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Chris Paul deserved a better ending than this

Jan 2, 2026; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chris Paul in attendance during the HoopHall West Tournament at Skyline High School. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

As All-Star Weekend was preparing to kick off in Los Angeles, inside the Clippers’ building of all places, some unfortunate news slipped out ahead of the festivities. And when the notification hit my phone, my first thought was simple and immediate: the NBA did him dirty. I am talking about Chris Paul, who had been traded by the Clippers to Toronto last week, only for the Raptors to waive him yesterday, which ultimately led to Paul deciding it was time to retire.

The timing was brutal, the setting felt ironic, and the whole thing landed with a strange finality, one of the most influential point guards of his era exiting the league quietly while the circus of All-Star Weekend warmed up around a place he called home for 7 of his 21 years.

It is hard to come up with a more unceremonious exit for a player of this magnitude, especially when you stack it against the career Chris Paul put together and the imprint he left on the league. The way this ended feels heavy, awkward, and deeply unsatisfying, like the lights got shut off in the middle of a sentence.

21 years. 7 teams. 23,058 points (41st all-time). 12,552 assists (2nd all-time). 2,728 steals (2nd all-time). 1 NBA Finals appearance.

LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 30: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns holds the Western Conference Finals trophy after Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals of the 2021 NBA Playoffs on June 30, 2021 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

What the Clippers did here feels dirty, and it deserves to be called that. This was not some forgettable stop late in a career, not a jersey he barely wore. This was the franchise that had no pulse, no credibility, and no real identity for decades until Chris Paul arrived in 2011 and dragged them into relevance. He changed how they were viewed, how they were covered, and how they carried themselves.

Yes, there were playoff disappointments, and yes, there were moments that still sting, but the idea that his final chapter with that organization would end in a quiet transaction and a shrug is something they should be embarrassed by.

Paul came back this past offseason after a year in San Antonio with the understanding, spoken or not, that this was a farewell lap. A chance for fans in Los Angeles and around the league to acknowledge what they were watching for the last time. Instead, he gets rerouted, waived, and left to make a retirement decision in the shadow of All-Star Weekend. That is not closure. That is avoidance.

And sure, plenty of people never loved Chris Paul. He annoyed opponents. He pushed buttons. He lived in the margins of the rulebook and made a career out of being smarter than the moment. But he also left something real everywhere he went. New Orleans. Los Angeles. Houston. Oklahoma City. Phoenix. Golden State. San Antonio. He built a trail of fans who appreciated the way he saw the game and the way he competed.

In a league that has drifted almost entirely toward scoring guards and highlight hunting, Chris Paul was a reminder of something older and more deliberate. A distributor. A tactician. A point guard who controlled tempo, space, and emotion. Watching him work felt like watching a craft that fewer and fewer players bother to learn anymore.

He and head coach Ty Lue reportedly did not see eye to eye, and at some point, the lines of communication went quiet. So the organization made the decision to send him home, one of those situations where the room suddenly felt too small for two strong personalities who both believed in their vision of the game.

The team moved forward without him, found some success along the way, even though Paul’s role had already been reduced to 14.3 minutes per game across 16 appearances, and eventually chose a different direction entirely at the trade deadline. James Harden was sent to Cleveland. Ivica Zubac went to Indiana. The message was clear. Eyes forward. Build toward what comes next.

What makes it linger is that there was also a chance to look backward, to acknowledge what had been given, to honor a career that shaped not only franchises but eras of basketball. I understand the business side of it. I understand the constant push to balance short-term decisions with long-term planning. I understand that Chris Paul is a big personality, one shaped by experience, conviction, and having seen nearly every version of the league over two decades.

The Clippers have been a public relations mess all season, and this only adds another layer to it. Allegations of salary cap circumvention tied to dealings with Aspiration and back-channel payments to Kawhi Leonard have been hanging over the organization like a low cloud. Everyone is waiting with bated breath to see whether there is any real accountability attached to it. Because if there is not, then what exactly are we doing here? At that point, Mat Ishbia might as well start handing out United Wholesale Mortgage stock to free agents and call it innovation.

This organization had a chance to look like the good guy in this moment. A chance to handle a legend with care, respect, and a little self-awareness. Instead, in classic Clippers fashion, they managed to walk away looking like the clown, fumbling optics, legacy, and basic decency all in one motion.

After 21 years in the NBA, one of the defining point guards of his generation fades into the sunset without ceremony, without a moment that fits the weight of the career, and that part sits heavy. Not because it ended, but because of how quietly it was allowed to slip away.

So, from a Phoenix Suns fan, I say thank you, Chris Paul. Thank you for what you gave this league over so many years.

When you arrived in Phoenix in 2020, something shifted immediately. The culture changed. The expectations changed. You showed this fan base that the franchise was not destined to live in the basketball wilderness forever. That Devin Booker was not empty calories or wasted talent. That his gravity meant something, and that winning could exist here again. You gave the Suns credibility, structure, and belief, all at once.

Yes, there were injuries. There always were. But there was also an NBA Finals run, a moment etched into the history of this organization, one that many great point guards who wore this uniform never reached. That matters. It always will. And it’s why you’re in my Phoenix Suns All-Time Pyramid.

So thank you, Chris Paul, for what you meant to the game, for what you meant to Phoenix, and for the standard you brought with you every night. And when the time comes, we will be watching, proud and appreciative, as you take your place in the Hall of Fame.

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Six players ejected from St. John's-Providence game after scuffle

St. John's vs. Providence turned chippy early in the second half of their men's basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 14,.

The two teams got into a scuffle after St. John's forward Bryce Hopkins — a former Providence standout — received a pass during a fast-break opportunity with 14:26 remaining in the second half. When he went to the rim, he was met with a hard foul by Providence's Duncan Powell, who rammed into Hopkins while attempting the transition block.

Hopkins quickly hopped off the floor and got in Powell's face before multiple players started a scuffle, delaying play.

REQUIRED READING: NCAA tournament bracketology: Latest projection a month away from Selection Sunday

Six players were ejected, including Powell, who was called for a Flagrant 2 foul and later threw a punch at Dillon Mitchell. Two Providence players — Powell and Jaylin Sellers — and four St. John's players — Mitchell, Kelvin Odih, Ruben Prey and Lefteris Liotopoulos — were removed from the game.

The game marked Hopkins' first game against the Friars since transferring away from the program after last season. Hopkins is averaging 13.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game this season and was the subject of multiple chants from Providence's student section.

Powell is in his first season with Providence after transferring from Georgia Tech. He started his career at North Carolina A&T and also spent a season at Sacramento State.

St. John's (19-5, 12-1 Big East) hasn't lost in over a month, last losing a game to Providence on Jan. 3. The Red Storm have won 10 straight games and are looking for their 11th in a row — and revenge against the Friars.

Providence (11-14, 4-10) is essentially eliminated from NCAA Tournament contention, barring an unlikely bid-stealing run with a Big East Conference Championship. Losing Sellers certainly won't help the cause, though, as he's averaging a team-high 17.4 points per game this season.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: St. John's, Providence basketball get into scuffle after hard foul

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Punch, Edwards lead TCU to 95-92 OT victory over Oklahoma State in game it never trailed

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — David Punch had 19 points, Xavier Edmonds posted a double-double and TCU never trailed but had to work overtime before beating Oklahoma State 95-92 on Saturday.

Punch and Micah Robinson both scored four, and Jayden Pierre hit a 3-pointer to help the Horned Frogs (16-9, 6-6 Big 12 Conference) prevail in the extra period after Parsa Fallah tipped in a missed 3-pointer by Jaylen Curry at the regulation buzzer for the Cowboys (16-9, 4-8) to tie it 84-all.

Punch added six rebounds and three steals before fouling out for TCU. Edmonds totaled 15 points and 10 rebounds. Pierre hit four 3-pointers and scored 16, adding six rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots. Harding hit three 3-pointers and scored 15 as the Horned Frogs sank 12 of 25 from distance. Robinson and reserve Tanner Toolson both scored 11.

Fallah made 10 of 13 shots and scored 27 to lead Oklahoma State in a third straight loss. Anthony Roy had 16 points and Kanye Clary totaled 13 points and nine assists before fouling out. Christian Coleman also scored 13 and Curry added 12 off the bench.

TCU came in averaging seven 3-pointers per game, but Pierre and Harding each sank two and the Horned Frogs hit seven in the first half to take a 39-34 lead at the break.

TCU, which has won three straight and was coming off a 62-55 victory over No. 5 Iowa State, led the whole second half until Fallah's tip-in tied it.

Pierre buried a 3-pointer following a layup by Robinson for a 91-86 lead and TCU held on.

Up next

TCU: At UCF on Tuesday.

Oklahoma State: Hosts No. 9 Kansas on Wednesday.

___

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2026 NBA All-Star Saturday Night results: 3-Point Contest, Shooting Stars, Dunk Contest winners, best moments

INGLEWOOD, Calif. —It's All-Star Saturday night, which has become the most highly anticipated part of All-Star Weekend (as the All-Star Game itself has slid toward unwatchability — maybe USA vs World will change that). This year featured Damian Lillard winning the 3-Point Contest, the Knicks taking Shooting Stars, and a young Heat forward dancing his way to a Dunk Contest win.

Takeaways from All-Star Saturday Night — It’s Dame Time

Damian Lillard, a man who has not stepped on an NBA court all season but remains a fan favorite, won All-Star Saturday night.

Lillard won the 3-Point Contest, bringing smiles to everyone's faces.

The 3-Point Contest has become consistently the best part of All-Star Saturday night — it has the biggest names and it has the drama. It delivered on both of those things this year, with it coming down to Lillard — who is out for the season with a torn Achilles but recovered enough to participate in this event — and the Suns' Devin Booker. And it came down to the final shots.

After that high, the night lost a little momentum.

Team Knicks won the return of the Shooting Stars competition, giving them two trophies this season (they also won the NBA Cup), but not the one they are still aiming for. The keys to the win were twofold. First, they had the clutch Jalen Brunson shooting shots.

The other key, the Knicks "celebrity" passer was Rick Brunson, Jalen's father and a long-time NBA assistant coach, who knows how to throw a pass into a shooter's pocket. Other teams were not so lucky.

Inside the Intuit Dome, the energy was flat most of the night. The fans on the famed "Wall" — a group now called The Swell — tried, but even a nothing-but-the-hits, high-energy set from Ludacris could not get most of the fans to stand or make much noise. It was a passive crowd.

A good, but not great, Dunk Contest did not help that. Miami's Keshad Johnson was a deserving winner — he should have won it for the dancing alone.
Hopefully this year, with the USA vs. World format, will be the year that the actual All-Star Game is a better show than All-Star Saturday night. But if so, it's got some work to do.

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After the Dunk Contest: tune into Primetime tonight—and check out OLI for Olympic schedules + what to watch next.

Lillard said entering 3-Point Contest started as joke

Entering the 3-point Contest on All-Star Saturday night was not on Damian Lillard's radar.

He was planning a vacation, and made a joke to his agent, and one thing led to another.

"It started off as kind of a joke. I was just like -- I was talking to (Michael) Levine about vacation and where I was going and stuff like that, and I was like, if y'all need somebody to shoot, I'm available to do it," Lillard said after his win. "We laughed about it, and he was like, it's full right now, but if something opens up I'll let you know. Something opened up, and he was like, you know, were you serious about that? And I was like, you know that I'm always serious. If there's a spot, sign me up. He was like, are you serious? I was like, yeah."

Lillard is out for the season after tearing his Achilles last playoffs, but he is at the point in his recovery that he is already shooting a lot of stand-still jumpers, just like the ones you take during the 3-point Contest.

"It didn't really take much," Lillard said of his prep. "I think I've done it enough times. I think this was my sixth time."

And he is now a three-time winner.

50! Best dunk of night was this from Carter Bryant

San Antonio's Carter Bryant had the best dunk of the night — it got 50s across the board from the judges.

Bryant just needed a good, last second-round dunk to win the contest, but he tried to go between the legs, off the backboard, and missed it a couple of times. By the time he threw down a simple reverse dunk just to get one up before the clock ran out, he had blown his chance to win it all.

Miami’s Keshad Johnson dances way to Dunk Contest title

Every time he threw it down, Miami's Keshad Johnson did a little dance to get the crowd hyped. It got him hyped and the young Heat player is your new Dunk Contest Champion.

This was the Oakland native's best dunk of the night, his first of the second round.

This is the dunk that finished it off for him.

Carter Bryant vs Keshad Johnson in Dunk Contest Finals

This is the dunk that got Johnson to the Dunk Contest Finals (a "safe" dunk after he missed a couple).

This dunk was impressive, not good enough for Hayes to advance

The Lakers' Jaxson Hayes did not advance to the final round, but this was still an impressive second dunk by the big man, tapping it to himself then going between the legs.

This dunk got Keshad Johnson first-round lead

After one round of dunks, it's the Heat's Keshad Johnson in the lead after this dunk.

The only thing holding back his score was that it was his second attempt (which is not an official penalty, but judges tend to penalize first dunk misses).

Windmill from Carter, reverse off the bounce from Richardson

The first two dunks of the All-Star Dunk Contest were scored almost the same by the judges — and both were impressive.

From Carter Bryant.

And from Jase Richardson.

Ludacris got everyone to stand up at Intuit Dome

Ludacris brought the energy — and it got Intuit Dome on its feet (as much as one can do with any LA crowd).

Dunk Contest participants, format

We will have a new Dunk Contest champion this year because three-time winner Mac McClung has hung up his dunking shoes (for now, at least).

Format: Same as it ever was. Each player gets two first-round dunks, and the two players with the highest combined score advance to a Finals round where they can do two more dunks.

The participants: Carter Bryant (Spurs), Jaxson Hayes (Lakers), Keshad Johnson (Heat), Jase Richardson (Magic)

It’s worth noting that Jase's father, Jason Richardson, won this event twice and is mentoring his son for the competition.

The judges for this year’s Dunk contest are: Dominique Wilkins, Brent Barry, Dwight Howard and Corey Maggette. Barry and Maggette are both former Clippers.

Team Knicks takes home Shooting Stars title

After watching Team Cameron put up 38 points, Team Knicks scored 47 to win the second event of NBA All-Star Saturday Night. Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and Allan Houston handled the shooting, while current Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson handled the passing.

Team Knicks, Team Cameron advance to Shooting Stars final

It's New York vs. Duke alums in the finals of the Shooting Stars.

With Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson firing pinpoint passes to his son Jalen Brunson, plus Karl-Anthony Towns and Allen Houston, Team Knicks had the best first-round score in Shooting Stars with 27. They advance to the Finals, going against Team Cameron (as in Cameron Indoor Stadium) made up of Duke Alums.

Team Cameron starts hot in Shooting Stars

Duke guys can shoot. Team Cameron started out hot with Kon Knuppel, Jalen Johnson and the old head Corey Maggette
knocking down shots and putting up 24 in the first round of the Shooting Stars. Those Blue Devils will advance to the final round.

Team All-Star stumbled to 16 points in the first round. Team Harper did better with 18.

Shooting Stars returns to All-Star Saturday

After an 11-year absence, the Shooting Stars competition is back on All-Star Saturday night (replacing the Skills Competition, which is on hiatus).

Format: It’s pretty straightforward, four three-man teams shoot jump shots worth a designated amount of points from different spots around the court, with each team getting 70 seconds to score as many points as they can. The top two finishers then compete in a final round.

The four teams are:

Team All-Star: Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors), Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder) and Richard Hamilton

Team Cameron: Jalen Johnson (Atlanta Hawks), Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets) and Corey Maggette

Team Harper: Dylan Harper (San Antonio Spurs), Ron Harper Jr. (Boston Celtics) and Ron Harper Sr.

Team Knicks: Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks), Karl-Anthony Towns (New York Knicks) and Allan Houston

Who won Shooting Stars the last time it happened back in 2015? Chris Bosh, Dominique Wilkins and WNBA legend Swin Cash.

It’s always Dame Time: Lillard wins State Farm 3-Point Contest

Despite not playing in a game this season as he recovers from a ruptured Achilles tendon, Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard reminded the masses what they've been missing. After scoring 27 points in the first round, he put up 29 in the final round, outlasting Phoenix's Devin Booker.

Booker went into his money rack with a chance to win the title but missed his final three attempts to finish on 27. Lillard is now a three-time champion of the event, joining Larry Bird and Craig Hodges.

Damian Lillard advances with 27, hot Devin Booker takes lead

Damian Lillard still knows how to shoot.

He hasn't set foot on an NBA court this season due to a torn Achilles, but he walked out on the Intuit Dome court, got hot at the end and finished with 27 points, enough to advance to the Finals.

Devin Booker looked composed as he just drained shot after shot to get to 30 points.

Jaylen Brown wants to add 1-on-1 to All-Star Weekend

The Unrivaled 1-on-1 competition this week has been compelling, prompting more people to float the idea of adding it to the NBA All-Star Weekend.

Boston's Jaylen Brown is in.

"I'm actually a big fan of the one-on-one..." Brown said. "I actually love watching it, because it reminds me of the purity of the game. Like, it's just mano y mano. You got people on the court talking trash. You've got to play two sides. You got to be an offensive and a defensive player. I think that will be great.

"And then you could do it like boxing, like you can call a guy out and challenge some people. There are some people I would love to challenge. Some people that are here this weekend I would love to challenge. All of them, Luka, Shai, Brunson, Donovan. I would challenge all them guys, one-on-one. We could donate to whatever charity. Let's set it up."

If the league could get the stars to sign up — unlike the Dunk Contest — this would be awesome.

Kon Knuppel starts 3-point contest out hot

Everyone's favorite sharp-shooting rookie showed why Hornets fans love him — Kon Knuppel put up an impressive score of 27 in his first-round outing. Damn.

Donovan Mitchell was good with 24 points, going 9-of-10 from the corners.

Adam Silver: Vote on expansion coming in 2026

Adam Silver was vague on details when it came to NBA Expansion, but he said that a decision will be made in the 2026 calendar year — just not in March when the Board of Governors (the owners) next meet. But at some point.

If (when?) the owners vote to expand, Silver said the next step is to go to the marketplace to determine which cities and who might be interested in owning those teams in those cities. As if we don't already know that — it will be Seattle and Las Vegas. Ownership groups are quietly lined up in both cities. But the league continues to take the process slowly.

One thing is clear, Silver said, "Relocation of franchises is not on the table."

3-Point contest participants, format

It has become the signature event of NBA All-Star Saturday — it has the big names, it has the drama — and this year it's batting leadoff. Here's what you need to know about the 2026 NBA 3-Point Contest.

Participants: Devin Booker (Suns), Kon Knuppel (Hornets), Damian Lillard (Trail Blazers), Tyrese Maxey (76ers), Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers), Jamal Murray (Nuggets), Bobby Portis (Bucks), Norman Powell (Heat).

Format: Nothing has changed here. There are five racks of five balls spaced around the 3-point arc, and one rack contains nothing but red, white and blue “money balls” that are worth two points (regular balls are worth one). There are two “from the logo” balls set up further back (on either side of the halfcourt logo) worth three points. There are two rounds, everyone shoots in the first round and the three highest scores advance to a championship round (scores are not cumulative).

Two-time 3-Point Contest winner Damian Lillard may be out for the season with a torn Achilles suffered in last season's playoffs, but he is well enough to take the court for this year's contest. He is a legit threat to take the whole thing.

Adam Silver, is tanking worse this year? “Yes”

The first question for NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in his annual All-Star press conference was about tanking, and part of that question was whether tanking is worse this year:

"Yes, is my view," Silver said. " Which was what led to those fines [of Jazz and Pacers], and not just those fines but to my statement that we're going to be looking more closely at the totality of all the circumstances this season in terms of teams' behavior, and very intentionally wanted teams to be on notice."

He later added, "It's so clear that the incentives are misaligned."

Later, in a question about parity, he said, "We need a new way of looking at things... we are looking at every possible answer."

That said, he admitted this season — with a particularly deep draft and what is projected to be a couple of soft drafts after it — has made things worse. He was vague when discussing what could be done about it, which is understandable because there is no simple, clean answer to solve this (or it would have already been done).

Antetokounmpo on calf: “I feel good. I feel 100%"

Giannis Antetokounmpo will not be playing in the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday due to a calf injury, but he still spoke to the media on Saturday and said he felt fine.

"I feel good. I feel 100%, to be honest with you..." Antetokounmpo said. "When you come back from an injury and you go through the rehab, you gotta check the boxes, right? So I gotta do things. I feel like the break doesn’t help, because now I gotta get on the court, I gotta play some 1-on-1, 3-on-3, 5 vs. 5. Players are on vacation right now, so it’s kinda hard for me to do that.

"So once I check all those boxes, I’m ready to go. I feel like I can play a game today."

Calf strains, like hamstring and groin strains, are tricky. Players feel fine, but the muscle isn't fully healed, and it's easy to not only re-injure it but also make things worse. The Bucks medical staff is protecting Antetokounmpo from himself. However, he is expected to return soon after the All-Star break, and with that, the Bucks could push up into the play-in tournament.

Jase Richardson found Dunk Contest coach — his father, who won it twice

Jase Richardson may play in the NBA, but he is like every other 20-year-old in America in one crucial way: His eyes roll back into his head whenever his father is giving him advice.

It doesn't matter that Jase's dad is Jason Richardson, 13-year NBA veteran.

Except, it's a little different this week because Jase is participating in the AT&T Dunk Contest on All-Star Saturday Night — an event his father won. Twice.

"He's listening to me. It's like the first time in 20 years he's actually listening to what I had to say when it comes to basketball," Jason told NBC Sports with a laugh. "So it's actually pretty cool that he is asking me questions, coming up with a game plan."

Check out the full story here.

How to Watch All-Star Saturday Night

When: Saturday, February 15
Where: Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Time: 5:00 PM ET
Live Stream: NBC and Peacock

LeBron James not at All-Star media day. Again.

As has been the case for four years now, LeBron James is taking All-Star Saturday off. He will do a separate press conference on Sunday.

The media's reaction is largely a shrug. It was expected.

As a reminder, LeBron holds the record for All-Star selections (22), All-Star starts (20), and points in the All-Star Game (434).

Cade Cunningham gives Isaiah Stewart his flowers

Cade Cunningham is back for his second All-Star Game, and teammate Jalen Duren is in Los Angeles for his first, a deserving representation for the No. 1 seed in the East. But who on that team is going unheralded?

"First name, Isaiah Stewart," Cunningham said. "He was the first one. He's the longest-tenured Piston so far right now. He's just been through the mud with the team. Never changed. Just continued to work. He's had so many different roles that he's had to play, but every year he just works his tail off and then he finds a way to contribute. Isaiah Stewart is by far the first name to come to mind."

Stewart is currently serving a seven-game suspension for coming off the bench into a fight with the Hornets. DeMarcus Cousins, sitting in the front row at Cunningham's press conference, asked him whether he would pick up some of those fines for Stewart (who will lose more than $700,000 in salary while out). Cunningham paused and smiled.

"No, I would, though. I would," Cunningham said, noting Stewart is doing just fine financially. "That's my brother, man. Like you said, he's just the ultimate competitor. He's somebody that's going to have your back like nobody else. I mean, it's costly. It's costly. But he's the man. I wouldn't trade him for the world. He's the best teammate you could ask for."

Who is Tyrese Maxey’s All-Time Kentucky Starting 5

DeMarcus Cousins was sitting in the front row of Tyrese Maxey's press conference and asked the former Wildcat guard what his all-time Kentucky starting five would be.

"I'm just going to go Coach Cal era... I'm definitely going to go to a taller lineup. I'm going you [Cousins] at the five. I'm going AD [Anthony Davis] at the four, I want to go D-Book [Devin Booker] at the three. I'm not going to put myself in there [smiling]. I'm going to go Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander] at my one, and then I want to say, I'm going to go Jamal [Murray] — I got John Wall too? I got to go John Wall.... I was John Wall when I was a kid.

"So John Wall, Shai, D-Book, you and AD. That's going to be my five."

NBA All-Star Saturday Night event schedule

State Farm 3-Point Contest - First Event - 5 p.m. ET

Damian Lillard appears on the court for the first time this season — he tore his Achilles during the playoffs last year and is out for the year, but is moving well enough and is back for this event. Lillard is a two-time winner but this is a stacked competition including Devin Booker (Suns), Kon Knuppel (Hornets), Tyrese Maxey (76ers), Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers), Jamal Murray (Nuggets), Bobby Portis (Bucks), Norman Powell (Heat).

Kia Shooting Stars - Second Event

An oldie and a goodie is back after an 11-year absence. For those that don't remember, current NBA players team up with legends of the past in three-man teams who shoot jump shots worth a designated amount of points from different spots around the court. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns highlight Team Knicks, with Alan Houston, for example. Dylan Harper and Scottie Barnes will also be out on the court.

AT&T Slam Dunk Contest - Third Event

We will have a new champion this year as three-time champion Mac McClung is taking the year off. This year's winners will come from Carter Bryant (Spurs), Jaxson Hayes (Lakers), Keshad Johnson (Heat). Jase Richardson (Magic, who is being coached by his father Jason Richardson, who won this event twice).

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Will USA vs. World spark competitive All-Star Game? Victor Wembanyama thinks so

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Everyone wants the same thing: A competitive All-Star Game.

Fans want it. Adam Silver desperately wants it (remember the eye roll while handing out the trophy a year ago?) Media (and media partners) want it.

Will a new USA vs. World format finally give everyone what they want?

While the timing of the 2026 NBA All-Star Game falling during the intense international competition at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics was fortuitous, the idea of a USA vs. World format for the All-Star Game has been around for years.

The hope is that playing for their countries might spark a competitive fire under otherwise apathetic players at the All-Star Game. It was something the NHL got last year with its Four Nations Face-Off, and the NBA was envious.

When the idea of a USA vs. World game was floated after last year's defense-free All-Star Game, it was the international players who seemed more into the idea.

That remains the case.

"I'm never stepping onto the court to lose, you know, or not caring," said the Spurs Victor Wembanyama, who was voted a World starter by the fans. "Just like at home, I'm never stepping into a board game, not caring or thinking I'm gonna lose or I'm thinking it's okay to lose.

"So I'll be out there, might as well win."

The old heads of the NBA are not on the same page. Told of what Wembanyama said, USA All-Star Kevin Durant's response was cynical and telling.

"We'll see…

"You should ask the Europeans and the World team if they're going to compete," Durant said with a laugh to reporters Wednesday night. "If you look at Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic now, let's go back and look at what they do in the All-Star Game. Is that competition? So we haven't questioned what they've been doing. But we're going to question the old heads, and the Americans.

"But these two dudes out there, Luka and Jokic, they don't care about the game at all. These dudes be laying on the floor. They're shooting from half court. But you've got to worry about the old heads playing hard? I can read between the lines, bro. It's just an overall topic that everybody's been talking about."

Will it work?

There is hope — if Wembanyama leads a couple of other guys to play hard, maybe things catch on.

"I just talked to Scottie [Barnes], and we said all this stuff and all that. I told him, 'Listen, I want to win. I'm here. We here, so let's win...'" Philadelphia's Tyrese Maxey said. "[Barnes is] the type of guy that'll pick up full-court. If you bring that type of energy, I'm pretty sure the rest of us young guys will do the same, you know what I'm saying? I want to have fun and make it competitive and do those different things.

"I don't want to lose to the OGs, you know what I mean? That gives them the trash-talking in the world. I'm just competitive like that in that aspect, you know what I'm saying? If I see these guys in two weeks when we play against them, those are bragging rights, those are fun to have. I think it gives a fun viewership for our fans if we're out there competing."

Nikola Jokic, like Durant, is less sure.

"For me, I'm going to play like I played every year..." Jokic said. "I'm not sure that it is going to bring another fire to me, no, because I play every game same. So to me, not."

USA Stripes coach Mitch Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs said it will come down to the players.

"I think there can be a level of competitive and playing hard that can strike a balance in a game like that, where it doesn't feel, maybe like it's too unserious, I guess," Johnson said. "I don't know what that balance is, and I think the players have to be the ones that set the tone in a situation like that.

"And I think they also deserve the right, they've earned the right to set that tone, whatever that tone might be. Those guys are there during a break for everybody else. They give a lot of time and a lot of sacrifice to be there. And I think they all are very, very deserving to be able to voice whatever they think that experience or weekend should look like."

Jokic has an idea of how it might shake out.

"We are going to have OGs [USA Stripes], maybe they're going to play the most," Jokic said. "They're going to try to prove they can still be in this league. They are really good players. Probably all of them are Hall of Famers... I think Europeans are going to probably pass the ball a lot and have fun out there. OGs is probably going to win it, and the third team is probably going to dunk the most times."

USA vs. World format

The format for the USA vs. the World is necessarily unique.

Three teams of eight (or nine for the World, if Luka Dončić plays) will compete in a round-robin format, culminating in a championship game. The teams are:

USA Stars: Scottie Barnes, Devin Booker, Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Anthony Edwards, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Johnson, Tyrese Maxey

USA Stripes: Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, Kevin Durant, Brandon Ingram, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Donovan Mitchell, De'Aaron Fox

World Team: Deni Avdija, Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, Alperen Sengun, Pascal Siakam, Karl-Anthony Towns, Victor Wembanyama, Norman Powell

(Note: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander were voted in as starters by the fans but are out due to injuries. They have been replaced on the rosters.)

Those three teams will play in a round-robin tournament:

Game 1: USA Stars (younger) vs. World
Game 2: Winner of Game 1 vs. USA Stripes (older)
Game 3: Loser of Game 1 vs. USA Stripes
Game 4: Championship game featuring top two teams from first rounds. (If all the teams are tied 1-1, it comes down to point differential.)

Will having the World Team and Wembanyama play first increase the intensity in this game? Tune in at 5 p.m. Sunday on NBC and Peacock to find out.

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Cole Certa scores career-high 37 points and Notre Dame tops Georgia Tech 89-74

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Cole Certa scored a career-high 37 points, including a career-high seven 3-pointers, and Notre Dame rolled past Georgia Tech 89-74 on Saturday to snap a five-game losing streak.

Certa made 12 of 20 shots and was 7 for 11 from distance to go with 6-for-6 at the free-throw line. It was the sophomore's second-career 30-point game, the other coming five games prior when he scored 34 against Virginia. He averages 10.9 points per game and has only one other game with as many as 20 points.

The Fighting Irish made their first four shots of the second half and extended their 12-point halftime lead to 53-35. Later in the half, Certa scored 12 consecutive Notre Dame points, and the Fighting Irish led 80-59 with three minutes remaining. They scored their last 11 points at the free-throw line.

Braeden Shrewsberry scored 20 points, and Logan Imes had 14 for Notre Dame (12-14, 3-10 ACC). Imes and Carson Towt each had nine rebounds.

Baye Ndongo had 14 points and 12 rebounds for Georgia Tech (11-15, 2-11). Kowacie Reeves Jr. scored 16 points, Jaeden Mustaf 14 and Akai Fleming 13.

Notre Dame buried 11 3-pointers in the first half, including five from Certa and four from Shrewsberry. Notre Dame led 45-33 at halftime.

For the game, Notre Dame made 14 of 28 3-point tries, and Georgia Tech made 11 of 30.

The win was Notre Dame's 12th in a row at home against Georgia Tech, and the Irish lead the overall series 20-14.

Georgia Tech has now lost six in a row.

Up next

Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets head home to play No. 15 Virginia on Wednesday.

Notre Dame: at Pitt on Saturday.

___

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

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Bell, Camden combine for 10 3-pointers, help Cal cruise past Boston College 86-75

BOSTON (AP) — Chris Bell made six 3-pointers and scored 22 points to help California cruise past Boston College 86-75 on Saturday.

Cal (18-8, 6-7 Atlantic Coast Conference) never trailed against BC, and led by as many as 20 points in each half. The Golden Bears ended a two-game skid that included a 107-100, double-overtime loss to Syracuse.

Bell shot 8 of 13 from the field and 6 of 10 from long range. John Camden made four 3s and finished with 15 points. Dai Dai Ames also scored 15 points and Justin Pippen chipped in with 12. Cal shot 56% overall and 48% (14 of 29) from beyond the arc.

Fred Payne scored 16 points to lead Boston College (9-16, 2-10), which has lost six straight games. Chase Forte added 14 points, and Luka Toews and Jayden Hastings scored 12 each.

With 4:18 remaining, Toews hit a 3-pointer to spark a 10-3 spurt that pulled the Eagles to 80-71 with 2:16 left. Camden answered with a 3 and BC didn't get closer.

Cal used a 19-8 run, capped by Camden's 3-pointer, for a 20-point lead late in the first half. Payne's 3 helped pull the Eagles to 43-28 at the break. In the second half, another Camden 3 stretched the Golden Bears' lead to 55-35 with 16:32 to play.

Up next

Cal: The Golden Bears face Stanford at home on Saturday.

Boston College: The Eagles are at Florida State on Saturday.

___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

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Boston Celtics Daily Links 2/14/26

BROOKLYN, NY - JANUARY 23: The sneakers worn by Baylor Scheierman #55 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on January 23, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Globe‘We’re real excited’: Ron Harper Jr. shares Jayson Tatum looked like himself in recent practice

10 Celtics stats that should show encouragement and discouragement entering All-Star break

Tanking has been a problem for years, and the NBA may finally be making teams pay the price

Also forever connected to the Bay Area, Celtics legend Bill Russell posthumously honored by the University of San Francisco

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CLNS Media/YouTubeCarmelo Anthony: Jayson Tatum Return “SCARES THE NBA” | NBA All-Star 2026

Ron Harper Jr on His Brother Dylan Harper Hitting Game Winner: “Weak A*$ Bump.” | Rising Stars

NESN/YouTube Are The Celtics Better Without Jayson Tatum With Brian Robb

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Daily Knicks Knicks are doing something no other Eastern Conference contender is

The Sports HubNBA announces time change for upcoming Celtics vs. Sixers game

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CBS Sports/YouTube Ranking the Best and Worst NBA teams heading into the All-Star break | NBA Midseason Tiers

NBA All-Star Preview: Will players finally compete? | Damien Lillard’s return, Dunk Contest drama

Basketball Network Kenyon Martin urges Jayson Tatum to put his career over the Celtics’ title hopes: “Don’t want him to rush it back and risk something”

Celtics RoundtableJayson Tatum ‘Looked Like Jayson Tatum’ During Practice With Maine Celtics

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Locked on CelticsCan Nikola Vucevic and Jaylen Brown ELEVATE the Celtics? | Mailbag Questions Answered

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Celtics Digest/YouTubeThis is GREAT News for the Celtics…

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Milwaukee Bucks Poll: Fans more optimistic about Giannis extension

Giannis Antetokounmpo at The 2026 Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game held at the Kia Forum on February 13, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images) | Billboard via Getty Images

In this week’s Tuesday Tracker and our SB Nation Reacts survey, results are in from fan polling about the NBA trade deadline. Here are the highlights:

  • Perhaps influenced by Giannis’ social media activity after the deadline, 57% of Bucks fans believe he will sign an extension with the team once he becomes eligible on October 1st, in a bit of a reversal from last week: seven days ago, 74% believed that the Bucks would still trade him this offseason, though most of those votes came in before the deadline.
  • Another way of looking at this shift: 52% of respondents believe that the deadline’s circumstances increased the likelihood that Giannis will remain in Milwaukee next year, at least slightly. Compare that to 42% of those polled who believe it didn’t change anything.
  • There is widespread satisfaction with the Cam Thomas signing, with 83% of Bucks fans in favor his minimum deal for the rest of the season.
  • Even stronger is support for acquiring Ousmane Dieng in exchange for Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey, which is viewed favorably by 93% of voters.
  • In light of this, Jon Horst’s approval rating rose above his disapproval rating for the first time since January 9th, with 44% approving and 36% disapproving. A week ago, those numbers were 25% and 50%, respectively.

Thanks again for voting! Check back on Tuesday for another slate of questions.

Check out FanDuel, the official sportsbook of SB Nation.

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Scotland stuns England 31-20 at Murrayfield and snaps a 12-test winning streak

EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — England's 12-test winning streak was shattered by Scotland pulling out an astonishingly one-sided 31-20 victory at Murrayfield in the Six Nations on Saturday.

England was favored to win at Murrayfield for the first time since 2020, having developed a mighty bench and become well-drilled and confident during its longest winning run in nine years.

But English set-piece dominance was undone by sloppy handling in Scotland's 22, under pressure from having to play catchup after a scintillating Scottish start.

Conducted by a masterly Finn Russell, Scotland blasted off to 17-0 after 14 minutes, its speed and slickness twisting an overburdened England into knots.

“I thought that was some of the best rugby we’ve every played,” Scotland coach Gregor Townsend told ITV. “It’s all you want as a coach. I thought that was one of Finn Russell’s best games for Scotland and the work rate of our forwards was superb.”

England winger Henry Arundell received a 20-minute red card but his first yellow card was the most damaging. Scotland, emotionally up for the match against its oldest rival and out to redeem for a woeful loss to Italy last weekend, exploited Arundell's absence in the fast start.

It was too much for England to overcome. By the time of Arundell's second yellow card right on halftime, leading to the automatic red, Scotland was still up by 14. In his second absence, Scotland out-scored England only 7-3 though it was a second try for center Huw Jones and Scotland's bonus-point fourth and last try.

“We are bitterly disappointed at that first 20 minutes, the lead Scotland got ahead of us and playing for such a long period with 14 men,” England coach Steve Borthwick told the BBC.

“The way Scotland can move the ball to the edges without our winger it exposed us there and it gave us too much to do.”

Scotland and Townsend, on the occasion of his 100th test, were under fire all week after Italy humbled them 18-15 in Rome.

A sixth win (plus the epic draw in 2019) against England in nine matchups, all under Townsend, will quieten the growing clamor for him to resign, at least until Scotland's final position in the championship becomes clear.

“There has been a lot of talk about Gregor Townsend but his players really showed up today, they really performed and really played for Gregor today,” Borthwick said. “They don’t play like that in every single game."

Beating England has given Townsend's Scotland a best placing of only third, leading supporters to believe the victories, while celebrated, have been used by the team to gloss over poor campaigns.

Townsend didn't deny it: “We've given them something to shout about for the next 12 months.”

Russell in charge

Against Italy, Scotland made no line breaks. Against England, it made 10 in the first half alone.

Arundell was coming off a hat trick against Wales but after he was sin-binned early for not releasing, Russell's one-handed flick on with Tom Roebuck in his face set up the opening try for Jones.

A Russell line break was followed by captain Sione Tuipulotu's huge pass to unmarked flanker Jamie Ritchie to stroll over.

Arundell returned from the sin-bin to score thanks to George Ford, who added a conversion and penalty, and England looked to be finding a foothold.

But Russell then switched the attack, stepped two defenders and chipped ahead. England prop Ellis Genge made a mess of grabbing the ball and Scotland scrumhalf Ben White took the gift over the tryline.

Right on halftime, Arundell took out leaping opposite Kyle Steyn and his second yellow card became a 20-minute red.

Ford started the second half with a penalty; he was perfect off the tee. But his drop goal attempt was charged down by Matt Fagerson, who collected the ball and let Jones race to the posts at the other end. It made Jones Scotland's top try-scorer in Six Nations history since 2000 (18), and the leading try-scorer against England (8) in the same period.

Russell went five for five in goalkicking, a year after his late missed conversion cost Scotland a fifth straight win over England.

England was consoled by a late converted try to No. 8 Ben Earl.

___

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

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All-Star Weekend 2026 Preview: Saturday night in Los Angeles

INGLEWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 13: A photo of the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend logo before the Rising Stars Game on Friday, February 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Before the 2026 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, All-Star Saturday will bring in three promising events that will gather past, present and future superstars in the NBA.

Start time and TV schedule

What: State Farm Three-Point Contest, Kia Shooting Stars Challenge, AT&T Slam Dunk Contest

When: 2 p.m. PT p.m. PT, Feb. 14

Where: Intuit Dome

Watch: NBC, Peacock

This year’s All-Star Saturday night festivities have the case to arguably be the most exciting part of the All-Star Weekend. Perhaps it’s the star-studded lineup for each category that makes these events worth the watch. The 3-point and Dunk Contest as well as the Shooting Stars Challenge will test each contestant’s skill, endurance and hang time.

To tip off an action-packed night, the 3-point contest — which has been the most entertaining event for All-Star Saturday night over the years — will be held first. There will be eight players competing in this one, five of which are All-Stars, who will also be suiting up for Sunday’s main event. These marksmen are Devin Booker, Kon Knueppel, Damian Lillard, Tyrese Maxey, Donovan Mitchell, Jamal Murray, Bobby Portis Jr., and Norman Powell. As it has been over time, the contestant who makes the most threes wins.

Then, there’s the Shooting Stars Challenge, which was brought back this year after an 11-year hiatus. Unlike how it was done from 2004 to 2015 though, this year’s tournament has a revamped format. Four teams consisting of two current NBA players and one retired NBA legend will rotate through designated shooting locations and the team that racks up the most points before time expires wins. The four teams are:

  • Team All-Star: Scottie Barnes, Chet Holmgren, Richard Hamilton
  • Team Cameron: Jalen Johnson, Kon Knueppel, Corey Magette
  • Team Harper: Dylan Harper, Ron Harper Jr., Ron Harper Sr.,
  • Team New York Knicks: Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Allan Houston

Last but not least is the Slam Dunk Contest, where Laker Jaxson Hayes will take part. As it has been over the years, the hope for this tournament is to outdo the previous ones, which honestly isn’t that difficult to achieve.

This year, though, the contest will no longer include Mac McClung, so there will be a new dunk champion crowned for the first time in three years. Along with Hayes, the participants are Carter Bryant, Keshad Johnson and Jase Richardson. They will be judged by Dominique Wilkins, Dwight Howard, Nate Robinson and Brent Barry, who all have left their mark in the competition during their time in the league.

Speaking of leaving a mark, it’ll be interesting to see how this year’s All-Star Saturday night will be remembered. Will it stand out as the most entertaining one in years? Or be another version of what we’ve watched in the past?

Regardless, it’s still going to be worth tuning if only because we get it just once a year. Hopefully, it’s going to be an event that’s worth talking about.

You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.

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Zielinski scores last-gasp winner as Serie A leader Inter beats Juventus 3-2 to stay 8 points ahead

Piotr Zielinski scored a last-minute winner as Serie A leader Inter Milan beat Juventus 3-2 to stay eight points ahead of second-placed AC Milan on Saturday.

Juventus twice came from behind and overcame a red card but finally capitulated in the 90th when Zielinski drove in a low shot after being set up by Yann Bisseck near the penalty area.

The defeat dropped Juve one place to fifth behind Roma, which has a better goal difference and can move into third spot if it wins at defending champion Napoli on Sunday.

Juventus left back Andrea Cambiaso scored at both ends in the first half.

He inadvertently deflected Luis Henrique's cross past his goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio in the 17th minute, then latched on to a right-wing cross from American midfielder Weston McKennie in the 26th.

Juve's chances were hampered when defender Pierre Kalulu was sent off for a second yellow card late in the first half after fouling Alessandro Bastoni, who moments earlier had missed a golden chance from close range.

Inter regained the lead in the 76th when forward Pio Esposito headed in powerfully from Federico Dimarco's left-wing cross. Manuel Locatelli equalized from another McKennie cross in the 83rd to ensure a tense finish.

Zielinski ensured Inter notched a sixth straight win overall.

Como loses ground to Atalanta

Como's hopes of securing Champions League qualification were dealt a blow by visiting Fiorentina.

Nicolo Fagioli and Moise Kean scored in 2-1 win for Fiorentina at Como's Guiseppe Sinigaglia stadium.

The day got worse for Como as Champions League-chasing rival Atalanta won 2-0 at Lazio to move one point above in sixth place, thanks to a penalty from midfielder Ederson in the 41st minute and a second-half effort from Poland’s Nicola Zalewski.

Como's defeat came days after it advanced to the semifinals of the Coppa Italia for the first time in 40 years by beating Italian champion Napoli.

An impressive campaign could yet see it secure a place in next season's Champions League, but the loss to relegation-fighting Fiorentina was a setback.

Fagioli put Como ahead in the 26th from close range after his first effort was blocked. Kean scored from the penalty spot nine minutes into the second half.

Como created a number of chances as it tried to get back into the game and the pressure told when Fabiano Parisi fired into his own net in the 77th. But it couldn't find an equalizer and ended the game with 10 men when Alvaro Morata was sent off in the 89th.

On Friday, Luka Modrić scored a late winner for AC Milan to beat Pisa 2-1.

___

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

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How to watch NBA All-Star Saturday: 3-Point Contest time, full schedule

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An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 7: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns shoots the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on February 7, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images), Image 2 shows BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 08: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers takes a shot against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on March 08, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Prepare to pick your jaw up off the floor.

The NBA’s 2026 All-Star Saturday Night gets underway this evening at 5 p.m. ET at Inglewood, CA’s Intuit Dome a.k.a. the Clippers’ home.

Things kick off with the high-profile 3-point shootout, which features household names Devin Booker, Donovan Mitchell and Damian Lillard, who is sitting the 2025-26 season due to an Achilles injury.

Then, for the first time since 2015, the Shooting Stars competition returns. Four teams comprised of three players (two current and one retired “legend”) will attempt to score from seven assigned spots on the floor. Legends set to play include 47-year-old Richard “Rip” Hamilton, 46-year-old Corey Maggette, 62-year-old Ron Harper Sr. (playing with his sons Ron Jr. and Dylan) and 54-year-old Allan Houston who joins “Team Knicks” with Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.

NBA All-Star saturday: what to know
  • When: Feb. 14, 5 p.m. ET
  • Where: Intuit Dome (Inglewood, California)
  • Channel: NBC
  • Streaming: Sling

Finally, the main event, the Dunk Contest, closes the night. Carter Bryant (Spurs), Jaxson Hayes (Lakers), Keshad Johnson (Heat) and Jase Richardson (Magic) are set to participate.

Whoever wins the Dunk Contest will be taking home their first title; three-time winner Mac McClung who was victorious from 2023-25 is sitting this year out.

Want to watch?

Here’s everything you need to know to tune in to the 2026 NBA All-Star Saturday Night.

NBA All-Star Saturday start time:

NBA All-Star Saturday tips off at 5 p.m. ET today (Feb. 14).

How to watch NBA All-Star Saturday for free:

If you don’t have cable, you’ll need a live TV streaming service to stream the game for free.

Sling TV is an affordable way to watch TV live and stream NBA games; its Select plan includes NBC, where All-Star weekend is airing, and starts at $19.99/month.

TRY SLING TV

DIRECTV is another great service to try — its five-day free trial includes NBC (plus every other channel you’ll need for the NBA season).

NBA All-Star Saturday events

As noted above, there are a trio of competitions taking place tonight. To make sure you’re in the loop, here’s whose taking the hardwood for each of them.

3-Point contest

  • Devin Booker, (Phoenix Suns)
  • Kon Knueppel, (Charlotte Hornets)
  • Damian Lillard, (Portland Trail Blazers)
  • Tyrese Maxey, (Philadelphia 76ers)
  • Donovan Mitchell, (Cleveland Cavaliers)
  • Jamal Murray, (Denver Nuggets)
  • Bobby Portis Jr., (Milwaukee Bucks)
  • Norman Powell, (Miami Heat)

Shooting Stars

  • Team All-Star:
    • Scottie Barnes(Toronto Raptors)
    • Chet Holmgren(Oklahoma City Thunder)
    • Richard Hamilton(NBA Legend)
  • Team Cameron:
    • Jalen Johnson(Atlanta Hawks)
    • Kon Knueppel(Charlotte Hornets)
    • Corey Maggette(NBA Legend)
  • Team Harper:
    • Dylan Harper(San Antonio Spurs)
    • Ron Harper Jr.(Boston Celtics)
    • Ron Harper(NBA Legend)
  • Team Knicks:
    • Jalen Brunson(New York Knicks)
    • Karl-Anthony Towns(New York Knicks)
    • Allan Houston(NBA Legend)

Slam Dunk contest

  • Carter Bryant, (San Antonio Spurs)
  • Jaxson Hayes, (Los Angeles Lakers)
  • Keshad Johnson, (Miami Heat)
  • Jase Richardson, (Orlando Magic)
WATCH ALL-STAR SATURDAY WITH SLING
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NBA All-Star Saturday Night Predictions, Picks & Odds

NBA All-Star weekend rolls on this Saturday with the Slam Dunk Contest, 3-Point Contest, and brand-new Shooting Stars Contest.

Our experts deliver their best NBA All-Star Saturday Night predictions and NBA picks from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, CA.

NBA All-Star Saturday Night predictions

NBA All-Star Saturday Night best bets

Slam Dunk Contest best bet: Keshad Johnson to win

+320 at bet365

Andrew Caley makes his case for Keshad Johnson to win the 40th annual Slam Dunk Contest.

"[Johnson] has seen limited minutes with the Miami Heat. Still, the 6-foot-6 forward boasts a ridiculous 42-inch vertical."

3-Point Contest best bet: Damian Lillard to win

+450 at bet365

Douglas Farmer values Damian Lillard's experience in the 3-point contest coupled with his being super-fresh after not playing all season.

"A skeptic might wonder if Lillard will be rusty. The better thought is to expect Lillard to be peaking. No one else in this contest has as much experience in it as he does, and no one else has circled this Saturday night as the highlight of their season."

Shooting Stars best bet: Team Knicks to win

+170 at bet365

Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns can hit shots from anywhere, and Allan Houston is one of the great pure shooters the Knicks have ever had. There are no holes to poke in this roster compared to the other three, so give me Team Knicks as a favorite that should be shorter.

NBA All-Star Saturday Night info

Location:Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Date:Saturday, February 14, 2026
Kickoff:5:00 p.m. ET
TV:NBC

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

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

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Fantasy Basketball 2025-26 All-Stars: Kawhi Leonard, Tyrese Maxey headline teams

The All-Star break is a great opportunity for teams to reset. With less than two months until the playoffs, players get a chance to recover from nagging injuries and coaches can reset mentally before the final stretch of a lengthy regular season.

Fantasy managers get the opportunity to do the same. A week off from scouring the waiver wire as soon as you wake up. The fantasy playoffs in many leagues will start March 2, which means there are only a couple weeks left until the postseason. Start making moves now to maximize your games played during your playoffs.

Waiver wire adds can push your team to a championship, but you can only be in that situation if your stars are healthy and dominating. For this year’s fantasy All-Stars, I went with players that have been both excellent and available. The games played minimum is set at 35, so roughly two-thirds of a player’s possible games played. That led to some studs not making the cut, such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid and Austin Reaves, even if they have all been incredible and can be difference-makers down the stretch if healthy.

Using the NBA’s new All-Star roster format of Team World, Team USA (old guys) and Team USA (young guys), we have our 24 fantasy All-Stars. Having a team with a few of these guys likely means you’re sitting near the top of your standings and preparing for the postseason (unless you have some ridiculous bad luck, which happens in fantasy).

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Team World

Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Unsurprisingly, Jokic headlines Team World. He missed about a month with a knee injury, which was unfortunate, but he is back to dominating already. He has been the best player in fantasy basketball of the 2020s, which hasn’t changed this season.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

The reigning MVP missed the final five games before the All-Star break, but he only missed two games prior to that and has been dominant all season. His counting stats are slightly down from last season, but he has been even more efficient.

Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio has managed Wemby’s minutes for most of the season, but he has still been able to replicate his production from last season while being even more efficient. He has the Spurs just three games out of first in the West.

Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers

Doncic was still incredible last season, but after a tumultuous year for him, he has gotten back to producing like he did during the 2023-24 season. LeBron James has been better recently, but both he and Austin Reaves have missed time this year. The Lakers are 5th in the West because of how dominant Doncic has been.

Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets

Murray is making his first All-Star appearance this weekend, and he has also had the best fantasy season of his career. He is averaging career highs in points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers per game while also posting the best field goal percentage of his career. Everyone else in Denver has missed significant time this year, but Murray has kept them afloat.

Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz

After struggling during the 2024-25 season, Markkanen bounced back in a big way this year. He’s averaging career highs in points, assists and steals in what has been arguably the best statistical season of his career. Hopefully we’ll get to see him keep it up down the stretch of this season.

Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets

With Fred VanVleet (knee) sidelined for the season, Sengun has stepped up as the primary facilitator in Houston. He is averaging career highs in assists, steals and blocks, which has helped him lead the Rockets to the 4th-best record in the West.

Alex Sarr, Washington Wizards

In his second season, Sarr has taken drastic strides on both ends of the floor. His field goal percentage is up over 10 percent from last year, and he is posting career highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. He’s going to be a fantasy star for a long time. Unfortunately, he’s set to miss some time with a hamstring injury.

Team USA Stripes

Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers

The most (pleasantly) surprising thing about Leonard cracking this list is that he has played enough games. He has missed some time, but he has been available for most of the year and has been playing some of the best basketball of his career. He is averaging career highs in points and three-pointers per game while also shooting the best free throw percentage of his career.

Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers

Mitchell is averaging a career high in points per game to go with the best field goal percentage of his career. The Cavs are 17-5 over their last 22 games, and Mitchell will look to take his team further in the playoffs with his new backcourt partner James Harden.

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

The man that has singlehandedly been keeping the Warriors afloat in recent years just keeps on getting it done. He missed the final five games entering the All-Star break but has been mostly available this season. Surprise, surprise, he’s leading the league in triples per game again.

James Harden, Cleveland Cavaliers

Harden’s 25.0 points per game this year are his highest average since the 2019-20 season, when he led the league with 34.3 points per game. He’s not that MVP caliber player that he once was, but he has had an excellent year and will look to keep that going with the Cavs down the stretch of this season.

Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets

It doesn’t seem to matter what jersey KD is wearing. He’s going to put up an efficient 25 points per game. He’s only missed five games this season, which is impressive at 37 years old. Durant is clearly still one of the best scorers in the NBA.

Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn Nets

MPJ’s value in Denver deteriorated, which led to him being shipped to Brooklyn for Cam Johnson. This is the first time in his career that he has been a top scoring option, and he has taken advantage of the opportunity, averaging career highs in points, assists and three-pointers per game.

Mikal Bridges, New York Knicks

Bridges’ usage is down this season, but he is posting a career high in assists per game while also averaging his most steals per game since his second year in the league. He has cooled down in recent weeks, but he’s done enough over the course of the season to make this list.

Derrick White, Boston Celtics

If White’s field goal percentage wasn’t below 40 percent for the first time in his career, we’d be looking at White as a top-10 player in fantasy basketball this season. He is averaging career highs in points, assists, steals and blocks. Boston is 2nd in the East entering the All-Star break, and White has helped them have success without Jayson Tatum.

Team USA Stars

Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers

Somehow, Maxey just keeps getting better. He is averaging career highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals and three-pointers per game. The 76ers are officially his team, though the reemergence of Joel Embiid will give them a chance to really make some noise in the East. We’re officially in fantasy superstar status for Maxey.

Trey Murphy, New Orleans Pelicans

Murphy has been one of the lone bright spots in New Orleans this season. He is averaging career highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals and three-pointers per game, though that hasn’t been enough to make this team competitive. Hopefully this right shoulder injury won’t keep him sidelined for the rest of this season.

Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

Edwards seems to improve on something every season, but this year he simply became a better scorer. His rim, mid-range and three-point percentage are all the best marks of his career, which had led to a career-high in points per game.

Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors

Toronto has been much better as a team this season, and Barnes has been a big part of that. He’s having the most efficient scoring season of his career while still stuffing the stat sheet across the board. There aren’t many players in the league that are more tailored for fantasy basketball than Barnes.

Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks

Johnson made a huge leap last season, but he has somehow done it again this year. He’s second in the league in both double-doubles and triple-doubles while also averaging a bunch of career highs across the board. Atlanta handed him the keys by dealing Trae Young to Washington, and Johnson has taken advantage.

Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons

Detroit has the fewest losses in the league entering the All-Star break, and Cunningham has been at the center of it all. The efficiency has been average, but he has poured in the counting stats across the board. He may not win the award, but there is a reason Cade is in the middle of the MVP race.

Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder

After only playing 32 games last season, Holmgren has barely missed time this year and has been excellent for fantasy managers. He’s averaging career highs in points and rebounds per game while also ranking in the top-five in blocks per game.

Keyonte George, Utah Jazz

If anyone saw this list during the preseason, George would be the biggest surprise, but he has been that good. He has taken a monster leap forward on offense after being behind Isaiah Collier in the rotation to end last season. George was one of the best late-round picks this year, and he should continue to dominate when he returns from this ankle injury.

Top Snubs:

Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks

Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers

Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons

Jimmy Butler, Golden State Warriors