrah returned for India and took 3-17 in four overs as New Zealand was restricted to a sub-par score.

Glenn Phillips top-scored for the Black Caps with 48 off 40 and Mark Chapman was out for 32.

India won the first T20 in Nagpur by 48 runs, and the second T20 in Raipur by seven wickets.

The fourth T20 is at Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.

India's chase

Chasing 154, India started badly by losing Sanju Samson for a golden duck to Matt Henry.

But Sharma hit five sixes and seven fours overall to put New Zealand’s bowling to the sword.

Ishan Kishan hit 28 off 13 deliveries as the pair added 53 off only 19 balls for the second wicket. Kishan then holed out off Ish Sodhi, yet it didn’t end New Zealand’s misery.

India set a hectic pace scoring 100 in only 6.3 overs. Yadav got his second consecutive half-century – off 25 balls. He finished with three sixes and six fours overall.

New Zealand struggles

New Zealand was put into bat but failed to make a good start. Bumrah bowled Tim Seifert for 12 after Harshit Rana dismissed Devon Conway for one.

Hardik Pandya (2-23) made it 34-3 in 5.1 overs with Rachin Ravindra's dismissal for four.

New Zealand never really recovered from those early blows despite a 52-run partnership between Phillips and Chapman, who both fell to wrist spinner Ravi Bishnoi (2-18).

Bumrah then returned for another spell and got two more wickets.

___

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

Alright, I have settled down. The initial shock has passed. The wave hit, it knocked me over, and now I am back on my feet, looking around and taking inventory.

Jalen Green goes down. Devin Booker follows. In real time, that kind of night does not invite patience or perspective. It invites panic. It invites spirals. It invites every scar this fan base carries to start itching again. And yes, I reacted as it was happening. Loudly. Honestly. Without a filter. Thank you for letting me do that in real time.

But here is the pivot.

Once the noise fades, once the adrenaline drains out, you are left with the same choice you always are. You can stay in doom mode, or you can look ahead. I am choosing the latter, not because it is easy, but because it is necessary. “Get busy living or get busy dying. That’s goddamn right.”

Injuries have a way of dragging Suns fans straight to the worst possible conclusion. History does that to you. Experience does that to you. This is a fan base conditioned to brace for impact. So if my first reaction leaned dark, understand where it came from.

I am a Suns fan. Of course it did.

Looking forward starts tonight against the Miami Heat, and at least now we know what the injury report says. Devin Booker is out with an ankle injury. Jalen Green is listed as questionable with the hamstring. All things considered, that is actually encouraging.

Personally, I do not think either one plays.

This feels like the organization shifting into protection mode. Less short-term urgency, more long view. Protect the bodies. Preserve the runway. This is about health, not pride. That is where they are right now.

We are at the halfway point of the season. There are still 37 games left on the schedule. 17 days from now, the All-Star break arrives. Between now and then, the Suns play 10 games. Nine of them are at home.

If you want to map out an ideal window for two players carrying a combined $88.7 million cap hit to miss time, this is about as clean as it gets. They can stay around the team. They can rehab without constant travel. They effectively get an extra eight days folded into the recovery process because of the break.

None of this will be easy. The competition is real. The combined winning percentage of the upcoming opponents sits at .539. That is the stretch. That is the test.

The Suns have 10 games remaining before the All-Star break. Their opponents’ combined winning percentage sits at .539.

— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) January 25, 2026

We will wait for more reporting to come out, but the hope is that Jalen Green is not nearly as injured as the fear suggests. That is the optimism baked into the questionable tag.

He pulled up lame because he felt something tweak, not because something exploded. It did not look violent. It did not look aggressive. It was nothing like November against the Clippers, when he was clutching his hamstring in obvious pain. This looked different. This looked like awareness. He felt something was off, recognized it immediately, and removed himself from the situation.

Now, full disclosure. This is speculation. I am not a doctor. I am not in the locker room. I do not have access to imaging or medical notes. I am reacting to what my eyes tell me, same as everyone reading this, same as the folks who will weigh in below. That context matters.

If this turns into only a couple of missed games, it could actually work in the Suns’ favor.

Because in a strange way, this becomes a handoff moment. Almost like Devin Booker tapped Jalen Green on the shoulder and said, “Your turn”. This is Green’s chance to live inside these lineups, to feel the speed of the game with this group, to learn how these possessions breathe without Booker on the floor. It is reps. It is information. It is clarity.

For the coaching staff, it becomes a live experiment. You get to see how Green operates with teammates not named Devin Booker. You get to see how the spacing holds. How the actions flow. How well everyone meshes. How cleanly the schemes execute when the hierarchy shifts.

Those answers carry weight. Not only now, but later. Down the road. In the postseason, when options matter and familiarity becomes currency.

On the Booker side of things, that one looked rough. No medical degree here, but it immediately registered as something that could linger. All of his weight came down on it, and in real time it looked like a high ankle sprain at minimum.

nasty looking ankle injury for Devin Booker, who had been on fire for the Suns with 31 points in the first 3 quarters 😬 pic.twitter.com/VXpgErMBN3

— outbreezy (@outbreezyWC) January 24, 2026

Context matters too. He had already tweaked that ankle earlier in the road trip against the Heat, which turns this into an insult on top of injury situation. Stack enough stress on the same joint, and eventually it gives you a reminder. That is what this felt like.

It would not be surprising if we do not see Devin Booker again until after the All-Star break. We still need the medical report. We still need clarity on the severity.

As frustrating as it is, this is also one of those injuries that forces rest in the middle of the year. It creates space to heal. It creates time to get right. And with the break looming, the timing is not catastrophic. If there was ever a window to absorb something like this and still keep the bigger picture intact, this is it.

Both of those injuries were brutally unfortunate, no question. But if you zoom out and look at the reality of how the NBA operates right now, this is the landscape. Every team is dealing with it. Night after night. The Suns are not some isolated case.

Jalen Green has missed 41 games this season. That means this team has been fully intact for two games out of 45. Two. That is the context we are living in.

According to Spotrac, the Suns have lost 100 combined games to injury so far, translating to $23.1 million in cash value tied up in missed time. 100 games sounds massive until you stack it against the rest of the league. That number is tied for the sixth-fewest in the NBA. Portland leads the league at 259 games lost.

This is not unique to Phoenix. You see it every night. Ja Morant hits the injury report. Giannis Antetokounmpo hits the injury report. Anthony Davis is out for an extended stretch. At this point, I honestly do not know how the league will hand out end-of-season awards when the threshold is 65 games played. Nobody gets there anymore. The pace is relentless. The wear accumulates. Bodies break down.

Collin Gillespie gonna win MVP this season https://t.co/JOVdz1Pv4h

— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) January 24, 2026

The Suns are dealing with injuries. So is everyone else. This is the modern NBA. And while it never feels good when it hits your team, it is not happening in a vacuum.

As it applies to the Suns, this is the same stretch every team eventually has to survive. This is the part of the season where theory turns into proof. Where availability thins out and the ideas either hold or they do not.

This becomes the real test for Jordan Ott. Not when everything is clean and the roster is whole, but when talent is stripped away and the structure has to carry the weight. The question is simple: How replicable are his schemes when the names change?

If this team has shown anything, it is that the identity does not live in star power. It lives in effort. In competitiveness. In connectivity. In communication. Those things travel. Those things do not get ruled out on an injury report. This group has that in spades.

Now it is time to show the rest of the league that even without Devin Booker, or without Jalen Green, this is still a problem on any given night.

And for the love of basketball sanity, let us not turn that into 23 shot attempts from Dillon Brooks every game. We need him doing what he does best. Setting the tone. Being the enforcer. Making life miserable for the other team. Not trying to moonlight as the primary shot creator.

Looking forward begins now, not because this is comfortable or clean, but because this team has built an identity sturdy enough to stand upright when the ground starts shaking.