Category: Basketball

Connecticut men's basketball held a moment of silence for the late mother of Creighton's Josh Dix ahead of the teams' Big East game on Wednesday, Feb. 18.

Dix paid the No. 5-ranked Huskies back by scoring 13 of his 21 points in the second half to lead the Bluejays to a 91-84 upset victory in Storrs, Connecticut. The massive performance from Dix came two weeks after his mother died from colon cancer.

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"I really respect this university for doing that and thinking of my mom," Dix said, via ESPN. "I know she would greatly appreciate it. I know she saw that."

Creighton had lost to UConn by 27 points (85-58) on Jan. 31, the game before Dix's mother died. The Bluejays were heavy underdogs on the road on Feb. 18, but were able to find a way to hand the Huskies their first conference home loss of the season.

"That locker room is still healing, and they needed a shot in the arm," Creighton coach Greg McDermott said after the game. "We have been through a lot as a group; we've shed a lot of tears, and they needed something like this. It's a great win for us. I'm not sure I've ever been prouder of a group."

Dix, a transfer from Iowa, has averaged 12.3 points per game for Creighton this season. He did not score and went 0-for-6 from the field in the previous game against the Huskies. Along with the 21 points — which came on 6-of-10 shooting, including 3-of-4 from 3 — Dix also added eight rebounds on Feb. 18.

"I couldn't do it alone," Dix said. "My family, my teammates, my coaches, they all stick by my side. I try not to be alone; I try to be around people who want to see you do well.

"Basketball brings a lot of joy to a lot of people, so that kind of takes your mind of a lot of stuff. They have meant a lot, something like this can either separate you or get you closer to your teammates. They have all been by my side. The last couple of weeks haven't been easy, but they stuck by my side."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Josh Dix, Creighton upset UConn, 2 weeks after star's mother's death

Why Celtics signed two players to 10-day deals, and what comes next originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

As the Boston Celtics emerge from the NBA All-Star break, all eyes will be on Jayson Tatum as he gears up for a (potential) return.

But the Celtics also did some end-of-the-roster shuffling Thursday that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Boston officially signed two players to 10-day contracts: free agent Dalano Banton and recently-acquired two-way player John Tonje. With those moves, the Celtics now have 14 players on their active roster and two players on two-way deals (Ron Harper Jr. and Max Shulga), with one open NBA roster spot and one open two-way spot.

Why are Brad Stevens and Co. handing out 10-day contracts instead of pursuing bigger names on the buyout market? The likely explanation boils down to one word: money.

Let’s break it down:

Why Celtics made these moves now

By rule, NBA teams can’t have fewer than 14 players on their roster for more than two weeks at a time. The Celtics were at 12 players exactly two weeks ago — the day of the NBA trade deadline — after a flurry of moves that sent out Anfernee Simons, Josh Minott, Xavier Tillman and Chris Boucher and helped them dip under the luxury tax. (More on that shortly.)

So, the C’s had to add two players to their roster Thursday no matter what, which explains the timing of these moves.

Financial implications of Celtics’ moves

Boston was barely under the luxury tax coming out the All-Star break — roughly $1 million below the $187.9 million threshold. So, if the team’s goal is to remain under that threshold for the rest of the season, even signing a player on the buyout market for the veteran minimum wouldn’t be feasible.

Enter the 10-day contract. Per NBA salary cap analyst Yossi Gozlan, Banton’s deal will cost the Celtics less than $132,000, while Tonje’s deal is for just $73,000, since he was converted from a two-way deal.

In theory, the C’s could continue this pattern — let the 10-day contracts of Banton and Tonje expire, spend a full two weeks with fewer than 14 players, sign two more players to 10-day contracts, go another two weeks with fewer than 14 players, etc. — for the rest of the season to spend as little as possible and stay under the tax.

The Celtics also can promote one of their two-way players (likely Harper) to an NBA deal, which would be prorated for the rest of the season.

The upshot? These moves could be the first step in Boston playing musical chairs with the back end of its roster to stay under the luxury tax.

What are the benefits of staying under the luxury tax?

So, why are the Celtics seemingly jumping through so many hoops to duck under the tax?

As Stevens insisted after the deadline, there’s no mandate from ownership to be below the luxury tax; the C’s were simply taking advantage of an opportunity they “didn’t think would be there” after trading Simons to Chicago in return for Nikola Vucevic.

The benefits of getting below the tax line involve resetting the NBA’s repeater tax, which forces teams to pay multiples on the dollar (starting at $2.50 for every $1) for player contracts. The Celtics have been in the repeater tax for the last several seasons, resulting in massive payrolls that will become even more prohibitive the longer they stay in the luxury tax.

Teams can “reset” those repeater taxes by finishing under the luxury tax in at least two of the next four seasons. So, if Boston stays under the luxury tax this season and next season, it can return to paying normal salary rates as soon as the 2027 offseason.

This may not sound particularly exciting. But that financial flexibility could allow the Celtics to spend big in 2027 free agency to build the latest version of a contender around Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown — all while remaining a legitimate contender in the interim.

After a few days off, NBA basketball is back. The Brooklyn Nets were off for NBA festivities last weekend and return to action hoping to speed through the rest of the regular season. When we last saw them, they blew an 18 point lead and lost to the Indiana Pacers on February 12.

The opponent tonight is trying to break into the top tier. The Cleveland Cavaliers are trying to get back to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2018. They’re within striking distance of the No. 2 seed and helped the cause after beating up the Washington Wizards on February 11. They’re on a five game winning streak.

Where to follow the game

YES Network on TV. Gotham Sports on streaming. WFAN on radio. Tip after 7 PM.

🤕 Injuries

Nic Claxton sprained his ankle at practice on February 18. He’s out tonight. Josh Minott, newly acquired from the Celtics at the deadline, is with Long Island as is Ben Saraf and the three two-ways. They’re playing at noon today in Birmingham vs. the Pelicans’ G Leaguers, the Squadron. Game can be seen on the G League website.

No Max Strus or Nae’Quan Tomlin.

🏀 The game

Cleveland won the first meeting in October.

Without Claxton, the Nets will turn to Day’ron Sharpe in the starting five. Sharpe has shown himself to be a more than capable big in the NBA and will start for as long as Clax is out. He’ll be matched up on the inside with our old friend Jarrett Allen. Like many of the Cavs, Allen is going to need to exceed expectations in the postseason if they want to get to their first Conference Finals without LeBron James on the team since 1992. Allen and Evan Mobley are tasked with owning the boards and finishing at the rim.

Nolan Traore will get a workout tonight. He’ll be matched up with the amazing Donovan Mitchell and will do what he can to slow him down. Mitchell is one of the leaders in drives to the rim per game and is still one of the game’s best finishers at the rim. Put it all together and it equals a career best 29 points per game on the season. For Traore, games like this will serve as a great measure of his growth and push him to be even better going forward.

This is the first leg of a back-to-back for the Nets. When they’re done, they immediately head out for a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night. The schedule makers certainly aren’t making it easy on the Nets, that’s for sure.

And with this being the first leg of the b2b, Michael Porter Jr will play tonight. MPJ has been out since February 7 with right knee tendinitis. The rest should do him plenty of good and the Nets will turn to him to make things happen against this Cavs defense. In all likelihood he’ll sit in Oklahoma City so there shouldn’t be too many restrictions on him tonight. MPJ scored 31 points in the first meeting between these teams way back in October, and Jordi Fernandez will look to

👀 Player to watch: James Harden

Hey, we know him! James Harden was doing well with the LA Clippers as they surged back up the standings. However, they weren’t going to give him a contract extension, so he left and is here. Somebody got to asking James about loyalty, and here’s what he had to say:

"The whole quote unquote loyalty thing, I think it's overrated."#Cavs James Harden on why it's become the norm for guys to play on multiple teams throughout their career: pic.twitter.com/fykczB5DZQ

— Leah Doherty (@LeahDohertyTV) February 12, 2026

There’s that.

On the court, Harden hopes to be the last piece to a championship puzzle for Kenny Atkinson and friends. A big midseason move like this causes everyone to make some changes so the team is comfortable with the new reality. How have the Cavs been doing on that front? Pretty well, so far. From Brendon Ulen of Fear the Sword:

“We have already seen him play faster with the Cavs. But will he move more off-ball? Will he keep the defense in rotation, or will he let it reset and probe it himself when the ball returns to him? If he allows defensive resets, will this mute the impact of the motion-related leaps Jaylon Tyson and Merrill have made? These are all open questions.

The Cavs could attempt to exclusively play their motion-heavy style and fit James in. The man can do it if he chooses. They could also embrace Harden-ball and effectively run two systems, switching between them based on personnel and situation, especially when Harden is on the floor without Mitchell. One system or two? The correct answer to this question is unknown. Having a clear approach is critical though. The Cavs have the rest of the regular season to figure out what they believe is best.“

This is a make-or-break season for a lot of the Cavaliers, and Harden’s play will determine a lot about what Cleveland’s future will look like.

Egor Dёmin is back from Los Angeles and an appearance in the Rising Stars game. Being in the game was a great opportunity for Dёmin to rub shoulders with some of the game’s brightest young stars and show that he belongs. With the Nets looking to the future, Egor has show that he will be a big part of it. The Cavs allow teams to shoot 37.2% from three point range, third worst in the NBA (the Nets are second worst so prepare to see a bushel of three point attempts tonight!). Finding easy looks for Dёmin will help determine this one and if he can heat up early, it will keep the Nets in it against one of the better teams in the league.

📺 From the Vault

Ones in the air for Jesse Jackson

More reading: Fear the Sword, SB Nation NBA, New York Post, New York Daily News, Clutch Points, Nets Wire, Steve’s Newsletter

• Brooklyn Nets Game Notes – Brooklyn Nets
• Cleveland Cavaliers Game Notes – Cleveland Cavaliers
• Cleveland plays Brooklyn, looks for 6th straight win – AP
• Nets’ Nic Claxton will miss Cavaliers game after spraining ankle in practice – Jared Schwartz – New York Post
• Nets continuing rookies’ development in second half comes with important Jordi Fernandez question – Jared Schwartz – New York Post
• The Nets are on notice for their tanking ways, but they can’t let the NBA’s threats stop them ($) – Brian Lewis – New York Post
• With 29 Games left, here’s what matters most for the Nets ($) – C.J. Holmes – New York Daily News
• Nets’ Nic Claxton sidelined after spraining ankle during practice – Erik Slater – Clutch Points

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The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to continue the five-game winning streak they took into the All-Star break as they host the Brooklyn Nets tonight.

Donovan Mitchell was red hot going into the festivities, and I’m looking for him to continue that run in my Nets vs. Cavaliers predictions.

Read on to see all my thoughts on tonight’s game and get my free NBA picks for Thursday, February 19.

Nets vs Cavaliers prediction

Nets vs Cavaliers best bet: Donovan Mitchell Over 26.5 points (-120)

Donovan Mitchell has been the Cleveland Cavaliers' leading scorer for all year, and was especially productive right before the break. He has averaged 30.8 points per game over his last four contests, scoring 29+ points in each.

Tonight, Mitchell gets to play at home against a Brooklyn Nets defense that ranks 26th in defensive efficiency (115.4) and allows opponents to shoot 49.3% from the field.

With James Harden distributing, Mitchell will find it easier than ever to score.

Nets vs Cavaliers same-game parlay

A strong performance from Mitchell will help Cleveland score a big win against the Nets. The Cavs covered as a 17.5-point favorite in their last game, and I like them to do the same against Brooklyn. I’ll also take the Over, which has hit in each of Brooklyn’s last five games.

Nets vs Cavaliers SGP

• Donovan Mitchell Over 26.5 points
• Cavaliers -16.5
• Over 229.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: Beard with me

Harden has made a strong impression in his first three games with the Cavs, and I’m backing him to fill up the stat sheet again tonight.

I’ll also take Evan Mobley (8.8 rebounds per game) to hit the Over on his rebounding total, while Jarrett Allen is a good bet to record a double-double, something he’s done in four of his last five games.

Nets vs Cavaliers SGP

• James Harden Over 20.5 points
• James Harden Over 8.5 assists
• Evan Mobley Over 7.5 rebounds
• Jarrett Allen double-double

Nets vs Cavaliers odds

• Spread: Nets +16.5 (-115) | Cavaliers 16.5 (-105)
• Moneyline: Nets +700 | Cavaliers -1100
• Over/Under: Over 229.5 (-110) | Under 229.5 (-110)

Nets vs Cavaliers betting trend to know

Donovan Mitchell has scored 29+ points in each of his last four games. Find more NBA betting trends for Nets vs. Cavaliers.

How to watch Nets vs Cavaliers

Nets vs Cavaliers 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.

In a three-team trade with the Suns and the Bulls at the NBA trade deadline, the Milwaukee Bucks acquired forward Ousmane Dieng, jettisoning Amir Coffey and Cole Anthony. It was the third time in 24 hours before the deadline that Dieng had been traded. He was sent to Charlotte for Mason Plumlee, before being shipped off to Chicago, along with other assets, for Coby White. After that deal was completed, the Bulls were added as a third team to the Suns and Bucks trade, in which Nick Richards was traded from Phoenix to Chicago, and the Bucks snagged Dieng. The French export’s time in Milwaukee could be limited, though, as he will enter the offseason as a restricted free agent, with a qualifying offer worth $8.7m. 

While the Bucks were linked to a couple of notable names, including Ja Morant and Cam Thomas (eventually signing Thomas), this was the type of move that lined up with what Jamal Collier of ESPN said in an article on the morning of deadline day: 

“Milwaukee has still scoured the market for a potential upgrade to its roster, sources told ESPN, hoping to benefit from a team looking to offload salary in the future.”

We’ve already seen Dieng in action in three games for the Bucks, so what can we take away from those performances about who he is as a player? 

Player History

Coming out of the National Basketball League (in Australia and New Zealand), he was selected one spot ahead of Jalen Williams in the 2022 draft. The Thunder acquired Dieng’s draft rights from the Knicks at no. 11 overall for three protected first-round picks. In 23 games (11 starts) for the New Zealand Breakers, he averaged 8.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 20.3 minutes per contest. There, he flashed high-level potential, with NBADraft.net’s Stefanos Makris saying the following:

“Dieng is the definition of a high ceiling/low floor prospect … The sky is the limit, but if taken too high, he can just as easily fall through the floorboards. The French wing surely passes the eye test, being a smooth point forward with nice size and length.”

Dieng fell through the floorboards in his four seasons with OKC. He never eclipsed more than 39 games in a season and never averaged more than 14.6 MPG. On top of that, he’s only played 20+ minutes 21 times in 136 career games. Part of that has been because Chet Holmgren, Williams, and the other Jaylin Williams have developed faster, eating into any role he could’ve had. In games where he’s gotten more minutes, Dieng showed flashes of the tools he possesses. One of his best games came against the Bucks last season (albeit without Giannis and Dame), as he scored 21 points on 9/13 shooting, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out five assists. 

Offense

The first thing that stands out about Dieng is his silky-smooth jump shot. There aren’t any weird hitches in his shooting form, and it might be the most refined part of his game. Last Wednesday’s game against the Magic was a great display of that. 

His shooting numbers didn’t look great in his first two seasons, with an effective field goal percentage of 50% (the league-wide average in those years was 54.6%) and a 28% three-point percentage. Yet, the last two seasons have shown steady growth, with his EFG% up to 52.1% and 3P% up to 34.2%. 

While he was never featured in OKC’s offense, he did get that chance with the Thunder’s G League team. In 26 games during the 2023–24 season, Dieng averaged 17.3 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and 6.0 APG, with shooting splits of .482/.301/.702. He helped lead the OKC Blue to their first G League title by winning Finals MVP in a three-game series, averaging 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.7 blocks, and just 1.7 turnovers per game. He shot the ball incredibly well, hitting 44.2% of his shots from the field, 53.3% from three-point range (5.0 3PA), and 100% from the charity stripe, albeit on three total attempts. In that finals series against the Maine Celtics, there were noticeable playmaking skills in the half-court, in pick-and-roll scenarios, and even in transition. That’s translated in his short stint with the Bucks so far, as he made several good reads against his former team, including a lob to Jericho Sims in the P&R.

Dieng has on-ball creation skills, with a tight handle on the perimeter. He’s been able to pull up from three, drain step-back threes, and even get to the rim with regularity. He does look a little awkward at times, especially when he tries to Euro step, but that might be a product of his patience to get the right look at the rim. 

Another standout skill is Dieng’s ability to run the pick-and-roll. With his height, he’s able to read the defense and find open players. Even when he drives into the lane, and the defense collapses, he finds shooters open on the perimeter. He does an excellent job of using ball and head fakes to manipulate defenses and open passing lanes. He has great control of the ball, with very few passes I watched that were errant. Dieng knows when it’s his time to take the shot in these situations and attack the roll man in drop coverage. His favorite scoring moves are the floater and the Euro step, but he also has a mid-range jumper he likes to pull out from time to time. 

Overall, there’s a lot to like about Dieng’s offensive potential. The one drawback right now is his frame, weighing 185 pounds at 6’9”, and that has caused problems on drives to the rim against bigger defenders. He is quick enough and long enough to get by some players in the G League and the NBL, but I can foresee issues against bigger NBA bodies. Imagine if he tried to drive on a player like OG Anunoby or even his own teammate, Kyle Kuzma—bigger guys who are just as athletic as him. While he hasn’t run into that problem with the Bucks so far, it’s happened quite a few times over the course of his career. 

That is something that Dieng can change, as he is still growing into his body. Again, he is only 22 years old. How many of us had fully grown into our adult bodies by then? That’s not to say he’s going to grow to the same level as a player like Brandon Ingram, but some tools should excite Bucks fans.

Defense

Dieng’s best defensive tool by far is his IQ. There were multiple plays in his days overseas and in the G League where he would come over from his help position to block shots and deflect the ball, creating fast-break chances. The way he blocks shots is like how Giannis operates on defense: he defends the rim off the help side rather than a traditional rim protector like Rudy Gobert. This isn’t to say Dieng is as good a defender as Giannis; it’s more to show that they work in similar ways in the half-court. 

His length and athleticism make him a versatile defender who guards 1–3 on the perimeter. His 7’1” wingspan is ideal for disrupting ball handlers, generating steals, and deflections. In three games with the Bucks, players are shooting 41.9% when guarded by Dieng (13/31), and in last Wednesday’s game against Orlando, Franz Wagner went 0/4 from the field when Dieng was the closest defender.

His smaller build also causes issues at the defensive end. It leaves him unable to guard power forwards and centers in the post. The bigger issue comes on the perimeter, where he gets overpowered by bigger players looking to drive into the paint. This made it much harder for him to navigate screens at times, as he got stuck on the screen or even made the wrong read on the ball handler. He seems to have gotten marginally better in this area with NBA coaching, but there isn’t enough of a sample size to say that for sure.

It also leaves him liable to give up rebounds on both ends of the court. Looking over his film, most of his rebounds in the limited time he has spent on the floor at the NBA level are uncontested. The only example I found of him having to box out someone was in a preseason game against the Nuggets this season. It’s not the end of the world, but it shows that his lack of strength could be a problem if he ever must box out bigs. He should only be boxing out players of his size or smaller.

Dieng has a chance to be a solid defender and could address the Bucks’ defensive deficiencies, especially off the bench. Having a help-side defender with his instincts next to Bobby Portis would cover up his issues on that end.

How does he fit down the stretch?

Overall, Dieng will have a much better opportunity for consistent minutes with this Bucks team. As of now, he could get playing time to spell Kuzma as a small forward/power forward. His size and defensive versatility make him a good fit for the Bucks’ defense, both in man-to-man and zone coverage.

Offensively, he can run P&R effectively, so I see a two-man game of him and Sims continuing to work quite well. He doesn’t need the ball to contribute, as he has a dependable jumper in catch-and-shoot situations. With his improving three-point shot, he would be an ideal floor spacer alongside Giannis, either off the bench or potentially in the starting lineup. Kuzma has come off the bench at times, and I would rather use the rest of this season to see how Dieng fits.

Beyond that, it’s hard to tell how short a leash Doc will have on Dieng, given his propensity to favor veterans over young players. With the limited time Dieng could be with Milwaukee, given his contract situation, it would be imperative for the coaching staff to give him significant minutes, around 18–25 MPG. I know the Bucks didn’t give up much to get him, but this team has been starving for young talent for quite some time. They need to see what they have in him so they can decide whether he should stay in Milwaukee for at least one more season.

It was a first half to remember for the Celtics, as they exceeded expectations en route to a 35-19 record and the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

While it was certainly a strong start, what happens the rest of the way will ultimately dictate how this season is remembered.

With that in mind, here are 10 storylines to follow moving forward.

1) Will Jayson Tatum return?

Yes, it’s obvious, but it still counts. Will he or won’t he? My hunch is that Jayson Tatum will, in fact, play for the Celtics this season. It could be in a few days, a few weeks or a few months, but I don’t think he’s doing all this just for the heck of it.

Prediction: Yes, sometime in March or April.

2) Will Jaylen Brown make the All-NBA first team?

Jaylen Brown made the All-NBA second team in 2022-23 but has never made the first team. This is easily his best chance. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic are essentially locks as long as they stay healthy. After that, it feels like Brown, Luka Doncic, Cade Cunningham, Anthony Edwards and Jalen Brunson, among others, will be battling it out for two spots.

Prediction: No. He makes the second team (finishing sixth or seventh overall), but not the first.

I’m proud of this group and staff/ office looking forward to 2nd half go Cs ☘️ pic.twitter.com/I0cqxQTPYg

— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) February 13, 2026

3) Can Derrick White find consistency with his shot?

Derrick White has adjusted to increased responsibility seamlessly in just about every area. His shooting percentages, however, have decreased significantly – 44.2 percent from the field last year to 38.9 this year, along with 38.4 percent from 3 last year to 32.5 this year. I have a hunch White will figure it out. He may not be able to elevate those numbers to where they were last year, but I think he’ll start trending in the right direction.

Prediction: Yes. He ends up around 34 percent from 3 and 40 percent from the field.

4) Will Nikola Vucevic be a perfect fit?

The more I watch Nikola Vucevic play with the Celtics, the more I like the trade. Yes, they’ll miss Anfernee Simons, but Vucevic really fits in perfectly and gives them something an element didn’t have. He’s honestly one of the best low-post scorers and rebounders they’ve had in recent years (if not the best) and has already made strides defensively. I think this will end up working out great for both sides.

Prediction: Yes. He continues to get more and more comfortable and helps most in the playoffs.

Nikola Vučević in his Celtics debut:

11 PTS
12 REB
4 AST
2 STL pic.twitter.com/g2sF1G5tDN

— NBA (@NBA) February 7, 2026

5) Will Joe Mazzulla win Coach of the Year?

Joe Mazzulla is in the mix for Coach of the Year, but he has some stiff competition with JB Bickerstaff, Jordan Ott, Mitch Johnson and more. I believe the Celtics will continue to rack up wins and continue to help his cause, but I don’t think anyone’s catching the Pistons in the East, so it’s hard to argue against Bickerstaff.

Prediction: No. He comes close, but finishes second behind Bickerstaff.

6) Which role players earn opportunities in the playoffs?

Mazzulla has mixed and matched with his bench most of the season, tinkering his lineups based on the opponent. Which of these guys who have contributed in spurts will stay in the rotation in the playoffs? It will likely continue to be matchup dependent, but I think he trusts Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez and Luka Garza most, with a sprinkle of Jordan Walsh and Amari Williams as needed.

Prediction: Scheierman, Gonzalez and Walsh see occasional minutes, depending on the opponent.

7) Will all the road games early be a problem?

Eight of the Celtics’ first 12 games are on the road, starting with a tough four-game trip against the Warriors, Lakers, Suns and Nuggets. This is a tricky stretch, and they need to make sure it doesn’t veer the wrong direction. Going 2-2 is fine, but 1-3 or 0-4 wouldn’t be ideal. It doesn’t get any easier in early March, with road games against the Cavaliers, Spurs and Thunder in a span of five days.

Prediction: They struggle somewhat, but not enough where they plummet in the standings. They go 2-2 on the first road trip and 1-2 on the second, but they take care of business against worse teams at home to start 7-5 overall.

8) Does Neemias Queta make an All-Defensive team?

Neemias Queta is the unsung hero of this whole Celtics season so far. People who watch the team regularly are aware of how valuable he is, but those who follow the NBA casually have no idea. He’s currently 10th in the NBA in defensive rating (105.6), 18th in blocks (1.3) and is the anchor of a unit that’s allowing the second-fewest points per game in the NBA (108.4) behind only the Thunder.

Prediction: Yes, he makes the second team – a well-deserved honor.

Neemias Queta mid-season block reel https://t.co/TVm4PHe4k6pic.twitter.com/uagau9x8OW

— 𝒃🏀 (@HiddenNBA) February 17, 2026

9) How many wins do the Celtics finish with and where do they end up in the standings?

This one is possibly the most fun to predict. In one sense, the Celtics are playing with house money. In other, they didn’t come this far just to come this far. I don’t think there will be a major drop-off, but I also don’t think they’ll catch the Pistons. I think the Knicks will pull ahead, but the Celtics will hold off the Cavaliers. Obviously Tatum’s status could swing it dramatically, so I’m making a safe pick in between where I think it would be if he comes back and if he doesn’t.

Prediction: 52-30, No. 3 seed.

10) Do fans start to believe this team can win it all?

The average Boston sports fan is enjoying this run, yet remains somewhat skeptical that the Celtics can legitimately contend for a championship. Are they right? Possibly, but I wouldn’t rule it out. The Thunder still factually have the best chance. The rest of the West is loaded, and the Pistons, Knicks and Cavaliers are all legit, but there’s no reason the Celtics can’t make the Finals and give the Thunder or anyone else a battle. Especially if that Tatum guy returns. It’s a tricky season, because fans are genuinely bought in but don’t want to be disappointed if it all crumbles. But that’s what being a fan is all about, right?

Prediction: Fans’ expectations stay about the same if Tatum stays sidelined. Fans’ expectations start to soar if he returns. We’ll see how it all shakes out, but it could be one heck of a story.

Agree? Disagree? Kind of agree? Let us know.

Darryn Peterson's availability has once again become a storyline this college basketball season, even as the potential No. 1 pick of the 2026 NBA Draft helped the Jayhawks to an 81-69 win over Oklahoma State.

Peterson exited No. 12 Kansas' Big 12 win over the Cowboys shortly after hitting a 3-pointer with 18 minutes left in the second half. He didn't return to the game, finishing with 23 points, two rebounds, one block and one steal in 18 minutes of play.

REQUIRED READING: Bill Self rejects narratives he's seen on Darryn Peterson's health

Speaking to reporters after the game, Kansas coach Bill Self said the reason Peterson left was due to cramping. He also said he didn't "anticipate" the issue flaring up again, adding that it was a disappointing situation considering Peterson could have had an even bigger game than he did.

Peterson has missed several games this season due to a hamstring issue and what was described as flu-like symptoms vs. top-ranked Arizona.

"Well we've had it more than a couple times," Self told reporters. "And I didn't anticipate that tonight at all. I thought that he was good to go. But obviously we only got 18 minutes out of him. And that's really disappointing, because he could have had a really big night.

"But one thing about it is it's happened often enough that our guys have learned to play without him, even though that's not the way want to play. But that's certainly not something that we're unaccustomed to right now."

Here were Bill Self's initial thoughts after the win:#kubballpic.twitter.com/BvDJzkbxrd

— Jordan Guskey (@JordanGuskey) February 19, 2026

Self also said that it's "concerning," and that Kansas would prefer him to be fully available for the 2026 NCAA Tournament:

"It's a concern. I thought we were past it, but obviously we're not. It's certainly a concern," Self said. "You get into the NCAA Tournament, you're playing a team just as good as you and you need to have all your best players available, so to speak. Yeah, all it takes is for one day like that to derail not only a game, but a season."

HAYES: Kansas State is embarrassing itself not to protect basketball, but help football

Self wasn't the only person to comment on Peterson's lack of playing time in the second half. TNT college basketball studio analysts Jalen Rose, Bruce Pearl and Jamal Mashburn spoke at length about the ongoing saga with Peterson, with Mashburn rhetorically asking, "why even be a part of it?"

"I think the interesting part of this with the NIL era and the transfer portal, this has become much more transactional than we've really thought about," Mashburn said. "From the standpoint that, we can't separate the conversation of them winning a championship and him going to the NBA.

"Because it's a transition year for him at the end of the day. If he can go straight from high school straight to the pros, he probably would have done it. That's how I see it. They really need him to win a championship, but if he's going to get into the NCAA Tournament, and you're gonna load manage that part of it, why even be a part of it?"

"If [Darryn Peterson's] gonna get into the NCAA Tournament, and you're gonna load manage... why even be a part of it."@jamalmashburn, @JalenRose & @coachbrucepearl weigh in on the Kansas star after he sat most of the 2H in tonight's win 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/Ni4lWClJGS

— TNT Sports U.S. (@TNTSportsUS) February 19, 2026

Added former Auburn and Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl:

"It's a business, and I think the kids in the locker room understand he's got the chance to be No. 1. They want him to be healthy. I think times have changed a little bit. Years ago, there might have been guys in the locker room that would have really taken him to task a little bit: 'Hey, we need you to win this championship.' But they all recognize it might just be bigger than that.

"So, disappointed, and this is not the last that we're going to hear of this story."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bill Self on Darryn Peterson's lack of minutes in Kansas win vs OSU

As the All-Star confetti settles, the Minnesota Timberwolves find themselves in a place that feels… familiar.

The sixth seed.

If you’re a Wolves fan, that number probably triggers two completely different emotions at once. On one hand, last year’s sixth seed turned into a Western Conference Finals run. On the other, that path was sprinkled with just enough good fortune that you’d be lying if you said you’d want to try that roulette spin again.

Let’s revisit it.

Last season, the Wolves slid into the six spot and drew the three-seeded Lakers. That Lakers team had the star wattage with LeBron James and Luka Doncic at the top, but underneath? Tissue paper. Minnesota’s depth swallowed them whole in five games. Then the basketball gods handed the Wolves another break: the seventh-seeded Warriors upset Houston, giving Minnesota home court in the second round. And just when things started getting interesting, Steph Curry’s hamstring tapped out in Game 1 and never came back.

That’s how you punch your ticket to the Western Conference Finals.

And then Oklahoma City reminded everyone what the top of the mountain actually feels like. The Thunder didn’t just beat the Wolves. They took their lunch money and asked if they wanted a receipt.

So yes, the sixth seed “worked” last year. But if you’re serious about winning the West, actually winning it, you don’t sit around waiting for dominoes to fall in your favor. Especially not if you’re the Timberwolves, a franchise that historically hasn’t exactly been the league’s lucky charm.

This team should be looking more like the 2023-24 version, the one that flirted with the one seed all season and ended up grabbing the three. That positioning mattered. It gave them the Suns in Round 1, a matchup they handled with authority. It set up that heavyweight, seven-game slugfest with Nikola Jokic and Denver. It gave them control over their path. That’s the blueprint.

And here’s the good news: the three seed isn’t some fantasy. It’s 1.5 games away.

That’s it.

The Western Conference isn’t going to open a red carpet for Minnesota no matter which seed they grab. There’s no easy road. But the remaining schedule? It’s manageable. The Wolves have already fought most of their heavy battles. They’ve got one game left against OKC. One against Denver (the same Denver that’s beaten them three times, which should be circled in Sharpie). Two more with Houston, who suddenly look less like a juggernaut and more like a team dealing with internal chaos. Then single matchups with the Lakers and Suns, who the Wolves should take seriously after dropping their two previous games to both teams. Out East? Two games against the conference-leading Pistons and one against the Celtics.

That’s nine tough games out of the final 26.

Let’s be conservative. If you penciled those nine in as losses, which, by the way, you absolutely shouldn’t, that still leaves the possibility of going 17–9 down the stretch. That might be enough for the three seed on its own. If they split those marquee matchups instead of folding, suddenly you’re talking about a team with real momentum and real positioning leverage.

Because make no mistake: this isn’t about aesthetics. It’s about math. The three seed means home court in Round 1. It potentially means an inexperienced Spurs team in Round 2. It likely keeps you on the opposite side of the bracket from OKC and Denver until the Conference Finals.

There is no easy path out West. But there is a smarter path. And right now, the only thing standing between Minnesota and that path is… Minnesota.

We’ve seen the two versions of this team all year. The locked-in Wolves who swarmed OKC and looked like a championship-caliber machine. And the other Wolves, the ones who sleepwalk through first halves, play optional defense, settle for isolation hero ball, and try to flip the switch with six minutes left.

The maddening fourth-quarter meltdowns. The porous perimeter defense. The lazy closeouts. The careless turnovers that turn into transition layups the other way. The “we’ll turn it on when we have to” mentality that sometimes works and sometimes explodes in their faces.

That’s the real opponent.

The roster is more complete now. Ayo Dosunmu shores up the backcourt in a way the Wolves desperately needed. The core that’s gone to back-to-back Conference Finals is intact. Anthony Edwards is ascending into the league’s upper echelon. Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid, Jaden McDaniels. This is a team with legitimate depth and versatility.

There is no excuse.

Short of Nikola Jokic personally morphing into a basketball Thanos and snapping half of his opponents out of existence, there’s no reason Minnesota shouldn’t finish at least third. The schedule is favorable. The talent is there. The blueprint exists.

This is about character now.

It’s about whether they’re content being the fun team that can beat anybody on a Tuesday but can’t string together professional, focused basketball for two straight weeks. Or whether they want to be the team that squeezes every ounce of equity out of February and March so April becomes about execution, not survival.

At times this season, it’s felt like the Wolves have been waiting for the playoffs to start before taking things seriously. Like the regular season is some long pregame warmup. That’s a dangerous game in this conference. Two months from now, they’ll be lacing up for Game 1 of a playoff series. The tone for that series, and potentially the entire run, will be set by what happens over these final 26 games.

The three seed is sitting there. It’s not theoretical. It’s not some 10-game miracle streak away. It’s right in front of them. The only question is whether they want it badly enough to go grab it. Because if they don’t, and they end up fourth, fifth, or worse, they won’t be able to blame bad luck. They won’t be able to blame the bracket. They’ll only have to look in the mirror.

It’s time to lace up the work boots. Time to stop playing with their food. Time to treat every sleepy Tuesday in March like it matters.

Because it does.

The three seed isn’t going to chase Minnesota.

Minnesota has to chase it.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have had incredible success with the Donovan Mitchell and James Harden pairing through three games. The fourth game will present a new challenge with Evan Mobley returning to the lineup on Thursday against the Brooklyn Nets.

Harden has often thrived in predictable and perfectly spaced lineups. Adding a second big onto the floor will complicate that. It isn’t a configuration that Harden has had much recent experience playing in. Whether or not it works will largely come down to Mobley.

Mobley’s outside shot has regressed this season. He’s shooting just 30.4% from beyond the arc after connecting on 37% of them during the previous two seasons. This includes hitting just 21.1% of his outside looks since the beginning of December.

Unless the shooting drastically changes, Mobley will have to find other ways to take advantage of the double teams and micro advantages that Harden creates.

“I think just Evan, continuing to build up what he did last year, and obviously, earlier this season,” Mitchell said. “This year, I think he was more of a downhill [finisher] right before he got hurt. … Now, him being able to do that, but also be able to be elite in the half roll — elite in the pocket — and obviously at the rim. Those are the two biggest things.”

Mobley has been a good rim finisher this season. He’s converting 73% of his looks inside (75th percentile). That’s key to being able to attack mismatches in the short roll, but that isn’t everything.

This season, Mobley has improved as a passer. He has a career-high assist rate (17.9%, 86th percentile), which has led to four assists per game. The ability to finish as a scorer or passer inside isn’t a question. Whether or not he can do so quickly enough in the half roll still is.

Mobley has always been at his best when he’s decisive. When he reacts quickly and assertively in the short roll, good things happen. This has been talked about a lot with him as a scorer, but it extends to him as a facilitator as well.

Conversely, if his initial read gets cut off, he can run into some trouble. A lack of decisiveness is a problem whether he’s in the short roll specifically or not.

That all said, we don’t exactly know how the two-big lineups are going to look with Harden yet.

Harden brings a much different dynamic to the offense than Darius Garland did, even though Garland was incredibly good at getting the bigs involved. Both guards do a lot of the same things functionally, but how they go about doing so is vastly different.

“Until you get out there and try it [you don’t know], especially with a new player,” head coach Kenny Atkinson said. “Donovan is kind of used to it (playing with two bigs). We’ll see with James. But James, again, his IQ is so great that I don’t anticipate the issues with it. I think he’ll find a way. But it could take a little bit.”

It’s also worth pointing out that the Cavs will continue to play most of the game with one big on the floor. On the season, Mobley and Jarrett Allen have only played an average of 15.4 minutes together per game. That will alleviate some of the bumpiness that integrating the two bigs together might cause.

“Kenny has done a great job, even last year, kind of staggering the two,” Mitchell said. “I think Evan and I get back to playing kind of how we’ve been doing. And with J.A. and [Harden], I think we really found something.”

Making this trade when the Cavs did was also a huge bet on Harden’s ability to just figure it out. The offensive talent on this roster hasn’t been an issue over the past few seasons. That’s undeniable. How that talent fits together has been at times, especially in the postseason.

So far, Harden has helped solve some of those problems, but working with the two-big lineup will be a different challenge. As of now, he doesn’t seem to be worried about making it work.

“There’s just so many opportunities man…the way the offense moves, you have rolling bigs that finish around the rim, when Ev comes back it’s gonna be even better,” Harden said last week. “Just figuring it out, when Ev comes back…we have two bigs so we got to figure out what works and what doesn’t work. But that shouldn’t take long.”

The Celtics have signed Dalano Banton to a ten-day contract, HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto first reported.

Banton returns to Boston after spending most of the past two years with the Portland Trail Blazers. He was initially on the Celtics team that won the NBA title in 2024, but he was traded to Portland ahead of the trade deadline and finished out the year with the Trail Blazers. 

Dalano Banton returns to Boston after bouncing around the NBA

The 26-year-old Banton has played for six different NBA teams since being drafted 46th overall in 2021. He’s a 6’8 guard who can score in a variety of ways, but has never been particularly efficient (for his career, Banton has shot 40.3% from the field and 30.4% from three-point range). 

However, his shooting has trended upward lately, and he has had several fairly successful stints in recent years. 

Banton spent the first two years of his career with the Toronto Raptors, who drafted him, before joining the Celtics. That season, he appeared in 24 games for the Celtics, averaging 7 minutes a night as a member of the Stay Ready crew. 

He was traded to Portland at the midseason trade deadline, where he almost immediately began playing the best basketball of his professional career, averaging 16.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in Portland for the remainder of that season. 

Amid that hot stretch in 2024, Derrick White praised Banton’s play.

“He’s always been talented,” White said. “A guy who can score the ball in many different ways. He’s getting a chance to show that for everybody else. It’s good to see him going out there, being aggressive, and showing the world what he can do. The NBA is kind of tough, where you’re at, your role, and your opportunity. He was always working hard – and he was ready for it.”

Banton returned to the Trail Blazers last season and was once again in the rotation, albeit with a reduced role, averaging 8.3 points and 2.4 assists in 16.7 minutes per game. 

This year, he is having a standout season in the G League, averaging 23.7 points, 5.9 assists, and 3.4 rebounds for the Texas Legends, the Dallas Mavericks’ G League affiliate. He signed one ten-day contract with the Los Angeles Clippers on February 8th, and appeared in two games (totalling 10 minutes) ahead of the All-Star break. 

Now, Branton returns to Boston, where he still has fans almost two years later. The former Nebraska star will reunite with Joe Mazzulla and the rest of the Celtics coaching staff – as well as several old teammates from the Celtics’ championship team: Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, Neemias Queta, and Jordan Walsh. 

With Anfernee Simons no longer on the roster, Banton could serve as an emergency ball-handler for the Celtics in the wake of injury. He’s also someone the Celtics know and trust won’t be a negative in the locker room, something that Brad Stevens has routinely stressed is critical. 

The Celtics are required to carry 14 players on their roster as of February 19th, and will need to add another player on Thursday in order to adhere to that requirement. Utilizing ten-day contracts will allow them to stay below the luxury tax, if they so choose.

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The Atlanta Hawks head north to face the Philadelphia 76ers for the third time this season as Eastern Conference foes go head-to-head at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Atlanta has been letting it fly this season, and in a high-scoring matchup, my Hawks vs. 76ers predictions expect Onyeka Okongwu to bury multiple triples.

Here are my free NBA picks for Thursday, February 19.

Hawks vs 76ers prediction

Hawks vs 76ers best bet: Onyeka Okongwu Over 1.5 threes (-165)

Onyeka Okongwu's ability to stretch the floor should be front and center tonight against a lackluster Philadelphia 76ers perimeter defense.

Across its last 10 games, Philadelphia has surrendered the fourth-highest 3-point percentage to opponents at 38.7%. With Joel Embiid out, Okongwu will get favorable matchups against Andre Drummond and Adem Bona.

The Atlanta Hawks have let it fly this season, averaging the 10th-most 3-point attempts (39.2). Okongwu has hit two or more triples in seven straight games and 18 of 28 road matchups.

Hawks vs 76ers same-game parlay

Nickeil Alexander-Walker leads Atlanta with three triples made per game. He's recorded at least that many 3-pointers in 18 of 30 games on the road, and he reached the mark in four of his last five away games.

The 76ers have hit the Over in 16 of 29 home games, and the Hawks have gone Over in 18 of 31 on the road.

Hawks vs 76ers SGP

• Onyeka Okongwu Over 1.5 threes
• Nickeil Alexander-Walker Over 2.5 threes
• Over 237.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: Treys for days

Tyrese Maxey is averaging 3.3 triples this season, and he's knocked down four or more in 15 of 28 home games.

Hawks vs 76ers SGP

• Onyeka Okongwu Over 1.5 threes
• Nickeil Alexander-Walker Over 2.5 threes
• Tyrese Maxey Over 3.5 threes
• Over 237.5

Hawks vs 76ers odds

• Spread: Hawks +1 | 76ers -1
• Moneyline: Hawks -105 | 76ers -115
• Over/Under: Over 237.5 | Under 237.5

Hawks vs 76ers betting trend to know

The Atlanta Hawks have hit the game total Over in 16 of their last 25 away games (+6.10 Units / 22% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Hawks vs. 76ers.

How to watch Hawks vs 76ers

Hawks vs 76ers latest injuries

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The Orlando Magic begin a West Coast road trip this evening as they visit the lowly Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center.

My Magic vs Kings predictions are targeting Jalen Suggs to pick apart Sacramento’s poor defense with his playmaking. 

Read more in my NBA picks for Thursday, February 19, ahead of this 10 p.m. ET tip. 

Magic vs Kings prediction

Magic vs Kings best bet: Jalen Suggs Over 6.5 assists (-110)

Jalen Suggs leads the Orlando Magic in assists with 5.5 per night. He was dropping dimes pre-All-Star break as well, cashing the Over in three of his last four contests. 

The Gonzaga product dished out 10 assists in back-to-back games to end the first half of the campaign, and he also had 11 dimes only a few days before that against the Brooklyn Nets. 

The Sacramento Kings’ perimeter defense is horrendous, allowing 9.1 assists per game to point guards. Franz Wagner is also out indefinitely, which means Suggs will need to facilitate the rock even more. Tonight’s matchup is an opportunity to cook.

Magic vs Kings same-game parlay

Paolo Banchero wasn’t playing great to end the first half, only cashing the Over in points once in six games. However, with Wagner out and Orlando up against a poor Kings squad, it’s a chance to start the second half on the right foot. 

He’s also played a lot better on the road in 2025-26, averaging 23 points compared to just 19.5 at home. Banchero averaged 23.5 PPG across two meetings with Sacramento last season as well. 

Desmond Bane has been the Magic’s best player this month, hitting the Over in points in four straight. That includes a 31-point eruption in his final contest before the ASG break. 

Magic vs Kings SGP

• Jalen Suggs Over 6.5 assists
• Paolo Banchero Over 22.5 points
• Desmond Bane Over 21.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Put it on Black

Anthony Black has hit the Over in triples in three of his last four, and he’s averaging 1.7 makes on the road. 

Magic vs Kings SGP

• Jalen Suggs Over 6.5 assists
• Paolo Banchero Over 22.5 points
• Desmond Bane Over 21.5 points
• Anthony Black Over 1.5 made threes

Magic vs Kings odds

• Spread: Magic -8.5 (-110) | Kings +8.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Magic -380 | Kings +300
• Over/Under: Over 223.5 (-110) | Under 223.5 (-110)

Magic vs Kings betting trend to know

The Orlando Magic have hit the 1H Game Total Under in 29 of their last 45 games (+11.00 Units / 21% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Kings.

How to watch Magic vs Kings

Magic vs Kings latest injuries

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The Celtics have a treat coming out of All-Star break: a four-game west coast swing that includes games at the Warriors, Lakers, Suns and Nuggets and a back-to-back.

Boston is set to face four teams that if the playoffs started today, would all be participating.

They all present different issues. The Warriors will be without Stephen Curry, but teams without their best player are always tough to play because you are not always sure what to prepare for. The Lakers have a dynamic offense that we have not seen a lot of but Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves all present a lot of issues for any defense. Phoenix is one of the toughest teams in the NBA and has found ways to win games all season. Finally, Denver has a lot of injuries but they keep winning ball games and they have the dynamic Nikola Jokic-Jamal Murray pick and roll which always gives the Celtics problems.

The Warriors and Lakers have some uncertainty around them.

As mentioned, Stephen Curry will not play in this game for Golden State due to a knee injury. Another guy who is on the injury report is former Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis, who was acquired by the Warriors at the deadline and has yet to play for the team. It is unclear whether or not he will play in the game but I am excited to see how Golden State will incorporate him into their lineup when he is back on the floor. It is his and Al Horford’s first game against their former team so there will be a lot of hugs postgame, I am sure.

For the Lakers, we just have not seen a lot of Doncic, James and Reaves this season with all three players missing time at different times. The trio has played just 152 minutes together this season. Of course, they can score but the Lakers can’t get a stop with those three guys on the floor, giving up 119.7 points per 100 possessions in the limited sample. How much will Lakers coach JJ Redick stagger them with having one or two of them on the bench?

The Phoenix Suns are one of the most unexpected storylines in the NBA this season and when push comes to shove, they just win ball games. 32-23 on the season, the Suns are currently 7th in the Western Conference. If the Suns are among the most unexpected stories in the NBA, Dillon Brooks is among the most shocking. He is still getting a lot of technical fouls but he has been the Suns 2nd best player this season. After being told he would not be brought back to the Grizzlies “under any circumstance” to see Brooks flourish with now his 3rd team is great. Phoenix is a tough team that will give Boston their best game.

Lastly, Boston heads to Denver on the 2nd leg of a back to back. This will be a tough one. In the altitude after traveling in late from playing the night before. The Celtics will face an uphill battle in this game. They won’t use that as an excuse, Joe Mazzulla teams are great on 2nd nights of back to backs, Boston is 36-13 in these instances since the 2022-23 season. Denver’s defense has been iffy to say the least. They give up a lot of shots at the rim and the Celtics don’t take many shots at the rim so it will be interesting to see if the C’s try and exploit that weakness.

West coast road trips are hard and even harder when you play four good teams in one trip. That doesn’t mean Boston is not up for the challenge. The goal, of course, is 4-0 but a 3-1 trip is something I would sign up for right now. It will be fun to see how the Celtics respond to this challenge coming out of the All-Star break.