In the latest sign that Jayson Tatum appears on a path to return to the Celtics before the end of the season, he has been assigned to the Celtics G-League team for a day of practice, Boston announced Monday.
Jayson Tatum will be assigned to participate in portions of the @MaineCeltics practice at the Auerbach Center this afternoon.
Following this practice, Tatum will be immediately recalled to the Boston Celtics, where he will continue his rehab process.
An assignment to a G-League team to get in a practice is now a common part of an injury return, even LeBron James was assigned to the G-League for a day this season. NBA teams do not practice much — especially this deep into the season, when recovery remains the most important thing — so assigning a player to a G-League team means he can get in a full practice while the team has the day off.
There remains no timetable for Tatum's return, but when asked, the organization says he is "making progress" in his recovery from a torn Achilles.
Tatum suffered that injury last May, in Game 4 of the Celtics' second-round series against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Recovery time for an NBA player from a torn Achilles is generally around 10-12 months, which could have Tatum back in March. At 34-19, Boston sits as the No. 3 seed in the East, and it's easy to envision how the return of their best player could spark a deep Celtics' playoff run in an open conference. That said, Tatum admitted he is re-thinking a return, in part because he doesn't want to rush his physical process, and in part because this team has found an identity without him this season and he doesn't want to parachute in and mess it up.
Tatum may be thinking about it, but a G-League assignment is a sign he is nearing a return.
The motion for a temporary injunction has been denied by Judge Daniel Pruet, according to The Tuscaloosa News ― part of the USA TODAY Network ― on Monday, Feb. 9. That means the 7-foot center's time with the Crimson Tide and return to college basketball are over.
The decision overturns the temporary restraining order by Judge James Roberts Jr. that Bediako received on Jan. 21 against the NCAA that made him immediately eligible.
Bediako originally played for Alabama from 2021 to 2023 before appearing in 82 games across three seasons in the G League.
“I respectfully ask the Court to uphold the NCAA eligibility rules challenged in this case, which are essential to the integrity of college sports, to the educational mission they serve, and to the opportunities they provide for current and future student-athletes,” Sankey wrote in the affidavit.
Bediako appeared in five games for the Crimson Tide, averaging 10 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game in 21.6 minutes. He had 12 points in Alabama's 96-92 win over Alabama on Saturday, Feb. 7.
The NCAA's argument against Bediako’s eligibility is that he signed multiple professional contracts since leaving Alabama after the 2022-23 season, which make him ineligible to return to the sport, according to the organization’s longstanding eligibility rules.
Bediako's return to college basketball is happening during a period when several former G League players have been added to college rosters for this season.
NCAA statement on Charles Bediako being ruled ineligible
NCAA President Charlie Baker released a statement on Bediako being ruled ineligible on Monday, Feb. 9.
“Common sense won a round today. The court saw this for what it is: an attempt by professionals to pivot back to college and crowd out the next generation of students," he wrote in a statement released on social media.
NCAA President Charlie Baker statement: “Common sense won a round today. The court saw this for what it is: an attempt by professionals to pivot back to college and crowd out the next generation of students. College sports are for students, not for people who already walked away…
"College sports are for students, not for people who already walked away to go pro and now want to hit the ‘undo’ button at the expense of a teenager’s dream. While we’re glad the court upheld the rules our members actually want, one win doesn't fix the national mess of state laws. It’s time for Congress to stop watching from the sidelines and help us provide some actual stability.”
Will Alabama have to forfeit games Charles Bediako played in?
No, Alabama will not have to forfeit the games Bediako played in because he was eligible due to a TRO. He appeared in five games with the Crimson Tide, with the team going 3-2.
Alabama beat Auburn 96-92 on Saturday, Feb. 7, and defeated Texas A&M 100-97 on Feb. 4. The Crimson Tide also had a 90-64 win over Missouri. They lost to Tennessee and Florida in that span.
I keep this page updated every time a deal goes down, and with the 2026 NBA trade deadline behind us, it’s time for another update.
Capologist. Have you heard this term? Given the complexities of the NBA salary cap, full of terminologies like options, luxury tax, first and second apron, mid-level exception, and Bird rights, you may feel like you need a PhD to understand it. You don’t. You just need this page, you capologist, you!
Fear not. We are collaborating with SalarySwish to leverage their data to answer any and all questions you could have about the Suns’ roster construction.
So bookmark this page, because this is where you’ll find answers to all of your questions, updated in real-time, with context and updates as they occur.
Now, onto the info…
Phoenix Suns Roster, Salaries, Draft Picks, Cap Space and More
Here is a table with all of the Suns’ salary information, courtesy of our friends at SalarySwish:
With all that data to unpack, let’s break down a few key takeaways, what they mean, and the questions they raise.
FAQ
How much salary cap space do the Suns have?
First, a refresher of the thresholds for the 2025-26 season:
— Bright Side of the Sun (@BrightSideSun) July 16, 2025
The team currently has one roster spot open, but with three two-way contracted players, the team will most likely fill that final spot with one of them. My guess? Jamaree Bouyea.
How much will the Suns pay in luxury taxes this year?
In short? As noted above, nothing. This team was the most expensive team in NBA history a season ago. Now? From a cap hit perspective, they are the 11th cheapest in the league.
What draft picks do the Suns have?
It can get confusing, but this is where the Suns have landed after all their wheeling and dealing. The short version? Phoenix holds seven draft picks, though many come wrapped in conditions that make them more decorative than practical.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 20: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons plays against the Charlotte Hornets at Little Caesars Arena on December 20, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Troy Weaver vindicated? The Detroit Pistons are facing an incredibly dangerous Charlotte Hornets team, and a bunch of that credit must go to head coach Charles Lee. He’s gotten his team to buy in, unlocked its mishmash of high-level offensive talent, and the Hornets have gone from cute story to real danger climbing up the standings in the East. Lee, of course, was the head coach candidate whom Troy Weaver wanted to hire two years ago before he was overruled by Pistons owner Tom Gores and Vice Chairman Arn Tellem, who forced Detroit’s general manager to hire Monty Williams instead. We all know how that worked out.
The Hornets enter tonight looking for the franchise’s first 10-game winning streak since 1998, which is also the last time the team had a 50-win season. The Hornets started too slowly to reach 50 wins this season, but they are a better team than their record suggests, and this performance is no mirage. While they are justifiably known for that potent offense, which has been the best in the NBA during the team’s nine-game win streak, the defense is no pushover. Over that same span, it ranks fifth in the NBA, one spot better than the Pistons. Detroit will likely need to win with its defense, as it has all season, but will need to do so without Ron Holland, who is out tonight for personal reasons.
Detroit loves a statement game this season, and hopefully, they realize this can be one of them.
Game Vitals
When: 7 p.m. ET Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina How: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit Odds: Pistons -2.5
LOS ANGELES — Before the Lakers’ victory over the Warriors, president of basketball operations/general manager Rob Pelinka told a handful of beat reporters the team would likely fill its 15th and final open roster spot after doing its “due diligence”.
A few hours later, the Lakers solidified how they wanted to use the roster slot by signing Kobe Bufkin to a two-year contract with a team option for the 2026-27 season in a move that may have gone under the radar since it was first reported late on a Saturday night and became official during Sunday’s Super Bowl.
While the Lakers could’ve gone in different directions for filling out their roster, signing Bufkin was the right move.
The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guard Kobe Bufkin to a two-year contract, solidifying their final roster spot. NBAE via Getty Images
Before even getting into what makes Bufkin worthy of being a full-time NBA player — and how he is likely outside the regular rotation for the remainder of this season — the Lakers’ other opportunities for their final roster spot needs to be addressed.
Because most times a roster or personnel move is made, there are, naturally, statements that fit into the “would’ve, could’ve, should’ve” narrative.
Yes, the Lakers could’ve tried to sign someone off the buyout/midseason free agency market.
Cam Thomas, who’s since signed with the Bucks after being waived by the Nets, and Haywood Highsmith, who like Thomas was also waived by the Nets last week, were popular names tied to the Lakers.
But individually, both players either didn’t fit or came with their own risks.
Charlotte Hornets guard Sion James, left, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bufkin defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 15. AP
For as talented as Thomas is, and his skillset is evident in the 21.4 points he’s averaged over the last three seasons, did the Lakers need a score-first, smaller guard who’s a liability on the defensive end of the floor? And unlike Bufkin, the team signing Thomas (the Bucks in this case) would either need to have or open up a spot in the rotation so Thomas could receive regular playing time. With Austin Reaves back in the lineup and the trade for Luke Kennard, the Lakers simply don’t have a need for what Thomas brings.
Highsmith would’ve been a tantalizing option, with the 6-foot-5 forward having a skillset (high-level perimeter defense, 38.8% shooting on 3-pointers the last two seasons) and motor the Lakers lack. But Highsmith has yet to play this season after having surgery in early August to repair a meniscal tear in his right knee — a procedure that was originally supposed to sideline him for eight-to-10 weeks.
The critiques about the Lakers’ options besides signing Bufkin highlight a bigger point: the buyout/midseason free agency market rarely provides players who’ll have a positive impact on a team’s chances of making noise in the playoffs, let alone contend for the championship.
Kobe Bufkin and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers shake hands before the game against the LA Clippers on January 22. NBAE via Getty Images
The team’s last two signings off the buyout market — Spencer Dinwiddie in 2024 and Alex Len last year — are usually how those types of midseason additions impact a team compared to Markieff Morris’ run with the 2020 Lakers that won the NBA title.
In Bufkin, the Lakers are getting a 22-year-old guard who they had interest in drafting in 2023 before he was taken by the Hawks, two spots ahead of the Lakers using the No. 17 pick to select Jalen Hood-Schifino.
As the No. 15 pick in 2023, Bufkin not only has the pedigree but also the size (6-foot-4 with a 6-foot-8 wingspan) to be successful in the NBA. Success in the G League doesn’t translate to success in the NBA, but the way Bufkin played for the Lakers’ South Bay G League affiliate shouldn’t be overlooked. He’s also shown he’s willing to step up his play defensively.
The Lakers have seen multiple younger or lesser-experienced players they’ve invested in have positive impacts on their next team after the Lakers decided not to see that investment through — with Jordan Goodwin being the latest example after they waived him over the summer to become salary cap compliant before signing Marcus Smart.
By signing Bufkin, the Lakers give themselves an opportunity to see what they can get out of their investment on a talented, young and inexpensive player — an especially important factor in the modern NBA with how punitive the salary cap aprons are for team building.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 27: Pat Spencer #61 of the Golden State Warriors and Cam Spencer #24 of the Memphis Grizzlies look on during the game on October 27, 2025 at Chase Center in San Francisco, 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
With just two games left before the NBA All-Star Break, the Golden State Warriors return to the Chase Center to host the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night. The game will be played at 7:00 PM PT in San Francisco and can be watched on NBC Sports Bay Area.
Golden State split its recent two-game road trip following Saturday’s 105–99 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. The effort was there, and the Warriors competed on both ends throughout the night. However, playing without Stephen Curry for the third straight game, the offense once again had to lean heavily on perimeter shooting — an area where the team struggled mightily, going just 14-of-51 from three (27.5%) on the night.
Moses Moody was one of the few bright spots offensively, leading the Warriors with 25 points, including five made threes.
It’s expected to be another shorthanded matchup for both sides of tonight’s game. Curry and newly acquired Warriors’ big man Kristaps Porzingis are not expected to return until after the All-Star Break, while Memphis will also be without star point guard Ja Morant.
Warriors are 8.5-point favorites tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies at Chase Center. Stephen Curry (runner's knee) and Kristaps Porzingis (left Achilles tendon management) out with Seth Curry (sciatica) for Golden State. Ja Morant/Zach Edey among those out for Memphis.
While playing with a depleted roster following last week’s trade deadline, several Warriors have stepped into larger roles, including Pat Spencer. The former two-way guard was signed to a standard NBA contract prior to Saturday’s game against the Lakers and rewarded the team with 14 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and a steal in his spot start.
Spencer has provided valuable depth throughout the season, and his downhill pressure at the rim should continue to create the paint touches and perimeter opportunities that head coach Steve Kerr has emphasized during this stretch. Not to mention, he’ll get a chance to play against his brother, Cam Spencer, as Golden State looks to bounceback against a Grizzlies team that has a 2-8 record over their last 10 games.
Steve Kerr on Pat Spencer earning a standard NBA contract with the Warriors for the rest of the season:
“Thrilled to have Pat. The impact he has on our team, whether he’s play or not is pretty profound… you see what happens when we give him real opportunities.” pic.twitter.com/TgkIya5aSv
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 19: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on January 19, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Nic Antaya/Getty Images) | Getty Images
BOSTON — Jayson Tatum is practicing with the Maine Celtics on Monday as he continues to recover from an Achilles rupture he suffered last week, the Celtics shared in an official press release.
Tatum will be assigned to participate in portions of the Maine Celtics practice at the Auerbach Center this afternoon. Following this practice, Tatum will be immediately recalled to the Boston Celtics, where he will continue his rehab process. Fellow Celtics players Hugo Gonzalez and Amari Williams are joining Tatum at practice.
It’s been almost 9 months since Tatum first suffered the injury, and the Celtics have never offered a recovery timeline.
It’s not unusual for athletes to be assigned to their G-League affiliate as they near a full recovery; earlier this year, for example, LeBron James practiced with the Los Angeles Lakers’ G-League affiliate, and five days later, he made his season debut as he recovered from an offseason bout of sciatica.
Similarly, Kristaps Porzingis practiced with the G-League last fall as he rehabbed an offseason ankle surgery, and six days later, made his season debut.
That doesn’t mean that Tatum’s return is just a week away — but it does open the door for that possibility.
Last week, Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said that Tatum still has “a ways to go.”
“When it’s right, then we’ll all sit down and talk about it,” Stevens said. “There’s still no force from us. There’s no pressure from us. But there’s also not gonna be any of us saying, ‘Well, why doesn’t he just take another week?’ When he’s ready, he’s ready.”
Without Tatum, the Celtics are 34-19, owners of the Eastern Conference’s third-best net rating.
Courtney Williams and Saniya Rivers will be wearing new Unrivaled jerseys come next weekend. | Getty Images
Unrivaled, a league full of firsts, has announced the second trade—and first in-season trade—in league history.
On Monday morning, the league announced that Courtney Williams has been traded from Vinyl BC to Breeze BC, Saniya Rivers from Hive BC to Vinyl BC and Azurá Stevens from Rose BC to Hive BC. The trade comes in the wake of Aari McDonald’s season ending right leg injury; McDonald had only played one game for Breeze.
The conditions of the four-club deal are definite yet confusing. Per Unrivaled’s announcement, Breeze doesn’t seem to be forfeiting anything for Williams. The league also didn’t announce anyone going to Rose in return for Stevens. However, it is worth noting that Clare Duwelius serves as the lone general manager of Unrivaled; clubs do not have individual GMs. Transactions, thus, do not abide by the typical protocol or processes of WNBA trades.
The first Unrivaled trade came prior to Season 1, when Courtney Williams, Jackie Young, Tiffany Hayes and Natasha Cloud were swapped in a similar multi-team deal. This Season 2 deal thus makes Williams the first veteran of the 3×3 trade market.
With Breeze, Rose, Vinyl, and Hive respectively occupying spots No. 4 through No. 7 in the league’s current standings, the four-team deal doesn’t project to shake up the top of the league. However, it gives the Breeze a notable boost at the guard spot behind Paige Bueckers. That extra backcourt depth could be enough to make up some ground on the league leaders, especially considering they didn’t give up anything for Williams.
Vinyl is adding a highlight defender in Saniya Rivers, improving an already solid team defense. Vinyl is also one of the league’s tallest teams, a trend that Rivers, a 6-foot-1 guard, will fit. Vinyl, however, will have to put a larger burden of playmaking on Rhyne Howard and Erica Wheeler in the absence of Williams.
Unrivaled’s Saniya Rivers already settling in with Vinyl BC after being traded from Hive BC. 💿🖤
Stevens, now en route to the Hive, had a hot start to Unrivaled Season 2, but her production had quickly withered in the past two weeks, in part due to injury issues. Coming off a one-possession win, Hive will hope that she can reprise her scoring as they try to make a push in the waning half of the season. Ezi Magbegor is also dealing with an injury, giving Stevens a chance to inherit big minutes for her new team. Sans Stevens, Rose will have to add a developmental player if any of their players miss a game. Their current roster sits at just five players, and the developmental pool can be triggered when a team drops below five.
VILLARREAL, Spain (AP) — Villarreal scored twice in each half to hammer Espanyol 4-1 in La Liga and hand the Catalan club its heaviest defeat of the season on Monday.
The result ended a poor run which had seen Villarreal take one point from its previous three games. The win lifted it to equal on points with third-placed Atletico Madrid and seven ahead of Real Betis, although Villareal has a game in hand on both.
Georges Mikautadze gave Villarreal the lead 10 minutes before halftime when he met Tajon Buchanan's perfectly cushioned header and fired home a spectacular scissor kick.
Jose Salinas’ own goal six minutes later doubled Villarreal’s lead. Nicolas Pepe added the third five minutes into the second half when he rifled a low shot from outside the box after some skilful footwork.
Alberto Moleiro made it 4-0 five minutes later when he finished off an incisive counterattack.
Leandro Cabrera’s glancing header from a Cyril Ngonge corner with two minutes remaining was Espanyol’s only response.
Barcelona-based Espanyol has not won since before Christmas and has gone six matches without a win in the league. Monday's result marked the first time this season it conceded four goals in a game. It remained in sixth place.
Feb 7, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Utah Jazz center Jaren Jackson Jr. (20) shoots during the second half against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | Mike Watters-Imagn Images
After a wonderful debut to the Jaren Jackson Jr. era of Jazz basketball, Utah continues its east-coast roadtrip against the Miami Heat tonight. Jackson Jr., who impressed with 22 points and three steals, did not play in the fourth quarter after the Jazz led by 15 points in the third quarter against the Orlando Magic.
To say that national pundits were unhappy with Utah’s tanking job on social media would be an understatement. Unlike its tanking peers, Utah has not shut-down its stars Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Keyonte George for the remainder of the season with phantom injuries. Instead, they continue to play them, but have limited their minutes in favor of developing prospects at the end of games.
Arguably, this strategy is more honest and better for the league than shutting down players like Trae Young and Anthony Davis for the rest of the season. Fans get to watch starts like Markkanen and Jackson Jr. actually play, rather than missing the chance to watch them at all. In the name of retaining the pick and improving its future, the Jazz have no other choice.
DETROIT (AP) — Daniss Jenkins has earned an NBA contract with the Detroit Pistons, who signed the guard on Monday after he played 42 games this season on a two-way deal.
Jenkins is averaging eight points and three assists as a key player for the Eastern Conference -leading Pistons. In seven starts, he has averaged 15.3 points, 6.7 assists and 3.1 rebounds.
The 6-foot-4 Jenkins, who is from Dallas, played in seven games last season as an undrafted free agent after playing for St. John's, Iona and Pacific.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Clippers continue to await the results of the NBA's investigation of a business relationship between Kawhi Leonard and a California company he had an endorsement deal with.
Last September, a report by journalist Pablo Torre alleged the team violated the NBA’s salary cap rules involving a $28 million endorsement contract between Leonard and the now-bankrupt California-based sustainability services company called Aspiration Fund Adviser LLC.
Leonard has denied any wrongdoing, saying he didn't receive all of the money he was owed from the company.
The Clippers have strongly denied that any rules were broken and said it welcomed the league’s investigation, which is being run by an outside firm.
“We haven’t learned anything more than we have in September,” Lawrence Frank, president of basketball operations, said Monday. “We know it’s out there, we know at some point there’ll be a decision made. We very much feel the same thing that we told you back in September, that we’re on the right side of this. It really doesn’t impact anything we do on a daily basis.”
The Clippers are hosting this weekend’s NBA All-Star festivities at their year-old arena in Inglewood.
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer made a $50 million investment in Aspiration, and the company and the team announced a $300 million partnership in September 2021. That was about a month after Leonard signed a four-year, $176 million extension with the Clippers.
The team ended its relationship with Aspiration after two years, saying the contract was in default. Aspiration’s co-founder, Joseph Sanberg, agreed to plead guilty in August after facing federal charges of wire fraud. Prosecutors said he defrauded investors and lenders out of $248 million, adding that “Aspiration’s financial statements were inaccurate and reflected much higher revenue than the company in fact received.”
Aspiration owed Leonard about $7 million of the $28 million deal it had with him when the company filed for bankruptcy.
“I got to look back at the books,” Leonard said last September, “but it was more than that, for sure.”
Asked if he received the money he was owed, Leonard replied, “Uh, no, but the company went belly up. It was fraud as everyone knows.”
As for the allegation that he did nothing in exchange for being paid by Aspiration, Leonard said, “I don’t think it’s accurate.”
ROME (AP) — Donyell Malen scored in each half as Roma beat Cagliari 2-0 and stayed in touch with the chasing pack at the top of Serie A on Monday.
Leader Inter Milan was eight points clear of city rival AC Milan and nine ahead of reigning champion Napoli. Roma was three points further back along with Juventus.
Dutch center forward Malen had scored only once in four appearances since joining on loan from Aston Villa in January and he proved his worth on Monday with two excellent finishes.
He ran on to a clever through ball from Gianluca Mancini and his deft chip over the goalkeeper was equal to the set-up pass.
His second was more of a poacher’s effort as he got on the right side of a packed defense to turn in a low cross 20 minutes after the break.
The result served as a confidence booster ahead of next weekend’s crunch tie at Napoli.
Cagliari, which was seeking a fourth consecutive Serie A win for the first time in more than a decade, remained 12th.
Atalanta beats Cremonese
Atalanta moved to within two points of the European places after beating Cremonese 2-1.
Atalanta was unbeaten in its last seven league matches and in seventh spot, two points behind Como and seven behind Roma and Juventus.
Nikola Krstovic put Atalanta ahead after 13 minutes when he got on the end of a nice cross from Giacomo Raspadori. Davide Zappacosta made it 2-0 minutes later with a neat individual goal.
Atalanta's Lazar Samardžić and Berat Djimsiti also came close as they bossed the first 45 minutes.
Krstovic missed the best chance of the second half and Berat Djimsiti had a goal disallowed in stoppage time as Atalanta continued to dominate.
Morten Thorsby’s last-minute consolation for Cremonese gave the scoreline a more respectable sheen than the action suggested.
Cremonese was without a win in 10 games and sat 16th, just five points above the relegation zone.
The Milwaukee Bucks will try to extend their winning streak to four games as they visit the Orlando Magic tonight. Coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on Peacock.
Milwaukee has shown it can compete with much better teams even without its biggest star, which is why my Bucks vs. Magic predictions are siding with the underdog.
Read on for my free NBA picks for Monday, February 9.
Bucks vs Magic prediction
Bucks vs Magic best bet: Bucks +11 (-110)
Nobody thinks the Milwaukee Bucks are about to start thriving without Giannis Antetokounmpo, but Milwaukee’s fans have to be happy to see the team getting a few wins even as the superstar is recovering from his calf injury.
After starting 3-14 without Giannis this season, the Bucks have won three in a row, covering as underdogs in all three contests.
With or without Antetokounmpo, the Bucks have shown enough not to be a double-digit underdog to the Orlando Magic, even on the road.
The Magic are dealing with their own injury issues, with leading scorer Franz Wagner sitting out with an ankle injury. They’ve lost six of their last 10 overall.
Milwaukee has a -3.7 point differential, but Orlando is a mediocre -0.4 itself. Both teams are essentially equal in their offensive efficiency, with the Magic being marginally better on the defensive end.
While Orlando has a significantly better record and has more talent to cover them without Wagner — having Paolo Banchero on your roster helps a ton — the gap between these teams simply isn’t that big.
Bucks vs Magic same-game parlay
Along with taking Milwaukee to cover, I’m also throwing in a bet on the Over, as this total looks too low given the high-scoring games both teams have been playing lately.
Each of the last four head-to-heads has gone Over.
I’ll also back Myles Turner to pick up Over 6.5 rebounds, something he’s easily done in his last two games, picking up at least nine boards in each.
Bucks vs Magic SGP
Bucks +11
Over 220
Myles Turner Over 6.5 rebounds
Our "from downtown" SGP: Rollins keeps it rolling
Ryan Rollins has been firing away from deep lately, hitting at least three shots from beyond the arc in each of his last five games.
Bucks vs Magic SGP
Bucks +11
Over 220
Myles Turner Over 6.5 rebounds
Ryan Rollins Over 2.5 made threes
Bucks vs Magic odds
Spread: Bucks +10.5 | Magic -10.5
Moneyline: Bucks +375 | Magic -500
Over/Under: Over 220.5 | Under 220.5
Bucks vs Magic betting trend to know
The Bucks are 3-0 ATS in their last three games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Bucks vs. Magic.
How to watch Bucks vs Magic
Location
Kia Center, Orlando, FL
Date
Monday, February 9, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
Peacock
Bucks vs Magic latest injuries
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HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 4: The sneakers worn by Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets during the game against the Boston Celtics on February 4, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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 Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
