Category: NBA

When the NBA announced the starters for the 2026 NBA All-Star game, there was one name that was left off.

LeBron James.

For 21 years, James has been selected to and named an All-Star starter — an NBA record. But this year always seemed like a long shot, considering how the 2025–26 season has played out thus far.

RUI HACHIMURA FROM THE CORNER FOR THE WIN OFF THE LEBRON JAMES DIME!

@TISSOT BUZZER-BEATER
Everyone Gets 24 pic.twitter.com/6J38hGVRYK

— NBA (@NBA) December 5, 2025

He missed the first 14 games of the season dealing with sciatica, and played far below his standards once he returned. His NBA record of 1,297 consecutive games scoring 10+ points came to end on Dec. 4 against Toronto. Sitting at eight points, James passed up a chance to continue the streak when he found Rui Hachimura open in the corner for a game-winning three-pointer.

In 24 games (out of a possible 41), James is averaging 22.6 points, 6.9 and 5.9 rebounds per game. His points and rebounds per game numbers are the worst in his 23-year career outside of his rookie season.

However, James has found his rhythm since the start of the new year. He’s averaging 26.6 points, 7.6 assists and 7.6 rebounds per game on 52.8 percent shooting from the field.

The voting process for starters is made up of three groups: 50% fan voting; 25% a panel of media voters; 25% player voting. The reserves will be selected by the NBA’s coaches and announced on Sunday.

The Lakers are in the thick of the Western Conference playoff picture, sitting at 25–16 and in sixth place. They’re 1.5 games ahead of the Warriors (eighth place) and three games behind the Nuggets (third place).

Although LeBron isn’t starting, the Lakers will be well represented.

Luka Dončić will be starting alongside Warriors star guard Steph Curry and reigning MVP and Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. They’re joined by Nuggets center Nikola Jokić and Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, who beat out Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards in a tie.

Starting for the Eastern Conference are: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks; Jalen Brunson, Knicks; Cade Cunningham, Pistons; Tyrese Maxey, 76ers; and Jaylen Brown, Celtics.

This year’s All-Star game will look significantly different than the past as the NBA has adopted a “Team USA versus the World” format. The group of All-Stars chosen will be broken down into three rosters; two representing Team USA and one representing international players.

Of the 10 starters announced, five are American and five are international. Once the 14 reserves are announced, if there are fewer than 16 American players or eight international players, NBA commissioner Adam Silver will add more All-Stars until each team represented has eight players.

Tyrese Maxey is making a leap and is fresh off a 29-point, eight-assist, eight-steal performance in a win over the lowly Pacers on Monday evening. Let’s lean into the energy Maxey is creating and do a “5 Sixers thoughts” column dedicated solely to him…

Maxey: All-Star Game starter and… future All-Star Game MVP?

No guard has been this type of lightning force for the Sixers since Allen Iverson’s peak. Iverson’s age-25 season saw him win NBA MVP honors and lead the Sixers to the Finals. While both of those things unfortunately feel a tad out of reach for Maxey in his own age-25 season, there was another accolade that Iverson picked up that year that Maxey could undoubtedly challenge for: All-Star Game MVP.

In a legendary bout at the 2001 All-Star Game in Washington, D.C., Iverson dropped 25 points to go with five assists and four steals as the East beat an ultra-stacked Western Conference squad. With Maxey’s first All-Star starting nod under his belt now for next month’s festivities, he could no doubt heat up and add an All-Star Game MVP Award to his mantle.

I need the New Balance Maxeys

I haven’t bought a pair of fresh basketball sneakers in a long time, settling more so into New Balance trainers and HOKAs for daily use as I’ve progressed into my 30s. That’s a reality check for sure. The era of me gobbling up Air Jordan 11s and 4s with busboy money at the turn of the 2010s is sadly long gone.

I may need to make an exception when Maxey’s first signature sneaker releases later in 2026, as news broke about that on Tuesday morning.

I don’t think anyone’s been in a rush to wear some Joel Embiid Sketchers, but, historically, from Charles Barkley to Iverson himself, Sixers players have had some legendary signature sneakers. I need Maxey to continue that tradition. Guards always have better designs than big men anyway…

Remember when…

A 20-year-old rookie Maxey played fewer minutes in the 2021 Eastern Conference Semifinals series against the Hawks (77) than Furkan Korkmaz (139) and 34-year-old George Hill (110)? Awesome stuff. I’m not still bitter or anything! It’s not like that series irrevocably changed my relationship with the Sixers as an entity and the sport of basketball as a whole or anything!

What I most want from Maxey this spring…

I am more of a Sixers pessimist than most even before last week’s skid. I am under no pretense that this team is making the Finals, but my true goal for the Sixers overall this season, and Maxey specifically, is for him to be the best player in a playoff series that the team wins. Sure, people far and wide would joke about it just being another second-round exit from a franchise famous for them, but the equation is so different than it has been at different points in the Joel Embiid era.

A first-round matchup that sees Maxey going nuclear and looking like one of the best players on the planet in victory could even warm my frozen Sixers soul.

The city needs to rally around Maxey more

Look, I know it’s an Eagles city and it always will be. I’m freaking out over who the next offensive coordinator will be just as much as anyone. The Phillies are pissing everyone off before pitchers and catchers even report though. The Flyers are sagging after their own promising start. The Sixers have the floor at the moment. Up-and-downs and injuries, per usual, have kept them from firmly establishing themselves as legitimate Eastern Conference contenders, but isn’t rooting for a guy like Maxey something we always wished for since the dawn of the post-Iverson era?

The Process years were all about establishing Embiid as one of the game’s greatest and while that panned out, it didn’t result in the team success we all dreamed it would bring about. That sucks, but that’s the reality of contention in the modern NBA. I understand people who are jaded and have tuned out since the collapses in 2021 and 2023 and the health setbacks that Embiid has had to endure, but isn’t this what it was all about? Watching an in-prime superstar command the court and make the extraordinary seem ordinary?

A magical run to the Finals isn’t happening in a few months, but what’s to say that’s not the case two years from now with an improved VJ Edgecombe as an elite running mate for this guy? I don’t have to convince the people who read this fine site of that, but I wish Philly felt at least a tad more all in on Maxey.

During the four games Rui Hachimura has played in since returning from his calf injury, his play hasn’t necessarily impressed.

The Lakers forward is averaging 7.8 points, and shooting just 31.3% from 3-point range. Those numbers are a far cry from his season averages of 12.1 points per game and 42.9% shooting percentage from deep.

While Hachimura hasn’t returned to his expected level of play just yet, he did have some bright moments during the Lakers’ win against the Raptors.

In the third quarter, Hachimura scored eight points, knocking down a pair of 3-pointers to help the Lakers take control of the game.

After the win, Hachimura explained that his playing time is still limited and that a good second-half shift can help him get back into a groove.

“I’m still on a minutes restriction, Hachimura said. “I’m still trying to get back to my rhythm and those kind of things help me. It’s a long season. We’re at the halfway point. We have to, as a team, we got to connect to each other again. I think we have one day rest, whatever that is. We got to rest tomorrow and then get back on Tuesday against Denver.”

Lakers head coach JJ Redick mentioned that Hachimura would be on a minutes restriction upon returning, but now we have confirmation from Rui that he’s still on that restriction.

So the playing time he’s gotten so far is not necessarily an indication of his spot in the rotation.

Once he is available to play with no restrictions, we’ll see whether Redick relegates him to the bench or if he’ll once again start ahead of a player like Jake LaRavia.

For now, the objective for Hachimura has to be to continue ramping up so he can be fully healthy and return to that elite catch-and-shoot player he’s been all season for the purple and gold.

Once he does that, the rest of the details, like when he comes in and whether he starts, will take care of itself.

The Lakers are set to begin an eight-game road trip, so hopefully, at some point during that time away from LA, Hachimura will be fully available to play.

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

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Former NBA star Lamar Odom was arrested on suspicion of DUI in Las Vegas over the weekend, authorities said Tuesday.

Odom, 46, was pulled over Saturday on Interstate 15 near Harry Reid International Airport, according to Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Shawn Haggstrom.

He could face charges including DUI, excessive speed and failure to properly maintain a travel lane, Haggstrom said.

Haggstrom didn't have attorney information for Odom. An email seeking comment from a sports agent for Odom wasn't immediately returned.

Clark County jail records showed that Odom was no longer in custody as of Tuesday.

Odom won championships in 2009 and 2010 with the Los Angeles Lakers. He also played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks during a 14-year NBA career.

His 2013 marriage to Khloe Kardashian was tabloid fodder and the couple appeared together on a reality TV show before divorcing months later. That same year, Odom was arrested for DUI in Los Angeles.

In 2015, Odom made headlines after suffering a medical episode during a stay at a legal brothel in Nevada called Love Ranch.

Who: Phoenix Suns (26-17) @ Philadelphia 76ers (23-18)

When: 5:00 pm Arizona Time

Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports

Listen: KMVP 98.7

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Tonight finally looks to be the night that Jalen Green returns for the Phoenix Suns from his two-and-a-half-month absence with a hamstring injury. Before yesterday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets, Suns head coach Jordan Ott said as much, saying that all signs point to him playing in today’s matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Green, 23, was one of the main pieces the Suns acquired when they traded Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets during the offseason. A 20-point scorer for his career, Green played two games for the Suns this year after re-aggravating his hamstring that he had hurt before the season. In two games this season, Green averaged 15.5 points per game in the two contests, but got hurt in the second. Green’s 29 points were the second-most ever scored in a Suns debut, and his six made threes are the most ever in a Suns debut.

Coming into the matchup, the Suns have momentum. Strong games from Dillon Brooks, Devin Booker, and Collin Gillespie, along with the team hitting 20 or more threes, led the team to a 126-117 victory over the Brooklyn Nets for their second in a row and fifth in seven games.

Phoenix is currently tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for sixth in the Western Conference. A win tonight over the Philadelphia 76ers would make them ten games over .500 for the first time this season and since the 2023-24 season. Philadelphia is no easy opponent, however.

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Projected Starting Lineups

Injury Report

Suns

• Mark Williams — QUESTIONABLE (Right Knee Injury Management)
• Jordan Goodwin — AVAILABLE (Jaw Sprain)

76ers

• Joel Embiid — OUT (Right Ankle Injury Management)
• Paul George — QUESTIONABLE (Left Knee Injury Management)
• Johni Broome — DOUBTFUL (Left Thumb)
• Kelly Oubre, Jr. — AVAILABLE (Left Knee)

What to Watch For

Obviously, how Jalen Green performs and how the team adjusts to his presence. There’s not a large sample size of how he’ll perform as a Sun, considering he’s played just one whole game without getting hurt, and Dillon Brooks didn’t play in it. Presumably, he’ll be on a minutes restriction, so just because he’s likely to start does not mean that he’ll be playing starters’ minutes.

Look for Devin Booker to be the team’s primary ball handler and shift back to playing point guard, which he did before Collin Gillespie became a starter. The Suns look to have a stronger bench unit if Green is starting. Gillespie and Grayson Allen look to be the team’s first subs, along with Jordan Goodwin playing a combo guard role.

Like Jordan Ott said postgame after the team’s win, there will be bumps in the process of implementing Green into the rotation, but his presence around the team while injured should help.

"We're a top-five defense, that's where it's gonna start. (On) Offense we need his speed."

-Jordan Ott on Jalen Green's pending return and how it will impact the team on the court@BrightSideSun

⬇️⬇️⬇️

— Holden Sherman (@HoldenSherman1) January 20, 2026

Keys to a Suns Win

Both teams are coming off victories yesterday. Joel Embiid hasn’t played in a back-to-back in over two years, and Mark Williams’ status for back-to-backs is always in the air. Even with Green returning, the Suns could be missing one of their starters with a roster that played a game less than 24 hours before tip-off.

If the Suns can do what they did against the Nets, make threes early, move the ball, and limit turnovers, they should be in good shape to get their third-straight win. After being a mystery going into the season, the 76ers are having a strong year. Sitting in fifth in the Eastern Conference, when Joel Embiid has been in the lineup, he’s produced strong numbers, and Tyrese Maxey was just named an All-Star Starter yesterday. Phoenix will have their hands full with Maxey, one of the league’s best guards and leading scorers, they’ll need to find ways to limit his production to get the win.

Prediction

Suns keep the winning ways rolling. Whether Mark Williams plays or not, I don’t expect Joel Embiid to, so Philadelphia won’t have a strong advantage inside. Jalen Green’s return should give Phoenix another ball handler and fresh legs in the second half of a back-to-back. Give me the Suns in a good win.

Suns 118, 76ers 113

Anthony Edwards is usually pretty big on statements, so his omission from the All-Star starters should propel the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight as they visit the Utah Jazz.

Edwards erupted for 55 points in the weekend loss to San Antonio, and my Timberwolves vs. Jazz predictions signal another Ant avalanche here against a Utah team that’s lost four in a row.

Get the latest on this January 20 matchup with my free NBA picks and betting tips.

Timberwolves vs Jazz prediction

Timberwolves vs Jazz best bet: Anthony Edwards Over 30.5 points (-112)

There were always going to be some disappointments in the loaded Western Conference All-Star voting. Anthony Edwards wasn’t exactly a snub – he was tied with Victor Wembanyama for the last starting spot – but we’re talking about one of the faces of the NBA having to settle for coming off the bench.

That feels like the kind of slight that Ant would take personally, and I’m banking on a backlash here in Utah. Plus, Edwards is already in scorching form, returning from a foot issue with a masterpiece in San Antonio, where we had made 19 of his 33 shots and scored 26 points in the fourth quarter.

If he did that against a Wemby-led defense, what damage might he do to the Utah Jazz? Utah has given up 120+ points in five of its last six contests, with the Charlotte Hornets hitting the 150-point mark against Will Hardy’s team earlier this month.

Ant has done more of his scoring damage on the road this year, with a 33.1 PPG mark away from Target Center, and he cooked the Jazz in their prior matchups this season, dropping a combined 72 points across two matchups in November.

Look for Edwards to be in the same ballpark again here, especially with a little extra motivation behind him.

Timberwolves vs Jazz same-game parlay

The Over is 27-16 for the Jazz this season, and this game has all the ingredients for a shootout.

Utah has strung together some embarrassing defensive efforts lately, while Minnesota ranks third in the NBA with 120 PPG. The Over has been a winning ticket in six of the Jazz’s last nine contests.

I’m also riding Donte DiVincenzo’s current hot streak. He’s drilled 3+ three-pointers in six of his last seven games, and there could be some extra shots up for grabs if Naz Reid is ruled out with a shoulder injury.

DiVincenzo finished with 14 points in his last outing against Utah.

Timberwolves vs Jazz SGP

• Anthony Edwards Over 30.5 points
• Over 244.5
• Donte DiVincenzo Over 13.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Gobert back at it

Rudy Gobert is off the injury report after missing Minnesota’s loss to the Spurs, and he’s nailed this Over in four of his last five games.

He’s averaging 13.4 RPG so far this month, and Utah will be shorthanded in the frontcourt if Lauri Markkanen sits out.

Timberwolves vs Jazz SGP

• Anthony Edwards Over 30.5 points
• Over 244.5
• Donte DiVincenzo Over 13.5 points
• Rudy Gobert Over 12.5 rebounds

Timberwolves vs Jazz odds

• Spread: Minnesota -10.5 (-110) | Utah +10.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Minnesota -450 | Utah +350
• Over/Under: Over 244.5 (-110) | Under 244.5 (-110)

Timberwolves vs Jazz betting trend to know

The Timberwolves are 9-1 SU in their last 10 meetings with the Jazz, but only 6-4 ATS. Find more NBA betting trends for Timberwolves vs. Jazz.

How to watch Timberwolves vs Jazz

Timberwolves vs Jazz latest injuries

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

The Golden State Warriors were dealt a devastating blow with Jimmy Butler tearing his ACL last night, ending his season.

Meanwhile, it’s been a roller coaster season for the Toronto Raptors, so can they take advantage of this matchup while the Dubs try to find their bearings without Butler?

My Raptors vs. Warriors predictions and NBA picks break it all down for Tuesday, January 20.

Raptors vs Warriors prediction

Raptors vs Warriors best bet: Raptors +3.5 (-110)

Both the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors are banged up, but the loss of Jimmy Butler probably makes the Dubs reassess their entire trajectory of this season.

The strength of both teams is defense, with each ranking in the Top 5 in defensive rating. This makes me like the underdog.

Butler's absence, combined with playing the second half of a back-to-back, while getting more than three points with the Raptors as underdogs, is a great spot to back Toronto as the Warriors try to figure out life without Jimmy Buckets.

Raptors vs Warriors same-game parlay

Butler’s first assignment in this game was likely shutting down Brandon Ingram. Ingram is averaging 21.7 points per game this season, and while he’s been in a bit of a slump, this is the perfect opportunity for him to get back on track.

Meanwhile, Immanuel Quickley has had an up-and-down season for the Raptors, but he’s averaging 17.6 points per game over his last 13 and has topped 15.5 points 10 times over that stretch. 

Raptors vs Warriors SGP

• Raptors +3.5
• Brandon Ingram Over 23.5 points
• Immanuel Quickley Over 16.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Picking Up the Slack

Let's add a couple of Warriors who could step up in Jimmy Buckets' absence to the Raptors point scorers we already have.

Raptors vs Warriors SGP

• Brandon Ingram Over 23.5 points
• Immanuel Quickley  Over 16.5 points
• Buddy Hield Over 8.5 points
• Moses Moody Over 11.5 points

Raptors vs Warriors odds

• Spread: Raptors +3.5 (-110) | Warriors -3.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Raptors +135 | Warriors -160
• Over/Under: Over 225 (-110) | Under 225 (-110)

Raptors vs Warriors betting trend to know

The Warriors have only covered the 1H Spread in 18 of their last 45 games for -12.90 Units and a -25% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Warriors.

How to watch Raptors vs Warriors

Raptors vs Warriors latest injuries

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

January 2026 has been a shock for the Washington Wizards. Early in the month, there was speculation that then-Atlanta Hawks guard Trey Young may be a target for Washington and that Young preferred the Wizards. In a matter of days, Young got traded to the Wizards for a relatively low price asset-wise: Corey Kispert and CJ McCollum. So using that line of thinking, a recent piece by Joshua Robbins of The Athletic indicates that New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson could also be a target for Washington considering how quickly the Wizards acquired Young.

The Pelicans, at least on the record, do not intend to trade him. But considering his injury history despite his talent, if the Wizards offer some compensation their way, it’s possible that the Pelicans could listen. Here is an excerpt from Robbins’ piece:

With the Young trade as the template of a low-cost trade for a distressed asset, league sources speculated that New Orleans Pelicans big man Zion Williamson would be someone the Wizards would have to consider if the price is right.

The Pelicans reportedly have told teams they’re not going to trade Williamson, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, Derik Queen or Jeremiah Fears. As it pertains to Williamson only, however, league sources expressed skepticism to The Athletic about that report.

League sources said they cannot envision any scenario in which Washington would give up one of its own future first-round picks. But one source speculated that a pick owed to the Wizards, such as the least favorable of the Houston Rockets’ (top-four protected), LA Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2026 first-round picks, might satisfy the Pelicans’ goals.

To be crystal clear: The Wizards trading for Williamson appears to be an extreme long shot. But it was mentioned as a possibility by enough league sources that it at least should be mentioned here.

The Wizards made noise early this month by acquiring one of the league’s most potent scorers. So, knowing how quickly that move happened, who knows what could happen with Williamson? Let us know in the comments below.

When the Knicks first started to struggle, fans and analysts were quick to diagnose the problem as fatigue, with a side of some schematic issues, and players just playing badly. But with every passing game, their so-called rough stretch looks less and less like a stretch, and more and more like who they actually are going to be the rest of the way. And in a lot of these losses, they don’t just look tired or like they aren’t executing. They look like a disjointed and dysfunctional team, if you can even call them that. During so many timeouts and blowouts, the players aren’t picking each other up, aren’t coming together, and it’s turned a lot of fans into sleuths and even lip readers.

Yet all of that until recently was just speculation. But after the Knicks’ latest embarrassment, which came in the shape of a beatdown at the hands of the struggling Mavericks, players seemed to finally start voicing a bit more of their opinions on what’s taken place.

Deuce McBride, who’s never been one to shy away from being honest and transparent, talked about how the team has had some underlying issues that were masked with wins earlier in the season, and how the Knicks have gotten way too comfortable while their opponents have been hungrier.

"That's been the main thing over the last 11, teams are coming out more hungrier than us. When you get comfortable, when you've won, I think that's human nature and we have to fight against it"

– Deuce McBride pic.twitter.com/q3pAs2uecq

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) January 20, 2026

Josh Hart, who is often labeled as the heart of the team and is among the most vocal players on the team, said, “We have to make sure we have a professional mindset to everything. We gotta come in & be locked in. We can’t go into practice & have things said several times; we can’t come out & not execute an ATO.”

"We have to make sure we have a professional mindset to everything. We gotta come in & be locked in. We can't go into practice & have things said several times; we can't come out & not execute an ATO…At the end of the day that's the guys that have this jersey on"

– Josh Hart pic.twitter.com/ABTDVyU2yC

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) January 20, 2026

Hart also spoke candidly about the need to look in the mirror, saying, “We all need to do some soul-searching. Some are looking in the mirror. Right now we’re playing embarrassing basketball. We’re not executing on the offensive end. Defensively, we’ve been abysmal. We’ve been terrible defensively all year”.

"We all need to do some soul-searching. Some looking in the mirror. Right now we're playing embarrassing basketball. We're not executing on the offensive end. Defensively, we've been abysmal. We've been terrible defensively all year"

– Josh Hart pic.twitter.com/o5VO06aWOo

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) January 20, 2026

The captain, Jalen Brunson, echoed those sentiments and added a sense of urgency and even desperation.

Jalen Brunson on Josh Hart saying the Knicks need to do "soul searching"

"Should've started a couple weeks ago, but we gotta start tomorrow. We've got to figure this out fast" pic.twitter.com/OJ5t2Rp6D9

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) January 20, 2026

And that was just seconds after looking, and sounding a bit lost when asked about why the team didn’t show up.

And that was after the broadcast caught Brunson trying to rally the guys together and instill that sense of urgency in everyone else.

"At some point we gotta wake up…create some energy for ourselves. They're not gonna give it to us…our own f*king energy…Wake the f*k up…It's up to us…And don't watch the frigging news"

–– AI on what Jalen Brunson said to Knicks during loss to Mavs (incomplete/imperfect) pic.twitter.com/OLVQlvguON

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) January 20, 2026

The honesty and frustrations didn’t end there as head coach Mike Brown, who has received his own share of criticisms, voiced his frustrations postgame.

"Lock in and do your fucking job"

–– Mike Brownpic.twitter.com/ieIsySWp0X

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) January 20, 2026

On one side, it’s nice to see a team realize that they are indeed playing not just a bad brand of basketball, but doing so with an overall embarrassing level of effort, energy, and physicality, or lack thereof. On the other hand, it’s frustrating to see them acknowledge it, say the right things, and still do nothing to fix it. And all while that’s going on, this team, maybe more so than any other struggling team, has looked lifeless. We may never find out if this is because of the coaching change, something that happened in the locker room, or if it has to do with players not being happy with their roles. But one thing is for sure. This team is in a dark place. And that’s not just about their recent record or the results.

They look like a group of individuals, and not a team. They don’t look like they enjoy playing with each other, or even being around each other. That’s led to them being much worse than the sum of their parts, and that’s a concern considering the earlier reports that the front office is looking to stick with this core throughout the rest of the season. Because unless something magical happens off the court, and in the lockerroom, the on-court results and process likely won’t change much. And if that’s going to be the case, you can make a strong argument that this team needs a change for the sake of change, even if it means a potential downgrade on paper.

We're officially at the halfway mark of the NBA season, and the league has released its top jersey sellers from the first half of the 2025-26 campaign.

Warriors star Steph Curry leads the pack at midseason as he looks to dethrone Luka Dončić. Last season, the newly acquired Lakers cornerstone became the first player to lead the league in jersey sales not named Curry or LeBron James.

Dončić currently sits second this season with James at fifth. The Lakers are the only team with two players in the top 15.

The lone rookie to crack the top 15, unsurprisingly, is Cooper Flagg. The No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft is well on his way to winning Rookie of the Year. Recent projections have his odds sitting at about -900, meaning you would have to bet $900 to win $100.

Ironically, Jayson Tatum made the top 15 instead of his counterpart, Jaylen Brown. Both made the top 15 last season, with Tatum finishing at No. 4 and Brown at No. 15. But halfway through the season, Brown has fallen off the leaderboard, despite putting up MVP-type numbers.

Without Tatum, who is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, Brown is the fourth-leading scorer in the NBA (29.8 PPG) and has the Celtics sitting second in the East. Tatum, meanwhile, checks in at eighth on this list, ahead of Nikola Jokić, Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The full top 15 is as follows:

1. Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors
2. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers
3. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
4. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
5. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
6. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
7. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
8. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
9. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
10. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
11. Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
12. Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets
13. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
14. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
15. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers

Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler will miss the rest of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Butler, 36, sustained the injury in the third quarter of the Warriors' 135-112 win over the Miami Heat on Monday.

His agent Bernie Lee confirmed the news in a statement to ESPN, calling it a "gut punch" to Butler and the Warriors team.

After a mixed start to the season, the Warriors have won 12 of their past 16 games and are eighth in the Western Conference, with a record of 25 win and 19 losses.

The top six teams in each conference qualify directly for the play-offs, with the teams ranked seventh to 10th competing in the play-in tournament.

Butler's injury leaves the Warriors facing a decision on how to approach the rest of their season and the market before the trade deadline on 5 February.

Under coach Steve Kerr and with star point guard Stephen Curry, the Warriors have won four NBA titles since 2015 but have been a fading force since their last championship win in 2022.

The Warriors acquired Butler from the Heat in February 2025 to give Curry, 37, a star team-mate to support another championship bid, but must now consider whether to seek further reinforcements or rebuild for the future.

However, Lee is confident six-time All-Star Butler, who is contracted with the Warriors to the end of the 2026-27 season, will bounce back from this injury blow to win his first NBA title.

"I've known for over 10 years now that Jimmy is going to win a championship before he is done," said Lee. "My belief in that is unwavering."

Like a lot of NBA players, Tyrese Maxey’s pregame routine includes a post-shootaround nap. That nap happens to occur during the 2 p.m. hour, the very time the league was set to announce its starters Monday for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles.

So, when the news broke, everyone was excited for him, including rookie teammate VJ Edgecombe, who was blowing up Maxey’s phone.

“I had my alarm set for 2 o’clock,” the rookie said. “I was going to protest if he didn’t make it as a starter. Would’ve been a problem.”

But Maxey didn’t answer.

He was asleep.

“I’m like, ‘why is he calling me?’ And I answered and he’s screaming and showing me the TV,” Maxey said pregame Monday. “Then my mom called me and then I said, ‘listen, I’m going back to sleep. I got work tonight.‘”

That’s a pretty good encapsulation of Maxey. He was grateful and humbled by the honor, but ultimately just wanted to hoop.

And what better way to cap off the day than by helping snap his team’s two-game losing skid with a 113-104 win over the Indiana Pacers on Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

In his sixth NBA season, Maxey is an All-Star starter. This will also mark the second appearance in the game for the 25-year-old. He’s earned it on the floor, posting career highs across the board in points, assists, rebounds, steals, blocks and made threes per game. He earned it from the fan voting, finishing with the fourth-most overall, the second-most in the conference, and the most for an American-born player.

“Thanks, fellow Americans,” Maxey said. “I appreciate y’all, man.”

It wasn’t Maxey’s finest game of the season Monday. The Pacers loaded up on him in a big way through the first three quarters, forcing him to turn defense into offense — and that he did. Maxey recorded 29 points, eight assists and a career-high eight steals.

He’s just the 10th Sixer to ever record at least eight steals in a game. The New Orleans Pelicans’ Herb Jones is the only other player in the NBA to have at least eight steals in a game this season. He also recorded a block and is averaging over a block a game this season. If he finishes the season averaging over a block game, he’d be the first player at 6-foot-2 or shorter to do so in league history (since blocks became an official stat), per Stathead.

It’s just another way Maxey can help his team win games.

“This is kind of how I played in high school,” he said. “I was able to get in the passing lanes, get steals, get some on-ball steals, little strip steals or blocks, whatever they call them. … I just want to make an impact on the defensive end. I feel like I’ve done that this year.”

The hope is no doubt for Edgecombe to be on the receiving end of one of those calls in the not-so-distant future. After a disagreement on the bench went viral last week, both guys sort of laughed the whole thing off. They’re competitive. They want to win. That’s why they’ve bonded so quickly on and off the court.

The rookie has savored the opportunity to play with a like-minded veteran in Maxey.

“His work ethic, his leadership, his character, and obviously his style of play,” Edgecombe said. “He’s an unbelievable player, really special talent, and I get to watch him every day, just go out there and work.”

It feels like just yesterday Maxey was a rookie heaping praise on Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons for making All-Star teams and getting accolades. It’s clear now the torch is being passed.

“That’s a great accomplishment, especially as a starter,” Embiid, the seven-time All-Star, said. “It’s only the beginning. It’s a testament to the work he’s put in, and him taking another step this year. That’s amazing.”

This men’s college basketball season has been a dream for some, and a nightmare for others.

It’s hard to believe, but the 2025-26 regular season is more than halfway done, meaning the race is really heating up to secure a spot in the Big Dance that will begin in two months. It’s not a shock to see the usual suspects like Arizona, Duke, Connecticut and Michigan at the top of the sport.

However, there are some that have surprises — good and bad — that not many saw coming. In the preseason, some teams figured to be fighting for a spot in the NCAA Tournament, but have become bonafide contenders that realistically can make a run. On the other side, squads that had reasonable expectations have fallen flat, and are in jeopardy of missing out on March Madness.

Bracketology: : Race for No. 1 seed leads March Madness projection

Let’s examine the biggest surprises and disappointments of the season so far, using the preseason and most recent USA TODAY Sports Bracketology.

NCAA basketball surprises

Nebraska

Arguably the story of the season, it's been a dream ride for the Cornhuskers. They are 18-0, the best start in program history, with impressive wins against Michigan State and Illinois to fuel a 5-0 Quad 1 record and No. 6 NET ranking.

Nebraska wasn’t considered an NCAA tournament team before the season began, but are in position to be a top-four seed come March. That would position them well to get its first NCAA tournament win, the only Power conference team yet to achieve the feat.

Vanderbilt

Predicted to finish 11th in the SEC preseason poll, the Commodores have thrust themselves into the top of the league, far from the bubble spot they started the season in. Vanderbilt started the campaign 16-0, matching its best start ever.

It has lost two straight games, but that shouldn’t spoil what has been a remarkable second season for Mark Byington. Not only is Vanderbilt (16-2, 3-2) poised to get back-to-back tournament appearances for the first time since 2016-17, but could get its best seed ever (No. 3 in 1993).

Virginia

The ACC is vastly better this season, and helping that cause is Virginia. The Cavaliers are road warriors, with all their Quad 1 games so far away from home. It’s impressive since they are 4-1 in the category, including major wins at Texas, Louisville and SMU to boost their top 15 NET ranking.

Ryan Odom has brought some swagger back to Charlottesville in his first season with the Cavaliers, something it’s been lacking for several years. Virginia (16-2, 5-1) is on the path to getting back to March after missing it in 2025 for the second time in four seasons.

Clemson

Another ACC team, Brad Brownell has become an under-the-radar coach who is consistently putting together solid teams at Clemson. After starting the season 7-3, the Tigers have won nine straight, including wins against SMU and Miami to propel its perfect start (6-0) in conference play.

The Tigers (16-3) didn’t start the season in tournament conversation, but are capable of capturing its first ACC crown since 1990. Another March Madness bid would be three-straight, something Clemson hasn’t done since 2008-11.

Villanova

After Villanova struggled to find momentum under previous coach Kevin Neputne, Kevin Willard is bringing back optimism not seen since Jay Wright had the Wildcats as a national power. Villanova did have some tough results against BYU and Michigan, but have handled business everywhere else. Like Clemson, the Wildcats are good on the road.

The Big East feels open after Connecticut, and Villanova (14-4, 5-2) has the inside track to be in the top four of the league. After so many seasons being on the bubble and missing out on Selection Sunday, it feels more certain Villanova will hear its name called for the first time since 2022.

Saint Louis

Not many realize it, but the Atlantic 10 has a great team in Saint Louis. The Billikins are 17-1, the only blemish a one-point loss to Stanford. They have handled nearly every opponent they’ve faced, and made the most of the few opportunities so far with a 2-0 Quad 1 record.

It’s always tough for teams outside the Power conferences to get at-large spots, yet Saint Louis is building a case to be in regardless of what happens. The No. 22 NET ranking is extremely impressive, and could be why the A-10 could get multiple teams in depending on how things shake out.

Miami (Ohio)

The quiet undefeated team in the country, the RedHawks are off to their best start ever at 19-0. While Miami hasn’t played any Quad 1 games and is just 3-0 in Quad 2 games, it’s worth noting a team reaching the middle of January without a blemish.

Even though the RedHawks likely need the MAC title to get in, they are making quite the case to be in regardless. At this rate, Miami could be a single-digit seed.

NCAA basketball disappointments

UCLA

The arrival of transfer Donovan Dent figured to make the Bruins a contender in the Big Ten, but it hasn’t paid off and it’s been a mediocre campaign for UCLA. At 12-6, it doesn’t own any marquee victories and has put up some head-scratching performances in big games, owning a 1-5 record in Quad 1 games.

UCLA opened the season in the conversation for a top-four seed, but instead will be fighting for its tournament life the rest of the way. It makes sense to leave it out of the field now, and the Bruins need a complete turnaround to get out of the bubble.

“Highly disappointed, our inability to play defense. I offer no excuses. Blame me … we’re not going to win meaningful games if we can’t stop the other team.”

Coach Cronin, speaking to the media after UCLA’s loss at Ohio State pic.twitter.com/VLstWSkKon

— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB) January 17, 2026

Kentucky

Mark Pope’s second season at his alma mater has been a rocky one, with inconsistently plaguing the season. Kentucky started the season with a rough 5-4 mark that really soured Big Blue Nation, but it has somewhat righted the ship with a 7-2 record since. Still, the Wildcats are 3-5 in Quad 1 games.

Not all hope is lost, but Kentucky (12-6, 3-2) has to find a rhythm to avoid tumbling down toward a potential double-digit seed, something that has happened only once, in 2008. 

St. John’s

There was hope Rick Pitino would be able to replicate last season’s magical run, but some early season duds have ruined the vibes in Queens. The Red Storm (13-5, 6-1) set themselves up with a challenging nonconference schedule and couldn’t capitalize with a 7-4 start. There aren’t notable wins, and the Quad 3 loss to Providence doesn’t help.

The Big East isn’t daunting so there isn’t a real concern for St. John’s tournament stake, but not having a quality resume means there isn’t much wiggle room to move its way up the seed line.

Oregon

The Ducks brought talent back for another promising season, only for it to turn into a disaster. After starting 4-0, Oregon is 4-10, losing badly to high quality teams and falling to teams it was expected to beat. As a result, Oregon is 0-9 in Quad 1 and 2 games, and it doesn’t get much better after it with a 3-1 Quad 3 mark.

It’s one of the biggest disappointments, with Oregon starting the season as a No. 6 seed and now completely out of the tournament conversation. It will take a miracle for the Ducks to get back in. Jackson Shelstad's season-ending injury won't help.

Creighton

Despite losing key veterans, there was a sense Creighton could still be a contender. Instead it’s shown the Bluejays have plenty of work to do. It was a rough 5-5 start with plenty of blowout losses and it hasn’t really improved since; it’s standing at 11-8 with a tough 1-6 Quad 1 record and No. 55 NET ranking.

Like St. John’s, Creighton is still in the top half of the Big East but a loss to Providence showed how vulnerable it is. It will have to go on a solid winning streak or two to stay away from the bubble. 

Missouri

An 8-0 start gave optimism for Missouri, but that quick beginning has been forgotten by going 5-5 since. The opponents got tougher and it hurt the Tigers, with a 2-4 record against Quad 1 opponents, including tough losses to Notre Dame and LSU. The NET rankings of 68 is dangerously low for an at-large candidate.

Missouri hasn’t given a solid case to be a tournament-worthy team, and it needs to stockpile wins so it can jump up the NET. Dennis Gates is in danger of missing the tournament again.

Marquette

Perhaps there is no team in a worse position than Marquette. There was a chance the newcomers could keep the Golden Eagles afloat, but the season appears to be washed. They have lost nine of their past 10 and at 6-13 with an 0-11 Quad 1 and 2 record, there’s a near-zero chance it gets in the field.

By the end of it, Shaka Smart may be on the hot seat, as this is set to be the first time he misses the tournament at Marquette. 

Memphis

Penny Hardaway’s best season is on track to be followed up with one of his toughest, with the exodus of talent that left Memphis very evident. It started 4-7, with nearly every loss to tournament-caliber teams. The Tigers are 1-7 against Quad 1 and 2 teams, and the No. 108 NET ranking is a bad mark.

Memphis has started its American Conference play off well but that won’t get in the good graces of the selection committee, with not many quality opportunities left. It’ll be the automatic bid or bust for the Tigers.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NCAA basketball biggest surprises, disappointments so far this season

The dust has settled on the regular season series between Boston and Detroit right at the midway point in the season, culminating in a 104-103 Pistons win that came down to the final possession. 

After four games, we have a pretty clear idea of what to expect of this matchup between the Eastern Conference’s two best teams. If there’s one thing we’ve learned from this series alone, it’s that Detroit has maintained a clear identity in J.B. Bickerstaff’s second year in charge. 

They’re nasty, physical and a genuine pain to deal with. The Pistons have no problem turning a game into a drudgerous affair, in fact I think they prefer it that way. With that style comes a playoff-like intensity in every game they play. Although in the case of Boston specifically, things don’t exactly appear to be all Kumbaya. 

Dust-up here between Isaiah Stewart and Jaylen Brown

Refs reviewing pic.twitter.com/ZSC6vZW5tr

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) January 20, 2026

Jaylen Brown hit Isaiah Stewart with his own emote after double techs 😭💀 pic.twitter.com/2208ijvWlf

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 16, 2025

But that playoff intensity is important because as it stands, these two teams have a real chance of seeing each other in some capacity in the postseason, and we have a pretty clear idea of what that hypothetical series would look like if the season ended today. 

In some ways, this matchup gives strong hints of the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat, who took the Celtics to seven games with a centerpiece star, a physically imposing big man and a collection of role players built to make life a living hell on opposing offenses. When Duncan Robinson signed his three-year contract to join the Pistons, it was meant to be that the Pistons’ transformation from a confusing amalgamation of players with no clear fit into a team with an identity built for a seven-game series was all but solidified. 

Outside of the 3-1 series record, the raw head-to-head numbers tell us a compelling story. When these two teams play, it consistently comes down to the wire, and we’ve gathered a few observations that are worth highlighting if these two ever see each other again this spring. 

Jaylen Brown can (and will) carry the load   

Jaylen Brown has been a downhill force in this four-game series, averaging 35 points on 44/34.5/72 splits. In this most recent loss, Brown was often the sole source of offense in the first half, before things opened up for Sam Hauser and Anfernee Simons in the third quarter. 

In the fourth quarter, Brown aggressively sought his spots, right down to the very last possession, one that generated a fadeaway jumper at the elbow that had a chance of bouncing in. 

Considering the score differential of this series is a tight +11 in favor of Detroit, we’ve seen a heavy dose of clutch minutes between these two teams. If there is any semblance of playoff-like basketball in a regular season setting, it’s within those 5-under-5 opportunities. 

In the case of the Celtics, that means a lot of Jaylen Brown isolations. Regardless of what they throw his way, Brown attacks with brute force and finishes in pirouette form. It’s a fascinating collision of elite-level attacking against elite-level defensive pressure. 

Brown holds a 43% usage rate against the Pistons, higher than his 36% usage for the season (for reference, he is second in the league behind Luka Doncic in usage, who is at 38%). 39% of his field goal attempts against Detroit came off possessions where he had 3-6 dribbles, and 24.5% were off seven or more dribbles before firing. 

In the majority of his late-game chances with the ball, Brown is seal hunting. 

Specifically, he’s Duncan-hunting. The two are well-acquainted from years of Miami/Boston battles, and this year has been no different, with Brown consistently seeking that mismatch switch. In total, Brown has matched up with Robinson for a grand total of 5:04 in four games, and he’s scored 32 points on 56.5% shooting from the field and 67% from three. 

To put that in perspective, his 32 points on Robinson is the most he’s scored on any one matchup so far this season, even more than Tobias Harris, who has guarded Brown more than anyone to this point with 28:47 matchup minutes where Brown has scored 31 points on 30% efficiency. 

All this to say, Brown wants to attack this hard-nosed defense head-on. He’s taken no less than 25 shots in this series with a great deal of success, but that activity can also come at the cost of offensive flow. 

Clearly, Brown takes on the challenge to win these game, and he knows he can score against this team, but it does open up some hints of Brown’s past tunnel vision. Detroit, especially with Robinson matched up, has no problems collapsing its help, and last night Brown’s four turnovers were the most on the team (although to his credit, just one happened in the fourth quarter). 

Who’s on Cade? 

The Celtics have done an overall pretty good job on Cade Cunningham, who had his worst outing against Boston on Monday after shooting 4-of-17 for 16 points. Half of his scoring output came from the free throw line, where he went 8-of-10, and a lot of credit should go to Jaylen Brown and Jordan Walsh, who spent the bulk of the time guarding him, holding the All-Star starter to a combined four points on 2-of-9 shooting. 

But Cunningham, like a true superstar, is more than just a bucket-getter. Even in an off-night, Cunningham still dished out 14 assists without a single turnover to his name, while having three stocks on the other end. 

The challenge is not in just holding Cade from catching fire as a scorer, it’s in stymieing his entire flow. To completely stifle Cunningham is to stifle the entire foundation upon which the Pistons offense is built. That’s a huge task. That’d be like attempting to remove the entire engine of a Ford F-150 with someone already behind the wheel. 

But in Boston’s collection of wing defenders, who’s been the most successful attempting it? The aforementioned Walsh and Brown may be the best answers. 

Walsh is third in matchup minutes against Cunningham this season, behind Dyson Daniels and Davion Mitchell, and he’s been up to the challenge. His defense against Cade in Boston’s win on Nov. 26 was a major factor in that clutch closeout, and in total, he’s held him to 17 points, five assists and four turnovers on 31% shooting in three games.

In nine total minutes this series, Brown has held Cunningham to 2-of-10 shooting for five points with five assists, and just one shooting foul. 

Cade has found ways to consistently attack his own mismatches to get to his 29-point average in his four Boston matchups, generating the most success against Derrick White and Payton Pritchard. White rarely found himself guarding Cunningham last night, in fact it was on just three partial possessions, but in their four games, Cunningham’s 20 shot attempts against White are the second most he’s taken against any player, and he’s shooting 50% on those looks. 

To help on Cade is to sell out on the notion that he’ll make the right read, but to a player you’d rather live with beating you. That was the case last night, and Cunningham assisted on four Robinson threes and 11 of Tobias Harris’ team-high 25 points. Cunningham plays winning basketball in this Detroit ecosystem, and it’s a fun challenge to consider the pros and cons of the many approaches you can have to dealing with his offensive gravity. 

Detroit puts Boston’s rebounding outlook into greater focus 

Even as Boston’s emphasis on defensive rebounding has turned that issue from glaring to middle of the road, this matchup in particular really shows just how far apart Boston’s 16th-ranked defensive rebounding is from Detroit’s fourth-best offensive board-crashing. 

The Celtics are not alone in this dilemma. The Pistons average 13 offensive rebounds a game, led by Jalen Duren’s four per outing, which is third best in the league behind Steven Adams and Donovan Clingan. 

So it’s not just a Celtics issue, yet the Celtics do in fact struggle especially hard against this specific matchup. Detroit’s 15.3 offensive rebounds per game against Boston is well above their season average, and in total, they’ve won the collective rebounding battle 191-164. 

It’s worth noting the Celtics have progressively gotten better in this department these last two matchups, even winning the glass battle 45-41 on Monday thanks to a 14-9 offensive rebounding difference headlined by a combined nine offensive boards between Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, but it is still an issue this matchup presents. In a series that drags out to six or seven games, the chances of low-scoring slugfests only rise, and the team that can create more second chance opportunities through their rebounding and paint scoring will have the advantage. 

The Pistons and Celtics are both top-10 teams in second-chance points (Celtics are third, Pistons sixth), but where the interior scoring differs is in overall points in the paint, which Detroit is second in with 58.3 compared to Boston’s 28th-ranked 44 points inside. 

There’s no debate that Luka Garza and Neemias Queta are generally good rebounding and interior bigs, but is this the kind of conference matchup that Brad Stevens looks at and identifies as proof of additional frontcourt assistance? Do they stand firm and await the return of Jayson Tatum, one of the league’s best rebounding forwards who’s averaged double-doubles in each of the past three postseasons? 

Only time will tell, but the battle on the boards has been a huge element to this regular season series, and it’s only amplified once you hit a series format. 

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The Celtics have three months and 40 games left before any real conversations about this matchup possibility begin to take shape. It makes this a bizarre conversation to even be thinking about by mid-January, yet we’ve got four legitimately entertaining games’ worth of film we can unpack from the Eastern Conference’s two best teams in case they do ultimately meet come playoff time.

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday that he owes Indiana Gov. Mike Braun some key lime pie and stone crabs for losing a bet after Indiana's 27-21 win over Miami earned the college football team the national championship.

DeSantis said at a news conference on nursing education that he will be sending the key lime pie, as well as stone crabs from the famous Miami Beach eatery, Joe's Stone Crab, to the Indiana governor due to his losing wager on the Miami Hurricanes at the hands of the Indiana Hoosiers Monday night in Miami Gardens, Florida.

The Florida governor said he had been promised sugar cream pie, also known as Hoosier pie, and pork tenderloin from the Indiana governor if Miami had won.

DeSantis joked that it might be quicker just to drop off the pie and stone crabs at Marco Island, a barrier island on Florida's southwest coast which is popular with Midwestern vacationers and snowbirds this time of year.

“You know, honestly, half of Indiana is in Marco Island this time of year,” DeSantis said. “Can I just bring this stuff to Marco Island? It would be a lot easier for us.”