Category: Basketball

There’s a debate to be had about the NBA’s ring culture.

Some spoilsports say it spoils the sport. They’ll argue that the emphasis on championship pursuits causes fans to lose sight of the forest for the trees. A season should be measured in increments. Winning five more games than expected is worth celebration. Beating a rival on the road is a season high.

It all sounds like what you’d say if your team had no chance to win the NBA championship.

What else is this about? What is the existential impetus if not for ultimate glory? The game is about the NBA Championship. Anything else is, to be blunt, loser talk.

Having established that, the Houston Rockets will not win the NBA championship in 2025-26. It’s simply not going to happen. As far as real contenders go, they’re on the outside looking in:

Especially in a bloody Western Conference.

Rockets can’t survive the Western Front

Before we talk about the competition, let’s talk about the Rockets.

They have two All-Stars. That’s good! They’re deep. That’s good too!

Let’s get more granular. The Rockets are deep: with talented but fundamentally flawed players. It’s always something. Amen Thompson can’t shoot (neither can Sengun). Reed Sheppard can’t defend. Jabari Smith Jr. can’t create. Tari Eason can’t stay healthy.

Look at the Oklahoma City Thunder. Seriously, as a psychological exercise, just try to set aside your fandom for a moment and marvel at the structural integrity of the basketball Death Star they’ve built. Almost everyone can shoot. Everyone (and I do mean everyone) can defend.

Their 118.1 Offensive Rating ranks fourth. Their 106.1 Defensive Rating ranks first by a considerable margin. Unsurprisingly, their 12.1 Net Rating serves to tell the world that, barring catastrophic injury luck, this team’s next NBA title is already portended.

Heading into 2025-26, we knew this. Ostensibly, the Rockets were next in line. They were meant to have a puncher’s chance in case something awful did happen to the Thunder.

It’s been said ad nauseam, but the “something awful” actually happened to the Rockets. Some will parrot the sentiment that “if the Rockets were that reliant on Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams, they weren’t going to win an NBA title anyway”. Bad argument. Those are structural pieces. We’ve seen superteams fail to win NBA titles because they didn’t pay attention to the role players you need to assemble a game plan. Every (contending) team has talent. It’s best to have a plan outside of “out-talent the talent”.

The Rockets planned to control the possession battle by minimizing turnovers (VanVleet) and dominating the offensive glass (Adams et al). With VanVleet missing the entire season, their 15.7% Turnover Percentage ranks 27th. They still lead the league in Offensive Rebounding % (39.9%) by a healthy margin, and they probably will throughout the entire year, but that part of their plan is less sound with Adams on the sidelines.

All of which is to say: They aren’t better than the Spurs either. San Antonio’s 6.1 Net Rating paces Houston’s 5.0 mark. Much of that owes to Victor Wembanyama, aka The Bogeyman, aka The Croque-Mitaine. He is nightmare incarnate for everyone who doesn’t live in what I, as a Canadian, understand to be a worse part of Texas than Houston.

(Take that, Tim Duncan!)

How about the Nuggets? That’s where it gets interesting. Their 4.1 Net Rating is worse than Houston’s. The Rockets have a deeper roster. Still, it would be hard to deny that Nikola Jokic is the most effective player between the two squads. Even in the age of parity where teams are trending towards depth, having (by far) the best player in a series is a distinct advantage.

Otherwise, the Rockets are right there. Unfortunately, sitting with two or three teams ahead of you in the conference does not a contender make. Even by Stone’s stunningly frank admission, this is not their year.

How is next year looking?

Rockets need better luck next year

Time will tell.

The Rockets have problems. There is a laundry list of needed improvements:

• Sengun needs to be more efficient. He just does. It’d be nice if the defense were consistent, too, but at least he’s permanently upgraded from “permanently bad status.” Next year, we need to be able to point to one (1) spot on the floor and say “that’s where he butters his bread”.
• Thompson needs more offensive utility. If the on-ball experiment still looks like an experiment, get him cutting, screening, and rolling more frequently.
• Sheppard. I’m not sure what to prescribe. Grow? Is that a fair request? Could he just grow taller? He needs to find a way to survive defensively.

All of these flaws, and yet, the Rockets are fourth in the West without two foundational veterans. With some internal growth and the return of those guys, they could be in the mix for the 2026-27 NBA championship.

What else matters?

The Clippers’ days as the biggest losers in professional sports are long gone, and this NBA All-Star weekend was supposed to be a time to celebrate it.

The team that spent its first four decades of existence as a punch line and a purgatory has now had 14 consecutive winning seasons with a succession of basketball greats wearing its uniform. After decades of playing in dingy gyms from Buffalo to San Diego to downtown Los Angeles, the Clippers now hold court in a lavish, futuristic new arena built by the richest owner in professional sports, Steve Ballmer.

Yet perhaps it’s cosmically appropriate for this crowning All-Star moment to arrive in the middle of a profoundly chaotic season for the Clippers, whose newer fans have been getting a taste of the bad old days from a team that once spent almost every year mired in some kind of mess.

“We’ve dealt with a lot this year,” said Clippers guard Kris Dunn, whose team closed the first half of the season Wednesday with a 105-102 victory in Houston. “Our whole mentality throughout the year has just been to try to find a way. It’s been tough.”

The season began under the cloud of an NBA investigation into a suspicious endorsement deal for superstar Kawhi Leonard which might have been a way for the team to circumvent the salary cap — and which infuriated front offices around the sport, no matter what the league eventually decides. Leonard, Ballmer and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank all deny wrongdoing, but the Clippers could face penalties if the league disagrees.

The Clippers then got off to a shambolic 6-21 start during which they kicked franchise icon Chris Paul off the team just six weeks into the 40-year-old point guard’s much-anticipated farewell season. A couple of weeks after Paul’s banishment, coach Tyronn Lue’s Clippers improbably started winning again, with former league MVP James Harden and veteran center Ivica Zubac stepping up alongside Leonard to lead a 16-3 surge into the playoff race.

Read more:Complete coverage: NBA All-Star Weekend 2026

But then Frank blew up his roster last week, trading Harden to Cleveland and Zubac to Indiana. The moves probably improved the long-term outlook for a team that began the season with the NBA’s oldest roster, but they might have ended an era. They still have Leonard, who scored 27 points, including a three-point play in the final seconds, in Wednesday’s win.

“As hard as these moves are, we’re extremely excited about where we’re going,” Frank said. “We want to win now.”

The Clippers’ current streak of 14 winning seasons was pretty much unthinkable only 15 years ago, when this franchise had managed only six winning seasons in 40 years. They’ve made the playoffs 12 times and won their first three Pacific Division titles in this stretch.

But the Clippers’ past five months have contained enough drama for a decade around many clubs, and the All-Star weekend will be a welcome opportunity for the team and its fans to catch their breath. This is the first All-Star weekend hosted solely by the Clippers, who shared the honor three times previously with their eternal older brothers, the 17-time champion Lakers.

The Clippers (26-28) once had to cover up the Lakers’ banners when they both played at the former Staples Center, but they don’t have those problems in their new $2-billion palace that puts the Lakers’ aging arena to shame.

And at least Clippers fans won’t have the bittersweet experience of watching Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is injured and won’t play in Inglewood. The reigning league MVP and NBA Finals MVP began his career with the Clippers in 2018, only to be traded to Oklahoma City a year later along with a jaw-dropping bounty of draft picks for Paul George.

Read more:NBA Crossover: Where fans can get immersed in All-Star Weekend

The entire future beyond All-Star weekend is murky for the Clippers, between the looming investigation and uncertainty across the roster. But after the league marvels at the wonders of Intuit Dome, Frank and the respected Lue will continue working to keep the good times going.

“Yes, this is where I want to be,” Lue said. “Having an owner like Mr. Ballmer, who’s unbelievable, it does so many things for me. ... I want to be here.”

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

NBA All-Star weekend is here.

Tipping off the festivities on Friday is the time-honored fan favorite NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, where novice players with varying levels of fame — and athletic ability — face off against each other. Public personas in past editions of the games have ranged from actors and musicians to retired athletes, to politicians.

So, who will be playing in this year's Celebrity All-Star Game, and how can you watch? Here is everything you need to know.

When is the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game?

• When: Friday, Feb. 13, 7 p.m. ET
• Where: Kia Forum (Inglewood, California)
• Channel: ESPN
• Streaming: ESPN App, ESPN+, Fubo

Who is playing in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game?

The All-Star Celebrity Game rosters are headlined by actor and comedian Keegan-Michael Key, actor Simu Liu, rapper GloRilla, "Love Island USA" star Nicolas Vansteenberghe, Grammy-award winning producer and LA native Mustard and ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania.

Also in the mix are current professional athletes such as Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen alongside retired legends such as Jason "White Chocolate" Williams and two-time FIFA World Cup champion Cazzu.

The teams will be coached by the Antetokounmpo brothers, Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts, Anthony Anderson, Lethal Shooter and NBA player development trainer Chris Brickley.

You can find the full rosters and coaches for the Celebrity Game here.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to watch NBA All-Star Celebrity Game tonight: TV channel, streaming

The best basketball players in the world meet up once again in the NBA All-Star Game this weekend from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, home of the Los Angeles Clippers.

After tweaking the format again due to players over the years showing an utter disregard for playing hard, the league introduced a USA vs. World competition to make the game more competitive.

Last year's game was divided up into four teams: Team Chuck, Team Shaq, Team Kenny, and Team Candace. Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, who played for Team Shaq, was named the game's Most Valuable Player.

The 3-point contest, the slam dunk competition, and the shooting stars game are back in All-Star Saturday.

Here is what to know about the 2026 NBA All-Star weekend:

What is the new NBA All-Star format?

Each team will be divided into three teams with at least eight players each. Two of the teams will be made up of players from the United States (USA Stars and USA Stripes), and the third will feature international players. (Team World).

Games will be 12 minutes long, and each team will play every other team in the elimination rounds. If all teams end up with 1-1 records, teams with the highest point differential will play for the championship

• Game 1: Team A vs. Team B
• Game 2: Team C vs. Game 1 Winner
• Game 3: Team C vs. Game 1 Loser
• Game 4: Championship

NBA All-Star teams

USA STRIPES

Jaylen Brown, Boston

Jalen Brunson, New York

Kevin Durant, Houston

De’Aaron Fox, San Antonio

Brandon Ingram, Toronto

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers

Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland

USA STARS

Scottie Barnes, Toronto

Devin Booker, Phoenix

Cade Cunningham, Detroit

Jalen Duren, Detroit

Anthony Edwards, Minnesota

Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City

Jalen Johnson, Atlanta

Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia

TEAM WORLD

Deni Avdij, Portland

Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers

Nikola Jokić, Denver

Jamal Murray, Denver

Norman Powell, Miami 

Alperen Şengün, Houston

Pascal Siakam, Indiana

Karl-Anthony Towns, New York

Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio

Stephen Curry (Golden State), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee), and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City) are injured and will not play in the game

2026 NBA All-Star schedule (all teams Eastern)

Friday, Feb. 13

• Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game
  • 7 p.m. ET (ESPN) | Kia Forum
• Castrol Rising Stars
  • 9 p.m. ET (Peacock) | Intuit Dome
• NBA HBCU Classic
  • 11 p.m. ET (Peacock) | Kia Forum

Saturday, Feb. 14

• NBA All-Star Saturday
  • 5 p.m. ET (NBC / Peacock) | Intuit Dome
  • State Farm 3-Point Contest 
  • Kia Shooting Stars 
  • AT&T Slam Dunk 

Sunday, Feb. 15

• NBA G League Next Up Game
  • 2:30 p.m. ET | (NBA TV / NBA App) | L.A. Convention Center
• 75th NBA All-Star Game
  • 5 p.m. ET (NBC / Peacock) | Intuit Dome

Slam dunk participants

• Carter Bryant, San Antonio
• Jaxson Hayes, Los Angeles Lakers
• Keshad Johnson, Miami
• Jase Richardson, Orlando

3-point contest participants

• Devin Booker, Phoenix
• Kon Knueppel, Charlotte
• Damian Lillard, Portland
• Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia
• Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland
• Jamal Murray, Denver
• Bobby Portis Jr., Milwaukee
• Norman Powell, Miami

How to watch the 2026 NBA All-Star game

• Date: Sunday, Feb. 15
• Time: 5 p.m. ET
• TV: NBC
• Stream: Peacock
• Location: Intuit Dome, Inglewood, California)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA All-Star Game format explained: Teams, rosters and more

In the sport of college basketball, about the only thing that is certain is uncertainty. The final NCAA men's tournament bracket still won’t be announced for over a month, and it will in all likelihood look quite different from this latest projection from our USA TODAY Sports team of bracketologists.

In just the last few days since our most recent effort, we’ve seen half the teams that were projected as top two seeds lose. That includes Arizona, though the Wildcats are still comfortably on the first line. Iowa State, which lost to a TCU team much farther down the Big 12 standings, will slip back to a No. 3.

STARTING FIVE:Breaking down the weekend's biggest games

The Big Ten shook things up as well. Purdue replaces Nebraska on the No. 2 line as the Boilermakers outlasted the Cornhuskers in overtime. Also falling back is Illinois to a No. 3 seed after the Fighting Illini lost in overtime for the second consecutive game.

In the ACC, Virginia is back in the top 16 as a No. 4 seed, while North Carolina slides a line after losing at Miami. Virginia Tech inched closer to the bubble with a win at Clemson but still has work to do to make the field.

Bracketology: NCAA Tournament projection for March Madness

March Madness Last four in

Miami (Fla.), Southern California, San Diego State, UCLA.

March Madness First four out

: New Mexico, Virginia Tech, TCU, Missouri.

NCAA tournament bids conference breakdown

Multi-bid leagues: Big Ten (11), SEC (10), ACC (8) Big 12 (7), Big East (3), West Coast (3), Mountain West (2).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness Bracketology: Big Ten leads NCAA Tournament projection

It might have taken slightly longer than usual, but we have at last reached the point in the men’s college basketball season when the grind is finally catching up to even the best teams.

Several top-10 squads and numerous other ranked teams have already been beaten this week, including the No.-1 team in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll tasting defeat for the first time. Those Arizona Wildcats return to action on another busy Saturday, as well as the team that handed them that first loss.

Bracketology: Check out latest March Madness field projection

Here’s a quick preview of those games and a few other key clashes around the country in this week’s edition of the Starting Five.

No. 18 Clemson at No. 6 Duke

Time/TV: noon ET, ESPN

We begin the day in the ACC, where the Tigers are coming off an unexpected home loss to Virginia Tech and must now brave the Cameron Crazies. The Blue Devils for their part were able to shake off last weekend’s setback at North Carolina with a business-like win at struggling Pittsburgh despite the absence of center Patrick Ngongba, who sat out with a wrist injury and might still be unavailable. Clemson spreads its scoring wealth but often lacks a true takeover guy, which could again be a problem against a Duke squad that appears to have figured out its defensive issues.

No. 9 Kansas at No. 4 Iowa State

Time/TV: 1 p.m. ET, ABC

It has not been a good week for basketball in the state of Iowa. The Cyclones cracked the top five only to squander a late lead at TCU. All that will be forgotten, however, if they can defend their home court and avenge last month’s loss to the Jayhawks, who are fresh off that Arizona victory but have not been as reliable on the road. As usual, much of the pregame chatter concerns KU’s mercurial freshman Darryn Peterson, who missed Monday’s win due to flu symptoms. Whether or not Peterson is available, the Cyclones will have to figure out their own offensive inconsistencies, starting with facilitator Tamin Lipsey finding his own shooting touch.

Kentucky at No. 14 Florida

Time/TV: 3 p.m. ET, ABC

Florida’s quest for a repeat championship didn’t begin well. But the Gators seem to have found their winning formula just in time. Their modest winning streak could get a test here, however, as the Wildcats got a few days off to recharge after outlasting Tennessee last Saturday. It will be a homecoming of sorts for UK’s Denzel Aberdeen, who was part of Florida’s title team a season ago before transferring to Lexington. He and Otega Oweh could give the Wildcats the edge in perimeter fire power, but there might not be answers for Florida’s inside trio led by Thomas Haugh.

No. 12 Purdue at No. 25 Iowa

Time/TV: 5 p.m. ET, Fox

Like their in-state counterparts from Ames, the Hawkeyes also return home from a subpar road outing. Iowa’s loss at Maryland dinged an otherwise solid body of work, but a win against the Boilermakers would help repair the damage. Purdue is coming off a valuable victory at Nebraska, though the result was nearly a catastrophic collapse. The game features two of the league’s top floor leaders, Purdue’s Braden Smith and the Hawkeyes’ Bennett Stirtz. Both teams can be overly reliant on three-pointers, though the Boilermakers are better equipped to compensate with rebounds if the shots aren’t falling.

No. 16 Texas Tech at No. 1 Arizona

Time/TV: 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

The prime time headliner finds the Wildcats looking to bounce back from defeat for the first time. The Red Raiders were all business in their midweek tuneup against struggling Colorado, but the environs at the McKale Center won’t be nearly as friendly. Texas Tech’s inside-out tandem of J.T. Toppin and Christian Anderson will need someone else to help with the scoring load against Arizona’s balanced lineup. Wildcats forward Koa Peat will look to find his rhythm early after Monday’s rough outing against Kansas.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College basketball schedule: Top games to watch this weekend

The Slam Dunk Contest has been long considered the crown jewel of NBA All-Star weekend. The climactic point between the Rising Stars Game on Friday and the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, the dunk contest has been home to some of the most iconic moments in the history of the league — an indelible flash point in the legacies of stars such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter and Dominique Wilkins.

But while the history of the dunk contest is undeniable, its present has fallen flat despite attempts of stars such as Jaylen Brown trying to bring hype back to the event. This year, the field includes four young players — two of which are rookies — and though the initial reaction has been disappointment, don't rule out the chances of this year being a sleeper.

Here's everything you need to know about the 2026 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest:

When is the 2026 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest?

The 2026 NBA All-Star dunk contest will be held on Saturday, Feb. 14 in Los Angeles at the Intuit Dome, home of the Clippers. The dunk contest will directly follow the 3-point contest and the return of the shooting stars competition.

All-Star Saturday begins at 5:00 p.m. ET.

When is the 2026 NBA 3-Point Contest?

The 3-point contest is one part of the Saturday festivities, which begin at 5 p.m. ET. The 3-point contest will preceed the popular slam dunk event.

Who is participating in the 2026 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest?

• Carter Bryant (San Antonio Spurs; rookie)
• Jaxson Hayes (Los Angeles Lakers)
• Keshad Johnson (Miami Heat)
• Jase Richardson (Orlando Magic; rookie)

The dunk contest will have a new champion this year after three-time defending champion Mac McClung announced to ESPN through his father he'd be sitting out this year .

This year, the field features two rookies in Bryant and Richardson. Richardson, selected 25th overall by the Magic in last year's draft, is the son of two-time Slam Dunk Contest winner Jason Richardson (2002 and 03). Hayes is in his third season with the Lakers and seventh NBA season in total.

While not a starter, he's thrived in a backup role in LA and and has been the beneficiary of more than a few lobs from LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Johnson is in his second NBA season; his rookie year was split between Miami and their G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

The field is set for AT&T Slam Dunk ⬇️

A new champion will be crowned, with all four players making their event debuts.

Saturday, Feb. 14 | 5 PM ET
NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/QZ3TN9LrzA

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) February 7, 2026

Who is in the NBA 3-Point Contest?

Here are the participants competing in the three-point contest:

• Charlotte Hornets forward Kon Knueppel
• Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell
• Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray
• Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey
• Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker
• Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard
• Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis
• Miami Heat guard Norman Powell

Who won the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest last year?

McClung won the dunk contest in 2025, capping off a three-peat for the G League star that began in 2023. Though he won't be competing in 2026, McClung revealed on Twitter that he plans on sharing the dunks he had been working on after the contest ends.

But since we prepared for it Chuck, I’ll be releasing the dunks we came up with after the contest! https://t.co/gi5Z1xMg4K

— mac mcclung (@McclungMac) January 24, 2026

Who won the NBA 3-point contest last year?

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro netted 24 points in the final round of action to take the prize last year. He beat out the likes of sharpshooters Darius Garland and Buddy Hield.

Who are the judges for the 2026 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest?

The NBA announced that the judges for the 2026 Slam Dunk Contest will feature four former winners, including Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famers Dominique Wilkins and Dwight Howard. Three-time dunk contest winner Nate Robinson — a three-time winner in 2006, 2009 and 2010 — and Brent Barry round out the field.

Wilkins, who won the dunk contest in 1985 and 1990, is one of the greatest dunkers of all time, having earned the nickname, "The Human Highlight Reel." He's best known for his legendary dunk contest battles with Michael Jordan in the late 80s, the first of which birthed Jordan's iconic dunk from the free throw line.

Howard won the dunk contest in 2008, and one year later helped Robinson secure the second of his three-peat by standing in as the 5'9 guard leapt over him for the jam.

The NBA announced that a fifth judge will be a content creator voted on by fans as the NBA ID member rep. The nominees are comedian Druski, NBA shooting coach Chris “Lethal Shooter” Matthews and Dude Perfect co-founder Tyler Toney.

YOU decide the final @ATT Slam Dunk judge! 👏

Will it be Tyler Toney, Lethal Shooter or Druski? Vote for your choice now on the NBA App and see who represents the fans, Saturday at 5pm/et on NBC and Peacock!

➡️ https://t.co/0s8Gy4Vgsvhttps://t.co/27oEHkzL6n

— #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) February 10, 2026

What are the rules for the 2026 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest?

The full list of rules for the NBA Slam Dunk Contest can be found on the All-Star website.

Four dunkers will compete in the two-round competition. For each dunk, a score from 40 to 50 will be given by each judge. The average of the five judges’ scores will be the individual dunk score. The two players with the highest dunk scores at the end of the first round will advance to the second and final round.

For each scored dunk in both rounds (Dunks #1 and #2 in the First Round and Dunks #1 and #2 in the Final Round), each dunker will have 90 seconds and a maximum of three attempts to complete the dunk. If the player has not completed the dunk at the expiration of the 90 seconds, he will be given a final try to complete the dunk. If the player does not complete the dunk, he will receive a score of 40 points.

Tiebreakers in the first round will be decided by a vote from the judges; the player with the most votes will advance. In the second round, a tiebreaker will be decided by a one-dunk dunk off to determine the champion.

NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest winners

Here are the previous five slam dunk winners:

• 2025 (San Francisco): Mac McClung (Magic)
• 2024 (Indianapolis): Mac McClung (Magic)
• 2023 (Utah): Mac McClung (76ers)
• 2022 (Cleveland): Obi Toppin (Knicks)
• 2021 (Atlanta): Anfernee Simons (Trail Blazers)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA Slam Dunk, 3-Point Contest time, TV and how to watch

The NBA’s brightest young stars will be on display during the Rising Stars Challenge in the Los Angeles area on Friday, Feb. 13.

The league will spend the weekend in Inglewood, California, showcasing its talent, with rookies Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets) and VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia 76ers) headlining the Rising Stars Challenge tournament.

Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks was expected to compete, but was a late scratch due to injury. He was drafted to play for Team Melo. Flagg had averaged 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 49 games played this season. He's considered the favorite for the NBA's Rookie of the Year based on odds at BetMGM. Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr was also scheduled to participate, but it was announced Thursday that he will now be scratched and miss the next two weeks with a hamstring injury.

Knueppel is second, averaging 18.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in 53 games played for Charlotte. He will play for Team T-Mac.

Edgecombe has averaged 14.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 49 games played for Philly. He’ll play for Team Vince.

Stephon Castle of the San Antonio Spurs and Ajay Mitchell of the Oklahoma City Thunder will also compete.

MORE: Kon Knueppel, VJ Edgecombe highlight NBA Rising Stars Challenge teams

How to watch NBA Rising Stars Game?

• When: Friday, Feb. 13, 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT)
• TV/Stream: Peacock
• Where: Intuit Dome (Inglewood, California) | Tickets

Who will play in the NBA Rising Stars Game?

Team Melo: Cooper Flagg, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, Jeremiah Fears, Donovan Clingan, Collin Murray-Boyles

Team T-Mac: Kon Knueppel, Kel’el Ware, Tre  Johnson, Ajay Mitchell, Jaylon Tyson, Cam Spencer.

Team Vince: VJ Edgecombe, Derik Queen, Kyshawn George, Matas Buzelis, Egor Demin, Cedric Coward, Jaylen Wells.

Team Austin: Sean East II, Ron Harper Jr., Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Alijah Martin, Tristen Newton, Yang Hansen, Mac McClung, David Jones Garcia.

NBA Rising Stars Game Schedule

• Game 1: Team Melo vs. Team Austin
• Game 2: Team Vince vs. Team T-Mac
• Rising Stars Championship: (G1 winner vs. G2 winner)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to watch NBA All-Star Rising Stars game tonight: TV, streaming

KD and Hakeem discuss the transformation of hoops over the years, comparing the physical, center-heavy ’90s era to today’s shooter-driven game.

In the latest episode of Boardroom Talks, two generations of basketball greatness sat down to reflect on the evolution of the game. Kevin Durant, known for his smooth scoring and lethal versatility, wanted Hakeem Olajuwon's perspective on modern basketball. “I just really want to get your view on the game today and the style of play, because a lot of people frown upon how we play the game today,” Durant said, setting the stage for a conversation bridging decades.

Olajuwon, the Hall of Fame center who dominated the ’90s with unparalleled footwork and defensive prowess, leaned in. Durant explained how the ’90s represented a golden era of physicality, when centers ruled, spacing was different, and scoring was balanced by toughness. Hakeem acknowledged the shift: “Today's game, a lot of shooters. I mean, I've seen guys pass it up and lay up and kick it for 3.”

They marveled at how today’s stars create space and make the game look effortless. The conversation turned toward players who embody this new era, blending athleticism and craft. Hakeem complimented Durant directly: “You, No. 1.” Durant chuckled, appreciative of the nod from one of the greatest to ever play.

Their discussion flowed naturally from praise to analysis. Hakeem mentioned players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokić, who make difficult shots off balance, one-legged, yet still convert. When Durant asked about Joel Embiid, a player who modeled his game similarly to Olajuwon, Hakeem summed it up simply: “I mean, he got everything.” Durant drew the comparison to Olajuwon, noting Embiid's moves and style that carry the legacy forward. “You can tell he watches you,” KD concluded, connecting the dots between eras.

By the end of their conversation, the room had become more than a reflection on basketball; it was a meditation on evolution, respect, and continuity. Two legends, from different eras, shared a language only the game could provide, revealing that while the style may change, the essence of excellence remains timeless.

Be sure to catch the full conversation here.

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Kevin Durant and Hakeem Olajuwon Reveal Shaq, Ewing, Dwight as Toughest Defenders

Good morning, it’s Friday, February 13th. The Cleveland Cavaliers are 32-21 and are off until next Thursday. For now, enjoy the All-Star break, and maybe watch a Friday the 13th movie tonight to honor the holiday. I’d recommend part four or part six.

Since there are no games on tonight, we’ll instead focus on the Rising Stars Game, where Cavalier sophomore Jaylon Tyson will be competing.

Today’s Event of the Day

• 2026 Castrol Rising Stars Game – 9 PM, Peacock

NBA All-Star weekend is kicking off with the Rising Stars Game. This event returns with another tournament format featuring four different teams. Here are the rosters for each team:

Team Melo:

• Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks) (1st pick)
• Reed Sheppard (Houston Rockets)
• Stephon Castle (San Antonio Spurs)
• Dylan Harper (San Antonio Spurs)
• Jeremiah Fears (New Orleans Pelicans)
• Donovan Clingan (Portland Trail Blazers)
• Collin Murray-Boyles (Toronto Raptors)

Team T-Mac:

• Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets) (2nd pick)
• Kel’el Ware (Miami Heat)
• Tre Johnson (Washington Wizards)
• Alex Sarr (Washington Wizards)
• Ajay Mitchell (Oklahoma City Thunder)
• Jaylon Tyson (Cleveland Cavaliers)
• Cam Spencer (Memphis Grizzlies)

Team Vince:

• VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia 76ers) (3rd pick)
• Derik Queen (New Orleans Pelicans)
• Kyshawn George (Washington Wizards)
• Matas Buzelis (Chicago Bulls)
• Egor Dёmin (Brooklyn Nets)
• Cedric Coward (Memphis Grizzlies)
• Jaylen Wells (Memphis Grizzlies)

Team G League:

• Sean East II (Salt Lake City Stars)
• Ron Harper Jr. (Maine Celtics)
• David Jones Garcia (Austin Spurs)
• Yanic Konan Niederhäuser (San Diego Clippers)
• Alijah Martin (Raptors 905)
• Tristen Newton (Rio Grande Valley Vipers)
• Yang Hansen (Rip City Remix)

Cavs links of the day

• James Harden shows off playmaking as Cavs win his home debut – ESPN
• 12 Stats to explain Cavs win over Wizards – Fear the Sword
• New information adds context to Harden’s trade to Cleveland – Cleveland.com

NBA links

• NBA fines multiple teams for sitting healthy players – NBC Sports
• Handing out ‘Heat’ awards for this NBA season – The Ringer
• Thunder’s Nikola Topic makes debut after battle with cancer – Yahoo Sports
• Giannis/Kalshi deal does the NBA no favors – ESPN

This may just be the feel-good moment to kick off All-Star Weekend:

Nikola Topić made his NBA debut four months after battling cancer 💙

What an amazing moment 👏 pic.twitter.com/MykN1LeraZ

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 13, 2026

On Thursday night as OKC faced the Milwaukee Bucks, Nikola Topic made his NBA debut.

Topic, the 12th pick in the 2024 NBA draft, missed all of last season because of a knee injury. Before the 2025-2026 season started, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He had a procedure in October, underwent chemotherapy, and has since been working his way back into shape.

The Serbian guard was given a loud ovation as he entered the game late in the first quarter. He tallied two points and an assist in twelve minutes of play.

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The Utah Jazz have been fined $500,000 (£367,000) by the NBA for benching healthy players and "compromising the integrity" of the league.

Head coach Will Hardy removed stars Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr before the fourth quarter of their games against the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat this month.

The tactic, known as 'tanking', is used by coaches to improve draft position by fielding a non-competitive team and forfeiting victory.

The draft system means teams finishing lowest in the standings have the best chances of landing the top prospects.

The Indiana Pacers were also fined $100,000 (£73,000) for violating the player participation policy during their defeat against the Jazz on 4 February.

"Overt behaviour like this that prioritises draft position over winning undermines the foundation of NBA competition and we will respond accordingly to any further actions that compromise the integrity of our games," said NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

"Additionally, we are working with our competition committee and board of governors to implement further measures to root out this type of conduct."

A play-off push looks unlikely for both the Jazz, who are 13th in the Western Conference, and the Pacers, who sit 14th in the Eastern, and thoughts appear already to be turning to next season and how their roster will be assembled.

Utah led by nine points in the fourth quarter of their meeting with Orlando on 8 February but went on to lose 120-117, while they beat Miami 115-111 two days later.

"Agree to disagree. Also, we won the game in Miami and got fined? That makes sense," Utah owner Ryan Smith posted on social media.

Head coach Hardy defended his decision to bench Markkanen and Utah have also announced Jackson Jr will have season-ending surgery on his knee after this weekend's All-Star games.

"I sat Lauri because he was on a minutes restriction," Hardy said. "So if our medical team puts a minutes restriction on Lauri, I'll try to keep Lauri healthy."

Utah were also fined $100,000 (£73,000) last season for resting Markkanen in multiple games.

The Pacers' fine was issued for violating the player participation policy after a league investigation found Pascal Siakam and two other players who sat out the game "could have played" even if it was with "reduced minutes".

The policy was introduced in 2023 in an attempt to discourage teams from purposely losing to improve their chances in the draft lottery.

LOS ANGELES — The Lakers defeating a Mavericks team that sits 16 games under .500 wouldn’t typically be a feat to cheer about.

However, given that LA was playing without their starting center Deandre Ayton and their superstar Luka Dončić, the result was harder to achieve than the standings indicate.

Luckily, the Lakers have LeBron James.

In a career filled with memorable moments, the King had one more on Thursday. He wasn’t just the team’s de facto leader, he was the best player on the court.

LeBron ended the game with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists, marking his first triple-double of the season and making him the oldest player in NBA history to accomplish the feat.

“I think what it represents is pretty cool,” LeBron said postgame. “The fact that you can go out and be able to have an impact in three facets of the game. Rebounding, the assists, obviously, is what I love the most, being able to get my guys involved throughout my career, I’ve always loved that more than anything.”

LeBron’s dominance started from the jump. He scored or assisted on the team’s first 23 points. This stretch featured seven assists, seven points, and a pair of rebounds. Thanks to his performance, the Lakers led 36-31 after one quarter.

However, this wasn’t a game where LeBron did his damage early and coasted the rest of the way. LA needed him to be great until late into this contest.

As the second half started, the Lakers were up by just one point. So, LeBron went to work.

He had a considerable bounce to his step and was embracing his defensive assignments at a higher level than usual and more than should be expected for a 41-year-old.

LeBron continued to clean up the glass, helping LA win the battle of the boards, 44-28. And late in the third quarter, he had a dazzling dime to Jarred Vanderbilt, leading to an easy dunk that pushed the lead up to 14.

No-look from King James 🫣 #LakeShowpic.twitter.com/TYzKtEz8ue

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) February 13, 2026

“He’s been doing a great job when he drives,” Rui Hachimura said. “He gets two, three, four guys, literally on him, so we get wide open shots and easy layups. We just got to be always ready and watch what he does.”

As the game entered the final stretch with the Lakers comfortably ahead, the only thing in doubt was whether LeBron would get the final rebound needed for a triple-double.

After a Tyus Jones miss, James corraled the rebound as the crowd erupted.

“I don’t take for granted how good he is,” head coach JJ Redick said. “I recognize that on a daily basis. I think it goes back to what I’ve said on numerous occasions. The more remarkable thing is how much he cares in his 23rd year, with all his accomplishments.

“He’s going to get another oldest player to do X, Y, or Z. He’s going to get another one of that. He’s going to further cement his scoring record. He’s going to do all those things. It’s really just the day-to-day professionalism and care factor that he exhibits that is the most remarkable thing. Like I said the other day, he’s got a 23-year prime, basically.”

The Lakers now enter the break at 33-21, good for fifth in the West. It’s not where they want to be, and LeBron himself has admitted they aren’t at a championship level yet, but this season is far from done. And if LA can finally string together games with LeBron, Luka and Austin Reaves playing, who knows how good they can be.

But what was made clear again on Thursday is that LeBron isn’t just good for his age. He’s elite with no context necessary. It’s why he’s about to participate in his 22nd All-Star Game. And it’s the reason that when his story does end, it will be up to him, because Father Time hasn’t had a say in the matter.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

LeBron James and the Lakers haven’t always been a match made in heaven.

A generation of Kobe Bryant fans who viewed LeBron as the rival were now watching him suit up in purple and gold and forced to reckon with it. Things haven’t been seamless for his time in Los Angeles, but it hasn’t stopped him from amazing feats as he fends off Father Time.

Thursday was another one of those games. The days sure seem to be counting down on his time in LA and it’s unclear how many more of these moments we have left. Even if it was against the lowly Mavs who are tanking. Even if it came in February in the final game before the All-Star break.

There’s a finite number of these performances remaining from LeBron. Don’t take them for granted.

So, let’s dive into the win. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance for that player.

LeBron James

35 minutes, 28 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists, 1 block, 4 turnovers, 10-20 FG, 2-7 3PT, 6-7 FT, +6

LeBron passes Karl Malone as the oldest player with a triple-double with this performance, both in Lakers and NBA history. We should do more to wipe Malone from history books.

With his first triple-double of the season tonight, LeBron James passed Karl Malone as the oldest player in NBA history to record a triple-double.

— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) February 13, 2026

Grade: A+

Rui Hachimura

35 minutes, 21 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 4 fouls, 9-13 FG, 3-4 3PT, +18

After getting back on track against the Bulls during the recent road trip, Rui has found his groove again. Over the last 10 games, he’s averaging 12.1 points per game, but doing it on 55.2% shooting from the field and 52.8% shooting from three.

Grade: A

Jaxson Hayes

34 minutes, 16 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover, 4 fouls, 8-10 FG, +26

After starting the game with a Shaqtin’ moment, he bounced back well with a strong showing. Now to see what he has in store for the dunk contest.

Grade: A-

Jake LaRavia

26 minutes, 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, 4-6 FG, 0-1 3PT, 3-3 FT, +21

Jake’s 3-point shooting has fallen off a cliff. Already in a career-worst season shooting the ball from range, LaRavia went just 6-29 from three over the last nine games heading into the break. Here’s to hoping for some positive regression to wrap up the year.

Grade: B-

Marcus Smart

26 minutes, 9 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 fouls, 4-14 FG, 1-9 3PT, +6

I’ve probably said this before and I’m sure I’ll say it again, but bad Marcus Smart games are very loud. That he finished this game with a positive plus-minus feels like a minor miracle. His six assists to zero turnovers is his only saving grace in this one.

Grade: C-

Austin Reaves

28 minutes, 18 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, 5-10 FG, 1-3 3PT, 7-9 FT, +6

Austin really burst onto the scene in his return from injury before looking far more human the rest of this home stand. There’s nothing wrong with that. He just set the bar really high with that Sixers game.

Here’s to him getting a week to rest, reset and hit some golf balls before the home stretch.

Grade: B+

Luka Kennard

18 minutes, 9 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 fouls, 3-4 FG, 1-2 3PT, 2-2 FT, +13

There were a number of things I expected Kennard to bring to the Lakers. Seven rebounds in one game was not one of them.

Grade: A-

Maxi Kleber

13 minutes, 5 points, 1 rebound, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, 2-3 FG, 1-2 3PT, -6

He’s performed admirably this week, but Kleber looked a lot like a third string center over the last three games.

Grade: C

Jarred Vanderbilt

17 minutes, 5 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 2-3 FG, 1-2 3PT, +10

On the wave of Vando’s 3-point shooting this season, we went into the All-Star break on an upswing as he hit four of his nine attempts over the last four games. I do not expect that to carry over at all.

Grade: A-

Adou Thiero, Dalton Knecht, Bronny James, Drew Timme, Kobe Bufkin

Nothing of note from the garbage time group aside from a nice, athletic finish from Thiero.

JJ Redick

Whether it was a bit of rolling the dice or letting him try to get his triple-double, Redick kept LeBron in the game for the first 10:15 of the fourth. Reaves also played an eight-minute stretch during that segment, too.

It was a pretty low-intensity quarter, so it’s not quite like the playoffs. That unit also was putting the game to rest so it was a small thing. But when things are working, Redick will clearly stick with a lineup.

Grade: B+

Thursday’s inactives: Deandre Ayton, Luka Dončić, Nick Smith Jr., Chris Mañon

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

LOS ANGELES — LeBron James became the oldest player in NBA history to have a triple-double, accomplishing the feat Thursday night at 41 years and 44 days old during the Los Angeles Lakers’ 124-104 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

James had 28 points and 12 assists when he grabbed his 10th rebound with 2:06 to play. He got a standing ovation when he checked out moments after completing his 123rd career triple-double, the fifth-most in NBA history.

James broke the record held for the past 22 years by Karl Malone, who recorded his final triple-double for the Lakers when he was 40 years and 127 days old.

“I guess I’m more appreciative of moments like this in my career, understanding where I’m at, at the later stage of my journey,” James said. “You definitely take it in a little bit more.”

James’ play has remained strong when healthy during his unprecedented 23rd NBA season, but the top scorer in NBA history hadn’t had a triple-double since Feb. 1, 2025, in the Lakers’ 128-112 win over the Knicks at the Garden.

That day is better remembered in Lakers history for the late-night breaking news of the seismic trade that brought Luka Dončić to the Lakers.

Malone had held the record as the oldest player with a triple-double since he had 10 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists on Nov. 28, 2003, during his final NBA season.

James recorded the next 15 triple-doubles on that list, and he repeatedly came close to setting the record over the past year, but didn’t quite reach it until the Lakers’ final game before the All-Star break.

“I think what it represents is pretty cool — the fact that you can go out and have an impact in three facets of the game,” James said. “Rebounding. The assists, obviously, are what I love the most. Being able to get my guys involved, throughout my career I’ve always loved that more than anything. And being able to put the ball in the basket, that’s part of this game as well. So I think what it means, to be able to have your hand in three facets of the game, making an impact in those three, that’s pretty cool.”

With Dončić sidelined by a mild hamstring strain, James was aggressive and active from the opening tip when he returned from his own injury absence during the Lakers’ loss to San Antonio on Tuesday.

After dancing gleefully in pregame warmups and screaming his way down the tunnel when he took the court, James put up 14 points and six assists in the first quarter alone against Dallas. He factored into the Lakers’ first 23 points of the game.

James had 18 points, eight assists and four rebounds by halftime.

He topped double digits in assists during the third quarter, but he didn’t come out of the game during the fourth quarter before he grabbed the three rebounds necessary to get the triple-double.

He almost had it a few possessions earlier, but Austin Reaves beat him to a board — and got an earful from the rest of the Lakers.

“Everybody on the team yelled at me,” Reaves said. “I don’t catch myself looking at the stats during the game, so we went to the bench and everybody let me know about it. He didn’t, but everybody (else), and I looked at him and said, ‘Shoot, my fault.’”

James was selected for his 22nd All-Star appearance this weekend at Intuit Dome even though he has missed 18 games this season due to injury.

That means James is ineligible for inclusion on his 22nd All-NBA team at the end of his unprecedented 23rd season.

James entered this game averaging 21.8 points, 6.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game for the Lakers, who are in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race despite playing only 10 games with James, Doncic and Reaves simultaneously healthy.

James missed the first 14 games of the season while dealing with sciatica.

James has 152 career triple-doubles when the playoffs are included.