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.
The 6-foot senior from Chicago had 27 points, 12 assists and four rebounds to help SMU beat then-No. 12 North Carolina last week, securing the program's first win against a ranked team under second-year coach Andy Enfield. Miller was 10 of 13 from the field, hit a trio of 3-pointers and finished with just two turnovers in 33 minutes in the emphatic 97-83 win over the Tar Heels.
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.
Former Michigan State and NBA player Paul Davis was ejected from the Breslin Center after vocally criticizing officials from the stands during the 12th-ranked Spartans’ victory over USC.
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.
Is the risk of exposing itself to fresh legal challenges really the main reason for the NCAA's hesitance to try to enforce stricter rules? Or might the NCAA have an ulterior motive?
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.
Raphielle Johnson
