ATLANTA, GA - MAY 1: Chad Qualls #50 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches in the game against the Atlanta Braves on May 1, 2012 at Turner Field in Atlanta, Georgia. The Phillies beat the Braves 4-2. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In our last matchup, we had yet another blowout (not surprising really considering how bad the lower seeds were), with Jose Contreras easily overcoming Ronny Cedeño.
Here’s our next matchup:
4. Jeff Hoffman, 2023
Jeff Hoffman came up with the Rockies in 2016, and as most Colorado pitchers do, he struggled. After a couple of decent seasons in Cincinnati, Hoffman was a free agent and spent 2023 Spring Training with the Blue Jays. They chose not to include him on their Opening Day major league roster, so he returned to free agency. The Phillies signed him to a minor league deal, and he was famously used to pitch to a rehabbing Bryce Harper.
Harper said that Hoffman was really good, so the Phillies added him to the major league roster, and he soon developed into a top setup reliever, making the All-Star team in 2024.
13. Chad Qualls, 2012
Chad Qualls had a lengthy career as an effective reliever. After a solid year with the Padres in 2011, signed him to bolster their middle relief for 2012. (Keep in mind, that the Phillies had gotten used to getting at least seven strong innings from their starting pitchers the year prior, and middle relief wasn’t thought to be an especially demanding job.)
Just like the rest of the 2012 Phillies, Qualls was a major disappointment. He was used as one of their primary setup men to start the season but largely faltered in that role. At the end of June, he had a 4.60 ERA and five blown saves, so the Phillies shipped him off to the Yankees. He was also bad in New York, so the Yankees traded him to the Pirates less than a month later.
Today in Relief Room history 2012 the #Phillies send Chad Qualls to the NYY as part of a conditional deal. 30 days later the Yanks did him dirty & sent him to PIT. The surprising part is that he didn't fall down when he played for either of those teams. #Upsetpic.twitter.com/5A8kjGYUjc
Gore was 34 and, according to a social media post from his wife Britney, died following complications during a routine surgery. Gore is survived by his wife and three children
A revered teammate and dynamic personality, Gore’s tremendous speed kept him in the major leagues for parts of eight seasons and produced one of the most remarkable feats to which a player could lay claim: He was a 2015 World Series champion with the Royals in his second season in the bigs, but had not yet recorded his first major league hit.
We are heartbroken from the loss of Terrance Gore, and send our love to his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/qgZFkHRFSx
In fact, it wasn’t until his fifth major league season – 2018 with the Chicago Cubs – that he got his first hit, a single up the middle off future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer.
Yet his legs held immense value.
Gore was clocked at 4.29 seconds in the 40-yard dash, and the lower-revenue Royals, always seeking an edge, deployed him as a designated runner during their two-year run as American League champions that culminated in their 2015 title.
He was nearly impossible to catch: Gore was 17-for-17 in stolen bases to begin his career (though he was caught once in the postseason), finally getting nabbed by Cleveland catcher Roberto Perez in 2016.
By then, though, he was a cult hero in Kansas City, on a Royals team that in a powerball era somehow conjured up memories of its 1980s speed and defense dynasty. Led by All-Star Lorenzo Cain and buttressed by Jarrod Dyson and Gore, Kansas City found a way to topple bigger-market clubs and win its first championship in 30 years.
It was Dyson who famously coined the phrase “That’s what speed do,” yet even Dyson could not keep up with Gore, who stole a base and scored a walk-off run in his major league debut.
"I wouldn’t say I’m cocky," he told the Kansas City Star in 2014, "but I know I’m really fast.
"And it’s going to take a perfect throw."
Gore grew into a more fully-formed player in his second tour with the Royals, batting .275 with 14 hits in 58 at-bats in 2019, and swiping 13 bases in 18 attempts.
He’d latch on with the Dodgers, Braves and Mets in subsequent years, and got one more shot at postseason glory, appearing in the 2021 NLDS for Atlanta. Yet he showed how big his heart was once the Braves went on to win that World Series.
As the Braves celebrated closing out the Houston Astros in Game 6 of that Fall Classic, Gore made sure to pull out his phone and shoot a video call to pitcher Charlie Morton, who broke his foot in Game 1 and was home recuperating from surgery.
Terrance Gore = the ultimate teammate. The 3-time World Series champ video chatted Charlie Morton after the final out so he could celebrate with the @Braves.
Simply, he wanted Charlie to be part of the celebration. And somehow, wherever Gore went, a celebration – no matter how unlikely – of some sort was likely to follow.
Gore retired without a major league home run - or even a run batted in - yet managed to impact the game forever.
The Philadelphia 76ers play their fourth game in a five-game Western Conference swing when they head to Phoenix.
The Sixers have won five of their last six games, including two of the first three on this trip, while going 4-2 ATS.
Meanwhile, the Suns are squandering a favorable stretch, sitting at just 4-3 (3-4 ATS) during a run of 16 home games in 19 contests and coming off back-to-back home losses.
Phoenix is also banged up, which his why my 76ers vs. Suns predictions & NBA picks expect the Sixers to get a moneyline win on Saturday, February 7.
76ers vs Suns prediction
76ers vs Suns best bet: 76ers moneyline (+100)
The Philadelphia 76ers opened its Western Conference road swing with wins over Golden State and the Clippers. Those same two opponents have each posted wins at Phoenix, holding the Suns under 100 points.
The Phoenix Suns blew a 14-point lead against the Warriors, scoring just 15 points in the final quarter to help Golden State rally. They scored just seven points in the final 10 minutes and were shut out for the last 3:55.
Phoenix’s offense has sputtered largely due to injuries. Devin Booker has been out seven games with an ankle issue, and Jalen Green has missed six with hamstring and hip injuries, costing the Suns Booker’s scoring punch and Green’s 11 points per night on 42.3% shooting from three.
Making matters worse, Grayson Allen hurt his knee late in the Golden State game. That removes Phoenix’s most prolific three-point scorer and another 17.9 points per game.
The Sixers, meanwhile, are enjoying some stability after a crazy few weeks leading up to the trade deadline. The team lost the services of Paul George to suspension and had trade rumors swirling around before finally sending away Jared McCain. Despite that, the team has played well through the turmoil.
76ers vs Suns same-game parlay
The Suns have struggled to score, failing to reach 100 points in their last two home games and topping out at 102 or 103 in several recent outings.
With Phoenix ranked 22nd in pace and Philly 19th, a slower tempo favors the under, which has hit in both Suns games with totals this high and in three of five for the Sixers.
Meanwhile, Dillon Brooks has shouldered more offense with Booker out, boosting his shot attempts and averaging 25.1 points over the last seven games because even if Booker returns, his ankle could limit him.
76ers vs Suns SGP
Philadelphia 76ers moneyline
Under 224.5
Dillon Brooks Over 20.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Sixers getting more out of Edgecombe
VJ Edgecombe has been playing with growing confidence, shooting 18-of-36 over his last two games while posting performances of 19 and 25 points. He also torched Phoenix for 25 in their first meeting just over two weeks ago, showing he’s comfortable in that matchup.
76ers vs Suns SGP
Philadelphia 76ers moneyline
Under 224.5
Dillon Brooks Over 20.5 points
VJ Edgecombe Over 14.5 points
76ers vs Suns odds
Spread: 76ers +1.5 (-115) | Suns -1.5 (-105)
Moneyline: 76ers +100 | Suns -120
Over/Under: Over 222.5 (-115) | Under 222.5 (-105)
76ers vs Suns betting trend to know
The Phoenix Suns have only hit the Team Total Over in 12 of their last 35 games. Find more NBA betting trends for 76ers vs. Suns.
How to watch 76ers vs Suns
Location
Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, AZ
Date
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Tip-off
9:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBCS-Philadelphia, KTVK
76ers vs Suns latest injuries
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Oct 13, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) reacts after the seventh inning against the New York Mets in game four of the NLDS at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Looking back at the 2015 season, you can’t help but think of what was probably the greatest Cy Young battle in the modern era, as Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, and Jake Arrieta delivered a memorable three-way race, with the award going to the Cubs’ ace. Greinke and Kershaw were the heart and soul of that Dodgers pitching staff, with Greinke making a run at the scoreless innings record still held by Orel Hershiser and Kershaw putting up his only 300-strikeout campaign, the first one baseball had seen since Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling both did it in 2002.
Across their tenure as a one-two punch at the top of the Dodgers’ rotation, Kershaw and Greinke had probably their worst supporting cast that year, with them combining to accumulate 16.1 of the 18.1 bWAR the Dodgers staff had as a whole. Those two and the Dodgers’ staff as a whole met their match in an exciting five-game NLDS against the young and exciting Mets, but in Game 4, Kershaw reminded everyone who was the best in the business.
The upside of having two so dominant arms, particularly in the NLDS, was that if you showed the willingness to pitch one of them on short rest, you could have the two covering four out of the five starts of the series — that’s exactly what the Dodgers did. Finding themselves with their backs against the wall, trailing the series 2-1 and on the road, the Dodgers sent out Kershaw to start Game 4 in Queens, hoping to stay alive to give Greinke the ball back home.
A notorious Met killer in his career, Kershaw had fond memories of his last visit to New York, previously throwing a complete-game shutout against the Mets in 2015—part of an incredible run of form that saw him throw four straight scoreless appearances of eight innings or more. On the flip side, he had just been outdueled by Jacob deGrom in game 1 of this series, putting the Dodgers in this position of a must-win game just to stay alive. Kershaw’s Game 1 line was solid, as the sole blemish on his record through six frames had been a solo shot to Daniel Murphy. After a walk to Curtis Granderson loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh, his third walk of that frame, Pedro Báez replaced him only to give up a couple of runs in what turned out to be a 3-1 loss with deGrom dominating on the other side of it.
While the individual numbers and the subsequent loss were disappointing, Kershaw did pitch well that night, including securing 11 strikeouts, and with a little more efficiency, he’d be able to limit a Mets offense riding on the backs of a Daniel Murphy’s hot stretch that did go down in Mets history. More importantly, he faced Steven Matz in Game 4 and not deGrom, who alongside Kershaw became the first duo of starters to both strike out 11 or more batters in a postseason game.
If we can point to Báez, perhaps letting Kershaw down by allowing those two pivotal insurance runs to score in Game 1, for as dominant as Kershaw was on short rest in Game 4, the outlook might’ve been completely different if not for Justin Turner. The Dodgers’ starting third baseman not only got one of the biggest hits of the game in a 3-1 win, with a double that drove in two, but the final out came on a terrific defensive play from him. Wilmer Flores was up with one on and two out in the seventh, and grounded one to third base that was headed down the line if not for a terrific diving stop from Turner.
The storylines are written, and then the narrative gets put in to fit whatever happens. This opportunity for the Mets came about in large part because Kershaw mishandled what would’ve inevitably been a tough play to throw out Cespedes on a squibbler towards third. Had the Mets seized this chance, the idea that that play had rattled Kershaw would’ve been in everyone’s minds, true or otherwise, but it didn’t happen. Kershaw got Travis d’Arnaud and Lucas Duda before Turner helped him out with Flores, as we saw above.
Much like in Game 1, Murphy was the biggest problem for Kershaw, as the Mets’ second baseman, previously not known for his power output, was that October hitting like Chase Utley in the 2009 World Series. The Mets’ only run off Kershaw came on a Murphy solo blast in the fourth, turning on a high-heater that caught too much of the plate.
Murphy alone couldn’t beat Kershaw, who managed to keep Yoenis Cespedes and other dangerous Mets hitters quiet throughout the evening.
Already then, dealing with questions about his postseason performances, coming into that game having lost his last five postseason starts, four of them against the Cardinals, Kershaw completed seven magnificent frames on three days of rest, a little shy of 100 pitches. History doesn’t remember that performance too much because the Dodgers went on to lose Game 5 at home in a brutal fashion, but that doesn’t erase what was done—even back then, performances of that caliber on short rest had long stopped being a regular occurrence, further enhancing the magnitude of this accomplishment.
In fact, Kershaw’s ability and confidence to start on short rest played a role in the decision to have him start Game 1 over Zack Greinke, as the possibility of a short-rest start was acknowledged right from the get-go. One could argue that Kershaw would’ve started Game 1 regardless, as both he and Greinke put up massive seasons; that differentiator between the two certainly helped make the decision easier.
MADRID (AP) — Teenage star Lamine Yamal made up for missing an open goal with a trademark curler from outside the penalty area as Barcelona beat Mallorca 3-0 on Saturday to move four points ahead at the top of La Liga.
Robert Lewandowski had put Barcelona ahead and 18-year-old homegrown player Marc Bernal scored his first career goal late on to seal a convincing win. Yamal and Lewandowski have scored 10 league goals each this season.
Second-place Real Madrid can close the gap to one point if it wins at Valencia on Sunday.
Lewandowski pounced from close range in the 29th minute following good work down the left from Marcus Rashford. His shot was blocked and Lewandowski showed typically cool composure to control the ball and guide it past a defender before picking his spot.
Rashford's form has improved throughout the season and he came close to scoring in first-half injury time when his curling free kick produced a brilliant save from Leo Roman.
The ball fell to right back Jules Koundé near the penalty spot and his scuffed shot landed at the feet of Yamal, who somehow skewered wide from almost on the goal line.
The 18-year-old prodigy was given a pat on the back by Lewandowski, who is one of the modern era's most prolific scorers with over 650 club goals — including 344 with his former club Bayern Munich and more than 100 for Barça.
Yamal showed his class in the 61st minute with a brilliant strike, ghosting past one defender on the edge of the area and then planting a powerful dipping shot into the bottom corner, a strike hit so cleanly with his left foot that Roman did not even move.
Yamal and Lewandowski were replaced and both applauded Bernal's excellent goal in the 83rd.
Barça sliced Mallorca open in midfield with four quick passes to send Bernal racing through, and he showed good composure to cut inside a defender and stroke the ball inside the post.
In Saturday's only other game, Real Sociedad beat Elche 3-1 to move into eighth place.
Goals from Croatia midfielder Luka Sučić and Spain forward Mikel Oyarzabal put Sociedad 2-0 up, only for Portugal striker André Silva to pull one back close to halftime.
Iceland captain Orri Stein Oskarsson replaced Oyarzabal near the end and netted his side's third goal in the 89th.
Matches postponed
Two matches were called off.
Rayo Vallecano’s home match against Oviedo was postponed at short notice because of safety concerns over the field at Vallecas Stadium. The league also called off Sevilla vs. Girona due to adverse weather conditions.
While Oviedo said it understood the decision, the team criticized the short notice and was considering legal action.
It had previously led the fight to get a rival competition to the Champions League off the ground. But, in a short statement on Saturday, Barcelona said it would no longer be part of the contentious project. ___
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 6: Nikola Vucevic #4 of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball during the game against the Miami Heat on February 6, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
There’s a lot to unpack from last night’s comeback win over the Miami Heat.
Boston’s furious rally featured about as rough a shooting stretch as you can possibly imagine in a half of basketball, along with a 22-point comeback in a playoff-like atmosphere that featured blood, profanity, and a generational clash between 32-year-old Norman Powell and 20-year-old Hugo Gonzalez.
What also stood out was a new wrinkle added into the offense from newly acquired center Nikola Vučević, who utilized his size and Miami’s willingness to switch to put his back to the basket in nearly every appearance in the paint.
This year’s Celtics are dead last in post-up frequency by a healthy margin, averaging just 1.5 attempts per game. That’s a 1.4% frequency within their offense. That’s not a surprise based on their personnel, but it is a significant difference from last year, when they were third in post-ups with 6.5 attempts per game (6%) behind the back-to-the-basket activity of Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford.
The only consistent source of post-up scoring this season has come from Jaylen Brown, who has scored 62 of their 78 points through work in the post.
Enter Vooch, who is among the most active post players in the game. His 19.84% post-up frequency ranks him 13th out of 520 players and puts him in the 98th percentile of the league, according to Basketball Index. That volume has not been met with high efficiency, as Vučević has scored just 0.87 points per possession on 45.8% shooting. But as we saw last night, Vooch’s activity facing away from the basket is a bit more than just a set-up for self-creation.
What we saw against Miami was a promising start to this new piece of their offensive identity. After a rewatch of Vučević’s 27 minutes, I logged 30 possessions where he at least opened himself up to an entry pass with his back to the basket. On those possessions, he got into a post-up 12 times.
What stood out the most in his post possessions was his quick processing as a passer. Only one of his post-ups ended in a true assist, but the vision he showcased opened up scoring opportunities for cutters and shooters off the catch. He looked to Derrick White on 45 cuts twice in this game, one earning an easy bucket for his teammate and the other ending in a foul on the pass.
His vision to shooters from beyond the arc also created easy opportunities. Those passes on the perimeter didn’t necessarily show up in the box score but created wide open looks for White and Sam Hauser that just didn’t fall their way. The passes themselves were both highly impressive, quick-instinct finds.
Vooch takes no time to send the ball to the open corner, with Davion Mitchell forced to suck in and help off Hauser because of the position Powell is placed in by the mismatch. The Celtics haven’t had a big with this level of natural passing vision all season.
With four assists to go with a points/rebounds double-double, we saw his passing affect the game from different areas of the floor, like in his dribble-drive kickout to the corner to White for a go-ahead three late in the game, but it’s in the post that he looks the most comfortable setting up teammates.
Vooch’s understanding of when to dig in and set up shop with his back to the basket wisely correlated with the matchups he was given. While he did have one poor post-up that ended in an over-dribbling turnover against Bam Adebayo, he mostly sought to exploit the switch-heavy Miami defense that focused on maintaining higher pickup points on the perimeter to limit Boston’s 3-point shooting.
If he saw Jaime Jaquez, he was posting up. If it was Dru Smith, yeah, you bet he was posting up. And if it was Norman Powell, well, you get it.
We saw Vučević seek out these mismatches more often in the second half, particularly in the third quarter, where he flashed to the post 11 times, more than the 10 post flashes he made in the first half alone.
He received the ball five times in those instances, taking advantage of a switch onto Smith for his first post-up bucket of the night and later getting a nice entry pass from White after a scram switch from Jaquez left the paint open for an easy finish.
This game ended with Neemias Queta on the floor to help deliver the final stops needed to pull off the comeback, but the Celtics instilled a significant level of confidence in their new center addition. He played 27 minutes in his debut and six in the fourth quarter, which included opportunities in clutch time.
With 1:04 left to go in a two-point game, Brown sailed an entry pass just over Vučević that resulted in a turnover.
A tough result, no doubt, but a telling sign that even in his debut, Vučević’s teammates displayed a level of trust in his ability to impact the game when it’s down to the wire. The hope is, with time, they’ll be able to iron out those wrinkles. We certainly saw enough to indicate a positive first step to a great new relationship.
MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 09: Terrance Gore #11 of the Atlanta Braves looks on from the dugout during Game 2 of the NLDS between the Atlanta Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Saturday, October 9, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Terrance Gore, the fleet-footed outfielder and pinch-running specialist who appeared in the 2021 post-season with the Atlanta Braves, has passed away at age 34.
Gore, a native of Macon, Ga., passed away unexpectedly due to complications from a procedure, according to reports. He appeared in parts of eight MLB seasons from 2014 through 2022 – appearing in 112 games but stepped to the plate only 85 ties. He did steal 43 bases during his career, and became notorious for his inclusion on post-season rosters due to his base-running abilities.
He was a member of the Braves World Series-winning team in 2021, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 2020 World Series championship squad, as well as the Kansas City Royals 2015 World Series championship team and the 2014 Royals team that reached the World Series.
He also appeared in the post-season with the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets.
Gore stole five bases in the post-season across 11 games but took only two plate appearances, both with the Cubs in 2018.
He did not appear with the Braves in the 2021 regular season – spending most of the season at Triple-A Gwinnett – but pinch-ran in the NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers, marking his only big-league appearance with the Braves.
Keep his family – including his wife and young children – in your thoughts.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — For the first time since 2015, the NBA's Shooting Stars event is returning to All-Star weekend.
The league made that announcement Saturday, revealing the lineups for two of the three events that'll take place at next weekend's All-Star Saturday Night at the Los Angeles Clippers' home in Inglewood, California.
Shooting Stars — an event with three players per team — is taking the place of the skills competition, which is being tabled for at least this year.
Allan Houston — a past Shooting Stars champion — will return to the event this year for Team Knicks, with current New York players Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns joining him on that team. Also in the shooting event: Team Harper (Ron Harper Sr. and his sons, San Antonio's Dylan Harper and Boston's Ron Harper Jr.), Team All-Star (Richard Hamilton, Toronto's Scottie Barnes and Oklahoma City's Chet Holmgren) and Team Cameron (a nod to Duke, with Corey Maggette, Charlotte's Kon Knueppel and Atlanta's Jalen Johnson on that squad).
The last three Shooting Stars events were all won by the same trio — Chris Bosh, Swin Cash and Dominique Wilkins.
The Shooting Stars event has a two-round format, with all four teams competing in the first round and the top two advancing to the final round. Teams have 70 seconds to score points while rotating through seven designated shooting locations around the court, with all three players on a team shooting at each spot in a set order.
There will be a new dunk champion this year, with three-time winner Mac McClung not in this year’s field. McClung said going into last year’s dunk event that he expected it to be his last.
This year’s dunk participants: Miami's Keshad Johnson, San Antonio's Carter Bryant, Orlando's Jase Richardson and the Los Angeles Lakers' Jaxson Hayes.
Apr 2, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) looks to pass as Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) defends during the fourth quarter at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
On the flip side, both Young and Davis are currently dealing with injuries. Both players are expected to “play very little, if at all” throughout the rest of the season according to ESPN’s Tim Bontempts. NBA Insider Chris Haynes confirmed on Friday that Davis is not expected to play the rest of the season. That, along with C.J. McCollum and Khris Middleton both being in the moves that allowed the Wizards to acquire Young and Davis, means that the tank is on and the Wizards are going all-in on their young core to try and develop them and ensure they have the best possible odds at picking at the top of the 2026 NBA Draft. There is currently very little risk in their top-eight protected pick not converting.
With more short-term expectations and a more inflexible roster that does not necessarily lend itself to just picking the best player available, how should the Wizards approach the draft?
The first things to look at are Young and Davis’ contract situations. Young could technically become a free agent after this season, but will likely accept his player option and enter free agency after 2026-27. Davis will be under team control next season, then will have a player option for the 2027-28 season.
It would be very surprising if Young does not accept his player option. After an injury-plagued season this year and a relatively negative perception around the league, Young will likely be jumping at an opportunity to be the Wizards’ first option and try and rehabilitate his image. But then again, even if Young accepts the player option, he is only guaranteed to be around for one season unless he signs an extension.
Davis is about to turn 33 and has struggled to stay on the floor throughout his career, especially over the last few years. Last season, he strained his left adductor in his first game after the infamous trade that sent him to the Mavericks and suffered an eye injury that would end up requiring offseason surgery. Last month before the trade, Davis suffered ligament damage in his left hand. Earlier in his career, Davis also dealt with injuries to both ankles, both shoulders, his left calf, left knee, tailbone and left hand.
This is all to say that given Young and Davis’ injury histories and contracts, they should not necessarily be counted on as long-term fixtures in D.C. When it comes to the draft, the Wizards should still absolutely be looking toward the future and almost certainly draft the best player available regardless of fit at the top of the draft.
If I was Wizards general manager Will Dawkins, here is what my big board would look like post-trade deadline (only going eight deep because of the top-eight protection):
Darryn Peterson
AJ Dybantsa
Cameron Boozer
Kingston Flemings
Caleb Wilson
Keaton Wagler
Mikel Brown Jr.
Labaron Philon
Darryn Peterson, the 6’6” freshman combo guard from Kansas and AJ Dybantsa, the 6’9” freshman wing from BYU are my top two players in the draft and would instantly slot into the starting lineup next season alongside Young and Davis. Both Peterson and Dybantsa have the ability to be high-level starters on a competitive team as rookies, and could get that chance if they end up on the Wizards.
The first question mark comes with Duke freshman forward Cameron Boozer. At 6’9”, 250 pounds, Boozer projects to primarily play the power forward position while occasionally playing some small-ball center in the NBA. But, with Davis and Alex Sarr already on the team, it would be difficult for Boozer to earn a starting spot. Despite that, Boozer is still an impressive enough prospect to earn consideration despite the imperfect fit over the next tier of players–Kingston Flemings and Caleb Wilson.
Boozer, Davis and Sarr are all able to play both the four and five and have very different and complimentary play styles. If all three are healthy, they could each end up playing about 30 minutes per game even with Boozer or Sarr coming off the bench. Boozer would allow the Wizards to be extremely conservative with Davis’ playing time, making it a lot easier for him to take games off for load management knowing a player of Boozer’s caliber is able to step in.
It would be foolish of the Wizards to not consider drafting a player as talented as Boozer just for one guaranteed year of Davis.
Going down the draft is where things get a bit more tricky. I view Flemings, the 6’4” freshman guard from Houston and Wilson, the 6’10” freshman forward from North Carolina, very similarly. If the Wizards fall in the lottery, this is where they could begin looking more towards fit instead of pure talent. At this point, Wilson is a non-shooter. While he has been taking and making more threes over his last few games, it should still not be considered a part of his game. Wilson’s defensive potential is tantalizing and in a vacuum, he is probably more talented than Flemings. But, what Flemings has shown this year as the floor general for an elite Houston team can not be ignored. Flemings and Young would immediately become one of, if not the best playmaking backcourts in the entire NBA. Flemings’ defensive abilities would help mask some of Young’s inefficiencies and Young’s superb playmaking would take the pressure off of Flemings that many young point guard face and allow him to grow into his role as a lead ball handler in the NBA.
This is pure speculation, but one thing that could now be on the table for the Wizards if their pick falls in the draft is for them to consider a trade. With Davis and Young, the Wizards’ timeline has moved way up. There are now real expectations for them to be competitive. If there is no player they are absolutely in love with available where they are picking, likely if their pick falls in the six through eight range, it would not shock me if they try and find a deal for another young player, or even a more established veteran if they want to go all-in on next season.
6’6” Illinois freshman guard Keaton Wagler has had a shocking ascent up draft boards and is looking like an elite scorer. Louisville freshman Mikel Brown Jr. and Alabama sophomore Labaron Philon have very high upside and project to be above-average starting guards in the NBA. Other players like Arizona freshman forward Koa Peat, Tennessee freshman forward Nate Ament and Michigan senior forward Yaxel Lendeborg are endlessly talented, but would be clunky fits alongside a Davis-Sarr frontcourt. A trade would be shocking, and difficult to pull off with the Wizards no longer having as many tradable contracts, but should not necessarily be counted out if they fall in the lottery.
Look at the Indiana Pacers, who traded their first round pick this year that is protected from picks 1-4 and 10-30 to the Los Angeles Clippers for center Ivica Zubac. With Tyrese Haliburton expected to return next season from a torn achilles he suffered during last season’s NBA Finals, the Pacers have no need for a point guard. They likely view Wilson four on their big board, and understand that the next bunch of players after him would be ball handlers. It would not necessarily be unprecedented for the Wizards to make a deal if their pick falls in a similar range, especially if they agree to an extension with Young.
The way the Wizards acquired Young and Davis is a masterclass in asset management. But there are certainly risks in expediting the rebuild. The upcoming draft is still the most important factor in building a sustainable contender, and the Wizards should be very cautious about sacrificing any part of their future for short-term gain.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 27: Jared McCain #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates with Joel Embiid #21, Tyrese Maxey #0, Andre Drummond #1, and Trendon Watford #12 against the Milwaukee Bucks at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 27, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Bucks 139-122. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For several weeks earlier this season, Jared McCain had a copy of the book “The Inner Game of Tennis” in his locker.
According to the Amazon.com summary, the 1972 work by W. Timothy Gallwey is about “a revolutionary program for overcoming the self-doubt, nervousness, and lapses of concentration that can keep a player from winning” – and not just in tennis, but every walk of life.
No less a figure than Bill Gates called it “the best guide to getting out of your own way.”
While I never got the chance to ask McCain about it – and I had planned to – this would at least hint at the fact that the issues the young guard faced in Philadelphia were not confined to the knee injury that cut short his promising rookie year after 23 games, nor the thumb injury that caused him to get off to a slow start this season, his second with the Sixers.
Whatever was holding him back – whether he was still hobbled or indeed unable to get out of his own way – he seemed to be getting it together recently. And that’s the thing that gnaws at you, now that he has been traded to Oklahoma City: We never really got to see how his next chapter might read.
The arguments for dealing him are manifest. He was blocked by Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Quentin Grimes in the backcourt rotation. The Sixers gained the financial flexibility to sign Dominick Barlow to a big-boy contract. And those four draft picks obtained from the Thunder can be used in a future deal (though Daryl Morey told reporters he was unable to pull the trigger on anything that would have given the team immediate help).
That’s all well and good. But McCain is 21, and he played exactly 60 games for the Sixers. Nobody knows exactly what he is, nor what he might become. Put another way, he was an ACL tear away from getting big-time minutes here.
The suspicion is that he will never be an All-Star, but he could be a useful piece on a good team. That he has “an identifiable NBA skill,” as Brett Brown used to say – i.e., he can shoot – that will consistently resurface once he gets regular run again.
This is not an apples-to-apples comparison, but the Sixers cut Joe on Oct. 13, 2022, after he played sparingly for them over two seasons. The Thunder snapped him up three days later, and he has developed into a reliable off-the-bench sniper, nailing 41 percent of his three-point attempts over three-plus seasons.
And, of course, he earned a championship ring last spring.
The Thunder, ably operated by Sam Presti, are now hoping that the Philly pipeline delivers once more. While they are loaded and again rolling along – and while there is no clear role for McCain at present – he does represent a potential hedge against possible issues concerning their veteran wings.
The team holds an option on Lu Dort next season, and Alex Caruso, in the first season of a four-year, $81 million deal, is struggling at present. He’s also nearing his 32nd birthday. McCain is not the defender either of those guys are – who is? – but he offers another perimeter alternative, in the event Caruso is washed and/or OKC parts company with Dort (not as unlikely as it might appear, given the money the team has committed to its biggest stars – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams).
In short, this looks like the sort of low-risk transaction a smart, well-run team makes. If McCain doesn’t work out, no big deal; the Thunder has a bunch of other wings, and a bunch of assets to acquire anybody they might need.
And while it’s understandable why the Sixers went this route, it now seems like their reserve corps, already threadbare, is another man short. This is a team that is ranked 28th in the NBA in bench scoring, at 16.5 points a night. And in Thursday’s loss to the Lakers, their reserves were outscored by a staggering 61-14 margin. Given the precarious health of some of their front-line players, they are really walking a tightrope now.
McCain, for his part, bade a fond farewell to Philadelphia. On Instagram he wrote that Philly will “always be a home for me” and that he was “incredibly blessed to be drafted here.” And on TikTok he sang part of an Olivia Dean song entitled “A Couple Minutes,” notably these lines: “Although it’s over/I’ll always be there.”
Then he closed by saying, “I’ll always love ya, Philly.”
Yeah, it’s a business. We hear that time and again. But is it a good idea to give up on a guy like this? Only time will tell.
The Orlando Magic will look to keep their winning ways going on their current homestand as they host the Utah Jazz on Saturday night.
Orlando is coming off a big home win and has been dominant against weaker teams recently. My Jazz vs. Magic predictions and NBA picks for February 7 like Orlando to cover.
Jazz vs Magic prediction
Jazz vs Magic best bet: Magic -7 (-110)
The Orlando Magic have never quite found a rhythm this season — they are currently 26-24 on the year — but they have a chance to string together some wins with a four-game homestand. That began with a comfortable 20-point victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday, and continues with tonight’s contest against the Utah Jazz.
Utah has won just one of its last eight games, with that win coming against a Pacers team that was resting a number of ailing players. This span includes five losses by double digits, including a 10-point loss at home to the Nets.
In some ways, the Jazz have been even worse than their 16-36 record would suggest, as their -8.5 point differential ranks third-worst in the NBA this season.
Utah has lost 17 of its last 21 games overall, and while the trade deadline addition of Jaren Jackson Jr. should make the Jazz better in the future, it’ll take time to see how they integrate him in the short term.
Utah hasn’t been particularly competitive lately, and they have little motivation to do anything other than improve their lottery odds down the stretch. This is a team the Magic should put away easily at home tonight, and I’m taking Orlando to cover.
Jazz vs Magic same-game parlay
The Magic have played below tonight’s total in each of their last three games, and six of their last eight overall. Utah has hit the Under in three of its last four.
I’m also going to take Paolo Banchero to record a double-double, as the Jazz should have few answers for him. He’s hit that milestone in three of his last six games.
Jazz vs Magic SGP
Magic -7
Under 238
Paolo Banchero to record a double-double
Our "from downtown" SGP: Solid night for Suggs
Jalen Suggs is coming off his first career triple-double, and has put up at least 29 PRA in three of his last four games.
Jazz vs Magic SGP
Magic -7
Under 238
Paolo Banchero to record a double-double
Jalen Suggs Over 28.5 points + rebounds + assists
Jazz vs Magic odds
Spread: Jazz +8.5 (-110) | Magic -8.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Jazz +270 | Magic -340
Over/Under: Over 237.5 (-110) | Under 237.5 (-110)
Jazz vs Magic betting trend to know
The Jazz have only hit the moneyline in six of their last 40 away games (-16.40 Units / -39% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Jazz vs. Magic.
How to watch Jazz vs Magic
Location
Kia Center, Orlando, FL
Date
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Tip-off
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
KJZZ, FDSN-SW
Jazz vs Magic latest injuries
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Davis has been out since Jan. 10 with a ligament injury in his left hand, and due to that and a groin injury, he played in just 20 games this season for Dallas. There was an expectation he might miss the entire season, no matter what happened at the trade deadline.
That became sealed when he was traded to Washington, a team trying to tank to hold on to its top-eight-protected pick, which would otherwise convey to Memphis or New York (depending on where it fell). As of today, the Wizards have the fifth-worst record in the league (and a 90% chance of retaining their pick).
Davis is in the same situation as Trae Young, who the Wizards also traded for and is out through at least the All-Star break (and likely the season). The goal in Washington is to have them play next season alongside a young core with potential in Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, and whoever they draft this year (assuming they keep the pick).
When Davis has played this season he has looked like an All-Star, averaging 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.
Davis denied reports that he was unhappy about being traded to the Wizards, but told David Aldridge of The Athletic that he wants to know the long-term plan (and, likely, whether they will give him a contract extension).
"I want to see the plan, hear the plan, see the vision. Bringing Trae (Young) here and other things in store, what they're thinking of doing, I want to have those conversations with them and see what happens."
ROME (AP) — Italy stopped Scotland's last-gasp charge to hang on for a precious Six Nations win by 18-15 at a rain-soaked Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.
Scotland used its last scoring chance, two minutes after the fulltime hooter, to go through the phases and took 25 to reach Italy's 22. But on the 30th phase, Scotland's Max Williamson was held up in the tackle by Italy's Muhamed Hasa and Niccolo Cannone and it was game over.
“Absolutely incredible,” Italy captain Michele Lamaro said of his team's last defensive set. “Just shows how much we care for each other, how much we care for this jersey, this country. This is us. Now we've got a dream in our head."
Italy notched only a 17th win in Six Nations history and a ninth win against Scotland, which sets it on a path to avoid the wooden spoon for an unprecedented third straight year.
Italy's first opening win since 2013 was not a surprise and neither was Scotland's first opening defeat since 2020, another deflating result for a side that hasn't contended for the title in decades.
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has been under fire for not improving the team. In his eight previous Six Nations as coach, Townsend has led Scotland to a best finish of third, twice. Asked if he expected to be in charge when England visit next weekend, he said, “Well, I want to be, that's my job so, yeah, that's what I’m focused on.”
The buildup focused on Scotland's last-quarter collapses but it was a slow first-quarter start which stung this time. Italy was 12-0 up in light rain before the game was hit by torrential downpours, turning the field into a splash zone. Scotland outscored Italy in the miserable conditions, even despite a yellow card, but gave the host too big a start.
For the first time since 2019, Scotland began a Six Nations match without at least one of back-three regulars Duhan van der Merwe, Darcy Graham and Blair Kinghorn, and it wasn't controversial. Townsend replaced them with form picks but Italy exposed the new back three's naivety in defense with two head-up tries inside 14 minutes.
First, Juan Ignacio Brex grubbered into wide open space for winger Louis Lynagh to scoop and slide in. Then Lynagh took a high ball from scrumhalf Alessandro Fusco and Fusco's miss-out pass gave Tommaso Menoncello an overlap to score untouched. Paolo Garbisi added the sideline conversion.
Scotland's lineout was also failing. The visitor had three lineouts in Italy's 22 in the first quarter. The first two were pinched and the third wasn't gathered properly. But Scotland did a tap and go and No. 8 Jack Dempsey crashed over.
Italy finished the rest of the half on top. Garbisi landed a penalty for 15-7 but badly missed two drop-goal attempts, and the scrum sent Scotland reeling backwards.
Scotland earned the first points of the second half from a Finn Russell penalty despite a fifth stolen lineout.
Poor discipline also undermined them. A relieving penalty on defense was overturned from Ewan Ashman's high tackle on Italy's Manuel Zuliani. Garbisi kicked the resulting penalty to restore an eight-point lead.
Ashman was replaced at hooker by George Turner who, moments later, nailed Zuliani's head in a ruck, received a yellow card and canceled a kickable penalty for Scotland.
Italy failed to score a point while it had a man advantage, and as soon as Scotland was restored to 15 men it scored.
Scotland waived off another kickable penalty for a corner lineout, and claimed it cleanly. Three backs joined the maul which wheeled to the blindside, and replacement scrumhalf George Horne darted inside the right corner flag. Russell couldn't convert from the touchline but the gap was cut to three with 12 minutes to go.
Italy had a kickable penalty in the 78th but elected for a corner lineout and knocked on. That gave Scotland one last shot in the rain. Italy soaked it up.
The Montreal Canadiens are having a great season on the road, where they have a 16-6-7 record, and it may partly be because they are getting an incredible amount of support everywhere they go.
On Wednesday, however, that was made particularly obvious when the Canadiens visited the Winnipeg Jets. When Brendan Gallagher scored the Habs’ fourth goal nearly 11 minutes into the final frame, the Canada Life Centre came alive, but not in the way the home team would have liked. The bulk of the fans who were supporting the visitor broke into a “Ole, Ole, Ole” chant worthy of a Bell Centre crowd.
Speaking after the game, Jets’ coach Scott Arniel was asked if it was weird to play in an environment at home when there are so many (Habs fans celebrating when MTL scores?), and he replied:
That’s pretty disappointing. That’s probably the worst I’ve seen in my 4 years here. That was really disappointing.
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If the overwhelming support the Canadiens receive in other buildings is getting to coaches, it may very well be getting to opposing players as well. It’s not surprising to hear Arniel say it’s the worst it has been in his four years in Manitoba, as the Habs are turning the corner out of a rebuild and have once again become a competitive team.
#NHLJets head coach Scott Arniel was asked what it's like to play in front of that many fans of the opposing team while at home:
"Yeah, that's pretty disappointing. That's probably the worst that I've seen it in my 4 years back here tonight. That was really disappointing." pic.twitter.com/K9dHefau3e
Arniel joins Rasmus Dahlin and Jake Sanderson, who have also commented on the support the Habs are getting as visitors. The Buffalo Sabres defenseman said he didn't want to see that much red in the future, while the Ottawa Senators blueliner stated that his team is used to playing an away game at home.
They are currently sixth in the league standings and are the third-highest scoring team with 197 goals, just one behind the Edmonton Oilers, who have 198, and 14 behind the league-leading Colorado Avalanche, who have 211.
The days when the Canadiens were relying on spectacular goaltending and hope and a prayer are long gone. The young Habs are playing an exciting brand of hockey, making it easy for them to acquire new fans across the league. It’s no longer just about the franchise’s glorious past; it’s finally about the now and the future.
