PRINCETON, N.J. (AP) — Olivia Hutcherson had 19 points, seven rebounds and five steals, Skye Belker had 16 points and four 3-pointers, and No. 23 Princeton beat Pennsylvania 69-50 on Friday night for its 16th straight victory in the series.
The Tigers have never lost to Penn in the Carla Berube era (14-0).
Princeton trailed 30-28 at halftime before scoring 24 points in the third quarter to take a nine-point lead. The Tigers started the fourth on an 11-3 run to make it 63-46.
Madison St. Rose added 15 points and six assists for Princeton (19-2, 7-1 Ivy League), which improved to 9-1 at home this season. The Tigers have won 17 of their last 18 games.
Mataya Gayle and Simone Sawyer each scored 16 points for Penn (13-8, 3-5). Tina Njike grabbed 10 rebounds to go with nine points.
The Quakers ended the first half on a 13-2 run to take the lead. Hutcherson made a free throw with 7:40 left in the third to give Princeton the lead for good at 35-34.
Up next
Penn: Has a week off before playing at Cornell on Feb. 13.
This can be taken as a positive sign because the team typically announces updates when a player is expected to be sidelined for multiple weeks due to injury.
Luka Doncic and the Lakers appeared to have dodged a worst-case scenario after exiting Thursday’s game early. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesDoncic was ruled out for Saturday’s prime-time game against the Warriors. NBA on ESPN / YouTube
ESPN also reported Friday that there’s optimism Doncic isn’t dealing with a “major” left hamstring injury.
That’s good news for the Lakers and Doncic, especially after he kicked the scorer’s table out of frustration on his way to the locker room as he was leaving Thursday’s game.
But even though Doncic avoided a major injury, there’s still uncertainty about his status.
Day to day?
A week?
Longer, with All-Star weekend just a week away and the Lakers’ first game after the break not until Feb. 20?
But even though Doncic avoided a major injury, there’s still uncertainty about his status. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesClarity to those questions likely won’t come until Redick’s pregame media availability Saturday afternoon. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Clarity to those questions likely won’t come until Redick’s pregame media availability Saturday afternoon, though it appears a potential Doncic absence would be short term.
The Lakers have shown multiple times they’re equipped to at least tread water when they’re without one of their star players.
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Austin Reaves, just two games back from a 19-game absence due to a strained left calf, once again showed Thursday how vital he is to the Lakers – even with Doncic and LeBron James on the roster.
Reaves scored his 35 points in the final three quarters against the 76ers, including 21 in the second half, leading the Lakers to a 14-point comeback victory during a half without Doncic.
And he did it in a variety of ways.
Drives to the basket past 76ers athletic defenders. Catch-and-shoot and pull-up 3-pointers regardless of how tightly he was defended. And while Reaves came off the bench and played on a minutes restriction against the 76ers, how he played showed he’s getting his rhythm back after being sidelined for so long.
But it isn’t just Reaves’ return, and return to form, that the Lakers would benefit from if Doncic has to miss multiple games.
Luka Doncic hobbles off court, exits 76ers-Lakers holding left hamstring. NBA on ESPN / YouTube
James is not only available but also is in a better rhythm compared with the last time Doncic missed multiple games in a row – when Doncic traveled to Slovenia in early December for the birth of his second daughter. James only had a few games under his belt after sitting out of the first 14 games because of sciatica.
James has not only found his groove now but lineups that also feature him without Reaves and Doncic have thrived, mainly because of the toughness and tenacity those groups play with – which was on display Thursday.
The Lakers have gone 4-4 in the eight games Doncic has missed so far this season – a significant dip from the 27-15 record they have in the games he’s played.
Luke Kennard is questionable to make his Lakers debut Saturday, with the official designation being “trade pending.” The Warriors will be without star guard Steph Curry.
Egor Dëmin attempts a 3-pointer during the Nets' Jan. 30 game against the Jazz.
What had been considered Egor Dëmin’s biggest weakness heading into the last NBA draft has turned around with the Nets.
It was showcased again when the rookie recorded a career-high 26 points, shooting 6-for-10 from the 3-point line, in the Nets’ 118-98 road loss to the Magic on Thursday night.
After posting the fifth-worst 3-point shooting percentage at BYU in 2024-25 — 27.3 percent off of 4.7 attempts per game — scouts and league analysts questioned how high Dëmin’s ceiling would be without an effective long-range shot.
The eighth overall pick has taken those concerns to heart this season, developing an outside shot that he now shoots at a 40.2 percent clip on an average of 6.4 attempts.
At the postgame press conference, Dëmin credited the help of his personal coach, Zach Gonzales.
“We’ve done an incredible amount of time working on that in the gym in Los Angeles in the predraft, and then during the preseason that I’ve been here,” he said after the loss. “He’s definitely one of the biggest reasons why my shooting is so much better right now. … I’ve just been shooting a lot. That’s kind of the key. To be able to run faster, you gotta run. To be able to shoot better, you just gotta shoot a lot at the game speed and learn those habits.”
Egor Dëmin attempts a 3-pointer during the Nets’ Jan. 30 game against the Jazz. Imagn Images
Though the Nets have dropped 10 of their last 11 games, Dëmin has seen an uptick, shooting 41.4 percent from beyond the arc on seven attempts per game across the last 10 contests.
It has consistently improved over time.
He held his highest 3-point shooting percentage in January (47.2) and shot as low as 32.9 percent in November.
The most 3-point attempts the Moscow native has taken this season is 14, including during a loss against the Warriors when he shot 7-for-14 on Dec. 29.
“Thanks to my teammates for finding me. I think most of them were catch and shoots, if not all of them,” Dëmin said of his performance. “So, for me, it’s a goal to find this window where I make my teammates’ lives easier for them to find me. Their unselfishness is obviously huge for me. They’re willing to share this ball and trust me with my shots.”
Egor Dёmin attempts a 3-pointer during the Nets’ loss to the Magic on Feb. 5. NBAE via Getty Images
Head coach Jordi Fernández even thought Dëmin should have made more Thursday.
“We all know he is a threat from the 3-point line. Every time he shoots, I think it’s going in,” Fernández said. “He was 6-for-10 but I felt like he could have been 10-for-10. Very good right there. We needed that from him because I think Nolan [Traore] shot it well too, but after those two, the rest of the team made three 3s. So, we gotta be shooting with confidence. … We gotta find that rhythm as a group. I think it will come sooner than later.”
His efforts Thursday also came along with other positive takeaways for him and his fellow rookies.
Dëmin’s career-high night, along with Traore’s career-high-tying 21 points, marked the first Nets rookie duo to each score 20-plus points in a game since Albert King and Buck Williams on April 17, 1982.
Additionally, the five Nets rookies took the court together for the first time, winning the six minutes in the fourth quarter, 19-13.
“Every minute matters and they won their minutes together,” Fernández said. “Their last seven minutes, they won those minutes, and I’m proud of them for doing that. That’s what I expect from them every time they play.”
While the Nets go through another rebuild, it’s vital for them to build on the early development of their rookies, especially Dëmin, who has been the most promising, before they hope to add a college star as they sit fourth in the lottery race.
Luka Doncic played only one half Thursday against the 76ers before coming out because of a hamstring strain. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Luka Doncic was diagnosed with a strained left hamstring and listed as out for the Lakers' game against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena.
The Lakers have not indicated a timetable for Doncic's return.
Doncic was injured late in the second quarter of the Lakers’ win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night. He threw a pass to Maxi Kleber that was a turnover, turned to run back on defense and immediately grabbed his left hamstring.
Doncic went up and down the court a couple of times but was unable to play any longer. The Lakers called a timeout, and Doncic headed to the locker room and did not return.
After the game, Doncic was limping down the hallway. Coach JJ Redick said Doncic would undergo an MRI exam Friday.
Doncic leads the NBA in scoring (33.4) and is second in assists (8.7). He's missed eight of the Lakers' 42 games because of injuries and the birth of his daughter, and they're 4-4 without him.
“We need him,” guard Austin Reaves said after the game. “He’s our best player and the engine of a lot of the stuff that we do. Yeah, so, hopefully we get good news.”
The Golden State Warriors’ furious rally against the Phoenix Suns last night ended in an improbably 101-97 win, in a game the Suns were favored by oddsmakers. Without Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler, the Warriors banked on defense to eke out the win.
Talking to reporters after the game, head coach Steve Kerr made sure to emphasize the morale-boosting nature of the win amidst a season wracked with controversy, tragedy, and mediocrity.
“Felt like we won the championship,” Kerr said. “Just the emotion of everything over the last two days. Losing three of our guys who were beloved in the locker room. Jimmy’s season-ending injury, Steph being out. Everything has just been tough this last week or ten days, whatever it is since Jimmy’s been out. It felt like a great team win where everybody just fought and competed and stayed with it. Beautiful thing to watch.”
Steve Kerr after exiting a loud road locker room celebration: “Felt like we won the championship.” pic.twitter.com/BOeRLiB0Qw
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 11: Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors arrives to the arena before the game against the Atlanta Hawks on January 11, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
With the Jonathan Kuminga saga finally over, the Golden State Warriors can finally move on.
Kuminga, the Warriors’ lottery pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, struggled to find consistency and was given little leeway to work through his mistakes and shortcomings. In several ways, Kuminga was a victim of the misalignment between the front office/ownership, who wanted to develop while competing for titles, and the coaching staff, who was focused purely on doing whatever they could to give them the best chance at winning.
With Kuminga’s trade to the Atlanta Hawks that sent him and Buddy Hield eastward (in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis), a fresh start and opportunity for him to become the player he wants to be is at hand. However, per sources that told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Dalton Johnson, Kuminga and his camp were reportedly “shocked” that he ultimately ended up in Atlanta.
As for the Jonathan Kuminga side of last night's trade, sources say he was "shocked" to be sent to the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks aren't a team that his camp kept contact with and Atlanta was an "out of left field" destination
But beggars can’t be choosers. Kuminga publicly requested a trade; the Warriors, pivoting from their pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo, chose to send him and Hield to Atlanta for Porzingis, who presents as a health/availability risk but would be a massive boon to their chances to make noise in the postseason.
By all reports, Kuminga left the Warriors on good terms with his now-former teammates. Draymond Green, after their win against the Phoenix Suns last night, made sure to speak highly of Kuminga and wish him luck in his new environment.
Green on what he hopes Jonathan Kuminga takes to Atlanta from his tenure with the Warriors: pic.twitter.com/l05pvznLwb
Oct 16, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard John Tonje (17) drives with the ball against Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday (5) during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Peter Creveling-Imagn Images | Peter Creveling-Imagn Images
BOSTON — Amid all the chao of Thursday’s NBA midseason tradeline deadline, the Celtics traded for two-way player John Tonje.
Tonje, who was drafted by the Utah Jazz 53rd overall in June, was in the middle of standout season with the Salt Lake City stars when he learned he was traded. He ultimately landed in Boston as part of the trade that sent Chris Boucher to the Jazz.
For Tonje, the Celtics mark a new opportunity, but also a reunion of sorts.
The 24-year-old doesn’t know a ton of people in Boston, but he does know one: Celtics guard Baylor Scheierman.
Tonje and Scheierman were AAU teammates in high school, years ago at the Omaha Sports Academy. That club no longer exists, but its legacy lives on: for the first time, the Celtics have two players from Nebraska.
When Scheierman found out that Tonje was coming to Boston, he immediately texted him to congratulate. The two reunited on Friday morning at the Auerbach Center, as Tonje got his first time of the new organization.
“We kept in touch a little bit throughout college — not like a whole lot,” Scheierman said. “But, so it’s cool to have someone from Nebraska, for sure.”
Plenty of people from Omaha were excited to see Tonje and Scheierman reunite.
“I had a bunch of people from back home blowing up my phone,” Scheierman said. “All my old AAU teammates. It’s cool that he’s that he’s here with us. He’s a talented player.”
Tonje appeared in 32 games for the Salt Lake City Stars this season, averaging 18 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. That came on the heels of a big-time NCAA Tournament run with Wisconsin Badgers, in which he averaged 19.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Before Wisconsin, he spent four seasons at Colorado State, and one year in Missouri.
But, before all of that, Tonje was another very talented Nebraskan basketball player, just like Scheierman.
“He can score in a variety of ways,” he said. “He’s a good defender. I think those are the two biggest things that stood out to me back in those days. I was completely different player and build back in those days, but I think those are the two things that stuck out the most, was just his physical maturity, it was just the ability to score.”
Tonje’s locker room at TD Garden sits across the way from Scheierman’s, and two will undoubtedly have plenty of time to catch up in the coming months.
But, for now, Scheierman has gotten a kick out of a pretty unlikely reunion that emerged amid the chaos of a busy trade deadline.
“It’s a cool thing,” Scheierman said. “Just for Nebraska to have two Nebraskans on the same team.”
A professional athlete is now a partial owner of prediction market platform Kalshi, and it’s a big one.
Key Takeaways
NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo said on X that “it was time to make some (opinions) of my own.”
Kalshi had a trade market up on Giannis earlier this week and was offering a spread on his team’s Friday night game.
The NBA asked for the regulation of prediction markets that offer contracts on games in May 2025.
In an unprecedented move, NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo announced Friday on the social media site X that he’s a shareholder of a trading exchange that offers sports event contracts.
“The internet is full of opinions,” the Milwaukee Bucks star wrote. “I decided it was time to make some of my own. Today, I’m joining Kalshi as a shareholder.
The nine-time All-Star and 2021 NBA champion will partner with Kalshi at live events and in marketing.
As an NBA player, he's forbidden from trading on NBA markets, Kalshi announced, citing its insider trading policy.
“Giannis is a legend,” said Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour said in a statement. “He’s exactly the type of long-term partner we want to align our growing brand with, and we couldn’t be happier he’s on board.”
Giannis’ team was listed as a 1.5-point underdog on Kalshi against Indiana in a game that had received more than $90,000 in trading volume on the same day of the announcement. Kalshi even has a page involving Giannis, with contracts on nine active markets.
Earlier this week, Kalshi had a market posted on whether The Greek Freak would be traded before the NBA’s deadline and to which team. He ultimately remained with the Bucks.
Gray area
According to the NBA’s 2023 Collective Bargaining Agreement, players can have passive investments under 1% in sports betting companies, but they are not allowed to own, operate, or manage sportsbooks. Kalshi falls into a unique category.
Kalshi is federally regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), allowing it to offer outcome contracts on sports in all 50 states. However, the trading exchange has run into several legal roadblocks in states with legal, regulated sports betting. Massachusetts recently won a court decision to keep Kalshi from operating there, but a temporary restraining order has yet to be implemented.
Nevada is also trying to keep prediction markets out of its jurisdiction and is in a lengthy court battle with Kalshi, which argues that it can’t be regulated by states and it offers contracts, not wagers.
NBA request
The league has not yet issued a statement on Giannis’ agreement with Kalshi. In May 2025, however, the NBA asked the CFTC to provide a regulatory framework for single-event games after Kalshi started offering moneylines and spreads on the league’s contests.
“If the CFTC does ultimately decide to permit the continued offering of sports event contracts, we encourage it to close this gap and to adopt a comprehensive regulatory and oversight framework analogous to those governing state sports betting markets, and to impose meaningful limitations on the continued expansion, via self-certification, of these markets into ever more exotic and narrow event propositions,” the NBA wrote in a letter to the federal agency.
The league has experienced multiple betting scandals over the last number of years. Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier is facing federal illegal gambling charges after he was arrested in October for allegedly taking part in a 2023 scheme.
Ex-Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter was banned from the NBA after he manipulated playing time to help a group of bettors win player prop bets in 2024. Porter is currently awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to wire fraud charges.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 5, 2026: Los Angeles Lakers forward Maxi Kleber (14) scores on a slam dunk over Philadelphia 76ers forward Trendon Watford (12) at Crypto.com Arena on February 5, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Maxi Kleber is far down the list of impactful players on the Lakers roster. He is often only playing during garbage time and doing little during those minutes to make a compelling case for extended play.
However, against the Sixers, Kleber had his best performance as a Laker.
His 4 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists don’t tell the full story of how well he played in this game. From grabbing offensive rebounds to defending multiple positions, Kleber was doing everything that impacts winning. It’s why, during his 26 minutes of play, he had a plus-minus of +23, the best on the team.
After the win, Marcus Smart discussed why Kleber is a guy that everyone loves.
“The ultimate professional,” Smart said. “I mean, there’s a reason why Maxi is still in this league, still going, and it’s the reason why he’s on this team with us and it’s the reason why we celebrate him the way we do because he comes in every day, no matter what, and he gives that.
“Whether it’s in practice, whether it’s in the game, whether he plays two minutes, whether he plays 20. We enjoy watching him actually do that because we know how hard he works and we know what he’s going to give every night. That’s nothing of a surprise for us. We’re just excited to see him out there getting a chance to do it.”
As a defensive role player, Smart is well aware of what it takes to embrace a position on a team. For Kleber, his role is smaller than Smart’s, but just as important to the team’s fabric. He’s a leader and an example for the younger players to look up to on how to carry themselves in the NBA.
“Maxi, it doesn’t matter if he’s played and had a big impact and then is a DNP the next game…his spirit, his approach, his being a teammate and rooting for other people, it never changes,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said. “For all our guys, he’s an easy guy to root for.”
Against Philly, Kleber ended the game with one of his best moments of the night.
With the Lakers leading by eight points with under a minute to go, LA needed one more score to put the game to bed.
LeBron James put the exclamation point on the win with an emphatic dunk, but Kleber is the one who set it up. As James drove inside, Kleber set a Gortat screen on Joel Embiid, stopping the Sixers big man from contesting LeBron’s drive.
While James drove to the rim, Kleber put his hands up to indicate to the refs that he was not fouling Embiid. When LeBron completed the play, Kleber kept his arms up and pumped them in the air in celebration.
Kleber won’t often play 20-plus minutes, but he stays ready to contribute. And thanks to Kleber’s level of preparedness, the Lakers turned a double-digit deficit into a feel-good win.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MARCH 07: James Harden #13 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of Team Durant speak during the first half against Team LeBron in the 70th NBA All-Star Game at State Farm Arena on March 07, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers the first time partially because he wasn’t able to recruit a co-star to Northeast Ohio. Sixteen years later, James might find himself on the other end of the equation.
Former Cavalier and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins said on a recent episode of the Road Trippin’ Show that the new backcourt duo of Donovan Mitchell and James Harden is ready to recruit James back to Cleveland for next season.
“My sources told me that Donovan Mitchell and James Harden are ready, are starting to push to go and recruit LeBron James this offseason,” Perkins said. “My sources tell me that as soon as James Harden got on the phone, got around the team, the initial was, ‘We’re about to make this run, we’re about to go all out. We want LeBron James.’”
Kendrick Perkins says sources told him Donovan Mitchell and James Harden are already recruiting LeBron back to the Cavs 👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/L4KdfTbZ1x
Whether or not James returns next season remains to be seen. However, if what Perkins is saying is true, it’s good to see that the Cavs backcourt is bought into this team.
What we do know is that Harden wanted to come to Cleveland. He waived his partial no-trade clause to be here. And, Mitchell is excited to play with him.
We’ll see how that group pairs on the court before worrying too much about how they sell other players on joining them.
DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 5: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball during the game against the Detroit Pistons on January 5, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
With an eight-game winning streak on the line, the New York Knicks (33*-18) face the Detroit Pistons (37-13) tonight at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. For the good guys, Karl-Anthony Towns is questionable with a right eye laceration, Josh Hart is questionable with a left ankle sprain, OG Anunoby is probable with a right toe soreness, and Miles McBride is out with a left ankle issue. For Detroit, Jalen Duren is day-to-day with right knee soreness and Tobias Harris is day-to-day with left hip soreness.
Tip off is 7:30 p.m. EST on Amazon and MSG. This is your game thread. This is Detroit Bad Boys. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. No hair pulling or name calling. And go Knicks!
* Should be one more, but the Cup final doesn’t count.
PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 1: A generic basketball photo of the Official Wilson basketball during the game between the LA Clippers and the Phoenix Suns on February 1, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Not much movement for the Phoenix Suns at the deadline, but in an effort to reset everythign for you, it’s time to provide a summary of where things stand for the team after the NBA trade deadline:
With all that in place, what are you looking for next from Suns? What do you think is their most pressing need this offseason? Come chat with us in the comments below.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 05: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons drives around OG Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on January 05, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The playoff rematch between the Detroit Pistons and the New York Knicks won’t quite have the spark we were hoping for. The Pistons’ injury report is littered with important players. Jalen Duren is questionable after playing just 13 minutes in yesterday’s loss to the Washington Wizards due to right knee soreness. Tobias Harris, who missed that game, is now listed as probable. Duncan Robinson also makes an appearance with a left quad contusion. He’s also listed as probable. The Knicks are even worse off. Karl-Anthony Towns is doubtful with an eye laceration. Miles McBride remains out, and OG Anunoby is questionable with right toe soreness. New addition Jose Alvarado can’t suit up yet.
The Pistons are also playing on the second night of a back-to-back, but perhaps fitting for this team’s personality, Detroit excels on no rest. They are 7-1 this season on the second night of back-to-backs this season. That is the best winning percentage in the NBA.
Game Vitals
When: 7:30 p.m. ET Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan Watch: Prime Video Odds: Pistons -5.5
Dec 15, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers resident of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey speaks with the media before a game against the Detroit Pistons at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
To say James Harden and Daryl Morey have a history together would be an understatement. They were one of the most successful marriages in basketball until they weren’t. Morey fully believed in Harden’s style of play for the better part of a decade. He worked with him and Mike D’Antoni to create an efficient, small-ball team with the Houston Rockets that was truly ahead of its time.
That Rockets group never reached the Finals, but were good enough to do so. They unfortunately ran into the Kevin Durant Golden State Warriors — a team that was possibly the best collection of talent assembled on an NBA roster.
The Harden and Morey partnership continued with the Philadelphia 76ers. It worked well there until it came time to negotiate a new deal. Harden wanted a long-term max contract extension after the 2023 season. The Sixers didn’t give it to him, which led to Harden calling Morey a liar to a somewhat disinterested crowd in China.
Harden’s breakup with Morey and the Sixers was messy. Those hard feelings seemed to have lingered two and a half years later.
Morey had a press conference on Friday afternoon addressing the Sixers’ moves at the deadline. In them, he said that the rest of the conference didn’t make any trades that impacted their ability to compete in the East, which would include the Cleveland Cavaliers trading for Harden.
“Folks have speculated on the improvements of our East competitors,” Morey said, “I don’t see it personally. There weren’t any needle movers in my opinion.”
Daryl Morey: "Folks have speculated on the improvements of our East competitors, I don't see it personally. There weren't any needle movers in my opinion"
It’s hard to see this as anything other than a shot at Harden.
Even if you don’t think the Darius Garland for Harden swap drastically improves the Cavs, the change is significant enough to be a “needle mover.”
Also, the Cavs are one of the hottest teams in the league. They’ve won eight of their last 10 game mostly without Garland, and vaulted past the 76ers in the process. Adding someone coming off an All-NBA season would seem to qualify as changing the landscape of the conference.
The Cavs play the 76ers once more this season on March 9. We’ll see what kind of showing Harden has in that game.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 14: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors and Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Washington Wizards talk after the game on March 14, 2022 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to February Daily Topics at Golden State of Mind. A question (almost) every day this month to give the community a prompt to talk about!
The 2026 NBA trade deadline is officially behind us, and it’s safe to say, the Golden State Warriors ended up right in the middle. Golden State sent Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Kristaps Porziņģis and, to help facilitate that move, traded Trayce Jackson-Davis to the Toronto Raptors for a second-round pick.
That’s perhaps more than fans were expecting, but less than they were hoping for, given the rumors of Giannis Antetokounmpo that had swirled for weeks. It wasn’t a big swing, but it wasn’t nothing, either.
The Warriors finally found a home for Kuminga. They cleared future salary space by offloading Hield’s contract. They opened up cap space and a roster spot for Pat Spencer (who used his final game of two-way eligibility on Thursday), and likely another player as well. They grabbed a former All-Star in Porziņģis, and will have a few months to see how well he fits, and decide if they want to re-sign him this offseason.
So what grade do you give Mike Dunleavy Jr. and the rest of the front office for both their maneuverings and their lack thereof?
Personally? I’m not a fan. There’s nothing they could have done about Antetokounmpo — they put all their chips on the table and Milwaukee decided otherwise. But the end result felt like they were trying to straddle both sides and failed to land on either. Getting rid of Hield’s contract gives them flexibility in the offseason, but they also could have just made that move over the summer, to see if something better materialized. Really, the only reason for making the move they made is to see if they want to re-sign Porziņģis, and his health — he’s played 17 games this year, and 60 just once in the past nine seasons — has me scared that the Warriors will do exactly that. Add in his declining play and the rape allegations that have been levied against him, and it’s not really the move I was clamoring for. But they do get some credit for ending the Kuminga saga, and getting an intriguing, All-Star talent without sacrificing a draft pick.
