Nothing doing. The Brooklyn Nets returned home to face a revitalized Phoenix Suns team on Monday night. Brooklyn battled, but the Suns were too much to handle. The L was their second in a row and dropped the Nets to 2-9 in January.

The opponent tonight… boy I don’t know. The New York Knicks walked in to this season with championship expectations and an Eastern Conference that was theirs for the taking. After winning the NBA Cup, it looked like they were on the road to a top seed and a run of good feelings. And then … things fell apart in a hurry. They got embarrassed at home on MLK Day on national tv against the Dallas Mavericks and have lost four straight games and eight out of their last ten. In fact, the Nets and Knicks have the same record over the last 11: 2-9. The sky isn’t falling, but things aren’t pretty on 33rd and 7th right now.

Where to follow the game

Ah we’ve got a full house tonight. YES Network and MSG on TV. Gotham Sports on streaming. ESPN Radio and WFAN on radio. Tip after 7:30 p.m. ET.

Injuries

Day’ron Sharpe is questionable. Ben Saraf remains with Long Island.

Nothing doing for the Knicks.

The game

New York won the first two meetings in November. The season series wraps up in March.

There will be tons of scoring in this one. In January, the Knicks’ team defensive rating is 118.4, 27th in the league. After a great December, the Nets’ defense has fallen off a cliff as they’re allowing 121.3 points per 100 possessions, 29th in the league. Considering how talented this Knicks team is on both sides of the ball, that’s unacceptable and as Josh Hart said in postgame, he and his teammates have to “be professional.” Eek.

Speaking of players that need to be better, Mikal Bridges, welcome to the big time! When he got his wish to get out of Brooklyn a few summers ago, he wanted to go to a team that could compete and be on a team that’s one of the centers of attention in the NBA. He’s gotten his wish and when you struggle on the Knicks, that attention becomes a pain to deal with. We mentioned the defense falling off a cliff earlier, and he + OG Anunoby were supposed to be the top dogs on that side of the ball that would lock up elite perimeter players. If Bridges doesn’t turn things around on that side, things are going to get really rough for him.

Can Noah Clowney do it again? The last time he played the Knicks, he set career highs in points (31) and 3- pointers made (seven). Clowney’s had a good season for the most part, but there have been some rough patches every so often. He only grabbed one rebound against the Suns on Monday, and the Nets will need all the help they can get on the glass when Hart and Mitchell Robinson are on the court. A game like this will be a great test of his progress this season.

If Brooklyn wants to end their record 12-game losing streak against the Knicks, they’re going to need a big outing from Michael Porter Jr. MPJ returned to action after a day off on Sunday and led the team in scoring with 23 points. With the Knicks defense being a wreck right now and Porter Jr having the ability to heat up at a moment’s notice, tonight could be the right mix for an All-Star showing.

The Nets will also need to slow down Jalen Brunson. JB was named an All-Star starter on Monday, and it’s a well deserved honor for the franchise guard. He’s got bigger things to worry about these days, such as ensuring his team is on the same page and playing basketball that meets the expectations of a title contender. For the Nets, having Drake Powell chase Brunson around will be a great test for the rookie and one they’re excited to see. Powell has played well in his minutes and is carving out a solid role for himself on this team. A big time outing tonight will give him a boost as we enter the dog days of the season.

And there’s another rivalry we should mention: that between the two head coaches, Jordi Fernandez and Mike Brown. Fernandez started off his career in the U.S. as youth coach who worked with Brown’s son. Brown gave Fernandez his first NBA job as an assistant with the Cavaliers’ G League club and the rest as they say is history written by Brian Windhorst.

For more on the Knick situation, listen to our Lucas Kaplan talk with Erik Slater on Erik’s Locked on Nets podcast.

Player to watch: Karl-Anthony Towns

So I’m not on Twitter, the Everything app, much these days. The only time I hop on there is to share my Women’s Basketball Roundup newsletter (you should subscribe and tell a friend!) and then get the hell out of there. When I do get on there, the algorithm feeds me SO MUCH negativity on Karl-Anthony Towns. Between the despair from Knick fans (more than usual) and Mike Brown being brutally honest about Towns’ miscues

Mike Brown to @JLEdwardsIII on KAT play: "When you fall down you gotta get up…That wasn't the only play, there were a handful we did that, but there was no sense of urgency…it was a 5-point swing…we watched at halftime & he didn't even cross halfcourt. That sums up our night" pic.twitter.com/eEs1N5vae4

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) January 15, 2026

I’m starting to get the impression a turn is occurring against Towns.

Determined to not have Twitter cook my brain or steer me down the wrong path, I went searching for analysis from experts who follow the game and not reactions designed to gin up outrage, so I went looking for some real analysis from folks who know what they’re talking about. So I turned to Michael Zeno and our friends over at Posting and Toasting, and buddy lemme tell you what I found was concerning:

“KAT doesn’t seem comfortable in Mike Brown’s system, for whatever reason, but that doesn’t explain the lapses in effort. The team themselves are not putting him in the best positions to succeed on that end, but there’s been an alarming amount of stupid plays, drives, and offensive fouls.

When the Knicks are at their best this season on offense, they’re driving and spraying to open shooters. Defenses naturally collapse when someone is going hard to the basket, which allows for a kick to the corner. They just aren’t doing that lately. Looking at KAT specifically, when he gets the ball at the three-point line and drives, it’s rare that it actually results in a basket.

Whether it’s not going up strong, phishing for fouls that don’t get called, committing dumb offensive fouls, or just getting the ball stripped, it’s just not working. It’s getting to a point where it feels mental with him, where the struggles and the team’s horrifically bad whistle of late is getting to him and bleeding out to the team.“

Yeesh.

In looking at the numbers, Towns’ field goal percentage is at career lows, thanks in part to a career worst shooting percentage on shots inside of three feet and a lack of success (compared to his standards) from 3-point range. And although he had a good game by the numbers on Monday, he got booed as he exited the court for the final time. After the game, he was asked about it and gave a fair, thoughtful answer

Karl-Anthony Towns on the boos at MSG directed at him and the team

"You spend $140 to represent your favorite player with a jersey. You come to MLK Day here at The Garden and tickets are 3x the price. I'd be disappointed too" pic.twitter.com/vrTAznt1mV

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) January 20, 2026

I see no lies here. Luckily for KAT, he works at The Garden so the boss won’t spy on him… I think.

Nic Claxton will look to continue Towns’ struggles. Rim protection will be essential to any chances of a Nets victory, and Clax will be tasked with forcing Towns into tough shots at the rim when he’s in the post and silly fouls on the other end. The frustration levels are off the charts for the Knicks, and Claxton being able to put another bad outing on KAT’s ledger can turn the temperature up even more at MSG. These two teams are at vastly different stages of their basketball journeys, but all the pieces are there for the Nets to finally get a win against their cross-town rivals.

From the Vault

Monday was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Day. It’s always good to hear Dr. King speak, so let’s take you back to 1967 and listen to Dr. King talk about militarism and the Vietnam War

More reading: Posting and Toasting,  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
• New York Knicks Game Notes – New York Knicks
• New York faces Brooklyn, aims to break 4-game skid – AP
• What the Nets must accomplish in season’s second half to fulfill lottery-fueled dreams ($) – Brian Lewis – New York Post
• What the fast-approaching trade deadlines could mean for the Knicks, Nets, Rangers and Isles ($) – Peter Botte – New York Post
• Jalen Brunson’s telling answer is at crux of everything for flailing Knicks – Jared Schwartz – New York Post
• Knicks’ Jalen Brunson laughs off ‘embarrassing’ ankle injury – Jared Schwartz – New York Post
• Mike Brown ready to implement ‘significant changes’ to get Knicks out of ugly funk – Jared Schwartz – New York Post
• Michael Porter Jr., Nets have a real chance to embarrass struggling Knicks ($) – Kristian Winfield – New York Daily News

It was a tale of two halves yet again for the San Antonio Spurs in their 111-106 loss to the Houston Rockets. The Spurs were red hot in the first half, scoring 70 points, but lost steam quickly in the second half as they finished the game shooting 39% from the field and 28% from three. Their first-half offense was among the best stretches they’ve played this season.

JULIAN FOR THREE 🔥

📺 NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/bfbbsK5e1K

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 21, 2026

It started with Julian Champagnie going nuclear from three. He finished the game with 27 points on 8-16 shooting from deep. He was hitting everything in the first half, whether he shot the ball off movement or with a tight closeout. Champagnie’s heaters are thrilling and make the Spurs’ offense nearly impossible to stop.

STARTS THE 3RD 🔥

📺 FanDuelSN SW, NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/9p4Wr1J2nJ

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 21, 2026

Unfortunately, he slowed down in the second half. He only hit two of his 8 three pointers in the second half. The Rockets started to smother him on the perimeter, making it difficult for Champagnie to get a three-pointer off. It was one of the main reasons Houston was able to make their comeback late in the third and into the fourth quarters.

Barnes in rhythm 😎

📺 NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/iXWsnV4oe3

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 21, 2026

It wasn’t just Champagnie who was hitting shots. Harrison Barnes was 2-5 from deep. San Antonio had four players hit multiple threes on Tuesday night.

Cash from Steph😮‍💨

📺 FanDuelSN SW, NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/BnMA3EqVrW

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 21, 2026

One of those players who hit multiple threes was Stephon Castle, who had 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists in the loss. It wasn’t a very efficient night, as Castle shot 5-19 from the field and 2-8 from deep, but he hit some important shots to take the top off of Houston’s defense early.

OH MY STEPH CASTLE 🤯

📺 FanDuelSN SW, NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/S48U7gGaRL

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 21, 2026

Castle’s best play came in the third quarter when he did what he does best: get out in transition and finish with authority. This windmill is something you’d usually see in the dunk contest, not with a defender coming to contest the finish. And-1 windmill finishes are rare. If anyone has the strength and athleticism to pull it off, it’s Castle.

WAY UP THERE 😳

📺 NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/AUdAYi8Gd8

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 21, 2026

Victor Wembanyama didn’t get a lot of shots around the basket on Tuesday, but this one was great. He just goes right through Clint Capela and uses his length to dunk over the top of him. The Spurs could have used a lot more of this on Tuesday. Wemby had 14 points and 10 rebounds on 5-21 shooting from the field in the loss.

RIGHT HAND HAMMER 💥

📺 NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/18gppxsu0a

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 21, 2026

With Wemby struggling, Luke Kornet stepped up. He was awesome on defense, picking up 2 blocks, and finished around the rim in the pick-and-roll on his way to 8 points on an efficient 4-5 shooting.

LUKE WITH THE REVERSE 😤💥

📺 FanDuelSN SW, NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/e49zvgKzOG

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 21, 2026

He and Dylan Harper have established solid chemistry off the bench for the Spurs. Here Harper finds him wide-open off the jump ball for an easy reverse slam.

Dylan with the jumper 😮‍💨

📺 FanDuelSN SW, NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/fqV6lx3b8J

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 21, 2026

When the Spurs were struggling in the fourth quarter, it was Harper who got them back on track a bit. When the whole team was settling for threes, Harper took initiative and got shots in the paint. Harper had 8 points and 5 assists off the bench in the loss.

The Spurs will have a chance to get back on track on Thursday night as they travel to Salt Lake City to take on the Jazz. Watch the video below for full-game highlights from their loss to the Rockets.

Did you think we were trying to dodge the bullet of covering the ugliest defeat in Knicks’ history here in the Bulletin?

Not really. I was just inside on a 13-hour transatlantic flight and could barely do enough to keep breathing all throughout Tuesday.

Here’s a whole lot of excuses and promises from your New York Knickerbockers.

Ramona on Draymond hugging Mike Brown:

"From what I understand that didn't land well with a lot of folks there in New York"

"People not happy with Mike Brown after Warriors game when Draymond tripped KAT" pic.twitter.com/VlidKTAX5d

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) January 20, 2026

Mike Brown

On Jalen Brunson’s All-Star recognition:
“It’s great. He’s having a great season. It’s definitely an honor that’s well deserved.”

On halftime message after defensive collapse:
“They scored 75 points in the first half. At halftime, we usually do the clips and talk about technical X’s and O’s and all that crap that coaches do, teams do. There was nothing to be said at halftime except for lock in and do your f–king — excuse me on that — do your job.”

On frustration and doing the little things:
“It’s frustrating; it’s frustrating to me, it’s frustrating to every person in that locker room. And we all can’t get it back by thinking we’re going to go score and get this many shots. We have to embrace doing the little things and right now we’re not.”

On belief in the locker room despite struggles:
“There’s no doubt in my mind. I believe in everybody in that locker room. You can ask them — I feel they believe in each other, too. We’re going through it. We’ve got to figure out how to get out of it.”

On team communication and collaboration:
“I talk to management all the time, Leon and I talk all the time. Even when we were playing well, we were talking. So that hasn’t changed and that’s not going to change. I’m big on collaboration, not just with the players, but with the coaches, too. I will take input. At the end of the day, it’s up to me to make the decision.”

On effort-driven improvement in second half:
“We didn’t change anything schematically in the second half. There were more clips from the second half that showed us doing our job the right way. We have to try to do it for 48 minutes.”

On defensive execution against hot shooters:
“The two guys that we labeled hot were 9-for-11 in the first half. Most of those shots were open or we left our feet. No changes to the X’s and O’s. Just do your job. Play with physicality and do your job early. We all have to do our job for 48 minutes, and it didn’t happen tonight.”

On being fine with boos at MSG:
“I’m OK with the boos. If we’re playing crappy, boo. If I was in the stands, I would boo, too. You pay hard money to come to the games and this is a form of entertainment for the fans. They know good basketball from bad basketball.”

On early-season rhythm and post-Cup decline:
“We felt like we were in a pretty good spot through the Cup on both sides of the ball. For whatever reason, it’s changed. I’m not sure of the reason, but it changed after the Cup. We have to keep trying to find different ways to put them in the best possible position.”

On evaluating everything during downturn:
“When you’re in the area that we’re in right now, you gotta look at everything. You gotta keep trying to find ways where you can help the group on both sides of the ball.”

ESPN reported Jalen Brunson called a players-only meeting postgame & said they "need to find answers among themselves rather than the coaches"

He appears to have said similar midgame: https://t.co/RX8ovnOHCa

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) January 21, 2026

Jalen Brunson

On accountability within the team:
“There’s been a lot of things to pinpoint. But as a team we know what we have to do. Either we do it — we care enough to do it — or we don’t.”

On accepting boos from fans:
“I mean, I’d be booing us, too. Straight up.”

On failing to execute the game plan:
“We just didn’t follow the game plan at all. As a team, we know what we have to do. It’s either we do it, we care enough to do it or we don’t.”

On urgency to fix issues quickly:
“We gotta figure this out fast.”

On belief in the locker room:
“I have the utmost confidence in every person in this room, in this locker room. Just things haven’t gone our way. But we have the ability to do it.”

On effort and care level:
“We just have to care a little more about what we’re doing. It has to mean a little more to us.”

On his ankle injury embarrassment:
“It’s as embarrassing to say versus watching. Just tripping over my own two damn feet. It’s that simple.”

On managing recurring ankle issues:
“Obviously I’ve had things with my ankle the past couple of years. I’m going to be fine. I’m going to be in the gym and doing all my treatment to get back to full strength.”

Karl-Anthony Towns on the boos at MSG.

Does he make a fair point?

(via: @sny_knicks) pic.twitter.com/sJPnAU5JNs

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 20, 2026

Karl-Anthony Towns

On team accountability amid struggles:
“It doesn’t matter when. It matters that it did happen. So we’ve gotta figure it out. We have a special team and we’ve got a special opportunity and we can’t just let it go to waste.”

On responding to boos from fans:
“You spend your hard-earned money to come here and for us to not only not win, but to not really have a chance? I’d be disappointed too. Fans are doing their part and we’ve gotta do our part.”

On cutting through excuses:
“You just gotta win at the end of the day. Fans nor us want to hear any excuses. We’ve just gotta wanna get the job done.”

On lack of resistance in a loss:
“We was gettin’ beat, beat to the punch, beat to the basket. We didn’t do the job we needed to do today to come out with a win.”

"We have to make sure we have a professional mindset to everything. We gotta come in & be locked in. We can't go into practice & have things said several times; we can't come out & not execute an ATO…At the end of the day that's the guys that have this jersey on"

– Josh Hart pic.twitter.com/ABTDVyU2yC

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) January 20, 2026

Josh Hart

On urgency as losses mount:
“We have to go out there with a sense of urgency. At this point, 40 games in, we have to play desperate, because that’s what we are right now.”

On embarrassing level of play:
“We all need to do some soul searching. Right now we’re playing embarrassing basketball. We’re not executing on the offensive end. Defensively, we’ve been abysmal.”

On effort compared to last season:
“Last year, no matter what we did, the effort was there. I haven’t seen this kind of effort that we had today. It was embarrassing.”

On diagnosing ongoing issues:
“If I could answer that question, I don’t think we’d be having this conversation right now.”

On dog days and physicality:
“We just have to play with more energy, more physicality. We have to figure out how to do that for the whole game.”

On professionalism and execution:
“We have to make sure we have a professional mindset. We can’t come out and not execute. At this point, we have to play desperate.”

On building identity through adversity:
“It’s a new philosophy, a new coach, a new system. It’s gonna take time to really build that, and you really only build that through adversity.”

"That's been the main thing over the last 11, teams are coming out more hungrier than us. When you get comfortable, when you've won, I think that's human nature and we have to fight against it"

– Deuce McBride pic.twitter.com/q3pAs2uecq

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) January 20, 2026

Miles McBride

On opponents outworking the Knicks:
“They just came out more hungry. Teams are coming out more hungry than us.”

On defensive breakdowns:
“They were getting to the paint, finishing, kicking out. We just had no cohesiveness on that end.”

According to Nick Kelly of AL.com, former Alabama center Charles Bediako has been granted a temporary restraining order after suing the NCAA. This means he is immediately eligible to participate in basketball-related activities with the Crimson Tide, including games.

“News: Charles Bediako has been granted a temporary restraining order and is immediately eligible to participate in all Alabama basketball activities and games, per court documents obtained by @aldotcom,” Kelly said via X. “This will remain in effect for 10 days or until a hearing on the motion for a preliminary injunction is conducted. A hearing is set for Jan. 27.”

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There is only one game on the schedule for Alabama before Jan. 27. Tennessee will come to Tuscaloosa for an important SEC showdown on Saturday. Alabama actually has a game on Jan. 27, scheduled to face the Missouri Tigers at 8 p.m. CT. But for now, Bediako appears only guaranteed to face the Vols.

Bediako is a few years removed from college basketball, last suiting up in 2023. He left in favor of the NBA Draft, not getting picked during the process. The San Antonio Spurs quickly picked Bediako up for the NBA Summer League, eventually signing him to a G-League contract.

At one point, Bediako got a two-way contract from the Spurs. However, he never saw playing time with the NBA team. Bediako has also suited up for the Grand Rapids Gold (Denver Nuggets) and Motor City Cruise (Detroit Pistons).

Shortly after news broke of Bediako suing the NCAA, a statement was released on the matter. The NCAA maintains they will not grant eligibility to players who have signed contracts with NBA organizations.

“The NCAA is aware of media reports about a lawsuit filed against the NCAA by Charles Bediako,” the statement said. “Mr. Bediako signed three NBA contracts after competing in college for two seasons. The NCAA has not and will not grant eligibility to any prospective or returning student-athletes who have signed an NBA contract. Eligibility rules ensure high school students get a shot at earning scholarships, and we will continue to consistently apply and defend these rules.”

Bediako was a key figure on a nice run that head coach Nate Oats led the program on, making two NCAA Tournaments and even earning the No. 1 overall seed in 2023. Bediako averaged 6.6 points and 5.2 rebounds in 70 games played. Now, Alabama is hoping similar numbers can be put up moving forward, at least against Tennessee.

The Milwaukee Bucks try to start another of those pesky winning streaks tonight in Fiserv against the Oklahoma City Thunder. As we’ve all been patiently waiting for, it’s NBA Rivals Week, so who better for the Bucks to lock horns with than the Pacers, Celtics, Heat, Suns Thunder! Of course, this extremely bitter rivalry was born out of these teams competing on the highest stage last season in the NBA Finals*. The Bucks reigned supreme, steamrolling the Thunder and cementing their place in league history as one of the few teams to win the trophy!

_{^{*NBA Cup}}

Where We’re At

Well, Milwaukee did win on MLK Day against Atlanta, but it was anything but convincing—as most of their wins are these days. The Bucks squandered a 23-point lead in the second half, needing big threes from AJ Green and Bobby Portis to get them over the line against a struggling Hawks team. Moreover, Atlanta did them a solid by going 1/22 from three (yes, one for twenty-two)—the worst three-point shooting half in NBA history! Prior to that game, Milwaukee got rinsed by Minnesota (down Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert) and San Antonio. So yeah, the Bucks still have a lot of work to do to.

On the other hand, the Thunder—despite having long-term injuries to key players—just keep on keeping on, winning seven of eight. They did go through a rocky patch before that, dropping games to the Hornets and Suns, but have course-corrected since. Over the last eight games, they own the NBA’s fifth-best net rating, but rank atop the league for the season at large. Put simply, this team remains a wagon, and tonight will be a tough one for Milwaukee to win. That said, OKC are beatable on the right night, which Miami showed on Saturday in a 122-120 upset. Godspeed, Bucks.

Injury Report

For the Bucks, Kevin Porter Jr. (oblique) and Myles Turner (ankle) are both questionable. Taurean Prince (neck) is out.

For the Thunder, Alex Caruso, Isaiah Hartenstein, Thomas Sorber, Nikola Topic, and Jalen Williams (the wing) are all out. Jaylin Williams (the big) is questionable.

Player To Watch

I’m going with Pete Nance, who, after dominating the G League with the Herd, got his first shot at real minutes with the Bucks against the Hawks, and did not disappoint. Nance made a major impact with five points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block in 15 minutes; the big man was +13 for the game. I’m looking at what his role develops into going forward. Does he become a regular in the rotation, or was that game more of a flash in the pan?

How To Watch

8:30 p.m. CST on ESPN and FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin.

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Former NBA forward Lamar Odom had bloodshot eyes and eyelid tremors when police pulled him over for speeding at 106 mph in Las Vegas on Saturday, according to a police report obtained by TMZ.

Police said Odom’s black SUV had an “overwhelming odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle,” and that the two-time NBA champ confessed to smoking marijuana earlier in the day.

Odom, 46, was arrested for DUI after failing a series of field sobriety tests, and received two traffic violations for driving more than 41+ miles per hour over the limit and improper lane change/failure to maintain lane.

Police said that Odom claimed at first that he “does not smoke marijuana,” and that his passenger was smoking a “little bit” of weed.

The report added that Odom was “driving like he was in ‘Back To The Future,'” the 1980s sci-fi movie.

Odom, who won back-to-back titles with Kobe Bryant and the Lakers in 2009 and 2010 during his 14-season career, also forgot to put the car in park when police asked him to get out of the vehicle, and it started to move before he hit the brake.

Police said in the report that Odom failed his field sobriety tests for a number of reasons, stating he swayed, lost balance, started too soon, failed to touch the tip of his nose on six attempts and stopped mid-way through, among other things.

The report also states that police asked Odom if he ever had a traumatic brain injury.

Odom laughed and said that he “had 12 strokes and six heart attacks and that he was poisoned at a brothel in Pahrump,” per the report.

Odom, who is open about his history of drug and alcohol abuse, was referring to the October 2015 incident when he was found unconscious inside the Nevada brothel Love Ranch following an overdose.

The incident resulted in Odom falling into a coma for three days, and he previously said he suffered 12 strokes, six heart attacks and damage to his kidney and liver.

He nearly died three months after his divorce from Khloé Kardashian was finalized.

Odom was arrested for a DUI in Los Angeles in 2013 and retired a year later.

In 2021, he admitted to taking ketamine to aid his sobriety.

The red-hot Detroit Pistons will be looking to extend their win streak to four games tonight as they visit the last-place New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center. 

Cade Cunningham’s assist total is extremely high, but my Pistons vs. Pelicans predictions are eyeing him to pick apart a poor New Orleans defense. 

Read more in my NBA picks for Wednesday, January 21.

Pistons vs Pelicans prediction

Pistons vs Pelicans best bet: Cade Cunningham Over 10.5 assists (+102)

While the Detroit Pistons are a well-oiled machine, Cade Cunningham is undoubtedly the focal point of this team, leading the way with 25.7 points, 9.8 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game. The former first overall pick is an incredible playmaker, and he ranks second in the Association in dimes.

No matter the opponent, Cunningham finds a way to facilitate the rock at a high level. The guard has cashed the Over in assists in four of his last six outings, and he just had 14 dimes on Monday against the Boston Celtics. 

Cunningham is up against a poor New Orleans Pelicans perimeter defense that is allowing over nine assists per night to point guards, and they’re considered an easy matchup for the position. Also, NOLA is giving up 28.9 dimes per contest overall, which is second-worst in the NBA. 

He’ll cook tonight as a passer.

Pistons vs Pelicans same-game parlay

Jalen Duren is a physical specimen down low, and he’s proving to be an irreplaceable piece to the Pistons on both ends of the floor. On the boards, Duren is a monster, and he’s averaging 10.7 rebounds per contest. 

While Duren has only cashed the Over once in his last four appearances, he’s up against a Pelicans team that is giving up over 15 boards per night to centers. Duren will take advantage and have a big game on the glass. 

Trey Murphy is one of the lone bright spots for the Pels. He’s averaging a career-best 22.2 points, and the University of Virginia product is cooking in January. 

This month, Murphy is averaging 29.1 PPG. He’s hit the Over in points in eight straight contests, and during that span, Murphy had three 30+ performances, and also a 42-point eruption.

Pistons vs Pelicans SGP

• Cade Cunningham Over 10.5 assists
• Jalen Duren Over 10.5 rebounds
• Trey Murphy Over 20.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Robinson on a roll

Duncan Robinson is on fire from deep right now, cashing the Over in made triples in five consecutive games.

Pistons vs Pelicans SGP

• Cade Cunningham Over 10.5 assists
• Jalen Duren Over 10.5 rebounds
• Trey Murphy Over 20.5 points
• Duncan Robinson Over 2.5 threes

Pistons vs Pelicans odds

• Spread: Pistons -9.5 | Pelicans +9.5
• Moneyline: Pistons -420 | Pelicans +330
• Over/Under: Over 234.5 | Under 234.5

Pistons vs Pelicans betting trend to know

The Pistons have hit the Moneyline in 31 of their last 40 games (+16.70 Units / 16% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Pistons vs. Pelicans.

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Pistons vs Pelicans latest injuries

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The Oklahoma City Thunder are a tall order for the Milwaukee Bucks, with the Oklahoma City Thunder installed as a big road favorite tonight.

Speaking of tall orders, OKC big man Chet Holmgren has had to play even bigger than his slender 7-foot-1 frame over the past month. 

My Thunder vs. Bucks predictions focus on Chet’s spike in rebounding, facing one of the worst teams at cleaning the glass. 

Here are my NBA picks for January 21.

Thunder vs Bucks prediction

Thunder vs Bucks best bet: Chet Holmgren Over 9.5 rebounds (-110)

Chet Holmgren’s role in the Oklahoma City Thunder frontcourt has been amplified since losing fellow big man Isaiah Hartenstein to a calf strain in late December. The most notable change in Chet’s output has come on the glass. 

Before the heftier Hartenstein went down, Holmgren was grabbing 7.9 rebounds per game on an average of 14.3 rebounding chances. In the 11 games without Hartenstein, Holmgren’s pulling down 10 boards on 17.6 rebounding chances a night.

In fact, Chet has been making a conscious effort to be bigger on the boards over the past two weeks.
 
After recording only six rebounds in a shocking loss to the Hornets on January 5, the 7-foot Gonzaga product noted the dip in rebounding without Hartenstein and pointed the finger at himself for not picking up the slack. Holmgren had this to say:

I just got to look in the mirror and be better in that area.

Since that game, Chet has recorded double figures in rebounds in four of his last six outings, and he has an excellent opportunity to add another 10+ boards vs. the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Bucks enter Wednesday with the second-lowest rebound rate in the NBA (47.6%), watching foes collect 54.7 rebounds per game (11th most). Milwaukee could also be down standout center Myles Turner and reserve Kevin Porter Jr. (who combine for more than 10 rebounds an outing).

Holmgren’s projections sit between 8.5 and 10 rebounds, with the majority of models pointing to another 10+ rebounds. My number comes out to 10.5 boards, which should have the Over 9.5 priced around -130.

Thunder vs Bucks same-game parlay

Milwaukee is offensively challenged at the best of times, without the help of the NBA’s stingiest defense.

Ryan Rollins sees a significant split in scoring at home, averaging four more points on 50% shooting.

Thunder vs Bucks SGP

• Thunder -9.5
• Chet Holmgren Over 9.5 rebounds
• Ryan Rollins Over 13.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Thunder Struck Bucks

The Bucks are one of the best Under bets in the NBA, and they're now facing OKC's top defense.

Thunder vs Bucks SGP

• Thunder -9.5
• Chet Holmgren Over 9.5 rebounds
• Ryan Rollins Over 13.5 points
• Under 227

Thunder vs Bucks odds

• Spread: Thunder -9.5 | Bucks +9.5
• Moneyline: Thunder -400 | Bucks +320
• Over/Under: Over 227 | Under 227

Thunder vs Bucks betting trend to know

Milwaukee is 4-10 SU and ATS vs. Western Conference opponents this season, including 1-5 SU and ATS at home in non-conference clashes. Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Bucks.

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Thunder vs Bucks latest injuries

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The Governor doesn’t approve of The King.

Lakers owner Jeanie Buss soured on superstar LeBron James, privately complaining about his “outsized ego” and the control that he and his agency, KlutchSports, allegedly have over the storied franchise, sources told ESPN in a bombshell report published Wednesday.

Buss, 64, reportedly believed James lacked accountability, including with his deflection of blame regarding the unsuccessful Russell Westbrook trade prior to the 2021-22 season.

LeBron James speaks on video of him saying "Happy International Women's Day” to Jeanie Buss and Linda Rambis pic.twitter.com/Zi11Zxm7iI

— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) September 19, 2025

James is in his eighth and perhaps final season with the Lakers after joining the franchise in a seismic move ahead of the 2018-19 season.

His decision to head West galvanized a proud franchise that had missed the playoffs in five straight seasons before his arrival.

The Lakers missed the playoffs in his first season before winning their 18th championship in 2020 during “The Bubble” campaign.

It’s typical for players, not executives, to receive praise for turning franchises around, but Buss did not like that James was viewed as the “savior,” per ESPN.

Buss reportedly felt that it should have been the team’s executives that received praise for wooing James to the Lakers, rather than the idea he joined them and helped right the ship.

ESPN said team sources have long claimed that James told Lakers’ folks beginning in 2017 that he would be leaving Cleveland to join them in free agency for the 2018-19 season.

The 2021-22 campaign did not help their relationship since that marked Westbrook’s arrival.

While the idea of two of the best players of the 2010s teaming up seemed like it could have potential, the Lakers instead flopped with a 33-49 record that kept them out of the playoffs.

The Lakers reportedly made the trade to placate James, but after it blew up Buss felt the superstar didn’t acknowledge his role in the transaction.

Buss’ views on James dived to the point that she even considered trading him during the 2022 season after failing to give him a contract extension, per ESPN.

She reportedly later felt slighted by James’ response after the franchise drafted his son, Bronny, in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft in a questionable move.

Folks close to the organization told ESPN that Buss felt LeBron should have been grateful for what the franchise did, which ultimately allowed the duo to become the first father and son to play alongside one another in league history, but the four-time NBA champ did not display that gratitude to her.

Buss’ attitude toward James even led to her feeling she needed to extend him during the 2024 summer simply to avoid the bad public relations that would come if they let him walk.

These details have come to light with James potentially in his last year with the franchise after opting into his $52.6 million contract for this season.

James is averaging 22.5 points across 25 games, with his historic run of 21 straight years being named a starter for the All-Star Game being snapped.

The Lakers are in fifth place in the Western Conference with a 26-16 record.

The ESPN deep dive also highlighted the dysfunction in the Buss family that has engulfed the franchise during its $10 billion sale to billionaire Mark Walter.

How many times does a team need to learn the same lesson before it’s legitimately recitified?

The San Antonio Spurs blew another double-digit lead on Tuesday night in a 111-106 loss to the Houston Rockets. This time, it was a 16-point lead that disappeared halfway through the fourth quarter after a big run from the Rockets. There were no late-game heroics that could save them this time. Houston steamrolled the Spurs for the entirety of the fourth.

The signs are always the same. The offense slows to a halt while the Spurs bleed transition buckets on the other end. Too often, the Spurs exhibit complacency when they hold a big lead. Their ball movement stalls, they get loose with the ball, and they make defensive mistakes in transition and the half-court. The Spurs went scoreless for the first four and a half minutes of the fourth while Houston cut the lead to 1. During that stretch, San Antonio didn’t attempt a two-point shot. They finished the final frame, only scoring 14 points. They looked completely shaken while the Rockets ratcheted up the defensive pressure and overall intensity.

The funny part is that Tuesday’s collapse wasn’t even their worst of the season. They’ve blown bigger leads to worse teams in more embarrassing fashion. But this one was against a rival, so it may sting the team a little bit more. Maybe it’ll be the wake-up call they need to stop blowing leads.

We’ve learned that no lead is safe in the modern NBA. That’s especially true in the playoffs when teams have no reason to take their foot off the gas. This problem isn’t going away without a mindset shift from the players or a tactical change from the coaching staff. If San Antonio wants to contend in the postseason, they have to nip this habit in the bud.

Takeaways

• Straightening basketball rims is hard! It took the Rockets’ staff nearly 20 minutes to straighten a rim that the Spurs bent in pre-game warmups. They even had to look at it again in the fourth quarter. Blame the cold shooting in the second half on that, I guess?
• San Antonio went from red hot in the first half to ice cold in the second. You could attribute that to several factors. One, the second night of a back-to-back means dead legs, especially late in the game. Two, the Rockets started to close out aggressively on Julian Champagnie, who had been hitting everything in the first half. Three, the quality of looks was worse in the second half. San Antonio stopped generating good offensive looks for the most part. Credit the Rockets’ defense for getting much better in crunch time, but the Spurs didn’t help matters by settling for contested looks.
• San Antonio wasted a Champagnie heater. He had 27 points on 8-16 shooting from the three-point line. When he’s on fire, it feels like the Spurs are impossible to guard. It’s no coincidence that the game shifted the other way when the Rockets smothered him.
• Victor Wembanyama struggled on both ends against Houston. He settled for contested, fadeaway jumpers far too often, leading to an inefficient 14 points on 5-21 shooting. Defensively, he was out of position and fell for foul-baiting, as Houston outscored San Antonio 52-46 in the paint. Wemby registered no blocks and recorded 4 fouls.
• Dylan Harper and Luke Kornet were great off the bench. Harper had 8 points, 5 assists, and 1 turnover, with many of his passes finding Kornet for easy baskets. Kornet was awesome defensively, picking up 2 blocks to go along with his 8 points and 6 rebounds.
• The Spurs offense continues to look at its best when it’s playing off a pick-and-roll initiated by either Harper or De’Aaron Fox, or running off-ball screens for Wembanyama and its shooters to get good looks. Yet in the fourth quarter, they seem to rely on high-post isolation plays that lead nowhere. The offensive playbook clearly needs some adjusting, especially late in the game. Finding some go-to plays and counters off of them should be a priority for the team down the stretch this season.
• Reed Sheppard would have been an amazing Spur had he fallen to the fourth pick in the 2024 NBA draft. Of course, Spurs fans should be happy with Stephon Castle, who nearly had a triple-double with 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists on Tuesday. However, Sheppard’s combination of shooting, defensive instincts, fast hands, and athletic ability for his size is going to make him a tough guard to play against for years to come. Sheppard completely took over the game in the fourth quarter on his way to 21 points off the bench.

After getting hammered in the first two of a five-game road set, it doesn’t get easier for the Indiana Pacers, who square off with the Boston Celtics at TD Garden tonight.

My Pacers vs. Celtics predictions and NBA picks don't expect Indiana to keep up its end of the scoring bargain, ultimately dragging down the total, on Wednesday, January 21.

Pacers vs Celtics prediction

Pacers vs Celtics best bet: Under 227.5 (-110)

On Saturday, the Indiana Pacers put up their fewest points of the campaign in a 121-78 thrashing at the hands of the Pistons.

They followed that up by scoring just 104 points in a loss to the 76ers, turning it over a whopping 24 times.

Over their last five games, Indiana has scored 104 points or less four times – well below their 110.1 points per game average on the year, which ranks 29th, better than only Brooklyn.

Amazingly, one of those games was a win against these same Boston Celtics, who have lost three of five, with the C’s putting up just 98 points per game in those losses.

Still, in what was supposed to be a regroup year, Boston sits second in the East, powered by All-Star Jaylen Brown.

However, Brown did find his way onto the injury report with a hamstring injury, though he is listed as probable for Wednesday. The one loss to Indy was with Brown out of the lineup.

Indiana can’t score, and Boston owns the second-best scoring defense in the league, and third-best field goal shooting defense.

It’s no surprise, then, that the Under has hit in two of three meetings this season. Indiana has cashed the Under in six of its last seven, and the beat (and beatings) should go on in Beantown.

Pacers vs Celtics same-game parlay

Brown was just named an All-Star starter for the first time in his career on Monday, and Indy is a good opponent to showcase his wares. He’s topped 30 points in both meetings with the Pacers, clearing this total once and falling short by a free throw the other.

And perhaps the books haven’t been following Aaron Nesmith too closely, setting his 3-point make line at 2.5. He’s gone Under that figure in six straight, and is just 2-for-22 from distance in his last three games.

Pacers vs Celtics SGP

• Under 227.5
• Jaylen Brown Over 30.5 points
• Aaron Nesmith Under 2.5 threes

Our "from downtown" SGP: Derrick White's Block Party

Neemias Queta has been a revelation for Boston’s improbable run this year, leading the team in rebounds at 8.2 per game. But he’s only topped his 8.5-board line in two of the last six, and has gone sub-9 in all three games vs. Indy this year. 

We’ll finish with the Over for the best blocking guard in the business. Derrick White has had multi-block games in eight of his last 11, including a 7-swat effort against Utah.

Pacers vs Celtics SGP

• Under 227.5
• Jaylen Brown Over 30.5 points
• Aaron Nesmith Under 2.5 threes
• Neemias Queta Under 8.5 rebounds
• Derrick White Over 0.5 blocks

Pacers vs Celtics odds

• Spread: Pacers +10.5 (-110) | Celtics -10.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Pacers +400 | Celtics -550
• Over/Under: Over 227 (-110) | Under 227 (-110)

Pacers vs Celtics betting trend to know

The Pacers have lost 15 straight road games vs teams with a winning record. Find more NBA betting trends for Pacers vs. Celtics.

How to watch Pacers vs Celtics

Pacers vs Celtics latest injuries

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Mike Dunleavy may have been a sharpshooter during his 15-year NBA career, but he showed Tuesday night he can still dunk when needed.

The Warriors’ general manager provided a brutal reality check to Jonathan Kuminga, who recently demanded a trade following rocky offseason contract negotiations with the team.

“I think as far as the demand, we’re aware of that. In terms of demands, when you make a demand, there needs to be a demand in the market,” Dunleavy said Tuesday night, one day after the team lost superstar Jimmy Butler for the year with a torn ACL.

“So, we’ll see where that unfolds. But heard, always with these guys, I tell them I’m willing to work with them, want to help people out whether that’s J.K. or any player on our roster. We’re good with, if that’s his wishes, trying to figure that out, but we got to do what’s best for our organization and that’s what we’ll do, as far as it goes with the deadline coming up.”

Mike Dunleavy on the Jonathan Kuminga trade demand: “I’m aware of that. In terms of demands, when you make a demand there needs to be demand.” pic.twitter.com/XOGXj3HFrs

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 21, 2026

It’s not often you hear a general manager basically say that nobody wants their player, but it would appear there is mounting frustration on both sides.

The Warriors selected Kuminga with the No. 7 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and it’s been a bumpy journey since.

Kuminga reportedly lost faith in coach Steve Kerr during the 2023-24 season, raising questions about his future with the team.

He then rejected a three-year, $75 million contract to become a free agent faster, with the sides agreeing in September to a two-year, $48.5 million deal.

ESPN reported the second year is essentially a dummy year, allowing Kuminga to hit free agency earlier.

This season has not gone as either party would like, with Kuminga averaging 12.2 points — his lowest since the 2022-23 campaign — and appearing in just 19 of 45 games.

He became trade eligible on Jan. 15 and promptly demanded to be dealt with this year’s trade deadline coming on Feb. 5.

Kuminga missed 16 straight games due to injuries and Kerr not playing him before finally returning Tuesday and scoring 20 points in a 145-127 home loss to Toronto.

Trading Kuminga would have been more straightforward if not for Butler’s injury, but the Warriors likely need him now if they hope to still contend.

“I think we’ll take the next couple weeks to assess this team a little bit more. I felt pretty good with where we’re at heading into (Monday)’s game in terms of what we need to do,” Dunleavy said. “Thought our team was playing really well, heading in the right direction, obviously things have changed. I want to take a couple of weeks here to watch these games, see our team and what we can do better.”

The Charlotte Hornets return from a successful five-game road swing to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Cavs' perimeter defense is struggling, and my Cavaliers vs. Hornets predictions expect the home team to sneak away with a victory. 

Read on for my NBA picks for Wednesday, January 21. 

Cavaliers vs Hornets prediction

Cavaliers vs Hornets best bet: Hornets moneyline (+120)

The Charlotte Hornets will win tonight because they present the most dangerous perimeter matchup for the Cleveland Cavaliers’ biggest defensive flaw: their 30th-ranked 3-point defense. 

Charlotte owns elite offensive efficiency over its last 10 games and is built to exploit that weakness with Kon Knueppel and LaMelo Ball spacing the floor.

While Cleveland likely controls the paint, it can’t match Charlotte’s volume shooting on either end of the floor.

Add in Darius Garland’s absence, and momentum from the Hornets' huge upset over Denver can overwhelm a tired defense that struggles to close out on shooters late.

Cavaliers vs Hornets same-game parlay

As previously mentioned, the Cavaliers' perimeter defense has struggled, and they’ll have their hands full tonight with Ball and Knueppel. 

Ball has averaged 3.7 made threes in his past 10 contests, while Knueppel is at 2.6 over that same stretch. 

Cavaliers vs Hornets SGP

• Hornets moneyline
• LaMelo Ball Over 3.5 threes
• Kon Knueppel Over 2.5 threes

Our "from downtown" SGP: What's the Buzz?

Hornets forward Moussa Diabate has become a willing passer out of the double-team and has dished at least two assists in seven of his previous 10 games.

Cavs guard Jaylon Tyson is seeing 30+ minutes with Garland on the shelf and has scored 16+ points in six straight games with at least 30 minutes. 

Cavaliers vs Hornets SGP

• Hornets moneyline
• LaMelo Ball Over 3.5 threes
• Kon Knueppel Over 2.5 threes
• Moussa Diabate Over 1.5 assists
• Jaylon Tyson Over 15.5 points

Cavaliers vs Hornets odds

• Spread: Cavaliers -2.5 (-110) | Hornets +2.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Cavaliers -140 | Hornets +120
• Over/Under: Over 236.5 (-110) | Under 236.5 (-110)

Cavaliers vs Hornets betting trend to know

The Cleveland Cavaliers have only hit the Moneyline in 26 of their last 50 games (-30.55 Units / -20% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Hornets.

How to watch Cavaliers vs Hornets

Cavaliers vs Hornets latest injuries

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The Dallas Mavericks’ rookie star and number one overall pick Cooper Flagg just played the 41^st game of his young career on Monday against the New York Knicks. His inaugural season has been a little interesting. Head coach Jason Kidd experimented with Flagg at point guard to open the season, a tough situation for any young player. The Mavericks’ odd lineups made it even tougher for the first year forward.

Kidd eventually pivoted away from that experiment and put Flagg at the forward spot, and things improved drastically. Flagg won Western Conference rookie of the month in both November and December, and looks to be in a tight race with Kon Knueppel for Rookie of the Year.

With half of his first season in the books, I wanted to look back at the last ten years of number one overall picks and see how Flagg compares. I compiled each number one pick’s basic counting stats—field goal percentage, 3-point percentage, points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, and 3-pointers made. Slash stats are points/rebounds/assists per game. All stats are through a player’s first 41 games of their career, regardless of whether those first 41 games came in their rookie year or in later seasons.

2025: Cooper Flagg

48% FG, 29% 3P, 18.8/6.3/4.1, 1.3 steals, .8 blocks

Totals: 770 points, 257 rebounds, 170 assists, 52 steals, 32 blocks, 4o 3PM

Flagg didn’t land into the perfect situation. The Mavericks are still reeling from the Luka Doncic trade, left in an odd purgatory. The roster is built poorly, expensive, yet far from being a contender for much of anything besides the play-in tournament. Worse still, the best player on that awkwardly fit roster, Anthony Davis, is consistently injured. Yet the Mavericks haven’t made any moves toward rebuilding the team around Flagg.

Head coach Jason Kidd went full mad scientist and experimented with Flagg at point guard early in the season. With Davis in and out of the lineup, there’s been no consistent rotation. Trade rumors and the detritus from the Doncic trade still linger over the franchise.

Flagg’s first 41 games in the NBA haven’t been ideal. But he’s put up numbers just as good or better than several of the number one overall picks listed below.

2015: Karl-Anthony Towns

52% FG, 33% 3P, 15.6/9.5/1.2, .6 steals, 1.7 blocks

Totals: 638 points, 391 rebounds, 50 assists, 26 steals, 69 blocks, 11 3PM

Towns was a good scorer the first half of his rookie season, but really stood out on defense. He’s one of the better rebounders on this list, and is second only to Victor Wembanyama in blocks.

Flagg edges Towns in scoring and is a better playmaker early on, and has better on ball defense. He’s also a much better shooter (40 3pm through 41 games compared to Towns’ 11) than the self-proclaimed “best shooting big man in NBA history.”

2016: Ben Simmons

51% FG, 0% 3P, 16.6/8/7.2, 1.9 steals, .9 blocks

Totals: 679 points, 328 rebounds, 296 assists, 77 steals, 38 blocks, 0 3PM

Simmons’ career has derailed to a point where he is now a professional competitive fisherman (no really, he is), so it’s easy to forget what a stat-stuffing phenom he was early on. Simmons did a little of everything on the basketball court, except shoot 3’s.

The Sixers had a more coherent vision for their team when Simmons was drafted than the Mavericks currently do with Flagg on board. Simmons also missed his first season in the league, giving him a full calendar year of development that Flagg hasn’t had.

2017: Markelle Fultz

43% FG, 23% 3P, 8.2/3.1/3.4, 1 steal, .2 blocks

Totals: 337 points, 129 rebounds, 138 assists, 39 steals, 9 blocks, 8 3PM

Fultz didn’t get to his 41st career game until his third season in the league. Even with the extra time in the NBA to develop, his stats are unremarkable. Due to all his injuries and issues with his jump shot, it’s impressive that Fultz has been able to carve out a career that’s going on eight years in the league. It speaks to his mental toughness, despite whatever went wrong early on his career.

Needless to say, Flagg definitively had a better first half-year than Fultz.

2018: DeAndre Ayton

60% FG, 0% 3P, 16.7/6.8/2.2, .8 steals, .9 blocks

Totals: 686 points, 439 rebounds, 90 assists, 31 steals, 37 blocks, 0 3PM

Ayton was a good scorer the first half of his rookie season, but didn’t do much else. For a big man, his rebounding and block numbers are low. On the other hand, 2.2 assists per game is pretty good for a rookie center. Ayton’s stats through 41 games as a rookie are decent, but considering who was drafted after him (remember Luka Doncic?), you’d probably want more out of your number one pick.

Flagg has been asked to do more than Ayton was in his rookie year, and the play on the court, as well as the stats, shows it.

2019: Zion Williamson

59% FG, 36% 3P, 23.1/6.8/2.2, .8 steals, .4 blocks

Totals: 946 points, 278 rebounds, 89 assists, 33 steals, 18 blocks, 8 3PM

Williamson didn’t get to his 41st game until his second season, but unlike Fultz, he took advantage of that extra development time. He’s the highest scorer on this list, and looked unstoppable with the ball in his hands those first few years. When he was healthy, of course. Williamson didn’t do a lot, else, however, with low numbers in every other category.

It’s a question that can spark some debate—would you rather have an electric scorer like Williamson, or a better all-around player like Flagg?

2020: Anthony Edwards

39% FG, 32% 3P, 16.8/4.2/2.5, 1 steal, .4 blocks

Totals: 689 points, 171 rebounds, 101 assists, 39 steals, 15 blocks, 86 3PM

Flagg has similar numbers to Edwards, which should be encouraging to Mavericks fans. Obviously they have different games, but a half-season of numbers similar to a multi-time all-star and All-NBA player is what you like to see.

2021: Cade Cunningham

40% FG, 33% 3P, 10.4/5.5/5.2, 1.3 steals, .7 blocks

Totals: 648 points, 224 rebounds, 215 assists, 54 steals, 28 blocks, 84 3PM

Cunningham grinded out a messy situation as a rookie and put up some solid stats. His assist numbers are low for a point guard, but remember, the Detroit Pistons had absolutely no one to hit shots at that point. He’s second only to Simmons in steals on this list.

There’s some comparison here to Flagg’s rookie year. The Piston’s poorly built roster and a front office in flux sounds familiar to Mavericks fans. Hopefully things turn around for Dallas and Flagg like they did for Detroit and Cunningham.

2022: Paolo Banchero

44% FG, 32% 3P, 20.8/6.4/3.8 1 steal, .5 blocks

Totals: 852 points, 261 rebounds, 154 assists, 42 steals, 20 blocks, 56 3PM

Banchero showed flashes of greatness early, and as is tradition in Orlando, without any shooting to space the floor for him. That’s tough for a rookie. Banchero took a leap in his sophomore year, making his first all-star game. He’s failed to build on that second-year bump, however, and hasn’t upped his game since.

Banchero’s first 41 games are a pretty good comp for Flagg. Hopefully the Mavericks rookie can level up the same way Banchero did next year.

2023: Victor Wembanyama

47% FG, 30% 3P, 20.6/10.1/3.1 1.1 steals, 3.1 blocks

Totals: 843 points, 415 rebounds, 126 assists, 45 steals, 128 blocks, 61 3PM

Wembanyama is the third leading scorer on this list. When you add in the tremendous amount of rebounds and blocks, along with the surprising number of assists, it’s easy to see why the Spurs’ phenom is considered an alien. If Wembanyama can stay healthy, he’ll be a force in the West for years.

Flagg beats out Wembanyama in assists and 3-pointers, but I give Wemby the edge here. He’s just too dynamic on both sides of the ball in those first 41 games.

2024: Zaccharie Risacher

 41% FG, 30% 3P, 11/3.5/1.2, .8 steals, .5 blocks

Totals: 451 points, 143 rebounds, 49 assists, 34 steals, 21 blocks, 52 3PM

Risacher’s first season was not what you want to see out of a number one overall pick. Only Fultz had worse counting stats, and as mentioned above, Fultz’s first few seasons were a disaster. But Fultz has overcome all his early issues and carved out a decent career in the NBA. Maybe Risacher can do the same.

Flagg easily surpassed Risacher’s production, but as we’ve seen above, every rookie’s situation needs to be taken into context. Risacher can still turn into a good rotation player.

The NBA is officially at the midway point in the season with every team playing at least 41 games so far during the 2025-26 campaign. At this point, we have a pretty good feel for the season while acknowledging the many surprises that can still be in store.

Yes, the Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs are legitimate championship contenders who are way ahead of schedule from how they were seen coming into the season. The Eastern Conference remains wide open, and now the Boston Celtics feel like a legitimate contender for an NBA Finals spot if Jayson Tatum can return from his torn Achilles. The West is still led by the Oklahoma City Thunder, but they don’t feel quite as overpowering now as they did during the first 25 games of the season.

With the Feb. 5 trade deadline and the 2026 NBA All-Star Game both approaching, here’s an updated ranking of every team in the league by their championship chances right now.

The Tankers

30. New Orleans Pelicans

29. Indiana Pacers

28. Brooklyn Nets

27. Washington Wizards

26. Sacramento Kings

25. Utah Jazz

24. Dallas Mavericks

23. Charlotte Hornets

The top of the 2026 NBA Draft is absolutely loaded, with Cameron Boozer, Darryn Peterson, and A.J. Dybantsa representing one of the strongest top-3s in recent memory. It was always inevitable that a trio this talented would cause mass tanking psychosis eventually this season, and that appears to be happening already. Some caveats do apply: the Pelicans aren’t tanking for anything after trading their unprotected 2026 first-round pick to Atlanta for Derik Queen — they’re just really bad. The Mavericks are still hovering around play-in range, but Anthony Davis’ hand injury means they’re probably better off tanking ASAP to maximize the chances of the only first-round pick they control until 2031. The Washington Wizards signaled they’re ready to stop tanking with their trade for Trae Young … after this season at least, as he’s still recovering from various lower body injuries. The Pacers are set up to execute the perfect gap year as Tyrese Haliburton recovers from a torn Achilles.

With the exception of the Kings who need a full teardown and have to deal with a loaded Western Conference, the rest of the teams in this tier feel like they could be in the playoff mix next season with some lottery luck. Cameron Boozer and Darryn Peterson are franchise cornerstone level prospects to me, and while I have been consistent in ranking Dybantsa third, he could also quickly emerge as an All-Star in the right environment. The winners of this draft lottery will suddenly be gifted a way out of jail. The future of the league will change based on how the ping pong balls bounce, and all of the teams in this tier have at least given themselves a chance to luck into a young star.

Fighting for the play-in tournament

22 Atlanta Hawks

21. Milwaukee Bucks

20. Chicago Bulls

19. Memphis Grizzlies

18. Golden State Warriors

17. Los Angeles Clippers

16. Portland Trail Blazers

15. Miami Heat

This is the worst tier to be in: no shot at doing anything of substance in the playoffs while also having very low odds to cash in lottery luck … aside from the Hawks, who own the Pelicans’ draft pick this year. It feels like almost all of these teams are dealing with some sort of crisis: the Bucks are hopelessly trying to build a contender around Giannis without any assets, the Warriors now have no hope to go on a run after Jimmy Butler’s torn ACL, the Grizzlies are stuck in Ja Morant trade rumor limbo, and the Bulls are in the exact same position every year with no real hope of ever getting better.

The Clippers are surging over the last month, and feel like the one team in this tier could maybe win a playoff series this year. The Blazers also have some good vibes this year with Deni Avdija’s breakout and a solid young core around him led by second-year big man Donovan Clingan. Miami just feels like it’s always waiting to pounce on the next available superstar, but there have been some wasted seasons along the way while they wait. I’ll give credit to the teams in this tier for not wanting to lose on purpose, but at a certain point, the NBA is all about superstars, and if you don’t have one, you might as well try to maximize your chances at landing a future one in the draft.

Solid playoff teams without real title equity

14. Philadelphia 76ers

13. Cleveland Cavaliers

12. Toronto Raptors

11. Orlando Magic

10. Phoenix Suns

9. Los Angeles Lakers

These teams could give their fans a thrill or two in the playoffs, but it’s hard to see them winning four straight series to claim the championship. It’s a tier with an equal mix of surprises and disappointments: the Cavs were supposed to be a legit title contender but haven’t looked the part all year, the Suns were supposed to be at the bottom of the West before morphing into the season’s most pleasant surprise, the Sixers’ youth movement has carried the team as Joel Embiid and Paul George have battled injuries, and the Lakers are just plain confusing with an encouraging record but a negative point-differential. I find Orlando — my preseason Eastern Conference champion pick! — to be the most frustrating team on this list. Paolo Banchero has been up-and-down and the team is once again better with him off the floor. Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs should be ascendent two-way players but injuries keep slowing their momentum. Anthony Black is having a legit breakout year and gave us maybe the season’s best dunk, but the Magic are ultimately still a middling East playoff team rather than a real contender.

I still like the Lakers to have the most long-term hope out of this group, strictly because they have the best player in Luka Doncic. It just feels like there’s so much more work that needs to be done to fully optimize the roster for Luka’s talents (and deficiencies) that they’re a year away, at least. I also want to shout-out Raptors rookie Collin Murray-Boyles in this section, who has looked outstanding lately as a small ball five. Read my big pre-draft feature on Murray-Boyles here.

Puncher’s chance at the championship

8. Boston Celtics

7. Houston Rockets

6. New York Knicks

5. Detroit Pistons

Someone has to win the East, and the conference’s three best teams find themselves in the second tier of the league title race. The Knicks looked like the obvious favorite to reach the NBA Finals after their NBA Cup win, but they’ve folded like a chair ever since they disrespected the Cup by refusing to hang a banner. New York’s two best players are still horrible defensively and that complicates any run through the bracket. The Pistons have been an amazing story and should be built to last as an East contender, but it feels like they’re one move away from a Finals run even in a weak conference. Detroit’s defense is fantastic, but their offense is still outside of the top-10 and could face a whole new set of problems in the playoffs. I think the Pistons need another ball handler and a front court shooter before they’re Finals-bound, but it would be hard to blame them for slow-rolling it with such a young team in a wide open conference. I’m suddenly fascinated by the Celtics’ Finals chances with Jayson Tatum potentially returning. I’ve thought a Tatum return was a terrible idea all season, but at this point it’s clear he’s determined to come back, and the Celtics are way ahead of where they should have been entering this season. If Tatum somehow hits the ground running, Boston probably has the most balance of any East contender.

I would be very tempted to pick the Celtics in a playoff series over both the Pistons and Knicks at this point, but that’s mostly pending how Tatum looks if and when he returns. I had Boston at No. 16 in my preseason rankings, and really thought they would be in the lottery mix in a great draft. There’s no need to tank when you already have a wagon, and the Celtics really might be there. For now, I’ll give the Pistons the slight edge in the East because I trust their offense slightly more than I trust the Knicks’ defense.

True championship contenders

4. Minnesota Timberwolves

3. San Antonio Spurs

2. Denver Nuggets

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

I framed this season as “the Thunder vs. the field” in my initial season power rankings and it still feels that way … only now the field might have the upper hand. OKC started 24-1, but they’ve shown some signs of vulnerability since then, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander being unable to keep up his sky-high free throw rate, Jalen Williams’ scoring efficiency plummeting after his wrist injury, and the team-wide three-point shooting dropping off significantly. The Thunder’s biggest challenger has felt like the Nuggets since the summer, and I’m still sticking with it. Nikola Jokic’s injury killed his chances at a fourth MVP, but it did allow the Nuggets to let Jamal Murray show what he can do with more creation reps, and give a bigger role to suddenly surging young wing Peyton Watson. A Thunder-Nuggets playoff rematch would be absolute cinema, but don’t discount San Antonio and Minnesota, either.

The Spurs have beaten OKC three times this season. Victor Wembanyama is a problem without a solution, and not even a top-3 center like Chet Holmgren can slow him down. I’m not sure the Spurs’ young guards are really ready for prime-time yet, and rookie No. 2 pick Dylan Harper has been struggling in particular over the last month. The Timberwolves might feel like a surprising pick for No. 4, but ultimately I feel like they’re a more complete team than the Knicks, Pistons, and Rockets with a better lead superstar. Anthony Edwards keeps taking his game to new levels, and right now it feels like he can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the league. The Wolves have been to the conference finals the last two years, and if they can add one more piece at the deadline, this team can go even further. For now, the championship still goes through OKC with Jokic looming as their biggest challenger.