WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Bad Bunny really wanted to see Carlos Correa play for Puerto Rico at home in the World Baseball Classic.
Correa, the infielder for the Houston Astros left off the WBC roster over insurance coverage, said Friday that the music superstar and fellow native of Puerto Rico had offered to pay for a policy.
“It means a lot that he’s that involved,” Correa told reporters at the Astros' spring training complex. “He tried to do everything possible. I wanted to play and make sure that I was going to go out there and play for Team Puerto Rico in Puerto Rico. The fact that he did that means a lot in how much he cares for the country, how much he cares for the fans back home. I’m deeply grateful that he tried that hard.”
While not providing the name of the provider Bad Bunny proposed, Correa said it was one that was not approved by Major League Baseball, the Astros and Correa’s agent, Scott Boras. A person familiar with the process said MLB was not contacted about the possibility of Bad Bunny arranging an insurer. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no public statements were made.
“I could not sign my life away with something that three people that I trust are telling me not to do,” Correa said.
Puerto Rico is hosting pool play games in the WBC next month.
Bad Bunny's sports representation firm, Rimas Sports, and the MLB Players Association settled a lawsuit last year after the union disciplined the agency over violations of its agent regulations. It revoked the agent certification of Rimas’ William Arroyo and denied certifications of executives Noah Assad and Jonathan Miranda, citing citing a $200,000 interest-free loan and a $19,500 gift. The union issued a $400,000 fine for misconduct. Arbitrator Ruth M. Moscovitch upheld the union’s five-year suspensions of Assad and Miranda and cut Arroyo’s suspension to three years.
___
AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report from New York.
RENNES, France (AP) — Coachless Rennes stunned Ligue 1 leader Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 at home and snapped a five-game winless run on Friday.
The home side fired coach Habib Beye on Monday after its early season gains looked to be slipping away, and it was a firm underdog against PSG, which came to Brittany after winning all seven of its last league fixtures.
But Rennes hit the post early on and it got a reward for its confident start after 33 minutes. Jordanian midfielder Mousa Al-Tamari charged forward on the counterattack and found enough space between two defenders on the edge of the penalty area to curl in a superb opener.
PSG came into the game but was hesitant in front of goal and Esteban Lepaul doubled Rennes' lead midway through the second half. The prolific center forward rose highest to bullet a header past Matvey Safonov for his 11th goal of the season.
Former Rennes player Ousmane Dembélé pulled one back for PSG two minutes later but Breel Embolo restored Rennes' two-goal cushion in the 81st when he finished off another counterattack.
PSG remained atop the table but second-placed Lens can take over if it beats Paris FC on Saturday.
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12, 2026: Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) reacts towards Los Angeles Lakers guard Luke Kennard (10) after the Laker stake a double digit lead against the Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena on February 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The NBA season is a marathon, and at some point during the race, exhaustion sets in long before the finish line is within reach. That’s where the Lakers find themselves 54 games into their season.
They’ve been dealing with injuries all year long, and Luka Dončić is currently out with a hamstring strain. Record-wise at 33-21, they still have work to do to be considered legit contenders, as they sit at the No. 5 spot in the Western Conference.
Add in long road trips, a recent back-to-back against the two best teams in the West, and a schedule that hasn’t allowed for rest or practice, and LA is as happy as a team can be for the All-Star break to finally be here.
“I think it’s well-timed for everybody in the league,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said before LA’s game against Dallas. “Everybody in this league is going through it in some way. Even the, even the top teams. Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander’s] out, Jalen [Williams]’s out again. Detroit’s got guys suspended…We’ve talked about it as a group.
“This is probably the hardest schedule that I’ve been a part of in 17 years in the league prior to All-Star break. It’s not that it gets any easier. Last time we practiced was December 27. We don’t have two days between games from that point until I think it’s late March, so it’s almost three-month stretch. We’ll be able to get some work done next week on Wednesday and Thursday and it’ll be good for everybody for the mental and physical reset.”
Sometimes rest is the best path towards success and locking in. A week away from the beautiful game during the NBA season is rare, and the Lakers need to take advantage.
Still, most Lakers will have more free time than usual, and considering all the injuries they’ve had, this is an opportunity to get as healthy as possible.
Once they do return from the All-Star break, it will be a mad dash to the end of the season, and there will be no time to take a breather until the summer.
Hopefully, the Lakers are just as aggressive with their relaxation as they are with their level of play, so they can come back rested, recharged and ready to go on a run.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — After 21 seasons — which included 11 All-NBA nods, nine All-Defensive Teams and being a member of the NBA's 75th Anniversary team — Chris Paul announced he is retiring from the NBA.
Paul started the season with the Clippers, but things did not go according to plan. He was traded to Toronto at the deadline, and with the Raptors releasing him on Friday, Paul confirmed he was retiring in an Instagram post.
"This is it! After over 21 years I'm stepping away from basketball...
"While this chapter of being an 'NBA player' is done, the game of basketball will forever be ingrained in the DNA of my life. I've been in the NBA for more than half of my life, spanning three decades. It's crazy even saying that! Playing basketball for a living has been an unbelievable blessing that also came with lots of responsibility. I embraced it all. The good and the bad."
Paul will go down as one of the greatest point guards to ever play the game and his next stop will be the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
"Chris is a legend, man," said his former teammate and current NBC broadcaster Austin Rivers. "I think people get so caught up in the little things with Chris – and I call them little because they are, they're not in any way even of value compared to what he's done in basketball...
"Chris has cemented his legacy so long ago, he's one of the greatest point guards to ever play. Some of the most meaningful years of my career were playing with Chris. I got to back up Chris. Chris taught me how to be a pro, taught me how to approach the game with such a seriousness. He's one of the most competitive people I've ever seen in my life.
"I'm really happy for him that he's able to be at peace with basketball. He should. He's a top-five point guard to ever touch the ball, and only four other guys can say that."
Paul was a legend for his ability to squeeze out every little advantage he could find. He was the master of two-for-ones at the end of quarters, or calling out opponents whose jerseys were not tucked in, or any other little edge he thought he could gain. While Paul's intensity wore on some teammates, it also made the teams he was on winners. CP3 talked about this in his retirement announcement.
"As a lifelong learner, leadership is hard and is not for the weak. Some will like you and many people won't. But the goal was always the goal, and my intentions were always sincere (Damn, I love competing!). It feels really good knowing that I played and treated this game with the utmost respect since the day my dad introduced me to it."
Paul retires averaging 16.8 points, 9.2 assists, and 4.4 rebounds a game, while shooting 37% from 3-point range. He was a 12-time All-Star, a six-time league leader in steals, a five-time leader in assists, and the 2006 Rookie of the Year.
Paul is an unquestioned first-ballot Hall of Famer. That is the only thing left in his NBA career.
Chris Paul played for seven different teams in a 21-year period in the NBA [Getty Images]
NBA legend Chris Paul has announced his retirement after being released by the Toronto Raptors.
The 40-year-old, widely regarded as one of the sport's greatest point guards, was a 12-time NBA All-Star and 2006 Rookie of the Year.
One of only seven players to enjoy an NBA career spanning 21 seasons, Paul also helped the United States claim Olympic gold medals in Beijing in 2008 and then four years later in London.
"This is it! After 21 years I'm stepping away from basketball," he posted on Instagram.
"Mostly I'm filled with so much joy and gratitude! While this chapter of being an 'NBA player' is done, the game of basketball will forever be ingrained in the DNA of my life.
"I've been in the NBA for more than half of my life, spanning three decades. It's crazy even saying that."
Paul, who was nicknamed the 'Point of God', averaged 16.8 points, 9.2 assists, 4.4 rebounds and two steals a game during a 1,370-game career that started at the New Orleans Hornets in 2005 and effectively ended after a second spell at the Los Angeles Clippers.
He also featured for the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, the Phoenix Suns and the Golden State Warriors, but never played on an NBA championship-winning team.
He came closest to a gold ring in 2021, when Phoenix reached the NBA finals, only to lose to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Paul, who retires second in NBA history for both assists (12,552) and steals (2,728),
had not played since 1 December, with the Clippers trading him to Toronto earlier this month.
Feb 1, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Carter Bryant (11) dunks in front of Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) in the second half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
The Spurs will have a third participant in the Rising Stars this Friday. Carter Bryant will replace injured Grizzlies’ forward Cedric Coward in the event, joining Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle.
Carter will be part of Team Vince, which Vince Carter coaches. Castle and Harper are both on Team Melo, which is coached by Carmelo Anthony, so Bryant could face his teammates if both teams win their semifinal games.
Carter’s addition brings the Spurs’ participants in the event back to three, since two-way player David Jones-Garcia was originally slated to represent the G League team before having to bow out due to injury.
Bryant was likely named to the team because he was already in Los Angeles to participate in the dunk contest, but the rookie has done a lot to bring positive attention to his play lately. His season averages are not particularly impressive, but in his last 10 games, he’s averaging 7.1 points and 2.9 rebounds while shooting 40 percent from beyond the arc.
The Rising Stars game will take place on Friday, Feb. 13. The first semifinal will tip off at 8 p.m. CT and will be televised by Peacock.
Chris Paul, for years a star with the Clippers, announced his retirement after 21 years in the NBA on Friday after being waived by the Toronto Raptors. (Sue Ogrocki / Associated Press)
Chris Paul is stepping away from the NBA for good after more than two decades in the league.
The 12-time All Star who played a key role in the Clippers' "Lob City" era made the announcement Friday soon after being waived by the Toronto Raptors.
"This is it! After over 21 years I'm stepping away from basketball," Paul wrote in a lengthy statement posted to his Instagram account.
"As I write this, it's hard to really know what to feel, but for once — most people would be surprised — I don't have the answer lol! But, mostly I'm filled with so much joy and gratitude! While this chapter of being an 'NBA player' is done, the game of basketball will forever be engrained in the DNA of my life."
Paul was selected fourth overall by the New Orleans Hornets in the 2005 draft and was named the NBA's rookie of the year the following season. Playing for the Clippers from 2011 to 2017, Paul and Blake Griffin led the team to six winning seasons, its first two Pacific Division titles and three playoff series victories.
He went on to play for the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs before signing a $3.6-million deal to return to the Clippers last summer for what was largely expected to be his final season.
The reunion did not work out so well. Paul was abruptly dismissed by the Clippers in early December, traded to the Raptors on Feb. 4 and then not required to report to his new team.
Paul ranks second in NBA history with 12,552 assists and 2,728 steals. He was the first player to notch at least 20,000 points and more than 10,000 assists.
While he didn't fully reveal what his "next chapter" will be, Paul indicated that it will involve spending more time with wife Jada, son Chris and daughter Camryn.
"Playing basketball for a living has been an unbelievable blessing that also came with lots of responsibility," Paul wrote. "I embraced it all. The good and the bad. As a lifelong learner, leadership is hard and is not for the weak. Some will like you and many people won't. But the goal was always the goal, and my intentions were always sincere (Damn, I love competing!!)"
He added as part of the lengthy note: "The game always gave me a reason to SHOW up!!! And the true leaders and fighters know that that right there — showing up — is half of the battle. So now with all the gratitude that I could possibly have... it's time for me to show up for others and in other ways. ... And I now know wholeheartedly the best teammate I can be is to Jada, Chris II and Cam!!"
The Detroit Pistons have raced out to a 40-13 record, so it is no surprise to see JB Bickerstaff at the top of NBA Coach of the Year odds boards. More NBA odds for COY show the Suns' Jordan Ott (+400) and the Celtics' Joe Mazzulla (+650) among the favorites.
NBA Coach of the Year odds
Here is a look at updated NBA Coach of the Year odds. JB Bickerstaff is the betting favorite to win the award at -140.
Most sportsbooks will display odds in the American format as listed above. We'll use 2022-23's Coach of the Year race as an example:
As the season progressed, with Mike Brown having been a huge favorite, his odds had a minus (-) sign ahead of the number:
Mike Brown -500
This means that a bettor needs to wager $500 to win $100. Other candidates with worse odds would have a plus (+) sign ahead of the number. Early in the season, before any clear favorite is established, betting options will be listed as such:
Nick Nurse +650
Here, a bettor stands to profit $650 for every $100 wagered.
If American odds aren't your thing, simply use our odds converter to switch the odds to decimal or fractional format. Most online sportsbooks also give you the option to change the odds format that you see.
Cash your ML bets quicker with bet365's early win payout
Take advantage of the early win payout at bet365, where any pre-game NBA moneyline bet gets paid out as a winner if your team goes up by 20+ points!
Learn more about this feature, and all of bet365's offerings, with our comprehensive bet365 review.
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
NBA Coach of the Year trends
Mike Brown's 2023 victory was the first time in 10 years (excluding COVID-altered schedules — 2019-20, 2020-21) that the Coach of the Year's team hadn't won 55+ games.
Four coaches (Mike Budenholzer, Gregg Popovich, Tom Thibodeau, Mike Brown) have won COY multiple times since 2009.
No rookie head coach has won Coach of the Year since Doc Rivers (2000).
Dating back to the award's inception in 1963, no coach has ever won COY in back-to-back seasons.
NBA Coach of the Year history
Year
NBA Coach of the Year Winner
Team
2024-25
Kenny Atkinson
Cleveland Cavaliers
2023-24
Mark Daigneault
Oklahoma City Thunder
2022-23
Mike Brown
Sacramento Kings
2021-22
Monty Williams
Phoenix Suns
2020-21
Tom Thibodeau
New York Knicks
2019-20
Nick Nurse
Toronto Raptors
2018-19
Mike Budenholzer
Milwaukee Bucks
2017-18
Dwane Casey
Toronto Raptors
2016-17
Mike D'Antoni
Houston Rockets
2015-16
Steve Kerr
Golden State Warriors
2014-15
Mike Budenholzer
Atlanta Hawks
2013-14
Gregg Popovich
San Antonio Spurs
2012-13
George Karl
Denver Nuggets
2011-12
Gregg Popovich
San Antonio Spurs
2010-11
Tom Thibodeau
Chicago Bulls
2009-10
Scott Brooks
Oklahoma City Thunder
2008-09
Mike Brown
Cleveland Cavaliers
2007-08
Byron Scott
New Orleans Hornets
2006-07
Sam Mitchell
Toronto Raptors
2005-06
Avery Johnson
Dallas Mavericks
2004-05
Mike D'Antoni
Phoenix Suns
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
Because even with their status as true NBA title contenders being in doubt, a bigger-picture view of their season within the context of Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves playing a combined 10 games together offered optimism.
“We’re top-five in the West and we’ve had those guys together for 10 games,” Coach JJ Redick said. “AR’s missed time, an extended stretch. Luka missed some time. Bron missed the start of the year. You’d take that.
Luka Doncic, Lebron James and Austin Reeves have only played a combined 10 games together this season. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
“Doesn’t mean the day-to-day, [the] internal pressure you put on yourself…doesn’t mean that’s going to go away. But you’ve got to feel good about the last 14 games outside of the San Antonio game [Tuesday] night.”
The Lakers started last season 33-21, with James (four), Reaves (five) and the combination of Doncic (four)/Anthony Davis (five) missing a combined 18 games through the Lakers’ first 54 games of the season.
Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
And through this season’s first 54 games, the Lakers are 33-21 despite a significant dip in player availability from their stars, with their best players tripling their combined amount of missed games (56) by this point of the season compared to last year.
Reaves has been sidelined for nearly half (26 games) of the season. James has missed 18 games after being on the shelf for the first 14 games because of sciatica. Doncic sat out of the four games entering the break because of a strained left hamstring, and has been sidelined for 12 games.
And even with the team having a 7-3 record in games Doncic, James and Reaves have played, there’s still context missing within the games they have been able to get on the floor together.
The Lakers are 33-21 despite a significant dip in player availability from their stars. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Those five first games the team’s star trio played together after James made his season debut in the Nov. 18 home win over the Utah Jazz came with James clearly still working to find his rhythm after the long layoff. In Game No. 8 on Christmas Day, Reaves left midway through the loss to the Houston Rockets because of a strained left calf that would later sideline him for 19 consecutive games. And Games Nos. 9-10, wins over the Brooklyn Nets (Feb. 3) and Philadelphia 76ers (Feb. 5), respectively, came with Reaves playing as a reserve on a minutes restriction and Doncic leaving midway through the game against the 76ers because of the hamstring injury.
And this is before even factoring in key players such as Marcus Smart (10), Rui Hachimura (10) and Deandre Ayton (eight) also missing significant time.
“We’re still trying to be healthy, trying to get healthy,” Hachimura said. “I know AR just came back and he’s trying to ramp it up. We’ve been building our chemistry pretty good this whole season. [That] kind of stuff is going to be important. I’ve been in the playoffs a couple times, and team chemistry is really going to be important.”
The lack of player availability doesn’t mask clear roster deficiencies.
The Lakers are optimistic they’re able to come out of the break with their three best players healthy. Getty Images
The defense, especially on the perimeter, is still troublesome although they’ve been trending in the right direction on that end of the floor with the help of their zone defense performing well.
The quality of their wins – and margins of defeat in their losses – suggests they aren’t in the true upper echelon of the Western Conference standings, let alone the entire NBA.
But the Lakers are optimistic of what they can look like if they’re able to come out of the break with something that’s been rare this season: their three best players healthy, and playing their basketball, and surrounded by a supporting cast that’s stepped up to keep the team afloat.
“Most of the games, we haven’t even had our full squad,” Jaxson Hayes said. “We’ve had a lot of injuries throughout the year. I’m feeling good going into the second half of the season. Hopefully, we can’t get healthy and come out strong.”
All young players in the NBA have room for improvement. So, who will make the proverbial "leap" in the 2025 - 2026 season? NBA Most Improved Player odds have the Blazers' Deni Avdija and the Hawks' Jalen Johnson as the betting favorites.
Learn more about this feature, and all of bet365's offerings, with our comprehensive bet365 review.
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Understanding NBA Most Improved Player odds
Most sportsbooks will display odds in the American format as listed above. We'll use 2022-23's MIP race as an example:
As the season progressed, with Lauri Markkanen having been a big favorite, his odds had a minus (-) sign ahead of the number:
Lauri Markkanen -200
This means that a bettor needs to wager $200 to win $100. Other candidates with worse odds would have a plus (+) sign ahead of the number. Early in the season, before any clear favorite is established, betting options will be listed as such:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander +650
Here, a bettor stands to profit $650 for every $100 wagered.
If American odds aren't your thing, simply use our odds converter to switch the odds to decimal or fractional format. Most online sportsbooks also give you the option to change the odds format that you see.
Here are some trends you'll want to consider when betting on NBA Most Improved Player futures:
Forwards have won 13 of the past 20 MIP awards.
No true center has won since Jermaine O'Neal in 2002.
MIP has tended to favor players making "the leap" to stardom recently. Nine of the past 10 winners have averaged 20.0 ppg or more.
In a very weird coincidence, an Orlando Magic player has won MIP four times since 1999, and each time, an Indiana Pacer has won the award the following year.
How is NBA Most Improved Player decided?
The NBA Most Improved Player Award is bestowed upon the player who has demonstrated a significant improvement in performance from the previous season. This improvement is evaluated based on the following key criteria:
Statistical improvement
Consideration is given to notable increases in key statistical categories, including traditional box score stats, shooting efficiency, and the various advanced metrics.
Role expansion or redefinition
Consideration will be given to players who have taken on new roles, and significantly expanded their responsibilities, thereby positively impacting their team.
Consistency and sustainability
The improvement should be consistent and sustained throughout the season, rather than a short-term surge in performance. Candidates should demonstrate their enhanced production over a substantial portion of the regular season.
Impact on team success
The player's improvement should directly contribute to the overall success and performance of their team. Factors such as wins, team rankings, and positive influence on team chemistry can be taken into account.
Paul announced on Friday, Feb. 13, "he's stepping away from basketball," in the wake of reports that the Toronto Raptors had waived him. The 40-year-old point guard was traded by the Los Angeles Clippers to the Raptors as part of a multi-team deal ahead of the 2026 NBA trade deadline earlier this month.
"It's time for me to show up for others and in other ways," the State Farm pitchman wrote in an Instagram post announcing his retirement decision. "This last season, I knew I couldn't do it unless I was at home with my family."
If Paul does not play in the league again, his last NBA game will have been on Dec. 1, 2025. But this was not his original plan for the season and the way it played out will go down as an unceremonious ending for a future Hall of Famer with his credentials.
Paul signed a one-year, $3.6-million contract to return to the Clippers this past offseason, and be closer to his family in Los Angeles after six seasons playing elsewhere. He later announced this would be his final NBA season.
But the Clippers then shocked the NBA in December when they sent Paul home in the wee hours of the night in the middle of a road trip as the team struggled early on this season. General Manager Lawrence Frank and coach Tyronn Lue made clear the organization intended to part ways with one of the greatest players in franchise history as reports emerged about friction involving Paul's leadership style inside the team's locker room.
Paul averaged a career-low 2.9 points and 3.3 assists in 14 minutes per game with the Clippers this season.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 17: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors hugs Sabrina Ionescu #20 of the New York Liberty after he wins the Stephen vs. Sabrina 3-Point Challenge shoots a three point basket during the Stephen vs. Sabrina 3-Point Challenge as a part of State Farm All-Star Saturday Night on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
NBA and WNBA All-Star events have been going through a bit of a revamp in recent years. With increasing sponsorships, NBA salaries, and a decline in fan attention span, the NBA All-Star Game in particular has flopped in viewership and overall cultural resonance. It’s hard to get players to compete at 100% when they are afraid of being injured, and when there is little incentive to do so. Especially when it comes to events like the 3-point shooting contest, skills contest, or whatever other event the NBA tries to think up to change things up. WNBA players can be motivated by $25,000 prizes, of course, given their salaries are lower than those of NBA players, but NBA players are too well-compensated to really care about that kind of stuff anymore.
A few years ago, the NBA made a huge step in re-engaging fans in All-Star events by holding a shooting contest between Stephen Curry and Sabrina Ionescu in 2024. While some “battle of the sexes” type events can quickly devolve into questionable territory, ripe for sexist online takes and poor analysis, this event was actually quite well done. Ionescu and Curry are two of the best shooters in the sport’s history, and also great friends, so there was a mutual respect that ran through the lead-up to the event and the event itself.
Since it was a standard 3-point shooting contest, it wasn’t like Ionescu was at a huge disadvantage for being a woman. She was able to shoot from the WNBA three-point line (22 feet, 1.75 inches from the basket) if she wanted, but opted to use the standard NBA three-point line (23 feet, 9 inches from the basket) instead — a distance she is more than comfortable making shots from.
All of the prize money from this contest was being donated to charity, with Ionescu and Curry each pledging donations to their own personal foundations. The event was also in reaction to Sabrina Ionescu breaking the all-time 3-point contest record, NBA or WNBA, at the previous year’s WNBA All-Star Game. At the time, fans wondered how Ionescu would fare against the NBA’s best shooters — this event gave those fans what they wanted.
The event was a massive success, achieving the highest NBA All-Star Saturday viewership numbers in over five years, with over 5 million viewers. It outperformed the main event of the weekend, the actual All-Star Game, and viewership peaked during that event in particular. While Ionescu lost to Curry 29-26, her 26 points matched the actual winner of that year’s NBA 3-point shooting contest, and while she definitely didn’t need to gain any respect from the NBA contingent, she did.
Afterward, many people expressed genuine interest and excitement in repeating the event. At the time, Caitlin Clark was still in college, but fans were frothing at the mouth at the idea of seeing her compete in a 3-point contest. There were ideas of Steph and Sabrina going up against Clark and another NBA shooting star like Damian Lillard. Yet, years later, none of that has come to fruition.
Plus, two seasons into her career, Caitlin Clark has yet to compete in a 3-point contest.
In the summer of 2024, Ionescu bowed out of the WNBA All-Star 3-point contest to focus more on the upcoming Paris Olympics the week after — super fair. That same year, Clark declined an invitation to the contest as well, saying she wanted to rest after playing for over a year of consecutive basketball.
When it came to the following NBA All-Star game, in 2025, Clark declined an invitation from the NBA to participate. According to reporting from The Athletic, Clark wanted her first WNBA All-Star 3-point shooting contest to be in the WNBA.
The 2025 WNBA All-Star game was held in Clark’s WNBA home of Indianapolis, Indiana, where she plays with the Indiana Fever. A perfect spot to make her first appearance in the event, but those hopes were dashed as Clark suffered numerous injuries in the summer of 2025, leading to her missing most of the season and the All-Star game.
Now, as we head into the 2026 NBA All-Star game, the hype of Steph vs Sabrina is two years old, and with nothing to replace it. Fans would surely show up in the same fashion for a Caitlin Clark-led 3-point contest, which would definitely help the NBA’s floundering All-Star Weekend viewership numbers. Yet, nothing of the sort has materialized in the nearly two years since Clark came onto the scene, and this year was likely impossible as the NBA battles with WNBA players over their next CBA.
Still, it’s pretty wild that the NBA found a solid way to drive engagement, bring in the WNBA fanbase, and provide some tangible excitement for the All-Star events… and just hasn’t repeated it since. Add it to the list of self-inflicted L’s in the Adam Silver era.
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Alexandre Sarr #20, Kyshawn George #18 and Tre Johnson #12 of the Washington Wizards pose for a portrait during the NBAE Media Day Circuit Portraits as part of NBA All-Star Weekend on Thursday, February 12, 2026 at Hilton Santa Monica in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Zach Barron/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The NBA’s All-Star Weekend is here! Tonight, we will see various games like the annual celebrity game. But the headline event is the Rising Stars challenge. Here is what’s in store.
Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game
Time and how to watch: 7 p.m. ET on ESPN
What it is: A roster of entertainers and some former basketball players play in an exhibition game. One notable exception this year: there are no WNBA players in the game. This is likely not an accident because of the WNBA’s unresolved Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations with the WNBPA players union.
Rising Stars Challenge
Time and how to watch: 9 p.m. ET on Peacock.
What it is: This is the tournament-style showcase featuring rookies and second-year players.
Wizards in the Rising Stars Challenge: Washington has two players on Team T-Mac: Tre Johnson, and Bub Carrington. Carrington replaced Alex Sarr. And the Wizards will also have Kyshawn George on Team Vince.
When will the Wizards play in the game? Team Vince will play Team T-Mac in the semifinals at approximately 9:55 p.m. ET. The final will be at about 10:35 p.m. ET for the winner between Team Austin vs. Team Melo and the winner of Team Vince vs. Team T-Mac.
