LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes for the basket against Sam Hauser #30 of the Boston Celtics during the second half of their game at Crypto.com Arena on February 22, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luiza Moraes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
When you’re run off the floor by your rival, there aren’t many positives that can be taken away. Particularly with the way things played out in the fourth quarter, there was definitely a very sour taste in the mouths of fans walking away from that contest.
However, when looking at the box score, it wasn’t a total disaster for the Lakers. In fact, all things considered, it was one of the better defensive showings against a top team this year, even if every Payton Pritchard three felt like a dagger to the soul.
The problem for the Lakers came on the other end of the floor where they had arguably their worst offensive showing of the season.
“I think going against this team and their offense,” Redick said, “[when I] made the subs at 3:22 in the fourth quarter, they’ve got 105 points and they’re 12-for-32 from three and they’re shooting 47%. We did a good job limiting their fast break points [and] did a good job limiting their points in the paint under 50. So, we did enough defensively. We were just awful offensively tonight.“
Technically, the Lakers have had one game with fewer points this year, that coming in a mid-December loss to the Clippers. However, in that contest, Austin Reaves didn’t play and Luka Dončić left midway through the contest and didn’t return.
On Sunday, all three were healthy and the team laid a huge egg. While it’s fair to call the Big 3 a work in progress, there was no excuse for that performance against the Celtics.
For Reaves, while part of it came down to missing open looks, the process also wasn’t good, specifically in the first half, either.
“We missed some good looks,” Reaves said. “I think we could have done a better job in the first half playing with the pass [and] trying to create better looks in that first half. I thought [in] the second half, we did a good job of that. We missed some good looks and they capitalized on that.
“You’re going to have games where you don’t shoot it well or offensively play well. You got to find other ways to keep yourself in the game.”
The Lakers aren’t going to have the necessary time to figure things out. All of this is going to be rushed. But there is still a level of expectations that the team, and the Big 3 in particular, need to meet.
Sunday needs to be an aberration, though, based on how the season has played out, that might not end up being the case.
The seemingly bad conditions were perfect for Jaylen Brown.
The Celtics were left for dead after Jayson Tatum suffered a torn Achilles last postseason. Then they lost Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday and Al Horford from the 2024 championship team. They were expected to have a gap year. No one thought they’d be competitive.
But what was overlooked in all of this is Brown’s superpower: The more he’s discounted, the more he thrives.
Brown is having a career-best season as his superstar teammate, Jayson Tatum, recovers from an injury. NBAE via Getty Images
Brown has led a team that was supposed to tank to second place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 37-19. The Celtics are one of the NBA’s biggest surprises of the season. And Brown is one of the most notable success stories.
Only one person saw this coming.
“I always knew I was one of the best players in the world,” Brown told the California Post in an exclusive interview after the Celtics beat the Lakers on Sunday, 111-89. “I always felt like that. And on top of that, the opportunity presented itself because we got guys that got traded and injured. So, I’m just grateful to be able to have great teammates that allow me to lead them.”
Brown loves proving people wrong. It’s how he has made a name for himself in the league.
When Celtics fans booed him after the franchise selected him with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2016 draft, he transformed himself into a star. When pundits questioned whether he deserved the then-richest contract in NBA history in July 2023 (a supermax worth up to $304 million over five years), he responded by carrying Boston to a championship in 2024 and winning Finals MVP.
And when everyone crossed off the Celtics, he circled them, transforming his game to a new level.
This season, he’s averaging career-highs in points (29.2), rebounds (7) and assists (4.9). Heading into the All-Star break, he led the Celtics to have the same seeding (second) and net rating (third) that they had last year at that time.
Jaylen Brown goes in for a slam against the Lakers. NBAE via Getty Images
When asked directly if he should win the MVP Award this season, Brown didn’t hesitate.
“Me?” he questioned. “I’m the best two-way player in the world.”
Brown is currently sixth on the NBA’s MVP ladder, behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Cade Cunningham and Victor Wembanyama.
It has left some people perplexed, including LeBron James, who advocated for Brown to be included in the MVP conversation on Sunday. It was a notable endorsement considering James also pointed out in the same media availability that he remembers cameras catching Brown saying his son, Bronny, wasn’t a pro at summer league in 2024.
“This whole MVP thing, I don’t understand why his name is not getting talked about some as well,” James said. “Like, nobody gave them a shot to start the season. And he’s averaging what, 30? Just under 30? It’s a popularity contest sometimes, I tell you.”
As for Brown, when asked if he’s surprised he’s not getting more recognition, he didn’t hesitate.
“No. I don’t know what the criteria is,” Brown said. “But I don’t always follow the rules, so that comes with consequences. So, I get it. But I’m just going to keep doing what I do. And we’ll see what happens.”
LeBron James has advocated for Brown to be in the MVP conversation this season. Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
This isn’t the first time Brown has felt as though he were snubbed.
Brown believes he was excluded from the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris because he was critical of Nike, a key sponsor of Team USA. Most notably, after Nike co-founder Phil Knight said Kyrie Irving “stepped over the line” by sharing a link to an antisemitic film in 2022, Brown posted on X, “Since when did Nike care about ethics?”
Recently, Brown has made headlines for standing up against the city of Beverly Hills after police shut down his event over All-Star weekend. The city later issued an apology to Brown, saying police had cited inaccurate information. Brown responded by thanking the city in a post on X, but added that it “embarrassed me and my brand” and asked “what about resources / partners lost?”
Despite all of the drama, Brown hasn’t lost focus on what he’s doing on the court.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla isn’t surprised by Brown’s growth. In fact, he believes regardless of Tatum’s injury and the team’s offseason moves, the 29-year-old would’ve made leaps this season.
“I would expect to see something like this, just the evolution of Jaylen, regardless of the environment around him,” Mazzulla said. ” I think he’s the type of guy who relishes in getting one percent better in whatever that looks like. And he just cares about winning.”
With Tatum out, Brown has stepped up. Getty Images
Payton Pritchard echoed that, pointing out that what Brown has been doing in the shadows has come into the light this season.
“He’s always been a great leader,” Pritchard said. “But it’s showing more this year because we’ve had such a veteran team. Now it’s a young group of guys thinking it’s going to be a gap year and stuff like that. And he’s leading us and doing a hell of a job.”
While everyone assumed the Celtics would let go of the rope, Brown held tight and pulled with all his might. It’s what he has done his entire career when the cards seemed stacked against him.
Not good enough? Overrated? Second fiddle to Tatum?
He has systematically erased those narratives, as well as the most recent one about the Celtics not being contenders.
“I know everybody was counting us out,” Brown said. “But I knew it would make for a perfect story if we were able to figure it out. So, my mentality was being aggressive, play with a chip on my shoulder. But also lead my group through adversity, through the tough times to make sure we could come together at the right moments.”
Dec 7, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown (7) and Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) talk during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images | Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
PHOENIX — Jaylen Brown could be sidelined when the Celtics face the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night. Brown is listed as questionable on the Celtics’ injury report with a right knee contusion that he was icing in the locker room on Sunday night.
Brown tallied 32 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists in a blowout Celtics win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. The Celtics star is averaging 29.2 points, 7 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game this season, and he’s missed five games this season.
The only other player on the Celtics’ injury report is Jayson Tatum, who continued to be sidelined as he recovers from a ruptured Achilles tendon. Joe Mazzulla wouldn’t say whether Tatum practiced with the Celtics on Saturday, but Tatum did practice with the G League earlier this month and has continued to progress in his recovery.
The Suns, meanwhile, will be very shorthanded. Dillon Brooks is out for the next 4-6 weeks with a broken left hand, and Devin Booker is out with a hip strain for at least the next week. Jordan Goodwin (calf) and Haywood Highsmith (knee) are also both out.
The Celtics are on the first night of a back-to-back on Tuesday, which could factor into their decision to rest Brown. They’ll face the Denver Nuggets in Denver on Wednesday.
How the Celtics and Suns stack up entering the match-up
The Celtics have won 8 of their last 9 games and currently have the Eastern Conference’s second-best record at 37-19. They have the NBA’s fourth-best record, fourth-best net rating, and third-best offense.
The Suns, meanwhile, have dropped 6 of their last 10 games as they deal with a myriad of injuries. At 33-25, they currently have the 7th-best record in the Western Conference.
The Suns have had the NBA’s 9th-best defensive rating at 112.5 (the Celtics have the 8th-best defensive rating at 112.2). Something else to note is the Suns’ ability to crash the offensive glass; they have the 6th-best offensive rebound percentage at 33.2%.
With Booker and Brooks both sidelined, Grayson Allen, Collin Gillespie, and Jalen Green become the players to watch. Allen (17.3 points, 3.9 assists) is Phoenix’s best-available scorer, while Gillespie (13.4 points, 4.7 assists) and Green (13.3 points, 2.4 assists) have also been key contributors.
Celtics-Suns will tip off at 9pm ET at the Mortgage Matchup Center.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 10: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons blocks out Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs duirng a during the first-half free throw at Little Caesars Arena on January 10, 2024 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 (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome, friends to the NBA’s game of the year. Two of the most exciting young franchises in the NBA, both either first or second in their respective conferences, and both led by two young, superstar players who look like they could help define the NBA for the next decade-plus.
In one corner, you have the East-leading Detroit Pistons led by Cade Cunningham, one of the most versatile offensive hubs in the NBA. He does a lot of traditional things you expect from a lead guard — run the offense, dictate the pace, get others involved, score at all three levels, play hard on defense. He just does all of those things at a high level as a total package you want to build your team around. In the other corner, you have a very untraditional superstar in the San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama. He is a 7-foot-4 dynamo on both ends of the floor with a face-up game, ball-handling skills more akin to a guard, and one of the most feared defenders of the paint in the NBA. He’s redefining what is possible on the court on a nightly basis.
But these two teams excel for reasons beyond their respective star players. Detroit is able to impose its will on teams behind total team defense, hustle, and grit. The Spurs play an excellent brand of defense as well, but it’s a more contained, disciplined variety. They don’t impose their will; they don’t give you anything to work with and are happy to let you settle for a bad shot. No team gives up a lower ratio of free throws than the Spurs on a nightly basis, and the San Antonio defense is top-four in both defending twos and defending threes.
Game Vitals
When: 7 p.m. ET Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan Watch: Peacock; FanDuel Sports Network Detroit Odds: Pistons -1.5
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - DECEMBER 27: Jusuf Nurkic #30 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center on December 27, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
BREAKING: Utah Jazz starting center Jusuf Nurkić will undergo a surgical procedure on his nose Wednesday that will sideline him for the remainder of the season, league sources tell me. pic.twitter.com/MFYjY333GU
This was the news greeted by fans at 1 AM, as the team is headed to the Lone Star State to wrap up their two-game road trip against the Houston Rockets — wait for it….on National Television! Ever since the Jazz pulled the plug on Operation Jaren, Nurkic hasn’t been able to grace the floor — a combination of DNP-CD and injury report appearances. A devastating loss for those who were eager for another unorthodox Nurkic triple-double, but a win for sickos who wanted to squeeze one or two more losses out of Nurkic’s estimated impact.
But Houston is one of those teams where you take your loss, bow and leave — or at least in theory. Though they’re 34-21, a Kevin Durant burner account scandal has gone viral, which has only added fuel to the fire amid a 3-4 stretch through All-Star Weekend. They’ve collected a loss and a win against this Jazz group back in a two-game set back in early December. But hey, it’s not all doom and gloom for Ryan Smith’s chosen children. Keyonte George, who has missed the last four games with a right ankle sprain, has been upgraded to questionable. Lauri Markkanen’s death plague has been ameliorated — now listed as a common cold. It’s probably due to the fact that Utah doesn’t want to be seen lurking in the gutters on NBC, but they probably aren’t good enough regardless, without a genuine starting center. The Rockets side has a few trickles, namely Jae’Sean Tate, Steven Adams and Fred VanVleet named on theirs.
There’s no doubt due to this Nurkic injury that Kyle Filipowski will spring to the starting lineup once again. He was the first iteration of the tall ball at the beginning of the season, where the Jazz ran a Markkanen-Filipowski-Kessler frontcourt. Now he’s entrusted with the grave task of protecting the paint. I should clarify that Flip has, and probably never will be a defensive presence, but it should never really matter considering the ceiling of all his other NBA attributes. You’ll never notice until the end of the game when he’ll rack up 17 points and 11 boards in a close 8-point loss.
Truth be told, this is a basketball game the Jazz are not entirely interested in winning. They’re not the bottom feeders they’d like to be, coughing up some devastating victories against Memphis and Sacramento. Oh, how far they have risen. The best we can do at this point onwards is wear a shirt with big bold letters that read “A LOSS FOR US IS A LOSS FOR PRESTI” — that’ll get the point across. Especially tonight, considering they’re facing a team that is nearly as incompetent as the Utah Jazz are at taking care of the ball. Utah’s still one of the heavy hitters, recording the second-most turnovers per game at 16.0. Houston doesn’t sit far behind at seventh, giving up 15.4 per game. They both struggle to force turnovers on the defensive end, ranking 24th and 21st in opponent turnover rate.
Truthfully, the Rockets are in a tall, athletic guard dilemma. They’ve been too reliant on Fred VanVleet pre-injury, leaving no one else who can run a half-court set. Amen Thompson has attempted to take on those responsibilities to little success, but he’ll still punish you on nearly every other aspect of basketball, with the exception of three-point shooting. When he was drafted, he was either the mythological 6’7” point guard or a bust who came from a league named after a Gen Z social media brand. He can attack closeouts. He can drive later in the clock if the Rockets have thrown everything else out there. He’s Andrei Kirilenko, trying to play the point guard role with occasional success. Thompson is at his most dangerous on the open floor. The Jazz will likely have to sprint down immediately if they want any success — no complaining to the refs, no slow jogs.
It’s too late for Houston to pull out of the Kevin Durant saga now. They need to gear up for Playoff mode, but it won’t start tonight against the low-hanging Jazz. Both teams have probably mutually agreed on what needs to happen for both of their sakes. For us, it’s just another 48 minutes we can experiment on.
Injury Report
Jazz:
PROBABLE – Lauri Markkanen (illness)
QUESTIONABLE– Keyonte George (right ankle sprain)
OUT – Walker Kessler (left shoulder surgery)
Rockets:
OUT– Steven Adams (ankle surgery), Jae’Sean Tate (right knee sprain), Fred VanVleet (torn ACL)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 22: The Los Angeles Lakers celebrate Pat Riley during the game against the Boston Celtics on February 22, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nick Tomoyasu/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Hey guys!
I know many of you enjoyed the non-Lakers discussion threads we had. Instead of simply bringing those back, though, I figured we could just open it up to anything. Want to discuss movies, games, basketball, TV, the weather, what you had for lunch, your wins of the week? Here’s the place.
The only rule is to follow the guidelines. Be nice and be civil. Everything else is fair game.
Mar 25, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) defends against San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) during the second half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images | David Reginek-Imagn Images
Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much.
The Spurs are on an eight-game winning streak, which matches their longest of the season, which culminated in a 15 point road win over the Thunder on Christmas, followed by a disappointing home loss to the Utah Jazz just two days later. The Spurs have a much more difficult assignment tonight to extend their winning streak to nine games, facing the league’s best team in Detroit. Cade Cunningham is giving the Motor City a great return on their first overall draft pick in 2021, as he’s been one of the best players in the league this year, and is in the running for MVP. The rest of the roster is talented with a good mixture of young talent and savvy vets.
The Spurs are coming off of a two game series where they blew out a pair of teams that were missing key performers, but the Silver and Black understood the assignment, blowing out the Suns with wire to wire dominance and playing hard enough for about two quarters to blow out the downtrodden Kings, extending Sacramento’s losing streak to a woesome 16 games. The Spurs will have to play the whole game tonight to have a chance against the surging Pistons, and if they can get 30 minutes from Victor Wembanyama like the first six minutes of Saturday night’s game, I feel good about their chances. Stephon Castle will have a tough assignment on Cunningham, and he’ll have to avoid the foul trouble he encountered against the Kings. Dylan Harper has been really good lately, and he will also be needed to help defend Cunningham.
Tonight is another test for Silver and Black, but it’s also just a regular season game. If the Spurs want to catch the Thunder, a win tonight would be a key ingredient, but they will have a rematch with the Pistons on March 5, where they will face the same test again, this time in San Antonio. Best case scenario, the Spurs win both and the Thunder lose their game to the Pistons on Wednesday. There’s still about two months left in the season, so there’s a long way to go yet, so you can’t get too wrapped up in individual game outcomes yet. Let’s save that for the playoffs, where the Spurs are definitely going this year. Let’s watch tonight and see how it goes. GO SPURS GOO!!
Game Prediction:
Cade Cunningham will refuse to shoot the ball in the paint after his first four attempts are blocked by Victor.
San Antonio Spurs at Detroit Pistons February 23, 2026 | 6:00 PM CT Streaming: Peacock TV: Peacock Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 5: Members of the Indiana Hoosiers warm up wearing traditional candy stripe Adidas warmups before of the NCAA basketball game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Alabama A&M Bulldogs at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on November 5, 2025 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Indiana men’s basketball made a front office type of move on Monday with the hiring of Ryan Carr, a former program manager, as Executive Director of Basketball, effectively a general manager type role with a focus on roster building.
Such hirings have become more common in college basketball due to relatively recent shifts in team and program building philosophies with the onset of NIL and the transfer portal. Indiana has plenty of connections around the basketball world with former players and managers in coaching and front office roles around college basketball, the NBA and other levels. Carr, working just up the road in Indianapolis with plenty of scouting and leadership experience, seems a natural fit.
Which seems to be the broad takeaway from the move based on reactions around social media. Here’s some that stick out:
Pacers guards Tyrese Haliburton and T.J. McConnell:
Pacers point guards T.J. McConnell and Tyrese Haliburton wish executive Ryan Carr well in his newly-created role with #iubbpic.twitter.com/JpHiFnu23G
Former Indiana men’s basketball head coach Tom Crean:
This is absolutely awesome for @IndianaMBB to have @Ryan_Carr11 join in this role. As good as an evaluator, connector, executive and truth teller that he is, he’s even a far better Person, Family Man and encourager. @IUHoosiers nailed this one. Ryan truly loves @IndianaUnivhttps://t.co/fBXsDTy8kN
Significant hire for Indiana. Carr is one of the most respected scouts/front office members in the NBA and has deep ties to the state. https://t.co/RXmlA9EGKg
This is a major hire for Indiana. Ryan Carr is a longtime, highly respected NBA executive and former IU manager who ran the Pacers’ pre-draft process for years and has been a constant presence on the scouting circuit. https://t.co/MLne71eJjR
One of the first guys I met in the business as an advance scout in 2005. While others were cold/competitive, he was kind, embracing and a huge help. He’s one in a million with greater and deeper purpose. Go Ryan!🙏 https://t.co/O5zD9h1tDI
MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 9: Jusuf Nurkic #30 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket during the game against the Miami Heat on February 9, 2026 at Kaseya Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Per NBA insider Chris Haynes, the Jazz will be without backup center Jusuf Nurkić moving forward due to an urgent medical procedure:
BREAKING: Utah Jazz starting center Jusuf Nurkić will undergo a surgical procedure on his nose Wednesday that will sideline him for the remainder of the season, league sources tell me. pic.twitter.com/MFYjY333GU
I’m not a doctor, but I figure this procedure is urgent because Jusuf Nurkić is playing too well. For the Jazz, who are fighting to keep pace in a hotly contested race for draft position, every loss matters.
This leaves the Jazz with frontcourt rotations which will include Lauri Markkanen, (for now) Kyle Filipowski, Kevin Love, Oscar Tshiebwe, John “Jitty” Konchar, and Blake Hinson. The Jazz now have an opportunity to a) improve their draft position and b) Evaluate their end-of-the-bench talent before going all-in on competing next season. Kyle Filipowski has proven to be a skilled offensive player, but his defensive footwork leaves much to be desired. Can he learn to hang with upper-end NBA talent? New additions John Konchar and Blake Hinson have shown promise, but will they be part of the team’s long-term plans? The answers to these questions may be more clear after 30 games of watching them play big minutes.
Admittedly, if you had told me prior to this season that the Jazz would be Urgently Resting Nurkić for a Very Urgent Surgery, I would not have believed you. I was stuck in the past, dwelling on stuff like this:
I have officially gone from “Well, I guess we had to take back salary to unload Colin Sexton” to “Wow, Nurk is a really nice backup with a cool skillset. It would be great if he re-signed here this summer.” Turns out that, sometimes, professional basketball players are really good at playing basketball, even if six-foot nothing, 5PPG-at-the-local-pickup-game guys like me think they’re washed.
Jazz coach Will Hardy has a few hours to re-work his rotations as the team prepares to take on the Houston Rockets at 7:30pm MT.
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 21: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks looks on during the game against the Houston Rockets on February 21, 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
This hasn’t been the dream season we envisioned entering the year. If you came from the future and told everyone the Knicks would be the No. 3 seed and considerably behind the No. 1 seed in late February, I’d imagine near-universal disappointment. That’s fine, that’s reasonable.
What’s not reasonable is the way some people act after every single loss. Losing sucks, there’s no question about it, but you don’t need to write a thinkpiece about the entire organization after an off night. It’s an 82-game season, you’re not going undefeated. I think most people understand that, but then you also get takes like this on social media after the team’s disheartening loss against the Pistons on Thursday.
"I cannot wait till we get to the summer so they could blow this team the f*** up… Has there ever been a more unlikeable 'good' team in NBA history?"@JCMacriNBA condemns the Knicks effort after their 3rd loss of the season to the Detroit Pistons, bringing their total margin… pic.twitter.com/ExtPJ3aHPH
If you’re ever on social media, especially when one of these games are going on, you see the same tropes.
“This team doesn’t care”, “They’re soft.”, “They’re pathetic.”
This is especially the narrative after all the Pistons games. I understand it’s a different Pistons team than last year, but we also have to remember the regular season doesn’t tell the whole story. There’s also a misrepresentation of how Thursday’s game went. While the Knicks absolutely got punked in the first two meetings, they overall played with a good amount of intensity on Thursday. You know why the score was lopsided? The No. 3 3pt shooting team in basketball couldn’t buy one, while the worst wide-open shooting team in basketball once again shot over 40%.
The sky is not falling because the Pistons seem to have our number. There’s no guarantee that, assuming the Knicks stay in the 2 or 3-seed, the Pistons would even be the matchup in the Eastern Conference Finals! People saying that these three matchups are the reason they have no chance to come out of the East are being dishonest.
Different sects of the fanbase have different criticisms of the team. Some blame Jalen Brunson’s isocentric playstyle, which prevents guys like Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns from getting in rhythm. Some blame Mike Brown’s coaching style for not getting Towns the ball and treating him more like Domantas Sabonis. Some get on Josh Hart for the bad stretches when he misses an assignment off-ball defensively, and his reluctance to shoot. And then, of course, there’s criticism of Bridges and Towns for being soft.
Are some of these criticisms warranted? Sure! The Knicks are far from perfect, but they’re still a damn good basketball team. But some of these narratives are silly, especially the small, small sect that calls Brunson a ballhog and shows misleading on-off numbers.
But honestly, the most frustrating part about this stuff is glorifying the past. And no, I’m not talking about the 1990s or the 2013 Knicks, I’m talking about the recent teams. There was an unironic tweet during the 11-game skid that the 2021 Knicks, because of the defense and physicality, would beat this team in a playoff series.
(Speaking of the 11-game skid, this is possibly the worst tweet I‘ve ever seen.)
Watching the Knicks these last two seasons has been as bad as watching them during the 2021-22 season & the beginning of the 2022-23 season
Nostalgia is a real virus. That 2021 team was the first playoff team for an entire generation of Knicks fans, but they were tremendously flawed. Once the Hawks learned to turn Julius Randle’s water off, it was over. Do we really think that team would be able to score enough in the playoffs and lock up Brunson and KAT? Seriously?
The more sensible nostalgia acts are coming from the 2023-25 teams. The Knicks played with a certain level of grit then, but people forget how things went for those teams.
The 2023 Knicks were an inspiring group that was genuinely ten-deep. The problem? The team’s second-best playoff performer was 23-year-old Quentin Grimes. Randle, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley were terrible against the Heat.
The 2024 Knicks might’ve been the most fun team to root for, and that’s what this boils down to. You love to root for the undermanned underdog with likable players and personalities, who play with a certain level of nastiness. But that team had a ceiling; their second option was Donte DiVincenzo. Now, if you want to talk about the January 2024 Knicks, I’m listening. They were special. But you were never getting that team again, not with the CBA forcing Isaiah Hartenstein to OKC.
There’s also a lot of comparing Tom Thibodeau to Mike Brown, some reasonable, some not. But let’s not act like the same people who are yearning for Thibs weren’t the ones begging for him to be fired midseason last year.
The Cavs fired JB Bickerstaff despite leading the team to the playoffs for three straight seasons, and now they’re 32-5 under Kenny Atkinson. Meanwhile, Knicks fans say we can’t fire Thibs because “we were bad before he got here”😂 pic.twitter.com/xW37HBTdAn
But remember alot of Knicks fans celebrated thibs being fired in the offseason and wanted to act like Mike Brown was the reincarnation of Pat Riley pic.twitter.com/GlEdq4ZlFn
And that’s my point. There has always been something to complain about. In 2021, they couldn’t score. In 2023, they had no offense aside from Brunson in the playoffs. In 2024, a similar story. Then, when you add the offensive firepower, the pendulum swings the other way.
Make no mistake, this is the best Knicks team since Patrick Ewing was wearing orange and blue. They’re on pace for 52 wins. While they’ve had frustrating losses to Detroit and San Antonio, they’ve beaten Boston, Cleveland, Houston, Toronto, and Denver. They went 0-10 vs the top-three teams last year and 5-14 against teams that won at least 50 games. This year, they’re 7-5 (technically 6-5 but the NBA Cup counts to me, dammit) against teams playing at a 50 or more win pace. It’s a Pistons issue right now, not a crippling league issue.
It’s one thing when the likes of Draymond Green or Charles Barkley use buzzwords to insult this team. They’re outside media personalities who benefit from clicks. It’s disingenuous when it’s our fans doing it, pretending that we aren’t less than six years removed from Mo Harkless starting games with regularity and less than eight years removed from Allonzo Trier being our most promising player.
You know what, maybe I just need to get off social media.
Feb 5, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Corey Kispert (24) dribbles against the Utah Jazz in the second quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The Washington Wizards are playing the Hawks in Atlanta tomorrow night. I’ve got you covered with the preview:
Game info
When: 7:30 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Feb. 24
Where: State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia
How to watch: Monumental Sports Network
Injuries
Wizards — Trae Young, Anthony Davis, Alex Sarr and Cam Whitmore are all listed as OUT. Tristan Vukcevic and Justin Champagnie are listed as DAY-TO-DAY. Additionally, D’Angelo Russell is not being asked to report to the team.
Hawks — Jonathan Kuminga is listed as OUT and has yet to make his Hawks debut.
Game notes and more
The Atlanta Hawks were a hip NBA Finals contender ahead of the season, yet even in a rollercoaster of a season they’ve failed to kick their play-in addiction. They’ve traded their franchise player in Trae Young, minted a new All-Star in Jalen Johnson, rolled the dice on Jonathan Kuminga and watched Zaccharie Risacher, who they selected no. 1 overall last year, fail to make an impact. They are still the same middling old Hawks, and they currently sit at a meager 28-31, fending off a challenge from the flaming hot Charlotte Hornets.
The aforementioned Young was, as any reader of this site is no doubt aware, traded to the Wizards ahead of the trade deadline. He has yet to make his debut, and it is unknown whether he will be playing this season or not, as all team-issued updates have been quite vague.
VITORIA-GASTEIZ, Spain (AP) — Lucas Boyé scored twice for Alaves to draw with Girona 2-2 in an end-to-end La Liga encounter at Estadio Mendizorroza on Monday.
The second straight draw for Alaves lifted it three points clear of La Liga’s relegation zone.
Girona was three places and three points better off, although only six points separate Girona in 11th and Mallorca in the last of the three relegation spots.
The home side took the initiative after just five minutes when Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga missed Yusi’s low cross, allowing Boyé to side-foot home from close range.
However, Girona came roaring back and 14 minutes before the break it was level, Axel Witsel’s glancing header touched into the net by Vladyslav Vanat.
Girona took the lead in the 73rd minute when Azzedine Ounahi’s superb reverse pass split the Alaves defence. Viktor Tsygankov showed a cool head to round the keeper and slot the ball into the empty net.
But Boyé’s header a minute from time gave Alaves a deserved draw that could be crucial in its fight against the drop.
“We’re at home, and we know that to reach our objective as quickly as possible we have to pick up three points here, especially against direct rivals,” Boyé said. “We’re frustrated by the draw and by not getting all three points.”
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 07: Jalen Green #4 and Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns walk during a timeout in the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 07, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Coming out of the All-Star break, the Phoenix Suns had three games in four nights, going 1-2 with a dramatic win over the Orlando Magic and tough losses where the offense struggled against the San Antonio Spurs and Portland Trailblazers. While it was a short week, the team lost multiple key players due to injury.
Here are the main questions for Week 18 that we want your thoughts on:
Getting Through the Injury Bug/Jalen Green’s big shot
Two questions in one block here. In the Suns’ three games this week, Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks and Jordan Goodwin all went down with injuries and missed the next game. Booker will be re-evaluated later this week, Brooks broke his hand and is out without a timeline, and Goodwin strained his calf and is also without a timeline.
Phoenix has now played 14 games this year without Booker and are en route to play at least two more. On a side note, if Booker misses four more games, he’ll be ineligible for All-NBA awards this year.
With the Suns’ top scorers likely out for an extended period, look for Jalen Green to get more into a rhythm with his new teammates. He played 30 minutes for the first time as a Sun on Saturday in the team’s double-overtime win that ended with him hitting a buzzer-beating three, green has been inefficient so far in his first ten games as a Sun, shooting 38% from the field and 31% from three. His shooting splits are the lowest of any season of his career. Averaging over 20 points per game in his previous three seasons combined, he has the potential to lead the team in scoring amid the injuries.
JALEN GREEN HITS THE GAME-WINNING @TISSOT BUZZER-BEATER TO WIN IT FOR THE SUNS IN 2OT!
Is the answer to the Suns’ injury issues getting Jalen Green more acclimated into the offense? Who else needs to step up for the time being?
Offensive Issues
The Suns didn’t shoot over 40% from the field once this week. Their win against Orlando was the first time since 2023 a team won while shooting under 35% from the field, and their 77 points against Portland was the least points they’ve scored in a game all year, and is tied for the second-least points a team has scored in a game this season.
To win games, independent of whose in the lineup, the Suns need to hit more shots. While Grayson Allen missed Sunday’s contest due to injury management, he should be back in the lineup Tuesday.
What is wrong with the Phoenix offense? How can it improve?
For more questions on the Suns follow @HoldenSherman1 on X for content after every game.
Jalen Green went 6/26 from the field, but finished the game with a buzzer beater.
What do you make of his performance tonight and his ability to come up clutch when he's most needed?@BrightSideSun
Lakers backup center Jaxson Hayes’ status is being considered “day-to-day” after imaging on his right ankle revealed a “little bruise,” coach JJ Redick told reporters after Monday’s practice.
Hayes played five first-half minutes during Sunday’s home loss to the Celtics before the team ruled him out of halftime because of a right ankle injury.
Jaxson Hayes guards Payton Pritchard of the Boston Celtics. Getty Images
When in the lineup, the 7-foot Hayes has consistently been the backup big man behind starting center Deandre Ayton.
Hayes has averaged 6.8 points on 77% shooting and 3.8 rebounds through 47 games.
Redick said he believed Hayes would be listed as questionable for Tuesday’s home game against the Magic.
Magic guard Jalen Suggs is listed as questionable for Tuesday because of a strained back after sitting out Orlando’s Sunday win over the Clippers because of back spasms.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 19: Jimmy Butler III #10 of the Golden State Warriors stands on the court during their game against the Miami Heat at Chase Center on January 19, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Having torn his ACL on January 19th, Jimmy Butler is out for the season — and likely a little bit of next season, too.
However, despite this, he is still incredibly dedicated to being a Golden State Warrior. Earlier this week, Butler sent this email to Warriors season ticket holders reminding them of how much he loves playing for Golden State:
“Dear Warriors Season Ticket Family,
I have played in front of many incredible crowds over my 15 seasons in the NBA, but there was always something about playing in the Bay Area that made it feel like more than just another game. It was always electric. So, when I received the phone call on February 5, 2025, that I had been traded to the Warriors, I knew it had a chance to be special. But even I wasn’t prepared for what it means to be part of Dub Nation, playing in front of the loudest, most loyal and dedicated fans in the NBA.
The energy you provided us down the stretch last year was magical, as we finished the season winning 23 of 31 games and, ultimately, clinching a playoff berth. And playing with Steph and all of my teammates in The Bay has been an incredible experience. Steph is truly the greatest shooter and showman of all time, and I am honored to be the Robin to his Batman. The energy you gave us during the first round against Houston was palpable, and further reinforced my desire to play through my Game 2 injury. It was your love, encouragement, and joy that helped me dig deep to play – and win – for this fanbase. Ultimately, last year’s playoffs left us with a big “what if,” as Steph’s injury was too much for us to overcome in the Western Conference Semifinals vs. Minnesota. But we knew what we had and were eager to play meaningful basketball once again this season.
After a roller coaster start to this season, we were finally rounding into form in mid-January, winning 12 of 16 games, looking like the playoff contender we envisioned and the NBA feared. Every NBA season is a puzzle and we were beginning to figure ours out. Unfortunately, on January 19 against Miami, I tore my ACL. I was/am devastated. For me, for my teammates, and for all of you. After being in this league for as long as I have — 15 years now — you eventually realize that you only have a certain number of these golden opportunities. We had that opportunity this year in a league filled with parity and a team full of promise. Nonetheless, we move forward and will continue to battle our way to the postseason. I am excited to see my guys compete for the remainder of this season, but also heartbroken to know that I will not be out there with them. They’re my brothers.
Despite experiencing almost every emotion over the last 12 months — from the highs of the fourth most wins in the NBA to the lows of a pair of season-ending injuries — your support has been unwavering. I can see clearly now why you, our Warriors season ticket family, are known as the best fans in the NBA. You are our most loyal supporters, and your incredible energy is the fuel that drives this team.
I can promise you that I will attack my rehab with a singular focus that will enable me to get back to playing the game that I love, in front of the fans that I have grown to love and appreciate. My life has shown me repeatedly that when something happens that is out of my control, all I can do is work and wait for the answer and the why. Both have always been shown to me, and this time will be no different. This story, which has been interrupted twice, is not complete. Not by a long shot. This period is simply a part of our journey. I can’t wait to see what next season holds and will treasure the opportunity to put my jersey back on and take the court with Steph, Dray, and the rest of the guys, in front of you all. I’m sure that when I return and hear all of you in unison chant “WAAAAARRRRRRIIIIORRRSSSSS,” it will push me forward and provide an incredible adrenaline rush.
I am the author of my story. I always have been and I always will be. I look forward to you all continuing this journey with me and with us. If you have learned anything about me over our year-plus together, it’s that I am never hard to find.
I will be back, and I need you back, too. Here’s to what’s ahead.
Go Dubs”
Since being acquired by the Warriors in January of 2025 (after a lengthy and dramatic saga with the Miami Heat), Butler has played in 68 games and has become a fan-favorite player both on and off the court. Even at age 36, he was still a valuable asset for the Warriors up until his ACL tear, putting up an average of 20 points per game. Hopefully, Butler will stay a Warrior after his recovery — he certainly seems dead-set on it, based on what he said in his email.
