LEEDS, England (AP) — Leeds United scored twice in four minutes in a dominant first half then added a third soon after halftime in beating Nottingham Forest 3-1 for a massive boost in its fight against Premier League relegation on Friday.
Leeds' fourth Friday night win in a row lifted it nine points clear of the relegation zone and equal on points with the two clubs above it, Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur.
Forest's four-game unbeaten league run came to an unceremonious end, and remained in 17th place.
Leeds started the better side and led after 26 minutes.
With the Forest defense static, Jayden Bogle ran on to a superb through ball from Ilia Gruev and poked it under the hesitant keeper.
Four minutes later, Noah Okafor broke a 16-game scoring drought to make it 2-0. But much the credit went to James Justin, who started the move on the right flank and saw his shot parried into the path of the former Napoli and AC Milan winger who made no mistake.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin completed the scoring three minutes into the second half when he dived to chest Gruev’s ball into the box past Stefan Ortega.
Lorenzo Lucca’s consolation goal for Forest with six minutes remaining did little to dampen the enthusiasm of the home fans at Elland Road.
“It is always nice to take the three points back to the training ground," Justin said. “We deserved them, we put in the graft.
"Some of the football we played tonight was some of the best we’ve played all season. To put in a performance like that is a big one in the league.”
VERONA, Italy (AP) — Verona and Pisa drew 0-0 in a dire game that reflected the clubs’ positions at the foot of Serie A on Friday.
Both teams had new managers on the sidelines and were looking for the three points that might kickstart what looks set to be a long and arduous fight against relegation.
But neither team managed a shot on target in the first 45 minutes and it wasn’t until the final minutes that either side showed any urgency.
A header from Pisa’s Stefano Moreo hit the woodwork and although both goalkeepers were forced to make crucial stops to thwart counterattacks no goal was forthcoming.
Verona remains last, behind Pisa on goal difference.
BERLIN (AP) — Union Berlin drew with Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 in a poor Bundesliga game that came alive in the final minutes with two goals and a red card on Friday.
After 83 scrappy minutes, Nathaniel Brown put Frankfurt ahead with a rasping shot from 15 meters. Substitute Mahmoud Dahoud mistimed his scissor kick but the ball fell perfectly for Brown to volley home.
The goal set up the visitor for its first win in nine games but its hopes crumbled just seconds later.
Oscar Højlund was sent off for a second bookable offense two minutes after his side took the lead and Leopold Querfeld scored from the resulting penalty.
The draw meant both clubs were still looking for their first win of 2026.
The late implosion was particularly galling for Albert Riera, who took over as Frankfurt coach this week and was denied a starting three points. One bright spot was the team’s defensive display. Friday’s game was the first in eight this year in which it has not conceded at least two goals.
Frankfurt was seventh in the table, three points ahead of Berlin in ninth.
The Athletic reported McBride was to have surgery on Friday. Eight weeks from then is April 3 and the Knicks would have five games remaining in the regular season. The first round of the NBA Playoffs is scheduled to start on April 18, which would be 10 weeks from now.
McBride has missed the team's last five games due to "left ankle injury management," having last played on Jan. 27 against the Sacramento Kings. He originally suffered an ankle injury back on Dec. 7, missing nine games before returning on Dec. 29.
The 25-year-old guard has had a career-best season for New York, averaging 12.9 points on 42.0 percent three-point shooting, 2.8 assists, and 2.6 rebounds over 35 games (14 starts). In his absence, head coach Mike Brown will likely rely on a combination of Landry Shamet, Jordan Clarkson, and newly acquired guard Jose Alvarado.
BOSTON — Brad Stevens said Jayson Tatum continues to hit thresholds in his recovery from Achilles surgery on Friday while addressing the Celtics’ trade deadline moves. Boston continues to leave open the door for a Tatum return this season with 31 games remaining, but cautioned that he’s still a ways away in his return. Tatum’s trajectory did not impact how the team navigated the trade deadline, diving below the luxury tax line with four trades and acquiring Nikola Vučevićfor Anfernee Simons.
“I would say it had very little impact on that singular decision, just because at the end of the day, if you look at who you have to go through, the paths you have to take, you just can’t get worn down physically. And we were gonna be much smaller and now we at least have big options. Obviously, any team with Jayson Tatum’s going to be better. So if that happens, that happens, and if it doesn’t, it doesn’t, but we just thought that re-distributing our positional needs was probably the most important thing.”
Stevens did not acknowledge any change in approach or in Tatum’s mindset regarding the return even after his appearance on the Pivot Podcast, which Stevens caught clips of but did not watch. He referred to his own conversations with Tatum on the subject and acknowledged that anyone going through the progression of an extended injury recovery will have numerous thoughts along the way. Tatum wondered how he would fit into the Celtics mid-season on a successful team that’s formed an identity without him. Chris Haynes later reported that Tatum was now re-evaluating returning this season, something Tatum expressed himself in his podcast comments.
Teammates have also acknowledged the mental hurdle Tatum faces through the final stages of his recovery, roughly one week shy of the nine month anniversary of his procedure. Several players who suffered Achilles tears last season returned around this timeframe, albeit with the benefit of full training camps and preseasons to ramp-up. Stevens did not place a deadline on when Tatum would need to return this year before both sides would decide to wait for next year. Instead, they plan to play Tatum when he’s ready to return.
“(It’s) best for Jayson Tatum to come back when he’s 110% healthy, he’s fully clear by everybody that matters in that decision and he’s got great peace of mind and ready to do it. That’s it. That’s the objective and that’s what we’re gonna stick with,” Stevens said. “When we feel 100%, it’ll be his, it’ll be a group getting together and talking, but I think our medical people are really good, I think his doctors are really good, so we’re gonna listen to them, he’s listening to them. I think he and Nick have had an amazing work ethic through this recovery, and when it’s right, then we’ll all sit down and talk about it, but there’s still no force from us, there’s no pressure from us, but there’s also not going to be any of us saying, well, why don’t you take another week? When he’s ready, he’s ready.”
While the personnel moves the Celtics made at the deadline may not have considered Tatum’s availability, they did create a starting lineup hole that Tatum would assuredly fill when the time comes. Joe Mazzulla moved Payton Pritchard to the bench on Tuesday after Boston traded Anfernee Simons, a move Pritchard expected to continue when he spoke after the game. The Celtics did so to balance play-making between the starters and bench, and Baylor Scheierman started both games in his place, his fifth and sixth starts into the new year. Luka Garza also joined the starting unit next to Neemias Queta on Wednesday with multiple starters out, opening the door to the double-big option.
Tatum’s return would inevitably bolster the starting unit’s play-making, shooting and defense, and leave Pritchard to lead the second unit as he did one year ago. That leaves almost nightly questions about who will start unless Scheierman becomes a mainstay, and Tatum’s return will come with the question of how Jaylen Brown and Tatum re-establish their dynamic atop the offense after Brown’s MVP caliber first half to the season. Like other teammates before him, however, Brown embraced Tatum’s return with open arms when asked on
“I’ve been watching his progression and I know mentally, he’s been through ups-and-downs like any other person going through adversity in their career, etc.,” Brown said. “But I just let him know, do what’s best for you, because outside of it just being ysically a setback, mentally, spiritually, emotionally comes into play as well. So even if you’re physically feeling well, make sure your mind, mentally, emotionally and spiritually feel great too. So I trust, we trust his decision-making. Obviously, we’d love to have him back. Winning is the most important thing to me. So being to be able to add to winning and potentially have another deep playoff run is what I’m aiming for, so J.T.‘s a big part of that. Obviously, he has to make the right decision for him and his body … but when it’s time, if he does make that decision, we would love to have him back.”
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 15: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball against Norman Powell #24 of the Miami Heat during the first quarter of the game at Kaseya Center on January 15, 2026 in Miami, Florida. 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 Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Miami Heat (27-25) at Boston Celtics (33-18) Friday, February 6, 2026 7:30 PM ET Regular Season Game #52 Home Game #25 TV: NBCSB, FDSN Sun, NBA-LP Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, WQAM 104.3 FM, Sirius XM TD Garden
The Celtics host the Miami Heat for the third of 4 games between them this season. They won 129-116 in Boston on December 19. They won119-114 in Miami on January 15. They will play one more time in Miami on April 1. The Celtics won the series 3-1 last season. They won the two games played in Miami and won one and lost one in Boston. The Celtics are 88-54 overall all time against the Heat. They are 45-24 all time in games played in Boston.
The Celtics made several moves at the trade deadline. They traded Anfernee Simons to Chicago for Nikola Vucevic. They traded Chris Boucher to Utah for John Tonje, a two way player. They converted Amare Williams to a standard contract from two-way. They traded Josh Minott to Brooklyn and they traded Xavier Tillman to Charlotte. The Heat were one of 3 teams, along with the Rockets and Spurs, who stood pat at the deadline.
The Celtics are 3rd in the East, 4.5 games behind 1st place Detroit. They are tied with 2nd place New York, 2.5 games ahead of 4th place Cleveland, 3.5 games ahead of 5th place Philadelphia and 6th place Toronto and 6.5 games ahead of 7th place Miami. The Celtics are 22-12 against Eastern Conference opponents. They are 16-8 at home and 7-3 in their last 10 games. They have won their last 4 games.
The Heat are 7th in the East, 11.5 games behind 1st place Detroit, 4 games behind 4th place Cleveland, 3 games behind 5th place Philadelphia and 6th place Toronto. They are half a game ahead of 8th place Orlando and 3.5 games ahead of 11th place Charlotte. They are 14-15 against Eastern Conference opponents. They are 11-15 on the road and 5-5 in their last 10 games. They are coming off a loss in their last game.
The Celtics just completed a 2 game road trip where they swept Dallas and Houston back to back. After this game against Miami, they will host New York and Chicago for a 3 game home stand, which will take them into the All Star Break. After the break, they will head out on a 4 game Western road trip through Golden State, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix, and Denver.
This is the first of 2 road games for the Heat. After this game in Boston, they will play at Washington. They will then play Utah at home and New Orleans on the road before the All Star break. After the break, They will play at Atlanta and at home against Memphis before 2 games on the road at Milwaukee and Philadelphia.
The only players on the Celtics injury report at this time are Jayson Tatum as he rehabs from the torn Achilles and John Tonje who is awaiting the trade to be finalized. Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser and Nikola Vucevic are all currently not on the report. For Miami, Tyler Herro (ribs) and Terry Rozier III (not injury related) are both out.
Probable Starting Matchups PG: Derrick White vs Davion Mitchell
Derrick White | Getty ImagesDavion Mitchell | NBAE via Getty Images
Boston Celtics Reserves Payton Pritchard Jordan Walsh Hugo Gonzalez Luka Garza Nikola Vucevic Amari Williams
2-Way Players Ron Harper, Jr Max Shulga John Tonje
Injuries/Out Jayson Tatum (Achilles) out John Tonje (trade) out
Head Coach Joe Mazzulla
Miami Heat Reserves Kasparas Jakucionis Jaime Jaquez, Jr Keshad Johnson Nikola Jovic Dru Smith Kel’el Ware Simone Fontecchio 2-Way Players Myron Gardner Vladislav Goldin Jahmir Young Injuries/Out Tyler Herro (ribs) out Terry Rozier III (not injury related) out
Head Coach Erik Spoelstra
Key Matchups Jaylen Brown vs Norman Powell Powell is averaging 23points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game. He is shooting 47.2% from the field and 39.2% from beyond the arc. In 2 games against the Celtics so far this season, he averaged 22 points, 3.5 rebounds,2.5 assists and 1 steal while shooting 47.2% from the field and 14.3% from beyond the arc. The Celtics need to defend him well as he is the Heat’s high scorer and can put up a lot of points in a hurry if left open.
Neemias Queta vs Bam Adebayo Adebayo is averaging 18.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.0 steal per game. He is shooting 44.4% from the field and 34.6% from beyond the arc. In the first 2 games against the Celtics, he averaged 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists while shooting 43.8% from the field and 37.5% from beyond the arc. The Celtics need to keep him out of the paint and off the boards.
Honorable Mention Sam Hauser vs Andrew Wiggins Wiggins is averaging 15.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. He is shooting 46.8% from the field and 38.4% from beyond the arc. He didn’t play in the first game against the Celtics but he finished the second game with 16 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists while shooting 50% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. He is a good shooter and so the Celtics need to defend him well.
Keys to the Game Defense – Defense will always be the biggest key to winning every single game. The Celtics are 11th with a defensive rating of 112.7. The Heat are 4th with a defensive rating of 112.1. The Celtics need to defend the perimeter since the Heat attempt 36.7 threes a game and shoot threes at 36.1%. They also have to defend the paint as the Heat are 3rd with 54.9 points in the paint per game. The Celtics need to work harder than the Heat on defense and make that their priority.
Rebound – Along with defense, rebounding is always a key to winning. As Pat Riley once said “No rebounds, no rings.” The Celtics average 42.5 rebounds per game (9th) while the Heat average 46.6 rebounds per game (2nd). The Celtics out-rebounded the #1 rebounding team, Houston, on Wednesday and they need to put the same effort into rebounding in this game. It takes effort and hustle to get rebounds and the Celtics need to give more effort than the Heat to grab rebounds if they want to win this game.
Effort and Focus for 48 Minutes– The Celtics have to play with extra effort overall for all 4 quarters. In most of their losses and even in some of their wins, they have allowed their opponents to play with more energy than them for periods of time during the game. They play well for stretches but let up and allow their opponents to surge ahead. The Heat are known for playing hard against all of their opponents. They have to stay focused for all 48 minutes and be ready for the heat to play harder in the second half and they need to match that effort and if the 3’s aren’t falling, get into the paint.
Move the Ball Carefully – The Celtics are best when they keep the ball moving and find the open man. They struggle when they try to do too much individually. The Celtics are 21-2 when they have 25 or more assists in a game. The Heat are 5th in the league with 20.3 points off turnovers per game so the Celtics have to make careful passes and be careful not to turn the ball over.
X-Factors Home Game and Fatigue – The Celtics are at home and will have the crowd behind them to give them extra motivation. The Heat will be playing in front of a hostile crowd and in an unfamiliar arena. The Celtics are playing in the 3rd game in 4 nights and have been playing short handed so there may be some fatigue there.
Officiating – Officiating is always an x-factor in every game. Every crew officiates differently. Some call it tight, others let them play. The Celtics need to adjust to how the refs are calling the game and not allow bad calls or no calls to take away their focus from playing the game. The more aggressive team will usually get the benefit of the calls and so the Celtics need to be the more aggressive team.
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 30: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on after a play against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on January 30, 2026 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After the win, Lakers head coach JJ Redick didn’t have an update on Luka, but he did say that Dončić would get an MRI to indicate the severity of the injury.
The Lakers haven’t officially given a statement on their superstar guard, but Dave McMenamin of ESPN is reporting that there’s optimism that the injury is not a major one.
There is some initial optimism that Luka Doncic is not dealing with a major issue with his left hamstring, however the Lakers star is doubtful to play Saturday against the Golden State Warriors, sources told ESPN
Luka’s importance to the Lakers cannot be understated.
He is their best player and the NBA’s leading scorer, averaging 33.4 points per game. LA playing without him for an extended period of time would make winning that much harder.
Also, if he were to miss significant time, the Lakers would once again be playing shorthanded. Now that Austin Reaves is back, there was hope that the Lakers could have their entire rotation healthy for the first time since mid-December.
Luka has dealt with hamstring injuries before. As a Dallas Maverick, he suffered a hamstring injury late in the 2022-23 season that forced him to miss some games.
Hopefully, this update means Luka will miss little to no games due to this injury.
While Luka avoided a worst-case scenario, this injury does put his first All-Star appearance as a Laker at risk. Luka was named a starter for the game, but with it taking place on Feb. 15, he might choose to rest his body rather than play against Team USA.
If Luka does miss some additional regular-season games, it will hurt chances of remaining eligible for the NBA’s end-of-season awards. Currently, Luka has missed seven games due to injury. He can only miss 10 more games to remain eligible.
Still, even if he does miss some time, it doesn’t seem like it will ultimately derail his season or the Lakers’ chances of competing in the Western Conference.
The Lakers are currently fifth in the West, but just three and a half games back of the No. 2 seed.
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 16: Michael Porter Jr. #17 of the Brooklyn Nets prepares to shoot a free throw against the Washington Wizards on November 16, 2025 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Kenny Giarla/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Washington Wizards play the Brooklyn Nets tomorrow afternoon. Let’s get to the info.
Game info
When: Saturday, Feb. 7 at 3 p.m. ET
Where: Barclays Center, New York City
How to watch: Monumental Sports Network, League Pass
Injuries: For the Wizards, Tre Johnson (ankle), Tristan Vukcevic (hamstring), Trae Young (knee, quad) and Cam Whitmore (shoulder), Dante Exum (knee) and Anthony Davis (finger) are out. Jaden Hardy and D’Angelo Russell are day-to-day due to various injuries.
For the Nets, Josh Minott and Ochai Agbaji are day-to-day.
Brooklyn in 13-37 this season and had lost 10 of their last 11 games. Things don’t appear to be as optimistic in the Big Apple’s other team (since the Knicks are doing real well) but playing against the Wizards should be a more even match than most of their previous ones. Hopefully Washington can get another big win tomorrow afternoon.
The injury happened during the second quarter, with 3:30 left to play. Philadelphia threw a double team at Dončić, which prompted him to turn the ball over on a bad pass. Immediately after the turnover, Dončić appeared to favor the back of his left leg and went straight to the locker room.
Dončić did not have a notable limp, but broadcast cameras caught him expressing visible frustration as he went into the locker room.
Dončić did not come out onto the floor with his teammates at the start of the second half, and the Lakers ruled him out with left leg soreness.
Here’s everything you need to know about Luka Dončić’s injury.
Luka Dončić injury update
On Friday, Feb. 6, ESPN reported that there’s initial optimism that Dončić’s hamstring injury is not a significant one, though he’s expected to be doubtful to play in Los Angeles’ game Saturday, Feb. 7 against the Golden State Warriors.
The Lakers are not required to submit an official injury report until later Friday evening, so an official designation will be available then.
“Too early to say if it’s an injury,” Lakers coach JJ Redick told reporters Thursday after the game. “(Dončić) had a sore hamstring.”
Luka Dončić stats
Dončić is averaging 32.8 points per game, which leads all NBA players, adding 8.6 assists and 7.8 rebounds per game. Dončić has appeared in 42 games.
HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 4: The sneakers worn by Neemias Queta #88 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Houston Rockets on February 4, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 27: Jared McCain #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Milwaukee Bucks at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 27, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Bucks 139-122. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Sixers’ biggest bit of business at the trade deadline was also their most surprising. The team sent second-year guard Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder for draft compensation.
McCain was the 16th overall pick in 2024, the Rookie of the Year favorite pre-injury, and is still just 21 years old, on a rookie deal through the 2027-28 season and unable to even hit restricted free agency until the 2028-29 season.
So, why trade a player like that, especially when the trade did nothing to help Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and the 2025-26 Sixers?
President of basketball operations Daryl Morey did his best to explain the decision.
“We see Jared as somebody that’s more likely to help a team in the future,” Morey said. “I think that’s fairly obvious; I think he has a bright future. We thought that the draft picks we got would help us more in the future — and could’ve helped us this deadline. The picks we got were offered to many teams and nothing materialized for a player that we thought could move the needle with those picks now. But we feel like going forward, those picks will help us build the team in the future in a good way.”
OK, let’s break down those comments a bit.
McCain undoubtedly struggled this year returning from a torn meniscus and also a UCL tear he suffered ahead of training camp. He missed the first six games of the season, struggled to find consistent playing time and never truly regained his form from a season ago. Though he’d shown flashes recently, it was fair to wonder if this was simply going to be a lost season for McCain.
While Morey said he wanted to use the draft capital he got in the deal to make an upgrade this season, the order of operations suggests the McCain deal still would’ve gone down no matter what. Sure, as Morey stated, the team got the deal done early so they could explore other options, but without a separate deal already in place, McCain would’ve been gone either way.
This wasn’t about ducking the tax. This wasn’t about improving this season — though the team surely did try to flip the assets for an upgrade. Morey can drop all the niceties about McCain he’d like, but it seems obvious the team valued the compensation and the future flexibility over rostering McCain. Whether it was fit or not believing in his future, the organization was ready to move on from McCain.
Many will fairly question the timing. The team could still use guard depth as Maxey leads the NBA in minutes per game and VJ Edgecombe leads all rookies. So, why not let the season play out when a similar offer would likely be on the table this offseason? And wasn’t the franchise selling McCain at his nadir value after such a promising rookie campaign?
“I’m quite confident we were selling high,” Morey said. “Obviously, time will tell. We weren’t looking to sell. I’ll be frank. Teams came to us with aggressive offers for him. You could say, ‘Yeah, that’s because he’s a good player.’ I agree with that. We thought this return was above, for the future value of our franchise, what we could get. The only higher point would’ve been during his run last season. Otherwise, we feel like we did time this well.”
Morey defended the return for McCain, saying it was superior to the value of a deal for a quality starting-caliber player. While Morey did make note that the consensus is the 2026 NBA draft is considered a good and deep one, he also admitted that wasn’t really the motivation behind the trade.
“That wasn’t the main focus,” he said. “I think it’s a nice focus, because we do think this draft is a good draft, but we’re not necessarily using the pick in this draft. It could be used for moves around the draft. The three seconds that we got with it, we think those could be used to move up in this draft. Obviously, myself and our front office have done a lot of deals over the years, and this just gives us more tools to make the moves that we think will help our future more than we saw with Jared, who we gave up. But that’s not a comment on Jared.”
Again, Morey has to say it’s “not a comment on Jared,” but how could it not be? It’s clear the starting backcourt for the next decade or so should be Maxey and Edgecombe. It’s also clear that Morey and the team preferred attempting to re-sign Quentin Grimes this offseason over letting him walk and hoping McCain could take over as the team’s top guard off the bench.
In the end, this is what it’s about — Morey and the Sixers felt the assets they got were more valuable to them than Jared McCain. We’ll find out soon enough if that’s the case.
The Knicks suffered a huge blow to their backcourt on Thursday.
Numerous reports indicated that point guard Miles McBride is set to undergo surgery for a core muscle injury and could be sidelined for the remainder of the regular season.
It’s a tough loss for New York’s rotation, but they acted quickly to land his replacement.
Just before the NBA trade deadline hit, New York picked up Jose Alvarado from the Pelicans in exchange for Dalen Terry and two second-round picks (2026 and 2027).
Terry, of course, was acquired from the Bulls hours prior in the Guerschon Yabusele deal.
According to SNY’s Ian Begley, Yabusele’s willingness to remove his 2026-27 player option helped compete that trade, ultimately leading to Alvarado landing in the Big Apple.
Back home, the New York native will look to provide a boost for the Knicks’ second unit.
Alvarado is averaging 7.9 points, 3.1 assists, and 2.8 rebounds over 21.9 minutes with the Pelicans this season.
While he doesn’t exactly light it up in the scoring department on a nightly basis, his biggest impact will come with his high-energy play on the other end of the floor.
Alvarado is viewed by many as one of the most scrappy defenders in the league.
That’s exactly what Jalen Brunson likes most about the pickup.
The captain told reporters including James Edwards III of the Athletic following Friday's practice in Detroit that he really likes the intensity Alvarado will bring to this group.
Brunson has some familiarity with the 27-year-old through Josh Hart.
Alvarado, of course, broke into the league during Hart's final years in New Orleans.
The Christ the King product won't be available for Friday night's meeting with the Pistons, but it shouldn't be long before we see him make his highly-anticipated Knicks debut.
“There’s always competition in this league. Obviously Deuce is out for a little bit. We’re trying to be a championship-level team so you bring in as much talent as you can,” Kolek said Friday. “I’m going to compete every single day. He’s going to compete. Everybody on this team is going to compete for minutes.
“So it’s no slight to anybody.”
Tyler Kolek is keeping a positive attitude after the Knicks’ acquisition of Jose Alvarado. NBAE via Getty Images
Kolek has bounced in and out of the rotation this season while flashing the playmaking skills that helped win important games.
However, Kolek’s defense and struggles to break the press left the Knicks searching for another point guard at the deadline.
They targeted Alvarado and landed him for two second-round picks.
Still, Kolek should get an opportunity for important minutes since Miles McBride is out until the playoffs after undergoing sports hernia surgery.
And Alvarado won’t debut until at least Sunday in Boston – he still had to complete a physical – leaving Kolek as the lone backup point guard Friday in Detroit.
Assuming full health from everybody else, the Knicks have a five-guard rotation of Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Landry Shamet, Alvarado and Kolek.
“Try to do the same thing I’ve always been doing,” Kolek said. “Do whatever the team needs from me, whatever the coach needs from me. When I get in there, change the pace. Get guys the ball.”
The Knicks, who have title aspirations this season, stood pat at the trade deadline other than swapping Guerschon Yabusele for Alvarado.
Kolek said it wasn’t personally stressful.
Jose Alvarado is now a Knick. AP
“It was not much. I feel like there wasn’t a lot of talk about myself moving,” he said. “I feel like that would’ve been a little bit more stressful and more weight on it.”
All those trades only to end up back where he started.
Veteran point guard Mike Conley is reportedly expected to reunite with the Minnesota Timberwolves after he was dealt twice before the NBA trading deadline expired Thursday, Feb. 5, according to ESPN.
It’s a peculiar situation, but because Conley was technically two teams removed from Minnesota, he’s able to return to the Timberwolves. It started Wednesday, Feb. 4, when the Timberwolves packaged Conley in a three-team trade between the Bulls and Pistons. In that deal, Conley "went" to Chicago, which then rerouted him to Charlotte in a separate deal Thursday that also sent Coby White to the Charlotte Hornets for Collin Sexton and three second-round selections.
Conley, though, was used in those deals mostly as a vehicle to move around his $10.7 million salary that he was owed this season. The Hornets had no intention of keeping Conley, so they waived him, which made him a free agent and allows him to explore the open market.
"Mike’s my guy," Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards told reporters Wednesday. "He’s like a OG to me. Just a great dude overall. Hopefully we can get him back. I keep hearing he can come back, so hopefully he will and I hope he see this. We want you back, Mike."
Conley has seen his role reduced significantly and is averaging career lows in minutes (18.5), points (4.4), rebounds (1.8) and assists per game (2.9). Known more for his leadership and command within the locker room, Conley, 38, is seen as a steadying veteran presence in Minnesota.
Conley’s role with the Timberwolves could be further reduced once he returns; Minnesota also made a trade for speedy Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu, who just turned 26 and who is averaging 15.0 points and 3.6 assists per game.
That’s per ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst, who was asked Friday morning on “Get Up” about the Grizzlies guard, who wasn’t traded before the NBA’s 3 p.m. deadline Thursday.
Morant had been a topic of trade talks for weeks leading up to the deadline, with Memphis reportedly asking for a first-round pick and a younger player in return.
Brian Windhorst on Ja Morant not getting traded:
“When I say he has no value, I don’t even think that’s accurate. I think he has what they call in the league, negative value. Meaning teams weren’t willing to take Ja Morant unless the Grizzlies also added draft compensation”… pic.twitter.com/QMiGd7mSqP
Windhorst was blunt. He said between his suspensions, injuries and issues with coaches, Morant’s value has tanked.
“When I say he has no value, I don’t even think that’s accurate. I think he has what they call in the league, ‘negative value,’” Windhorst said.
“Meaning teams weren’t willing to take Ja Morant unless the Grizzlies also added draft compensation.”
This season, Morant has played just 20 of the Grizzlies’ 49 games, missing matchups due to a left elbow strain that has held him out since January 21.
He also played just nine games in the 2023-24 season due to a 25-game league suspension and shoulder surgery.
On the court, Windhorst acknowledged that Morant has been playing better as of late. But throughout most of the season, he hasn’t been playing to his strength — attacking the paint.
As a result, he’s averaging his lowest points per game (19.5) since his sophomore season in the 2020-21 campaign. He’s also shooting a career-low 41.0% overall and 23.5% from 3.
Ja Morant has missed 29 games this season due to injury and a one-game suspension. NBAE via Getty Images
“He is at his best when he gets into that paint. He’s never done it less. He’s taken more jump shots, and he’s never been worse at those jump shots,” Windhorst said.
Another factor contributing to Morant’s “negative value,” according to Windhorst, is his contract. He’s in the third year of a five-year, $197 million contract that extends through the 2027-28 season.
Windhorst added he still has two years and $87 million left on the deal, something no team wants to take on right now, especially with his off the court issues.
“If he had one year on his contract, I think there would be some teams that would say, ‘We’re gonna do a buy low here,’” Windhorst said. “The two years on his contract has literally made his situation toxic.”
Ja Morant is failing to average over 20 points per game for only the third time in his career. AP
As a result of Morant’s struggles and missed games this season, the Grizzlies sit at 20-29, two games behind the Portland Trailblazers for the Western Conference’s final playoff spot entering Friday’s slate.
Windhorst mentioned Morant’s path to success is to play “excellent” once he returns from injury in the next few weeks. Only then will he potentially gain some trade value, giving the Grizzlies the chance to shop him around.
Currently, though, he’s done so much wrong that he’s stuck in Memphis.
“I know this is a stunning thing for the Ja Morant fans out there. It’s a stunning thing when I talk to his fellow NBA players about it because they know how talented he is,” Windhorst said.
