Denver was not exactly forthcoming around Nikola Jokic's knee injury, aside from the good news that no ligaments were damaged. The team called it a hyperextension, although that is what happened to the knee, not a diagnosis (something Jeff Stotts pointed out at In Street Clothes, adding Jokic's case has the markings of a bone bruise).
According to team sources, the hope is that Jokić is back and playing by, at worst, the All-Star break. On Sunday night in Brooklyn, Jokić was in Denver's locker room in good spirits. While he hasn't returned to the court yet, he's well underway in his rehabilitation and has been able to be aggressive with it.
If Jokic's return falls near the All-Star Game, it will be interesting to see how he and the Nuggets handle it. While Jokic says it's an honor to be voted in by fans, and this year will feature a USA vs. World format for the game as it returns to NBC during the middle of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, it's no secret Jokic doesn't really love playing in the exhibition All-Star Game itself. He and the Nuggets are not going to delay a return just to avoid it, but if his return is on that bubble, there will be conversations.
The return timeline impacts a few other things as well, including Jokic meeting the 65-game threshold to be eligible for any postseason awards (if he is not back by the Jan. 30 game against the Clippers he will not make it to the pointless 65-game threshold set by the league).
It also impacts seeding in a deep, bunched-up Western Conference. Denver is working to keep its head above water and is 2-2 without Jokic so far. At 24-12, the Nuggets sit fourth in the West, but only 4.5 games separate the No. 2 seed Spurs and the No. 7 seed Suns, who would be in the play-in. Any kind of slump can quickly put a team in the play-in, where they face good teams to get out of it (then have a much tougher road through the postseason).
There has been good news on the injury front for Denver with both Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun returning to the rotation over the weekend. However, another starter, Cam Johnson, remains out, also with a knee hyperextension.
What the Nuggets really need is the return of Jokic, and so far his recovery appears to be going well.
Nothing puts Knicks fans on edge like James Dolan stepping into the spotlight. Except maybe seeing their team get blown out by the Eastern Conference leaders.
Monday, Knicks fans had to suffer through both. Dolan made an appearance with WFAN’s Craig Carton and set the bar high for his team — Finals or bust — and said not to expect any big roster changes at the trade deadline. Here are a few of his comments, via Stefan Bondy of The New York Post.
"We want to get to the Finals. And we should win the Finals. This is sports and anything can happen. But getting to the Finals, we absolutely got to do."
"We love our team right now. They have chemistry, they all like each other. I've never seen a locker room more copacetic. There's a lot of energy there. Leon can always overrule me. But I don't see us making a big change. Because we got to keep building up this group. This group can win a championship. I believe that."
All that felt a little awkward a few hours later, after the East-leading Detroit Pistons easily handled the Knicks on Monday night, beating them 121-90 behind 29 from Cade Cunningham, who was easily the best player on the court. A January regular-season game is not a May playoff game, but this was the Knicks' fourth straight loss as the team has hit a slump. If nothing else, the timing of Dolan's comments felt odd.
In the interview, Dolan praised former coach Tom Thibodeau but said he was not collaborative or dedicated to player development the way a coach and team need to be in the modern NBA.
Dolan also spoke about the Knicks not hanging an NBA Cup banner, via Christian Arnold of The New York Post (the Knicks are 5-6 since winning the Cup in Las Vegas).
"We are going to raise the banner. We're going to raise the NBA championship banner. That's the banner we want to raise. We want an NBA championship, we don't want some consolation prize."
The Knicks are still the betting favorite to come out of the East at DraftKings and reach the NBA Finals (the Knicks are +290 to the Pistons' +400), living up to Dolan's prediction. The thing he said that should make Knicks fans happy was that team president Leon Rose "could overrule him" on player/personnel decisions (Dolan getting involved in roster decisions is the worst possible outcome).
Still, Dolan has spoken and set the bar high — exactly where most Knicks fans wanted it and believed it should be before the season tipped off. It's just always a little concerning when Dolan steps into the spotlight.
Joe Mazzulla will do anything to find an edge, and that includes taking best practices from other sports.
So, when members of the New England Patriots came to TD Garden last month to take in a Boston Celtics game, Mazzulla couldn’t let them leave without picking a few brains.
“He came to a game a couple of weeks ago, and he actually drew up a couple of pre-snap motion plays for us, for me to kind of visualize and see how we could use them as sets,” Mazzulla said Tuesday. “But his mind is amazing.”
How exactly can McDaniels’ pre-snap motion plays help Mazzulla coach his basketball team?
“It can definitely translate (to basketball),” Mazzulla responded. “(McDaniels) was kind of explaining some of the stuff that they do. Did you guys see the answer Kirk Cousins gave about how the quarterback position has changed, and how reads have changed? I mean, it’s very similar. That’s kind of where basketball is as well.
“There’s obviously game plans and details that you have to develop, but over the course of the game, defenses, offenses, spacing, coverages — things are changing so much that you have to be able to adjust on the fly.”
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins recently went viral for the lengthy dissertation he gave during a press conference on how to read coverages, and the chess match that goes on between QBs and defenses prior to the snap.
As Mazzulla explained, there are lessons to be taken from that pre-snap chess match that directly apply to basketball.
“I think that it’s the pre-snap stuff and the ability to recognize whether they’re disguising man or zone (coverage) and how you go about making the defense tell that, so you know beforehand, and then having to read in real-time — that’s right where basketball is,” Mazzulla added.
Mazzulla’s connection with the Patriots goes way back — he’s attended multiple training camp practices at Gillette Stadium and made a trip to Foxboro this past August to chat with head coach Mike Vrabel. It appears that connection remains very strong, as Mazzulla leaves no stone unturned in his never-ending quest for improvement.
Tonight's Coast 2 Coast Tuesday action features an exciting NBA doubleheader on NBC and Peacock. First, at 8:00 PM ET, it’s the Miami Heat vs Minnesota Timberwolves. Then, at 11:00 PM ET, the Dallas Mavericks take on the Sacramento Kings.
See below for additional information on how to watch both games and follow all of the NBA action on NBC and Peacock. Peacock will feature 100 regular-season games throughout the course of the 2025-2026 season.
The Mavericks defeated the Houston Rockets 110-104 on Saturday night, snapping their four-game losing streak. Anthony Davis finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds, Max Christie had 24 points, and Brandon Williams added 15 off the bench.
Despite the win, the Mavericks have lost four of their last five games and are currently 11th in the Western Conference.
Cooper Flagg scored just 10 points in Saturday's win, tied for his second-lowest total this season.
Dallas has struggled on the road, losing its last seven away games. The Mavericks look to change that tonight in Sacramento.
Sacramento Kings:
At 8-28, the Sacramento Kings have the second-worst record in the Western Conference and are on track to miss the playoffs for the 19th time in the last 20 seasons.
The Kings have lost their last five straight games, most recently falling 115-98 to the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday.
Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.
Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.
How to sign up for Peacock:
Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You'll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits—Peacock is here for whatever you’re in the mood for.
NBA on NBC 2025-26 Schedule
Click here to see the full list of NBA games that will air on NBC and Peacock this season.
Reggie Miller, Snoop Dogg and Terry Gannon call the game on NBC between the Clippers and the Golden State Warriors at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)
In a warm-up for his role in the upcoming Winter Olympics, Snoop Dogg was given a microphone during the second half of the NBA game between the Golden State Warriors and the Clippers on Monday night at the Intuit Dome.
Can't wait for those Olympics! Snoop hilariously sizzled when Warriors coach Steve Kerr stormed the court in the fourth quarter of the Clippers' 103-102 victory.
"The Arizona Wildcat done came out of him. Look at him!" Snoop said, alluding to Kerr's college team. "Aw, Rawwwr, rawwwr, rawwwr!"
Kerr was hit with two technical fouls in less than a minute. He nearly got one with 8:44 to play when Warriors guard Stephen Curry made a shot that appeared to be a continuation after a foul, but the officials nullified the basket.
Less than a minute later, Kerr found a new level of vehemence after the Clippers' John Collins wasn’t called for goaltending on a shot by Gary Payton II. The four-time NBA championship coach flew into a rage, aggressively gesturing at officials and screaming.
ok.. it was worth having Snoop on the broadcast just to hear him call this Steve Kerr crash out 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/FJzXxqnal9
Kerr picked up the two technicals — his first in nearly four seasons — and was held back by Payton and assistant coaches before exiting to the locker room.
Snoop Dogg, who had joined regular Peacock/NBC announcers Reggie Miller and Terry Gannon for the second half, rose to the occasion, his commentary keeping pace with Kerr's antics.
"Oh, Steve gonna get thrown out! Get him out of there. Get him out of there! Back him up!" Snoop barked.
All Miller and Gannon could do was laugh as Snoop continued, referencing the location of the Intuit Dome and Kerr's Southern California ties: "Steve back in Inglewood right now. Inglewooood!!! Get him, Steve! You in Inglewood, Steve!"
Snoop will join NBC Olympics host Mike Tirico in Italy in February, riffing on stories that unfold at the Winter Games the way he did at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. The NBA game was an indication he'll again be up to the task.
“We are excited to have Snoop bring his unique energy and passion to our NBA coverage,” NBC Sports executive producer Sam Flood said in a statement. “It will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch Snoop, Reggie and Terry talk hoops with a side order of fun.”
Snoop said in the release that his debut as an NBA game broadcaster "is a dream come true for me. I can’t wait to bring a fresh vibe to the analysis.”
For the record, official Brian Forte acknowledged after the game that goaltending should have been called against Collins. Curry told reporters that he appreciated his coach's passion.
"Two crazy calls in a row that you feel like can dictate the momentum of the game, it doesn’t mean a win or a loss, it just dictates the momentum," Curry said. "I love that fired up Steve, for sure. Somebody had to do it.”
Visiting Los Angeles has been emotional for Kerr since the Pacific Palisades wildfire a year ago destroyed his childhood home, which his family bought in 1969. His mother, 90-year-old Ann Kerr, still lived in the house, located near Rivas Canyon, and was evacuated safely.
Welcome to 2026! From game-winners to 50-point games, the new calendar has already provided some notable moments around the NBA.
Let’s take a look at some guys who are hoping to stay hot to begin the year, and others who may want to rewind time.
→ Watch the NBA Coast 2 Coast Tuesday on NBC and Peacock, as the Heat take on the Timberwolves at 8 p.m. ET before the Mavericks and Kings square off at 11 p.m. ET. Both games are available on Peacock. Check your local listings for the NBC game in your area.
VJ Edgecombe! I could end this whole section after the first sentence, and it would probably be comprehensible enough to those who play fantasy basketball or follow the NBA closely. But I’ll go a bit deeper — the rookie guard had gone for 23 or more points in three consecutive games, tallied 10 steals, and shot 12-of-25 from beyond the arc before Tuesday’s overtime loss to the Nuggets, in which he added five more triples, four stocks, and nearly messed around and got a triple-double. Edgecombe has consistently been one of the best-performing rookies all season, putting up impressive numbers on a strong team featuring a plethora of productive, proven players. He is rostered in only 63 percent of Yahoo! Fantasy basketball leagues. Adding him, if available, would seem like a wise decision for a fantasy manager to make.
Norman Powell — SG/SF, Heat
Several Heat players have been written about here in the "Stock Up, Stock Down" articles; several in a positive light. And perhaps none have been as worthy of praise as Norman Powell, who has consistently been the go-to guy for Miami amidst several injuries. His latest 34-point outing came on the heels of a 36-point outburst two games prior, putting the first-year Heat guard at 30.3 points and 6.0 three-pointers per game in the three games since the calendar flipped to 2026. But even before the recent three appearances, Powell concluded 2025 having notched 4.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists over a four-game stretch — if he can consistently be productive in non-scoring areas, he’ll unlock another level as it relates to fantasy basketball
Matas Buzelis — SF/PF, Bulls
Whether it’s been wins and losses or players’ individual production, the Bulls’ 2025-26 season thus far has been “unpredictable.” Amidst their latest rollercoaster ride, however, Buzelis has joined Josh Giddey and Nikola Vucevic as one of the more reliable on-court producers on the Chicago roster. The third-year forward has flirted with double-doubles in recent games and has scored in double figures in 9 of his last 10 appearances — four being 20-plus-point outings. His scoring has been complemented by consistent rebounding and contributions from beyond the arc, and he has shown potential as a shot blocker, leading to 18.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 three-pointers and 1.3 blocks per game over the last 10 outings. This production just doesn’t feel like a flash in the pan. I very much believe the best is yet to come.
Thompson is by no means a “scorer,” as evidenced by his scoring averages over the first three years of his career (8.8, 10.1, and 11.4). Yet, even his recent lack of scoring production on a team currently down key contributors has come as a bit of a surprise. The former fifth-overall pick of the 2023 draft has failed to reach double figures in points and in four of the past six games, which comes directly on the heels of a three-game stretch in which he averaged 17.0 per game. The shooting volume, more than anything else, seems to be the cause. He’s remained good at collecting stocks over this stretch. However, without points, minimal impact from beyond the arc, and not many counting stats as a passer, it’s hard to be confident about Thompson’s fantasy basketball trajectory into the second half of the fantasy season.
Cam Spencer — PG/SG, Grizzlies
After scoring in double digits in 14 consecutive games, a span in which Spencer mostly came off the bench and averaged 16.6 points, 6.4 assists, and 3.4 three-pointers, he’s tallying 6.3 points and has made only two three-pointers over his past four appearances. The slump is mostly a result of poor shooting (33.0/ 1.4/ 100.0 splits), both inside and outside the arc. His minutes have remained consistent, as has his ability to impact the game as a passer — 6.5 assists per game over this same stretch. Yet, the scoring and three-point shooting add a lot to Spencer’s appeal as a fantasy basketball player. Regaining his rhythm as a scorer would boost his stock back up.
Bones Hyland — PG, Timberwolves
Four appearances with the Wolves last season didn’t amount to much for Hyland, who averaged only 4.3 minutes per game. Not much was expected of him heading into his fifth NBA season, which made his December of 2025 so unique — he notched six games with double-digit points and five with at least four assists. His minutes and role in January are still there, averaging 16 minutes per game over his last three, but he’s totaled only 11 points and nine assists over that span while shooting 4-of-18 from the floor and tallying only one assist. Hyland could benefit from a strong outing in the near future to remain a reliable option off the bench for the Wolves. But for now, his stock is a bit down compared to where it was a month ago.
Tonight's Coast 2 Coast Tuesday action features an exciting NBA doubleheader on NBC and Peacock. First, at 8:00 PM ET, the Miami Heat head to Target Center to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves. Then, at 11:00 PM ET, the Dallas Mavericks take on the Sacramento Kings.
See below for additional information on how to watch both games and follow all of the NBA action on NBC and Peacock. Peacock will feature 100 regular-season games throughout the course of the 2025-2026 season.
The Miami Heat defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 125-106 on Sunday, earning their fifth victory in their last six games. Norman Powell led the way for the Heat with 34 points, Nikola Jovic scored 19 off the bench, while Pelle Larsson and Kel'el Ware each scored 16. Ware also had 12 boards in the win.
All-Star guard Tyler Herro has missed the last 11 games with a toe injury, but several players have stepped up in his absence. Powell currently leads the Heat with 24.4 points per game and is on pace for career highs in scoring, rebounding (3.8 rpg), assists (2.7 apg), and steals (1.3 spg). Three-time All-Star Bam Adebayo is third on the team in scoring (17.3 ppg).
Minnesota Timberwolves:
The Timberwolves started the season 10-8 and are 13-5 in the last 18 games, most recently defeating Washington 141-115 on Sunday.
Anthony Edwards scored 35 points, Julius Randle added 22, and Rudy Gobert finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds.
Edwards is on pace to lead Minnesota in scoring for the fourth consecutive season and is currently seventh in the league in scoring with 29.4 points per game.
Randle and Gobert have also been a big part of the Timberwolves' success. Randle is averaging 22.3 ppg — an increase from last season's 18.7 ppg. He is second on the team in scoring and leads the Heat in assists (5.7 apg). Gobert leads Minnesota in blocks (1.7 bpg) and rebounds (11.1 rpg)
Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.
Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.
How to sign up for Peacock:
Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You'll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits—Peacock is here for whatever you’re in the mood for.
NBA on NBC 2025-26 Schedule
Click here to see the full list of NBA games that will air on NBC and Peacock this season.
If you haven’t already, it’s time to recalibrate your expectations for the 2025-26 Boston Celtics.
A squad that was projected to win just over 40 games and maybe sneak into the play-in tournament is 23-12 through 35 games and enters Tuesday as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Despite losing four key members of its 2024 championship team (Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Luke Kornet) and being without superstar Jayson Tatum, the Celtics look like a legitimate contender in the East, especially if Tatum can return in the next month or two.
And while the common belief was that Boston would look to trim salary ahead of the NBA trade deadline as they take a “gap year” with Tatum sidelined, that belief appears to have shifted as Feb. 5 approaches.
“Everyone has been penciling them in there as a salary dump team,” The Ringer’s Zach Lowe said Monday on his podcast. “They may dump salary, but I’m putting it out there: I think they may buy at the trade deadline. I think they should. They have a lot of draft assets to trade.
“… I think they are buying and I think they should buy.”
So, what does that shifted belief mean for this Celtics roster — most notably Anfernee Simons?
If the C’s wanted to trim salary and potentially duck under the first apron of the NBA’s luxury tax, trading Simons would present the easiest path. He’s making $27.7 million this season on an expiring contract and was floated in trade rumors before the season even began.
But Simons is making a compelling case to stick around as a second-unit spark plug, with his latest statement coming Monday night at TD Garden when he poured in 27 points (all in the second half) to help the Celtics fend off the Bulls.
With the trade deadline less than a month away, let’s examine the cases for keeping Simons around and for trading him elsewhere.
The case for keeping Simons
Simons has been as advertised as a scorer. His 20.5 points per 36 minutes rank second on the team behind only Jaylen Brown, and he’s making just under 40 percent of his 3-pointers (39.6 percent).
But the 26-year-old has found other ways to impact winning: Simons’ +168 plus-minus is the second-highest in the NBA since Dec. 1 (behind only Oklahoma City’s Cason Wallace), and his 108.1 defensive rating since Dec. 1 is the third-best among Boston’s rotation regulars, behind only Hugo Gonzalez and Luka Garza.
Most importantly, Simons appears to have bought into the Celtics’ emphasis on hustle and defense, which have helped him develop into a more all-around player.
“I think when you understand how we want to play each and every night and you’re doing it each and every night, you find ways to impact the game in your own way,” Simons told reporters after Monday’s win.
Of course, the C’s have plenty of high-energy rotation players like Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh and Luka Garza who can make an impact with their hustle. But if they want to make a deep playoff run, they need reliable scoring outside the trio of Brown, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard.
That’s where Simons comes in as a source of instant offense for the second unit. And if he can hold his own on the defensive end, he’s worth keeping around until at least the end of the season, when Boston can re-evaluate and see if he fits into the team’s plans for 2026-27 and beyond.
The case for trading Simons
Simons absolutely has provided value, but you could argue he’s a bit of a luxury in a backcourt featuring White, Pritchard and the rapidly-improving Gonzalez.
The frontcourt, meanwhile, could use reinforcements — and Simons is one of Boston’s most tradable assets.
Both Lowe and ESPN’s Tim Bontemps recently floated the idea of president of basketball operations Brad Stevens including Simons in a trade for a veteran big man to bolster a frontcourt that’s getting consistent production from just two players in Neemias Queta and Luka Garza.
“I think there’s a Simons-for-a-big-man trade, a spare-parts-and-a pick-for-a-big-man trade,” Lowe added on his podcast. “I don’t know who the team is or the player is. Would Jusuf Nurkic help their team? I don’t know. It’s going to be something unsexy like that.”
Whether it’s Nurkic or a player like Brooklyn’s Nic Claxton (or perhaps the Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac), Boston should at least explore the big man market ahead of the trade deadline, even if it means including Simons in a potential deal.
Simons has made great strides defensively, but he’d likely still be targeted on that end in a playoff series, and his offense won’t be as much of a priority once Tatum returns.
Big man is a more pressing need for the Celtics, and if they’re serious about contending, a trade involving Simons might help land them a player who can add more balance to Mazzulla’s squad entering the postseason.
The bottom line
Trading Simons seemed like an obvious move entering the season — and it still might be a wise decision if he can be dealt for a big man.
But Simons has looked increasingly comfortable in Boston’s rotation over the last month-plus, to the point where it’s easy to envision him playing a key role in a playoff series.
Stevens should keep the phone lines open, but he should only move Simons if Boston can get a high-impact big man in return.
The '65-game rule' is part of the NBA's Player Participation Policy, introduced in the 2023-2024 season, that requires players to participate in a minimum number of games in order to be eligible for awards and other honours.
It aims to discourage franchises from 'load managing' athletes, which is where teams rest star players to avoid injury and to keep them in contention for the playoffs.
At the time it was introduced, the NBA stated that the policy means teams must "refrain from any long-term 'shutdowns' in which a star player stops playing games" and also "ensure that star players are available for all national television and NBA In-Season Tournament games".
If teams break the policy they could face fines, unless they can provide proof players are being rested for injury or personal reasons - but the rule will still affect player eligibility for awards and team selections.
A regular season in the NBA consists of 82 games, and to be eligible for awards such as Most Valuable Player (MVP) or the All-NBA teams, players must compete in at least 65 of them.
How does this affect Nikola Jovic?
Nikola Jovic is a three-time season MVP winner [Getty Images]
Nikola Jokic, a three-time season MVP winner, has been a standout performer for the Denver Nuggets this season, currently leading the NBA in rebounds and assists and averaging 30 points per game.
On 25 December 2025, during a fixture against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he became the first player in NBA history to hit at least 55 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists, in a triple-double beating a record set by Steph Curry.
He also had scored 21 points and provided eight assists before suffering a knee injury in the Nuggets' 147-123 defeat to Miami Heat - an injury which now puts his chances of a fourth season MVP in doubt.
Initial results from a medical scan show that Jovic is expected to miss at least four weeks of play, working out at around 16 games - which would leave his eligibility to be considered for the MVP award and All-NBA teams marginal, as players can only miss 17 games to be included.
However, there is a chance that when his knee is re-examined, the extent of the injury is worse than initially diagnosed. If this is the case, Jovic may not meet the threshold of games played for selection and will miss out on the honours.
What has the reaction to the rule been?
Basketball journalist Grant Afseth told BBC Sport "a firm limit feels too rigid," when it comes to missed games.
"That's why you have [award] voters in the first place — to apply context and judgment.
"Availability should absolutely matter, but it shouldn't erase everything else.
"If someone is clearly the most impactful player over the games they did play and just falls short of a set number, voters should be trusted to decide whether that impact was enough to win an award."
Many basketball fans have used social media to expres their frustration at the rule and the impact it is having on players.
Several sports media outlets have also called for the rule to be scrapped, and former professional Kenyon Martin has also said it should be abolished as it is impacting player's "legacies".
But some NBA professionals have previously expressed support for the rule, with Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone saying in 2023 that it's a "way to get the best players playing."
"We want people to tune into their TVs and watch," Malone said.
This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.
The Warriors appear to be doing their due diligence in their potential search for an upgrade at one position of need.
It’s unclear which position(s) Golden State will look to upgrade before the NBA’s Feb. 5 trade deadline, but with just over four weeks remaining, one position the Warriors have been connected to repeatedly is center. Specifically, Mavericks big man Anthony Davis, who Dallas reportedly called Golden State about, and who the Warriors haven’t completely closed the door on pursuing.
ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported in one of the outlet’s recent joint columns with other insiders, citing sources, that Golden State has “sniffed around” the center trade market as it continues to get inconsistent play from new veteran big man Al Horford this season.
“Biggest need: Al Horford, the Warriors’ biggest offseason addition, has generated a tiny bit of rhythm after two months marked by injury and ineffectiveness,” Slater wrote. “If the surge continues, they could feel less inclined to enter the center market, but league sources said they have sniffed around.”
It’s unclear what other centers the Warriors could pursue in potential upgrades, but Golden State for years has valued centers who can shoot and stretch the floor, which both Horford and second-year big man Quinten Post can do.
One obvious trade piece the Warriors have in a potential deal for a center — or another position — is young forward Jonathan Kuminga, who can be traded as soon as January 15 and appears likely to be dealt after falling completely out of coach Steve Kerr’s rotations.
Unsurprisingly, Golden State reportedly has discussed trades involving Kuminga with numerous teams already, but as Slater reports, the Warriors are unwilling to take on negative-value contracts in a potential deal if they extend past this season.
“As expected, they’ve had exploratory conversations with several teams about Jonathan Kuminga, but they’ve expressed an unwillingness to take on contracts that extend beyond this season if they view them as negative value deals, sources said,” Slater added. “That’s been an impediment dating back to the summer, when they declined interest in Malik Monk from Sacramento in sign-and-trade talks for Kuminga.”
There still is time before the deadline for the Warriors to decide which direction they want to go in, but it appears they already are exploring the possibility of adding to a position of need.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — It was a night when Stephen Curry was ice cold for much of the game (he started 2-of-13 from 3) and then watched the final minute from the bench after fouling out. Steve Kerr wasn't even on the bench at the end — he was ejected in the fourth quarter after going at an official after a missed call.
Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard was Kawhi Leonard, finishing with 24 points and 12 boards, just making plays when his team needed them.
Leonard plus a big night from No. 50 pick last June and two-way player Kobe Sanders — 20 points starting in place of James Harden, who was out with a shoulder issue — and the Clippers led comfortably much of the night, then hung on for a 103-102 win at home.
That's seven wins in its last eight for Los Angeles.
"It's our defense," is what Nicolas Batum said has been different with the Clippers recently, after a slow start to the season. "Like, besides the last game against the Celtics, been pretty good the last two weeks."
Kerr ejected
Postgame, the Warriors sent assistant coach Terry Sotts in to speak with the media, and he opened by saying, "I'm up here because I'm saving Steve some money."
Monday night was as hot as Kerr has been in a game in a long, long time. His ejection came after a couple of calls he did not like. The first was a Stephen Curry circus shot that was waived off as a foul on the floor.
This Steph shot was INSANE, despite it being waived off.
However, what really set Kerr off came on the next Warriors possession, when the officials missed an obvious goaltending call on John Collins (the shot clearly had gone off the backboard first, and it wasn't close). Kerr was hot and had to be held back by Stotts and his other assistants, and the entire situation is much funnier if you have it narrated by Snoop Dogg (who was part of the Peacock broadcast crew for this game).
The Clippers were the better team and in control of this game through most of it. All night long, the Clippers would double Jimmy Butler or Stephen Curry, the Warriors moved the ball and found the open man… and then clanked the shot. Golden State was 5-of-27 (18.5%) from 3 through three quarters.
The Clippers were in control and up seven with 1:48 left when Curry finally got hot and hit back-to-back 3-pointers to make it a one-point game.
That gave the Warriors a chance, even though Curry fouled out just after knocking those down. This is why the Warriors have Jimmy Butler and he has proven many times he comes up in the clutch — he got a decent look at the game-winner and just missed it.
"Jimmy ends up having the ball. I know he's been in this situation for a couple of times his career," said Batum, who was the primary defender on Butler at the end. "So, I knew I had to step up and try to make a stop. He had a good look... That was a good stop and a good win for us."
Curry finished with 27 points but on 9-of-23 shooting, while Butler had 24. The Warriors got good production from their bench, with Gary Payton II scoring 14, while Gus Santos didn't play until the start of the fourth quarter, then he played the entire frame, scored six and was a key part of the Warriors' comeback.
In addition to big nights from Leonard and Sanders, the Clippers got 18 points and three blocks from John Collins, plus 16 points from Kris Dunn.
Detroit – the current No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference – was down two starters and playing the second game of a back-to-back, but led the visiting Knicks by double-digits for most of the game.
New York has now lost four straight – its longest losing streak since Dec. 2022.
Are they a competent team in the middle of a rough stretch of the schedule? Oklahoma City lost to Charlotte by 27 points at home on Monday; the defending champs are 6-6 in their last 12 games.
Good teams hit rough patches in an 82-game schedule. That could be the case for the Knicks. Or they could be showing the fatal flaws – bad point of attack/perimeter defense – of a team that will fail to meet expectations.
Dolan said earlier in the day in an interview on WFAN’s The Carton Show that anything less than an NBA Finals appearance will be a disappointment.
“We want to get to The Finals, and we should win The Finals,” Dolan told Craig Carton and his co-host, Chris McMonigle. “This is sports…anything can happen in sports. But getting to the Finals, we absolutely gotta do. Winning the Finals, we should win.”
The Knicks haven’t looked like a Finals team lately. They’ve trailed by at least 19 points in the third quarter of their last three losses. The poor stretch coincides with an injury to Josh Hart. The Knicks are 2-4 since Hart suffered an ankle injury. Fortunately, Hart is on the verge of returning from that injury. The Knicks could have both Hart and Landry Shamet back by the end of the week. Maybe both of those players can help stop the Knicks’ slide.
Dolan said in the WFAN interview that he doesn’t expect New York to make a significant trade at the deadline.
“We love our team right now. They have chemistry; they all like each other. I’ve never seen a locker room more copacetic. There’s a lot of energy in there,” Dolan said. “I don’t – (team president) Leon (Rose) could always overrule me – but I don’t see us making a big change. Because we don’t have – we’ve got to keep building up this group. This group can win a championship. I believe that.”
Dolan was answering a question from the hosts about the Knicks and Giannis Antetokounmpo. He said he wasn’t aware of any trade talks between the Knicks and Bucks in the offseason. Later in the interview, he reiterated that he didn’t see the Knicks making any big changes before the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
“That’s what I think our plan is, yes … I talk to Leon every day and look, nothing is impossible; I won’t rule anything out, but who do you want to lose (in a trade)?” Dolan said. “You don’t get something without giving something. Who do you want to lose?”
Jan 12, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau talks to guard Josh Hart (3) during the second quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Madison Square Garden. / Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The owner was also asked about the decision to fire head coach Tom Thibodeau in the offseason and hire Mike Brown to replace him.
“The team is really built on the shoulders of Tom Thibodeau. He built that core," Dolan said. "We went as far as we did last year, so you really have to take your hat off to Tom and the job that he did. But we did come to the conclusion that we had an idea of how we wanted to organize the team – actually, it goes for both teams – and that meant we needed to evolve, actually, beyond the old traditional coaching formulas.
"We tried to work that with Tom, it wasn’t really his thing."
It was suggested to Dolan that Thibodeau didn’t use his bench players often enough.
“No, that’s some of it. But it’s much more about style of leadership, collaboration versus (working alone),” Dolan said. “… because of the way, particularly basketball, but also hockey too – the way the sport’s evolving, how much more complicated it is – we’re very, very big on development in both clubs.
“Because you can’t – it’s not like the old days where you can get Reggie Jackson and this guy and this guy and put together a team. It’s almost impossible to do that in the NBA. You have to home-grow some of your talent,” he added. “That also builds up trade currency, etcetera. But it’s a development thing. And that’s a team of people. There’s literally 20 people who are specifically dedicated to developing the players, to getting their skill level up, develop the strategy on the court.
“And that’s important for the development of a franchise. Tom liked development, but he didn’t really…”
Dolan didn’t finish his thought here, but he seemed to be saying Thibodeau’s approach with player development didn’t align with the organization.
At other times in the interview, Dolan was complimentary of Thibodeau, who led the Knicks to the playoffs in four of his five seasons and coached them to their first conference final in 25 years.
“I won’t say you can’t win a title with Tom Thibodeau. I don’t necessarily know that’s true. It’s just that, if you want to build a long-term, competitive (team)... you need somebody who is much more of a collaborator than Tom was," he said. "But still, Tom is still a great coach. He should coach again in the NBA. If I had a franchise that I was just starting with, etc., he would be a gold mine to get. And he was like that for us.
"When we first started, and he first came in, he brought discipline, he brought strategy… he brought us all that way. But we really felt like we needed to make a change to go the rest of the way.”
Did the Knicks make the right call with Thibodeau and Brown? The Knicks had a better record at this point in the season last year under Thibodeau. But Brown has played the bench more often, something Dolan thinks will pay dividends in the postseason.
“Look how far we got with our group last year, and then take a look at who was playing and who wasn’t playing and then we had injuries,” the owner said. “We’re going into this season, into the second half of the season, Josh is still out and Landry is coming back soon. We’ve got depth, and if we stay healthy, we’ll go into the playoffs in much better condition than we went into the playoffs last year.”
Dolan has owned the Knicks for nearly 30 years. Most years of the first two decades of his ownership were filled with disappointment and dysfunction. Rose and Thibodeau helped change all of that.
“As an owner, you have to be patient. When I get impatient, is when we veer off the plan, reach for the shiny thing. And think we can win a championship or build a championship team in one fell swoop,” he said. “I’ve been at this now for almost 30 years, and I can tell you that it does happen once in a while, but I don’t think that’s how we’re going to win.”
Dolan was also asked if he enjoys being an owner.
“Let me tell you something about ownership. Ownership is not an achievement. If you own something – you have a beautiful car – you own it, that’s not an achievement. If you built it, OK, then when you drive it around, you can feel like you have an achievement. I always want to try and achieve something,” he said.
If the owner and his top executives were right about Thibodeau, they will all be celebrating a great achievement this June. If not, the decision to jettison Thibodeau and hire Brown will be second-guessed by a fan base desperate for a championship.
The Suns were down seven with five minutes to go in the game, but went on a 10-0 run that gave them the lead with 2:12 left, and a chance. The game was tied, but Booker's shot with 5.1 on the clock missed, opening the door for Durant and the Rockets.
Booker had 12 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter.
Durant finished with 26 points, while Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. each scored 17. The Rockets have won 5-of-6.
It wasn't all good news for the Rockets, coach Ime Udoka said Alperen Sengun suffered a sprained right ankle and will be re-evaluated in 10-14 days.
The Knicks got their teeth kicked in throughout a 121-90 loss to the Detroit Pistons to extend their losing streak to four games.
Here are the takeaways...
-- New York's lack of defense as of late persisted out of the gate against the top seed in the East, who entered the contest averaging 118.8 points per game, 11th-best in the league. Sure, Cade Cunningham made some shots (14 points on 6-for-9 shooting in the first half), but it wasn't just Cunningham as the rest of the Pistons got involved early and often as well, shooting 63 percent from the field and 55 percent from deep as a team in the first 24 minutes.
-- Detroit's bench, led by players like Jaden Ivey and Daniss Jenkins, scored 22 points in the first half as they were helped out by Cunningham's excellent court vision and passing ability, which gave him seven assists at halftime. By contrast, the Knicks as a team had just nine assists at the break.
-- Regardless, New York shot the ball well in the first, going 54 percent from the field and 57 percent from downtown. A lot of that production came from Jalen Brunson, who had 17 points on 8-of-13 from the floor. The point guard actually scored eight of his team's first 11 points, though the Knicks were down for the majority of that run.
Still, possessing the ball so often led to three turnovers before the break by Brunson, and he was a minus-6 on the court entering the second half.
-- Like the Pistons, though, the Knicks got some key contributions off their bench, most notably from Miles McBride, who had eight points, two rebounds and two assists in the first half while going 2-for-2 from three. The sharpshooter made three more threes in the second half to go 5-for-6 and finished with 17 points. He's been on fire from beyond the arc lately, making 46 of his last 84 three-point attempts (55 percent).
-- Going up against the best shot-blocking team in the league (6.3 blocks per game entering play), New York was blocked six times in the first half and after keeping it close in the first quarter (down 30-29), the Knicks slipped further and further behind in the second quarter and entered halftime down 64-54.
-- New York's shooting plummeted out of the break, putting up just 15 points in the third quarter. Eight of those points came from Brunson, while the rest of the starters contributed next to nothing. Most disappointing was Karl-Anthony Towns, who needs to step up on both ends of the floor with Josh Hart still out with a sprained ankle.
Instead, KAT finished with six points, one rebound and six turnovers. He took four shots and just two from inside the arc despite being the tallest player on the court. In fact, Detroit completely overmatched the Knicks on the glass, outrebounding them 44 to 30, even though no Piston had more than nine. Only Mitchell Robinson finished with double-digit rebounds, securing 10 boards in 25 minutes.
-- After such a disheartening third quarter by New York and no change in the fourth, head coach Mike Brown had seen enough and waved the white flag by emptying his bench with half a quarter left to play.
-- The Knicks led only once in this game, the first lead of the night after OG Anunoby made one of two free throws to give them a 1-0 lead. 13 seconds later, Duncan Robinson hit a three (and the free throw after getting fouled) and Detroit was off and running.
-- The Pistons finished with 11 blocks and 12 steals, turning over New York 20 times.
Game MVP: Cade Cunningham
Cunningham was clearly the best player on the court and finished with a double-double (game-high 29 points, 13 assists).
Here are some of the latest trade rumors from around the league, with most of the buzz being about an All-Star point guard in Atlanta.
Trae Young
The writing was on the wall when Atlanta didn't reach a contract extension with Trae Young last summer, but his exit from the ATL looks like it will come sooner rather than later.
Young's agents — Aaron Mintz, Drew Morrison and Austin Brown — are working with the Hawks to find a trade for the four-time All-Star before the Feb. 5 deadline, a deal that works for everyone, reports Shams Charania of ESPN.
Young has missed the last four games with a quad contusion and, while nothing is set in stone (it usually takes time to put a trade together), it is possible we have seen the last of Young in a Hawks uniform.
Atlanta started testing the trade waters last summer but ramped up efforts when Young was injured this season and the team went 13-9 without him. They then dropped the next four games when he returned (they are 2-8 in the games Young has played this season). The team's play while he was out showed a road map to the next evolution of this team, one without Young dominating the ball.
The challenge is that there is not much of a market for the 27-year-old former All-Star, league sources told NBC Sports. Ask yourself this: What serious playoff team would be better making a big trade for Young? Good luck finding one.
While Young an offense unto himself — a season ago, when largely healthy (he played in 76 games), he averaged 24.2 points and 11.6 assists a game — his lack of defense, size (listed as 6'2" but that feels generous), injury concerns, the fact he's not popular with other players in general, and that he has a $49 million player option for next season all combine to give teams pause. Fair or not, Young's reputation is that he's good, but not someone a franchise can build a contender around, which means teams don't want to pay him big dollars.
What team is interested?
Wizards eyeing Trae Young
The Washington Wizards might be his landing spot, reports Marc Stein of The Stein Line.
The Wizards have emerged as a legitimate potential trade destination for Atlanta's Trae Young, @TheSteinLine has learned, in a deal construction centered around CJ McCollum's expiring contract.
Why would Washington do this? It's a short-term play for a franchise that is seeking some level of relevance (and, in CJ McCollum, they don't give up a player who is part of their future). Young paired with a young core of Alex Sarr, Tre Johnson, Kyshawn George, Bilal Coulibaly and whoever they draft in June is at least interesting, should have a lot of firepower, and would give fans in Washington an entertaining product to watch. That kind of "let's prioritize making the postseason soon" thinking has long been rumored to come from Washington's ownership.
This doesn't have to be a long-term play by the Wizards, although you can be sure Young's agents are looking to get him to a team willing extend and pay him big money. We'll see if that's Washington or somewhere else.
In other trade news...
Lakers looking for two-way wing
That the Lakers are trying to reshape their roster to better fit around Luka Doncic, and that they need 3&D wings to do that, are not exactly state secrets.
Which is why the Lakers have been linked to every wing available at the trade deadline. As Marc Stein put it at The Stein Line: "The Lakers continue to scour the trade market in hopes of acquiring a two-way wing with size."
The problem is that 29 other teams are looking for players like that as well, and the supply of those players is limited. Ideally, the Lakers would like to get Herb Jones out of New Orleans (reportedly not available), Andrew Wiggins out of Miami, or even Dillon Brooks out of Phoenix (no way that last one is happening, Suns owner Matt Ishbia already shot it down).
Even if those players become available, the Lakers may not have enough to get a deal done. That means Los Angeles may end up trying to land Keon Ellis from Sacramento or Ayo Dosunmu from Chicago, good young players with potential to fill that role.
The Lakers know what they need to do, but actually doing it is not so easy.
Mavericks not liking return for Davis
If you've been a regular reader of our trade rumors updates, this is not news to you, but here is another source echoing the same idea:
The market for Anthony Davis is limited and teams are not willing to give up much — especially the picks and young players the Mavericks are seeking — in any trade. Here is what Mavericks writer Christian Clark wrote at The Athletic.
Dallas' predicament is that dealing Davis isn't likely to bring back a combination of expiring money, young talent and draft capital needed to reorient around No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg. Davis' age (he turns 33 in March), injury history and desire for a lucrative contract extension this summer have teams wary about surrendering too much to get him, based on conversations The Athletic had with three different NBA executives.
Chatter about an Anthony Davis trade continues to focus on the Atlanta Hawks, which has the big salaries to match Davis' deal as well as picks that would entice the Mavs. However, if Atlanta is going to move on from Trae Young, is Davis a good fit (the Mavericks have made it clear they don't want Young)? Also, league sources told NBC Sports they doubted Atlanta would give up the kind of pick package that Dallas would seek.
For his part, Anthony Davis would like to remain in Dallas and sign an extension with the Mavericks, reports ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. Of course, Davis would also have preferred to stay in Los Angeles playing next to LeBron James, but that's not the world we live in.
Don’t expect Adebayo trade
We live in a world where what was once thought impossible now happens with impunity. Combine that with the pressures of the NBA trade deadline and wild rumors start. In that vein…
No, the Miami Heat are not going to trade Bam Adebayo.
Don't even start, because Miami isn't. It would take something extraordinary for them to even consider it, and then they still likely would say no. Don't just take my word for it, here is what Zach Lowe of The Ringer said on his podcast.
"He is the standard-bearer, he is the culture-bearer. I don't think there's one part of them that wants to do it... Other teams I know have for sure asked about Bam and have been told 'Hell no' and the wild card you also have to consider as they sniff around at Giannis and other star players, all of those star players want to play with Bam."
Raphielle Johnson
