Category: NBA

I recently wrote that if the Washington Wizards are rewarded with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, that they should not hesitate to take Kansas freshman guard Darryn Peterson. While I still believe that Peterson should be at the top of the Wizards’ big board, it would not be a disaster if they end up selecting No. 2 and Peterson is unavailable.

BYU freshman wing AJ Dybantsa and Duke freshman forward Cameron Boozer have long been considered part of the consensus top three alongside Peterson. North Carolina freshman forward Caleb Wilson and Houston freshman point guard Kingston Flemings have both had dramatic rises up draft boards and will likely be picked after the Peterson-Dybantsa-Boozer trio. 

But, there is a clear option for the Wizards after Peterson.

AJ Dybantsa, 6’9” Wing from BYU

Talent evaluators have had their eye on AJ Dybantsa since he was a freshman in high school and he won the Massachusetts Boys Basketball Gatorade Player of the Year. It has seemed like a foregone conclusion for years that Dybantsa would be one of the top picks in the 2026 NBA Draft. Dybantsa came to BYU with sky-high expectations, and has not only met them, but surpassed them. He has put together a dominant and historic campaign and is helping make BYU a legitimate national championship contender.

At 6’9”, 210 pounds with elite athleticism, Dybantsa has truly enviable positional size that will allow him to be a difference-maker on both ends of the floor at the NBA level. He can score at all three levels, play above the rim and has even shown flashes of some advanced playmaking abilities. He has combo guard skills and plays with a comfortability and fluidity rarely seen in someone so big at his age.

Many questioned Dybantsa’s decision to attend BYU, which is not known as a program that normally attracts elite prospects and one-and-done candidates. But, head coach Kevin Young has revitalized the program in just his second year at the helm. Young, who was an NBA assistant from 2016-2024 with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Phoenix Suns, has turned BYU into a dream landing spot for players with NBA aspirations. Egor Dëmin, who was on last year’s BYU’s team, was drafted eighth overall last year and has been one of the best rookies in the NBA so far. Young has not only turned BYU into a winning team, but has made them one of the top developmental programs in the country.

Dybantsa is averaging 23.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.5 blocks per game while shooting 53.0% from the field, 31.8% from three and 76.2% from the free throw line. He is leading the entire NCAA in points per game. On Jan. 24 in a 91-78 victory over Utah, Dybantsa scored 43 points and made four threes, both season highs, while also grabbing six rebounds, dishing out three assists and blocking a shot. 

43 points on 24 shots for potential No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa in BYU's win over Utah. Season-high four 3s, while showing his lethal shot-creation and finishing prowess scoring in every which way from all over the floor. pic.twitter.com/vlzmANRq1f

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) January 25, 2026

Dybantsa’s biggest test of the season came on Monday against an undefeated Arizona team. While his 24 points, four rebounds and five assists look solid on the surface, along with his crucial role in helping orchestrate a frantic BYU comeback attempt in the final minutes, his game showed some cracks going up against a frontcourt featuring the 7’2”, 260 pound Montiejus Krivas and likely top-10 pick Koa Peat. Dybantsa showed some tunnel vision and often settled for contested mid-range jumpers instead of looking for teammates or making the extra effort to find a more efficient shot.

While Dybantsa has not looked like a superstar on the defensive end at the collegiate level, he still has the potential to be an elite NBA defender because of his length, quickness and athletic tools. His positioning and timing need work, but those should come with time. It is easy to see how Dybantsa could become a versatile, switchable Swiss Army Knife on defense.

A player like Dybantsa is versatile enough to thrive on almost any roster in the entire NBA, but the Wizards would be an especially perfect fit. He would instantly form one of the best scoring wing/forward duos in the entire league alongside Kyshawn George, really only behind Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown on the Boston Celtics and Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner on the Orlando Magic. If Trae Young signs an extension, Dybantsa would benefit from his playmaking and the open looks he would get from sharing the court with such an effective on-ball creator. Positionally, the Wizards could go big and play Dybantsa at the two with George at the three, or go for a smaller lineup with Dybantsa at his more natural position at the three and have George play up at the four.

The NBA comparisons for Dybantsa are endless. The most common one is probably NBA legend Tracy McGrady. Like McGrady, Dybantsa has the skills and fluidity of a much shorter player and can score from anywhere on the floor. Other comps include Paul George, Kevin Durant, and Jaylen Brown. 

I project Dybantsa to immediately be a 20 point per game scorer the second he enters the NBA. He has the potential to grow into one of the league’s truly elite bucket-getters along with having real two-way potential. Those types of players do not come around very often. While Peterson is still looking like the real prize of this draft, Dybantsa is no ordinary consolation prize. He is a player the Wizards could build around and who could play a key role in getting them out of their rebuild and back into playoff contention.

The New York Knicks will try to run their winning streak to five games as they host the Portland Trail Blazers at Madison Square Garden tonight.

New York’s defense has been on point over the past week after some earlier lapses, and I’m counting on that trend to continue as I back the Under in my Trail Blazers vs. Knicks predictions.

Find out more in my free NBA picks for Friday, January 30.

Trail Blazers vs Knicks prediction

Trail Blazers vs Knicks best bet: Under 224.5 (-110)

The New York Knicks recently went through a stretch in which they won just two of 11 games from New Year’s Eve through January 19. At the time, it seemed the lack of defense was the problem, with opponents averaging 117.2 ppg during that stretch.

New York has turned that around in a heartbeat ever since. The Knicks have won four in a row, with opponents averaging only 88.5 ppg in those contests, and three of the four have been held below 100 points.

Yes, those numbers are skewed by the ridiculous 120-66 win over the Brooklyn Nets last week, but the team does appear to be playing with renewed urgency.

That sets up a tough matchup for the Portland Trail Blazers. Portland might like to run the court, but they are near the bottom of the league in offensive efficiency (109.9), and have been held below 100 points in two of their last three games – all of which have gone to the Under.

Overall, the Knicks have now hit the Under in six straight games, while the Blazers have done so in four of their last five. But beyond the trends, it’s New York’s defensive effort that is likely to define this game.

I’m taking the Under tonight.

Trail Blazers vs Knicks same-game parlay

I’m pairing the Under with the Knicks to cover in my SGP, as New York’s renewed defensive intensity has led it to cover in each of its last four games.

I’m also taking Mikal Bridges (16.0 ppg) to hit his scoring total of 15.5 points, as he’s hit that number in each of his last two games, including a 30-point performance against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday.

Trail Blazers vs Knicks SGP

• Under 224.5
• Knicks -7.5
• Mikal Bridges Over 15.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Dishing!

OG Anunoby is only averaging 2.3 assists per game this year, but has dished out at least three in three of his last four games during the Knicks’ winning streak.

Trail Blazers vs Knicks SGP

• Under 224.5
• Knicks -7.5
• Mikal Bridges Over 15.5 points
• OG Anunoby Over 2.5 assists

Trail Blazers vs Knicks odds

• Spread: Trail Blazers +7 (-110) | Knicks -7 (-110)
• Moneyline: Trail Blazers +222 | Knicks -270
• Over/Under: Over 227 (-110) | Under 227 (-110)

Trail Blazers vs Knicks betting trend to know

The Under is 6-0 in New York’s last six games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Trail Blazers vs. Knicks.

How to watch Trail Blazers vs Knicks

Trail Blazers vs Knicks latest injuries

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

Thursday night in Dallas, Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel had their first NBA game against each other as the Charlotte Hornets visited the Dallas Mavericks and man, did they both ball out.

Flagg finished with 49 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and one block while Knueppel racked up 34 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal.

None it was selfish or gunning: Flagg shot 20-29 (68.9%) while Knueppel hit 10-16 (62.5%) and all of it came in the flow of the game for both.

It was an interesting stop in the Rookie of the Year race, which will go to one or the other, unless they split the award, which would be amazing.

At this point, on an individual basis, you might have to give to Flagg, but in terms of impact on the team, Knueppel has the edge. The nature of his game has persuaded everyone to buy in and he has transformed the Hornets into something unusual. We heard today that with Knueppel, LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges starting, the Hornets are 10-1 and their offensive efficiency with that group is off the charts good.

Here are some videos of last night’s game and some links below that.

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• Cooper Flagg vs Kon Knueppel in Historic Duke Rookie Showdown 
• Kon Knueppel’s HISTORIC Night From Deep | January 29, 2026

• Duke alums Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel set career highs in first NBA matchup
• Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel set career highs in duel of star rookies
• The Athletic: Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel: Friends, former roommates and now Rookie of the Year favorites
• Knueppel, Hornets overcome Flagg, Mavs in rookie showdown
• Kon Knueppel, Hornets win in epic rookie duel with Cooper Flagg, Mavs
• Cooper Flagg–Kon Knueppel stats: Former Duke roommates combine for 83 points, offer glimpse into NBA’s future
• Kon Knueppel Calls Cooper Flagg ‘Best Player’ He’s Faced in NBA After Historic Matchup
• Hornets’ Kon Knueppel Reacts After Epic Duel With Cooper Flagg in Dallas Win

Go to the DBR Boards to find Blue Healer Auctions | Drop us a line

If the Pistons needed a wakeup call about the flaws of their roster, this West Coast trip has been a bit of an eye-opener. After nearly losing to the Denver Nuggets due to a lack of shooting and discipline at the end of the game, the luck ran out for the Pistons as they once again struggled to hit outside shots before getting run off the floor against the Phoenix Suns last night.

It wasn’t just the lack of shooting that has pretty much been a concern all season, but the Pistons were out-hustled, out-worked, and put in their place by the short-handed Suns, which also happened against the even more short-handed Nuggets. Luckily, they have a chance to bounce back against the Golden State Warriors tonight on ESPN.

The Warriors have been hot the last month, but they also recently lost Jimmy Butler to a torn ACL, so they are definitely vulnerable and it provides an opportunity for the Pistons to finish off this road trip with a winning record.

Game Vitals

Where: Chase Center in San Francisco, CA
When: Friday, January 30 at 10 pm EST
Watch: ESPN
Odds: Golden State (-1.5)

Analysis

The Warriors really looked like they were finally starting to put things together to go on one last run as Steph Curry reaches the end of his legendary career, but a torn ACL for Jimmy Butler has put the Warriors in a position where they pretty much have to shoot for a big move at the deadline to try to keep their season on track.

Don’t get me wrong, the Warriors are still a good team without Jimmy Butler simply due to the extensive Championship experience for their core of Steph Curry and Draymond Green, but missing a 2nd option that can take pressure off of Curry on offense while also taking pressure off Green on defense in Butler is a huge loss.

The Pistons and Warriors are actually on a very similar level offensively this season, but the Pistons obviously have the edge defensively. But, the one thing the Pistons do not have is somebody that can take over a game shooting the ball like Steph Curry, who is still averaging 27.3 points per game at 37 years old and just barely shooting under 40 percent from beyond the arc.

The build of the Warriors without Jimmy Butler is actually pretty similar to the Pistons where they have Steph Curry to carry the offense like the Pistons have Cade Cunningham and they surround him with role players that can defend, but leave a little to be desired on offense. They aren’t quite as poor at shooting from beyond the arc as the Pistons are, but in a playoff setting, not having that secondary creator to take some pressure off of your main guy is a huge problem to overcome.

I haven’t canvased the rest of the league to officially confirm, but I think I can go out on a limb and say the Warriors have the oldest starting frontcourt in the NBA with the 39 year-old Al Horford and 35 year-old Draymond Green. Both players are still very solid defenders, but their best days on that end of the court are behind them.

The one positive from last night’s game against the Suns was their inability to slow down Jalen Duren, which was probably the solution for the Pistons’ 2nd half offensive struggles, but he didn’t end up playing as much as he should. Peak Horford and Green would have no issue with slowing down Duren, but he has a huge athletic advantage over both of them that he will have to take advantage of if the Pistons want to win.

In reality, the key for the Pistons is to simply not shoot as poorly as they have on this West Coast road trip. They were 6-of-29 from beyond the arc against the Suns and 6-of-31 against the Nuggets. That isn’t going to cut it against some of the better teams in the West no matter how short-handed they may be. The Pistons do not have a ton of shooters, but Duncan Robinson being 1 of his last 14 from beyond the arc is a huge reason for the shooting numbers for the Pistons.

They have gotten by this year with Duncan Robinson as the main spacing threat and it has been able to work against so many different teams because of the Pistons dominant defense and ability to control the glass and the paint, but when they are not controlling the paint and Robinson is shooting like this, everything looks ugly on offense. They have not been able to do either thing against both the Nuggets and Suns, which is why they had to squeak out a win against the Nuggets and were run off the court by the Suns.

The solution is going to probably have to be sacrificing some defense for more shooting, but that also messes with the Pistons identity, one which has been very clearly established this season.

It will be interesting to see how Trajan Langdon balances that, but for now, the Pistons have an important game against the Warriors with a chance to head home with a winning record on this road trip.

Lineups

Detroit Pistons (34-12): Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Golden State Warriors (27-22): Steph Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Draymond Green, Al Horford

Question of the Day

How concerned are you with the Pistons shooting? Does a drastic move need to be made at the deadline to fix it?

Sometimes there is a calm before the storm. A moment of clarity before chaos ensues. An instant where anticipation creeps in and you have to grab your emotions by the collar before they sprint off without you.

It’s like Phil Collins’ In the Air Tonight, right before the drums crash down. You feel it coming. You anticipate your air drum solo. The note hangs in the room. You are ready, but you wait. There is beauty in the pause. Because on one side lives restraint, and on the other lives release.

Well, the hurt doesn’t show, but the pain still grows
It’s no stranger to you and me…

Dillon Brooks knows that space well. You see it before every game. The vacant stare. Eyes locked somewhere past the hardwood, past the noise, past the stakes. It looks like intimidation, but it is not. It is meditation. It is breath control. It is taking in the sights and the sounds, the crowd humming, the moment stretching. Calm first, chaos later. Control now, eruption soon. The drum solo is coming. He is preparing himself to meet it head-on.

It was an unbelievably impressive effort by Dillon on Thursday night against the Detroit Pistons. Against the Eastern Conference’s best team, and the second-best team in the league by defensive rating, he had a night. A career night. 40 points. 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. 10-of-12 at the free throw line. Add 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 stocks, and you are staring at the most complete game of his career.

Then came the contrast.

As he walked into the postgame press conference, the game ball tucked calmly against him, the chaos disappeared.

Villain got the game ball pic.twitter.com/t19dKgNetH

— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) January 30, 2026

This is a man who lives on the edge during games, who thrives in disruption and confrontation, suddenly quiet. Grounded. Almost serene. No bravado. No chest pounding. Even after a performance he will remember forever and the leather under his arm to prove it, he spoke softly. He reflected on that moment before the storm. The meditation. The calm that makes the chaos possible.

“It’s just me focusing on my breathing, trying to calm myself down before the game starts,” Brooks noted of his pregame ritual. “Just getting into like feeling the whole crowd and the whole like atmosphere of the game.”

It’s a “Medataive thing”, he added. “It puts me in my mode.”

He was in his mode on Thursday night, all right. His 40-point performance surpassed his previous career high of 37, which came in a loss as a member of the Grizzlies in 2021.

But that stare comes from somewhere else too. Yes, it is meditative. But it also serves another purpose entirely. Dillon admitted as much afterward. He talked about being a kid and watching Iron Mike Tyson. That is where it started.

Oh “When I was a kid, I used to watch Mike Tyson,” he said. “That’s probably where I got the stare from, too, was probably Mike Tyson.”

That is the contrast. Stillness paired with menace. Meditation paired with aggression. A man at peace who is fully prepared to drag you into chaos. Dillon is not staring into nothing. He is staring into you. And once he senses the balance tilt, once he feels the fear creep in, the switch flips. Calm gives way to attack. And by then, it is already too late.

Dillon the Villain, right?

It was Villain t-shirt night, after all, and his head coach entered the press room donning one. When Suns’ sideline reporter Amanda Pflugrad said, “Love the shirt,” Jordan Ott responded.

“Yeah, I do, too, after that. Like I said, we can give it away every night.”

Coach Ott rocking the Villain shirt 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/L5aPv2QO7R

— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) January 30, 2026

“He had a great night, obviously, career high…and we needed all of them.”

That Brooksian edge does not live on adrenaline alone. It is built. Repeated. Earned in empty gyms when nobody is watching. “There’s a piece that you guys don’t get to see is like off outside of the game,” Ott said. “How he communicates on the court in practice or shootaround, in our film sessions.”

“I saw Dillon was working last night in the gym,” he added.

Brooks pointed to Kobe Bryant as the blueprint. He talked about watching Kobe Muse a couple nights earlier, soaking in that footage. The idea that readiness is not a switch you flip on game night. It is something you drag with you every day. Off days included. Especially off days.

That is the contrast again. Chaos on the floor, discipline behind the scenes. The snarling competitor versus the quiet worker. While others rest, he shoots. While the noise fades, he sharpens. Kobe understood that separation is created when effort becomes routine. Dillon has taken that lesson and made it personal. Work now, fear later. Preparation first, eruption second.

I happened to be sitting courtside during shootaround, talking with former Solar Panel Podcast host and PHNX GM Greg Esposito, when Mat Ishbia walked up. He acknowledged the work we do at Bright Side, and I thanked him in turn for giving me reasons to write positive things. About this team. About the way they play. He smiled and fired back a familiar refrain. “Well, I told you guys.” You damn right he did.

Behind him stood Dillon Brooks. Not listening. Not watching. Locked into his routine. Multiple basketballs pounding the floor at once, a blur of motion and intent, hands busy, mind elsewhere. Work before words. Process before praise. A few minutes later, he drifted to his usual spot. Feet set. Breathing controlled. Eyes distant. Living fully in the moment before the moment.

Contrast does the rest. Quiet preparation versus loud results. Empty gym habits colliding with a packed arena payoff. That calm turned into the best scoring night of his career. Not a fluke. Not a surprise. A culmination. In a game that was not only enjoyable to watch, but a genuine pleasure to witness. Chaos earned. Release delivered.

I can feel it coming in the air tonight…

Luka Dončić was almost seriously hurt in LA’s loss in Cleveland.

He took a stepback three and fell because the floor was raised, injuring his ankle. This is an uncommon scenario in the NBA. Typically, the court extends to the point where falling off it would be impossible.

Luka had to go back to the locker room after an apparent leg injury at the edge of the court. pic.twitter.com/QxPvkiE5p0

— ESPN (@espn) January 29, 2026

Luka had to be taken out of the game, but luckily, he was able to return. However, he is now listed as questionable for the Lakers’ upcoming contest against the Wizards due to this ankle injury.

After the game, Lakers head coach JJ Redick stated that the raised floor was a hazard.

It seems that the league agrees with Redick. According to an article by Joe Vardon of The Athletic, the NBA and the Cavs are seeking solutions to prevent other players from being injured like this.

“While improvements have been made to the arena floor over the years to address this issue, the NBA and the Cavaliers are revisiting the situation given the incident last night,” a league spokesperson said Thursday night.

This isn’t the first time this season Luka has dealt with a floor causing him problems. Dončić complained about the NBA Cup court being slippery and the Lakers sent it for repairs. LA never played on that floor again.

It’s unfortunate that it took Luka almost getting seriously injured to resolve this issue, but if it means no other player has to deal with this, then something good came out of this situation.

Further in Vardon’s piece, he provided some more details on the talks the Cavs have had with the NBA regarding their court.

The discussions Thursday between the league and the Cavs were taken up mutually, a league spokesperson said. Earlier Thursday, a Cavs spokesman told The Athletic, “The basketball court layout and design at Rocket Arena is fully compliant with NBA rules and has been in place for [20-plus] years, with ongoing collaboration and regular evaluation between our organization, the league and independent flooring experts to support player safety and performance. We constantly evaluate every aspect of the arena to ensure the highest standards of fan experience are achieved and (the) safest environment for players, team members, performers and guests is maintained.”

While the court may follow the rules, that doesn’t mean it’s safe enough. Clearly, it’s very easy for a player to fall off as Luka did. When you watch the play, it’s not like he was pushed or made a ridiculous move that is uncommon in a basketball game.

These guys are playing a sport and injury risk is always possible. But a court shouldn’t be a reason for increased danger. This needs to get fixed, and it appears that’s going to happen sooner rather than later.

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

Finding the right value on a Friday night slate is all about identifying trends and mismatches before the market catches up. For this January 30 lineup, I’ve put together a three-leg moneyline parlay that balances momentum with favorable matchups.

My NBA picks start at Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks are looking to capitalize on their home-court advantage against the Blazers. From there, we head to the Bayou for a Southwest Division showdown between the Pelicans and Grizzlies, before wrapping things up in Phoenix, where the Suns will try to extend their current winning streak to three games.

This parlay has been BOOSTED from +598 to +708 by our friends at bet365.

NBA moneyline parlay for January 30

Portland Trail Blazers vs  New York Knicks

• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Madison Square Garden
• TV: NBA League Pass, KUNP, MSG
• Pick: Knicks (-280)

If you’re looking to slow down the Trail Blazers’ offense, it starts with Deni Avdija—and that’s where OG Anunoby becomes a major asset. Avdija relies on his size and strength to bully smaller defenders and get downhill, but that approach won’t work against Anunoby, who can match his physicality step for step. It’s simply a brutal matchup for Avdija.

On the other end of the floor, the Knicks can also exploit Donovan Clingan. While Clingan is an elite rim protector, he’ll struggle to defend Karl-Anthony Towns on the perimeter. If Clingan is consistently pulled out of the paint to guard KAT, the lane opens up for Jalen Brunson to operate. There’s a lot of juice at -280, but given these matchup edges, this number should be even shorter—closer to -345.

Memphis Grizzlies vs  New Orleans Pelicans

• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Smoothie King Center
• TV: NBA League Pass, FDSN, GCSEN
• Pick: Grizzlies (+125)

The Memphis Grizzlies are +125 on the moneyline on Friday against the New Orleans Pelicans, and at that price point, I’m hitting the button, as I believe they should be trading closer to a -115 favorite.

The injury report is long for the Grizzlies, but as long as Jaren Jackson Jr. is on the floor, they’re in good shape in this matchup. JJJ is someone who can move his feet against Zion Williamson and meet him at the rim to protect it. Not only do the Grizzlies have a defender for Zion, but the wingspan of Vince Williams Jr. and the length of Jaylen Wells could also be disruptive to Trey Murphy’s shooting.

The wrong team is favored in this matchup—give me the Grizzlies on the moneyline.

+708 BOOSTED ML PARLAY 📈@JonMetler breaks down all three legs 🗣️🗣️

Only available at @bet365_us💰 https://t.co/G1v5sc873tpic.twitter.com/3LWuG4qrgD

— Covers (@Covers) January 30, 2026

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Phoenix Suns

• Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
• Location: Mortgage Matchup Center
• TV: NBA League Pass, FDSN, KTVK, KPHE
• Pick: Suns (+145)

The Phoenix Suns will be without Devin Booker, but let’s not overlook the fact that the Cleveland Cavaliers are also missing key pieces in Evan Mobley and Darius Garland. While this is the second night of a back-to-back for Phoenix, both games are at home, and their win over Detroit was so comfortable that Khaman Maluach logged minutes—hardly a taxing outing for the starters.

Defensively, the Suns can throw Dillon Brooks at Donovan Mitchell and rely on Mark Williams to anchor the paint to match Jarrett Allen’s vertical presence. Brooks guarding Mitchell is a very different look when Garland isn’t there to help initiate the offense. Given all of that, I believe this line should be closer to +120, which is why I’m backing the Suns.

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

The Toronto Raptors came home from a productive road trip only to fall into a classic letdown spot against the New York Knicks.

They’ll look to get back on track when they head to Orlando to face the Magic. Injuries and uneven play have held Orlando back this season, leaving the Magic just two games over .500 — yet they still enter as slight home favorites.

My Raptors vs. Magic predictions and NBA picks break down why the Raptors will get back to roaring in this Eastern Conference clash, set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Kia Center in Orlando.

Raptors vs Magic prediction

Raptors vs Magic best bet: Raptors moneyline (+105)

The Toronto Raptors saw their winning streak snapped by the New York Knicks on Wednesday, but the team has played well overall.

They won the last four games of a West Coast road trip, including a win over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. They’re eighth in the NBA in defensive rating, and have gone 10-4 ATS as a road underdog this season.

Meanwhile, the Orlando Magic are struggling. They have the sixth-worst net rating in January, and it’s clear they are missing Franz Wagner.

Brandon Ingram and Co. will lock down the Magic and get back in the win column. 

Raptors vs Magic same-game parlay

Ingram is having a solid first season with the Raptors, and tonight I want to focus on his playmaking ability. He's averaged 4.2 assists over his last nine games, recording four or more dimes in six of those outings.

Orlando is a strong defensive team, and their game plan figures to involve getting the ball out of Ingram’s hands.  

Then there is Jalen Suggs. The Magic guard is just 2-for-16 from three in his three games since his return from injury and now faces a Raptors team that allows the second-lowest opponent 3-point shooting percentage in the NBA.

Raptors vs Magic SGP

• Raptors moneyline
• Brandon Ingram Over 3.5 assists
• Jalen Suggs Under 1.5 threes

Our "from downtown" SGP: Dino Dimes

The Raptors have the sixth-highest assist rate this month, while the Magic rank 19th in opponent assists per possession during the same period.

Raptors vs Magic SGP

• Immanuel Quickley Over 5.5 assists
• Scottie Barnes Over 4.5 assists
• Brandon Ingram Over 3.5 assists
• Collin Murray-Boyles Over 2.5 assists

Raptors vs Magic odds

• Spread: Raptors +1.5 | Magic -1.5
• Moneyline: Raptors +105 | Magic -125
• Over/Under: Over 219.5 | Under 219.5

Raptors vs Magic betting trend to know

The Raptors have hit the moneyline in 23 of their last 40 away games (+11.75 Units / 22% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Magic.

How to watch Raptors vs Magic

Raptors vs Magic latest injuries

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

Friday night is more than alright for NBA player props, with nine games on the slate giving bettors plenty to work with.

I’ve locked in my three favorite plays for tonight, including Brandon Ingram handing out dimes against the Magic and Shaedon Sharpe continuing to be a thorn in the Knicks’ side.

Find out more in my NBA picks for January 30.

Best NBA player props today

Prop #1: Brandon Ingram Over 3.5 assists

+122 at bet365

Brandon Ingram is enjoying a solid first season with the Toronto Raptors, averaging 21.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. For tonight’s matchup against the Orlando Magic, the focus shifts to his playmaking.

Ingram has averaged 4.2 assists over his last nine games, recording four or more dimes in six of those outings.

Orlando is a strong defensive team, and their game plan figures to involve getting the ball out of Ingram’s hands. He logged four assists the last time these teams met back in December, and I love him to reach that mark again tonight.

• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: ESPN

Prop #2: Shaedon Sharpe Over 21.5 points

-120 at bet365

The Portland Trail Blazers are playing an exciting brand of basketball, and Shaedon Sharpe has been a major driver of that surge.

The Blazers guard is averaging 22.9 points while shooting 39.3% from beyond the arc over his last 12 games, and I’m backing Sharpe to deliver another strong showing against the New York Knicks.

New York has been inconsistent all season, due in part to shaky perimeter defense. The Knicks allow the sixth-most 3-pointers per game and surrender the most points per game to opposing guards.

With that in mind, Sharpe is well-positioned to clear this line for the ninth time in his last 13 games.

• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: KUNP, MSG

Prop #3: Egor Demin Over 2.5 threes

+110 at bet365

The Brooklyn Nets appear to have something special in Egor Demin. The BYU rookie is averaging 13.1 points per game while shooting an eye-popping 43.9% from beyond the arc over his last 18 outings.

Demin has knocked down three or more triples in 11 of those games, and there’s little reason to expect that trend to slow against the Utah Jazz.

Utah owns arguably the worst defense in the NBA, ranking dead last in both defensive rating and opponent points per game.

It should come as no surprise that the Jazz's perimeter defense has been just as porous, sitting last in opponent-made threes per game.

• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: YES, KJZZ

These props are available now at bet365, one of our best betting sites.

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

The pendulum swings back and forth, as the Knicks have now won four games in a row after a brutal start to the new year.

The team’s post-Thibodeau hangover looked real, as Mike Brown hung his hat on the offensive side of things. The strategy worked – until it didn’t. After another brutal loss at home to the Dallas Mavericks, Captain Brunson called a players-only meeting.

This was the state of affairs just 10 days ago. Bleak.

Are tensions rising for the New York Knicks? 🤔 @ramonashelburne gives us an inside look on what happened after their loss against the Mavericks 👀 pic.twitter.com/1MDEIk0pwG

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 20, 2026

Since then, the tide has truly turned. New York has rattled off four straight, and encouragingly, it’s been New York’s defense leading the charge. The team has held their last four opponents to 66, 109, 87, and 92 points, respectively.

Knicks defensive rating rankings this year:

First 15 games: 18th (114.8 DEF RTG)
Next 10 games: 3rd (110.9)
Next 16 games: 29th (120.6)
Last 6 games: 1st (98.3)

Average offensive rating ranking of their last 6 opponents is 22nd, but still…progress. We know they can do it.

— Jonathan Macri (@JCMacriNBA) January 29, 2026

Yes, it’s a small sample size, and yes, the four games weren’t against championship contenders, but the Knicks hadn’t shown the ability to win games this way until now. Defense had been the biggest issue so far this season, but a new identity could be taking shape. They’ve been killing it on the glass. They’ve shown toughness on both sides of the floor. It feels like a relic of seasons prior.

What’s changed? Well, it’s no coincidence that Landry Shamet replacing Jordan Clarkson in the rotation has led to tangible change in the bench unit. Similarly, KAT has been averaging less than 25 minutes a contest across these last four games. And OG Anunoby has been locked back in, averaging three stocks per game across the same stretch. 

It’s trade deadline season, and if the new year slide continued, we’d be having much different conversations right now. Yet as a whole, the Knicks’ mindset seems to have shifted. This has been a uniform shift from the bottom to the top, with both players and coaches changing their approach to gameday. 

With the Blazers on tap tonight at home, New York is in a good position to stretch their streak to five as they battle for the two seed in the East. Let’s see if they can keep the good vibes going tonight.

Welcome back to the second and final part of Finding the Muscala, where we search for low-cost backup big options in response to the larger trade rumors surrounding the Celtics in the weeks leading up to the trade deadline. 

As a refresher, we’re not explicitly in the search for the next Mike Muscala specifically, but rather a trade that reaches high on the Muscala Meter (not real or quantifiable) of being low-cost and significantly lower-risk than, say, any trade involving the contract of Anfernee Simons and a selection of first round picks. 

The first part featuring Marvin Bagley, Jalen Smith and Nick Richards, led to some productive and engaging conversations in the comments, so thank you to all the MuscalApologists (working title) for contributing to this short series. 

This wasn’t done in the previous Muscala piece, but with today’s three bigs, we’re ordering their contract values in descending order, starting with a higher-priced backup big that might require a slightly bigger deal to acquire. 

Let’s jump in and talk backups. 

Goga Bitadze

Entering the season on Year 2 of his 3-year, $25 million deal signed with Orlando, Goga Bitadze has been a valued bench piece for the Magic since he signed there in February 2023. The Magic have been stuck in neutral during that time under head coach Jamahl Mosley, and something tells me they’re a smart pick for a roster shakeup during the deadline. 

Bitadze, only 26 and in his eighth NBA season, is a hulking 6’10”, 250-pound center that may not impose his will on offense as much as you’d envision from a player of his size and mobility, but he has still carved out a career as a rock solid rim protector and rebounder. 

His game isn’t without its caveats though. He’s a non-shooter, a surprisingly unimpactful screener and a non-factor as a playmaker/ball-mover. 

Bitadze’s rim protecting ability has held serious weight to his time on the floor these past few seasons for the defensive-minded Magic, but it seems his offensive limitations are factoring into his way out the door. 

On Monday and Wednesday this week, he was a coach’s decision DNP, with Orlando instead opting for the recently-returned Mo Wagner’s offensive skillset behind Wendell Carter Jr. 

For Boston, while not the perfect fit for his lack of versatility, Bitadze does fill a need and does so on a reasonable contract (though one that gives him significantly more than current starter Neemias Queta). 

When it comes to actually considering a hypothetical trade, we had a similar discussion in the last part in regards to Bulls big man Jalen Smith, who has a comparable contract to Bitadze’s that would require a conversation that goes a little further than a package surrounding Xavier Tillman or Chris Boucher’s expiring deals.

To acquire Goga in a two-team deal, it would take giving up Sam Hauser, and that’s a hard sell for a large majority of the fanbase, and probably Brad Stevens, even if it brings in a helpful player at a position of need. For Orlando, a team that is 28th in 3-point shooting efficiency this season, that’d be a pretty major boon for them. 

But to add even further to the discussion, that one-for-one swap wouldn’t be possible on Orlando’s end since they are a hard-capped first apron team. They’d need to add a little something extra to get that deal over the hump, something like the rookie-scale contract of second-round French prospect Noah Penda, who has impressed in limited minutes as a capable shooting threat and versatile 6’7” defender. 

This would be an interesting proposition for both sides, filling needs for both teams in a mid-sized trade that sends off two talented veterans and one prospect to new homes. 

Andre Drummond 

Outside of a Jalen Springer-sized trade or a draft day pick swap, would the Philadelphia 76ers really be looking to deal directly with a conference rival concerning their best rebounder? 

Probably not, however, according to 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey, they are at least open to the idea of moving their valued backup big. The Sixers are $7 million above the allowable threshold to avoid being taxed and around $1 million away from being a first-apron team according to Pompey, and a move off Drummond’s expiring $5 million contract without a player in return would certain aid in their quest to avoid that tax. 

Could the right draft asset cocktail be enough to sway the Sixers? Unlikely, but it’s worth exploring because Drummond’s skillset and extremely favorable expiring contract is about as close to an ideal deadline acquisition as Boston is going to find in its search through the lower-level marketplace. 

Drummond is, and has always been, a phenomenal rebounder, and this season has been no different. He’s been the ideal spot starter for Joel Embiid, a very solid backup when Embiid is available, and, surprisingly, a capable 3-point shooter for the first time in his career (36% on 1.3 attempts per game). In 20 minutes a night, Drummond gives Philly 7 points on 50% shooting, 9 rebounds and a block per game.

This season, the data backs up the eye test, Drummond is simply outstanding on the glass, rating near the very top of most rebounding metrics on both ends of the floor 

Defensively, Drummond’s strength and size gives the team a primary defender for the game’s more physically imposing interior bullies that Boston has struggled with up to this point in the season. 

Drummond is an excellent backup center, and the Sixers know that. Philly currently enlists second-year UCLA product Adem Bona as their third center, meaning they’d be sacrificing some serious depth unless they take a player back or make another move (Kelly Oubre Jr. was also mentioned by Pompey as a possible trade candidate).

Is the tax-evading effort worth it to provide Boston with the exact type of backup big they’d want to add to their frontcourt stable? It’d take some convincing, and some valued second round draft capital, but the fact that Brad Stevens and Daryl Morey have come to an agreement before at least means a conversation is possible, and worth the 406 words it took to discuss it. 

Kevin Love 

We didn’t use the word “scrounging” in the first Muscala headline just for fun. 

We are foraging across the NBA big man marketplace here, and this is the trade equivalent to sticking our hand in the bottom of a Walmart DVD bargain bin.  We shouldn’t be surprised to pull out something we may not find sense or value in. But even if it’s some obscure John Wayne western we’ve never heard of, the price tag says $2, so what’s the harm in talking about it?

And I’ll say it, even at the ripe old age of 37, Kevin Love is still a pretty interesting player to watch. And dare I say, a contributor in certain facets. 

Love is sort of the NBA equivalent to George Clooney. Once a bankable star, Clooney is rarely seen and hardly mentioned these days, yet you’ll randomly spot him grizzled and gray in a Nespresso Super Bowl commercial and think “Yep, Clooney’s still got it.” 

You watch a few current K-Love clips at his best and tell me you don’t see at least a fundamentally sound past-his-prime star that’s career is on the cusp of fading out into a planetary nebula. 

Love is spending the season in Utah surrounded by one of the league’s younger rosters embarking on a patient rebuild, yet he is still finding his way into minutes. Consider this, on a team that has modest frontcourt depth despite the early-season loss of Walker Kessler, Love’s 457 minutes on the floor double the minutes of Chris Boucher and Xavier Tillman combined. 

So while we’re not talking about a sizable upgrade, we are talking about a 17-year vet that is still finding a spot in an NBA rotation. That’s not nothing.That’s a playable deep bench addition. 

Love is at his best when the ball is touching and leaving his hand in one fell swoop. His 40% 3-point catch-and-shoot efficiency on 3.3 attempts per game is his best since the 2017-18 season in Cleveland where he shot 41% on five attempts. 

The current version of Love does two things particularly well: he’s a capable movement shooter and a productive rebounder. All other impact areas are either neutral or outright negatives, but in those two areas, he can help an NBA team in some capacity. 

We’ve seen Luka Garza take a leap in confidence and efficiency as a pick-and-pop threat, giving Boston one big that can actually stretch the floor. For a team that loves active screeners, Spain pick-and-rolls and flare screens, an additional shooter with size would add some value to the deep bench options at Joe Mazzulla’s disposal, while also adding another energetic fighter on the glass. 

Love has implemented himself well into Utah’s roster this season, a far cry from his final days in Cleveland when their Big 3 disbanded, and it seems he’s embraced his veteran role in a way that makes him an unlikely buyout candidate. 

It’s funny to think how the 2014 “Summer of Love” set social media ablaze when Love was spotted at a Red Sox game shaking hands with Rajon Rondo, indicating hope of another major star acquisition heading to Boston. That never materialized, but maybe before the Feb. 5 trade deadline, just nine days before Valentine’s Day, the Celtics will finally get their shot at Love.

The Houston Rockets could use an on-ball facilitating guard. Everybody talks about it.

By all intents and purposes, Rafael Stone and co. are trying to address that need by the trade deadline.

It seems clear that they’ve been working the phones, at the very least. Lately they’ve been engaged in trade talks with the Chicago Bulls for point guard Coby White.

White is an obvious target on the trade market. White becomes an unrestricted free agent in four months and the Bulls tried to extend him last offseason, but made no such progress, as he turned down an $87 million extension. 

They’d rather get something for him than see him walk without getting anything in return. 

Except they’ve got a specific asking price. 

They’re hoping to land a young, rising talent, who is on the same timeline as Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis.

Understandable. Buzelis and Giddey are their future.

Pillars. Cornerstones.

Whatever noun you want to use.

They’re also 21-years-old and 23-years-old, respectively. 

According to the local boots on the ground in Chicago, the Bulls have “floated” names like Tari Eason and Reed Sheppard in their talks with Houston’s brass.

Which is an obvious no-go. Houston has neither the guard depth nor wing depth to withstand losing either.

Especially not for White.

Again, he’s going to be a free agent in the summer.

But his $12.8 million salary will be impossible to match if the Hawks are set on a young player to that degree. Even those guys don’t make enough individually.

The obvious salary matching would come by way of Dorian Finney-Smith ($12.7 million) or Steven Adams.

(It’s a cold world sometimes, I know. But Adams’ $14.1 million works mathematically).

But again, if we are to believe Chicago wants a young prospect, neither DFS nor Adams would sway them.

And even if the Rockets and Bulls are able to agree on compensation, would Houston realistically be able to afford White long-term? They’ve got looming deals with Eason and Amen Thompson in consecutive years (the latter of which will be far more costly).

White is a good player. But the situation doesn’t quite align, especially considering what Chicago is seeking in return.

NBA All-Star Weekend is almost here, and Gonzaga has a brief breather before Saturday’s clash with Saint Mary’s, so the pause offers a natural moment to check in on the program’s NBA presence. As of this writing, 12 former Zags sit on active NBA rosters, with a couple more still grinding for call-ups in the G League, a level of representation that continues to place Gonzaga alongside Duke and Kentucky as one of the sport’s most reliable pro pipelines. The season has unfolded unevenly for that group, shaped by injuries, shifting roles, and a few long-awaited opportunities finally breaking through. Some veterans have spent stretches managing their bodies, some younger players have begun earning real minutes, and others are making the most of every window they get. With the NBA drifting towards its midseason break, here’s where some Gonzaga alums stand right now.

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Brandon Clarke – Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis Grizzlies big man Brandon Clarke will be out several weeks. https://t.co/OtkYoGIEtzpic.twitter.com/pC9I9GgWL5

— Action News 5 (@WMCActionNews5) December 22, 2025

At this point, Brandon Clarke’s NBA career reads like a running battle with his own body. After missing the second half of last season with a PCL sprain suffered in March, Clarke clawed his way back in time for the 2025–26 opener, only to log roughly a game and a half before a calf strain shut him down again. He has been sidelined since December 20, extending a frustrating pattern for a player whose impact has consistently outweighed his availability. The latest setback follows a career already interrupted by a torn Achilles, repeated lower-body issues, and a knee synovitis procedure last fall, yet the outlook remains cautiously optimistic, with league sources indicating a likely return roughly a month from now and no long-term concern attached to the current injury

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Zach Collins – Chicago Bulls

INJURY UPDATE:

Zach Collins remains in a walking boot and won’t be re-evaluated for two more weeks, per @KCJHoop#BullsNation | #SeeRedpic.twitter.com/mTwFKFcLnI

— Bulls Nation (@BullNationCHI) January 28, 2026

Collins’ season in Chicago has unfolded in fits and starts, with injuries consistently interrupting any chance at continuity. He missed the opening stretch of the year with a broken left wrist, returned in early December, and briefly settled into a rotation role before another setback arrived. Over the 10 games he played in December, Collins averaged 9.7 points and 5.6 rebounds in just under 20 minutes per night, offering efficient interior scoring before a sprained right big toe sidelined him again late in the month. As of late January, he remained in a walking boot, though the Bulls have indicated he is expected to return to practice around the All-Star break, with a game return hoped to follow shortly after.

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Rui Hachimura – Los Angeles Lakers

Rui Hachimura passes Magic & Kareem for the 2nd most games in Lakers history with:

20+ PTS
95%+ TS pic.twitter.com/5VNvlql9qx

— Real App (@realapp) January 27, 2026

Hachimura has settled into a steady role with the Lakers, averaging around 30 minutes per night while bouncing between the starting lineup and a recent move to a sixth-man role. He’s scoring about 12 points per game and knocking down 43.4 percent of his threes, providing reliable spacing and secondary offense. The highs and lows have been visible: a season-high 28 against Portland back in November, followed by a scoreless 18-minute outing on 0-for-7 shooting against Cleveland. Overall, he remains a trusted rotation piece whose minutes and role continue to fluctuate with lineup needs. If rumors are true and what that lineup ultimately needs is a first-round 2026 draft pick instead of Hachimura, we’ll find out in the next week.

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Drew Timme – Los Angeles Lakers

DREW TIMME! Los Angeles Lakers two-way contract big man & NCAA legend Drew Timme BALLED OUT in their 132-116 LOSS vs. Portland! 🪣

📊 21 PTS, 2 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL, 9/12 FGM, 3/4 3PM, 29 MIN. LOSS

Should Timme get a standard contract & more minutes? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/wx7tx0msMB

— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) January 18, 2026

After getting cut by Brooklyn, Timme once again played his way back onto an NBA roster with a dominant G League stint, this time earning a two-way deal with the Lakers. The NBA production has been modest so far at just over three points per game, though the upside has shown through in flashes, including a 21-point night against Portland. Gonzaga’s all-time leading scorer remains in a tenuous spot on a two-way contract, but his continued G League dominance, paired with public praise from LeBron James, suggests he has done everything within his control to keep the door open.

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Corey Kispert – Atlanta Hawks

Corey Kispert 17 Points full highlight vs Rockets I 25-26 NBA Season pic.twitter.com/yjWPQKg69D

— Hoops Showtime (@HoopsShowtime12) January 30, 2026

After spending four and a half seasons as Mr. Reliable on a Washington Wizards team stuck in perpetual rebuilding mode, Corey Kispert was blessedly dealt to Atlanta in November alongside CJ McCollum as part of the Trae Young trade and has stepped directly into the Hawks’ starting lineup. Since arriving, he’s shooting about 33 percent from three and averaging just under nine points per game. Atlanta sits 3rd in the Southeast Division with a season record of 24-26. They’re 4-5 since Kispert’s arrival, but the move has already given him something he rarely had in Washington: meaningful minutes on a team still trying to win games.

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Julian Strawther – Denver Nuggets

Postgame with Julian Strawther after another next man up win for the Nuggets pic.twitter.com/OKtp2I7cGd

— Katy Winge (@katywinge) January 24, 2026

Strawther’s third year in Denver has turned into a constant shuffle. His minutes have dropped to around 10 per game after averaging 21 last season, and his place in the rotation has rarely felt secure, tied closely to whether the shot is falling and if the guys ahead of him on the depth chart are healthy. The numbers have been uncharacteristically rough for a guy who made a college career off his three-point shot. He’s just 8-for-37 from three on the season, but the flashes of offensive greatness have occasionally shown through. When injuries ripped through the Nuggets’ lineup, Strawther finally got runway and delivered a season-high 20 points in 27 minutes against Milwaukee, staying on the floor despite a 1-for-6 mark from outside by attacking off the bounce and applying foul pressure. With Denver suddenly thin, a player who looked like trade bait a few weeks ago now sits one bad ankle or hamstring injury away from a starting role, a reminder of how fast things change on a title contender 

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Kelly Olynyk – San Antonio Spurs

Captain Canada Kelly Olynyk 🇨🇦🏀 getting it done on both ends. pic.twitter.com/A3Z0TLnBWc

— Matty Ireland (@TheMattyIreland) January 3, 2026

Olynyk’s latest stop has him in San Antonio, his eighth team in 13 seasons, and very much in a veteran support role. Playing behind Victor Wembanyama (a legit superstar) and fellow journeyman Luke Kornet has pushed his minutes down to a career-low 9.5 per night across 28 games, but the impact still shows up in quieter ways. He steadies lineups, keeps the ball moving, and brings a level of professionalism that young teams tend to lean on, especially one built around a generational centerpiece. At this stage, Olynyk feels closer to the end than the beginning, the kind of long-tenured pro who may bounce once more or may simply have found a final landing spot as a trusted locker-room presence who still knows how to help teams function. 

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Domantas Sabonis – Sacramento Kings

Some important recent Kings rumors that have come out:

– At least 10 teams have called about Keon Ellis, with the expectation of him being traded before the deadline, per @sam_amick.

– Domantas Sabonis is a legitimate candidate to be a Toronto Raptor by the deadline,… pic.twitter.com/uYNkO0Iq47

— Kings Lead (@KingsLeadSM) January 23, 2026

It has been a brutal season in Sacramento, with the Kings sitting at 12-37 and buried near the bottom of the Western Conference, a context that has pushed Sabonis back into the center of the trade rumor mill. Miami, Toronto, Phoenix, and Chicago have all surfaced as possible landing spots in recent weeks. Despite missing 27 games earlier in the year with a torn meniscus, Sabonis has been productive when available, averaging 15.4 points and 11.2 rebounds and recording double-doubles in 11 of the 18 games he has played. He has been back on the floor over the past couple weeks, steady as ever, even as the losses pile up. Wherever he lands next, the hope is simple: a roster sturdy enough to let Sabonis amplify winning rather than shoulder it alone.

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Jalen Suggs – Orlando Magic

Jalen Suggs was putting in work 😮‍💨

pic.twitter.com/NO3g6wNDQD

— Fliff (@fliff) January 25, 2026

Injuries have again shaped Suggs’ season, but he has managed to appear in 26 games for Orlando despite missing time with an MCL contusion. When healthy, his role remains substantial, logging around 26 minutes per night while averaging 14.4 points and 4.7 assists. The offense has come back in bursts, but the defensive impact has never wavered, with Suggs continuing to operate as a full-court irritant who changes games with pressure and anticipation. Orlando sits at 24–22, hovering just above .500, and their margin remains thin enough that a fully settled version of Suggs, available and decisive, could meaningfully swing the final months of the season.

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Ryan Nembhard – Dallas Mavericks

Ryan Nembhard being this good, this early, makes you wonder what NBA Front offices are looking for when drafting

This is 28 pts, 10 Assists, and 0 Turnovers as Rookie

Insanely good

It’s not like he wasn’t killing at Gonzaga

pic.twitter.com/gUlPhWYZMN

— Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) December 2, 2025

Undersized and undrafted, Nembhard has carved out real minutes anyway, appearing in 35 games for a young Dallas roster built around the league’s newest cornerstone in Cooper Flagg. Gonzaga’s imprint shows up clearly in his adaptability and poise, traits that have helped him earn trust in a guard rotation that shifts almost nightly. Nembhard is doing what he has always done best, organizing offense and keeping teammates fed, averaging just under five assists in 19 minutes per game while knocking down nearly 38 percent of his threes. The ceiling flashes remain there too, most memorably in a 28-point outburst against Denver on December 1, when he went 12-for-14 from the floor and 5-for-7 from deep. The role remains fluid, but Nembhard continues to justify his place by fitting whatever shape the moment requires.

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Andrew Nembhard – Indiana Pacers

Andrew Nembhard pulling the chair on drives https://t.co/sVAB7Dt7XQpic.twitter.com/joxMEjR3XC

— AKRiley (@AKRileyy5) August 12, 2025

With Tyrese Haliburton sidelined by a torn Achilles and Myles Turner gone after a failed contract resolution, Indiana’s season has unraveled quickly, but Nembhard has gone the opposite direction. Thrust into the lead guard role full time, he is putting together the best year of his career, averaging 17.4 points, 7.4 assists, and shooting 35.8 percent from three while starting all 38 games he has played. The Pacers no longer resemble the contender they were a year ago, and the burden on Nembhard has grown heavier by the week, reflected in career highs across points, assists, and minutes. Indiana sits well off the pace in the East, and with the trade deadline approaching, the front office is expected to look for backcourt help, ideally an off-ball guard who can ease the load and let Nembhard continue doing what he has proven he can do: run a team.

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Chet Holmgren – Oklahoma City Thunder

Chet Holmgren Defense 1/27 vs NOP
~ 8 Points Allowed
~ Held Opponents to 4/11 FG (as primary def)
– 5 Blocks
– 33 Minutes

Thoughts on his defense last night?

*Not every clip included goes towards the Opp FG%, but I included all relevant clips of his defense from the game* pic.twitter.com/xnimEG0lZz

— Hoopology (@hoopologyxx) January 28, 2026

While nearly everyone else on this list has dealt with injuries or role volatility, Holmgren has been the constant for Oklahoma City all season. The Thunder have shuffled bodies around him, losing time from Isaiah Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams among others, yet Holmgren’s availability and production have anchored a team sitting at 38–11 alongside reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He has already played 11 more games than he managed all of last season and is averaging nearly 18 points and a career-best 8.6 rebounds while shooting 57 percent from the field and 37.7 percent from three. The efficiency spikes showed early with a 31-point, 11-rebound night against Atlanta in October, but the steadiness has been just as striking. Holmgren has gone the entire month of January without committing more than two turnovers in a game despite playing roughly 34 minutes per night. A fully healthy Thunder roster sits as the odds-on favorite to win another league title, and if Oklahoma City pulls off a repeat, Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren will be at the center of it.

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Taken together, this group reflects both the breadth and the staying power of Gonzaga’s NBA presence. There are stars carrying franchises, role players adapting to new contexts, veterans extending long careers through feel and professionalism, and young guards fighting daily for minutes in crowded rotations. The paths look different, the situations change fast, and the margins remain thin, but the through line holds: Gonzaga continues to send players into the league who find ways to matter. As the NBA season turns toward its stretch run and the Zags refocus on Saint Mary’s and March, the program’s imprint at the highest level remains as visible, varied, and resilient as ever.