For the second time in four days, the Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs will face off when the Spurs travel to Utah on Thursday night.

In the two previous meetings between the Jazz and Spurs this season, the teams split wins, with the Jazz coming away victorious in December and the Spurs winning on Monday.

On the Dec. 27 matchup, Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George combined for 57 points and took advantage of De’Aaron Fox’s absence from the lineup in the win.

On Monday, Victor Wembanyama scored 33 for the Spurs in a 13-point victory at home, maintaining San Antonio’s position as the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.

Injury Report

Utah Jazz:

Keyonte George — Questionable (Left forearm strain)

Lauri Markkanen — OUT (Return to competition reconditioning)

San Antonio Spurs:

Jeremy Sochan — Questionable (Illness)

Luke Kornet — Questionable (Left abductor tightness)

Devin Vassell — OUT (Left abductor strain)

How to watch

Where: Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT

When: 7 p.m. MT

Channel: KJZZ, SEG+

Radio: 97.5 FM 1280 AM

LeBron James capped off a noisy Wednesday by sharing a sweet moment with his inner circle.

Just hours after a bombshell report claimed his Lakers boss, Jeanie Buss, had grown tired of him, the NBA superstar took to his Instagram page to show he and his loved ones were hardly bothered.

In a video he shared on IG Stories, James could be seen helping lead an adorable birthday celebration for his private chef, Dena Marino.

James, his wife, Savannah, and their daughter, Zhuri, presented Marino with a slice of cake and a candle, and serenaded her with a rendition of “Happy Birthday to You.”

When the gourmet cook blew out the flame, James and his family let out a big cheer.

Marino clearly appreciated the gesture — she reshared James’ video with the caption, “All My favs with my Reese’s Cake!” She included two red heart emojis as well.

The James family and Marino have been tight for years. In fact, back in 2021, LeBron shouted out her special “Creamy Cauliflower ‘Carbonara’” on X, writing that it was one of his favorite dishes she’s ever created.

Of my fav dishes you’ve done! And I have alot of favs! https://t.co/oT8aXso0H8

— LeBron James (@KingJames) December 15, 2021

“And I have alot of favs!” he added.

As for the ESPN report regarding Buss’ alleged thoughts on his “outsized ego,” James appeared to take a page out of his agent Rich Paul’s book on the matter by showing he’s got far more things to concern himself with.

The Suns have shocked many NBA fans by being the underdog story of the year. After trading away Kevin Durant and stretching and waiving the remainder of Bradley Beal’s contract, many thought this team was doomed. Yet the players and coach Jordan Ott did not listen to the outside hate. They invested and ground it out this offseason to prove those doubters wrong, and they have done so in every category.

Now over halfway through the season, a team most outsiders thought was a lottery team once again sits as the sixth seed, 10 games over .500 in a tough Western Conference. The best part? This has all been accomplished despite Jalen Green being out for most of this season.

With him just returning in their last game vs the Philadelphia 76ers, we got to see what he can add to this team. Some great playmaking and downhill attacking, while working nicely with the bigs in this lineup. He came off the bench in his return to action, but coach Jordan Ott has stated that he will eventually be in the starting lineup.

Just landed in Miami.

In regards to what Dillon Brooks said about Jalen Green.

He's saying Green will start, be 1st starter to check out game and check back in later in 1st quarter to lead 2nd unit.

Coach Jordan Ott already said Green will start when he returns.

Hope that…

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 12, 2026

So who comes out of the lineup, and how does this new bench lineup work as a successful unit?

Well, there are two options, and it all depends on the balance you want in the starting lineup. If you take out Collin Gillespie and put in Green, that would leave the Suns with two guards, two wings, and a center, compared to a three-guard lineup if you replaced Green with Royce O’Neale. I know the league has gone positionless, but I do think that, without a true playmaker/initiator for the secondary unit, it troubles them.

Personally, even though I am the Big East Believer and have agreed that Gillespie has earned this starting spot, he is more valuable as the lead offensive guard for the secondary unit than as the third-best scorer in the starting lineup. That would then leave the Suns with an exciting bench unit, and one that can show some great success, like the starters once fully healthy.

The lineup that I think would be the bench is Collin Gillespie, Jordan Goodwin, Grayson Allen, Ryan Dunn, and Oso Ighodaro.

Based on the statistics and the fits of these players, this bench unit will be one of the best by the end of the year. Just as I was discussing it, it makes sense.

Gillespie and Allen are the offensive guards who are going to rain three pointers, which the Suns have succeeded in this year. They will be the main offensive focal points, while also being relentless on defense, making key hustle plays. Dunn and Goodwin are going to be the scrappy defenders who take those defensive assignments to heart. They both crash the boards relentlessly, and can both get hot from three at specific points that make you think they should be in a three-point contest. Last but certainly not least is Oso Ighodaro, the man in the middle, the actual connective engine that would keep this unit going with his solid ability to do it all, rebound, score, and defend when you need it most.

Now, looking at the stats, all those words are proven true.

Looking at the stats from Databallr, we can see that this lineup is very successful. An almost +30 net rating is just ridiculous, especially given their very low offensive turnover percentage. This bench unit would prove lethal not only from three-point land, where they shoot 46% from beyond the arc, but also at limiting opponents to 27% from three.

That aggressive on-ball nature from Goodwin and Dunn would be prevalent here, but you also have the hustle and hard work from both Allen, Ighodaro, and Gillespie. Everyone on this lineup has that bruiser mentality of outworking you and having to do that their whole career. This is what brings out the scrappiness and relentless effort on both ends from these guys, their passion and effort, which Ott has embraced. The underdog mentality has prevailed.

By looking at Cleaning the Glass, we can see some similar stats to Databallr, but also some more in-depth analysis. The lineup we are discussing has the fifth-most possessions together this season, yet it is the second-best for this team. Their strength mainly comes from their defense in this unit. As I stated above, they got those dogs, and with a 99.2 pts per possession and 24.6% turnover rate, I’d say they represent that to a tee. This basically means that almost one out of every four defensive possessions results in a turnover for the bench squad, which is just mind-blowing.

Most starting lineups cannot contribute a stat like that, which shows how locked in defensively this team is under coach Ott now.

The culture has shifted for the better, and this is a prime example; this bench will prove it, too. Now that this team is finally fully healthy, we can actually evaluate it at its best potential, which is higher than where it is now, given all the great stories of guys growing internally in this system.

As we hit the halfway point in the NBA schedule, the Los Angeles Clippers finally seem to be salvaging their season, but that progress will be tested tonight when they host the Los Angeles Lakers at Intuit Dome.

The Battle of L.A. season series sits at 1-1 heading into this matchup, and my Lakers vs. Clippers predictions expect LeBron James to be one of the swing factors.

Let's dive right into my NBA picks for Thursday, January 22. 

Lakers vs Clippers prediction

Lakers vs Clippers best bet: LeBron James Over 12.5 rebounds + assists (-112 bet365)

LeBron James' injury issues may point to a 41-year-old in his 23rd season, but his stat lines suggest he’s got something left in the tank. James has been able to keep his sciatica and arthritis at bay while starting 2026 with a bang, so look for his fingerprints to be all over tonight’s clash with the Los Angeles Clippers.

With Luka Doncic doing so much of the scoring for the Los Angeles Lakers, I’m targeting LeBron’s rebounds and assists here, and he’s gone past this combo O/U number in four of his past five outings.

James has been getting the job done in both these categories so far this month, with averages of 7.7 RPG and 7.6 APG in January, and he was closing in on a triple-double in L.A.’s win over the Denver Nuggets earlier this week.

Until Austin Reaves returns, LeBron is going to have a larger share of the playmaking, particularly when Luka is on the bench, and there’s just not a lot of secondary ball-handling in the current rotation. Equally, he’s got a big role to play alongside Deandre Ayton on the boards.

At this stage of his career, James can still do the little things that drive winning, and the Lakers will need all of that veteran savvy to hold off their cross-city rivals tonight.

Lakers vs Clippers same-game parlay

The Lakers are 7-3 SU in their last 10 meetings with the Clippers, and an impressive 14-8 on the road this season. With Kawhi Leonard still listed as questionable, the burden on James Harden could once again be massive, and the hosts gave up 138 points to the Chicago Bulls this week.

Harden continues to put up big numbers, and I’ll take the Over on his rebounds prop here. He’s grabbed 4+ boards in six of his last seven games, and the Clippers will gladly keep him closer to the rim if it avoids the Luka defensive assignment.

Lakers vs Clippers SGP

• James Over 12.5 reb+ast
• Lakers moneyline
• Harden Over 3.5 rebounds

Our "from downtown" SGP: Brick by brick

Ivica Zubac has had some miserable possessions trying to guard Doncic on switches in the past, but the Clippers will lean on him for big minutes here. Zubac has posted three straight double-doubles, and he’s finished with 11+ rebounds in his last four games. 

Lakers vs Clippers SGP

• James Over 12.5 reb+ast
• Lakers moneyline
• Harden Over 3.5 rebounds
• Zubac double-double

Lakers vs Clippers odds

• Spread: Lakers -1.5 (+100) | Clippers +1.5 (-120)
• Moneyline: Lakers -110 | Clippers -110
• Over/Under: Over 223.5 (-110) | Under 223.5 (-110)

Lakers vs Clippers betting trend to know

The Lakers are 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings between these teams. Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Clippers.

How to watch Lakers vs Clippers

Lakers vs Clippers latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

Victor Wembanyama plus the Utah Jazz means buckets. The San Antonio Spurs star is in the zone, and the Jazz are one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA, but they’ve been putting up a fight on offense lately.

So, my Spurs vs. Jazz predictions explain why these Western Conference foes will light up the scoreboard tonight, and bring you all manner of NBA picks, including a Wemby-fueled SGP.

Spurs vs Jazz prediction

Spurs vs Jazz best bet: Over 237 (-110)

The San Antonio Spurs have jumped to contender status thanks in large part to Victor Wembanyama. 

Wemby has averaged 25.8 points per game over the last 12 games, and helping San Antonio put up 119-plus in three of their last four. He’ll keep cooking against the Utah Jazz. 

Utah doesn’t play defense, ranking dead last in defensive rating while surrendering an NBA-worst 127.5 points per game. They allowed 123 points to the Spurs just two games ago.

But the Jazz aren’t rolling over. Even without Lauri Markkanen, they’ve scored 121 ppg over the last six games, cashing the Over in four of their last five. 

Spurs vs Jazz same-game parlay

Wemby has a point total of 26.5 for this matchup. He’s topped that number in six times in the last 12 games, including putting up 33 in that recent meeting against the Jazz.

Utah also struggles to defend the perimeter, ranking dead last in opponent 3-point attempts per game, and surrendering the third-highest 3-point shooting percentage.

So, let’s add Stephon Castle Over 1.5 threes to this SGP. He’s shooting 39.1% from deep over the last five games and has gone Over this number three times during that stretch.

Spurs vs Jazz SGP

• Over 237
• Victor Wembanyama Over 26.5 points
• Stephon Castle Over 1.5 threes

Our "from downtown" SGP: George puts in the work from three

Keyonte George will do his part to send this game Over. He went for 30 in that recent game against the Spurs and has hit four or more threes in three straight games.

Spurs vs Jazz SGP

• Over 237
• Victor Wembayama Over 26.5 points
• Stephon Castle Over 1.5 threes
• Keyonte George Over 2.5 threes

Spurs vs Jazz odds

• Spread: Spurs -12.5 | Jazz +12.5
• Moneyline: Spurs -650 | Jazz +475
• Over/Under: Over 237 | Under 237

Spurs vs Jazz betting trend to know

The Jazz have hit the Game Total Over in 30 of their last 40 games at home for +19.00 Units and a 43% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Spurs vs. Jazz.

How to watch Spurs vs Jazz

Spurs vs Jazz latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

Don’t overreact to the Golden State Warriors. They’re still 5.5 games clear of missing the Play-In Tournament.

That said, losing Jimmy Butler this week flips their season on its head.

My Warriors vs. Mavericks predictions take that urgency into account, and I expect Jonathan Kuminga to step up in Butler’s absence.

Read more in my NBA picks for Thursday, January 22.

Warriors vs Mavericks prediction

Warriors vs Mavericks best bet: Jonathan Kuminga Over 11.5 points (-115)

The Golden State Warriors no longer have a choice. They have to play Jonathan Kuminga.

Kuminga has a standing trade demand, one that Golden State has openly scoffed at. Before Tuesday, Kuminga had sat for 16 straight games, all while the Warriors' front office publicly knocked his trade value.

This stalemate had simply gotten ugly.

But with Jimmy Butler’s ACL tear, Golden State needs to not only play Kuminga but also feature him. It was no coincidence he scored 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting in the first game after Butler’s injury.

Ahead of tonight's matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, the Warriors lack dynamic wings to take the pressure off Steph Curry. Kuminga is one of their only remaining options.

Warriors vs Mavericks same-game parlay

Kuminga isn’t a strong deep shooter, but he takes more shots with Butler out, including from beyond the arc. He averages 3.3 attempts from deep per game without Butler, up from 2.7 when Butler plays. 

However, taking more long-range shots — and missing most of them — won’t help Golden State navigate life without the player meant to extend Steph Curry’s title window.

Warriors vs Mavericks SGP

• Jonathan Kuminga Over 11.5 points
• Jonathan Kuminga Over 0.5 threes
• Mavericks +5.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: Dray Fell Off

If Draymond Green was going to summon some gusto to keep the season alive sans Butler, it did not show up on Tuesday, posting a -27 in 22 minutes in an 18-point loss to the Raptors.

Including that night, Green has fallen short of this modest rebounding prop in three straight games and in seven of nine since New Year’s Day.

Warriors vs Mavericks SGP

• Jonathan Kuminga Over 11.5 points
• Jonathan Kuminga Over 0.5 threes
• Mavericks moneyline
• Draymond Green Under 6.5 rebounds

Warriors vs Mavericks odds

• Spread: Warriors -5.5 (-110) | Mavericks +5.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Warriors -225 | Mavericks +185
• Over/Under: Over 234.5 (-110) | Under 234.5 (-110)

Warriors vs Mavericks betting trend to know

Dallas has gone 4-1 against the spread in its last five games, exceeding bookmakers’ expectations by an average of 9.7 points per game. Find more NBA betting trends for Warriors vs. Mavericks.

How to watch Warriors vs Mavericks

Warriors vs Mavericks latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

MILAN (AP) — The actors co-starring in the hit hockey romance TV series “Heated Rivalry” are set to be among the torchbearers carrying the Olympic flame on the way to the Opening Ceremony for the Milan Cortina Games.

The organizing committee announced Thursday that Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie will take part in the torch relay. The Opening Ceremony is scheduled for Feb. 6.

The series based off “Game Changers” books has captivated viewers with the fictional story of a Canadian and a Russian hockey player sustaining a decade-long secret relationship.

The first season became the the No. 1 series on HBO Max. Originally developed for the Canadian streaming service Crave, the show scored a distribution deal with HBO and has already been renewed for a second season, and it will broadcast in Italy beginning next month.

___

AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

The Houston Rockets start a two-game road swing tonight, while the Philadelphia 76ers finish a five-game homestand, looking for just their second win of the stretch.

The Rockets will be without big man Steven Adams, while Philadelphia may get both Joel Embiid and Paul George back into the rotation.

That’s why my Rockets vs. 76ers  predictions and NBA picks call for Philly to win outright as a home dog on Thursday, January 22.

Rockets vs 76ers prediction

Rockets vs 76ers best bet: 76ers moneyline (+115)

Veteran Houston Rockets center Steven Adams suffered a serious ankle sprain in the last game. “I don't think he'll be back anytime soon,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka later said.

Adams leads the NBA in offensive rebounding, so his absence will be felt on a team that is also No. 1 in the league in that category. The Rockets’ No. 6 shot blocking performance will also suffer.

That lack of a presence in the paint will be a problem, as the Philadelphia 76ers should welcome Joel Embiid back after he missed the last game with an ankle injury. 

There’s also a chance Philly gets Paul George back. He’s missed two games with a knee injury and is questionable. The Sixers are just 4-7 this season with neither in the lineup, and seven games over .500 with one or both active.  

Regression to the mean should work in Philly’s favor. 

Tyrese Maxey, shooting 47% and 40% from three this season, has hit 33 of 88 — 7 of 28 from three — over the last four. He’s ripe for a bounce back, especially with two other scorers in the lineup to help draw attention away from him.

Rockets vs 76ers same-game parlay

The Rockets have gone under in nine of their last 10 games. They are 28th in pace, while the Sixers are 19th. 

This cutoff is in line with what Houston has been seeing recently, however. The Rockets faced four Over/Unders this low in the last 10 games and went Under on all of them. Philly faced two this low in its last 10 and split. 

Amen Thompson has 34 rebounds in his last four games, nearly one rebound per game higher than his season average. And that was with Adams in the paint. With Adams out, he’s unlikely to see his workload on the boards go down. 

Rockets vs 76ers SGP

• 76ers moneyline
• Under 221.5
• Amen Thompson Over 7.5 rebounds

Our "from downtown" SGP: By George, He's Still Got It

George playing is the big question mark here, and if he doesn’t, this pushes. So we’ll take him reaching 15 if he suits up. 

Rockets vs 76ers SGP

• 76ers moneyline
• Under 221.5
• Amen Thompson Over 7.5 rebounds
• Paul George Over 14.5 points

Rockets vs 76ers odds

• Spread: Rockets -2 (-110) | 76ers 2 (-110)
• Moneyline: Rockets -135 | 76ers +115
• Over/Under: Over 221.5 (-110) | Under 221.5 (-110)

Rockets vs 76ers betting trend to know

The Houston Rockets have only hit the Moneyline in 20 of their last 45 away games. Find more NBA betting trends for Rockets vs. 76ers.

How to watch Rockets vs 76ers

Rockets vs 76ers latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

With eight games on the NBA schedule, there is no shortage of options in the player prop market.

I’ve dug through the league's odds and found my three favorites for today, which include a bounce back for LaMelo Ball and a solid shooting night for Stephon Castle.

Check out those and more NBA picks for Thursday, January 22 below.

Best NBA player props today

Prop #1: LaMelo Ball Over 16.5 points

-125 at bet365

LaMelo Ball is in a bit of a slump, but that’s creating some value in tonight’s game against the Orlando Magic.

Ball has scored just 27 points over his last three games, including just two in a 1-of-15 shooting night last time out against the Cavaliers. 

That is resulting in a low 16.5-point total tonight. Ball is still averaging 19.4 points and went over 16.5 points in 10 of his previous 13 games, including putting up 22 vs. this same Magic team on Dec. 26.

Orlando’s best perimeter defender, Jalen Suggs, is also banged up and is questionable to play.

• Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network SE-Charlotte, FanDuel Sports Network-Florida

Prop #2: Jabari Smith Jr. Over 6.5 rebounds

+102 at bet365

The Houston Rockets are a team built with great length and athleticism, and it’s why they are arguably the best rebounding team in the NBA. 

They lead the NBA in rebounding late while allowing the fewest opponent rebounds per game.

That could spell trouble for the Philadelphia 76ers. Philly is one of the least efficient shooting teams in the NBA, with the third-worst eFG%.

Mix in ranking 18th in rebounding rate, and I’m looking at Jabari Smith Jr. to have a big night on the boards.

Smith has topped 6.5 rebounds in 10 of his last 14 games.

• Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: SCHN, NBCSP

Prop #3: Stephon Castle Over 1.5 threes

+160 at bet365

Stephon Castle has been shooting the ball well lately, and he’ll look to stay hot when the San Antonio Spurs visit the Utah Jazz.

Castle is shooting 39.1% from three-point range over the last five games, and now he faces the team with the worst perimeter defense in the NBA.

The Jazz enter this matchup, surrendering the most three-point attempts per game while allowing opponents to shoot the third-highest percentage from downtown (37.6%).

Castle has hit two or more threes in three of his last five games, and at this price, I love backing him to drain a couple more here.

• Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network-SW, KJZZ

These props are available now at bet365, one of our best betting sites.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

Add another uncomfortable moment for Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.

The star forward who has expressed his frustrations over Milwaukee’s play multiple times this season once again questioned his team’s performance, this time saying that some of his teammates were being “selfish.”

Antetokounmpo has taken just 48 shots over his last four games, including 11 Wednesday, Jan. 21, in a 20-point loss against the Thunder.

"We’re not playing hard," Antetokounmpo told reporters after the game. "We’re not doing the right thing. We’re not playing to win. We’re not playing together. Our chemistry is not there. Guys are being selfish, trying to look for their own shots instead of looking for the right shot for the team. Guys trying to do it on their own.

"At times, I feel like when we're down 10, down 15, down 20, we try to make it up in one play, and it's not going to work – we’ve just got to keep on chipping away, possession by possession."

Antetokounmpo has had an eventful season with the Bucks.

Recently, he booed back to the home fans at Fiserv Forum after they had booed the team’s performance. Earlier in the year, he scrubbed his social media of most mentions of the Bucks, leading to rampant speculation that he was looking to be traded.

According to multiple reports, Antetokounmpo broached the topic with Bucks management through his representatives, but he addressed the rumors and said "there will never be a moment that I will come out and say: ‘I want a trade.’ " In mid-December, however, he didn’t rule out that his agent may be having conversations about his future with the Bucks.

Antetokounmpo has maintained that he wants to compete for a championship, but the Bucks (18-25) are languishing in the East and have lost five of their last seven games.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Giannis Antetokounmpo frustrated by Bucks' 'selfish' play

Thursday marks yet another reunion between the Splash Bros, as Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors are in town to face off against Klay Thompson and the Dallas Mavericks. This is the second matchup of the season between these two teams, with Golden State winning by ten on Christmas Day to start the season series.

The Mavericks have won four out of five games since suffering a four-game losing streak. Granted, three of those wins were against the Jazz and Nets, so it’s not exactly something to write home about. However, a 17-point beatdown of the reeling New York Knicks on Monday was fun to watch.

Golden State comes in under a cloud of their unfortunate new reality, as Jimmy Butler has officially torn his ACL and is out for the remainder of the season. It’s a shame for the Dubs, as they were playing by far their best basketball of the season before he went down. In their first game without Butler on Tuesday, the Toronto Raptors blew the doors off the Warriors, winning 145-127. Golden State trailed by as many as 30 points in the second half.

Can Golden State get off the mat in this contest? Or will Cooper Flagg and the Mavs prove to be too much? Let’s get into the cap.

---

Game intangibles

Golden State Warriors (25-20) vs Dallas Mavericks (18-26)

Tipoff: Early tip alert! The ball will be in the air shortly after 6:30p CT from the American Airlines Center.

How to watch: Prime Video has the national telecast of this one.

Game odds as of 10:30a CT

Odds provided by the Fanduel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Wager responsibly!

Spread: Golden State -5.5

Over/Under: 234.5 points

Moneyline: Dallas is +176 to pull the upset tonight

Prop bets of the night

• Naji Marshall over 16.5 points (+100)
• Klay Thompson, Max Christie and Steph Curry to combine for 10+ made threes (-130)

Come on, we can’t have a reunion of the Splash Bros without them having a great night, right? Beyond that, we get to add the scorching hot Max Christie to complete our trio. Sign us up for that one. As far as Marshall goes, the Knife has been playing unbelievably well as of late. Expect that run to continue here.

Game pick

• Mavericks moneyline (+176)

At the opener of Warriors -3, we would’ve considered Golden State strongly. However, now on the precipice of being over two possessions, we’ll take the home dog Mavericks outright.

As a reminder, Dallas is 10-3 against the spread (seven outright upsets) as a home underdog this year, covering by an average of nearly six points per game. Golden State, for their part, is one of the worst road favorites in the NBA. The road Warriors are just 4-9 against the number in this situation, having allowed eight outright upsets in those nine games.

We are approximately two weeks away from this season’s Feb. 6 trade deadline. The Sixers have been hovering around the middle of the Eastern Conference’s playoff seeds for most of the season’s first half. They appear good enough to make the postseason, and perhaps avoid the play-in tournament. But they’re certainly not the favorite to win the East either.

Now, you might say, before last season’s disaster, Philly was a staple in the Eastern Conference postseason and rarely was the oddsmakers’ choice to get to the NBA Finals and that didn’t deter the Sixers from adding to their roster. You’d be correct. Whether it was a big swing like the Ben Simmons-James Harden trade or a smaller acquisition like the countless backup centers Philadelphia tried to put behind Joel Embiid for a few months before the postseason began, the Sixers have always tried to supplement their playoff rosters adequately in the regular season.

But eventually all of that trading and roster reshuffling catches up to you. By now, I think most fans know that Philadelphia owes its first-round pick this year to Oklahoma City after retaining the first rounder in last year’s draft lottery. Technically the pick is top-four protected this year, but the Thunder will almost certainly be getting the Sixers’ 2026 first-rounder. That will finally wrap up the debt owed to Oklahoma City when the Thunder took Al Horford’s contract in December 2020. Remember that Simmons-Harden trade at the 2022 trade deadline?  That trade won’t finally be completed until Philadelphia sends Brooklyn one final first-rounder in 2028 that is top-eight protected.

Naturally when you are a deadline buyer, it’s nice to be able to control your first-round picks. Philly does not have that luxury in two of the next three drafts which could certainly limit Daryl Morey’s options these next couple weeks. There is one high-valued asset that Morey could put on the table in trade talks and that’s the 2028 unprotected Los Angeles Clippers first-round pick that he got in the trade of Harden to the Clippers. Given the current state of the Clippers, that’s certainly looking like it could be a very high draft pick in two years. Is now the time to dangle that kind of a pick in trade talks? You’d have to feel really good about the team’s chances of making a deep playoff run. While the team isn’t bad, I’m not sure it makes the most sense with where the organization is at.

Entering the season, there were plenty of concerns about what the team might get from Embiid and Paul George as both players were a year older, injured a bunch last season and making boatloads of money for multiple seasons ahead. Embiid has given them some solid games on some nights while George continues to look like a bad investment. But the Sixers’ success this season has mostly been rooted in Tyrese Maxey taking the next step towards superstardom, VJ Edgecombe looking like a Rookie of the Year candidate, and some good ancillary acquisitions from Morey in the frontcourt behind Embiid. It has felt like a welcomed change to a newer and younger era of Sixers basketball. Therefore, is an “all-in” move which trading the team’s lone high-valued draft asset in the next three drafts would be, really the smartest decision right now?

Unlike previous trade deadlines, when Philadelphia was more clearly defined as a “win-now” team, the Sixers should not be looking for the veteran types like Harden and the countless backup big men they’ve acquired over the years behind Embiid. As we mentioned, they’re starting to turn the page and get younger, and that’s a goal that needs to be furthered at this year’s trade deadline and beyond. Players in their early 20s like Dominick Barlow, Adem Bona and Jabari Walker have been regulars in the rotation and have helped the team win games this season. If Morey can acquire another younger player like that who is also able to come right into the rotation and contribute for the remainder of 2025-26, he absolutely should.

But how many of those players are available at trade deadlines? Often times, sellers are looking to offload veterans and expiring contracts and hold on to their own younger players. That’s why the Sixers are in a tough spot these next few weeks. It makes sense to add, but they need to add strategically and often times younger players with club control are more expensive in trades and we already detailed the shortage of first-round picks that Philly currently has to offer.

So, where does that leave Morey and his staff as they work the phones these next few weeks? It means they will probably have to shop in the clearance aisle. That’s an aisle they can afford to shop in as they do have some second-round picks in future drafts that would allow them to have some conservations about some bench players on other teams or players that need a change of scenery. There are also the expiring contracts of Quentin Grimes, Andre Drummond and Kelly Oubre Jr. that could be attractive to other teams as well. In other words, they’re not out of options, but they’re also not picking from a menu at an expensive steakhouse either. If Morey can successfully thread the needle, we might be in for a fun second half and enter the offseason with optimism about the future of the franchise. 

Of course, the Knicks broke the skid.

It was the Nets on the other end, what did you expect?

Here’s a bunch of quotes from the protagonists following a historic trouncing inflicted on New Jersey/Brooklyn.

"Sometimes you may not get the minutes/touches/shots, but you gotta sacrifice…As a leader…uplift, connect…Keep thinking about how can we get this win…how hard can I play…"

–– Mike Brown on what Jalen Brunson called Knicks "soul-searching" after Mavs loss & before Nets win pic.twitter.com/44rCBDkT3w

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) January 22, 2026

Mike Brown

On Wednesday’s historic win over the Nets:

“I didn’t know about the record until it was mentioned. But just seeing us play the way we’re capable of playing again, I don’t know what the score will be every night we get out on the floor. Our guys are more than capable of going out there and putting it together for 48 minutes, and that was a lot of fun.”

On the Knicks standing despite struggles:

“We know it’s not an aberration. We are sitting in either third or fourth place. We haven’t played well. We are still in a pretty good position to win a lot of games now. Obviously, we’ve had some struggles and it may not be the last time. But what it does continue to show is if we play the right way, it doesn’t matter who is in front of us. We will find ways to get a win.”

On the recent adversity and accountability:

“The reality of it is, when you go through adversity it starts with an individual looking in the mirror, starting with me. I have to see how I can help. We all do. We know we’re better on both sides of the ball, we know we’re better than our record.”

On the challenge of fitting Jordan Clarkson into rotation:

“Yeah, it could be tough to get him in the rotation. Obviously Deuce played well during his time, Mitch played well, Landry played at a pretty high level before he got hurt. So trying to find minutes for those guys as well as for our starting group is tough. I can’t even hit the minute threshold for all those guys that I’m looking for. It can be tough from time to time.”

On Mohamed Diawara’s development:

“Mo’s played well. I’ve been pleasantly surprised. He’s got great size. He’s got really good instinct for a young guy. A part of that instinct is a feel on the offensive floor of how to move the basketball which makes the game easier for everybody. He’s working really hard on the shot and his decision-making. He’s a pretty good rebounder and a pretty good defender for a young guy.”

Josh Hart says the Knicks did not have a players-only meeting after Monday's loss:

"We talked, but it wasn't like some thing. That got dragged. We didn't have a players-only meeting." pic.twitter.com/8j4ILaNBmA

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) January 22, 2026

Josh Hart

On the truth behind the reported players-only meeting:

“We didn’t have a players-only meeting. Y’all dragging it. We didn’t have a players-only meeting. I don’t know who said it, who did all that, but we didn’t have a players-only meeting.”

On discussions being overblown:

“We talked, but it wasn’t like some big thing. So that got dragged. We didn’t have a players-only meeting. We know what we have to do. We cleared stuff up yesterday in film and practice and today in walkthroughs. We know we haven’t been playing up to our capabilities, but we’re gonna continue to play off this win.”

On the need for accountability:

“We all need to do some soul-searching. Right now we’re playing embarrassing basketball. We’re not executing on the offensive end. Defensively, we’ve been abysmal. We’ve been terrible defensively all year.”

Knicks Captain Jalen Brunson on the Knicks soul searching and reflecting after their recent skid to help them focus on their largest margin of victory in team history against the Nets.@alanhahn | @NYKnicks | #NewYorkForeverpic.twitter.com/frA46bEQyZ

— KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) January 22, 2026

Jalen Brunson

On refocusing after the recent struggles:

“Just sticking together, talking it through, having each other’s back, worrying about the little things on the court. Not just the stats, but the stuff that doesn’t make the stat sheet. The stuff that actually makes a difference in close games that can break teams. So that’s what we’ve gotta continue to focus on.”

On building momentum following the win vs. Brooklyn:

“We just had to be focused and get back to who we are. This is a good start for us but we’ve gotta continue to press the issue.”

On the offensive pace and execution on Wednesday:

“It starts with pace. Obviously getting stops and running helps, but our pace offensively was great. We got in the paint, made plays, and just made a lot of good reads tonight. I think us focusing on the things that matter, like the little stuff that allows us to kind of play free on offense, it’s big time for us.”

On having an ever-improving mindset:

“We just had to refocus and get back to who we are. This is a good step for us but we have to continue to press the issue of getting better every single day. It was just sticking together and talking it through and having each other’s backs.”

Karl-Anthony Towns was asked if the Knicks' players-only meeting helped the Knicks get on the same page:

"I think losing four in a row better get everyone on the same page." pic.twitter.com/df40si3hi9

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) January 22, 2026

Karl-Anthony Towns

On the importance of breaking the losing streak:

“A win—it’s the most important thing. Find a way to break the ice and put one in the left column. Good game, good day for us to show what we’re capable of. Consistency is what makes champions. We’ve got to find that consistency of bringing this kind of intensity, energy and execution every single night.”

On building off Wednesday’s performance:

“Try to get two wins in a row. Execute plays with this aggression and have this kind of determination every single night.”

On urgency following team discussions:

“I think losing four in a row better get everyone on the same page. Glad tonight that everyone looked like they saw what was going on and what we needed to stop the bleeding. Consistency is what’s going to make us great. And it’s going to make this season a successful season. We just go to build off of this.”

"How about the Knicks challenging a call with 6 minutes to go up by 48…they're basically rubbing it in your face"

Josh Hart was more upset about it than the Nets 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/cSYAnKItCa

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) January 22, 2026

Jordan Clarkson

On adjusting to his new, reduced role:

“I read the room, I see what it is. I’m just a vet, coming here, doing my work, staying ready. When I’m playing those minutes with the young guys, I ain’t taking nothing away from them. Being a pro, talking to them, trying to get them in their spots.”

On staying professional amid the loss of minutes:

“Still play but I’m not gonna go in there and f–k the game up. I’m just gonna try to keep continuing to play the right way, help these guys grow and continue to get better. That’s all I can do.”

On staying confident in his talents:

“I can help any team in the league. I help winning. You saw it early on in the year. I know I got a lot left in my tank. I can impact winning wherever. I’ll impact winning here. Just gotta stay prepared and control what I can control.”

"Me I never lost to the Knicks since I been in the league"

–– Nic Claxton now 0-13 vs Knicks since thispic.twitter.com/Oe39S43NFJ

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) January 22, 2026