Feb 11, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) drives to the net against Los Angeles Clippers center Brook Lopez (11) in the second half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images | Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Kawhi Leonard had 8 points going into the fourth quarter and the Los Angeles Clippers only trailed the Houston Rockets by six. Why were the Rockets only up by six when the Clippers best player had been put in check for three quarters? In large part it was the fact that going into the fourth quarter the Rockets had already committed 15 turnovers and had zero fast break points.
The Rockets would go on to finish the game with 21 turnovers that lead to 23 Clippers points. The Clippers also had 22 points in transition to the Rockets 2 fast break points. Oh, by the way, Kawhi Leonard finished the game with 27 points on 9-of-20 shooting, 19 of those points coming in the fourth. Though the Rockets led at one point by 15 points, their sloppy play allowed the Clippers to hang around while Kawhi was not playing well.
The Rockets flipped the script from the previous game against the Clippers just the night before. In that game they struggled early and picked it up in the second half. On Wednesday, the Rockets looked fantastic in the first half. Ball movement was crisp, they were making the extra pass, giving up the good shots for great ones, and pounding the Clippers on the boards. It was the typical formula the Rockets depend on when they are playing well and winning. Then in the third quarter the formula that comes back to bite them kicked in and it cost them.
The Rockets only scored 46 points in the second half, while giving up 59 to the Clips. Kevin Durant struggled for much of the game as the Los Angeles stayed crowded around them both. Early on it looked as if Reed Sheppard would be that spark off the bench that would push the Rockets over the top. However, after scoring 14 points in the first half, Sheppard finished the game with 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting in 25 minutes on the floor. Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun finished with 21 points and 16 points respectively.
Jabari Smith had a strong stat line with 16 points and 12 rebounds on 6-of-12 shooting, but he missed two critical shots in the fourth quarter, one of them a wide open three-pointer from the corner in front of his own bench. Amen Thompson played 40 minutes and scored 12 points on eight shots and added 6 rebounds and 5 assists.
It was ultimately, once again, the Rockets inability to handle full or half court pressure and get into their offensive sets that cost them. Too many turnovers leading to too many points in the opposite direction and not enough opportunities to score themselves down the stretch, giving up 6 of their 21 turnovers in the fourth quarter. There is no doubt that until the Rockets figure this part out, their lack of movement before the trade deadline to add a veteran ball-handler will loom large.
All things being said, the Houston Rockets will head into the All-Star break with the fourth best record in the Western Conference. They boast two of the top 25 players in the league, and they do have a young core that is still developing and still learning how to play together and how to play with one of the greatest scorers of all-time in Kevin Durant.
I know that Rockets fans want more from this team. In fact, many of us expect more. Putting things in perspective though, the Rockets are in a good place and can still continue to improve and control their own destiny. Hopefully, this all-star break will give everyone time to step back, look at the big picture and realize that we are truly fortunate to not only have NBA basketball in H-Town but to have a team that is relevant and that garners our high- expectations. Enjoy the break TDS faithful! Let’s cheer hard for Reed in the Rising Stars game, and cheer for Alpi and KD in the all-star game. Let’s get everyone back healthy and get things in gear for a strong second half.
Cooper Flagg has suffered a left mid-foot sprain and will not face off against the Lakers on Thursday night (in a game Luka Doncic also will miss due to a hamstring injury), and is out of the All-Star Friday night Rising Stars game as well, the team announced.
The Mavericks announced today that forward/guard Cooper Flagg underwent an MRI that revealed a left midfoot sprain.
The injury occurred in Dallas’ game at PHX on Tuesday. Flagg will miss the team’s game at LAL on Thursday as well as the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars game on Friday.
Flagg is expected to return just after the All-Star break.
Flagg has lived up to the hype as the No. 1 pick of the Mavericks, averaging 20.4 points,6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists a game this season while playing good defense for a rookie. He is the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year and was Carmelo Anthony's No. 1 pick for Team Carmelo in the Rising Stars game on Friday night of All-Star Weekend (the NBA league office will choose his replacement).
STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Ja’Kobi Gillespie scored 18 points, and Tennessee used a second-half rally to beat Mississippi State 73-64 on Wednesday.
Tennessee (17-7, 7-4 SEC) led 39-28 at halftime, overcoming a fast start from Josh Hubbard, who scored 14 of Mississippi State’s first 16 points and finished with 20 in the opening half. Hubbard also tied the program record for career 3-pointers during the game. Gillespie opened the second half with seven straight points as the Volunteers extended the margin to 46-30.
Mississippi State (11-13, 3-8) used an 18-0 run early in the second half to close the gap, but Tennessee answered immediately. Gillespie hit a 3-pointer, Nate Ament scored inside and J.P. Estrella added two free throws to stretch the margin once again. The Bulldogs never got closer than seven the rest of the way.
Ament scored 16 points on 5 of 12 shooting and added five assists for Tennessee. Estrella finished with 12 points and seven rebounds. Gillespie also recorded four assists and five rebounds. The Volunteers shot 44% and held a 45-31 rebounding advantage.
Hubbard scored 31 points for Mississippi State, going 13 of 24 from the field and 4 of 9 from 3-point distance. The Bulldogs shot 41% and went 7 of 13 at the line.
Up next
Tennessee hosts LSU on Saturday.
Mississippi State travels to Ole Miss on Saturday.
PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 11: Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 11, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Phoenix Suns had a very tough time tonight. It was all Thunder from the jump. The Suns were outplayed in every phase of the game, and that was that. OKC led by as many as 37.
They are 32-23 heading into the All-Star Break, and they enter having lost 3 of their last 4 games. Not ideal, but at least they will more than likely have Devin Booker and Jalen Green back.
Dillon Brooks will be suspended for their first game back from the break against the Spurs, unless it is rescinded. Here is the path ahead for him:
Game Flow
First Half
Royce O’Neale kicked off the night with a splash from deep on the opening possession of the game. It was a fast-paced game early on, with the teams trading buckets and pushing in transition.
Suns wing Dillon Brooks was not shy, which was expected in a game without Booker, Green, and Allen.
The teams were tied at 12 apiece through the opening 3:20 of the game. OKC then went on a push propelled by their bench to push them to a 23-16 lead with 5 minutes left in the first.
Jordan Ott called for a timeout with 3:26 remaining in the quarter after the Thunder pulled ahead by eight, 28-20. The three-ball was not falling, and OKC was getting buckets with ease off the drive, extending their lead to 12.
Mark Williams and Royce O’Neale led the Suns with 6 points each after the opening quarter. Phoenix trailed 37-25. The Thunder were paced by 9 early points from Luguentz Dort.
The second quarter started with more of the same, with the Thunder pushing their lead up to 18, 52-34. The shots weren’t falling for Phoenix, and Oklahoma City made them pay early and often.
Kenrich Williams lost the ball out of bounds, and it was clearly off him, only for the official to miss the call and give it to the Thunder. He then, of course, drilled a three as the shot clock expired.
Then Dillon Brooks let the refs know about it, picking up that magical 16th technical foul of the season.
The refs missed a call that led to an OKC three-pointer, then the next possession, Dillon Brooks picked up his 16th technical foul of the season.
He will be suspended for the first game after the ASB against the Spurs.
Things started to snowball, with the Thunder hitting the bonus halfway through the 2nd quarter, and drilling three after three from deep. It was all Thunder in the second quarter; they led 75-52 entering the break. Their bench poured in 41 points, opposed to Phoenix’s 12 bench points in the opening 24 minutes.
There wasn’t much to write home about in the first half.
Second Half
Dillon Brooks scored five points in the first 2 minutes to spark a little bit of life into what looked like a lifeless team heading into halftime.
As the Thunder tend to do, they matched every punch thrown their way by the Suns and kept their lead intact. They went on an 11-0 run to push their lead out to 92-60.
Jalen Williams was absolutely torching them in every way possible in his return home. He was 11 for 11 with 26 points in 19 minutes with 4:30 left in the third. The Suns had no answer for him…. or anyone else for that matter.
I’ll spare you the full breakdown and recap it like this: The Thunders didn’t miss very often, and their bench played like the ’93 Chicago Bulls.
Garbage time unleashed some rookie minutes for Rasheer Fleming, Khaman Maluach, and even Koby Brea. The 4th quarter was slightly less brutal and somewhat enjoyable at times for the sickos that stuck around.
Koby Brea made some threes. Woo!
Couple of Koby Brea three's, Khaman Maluach stops on the switch + a dunk, Rasheer Fleming knocking down a corner 3.
The All-Star Break! It’s much needed. We get to see Devin Booker in the 3PT contest and ASG, and Mat Ishbia in the Celebrity Game. Plus, the rest of the squad gets to regroup for a playoff push.
DENVER, COLORADO - FEBRUARY 9: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots a free throw during the third quarter of the game against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on February 9, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Swann/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images) | Getty Images
CLEVELAND — Things couldn’t be going better for the Cleveland Cavaliers after acquiring James Harden at the trade deadline from the Los Angeles Clippers. Harden has fit in seamlessly with what the team is trying to do. As a result, the Cavs’ offense has looked exceptional, they’ve rattled off three straight wins, and have a good chance at taking a wide-open Eastern Conference.
Harden could be the missing piece to a championship-caliber team.
At the same time, Harden has become the ultimate basketball mercenary. He’s one of the very best players of his generation, but is on the sixth team of his career and his fourth team since 2022.
Harden is hardly the only one who fits into this category. Kevin Durant, his former teammate with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Brooklyn Nets, is on his third team in four years.
Moving teams this often isn’t the exception. It’s become the norm, even for phenomenal players who are still playing at an exceptionally high level.
According to Harden, this is just the result of the NBA being a business.
“It’s basketball, the whole quote on quote loyalty thing is, I think it’s overrated,” Harden said before going exactly into what has led to this kind of environment.
“I think this is a business at the end of the day, and it’s a lot of money involved and a lot of decisions that have to be made. If a player isn’t producing, or if you don’t see him in your future, you know, if the front office, some of them have to do a job and want to keep their job. So they feel like they got to do what’s best keep their job, and they trade players.
“Or if a guy isn’t happy and he wants to be traded to somewhere else, then it’s a problem. It’s just so many different dynamics that go into it. It’s just a business at the end of the day. Not even just the NBA, but people that have normal jobs, have those same problems. It’s just not magnified.
For me, it’s always about, like, I don’t lose focus on trying to compete for a championship. And then financially, making sure that my family is taken care of, you know what I mean? Because I’m very smart, and I’ve sacrificed a lot financially, which I don’t get credit for that, that don’t get talked about, but I’m fulfilled, and I’m happy with it.
“But like, winning a championship, or at least having a chance to. And then financially getting paid, me being available and playing at the highest level for so long.”
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It’s hard to argue with a lot of what Harden said. And, he’s seen both aspects of this dynamic better than most. He was traded away from Oklahoma City in his third season — from what could’ve been one of the greatest collections of talent ever assembled — before that group came close to reaching their potential. That perspective probably lends to Harden’s jaded view.
At the same time, it’s understandable that fans wouldn’t like an environment where they don’t know if their star player is going to stay with their favorite team for more than a few seasons.
“It’s a different age, I guess that’s it,” Donovan Mitchell said when asked the same question. “That’s just what it is, right? You adapt. I don’t know where it started. You adapt and figure things out. … I’m not mad. It’s one of those things where you adapt, and you try to go out there and do what you got to do.”
This is what the NBA is, and likely what it will be. The combination of the salary cap restrictions and player empowerment has created this environment. And it isn’t changing anytime soon.
“This is a business at the end of the day,” Harden said, “so I feel like players should ultimately do what’s best for them, and [the] front office does what’s best for them and their owner and their organization.
The injury is expected to keep him out of action for the rest of the week, including the Mavericks' game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, Feb. 12.
Flagg had averaged 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 49 games played this season. He's considered the favorite for the NBA's Rookie of the Year based on odds at BetMGM.
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 28: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball during the game against the Dallas Mavericks during the 2025-26 NBA Emirates Cup on November 28, 2025 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Nick Tomoyasu/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Lakers (32-21) will take on the Mavericks (19-34) in their last game before the All-Star break. A victory would not only put them back in the win column after a brutal back-to-back against the Thunder and Spurs, but it’d ensure they win the season series against Luka Dončić‘s former team.
If LA is going to beat Dallas on Thursday night, it’ll be without Luka. He will be missing his fourth game due to his left hamstring strain.
Even with their superstar out, the Lakers still have some offensive firepower. LeBron James and Austin Reaves are back in action and provide the team with two elite ball handlers to run the offense.
With the arrival of Luke Kennard, the Lakers have an additional 3-point threat they can use to try to stymie Dallas’ defense. Scoring on the Mavericks won’t be easy though, they rank 12th in defense.
On the plus side, the Mavs struggle to put the ball in the hoop. They have an offensive rating of 110.3, which is the fourth-worst in the league.
If Lakers fans are worried about Cooper Flagg going off in this game, he won’t be doing that since he’s been ruled out for this matchup. So, the Mavericks will need someone else to have a monster game if they are going to pull off the road win.
On paper, this should be an easy game for the Lakers. The Mavericks are shorthanded, the Lakers are at home and healthy enough to overwhelm Dallas.
Still, expectations are one thing, but execution is another. The 2025-26 Lakers aren’t known for racking up blowout wins even against weaker opponents.
LeBron has called out his team for being unable to play a complete game, and while the Mavs aren’t exactly an elite squad, it’d be ideal if LA could demonstrate that they can dominate a contest from start to finish by doing so on Thursday night.
Notes and Updates
As for the injury report, the Lakers have Deandre Ayton (right knee soreness) listed as questionable.
Luka (left hamstring strain) is ruled out.
For the Mavericks, Naji Marshall (left foot strain) and Caleb Martin (left ankle sprain) are listed as questionable.
Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery), Cooper Flagg (midfoot sprain) and Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery) are all out.
2025-26 Sixers Bell Ringer standings: Tyrese Maxey – 19 Joel Embiid – 9 VJ Edgecombe – 7 Paul George – 6 Dominick Barlow – 2 Andre Drummond – 2 Jared McCain :’( – 2 MarJon Beauchamp – 1 Adem Bona – 1 Justin Edwards – 1 Quentin Grimes – 1 Kelly Oubre Jr. – 1 Trendon Watford – 1 15th roster spot – 1
Well, that was technically a basketball game.
The Philadelphia 76ers seem to have started their All-Star break early, falling 138-89 to the New York Knicks on Wednesday night.
The Sixers had finally returned home from their West Coast trip for Wednesday’s contest. Though, it sounded like another away game, with a loud crowd seemingly more in favor of the Knicks than the Sixers.
With Joel Embiid (right knee injury management), Paul George (suspension) and Quentin Grimes (illness) all sidelined, expectations that Philadelphia would be able to keep up with the Knicks were low. Apparently, they weren’t low enough. This was an absolute mess for the Sixers from the start, with their offense cold at best and their defense completely nonexistent.
Truly, the Sixers made the Knicks look like the Harlem Globetrotters dancing all over the Washington Generals in this one. By halftime, Philadelphia was already down 30 points. They managed just 42 by the break. It was somehow even worse than it sounds, genuinely. The embarrassment dragged throughout the second half and the Sixers ultimately fell 138-89.
Thankfully, there’s not another Sixers game for just over a week, with the team heading into the All-Star break that will give them off until Feb. 19.
In the meantime, let’s get to the Bell Ringer.
Joel Embiid
<p>(Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)</p><br> | Getty Images
I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking “but Erin, you just said Embiid didn’t play in this game” and you’d be right. He didn’t. And my goodness, how evident it was. It absolutely baffles me when anyone — from media members to fans to just people online — acts like Embiid isn’t completely crucial to the success of this team. I would point them in the direction of this game and the game on Monday. Yes, they were also missing Paul George (suspension) and Quentin Grimes (illness) making them shorthanded all the way around, but the gaps those guys leave are a bit easier to fill.
On Wednesday night, the Sixers simply could not put up any sort of defense in the paint or at the rim on the Knicks. Seemingly no one could even slow down Karl-Anthony Towns. Embiid might not be as explosive as he once was, but he still contributes a hell of a lot in this department.
That’s not even to mention the offensive scoring, spacing, playmaking and more that Embiid has been able to contribute on a consistent basis over the last month and a half for the Sixers. It’s not a coincidence that, not only do they miss out on his points, but the rest of the Sixers’ offense struggles as a whole when Embiid is off the floor.
I’m not saying it should be all on Embiid to keep an entire team from completely imploding… but it certainly seems like he’s a major factor in it. The Sixers better hope for their sake he doesn’t need to miss any sort of extended time, because the past two games make it seem like he’s the only thread holding the damn thing together at this point.
The All-Star break
I think everyone — from the team to the fans — are ready for a bit of a break. With Embiid continuing treatment for his right knee, an illness going around the squad, everyone still bouncing back from their West Coast trip and the passing of the trade deadline, this All-Star hiatus is coming at the perfect time.
The best case scenario for this next week is to serve as a reset for the Sixers. Get everyone rested up and as healthy as possible, hopefully getting Embiid back in the lineup right away. Try to mentally flush both the drama of the trade deadline as well as the sour taste of these last few games. Work out the situations with the two-way contracts and 10-day guys to get some stability in the roster and rotation. Something has to give.
Well, we’ll see what happens and where we are in eight days.
<p>(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)</p><br> | Getty Images
OK, I’ll give credit to one guy that actually played in this game: Tyrese Maxey. It’s wild that the guy averaging damn near 40 minutes a night, who probably needs a break more than anyone, was the only one able to do much of anything on Wednesday night. By the end of the third period, Maxey had scored 32 of the Sixers’ 71 total points. You have to give him credit: even down an insane amount of points, if he’s on the floor, he’s giving it his all. For better or worse. He still is looking for the open shots from long range, he still is going to use his speed and athleticism to drive to the rim, and he’s still going to finish directly into contact, no matter how physical it gets.
Unfortunately, he didn’t get much help tonight. Only Dominick Barlow (13 points) and VJ Edgecombe (14) also managed to score in double digits for the Sixers.
Now, did Maxey necessarily need to even play 32 minutes (including the entire third) in this game that seemed pretty out of reach earlier on? Well, that’s up for debate… At least Nick Nurse let him sit for the fourth!
Beautiful move and finish from Tyrese Maxey here.
(Yes, Admin knows the score. Just posting any plays that bring me even the slightest speck of joy at this point.) pic.twitter.com/KPkc0H4pVr
TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 11: Brandon Ingram #3 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during the game against the Detroit Pistons on February 11, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
In one last game before the All-Star Break, the Toronto Raptors welcomed the Detroit Pistons for the first game between these two teams this season. The Pistons are the top team in the East this season, their team-building efforts from the past few seasons coming to fruition.
While fans were disappointed to see the Raptors lose, it proved a thesis that has rung true all season long: The Raptors’ hot start set unrealistic expectations for the ceiling of this current team.
Here’s the thing — they are one season removed from being a tank machine. They make some good moves (ie, getting Brandon Ingram), Scottie Barnes is playing like an All-Star and a potential All-Defence kind of guy, and those are nice improvements from last year. Yet, the idea that they were going to even contend in the Eastern Conference was way too premature for this iteration of the team. That’s before you think about Jakob Poeltl missing a bunch of time, and some unexpected turns in the road as well.
They go on a HOT win streak at the beginning of the season, which is great for vibes. Yet, that set a standard that this current roster just isn’t equipped to maintain. We can acknowledge there have been some exciting improvements this season, while still admitting there is work to be done before this team will have some serious motion in the playoffs.
So, when the No. 1-seed Detroit Pistons come to town and deliver a 113-95 loss to the Raptors, why freak out? Why catastrophize? Why sit there and lament about what they should or shouldn’t have done at the deadline when none of the available moves would have changed much about the situation?
There is way more things to be happy about this season without freaking out over every loss. For the first time since 2020, the Raptors have two players heading to the All-Star Game. Their coaching staff was selected to lead one of the All-Star teams. They have multiple players in the Rising Stars game as well. Not saying the All-Star Game is the be-all and end-all of the year — but the representation is exciting and shows improvement from this team. It shows the league is noticing them and their improvements as well.
This wasn’t meant to be a championship year. It wasn’t meant to be a Conference Finals year. The Raptors are actually fairly on schedule rebuild-wise, and this one loss against the Pistons isn’t reason to go on a dramatic spiral about it all. Unless that brings you joy??
Instead of wasting more energy on a bad loss, I will instead be heading into my All-Star Break ready to rewatch Piper and Paul’s bronze medal Ice Dance program 100 times, go into a Biathlon-lore rabbit hole, and watch some Skeleton. Enjoy your All-Star Break, friends.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Julius Randle had 41 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat Portland 133-109 von Wednesday night to end the Trail Blazers;' winning streak at three.
Randall, who also had seven rebounds, capped his night with a windmill dunk that put the crowd at the Target Center on its feet. Jaden McDaniels added 21 points for the Timberwolves, playing their final game before the All-Star break.
Jrue Holiday scored 23 points for the Trail Blazers, who trailed by 28 points and were hurt by 25 turnovers. Scoot Henderson, playing just his third game back since missing the first half of the season because of a hamstring injury, finished with 18 points.
Minnesota scoring leader Anthony Edwards was listed as questionable going into the game because of an illness but he started and finished with 14 points.
Minnesota was coming off a 138-116 win at home over Atlanta that stopped a two-game skid.
McDaniels' floating jumper pushed Minnesota's lead to 50-38 midway through the second quarter. McDaniels had 15 points in the opening half and the Timberwolves led 61-51 at the break.
Edwards and Julius Randle hit back-to-back 3-pointers to go up 73-59 in the third quarter. Rudy Gobert dunked to cap a 16-2 run and gave the Timberwolves a 79-59 lead.
Portland ended the third quarter on a 10-3 run to close to 96-82 but couldn't find a rally down the stretch. All-Star Deni Avdija struggled with 11 points.
The Blazers were without Shaedon Sharpe, who missed the third straight game for the with a left calf strain.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Bam Adebayo had 27 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks and the short-handed Miami Heat beat the New Orleans Pelicans 123-111 on Wednesday night in the final game for both teams before the All-Star break.
Miami used only nine players, with Tyler Herro, Norman Powell, Pelle Larsson and Andrew Wiggins sidelined. Herro missed his 15th straight game.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 23 points, Kel’el Ware had 16 points and 12 rebounds and Simone Fontecchio scored 15 points. Eighth in the Eastern Conference, the Heat improved to 29-27. Miami has won 11 of its last 12 against New Orleans
Zion Williamson had 26 points for New Orleans. He has played a career-high 30 straight games and 40 of 56 this season. In his first six seasons, he played 214 of 472 games and never had more than 25 in a row.
Trey Murphy III added 19 points before leaving late in the third quarter because of soreness in his right shoulder. The Pelicans dropped to 15-41. They had won two in a row.
Ware hit a 3-pointer with 2:46 left in the third quarter to cap a 23-10 run that gave Miami a 92-76 lead. The Heat hit four 3s during that surge, one each by Kasparas Jakucionis, Fontecchio, Myron Gardner and Ware.
During that stretch, Jakucionis also hit three free throws after landing on Murphy’s foot on a missed 3 near sideline. Murphy was called for a flagrant foul.
Miami pushed the lead to 17 at 112-95 with 6:19 left in the fourth. After New Orleans cut it to 115-111 on Williamson’s putback, Fontecchio hit a 3 from the left corner with 54 seconds remaining to make it 118-111.
Miami led 58-55 at halftime. Adebayo had 15 points in the half.
This is shaping up to be an impressive Hall of Fame Class of 2026.
Blake Griffin, the legendary Suns pairing of Amar'e Stoudemire and Mike D'Antoni, Doc Rivers, plus Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne headline the list of finalists for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame this year.
"This year's group of Finalists represents the full scope of basketball's impact, from the professional and collegiate ranks to high school, international play, officiating, and innovation," said Jerry Colangelo, Chairman of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. "Their achievements span championships, historic milestones, and a lasting influence on how the game is played, taught, and experienced around the world. Each Finalist has made a notable contribution to basketball's growth and excellence, and their collective legacy speaks to the power of the sport."
Here is the full list of finalists.
North American Committee Finalists: • Joey Crawford [Referee] • Mark Few [Coach] • Blake Griffin [Player]
Women's Veterans Committee Finalist: • Molly Bolin-Kazmer [Player] International Committee Finalist: • Dušan Ivković [Coach] Contributors Committee Finalists: • Tal Brody • Mike D’Antoni Veterans Committee Finalists: • Marques Johnson
These Finalists will be voted on, and then the Class of 2026 will be announced on Saturday, April 4, during Final Four Weekend.
Blake Griffin should be a lock. He was a six-time NBA All-Star whose athleticism and versatility helped redefine how the power forward position was played in the NBA. The No. 1 overall pick of the Clippers in 2009, he was at the heart of changing the franchise's reputation on the court. He was the 2011 Rookie of the Year and went on to be a five-time All-NBA player, most famously one of the engines of the Lob City Clippers era. He is currently an analyst with Amazon Prime on their NBA broadcasts.
Candace Parker should also be a given to make the Class of 2026. Parker was a two-time NCAA national champion at Tennessee who took the NBA by storm in 2008 when she became the only player in WNBA history to be named Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season. She went on to be a three-time WNBA champion and two-time league MVP (2008, '13). Parker also is a two-time Olympic gold medalist (2008, '12).
DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Mavericks rookie teenage standout Cooper Flagg will miss their final game before the All-Star break and not play in the NBA's Rising Stars game on Friday night because of a left midfoot sprain.
The Mavericks announced Wednesday night than an MRI revealed the injury that occurred in their loss at Phoenix a night earlier, when the 19-year-old had 27 points in 36 minutes. They said further updates will be provided as appropriate
Flagg, the No. 1 overall draft pick last summer, is averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists in his 49 games with Dallas.
The Mavericks (19-34) have an eight-game losing streak going into Thursday night's game at the Los Angeles Lakers.
But for their tanking efforts, the end result was pretty good.
Brooklyn blew a huge late lead and fell 115-110 to tanking rival Indiana before a crowd of 16,779 at Barclays Center on Wednesday night.
Indiana’s Jarace Walker, who scored a game-high 23 points, looks to make a move on Ben Saraf during the Nets’ 115-110 loss to the Pacers on Feb. 11, 2026 at Barclays Center. AP
After the Nets starters built an 18-point cushion, their bench squandered it.
And once rookie Egor Dëmin’s surprisingly clean 3-point look rimmed out in the final second, they’d suffered a vexing come-from-ahead defeat.
Granted, the Nets (15-38) might have also avoided a Pyrrhic victory.
They’re still fifth in the lottery standings, but now just a game behind the fourth-place Pacers and second-place Washington.
They’re two games clear of the sixth-place Jazz, thanks to Utah’s win against Sacramento.
“A lot of the things we did well, we stopped doing well. Only one good defensive quarter doesn’t help in the NBA,” coach Jordi Fernández said. “In the second half we gave up 13 second-chance points, nine fast-break points, and in the third quarter alone we had 11 turnovers.
“Those are things we can control, and we weren’t good enough. That’s why we lost. We have higher standards than that, especially on things we can control, and when you get an opportunity you have to play as hard as you can and be locked in. Losing three out of four quarters, you’re not going to win many games.”
After the Nets had blown an 82-64 lead midway through the third, Day’Ron Sharpe had a steal and layup to knot the game at 110-110 with 38 seconds left.
But Kam Jones — who had missed all five of his attempts from deep to that point — hit a prayer 3-pointer with seven seconds left to put the Nets in a 113-110 hole.
And despite getting free for a clean look, Dëmin just missed and Indiana iced it at the line.
Nolan Traore, who scored 20 points, reacts after scoring a bucket during the Nets’ loss to the Pacers at Barclays Center. Robert Sabo for New York Post
“It was an amazing play. Knowing their coverage, I knew it would be a good shot for me unless they changed something. I’m really upset it didn’t go in, but I’ve got to move on,” said Dëmin, who had 13 points, five assists and five rebounds. “I’ll probably sit with it a little over the break, but then think about the next games.”
Brooklyn played without starters Nic Claxton, Noah Clowney and Michael Porter Jr. Rookie Nolan Traore had 20 points and eight assists in another big night, albeit five of the 16 Nets turnovers.
Still, the rookies were encouraging, with 65 of the Nets’ 110 points. But the bench as a whole did Brooklyn in.
Brooklyn reeled off eight unanswered points to pad the cushion to 82-64 midway through the third.
Day’Ron Sharpe goes up for a layup during the Nets’ loss to the Pacers at Barclays Center. Robert Sabo for New York Post
Sharpe (season-high 19 points, 12 rebounds, five assists) kicked out to Ziaire Williams for a 3-pointer that gave the Nets their biggest lead of the evening.
It was still 86-70 after Traore’s skip pass to Williams with 4:31 left in the third. But Brooklyn couldn’t protect that lead, helplessly watching it bleed away.
The Nets conceded an extended 30-11 run that spanned the third and fourth. And all but six points of that came with the reserves on the floor.
Brooklyn had an 86-73 lead when the starters went out with three minutes left in the third.
It was tied 97-all when Traore, Dëmin and Sharpe checked back in, the bench on the wrong side of a 24-11 blitz.
Micah Potter (19 points, 12 boards) put the Pacers ahead at the line, and his putback dunk made it 100-97 with 7:11 left.
Traore tied it at 105-105 on a high-difficulty turnaround in the lane, and a Dëmin corner 3-pointer put the Nets back ahead 108-106 with 2:04 to play.
Sharpe had a steal and layup to knot it at 110-110 with 38 seconds left, but Jones’ 3-pointer with seven seconds remaining turned out to be the winner.
Jarace Walker led the Pacers with a game-high 23 points.
“A lot of it was just being careless,” Fernández said. “Starting with me, we all have to be better.”
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - FEBRUARY 11: Julius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates in the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Target Center on February 11, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Trail Blazers 133-109. 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 David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s almost a punchline how easily the Minnesota Timberwolves can flip the switch when they want to.
From looking like an iso-heavy team in a deep hole at the beginning of the week to looking like the 2010s San Antonio Spurs moving the ball in the middle of the week, Wednesday night served as yet another reminder of how good this team can be when they decide that they want to be.
The intentional nature of playing with pace was apparent early on, as the Wolves hit the ground literally running with six of their first 23 points coming in transition.
It also never hurts when a hyper-active Jaden McDaniels making an appearance. Perhaps envisioning his impending vacation with Naz Reid over the All-Star break, the all-defensive wing was all over the floor. From blocking the Portland Trail Blazers’ lone All- Star Deni Avdija on one end to dunking on him on another, McDaniels made his presence known.
McDaniels much encapsulates the last few days for the Timberwolves. With just four shots in Sunday’s blowout loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, it was easy to see the “barometer for ball movement” tag he had been given for a long time and is growing out of. In such and iso-heavy game that ended catastrophically, coach Chris Finch spoke regrettably afterward on needing to make it more intentional to give both McDaniels and Donte DiVincenzo at least 10 shots each.
It certainly happened for the former on Wednesday. McDaniels activity paired well with his 15 first half points. He would go on to finish the game with 21 on an efficient 7-13 shooting.
A symptom of activity and pace, the Wolves finished the game with 25 transition points and more importantly, 39 points off of 25 forced Portland turnovers.
But the source of 41 of the Wolves’ 133 points was a motivated Julius Randle, a side of the power forward that’s waxed and waned during this season and really, most of his tenure in Minnesota. A low of his came on Sunday, and correlating with his team, a high on Wednesday before the break.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – FEBRUARY 11: Julius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates with teammate Anthony Edwards #5 in the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Target Center on February 11, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Trail Blazers 133-109. 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 David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Julius Randle Has Something To Say
A lot had been weighing on Julius Randle over the last week.
Between his name circling around in trade rumors and not getting drawn for the All-Star game as even a fill-in, the weight of it all felt like a lot.
“We had a couple good chats this past week,” coach Chris Finch said after the game. “Everything that swirls around this time of year…I know he was disappointed that he wasn’t named an All-Star, and I think he took this game quite personally in that regard.”
Arguably the most important player in the Wolves offensive scheme, the team needs him to take more of these games personally. He sets the tone in so many ways. When he passes, it sets an example and the team has stretches like they have in the last two games with 62 combined assists.
When he decides to take more upon himself and iso into the offense, others follow suit to get their own. The result? Shaky your turn, my turn offense that can dig this team into holes that everyone saw both over the last week and during the recent five-game losing streak.
“Over the course of my career, I’ve learned to focus on the things I can control,” Randle said in the locker room, elaborating on external ailments that made him not himself. “I can control how I help my team win games…we got a great team here, we can compete at the highest level, and that’s where I choose to put my focus.”
Did he use it as motivation for his 41 point masterclass on Wednesday?
“Maybe,” he said with a grin.
But points aren’t always the answer. When Randle scores more than 30 points, the Wolves are 5-5. When he has five or more assists? They’re 20-11.
Sure, points are the measure of winning and losing games, but how those are opened up for the Wolves’ starting power forward through his playmaking and movement are even more important. Based on the approach over the last two games, everyone knows it too.
“Julius is a guy who plays with his heart on his sleeve,” Finch said, elaborating more on a player he’s fond of and has helped transform over the last season and a half. “He was not himself recently, but he’s so important for us in so many ways, and we just needed him to come back to the pack if you will.”
A windmill. dunk and a smile to cap off a 40 point night heading into the break? Not too bad of a sign for things to come for a player who will be paramount for the Wolves down the stretch.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 11: Julian Phillips #4 of the Minnesota Timberwolvesdunks the ball during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on February 11, 2026 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Emptying the Notebook
1). Julian Phillips hasn’t played outside of garbage time, but I thought Chris Finch’s comments about him after the game were notable. Obviously, Phillips won’t be playing much of a role anytime soon, but Finch gushed about his range and ability to be a good defender.
“He’s really hard to screen…really long,” Finch said. “We obviously have Jaden who’s like that, but we don’t have a lot of other really long wing players.”
Again – not in the same class as Jaden, not in the same class as any of the starters currently. But I do think the tea leaves point towards Phillips being someone who really intrigues the front office and coaching staff. With a relatively cheap club option for next season, a developmental guy that they really want to get a look at.
2). Everyone speaks glowingly of Ayo Dosunmu, and it’s only been his third game on the job. Naz Reid spoke highly of his ability to ball handle and score, adding an additional element alongside him on the bench unit. Rudy Gobert coninues to speak highly of Dosunmu’s defensive effort and ability, and ease of being able to work together. Another double-digit scoring night on 62% shooting, Dosunmu is fitting in nicely, and will have more than a week to hang around the practice facility and get even more comfortable.
A much-needed eight day break awaits the Timberwolves, with many of them getting ready to leave town.
When it’s all said and done, however, the home stand continues against a red-hot Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks on February 20.
Over his last five games, Flagg is averaging 28.6 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. Playing with force, he poses a challenge to a Wolves team that can tend to struggle with those matchups. Flagg was diagnosed with a foot sprain on Wednesday night, but is not expected to miss further time beyond the All-Star weekend.
Cooper Flagg underwent an MRI that revealed a left midfoot sprain, the Mavs announced.
He will miss the team’s game vs. the Lakers on Thursday as well as the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars game on Friday. pic.twitter.com/MDT9UWN8yQ
