BERLIN, Germany (AP) — Freiburg advanced to the semifinals of the German Cup after a 5-4 penalty shootout win at Hertha Berlin on Tuesday.
Freiburg goalkeeper Florian Muller saved Pascal Klemens' sudden death spot kick in the Olympiastadion in Berlin to secure his team's place in the last four of the competition. Yuito Suzuki's strike had put the visitors 5-4 in front, meaning Klemens had to score to keep the shootout going.
After the game ended goalless in regulation time, Yuito Suzuki fired Freiburg ahead in the 96th minute. Eight minutes later the game was level again when Fabian Reese struck with a shot into the top corner.
Muller denied Michael Cuisance earlier in the shootout, but Freiburg's Johan Manzambi then saw his spot kick saved by Hertha keeper Tjark Ernst.
Feb 4, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) grabs a rebound during the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images | Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
With another week of college basketball complete, the next wave of NBA prospects continues to take shape.
Here’s the latest edition of The Long Forecast on NetsDaily, breaking down the latest regarding prospects in the 2026 NBA draft.
Where do the Nets’ picks sit?
Since last week’s column, the Nets went 1-2 and currently hold the league’s fifth-worst record at 15-37. Their only win came over the Washington Wizards, who currently sit one spot ahead of the Nets in the tank race at 14-38.
As for Brooklyn’s second-round selection, they are currently slotted at No. 35 and 43 overall.
Against Northwestern on Sunday, Stirtz was unstoppable, pouring in 36 points while shooting 12 of 20 from the field (60%) and knocking down 3 of 4 3-pointers, leading Iowa to a 76-70 victory.
Bennett Stirtz goes OFF for Iowa against Northwestern 👀👀
After playing at Drake last season, Stirtz is in his first season as a Hawkeye. Across 23 games with the program, the 22-year-old is averaging 19.9 points, 4.8 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting a blistering 40.6% from three-point range.
He is a talented perimeter shooter who can score at all three levels. The main concern, though, regards his athleticism, as Stirtz is not a particularly explosive athlete.
After getting off to a hot start this season, Colvin has cooled down in recent weeks.
His biggest knock last season was his inconsistency from 3-point territory. To open this season, it appeared that he had addressed those issues, as he was shooting over 40% from beyond the arc through the season’s first nine games.
However, that mark has dipped. Now, in 23 games, he is shooting 35.1% from 3. Colvin is also averaging just 12.4 points per game and hasn’t reached double figures in two of his past four games.
To build his stock back up, Colvin must find consistency from 3-point range and make more of an impact as a scorer.
The 19-year-old is a poised combo guard who spaces the floor and rarely turns the ball over, averaging just 1.6 turnovers per game this season.
For someone that gets criticized for his lack of athleticism, Keaton Wagler doesn’t seem to have any issues getting into the paint. Then when he gets downhill it feels like he always makes the right decision. Really nice pass here before he relocates for an open 3.
Tanner is putting together a strong sophomore campaign at Vanderbilt, averaging just over 18 poins, 5.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists across 31.6 minutes per game.
This was a special performance from Tyler Tanner. There’s always a roster spot in the league for guards who generate a ton of paint touches, shoot almost 40% from three, and finish at a 66% clip from the rim with only 29% of those attempts being assisted. pic.twitter.com/6vHsnSZz9f
The Tar Heels knocked off the Blue Devils 71-68 following a game-winning shot from Seth Timble, resulting in UNC fans rushing the court to celebrate, on Saturday, Feb. 7. While fans in the arena certainly seemed to appreciate the instant class, so did viewers watching at home.
According to ESPN, the game averaged 3.5 million viewers and peaked at 4.8 million. That is a 53% spike from the first time the teams faced off in 2025. The game was the most-watched men's basketball game in the last four years.
Duke and UNC are scheduled to conclude their regular seasons with their second matchup of the season on March 7, from Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina.
NAPLES, Italy (AP) — Como advanced to the semifinals of the Coppa Italia for the first time in 40 years after beating Italian champion Napoli in a penalty shootout on Tuesday.
Stanislav Lobotka's sudden death spot kick was saved by Como goalkeeper Jean Butez to spark wild celebrations on the field in Naples as Cesc Fabregas' team won 7-6 in the shootout.
The game had ended 1-1 in regulation time.
Martin Baturina fired Como ahead from the penalty spot in the 39th minute, but Antonio Vergara leveled just after the break.
Napoli came close to a winner when Amir Rrahmani saw a header cleared off the line in the second half.
Romelu Lukaku failed to score for Napoli earlier in the shootout and Maximo Perrone also missed for Como.
Napoli is a six-time winner of the Coppa Italia, most recently in 2020.
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 9: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 9, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
After an embarrassing beatdown in Oklahoma City earlier this season, Monday felt like a big step forward for the Lakers. However, at the same time, it felt like a big missed opportunity.
The Lakers found a formula in the third quarter that let them not only get back into the game, but take control of the contest. The team simply went to a bully ball approach that saw LeBron James pick on the smallest Thunder defenders, force his way to the basket and either finish at the rim or create an open look.
However, once the fourth quarter came around, the Lakers didn’t, or couldn’t, go back to that. The result was the Lakers struggling to find consistent offense and when they did, the shots weren’t falling. The Thunder, meanwhile, did convert on their chances and, in a make-or-miss league, that was enough to win.
After the game, head coach JJ Redick said the inability to get LeBron the ball in the fourth proved costly.
“Down the stretch at times to start the fourth, I didn’t think we did a good job of getting LeBron the ball,” Redick said. “Some of that was we called plays and we didn’t execute. Some of that was just not having just the recognition. Him playing against smaller players was how we got back in the game and we didn’t do a good job of getting him the ball.”
Oklahoma City wasn’t going to simply allow LeBron to keep punishing them without adjusting, which they did. As a result, it wasn’t quite as simple as LeBron getting a switch and being on an island to punish a defender.
Still, the Lakers made a difficult task impossible through no fault of their own. After scoring 10 points on four shots from the field and the line along with three assists in the third quarter, LeBron attempted just three shots in the final four minutes of the game, making two of them.
While the Lakers can come away from Monday’s game encouraged, they also have the overwhelming feeling of an opportunity missed as well.
DENVER, COLORADO - FEBRUARY 9: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks to referee Zach Zarba #15 during the fourth quarter of the game against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on February 9, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Swann/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers‘ thrilling last-minute victory over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night had two controversial calls. According to the NBA’s Last Two Minute report, both were called correctly on the floor.
First, the referees didn’t call a foul on James Harden’s three-pointer to tie the game with 33 seconds left. Tim Hardaway Jr. took away Harden’s landing space on the jumper, which usually is called a defensive foul.
The foul didn’t come, and that was supposedly the correct call.
The Last Two Minute Report states: “Harden (CLE) abnormally extends his leg as he returns to the floor to create the marginal lower body contact with Hardaway Jr. (DEN).”
I’m not sure if I agree with that one. Harden does extend his legs out when he’s shooting, but Hardaway is landing exactly where Harden took off from.
Moving on, the NBA also agrees that Donovan Mitchell was fouled by Jamal Murray on his drive with less than a second left. These two free throws led to the Cleveland victory.
The Last Two Minute Report states: “Murray (DEN) is late to the spot and turns into Mitchell (CLE), initiating illegal body contact.”
Murray was late to the spot, but that’s a tough foul in that moment. A no-call would’ve been acceptable given the situation.
The NBA did confirm that there was one missed call in the final two minutes.
Jaylon Tyson should’ve been whistled for a three-second violation on a late Nikola Jokic turnover. From the replay, it’s clear that Tyson was camped out in the lane, and you can hear someone on the court yelling out that it should’ve been a three-second violation.
All in all, the Cavs don’t have much to complain about here, especially after they got the win.
ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 9: Cam Thomas #24 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots a free throw during the game against the Orlando Magic on February 9, 2026 at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Bucks fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Now that we’re several days past the NBA’s trade deadline, we’re starting to get your reactions on the Bucks’ moves and perhaps the most notable non-move in recent memory. We’ll have more on Milwaukee’s path moving forward with a belated edition of the Tuesday Tracker tomorrow, but for starters, let’s talk about the highest profile Buck and the high profile edition alongside him.
First off is Giannis. It became clearer and clearer as the deadline neared that he wouldn’t be going anywhere, and 32 minutes exactly after it passed, he tweeted out one message: “legends don’t chase. They attract.” He also included the famous meme from Wolf Of Wall Street, where Leonardo DiCaprio’s character tells his company he wouldn’t be leaving. Bobby Portis also mentioned that Giannis texted him simply a deer emoji and a 100 emoji. Bodes pretty well for his future with the Bucks, no? So do you think he’ll put pen to paper when he becomes extension-eligible on October 1?
Then we have the Bucks’ signing of former Nets leading scorer Cam Thomas, which I wrote more about here. It’s a minimum contract, so there’s no financial reason not to fill that fifteenth spot, and why not with someone who is, for all his warts, an absolute bucket? Longtime NBA fans know is drawbacks, though: he’s a bit of a ball-stop, he doesn’t play defense, he gets those points by taking a lot of shot attempts (probably too many). He made a 13-minute debut in Orlando last night, and we’ll see more of him soon, but generally speaking, do you like that the Bucks brought him in?
LOS ANGELES — Regardless of what came beforehand or what’ll come afterwards — and the Lakers didn’t have much time to dwell on Monday’s loss to the Thunder since they host the Spurs Tuesday night — a matchup against the defending NBA champions will always be a measuring stick game in their quest to contend for a title.
Their blowout victory and narrow defeat in back-to-back games to the Thunder last April showed they had what it took to compete with, and beat, anyone when they’re focused because of their high-end talent.
The blowout defeat earlier this season in November in Oklahoma City, with the Lakers missing LeBron James but the Thunder being without Jalen Williams, showed the Lakers, at the time, they lacked the requisite physicality and energy to compete with a team on the Thunder’s level.
“We can’t sustain energy and effort for 48 minutes, and they can.” Lebron James said in reference to the Lakers loss to OKC. Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
What lesson came from Monday’s defeat, which came with the Lakers being without Luka Doncic but the Thunder being without reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?
“That’s a championship team right there,” James said. “We’re not.”
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A strong statement from James, especially considering he was asked what he saw the biggest gaps were between his team and the Thunder.
He elaborated on his sentiments.
“We can’t sustain energy and effort for 48 minutes, and they can,” James said. “That’s why they won the championship.”
The Lakers had the energy to take an eight-point lead in the third against the Thunder after trailing by as many as 14 points in the second.
But not enough to grab crucial late rebounds, with the Thunder scoring 11 second-chance points off four offensive rebounds in the fourth.
Or stick with their basic defensive principles.
Or execute their offense as desired in the ways that helped them stay in the game, and at one point have an advantage, in the first place.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Austin Reaves (15) celebrate a basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. AP
“When you play the best teams, and Oklahoma City is clearly the best team, you have to have a really high level of effort, and you have to have a really high level of execution; it’s got to be both,” coach JJ Redick said. “For the most part, our effort was fantastic, and then key stretches of the game, our execution wasn’t great. A lot of that for me was just our defensively, our basic shell principles. To start the fourth, I didn’t think we did a good job of getting LeBron the ball. Some of that was we called plays and we didn’t execute. Some of that was just not having the recognition.”
Maybe the Thunder’s physicality eventually wore the Lakers down. Multiple Lakers players were visibly exhausted in the locker room after Monday’s game.
When fatigue factors in, the true character of a team can show.
And what Monday showed is there are gaps – even small ones that they’ve narrowed since the fall – that separate the Lakers from being a true contender.
“Obviously we have a little ways to go, but we’re on the right track,” Marcus Smart said. “The way we fought, our sense of urgency, all the way up to the last five minutes, we were playing great basketball on both ends of the floor. A good measuring stick for us. I think we’re in the right spot. We just gotta clean up some things. I think we’ll be all right.”
Another milestone streak is ending for LeBron James.
James, the 41-year-old Los Angeles Lakers icon, will miss his 18th game of the 2025-26 regular season on Tuesday, Feb. 10, officially making him ineligible for individual awards and All-NBA honors.
This snaps a streak that is practically incomprehensible, of 21 consecutive appearances on All-NBA teams.
Put another way: this will mark the first time since the 2004 offseason — three years before the release of the first-ever iPhone — that the All-NBA teams will not feature James.
The Lakers are set to host the San Antonio Spurs Tuesday, and the team is listing James as being out with left foot arthritis.
James had previously indicated that he would not be playing the back ends of back-to-back games for the rest of the season, needing to manage the strain on his body.
Tuesday’s game is the second leg of a back-to-back, after Los Angeles dropped a game Monday, Feb. 9, against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The time sidelined with the sciatica issue cast doubt on his ability to reach the minimum threshold of 65 games for postseason award eligibility, especially because of James’ approach to back-to-backs.
James ranks first all-time in All-NBA selections, which is six more than the three players tied for second-most: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan. James’ 13 first-team selections are two more than the players with the second-most first-team selections, Bryant and Karl Malone.
Even if James were eligible for postseason awards, however, it would’ve been a stretch for him to make the lists; James is averaging 21.8 points, 6.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game, which is unprecedented for someone his age, but may be insufficient for All-NBA nods.
James’ absence against the Spurs will prevent him from reaching the NBA’s 65-game threshold for end-of-season award considerations, meaning he won’t be eligible for All-NBA honors.
James’ absence will prevent him for reaching the NBA’s 65-game threshold for awards eligibility. AP
The 41-year-old James has been named to league-record 21 consecutive All-NBA teams, starting with second team honors following 2004-05, his second season in the league, and continuing through 2024-25, when he was also named to the second team.
James’ 21 total All-NBA honors, along with his 13 first team selections, are both league records.
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The Lakers ruled James out because of left foot arthritis, with the team playing on the second night of a back-to-back after Monday’s loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
James missed the first 14 games of the season because of sciatica that also limited him during training camp and preseason.
He made his season debut in the Nov. 18 home win over the Utah Jazz. James played in his first back-to-back set of the season in the Jan. 12 road loss to the Sacramento Kings and Jan. 13 home win over the Atlanta Hawks.
The 41-year-old superstar had been named an All-NBA player every year since the 2004-05 season. NBAE via Getty Images
Before Tuesday, James hadn’t missed a game since Jan. 7.
Since the 2023-24 season, in most cases, players have had to play in at least 65 regular-season games to qualify for major awards such as MVP and the All-NBA teams.
James has averaged 21.8 points, 6.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds in 34 games.
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 7: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles during the game against the Golden State Warriors on February 7, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The most predictable schedule loss is turning out exactly as you’d expect.
After playing the Thunder on Monday in the first game of three in four nights, the Lakers are resting basically everybody against the Spurs on the second night of the back-to-back.
In the injury report released on Tuesday afternoon, the Lakers listed LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Luka Dončić and Marcus Smart all as out. Deandre Ayton is listed as questionable.
Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Austin Reaves and Marcus Smart have been ruled out for tonight vs. San Antonio, the second night of a back-to-back. pic.twitter.com/fYf7ayvK9e
The most notable bit of news from this is that, in missing this game, LeBron is no longer eligible for postseason awards, meaning his streak of All-NBA appearances will end. It’s been a year of streaks coming to an end for him as his double-digit scoring streak was also snapped this season.
Luka’s inclusion among those out is not a surprise. Even as he’s considered day-to-day, it was unlikely this would be the game he returns, especially when everyone else was going to be out.
Similarly, it’s not a surprise Austin is included as he’s still working his way back from his calf strain. He has remained under a minutes restriction in his game so far. Naturally, it was expected he wasn’t going to play in a back-to-back.
As for Smart, he’s missed games sparingly throughout the season, often on a back-to-back. This isn’t out of the ordinary and it wouldn’t be a shock to see him suit back up on Thursday against the Mavericks.
Each of these absences, as you can see, makes sense for reasons other than “they’re on the second night of a back-to-back after playing the best team in the NBA,” though that’s also a fair rationale.
So, if you want to take this opportunity on Tuesday to go out for dinner and catch a movie, check Silver Screen & Roll for the recap and coverage of the game.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Atlanta Hawks second-year forward Zaccharie Risacher was named on Tuesday as the injury replacement for Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell on Team T-Mac in the Rising Stars game on Friday night as part of the NBA All-Star weekend.
Mitchell is unable to participate due to an abdominal strain.
Risacher, a native of France, will participate in the event for the second consecutive year after being selected as a rookie last season.
Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, is averaging 10.7 points and 3.5 rebounds this season.
Feb 9, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (middle) watches a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
At least four of their biggest stars won’t play when they host the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night. Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
James’ absence was his 18th of the season, preventing him from reaching the NBA’s 65-game threshold for end-of-season award considerations, meaning his All-NBA honors streak will end at a record 21 consecutive seasons. He was listed on the injury report with left foot arthritis.
“LeBron, obviously, dealing with the history of injuries he’s had and to start the year,” Coach JJ Redick said. “Just depends on how he wakes up the next day and as he goes through his treatment in the morning.”
Doncic was sidelined for the third consecutive game because of a strained left hamstring. Redick reiterated that Doncic’s status is day-to-day before adding that the six-time All-Star “continues to progress.” The Lakers host the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday in their final game before the All-Star break.
Reaves was ruled out because of left calf injury management. Redick said the plan was for Reaves to play in either Monday or Tuesday’s game after he missed 19 consecutive games because of a strained left calf before he made his return in the Feb. 3 road win over the Brooklyn Nets.
Deandre Ayton (right knee soreness) and Marcus Smart (right ankle soreness) also weren’t available. Smart hurt his ankle during the fourth quarter of Monday’s loss, according to Redick, while Ayton was sidelined for the second time in the last three games because of a right knee ailment.
The Los Angeles Clippers made a surprising overhaul of their roster at the trade deadline, and that shake-up alone leaves them at a clear disadvantage against the Houston Rockets tonight.
My Clippers vs. Rockets predictions lean on Los Angeles’s lone mainstay, one of many NBA picks on Tuesday, February 10.
Clippers vs Rockets prediction
Clippers vs Rockets best bet: Kawhi Leonard Over 28.5 points (-115)
But in trading both James Harden and Ivica Zubac, L.A. put far too much of an onus on Leonard. Since Zubac was moved, Leonard has taken at least 19 shots in every game and averaged 32.3 points.
L.A. found quality in exchange for Harden and Zubac, but Darius Garland is not healthy, and Bennedict Mathurin overlaps with Leonard more than Zubac does, to Mathurin’s expense.
Even against the Houston Rockets’ quality defense, Leonard should shoot in bulk.
Clippers vs Rockets same-game parlay
Houston has come to depend on its defense; its offense has been undone by the lack of a quality point guard.
Clippers vs Rockets SGP
Kawhi Leonard Over 28.5 points
Rockets -7.5
Under 213
Our "from downtown" SGP: Kawhi Only
Mathurin’s Clippers debut comes with low stakes, and he should not be expected to produce at volume while Leonard feels such a weight on his shoulders.
Seven of Houston’s last nine games have gone Under their totals, falling short of bookmakers’ expectations by an average of 7.3 points per game. Find more NBA betting trends for Clippers vs. Rockets.
How to watch Clippers vs Rockets
Location
Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Date
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBA TV
Clippers vs Rockets latest injuries
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Could Mark Cuban once again own the Dallas Mavericks?
An unidentified investor group wants to partner with Cuban and do exactly that, reports Marc Stein at The Stein Line. He reports that a group of investors — who are unnamed — "registered tangible interest in partnering with former majority owner Mark Cuban to try to buy the franchise back from the Dumont and Adelson families." Cuban declined to comment on the report.
There are a couple of reasons this feels like not just a long shot but a non-story.
First, Miriam Adelson and her family (including team governor Patrick Dumont) have given zero indication that they want or plan to sell the team. Stein himself reports "the family remains excited about the future of the franchise and the Cooper Flagg era." Even Cuban and other billionaires cannot buy what is not for sale.
Second is the real estate question.
When Cuban sold the franchise he was honest, saying that the NBA had become more of a real estate investment tool than the technology business it was when he bought in. Owners can now leverage the team to build a new arena, then use that anchor of people and activity to build mixed-use retail around it (or other developments). That was rumored to be the plan for the Adelsons — owners of the Las Vegas Sands corporation — who are said to want to build a resort complex with an arena part of it (and a casino, although gambling is not legal in Texas; and while Adelson has pumped money into a campaign to get gambling legalized in the state it is nowwhere close to happening).
Could the Adelson family realize the Dallas casino idea is nowhere close to happening and decide to get out of the Mavericks business? Nothing is impossible, but that seems like the kind of impatient decision that the billionaire owners tend not to make, they can be patient and play a longer game. They can wait and decide whether to build something else around a new arena. It's not like the Mavericks' value is going down (especially with Flagg on the roster).
Cuban still owns 27% of the Mavericks, although the Adelsons can buy 20% of that later this year, according to reports. Either way, it sounds more like Cuban will remain in his role as advisor rather than return to the role of owner.
