BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 18: Jordan Westburg #11 of the Baltimore Orioles reacts during the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 18, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jordan Westburg reported to Orioles spring training and landed on the “surprise offseason injury” list immediately with a reported sore oblique. Within the last day, rumors swirled up out of places that aren’t usually worth taking seriously as sources of reliable baseball information about concerns about Westburg’s elbow. Unfortunately, those concerns have now hit the mainstream press, with The Baltimore Banner’s Andy Kostka being the first to report that Westburg has had imaging done on his elbow.
As of yet, nothing has been reported by the Orioles regarding this injury. Reporters including Kostka and MASN’s Roch Kubatko tried to pin down manager Craig Albernaz about what was going on with Westburg, whether there were additional concerns for him than just the previously-reported oblique. “He’s physically unable to participate right now,” was the manager’s cagey response, dodging away from directly responding about the elbow.
More concerning for me is this one from the manager, relayed from Kubatko’s article:
Asked about possible concerns within the organization that Westburg is hurt worse than assumed, Albernaz said, “Oh, just want to make sure we’re doing our due diligence and make sure Jordan is in the best chance to play this year.”
I’ve added the bold for emphasis because for me that’s the classic tell about when an injury is worse than anyone with the team has openly said. Until 24 hours ago, there was no indication that there might be any reason why Westburg would not play this year. Even if you were glum about the oblique, that’s not a miss all season injury. Albernaz wouldn’t have referred to it that way.
With Kostka’s report following shortly after that scrum, it’s not looking good. Secret elbow imaging with delays for “due diligence” pretty much only end up one way, even if it is much less common for an infielder to require surgery on the elbow. For now, there’s no precise news.
Exhibition games haven’t even begun yet for the Orioles and we already know they’re going to have to resort to backup plans at multiple positions in the infield. Westburg’s situation added to Jackson Holliday’s broken hamate bone means that second base and third base will have different players on Opening Day than we all would have assumed two weeks ago.
If Westburg is missing a substantial amount of time, the question of whether Coby Mayo can semi-competently handle third base at the major league level is something the Orioles are going to need to figure out over the course of the Grapefruit League schedule. If Mayo is able to do this, and also if he is able to hit like he showed last September, then Westburg’s absence will be far less bruising. If Mayo is not the answer, the team will need to scramble for Plan C.
Recently-acquired infielder Blaze Alexander seems like the candidate to get several weeks worth of starts at second base until Holliday returns to action. That’s not why the Orioles acquired him, since Holliday’s injury hadn’t even happened yet when the Orioles made the trade. The way things have played out, it seems like that’s the use he should get.
Nobody else get hurt for the rest of camp. Thanks!
But the Celtics also did some end-of-the-roster shuffling Thursday that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Boston officially signed two players to 10-day contracts: free agent Dalano Banton and recently-acquired two-way player John Tonje. With those moves, the Celtics now have 14 players on their active roster and two players on two-way deals (Ron Harper Jr. and Max Shulga), with one open NBA roster spot and one open two-way spot.
Why are Brad Stevens and Co. handing out 10-day contracts instead of pursuing bigger names on the buyout market? The likely explanation boils down to one word: money.
Let’s break it down:
Why Celtics made these moves now
By rule, NBA teams can’t have fewer than 14 players on their roster for more than two weeks at a time. The Celtics were at 12 players exactly two weeks ago — the day of the NBA trade deadline — after a flurry of moves that sent out Anfernee Simons, Josh Minott, Xavier Tillman and Chris Boucher and helped them dip under the luxury tax. (More on that shortly.)
So, the C’s had to add two players to their roster Thursday no matter what, which explains the timing of these moves.
Financial implications of Celtics’ moves
Boston was barely under the luxury tax coming out the All-Star break — roughly $1 million below the $187.9 million threshold. So, if the team’s goal is to remain under that threshold for the rest of the season, even signing a player on the buyout market for the veteran minimum wouldn’t be feasible.
Enter the 10-day contract. Per NBA salary cap analyst Yossi Gozlan, Banton’s deal will cost the Celtics less than $132,000, while Tonje’s deal is for just $73,000, since he was converted from a two-way deal.
In theory, the C’s could continue this pattern — let the 10-day contracts of Banton and Tonje expire, spend a full two weeks with fewer than 14 players, sign two more players to 10-day contracts, go another two weeks with fewer than 14 players, etc. — for the rest of the season to spend as little as possible and stay under the tax.
The Celtics also can promote one of their two-way players (likely Harper) to an NBA deal, which would be prorated for the rest of the season.
The upshot? These moves could be the first step in Boston playing musical chairs with the back end of its roster to stay under the luxury tax.
What are the benefits of staying under the luxury tax?
So, why are the Celtics seemingly jumping through so many hoops to duck under the tax?
As Stevens insisted after the deadline, there’s no mandate from ownership to be below the luxury tax; the C’s were simply taking advantage of an opportunity they “didn’t think would be there” after trading Simons to Chicago in return for Nikola Vucevic.
The benefits of getting below the tax line involve resetting the NBA’s repeater tax, which forces teams to pay multiples on the dollar (starting at $2.50 for every $1) for player contracts. The Celtics have been in the repeater tax for the last several seasons, resulting in massive payrolls that will become even more prohibitive the longer they stay in the luxury tax.
Teams can “reset” those repeater taxes by finishing under the luxury tax in at least two of the next four seasons. So, if Boston stays under the luxury tax this season and next season, it can return to paying normal salary rates as soon as the 2027 offseason.
This may not sound particularly exciting. But that financial flexibility could allow the Celtics to spend big in 2027 free agency to build the latest version of a contender around Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown — all while remaining a legitimate contender in the interim.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 11: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts during the first half against the Washington Wizards at Rocket Arena on February 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images CLEVELAND, OHIO – FEBRUARY 11: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts during the first half against the Washington Wizards at Rocket Arena on February 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After a few days off, NBA basketball is back. The Brooklyn Nets were off for NBA festivities last weekend and return to action hoping to speed through the rest of the regular season. When we last saw them, they blew an 18 point lead and lost to the Indiana Pacers on February 12.
The opponent tonight is trying to break into the top tier. The Cleveland Cavaliers are trying to get back to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2018. They’re within striking distance of the No. 2 seed and helped the cause after beating up the Washington Wizards on February 11. They’re on a five game winning streak.
Where to follow the game
YES Network on TV. Gotham Sports on streaming. WFAN on radio. Tip after 7 PM.
🤕 Injuries
Nic Claxton sprained his ankle at practice on February 18. He’s out tonight. Josh Minott, newly acquired from the Celtics at the deadline, is with Long Island as is Ben Saraf and the three two-ways. They’re playing at noon today in Birmingham vs. the Pelicans’ G Leaguers, the Squadron. Game can be seen on the G League website.
Without Claxton, the Nets will turn to Day’ron Sharpe in the starting five. Sharpe has shown himself to be a more than capable big in the NBA and will start for as long as Clax is out. He’ll be matched up on the inside with our old friend Jarrett Allen. Like many of the Cavs, Allen is going to need to exceed expectations in the postseason if they want to get to their first Conference Finals without LeBron James on the team since 1992. Allen and Evan Mobley are tasked with owning the boards and finishing at the rim.
Nolan Traore will get a workout tonight. He’ll be matched up with the amazing Donovan Mitchell and will do what he can to slow him down. Mitchell is one of the leaders in drives to the rim per game and is still one of the game’s best finishers at the rim. Put it all together and it equals a career best 29 points per game on the season. For Traore, games like this will serve as a great measure of his growth and push him to be even better going forward.
This is the first leg of a back-to-back for the Nets. When they’re done, they immediately head out for a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night. The schedule makers certainly aren’t making it easy on the Nets, that’s for sure.
And with this being the first leg of the b2b, Michael Porter Jr will play tonight. MPJ has been out since February 7 with right knee tendinitis. The rest should do him plenty of good and the Nets will turn to him to make things happen against this Cavs defense. In all likelihood he’ll sit in Oklahoma City so there shouldn’t be too many restrictions on him tonight. MPJ scored 31 points in the first meeting between these teams way back in October, and Jordi Fernandez will look to
👀 Player to watch: James Harden
Hey, we know him! James Harden was doing well with the LA Clippers as they surged back up the standings. However, they weren’t going to give him a contract extension, so he left and is here. Somebody got to asking James about loyalty, and here’s what he had to say:
"The whole quote unquote loyalty thing, I think it's overrated."#Cavs James Harden on why it's become the norm for guys to play on multiple teams throughout their career: pic.twitter.com/fykczB5DZQ
On the court, Harden hopes to be the last piece to a championship puzzle for Kenny Atkinson and friends. A big midseason move like this causes everyone to make some changes so the team is comfortable with the new reality. How have the Cavs been doing on that front? Pretty well, so far. From Brendon Ulen of Fear the Sword:
“We have already seen him play faster with the Cavs. But will he move more off-ball? Will he keep the defense in rotation, or will he let it reset and probe it himself when the ball returns to him? If he allows defensive resets, will this mute the impact of the motion-related leaps Jaylon Tyson and Merrill have made? These are all open questions.
The Cavs could attempt to exclusively play their motion-heavy style and fit James in. The man can do it if he chooses. They could also embrace Harden-ball and effectively run two systems, switching between them based on personnel and situation, especially when Harden is on the floor without Mitchell. One system or two? The correct answer to this question is unknown. Having a clear approach is critical though. The Cavs have the rest of the regular season to figure out what they believe is best.“
This is a make-or-break season for a lot of the Cavaliers, and Harden’s play will determine a lot about what Cleveland’s future will look like.
Egor Dёmin is back from Los Angeles and an appearance in the Rising Stars game. Being in the game was a great opportunity for Dёmin to rub shoulders with some of the game’s brightest young stars and show that he belongs. With the Nets looking to the future, Egor has show that he will be a big part of it. The Cavs allow teams to shoot 37.2% from three point range, third worst in the NBA (the Nets are second worst so prepare to see a bushel of three point attempts tonight!). Finding easy looks for Dёmin will help determine this one and if he can heat up early, it will keep the Nets in it against one of the better teams in the league.
ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 9: Sam Haggerty #0 of the Texas Rangers celebrates a double during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Globe Life Field on August 9, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Alexandra Carnochan/Texas Rangers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the 2025 Texas Rangers season having come to an end, we shall be, over the course of the offseason, taking a look at every player who appeared in a major league game for the Texas Rangers in 2025.
Today we are looking at outfielder Sam Haggerty.
Well that worked out okay, I think.
The Rangers needed a righthanded bat who could play the outfield for their bench in 2025. They signed Sam Haggerty — a switch hitter, but one who has been much stronger against lefties than righties in his career — to a minor league deal.
Haggerty started the season in Round Rock on the injured list, got healthy, then was brought up in early May to replace Dustin Harris. There was an open 40 man roster spot because the Mariners — Haggerty’s old team — had just claimed Leody Taveras on waivers.
Haggerty played well enough for his role when he was healthy. The healthy part was an issue, as he spent 10 days on the injured list in mid-July, then was one of the myriad of players who landed on the injured list in mid-August. He went on a rehab assignment in September, but ultimately was shut down for the season.
Both times Haggerty went on the injured list it was list as being due to left ankle inflammation. Seattle had non-tendered Haggerty after the 2024 season, which he missed most of due to a torn Achilles tendon. I thought maybe the ankle issues were related to that, but he tore his right Achilles tendon, so apparently not. Though it may be that the Achilles injury resulted in him putting more weight, subconsciously, on his left foot, thus impacting his left ankle.
I don’t know. I’m not a doctor. I don’t even play one on television.
And note that I said television, not TV, because TV is a nickname and nicknames are for friends and television is no friend of mine.
Anyway, when Haggerty was on the field, he was perfectly fine. Wasn’t great defensively, probably shouldn’t be playing center field, but needs must. 88th percentile in spring speed, per Statcast, so apparently he recovered pretty fully from the Achilles tear. 812 OPS against lefties, 575 OPS against righties, pretty much in line with his career splits (808/555).
Haggerty’s splits are so extreme, in fact, that one has to wonder if he wouldn’t be better off giving up switch-hitting altogether. For MLB as a whole last season, righthanders put up an OPS against lefties that was 44 points higher than against righties. When you are a switch hitter who hits very well against lefthanders and is unplayable against righthanders, at a certain point, don’t you have to consider giving up the switch hitting thing?
So Haggerty was useful in 2025, and likely will spend 2026 being useful in between trips to the injured list.
Sep 12, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Tim Mayza (54) throws a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during the seventh inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The Phillies traded Matt Strahm this winter in an effort to lower payroll get more long term flexibility with their bullpen options. Once the trade was finalized, a ripple effect of that trade, unforeseen or not, was that the depth chart from the left handed side of the bullpen took quite the hit. Those three left handers from 2025 – Strahm, Jose Alvarado and Tanner Banks – were among the better options at getting left handed hitting out and were somewhat successful in keeping right handed hitters at bay as well. However, no longer would they have three left handers trotting in from the bullpen, meaning they had to backfill a little bit.
While the team still may keep only Alvarado and Banks as the left handers in the bullpen to begin the season, Rob Thomson has shown an affinity to keeping at least three southpaws out beyond center field at all times. If we were to assume that he was going to do the same for 2026, that means there is suddenly a spring battle to be followed. The bullpen hierarchy, as it stands right now, likely looks like this:
Jhoan Duran
Jose Alvarado
Brad Keller
Orion Kerkering
Tanner Banks
Jonathan Bowlan
Zach McCambley
???????
While we could debate keeping McCambley at all, it’s probably a decent assumption that these seven pitchers will comprise the majority of the bullpen, leaving that eighth and final spot the one coveted by a handful of options that have been cultivated by the front office. If we continue to assume things and believe that Thomson will want another left handed pitcher for that spot, some of the options he has to choose from each has their own set of skills to stake their claim.
Tim Mayza
Mayza was the one that the team picked up last season with the hopes of being able to replace Alvarado. Once Alvarado was deemed out for the season, the Phillies claimed Mayza off of waivers and, coming off his own injury, put him into the bullpen to have him throw 16 2/3 innings of uneventful baseball.
His past success with Toronto suggested that once he was healthy, the team might have had quite a decent find for free from waivers, but there just never seemed to be any trust in him. Anything he could have done that would have been a leveraged situation simply went to Banks.
Still, there were some encouraging things that he did that earned him another minor league deal from the Phillies with a spring training invite. His velocity was perfectly fine, averaging 93.6 miles per hour on the fastball. It being a sinker that he threw most of the time, he kept the ball on the ground rather often, something the team likes from their relievers.
You just didn’t want him in the game with any right handed hitters in the lineup. His splits (.874 OPS against RHH, .499 OPS against LHH) were such that he is more or less unpitchable when a right handed hitter approaches the plate. In the age of the three batter minimum, that’s something that can’t be used too often.
We are past the days of the LOOGY, the guy that only pitches to one, maybe two, left handed hitters, then departs for the showers. If that job were still available, Backhus would probably be in higher demand around the game. His wOBA against left handed hitters (.227) was 23rd among 134 left handed pitchers, starter or reliever, in 2025. That’s an incredible skill to have and makes one wonder why he was available for only a minor league deal.
As with Mayza, the story remains the game: right handed hitters destroy him. Of the 73 right handed batters he faced in 2025, he allowed five doubles, a triple and two home runs. His velocity, or lack thereof, means he can just throw the ball by them and the funk he shows against left handed hitters doesn’t have quite the same effectiveness against righties.
Starting to sense a theme here?
Genesis Cabrera
Probably the longest of shots among the three listed here, Cabrera does do one thing better than the other two: get hitters to swing and miss.
In 2025, Cabrera bested Mayza and Backhus in whiff rate, his 27.1% whiff rate beating Mayza by two percent, Backhus by five. For a team that has focused on this particular trait quite a bit this offseason, that is going to carry some weight. How he went about it is somewhat counterintuitive to what I had previously thought. At first, I believed that Cabrera was getting these whiffs based on being able to throw his fastball by hitters, but in fact, his 95.7 average fastball velocity wasn’t being missed much (22.5% whiff rate) and his sinker was getting tattooed by opposing lineups (.639 SLG against). Getting swings and misses on his breaking pitches? Nope, his whiff rate on breaking pitches was the worst of the trio.
Where Cabrera excelled in getting swings and misses was a splitter that he started throwing for the first time in 2025. On this pitch, he got swings and misses 52.1% of the time. That might sounds like a weapon that can be unleashed for good, but when hitters did square it up, they did damage (two home runs in 20 plate appearances). If he can keep the pitch in the park and he can focus on refining a much better cutter, there could be something there the team can work with.
Now, this all sounds great, raising the same question with Cabrera that was raised with Mayza and Backhus and arriving at the same destination seems inevitable: why was he available for only a minor league deal?
You guessed it!
That .418 wOBA Kyle Backhus had against right handed hitters? It looks rough until you compare it Cabrera, whose .437 mark was the fourth worst among 122 southpaws.
If the Phillies are going to carry a third left handed reliever in 2026, someone is going to have to improve against right handed pitching. The options that are in camp on minor league deals are not without their warts, yet have demonstrated some modicum of success in the past. Backhus probably has the headstart on either Mayza or Cabrera by virtue of being on the 40 man roster already, yet he also needs to improve at getting righties out as well if he wants to have any kind of leveraged opportunities with the team. It also wouldn’t be surprising if the team continues to scour the league in search of a deal, a waiver claim, a free release that would be an improvement over what is in camp now.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to continue the five-game winning streak they took into the All-Star break as they host the Brooklyn Nets tonight.
Donovan Mitchell was red hot going into the festivities, and I’m looking for him to continue that run in my Nets vs. Cavaliers predictions.
Read on to see all my thoughts on tonight’s game and get my free NBA picks for Thursday, February 19.
Nets vs Cavaliers prediction
Nets vs Cavaliers best bet: Donovan Mitchell Over 26.5 points (-120)
Donovan Mitchell has been the Cleveland Cavaliers' leading scorer for all year, and was especially productive right before the break. He has averaged 30.8 points per game over his last four contests, scoring 29+ points in each.
Tonight, Mitchell gets to play at home against a Brooklyn Nets defense that ranks 26th in defensive efficiency (115.4) and allows opponents to shoot 49.3% from the field.
With James Harden distributing, Mitchell will find it easier than ever to score.
Nets vs Cavaliers same-game parlay
A strong performance from Mitchell will help Cleveland score a big win against the Nets. The Cavs covered as a 17.5-point favorite in their last game, and I like them to do the same against Brooklyn. I’ll also take the Over, which has hit in each of Brooklyn’s last five games.
Nets vs Cavaliers SGP
Donovan Mitchell Over 26.5 points
Cavaliers -16.5
Over 229.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Beard with me
Harden has made a strong impression in his first three games with the Cavs, and I’m backing him to fill up the stat sheet again tonight.
I’ll also take Evan Mobley (8.8 rebounds per game) to hit the Over on his rebounding total, while Jarrett Allen is a good bet to record a double-double, something he’s done in four of his last five games.
Nets vs Cavaliers SGP
James Harden Over 20.5 points
James Harden Over 8.5 assists
Evan Mobley Over 7.5 rebounds
Jarrett Allen double-double
Nets vs Cavaliers odds
Spread: Nets +16.5 (-115) | Cavaliers 16.5 (-105)
Moneyline: Nets +700 | Cavaliers -1100
Over/Under: Over 229.5 (-110) | Under 229.5 (-110)
Nets vs Cavaliers betting trend to know
Donovan Mitchell has scored 29+ points in each of his last four games. Find more NBA betting trends for Nets vs. Cavaliers.
How to watch Nets vs Cavaliers
Location
Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
Date
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Tip-off
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
YES, FDSN OH
Nets vs Cavaliers latest injuries
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SARASOTA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 16: Chris Bassitt #40 of the Baltimore Orioles warms up during practice at Ed Smith Stadium on February 16, 2026 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Baltimore Orioles/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Grapefruit League schedule is upon us. From February 20 through March 23, the Orioles will be playing near-daily games to help them get ready for Opening Day on March 26. Over the course of camp, cuts will gradually be made until they get down to the 26-man roster at the end. Young players and journeymen will have an opportunity to make an impression early on. Later, it’ll be about the expected regulars getting in the reps to hit the ground running.
Orioles fans get an uncommon treat this spring training. After several years of the team-owned television network not bothering to broadcast more than a handful of spring games, this year will see more than half of the schedule with a local television broadcast. This does still come with the disappointing fact of the broadcasters calling the games remotely, but it’s better than we’ve gotten recently, with not many games and those called remotely as well.
All but seven of the spring training games will be on either one team’s TV broadcast or the other, and when adding in radio broadcasts for both teams, only one game will have no TV or radio at all: a warmup game against the Netherlands WBC team on March 3 before that tournament begins.
Here’s the full schedule for this spring’s Orioles action:
CINCINNATI, OHIO - MARCH 27: A general view on Opening Day at Great American Ball Park prior to a game between the San Francisco Giants and the Cincinnati Reds on March 27, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cincinnati Reds will open their 2026 season on March 26th in Great American Ball Park with the Boston Red Sox in town. Cincinnati’s Cactus League slate at their home in Goodyear, Arizona will begin this Saturday, February 21st, with the Cleveland Guardians both their home complex compatriots and opponents for the day.
With competitive baseball firmly on the horizon, here’s Red Reporter’s first stab at how the 26-man roster will look when regular season ball commences just five weeks from now.
Starting Rotation
RHP Hunter Greene
LHP Andrew Abbott
LHP Nick Lodolo
RHP Brady Singer
RHP Chase Burns
Notes: The storyline here is the battle for the fifth and final spot in the rotation, as each of Burns, Rhett Lowder, Brandon Williamson, and Julian Aguiar are among the candidates – each of whom already has big league experience under their belts. Burns, though, seems poised to launch into the stratosphere of elite pitchers in the game today, and I don’t think the Reds are in a position to throttle that to begin the season (even if they need to limit his innings at some point later in the year).
Given that each of Lowder, Williamson, and Aguiar is coming off lost 2025 seasons due to major injuries, I think each will get slow-played to start 2026 in order to be built up and ready for the inevitable mid-season needs of the big league club.
Bullpen
RHP Emilio Pagán
RHP Tony Santillan
RHP Graham Ashcraft
LHP Brock Burke
LHP Caleb Ferguson
RHP Pierce Johnson
RHP Connor Phillips
LHP Sam Moll
Notes: The final spot here is the lone one about which I’ve got questions, but usually when that’s the case it’s the larger, administrative factors that win out. In this case, Moll is out of options, and I think that will give him the leg up on the final spot over the likes of Zach Maxwell and Luis Mey. It gives the Reds a third lefty, which might not be ideal, but would buy time for Terry Francona to figure out just how much he really needs a third southpaw (and for Moll to show he’s healthy again), with Big Sugar and Mey around for immediate depth if anything goes askew.
Position Players
C Tyler Stephenson
C Jose Trevino
1B Nathaniel Lowe
DH/IF Eugenio Suárez
IF Sal Stewart
IF Matt McLain
IF Elly De La Cruz
3B Ke’Bryan Hayes
IF/OF Spencer Steer
OF TJ Friedl
OF Noelvi Marte
OF Will Benson
OF Dane Myers
Notes: The recent signing of Lowe to a non-roster contract put this projection into flux, but I do truly think there’s plenty left in his tank and that will show in spring camp. That means he’ll be in the mix at 1B more often than anyone originally thought, and while initially that would look like a major impact to the playing time of Stewart, I think it will actually impact JJ Bleday more than anyone due to Lowe hitting from the left-hand side. Bleday has options remaining – as does Benson, as they’ll be competing directly with one another – but I think Benson gets the inside edge for the time being.
What carrying Lowe, a solid defender at 1B, does though is push Spencer Steer into more time in LF. Stewart, Lowe, and Suárez will rotate through 1B/DH on most days, though I do still expect Suárez to get at least one start a week at 3B until the point at which he proves unplayable there. Steer will also likely get time at 2B on days when McLain either a) takes over SS to give Elly a break or b) when McLain needs a break himself, with Stewart hopefully getting in that mix a time or two here and there, too.
While I’m still highly skeptical of the concept of Myers at all, I think he gets the nod as the right-handed outfielder who can play CF for the time being.
NBC Sports Philadelphia is kicking off Phillies spring training with extensive coverage, highlighted by 17 live games and extensive TV, digital and social content.
The 17-game slate includes seven matchups on NBCSP, 10 on NBCSP+ and gets underway with the team’s exhibition opener against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 1 p.m. ET. A look at the NBCSP broadcast production schedule below:
Date
Time
Matchup
Location
Channel
Sun, Feb 22
1:05 PM
Phillies vs. Pittsburgh
Clearwater, FL
NBCSP
Wed, Feb 25
1:05 PM
Phillies vs. Detroit
Clearwater, FL
NBCSP+
Fri, Feb 27
1:05 PM
Phillies vs. Miami
Clearwater, FL
NBCSP+
Sun, Mar 1
1:05 PM
Phillies vs. NY Yankees
Clearwater, FL
NBCSP
Wed, Mar 4
1:05 PM
Phillies vs. Team Canada*
Clearwater, FL
NBCSP+
Thurs, Mar 5
1:05 PM
Phillies vs. Boston
Clearwater, FL
NBCSP+
Tues, Mar 10
1:05 PM
Phillies vs. NY Yankees
Clearwater, FL
NBCSP+
Fri, Mar 13
1:05 PM
Phillies vs. Baltimore
Clearwater, FL
NBCSP+
Sun, Mar 15
1:05 PM
Phillies vs. Atlanta
Clearwater, FL
NBCSP
Tues, Mar 17
1:05 PM
Phillies vs. Minnesota
Clearwater, FL
NBCSP+
Fri, Mar 20
1:05 PM
Phillies vs. Detroit
Clearwater, FL
NBCSP+
Sat, Mar 21
1:05 PM
Phillies vs. Toronto**
Clearwater, FL
NBCSP+
*WBC Exhibition **Spring Breakout Prospects
NBCSP is extending bonus coverage in partnership with other regional networks including Sportsnet, YES Network and MLB Local.
Date
Time
Matchup
Location
Channel
Sat, Feb 21
1:07 PM
Phillies at Toronto
Dunedin, FL
NBCSP
Sat, Feb 28
1:07 PM
Phillies at Toronto
Dunedin, FL
NBCSP
Sun, Mar 8
1:05 PM
Phillies at Minnesota
Ft. Myers, FL
NBCSP
Sat, Mar 14
1:05 PM
Phillies at NY Yankees
Tampa, FL
NBCSP+
Sun, Mar 22
1:05 PM
Phillies at NY Yankees
Tampa, FL
NBCSP
Live games will feature play-by-play announcer Tom McCarthy and veteran analysts Ruben Amaro Jr., Ben Davis and John Kruk rotating in the booth. Phillies legend Cole Hamels will also return as a game analyst on a part-time basis.
Digital reporting will feature work from both Jim Salisbury and Cole Weintraub, who will also spearhead coverage through the regular season.
Salisbury, who previously served as the Phillies writer/reporter for the network from 2010 to 2022, returns in a similar role covering the team. The veteran sports reporter brings more than 30 years of experience reporting on baseball and 26 years covering the Phillies.
“I’m excited to return to NBC Sports Philadelphia and once again be part of its great baseball coverage team,” said Salisbury. “Opening day can’t come fast enough. I’m sick of the cold and ready for some ball. Hopefully I won’t dangle any participles.”
Weintraub also joins the team as a digital reporter, previously spending time as a contributor for MLB Pipeline and MiLB.
“[Philadelphia is] a fantastic baseball town,” Weintraub said. “The opportunity to bridge the gap between younger and older audiences through our coverage of Phillies baseball is beyond exciting.”
Special edition episodes of the Phillies Talk Podcast, featuring hosts Spencer McKercher and Sean Kane, will feature comprehensive team/player progress reports and special guest interviews.
“Sean and I are incredibly excited about the growth of the Phillies Talk podcast coverage, which continues to exceed expectations and deliver fans the best Phillies content, especially down in spring training,” said McKercher. “Most importantly, the engagement and feedback from Phillies fans has been overwhelming and we’re grateful for the passion and support that’s fueling this momentum.”
You can stay up to date on all things Phillies with wall-to-wall coverage on NBCsportsphiladelphia.com and social/digital platforms.
As the NHL trade deadline approaches, one of the most talked-about names connected to potential movement is Logan Stanley of the Winnipeg Jets.
The 27-year-old pending unrestricted free agent is in the midst of a career season, recording 18 points in 55 games while taking on a steady role along Winnipeg’s blue line. Stanley’s combination of youth, experience, and imposing six-foot-seven frame has drawn interest from several teams seeking to bolster their defensive depth ahead of a playoff push.
A former first-round selection, taken 18th overall in the 2016 NHL Draft, Stanley represents the kind of asset contending teams covet at this time of year. He is affordable, experienced, and still has room to grow. However, what once appeared to be a straightforward trade chip may no longer be so clear-cut.
According to Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Free Press, widely regarded as one of the most trusted voices covering the Jets, Stanley’s priority is to remain in Winnipeg. Wiebe reported Wednesday that he recently spoke with the defenseman, who indicated his desire to stay with the organization that drafted and developed him.
During a chat today, #NHLJets D Logan Stanley expressed his desire to stick around and is expecting some contract talks to take place during the coming days here with his agent Pat Morris and the organization that selected him 18th overall in 2016:https://t.co/2ENSm5ms1c
Stanley added that discussions between his camp and the Jets are expected to take place in the coming days as both sides explore the possibility of a contract extension before he resumes game action.
That development introduces an intriguing wrinkle for Winnipeg’s front office. While moving Stanley could net future assets in a market hungry for size and defensive reliability, retaining him would secure a player who appears to be finding his stride. His physical presence, reach, and ability to use his size effectively have made him a steady contributor on the back end this season.
For a team that at times looked poised to shift toward selling and regrouping for next year, re-signing Stanley could signal a different approach. Keeping him in the fold would provide continuity on defense and allow management to address other areas of need, particularly among struggling forwards, without creating another hole on the blue line.
If the Jets can stabilize their defensive core and inject new energy into their forward group, they may yet position themselves for a stronger second half and build momentum heading into next season.
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Feb 12, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Ousmane Dieng (21) gestures after scoring against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
In a three-team trade with the Suns and the Bulls at the NBA trade deadline, the Milwaukee Bucks acquired forward Ousmane Dieng, jettisoning Amir Coffey and Cole Anthony. It was the third time in 24 hours before the deadline that Dieng had been traded. He was sent to Charlotte for Mason Plumlee, before being shipped off to Chicago, along with other assets, for Coby White. After that deal was completed, the Bulls were added as a third team to the Suns and Bucks trade, in which Nick Richards was traded from Phoenix to Chicago, and the Bucks snagged Dieng. The French export’s time in Milwaukee could be limited, though, as he will enter the offseason as a restricted free agent, with a qualifying offer worth $8.7m.
While the Bucks were linked to a couple of notable names, including Ja Morant and Cam Thomas (eventually signing Thomas), this was the type of move that lined up with what Jamal Collier of ESPN said in an article on the morning of deadline day:
“Milwaukee has still scoured the market for a potential upgrade to its roster, sources told ESPN, hoping to benefit from a team looking to offload salary in the future.”
We’ve already seen Dieng in action in three games for the Bucks, so what can we take away from those performances about who he is as a player?
Player History
Coming out of the National Basketball League (in Australia and New Zealand), he was selected one spot ahead of Jalen Williams in the 2022 draft. The Thunder acquired Dieng’s draft rights from the Knicks at no. 11 overall for three protected first-round picks. In 23 games (11 starts) for the New Zealand Breakers, he averaged 8.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 20.3 minutes per contest. There, he flashed high-level potential, with NBADraft.net’s Stefanos Makris saying the following:
“Dieng is the definition of a high ceiling/low floor prospect … The sky is the limit, but if taken too high, he can just as easily fall through the floorboards. The French wing surely passes the eye test, being a smooth point forward with nice size and length.”
Dieng fell through the floorboards in his four seasons with OKC. He never eclipsed more than 39 games in a season and never averaged more than 14.6 MPG. On top of that, he’s only played 20+ minutes 21 times in 136 career games. Part of that has been because Chet Holmgren, Williams, and the other Jaylin Williams have developed faster, eating into any role he could’ve had. In games where he’s gotten more minutes, Dieng showed flashes of the tools he possesses. One of his best games came against the Bucks last season (albeit without Giannis and Dame), as he scored 21 points on 9/13 shooting, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out five assists.
Offense
The first thing that stands out about Dieng is his silky-smooth jump shot. There aren’t any weird hitches in his shooting form, and it might be the most refined part of his game. Last Wednesday’s game against the Magic was a great display of that.
His shooting numbers didn’t look great in his first two seasons, with an effective field goal percentage of 50% (the league-wide average in those years was 54.6%) and a 28% three-point percentage. Yet, the last two seasons have shown steady growth, with his EFG% up to 52.1% and 3P% up to 34.2%.
While he was never featured in OKC’s offense, he did get that chance with the Thunder’s G League team. In 26 games during the 2023–24 season, Dieng averaged 17.3 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and 6.0 APG, with shooting splits of .482/.301/.702. He helped lead the OKC Blue to their first G League title by winning Finals MVP in a three-game series, averaging 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.7 blocks, and just 1.7 turnovers per game. He shot the ball incredibly well, hitting 44.2% of his shots from the field, 53.3% from three-point range (5.0 3PA), and 100% from the charity stripe, albeit on three total attempts. In that finals series against the Maine Celtics, there were noticeable playmaking skills in the half-court, in pick-and-roll scenarios, and even in transition. That’s translated in his short stint with the Bucks so far, as he made several good reads against his former team, including a lob to Jericho Sims in the P&R.
Dieng has on-ball creation skills, with a tight handle on the perimeter. He’s been able to pull up from three, drain step-back threes, and even get to the rim with regularity. He does look a little awkward at times, especially when he tries to Euro step, but that might be a product of his patience to get the right look at the rim.
Another standout skill is Dieng’s ability to run the pick-and-roll. With his height, he’s able to read the defense and find open players. Even when he drives into the lane, and the defense collapses, he finds shooters open on the perimeter. He does an excellent job of using ball and head fakes to manipulate defenses and open passing lanes. He has great control of the ball, with very few passes I watched that were errant. Dieng knows when it’s his time to take the shot in these situations and attack the roll man in drop coverage. His favorite scoring moves are the floater and the Euro step, but he also has a mid-range jumper he likes to pull out from time to time.
Overall, there’s a lot to like about Dieng’s offensive potential. The one drawback right now is his frame, weighing 185 pounds at 6’9”, and that has caused problems on drives to the rim against bigger defenders. He is quick enough and long enough to get by some players in the G League and the NBL, but I can foresee issues against bigger NBA bodies. Imagine if he tried to drive on a player like OG Anunoby or even his own teammate, Kyle Kuzma—bigger guys who are just as athletic as him. While he hasn’t run into that problem with the Bucks so far, it’s happened quite a few times over the course of his career.
That is something that Dieng can change, as he is still growing into his body. Again, he is only 22 years old. How many of us had fully grown into our adult bodies by then? That’s not to say he’s going to grow to the same level as a player like Brandon Ingram, but some tools should excite Bucks fans.
Defense
Dieng’s best defensive tool by far is his IQ. There were multiple plays in his days overseas and in the G League where he would come over from his help position to block shots and deflect the ball, creating fast-break chances. The way he blocks shots is like how Giannis operates on defense: he defends the rim off the help side rather than a traditional rim protector like Rudy Gobert. This isn’t to say Dieng is as good a defender as Giannis; it’s more to show that they work in similar ways in the half-court.
His length and athleticism make him a versatile defender who guards 1–3 on the perimeter. His 7’1” wingspan is ideal for disrupting ball handlers, generating steals, and deflections. In three games with the Bucks, players are shooting 41.9% when guarded by Dieng (13/31), and in last Wednesday’s game against Orlando, Franz Wagner went 0/4 from the field when Dieng was the closest defender.
His smaller build also causes issues at the defensive end. It leaves him unable to guard power forwards and centers in the post. The bigger issue comes on the perimeter, where he gets overpowered by bigger players looking to drive into the paint. This made it much harder for him to navigate screens at times, as he got stuck on the screen or even made the wrong read on the ball handler. He seems to have gotten marginally better in this area with NBA coaching, but there isn’t enough of a sample size to say that for sure.
It also leaves him liable to give up rebounds on both ends of the court. Looking over his film, most of his rebounds in the limited time he has spent on the floor at the NBA level are uncontested. The only example I found of him having to box out someone was in a preseason game against the Nuggets this season. It’s not the end of the world, but it shows that his lack of strength could be a problem if he ever must box out bigs. He should only be boxing out players of his size or smaller.
Dieng has a chance to be a solid defender and could address the Bucks’ defensive deficiencies, especially off the bench. Having a help-side defender with his instincts next to Bobby Portis would cover up his issues on that end.
How does he fit down the stretch?
Overall, Dieng will have a much better opportunity for consistent minutes with this Bucks team. As of now, he could get playing time to spell Kuzma as a small forward/power forward. His size and defensive versatility make him a good fit for the Bucks’ defense, both in man-to-man and zone coverage.
Offensively, he can run P&R effectively, so I see a two-man game of him and Sims continuing to work quite well. He doesn’t need the ball to contribute, as he has a dependable jumper in catch-and-shoot situations. With his improving three-point shot, he would be an ideal floor spacer alongside Giannis, either off the bench or potentially in the starting lineup. Kuzma has come off the bench at times, and I would rather use the rest of this season to see how Dieng fits.
Beyond that, it’s hard to tell how short a leash Doc will have on Dieng, given his propensity to favor veterans over young players. With the limited time Dieng could be with Milwaukee, given his contract situation, it would be imperative for the coaching staff to give him significant minutes, around 18–25 MPG. I know the Bucks didn’t give up much to get him, but this team has been starving for young talent for quite some time. They need to see what they have in him so they can decide whether he should stay in Milwaukee for at least one more season.
Nikola Vucevic has terrific touch around the basket. | NBAE via Getty Images
It was a first half to remember for the Celtics, as they exceeded expectations en route to a 35-19 record and the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
While it was certainly a strong start, what happens the rest of the way will ultimately dictate how this season is remembered.
With that in mind, here are 10 storylines to follow moving forward.
1) Will Jayson Tatum return?
Yes, it’s obvious, but it still counts. Will he or won’t he? My hunch is that Jayson Tatum will, in fact, play for the Celtics this season. It could be in a few days, a few weeks or a few months, but I don’t think he’s doing all this just for the heck of it.
Prediction: Yes, sometime in March or April.
2) Will Jaylen Brown make the All-NBA first team?
Jaylen Brown made the All-NBA second team in 2022-23 but has never made the first team. This is easily his best chance. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic are essentially locks as long as they stay healthy. After that, it feels like Brown, Luka Doncic, Cade Cunningham, Anthony Edwards and Jalen Brunson, among others, will be battling it out for two spots.
Prediction: No. He makes the second team (finishing sixth or seventh overall), but not the first.
I’m proud of this group and staff/ office looking forward to 2nd half go Cs ☘️ pic.twitter.com/I0cqxQTPYg
3) Can Derrick White find consistency with his shot?
Derrick White has adjusted to increased responsibility seamlessly in just about every area. His shooting percentages, however, have decreased significantly – 44.2 percent from the field last year to 38.9 this year, along with 38.4 percent from 3 last year to 32.5 this year. I have a hunch White will figure it out. He may not be able to elevate those numbers to where they were last year, but I think he’ll start trending in the right direction.
Prediction: Yes. He ends up around 34 percent from 3 and 40 percent from the field.
4) Will Nikola Vucevic be a perfect fit?
The more I watch Nikola Vucevic play with the Celtics, the more I like the trade. Yes, they’ll miss Anfernee Simons, but Vucevic really fits in perfectly and gives them something an element didn’t have. He’s honestly one of the best low-post scorers and rebounders they’ve had in recent years (if not the best) and has already made strides defensively. I think this will end up working out great for both sides.
Prediction: Yes. He continues to get more and more comfortable and helps most in the playoffs.
Joe Mazzulla is in the mix for Coach of the Year, but he has some stiff competition with JB Bickerstaff, Jordan Ott, Mitch Johnson and more. I believe the Celtics will continue to rack up wins and continue to help his cause, but I don’t think anyone’s catching the Pistons in the East, so it’s hard to argue against Bickerstaff.
Prediction: No. He comes close, but finishes second behind Bickerstaff.
6) Which role players earn opportunities in the playoffs?
Mazzulla has mixed and matched with his bench most of the season, tinkering his lineups based on the opponent. Which of these guys who have contributed in spurts will stay in the rotation in the playoffs? It will likely continue to be matchup dependent, but I think he trusts Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez and Luka Garza most, with a sprinkle of Jordan Walsh and Amari Williams as needed.
Prediction: Scheierman, Gonzalez and Walsh see occasional minutes, depending on the opponent.
7) Will all the road games early be a problem?
Eight of the Celtics’ first 12 games are on the road, starting with a tough four-game trip against the Warriors, Lakers, Suns and Nuggets. This is a tricky stretch, and they need to make sure it doesn’t veer the wrong direction. Going 2-2 is fine, but 1-3 or 0-4 wouldn’t be ideal. It doesn’t get any easier in early March, with road games against the Cavaliers, Spurs and Thunder in a span of five days.
Prediction: They struggle somewhat, but not enough where they plummet in the standings. They go 2-2 on the first road trip and 1-2 on the second, but they take care of business against worse teams at home to start 7-5 overall.
8) Does Neemias Queta make an All-Defensive team?
Neemias Queta is the unsung hero of this whole Celtics season so far. People who watch the team regularly are aware of how valuable he is, but those who follow the NBA casually have no idea. He’s currently 10th in the NBA in defensive rating (105.6), 18th in blocks (1.3) and is the anchor of a unit that’s allowing the second-fewest points per game in the NBA (108.4) behind only the Thunder.
Prediction: Yes, he makes the second team – a well-deserved honor.
9) How many wins do the Celtics finish with and where do they end up in the standings?
This one is possibly the most fun to predict. In one sense, the Celtics are playing with house money. In other, they didn’t come this far just to come this far. I don’t think there will be a major drop-off, but I also don’t think they’ll catch the Pistons. I think the Knicks will pull ahead, but the Celtics will hold off the Cavaliers. Obviously Tatum’s status could swing it dramatically, so I’m making a safe pick in between where I think it would be if he comes back and if he doesn’t.
Prediction: 52-30, No. 3 seed.
10) Do fans start to believe this team can win it all?
The average Boston sports fan is enjoying this run, yet remains somewhat skeptical that the Celtics can legitimately contend for a championship. Are they right? Possibly, but I wouldn’t rule it out. The Thunder still factually have the best chance. The rest of the West is loaded, and the Pistons, Knicks and Cavaliers are all legit, but there’s no reason the Celtics can’t make the Finals and give the Thunder or anyone else a battle. Especially if that Tatum guy returns. It’s a tricky season, because fans are genuinely bought in but don’t want to be disappointed if it all crumbles. But that’s what being a fan is all about, right?
Prediction: Fans’ expectations stay about the same if Tatum stays sidelined. Fans’ expectations start to soar if he returns. We’ll see how it all shakes out, but it could be one heck of a story.
Peterson exited No. 12 Kansas' Big 12 win over the Cowboys shortly after hitting a 3-pointer with 18 minutes left in the second half. He didn't return to the game, finishing with 23 points, two rebounds, one block and one steal in 18 minutes of play.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Kansas coach Bill Self said the reason Peterson left was due to cramping. He also said he didn't "anticipate" the issue flaring up again, adding that it was a disappointing situation considering Peterson could have had an even bigger game than he did.
"Well we've had it more than a couple times," Self told reporters. "And I didn't anticipate that tonight at all. I thought that he was good to go. But obviously we only got 18 minutes out of him. And that's really disappointing, because he could have had a really big night.
"But one thing about it is it's happened often enough that our guys have learned to play without him, even though that's not the way want to play. But that's certainly not something that we're unaccustomed to right now."
Self also said that it's "concerning," and that Kansas would prefer him to be fully available for the 2026 NCAA Tournament:
"It's a concern. I thought we were past it, but obviously we're not. It's certainly a concern," Self said. "You get into the NCAA Tournament, you're playing a team just as good as you and you need to have all your best players available, so to speak. Yeah, all it takes is for one day like that to derail not only a game, but a season."
Self wasn't the only person to comment on Peterson's lack of playing time in the second half. TNT college basketball studio analysts Jalen Rose, Bruce Pearl and Jamal Mashburn spoke at length about the ongoing saga with Peterson, with Mashburn rhetorically asking, "why even be a part of it?"
"I think the interesting part of this with the NIL era and the transfer portal, this has become much more transactional than we've really thought about," Mashburn said. "From the standpoint that, we can't separate the conversation of them winning a championship and him going to the NBA.
"Because it's a transition year for him at the end of the day. If he can go straight from high school straight to the pros, he probably would have done it. That's how I see it. They really need him to win a championship, but if he's going to get into the NCAA Tournament, and you're gonna load manage that part of it, why even be a part of it?"
"If [Darryn Peterson's] gonna get into the NCAA Tournament, and you're gonna load manage... why even be a part of it."@jamalmashburn, @JalenRose & @coachbrucepearl weigh in on the Kansas star after he sat most of the 2H in tonight's win 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/Ni4lWClJGS
Added former Auburn and Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl:
"It's a business, and I think the kids in the locker room understand he's got the chance to be No. 1. They want him to be healthy. I think times have changed a little bit. Years ago, there might have been guys in the locker room that would have really taken him to task a little bit: 'Hey, we need you to win this championship.' But they all recognize it might just be bigger than that.
"So, disappointed, and this is not the last that we're going to hear of this story."
The Boston Celtics (35-19) kick off the second half of their season with a challenge by the Bay, when they take the court at Chase Center against the Golden State Warriors (29-26) tonight.
Currently sitting second in the Eastern Conference, the Celtics are riding high with a 7-3 record in their last ten games, relying on an MVP-level season from Jaylen Brown (29.3PPG) and a deep supporting cast committed to three-point shooting and defense. Boston enters this clash as slight 3.5 to 5.5-point favorites, aiming to continue their strong play while whispers of a Jayson Tatum return to the court in time for the postseason grow louder.
The Warriors are dealing with their own glut of injuries with Stephen Curry and Kristaps Porzingis joining an infirmary that already includes Jimmy Butler. The injuries have taken their toll on the team as Steve Kerr’s crew has lost four of its last six. Brandin Podziemski has stepped up as a reliable scorer (15.3PPG over last 3 games) but Golden State is definitely playing shorthanded. Much like the Celtics, the Warriors love the three-pointer having made more shots from beyond the arc than any other team.
This matchup promises to be a battle of styles and efficiency, with the Celtics holding a +7.2 net rating compared to the Warriors' +1.8. While Boston has dominated defensively, limiting opponents to 100.2 points over their last 10 games, the Warriors bring a heightened pace and elite passing to this one, averaging 28.9 assists this season.
Lets take a closer look at the matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game Details and How to Watch Live: Celtics at Warriors
Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026
Time: 10PM EST
Site: Chase Center
City: San Francisco, CA
Network/Streaming: Amazon Prime Video, NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports Boston
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Game Odds: Celtics at Warriors
The latest odds as of Thursday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Boston Celtics (-205), Golden State Warriors (+170)
Spread: Celtics -5.5
Total: 212.5 points
This game opened Celtics -3.5 with the Total set at 223.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups: Celtics at Warriors
Boston Celtics
PG Derrick White
SG Baylor Scheierman
SF Jaylen Brown
PF Sam Hauser
C Neemias Queta
Golden State Warriors
PG Pat Spencer
SG De’Anthony Melton
SF Moses Moody
PF Gui Santos
C Draymond Green
Injury Report: Celtics at Warriors
Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum (Achilles) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Golden State Warriors
Stephen Curry (knee) is listed as OUT for tonight’s game
Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Seth Curry (sciatica) is listed as OUT for tonight’s game
LJ Cryer (hamstring) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Will Richard (knee) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Important stats, trends and insights: Celtics at Warriors
The Warriors are 18-10 at home this season
The Celtics are 17-10 on the road this season
The Warriors are 24-30-1 ATS this season / 13-14-1 at home
The Celtics are 30-23-1 ATS this season / 17-9-1 on the road
The OVER has cashed in 20 of the Celtics’ 54 games this season (20-34)
The OVER has cashed in 31 of the Warriors’ 55 games this season (31-24)
The Warriors are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games
Sam Hauser has made at least 3, 3-pointers in 11 of his last 19 games
Nikola Vucevic has made at least 2, 3-pointers just twice in his last 7 games
Rotoworld Best Bet
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s Celtics and Warriors’ game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Celtics -5.5 ATS
Total: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Game Total OVER 212.5
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MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 18: Sidney Crosby #87 of Canada is leaving to the locker room during the Men's Playoffs Quarterfinal match between Canada and Czechia on day twelve of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 18, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by RvS.Media/Robert Hradil/Getty Images) | Getty Images
You could almost feel the rush start building up as soon as Sidney Crosby limped off the ice yesterday. Other players like Kevin Fiala (out for the season with a broken leg), Josh Morrissey (currently injured to an unknown degree) and Brad Marchand (who missed two Olympic games but has since returned) have picked up injuries in these Olympics, but a player on the level of Crosby raises the discourse to new levels.
It harkens back to the 2014 Olympics, when then-New York Islander star John Tavares was lost for the season with a torn MCL suffered in Sochi.
First, the latest updates on Crosby have been inconclusive at best. Crosby has not been ruled out by Canadian coach Jon Cooper for Friday’s semifinal game yet, however he obviously has picked up some level of injury that has his immediate future in doubt. Even if Crosby can return for the games, his status for a stretch of 12 games in 21 days for the Penguins, which begins in just a week, has to be at least partially in doubt.
It probably won’t be as severe as “Mario Lemieux only playing one NHL game after the 2002 Olympics” but then again the situations were drastically different with Lemieux back then clearly trying to hold onto as much of his health as possible to participate in the Olympics and then be forced to address his health in the aftermath. (Lemieux would go onto play only 10 games the following season). That was less the fault of an Olympic injury and more a different priority in a different time with a much different health situation.
Going back to 2014 and the endless debate, former NYI general manager Garth Snow didn’t take the news well on losing his best player, as one would expect. Snow called NHL participation in the Olympics a “joke” and said:
“This is probably the biggest reason why NHL players shouldn’t be in the Olympics, it should just be amateurs,” Snow told Newsday. “And it could have happened to anyone; it just happened to be us that lost our best player.”
“A lot of people pay to see John play,” he said. “It wouldn’t matter if we were 10 points clear of a playoff spot or 10 points out. We lost our best player and he wasn’t even [injured while] playing for us.”
Snow asked rhetorically if the IIHF and IOC would reimburse the Islander season-ticket holders who were out a lot of money. Ticket prices have risen significantly in the last 12 years, the same thought holds water for those Penguin fans who have invested hundreds or thousands of dollars in the 10 home games Pittsburgh will play through the end of March. That total investment will reach eight-figures with no small amount of the decision linked to the opportunity to see Crosby play.
On the flip side, Penguin coaches and teammates surely understand and accept the risk involved.
“It’s the Olympics,” coach Dan Muse said after a Penguins practice yesterday. “Anytime these guys get an opportunity to represent their countries, I’m just happy for them. To play in a tournament like that, to be playing in that setting, that is something I think everybody dreams of. The only thing for me is that I’m excited for those guys getting that opportunity that they’ve earned.”
Crosby’s teammate Bryan Rust encapsulated the overwhelming majority of player opinions by responding to the early news that Crosby got hurt and whether the risk justified the desire to still compete.
“You can get injured in practice, look at (Aleksander) Barkov, he (is missing) the year because he got injured in practice. (Kevin Hayes) got injured in practice. Things can happen all sorts of places. With the way these practices are now, with how intense they are, guys across the league, somebody might get injured.
“I don’t think guys in this league are too worried about that. The opportunity to represent your country at the highest level, the world stage, I think guys are more than willing to accept that risk.”
That rings true in a lot of senses. We can’t speak for injured players like Crosby, Fiala and Morrisey but it stands to reason all would get right back on the plane to Italy to represent their countries again, even knowing firsthand the price that could be attached in terms of pain that might entail.
The question becomes weighing player interest against what is best for the NHL season. Ancillary debates spawn from there about the impact of taking a three week pause and condensing a season into a reduced calendar is another element that impacts the league and the players who don’t get Olympic participation, held up against a notion about growing the appeal of the game (of which, results can be spotty for tangible impact of best-on-best drawing into increased NHL audience).
The debate draws down to competing opinions and viewpoints that will never align. Those with an NHL bent, be it for professional or monetary reasons, as Snow illustrated will justifiably be angry when the inevitable happens for star players getting hurt at the Olympics. Others, like the players themselves as Rust spoke to, are more than willing to risk it for the glory involved and opportunity to represent their country. There are decent enough reasons to be on either side of the fence, depending on where a perspective falls.
It’s a debate that will rage on for as long as the NHL and the Olympics both exist, neither of which are going away anytime soon. NHL players have been confirmed to compete in the 2030 Olympics, and the league is increasing their own involvement in staging best-on-best action in 2028. The questions about whether the cost is worth the benefit won’t change for people who run NHL teams compared to those that want to represent their countries, which will only lead to more instances of the topic coming back for further discussion as time goes on.
