MILAN (AP) — Emily Clark scored twice, Ann-Renee Desbiens stopped 17 shots and Canada secured second-place in Group A with a 5-0 win over Finland in women’s hockey on Thursday at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
Poulin sustained a lower-body injury in a 5-1 win over Czechia on Monday. She skated for the first time on Thursday, and is anticipated to return during the knockout stage.
The game against Finland closed preliminary round play after being postponed by a week because of the Finns’ roster being depleted by a stomach virus.
The outcome settled the quarterfinal matchups, with Group A’s top-seeded and tournament-favored Americans facing host nation Italy on Friday. Italy went 2-2 and clinched Group B’s third and final playoff seed.
Canada will open the quarterfinals on Saturday against Germany. Czechia will face Group B winner Sweden.
Finland finished fourth in Group A and will play fifth-place Switzerland. Finland was blanked in each of its three losses and its only preliminary round win was a 3-1 victory over the Swiss.
Kristin O’Neill had a goal and assist. Jennifer Gardiner and Daryl Watts also scored for Canada.
Durant will suit up for the USA Stripes team in the All-Star Game, which features a U.S. vs. the World format. Other "old heads" on the team with the 37-year-old Durant include Stephen Curry (age 37, but injured and will not play), LeBron James (41) and Kawhi Leonard (34).
The 16-time All-Star also said people should ask the Europeans players if they will play hard, because in the past they haven't, just like players from the United States
"You should ask the Europeans and the World team if they're going to compete," Durant said "If you look at Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic now, let's go back and look at what they do in the All-Star Game. Is that competition? So we haven't questioned what they've been doing. But we're going to question the old heads, and the Americans.
"But these two dudes out there, Luka and Jokic, they don't care about the game at all. These dudes be laying on the floor. They're shooting from half court. But you've got to worry about the old heads playing hard? I can read between the lines, bro. It's just an overall topic that everybody's been talking about."
Durant was asked about San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, who said he plans on giving maximum effort.
"We'll see," Durant said.
"He said that last year too, They said it was the worst All-Star Game that people watched. So we're going to see. Who knows what's going to happen? This format might change the game, but who knows? We'll see."
Feb 7, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain (3) gestures after scoring against the Houston Rockets during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Hey, the Sixers only lost by 49 points on Wednesday night! What a way to cruise into the All-Star break!
Before this weekend’s festivities, I’m here to hit you with the latest edition of my “5 Sixers thoughts” column. Let’s get after it…
The Sixers sure could use Jared McCain and Isaiah Joe right now…
The Sixers’ cringeworthy handling of the trade deadline saw them part with second-year sharpshooter Jared McCain, a fan favorite. It’s always a good sign when the best team in the NBA wants to acquire a good, young player you’re trying to get rid of, right?
Anyway, on Wednesday evening, McCain dropped 12 points while shooting 2-for-3 from deep in 22 minutes off the bench in a blowout Oklahoma City win over Phoenix. Isaiah Joe, another Sixers castoff, nailed six threes in 18 minutes in a reserve role for the win.
The Sixers, a team now starved for guard talent and shooting in the aftermath of the trade deadline, could certainly use a couple guys like McCain and Joe!
Put it this way… The McCain-Joe duo made eight threes on Wednesday. In the Sixers’ embarrassing nationally televised loss to New York, the team only made six threes total while shooting a putrid 19 percent from deep overall.
Great stuff, everyone!
The trade deadline was the nail in the coffin for the Sixers’ feel-good energy
I couldn’t have been vibing with this Sixers team more throughout January. Joel Embiid looked the best he had in years. The backcourt duo of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe was dazzling and they were seeing key contributions from role players on top of it all. I was ready to see this team put up a fight come the postseason!
The way the Sixers carried themselves at the trade deadline last week, however, was crushing.
They discarded McCain, made sure to dip below the luxury tax and didn’t improve the on-court product. That’s a triple-whammy.
It’s a shame. I know Sixers fans are massively burned out on this franchise, but it did feel like the tide might have been turning a bit ahead of what could’ve been a spirited playoff run. Now? Why should people lock in when the organization itself doesn’t even want to lock in? A 49-point loss at home where Knicks fans overtook the arena is the culmination of this.
25 years ago this week…
I like looking back at the 2001 Sixers a quarter of a century later. February was a great time for this franchise that year.
On Feb. 11, 2001, an instant-classic All-Star Game took place where Allen Iverson himself would win All-Star Game MVP and the Eastern Conference took down a West squad that featured a daunting starting lineup of Jason Kidd, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Chris Webber and Tim Duncan. Iverson put up a game-high 25 points, adding five assists and four steals along the way.
Two days later, in an Eastern Conference Finals preview, the Sixers went to Milwaukee and beat the Bucks, as Iverson dropped 49 points in the win. The very next day, in a Valentine’s Day matchup in South Philadelphia, the Sixers defeated the Lakers 112-97. The NBA Finals preview saw Iverson out-duel Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal with a 40-point outburst.
That all might as well be 250 years ago at this point.
Tyrese Maxey’s usage is increasingly becoming an issue
Maxey has been such a godsend for this team, but he is leading the league in minutes played, rather unnecessarily I’d add. The Sixers’ lack of guard depth is a huge issue there, but there is absolutely no reason he should be playing 32 minutes in a game the team lost by 49 points, as was this case on Wednesday against the Knicks. It’s nonsensical! There’s a difference between drastic load management and coaching realizing when a game is no longer in doubt and living to fight another day.
Enjoy the All-Star break!
I mean that sincerely. The Sixers don’t play for another week. Enjoy your respite from hoops. Go to the movies. Read a book. Go out to dinner with friends or loved ones. Do anything that’s not basketball related ultimately so that you can be ready to scream and be angry for the second half of the season and the playoffs.
The Bucks have little interior presence when Giannis is out and almost no rebounding. Milwaukee ranks 26th in rebounding rate and 17th in opponent rebounds per game.
That’s the key to Holmgren recording a double-double. He’s putting in more work on the glass, averaging 9.3 rebounds over his last nine games, recording six double-doubles over that span.
I’d much rather take the Oklahoma City Thunder big man to record another double-double at even money instead of a juiced rebounding prop.
Deni Avdija earned his first All-Star selection by averaging 25.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.6 assists and we could go a bunch of ways in this matchup. But with the way the Jazz play defense let’s lock in on the buckets Avdija will get tonight.
Utah enters this matchup ranked dead last in defensive rating and opponent scoring, surrendering 125.8 per contest.
The Jazz also allowed Avdija to go off for 33 points when they last met back in December.
That has me looking at Deandre Ayton. The Lakers' big man has been inconsistent, but this matchup sets up well for him.
The Mavericks have been solid defensively most of the season. Except for one area. In the interior. Dallas allows the most opponent points in the paint in the NBA.
Ayton is averaging 13.2 points per game this season, so let’s take a shot at over 12.5 tonight.
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Alex Sarr of the Washington Wizards is expected to miss Friday's Rising Stars event at All-Star weekend because of a strained hamstring.
The Wizards said Thursday that Sarr will still go to the festivities in Los Angeles, but the approximate recovery time for the injury is two weeks. Bub Carrington, his Washington teammate, will replace Sarr on the Rising Stars roster.
The 7-foot Sarr is averaging 17.2 points and 7.8 rebounds a game in his second NBA season after being picked No. 2 in the 2024 draft. He's also second in the league with 2.0 blocks per game.
Washington returns from the break next Thursday with a home game against Indiana.
The Buffaloes’ coach had another, more succinct way of describing what unfolded.
In his post-game news conference, longtime Colorado coach Tad Boyle said the 34-point drubbing was a “good, old-fashioned (expletive)-whoopin’” after his team fell to 4-8 in Big 12 play.
“There’s just no other way to say it,” Boyle said. “A lot of you guys are from West Texas. You probably know what that is. We took one tonight. Credit Texas Tech. They have a motto with their program that the toughest team wins. There wasn’t even a question who the tougher team was tonight.”
The Buffs shot a season-low 29.1% from the field, missing 39 of their 55 shots, and gave up 17 offensive rebounds, off of which Texas Tech got 21 second-chance points. Texas Tech All-American forward JT Toppin brutalized Colorado on the boards, grabbing 18 rebounds by himself.
It was the Buffs’ second loss this season to the Red Raiders, though the first came by only two points just 32 days earlier.
“I’m embarrassed by our performance,” Boyle said. “I’m embarrassed for our university. I’m embarrassed for the city of Boulder. I’m embarrassed for the state of Colorado. I’m embarrassed for every former player that’s worn this uniform. We’ve got to own this.”
Picked to finish 15th in the 16-team Big 12 in the league’s preseason poll, the Buffs got off to a 12-3 start this season, including a 2-0 mark in conference play. As they’ve gotten into the toughest part of their schedule, though, their fortunes have waned, with eight losses in their past 10 games. Four of those losses came against teams in the top 20 of the latest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
Boyle is in his 16th season as Colorado’s coach and has fared well at a program where it’s difficult to win, especially in the revamped Big 12. He had led the Buffs to the NCAA Tournament in six of the past 14 seasons in which it was held. Just two years ago, Colorado won 26 games and made it to the second round of the tournament. His 326 victories at the school are the most in program history.
As he discussed his team’s woeful performance on Wednesday, Boyle harkened back to his days at Northern Colorado, where he was the head coach from 2007-10. He led a program that played in the Big Sky Conference and regularly took commercial flights that required the team to wake up at 5 a.m. the day after a game to board a plane, fly into Denver and then drive an hour to the school’s campus in Greeley, Colorado.
They’re the kind of travel headaches he wished his current team had to endure after its performance against Texas Tech.
“That’s what we deserve right now. We deserve to be on a 6 a.m. flight out of Lubbock — commercial, Southwest or whatever airline you choose,” Boyle said. “We don’t deserve a charter plane back to Boulder tonight. We got one. We paid for it, but we wasted our money. We wasted our university’s money and that’s on me. I’ll take the ownership of this because I’m the head coach. The buck stops with me. But I’m embarrassed. I’ve not said I’m embarrassed very often, but I’m embarrassed tonight.”
MILWAUKEE, WI - DECEMBER 31: Alexandre Sarr #20 of the Washington Wizards looks on during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 31, 2025 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images
Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr will miss approximately two weeks with a right hamstring strain, the team announced Thursday.
Sarr, 20, was a late addition to Washington’s injury report and was held out of the team’s 138-113 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. He will miss the Castrol Rising Stars game this Friday and be re-evaluated in two weeks.
The second-year center is likely to miss at least five games during that stretch: vs. Pacers, vs. Pacers, vs. Hornets, @ Hawks, @ Hawks.
Sarr is one of three players averaging at least 17 points, seven rebounds and two blocks this season. His 2.0 blocks per game ranks second in the NBA, trailing only Victor Wembanyama’s 2.7.
With Sarr sidelined and Anthony Davis still recovering from a left finger sprain, Tristan Vukcevic is Washington’s lone healthy center. The 22-year-old will likely start in Sarr’s place until he returns from injury.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - FEBRUARY 11: De'Aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball during the game against the Golden State Warriors on February 11, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The San Antonio Spurs maintained their winning ways on a night both De’Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama dominated offensively and defensively (in the latter portion, at least). Fox led all players with 27 points, 8 assists, and 3 steals while Wembanyama had 26 points and 9 rebounds. Heading into the mid-season break, the Silver and Black will now look to further cement their playoff standings and continue to play at a high level.
Sometimes you have to reach up with your 8-foot wingspan to grab a rebound, and other times (like the clip below indicates) you only have to let the ball drop in your lap. Victor Wembanyama then wisely brings the ball up with an immediate urgency to slam the point home.
If De’Aaron Fox looked in full control of the game on Wednesday night, that’s because he was in full control of the game, as evidenced by Fox patiently working his way through the defense for a bucket.
Statistically speaking, De’Aaron Fox is averaging below his usual, exceptional scoring numbers. But to me, that speaks more to Fox adjusting to the Spurs’ system on both offense and defense. Additionally, he’s playing with Victor Wembanyama, knowing that the big man sets the Spurs’ orbit. And by all accounts, it seems like Fox is embracing his role as the playmaker, aggressive wing defender, facilitator, and as the ice-cold or red-hot closer when needed. For these reasons, the Spurs are enjoying a renaissance season behind Wembanyama and Fox—especially when Stephon Castle has legitimately played like the second-best player on the team on some nights (sure, the 40-point triple-double helps).
I feel like this is as good a time as any to talk about the last game Dirk Nowitzki played in Golden State (at the old Oracle Arena). I happened to be in town that weekend for my bachelor party, and my buddies and I were treated to a vintage Nowitzki game. Leading the Dallas Mavericks to a win over the Golden State Warriors, he drained 5 threes in a 21-point, season high score in his swan season of a great career.
It was a good game to attend. We didn’t have seats, but we stood in a fairly isolated cemented area behind some club seats. The view was good, and it was better when the patrons in front of us left in the 3rd quarter so we were able to sit down for the rest of the game. This unsolicited trip down memory lane has nothing to do with the play below (other than it involves the Golden State Warriors), but you don’t need me to explain yet again why Victor Wembanyama is so good.
pic.twitter.com/1J2cD74UNd Fox understands that the Warriors want you to make the kickout pass to the corner to Barnes. It's a trap. He keeps the ball and waits for the cut. Veteran savvy
Keldon Johnson avoided any subtlety in scoring on this fast break just like I avoided taxes—DOING—avoided DOING my taxes. Let’s be crystal clear about that. Johnson continues to lead the second unit, bringing both energy and an immediate dose of scoring to the table.
Harrison Barnes brought the mustard and the Grey Poupon on this sidestepping, samba of a move to the basket for the emphatic slam. It’s easy to forget that Harrison Barnes has been in the league for a while, doing the same ol’ consistently right basketball thing. Harrison Barnes is the Harrison Barnes of all Harrison Barnes. How much Harrison Barnes would a Harrison Barnes if a Harrison Barnes could Harrison Barnes ? A Harrison Barnes would Harrison all the Barnes he could if a Harrison Barnes could Harrison Barnes.
Lastly, sending you out with a shout out to once-a-Spur, always-a-Spur Jeremy Sochan. It never worked out for both parties as intended, but I and many fans wish the very best for Sochan. We’ll always have that 26-point, 18-rebound game you had in a win over the Phoenix Suns in 2024, giving me shades of Dennis Rodman. Maybe our paths will cross again a la Sean Elliott.
If you missed the game because you were too busy researching the history of the civil war between the Mon Calamari and the Quarren (two distinct aquatic species native to the planet Mon Cala), here are the full-game highlights:
Next up, the Spurs head into the All-Star break with the 3rd best record in the NBA, the 2nd best in the Western Conference, a six-game winning streak, and with a ton of confidence that they can be the best team in the league. Their next game will be hosting the Phoenix Suns on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
In a matchup featuring one team trying to maintain their tenuous hold on a playoff spot and the other in a complete free fall as we head into the All-Star Break, the Los Angeles Lakers (32-21) host the Dallas Mavericks (19-34) tonight.
The game will be played minus a major star from each team as the Lakers’ Luka Dončić is out with a hamstring injury, while Dallas is without rookie Cooper Flagg (foot).
This game’s importance can’t be understated as the Lakers still sit atop the Pacific Division but having lost their last two, their lead over the second-place Suns is now a single game…AND they have fallen to the sixth and final guaranteed playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Mavericks have lost eight in a row and own the seventh-worst record in the entire NBA.
The Lakers have dominated the season series, winning 129-119 on November 28 in Los Angeles. Austin Reaves poured in 38 to pace the attack. LeBron and co. also won in Dallas on January 24, 116-110. They wrap up their season series April 5 in Dallas.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game Details and How to Watch Live: Mavericks at Lakers
Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026
Time: 10PM EST
Site: crypto.com Arena
City: Los Angeles, CA
Network/Streaming: Amazon Prime Video, Spectrum Sports Network
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Game Odds: Mavericks at Lakers
The latest odds as of Thursday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Dallas Mavericks (+245), Los Angeles Lakers (-305)
Spread: Lakers -7.5
Total: 236.5 points
This game opened Mavericks -6.5 with the Total set at 234.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups: Mavericks at Lakers
Dallas Mavericks
PG Tyus Jones
SG Max Christie
SF Naji Marshall
PF P.J. Washington
C Daniel Gafford
Los Angeles Lakers
PG Austin Reaves
SG Marcus Smart
SF Jake LaRavia
PF LeBron James
C Deandre Ayton
Injury Report: Mavericks at Lakers
Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic (hamstring) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Deandre Ayton (knee) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Los Angeles Lakers
Cooper Flagg (foot) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Naji Marshall (foot) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Caleb Martin (ankle) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Kyrie Irving (knee) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Dereck Lively II (foot) ) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Important stats, trends and insights: Mavericks at Lakers
The Mavericks are 5-17 on the road this season
The Lakers are 14-10 at home
The Lakers are 29-24 ATS this season / 12-11-1 ATS at home
The Mavericks are 23-30 ATS this season / 7-15 ATS on the road
The OVER has cashed in 30 of the Lakers’ 53 games this season (30-23)
The OVER has cashed in 24 of the Mavericks’ 53 games this season (24-29)
The Lakers are 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games overall
LeBron James has scored 20 or more points in 5 of his last 6 games
James has tallied 10 assists in 3 straight games
Luke Kennard is 9-17 from 3-point range over his last 5 games
Max Christie has totaled at least 3 assists in each of his last 4 games
Rotoworld Best Bet
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s Mavericks and Lakers’ game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Lakers -7.5 ATS
Total: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Game Total UNDER 236.5
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From performers to locals watching the opening ceremony and tourists taking in the atmosphere, this gallery shows scenes of daily life around the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 21: AJ Green #20 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Isaiah Joe #11 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum on January 21, 2026 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. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Milwaukee Bucks, winners of four of their last five, do battle for the final time before the All-Star break tonight when they take on the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder smashed the Bucks in the first game this season, but without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, it could be closer this time (though I’m not holding my breath). It is also a back-to-back for both teams, which could throw a spanner in the works for either side.
Where We’re At
The Bucks are riding high after a terrific win last night over a playoff team, the Orlando Magic. Of course, the major storyline from that game was how the newbies, Cam Thomas and Ousmane Dieng, performed in their first real minutes. Thomas went nuclear with 34 points on 12/20 shooting, including some preposterous makes, but we already knew he was capable of that. On the other hand, it was really more of a coming-out party for Dieng—who hadn’t had anywhere near that much opportunity in OKC—dropping 17 points on 5/8 from deep. Now it’s really about whether these guys can replicate that level of productivity (or even come close to it).
Without SGA, the Thunder have actually been stumbling a bit lately, losing the first two of their last four games (though they were against the Spurs and Rockets). However, Jalen Williams, who had been out for an extended period with a hamstring complaint, returned on Monday against the LA Lakers, dropping 23 in a win. Williams followed that up with 28 against Phoenix, with OKC winning that one too. So overall, this team is still a juggernaut; it’ll take a mammoth effort to take ‘em down.
Injury Report
Both teams are on a back-to-back, so the injury reports will be out at midday, but it’s safe to assume Giannis (neck), Taurean Prince (neck), and Ryan Rollins (foot) will miss for the Bucks. For OKC, we can assume SGA (abdominal) will be out, as will Ajay Mitchell (abdominal) and Thomas Sorber (ACL).
Player To Watch
I want to see if Ousmane Dieng can get places on the floor against the Thunder defence. Most of his shots were open threes against the Magic, and while it’s great that he knocked them down, I don’t think he’ll get those same easy looks tonight. The knock on him has been that he doesn’t play with enough explosion and force. Maybe he can start to prove that wrong as the season rolls along, but if he showed some stuff tonight against his former team? Oh, that’d be cool.
LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) — Now, it's Chloe Kim's turn to grasp a special spot in snowboarding's record book.
Kim will be in the halfpipe Thursday night, trying to become the first snowboarder to win three straight Olympic gold medals.
The 25-year-old from California hurt her shoulder four weeks ago, disrupting her lead-in to the Milan Cortina Games. Wearing a brace in qualifying on Wednesday, she put down a solid run to lead the standings and said her injury felt fine.
“I've been doing this for 22 years,” Kim said. “Muscle memory is a thing.”
Kim traditionally has the highest-flying most difficult runs in her sport. She is the first woman to land two separate kinds of 1080-degree double corks — two head-over-heels flips — and some version of those could be on tap for the night-time contest at the Livigno Snow Park.
Snoop Dogg is expected to show up to watch one of the biggest names in the Olympics go for history. So will Kim's boyfriend, Myles Garrett, the defensive end for the Cleveland Browns.
Shaun White will be on hand, as well. He is the only other snowboarder with three gold medals in a sport that arrived at the Olympics in 1998.
Two riders — Ester Ledecka in parallel giant slalom and Anna Gasser in big air — had a chance for three straight earlier in these Olympics, but neither ended up on the podium.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 11: Jose Alvarado #5 of the New York Knicks smiles after the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on February 11, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It never gets old when Knicks fans invade road arenas to root for the visiting team.
On Wednesday, it happened again to the poor 76cheesteaks.
“His quickness, his ability to shoot the basketball, his ability to pass and make plays without getting knocked off his body, is going to be huge. But he had a great offensive game for us and we need that fire from him. We need that passion. We need that sense of urgency, and it sparks us.”
On Alvarado’s impact vs. Philadelphia:
“He was really, really good for us. He ignited us in many different ways.”
On Knicks’ knack for sharing the basketball:
“I’m blown away with our guys’ ability to share the basketball with one another. A lot of good playmakers, a lot of good passers, so to see that was a lot of fun.”
On the team’s assist-to-basket ratio against the Sixers:
“I don’t know if I’ve seen this before. We had 48 baskets and 41 assists. So unbelievable night in that regard.”
On responding to adversity:
“They are a resilient group of guys. We’re not going to go up the whole year. Everybody expects us to go up the whole year and win it all. But this is a process. We’re going to up, we’re going to take a step backwards, we’re going to figure it out. That’s why there’s coaching, that’s why there’s practice, that’s why there’s shootaround. That’s why we have those guys in the locker room we have figured out and just go out and play the next game and figure out if you can play better the next game and that’s what our guys did.”
On seasonal fluctuations:
“We’re not going to do this the whole year. Everyone wants us and expects us to do this the whole year and go win it all. But this is a process. We’re going to do this, take a step backwards, and when we do, we’ll figure it out. That’s why there’s coaching, that’s why there’s practicing, that’s why there are shootarounds and coaching and guys that figure it out and play a little better the next time than you did the last time.”
On All-Star recognition vs. resting:
“It’s kind of mixed emotions thing. As a coach you do want your guys to get recognized for the stuff they do on the floor. Even like in the summertime, come Olympic time, European Cup time, this Cup time or that Cup time, you want your guys to play on any stage they can and get recognition and success. But there’s always a part of you, too, like, let this guy get some rest, too, or that guy get some rest and hopefully he takes it a little easy. So again, I get pulled and tugged in both directions. At the end of the day you want as much individual recognition as possible for your guys as they can get.”
On staying focused during the pre-ASW-break:
“It’s mixed … I know these guys are thinking about it. If they’re thinking about it everybody else is to a certain degree is and hopefully you can lock in just long enough to figure out how to get a win.”
On making a statement with a brutal blowout after the OT loss to Indiana:
“We knew this was a big game for us in the standings so we just had to come back. The game yesterday didn’t go our way, but we had to be us come back and get a win today.”
On his confrontation with Trendon Watford:
“He did a hard foul, but I think he did a little extra with the staring. I’m just not gonna go for none of that. It was just in the moment. That’s when I’m at my best, I guess, getting a little active. It worked out in my favor.”
On his career-tying shooting night:
“I had it rolling. I didn’t know I had eight [3s] — I should’ve made one more so I could break my tie.”
On the fan support, even on the road:
“I see the fans, their energy is unmatched. They show their support, they’re gonna use their voice and it gets me going, so I’m gonna do the same energy back for them.”
On finding his rhythm with the Knicks:
“I always thought I was a great shooter, a good shooter. Obviously, it’s getting better and I’m going to keep getting better. I’m just getting in rhythm with the system, the plays, the coaching staff. But they’re doing a great job making it super easy. Today went my way.”
On embracing his identity:
“As soon as I got here, that was the first thing they probably said to me: ‘We need you to be who you are, do not change that.’ This is Game 3 for me, but I’m slowly getting into it.”
“That’s what we need. That’s what we want from him. Obviously that toughness, ability to help us get organized, ability to knock down shots. And defensively bring energy, bring physicality, get in the passing lanes, those kinds of things. That’s why he’s here.”
On Knicks’ fans takeover in Philly:
“It’s fun. Kind of getting used to it now. Everywhere on the East Coast it’s really Knick fans coming out and showing love. Boston is tough obviously. Everywhere else we feel like we always have the majority of the fans on the East Coast. Shoutout to them. They come and show love and we appreciate it.”
On his All-Star break mindset:
“I’m checked out now. I’ve got my wine right here. I’m living my best life.”
On Alvarado’s role:
“That’s what we need. That’s what we want from him. Obviously that toughness, ability to help us get organized, ability to knock down shots. And defensively bring energy, bring physicality, get in the passing lanes, those kind of things. That’s why he’s here. Honestly, I didn’t realize he had that many shots, that many threes, but it shows what he’s capable of. We’re going to need him a lot down the stretch.”
May 14, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics fans cheer in the second half during game five of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images | Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
Most know that this blog has been around for quite a while (21 years and counting) and the community has evolved over the years. We have some people that have been commenting since the first days, some that joined during the title years, some that joined just to complain about the down years, and some that just arrived recently.
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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 08: Will Riley #27 of the Washington Wizards blocks a shot in the first quarter against Kasparas Jakucionis #25 of the Miami Heat at Capital One Arena on February 08, 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 Greg Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Wizards lost by 25 to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a game that I just don’t want to think or write about. Except for this: the person watching last night’s game with me thought it was nice James Harden was introduced as part of a ceremony to honor old-time players. They were shocked to learn he was playing.
Instead of talking about defensive rotations and offensive actions against Cleveland, let’s zoom out and take stock of the Wizards season so far.
Wizards big man Alex Sarr continues to be the NBA’s busiest rim protector. | Getty Images
The Measuring Stick
Here’s where the Wizards currently rank in the various key stats of team strength (where they ranked at the last update, which was Jan. 20, is in parentheses):
Offensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions): 28 (28)
Defensive rating (points scored per 100 possessions): 29 (29)
I’m reasonably sure I’ve spotted moments of growth and improvement, though those moments haven’t been consistent enough to send a signal through the numbers. That signal isn’t necessarily important right now. The roster is extremely young, and the overarching organizational goal is keeping their top eight protected first round pick.
At least in theory, we might hope to see some positives in the individual numbers, but team data will remain in the basement because the team needs to lose.
Some of this will (and has been) done at the roster level. For example, sitting everyone with “injuries” in a must-lose game against the Brooklyn Nets. Some of it will (and has been) done at the lineup level, such as playing two-way and G League guys for entire fourth quarters (and winning a game anyway) or starting the diminutive lineup they did against Cleveland last night (the tallest player was the 6-8 Kyshawn George).
Offensive Four Factors
eFG%: 26 (23)
Offensive Rebounding Percentage: 16 (19)
Turnover Rate: 24 (26)
Free Throws Made/Field Goal Attempts: 26 (27)
Over the past few weeks, the Wizards are shooting a little worse but getting a few more offensive rebounds. This is something of a young team cliche, which is fine.
Defensive Four Factors
eFG%: 24 (22)
Defensive Rebounding Percentage: 30 (30)
Turnover Rate: 27 (28)
Free Throws Made/Field Goal Attempts: 23 (21)
Effectively no change on the defensive end. Opponents are shooting slightly better, which has been sorta offset by committing fewer fouls that send opposing players to the free throw line. The signal here is clear: the Wizards don’t make the other team miss shots, they’re worst in the league at getting the ball when the opposing team misses, and they don’t force turnovers. They also foul at an elevated rate relative to the league.
Player Production Average
Below is a table with updated results from the Player Production Average (PPA) metric so far this season. PPA is an overall rating metric I developed that credits players for things they do that help a team win (scoring, rebounding, play-making, defending) and debits them for things that hurt the cause (missed shots, turnovers, fouls, ineffective defense). PPA is similar to other linear weight rating metrics such as John Hollinger’s PER, David Berri’s Wins Produced, Kevin Pelton’s VORP, and the granddaddy of them all, Dave Heeren’s TENDEX.
PPA weighs a player’s performance per possession against that of his competitors season by season. While PPA falls into the category of a linear weight metric, the values for statistical categories float a bit season-to-season based on league performance.
PPA is pace neutral, accounts for defense, and includes a “degree of difficulty” factor based on the level of competition a player faces while on the floor. Beginning with the 2019-20 season, I added a position/role adjustment designed to reflect how roles and on-court positioning affect individual abilities to produce certain stats.
Inputs include:
on-court team defensive rating
points
rebounds (offensive and defensive weighed differently)
assists
steals
blocks
shot attempts
turnovers
personal fouls
starts
minutes
In the table below, I’ve included each player’s PPA last time, currently (through games played Feb. 11 — game 53), as well as games played and minutes per game. The Garbage Time Brigade has their own section.
In the table below, LAST = the player’s PPA when I last ran an update, which was through games played Jan. 19, 2026.
PLAYER
GAMES
MPG
LAST
PPA
Alex Sarr
41
28.2
145
138
Justin Champagnie
50
19.3
96
108
Kyshawn George
43
30.1
94
97
Tre Johnson
40
25.0
80
82
Bilal Coulibaly
33
26.8
81
80
Malaki Branham
28
9.8
56
58
Bub Carrington
53
28.0
51
53
Tristan Vukcevic
33
11.9
46
52
Cam Whitmore
21
16.9
49
49
Will Riley
45
16.6
34
46
GTB
GAMES
MPG
PPA
PPA
Kadary Richmond
1
6.0
315
Jaden Hardy
1
15.0
99
Skal Labissiere
3
12.7
73
Anthony Gill
19
3.8
48
48
Jamir Watkins
17
13.4
29
29
Keshon Gilbert
3
16.0
8
A few quick observations:
Alex Sarr’s production has been drooping a bit lately. Over the past few weeks, he has had some good games and great moments, as well as some real duds. He’s more than a little overtaxed inside where he continues to be the NBA’s busiest rim protector.
Justin Champagnie has generally produced when given minutes.
When I mentioned earlier how perceived improvement isn’t sending a signal in the numbers, I was thinking in part of the overall consistency in individual production numbers. Scanning the list, Sarr has declined a bit, Champagnie and Will Riley have improved, and everyone else has been about the same.
Final PPA numbers for traded guys — with the Wizards and then with their new team:
Chet Holmgren
Deni Avdija
Deandre Ayton
