Category: Basketball

In today’s Dub Hub:

• According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Warriors are considered “less likely” to trade Jonathan Kuminga following Jimmy Butler’s season-ending ACL injury. 
• Undermanned Warriors suffer blowout 108-83 loss against Minnesota Timberwolves Monday night.
• NBA reveals rosters for 2026 Rising Stars game.

The Golden State Warriors’ outlook on Jonathan Kuminga may have shifted following Jimmy Butler’s season-ending ACL injury a week ago. According to a report from ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Golden State has been described as “less likely” to move Kuminga ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline.

Per ESPN:

Multiple team sources have described it as less likely Kuminga is moved following Jimmy Butler’s right ACL tear. Prior to that injury, Kuminga was a $22.5 million wing rotting on the bench, having not seen the floor for 16 straight games. Without Butler, he’s back in the mix, scoring 30 points in 30 bench minutes before the injury. There’s internal conversation that he’d get another crack at minutes post-deadline — if he’s still around. That has yet to be determined, though.

Before Butler went down, Kuminga’s role was effectively diminished. He hadn’t appeared in 16 consecutive games, and yet, the team was still winning, going 12-4 in his absence. Coupling that with his team-friendly contract signed over the offseason and a very public trade demand, Kuminga was looking increasingly expendable as Golden State hoped to make a championship push.

However, that thinking shifted once Butler was lost for the season. In need of additional scoring, Kuminga re-entered the rotation and immediately delivered, scoring 20 points in his first game back. He followed that with 10 points in the first half against the Dallas Mavericks before a knee injury forced him out. Kuminga has since missed the past two games after an MRI revealed a bone bruise in his left knee, with no clear timetable for his return.

This latest report could represent posturing from the Warriors as they attempt to maximize leverage in any potential Kuminga deal. Still, league perception around his market appears relatively settled, and if Golden State isn’t satisfied with the offers available, it’s becoming more plausible that this saga stretches into the offseason.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Tuesday, January 27th:

Warriors News:

Overmatched Warriors go off script, invite blowout loss to Timberwolves | NBC Sports Bay Area

This was an opportunity for players in this group, mostly reserves, to persuade Kerr and his staff that they deserve more minutes. Regardless of whether minutes are available, the goal always should be to prove you are worthy.

Each of the five starters – Pat Spencer, Moses Moody, Podziemski, Post and Santos – scored double figures. Only Post, however, shot better than 40 percent from the field. Podziemski lapsed into zero-pass, 1-on-1 ball at least four times.

Kawakami: Why I’m not writing off this Warriors era | The San Francisco Standard

6. Once they hit the button and blow it up, they can’t go back.

Ask the Bulls, who thought they could set up a new golden era after Michael Jordan with Toni Kukoc, Tim Floyd, Brent Barry, Corey Benjamin, and others.

That was 27 years ago.

Steve Kerr discusses the team’s experience in Minneapolis this weekend

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr says Golden State’s trip to Minneapolis was “very sad” and notes he’s “glad we were able to see the people here … and try to help try to forget by playing a couple basketball games. It’s obviously going to take a lot more than that.”

More: pic.twitter.com/RasxQGOUBn

— Sam Gordon (@BySamGordon) January 27, 2026

NBA News:

NBA buzz: Latest updates, trades, intel ahead of Feb. 5 deadline | ESPN

Regardless of whether the Milwaukee Bucks trade Giannis Antetokounmpo or keep him past next week’s trade deadline, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said Milwaukee’s focus for the remainder of the season should be on improving their draft positioning. The Bucks will have the worse of their pick and the New Orleans Pelicans‘ pick in June’s draft.

“Forget about this season for the Bucks,” Windhorst said. “The tank is now on the table for them, and the tank plus Giannis is what they’re looking at.”

NBA announces the participants for this year’s Rising Stars Game

The 2026 Castrol Rising Stars ⬇️

Tune in to @peacock tomorrow at 7 PM ET to watch honorary coaches Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter draft their teams from the pool of 21 NBA sophomores and rookies.

Austin Rivers will serve as the honorary coach of the @nbagleague… pic.twitter.com/WW4quEKMLX

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 26, 2026

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Warriors vs. Timberwolves player grades: No stars to be found

Gary Payton II

12 minutes, 4 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 6 fouls, 2-for-4 shooting, 0-for-2 threes, 50.0% TS, -20

GPII played less than 12 minutes and fouled out. And that’s all I have to say about that, too.

Grade: D
Post-game bonus: Tied for the worst plus/minus on the team.

Follow @unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.

The Milwaukee Bucks have been a trainwreck without Giannis Antetokounmpo this season, so there’s not much reason for optimism as they take on the Philadelphia 76ers tonight.

The Greek Freak is expected to miss at least a month with his latest calf injury, and my Bucks vs 76ers predictions expect Tyrese Maxey & Co. to show no mercy at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Get the latest on this Tuesday, January 27 matchup with my free NBA picks.

Bucks vs 76ers prediction

Bucks vs 76ers best bet: Tyrese Maxey Over 27.5 points (-120)

With Joel Embiid and Paul George in and out of the Philadelphia 76ers lineup, at least Nick Nurse can count on Tyrese Maxey to be ready to roll. Though the heavy minutes seemed to catch up with Maxey in yesterday's blowout loss in Charlotte, I’m picking him to bounce back against the flailing Milwaukee Bucks.

He dropped 54 points on Milwaukee back in November, and I like his chances of nailing this Over, with no Giannis to worry about as a rim deterrent.

Despite cooling off a little, Maxey is still averaging 29.4 PPG, sixth-most in the NBA, and Philadelphia may again be missing Embiid, who’s listed as questionable.

Don’t count on Maxey getting many breaks tonight, either. He leads the league with 39.2 MPG, and he’s averaging 20.8 shots per game this month.

With George set to return and pick up some of the playmaking responsibilities, Maxey should have a little more breathing room to get to his spots, and there are enough minus defenders for him to target on switches.

There’s a growing sense that Giannis may have played his last game for the Bucks, and I don’t see the rest of this roster putting up much of a fight. That’s a recipe for some Maxey fireworks.

Bucks vs 76ers same-game parlay

No one expected Ryan Rollins to be shouldering this kind of scoring burden for the Bucks, and I’m fading his 3-point makes tonight. Though Rollins drilled four triples on Friday against the Nuggets, he had finished with two or fewer threes in his eight prior contests.

I’ll round out my SGP with the Under, which has been a winning ticket in five of the Bucks’ past seven contests. Without Giannis to spark the offense, it could be a long night for the visitors. Meanwhile, the Under is 4-2 in Philly’s last six outings.

Bucks vs 76ers SGP

• Tyrese Maxey Over 27.5 points
• Ryan Rollins Under 2.5 made threes
• Under 219

Our "from downtown" SGP: Bob's Your Uncle

Someone has to soak up extra shots in this Milwaukee lineup, and Bobby Portis won’t be shy about throwing his hat into the ring. He’s knocked down three 3-pointers in three of his past four games, and he scored 19 points last week against the Hawks.

Bucks vs 76ers SGP

• Tyrese Maxey Over 27.5 points
• Ryan Rollins Under 2.5 made threes
• Under 219
• Bobby Portis Over 16.5 points

Bucks vs 76ers odds

• Spread: Bucks +10 (-110) | 76ers -10 (-110)
• Moneyline: Bucks +325 | 76ers -425
• Over/Under: Over 219 (-110) | Under 219 (-110)

Bucks vs 76ers betting trend to know

The Bucks are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games. Find more NBA betting trends for Bucks vs. 76ers.

How to watch Bucks vs 76ers

Bucks vs 76ers latest injuries

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

BOSTON — During what’s become an increasingly dark time in Minnesota, players, coaches, and public figures alike have begun speaking out against the deadly violence carried out by federal immigration agents. On Monday night, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla joined in on the conversation.

Before hosting the Trail Blazers at TD Garden to open a four‑game homestand, Mazzulla was asked about the unrest in Minnesota that so far has resulted in the deaths of 37‑year‑old Renée Good, a mother of three, and 37‑year‑old Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital — both killed in separate federal immigration enforcement shootings.

“Everyone’s impacted by stuff differently,” Mazzulla said.

“Everyone has a way to use their platform differently. So I think the most important thing with that is actually the opposite: I’d rather have those conversations with them, or let them feel any way that they can impact the platform that they have — which is way more important than basketball. We have a great group of guys that do that in different ways; some do it in the public, some do it in the private. And I think you just allow for people to do that. That’s my favorite thing, being around them as men — whether they’re fathers, husbands, or just guys that have impact on people. That’s the most important thing you can do.”

The killings of Good and Pretti have triggered outrage nationwide, with protests erupting across the country in response to the increasingly aggressive actions of federal agents — not police officers. Forced stops demanding identification and proof of citizenship, along with escalated use of force, have become more and more common, exposing millions of Americans to the risks posed by immigration enforcement.

Former Celtics Isaiah Thomas and Guerschon Yabusele spoke out on social media after videos of Pretti’s death began circulating Saturday. The widely shared footage drew responses from Thomas, a father of three, and Yabusele, who welcomed his first child last year. Though from very different backgrounds — Thomas, a Tacoma, Washington native, and Yabusele, a Frenchman who first arrived in the United States in 2016 — both expressed similar sentiments on their respective platforms.

6 guys beating the shit outta ONE person then KILLING him!! Fuck the ICE agents. 6 against one and yall still shoot and kill somebody. Yall had him out numbered and decided to KILL him like it was a video game and he can just he his life back smh

— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) January 24, 2026

I can't stop thinking about the tragic events unfolding in Minnesota, and even though I'm French, I can't remain silent. What's happening is beyond comprehension. We're talking about murders here, these are serious matters. The situation must change, the government must stop…

— Guerschon Yabusele (@yabusele28) January 26, 2026

The National Basketball Players Association released a statement of solidarity on Sunday, standing by those in Minnesota affected by the ongoing violence that’s plagued the entire state.

“Now more than ever, we must defend the right to freedom of speech and stand in solidarity with the people in Minnesota protesting and risking their lives to demand justice,” the statement reads. “The fraternity of NBA players, like the United States itself, is a community enriched by its global citizens, and we refuse to let the flames of division threaten the civil liberties that are meant to protect us all.”

Mazzulla, a devout Catholic, understands the weight of today’s political climate. The effects aren’t limited to NBA fans — players, too, feel the impact of a rapidly changing American landscape. They recognize the challenges fans face and the responsibility they carry in using their voices to speak for those who don’t have one.

The NBA has long been at the forefront of speaking out against social injustices — a role Celtics leader Jaylen Brown, Vice President of the NBPA, has embraced. Brown has admired the pioneering work of basketball legend Bill Russell, who, alongside Muhammad Ali and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., led the charge for civil rights activism in the 1960s.

Brown has never feared the aftermath of speaking his mind, regardless of the topic of discussion.

For Mazzulla, creating an environment where players feel comfortable expressing their opinions takes priority. It’s a conversation many are unwilling to have — civilly or in good faith — but one Mazzulla approaches with an open mind and open ears. He doesn’t want anyone in Boston’s locker room to feel censored or unable to speak up, and he’s willing to meet whatever that responsibility demands to ensure players can use their voices where they believe it matters most.

“I think it’s more about listening and allowing people to be who they are, and having a judgment-free zone — looking at people as more than just basketball players. How can I help you with your platform? How can I be there for you? How can I give you the space to be who you are?” Mazzulla said. “That’s one of my favorite things to do — to allow for that. Everyone’s different. It’s a balance. I think it’s more of that, and the other thing is making sure they see the consistency in how I try to live and carry out the platform and opportunity that I have. I think you just kind of keep it to that.”

There was nothing flashy about Jaylen Brown’s performance on Monday night. 

An efficient 20 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists with only one turnover to his name and four steals to Portland’s, it wasn’t another 30-point scoring masterclass, but it was patient, winning basketball, and it was done against a defensive coverage hellbent on forcing the ball out of his hands.

Through double-teams, blitzed pick-and-rolls and a reliance on primary defender Toumani Camara, appropriately nicknamed “The Shadow,” the Trail Blazers adjusted out of the first quarter to make life as difficult as possible for the All-Star starter, and yet, a controlled late-game performance proved to be a difference in a midseason slugfest. 

The 12 minutes and 46 seconds Camara spent matching up on Brown was double the amount of time of the next closest Blazer-on-Celtic matchup last night (Donovan Clingan’s 6:12 on Neemias Queta came in a “close” second). It wasn’t a far cry from Portland and Boston’s first meeting, where Camara spent 8 minutes on Brown during the Blazers’ 114-108 win on Dec. 28. 

Considering Camara’s reputation as a star-guarding defender, that’s not an easy day in the office for Brown, especially when pick-and-roll actions are blitzed to force the ball elsewhere. Yet, Brown’s difficult shotmaking gene and ability to force rotations through his own gravity led to a productive 18 points on 8-of-13 shooting against that matchup. Despite just one of his four assists coming against Camara, you could see the hockey assists and extra passes come into play, particularly down the stretch as Boston’s offense did just enough to close the door on a Portland team that lingered around for the bulk of the game. 

For your enjoyment, here is a compilation of that matchup (both makes and misses) out of the halfcourt: 

What you’ll notice early is the success Brown had in the pick-and-roll game, burying three shots against drop coverage from both Clingan and Robert Williams. Portland didn’t give him that luxury outside of the first quarter, however, jumping those screens and forcing Brown out of the comfort zone he built during Boston’s hot-shooting first quarter.

As that video progresses, you’re seeing more isolation work directly against Camara. On paper, that’s a tall task for any shot creator. Camara is built to sustain drive contact, and his 7-foot wingspan allows him to cover ground even if you get a step on him, but Brown manages to utilize his own strength (and perhaps the occasional push-off) to generate the minimum space requirements needed to bury shots from the mid-range. 

What that isolation work also does is give Brown more court vision to sense where the help is coming from. 

In the fourth quarter, Brown didn’t make a single shot, or register even one assist, but the way he moved the ball into space was instrumental to Boston getting clean looks despite their No. 1 option receiving the bulk of the defense’s attention. 

In the two-clip package below, neither fourth quarter play registers on the box score, and only one ends in a made basket, but notice the attention Brown is drawing at the start of each clip and how he’s working the ball into space. 

In the first clip, he sees three defenders in his area and breaks down the defense with a tough-angle kickout to Derrick White. The second is a pass over the double team where Sam Hauser wisely cuts into space to give him an outlet over the defense, which generates an open mid-range jumper. 

In this last clip (of lesser quality because NBA.com cuts off the entire possession), Hauser is again the safety valve opening up for Brown, this time on a play that puts this game away for good. 

Boston wants to get the ball in Brown’s hands, so they run a gut screen that doesn’t shake Camara but at least gets the ball successfully to Brown, albeit far out beyond the 3-point line. Like his namesake, Camara perfectly shadows Brown to keep him from attacking, but Hauser is all over this possession, ghosting a screen that forces Jrue Holiday to communicate to Shaedon Sharpe to take an off-ball switch, which comes just a little too late as Hauser loops back around toward the nail to receive a lofted pass over the outstretched arms of Camara.

Hauser gets to a soft spot in the defense, where he has space to pitch it to White for the game-sealing dagger. 

That possession took three passes and 18 precious seconds off the clock, and the Celtics were able to come away with a home win where their star player made winning plays against a defense that dared anyone else to find the bottom of the net.

Rui Hachimura’s talent is undeniable.

He’s an elite shooter who is converting on 43.9% of his 3-point attempts on the season, making him the best perimeter threat on the Lakers. Recently, though, he’s been struggling.

His calf injury forced him to miss seven straight games and upon his return, his production dipped. Hachimura averagedjust 7.8 points while making 31.3% of his 3-point shots in his first four games back.

But during LA’s recent road trip, he’s begun to take a turn for the better.

He had back-to-back threes late in the fourth in a win against Dallas and in Chicago, Hachimura shot lights out, going 9-11 from the field, scoring 23 points in his 29 minutes of play.

After the win, Lakers head coach JJ Redick acknowledged Hachimura’s return to form.

“Rui, now, feels like…he’s kind of back in his groove,” Redick said. “He had not taken a ton of shots and I don’t think was playing well – and I told them him that so I’m not trying to call him out – but he wasn’t playing well leading into his injury and then it takes a little bit of time to get back in that rhythm. It feels like the last few games, he’s back to who he was at the start of the year.

“I think his defensive engagement, particularly the last two games because in Dallas he had a great defensive game on tape as a low man and again another good one tonight.”

Hachimura was always going to regress to the mean. During his four seasons with the Lakers, he’s been a consistent double-digit scorer, so a handful of subpar games after an injury shouldn’t have been cause for panic.

However, as Redick mentioned, Hachimura was playing poorly even before his injury. Also, now he appears to have been moved to the bench. A change like that can be misinterpreted and significantly impact how a player performs.

Hachimura playing this well while coming off the bench demonstrates that he is embracing his sixth man role and will continue to play his best. And his experience in the NBA has helped him remain level-headed through all of it.

“This is my seventh season and the NBA season is so long,” Hachimura said. “It’s up and down. I always tell myself to stay calm and do what you’ve got to do. That’s all you can do, control what you can do. For me to do this kind of stuff, it’s normal.”

With Hachimura looking like his old self, the Lakers have their best shooter back. And if he continues to excel as a reserve player, he should also give the bench an offensive injection they desperately need.

LA averages 26.2 bench points per game, which is the lowest scoring average in the NBA.

Hachimura might not be the most important Laker, but he’s a key player in the rotation. And if he stays playing at this level, it raises the ceiling on how good the Lakers can be.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, the consensus top-five player in the world, former MVP, and NBA champion, has been linked to the Knicks for quite a while now. It started with analysts wondering what Giannis in New York could look like, and slowly, but surely, it evolved into full-blown rumors that both sides were interested.

Now, we don’t know the full picture in terms of the level of interest, the timelines, and the likelihood.

Outside of the few people involved in the situation, we can only speculate, decipher quotes, and try to decipher body language as if we were detectives. But the Antetokounmpo-Knicks rumor has become the latest background noise of the NBA rumor mill, and for many, it has become somewhat tiresome and old. Yet, the prospect of pairing Jalen Brunson with one of the best players in the world, and bringing said player to the self-proclaimed Mecca of Basketball has kept up the hopes of a handful of fans.

And for those fans, Monday presented even more anticipation in the shape of Marc Stein’s Substack, The Stein Line. In it, the NBA writer wrote about how there have been rumblings about the Knicks wanting in on former Buck, Jrue Holiday. New York believes that the veteran point guard would be a great backcourt complement to Brunson, given his ability to both play on the ball and off the ball, and of course, his great point-of-attack defense. But the Knicks presumably want Holiday for another reason. And that’s where the Greek Freak comes in.

The Knicks are under the assumption that if they weren’t the most attractive option for Antetokounmpo, bringing Holiday, a teammate the big man has praised time and time again, would solidify them as such.

RUMOR: There are “rumblings” that the Knicks have explored pathways to acquire Portland’s Jrue Holiday, per @TheSteinLine.

There’s a believed “fondness” for a Brunson–Holiday backcourt, plus possible added appeal for Giannis to reunite with Holiday if he were traded to New York. pic.twitter.com/ZZAqoGwTis

— SleeperKnicks (@SleeperKnicks) January 27, 2026

Acquiring the pair sounds great on paper, but there’s still a lot to consider. It would pretty much signal the end of Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges’ time as a Knick. They’d also have to part ways with Guerschon Yabusele, as well as Pacome Dadiet, and or Tyler Kolek. It would also likely mean having to trade for a starting center, as historically, Antetokounmpo doesn’t spend much time playing the five and operates best when he is paired with a stretch center.

Those problems may not seem significant given the potential to assemble a roster of Brunson, Holiday, OG Anunoby, Antetokounmpo, a starting center, Mitchell Robinson, Deuce McBride, and Josh Hart. However, executing this plan requires Dolan and Rose to decide the current roster can’t win and to consider risking the championship-or-bust mandate Dolan set.

With the February 5th trade deadline just nine days away, the Knicks must confront a clear crossroads. Should they stand pat and bet on regaining early-season form, or should they make a significant move, accepting short-term risks in pursuit of a transformative leap?

Who: Phoenix Suns (27-19) vs the Brooklyn Nets (12-32)

When: 7:00 pm Arizona Time

Where: Mortgage Matchup Center – Phoenix, Arizona

Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports

Listen: KMVP 98.7

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The Suns are looking to bounce back in the Valley after two straight devastating losses in the past few days. They take on the Brooklyn Nets, a team that has struggled this season, but put on a decent show against the Suns in their last meeting. Even if it felt like the Suns were in control of that game entirely, the Nets did have some runs that made you realize, if they get hot, it could be over here.

Unfortunately for the Suns, the injury bug is still in town after residing in the Valley all season long. Suns star player Devin Booker has already been ruled out due to an ankle injury and will be reevaluated in a week. Their other primary scorer, Jalen Green, also aggravated his hamstring and missed their last contest, too. Hopefully, he can be back to help an offense that struggled without its two best scorers previously.

The Nets are scrappy, though, and have some solid names who have been showing out this season. A guy in Michael Porter Jr. has completely changed the narrative about him offensively in this new role. With Jordi Fernandez being a smart coach as well, this team has outdone expectations each season and could pull a fast one on the Suns fans while on the road.

Probable Starters

Injury Report

Suns

• Devin Booker — OUT (Ankle)
• Jalen Green — QUESTIONABLE (Hamstring)
• Jordan Goodwin — AVAILABLE (Jaw Sprain)

Nets

• Noah Clowney OUT — (Illness/Back Soreness)
• Tyrese Martin QUESTIONABLE —(Illness/Left Knee Soreness)
• Cam Thomas PROBABLE — (Left Ankle Sprain)
• Nolan Traore PROBABLE — (Illness)

What to Watch For

For the Suns, we will watch to see how this offense looks without its two best scorers. The Suns seemed to struggle in their last matchup against the Heat. The Suns shot only 20% from three in that game, which is concerning given that their three-point shot is a main focal point of their offensive success. The Suns are going to have to be more consistent on that end to keep this game close. If they struggle once again from three, it will be interesting to see how they get the offense going.

For the Nets, it is very similar: will their offense also come alive? In their last game, their offense failed to show up, scoring only 89 points. With the Suns having a top-tier defense, the Nets will likely struggle, just as they have all season. That being said, if the Suns’ offense is not locked in, the defense has to be, for them to ultimately have a fighter’s chance.

Keys to a Suns Win

Even with the Nets’ worst record, this will not be a cakewalk for the Suns. After getting embarrassed on their home court by the Heat and losing that season series, I expect the Suns to bring that same aggression against the Nets. Who cares if the Nets are a bottom-feeder team? Getting a series sweep would boost this team’s morale, which is still looking to rise in the standings.

To accomplish that, the defense will have to be locked in and give them their chance. We all know this team does not give up, and looking for that bounce-back game, they will show that hunger on the court. Having them relentlessly be pests for this Nets offense, forcing turnovers, will help this team get ahead. Then they also have to limit MPJ and make sure he does not have a historic night. If both of those things can come true, the fans should be blessed with a victory to celebrate.

Prediction

Even with all the skepticism coming into this one, the better team will be victorious. That being said, the Suns will win and gain some much-needed momentum heading into the rest of this homestand.

Suns 108, Nets 96

Lakers coach JJ Redick didn’t outright call out star guard Luka Doncic’s passing — or lack of it — after the team’s Thursday loss to the Clippers.

But he also didn’t absolve Doncic from any fault in the issue, saying that Doncic has “got to trust the pass…[when] he’s playing in a crowd, he’s got to pass the ball.”

Doncic’s response? 

Back-to-back double-digit assists performances, including a 46-point, 12-assist showing in Monday’s road win over the Chicago Bulls for Doncic’s third 40-point, 10-assist game of the season. 

“I was just being aggressive,” Doncic said.

Doncic has downplayed Redick’s comments about his passing since being asked about them after the loss to the Clippers, though he acknowledged his responsibility to be the catalyst for ball movement as the team’s primary ball handler.

And the numbers suggest that Doncic hasn’t made a significant shift to his game since the loss to the Clippers.

But it feels likeDoncic has made a shift.

Getting off the ball a little bit earlier than usual. And with a little bit more intentionality. 

And it isn’t just an observation. Rui Hachimura acknowledged the team had a meeting in which Redick told his star players that they need to pass more. 

“I want to give it credit to our coaches, especially JJ. They talked to the main [ball handlers]: LeBron [James], Luka, those guys, they always have the ball. And they told them that in the team meeting that they need to be looking more for their teammates. And that’s what they’ve been doing. 

“They took it in a good way and that’s what they’ve been doing. Everybody gets touches and everybody shares a ball. It’s fun. That’s how basketball should be. We got to keep doing it.”

It’s unlikely the Lakers will become a high-frequency passing team. 

It isn’t necessary for success.

Their 269.8 passes per game entering the win over the Bulls ranked No. 27 across the league. 

And with Doncic, James and Austin Reaves — who’s expected to return to the lineup within the next week — having the ability to create advantages in a variety of ways, the Lakers don’t always need to pass to create the best scoring opportunity.

But there’s a benefit to the Lakers’ star players, and especially Doncic, for getting their teammates more involved via passing.

They’re more engaged offensively. They’ll play harder defenisively because they’re more engaged. And trust will build. 

“When you’ve got a playmaker like that,” Jaxson Hayes said of Doncic. “Just somebody on your team who can just make any type of plays happen like that passing or shooting, obviously you just gotta give them a chance.”

And when Doncic is in a passing rhythm like he was when he made the behind-the-back pass to Gabe Vincent off a live dribble before Vincent made the swing pass to assist Rui Hachimura for a 3-pointer to put the Lakers up 89-80 in the third against the Bulls, it can be just as infectious on the team’s energy as one of Doncic’s stepback 3s.

“I’ve talked about this: he’s an engine that’s fully on, and he likes to create out there, and that’s a part of what makes him a great player,” Redick said. “Because I played with him, I have a pretty good understanding of that. Not to say it doesn’t test your patience at times, but you have to be willing to live with some of the stuff that he tries. Because more often than not, you’re going to get a great result.

“And he had some great passes. He made some amazing shots. But there’s that creative element that he needs to thrive, and you’ve got to allow that. 

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It’s fitting that someone got dinged up in the worst loss of the season.

The Sixers released their injury report as they host the Milwaukee Bucks on the second leg of a back-to-back Tuesday. After not playing in the first leg in Charlotte, Joel Embiid and Paul George are both listed with left knee injury management. A key distinction is that Embiid is questionable where George is probable.

In the games he’s played in recently, Embiid had gotten the probable tag, so that’s worth keeping an eye on. He was favoring that leg after Ariel Hukporti inadvertently fell on him in the second half of a loss to the Knicks over the weekend. The only games Embiid has missed so far in the month of January have been resting parts of a back-to-back.

The new addition to the injury report is Quentin Grimes, listed as questionable with a right ankle sprain. This likely happened in the first quarter of the blowout loss to the Hornets Monday. Grimes was fouled shooting a three-pointer by Collin Sexton. Grimes didn’t leave the game at that point, but was definitely shaken up after landing on Sexton’s foot and rolling his ankle.

Perhaps a day off or two is something Grimes needs as well. Over his last 13 games he’s shooting 42.7% from the field and just 26.9% from three. If Grimes’ recent struggles won’t do it, perhaps missing time will open up an opportunity for Jared McCain to fight his way back into the rotation. After being out of it for six games, McCain got plenty of open run in garbage time against the Hornets to put up 16 points shooting 4-of-8 from three-point range.

For Milwaukee, they’ll be without Taurean Prince and Kevin Porter Jr., both of whom have been banged up all season. No absence looms larger though than Giannis Antetokounmpo, now missing an extended stretch due to a calf injury for the second time this season.

The Sixers should hope that their guys can go tonight, because a Giannis-less Bucks team is the perfect opportunity to bounce back from an embarrassing blowout from the night prior.

The Phoenix Suns host the Brooklyn Nets in NBA action on Tuesday night. Brooklyn's offense has been pathetic, and with Devin Booker sidelined for Phoenix, my Nets vs. Suns predictions are expecting a low-scoring game.

Here are my best free NBA picks for this clash on January 27.

Nets vs Suns prediction

Nets vs Suns best bet: Under 211 (-110)

This is a low total, but I don't think it's quite low enough. The Phoenix Suns are missing their best player, Devin Booker, who leads the team with 25.4 points and 6.2 assists per game. In five games without him this season, they have averaged just 100.4 ppg on 40.3% shooting. 

They host a Brooklyn Nets squad that plays at the second-slowest pace in the NBA and ranks 26th in offensive rating.

The Nets are dead-last in the league in scoring with 107.9 ppg and will struggle to get buckets against Phoenix, who hold foes to just 107.6 ppg at home. 

Nets vs Suns same-game parlay

The Suns are 14-6 at home this season, while the Nets have just two wins in their last 15 games. Even without Booker, the home side should have a half-time lead and will hang on for a victory.

Brooklyn's second-leading scorer Cam Thomas (16.2 ppg) is probable after missing Sunday's blowout loss to the Clippers with a sprained ankle. That said, Thomas has scored less than 10 points in five of his last six games and has seen a reduced role with the Nets, giving their younger players more run.

Nets vs Suns SGP

• Under 211
• Suns moneyline — 1H
• Suns moneyline
• Cam Thomas Under 12.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Suns shut down Nets

Suns guard Jordan Goodwin has logged 2+ steals in 17 of his last 32 games. He'll get more playing time with Booker sidelined, which gives this leg of the parlay tons of value at +170.

Nets vs Suns SGP

• Under 211
• Suns moneyline — 1H
• Suns moneyline
• Cam Thomas Under 12.5 points
• Jordan Goodwin Over 1.5 steals

Nets vs Suns odds

• Spread: Nets +8.5 | Suns -8.5
• Moneyline: Nets +300 | Suns -380
• Over/Under: Over 211 | Under 211

Nets vs Suns betting trend to know

The Nets have cashed the Under in 23 of their last 35 away games (+10.90 Units / 28% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Nets vs. Suns.

How to watch Nets vs Suns

Nets vs Suns latest injuries

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

Late on Sunday, the NBA unveiled the roster for its 2025-2026 Rising Stars game. Reed Sheppard, alongside several of his peers from the draft class, received an invitation, joining a mix of rookies and G League players. Sheppard will take part in a mini-tournament, going head-to-head with 20 other rookies and second-year players. NBA legends Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady, and Vince Carter will oversee the team selections, while Austin Rivers will coach the G League team. Among those joining Reed from the 2024 draft class are Stephon Castle (San Antonio Spurs), Matas Buzelis (Chicago Bulls), and Alex Sarr (Washington Wizards), to name just a few.

Even before the season began, the Houston Rockets and their supporters knew Reed Sheppard needed to step up his game in his second year. The Kevin Durant trade, which saw Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and some future draft choices leave town, left the Rockets a bit short-handed in the backcourt, and it was obvious Sheppard’s role was about to grow. That need became even more pressing when Fred VanVleet went down with a torn ACL in September. Sheppard has more than risen to the occasion, currently averaging 13 points, 3.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. He’s also been on fire from beyond the arc, shooting an impressive 40.7%. He’s been a key contributor off the bench, providing several crucial performances this season, making this recognition completely deserved.

The winner of the Rising Stars tournament, scheduled for February 13, will then compete against the All-Stars on February 15. Amen Thompson took the court for the Rockets in last year’s Rising Stars game. He squared off against Alperen Sengun, his fellow Rocket, with Thompson’s squad ultimately taking the win in the San Francisco mini-tournament.

This year, Sheppard hopefully will be joined by Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun making the main All-Star game.

Houston’s next matchup is on Wednesday, a contest against Victor Wembenyama and the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center. The game is scheduled to begin at 8:30 PM. As usual, keep an eye on The Dream Shake for pre- and post-game analysis.

There is something off about this team right now and it’s hard to know what it is. No, it is not your typical need- for-a-trade or short no-concern slump, this is much deeper than that. Recently, the Nets haven’t gone through highs and lows. It has been lows and lower lows. From getting embarrassed at MSG to getting into a tight contest with one of the best teams in the NBA in the Boston Celtics, to losing to 30 to a Los Angeles Clipper team that beat them by 59 just a year ago, something is different Time to break the chain.

Brooklyn will look to make that change tonight as they will take on the Phoenix Suns for the second time in eight days. This time, they will be in Phoenix, which is not a good sign considering the fact that the Suns are 14-6 at home. So the Nets will continue to fight their demons, this time in the desert, and hopefully come out alive. One battle after another.

Where To Watch

Check out the late night action at 9:00 p.m. ET on the YES Network and NBA League Pass, as well as streaming on the Gotham Sports App.

Injury Report 

Noah Clowney will be out due to back soreness. Tyrese Martin is questionable due to left knee soreness. Two of the two ways — Tyson Etienne and Chaney Johnson — will report to Long Island. Ben Saraf is with Brooklyn as is E.J. Liddell.

Huge blow to the Suns as Devin Booker will sit out due to a right ankle injury he suffered in the Suns’ loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Jalen Green is again questionable, depending on how his hamstring feels.

The Game

Since these two teams played just a bit over a week ago, I’ll spare you the details. All you need to know is that the Suns are a well oiled machine. Thanks to our good old buddy and potential Coach of the Year candidate Jordan Ott, Phoenix has surprised many NBA fans by not only the amount of success they have accumulated, but also the amount of players who have developed immensely.

The difference with this preview is that Devin Booker won’t be one of the primary focuses of the Nets due to his injury. And even though the Suns are a well oiled machine, it’s be hard get to their destination without their engine. Without Booker, Phoenix’s offensive rating goes from 117.7 (6th in the league), to 102.1 (30th in the league). On the other end, their defensive rating goes from 113.0 (11th in the league), to 117.8 (26th in the league).

So now that we are aware of Booker’s impact, the Nets could have a shot in this one, hopefully. An official member of the NBA’s Rising Stars, Egor Demin, could see more success driven by confidence. With accolades like this on his resume, it also means that he has the right to take more shots, and not just from three. In the games against the Knicks and Celtics, Denim took four and seven shots, getting six points in both games. His aggression will be needed.

This also calls for MPJ to be more efficient. As he probably knows himself after a forgettable 3-of-11 performance against the Clippers in 22 minutes. I would like to see the rookies do their thing of course because…. I just want them to. I like when the Flatbush Five does well (Who doesn’t?)

Player To Watch: Collin Gillespie

In their last matchup, Gillespie killed the Nets. He scored 22 points on a very efficient 7-of-10 from the field, including 5-of-7 from beyond the arc. Time and time again, Gillespie continues to prove how good he is despite being overlooked in the beginning of his career. For the season, he is averaging 13.4 points while shooting 42% from the 3-point line. And with Booker out, I feel like Gillespie will have the ball in his hands way more. Do not be surprised if he goes off.

The Vault:

33 NBA scouts are in attendance to watch AJ Dybantsa take on Koa Peat & Arizona right now. pic.twitter.com/hgGS3J2o5l

— NetsKingdom 👑🗽 (@NetsKingdomAJ) January 27, 2026

As the draft gets closer and the Nets draft odds get higher expect to see more of this: large groups of scouts gathering in places like Provo, Lawrence, Chapel Hill and Durham. Last night’s BYU vs. Arizona matchup was a high level game featuring a few NBA lottery candidates. At the moment, Nets have the lottery pick with the fifth best odds of getting the overall No. 1 and three high seconds. Brooklyn fans, take your pick.

According to one league source, Brooklyn has the league’s biggest scouting corps and it recently hired Acie Law IV away from the Thunder to be scouting director, same job he held in OKC.

More reading: Bright Side of the Sun, SB Nation NBA, New York Post, New York Daily News, Clutch Points, Nets Wire, Steve’s Newsletter, City of Nets

• Brooklyn Nets Game Notes – Brooklyn Nets

• Phoenix Suns Game Notes – Phoenix Suns
• Brooklyn takes on Phoenix, aims to end 5-game slide – AP
• The schedule quirk that explains how the Nets got here — and where their draft hopes are headed ($) – Brian Lewis – New York Post
• Nets left clinging to draft lottery hopes as dark stretch takes over – Howie Kussoy – New York Post