CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Sam Lewis scored 15 points, Thijs De Ridder had 10 points and 12 rebounds and No. 18 Virginia beat Pittsburgh 67-47 on Tuesday night while scoring its fewest points this season.
De Ridder, the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Week, had his third double-double of the season. Chance Mallory scored 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting for the Cavaliers (19-3, 8-2 ACC), and Malik Thomas had 10 points.
Virginia has won three straight and eight of nine, with its only loss in that stretch coming to now-No. 14 North Carolina.
The Cavaliers' previous scoring low was 70 points in a win over Stanford on Jan. 10. A low-scoring, defense-first squad under Tony Bennett, Virginia came in averaging 84 points per game this season under first-year coach Ryan Odom.
Cameron Corhen and Nojus Indrusaitis scored 11 points apiece for the Panthers (9-14, 2-8), who have lost eight of 10.
Pitt took an early 7-3 lead in the opening minutes before the Cavaliers went on a 12-0 run to take a lead they would not relinquish. Both teams struggled with turnovers, with the Panthers committing 17 to the Cavaliers’ 10. But Virginia capitalized with 23 points off turnovers to just nine by Pitt.
The Panthers' most recent victory over a ranked opponent came at Virginia, a 74-63 win on Feb. 13, 2024.
The Memphis Grizzlies realized that the Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. era had run its course — well short of the hopes and dreams they had for it just a few years ago — and it was time to start over. The Utah Jazz had reached the point in their rebuild that it was time to stop being patient and do something bold.
The result was the most unexpected deal of the NBA trade deadline: Former Defensive Player of the Year Jackson going to the Jazz in an eight-player trade.
So who are the winners here? Let's break it down, but first let's look at the details of the trade:
Memphis receives: Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Walter Clayton Jr., Georges Niang three first-round picks (best of Jazz 2027 picks, Lakers 2027 pick, Suns 2031 pick). Utah receives: Jaren Jackson Jr., John Konchar, Jock Landale, Vince Williams Jr.
Winner: Utah Jazz
NBC Sports' own Grant Liffman summed it up perfectly: He liked this "aggressive trade" and wished more teams would take chances like this.
The reality is, Utah was not going to get a player as good as Jackson in free agency, so they used their cap space and picks to go get one. Utah, at the urging of owner Ryan Smith, also knew this season needed to be the end of their bottoming out as they rebuilt. The fans were getting restless. The owner was getting restless. Yet the fans and the organization still carry a scar from how the NBA Draft Lottery treated them last year (when they had the worst record and still picked fifth). Danny and Austin Ainge decided not to trust their rebuild to luck anymore, they took a big swing.
I say they connected.
Utah now has an interesting — not finished, not polished, but loaded with potential — core going forward. They can pair Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen along the front line, a long, athletic duo who can score inside and out. They plan to re-sign Walker Kessler this summer and slot him in at the five to cover the rebounding and toughness deficiencies of Jackson and Markkanen, according to Tony Jones of the Athletic.
Utah also has Keyshawn George playing at an All-Star level at a guard spot and last year's No. 5 pick Ace Bailey on the wing, who has started to find his footing in the NBA of late.
However, there are caveats to loving this trade for the Jazz.
First, they have to continue tanking this season — they need another shot at the lottery in a deep draft to supplement what they already have.
The other is that Jaren Jackson Jr. gets healthy and consistently plays back at his peak, closer to his Defensive Player of the Year level. Utah is locked in to JJJ for at least three more seasons at an average of more than $50 million a season — in today's NBA, you can't miss on max contracts and contend.
Winner: Memphis Grizzlies
I get it, not every Grizzlies fan likes this trade — this is a total teardown when fans can look at the roster and think all they needed were tweaks. It's fair to be frustrated that the promise of this roster from 2021 and 2022 — which is not that long ago — has disappeared in a puff of smoke.
The reality is that Ja Morant did not continue on his upward trajectory and — as much as he is beloved in the city and by the fan base — he is not the guy who got his feet in the paint every time he drove, which was the engine of this offense. It would be a shock if Morant is still a member of the Grizzlies next season.
This rebuild really started when Memphis got four Orlando first-round picks for Desmond Bane. Combine that with the haul from this trade and their own picks, and the Grizzlies have a dozen first-round picks in the next seven years. It's a solid foundation for a rebuild.
Memphis needs to nail those picks. They need to better develop young players. They need to get a little lucky. But it was time for a reset, and this is the right long-term move for the franchise.
Losers: Adam Silver, anyone who hates tanking
The story of the end of this NBA season will be tanking.
This trade and these two teams embody it.
Memphis entered today as the No. 11 seed in the West, 3.5 games out of the play-in, ground it could make up if it got healthy and pushed for it. Instead, the Grizzlies surveyed the situation, looked at a deep draft, and went the other direction — they traded not just their best player on both ends right now, but also other role players who were playing hard.
Utah has been in tank mode for a while, even if the Ainges tell you how much they hate to tank and won't lose just to lose. The Jazz owe their first-round pick to the Thunder, but it is top-eight protected, and Utah wants to keep that pick, so we're not seeing a lot of Lauri Markkanen right now. We're not going to see a lot of Jackson either is my bet. The Jazz entered today with the sixth-worst record in the league and a 96% chance of retaining their pick. Jackson can help them win games now, so the real question is how much we will see of him through the end of the season.
Don't blame these teams, the NBA set up the rules, the Jazz and Grizzlies are just playing the game when the name of the game is "acquire the most talent you can."
Winners: Ja Morant trade suitors
This is really simple: Memphis is going to trade him, maybe before the deadline or maybe this summer, but they are going to trade him — and the price just went down.
Teams interested in Morant were doing so with some caution, this was more taking a chance you can get him healthy and back closer to his All-Star form than trading for a star, but at a lower price this becomes a better deal for someone.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 5: Bob Myers and Josh Harris of the Philadelphia 76ers look on against the Denver Nuggets at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 5, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Nuggets defeated the 76ers 125-124 in overtime. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The headline here speaks for itself. Heading into Thursday’s trade deadline, I simply implore the Philadelphia 76ers not to make ducking the luxury tax their priority. Now, you might say that this post is true Negadelphian: complaining about something that hasn’t even happened yet. But when something happens every year to the point where Joel Embiid feels compelled to issue a soft warning to ownership, you know there’s a decent possibility of recurrence. (Given how strongly Joel feels about the issue, I feel like there’s a non-zero chance he reads this — in which case, ‘Hi, Joel’.)
The Paul George suspension has certainly complicated the anti-ducking agenda. His 25-game suspension resulted in a luxury tax credit for the Sixers, and the team is now just currently $1.3 million above the tax line. That’s so close that Josh Harris can smell that revenue redistribution money like a cartoon character drifting towards a pie cooling on a windowsill. Those $28 million, 12-bedroom, 22-bathroom homes in Washington D.C. don’t pay for themselves after all. From his perspective, just trade Andre Drummond and some draft capital to a team with cap space and let’s go fuel up the helicopter. He has a new favorite child down I-95 in the Commanders anyway.
But enough is enough. The East is so wide open that the Cleveland Cavaliers think James Harden is the missing piece to get them over the top. The Celtics are improving their roster despite their best player rehabbing a torn Achilles. Philadelphia has a healthy-ish version of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey playing All-NBA-level ball, and a solid supporting cast, and would potentially downgrade the roster in order to save money, because why, you’re worried about the Pistons? The Detroit “starting Tobias Harris” Pistons? Let’s just see what can happen in late April and May.
I’ll even throw management an olive branch here. Feel free to make ducking the tax a consideration. Daryl Morey is a smart guy. If he can do something like move Drummond to New Orleans with some reasonable draft capital for 21-year-old center Yves Missi, thereby getting a player that upgrades the team today, provides potential future upside, and gets the team under the luxury tax in the process, I’m on board. I understand there are team-building restrictions for being in the tax, yada yada yada, and if it can be avoided, all the better. Morey probably has thought through a dozen or two different scenarios like the common example I just threw out, so let’s see one of them. The Quentin Grimes-Caleb Martin trade last year came out of nowhere. I’m ready to be wowed, Daryl.
I also don’t expect anything major. The Sixers’ inability to work out a deal with Grimes over the summer has severely limited the team in the ‘tradeable contracts’ department. Kelly Oubre Jr. is the only guy in the range where his salary could be a good connecting piece, but he has played terrific this season. Anybody you bring in would have to either be a clear upgrade over Kelly or provide similar production on a longer-term deal where you saw value in that future roster stability/flexibility, and those sorts of players aren’t readily being given away.
But so help me. If Thursday’s deadline comes and goes and all we see is a player shipped out to duck the tax, and the team tries to spin it as needing a roster spot to sign Dominick Barlow to a standard deal, when Eric Gordon and Kyle Lowry are taking up roster emeritus positions, I’m ready to pass out pitchforks across the river in Camden. Hopefully, it doesn’t come to that. I honestly remain optimistic that it won’t. But this had to be said.
MILWAUKEE, WI - FEBRUARY 3: Matas Buzelis #14 of Chicago Bulls passes the ball during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 3, 2026 at Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images
The Milwaukee Bucks started their three-game homestand with a blowout win over the Chicago Bulls. It stops the bleeding a little bit, after the Bucks had lost five in a row. Kyle Kuzma tied a season high with 31 points on 12/22 shooting, while Ryan Rollins finished with a 21-point, 10-assist double-double. Second-year forward Matas Buzelis led the Bulls offense with 22 points on 5/10 shooting from three-point range.
With nine rotational players out tonight on both sides (for various reasons), they each needed someone to step up. After Kuzma got the Bucks started with the first four points, AJ Green found his rhythm from distance. Green’s back-to-back threes helped extend Milwaukee’s lead to nine points after Kuzma laid it in, forcing a timeout from Chicago. That didn’t slow down the Bucks, finishing the quarter on a 10-4 run. That gave the Bucks their largest advantage, 39-24, heading into the second quarter.
Already up by double-digits, Milwaukee continued to pour it on a short-handed Chicago squad. They hit their first two shots from beyond the arc, making it eight consecutive makes from three-point range going back to Ryan Rollins’ three in the first. For once, the Bucks were the team ahead by 20+ points, after Myles Turner hit a couple of free throws. Turner and Rollins took turns scoring on the Bulls, with the pair going for 10 straight points. Green punctuated an explosive first half for Milwaukee’s offense, putting up 77 points while Chicago limped into the locker room with 52.
The Bulls got out to a fast start in the second half, going on a 10-2 run. After a timeout from Doc Rivers, the Bucks settled in thanks to Kuzma, scoring two straight buckets for Milwaukee. Yet, the Bucks we’ve come to expect this season reared their ugly heads once again. Chicago went on a 15-4 run, cutting Milwaukee’s lead from 19 to just eight. The Bucks were able to close out the frame on a 9-3 run, thanks in part to the two-man game of Cole Anthony and Pete Nance. The run gave Milwaukee a 16-point lead going into the fourth, 105-89.
The Bucks continued to cash in from three-point range. Three of their first four makes in the stanza were from beyond the arc, including two from Kuzma. The early barrage put them back up by 22, forcing Billy Donovan to call a timeout. From there, the Bucks were able to put the game into Kuz-control, as they ended their five-game losing streak.
Stat That Stood Out
The Bucks’ three-point shooting was exceptional tonight. After a rough outing from distance against the Celtics on Sunday, they shot it efficiently against the Bulls. On the night, Milwaukee went 20/38 (60.5%), with Trent tying a season high in three-point makes with five.
Feb 3, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) reacts against the Dallas Mavericks during the first quarter at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
The Celtics got their third straight win on Tuesday night, beating the Mavericks 110-100. Jaylen Brown’s 33 points led the way with Payton Pritchard’s 26 points and Luka Garza’s 16 points off of the bench.
The Celtics were without Jayson Tatum, Chris Boucher and (technically) Anfernee Simons — the trade with Chicago has yet to be finalized, so Simons is still on the roster. They started Derrick White, Baylor Scheierman, Sam Hauser, Jaylen Brown and Neemias Queta. Payton Pritchard came off of the bench for the first time this season as the Celtics are now down a guard due to the trade. Dallas started Max Christie, Cooper Flagg, Naji Marshall, Caleb Martin and Daniel Gafford. They had a lengthy injury report; Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, P.J. Washington, Dereck Lively II, D’Angelo Russell, Brandon Williams and Dante Exum all missed the game for Dallas.
The Celtics got off to a 7-2 start but Dallas quickly took it back with an 8-0 run of their own. It was a hot start for Jaylen Brown. He scored 12 of the first 15 Celtics points, going 5/8 from the field and 2/2 from three.
The Celtics led 32-29 after the first quarter, thanks to another Payton Pritchard buzzer beater.
No surprises here, another Payton Pritchard buzzer beater!
Brown led the team with 15 points while Payton gave the team 8 points on 4/5 shooting off the bench.
The Celtics created a little separation in the 2nd quarter. A 18-5 start and an 11-0 put Boston up 16, 50-34. However, back-to-back Dallas baskets including a wide open layup had Joe Mazzulla calling a timeout.
Dallas closed the quarter with 10-2 run to cut Boston’s 16-point lead in half by halftime. The Celtics led 52-44, Brown had 17 points while Pritchard had 15 points off of the bench. For the Mavericks, Caleb Martin had 11 points in the first half (because of course he did).
This is Caleb Martin's fourth double-digit scoring performance in 43 games played this season.
The Mavericks kept pushing in the third quarter, but the Cs did a good job at keeping Dallas at an arm’s length with Luka Garza’s back-to-back threes. Then, the Celtics put together an 8-0 run to extend the lead to 19.
The Celtics led the Mavs 86-67 at the end of three quarters. Luka Garza was great; he had 16 points while going 4/4 from three, including 3 in the third quarter. JB led the team in scoring with 25 points.
Boston ballooned the lead to 23 points but Dallas fought back with a 15-5 run to cut the Celtics lead to 13. However, Sam Hauser hit a big three to settle everyone down and got the lead back to 16.
Dallas tried to make a real push to get back in the game, but 8 straight Jaylen Brown points kept them at a distance.
The Celtics won the game, advancing to 32-18 on the season. They shot 49% from the field and 33% from three while the Mavericks shot 42% from the field and 28% from three. The Celtics next game is tomorrow night at 8 EST in Houston.
A sellout crowd packed Barclays Center to watch what might have been LeBron James’ last game in New York.
They saw King James give the Nets a royal thrashing.
The Nets got beaten 125-109 by James and his Lakers before a crowd of 18,248 on Tuesday night. And it wasn’t as close as the score would indicate.
This was yet another desultory performance by a team getting all too comfortable with getting blown out and bullied around.
“Man, they just came out and punched us in the face, honestly speaking. Lobs, yeah, they just look like the Globetrotters out there,” Ziaire Williams said. “Honestly it was just pretty embarrassing.”
The Nets (13-36) had already suffered a 54-point loss to the Knicks on Jan. 21 and a 53-point rout at the Pistons on Feb. 1, only the fourth team in NBA history with multiple 50-point losses in the same season. They had a 37-point caning at the Clippers sandwiched in between, just for good measure.
LeBron James slams home a dunk during the first half of the Nets’ 125-109 blowout loss to the Lakers at Barclays Center on Feb. 3, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Tuesday they trailed by 39 before at least trying to make it respectable, rallying rather than wilting. But it was too little and far, far too late.
“Yeah, more of the same. We got to figure something out,” Nic Claxton told The Post. “Like, this is not basketball. We’re supposed to be NBA basketball players. We shouldn’t be getting beat by this much. We shouldn’t get down by this much.”
Michael Porter Jr. led the Nets with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
Day’Ron Sharpe had season highs of 19 points, 14 boards and five assists off the bench, while Williams added 17 points on 7-for-11 shooting in his return from injury.
But Porter, their deadeye shooter, was 0-for-9 from deep. Egor Dëmin, their point guard, had a game-high six turnovers. And Claxton was a staggering minus-30.
The Lakers pulled out a zone defense, and the Nets offense went into abysmal disarray.
Michael Porter Jr. drives to the basket during the first half of the Nets’ blowout home loss to the Lakers. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“They played zone. It’s kind of been a kryptonite I would say for the past couple years for us,” Sharpe said. “We had 20 turnovers and whenever you turn the ball over like that it usually doesn’t work out for you.”
James — who has been in the league longer than most of Brooklyn’s starting lineup have been alive — was the one that looked young and spry. He had 25 points, seven assists, three steals and sailed in for several highlight dunks before checking out with 8:05 remaining to loud applause.
If it was the 41-year-old’s final competitive game in New York — and he hasn’t made any declarative statements about how long he’ll play — it was a solid one.
Ziaire Williams drives down court as LeBron James defends during the Nets’ blowout home loss to the Lakers. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“It’s LeBron James obviously,” Sharpe said. “But he bleeds just like we bleed, so just trying to beat him, for real.”
The Nets were the only ones bleeding, after the Lakers punched them in the mouth.
They trailed by as much as 39, at 83-44 when Luka Doncic (24 points, six rebounds, five assists) hit from behind the arc with 8:08 left in the third.
It was 111-83 when James checked out with 8:05 to play.
The rest was garbage time, and a crowd filled with purple-and-gold-clad Lakers fans cheering for James’ son, Bronny, who scored a couple of late buckets that sent them into a frenzy.
Brooklyn kept pace with Washington, tied for fourth in the lottery odds. They’re a game behind the Indiana Pacers and two clear of the sixth-place Utah Jazz.
DALLAS, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 03: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots over Sam Hauser #30 of the Boston Celtics during the second quarter at American Airlines Center on February 03, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The shorthanded Dallas Mavericks (19-31) looked lost in Tuesday’s 110-100 loss to the Boston Celtics (32-18) at American Airlines Center, extending their losing streak to five games. The Mavericks were without P.J. Washington (head), Brandon Williams (leg) and D’Angelo Russell (illness) and lost big man Daniel Gafford to yet another ankle injury in their latest loss. The night is dark and full of terrors, y’all.
Jaylen Brown scorched Dallas for 15 points and five rebounds in the first quarter, a sure sign of trouble to come. But Dallas countered with the vaunted one-two punch of Cooper Flagg and Caleb Martin, who combined for 15 points of their own in the first to keep the Mavericks’ heads above water, trailing 32-29 after one. Martin found Flagg running along the baseline in transition for a man-sized alley-oop slam less than five minutes into the proceedings to give the Mavs an early 12-9 lead.
Klay Thompson came off a screen near the top of the key for a 3-pointer to tie the game, 32-32, on Dallas’ first make of the second quarter, but the Celtics responded with a little 9-2 run over the next two minutes to force Mavs’ head coach Jason Kidd into his first timeout of the game, trailing 41-34. The Celtics scored the game’s next eight points after the timeout to extend the run and put the Mavs behind the eight-ball midway through the second.
Finally, Flagg drove down the lane and converted a hard-earned leaner in the lane to stop the bleeding, with five minutes left before halftime, but the Mavs were already down 50-36 at that point. Dallas went nearly four minutes without scoring at one point in the second and shot just 7-of-22 from the field and just 1-of-9 from beyond the arc in the period. Boston led 52-44 at the break after letting the Mavs back in it with a 10-2 run late in the second.
Flagg nailed a contested jumper on the Mavs’ first possession of the third to continue that run, but Brown and the Celtics kept the Mavericks at arm’s length throughout most of the quarter. Flagg recorded a highlight chase-down block on a transition attempt from Baylor Scheierman two minutes later, and Max Christie hit his first 3-pointer of the game with 8:20 left in the third to bring Dallas to within 58-51. Luka Garza knocked down back-to-back 3-balls, though, with 3:30 left in the third to extend the Boston lead to 15, up 78-63.
Brown, who entered the fourth with 25 points and 10 rebounds already to his credit, rested to start the fourth quarter, but the Celtics didn’t miss him much. The lead floated near 20 points for much of the final frame. Flagg, however, continued to pour it in for Dallas. He nailed a 3-pointer with eight minutes remaining to give him 33 points and push his season scoring average to just over 20 points per game. He became the only teenager in NBA history to score 30 or more points in three straight games in the loss, and also the first rookie to score 34 or more in three straight since Trae Young did it in 2018. Flagg finished with 36 points, nine boards and six assists, another otherworldly performance in another hopeless Mavericks’ loss.
Brown came into the game with nine minutes remaining, as the Mavs threatened to get back in it, and scored on a forceful drive through the lane to give him a team-high 27 points on the night. He scored another tear-drop in transition over Flagg with five minutes to play to give Boston a 104-89 advantage. He finished with 33 points and 11 rebounds in the win.
Lack of assets
All you have to do is watch a few games to realize why, as ESPN’s Shams Charania reported earlier on Monday, Dallas’ phone lines remain “wide open” as the NBA Trade Deadline nears. Why would anyone want any of these guys? Flagg is the only winning player on the Mavericks’ roster at this point, and this team is truly hard to watch in long stretches.
Naji Marshall can’t save you, Mavs fans, even as nice as he’s looked this year. None of the guards are bringing any juice right now. Martin is a starter at this point. What are we even doing here?
The Celtics focused all of their energy on slowing Flagg down, forcing the rest of the Mavs to come to the table with literally anything at all. Most of the time, it just wasn’t there. This season is in the sewer. We are waist-deep in the muck.
Gafford goes down, gets back up
Late in the second quarter, Daniel Gafford, one of the most mediocre trade assets the Mavericks have dangled this winter, went down with an apparent ankle injury while moving into position for a rebound. If there was any hope of getting anything for Gafford before Tuesday’s game, the chances of doing so took a big hit as Gafford writhed in pain in the lane and was helped to the locker room with two minutes to go before the half.
Gafford’s right ankle has given him trouble for most of the season, since he sprained it in training camp and missed the first five games of the year. He hasn’t been right since, and his already modest production has been neutered as a result. He appeared to hurt the same ankle on Tuesday.
It was announced midway through the third quarter that Gafford would be available to return against the Celtics. He came back into the game with 5:18 left in the third quarter for some reason and immediately winced with apparent pain in his right shoulder after grabbing his first rebound of the second half.
Gafford skied for a putback dunk on Thompson’s missed jumper with 2:15 left in the third to get to eight points and eight rebounds in just 17 minutes to that point, perhaps giving potential trade suitors something to think about with his all-out effort in the face of what has been a tough season. He ran through Garza on his way to the bucket with 31 seconds left in the third for a basket that was wiped away on review as the Celtics took an 86-67 lead into the fourth quarter.
Thin bench
The Celtics got 26 points from Peyton Pritchard and 16 more from Garza off the bench while the Mavs searched for any production whatsoever from their beleaguered second unit. Boston’s bench outscored Dallas’ 44-22 and helped the Celtics coast to the win. After the Celtics’ 5-of-20 start from 3-point range, Boston made seven of their next 14 from distance to close out the win. Garza made all four of his 3-point attempts, tying a career-high mark in the win.
No Maverick reserve scored more than seven points in Tuesday’s loss.
Nov 18, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) lays up a shot past Portland Trail Blazers guard Caleb Love (2) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images | Soobum Im-Imagn Images
Feb 3, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Christian Koloko (35) defends Miami Heat forward Simone Fontecchio (0) during the first half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images | Rhona Wise-Imagn Images
In a matchup featuring the two fastest teams in the NBA, the Atlanta Hawks were in South Beach to take on the Miami Heat on Tuesday evening. After dropping two consecutive games against Houston and Indiana, the Hawks were looking to get back to winning ways — and keep the surging Charlotte Hornets* off their tails for the 10-seed in the Eastern Conference.
*winners of seven straight!
The Hawks were without Kristaps Porzingis* (illness) and Onyeka Okongwu (dental fracture) for this one. Meanwhile, Miami were missing Andrew Wiggins (left hamstring tightness), Tyler Herro (ribs), and Norman Powell (personal) — who was named to his first career All-Star game on Sunday.
Atlanta reinserted Christian Koloko into the lineup tonight, as he joined Daniels, Alexander-Walker, Risacher and Jalen Johnson in the starting unit. Davion Mitchell, Pelle Larson, Myron Gardner, Simone Fontecchio and Bam Adebayo started the game for Miami.
Miami’s pace was on display early on, as they raced out to a 9-3 lead with multiple buckets in transition before back-to-back triples from Risacher and Alexander-Walker got Atlanta settled into the contest.
Though Norman Powell was sidelined for this one, Jalen Johnson reminded the Miami crowd that there was still an All-Star competing in tonight’s game — slicing through the lane for this emphatic jam on Jaime Jaquez Jr. mid-way through the quarter to put the Hawks up 17-13.
Miami knotted things at 19, before a 14-4 Hawks run over the last four-and-a-half minutes of the period put the good guys up by 10 heading into the second quarter. Though Risacher gets the highlight for this deft finish in transition — CJ McCollum was instrumental for Atlanta during this run, pouring in 8 points on 3-of-4 shooting off the bench in the opening frame.
Atlanta kept their foot on the gas to open the second quarter. Asa Newell and Jalen Johnson made their presence felt on the interior with back-to-back jams, before a three from Luke Kennard extended the lead to 48-30 at the 7:51 mark of the second.
A mini-run from the Heat brought them as close as 11 points, but the Hawks quickly extinguished any talk of a first-half comeback, closing the quarter on a Jalen Johnson-led 11-5 run to take a 67-50 lead into the locker room.
The biggest difference between the two sides in the first half was the three-point shooting. Atlanta shot 11-for-28 (39.3%) from distance while Miami went just 5-for-19 (26.3%). Jalen Johnson led all scorers at the half with 15 points. Simone Fontecchio was the high man for Miami with 11 points.
Miami looked the better team to start the second half, opening the quarter on a 19-7 run to cut the lead to five at the 7:03 mark of the period. With the Heat gaining momentum, an and-one bucket from Kispert at the 5:37 mark kept Miami at arms length.
True to their nature however, Miami would not concede so easily — cutting the lead to 11 at the 8:52 mark of the fourth, resulting in an early timeout for Quin Snyder. Out of the timeout, a refocused Hawks side put things right, going on an 8-0 run (punctuated by the Mo Gueye triple below) to get the lead back up to 19 with 7:01 remaining.
From there, it was quite comfortable for Atlanta. Both sides cleared their benches with a little over a minute left to play, and the Hawks took home a comfortable 127-115 win.
Jalen Johnson finished with 29 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists — his 9th triple-double of the season. CJ McCollum poured in 26 points (6-for-9 from three-point range) — setting a new Hawks-high for the veteran guard. Nickeil Alexander-Walker chipped in with 19 points.
Atlanta is back in action on Thursday night, taking on the Utah Jazz on their home floor. They’ll be looking to to continue to build momentum as the All Star break approaches.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 17: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket against Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half at Rocket Arena on November 17, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Cavaliers are still looking to move backup point guard Lonzo Ball.
The Cavaliers aren't done, either. Cleveland is very much still working towards finding a trade partner to assume Lonzo Ball's $10 million salary, per sources.
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Trading Ball would only help decrease the salary for this season. His non-guaranteed contract for next season could be waived in the summer at no cost. Moving him would only be necessary if you’re trying to duck under the second apron this season. And even at that, trading Ball alone wouldn’t get them under. They would be roughly $3.8 million above the second apron.
Additionally, the Cavs only have two movable second-round picks that they could move to get off of Ball’s salary. They sent one out to Los Angeles in the Harden trade. They may have a difficult time finding a suitor for Ball with their remaining second-rounders.
It’d be unwise to rule out the possibility that the Cavs have another larger deal that they’re trying to work through. If so, moving Ball would be necessary to facilitate something like that. As reported earlier today by ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Cavs have made calls to the Milwaukee Bucks about Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Dallas Mavericks about Anthony Davis.
Trading Ball makes sense regardless of what else the team has planned for the rest of the season. The Cavs have until the Feb. 5 deadline to find a trade partner for Ball.
BROOKLYN, NY - FEBRUARY 3: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on February 3, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Lakers closed their road trip in style, dominating the Nets from start to finish on Tuesday en route to a 125-109 win.
The Lakers scored 45 points in the first quarter, 69 in the first half and built up a 39-point lead before the break. Predictably, the second half was little more than conditioning for the two sides with Brooklyn making the score look much more respectable.
The game began with four of LA’s starters scoring early. Egor Dëmin drained a 3-pointer for the Nets. Brooklyn called a timeout after Deandre Ayton scored on a layup, putting the Lakers up by three. Out of the break, Michael Porter Jr. was fouled from behind the arc and converted on two of his freebies.
Los Angeles missed their first shot of the quarter at the 7:02 mark after starting the game going 7-7 from the field. Jake LaRavia was having a strong first period with six points.
LA extended their scoring run to 18-4 for an 11-point lead. As usual, Luka Dončić was the first Lakers in double figures with 10 points.
Day’Ron Sharpe scored a quick four points off the bench for Brooklyn. Jaxson Hayes had a million dunks, resulting in a quick nine points for Los Angeles.
Austin Reaves returned to action and was in his usual form, drawing a foul and converting on his free throws. At the end of the first, the purple and gold were up by 22.
The Lakers hit a ridiculous 15 of 18 FG’s (83.3%) towards 45 1st Q points, despite missing 6 free throws.
They lead 45-23 in Brooklyn as they try to close this road trip at 5-3.
The second period began with LeBron converting on a layup. Reaves then connected with LeBron for an insane alley-oop that had everyone buzzing.
The Lakers were in complete control of the game as the Nets looked awful. LeBron threw down yet another dunk, dazzling the large group of Laker fans who filled Barclays Center.
LA’s only fault was free throws as they were shooting 61% from the charity stripe.
Reaves was now up to nine points as LA built a 38-point lead. Los Angeles started to play a little sloppy and allowed Brooklyn to score seven in a row as the half was winding down. Still, the Lakers were up by 29 at halftime.
The third period started with LeBron scoring on a layup, forcing a timeout by the Nets. Out of the break, Brooklyn turned the ball over and it led to yet another dunk on the other end by LeBron. Reaves knocked down his first 3-pointer after five attempts.
The Lakers were +6 in the 6:20 that the new projected starters — Luka, AR, Smart, LeBron, DA — played to open the second half.
Brooklyn started making more of their shots, knocking down four triples and shooting 58% from the field. Luka converted on four shots for nine points in the quarter. Brooklyn outscored LA 34 to 31 in the third.
Going into the fourth period, the Lakers were up by 26.
The fourth quarter happened.
Key Player Stats
Luka finished with 24 points, six rebounds and five assists in 29 minutes. LeBron scored 25 points with three rebounds, seven assists and three steals. In Reaves’ return, he ended with 15 points, four rebounds and two steals in 21 minutes.
Hayes had nine points with two assists. LaRavia pitched in with 18 points and five rebounds. Ayton notched seven points and eight rebounds.
The Lakers’ next matchup will be against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday at 7:00 PM PT.
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - FEBRUARY 02: Jaren Jackson Jr. #8 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts during the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at FedExForum on February 02, 2026 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
They did it. The Utah Jazz front office pooled its expansive war chest of assets and took aim at a game-changing, contribute-today type of player. From my home in Japan, I woke up to a vibrating hailstorm of NBA alerts, which made my 7:00 alarm entirely obsolete. Much better to be awoken by good news than just another typical day of work, eh?
Jaren Jackson Jr, a versatile and acclaimed 6-foot-10 forward, had spent the first seven years of his NBA career in Memphis. Snagged with the fourth overall pick out of Michigan State back in 2018, JJJ is the second pillar of the Grizzlies’ core to fall, following Desmond Bane, who was jettisoned to Orlando in the offseason.
By dealing Jackson, the Grizzlies have enacted a rebuilding policy upon themselves, discarding the original game plan to start anew. No bear tracks in the freshly laid powder snow.
The bear is in Utah. He is called the Jazz Bear. And his arrival indicates a change in pace for the slow-building Utah Jazz, who marked the path for self-destruction and new beginnings back in 2022, when they sent their once-championship-contending core of Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell, Mike Conley, and company across the National Basketball Association (but mostly to Minnesota, eventually) in the hopes of sprouting new hope from the rubble.
That torch is now carried by the Grizzlies. From this exchange, Memphis adds experimental pieces of Utah’s young core ripe for in-house development, and some draft picks for good measure. Utah, exporting some of their filler youngsters in favor of more experienced and proven imports, has shifted up a gear by adding Jackson. His arrival carries a promise that the Jazz have little intention of losing in the future.
This trade includes eight players and three draft picks, and I’ll break down each piece of the deal right here, right now.
To Utah, From Memphis:
MEMPHIS, TN – JANUARY 23: Jaren Jackson Jr. #8 of the Memphis Grizzlies dribbles the ball during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on January 23, 2026 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Jaren Jackson Jr | 6’10” 242 lbs | Forward/Center
Here’s the big one. The king of the pond. The great fish from which fishing tales are orated. Jaren Jackson Jr is the headliner of the trade, and for good reason. The 2022-23 Defensive Player of the Year, a two-time All-Star, two-time block champion, and three-time All-Defense team member, Jackson is a defensive stalwart who just as naturally spaces the floor on the offensive end, shooting 35% from distance in his career.
Pairing alongside Walker Kessler (assuming Utah doesn’t fumble in restricted free agency), Jackson and Kessler would be the best rim-protecting frontcourt in basketball by a galaxy’s length, ranking second and third for opponent field goal percentage within the restricted area over the past five seasons, both at 52.3%. That’s just ahead of Rudy Gobert, 52.4%.
…the Utah Jazz have recreated Gobert in the aggregate, and tacked on some offensive firepower in the process.
Speaking of Gobert, time is finally unveiling what came of his blockbuster trade back in 2022, as the assets gathered in that exchange have now actualized into Walker Kessler, Keyonte George, and Jaren Jackson Jr. It’s Billy Beane’s dream — the Utah Jazz have recreated Gobert in the aggregate, and tacked on some offensive firepower in the process.
For the Jazz, who might be the worst defense in the entire NBA, adding a legitimate all-world level defender with actual offensive ability is a major net positive. All that, plus the fact that Jackson is just 26 years old, should have the atmosphere buzzing in SLC (but try not to think too long about his $50 million price tag in a few seasons).
Jaren Jackson Jr. in Memphis
franchise rankings:
8th in games 6th in points 7th in rebounds 6th in steals 3rd in blocks 4th in threes
four playoff appearances one conf semis 56 wins in '22 51 wins in '23 DPOY in '22 3x All-Defense (2x 1st) 2x All-Star 2x blocks leader pic.twitter.com/xVtEx5yVuZ
MEMPHIS, TN – DECEMBER 7: John Konchar #46 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks to pass the ball during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on December 7, 2025 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
John Konchar | 6’5” 210 lbs | Guard
The pride of Purdue University Fort Wayne, John Konchar quickly became a fan-favorite in Memphis after being snagged in undrafted free agency in 2019. And how could anyone not love Konchar? His number 46 jersey, his hustle-first, think later mindset, and positional versatility are all reasons why Memphis fell in love with Konchar, though his production and involvement in the Grizzlies’ lineup have taken a bit of a dip in recent years.
With the Jazz, Konchar’s role will likely be similar to that in Memphis: the glue-guy, energizer off the bench who lives to light a fire on the floor and under the feet of his teammates.
Vince Williams Jr. | 6’4” 205 lbs | Guard
Williams was taken out of VCU in the second round back in 2022 as a versatile, switchable defender who can space the floor on offense and hit the occasional three-pointer. In practice, he’s a bit more of a defensive specialist. Horribly inefficient in his fourth NBA season with 35% field goal shooting and 30% from distance, what Williams lacks in reliable shooting, he adds in defensive know-how. For a team like Utah, which has been without competent perimeter defense for far too long (not you, Cody, you’re doing great), Vince Williams’ role is set before him.
MEMPHIS, TN – FEBRUARY 2: Jock Landale #31 of the Memphis Grizzlies boxes out during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on February 2, 2026 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Jock Landale | 6’11” 255 lbs | Center
Landale is another product of the Randy Bennett Aussie pipeline out of Saint Mary’s College. He’s a lifetime bench big who saw his career take an upward turn after joining the Memphis Grizzlies. This season, Landale’s averages have doubled in nearly every category since his inclusion in the starting lineup (courtesy of Zach Edey’s crumbling body).
Landale began his professional career as an artist, playing in the paint. With a wide array of hookshots and old-man-style footwork in the paint, he carved out a niche in the NBA. But in recent years, he’s made a Brook Lopez-esque improvement as a three-point shooter, knocking through 38% of his attempts beyond the arc, of which he’s shot nearly three per game this season. Challenging the 40% threshold is a remarkable improvement, considering the first three years of his career were much closer to 25%. He also shows promise as an offensive rebounder, nearly matching his count of rebounds on the defensive end. Still, that means he collects just six boards per night.
The Utah Jazz are stuffed to capacity at the center position, unfortunately, so the 30-going-on-31 Landale will have to fight for minutes among established giants like Kessler, Nurkic, and now Jaren Jackson Jr.
To Memphis, From Utah:
Three First-Round Draft Picks
These are what the Grizzlies were really after. Dumping your core of three former All-Stars (unless they can’t part with Morant) is a questionable decision without a plan for the future, and Memphis collected some promising future draft picks from a team looking for ways to lighten their load. From Utah’s collection of draft picks, the Grizzlies come away with optimism for the future.
These are the draft picks heading to Memphis:
2027 first-round pick via Utah or Minnesota or Cleveland (most favorable) 2027 first-round pick via Los Angeles Lakers (top-four protected) 2031 first-round pick via Phoenix
The Jazz gave away the most favorable of their many draft picks next year, so it’s official: there is no reason to tank in ‘26-’27. The Utah Jazz have returned to the straight and narrow way of ethical basketball. The social media tanking police can finally stand at ease; Utah is trying to win basketball games again.
This trade is a trailhead for two exciting transitions.
Utah is far from pushing all its chips into the center for this one, however, much like they did the last time they ushered an Earth-shaking trade with the Memphis Grizzlies, giving up a large portion of their future for Mike Conley Jr. back in 2019. They still hold at least one first-round pick in every draft from 2026, with fingers crossed that this year’s pick falls below the eighth pick, keeping it out of Oklahoma City’s white-gloved grip.
Utah obtained the Lakers’ 2027 first-rounder before divine intervention delivered Luka Doncic on a silver platter in Tinseltown. It was with zero tears that this pick was dealt.
It’s with similar dissociation that the Jazz parted with Phoenix’s 2031 first-rounder they worked so hard for last season. Prior to Phoenix’s resurgence this season, Matt Ishbia’s reign seemed self-destructive, with the core of Beal, Booker, and Durant imploding with very little to show for it. But credit to the Suns, they dug themselves out of that hole and managed to acquire Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green from Houston for a 37-year-old Kevin Durant. Phoenix no longer appears destined to scrape the bottom of the standings, and Utah sees more value in JJJ today than they project in a first-round pick five years from now.
This trade is a trailhead for two exciting transitions. For Memphis, a clean slate and all the patience in the world to obtain a franchise cornerstone through the draft. For Utah, the pendulum swings toward competitive basketball. Finally, the Jazz will be gunning for a playoff position again, and a saving light has appeared above the heinous concourses of basketball hell.
TORONTO, CANADA – FEBRUARY 1: Walter Clayton Jr. #13 of the Utah Jazz dribbles up court against the Toronto Raptors during the second half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on February 1, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Walter Clayton Jr | 6’4” 195 lbs | Guard
Of all the players given up in this deal, Utah will miss Clayton the most. A player they traded up to grab in this year’s draft, the former national champion and Final Four Most Outstanding Player entered Utah in hopes of developing quickly and fighting for minutes at point guard.
He has yet to break through as an NBA player, though, buried beneath the supernova of Keyonte George and the steady playmaking of Isaiah Collier. Clayton flashed passing upside in his first 45 games as a pro, but his trademark three-pointer has struggled to catch up, coming in at just 30.8%.
The book is not closed on Clayton as a pro, of course, and with a more straightforward backcourt in Memphis, Walt could see more consistent burn and find his rhythm with the Grizzlies.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JANUARY 10: Taylor Hendricks #0 of the Utah Jazz prepares to shoot a free throw during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on January 10 2026 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Taylor Hendricks | 6’9” 215 lbs | Forward
The Taylor Hendricks experience did not go according to plan in Utah.
Selected ninth overall in 2022, Hendricks was the first draft pick of the Jazz reconstruction. Injuries and inconsistent play plagued Hendricks since entering the NBA, unfortunately, and he never really found his place with the Jazz.
It’s never fair to judge a player’s career when injuries occupy so many chapters, and Taylor Hendricks was a victim of horrific luck in his first two and a half seasons of pro basketball. His broken leg suffered as a sophomore sidelined Hendricks until 2025, and he never quite found his place in Will Hardy’s lineups. The letters DNP have been stamped on Hendricks’ box score a discouraging number of times this season, especially recently. He’s appeared in just 33 games this season.
Given time and patience, Hendricks could develop into a serviceable rotation-level player in the NBA. That potential never materialized with the Jazz.
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – JANUARY 27: Kyle Anderson #2 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the second half against the Los Angeles Clippers at Delta Center on January 27, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Kyle Anderson | 6’8” 230 lbs | Forward
Slo Mo is an NBA journeyman who, hilariously enough, enjoyed the best years of his career with Memphis back in ‘18-‘24. Anderson joined the Jazz through a trade with Miami that posted the forward in a veteran role, and he played the part very well for the youth movement in Utah, however briefly.
Anderson, now 32 (going on 50), will likely fill a similar role in Memphis that he did in Utah. He does a bit of everything — scoring, passing, rebounding, defending — despite potentially being the slowest professional athlete on the face of the Earth.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 13: Nickeil Alexander-Walker #7 of the Atlanta Hawks and Georges Niang #31 of the Utah Jazz high five after the game on November 13, 2025 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Georges Niang | 6’6” 230 lbs | Forward
Few things have been more disappointing this season than the fact that we never got to witness Georges Niang back in a Utah Jazz jersey after all these years. I wrote a tear-jerking reunion story (historical fiction) before the season about Niang’s return to the Salt Lake Valley, and it brings me great despair that Niang never set foot on the floor.
After being drafted to Indiana in 2016, Niang spent the first five seasons of his career in the Beehive State before bouncing from Philadelphia to Cleveland to Atlanta and back to Utah before, of course, now being dealt to Memphis. Now 32 years old, Niang lands with the Grizzlies as a three-point specialist, who will be ready to plug-and-play in the near future, as his most recent injury update posted Niang as week-to-week.
Player Retained in Utah
Perhaps the most important wrinkle for Utah’s end of the trade is the players they were able to retain while adding Jackson. Truth be told, though the Jazz were hopeful that Clayton and Hendricks would pan out, Utah gave away very little from a personnel standpoint.
The Jazz still have Keyonte George in a breakout season, Ace Bailey, who is seen by many as a foundational piece in Utah’s future, former All-Star Lauri Markkanen, and Walker Kessler, currently out with injury and pending restricted free agency.
But the Jazz didn’t even have to part ways with their most promising youngsters outside the starting lineup, either. Cody Williams, who is finally showing signs of life in his sophomore season, will remain in Utah. As will Brice Sensabaugh, Isaiah Collier, and Kyle Filipowski, all of whom are gradually developing into rotational players in Will Hardy’s depth chart.
2026 marks the end of the line for Utah’s tank, and that is worth celebrating.
Jackson’s addition to the starting lineup makes Utah’s roster one of the most fascinating in the league. A starting five of Keyonte George (6’4”), Ace Bailey (6’9”), Lauri Markkanen (7’1”), Jaren Jackson Jr (6’10”), and Walker Kessler (7’2”) is gargantuan and could be formidable with a few years to mesh.
2026 marks the end of the line for Utah’s tank, and that is worth celebrating. In this deal, the Jazz lost three first-round picks, while maintaining a spot in every single first round moving forward. They gave away two non-foundational youth who still have a long journey of growth before they’re ready to contribute at a high level. Utah will not suffer from the loss of Anderson, and couldn’t possibly miss a player who never even suited up to play.
Whether this version of the Jazz will be competitive in the coming years is yet to be determined, but few can deny that this is a franchise finally moving in the right direction.
Calvin Barrett is a writer, editor, and prolific Mario Kart racer located in Tokyo, Japan. He has covered the NBA and College Sports since 2024.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Dailyn Swain scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and Texas pulled ahead midway through the second half to beat South Carolina 84-75 on Tuesday night.
Tramon Mark added 18 points for Texas (14-9, 5-5 Southeastern Conference). Camden Heide and Matas Vokietaitis chipped in with 12 points apiece. Texas finished 29-of-36 shooting from the line (81%), with Swain hitting all nine of his free-throw attempts. Heide made three of the Longhorns' seven 3-pointers.
Heide made consecutive 3-pointers to give the Longhorns the lead for good, 56-50, with 10:37 to play. The Gamecocks later used a 5-0 spurt to cut the deficit to 70-68 with 3:23 to go. Swain answered with a jumper and dunk.
Meechie Johnson scored a career-best 35 points on 12-of-21 shooting to lead South Carolina. He also made 10 of 14 free throws. Elijah Strong added 12 points for the Gamecocks (11-12, 2-8), who have four straight and seven of eight.
South Carolina opened on a 16-7 run and didn't trail until Texas closed the first half on 7-3 surge for a 35-31 lead at the break. Vokietaitis scored eight points and Swain added seven. Johnson scored 15 first-half points for the Gamecocks.
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 3: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks and Alexandre Sarr #20 of the Washington Wizards look on during the game on February 3, 2026 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
One day coach Brian Keefe will bring a football to practice and the Wizards will discover they’ve been playing the wrong sport all along. Until then, Washington (13-36) will continue to play their unique brand of NBA hoops. Tonight, they hosted the Knicks (32*-18), and there was so much orange and blue in the crowd that this was essentially a home game for New York. The third-quarter MVP chant for Jalen Brunson shook the shingles on Capital One Arena, and when the Knicks finished with a 132-101 win—their seventh straight—more than half of those in attendance left satisfied.
New York had the game in their grip from the tip, ripping off seven straight points before Washington noticed the game was underway. Josh Hart should be called Elmer because the dude is all glue. He rebounded, pushed the pace, and created clean looks for OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and himself. In a game cut short by injury, Josh recorded just four points, but his seven boards, seven dimes, and endless energy powered him to a +34.
Meanwhile, Brunson sputtered from deep (21 points, 7-16 FG, 1-6 3PT) but delivered on the other end, like when he stepped in front of Sarr to draw a league-leading 14th charge. The Wiz, meanwhile, shot 11-of-31 from deep tonight and mostly survived on midrange jumpers and whatever they could scrounge up in the paint. That old pro Middleton was the only reliable ‘Zard, finishing with 12 points. Bub Carrington scored a very low-calorie 14.
Bridges set the tone on both ends. He finished with 23 points on 8-of-10 from the field, 3-of-4 from deep and two blocks—one at the rim on Coulibaly, another chasing down Carrington on the perimeter. Add Anunoby’s three three-pointers and a 7-of-13 team mark from deep, and the first quarter closed with New York up 38–22.
Second frame, the results were the same. With Tyler Kolek handling point guard duties, the Knicks continued to methodically make their shots and apply defensive screws. Towns was the anchor, scoring at the rim, stepping out for a three, cleaning the glass, and even jumping a passing lane for a steal. He would finish the game with a league-leading 33rd double-double, scoring 19 points, 15 boards, three assists, and two steals in 26 minutes. Not a bad night of work for the All-Star who got piggy-back rides from Sarr all night.
Midway through the second quarter, the floodgates opened. In a 95-second stretch, the Knicks scored 14 unanswered points to go ahead by 29. Washington was doomed. Middleton tried his best, and Sarr showed occasional flashes, but undercut them with turnovers and fouls. But Washington was doomed.
By the break, New York was ahead 72-45, with their biggest halftime lead of the season. They had outshot the home team from the field, 55% to 39%, and from deep, 50% to 33%. New York had assists on 16 of their 24 made field goals, won the boards (27-20), and blocked five shots. In the first half, Towns led all scorers with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Middleton had seven points for the hosts.
The Knicks brought the same dominance to Q3. OG (19 points, 6-of-11 FG) and Mikal scored on cuts and floaters while Brunson mixed drives, free throws, and a pull-up three to keep the lead in the 20s. Washington found a smattering of offense from Carrington and Middleton, but they could never gain ground. Nor did they have an answer for KAT, who scored at will in the paint, scrubbed the boards, and cleaned up at the free-throw line. The lead reached 32. Even when the Knicks fell into a shooting lull, Washington couldn’t get their act together. The only bummer of the period was when Josh Hart left the game, limping to the locker room. Otherwise, the sailing was smooth. Knicks up 102-71 going into the fourth.
Washington continued to take their lumps in the final frame. The lead ballooned to 41, so Coach Brown fielded a bench crew of Kolek, Jordan Clarkson, Dillon Jones, Trey Jemison, and Ariel Hukporti. Kolek had a rough shooting night (3 points, 1-0f-7 FG), but logged six assists and two turnovers in his 21 minutes. The rest of the bench contributed meaningfully, too. Huk protected the rim plus scored 12 points, nine boards, and a three-pointer (!); Mohamed Diawara scored five points and facilitated two dimes in four minutes before an ankle injury cut short a promising performance; and Landry Shamet chipped in 14 points, making 4-of-6 from range.
Up Next
Quoth Jaybugkit, “Good stuff, no drama stress free team win.” Now our heroes zip back to NYC for a tilt with the Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets tomorrow. Safe travels, Knickerbockers.
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 03: Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks goes to the basket against Alex Sarr #20 of the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on February 3, 2026 in Washington, DC. 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 Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Oh boy. This was not a good game at all. The Washington Wizards lost to the New York Knicks, 132-101 on Tuesday night at Capital One Arena.
Washington never led in this game and were behind by as many as 41 points at one point in the fourth quarter. That tells you all you need to know about how this game went.
Mikal Bridges scored 23 points on 8-of-10 shooting in the game. For Washington, Will Riley led with 17 points. The biggest statistical disparity here was that the Knicks dished a total of 34 assist while the Wizards only nasty 19 assists themselves. Even if the Wizards evened up the assist margin, they probablty would have still lost, but it wouldn’t have been so lopsided.
I’m just not in a good mood right now, so less is more with this recap.
The Wizards’ next game is on Thursday when they head on the road to play the Detroit Pistons. Tip off is at 7 p.m. ET. See you then.
