Category: NBA

Let me paint you a picture of basketball karma that’s almost too perfect to be real.

Andrew Wiggins gets traded to Miami for Jimmy Butler. The Warriors throw a tribute video for Wiggins that damn near made me tear up. Then, in what feels like a cosmic joke, Jimmy Butler tears his ACL against his former team in Miami. Meanwhile, Jonathan Kuminga (who requested a trade and fell completely out of Steve Kerr’s rotation) suddenly has value again because the Warriors desperately need a wing with Butler down.

And where’s Wiggins? Out in South Beach playing solid two-way basketball like he never left the Bay Area. So here’s the question that’s got Dub Nation’s head spinning: What if the Warriors just… brought Wiggins back? What if they traded Kuminga to Miami for the guy they shipped out about a year ago?

The Warriors and Heat have been discussing a trade that would send Andrew Wiggins back to Golden State and Jonathan Kuminga to Miami, per @JakeLFischer

“There’s absolutely some type of framework that’s being discussed—and has been discussed” pic.twitter.com/9JhmEdFAkj

— Guru (@DrGuru_) January 27, 2026

Before you laugh this off as fantasy, remember: the Warriors have done this before.

They traded James Wiseman—the #2 overall pick from 2020—to get back Gary Payton II, a player they’d literally let walk. When you realize you were wrong, or when circumstances change the equation, Golden State has shown they’re not too proud to hit the undo button. That’s not weakness. That’s organizational wisdom.

The basketball fit makes sense in ways that should scare us. Wiggins knows this system inside and out. He knows the defensive rotations, the offensive flow, the culture. There’s zero learning curve. He’s already proven he can be the second-best player on a championship team while guarding the opponent’s best wing every night.

What does #DubNation think about the rumored trade return of the Heat’s Andrew Wiggins back to the Warriors for Kuminga? Such a trade would require the Warriors on including at least Buddy Hield or Moses Moody.

— Ray Almeda (@rayalmeda) January 27, 2026

Kuminga, for all his athletic gifts and potential, has been maddeningly inconsistent. He wanted out. Kerr clearly doesn’t trust him in big moments. And although I want every Warriors pick to dominate here in the Bay, Miami’s developmental track record with young wings could be helpful for him. Maybe a change of scenery unlocks something in JK that Golden State couldn’t?

But here’s where it gets complicated, and why I’m not saying I want this to happen; I’m just saying I’m fascinated that it could happen. The return of Wiggins after the Warriors traded him for something better in Butler would be absolutely hilarious. I spent years defending Wiggins when the entire basketball world called him a bust. I wrote Dub Nation a love letter about his play when he left. I celebrated that 2022 championship harder than anyone because it vindicated everything I believed about Maple Jordan. So yeah, part of me would love to see #22 back in blue and gold.

pic.twitter.com/zPynZ7xseE Here's the Warriors' full tribute video for Andrew Wiggins in his first game back at Chase Center

The end is every dad's dream

— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) January 20, 2026

But the other part of me wonders if the circumstances that made Wiggins great here were lightning in a bottle. That nostalgia is a hell of a drug, especially when you’re watching Steph’s window close in real-time. The Warriors are shuffling their deck before the trade deadline, trying to give Curry the best hand possible. Whether that includes a Wiggins return is anyone’s guess.

All I know is this: if it happens, Wiggins Island is about to experience a real estate boom.

What do you think, Dub Nation? Am I crazy for even entertaining this? Drop your thoughts below.

Wednesday’s Celtics-Hawks game feels like a fresh coat of paint on an old car. Boston is competing for the top of the East, while the Hawks take their appointed place in the play-in tournament. An offseason full of attrition for the Celtics (that directly helped the Hawks) seemingly changed nothing. Funny sport we have here.

When these two teams met a couple of weeks ago, it was an utter blowout in the C’s favor. What do they have to do this time for a similar result? Let’s break down the key matchups and set plays.

Jalen, May We Have This Dance?

Jalen Johnson’s breakout season has been the one thing keeping the Hawks from disaster. As they navigated the end of the Trae Young era, it has been Johnson’s offensive play that keeps their heads above water. But he sure has his flaws.

Atlanta has maintained a 78th percentile defensive rating with Johnson on the floor, according to Cleaning the Glass. But that’s not much of a credit to JJ; outside of his defensive rebounding, which is excellent, he’s not bringing a lot to the table defensively. And the Celtics know that.

There wasn’t much complexity to the Boston gameplan in the first matchup. See Jalen, put Jalen in action, profit. His penchant for giving up soft switches and getting lost in rotation is a huge boon for a team that wants to attack mismatches and shoot as many threes as possible.

Putting Jalen Johnson in direct action led to Jaylen Brown feasting in the first Hawks-Celtics matchup of the season. Count on more of the same tonight pic.twitter.com/UtOmnYNpfC

— Charlie Cummings (@klaytheist11) January 28, 2026

Perhaps this time around, Boston will up the complexity, adding some Spain/Stack PNRs and double-drag actions. Those extra layers of communication will put extra strain on Atlanta’s defense to cover for Johnson. But the most likely scenario is that they keep it simple and bring whoever he is guarding into a direct ball screen. As you saw above, it sure does work.

DHO Danger

Atlanta has no problem stacking overlapping skill sets. They view that as a strength, not a weakness. One skillset they have in spades is pull-up shooting, especially coming out of dribble handoffs. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, CJ McCollum, Corey Kispert, Luke Kennard, and Vit Krejci are all capable PU3 shooters off the dribble. Atlanta also has plenty of capable DHO operators: Onyeka Okongwu, Mo Gueye, and the aforementioned Jalen Johnson.

If you’re not active, denying the pull-up shots over these dribble handoffs, Atlanta can bury you in a hurry. They generated a whole bunch of looks in the first matchup.

Hawks had six PU3 attempts directly out of dribble handoffs in the first Celtics matchup, making two of those shots. C's did a great job containing the first go-around, and have to be on point tonight once again pic.twitter.com/MEVGaVitzl

— Charlie Cummings (@klaytheist11) January 28, 2026

Luckily for the Celtics, a lot of those shots came up wanting. They were able to play in drop and let the screen navigation dictate the shot. If they’re less lucky in this game, I’m curious whether or not Mazzulla adjusts the game plan to blitz these dribble handoffs and run them off the line

Prepare For Trouble

A key to this Atlanta team has been the development of Mouhamed Gueye. The young big is a defensive wizard, and his ability to survive on the perimeter on both ends of the floor makes him ideal for double-big pairings. So far, the Gueye-Onyeka Okongwu duo has been on the floor for 15.7% of Atlanta’s total possessions this season. It’s a combination that is becoming integral to their lineups.

That has not been a fruitful pairing so far, with a -8.3 net rating. They have weaknesses to exploit, and the Celtics will have to be wise to take advantage. Both players are young, and while they are great defenders, they can be thrown off when making unconventional rotations.

Cool in-game adjustment for the Celtics. Facing ATL's double bigs, they get blitzed on the first PNR, and Mo Gueye rotates to break it up. One minute later, same coverage, but this time they "short" the PNR with a wing pass to confuse Gueye and then hit the roller pic.twitter.com/CHLJAiEHaY

— Charlie Cummings (@klaytheist11) January 28, 2026

If the Celtics are crisp in their ball movement and relocations, there are plenty of threes and layups to be had against this lineup. But you also have to account for the size concerns; Okongwu is good at posting up mismatches, and those two can hit the glass hard against smaller competition. Sam Hauser is the key here as an excellent floor spacer with size; it’s no coincidence that his 30-point, 10/21 three-point shooting night came against these Hawks.

I hope you feel a bit more prepared for this game. Now kick back and bask in some Celtics excellence.

The Golden State Warriors are still adjusting to life without Jimmy Butler. Luckily for the Dubs, they get another cupcake matchup to work things out as they visit the Utah Jazz as 9.5-point road favorites.

My Warriors vs. Jazz predictions expect De’Anthony Melton to step up in Butler’s absence, with tip-off set for 9:00 p.m. ET in Salt Lake City.

Read more in my NBA picks for Wednesday, January 28.

Warriors vs Jazz prediction

Warriors vs Jazz best bet: De'Anthony Melton Over 2.5 assists (+150)

One player who has seen an uptick in production with Jimmy Butler sidelined is De’Anthony Melton.

The Golden State Warriors guard has averaged 16 points and 3.5 assists per game in the four contests since Butler’s injury, and I like him to deliver another productive night against the Utah Jazz.

Utah is arguably the worst defensive team in the NBA, ranking last in both defensive rating and opponent points per game. The Jazz also sit at the bottom in opponent assists per possession, and oddsmakers have seemingly overlooked Melton’s improved assist numbers with Butler out.

Warriors vs Jazz same-game parlay

Utah surrenders the most 3-point attempts and makes per game in the Association, and the Jazz have allowed Steph Curry to score 31 points in both previous meetings.

Another player who could step up with Butler out is Moses Moody. He’s been cleaning lately, averaging 4.8 rebounds over his last five contests.

Warriors vs Jazz SGP

• De'Anthony Melton Over 2.5 assists
• Steph Curry Over 29.5 points
• Moses Moody Over 3.5 rebounds

Our "from downtown" SGP: Road Warriors

If the first three legs of this SGP hit, the Dubs likely cover this number as well.

Warriors vs Jazz SGP

• De'Anthony Melton Over 2.5 assists
• Steph Curry Over 29.5 points
• Moses Moody Over 3.5 rebounds
• Warriors -9 

Warriors vs Jazz odds

• Spread: Warriors -9 (-110) | Jazz +9 (-110)
• Moneyline: Warriors -310 | Jazz +250
• Over/Under: Over 240.5 (-110) | Under 240.5 (-110)

Warriors vs Jazz betting trend to know

The Jazz have hit the game total Over in 32 of their last 45 home games (+17.70 Units / 36% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Warriors vs. Jazz.

How to watch Warriors vs Jazz

Warriors vs Jazz latest injuries

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

Is any player off limits?

With the trade deadline a week away, Giannis Antetokounmpo has become the biggest name to watch on the market, and the Knicks have hovered around the center of the conversation all season.

From a salary standpoint, a one-for-one deal centered on Karl-Anthony Towns is the cleanest match for both teams. But if you’re talking purely basketball, a straight swap tells a different story, with Towns coming up just a tier below Giannis.

Across 13 seasons, Antetokounmpo has posted career averages of 24 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists per game, along with a steal and a block on a nightly basis.

Towns, over 11 seasons with two franchises, has put up similar numbers, 23 points and 11 rebounds per game, but with less playmaking and defensive impact, averaging three assists and fewer than one steal and block per game.

Karl-Anthony Towns and Giannis Antetokounmpo have built markedly different résumés that reflect their contrasting career arcs. Towns burst into the league as the 2016 NBA Rookie of the Year and has since developed into a perennial All-Star, earning one All-NBA Third Team selection while redefining what is possible offensively for a center. A 2022 NBA Three-Point Contest champion, Towns is widely regarded as the greatest shooting big man in league history, combining volume, efficiency, and range in a way few frontcourt players ever have. Giannis, meanwhile, has authored one of the most decorated careers of his era. The two-time NBA MVP, 2021 NBA champion, and Finals MVP has also captured a Defensive Player of the Year award, made multiple All-NBA First Teams and All-Defensive First Teams, and cemented his legacy with a historic 50-point performance in the championship-clinching game of the 2021 NBA Finals.

At the end of the day, Giannis’s résumé clearly outweighs Towns’s, and if the Bucks balk at a deal centered on him, there are plenty of other scenarios the Knicks could explore. According to ESPN’s Trade Machine, alternative packages could be constructed using nearly any combination of players on the roster, including the possibility of a blockbuster deal built around Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges.

A straight-up Giannis-for-Brunson trade isn’t possible, but with other pieces, the captain could, on paper, be moved.

Comparing 1:1, the notion would heavily favor the Knicks in terms of overall talent. Giannis is a generational star, an NBA champion who is capable of dominating every aspect of the game, while Brunson, though an elite point guard and floor leader, can’t match that same level of impact. The Knicks would instantly upgrade their ceiling with a two-time MVP on the roster. The Bucks, meanwhile, would gain a steady, reliable playmaker who can run an offense and score efficiently, but they’d be losing the centerpiece of their franchise.

In pure talent terms, the edge goes to New York, though salary considerations and roster balance, from a long-term strategy, fit, and roster balance perspective, the Bucks could argue they’re getting pieces to rebuild or diversify.

Another trade scenario that works within the trade machine is a 3-for-1 deal that would send OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson, and Guerschon Yabusele to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

From Milwaukee’s side, bringing in Anunoby, Robinson, and Yabusele would add depth, positional balance, and manageable contracts, but it would come at the massive cost of losing their franchise player. Anunoby provides elite two-way wing play and perimeter defense, Robinson offers rim protection and rebounding, and Yabusele adds scoring versatility off the bench. While the Bucks would gain talent at multiple positions, they would be giving up the unique, game-changing impact that Giannis brings every night.

In the end, this type of move would be trading star power for depth and balance, which could put Milwaukee’s ability to contend for a title at risk. It would give the Knicks a true Big Three, even if the idea is extremely unrealistic. While this dream scenario would almost certainly never materialize, it highlights just how many different player combinations the Knicks can realistically explore.

That said, the bigger question remains: should New York explore every possible avenue to land the two-time MVP, even if it means considering moves that would once have seemed unthinkable? And if they do, is anyone, primarily Brunson, truly off limits when it comes to building a team capable of contending for a championship?

After being teased for years about his dry skin, NBA superstar and current Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant has teased a collaboration with the skincare company CeraVe.

Durant, 37, alluded to the collaboration in a video shared Tuesday, Jan. 27, on X, in which he reads jokes poking fun at his dry legs.

"Y’all keep bringing up my legs…might be time to address it with @cerave? #ad," he captioned the post, tagging the company owned by L'Oréal.

In the video, Durant reads multiple X posts by random users begging him to put lotion on his legs. "No way KD can be that Ashy!!!!!!! No way lol. OMG," one user's post reads.

The other X posts shared in the video joke about Durant's dry legs being "highly flammable," and how fans sometimes chant "you need lotion" during NBA games.

The final X post Durant reads in the video says: "Going to be the first NBA player with a lotion deal." After reading this post, the 15-time NBA All-Star throws up his hands as a cash register sound is heard.

The Orlando Magic will look to break a four-game losing streak as they visit the in-state rival Miami Heat on Wednesday night.

The last two meetings between these teams saw relatively little scoring on both sides, and I’m taking the Under again in my Magic vs. Heat predictions.

Read on to see my full analysis of tonight’s matchup in my free NBA picks for Wednesday, January 28.

Magic vs Heat prediction

Magic vs Heat best bet: Under 229.5 (-110)

No team in the NBA plays faster than the Miami Heat, but that hasn’t always meant that other teams can’t slow them down. We saw that on Sunday when the Phoenix Suns held Miami to only 111 points, albeit in a win for the Heat.

It’s been a similar story in the last two games between the Heat and the Orlando Magic. Orlando won both of those games in December by keeping the fast-paced Miami offense in check, hitting the Under in both games with totals of 211 and 225 points, respectively.

The Magic have also been grinding on offense as of late. They’ve failed to score more than 109 points in any of their last four games, hitting the Under in each of their last three contests.

The loss of Franz Wagner (22.2 ppg), who has been suffering through a variety of injuries this season, has hurt the Orlando offense, and even Paolo Banchero — who scored 37 points on Monday and is averaging 24.5 ppg in January — hasn’t been able to get the Magic back on track.

With Orlando struggling to put up points, but also having a strong track record of imposing their game plan on Miami, I’m not expecting a lot of scoring in tonight’s game.

Magic vs Heat same-game parlay

Orlando has dropped four straight games and has failed to cover in any of those losses, so I’ll take the heat to cover a small spread, something they’ve done in three of their last four.

I’m also going to take Bam Adebayo to hit his combined rebound and assists Over at 13.5, a number he’s reached six times so far in January.

Magic vs Heat SGP

• Under 229.5
• Heat -3.5
• Bam Adebayo Over 13.5 rebounds + assists

Our "from downtown" SGP: Wiggins plays his part

Andrew Wiggins has compiled at least 18 combined points and assists in five of his last seven games overall and is averaging 18.6 points + assists on the season.

Magic vs Heat SGP

• Under 231
• Heat -3.5
• Bam Adebayo Over 13.5 rebounds + assists
• Andrew Wiggins Over 16.5 points + assists

Magic vs Heat odds

• Spread: Magic +2.5 | Heat -2.5
• Moneyline: Magic +122 | Heat -144
• Over/Under: Over 229.5 | Under 229.5

Magic vs Heat betting trend to know

The Under is 3-0 in Orlando’s last three games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Heat.

How to watch Magic vs Heat

Magic vs Heat latest injuries

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

The basketball world is restless again, and this time they are whispering Giannis Antetokounmpo’s name across the league. ESPN’s Shams Charania dropped the bomb: the Greek Freak is preparing for a possible exit, with multiple teams already sending serious offers to Milwaukee. The Bucks are listening now, actually listening, and suddenly the most interesting question is not where Giannis goes, but whether Golden State can really pull this off.

Because here is the part that should make every Warriors fan pause and lean in. Steph Curry might be the perfect basketball partner for Giannis.

Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is ready for a new home at the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline or in the offseason as several rival teams make aggressive offers to the Milwaukee Bucks for him, and the franchise is starting to listen, league sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/OejatbQjDy

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 28, 2026

Curry’s greatness is not just the shooting or the gravity. It is the way he moves without the ball, the way he sets screens for anyone, the way he never needs to dominate the spotlight to dominate the game. He is the rare superstar who is both the engine and the lubricant. The most important player on the floor and the most generous.

Now put that next to Giannis, a force built to attack downhill, shred defenses in transition, and collapse the paint by sheer will. The fit is not just good folks, it is terrifying. Giannis thrives when the floor is spaced and defenses cannot load up. Curry does not just space the floor, he destroys coverages! You cannot help off him. You cannot go under. You cannot blink. That means Giannis gets space he has never consistently had in Milwaukee, not even during the title run with Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday.

There is another layer here too. This pairing could extend Curry’s prime. At 37, he does not need to carry the offense every night. With Giannis absorbing pressure and handling primary creation, Curry becomes the ultimate complementary weapon. It sounds absurd given who Steph is, but that role could keep him elite deep into his late thirties.

Warriors adding Giannis next to Steph Curry pic.twitter.com/7jSt0X1HJu

— jose ☔️ (@KlayForTrey) January 28, 2026

Milwaukee’s reality is grim. They are 18-27, tied for 11th in the East. They are 3-12 without Giannis. Their offense without him would rank last in the league. They tried everything, including trading Jrue, acquiring Damian Lillard only to waive and stretch Dame to sign Myles Turner. The future is gone, and the roster collapses without its superstar.

So can the Warriors actually do this? It is complicated. Golden State does not have the pick stash that Oklahoma City or Brooklyn can offer. They cannot flood the table with five first rounders. But they do have Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, the dominant but injured Jimmy Butler, tradeable contracts, and something no other contender can sell: Stephen Curry and a proven championship ecosystem. Milwaukee wants young talent and draft capital. The Warriors could build a package around Kuminga, future firsts, and salary matching pieces. It would be painful. It would take creativity. But this is not fantasy. It is plausible.

Golden State's odds to land Giannis at the trade deadline just skyrocketed to 24% on @PolymarketSport, up from 4% head 🤯 https://t.co/UqzX5Cw12e

— TheWarriorsTalk (@TheWarriorsTalk) January 28, 2026

The Warriors have made it known to the Bucks that they are willing to offer a Jonathan Kuminga/Jimmy Butler-headlined package with draft picks for Giannis Antetokounmpo, sources tell @SIChrisMannixhttps://t.co/Kve6z871is

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) January 27, 2026

Would Dub Nation accept it? That answer feels obvious. Losing Kuminga would hurt because watching young talent walk always does. But this is Giannis Antetokounmpo next to Stephen Curry. This is one more real title window for the greatest Warrior ever. This is a duo that could bend the modern NBA. Curry stayed when he could have left and he built something that outlived eras and trends. And now, with the clock ticking but the magic still very real, he deserves one more swing with a true peer beside him.

The trade deadline is February 5. Milwaukee may move now or wait until summer. But for Warriors fans, the question is simpler.

Do we dare to dream this big?

I do. And I think most of Dub Nation does too.

No reason to beat around the bush — Shams is reporting that Giannis is done in Milwaukee. Whether he gets traded at the deadline next week or this summer, it doesn’t seem like we will head into next season with the Greek Freak in Wisconsin.

Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is ready for a new home at the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline or in the offseason as several rival teams make aggressive offers to the Milwaukee Bucks for him, and the franchise is starting to listen, league sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/OejatbQjDy

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 28, 2026

No matter which NBA market you’re in, your mind immediately goes to: “Could Giannis come HERE?”

Rumours of Giannis coming to Toronto aren’t a new phenomenon. The NBA All-Star, Champion, and MVP has been attached to Toronto several times throughout his career, especially back when Masai Ujiri ran the team. Now that it’s clear he wants out of his current situation, Toronto fans will obviously foam at the mouth at the idea of a star like him coming to Toronto.

Is it even possible, though? Is it even a good idea?

To answer the first note, anything is possible, technically. The Bucks will want to absolutely clean house in exchange for their franchise superstar, so the price will be high. Yet, he also wants out, so they can’t be precious about it, either.

Now, is bringing Giannis to the Raptors right now a good idea? That’s more complicated.

To get Giannis, the Raptors would basically have to gut their current core. Milwaukee would obviously go for Scottie Barnes first — he’s one of the closest player-for-player replacements for Giannis in the entire league, and younger. Do the Raptors just hand away their home-drafted, All-Star-bound, 24-year old superstar for the 31-year old version of him? Do they give up on the kid they’ve invested the past 5 years into? The one they built this entire franchise around?

Now, some reports say both Barnes and Ingram are “untouchable” in Giannis talks. Which does make sense — why bring a star in with no core around him? Yet, also take these reports with a grain of salt, as always.

The Raptors have made Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes untouchable in Giannis trade talks, per @GrantAfsethpic.twitter.com/cF0ypGJass

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 28, 2026

If they aren’t willing to give up Scottie or Ingram, the Raptors would have to send some sort of combination of Jakob Poeltl, RJ Barrett, Collin Murray-Boyles, maybe more players, and so so so many draft picks. Even with Scottie or Ingram in the mix, the deal would probably include other assets. Not just to make the money work but to satisfy the Bucks.

The situation changes a bit if Giannis himself says, “I want to come to Toronto.” That isn’t impossible, either. He seems to want to stay in the Eastern conference and be in a place where it would be easier to get to his wife and kids in Greece with ease. That’s basically New York or Toronto. If Giannis expresses a desire to come to Toronto, the price for him could drop a little in a trade, since that destination has the leverage.

Okay, so say it’s possible, and the price is right — does Giannis work in Toronto? I mean, a star of his calibre works anywhere. The question is how it works. Do you keep Scottie and deploy a freakishly large lineup? Do you let Scottie go in the trade and replace his impact with Giannis?

While it would be cool to have a star like Giannis, it would also mean taking apart this team that has so much chemistry. There are pros and cons for sure. Personally, I think it would be cool, but also won’t be gutted if it doesn’t happen. As a Toronto sports fan, I’m very over getting my hopes up at huge free agents choosing to come or stay here. Kawhi, Shohei, Bo, the list goes on. I’m not getting my hopes up for Giannis.

Personally, I think he goes to Miami. Miami is still east enough to be able to access Europe pretty easily, plus pairing him with Bam Adebayo and then cleaning house on basically everyone else seems like a logical solution. You still go to a team with a great, experienced coach in Spo, and the Heat are desperate for a refresh. With Scottie and Ingram apparently not available, it seems far-fetched to think Giannis coming to Toronto is possible. Miami makes sense, to me anyway.

Either way, the NBA’s next mega star is on the move.

Even the MSG broadcast is going in on Karl-Anthony Towns.

The beleaguered Knicks center had his hustle called out by someone within the organization for the second time in recent memory Tuesday night when legendary announcer Walt “Clyde” Frazier wondered where Towns was after falling to the court on the other end.

“Where is Towns? He’s just getting into the picture,” Frazier said roughly 10 seconds after Towns missed a shot in the Knicks’ 103-87 win over the Kings.

Knicks announcers are SICK of KAT not getting back on D

“WHERE’S TOWNS?” pic.twitter.com/ja3E7NXpDu

— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) January 28, 2026

Towns has come under fire in recent weeks, especially with the Knicks not playing up to their potential and the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors that always include him.

Almost two weeks ago against this same Kings team in a surprising 112-101 loss, he earned scorn from head coach Mike Brown after half-heartedly attempting to get back on defense after hitting the deck.

“He drove. Something happened where he fell down. He drove, he fell down,” Brown said at the time. “When you fall down, you got to get up and got to sprint down the floor. And even when you’re the last guy down the floor, you got to get down there just in case there’s a long rebound. But there was no urgency. That wasn’t the only play. There were a handful of plays that we did that. But there was no sense of urgency on that particular play to get back. And it was a five-point swing.

“If he at least gets down the floor, long rebound, he’s going to get it because he’s trailing the play. We watched the play at halftime and he didn’t even cross halfcourt. That sums up what our night was.”

Towns made more of an effort Tuesday night, but it’s notable that a team-friendly broadcaster noticed his lack of hustle.

After Towns missed a tough shot in the third quarter with the Knicks leading, 75-72, the Kings pushed the ball up the court and crossed midcourt roughly three seconds later.

Sacramento did not take advantage of the five-on-four situation, and Towns only appeared in the screen roughly 10 seconds after his missed shot.

Making matters worse for Towns, he did not play down the stretch, with Mitchell Robinson instead anchoring the court.

He finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

These types of players and coaching strategies raise questions about Towns’ future with the team, especially if the Knicks truly pursue a blockbuster trade for Antetokounmpo.

Everyone can see that LeBron James’ basketball career is approaching its conclusion.

He is the oldest player in the NBA at 41 and has played a league record 23 seasons. With injuries like his sciatica keeping him out of games and LeBron on the final year of his Lakers deal, what he will do next year is very much up in the air.

While what LeBron will do is a mystery, the options are clear. James can either retire, return to the Lakers on a new deal, or play for another team.

Dave McMenamin of ESPN writes that if LeBron wanted to end his NBA career where it started, in Cleveland, the Cavs would reportedly welcome him back.

Multiple team and league sources told ESPN the Cavaliers would gladly welcome James back this summer if he wanted to return to Cleveland for his 24th NBA season and third stint with the team.

LeBron played with the Cavs for 11 years, and ending things where they began for the kid from Akron would be a perfect conclusion for one of the greatest players of all time.

No one is expecting the Cavs to be title contenders next season, so LeBron could enjoy his farewell tour and wrap things up with little to no pressure to compete.

While LeBron’s eight seasons with the Lakers are his longest stint with one team, he has more years as a Cavalier. Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka said he would “love” to have LeBron retire as a Laker, but since James didn’t sign or ask for an extension this summer, he has every option available to him on how his career will end.

James has had a steady decline in his production, but he is still playing at a high level. LeBron is averaging 22.4 points, 6 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game.

The truth is, no one knows what LeBron will do next.

The NBA has added a commemorative patch to LeBron’s jersey this season, which seems to suggest the league is making sure it celebrates James now, just in case this is his final year.

Until James states otherwise, anything is possible. The Lakers would like him to end things here, the Cavs are open to him taking his talents back to Cleveland and the basketball world is awaiting his final decision.

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

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been stumbling of late, but the Dallas Mavericks have been playing well enough lately that such an opponent should still be a frustration.

My Timberwolves vs. Mavericks predictions account for both Minnesota’s fatigue and the likely lack of focus.

Find out more in my NBA picks for January 28.

Timberwolves vs Mavericks prediction

Timberwolves vs Mavericks best bet: Mavericks +6.5 (-110)

The Minnesota Timberwolves are simply in a bad schedule spot, on top of being in the midst of overall struggles.

Minnesota lost five straight before beating Golden State’s second unit on Monday night. Much of that could be forgotten if the Wolves beat the Thunder tomorrow, a worry they are likely already looking ahead to.

Life is rarely as simple as that clear of a lookahead moment, but when facing a lottery team, it would be natural for Minnesota to think about Oklahoma City a day early.

That would be a mistake. Rather, it will be a mistake.

The Dallas Mavericks have gone 4-1 against the spread in their last five, including two outright wins as an underdog. Frankly, there is logic to betting the Mavs’ moneyline tonight at +200 with bet365.

Timberwolves vs Mavericks same-game parlay

This Under is another nod to Minnesota likely looking ahead to tomorrow night, but Rudy Gobert has not struggled too much during the Timberwolves’ downswing, notching a double-double in four of his last five games and in eight of his last 11.

Timberwolves vs Mavericks SGP

• Mavericks +6.5
• Under 228
• Rudy Gobert double-double

Our "from downtown" SGP: Reid between the lines

Naz Reid has not been scoring as consistently recently, possibly because of a bothersome shoulder. But he has still produced, clearing this combo prop in his last four games and six of his last seven games, ignoring the one five-minute game that included that initial injury.

Timberwolves vs Mavericks SGP

• Mavericks +6.5
• Under 228
• Rudy Gobert double-double
• Naz Reid Over 9.5 assists+rebounds

Timberwolves vs Mavericks odds

• Spread: Timberwolves -6.5 | Mavericks +6.5
• Moneyline: Timberwolves -245 | Mavericks +200
• Over/Under: Over 228 | Under 228

Timberwolves vs Mavericks betting trend to know

Not only has Dallas gone 4-1 ATS in its last five games, but the Mavericks have exceeded bookmakers’ expectations by an average of 15.2 points in those five outings, even when including the single ATS loss. Find more NBA betting trends for Timberwolves vs. Mavericks.

How to watch Timberwolves vs Mavericks

Timberwolves vs Mavericks latest injuries

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More time for Amari? 

Over the last three games, Amari Williams played five minutes against the Brooklyn Nets, then followed that with 10 minutes against the Chicago Bulls during a back-to-back. In his limited time, Williams impressed with his defensive ability while also looking competent on the offensive end. That earned him an expanded role, as Joe Mazzulla gave Williams 26 minutes against the Portland Trail Blazers.

In those 26 minutes, Williams scored nine points, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked two shots.

Mazzulla often talks about a “next man up” mentality, and with Neemias Queta dealing with an illness, Williams took advantage of the opportunity. He’s made a case for working his way into the rotation. In the limited NBA minutes we’ve seen so far, Williams gives off Robert Williams (Time Lord) vibes, maybe because he was competing against him, but it’s something that stands out.

I don’t expect Williams to become a key cog in the rotation by any means, and I think he’s benefited from developing out of the spotlight in Maine. Still, when Boston’s frontcourt is dealing with an injury or illness, Williams needs to be ready. I’d personally love to see him get more minutes throughout the rest of the season, even if it’s only sparingly.

Can Boston snap Atlanta’s streak? 

The Hawks, currently 10th in the Eastern Conference, are on a three-game winning streak after defeating the Grizzlies, Suns and Pacers. During that stretch, Atlanta has received contributions from a variety of players.

The main player the Celtics need to contain is Jalen Johnson. Johnson does just about everything for Atlanta, leading the team in points (23 ppg), rebounds (10.4) and assists (7.9), while shooting 50.5% from the field and 35% from three-point range. In their earlier meeting this month, the Celtics held Johnson to 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while forcing four turnovers. If Boston can limit his production again, it stands a good chance of getting the job done.

Another player the Celtics will need to keep in check is Onyeka Okongwu, who had a strong performance in the last meeting. Okongwu led the Hawks with 21 points in that game. More recently, he scored 25 points on 9-of-15 shooting against the Phoenix Suns. With Kristaps Porzingis in and out of the lineup, Okongwu has enjoyed increased playing time and a larger role with the Latvian sidelined.

Will there be another Hauser or Brown 2.0 performance? 

In Boston’s 132-106 win over the Hawks in Atlanta, much of the postgame conversation, rightfully so, centered around Sam Hauser’s 30-point performance. Hauser attempted 21 three-pointers and made 10 of them, without taking a single shot inside the arc.

When Hauser is feeling it and knocks down his first shot of the game, I tend to believe he’s in for a good night. Given the space he found against Atlanta last time, it’s safe to assume Quinn Snyder will emphasize not losing track of Hauser, whether in the half court or in transition.

One player who somehow flew under the radar that night was Jaylen Brown, who scored 41 points. Celtics fans have grown accustomed to Brown putting up 30-plus points consistently this season, but he quietly dropped 41 in his home city. Hopefully both Hauser and Brown can replicate those performances Wednesday.

The Golden State Warriors conclude their four-game road trip with Wednesday night’s matchup against the Utah Jazz. Tip-off is set for 6:00 PM PT in Salt Lake City and can be watched on NBC Sports Bay Area.

Wednesday night Warriors

🏀 GSW at UTA
🕕 6:00 pm PT
📺 @NBCSAuthentic
📻 @957thegame
📲 https://t.co/6BLvDT0oIP

@Betway || #DubNationpic.twitter.com/H38nkNaewZ

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) January 28, 2026

Previously with the Warriors:

There wasn’t much to take away from Golden State’s most recent 108-83 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night. The Warriors were severely shorthanded, resting multiple key players as Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, De’Anthony Melton, and Al Horford all sat out the second game of the back-to-back.

That left the team leaning heavily on its younger players, but the group struggled to rise to the occasion. Quinten Post was the team’s leading scorer on the night with 13 points on 5-of -12 shooting from the field. As a team, the Warriors shot just 34.7% from the field, 23.1% from three, and 61.5% from the free-throw line. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you…. THE SECOND TIMELINE 🎊

(via @realapp) pic.twitter.com/nPRJ2XbmpI

— TheWarriorsTalk (@TheWarriorsTalk) January 27, 2026

What to watch for tonight:

The Warriors are still working to re-establish their rhythm following Jimmy Butler’s season-ending injury, but they should get some relief in tonight’s matchup against the Jazz as Curry and Green are expected to return, along with Melton and Horford.

Warriors at Jazz injury report: pic.twitter.com/n2oDC3GKnd

— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) January 27, 2026

Curry’s return alone provides a major boost. Prior to sitting out Monday, he scored a combined 64 points in the first two games of this road trip while shooting 11-of-25 from three-point range. He could be in line for another big night against a Utah team that ranks last in the league in defensive rating (122.4).

Enjoy the game Dub Nation. GO WARRIORS!!! 

Projected Starters

Warriors: Steph Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Draymond Green, Al Horford

Jazz: Keyonte George, Cody Williams, Ace Bailey, Lauri Markkanen, Jusuf Nurkic

How to watch Regular Season Game 49

Who: Golden State Warriors (26 – 22) vs. Utah Jazz (15 – 32)

When: Wednesday, January 28th, at 6:00 p.m. PT

Where: Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah

TV: NBC Sports Bay Area (available on fuboTV)

BOSTON — Neemias Queta is finally taking a night off to deal with a non-COVID illness that’s been bothering him since Friday. Queta has been on the injury report since the Celtics’ game against the Brooklyn Nets, but he’s nonetheless played in all three of the team’s most recent contests.

The Celtics center has averaged 10 points and 8 rebounds on 64.4% shooting in 24.9 minutes per game this season. But his numbers have dipped while he’s battled illness; over the past three games, Queta has averaged just 5.3 points and 4 rebounds a night.

Luka Garza missed Monday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers with illness, but is back in the lineup on Wednesday. Garza is averaging 7.6 points and 4.2 rebounds in 16.5 minutes per game, while shooting 58.6% from the field and 45.5% from three.

Garza will undoubtedly shoulder a bigger load when the Celtics and Hawks face off on Wednesday. And, so could two-way rookie Amari Williams, who has appeared in 11 games for the Celtics and is coming off a career-high 26 minutes on Monday. Williams’ 9 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks all marked career highs.

“I thought Amari did a great job today,” Jaylen Brown said on Monday. “I thought he looked exceptional. He came out, protected the rim, and was where he was supposed to be for the most part. Amari made it easy for us tonight, but any given night — depending on how the team is playing us — that communication has to be great.”

Outside of Queta, the only other player on the Celtics’ injury report is Jayson Tatum, who continues to rehab a torn Achilles. (Josh Minott, who missed three weeks with an ankle sprain, is off the injury report, but was nevertheless a DNP on Monday night.

For the Hawks, Kristaps Porzingis (left Achilles tendonitis), Zaccharie Risacher (left knee bone contusion), and N’Faly Dante (right knee torn ACL) are out. Porzingis did not travel with the team to Boston, per CLNS’s Bobby Manning.

Celtics-Hawks tips off at 7:30pm at TD Garden.