Jan 28, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets mascot Dunkstronaut performs during the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Houston Rockets vs Atlanta Hawks
January 29, 2026
Location: Stoat Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
TV: Space City Home Network, ESPN
Radio:KBME Sports Talk 790
Online: Rockets App, SCHN+, ESPN App
Time: 7:00 PM CST
Probable Starting Lineups
Rockets: Amen Thompson, Josh Okogie, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun
Hawks: The Spectre of Trae Young, Dyson “The Vacuum” Daniels, Nickiel-Alexander-Walker, Corey “80s Hair” Kispert, Mouhamed Gueye, Xian Ko-Loko,
Most of the Hawks are injured. Many of the Rockets are injured. That’s how it goes, sometimes.
Jan 28, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts on the bench during a video tribute shown on the scoreboard during a timeout in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard-Imagn Images
No athlete has ever had their life play out in the public eye more than LeBron James. For more than two decades, fans have had an up-close view of LeBron.
It’s with that context in mind that Wednesday’s scenes in LeBron’s latest return to Cleveland were noteworthy. During a tribute video that wasn’t unique to this trip back home, emotions overwhelmed LeBron on the bench, moving him to tears.
While retirement has been a possibility for LeBron since he uttered the words after his playoff loss to the Nuggets years ago, this feels like one of the first times it really feels on the cards. LeBron, though, has remained adamant postgame that he hasn’t thought about retirement yet and he doesn’t know if this will be his last season.
LeBron James reiterates that he doesn't know what the future holds for him beyond this season.
That’s been the consistent message from LeBron throughout the year. For now, the approach seems to be to get through this season and then assess things in the offseason with no thought to the future.
However, the emotions of Wednesday do not seem to be someone who may be playing future seasons in the NBA. Sure, LeBron could be taking every moment in and treating each road game as his potential last time in that arena.
LeBron James says every road arena he's been in, he tries to take everything in. Said he hasn't made a decision about his future, but it could always be his last game somewhere
Again, while the special patches have been made for other athletes, this move felt like one made as part of a farewell tour.
There’s a very real chance that this is not his final season and all of this is easily explained away. Right now, that still seems like the likeliest outcome. It would be hard to imagine LeBron quietly riding off into the sunset after the season. And if anyone deserved to be celebrated with a farewell tour, it’d be LeBron.
But the odds of this being LeBron’s final season are increasing. While he may continue to say he hasn’t thought about it and he’ll assess things at the end of the year, he’s acting like someone in the middle of their final season.
Maybe Wednesday was just the moment catching up to him. Maybe he thought back to all those years ago when a teenage LeBron was playing in front of these fans.
Or maybe it was a glimpse into someone realizing that was their last trip back home.
In another timeline, the discussion right now would be about whether Austin Reaves should be an All-Star in the West — that was the level he was playing at before his calf injury.
Now, the conversation is about his return, which could be as early as Friday in Washington, as he has been listed as questionable for the game.
Also questionable for that game is Luka Doncic, who injured his ankle falling off the raised court in Cleveland on Wednesday night. Doncic returned to the game after the fall, but ankles can tighten up over time and the Lakers likely want to be cautious.
Luka Doncic has gone back to the Lakers locker room after appearing to injure his foot stepping back on this shot attempt:pic.twitter.com/uakOseB1GX
"It is absolutely a safety hazard," Lakers coach JJ Redick said of the raised court after his team's loss. "And I don't know why it's still like that. I don't."
Reaves averaged 26.6 points a game, shooting 36.5% from 3-point range, while dishing out 6.3 assists and grabbing 5.2 rebounds a game in the 23 games he played before the injury. The Lakers have gone 9-8 while he was out.
LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 16: Josh Hart #3, Jalen Brunson #11, OG Anunoby #8 and Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks look on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs during the NBA Emirates Cup Final on December 16, 2025 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
When Tom Thibodeau was relieved of his duties after the Knicks’ unceremonious exit at the hands of the Indiana Pacers in May, there were a few prevailing grievances that led to the coach’s downfall.
One of them was a stubbornness to lineup construction. Thibodeau’s defense always required a rim protector, preventing him from ever considering a small-ball lineup despite the options presented. He played a tight rotation and stuck with his chosen starting lineup through thick and thin, only experimenting due to injuries or desperation.
The lineup of Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns started out looking like one of the best starting five’s in the NBA, but heavily regressed after New Year’s for a myriad of reasons. The defense was sub-standard with two flat-out bad defenders and the five-out spacing that the team envisioned fell apart with Hart’s shooting struggles.
Having bad lineups happens, but when they’re played to this extent? It’s alarming. It took until Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final for a change to be finally made. The Knicks used a grand total of 13 starting lineups in 100 games.
Enter Mike Brown, who was hired, in part, for more lineup versatility. He opened the season planning to have Mitchell Robinson start over Hart, but the frequent unavailability of the load-managing big man forced some different lineups, which included Ariel Hukporti, Deuce McBride, and Landry Shamet.
Eventually, Hart, who got off to a brutal start to the season, was put back in the starting lineup when OG Anunoby went down with an injury. Instead of reverting to a lineup with Robinson or McBride, however, Hart stayed in the starting lineup for the December 5th bludgeoning of the Jazz when Anunoby returned.
It started out great. The lineup had an exceptional +21.5 net rating in 77 minutes across 10 games through mid-December. It was being used in proper doses and wasn’t being leaned on for nearly 20 minutes a night.
A big reason for the big turnaround was an elite 106.4 defensive rating. Despite two negative defenders on the court, the lineup worked and the offense was supercharged by Hart’s newfound shooting stroke.
And then, suddenly, it fell apart. Since December 20, that lineup has played 106 minutes across nine games and has a putrid -8.4 net rating. All of a sudden, that elite offense had fallen apart and opposing offenses began exploiting the defensive shortcomings of Brunson and Towns.
This, coupled with the team’s overall struggles (which may be in the rearview mirror…), has caused some discussion on whether Mike Brown should embrace a different lineup. After all, he’s already used more starting lineups (16) than Thibs used last year in half the games.
But is it so simple? There are four realistic candidates for a fifth starter around the team’s top four. Assuming no Giannis-level trade occurs before the deadline, the Knicks will have the next 2.5 months to figure out which of the four gels the best between Deuce McBride, Landry Shamet, Josh Hart, and Mitchell Robinson.
The case for Deuce McBride
The most criminally underpaid player in basketball, Deuce has been a reliable 3-and-D asset for the Knicks since he emerged into the rotation 25 months ago after the team traded away Immanuel Quickley. There have been some inconsistent stretches (and a few injuries), but the 25-year-old has taken another leap in his spot-up shooting and is probably the team’s best point-of-attack defender.
If you want a true five-out lineup, this is the choice. Everyone in this lineup can shoot, even if OG is struggling mightily from above-the-break. It’s a dream for Mike Brown. It also gives you someone to stick on a star guard like Tyrese Maxey or Donovan Mitchell, allowing Bridges to do what he does best off the ball.
What do the numbers say about this lineup? Well, similar to the current starters, it’s gotten significantly worse as the season has progressed:
Pre-December 20: +12.3 net (26 min) Post-December 20: -7.1 net (66 min)
What’s interesting about these lineups is that Deuce is helping the offense go into hyperspeed. Even since 12/20, when the team has looked much worse on both sides of the ball, this lineup has a blistering 130.5 offensive rating. It’s just the defense that’s the problem because, personally, I don’t think a 137.6 defensive rating is good.
As you’ll see with Shamet, it just seems to be a common trend in Brunson and Towns’ lineups. Whether it’s possible for them to be co-stars is a story for another day. If you want to maximize the offense, it’d be smart to go with a lineup that has a 127 ORtg in 92 minutes.
Deuce McBride 3pt sniper
• 46% from 3 (4th in NBA min 100 attempts) • 2nd in the NBA in above the break 3P% (min 50 attempts) • 19th in 3PM per game
It’s going to be sad when the Knicks won’t be able to retain Landry Shamet this offseason. They snagged him late in the offseason the last two years and have gotten quality bench minutes out of the journeyman wing. His spot-up shooting ability has fully returned after concerns it disappeared in Washington, as he’s shoot 41% from downtown in 72 total games as a Knick. Some of this team’s best runs have come with him on the court.
So why not give him a shot to start? He has started six games this season due to injuries, but hasn’t since he hurt his shoulder in Orlando in November. Since then, he’s had an up-and-down role as a reliable shooter who can hold his own defensively and provides needed hustle.
Wrote this in my story for tomorrow on the Knicks' improved defense, but can't understate how much Shamet's return and Brown's change in rotation has helped with the defense.
The problem is that Shamet with the starters is the worst performing of these lineups, at -5.8 on the season in 57 minutes. It’s also not a “whole team struggling” problem, as it was negative when he went down in November.
Shamet’s two most-used lineups aside from the starters have something in common: no Brunson or Towns.
McBride-Clarkson-Shamet-Anunoby-Towns: +30 net (23 min) Brunson-McBride-Shamet-Anunoby-Robinson: +59.2 net (23 min)
He plays well with McBride and Anunoby, which makes sense, but the other pieces are free-flowing. It doesn’t appear that he’s a good fit for the starters, especially considering he’s kinda like Deuce in his strengths, just slightly worse while being bigger. Still, if Deuce is ever out, it’s worth considering.
The case for Mitchell Robinson
The lineup that the Knicks came into the season hoping to use hasn’t been used nearly as much as it should, but that’s due to injuries. Mike Brown and the training staff came into 2025-26 with a clear plan to limit Robinson’s workload to maximize him for the playoffs. That means no back-to-backs, no 30+ minute games, etc.
But at some point, the Knicks will probably encounter a matchup where they just cannot take Big Mitch off the court. If he isn’t ready to play that workload, they’re crippling themselves. By that nature, it seems likely that Mitch will continue to increase his in-game workload as the season goes on.
Unlike the other three lineups, the starters with Mitch have been a significant positive, posting an elite +12.4 net rating in 51 minutes behind stellar defense.
However, once again, that number is dragged down by the team’s recent slump. The lineup has only played 16 minutes together since mid-December and has gotten eviscerated on both ends of the floor. It really just seems like a team-wide issue, as there are multiple lineups with different strengths and weaknesses, all struggling concurrently.
So, again, it’s a story for another time with the whole Brunson-Towns tandem, but what does Mitch provide that the others don’t? How about game-breaking rebounding?
In the lineup’s brief time together, they’re killing teams with a 53.3% overall rebounding share and a ludicrous 37.1% offensive rebounding rate. It’s a common theme with Robinson, whose second-most used lineup (w/Brunson/McBride/Hart/Bridges) has a near-50% offensive rebound rate.
The possession battle with the double big is a tremendous advantage, especially on days that the Knicks are making shots. That’s an unstoppable offense and should mask defensive issues. It also provides a real rim protector and should help with the team’s struggles defending the pick-and-pop and drive-and-kicks.
The case to stay with Josh Hart
If the Knicks hadn’t just won four in a row, the calls to make a drastic change would be louder. Now that they’ve stabilized, is that the best course of action?
The last four games have featured Thibs-ian levels of starter usage, with the starting five playing a staggering 58 minutes in that span. No other combination featuring the Big Four has more than two minutes. The lineup hasn’t been dominant by any stretch, but has been +2.3, the best stretch in a good bit.
The biggest problem with Hart last season was both his unwillingness to shoot and his poor efficiency when he did. This year? He’s one of 21 qualified players to be shooting 40% from deep on at least four attempts a game. Only one other Knick (Deuce) can say they’re in that club. When Josh is firing from distance, it’s going in.
Plus, this lineup provides something that the other ones can’t attest to: secondary playmaking.
Josh Hart is the Knicks’ third-best playmaker. The top two, Brunson and Kolek, are both small point guards and should rarely share the floor. Without Hart, the Knicks rely too much on Brunson initiating the action on every single play, whether it’s iso ball or finding an open shooter through a drive to the rim. Hart can alleviate some of that as a willing passer who only shoots when he knows he can make it.
There’s no perfect solution for the Knicks right now, as they try to balance an inconsistent bench and inconsistent shooting and defense. This upcoming stretch will tell them a lot about how things will go as the playoffs draw nearer, and it’s worth experimenting when you can.
DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 11: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket during the game against the Charlotte Hornets during a pre-season game on October 11, 2025 at American Airlines Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks (19-28) host the Charlotte Hornets (20-28) on Thursday night. Dallas is playing the second night of a back-to-back, falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. The Hornets have won 4 in a row and look great as they try to surge up the standings. It’s a fun night for the Mavericks as they retire the jersey of 1981 number overall pick Mark Aguirre, a much overdue event.
Heres the main things you need to know before tipoff.
WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs Charlotte Hornets
WHAT: Retiring Mark Aguirre’s jersey
WHERE: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
WHEN: 7:30 pm CST
HOW: KFAA Channel 29, MavsTV streaming, NBA League Pass
Both Cooper Flagg and Klay Thompson are playing tonight after missing the last game with variations on injury management. Brandon Williams is questionable with an ankle injury. Naji Marshall is getting the game off after not missing a game all season. Moussa Cisse is questionable as well. Grant Williams and Mason Plumlee are missing this game for the Hornets. Brandon Miller is listed as probable with a left ankle injury.
Expect a charged game for the Mavericks. Dirk Nowitzki’s expected to be in the building along with Isaiah Thomas to see Aguirre’s jersey retired. It’s going to be an emotional thing for Aguirre. As for the game itself, I think Flagg and Kon go at it in a major way. The Charlotte Hornets are playing much better ball as of late and Dallas might be heading the opposite direction. Institutionally, the Mavericks are tanking, but do not tell the players that. It should be a much better game than the Wolves game where Dallas loooked nearly listless.
Consider joining Josh and me on Pod Maverick live after the game on YouTube, we should start LATE. Thanks so much for spending time with us here at Mavs Moneyball. Let’s go Mavs!
“It is too expensive,” Weah was quoted as saying this month by France's Le Dauphiné. “I am just a bit disappointed by the ticket prices. Lots of real fans will miss matches.”
“First of all, I think players need to talk on the pitch, playing football, not outside of,” Pochettino said Thursday during a Zoom news conference from Coral Gables, Florida. “It is not his duty to evaluate the price of the ticket. And then also my job, my duty is to prepare the team, the U.S. men’s national team in the best way to perform. We are not politicians. We are sport people that only we can talk about our job and I think if FIFA does something or takes some decision, they know why, and (it) is their responsibility to explain why. But it is not about us to provide our opinion. Our responsibility is to perform, play and perform on the pitch and then the people that is in charge of the federation, maybe he can give his opinion, but I am the head coach of the federation."
The U.S. has friendlies against Belgium (March 28), Portugal (March 31), Senegal (May 31) and Germany (June 6) before their World Cup opener against Paraguay in June 12 at Inglewood, California.
Lakers guards Luka Doncic (77) and Austin Reaves have been listed as questionable to play Friday against the Wizards in Washington. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
The Lakers have upgraded guard Austin Reaves (left calf strain) to questionable from out and listed guard Luka Doncic (left ankle soreness) as questionable for Friday night’s game against the Washington Wizards.
Reaves has been out since getting injured on Christmas Day against the Houston Rockets, a span of 17 games.
In 23 games this season, Reaves is averaging career highs in points (26.6), assists (6.3) and rebounds (5.2). Reaves is shooting 50.7% from the field and 36.5% from three-point range.
Doncic injured his ankle during the Lakers’ blowout loss to the Cavaliers on Wednesday night after falling off the side of Cleveland’s raised court while shooting a fadeaway three-pointer in the first quarter.
He hobbled to the Lakers’ locker room and was unable to put any weight on his leg. But Doncic did return to play and finished the game with 29 points, six assists and five rebounds.
Doncic leads the NBA in scoring at 33.6 points per game and is third in assists at 8.7.
“I kind of got scared,” Doncic told reporters after the game in Cleveland. “It wasn’t a great feeling and looking back at the video, I think I got a little bit lucky. It hurts obviously more now, but, just, I tried to go.”
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 15: Collin Gillespie #12 of the Phoenix Suns plays against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on January 15, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Detroit Pistons get to face off against the Phoenix Suns for the second time in two weeks. This time, Detroit visits the Mortgage Matchup Center (yeesh, what a name) in Phoenix, Arizona. Detroit narrowly escaped with a win in the first matchup, 108-105. That game was close because Cade Cunningham was then playing his first game back after a 10-day absence because of a wrist injury and delivered one of his worst performances of the season. He shot just 3-of-16 and committed five turnovers. Conversely, the avowed enemy of Pistons fans everywhere, Grayson Allen, was torching the nets. He scored 33 points and hit 7 threes to almost will his team to victory.
Allen only has five games this season eclipsing the 20-point threshold, so hopefully he comes down to earth a little bit. Cunningham, meanwhile, seems to put the ailing wrist issues behind him. He scored 22 points in a win against the Denver Nuggets and 29 in a blowout against the Sacramento Kings, both times shooting better than 50% from the floor. Critically against the Nuggets, he had zero turnovers and dished 11 assists. That’s the Cunningham we like to see.
Game Vitals
When: 9 p.m. ET Where: Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, Arizona Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Odds: Pistons -4
Gordon aggravated a previous hamstring injury against the Bucks last week. That previous injury sidelined him for six weeks. Denver has held its own without Gordon — a key glue guy for them on both ends of the court — going 14-10 in the games he has missed so far. Denver has a +0.7 net rating when he is off the floor.
This is just the latest in a seemingly endless string of injuries in Denver this season. The Nuggets are currently playing without four starters in Nikola Jokic (hamstring, Christian Braun (ankle), Cameron Johnson (knee) and Gordon (hamstring). On top of all that, point guard Jamal Murray — who should be named an All-Star reserve — is day-to-day with a hamstring issue himself.
Denver has been an impressive 9-5 since Jokic went out and has held on to the No. 3 seed in the West. He is expected to be re-evaluated in the next week and is reportedly nearing a return. He has been out for a month with a bone bruise from a hyperextended left knee.
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 27: OG Anunoby #8 and Miles McBride #2 of the New York Knicks high five during the game against the Sacramento Kings on January 27, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Nets, 76ers, Kings, and Raptors are not necessarily the Mount Rushmore of contenders in the NBA today. So a four-game winning streak against them alone shouldn’t, and doesn’t, overwrite the 2-9 11 game stretch the Knicks experienced not too long ago. But, if you look at the way they have played since players spoke openly about doing some soul searching, and looking themselves in the mirror, they’ve looked much better, and the numbers give fans reason to believe that their current winning streak is more than just beating up on bad opponents. That is certainly part of it, but the 76ers, despite being just 4-6 in their last 10 games, are still 25-21, and the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference, and the Raptors, before losing to the Knicks last night, were just one loss behind the Knicks, and were 29-19.
Let’s start with the offense. While a lot of the pessimism surrounding the Knicks during their rough patch was rightfully around their defense, their lack of offensive outbursts, and suboptimal execution was much more confounding given the talent on the roster. They had some of the worst shooting performances of the season, all within a short period, resorted to the Jalen Brunson-centric, isolation-heavy offense, and it led to a very predictable, tough-to-watch product that often struggled to score more than 100 points.
But over their last four games, the Knicks have looked much better as a whole. Individual players have still struggled, but we’re now seeing guys step up when they do. Karl-Anthony Towns’ struggles have been well-documented. Mikal Bridges had one of his worst offensive games as a Knicks against the 76ers, OG Anunoby coughed up seven turnovers against the Kings, and the aforementioned Brunson managed to score just 13 points against the Raptors last night. But in each game, guys stepped up, and that was made possible by the increase in ball movement, pace, fluidity, intentionality, and execution.
Against the Nets, Brunson led the way with 20 points, but he was supported by Landry Shamet and Deuce McBride, who poured in 18 points and 14 points off the bench, respectively. And in a historic 54-point blowout, we saw all five members of the starting lineup record three or more assists. Days later, against the 76ers, Brunson once again led the way with 31 points, but Anunoby was the star of the show, scoring 23 points on an efficient 10-15 shooting. Against the Kings, Bridges bounced back and backed up Brunson’s 28 points with 18 points on just 13 shots. And a day later, against the Raptors, in a game where Brunson and Towns combined for a measly 21 points, Bridges led the way with an emphatic 30 points, while Anunoby scored 26 points, Hart scored 22, and Tyler Kolek dished out 10 assists in 20 minutes off the bench.
That’s led to the Knicks being fourth in offensive rating during that span, and has solidified themselves as the third-best offense behind the Nuggets and Celtics. Sure, three of those four teams are bottom five in the defensive rating over their last four games, but one of those teams, the 76ers, is 13th in defensive rating on the season, and the Raptors enter today with the sixth-best defensive rating on the season. But after seeing this team struggle offensively against even the worst teams in the league, it’s a nice change to see them look more like their early-season selves on that end of the floor.
That being said, if you truly believed in Mike Brown and the collective talent of the team, you likely also believed that the shots would start going in again, and that one way or another, they’d find a way to become a good, if not great, offensive team again. Defensively, though, they’ve really turned some heads. Again, the level of competition hasn’t been amazing, and they did get torched by Joel Embiid, DeMar DeRozan, and Brandon Ingram to varying degrees. But as a whole, the defense looks much more active, physical, and connected than it was in a very long time.
Last Wednesday, they held Brooklyn to just 66 points. And before you convince yourself that’s because it’s the Nets, remember that the Nets scored 117 points against the Suns, 103 points against the Magic, and 96 points against the Rockets, all of whom have a higher defensive rating than the Knicks currently do. A few nights later in Philadelphia, they held Tyrese Maxey, who has historically played very well against the Knicks, to just 22 points, and held the Sixers to just 13 points in a pivotal third quarter that proved to be the difference. When they hosted Sacramento, they never gave up more than 26 points in a quarter, and held them to just 15 points in the fourth quarter, when it really mattered the most. And last night in Toronto, they managed to shut down everybody besides Ingram, holding them to just 64 points over their final three quarters without the help of two of their three best defenders, Deuce McBride and Mitchell Robinson.
Again, they haven’t gone out and slowed down the Nuggets, Celtics, Rockets, Thunder, Cavaliers, or any of the other top 10 offenses during this stretch, but it’s clear that the defense has been significantly better during this stretch. Because just a couple of weeks ago, they were getting lit up by the same Kings, the Mavericks, and Pelicans, who are all bottom five in the league in offensive rating.
New York is now one of just four teams, all of which are from the Eastern Conference, to be undefeated in their past four games, and ranks first in net rating during that stretch with a +25.6. This is a small sample size that is made up of just two playoff teams, and the upcoming few weeks will be full of harder tests that will show fans who these Knicks truly are. But for the time being, it’s been a positive sign to see them not only winning, but passing some of the eye tests we saw them fail very recently.
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 10: Ron Harper Jr. #13 of the Boston Celtics and Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs swap jerseys after the game on January 10, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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
Three teams of NBA rookies/sophomores and one team of NBA G Leaguers were drafted to the Castrol 2026 rising star teams. These four teams will compete in a mini-tournament on Friday, Feb. 13, at the LA Clippers’ Intuit Dome as part of the 2026 NBA All-Star events. NBA legends Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady, and Vince Carter, will coach the teams comprised of NBA rookies/sophomores, while former NBA player and current NBC/Peacock analyst Austin Rivers will coach a team made of rising stars in the G League. All four teams will have selected NBA assistants to help their honorary head coaches.
Former Rutgers guard Dylan Harper was drafted No. 12 overall by Anthony’s team, while his brother, Ron Harper Jr., was taken second overall in the G League draft. Both brothers were stars during their time at Rutgers.
Dylan Harper is averaging 10.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while averaging 21.2 minutes per game. Ron Harper Jr. averaged 1.9 points per game and 5 minutes in the seven NBA games he appeared in this season. He has averaged 26.9 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game during the eight games he has played in the G League this season.
Their was several requirements that NBA rookies/ sophomores had to meet to be eligible to be selected, per the NBA’s website.
“NBA assistant coaches determined the pool of 21 NBA players, with each team submitting one ballot. Voters ranked 10 rookies and 10 sophomores, with more points assigned to higher placements. The top 10 rookies and top 10 sophomores by point total earned spots. The final spot was awarded to the higher-scoring player among the 11th-ranked finishers in each class. The pool includes one more sophomore than rookie based on total points received.“
In the Castrol Rising Stars mini-tournament, Team A will face Team B in the first semifinal, and Team C will play Team D in the second semifinal. The winner of Game 1 will meet the winner of Game 2 in the championship. For each semifinal game, the winner will be the first team to reach or surpass 40 points. For the championship game, the winner will be the first team to reach 25 points. It is currently unknown which teams will be pitted against one another in the first two matchups.
In the early hours after Kevin Durant became a Brooklyn Net, I wrote that the Knicks were lucky to have missed out on a 30-year-old generational superstar:
For the first time, there will be expectations and the heat of the Gotham spotlight. Durant struggled with the press in Oklahoma City. Even with all his individual and team success as a Warrior, he argues with nobodies online. How’s it going to go when the New York media starts reporting whispers about his recovery taking too long? Or if he returns and doesn’t look like himself? That’d be natural, of course. But when’s the last time the NYC sports media backed off a headline because patience is natural?
Now, with less than a week till the trade deadline, the gossip girls known as “sports journalists” are all in heat, releasing fat juicy rumors about the suddenly available Giannis Antetokounmpo. A goodly sum of that gesticulating lists the Knicks as a leading candidate to trade away what little depth they have for a 31-year-old out 4-6 weeks with his second significant non-contact calf injury of the half-season, then pay him $59 million next season and $69 million per when he’s 34-37 years old.
I’ve been wrong about the NBA too many times to count. While watching the 1993 draft with a friend who rooted for the Lakers, I swore their second-round pick that year would never amount to anything, some guard from Cincinnati I’d never heard of; Nick Van Exel not only went on to become an All-Star, but one of my favorite players ever. Frank Williams? Earl Barron? Two Knicks I was as sure were Springfield-bound as Ewing and Melo. I’ve defended Derek Fisher, Kurt Rambis, Jose Calderon and Enes Freedom, all on the record.
There’s dumb, there’s dim, and there’s the village idiot, and I been one and two enough to know three is always a distinct possibility.
So when I say I don’t want the Knicks to trade for Giannis — particularly midseason — take it with a huge grain of salt. Speaking of yuuuuge, you saw the photo image for this article? Antetokounmpo’s shoulder is bigger than Josh Hart’s SKULL. Man’s the closest thing the league’s had to Shaq since Shaq. He’s finished top-4 in MVP voting the past seven seasons; the only players to do that since I started watching in 1990 are Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. The GOATS of GOATS, and Giannis. That’s it.
Antetokounmpo would pro’ly be a better fit alongside Jalen Brunson than any of his other New York co-stars. Brunson and Julius Randle never got going in the pick-and-roll, and since the opening months last season the Brunson/KAT model’s been less hot than not. Brunson’s an iso guard. KAT would fit best alongside a Luka, a Cade, a Trae Young, a pick-and-roll virtuoso. Antetokounmpo, more a soloist, would fit more naturally beside Brunson.
As for the defensive upgrade: I am 6 feet tall. When I played basketball long ago as a young person, I was renowned for my quick hands and defensive instincts. While I am still 6 feet tall, I am anything but young. I’m out of shape. I’d probably drop dead if I played halfcourt for 20 minutes, much less full-court. And yet I say to you, friend, the difference in defensive quality at the NBA level between myself and Karl-Anthony Towns is no greater than that between KAT and Giannis. KAT’s defense makes you smack your head in disbelief. Giannis, too, for altogether different reasons of disbelief.
Antetokounmpo’s a better offensive fit beside Brunson. He’d instantly make Mitch the Knicks’ second-best defensive player, which has never been true in Mitch’s career. Giannis has proven he’s great enough to lead a good team to a championship, and it’s not like he sounds any less hungry for a second; if anything, he’s kinda feening. The challenge of retuning the Knicks to the top is one he’d embrace. Forget “best Knick since Ewing”; Antetokounmpo would immediately have a case, as far as his current basketball powers, as the greatest Knick ever — full stop.
I don’t want him. Here’s why.
First, while it’s always exciting imagining all the ways a new lover will excite more than the last, what happens if moving on means the old lover leaving and taking with the bed, most of the furniture and the dog? Acquiring Antetokounmpo would either mean trading KAT straight-up for him — something the Bucks will never do — or multiple players. When you only go about as deep as CBS News, that’s a no-no.
Say adding Giannis “only” costs KAT and Bridges from the current rotation, and we’ll throw in Kyle Kuzma headed this way, too (whether you think that’s a plus or minus is up to you). That’d leave the Knicks with:
Helluva starting five, eh? But start ranking the subs and it gets to be thin pickings fast. How many those subs you trust with 15-20 minutes a game come playoff time? That roster isn’t any closer to a ‘chip than the current one; the Knicks would have simply made another O. Henry trade, acquiring something precious at the cost of something equally precious, leaving them no better and less flexible (see: Anthony, Carmelo trade)
Two, we keep hearing how Giannis could mitigate a lotta difficulty for the Knicks by simply making it clear to the Bucks Gotham is the only place he’ll go. But — and I can say this from personal, shamed experience — it can be really difficult to extract yourself from a doomed relationship that you know isn’t sparking joy anymore. One of the most irritating things about Antetokounmpo in recent years has been his back-and-forth between “My righteous tzadik soul could never sully the Creator’s plan by asking for a trade” and “It’s medically critical that I am always competing for a title or else my blood cells will burst.”
What are the odds he pushes for a midseason deal to New York? If it required Milwaukee accepting what was obviously not the best offer possible, how will their fans react? I don’t think the Bucks want to be the first team to make a Luka-level trade since Luka and be explaining to their fans that the priority was doing right by Antetokounmpo while dooming the paying customers to a half-decade of long, cold Wisconsin winters.
Push a deal to the offseason and the Knicks could add a few extra first-round picks that aren’t currently trade-eligible. Push it to the offseason and a lotta teams can improve their offer, most to levels the Knicks just can’t reach. Unless the Bucks are interested in a post-Giannis future of winning 40ish games a year and drafting in the mid- to late teens.
A third reason I don’t want Antetokounmpo is where he differs 100% from Durant six years ago. KD is 7-feet tall and plays like his whole nine months in the womb God was whispering shooting tips to him. Even if Durant lost a step after his Achilles injury, he’s so tall, so long and so skilled that he could probably continue to dominate, even if he had to make adjustments due to injury.
You know when you like someone and you meet their parent of the same sex? And you check that parent out, wondering “Is that what my lover gonna look like in 20-30 years?” Someone with KD’s game is still holding it down in their late 50s, their 60s; the genes are immaculate. If Antetokounmpo loses a step due to injury/age, he could drop more than a just a little. He’s big and strong and athletic as all hell and can’t shoot a lick. Lose enough of them three formers and the latter could end up in tatters.
And four, finally: why would a man who gripes about being booed in Milwaukee be someone we trust with the pressure in New York? Antetokounmpo is the greatest player in Bucks history, and I’d guess the most popular. With allllll of the capital he’s built in a city not known for being hard on its athletes, his team was still booed (rightfully) for trailing by 31 at the half recently. And Antetokounmpo booed them back! If he comes to Madison Square Garden, the spotlight is on mostly on him, in front of fans he’s done nothing for besides costing a king’s ransom to acquire, and he’ll be expected to accomplish something no one from Bob McAdoo to Brunson ever has. No pressure.
If you want Antetokounmpo on the Knicks, pray it waits till the summer. The Knicks made a blockbuster deal last season right as training camp opened. Three days after their season ended, they stunningly fired their coach. There’s been a decent amount of turmoil and turnover at the highest levels of this team in, like, 15 months. Trading for Giannis midseason, whose game is 180-degrees different from KAT’s in every way, would force a team with less depth to completely alter their playing style on both ends more than halfway through the season. Please.
Also, a defense of Towns, who sometimes seems like he was brought in to be the perfect patsy to scapegoat outta town — KAT was a big reason the Knicks just made their first conference finals since 2000. This is no “Randle’s never come through in the postseason!” deal (another sophism I fought against); the Knicks don’t beat Detroit and Boston without KAT’s efforts. He’s still played fewer games as a Knick than Langston Galloway, Travis Knight and Michael Sweetney. Can we give an experiment that was entirely successful a year ago more than 50 games under a new coach before we blow it to hell? And that’s what it’d be: blowing things up.
What do you think? Do you want Giannis now? In the summer? ASAP? Never? Gab away in the comments, hon. Just be sure not to boo him, even in writing. Word is the man doesn’t like that.
BOSTON — Jaylen Brown is doubtful to play in Friday’s game between the Celtics and the Sacramento Kings, per the Celtics. Brown, who has only missed 3 games this season, is dealing with both left hamstring tightness and a right knee contusion.
Brown has been listed as dealing with hamstring tightness several times in the past week, and it’s something that he’s been playing through. The right knee contusion has not been previously listed on the injury report this season and thus appears to be a new injury.
Celtics Injury Report vs. Sacramento (1/30):
Jaylen Brown – Left Hamstring Tightness and Right Knee Contusion – DOUBTFUL
Brown had one of his less productive games of the season in a 117-106 loss to the Hawks on Wednesday, but he still finished with 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists.
In addition to Brown, Neemias Queta is listed as probable to play as he continues to recover from illness. Queta missed Wednesday’s loss to the Atlanta Hawks as he deals with an illness he’s been playing through since Friday. The Celtics struggled in Queta’s absence and mostly relied on Amari Williams and Luka Garza in the frontcourt.
Garza, who has also been dealing with illness, is not on the injury report. Garza was one of Boston’s steadiest players on Wednesday, tallying 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Celtics look to get back on track against the Sacramento Kings
The Celtics have been on a bit of a slump lately, having dropped 5 of their last 10 games. For the season, they currently hold a 29-18 record, good for the East’s third-best record. On Wednesday night, they dropped just their fourth game of the season by double-digits.
“We just didn’t have it tonight,” Jaylen Brown said. “It’s just as simple as that. We came up short, but we didn’t have that spark today.”
The Kings, meanwhile, have lost 6 straight games and have the second-worst record (12-36) in the West. They’ll be on the second night of a back-to-back when they face the Celtics, as they face the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night.
MEMPHIS, TN - OCTOBER 31: Austin Reaves #15 and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2025 - 2026 Emirates NBA Cup game on October 31, 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 Grant Burke/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Not all NBA questionable statuses are created equal.
As the Lakers prepare to play against the Wizards, Luka Dončić has been downgraded to questionable for the game, while Austin Reaves has the same status, although his is an upgrade that hints at his potential return.
Austin Reaves is upgraded to questionable and Luka Dončić is downgraded to questionable for LA's upcoming contest in Washington. pic.twitter.com/umGXU8xbuc
Reaves has missed the last 17 games due to this Grade 2 calf strain. Lakers head coach JJ Redick stated that he has been “progressing well” and was hopeful Reaves would be able to play during the team’s road trip.
This is the first time Reaves has been upgraded to questionable since being sidelined with this injury.
The Lakers could absolutely use Reaves production. He is averaging 26.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game. Not only did this injury hurt the Lakers by keeping their starting guard out, but it also took away Reaves’ eligibility for NBA awards.
He has missed too many games already and will not reach the 65-game threshold necessary to be up for any end-of-season accolades.
While Reaves status is a positive, Luka’s is a negative. He hurt his ankle during LA’s game in Cleveland, falling off the raised court of hopping backwards following a 3-point attempt. It’s unusual for an NBA floor to be elevated and Redick said it was a safety hazard during his postgame media availability.
Considering that Luka might miss a game due to the raised floor causing his fall, it appears he is absolutely right. Luckily, the injury wasn’t a catastrophe and Luka might even suit up in Washington if the ankle holds up.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR has adjusted the schedule for this weekend's exhibition race at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem in anticipation of more ice and snow blanketing the Winston-Salem area of North Carolina.
The Clash was supposed to be a two-day event beginning Saturday with the main event held Sunday evening. But the roads in the area are not yet totally clear from last weekend's ice storm, and more inclement weather is scheduled for the next few days with as much as 12 inches possible for Saturday and the area under a winter storm watch through 1 p.m. EST Sunday.
To adjust, NASCAR has postponed all of Saturday’s on-track activity and will run the Clash as a one-day program Sunday. The hope is to begin with practice at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
NASCAR believes even with cold temperatures, its Goodyear tires will produce enough grip on the quarter-mile Bowman Gray Stadium track to run Sunday at 6 p.m.
If the event goes off at all will depend on how much snow falls Saturday. If The Clash can't run Sunday, NASCAR seems prepared to run the event on the next possible clear day; teams head to Daytona Beach, Florida, around Feb. 9 to begin preparations for the season-opening Daytona 500.
Because The Clash is now one day only, the format will be:
— Drivers will be split into three practice groups, and each group will get three practice sessions. Times in the final session will determine their starting lineup for the main event and the last chance qualifier.
— Saturday heat races are canceled.
— The Sunday 75-lap last-chance qualifier will offer two spots in the main event for those who didn’t finish in the top-20 in qualifying.
— The final 23rd spot in the main event will go to the driver highest in points who hasn’t made the race. Two-time NASCAR champion Kyle Larson is the only driver guaranteed a spot in the race.
— The main event will be 200 laps with a midway break at Lap 100. Only green-flag laps count.
