Category: Basketball

The Dallas Mavericks fully leaned into a new era for the organization this season after hearing the calls from MFFLs everywhere — first, by firing general manager Nico Harrison; and next, severing ties to the major connection to the Luka Doncic trade by moving Anthony Davis. The trade deadline reset the books for the future to build around Cooper Flagg. Yes, there are still pieces of the past on the team (for now) — six players from the 2024 NBA Finals team are still in Dallas. But there is no doubt the direction this team is heading and who is at its core.

In the coming months the team will hire a new general manager, someone who according to recent reporting from The Athletic’s Christian Clark will be valued for their previous experience and unlikely to be an “out-of-the-box” hire. That’s good, great in fact. The team previously took the creative approach and it netted them sending away one of the league’s best players overnight in exchange for 29 games of backbreaking fun. A stabilizing force in the front office is smart.

And while they can’t afford creativity there, they can absolutely afford creativity in rebranding the franchise.

We’ve been loud about this in the past. I did a deep dive on this nearly seven years ago to the day. It is baffling this team essentially has the same visual identity they had 25 years ago. And for those who haven’t been paying attention at home you won’t be surprised to learn that their artwork looks 25 years old.

They introduced a new-millenia inspired design in 2001 and haven’t looked back, or forward for that matter. Since then they’ve basically hit shuffle on a three-song playlist, surprised when the same song keeps playing and we’re tired of the hits.

The team has been forgiven of their sins by reintroducing green alternate jerseys recently. It feels so obvious that those retro designs are a hit and should be folded into the core design. But even if it isn’t, we can’t keep looking at this a quarter century later.

Especially when they’ve passed up several obvious opportunities recently to revamp their look, aligning with logical shifts in mini-eras:

• 2019: The team traded their way to Doncic, and after spending a full season next to Dirk Nowitzki, Doncic ushered in a new era. This was the spring I last made this plea. It made too much sense, and yet the Mavericks (and Mark Cuban) did nothing.
• Summer of 2024: The Mavericks had just been sold to the Adelson’s at the start of the year, were fresh off a finals run, and at the time it felt like the start of something new in Dallas. They did nothing.
• Summer of 2025: We’ve already walked through what led to this moment. If the Mavericks were smart they would have rebranded after drafting Cooper Flagg. But they (Nico) believed they were actually contenders and not, in fact, starting a new era. They were starting a new era.

So why not now? The team is officially Flagg’s. This summer they will draft in the top eight and conceivably add Cooper’s future longterm running mate. Trying to pin it to the timeline of a new arena doesn’t make sense — we’re at least five years from that time. It would be one thing if this look felt cool in a retro way, felt timeless in a classic way. But the basketball branding look of AOL instant messenger isn’t timeless.

The time to do it is now. Give new life to the look of the Mavericks brand identity, as they build what this franchise looks like in a fully new era. One that isn’t connected to former times, one that doesn’t overlap with franchise cornerstones. Make this team fully Flagg’s.

Cooper Flagg's NBA debut jersey sold privately via Sotheby's earlier this month for $1 million, the auction house announced Thursday morning.

The price is a record for any Flagg-related collectible and comes mid-way through his rookie campaign, during which he is averaging 20.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists for the Dallas Mavericks.

"The $1 million result for Cooper Flagg’s rookie debut jersey is a powerful testament to the significance collectors place on true ‘first moments’ in sport," Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s Head of Modern Collectibles, said in a statement. "This jersey captures the very beginning of a special career, one carrying huge expectations and excitement.”

Flagg's Summer League debut jersey sold in August for $95,250 in a Sotheby's auction.

Sotheby's is the NBA's official game-worn partner, and generally offers jerseys from key games in public auctions, such as the 2023 sale of Victor Wembanyama's debut jersey for $762,000. However, the auction house has recently become more strategic with its inventory, holding back jerseys that have the potential to gain in value.

Collectors will have the chance to scoop up other key rookie debut jerseys at auction this month, however, as Sotheby's will sell gamers from the first games of VJ Edgecombe, Kon Knueppel, Dylan Harper, Derik Queen and more, with bidding opening Thursday.

Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct, the premier company for collectible culture.

As we enter the home stretch of the 2025-26 NBA season, there’s no denying that it’s been a topsy-turvy couple of months for the Atlanta Hawks. At the end of November, Atlanta’s record stood at 13-8, they had picked up nine wins in their last twelve outings and were sitting as the five-seed in the East – perched above teams like Boston, Cleveland and Philadelphia in the conference standings.

Now, 11 weeks and 22 losses later, I wouldn’t blame you for wondering whether that late November surge will be remembered as the apex of the Hawks season. 

December was not kind to Atlanta, and in retrospect, proved to be a watershed month for the franchise. Amid a nebulous, illness-related absence for Kristaps Porzingis*, as well as an unsuccessful attempt to reintegrate Trae Young into the lineup**, Atlanta managed just three wins in their next 14 games, slipping all the way down to the 10-seed in the East. 

_{*After appearing in 12 out of the Hawks first 21 games, Kristaps Porzingis played just twice in the month of December – scoring 25 points on 9-for-13 shooting (4-for-7 from downtown) in a 1-point loss to Denver on December 5th, then chipping in with 16 points in 17 minutes in a New Years Eve drubbing of the Minnesota Timberwolves.} 

_{**Young was sidelined from October 30th to December 17th due to an MCL sprain suffered early in the season. His return to action coincided with a six-game losing streak before the team shut him down and eventually traded him on January 7th.}

Atlanta’s defense, which had played a vital role in their early-season success, deserves the brunt of the blame for their December woes. After allowing 113.1 points per 100 possessions through the first 21 games of the season (good for the 11th-ranked defensive unit in the league), the Hawks allowed 119.8 points per 100 possessions in December – a mark which ranked 27th in the league over that span. 

While Porzingis’ absence and Young’s presence* did nothing to aid their efforts on the less glamorous end of the floor, looking at the raw shooting numbers, though there wasn’t a significant change in where their opponents were shooting from, the most damaging difference between October/November and December was seen in their opponent’s three-point accuracy – with their opponents converting 37.8% of their looks from the perimeter in the month of December (fifth-highest opponent 3P% over this span) after shooting just 34% through the first 21 games of the season (seventh-lowest opponent 3P% over this span).

_{*Atlanta allowed an eye-watering 129 points per 100 possessions with Young on the court in December (141 minutes across five games) relative to 116.2 points per 100 possessions with him on the bench.} 

In addition to their opponents shooting better from the perimeter, another factor that negatively impacted Atlanta’s defense in December was that they weren’t forcing as many turnovers as they were early on in the season. Per cleaningtheglass, the Hawks pressured their opponents into committing turnovers on 16.2% of their possessions (the fourth-highest rate in the league) through the first 21 games of the season, however in December, that number dropped to 14.2% – slightly below the league average.

After that disastrous December, the first seven weeks of 2026 have been marked by fluidity up and down the roster. Young was shipped off to Washington on January 7th, with CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert coming Atlanta’s way in the trade.

Porzingis continued to play sporadically – suiting up in three out of Atlanta’s first four games of the new year before reclaiming his spot on the injury report due to a bout with left Achilles tendonitis. Atlanta would eventually trade him to Golden State for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield at the trade deadline on February 5th, bringing the Latvian’s stint in Atlanta to an end after playing in just 17 out of a possible 52 games this season.

With Porzingis’ spot in the rotation up for grabs, the Hawks gave in-house options Mouhamed Gueye and Asa Newell an extended look as the back-up ‘5’, though when neither played impressed, the team went out and signed fourth-year big, Christian Koloko to a two-way contract on January 16th for some additional depth at the position. Koloko got his first taste of action on January 21st, logging 11 minutes in a two-point victory against Memphis, and played valiantly in each of the next six games before being replaced in the rotation by veteran big-man, Jock Landale* – who was acquired by the Hawks on deadline day for cash considerations. Coming out of the All-Star break, the spot appears to be Landale’s to lose. 

_{*Landale had averaged 11.3 points and 6.5 rebounds in 24 minutes per game on 51/38/67 shooting splits (FG/3PT/FT) across 45 appearances (25 starts) for the Memphis Grizzlies this season before being traded to Atlanta.}

Still, integrating McCollum and Kispert as well as settling on a back-up ‘5’ weren’t the only rotation questions the Hawks have faced since the calendar flipped. After exploding for a season-high 25 points against New Orleans on January 7th, Zaccharie Risacher missed the next three weeks due to a bone contusion in his left knee. Onyeka Okongwu was sidelined for four games after suffering a gruesome dental fracture against the Celtics on January 28th. Both Dyson Daniels and Jalen Johnson have missed time due to nagging lower body injuries. 

The Hawks were active in the trade market as well. In addition to the transactions outlined above, on February 1st they traded fan-favorite, Vit Krejci, to the Portland Trail Blazers for two future second-round picks and Duop Reath (who was subsequently waived). On February 5th, they flipped Luke Kennard to the Los Angeles Lakers in return for Gabe Vincent and a future second-rounder. 

Amid all the changes, the Hawks have gone 10-11 since the beginning of January, and with 26 games remaining in the regular season, find themselves in a precarious position as far as the 2025-26 season is concerned*. With a record of 26-30, they are clinging to the 10-seed in the East – sitting just 1.5 games ahead of Chicago and Milwaukee for a spot in the Play-In tournament. 

_{*Thanks to their front office’s maneuvering, Atlanta has ample cap space this summer.}

With Giannis Antetokounmpo slated to return to action for Milwaukee, the Charlotte Hornets surging (9-1 over their last 10 games), and teams like Miami and Orlando still playing hard-nosed hoops, postseason basketball is far from guaranteed for the Hawks. We’ll find out what this team is made of over the next few weeks.

Entering this crucial stretch of the season, here’s my projection of Atlanta’s depth chart, with a look at the updated cap sheet below (salary figures from Spotrac). 

Ahead of the home-stretch, these are two burning questions facing the Atlanta Hawks.

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What’s wrong with the offense?

While the Hawks have patched things up on defense since December – allowing 113.3 points per 100 possessions since January 1st (similar to their performance through the first 21 games) – their offense has crumbled, with the team managing just 111 points per 100 possessions over this span, a mark which ranks 27th* in the NBA. It would be easy to pin this drop-off on the departure of Trae Young, who, for all of his flaws, remains one of the best offensive floor-raisers in the league, however I would push back on this notion given that the Hawks posted a 115.3 offensive rating between October 31st and December 15th (22 games) when Young was sidelined with an MCL sprain. 

_{*Tied with the Sacramento Kings – never a good sign.}

Comparing Atlanta’s offensive performance from that stretch without Young to their offense since January 1st, a few things stand out. First, while the Hawks have continued to play fast, they have actually done a better job taking care of the ball in the new year, posting an offensive turnover rate of 12.6% since January 1st, the fourth-lowest mark in the league and a vast improvement from their early season stretch without Young, when they were committing turnovers on 15.6% of their possessions. 

Additionally, while the Hawks free-throw and offensive rebounding rates have remained quite low, the main thing that’s hurt their offense has been the dramatic decline in shooting efficiency – with Atlanta ranking just 22nd in effective field-goal percentage since January 1st after ranking seventh during the early season stretch. 

Taking a closer look at their offensive shot profile, while the Hawks have indeed shot slightly worse from the perimeter, the driving factor behind this drop off has been the team’s struggles at the basket. Since January 1st, the Hawks have shot just 62.3% within five feet – the second-worst mark in the league, and a far cry from their rim efficiency from earlier in the season, when they were converting these looks at close to a 70% clip. 

Looking at the individual player’s finishing numbers below, the culprits begin to emerge. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, whose finishing wasn’t great to begin with, has shot just 55% at the rim since January 1st. Onyeka Okongwu, who was converting these looks at a 71% clip earlier in the season, has shot just 59% over this span. New addition, Corey Kispert, who has shot 73% at the rim for his career hasn’t been able to replicate this form in Atlanta, shooting just 57% at the rim in a Hawks uniform. Mouhamed Gueye and Zaccharie Risacher have seen significant declines as well, shooting just 52% and 57% respectively since January 1st.

Additionally, while Jalen Johnson has continued to finish at a high rate, he’s seen a significant decline in his rim-attempts over the past few weeks – averaging just 4.3 attempts per game since January 1st compared to 5.8 attempts per game during the early season stretch. 

It’s unclear what’s behind this drop off in the team’s finishing ability. The Hawks are playing just as fast, and are getting out in transition at the same exact rate as they were during the early season stretch. If I had to guess, I would say that the fluidity in the rotation as well as the process of integrating their new players took a bit of a toll on the team’s spacing, leading to more difficult attempts at the rim – though if that has indeed been the case, these issues should be ironed out as this new group grows more comfortable playing with each other. 

I also think that Jalen Johnson taking 1.5 fewer rim-attempts per game since January 1st is significant, as he is the team’s best rim finisher. If the Hawks are going to turn things around, I’d expect him to be a big part of the improvement – directly (getting to the basket more) or indirectly (using his playmaking prowess to create cleaner looks at the rim for his teammates).

All that to say, this team’s ability to finish at the rim is the no. 1 area to watch for me coming out of the All-Star break. 

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What will Kuminga bring to the table?

Speaking of rim finishing, it is quite important to note that the Hawks added a dynamic finisher at the trade deadline in 23 year-old Jonathan Kuminga, formerly of the Golden State Warriors. While it’s unclear when Kuminga will make his Hawks debut – he’s been sidelined since January 23rd due to a bone bruise in his left knee – the former no. 7 pick has shot 71.6% at the rim for his career (on 3.6 attempts per game) and should help the Hawks put pressure on the rim on offense. 

While Kuminga’s finishing hasn’t been up to his usual standards this season (62.7% in 20 appearances for Golden State), this has been an extremely strange season for the 23 year-old. 

Kuminga has long been dissatisfied with his situation in Golden State, where the franchise’s push to maximize the twilight of Steph Curry’s career clashed with their ability/willingness to afford him the runway required to reach his potential. Last year was the final year of Kuminga’s rookie contract, and over the summer, despite Kuminga voicing his desire to play elsewhere, his status as a restricted free agent proved to be a difficult hurdle in negotiations with other teams, and ultimately, he returned to the Warriors on a two-year deal – with a team-option for the second season.

After starting the first 12 games of the 2025-26 season, Kuminga suffered a knee injury, and never found a consistent role when he was cleared to return. He appeared in just eight more games for Golden State, before requesting a trade on January 15th – the first day he was eligible to be traded after signing a new contract this summer. 

It was a peculiar situation, and one that was hard to assess from the outside looking in (no matter how hard ESPN tries), but regardless, I did go back and watch most of Kuminga’s actions from this season. The two clips below are just a taste of the level of athleticism that he brings to the table, and despite the down year efficiency-wise, I remain bullish on his finishing ability.

I mean… holy smokes. 

Still, it’s important to remember that Kuminga is far from a finished product. A few areas for him to improve on offense include his shot selection, decision making and outside shooting. 

As far as the shot selection, I’d like to see Kuminga cut down the number of mid-range attempts he takes and increase the number of rim-attempts as the latter is a more efficient shot. Kuminga’s rim shooting frequency was upwards of 40% in each of his first three seasons, however last year just 31% of his attempts came from this area of the floor, with the number rising to 34.5% this season. Conversely, he’s taken roughly 40% of his looks from the mid-range over the past two seasons. If he can eschew some of these mid-range looks for some more attempts at the rim in Atlanta, I like the fit on offense. 

In terms of his decision making, Kuminga posted the highest turnover rate of his career (4.7 turnovers per 100 possessions) this season in Golden State – with many of these turnovers coming down to simply making a bad read, or losing control of the ball on the gather*. Given how fast Atlanta plays, how Kuminga finds the balance between being aggressive on offense and taking care of the ball will be an important area to watch when he returns to the court. 

_{*To be frank, they looked like turnovers one might expect to see from a rookie forward, not a fifth-year player.}

Last but not least, Kuminga’s outside shot has been fairly inconsistent throughout his career (33.1% on 4 attempts per 75 possessions), and while I don’t expect him to suddenly evolve into a high-volume outside shooter in Atlanta, it would be nice to see some improvement in this area before the team makes a decision on his second-year option. 

On the defensive side of the ball, Kuminga has the athletic tools to be a high-level defender and has ranked in the 77th percentile or better in defensive-EPM in each of the past three seasons per dunksandthrees. While his steal/block rates have ranked right around the average for his position, he has ranked in the 75th percentile or better in Bball-Index’s defensive positional versatility metric (indicating the extent to which he guarded various positions) and has rated favorably in their perimeter isolation defensive metric in each year after his rookie season. He won’t be a liability on the defensive end. 

Atlanta will have to wait a little longer to see Kuminga in action – as it was announced yesterday that he is ‘progressing’ in his recovery from a bone bruise in his left knee and will be re-evaluated in one week. Given how strange his situation was in Golden State, Kuminga is viewed as one of the most enigmatic players in the entire league, and will have a lot to prove over the final eight weeks of the 2025-26 season.

Count him out at your own risk. 

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The second half of the 2025-26 campaign begins tonight as the Houston Rockets visit the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. 

Kevin Durant was shooting the three well before the ASG break, and my Rockets vs Hornets predictions are eyeing him to keep it rolling. 

Read more in my NBA picks for Thursday, February 19. 

Rockets vs Hornets prediction

Rockets vs Hornets best bet: Kevin Durant Over 2.5 made threes (+120)

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant is nicknamed "Easy Money Sniper" for a reason. The future Hall of Famer is averaging 2.3 makes from downtown this season on 5.8 attempts for an impressive 40.3% clip. 

Before the All-Star break, KD cashed the Over in triples in back-to-back contests, going 3-for-9 and 3-for-7, with both of those games coming against the Los Angeles Clippers. 

The veteran is shooting the triple even better on the road, averaging 2.6 makes for a 44% clip. In one meeting with the Charlotte Hornets earlier this month, Durant could barely miss, going 3-for-4 from deep.

Rockets vs Hornets same-game parlay

Alperen Sengun is not only an imposing big man but also Houston's top playmaker, averaging 6.3 dimes this season, and I’m eyeing him to facilitate at a high level tonight, which will help KD get more looks from deep. 

The Turkish center has cashed the Over in assists in two of his last three appearances. He’s also averaging 6.5 dimes on the road compared to 6.0 at home. 

The Rockets won two straight heading into the break, and they’ve emerged victorious in four of their last six against Charlotte. 

Rockets vs Hornets SGP

• Kevin Durant Over 2.5 made threes
• Alperen Sengun Over 5.5 assists
• Rockets moneyline

Our "from downtown" SGP: Reed is the Sheppard

Reed Sheppard was on fire before the ASG break, hitting the Over in three consecutive outings. He scored a minimum of 16 points in each game.

Rockets vs Hornets SGP

• Kevin Durant Over 2.5 made threes
• Alperen Sengun Over 5.5 assists
• Rockets moneyline
• Reed Sheppard Over 10.5 points

Rockets vs Hornets odds

• Spread: Rockets -4.5 (-110) | Hornets +4.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Rockets -190 | Hornets +160
• Over/Under: Over 216.5 (-110) | Under 216.5 (-110)

Rockets vs Hornets betting trend to know

The Rockets have hit the Game Total Under in 28 of their last 40 games (+14.80 Units / 34% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Rockets vs. Hornets.

How to watch Rockets vs Hornets

Rockets vs Hornets latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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The NBA All-Star break didn’t do much good for either the Indiana Pacers or Washington Wizards, as both have a laundry list of inactive players as they open a two-game set in the U.S. Capitol tonight.

It’s a battle between the two worst teams in the East, and my Pacers vs. Wizards predictions and free NBA picks target the Under on Thursday, February 19.

Pacers vs Wizards prediction

Pacers vs Wizards best bet: Under 232.5 (-110)

The Washington Wizards have the second-worst scoring defense in basketball, but the Indiana Pacers aren’t in a position to take advantage.

Pascal Siakam, Ivica Zubac, and Obi Toppin are out, while T.J. McConnell and Aaron Nesmith are questionable. Indiana already ranks third-worst in scoring at 111.1 points per game.

The Wizards can’t capitalize, as Anthony Davis and Trae Young still haven’t debuted, and Alex Sarr is on the shelf.

The Pacers have won six of seven in this head-to-head, but with roster uncertainty, stick to the Under, which has hit in three straight meetings.

Pacers vs Wizards same-game parlay

Andrew Nembhard is one of Indiana's few fully healthy regulars, and he’s been dealing, racking up at least nine dimes in seven of his last 11 games, missing the Over by an assist the other two times.
 
Jarace Walker led the Pacers in scoring with 24 last game against Brooklyn, but his follow-up hasn’t been great: in three previous games where he’s gone for 20+, he’s never scored more than 15 in the next game.

Pacers vs Wizards SGP

• Under 232.5
• Andrew Nembhard Over 8.5 assists
• Jarace Walker Under 17.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Three's a crowd

Let’s stick with this backcourt-frontcourt combo as we round out our big money SGP.

Nembhard’s 2.5 line on made threes is too inflated, considering the most moneyballs he’s ever hit in a game in nine career games vs. the Wiz is one.

Walker, meanwhile, has a gettable 1.5 line. He’s hit at least two triples in 12 of his last 16 games.

Pacers vs Wizards SGP

• Under 232.5
• Andrew Nembhard Over 8.5 assists
• Jarace Walker Under 17.5 points
• Andrew Nembhard Under 2.5 made threes
• Jarace Walker Over 1.5 made threes

Pacers vs Wizards odds

• Spread: Pacers -2.5 (-110) | Wizards +2.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Pacers -140 | Wizards +120
• Over/Under: Over 232.5 (-110) | Under 232.5 (-110)

Pacers vs Wizards betting trend to know

Washington has covered the spread in seven of its last eight home games vs teams with a losing record. Find more NBA betting trends for Pacers vs. Wizards.

How to watch Pacers vs Wizards

Pacers vs Wizards latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

The Dallas Mavericks (19-35) have sharply fallen out of the play-in race, seven games behind the 10th-place Los Angeles Clippers in the West. As Dallas enters the final third of the season, the Mavericks are looking to snap a nine-game losing streak. As play-in hopes continue to dwindle, the Mavericks will take a serious look (if they haven’t already) at “tanking” to maximize draft positioning ahead of the loaded 2026 NBA Draft.

Cooper Flagg is THE guy

The first reason is obvious — let’s just keep watching Cooper Flagg. Not enough can be said about the 19-year-old from Duke. He stepped onto the NBA hardwood with sky-high expectations, being one of the highest-touted players this century, in the same conversation as guys like LeBron James, Victor Wembanyama, and Zion Williamson. Flagg has not disappointed.

In his rookie campaign, Flagg is averaging 20.4 points per game, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. He’s also proved his value defensively, averaging 2.0 stocks (steals and blocks) per game. Curious what other rookies have averaged 20-6-4? It’s a small list – Luka Doncic, Tyreke Evans, LeBron James, and Oscar Robertson. That’s good company.

One of Flagg’s strengths is his ability to adjust, and he’s done just that over 54 games. In his first 10 games, Flagg averaged 13.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. By most rookie measuring sticks, these are great numbers. But with Flagg came higher expectations, and he’s delivered. Over his past 10 games, Flagg is averaging 25.3 points per game, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, including a stretch where he scored 30+ points in four consecutive games against the Celtics, Rockets, Spurs, and Hornets.

These numbers, even for Flagg, are almost too impressive to comprehend. It’s easy as a Mavericks fan to be spoiled with numbers coming off the Luka Doncic era, thinking these are normal. They aren’t normal. Cooper Flagg is not normal. He’s already shown the ability to be a generational talent. The path to contention could come quicker than previously expected. The only thing the Mavericks have to do is surround their star with the right talent.

Who are the two-way guys?

Dallas will probably lose a lot of games during this final stretch. But the roster still has enough rotational talent to win enough games to keep them from a free-fall collapse. That means some decisions will be made on who suits up each night. Don’t be surprised to see some “phantom” injuries, those we didn’t know anything about, show up more on injury reports. Don’t be surprised if Dallas sits players for rest or injury management, including Flagg, who was seen wearing a boot on his injured foot during the NBA All-Star break. If the goal is to optimize draft position, the Mavericks may have to shorten the rotation and give the two-way players consistent minutes. Suit up Ryan Nembhard, Moussa Cisse and Miles Kelly. You’re up.

Dallas has no incentive to be bad next season since it doesn’t own its own draft pick. The focus will likely shift to getting back into the playoff picture. Good teams need depth. Playoff teams need depth. These last 28 games should be an opportunity for the two-way players to prove they can be valuable rotation pieces, even if they’re the 10th, 11th, and 12th guys off the bench.

As we’ve learned in the last two seasons, every healthy body matters. Nembhard (6.7 points per game, 4.9 assists, 1.8 rebounds) has shown signs of brilliance, but does his size ultimately matter as he reverts to the mean? Cisse (3.7 points, 4.5 rebounds) is the Energizer Bunny, but he’s raw and inexperienced. Can he show enough discipline to stay out of foul trouble and play double-digit minutes on a nightly basis? Kelly (2.8 points, 1.6 rebounds) can shoot the lights out, and Dallas desperately needs shooting. But can he string together higher volume shooting nights at a high percentage? All these questions should have some answers by the end of the season.

Who are the new guys?

The rotation has changed a lot since the February 5th trade deadline. The blockbuster deal that sent Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, and Dante Exum to the Washington Wizards got the Mavs a return of Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Marvin Bagley III, and Malaki Branham. Dallas re-routed Branham to the Charlotte Hornets for Tyus Jones.

That’s a lot of new names. Do any of them have a spot in the rotation next year? Now is the time to find out. The good news for the Mavericks is that the rest of the season for the newcomers is a free tryout. The new Mavs on expiring deals going into the offseason include Middleton ($33.2M), Jones ($7.0M), Johnson ($3.0M), and Bagley ($2.2M). Middleton sticks out as the obvious rental, since the 34-year-old is taking up a good chunk of cap space. However, if he decides he wants to stay in Dallas on a new deal, a cheaper version of the veteran may be an option. You know what you get with Middleton — a mid-range assassin who’s on the back end of his career but can still give you 20 points on any given night.

The other guys are interesting. The Mavericks will always be somewhat tied to Bagley because he was taken a spot earlier by the Sacramento Kings, over Luka Doncic. For being the second overall pick, Bagley has had an underwhelming career, averaging 11.8 points and 6.5 rebounds. But he’s still only 26 and hasn’t been in many great winning situations, which can impact a player’s production. He’s had stops in Memphis, Detroit (before they were good), Sacramento, and Washington. Bagley could find some revitalization in Dallas, and if he does, he could be worth keeping.

Johnson was taken 23rd overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2024 NBA Draft, and he just hasn’t seen the floor much. The 21-year-old is a high-flying and athletic wing who had high upside coming out of the Next Stars program in the NBL. With more minutes, he can prove he deserves a spot in the rotation.

Jones has been heavily sought after within the Mavs organization for years, and now they have him. His craftiness and ability to facilitate are needed this season, but do the Mavs have room for him next year? If the Mavs convert Nembhard to a standard NBA contract, they wouldn’t have much reason to re-sign Jones this offseason. He’s 29 years old and undersized at 6’0. With Kyrie Irving returning next season, the point guard position quickly gets crowded. Jones’s career averages of 7.4 points per game, 4.3 assists, and 1.0 steals are good, but probably not good enough to justify keeping him on the roster, unless it’s on a veteran’s minimum deal.

The new players have the opportunity to get re-established in Dallas as the Mavericks go full throttle in the Cooper Flagg era.

Don’t worry about wins and losses

The end of the season may not be pretty, but the goal should be seeing what the Mavericks currently have. What assets are good enough to keep around for the Cooper Flagg era? There’s no doubt Flagg will leap to stardom soon, and he’s worth watching every night. The only question is who’s going to be on the ship when the Mavericks start winning again. Dallas returns to play Friday, February 20, in Minnesota. Tipoff against the Timberwolves is set for 6:30 PM on ESPN.

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The NBA returns from the All-Star break with a possible Eastern Conference Finals preview with the Detroit Pistons heading to face the New York Knicks.

My Pistons vs. Knicks predictions trust the veteran team to have better handled its week off as something to keep in mind with all NBA picks on Thursday, February 19.

Pistons vs Knicks prediction

Pistons vs Knicks best bet: Knicks -4.5 (-105)

While the Detroit Pistons have had the New York Knicks’ number in two meetings thus far this season, this is a ripe scheduling spot for the Knicks. Yes, even right after the All-Star Break, it can be argued New York has a scheduling edge.

The young Pistons just had a week of vacation, while the veteran Knicks likely treated it more as recovery and recuperation time.

Furthermore, Detroit’s 5.5-game lead in the East should induce some coasting in the season’s final third.

Pistons vs Knicks same-game parlay

Jalen Duren is not 100%, hence there not being prop bets available on him as of Wednesday afternoon.

Less Duren should mean more Tobias Harris, even if this matchup has yielded two distinct Unders already this season.

Pistons vs Knicks SGP

• Pistons -4.5
• Under 222.5
• Tobias Harris Over 13.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Towns Returns To Form

Karl-Anthony Towns entered the All-Star break struggling from deep, but the rest should have restored the legs beneath the best-shooting big man in NBA history.

Pistons vs Knicks SGP

• Pistons -4.5
• Under 222.5
• Tobias Harris Over 13.5 points
• Karl-Anthony Towns Over 1.5 three-pointers

Pistons vs Knicks odds

• Spread: Pistons +4.5 | Knicks -4.5
• Moneyline: Pistons +150 | Knicks -180
• Over/Under: Over 222.5 | Under 222.5

Pistons vs Knicks betting trend to know

The two meetings between these two teams already this season fell short of their totals by 21.5 and 22.5 points. Find more NBA betting trends for Pistons vs. Knicks.

How to watch Pistons vs Knicks

Pistons vs Knicks latest injuries

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Jaylon Tyson doesn’t lack any confidence. That’s something fans of the Cleveland Cavaliers have quickly learned during the course of his sophomore breakout. When asked about his experiences in the recent Rising Stars Game, Tyson once again reminded us of how confident he is.

“It was cool sharing the court with those guys,” Tyson said. “You know, in the back of my mind, I know I’m better than a lot of those guys, if not all of them, right. I just want to go out there and prove that every single day, and then hopefully be an All-Star one day.”

There you have it. Being in the Rising Stars Game was cool, but Tyson is more interested in making it to Sunday’s event than competing in the rookie/sophomore challenge. If you’ve followed him this season, that shouldn’t surprise you.

Tyson is averaging 13.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists for Cleveland this season while shooting a scorching hot 47.5% from deep. That makes him the second-best shooter in the league for a minimum of 100 attempts. All the while, Tyson’s rounding into a jack-of-all-trades who can defend the perimeter, crash the offensive glass, and create plays for others in the short-roll.

In summary, Tyson not only talks the talk, but walks the walk. That’s why Donovan Mitchell has had zero hesitation taking him under his wing. Mitchell understands the value of a role player who can adapt to whatever the team asks of him.

“He plays hard, he’s picking up full-court, he’s doing all the things,” Mitchell said of Tyson’s performance in the Rising Stars Game. “He was rebounding, he’s passing, doing everything.”

Hard work and talent earn respect. Tyson’s managed to prove himself in the eyes of his superstar teammate by working relentlessly towards making sure his talents translate to playing winning basketball. He says getting Mitchell’s support has been a blessing, even if it’s sometimes annoying, like when he’s trying to shoot free throws.

“When he walked in, I was actually on the free-throw line,” Tyson said. “Mitchell was over there screaming something. So I’m over there, trying to make this free throw because I was trying to win MVP… and he’s over there screaming something… But I made it so I’m super, super blessed to have him as a vet.”

Jokes aside, Tyson is truly grateful for the mentorship Mitchell has offered. Sometimes even the most confident people in the world can benefit from external reassurance.

“He’s one of those guys I will keep a relationship with forever. I don’t think people understand how much that text message meant to me and the confidence it gave me. I give a lot of credit to him for all my success.”

The NBA All-Star break isn’t really the halfway point in the season, but rather a notice to contenders around the league that it’s time to get serious. About 65 percent of the 2025-2026 regular season is already over, and there’s only about eight weeks until the playoffs start. March Madness might be the next big event on the sports calendar, but the playoffs will be here before you know it, and there’s already an inner and outer circle of contenders forming.

The NBA Playoffs are becoming increasingly harder to predict. No one would have anticipated the Indiana Pacers making the NBA Finals as a No. 4 seed last year, and it was even harder to believe that they pushed the Thunder to Game 7 before Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles. The Dallas Mavericks also made a shocking Finals run in 2024 as the No. 5 seed in the West. In 2023, the Miami Heat became the first No. 8 seed to ever make the Finals.

Will the league get another big upset this year? It’s on the table with how shaky even the top contenders have looked lately. Here are the nine teams that can win the 2026 NBA championship, ranked by who’s most likely to do it.

9. Houston Rockets

It sure doesn’t feel like the Rockets deserve a spot on this list right now given their recent play and ongoing injury issues, but they’ve been good enough since the start to the season to at least earn a mention. Houston still grades out well statistically exiting the All-Star break at No. 6 in offense, No. 5 in defense, and No. 6 in net-rating. Losing Steven Adams to a season-ending ankle injury just feels like a crushing blow that takes away from the Rockets’ identity of owning the glass and generating extra possessions. This team could really use a healthy Fred VanVleet right now with Reed Sheppard still not fully trusted by Ime Udokda, but that’s not happening. The Kevin Durant burner scandal is a potential distraction in the locker room if it’s true, but the bigger issue is that this team is still dead-last in three-point rate and can’t afford any kind of off-night with the limited number of threes they do generate. We’ve seen some Cinderella runs to the Finals in recent years as noted in the intro, and to me the Rockets still feel better than whoever the fifth-best East team is (Sixers?) or another West challenger like the Lakers.

8. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavs entered the season as one of two favorites to win the East along with the Knicks. They never really looked like an NBA Finals contender as injuries hit Darius Garland and Max Strus, plus the loss of Ty Jerome took a toll on what was an elite offense that helped the team win 64 games last year. The Cavs had to act like a desperate team at the deadline if they really wanted to regain their contender status, and that’s exactly what they did. Trading Garland for James Harden is a true stunner that breaks a golden rule in sports to never trade young for old. In this case, the older player is far more durable, but it’s still difficult to trust Harden in big moments given his playoff history. Harden wasn’t the only new addition at the deadline, with Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder also arriving via the Kings to fortify what was a shaky bench. The Cavs fundamentally changed their team at the trade deadline more than any other contender, and putting them on this list so early in the Harden era is an acknowledgement that: a) they got better, b) the East really is wide open. With Donovan Mitchell playing as well as any guard in the world this side of SGA and Jarrett Allen potentially getting a big boost from Harden’s playmaking, Cleveland is suddenly a lot more interesting now than they were a few weeks ago. I’ll believe Harden can have the signature playoff run he’s always been missing when I see it, but on this team he doesn’t have to do the heavy lifting, just give them what Garland couldn’t in terms of reliability.

7. Boston Celtics

I really thought the Celtics would use Jayson Tatum’s torn Achilles as an excuse to take a gap year and try to land an elite young talent in the 2026 NBA Draft. After flirting with the idea for the first 20 games of the season, Boston took off and has been one of the best teams in the East ever since. Jaylen Brown has shined in a starring role without Tatum, putting together an All-NBA caliber season largely because he’s on fire as a mid-range shooter. Derrick White might be Boston’s real MVP so far, thriving in every way a great role player can thrive despite having a poor shooting season. Boston has discovered a few gems along the way, most notably in Neemias Queta, who has stabilized the front court with elite rebounding and play-finishing. Jordan Walsh and Hugo Gonzalez have also been critical bench pieces who defend and positively influence the possession game, while Nikola Vucevic came over at the trade deadline to add a stretch five look. If Tatum returns, he won’t have to do quite as much dirty work on this team as he’s accustomed to. How Brown and Tatum manage the scoring and creation burden will be interesting to watch, but it could be a good problem to have. The Celtics are once again super well coached, play their analytic-friendly style to a tee, and have a top-10 defense to fall back on. This team can absolutely win the East if Tatum looks anything like Tatum.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves reached the Western Conference Finals the last two seasons, and they will be a factor deep into the playoffs again this year. Anthony Edward is one of the best guards alive at age-24, and this season he’s debuted an improved mid-range game to go along with his deadly three-point shooting and ferocious rim-attacking. Edwards has a team full of long and athletic defenders behind him, starting with Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels. Gobert remains a plus-minus monster (+8 net-rating) because of his elite rim protection, and at this point it’s clear that Minnesota’s bold trade for him was a big win. The Wolves didn’t land Giannis at the trade deadline, but they did acquire Ayo Dosunmu, who does a lot to fill the void left by Nickeil Alexander-Walker when he departed in free agency. Dosunmu and Donte DiVincenzo need to hit shots when they’re on the floor, because otherwise it’s on Edwards to keep the team’s three-point rate alive. I’d love to see Edwards on a team with more spacing, but that’s the cost of a phenomenal defense helmed by Gobert. I’d probably pick the Wolves to win the East this year, but sadly for them, they remain in the West until expansion comes. There are other West teams I trust more than Minnesota, but they still have an outside shot at finally breaking through this year.

5. New York Knicks

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: the Knicks’ offense is awesome, but there’s reason to believe their defense isn’t built for the playoffs. New York had a similar problem last season, and firing Tom Thibodeau for Mike Brown hasn’t really solved things. It’s mostly the product of a highly talented but flawed roster-building product that put two of the league’s worst defenders (at least among offensive stars) together to start and close games. Jalen Brunson is a savant and a hero on his best days, but he’s also an 8th percentile defender by EPM who just doesn’t have the length and quickness to toughen up at the point of attack. Karl-Anthony Towns hasn’t been quite as good as a shooter this year, and he’s still the same frustrating defender who even pissed off Victor Wembanyama in the All-Star Game with his poor awareness. The Knicks’ highly-paid core gets all the attention, but I’m interested in what Miles McBride can add to this team if he can return from a core muscle injury that could reportedly sideline him until the playoffs. McBride was having a fantastic season and feels like one of the more underrated guards in the league at this point. He crushes with Brunson (+13.4 net-rating) and without him (+7.6 net-rating), and I don’t think they can win the East without him being healthy and productive. Mitchell Robinson’s rebounding will be another important factor in a potential NBA Finals run, and he’s always an injury concern even if he’s been largely healthy so far. The Knicks are still in Finals-or-bust mode, and there’s a lot of pressure to get it done this year with Tatum and Haliburton injured.

4. Detroit Pistons

The Pistons have been one of the best stories of the season, going from the worst team in the league two years ago to a young team on the rise that made the playoffs last year, to this season owning the league’s best winning percentage at the All-Star break. Detroit has gotten the job done with an elite defense, and Cade Cunningham making winning plays down the stretch as a lead shot-creator. Can that formula win in the playoffs? The Pistons do not have much shooting or spacing: they’re No. 27 in three-point rate, and No. 21 in three-point percentage so far this season. The rotation is deep, but it still feels like Cunningham has to do everything himself in crunch-time. I wanted Detroit to make a bigger splash at the deadline than Kevin Huerter (which was a trade largely made to move up in the draft), but given the state of the East, they still might be the favorites heading into the playoffs. I like that this feels like a classic Pistons team defined by defense and toughness. Good luck scoring on Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren inside, plus Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland on the wings. I’m not quite sold on Detroit’s offense yet, but they’ll have every chance to prove themselves on the biggest stages come playoff time.

3. San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs shouldn’t be a championship contender this early into the Victor Wembanyama era, but at this point it’s impossible to keep them out of the conversation. Wembanyama hasn’t even played a playoff game yet, but he already has his team competing at the top of the West with his league-best rim protection and constantly evolving scoring profile. Wembanyama has the best supporting cast of his young career leading this charge up the standings. De’Aaron Fox has given San Antonio a sorely-needed on-ball creation element, while Stephon Castle has made big strides coming off his NBA Rookie of Year season and looks more comfortable and more efficient as a scorer despite still being a poor three-point shooter. The young guys can’t take all the credit, because veteran role players like Luke Kornet, Harrison Barnes, and Julian Champagnie have also been very good in what they’re asked to do. San Antonio’s profile is similar to Detroit’s as a young team that made a huge leap this season thanks to an elite defense, but the lack of shooting around a former No. 1 overall draft pick is a bit concerning. The Spurs feel like they’re at least a year ahead of schedule, but they’ve already showed they can beat OKC this season with three big wins, and that alone is enough to mark them as a serious championship contender.

2. Denver Nuggets

Will the Nuggets ever get healthy this season? If so, it still feels like they could be the best team in the league. Aaron Gordon has been bothered by another hamstring injury just like last year, and now his upstart replacement in the lineup, Peyton Watson, has been dragged down by the same injury. Nikola Jokic is back in the lineup even if he’ll probably miss too many games to win MVP, and he’s still the best player in the league for my money. Jokic has more help this year with Watson developing into a key piece, plus Jamal Murray having arguably the best season of his career, but it’s still on the Joker to put together a signature playoff run that gets this team its second championship. With a fully healthy lineup around him, I’d take Jokic’s Nuggets over anyone just as I did in the preseason, but there’s still so much uncertainty around their health that it feels like an increasingly risky bet.

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder started this season at 24-1 and looked like they would be a heavy favorite to win the championship. Since then, OKC went 18-13 into the All-Star break, and looked a lot more beatable. Likely MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is currently sidelined with an abdominal injury, Jalen Williams is battling a hamstring strain after being kept out with a wrist injury to start the year, and breakout sophomore Ajay Mitchell has also been in and out of the lineup lately. OKC needs to know if Williams can get back to the All-NBA level he played at this year, because he just hasn’t been the same player this season. SGA can still take this team over the finish line, but his teammates need to hit some shots. The Thunder are still a pretty average shooting team from deep, and that can catch up to them in the playoffs. The defense will still be elite if Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Alex Caruso can all stay healthy for the playoffs, and that alone should make them the favorites before it starts. I really think SGA is a special player, and one of the three or four best guards the league has seen since Michael Jordan retired. He can carry the Thunder across the finish line to become the league’s first back-to-back champ since Kevin Durant was on the Golden State Warriors. It just doesn’t feel like this is an undeniable dynasty at this point.

BORMIO, Italy (AP) — Ski mountaineering makes its Olympic debut with Marianne Fatton of Switzerland winning the first gold medal.

No one is walking through the door to help the Toronto Raptors. While several Eastern Conference rivals bolstered their rosters in preparation for the playoff sprint ahead, the Raptors opted to pursue meaningful internal changes.

The organization is clearly not ready to let go of this group – at least not yet. Whether that mindset proves fruitful remains to be seen. But this iteration of the Raptors seemingly has one final chance to prove they’re worth investing in and it begins with a matchup against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.

Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. EST on Sportsnet. 

Here are three storylines ahead of the matchup. 

Poeltl Must Pay it Forward

The unofficial mid-season break couldn’t have come at a better time for the Raptors as they desperately attempt to keep their grasp on a playoff spot. 

The two players that admirably stepped up while the team dealt with injuries earlier in the year, Sandro Mamakelashvili and Collin Murray-Boyles, are ironically listed as questionable. Mamukelashvili has exceeded all expectations and remains on track as one of the best free-agent signings in franchise history. Meanwhile, Murray-Boyles is still dealing with a thumb issue. The rookie is averaging 7.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.9 blocks. 

Before the All-Star festivities, Jakob Poeltl finally returned after missing 24 consecutive games. While on a minutes restriction, Poeltl finished with nine points and six rebounds in 20 minutes during a 113-95 defeat to the Detroit Pistons on Feb. 11. 

With only 26 games left in the Raptors’ schedule, Poeltl will finish the season playing fewer than 57 games for the fourth straight year. The Raptors’ playoff hopes and season highly depend on Poeltl’s back holding up. Even if he’s not at full strength, Poeltl’s availability considerably improves Toronto’s chances in the East. 

The Bulls are confused

Even when the Bulls started the season with five consecutive victories, no one outside of Chicago batted an eye. At 6-1, the Bulls held the top spot in the Eastern Conference on Nov. 1. With the NBA returning from its All-Star Weekend, the Bulls are 24-31 and currently hold the 11th seed. 

The Bulls have etched an awkward page in history books as a frequent participant in the league’s play-in tournament. Chicago has appeared in the competition in each of the last three years. They’ve accumulated a 2-3 record during this span. 

After years of mediocrity, the Bulls’ front office decided to move in a new direction. But in what is the feather in the cap for those who believe Bulls fans are still paying for how they ended their golden era, the team still feels directionless despite roster changes.

Out goes Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Ousmane Dieng and Mike Conley in separate transactions. In return, Chicago acquired Anfernee Simons, Colin Sexton, Jaden Ivey, Rob Dillingham, Nick Richards and Guerschon Yabusele. 

When Josh Giddey and Tre Jones return from their respective hamstring injuries, the Bulls’ coaching staff will have to solve the funky logjam of guards they have. 

Even with the Bulls in disarray, the Raptors will still have their hands full against a scrappy Bulls team that ranks 11th in rebounding. If Poeltl and Murray-Boyles miss the game, it’ll take a team effort to contain Richards and Yabusele, both of whom are expected to be on “prove-it” missions for the rest of the season. Centre Jalen Smith, who has been dealing with a calf stain, has also been fantastic in limited minutes.

This feels familiar

It feels like the Raptors have been here before. There’s an eerie tension in the air that suggests a transition is waiting around the corner, ready to ambush the fans into the next era of Raptors basketball. 

The optimistic basketball fan in Toronto will remind their peers that something fun typically follows. From Mighty Mouse and Vinsanity to Chris Bosh. From DeMar DeRozan’s ‘Young Gunz’ era to We the North. Then there’s the 2019 championship run to this current version of the team.

The latter is still difficult to judge because it’s defined by Scottie Barnes, who has never benefitted from proper roster construction. Since moving on from the parts that helped bring the city’s first NBA title, the Raptors have leaned on the likes of Immanuel Quickley, Canadian RJ Barrett, Gradey Dick and Ja’Kobe Walter as key acquisitions. What makes them important adds were the assets, cap room and draft capital used. 

While the Raptors never miss out on an opportunity to remind fans and media they’re in the middle of a rebuild, it’s difficult to completely buy in, considering their lone move at the trade deadline was partly done to get under the tax line. 

Skipping the play-in tournament should be the expectation because it’s time to see what this group can do in the playoffs.

Stephen Curry is expected remain out of action for the Golden State Warriors when the team returns to the court against the Boston Celtics on Thursday, Feb. 19 at the Chase Center in San Francisco.

Curry will have missed six games as he deals with a right knee injury. He did not participate in Wednesday’s practice.

He was expected to be evaluated by the team’s training staff, according to Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area.

How did Stephen Curry get injured?

Curry appeared to be uncomfortable with his right knee during a game against the Detroit Pistons on Jan. 30. He had a brace on his knee and was grabbing at it during the game.

Who is Stephen Curry’s backup?

Brandin Podziemski and Pat Spencer are expected to serve as the primary backup options while Curry remains out of the lineup.

Podziemski has averaged 12 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in 55 games this season. Spencer has averaged 6.3 points, 3.2 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game in 39 games played.

When do Warriors play next?

The Warriors will host the Boston Celtics at the Chase Center on Thursday, Feb. 19, at 7 p.m. PT (10 p.m. ET).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Steph Curry injury update: Will Warriors star play vs Celtics tonight?

The 2026 NBA All-Star break offered the chance for the entire league to catch its breath, reset and look ahead to the playoffs, which – seemingly suddenly – start in two months.

The break is also giving us the chance to revisit the USA TODAY SportsTop 25 NBA player rankings for the 2025-26 season, which we published in early October.

Where did we get it right? Where did we get it wrong?

Rankings and perceived value, of course, are subjective, so we welcome the debate. But for the purposes of this list, we’re omitting star players who are likely to miss at least most of the remainder of the season due to injury – players like Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton and Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving.

More: NBA All-Star Game winners and losers: US vs World format is an upgrade

USA TODAY Sports' Top 25 NBA players, ranked

25. Paolo Banchero, forward, Orlando Magic

2025-26 stats: 21.3 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 4.8 apg

His scoring numbers and efficiency have lagged significantly, and the Magic – before Franz Wagner got hurt – often played better when he was off the floor.

Pre-season ranking: 16th

24. Jalen Duren, center, Detroit Pistons

2025-26 stats: 17.7 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 1.8 apg

With a steadily-improving mid-range jumper, his offensive game has developed. And, with his size and defensive presence down low, Duren is becoming a force for the Pistons.

Pre-season ranking: unranked

23. Lauri Markkanen, forward, Utah Jazz

2025-26 stats: 26.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.1 apg

The Jazz may not want him to play fourth quarters, but Markkanen is averaging career highs in points per game and is quickly becoming a premier inside-out threat who can stretch the floor.

Pre-season ranking: unranked

22. Jalen Johnson, forward, Atlanta Hawks

2025-26 stats: 23.3 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 8.2 apg

He’s quickly becoming one of the more versatile players in the entire NBA and is a player who impacts the game in several ways. He also often puts up monster stat lines.

Pre-season ranking: unranked

21. Karl-Anthony Towns, forward-center, New York Knicks

2025-26 stats: 19.8 ppg, 11.9 rpg, 2.9 apg

His defensive effort and propensity to fall into foul trouble often compromise his ability to be a consistent, game-changing force, but his shooting range and rebounding still make him a unique talent.

Pre-season ranking: 18th

20. Scottie Barnes, forward, Toronto Raptors

2025-26 stats: 19.3 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 5.6 apg

Now in his fifth season, Barnes is quietly becoming a consistent force on both ends. His scoring isn’t eye-popping, but he’s a play-making presence on a Raptors team that has been the biggest surprise in the East.

Pre-season ranking: unranked

19. Joel Embiid, center, Philadelphia 76ers

2025-26 stats: 26.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.9 apg

Both Embiid and the 76ers have been calculated and cautious when it comes to the soon-to-be 32-year-old’s knee issues. And while Embiid has missed his share of games, he has been very productive when on the floor. He’s not quite at his MVP levels from 2022-23, but he nonetheless remains a dominant force.

Pre-season ranking: 19th

18. Pascal Siakam, forward-center, Indiana Pacers

2025-26 stats: 26.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 3.9 apg

To look at the impact Siakam has had on the Pacers, all you need to do is take a quick peek at the team’s injury reports from this season. Yet, despite being the focus of opposing defenses, Siakam has been the team’s lone bright spot.

Pre-season ranking: 24th

17. Jamal Murray, guard, Denver Nuggets

2025-26 stats: 25.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 7.6 apg

During the stretches when Nikola Jokić has had to miss time, Murray has carried the Nuggets. And, after Denver lost some of its perimeter shooting with the trade of Michael Porter Jr., Murray has filled in that void, tying his career-best 3-point shooting percentage (42.5%) on a career-high 7.4 attempts per game.

Pre-season ranking: unranked

16. LeBron James, forward, Los Angeles Lakers

2025-26 stats: 22.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 7.1 apg

What James is doing at 41 years old does not have a precedent. He remains an impact player who can drive, make the right pass and rebound. He has lost a step, however, and isn’t as efficient with his shot and needs to manage back-to-backs. But at his age, that’s only natural.

Pre-season ranking: 8th

15. Tyrese Maxey, guard, Philadelphia 76ers

2025-26 stats: 28.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 6.8 apg

Perhaps the most glaring oversight of the unranked players, Maxey ranks sixth in the NBA in scoring and is proving that he’s an elite shot maker. He’s also showing that he can drag the Sixers to victories, even if Embiid is unavailable.

Pre-season ranking: unranked

14. Devin Booker, guard, Phoenix Suns

2025-26 stats: 25.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 6.3 apg

Although the Suns were seemingly entering an apparent rebuild, Booker’s play has helped Phoenix (32-23) become one of the surprises out West. His silky jumper and ability to orchestrate an offense has been on display following the departures of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.

Pre-season ranking: 15th

13. Jalen Brunson, guard, New York Knicks

2025-26 stats: 27.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 6.1 apg

Although the ball sometimes stagnates in his hands, it’s for a good reason; Brunson is effective in the clutch, can get to the line and has excellent understanding of body positioning and leverage. He’s also a tireless worker.

Pre-season ranking: 11th

12. Kevin Durant, forward, Houston Rockets

2025-26 stats: 25.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.4 apg

His assimilation into the Rockets hasn’t been without its hiccups, but Durant remains one of the elite scorers in the game, even at 37 years old. He’s more reliant than ever on his jumper, but it’s still lethal.

Pre-season ranking: 9th

11. Donovan Mitchell, guard, Cleveland Cavaliers

2025-26 stats: 29.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 5.9 apg

He still needs to dispel the notion that he cannot perform well in the postseason, and the acquisition of James Harden will only intensify that pressure. But Mitchell is a strong guard who can score at all three levels, take over games and distribute when needed.

Pre-season ranking: 10th

10. Jaylen Brown, guard, Boston Celtics

2025-26 stats: 29.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 4.7 apg

This season has shown what Brown can do when he’s the No. 1 threat on a team. He ranks fourth in the league in scoring, has become a nightmare matchup on defense and has willed the Celtics (35-19) all the way to the current No. 2 seed in the East, even without Jayson Tatum (Achilles) and the departures of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis.

Pre-season ranking: 20th

9. Kawhi Leonard, forward, Los Angeles Clippers

2025-26 stats: 27.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 3.7 apg

He was the main reason why the Clippers came back from the dead, after an abysmal start to the season. Yet, with James Harden and Ivica Zubac now gone, Leonard becomes even more important. His absolute clinic in the 2026 All-Star Game showed that he’s among the best in the world when he’s on.

Pre-season ranking: 14th

8. Stephen Curry, guard, Golden State Warriors

2025-26 stats: 27.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.8 apg

The greatest shooter of all-time and the player who fights hardest to get separation and space, Curry is a singular talent. He’s also the Warriors’ only hope to make a run, and Golden State’s window to win is quickly closing.

Pre-season ranking: 6th

7. Cade Cunningham, guard, Detroit Pistons

2025-26 stats: 25.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 9.6 apg

Somehow, Cunningham still flies under the radar relative to other stars in the NBA. Yet he is the main reason the Pistons (40-13) have had their remarkable turnaround over the last two seasons, and his command of Detroit’s offense makes him a legitimate MVP candidate.

Pre-season ranking: 12th

6. Luka Dončić, guard, Los Angeles Lakers

2025-26 stats: 32.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 8.6 apg

He leads the league in scoring, and he’s arguably the premier offensive player in the NBA, but he has become such a defensive liability, it’s hard to justify him being in the Top 5. Opposing teams constantly seek him out and attack him on the other end. Still, with the game on the line, or when L.A. needs a big shot, you know who’s going to take it.

Pre-season ranking: 4th

5. Anthony Edwards, guard, Minnesota Timberwolves

2025-26 stats: 29.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.7 apg

The 2026 NBA All-Star Most Valuable Player, Edwards is a threat to score from anywhere. Though it may appear as though he’s too reliant on his 3, he’s converting those at a career-high 40.2%.

Pre-season ranking: 5th

4. Victor Wembanyama, forward-center, San Antonio Spurs

2025-26 stats: 24.4 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 2.8 apg

Arguably no player impacts the game on both ends of the floor more than Wembanyama. He leads the NBA with 2.7 blocks per game and his offensive portfolio continues to evolve. His greatest asset, however, might be his competitiveness.

Pre-season ranking: 7th

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, forward-center, Milwaukee Bucks

2025-26 stats: 28.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 5.6 apg

His future in Milwaukee seems secure – for now – but Antetokounmpo needs to shake off nagging calf injuries that have robbed him of time on the court. He’s the best transition scorer in the world and his size, power, length and athleticism make him a nightmare to defend. His jump shot, though, is still a weakness.

Pre-season ranking: 3rd

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, guard, Oklahoma City Thunder

2025-26 stats: 31.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 6.4 apg

Though he was banged up headed into the All-Star break, Gilgeous-Alexander is the preeminent model of consistency in the NBA. His scoring streak of at least 20 points stands at 121 games, which is just six away from Wilt Chamberlain’s all-time record.

Pre-season ranking: 2nd

1. Nikola Jokić, center, Denver Nuggets

2025-26 stats: 28.7 ppg, 12.3 rpg, 10.7 apg

The only player this season to average a triple-double, Jokić is the most dominant presence in the entire NBA. His vision is unparalleled. His footwork and finesse under the basket is flawless. His knowledge and expertise of the game gives Denver such a massive advantage. For a lot of fans, the most frustrating part about Jokić is his apparent apathy when it comes to things like the All-Star Game. Don’t fall into that trap; he’s one of the all-time great players in history.

Pre-season ranking: 1st

Players who were ranked in the preseason Top 25, but fell off the list: Ja Morant, Grizzlies (25th); James Harden, Cavaliers (23rd); Jimmy Butler, Warriors (22nd); Evan Mobley, Cavaliers (21st); Jalen Williams, Thunder (17th); Anthony Davis, Wizards (13th).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ranking NBA's best players, new top 25 after All-Star break

Welcome to Inside the Suns, your weekly deep down analysis of the current Phoenix Suns team. Each week the Fantable — a round table of Bright Siders — give their takes on the Suns’ latest issues and news.

Fantable Questions of the Week

Q1: What are your thoughts on the Suns’ signing of Haywood Highsmith?

Diamondhacks: In theory, “Locksmith” seems to fit Ott’s prototype (wingspan, D, 3pt%), but I’m more generally wary of 29-year-old stoppers coming off knee surgery. My second impression of Highsmith is that his name is well above average. Not up there with Jamaree Bouyea or Oso Ighodaro. But it’s still pretty fun to say. Hay-wood High-smith.

Ashton: When this was first announced, I was like, “Who?”

This is one of those questions where it would be so much easier to link writers’ articles for background research. I highly recommend Bruce Veliz’s Player Breakdown article on Highsmith, while giving JV and the commentators some credit.

So, what can I add on a slow NBA week? The guy played for Wheeling Jesuit University and was selected as a DII Player of the Year in 2018. Seriously, raise your hand if you watched one game from what is now Wheeling University. I watch a lot of college basketball, but I am not that much of a CBB savant.

The cost is low, and this is a low-risk and potentially medium-reward scenario.

In the end, it really does not move the needle that much for me. I tend to agree with commenters that size would have been nice as a backup to RO.

OldAz: I understand the fans who wanted the Suns to sign Sochan or some other released player, but I file this squarely under “In Brian Gregory we trust”. At this point, he has earned that in putting together a roster that is both fun to watch and competitive right now. This is especially true after all the skepticism and doubt thrown his way when he was chosen as GM.

As for Highsmith, while the injury history might be a concern, his potential fit as an added wing that can shoot and his playoff experience is attractive. The low cost of a 2 year deal, with what I believe is a team option, makes this a low risk, high reward type of deal. As for those who still wanted Sochan, he reminds me too much of Kelly Oubre, who was a fan favorite but was far more style than substance when he was with the Suns. Maybe in a couple of years, Sochan will be more than that, but if he were right now, then San Antonio would have placed a higher priority on re-signing him.

Rod: I like it. Sure, I would have preferred a taller, PF type, but adding another long-armed 3&D wing that can guard multiple positions is not a bad thing. No one available was likely to significantly tip the scales for the Suns, but Swiss army knife types are always great to have around to plug injury-induced holes in the player rotation and/or bring in when a particular player is just having an off night.

Q2: Were you surprised at how well Devin Booker performed in the All-Star Weekend three-point contest?

Diamondhacks: I’m surprised, even after accounting for glaring contextual differences between shooting threes in-game vs standing next to a Rack Of Balls. Mostly because Devin’s woeful .311 3FG% looks to me validated by the magnitude (not just the frequency) of his misses. There’s been very little in and out from 3, to chalk up to a little fine-tuning here or random variation there. Even his relatively open threes look kinda broken. But if he’s got balls, rack em up!

Ashton: Absolutely! I was firmly on the side of putting Book’s ankle in bubble wrap and ice and let him sit this one out. If I were a gambling man, I would have said first-round exit.

But he looked really good up to those final three shots.

But I also side with the commentators that it helps not to have a man (or two) in your face. Maybe the ASG can restructure the three-point contest next year, because they are always tweaking something, so that the final rack involves a defender.

OldAz: Not really. He has been there before and won it in 2018. The contest setting is controlled, and he can get into a good rhythm. Unlike game situations, where sometimes his 3 is less reliable, he has far less to be concerned about, and he (by design) has his shoulders square and his weight under him. I am actually more surprised that he went cold and didn’t hit one or more of his last few shots to win it again. When under control, his form is about as good as it comes (behind all-time greats like Ray Allen and Reggie Miller’s picture-perfect from 3).

Rod: No, because it’s an almost completely different setting/situation. Book is a great shooter, and with all of the contest shots being basically set shots, it shouldn’t surprise anyone. To me, it points out just how important it is to set Book up for open three attempts in games instead of counting on him to create his own opportunities. In the mid-range, he’s really good at doing that but from three…not so much. Generating open threes for Book isn’t going to be easy though as he’s still the primary focus of opponents’ defenses.

Q3: It has been reported that Houston originally offered the Suns Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr. instead of Dillon Brooks for Kevin Durant, but the Suns turned down that offer and insisted on Brooks instead. If true, do you believe the Suns made the right decision?

Diamondhacks: In terms of tangible player evaluation (and regardless of Smith’s longer contractual obligation), I’d guess that most GMs coming off 36-46 would still tend to value 22-year-old Jabari Smith over Dillon (30). So much so that this seems to me more of a Governor’s initiative/preference.

Mat Ishbia was unusually outspoken this offseason about prioritizing a hungry vibe for the team over conventional industry wisdom about talent – and perhaps even wins and losses themselves. His team was going to go down fighting, annoying opponents, and now that Patrick Beverley has retired, I suppose Dillon Brooks may be the NBA’s ultimate MAT (Maximally Annoying Template).

Ashton: If you had this question on the trade between Durant and possibilities, I would have stumped for Jabari Smith Jr. over Brooks. I mean a third overall pick (2022) from a powerhouse team in Auburn at a position of need at Power Forward?

Sign me up. I have not even heard of this rumor or reporting, and I am not sure why the Suns brass would not have done this. Smith just scored his third double-double! And Houston doesn’t even really need him with KS managing the position.

This is a really tough question as Brooks has instilled the toughness culture in the Suns team and has basically been a Manimal. But how many more games do we get to see him as he simply can not stop flapping his gums. Suspension here, probably future suspensions there. This will not change.

Yeah, let’s see what the commentators have to say, but put me in the Dr. Who phone booth and take Jabari Smith Jr.

Too badthe Suns could not swing a trade for Brooks and Smith Jr.

OldAz: See my question #1 answer again. “In Brian Gregory we trust.” We have seen the folly of chasing the best talent with no consideration for chemistry or leadership. The Suns’ best seasons recently were with CP3 filling a leadership role next to Book. Despite his diminishing (although still great) skills during his time here, CP3 gave the team a heart and drive that fueled that team’s identity. The same can be said of Dillon Brooks and what he has brought this season. While there is a significant step down in talent between Smith Jr and Brooks, the impact of Brooks’ attitude and fit within Ott’s defensive first mindset has been obvious.

However, Smith Jr would seem to be a prefect fit defensively with his length and athleticism, so in the long run Suns fans could be lamenting missing out on such a pivotal piece, especially if Maluach does not develop into the 3rd piece coming back in that KD trade (I have to assume that the Green and Smith Jr version did not include additional draft picks like the Brooks version did). But even in this case, the choice of Brooks has helped establish an identity that the team was sorely lacking before this season. That chemistry and identity, along with Ott’s success, is maximizing a deep bench, will go a long way towards attracting the minimum contracts the Suns will need to maintain (and grow) this year’s success.

Rod: I remember a lot of fans voiced the opinion that they would have preferred Smith to Brooks when that trade happened and I was one of them. A young 6’11” power forward like Smith just fit the Suns’ needs better than Brooks but the culture change in Phoenix, which I give a lot of credit to Brooks for, is something that I hate to think we might have missed out on if the trade had gone down differently.

Could the team have actually turned out better with Smith rather than Brooks? It’s certainly possible but, as there’s no way to actually prove that, I’m not bothered by the way it turned out. GM Brian Gregory has done a really good job so far, and I definitely trust his judgment on roster construction matters more than my own.

As always, many thanks to our Fantable members for all their extra effort this week!

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Quotes of the Week

“This one hurt a little bit. I wanted this one bad. Wish I was defending it in Phoenix but it’ll probably be the last time I do it next year if I get the invite. I’m looking forward to it.” – Devin Booker on his performance in the 3-point contest

“No matter what, through good or bad or indifferent, his loyalty has stayed present and his love of the game has stayed present. If they had a good team, if they had a bad team, his leadership style didn’t change. His joy for the game every day, trying to get better, is admirable for sure.” – Jamal Crawford on Devin Booker

“Dillon (Brooks) is a hardworking man. He’s someone to rally behind. He’s a fierce competitor. I wouldn’t want it any other way. I’d rather too competitive than to be the other way. It’s been a pleasure playing with him.” – Devin Booker

“I just don’t think we’ve been as good defensively, honestly. That’s where we got to get back to.” – Jordan Ott

“Coach Ott has done a tremendous job. He has created an environment where our guys are allowed and given permission to become the very best version of themselves. Not only as players, but as men as well.” – Brian Gregory

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Suns Trivia/History

This season, Mark Williams ranks:

– 2nd in NBA in offensive rating
– 2nd in NBA in true shooting % (69.8)
– 3rd in NBA FG% (66.5)
– 6th in NBA in win shares/48 min
– 12th in NBA in PER
– 18th in NBA in defensive rating
– 19th in NBA in total win shares

Per @bball_refpic.twitter.com/mcOUq8mxsg

— The Lead (@TheLeadSM) February 18, 2026

On February 20, 2002, the Suns traded Rodney Rogers and Tony Delk to the Boston Celtics for Joe Johnson, Randy Brown, Milt Palacio and a 2002 first-round draft pick. Although a rookie, Johnson quickly moved into the starting lineup in Phoenix playing in 29 games (27 starts) and amassed 9.6 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.6 APG and 0.9 SPG in 31.5 MPG.

On February 22, 1977, Alvan Adams recorded a triple-double with 47 points, 18 rebounds, 12 assists and five blocked shots against the Buffalo Braves. He is one of five players in NBA history (along with Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, Russell Westbrook and Vince Carter) to have as many as 46 points and 16 rebounds in a triple-double performance. The night before the game, Adams also ate 47 chicken wings from a local Buffalo restaurant.

On February 25, 1983, Walter Davis set an all-time NBA record when he successfully scored his first 34 points before finally missing a shot. He made his first 15 field goals and converted four straight free throws before missing a jumper with 55 seconds left in the game.

On February 25, 2019, the Suns came back from a 63-52 halftime deficit to defeat the Heat in Miami 124-121 to break the longest losing streak in franchise history (17 games).

On February 26, 1987, the Suns appointed Dick Van Arsdale as Interim Head Coach to replace John MacLeod after he was fired following a 22-34 start for the Suns. Phoenix won 14-12 under Van Arsdale, finished the season 36-46 and missed the playoffs for the 2nd consecutive season. MacLeod had been the Suns head coach since 1973 and had previously led the Suns to the playoffs nine times (and their first trip to the NBA Finals in 1976) during his thirteen full seasons as head coach.

On February 26, 1988, the Phoenix Suns, unhappy with the prospect of heading for a fourth consecutive losing season, traded All-Star forward Larry Nance and Mike Sanders to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Mark West, Tyrone Corbin and Kevin Johnson. In the exchange, Phoenix also sent the Cavaliers the 1988 first-round pick they got from Detroit for William Bedford and received the Cavaliers’ first-round choice in 1988 and their second-round choices in 1988 and 1989.

The Suns then made their third deal in two days – an exchange of small guards – as Phoenix sent Jay Humphries to the Milwaukee Bucks for Craig Hodges and their 1988 second-round draft pick.

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This Week’s Game Schedule

Thursday, Feb 19 – Suns @ San Antonio Spurs (6:30 pm)
Saturday, Feb 21 – Suns vs Orlando Magic (3:00 pm) NBA TV
Sunday, Feb 22 – Suns vs Portland Trail Blazers (6:00)
Tuesday, Feb 24 – Suns vs Boston Celtics (7:00 pm)

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This Week’s Valley Suns Game Schedule

Friday, Feb 20 – Valley Suns @ Sioux Falls Skyforce (7:00 pm)
Sunday, Feb 22 – Valley Suns @ Sioux Falls Skyforce (3:00 pm)
Wednesday, Feb 25. Valley Suns vs South Bay Lakers (1:00 pm)

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Important Future Dates

March 1 – Playoff eligibility waiver deadline
March 4 – Final day to sign players to two-way contracts
March 28 – NBA G League Regular Season ends
March 31 – 2026 NBA G League Playoffs begin
April 12 – Regular season ends (All 30 teams play)
April 13 – Rosters set for NBA Playoffs 2026 (3 p.m. ET)
April 14-17 – SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament
April 18 – NBA Playoffs begin