Alexis Mac Allister scored in injury time, after having a previous goal ruled out, to snatch a Liverpool win
Eric Peterson gets in touch: “I wouldn’t mind Wayne Rooney pulling on an old Everton kit and getting on some podcast to remind Arne Slot, “Easy there, sport. You say that the only thing you and Jurgen Klopp have in common is that you both won the league. That’s not true. You both won the league with Jurgen’s team. Whether you can build a champion of your own is a different question.”
Arne Slot just spoke to Sky, starting with Dominik Szoboszlai at full-back: “He needs to be because that’s what we need. We have our issues, especially in defence. Missing our 2 fullbacks, but Dominic has done that job really well. Last week, Curtis Jones, did his job really well. So that’s the good thing about midfielders, they are usually able to play in more positions than only in the midfields.
Tempe, AZ - February 21, 2026: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) pitches in the first inning at Diablo Stadium, Tempe, AZ on February 21, 2026. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Dodger baseball is officially back in session, and it began on Saturday with a thunderous 15-2 victory over the Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
Getting the nod for the cactus opener was the reigning World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who tossed 29 pitches over 1 2/3 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) while striking out three and allowing zero walks. For added benefit, his offense supplied him with a nine-run cushion entering his final frame of work.
The Dodgers’ six-run second inning gave Yamamoto a wide gap between innings, where he allowed the Angels’ only offense of the day. He remarked that he still felt great on the mound and is feeling well ahead of his next cactus start, per Sonja Chen of MLB.com.
“I was already feeling good,” Yamamoto said. “And then somehow I was able to carry that to today’s game, especially the first inning. I think I was great, but due to the gap between innings, that affected me a little bit.”
“Oh, is he?” a visibly surprised Roberts said before letting out a big laugh after Saturday’s 15-2 rout of the Angels. “I was in between, but then I was like, I didn’t want to miss him for sure. So that’s good that he confirmed that, that’s great.”
Links
With an open runway to assume the starting second base job at the beginning of the regular season, Hyeseong Kim made quite the impression on Saturday, going 2-3 with a pair of singles and three RBI. Kim spoke with Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA about his performance on Saturday, noting that he spent time this offseason working on his lower body movements.
“I spent a lot of time practicing my lower body movements, and luckily I was able to get some good results today.”
Hyeseong Kim (2-3, 3 RBI, R) discusses playing for Team Korea in the WBC, his strong start to Spring Training, his comfortability in year 2 and his skin care routine. @kirsten_watsonpic.twitter.com/wVOERvprCy
The Dodgers had a 50 percent success rate in using the new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system, but don’t expect them to use it with high frequency. Anthony Solorzano of the Los Angeles Times writes about how the Dodgers will implement the ABS system, noting that they will take a more conservative approach when challenging balls and strikes.
“It’s good that we’re practicing in spring, but we’re having conversations about leverage and how to use it to our advantage.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Duke basketball and coach Jon Scheyer got exactly what it wanted against Michigan — a March test in February.
The No. 3 Blue Devils (25-2, 13-1 ACC) took down No. 1-ranked Michigan (25-2, 15-1 Big Ten), 68-63, on a neutral floor at Capital One Arena, a venue that could host Duke again for the NCAA Tournament’s East Regional where Duke is projected to be a No. 1 seed.
And it looked the part.
"That was a game that didn't feel like that was played in February, that felt like a March or April game," Scheyer said.
It was the highest attended college basketball neutral-site game, with 20,537 fans in attendance.
Cameron Boozer posted a team-high 18 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in the win, where Duke outrebounded Michigan 41-28 and dominated in the paint, 34-24. Duke used a 6-0 run to regain the lead and close the first half up, 35-33, a lead it did not relinquish for the remainder of the contest. Michigan got within one twice in the second half, but that's as close as the Wolverines could get.
Scheyer went into the game knowing it would be a great test for his team. While he said he did not necessarily learn anything new from his squad, he instead saw growth.
"I see the connectivity on defense," he said. "I see the plays they're making on offense of how to win in March and how to win going forward. And that's the biggest thing that I saw.
"I think there's a lot that we could have done better, and I think that's a good thing. It doesn't diminish how proud I am of our team. I think we still can get a lot better, but I think we've done that. I think this was just the next step in order to prove that, to show it."
For junior guard Caleb Foster, who finished with 12 points, four rebound and four assists, the atmosphere reflected that of one come March.
"It definitely felt like a tournament game, obviously going against Michigan and then having a neutral site in the environment, both Michigan and Duke fans," Foster said. "It was a great environment to play in."
While Scheyer emphasized staying in the present, he didn’t shy away from recognizing how much Saturday’s environment could matter later.
"I do know this game helped us understand what a tournament environment is," he said. "... I'm thankful for this, just this whole event, the game, because I think it really simulates what it's going to be and whether we have an opportunity to play in Washington or not, this helped us a lot."
Anna Snyder covers Duke for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at asnyder@usatodayco.com or follow her @annaesnydr on X, formerly known as Twitter.
MILWAUKEE, WI - DECEMBER 18: Kevin Porter Jr. #7 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket during the game against the Toronto Raptors on December 18, 2025 at Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images
The Milwaukee Bucks are back in Fiserv this afternoon, playing host to the Toronto Raptors. This game begins a stretch in which they play nine out of their next 10 games at home. With Giannis out, the Bucks have found a nice groove with their recruits. That said, we should also acknowledge that the Bucks have had a favorable schedule of late and/or played banged-up teams. This game should be a good barometer of where they’re at (though the Bucks catch something of a break with Scottie Barnes being out). Milwaukee is 1-2 against Toronto this season.
Where We’re At
As mentioned, the Bucks have won six of their last seven. They just came off a W over their pick-swap nemesis, the Pelicans, and beat the Thunder and Magic before the All-Star break. Over the aforementioned seven-game stretch, the Bucks have the seventh-best net rating in the NBA (fourth on offence, 17th on defence). One stat I found quite interesting was that, even though it feels like the Bucks have been moving the ball more, they actually rank 26th in assist percentage across that seven-game stretch. So in reality, it’s been more about the isolation scorers (namely Cam Thomas and Kevin Porter Jr.) getting into their bags more than anything else—which is maybe a little concerning?
The Raptors, winners of three of their last four, have made the jump they intended to make this year after trading for Brandon Ingram in the middle of last season. They are no longer a team hanging at the bottom of the standings. The primary reason for that has been their defence, which ranks fifth for the season and 11th over the last five games. Of course, the recent drop-off could be tied to their anchor, Jakob Poeltl, missing significant time due to a back injury. However, Poeltl’s absence has opened the door for their lottery pick, Collin Murray-Boyles, to start and flourish in a larger role. Poeltl is back now, but Murray-Boyles has remained the starter. Seems like a positive long-term for the Raps.
Injury Report
For the Bucks, Giannis (calf) and Taurean Prince (neck) are out. Myles Turner (calf) is questionable.
For the Raptors, Scottie Barnes (personal) is the only out.
Player To Watch
Let’s go with Cam Thomas. Since getting real minutes from the second game against Orlando, CT has averaged 24.3 PPG. I mean, he just diced the Pelicans’ defence; it’s going to be interesting to see how he fairs against the Raptors, though. This is a team that backs itself to switch at an elite level. They have a trove of lanky, strong wings (as is Toronto tradition), and a bunch of hard-nosed guards. One of those guards is Jamal Shead, who, if you haven’t watched him, might be one of the NBA’s best point-of-attack defenders; no, I’m not exaggerating. Cam will likely have to deal with Shead for much of the game—it will be interesting to see if he can still score at the same rate.
How To Watch
FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin at 2:30 p.m. CST.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 04: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles the ball against Paul George #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers in the second quarter at Target Center on March 04, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Philadelphia 76ers Date: February 22nd, 2026 Time: 6:00 PM CST Location: Target Center Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network – North Radio Coverage: KFAN FM, Wolves App, iHeart Radio
The Wolves survived their first post–All-Star break game by taking what looked like a chill Friday night win over Dallas and turning it into a full emotional cardio session that required a late-game Anthony Edwards rescue mission.
Of course they did.
For a while, it looked like we were getting the “responsible adult” version of Minnesota that comes out humming, defending, sprinting, moving the ball, and stacking a lead. They jumped Dallas early, built a sizable cushion by the end of the first quarter, kept the momentum rolling into the second… and then the Rudy Gobert flagrant happened.
And I swear, the moment they went to the monitor, it was like someone hit pause on Minnesota’s soul.
The stoppage. The review. The weird dead-air energy that comes from watching referees freeze-frame a boxout like it’s the Zapruder film. The Target Center crowd going from “we’re cooking tonight” to “uh oh, we’ve seen this movie.” It’s the exact same script that played out when the Suns were in town and Gobert got hit with a flagrant two against Mark Williams.
When play resumed, the Wolves weren’t the same. Dallas suddenly had life. The lead started leaking. The Mavericks crept within 12 at halftime, and then came the third quarter. Minnesota came out flat, Dallas came out sharp, and that 18-point lead evaporated until the game was tied.
You could feel it. The Wolves were about to do the thing again. The thing where they take a game that’s supposed to be a comfortable cruise and turn it into a late-night therapy appointment. And then Ant checked in midway through the fourth, threw on the cape, and basically told Dallas, “This was fun, but I have stuff to do.”
That’s what stars do. They end the nonsense.
Ant picked Dallas apart from every level. He was getting downhill, finishing through contact, hitting the midrange stuff that feels like the final form of his offense, then pulling out those patented momentum threes.
This wasn’t just “Ant got hot.” This was controlled domination. The kind you only see from a guy who knows exactly where the game is going and decides he’s not letting it go there.
Rudy Gobert was also huge. The Mavericks had no answer for him on the glass. He cleaned up rebounds, finished putbacks, gave Minnesota easy points when the offense got a little sticky, and generally made life miserable around the rim. Which is why the flagrant is so brutal. Now that he’s suspended, Sunday against Philly beomes that much more difficult.
Naz was the third key performer, acting as the perfect antidote to the Wolves’ inevitable offensive lulls. Threes, paint buckets, quick-hitter offense. When the offense starts looking like it’s moving through wet cement, Naz is one of the few guys who can just… generate.
Now Comes the Sixers Game: No Rudy, No Excuses
So the Wolves get Philadelphia at Target Center on Sunday, trying to make it four straight, and they’ll have to do it without the guy who basically serves as their defensive operating system.
The loss of Gobert is monumental, especially for a team that has periodically treated defense like a suggestion this season. Without Rudy as the safety net, Minnesota’s margin for error gets smaller, and the habits become everything.
The good news? Sometimes the Wolves weirdly thrive when the situation gets harder. They’ll play like maniacs against OKC, then sleepwalk against the Jazz. They’ll show up for Denver, then treat New Orleans like a preseason scrimmage. It makes no sense, but it’s been real all season.
And with that, here are the keys to the game…
#1: Everyone Has to Defend Like Rudy’s Watching From the Stands
Without Gobert, Minnesota cannot afford lazy blow-bys, sloppy closeouts, or that “Rudy will clean it up” mindset, because Rudy will be in street clothes.
This becomes a perimeter accountability game.
Jaden McDaniels has to be a menace. Ayo Dosunmu has to pressure the ball. Ant has to lock in when he’s guarding a primary creator. Julius has to give real resistance instead of “turnstile-and-pray.”
Because if Philly starts living at the rim, Minnesota’s defense will unravel quickly.
#2: Julius and Naz Have to Own the Paint
No Rudy means the rebounding burden shifts immediately to Randle and Reid. They have to clean the glass like it’s their job, because for this game, it is. If the Wolves lose the paint battle and the rebounding battle, they’re basically spotting Philly extra possessions and extra confidence.
#3: Keep the Ball Moving
Minnesota actually did a solid job sharing the ball against Dallas. When the Wolves move it, they get cleaner looks, they play faster, and the offense feels inevitable. When the offense stagnates, it turns into late-clock Ant bailouts, Randle dribbling into traffic, contested jumpers, and turnovers that lead to runouts.
The Wolves don’t need “pretty.” They need connected. Make the extra pass. Keep everyone engaged. Make Philly guard actions, not just talent.
#4: Lean Into the Spacing Advantage
Here’s the weird silver lining: without Gobert, Minnesota can play five-out or at least five-threats lineups more often. That means the paint is less crowded. So instead of mourning what Rudy does offensively (putbacks, lobs), Minnesota needs to weaponize what his absence opens up: more driving lanes.
You can’t replace Gobert’s defense, but you can make Philly pay on the other end by spacing them out and attacking.
#5: Ant Has to Put His Superstar Stamp on This One
Ant followed up the All-Star MVP weekend with a 40-piece. Now he gets a real test: short-handed, higher stakes, tougher opponent, and momentum on the line.
He needs to outshine Tyrese Maxey. He needs to control the game emotionally and tactically. He needs to score and facilitate, because without Rudy, Minnesota’s safety net is gone. And when the safety net is gone, your superstar has to become the floor and the ceiling.
But here’s the important part: He needs to do it within the flow. No hero-ball spirals. No heat-check threes with 18 seconds on the shot clock because you’re mad about a missed call. Pick spots, bend the defense, make the right play, then punish them when they overreact.
This is what “face of the league” looks like in February: not highlights… control.
This Is a “Prove You’re Serious” Game
The league just tied a hand behind Minnesota’s back with the Gobert suspension. The Wolves don’t get to whine about it, not if they’re serious about climbing from the 6-seed into the home-court range.
This is a game that will tell us something. If Minnesota shows up locked in defensively, shares the ball, wins the rebounding battle by committee, and lets Ant steer the ship like a grown-up superstar? That’s a team building real momentum into March.
If they come out sloppy, casual, turnover-prone, and surprised that Philly doesn’t roll over? That’s the Wolves doing their thing again.
They don’t need perfection Sunday.
They need professionalism.
Because if you’re going to make a real run in April and May, you better learn how to survive a February game without your Defensive Player of the Year.
TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 17: Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 of the New York Yankees poses for a photo during Spring Training Photo Day at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 17, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The New York Yankees enter the 2026 season with a plethora of choices to pick for their leadoff spot. That said, one might be tempted to claim this team doesn’t have a prototypical leadoff hitter, but to do so, one would have to determine what makes a prototypical leadoff hitter these days. In 2026, the best leadoff hitters get on base by any means necessary, and any lineup aspiring to be one of the more productive offenses in the game has quite a few of those. At this point, flat-out good hitters dominate the top spot; guys like Kyle Schwarber, Shohei Ohtani, and Ronald Acuña Jr have become signature leadoff guys, though no one would’ve batted an eye to see them hit second, or even third or fourth.
The Yankees have number of good hitters, which means they have a number of options to bat first. Joshua Diemert wrote recently about the merits of Ben Rice as a potential option in the number one spot in the Yankee lineup —he made great points that align with some of what I’ll say today, trying to make a case for Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Our focus is that most of the other alternatives, Rice and Trent Grisham, specifically, are coming off two productive seasons that deviate quite a bit from the expectations surrounding them. As much as the underlying data supports them carrying on, at least to some extent, the less pressure on them to repeat, the better. Neither has a long track record of elite hitting, and allowing them to continue to prove themselves lower in the order could prove beneficial.
The qualifying offer was always a likely outcome for Grisham’s return—as much as the Yankees needed him back, it would be very difficult to justify a long-term deal off one season from a hitter with a below league-average batting line in each of the prior three campaigns. Rice is coming off a breakout season, but only a year before, he managed to play himself out of a starting role on a team that had no other suitable options for his position. Rice’s 9.4% walk rate last year is pretty good, but it’s not necessarily the anchor to justify a spot leading off on its own.
Someone playing devil’s advocate could argue that many of the concerns voiced above regarding choosing Rice or Grisham for that spot also ring true with Chisholm. But for all the ups and downs in his career, Jazz had already established himself at a productive level before joining the Yankees, and with the projection of a walk rate similar to Rice, his speed is best utilized in the leadoff spot. Since joining New York, Chisholm has a success rate in stolen absences of roughly 83 percent, swiping 49 bags on 59 attempts. Who is more likely to suffer more with the threat of Jazz running and Aaron Judge up at the plate? Judge and Chisholm themselves, or the pitcher? I would posit that there’s a decent chance that, leading off, Chisholm’s already stellar steal success rate would improve even further if he was taking leads off first base while pitchers were concerned with dealing with the best hitter
Chisholm got on base just as much as Rice a year ago, and I think it’s a pretty fair to claim that at this time, he is better suited for the pressure of hitting in front of Judge—a pressure that can turn into a gift if he performs, as no one is likelier to see more pitches to hit than the player hitting in front of the reigning back-to-back AL MVP. Maybe Chisholm won’t win MVP, like he’s said he hopes to, but he’s a great choice to hit at the top of the Yankee lineup nonetheless.
The Cubs were at it again at Sloan Park on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. A mite cool for locals but clear and sunny. Just ask PCA how sunny. Sources say they’re still adding less-well-known players.
“Everyone’s replaceable in this game,” Taillon said after giving up three runs in two innings in the Chicago Cubs’ spring training opener Friday afternoon. “Your track record now doesn’t matter as much as it did back in the day. So it’s kind of, ‘What have you done for me lately?’ I understand that. You’re only as valuable as your next start. I’m always looking for an edge and to keep up.” — Sharma{$}.
Matt Shaw looked decent out in right. Maybe this experiment will work.
The Cubs scored twice as many runs as against the Sox, but the Rangers scored three. With any luck they’ll score a bit today against the . Game time is 1:05 local.
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The injury news for the Phoenix Suns keeps getting worse.
After losing star guard Devin Booker to a hip strain suffered in Thursday's game, the Suns fear forward Dillon Brooks could be out for an extended period of time with a hand injury.
ESPN is reporting Brooks broke his left hand in the first quarter of a double-overtime win over the Orlando Magic on Saturday, Feb. 21. ESPN reported that doctors will meet Sunday to determine a timetable for his recovery.
Brooks, who's averaging 21.2 points per game, had scored five points in seven minutes against the Magic before the injury occurred.
The Suns (33-24) have been a surprise playoff contender this season under first-year head coach Jordan Ott, with Brooks among the biggest contributors.
Booker, meanwhile, is the team's leading scorer at 24.7 points per game.
With neither of their big guns on the floor, the Suns' leading active scorer would be guard Grayson Allen at 17.3 points a game.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JULY 11: Ceddanne Rafaela #3 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after hitting a two-run walk off home run during the ninth inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on July 11, 2025 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Red Sox are entering 2026 coming off a lot of highs. Some lows, but a lot of really exciting performances, including by many, many outfielders. Like those playing center field. With one player in particular expected to claim the vast majority of the playing time.
Ok, this isn’t quite true. But Ceddanne Rafaela is not only the best center fielder on the Red Sox but in all of baseball. Gold Glove defense, walkoff hits. Playing with intensity. He does it all.
In 2025 he had his breakout — with some qualifiers. At the plate he hit .249./295/.414 with 16 home runs and 20 stolen bases overall. Of course the season looked pretty different depending on when you were tuning in. Over the first half the triple slash was .271/.314/.483. In the second half it fell to .218/.268/.319. It was, in a word, brutal. Alex Bregman disappeared, first base turned into a zero, Roman Anthony got hurt, and Nuf Cedd fell into a slump or regressed to the mean. Probably more of the former but maybe some of the latter. His batting average on balls in play went from .303 to .271.
One thing in his favor is, as Yoda said, there was another. Pete Crow-Armstrong on the Chicago Cubs put up a .247/5.287/.481 line with 31 homers and 35 steals. His first half (.265/.302/.544) vs second half (.216/.262/.372) also showed a tale of two seasons. Similar hitters in some regards. They swing. They chase. They can hit the ball well when they make contact. And no one is giving up on PCA.
It might turn out that Rafaela isn’t as a good a player as his National League counterpart. But when he gives the team a hot stretch with the bat while catching everything in site, you can live with a little less thump during a slump. Preferably we won’t see quite as much of a drop-off as in 2025, though.
The Bench: Jarren Duran
Wait that can’t be right. No, that’s right.
Jarren Duran went from an 8.7 bWAR season in 2024 to “just” 4.7 in 2025 while still putting up a .256/.332/.442 line. He still hit 41 doubles (against 48), 16 home runs (21), and stole 24 bases (34). Oh, and he also hit 13 triples (14), leading the league for the second straight year.
Duran spent most of 2025 in left field but is likely to open 2026 in the left field and DH mix. With an embarrassment of riches in the outfield including Rafaela, Roman Anthony, and Wilyer Abreu, Duran is on the one team where he doesn’t immediately have a defensive home. On almost any other team in baseball he’d be in center field. And because of his difficulties facing left-handed pitching (.277/.363/.488 against righties, .211/.260/.340 against lefties) he’s not really set up for a platoon either. With Alex Cora explicitly saying his Gold Glovers, Rafaela and Abreu, will be in the outfield, that leaves Duran in Rio limbo.
Minor League Depth
With both Jarren Duran and Roman Anthony available and the prospects who might have taken over gone, we’re looking at Nate Eaton, maybe? As recently as 2023 Isiah Kiner-Falefa played 40 games in center. Somehow one of the most important positions on the defensive spectrum is stacked with talent in Boston.
FanGraphs Projections
FGDC, the FanGraphs Depth Charts projections put Nuf Cedd at .261/.303/.428 with 18 homers. Yes, famously no Red Sox are projected for more than 20 home runs in 2026. Duran is projected for .259/.326/.441 with 16 homers. With those two at the top of the center field heap, Alex Cora will have an easy time making his lineups.
Divisional Ranking
First. Rafaela is the best in the division, the American League, and MLB. If Jarren Duran or Roman Anthony are playing in center you’re probably still looking at the second-best in the division. Assuming no trades or major injuries, this position is one of if not the biggest strengths in Boston.
The Los Angeles Lakers will celebrate Pat Riley with an unveiling of a statue outside Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, Feb. 22.
The team will hold a private ceremony before the Lakers’ tip-off against the rival Boston Celtics on Sunday afternoon.
Riley played an integral role in helping the Lakers’ organization achieve on-court success and a strong brand identity during the 1980s.
It will be the 15th statue outside of Crypto.com Arena, joining a list of other notable figures from LA Sports history, including Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Why is Pat Riley getting a Lakers statue? History and record
Riley has spent 58 years in the NBA, serving as a player, coach, and executive.
He’s won an NBA championship in each of those roles, including as a player (1972), assistant coach (198), and a coach (1982, 1985, 1987-88). He also led the Miami Heat to a championship as a head coach in 2006 and as an executive in 2012 and 2013.
Riley not only helped bring championships to the respective organizations but also instilled a unique culture.
Riley became the perfect fit for the Lakers during the 1980s, which is referred to as the "Showtime Lakers" era because it blended the perfect combination of Hollywood flair and on-court showmanship using a roster that included Johnson, Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy.
Riley matched that flair with his own signature slicked-back hair and Armani suits. The legend’s success and signature look have carried on in the decades that followed.
He currently serves as the Miami Heat’s president, a role he’s had since 1995 and applied what he’s learned during his time with the Lakers.
Riley drafted Dwyane Wade and acquired Shaquille O'Neal before winning his first title away from the Lakers in 2006. He would resign as head coach in 2008, but would remain in his role as president. As an executive, he helped build a super team, having Chris Bosh and LeBron James join Wade to win back-to-back titles for Miami.
Is Pat Riley a basketball Hall of Famer?
Riley is among the all-time winningest coaches in NBA history, compiling a record of 1,210-694 (.636%). He was enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.
Phoenix players Jalen Green, in street clothes, Devin Booker, and Mark Williams cheer on teammate Grayson Allen as they play against the New Orleans Pelicans at Mortgage Matchup Center on Nov. 10, 2025. | Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Phoenix Suns have mostly hovered around the seventh seed in the Western Conference for the last two months, but fans don’t think that will last.
When asked where the team will finish in the standings, more than two-thirds of them think they’ll end up out of the play-in and in the top-six of the West.
I’m typically not surprised by votes on Suns Reacts, but this one got me. While Phoenix has been one of the most surprising teams across the NBA this year, not only have they been struggling of late, but the teams around them in the standings are starting to get healthy and play better basketball.
2-5 in February so far, the Suns are only eight games above .500 for the first time since January. Additionally, the Los Angeles Lakers, who are two spots ahead of the Suns in the standings, have their big three of Austin Reaves, LeBron James and Luka Dončić all healthy for the first time since Christmas, and the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are a spot ahead of Phoenix, are 3-1 since adding Ayo Dosunmu at the trade deadline and have won eight of their last 11.
The good thing for the Suns is that while they are two and a half games behind the Lakers and Wolves, they have the tiebreaker over Minnesota, and are in the drivers seat to have it over the Lakers.
Minnesota has the third-toughest regular season left based on strength of schedule, Los Angeles has the 10th, and Phoenix has the 15th.
For the Suns to get out of the play-in, they’re going have to finish games stronger. Duds like their performance against the Spurs on Thursday out of the break are inevitable, especially against a team they dominated so handily the first two times the team played, but they are going to have to be better down the stretch.
Their losses against the Warriors, Pistons and Heat in the last month are demonstrations of how the team was not able to hit shots when they needed to and pick up important stops. Credit, Devin Booker either didn’t play or finish any of those games, and the team is better down the stretch when he is in the lineup.
With four-straight home games to end the month, the Suns have an opportunity to get back in a rhythm and potentially make some ground in the standings, ending the month against the Lakers.
Los Angeles, CA - November 02: Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) sits on the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Year after year, the salaries of NBA players increase.
Dylan Harper, the Spurs second overall pick last summer, is making $56M on a rookie contract compared to $35M, the total career earnings of his father Ron Harper. It’s not that the senior Harper was underpaid, that was just what a player of his stature made during that era.
By comparison, Michael Jordan earned $94M during his 15 seasons in the NBA.
It stands to reason that the highest paid players of all time are currently playing.
But what may come as a surprise is how many games have been missed by the players who earn the most.
This list from Clutch Points illuminates the high cost of signing superstars.
All 10 of the highest-paid NBA players in history played this season 💰
But most of them are having a hell of a time staying on the floor.
Here's the list in order:
1. LeBron James ($581 million) 2. Kevin Durant ($501 million) 3. Steph Curry ($470 million) 4. James Harden… pic.twitter.com/JZ20iNYCvP
The main thing that sticks out when looking at this list is injuries. AD, Dame, and Jimmy are already out for the rest of this season. LeBron missed the first 14 games of the year, Steph’s been on the bench for 16, while Kawhi’s sat for 13. PG13 is suspended, but even when he isn’t, it seems like he’s always hurt as well.
And, of course, CP3 was cut by the Clippers 16 games into the season and eventually retired.“
Obviously, CP3 did not make the bulk of his money this season, but it does underscopre just how much goes into signing and maintaining high-quality players.
Teams invest in players who don’t pan out, waive players paying on those contracts, and make trades that do not support their bottom line.
It is a business after all.
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The Cleveland Cavaliers are riding a seven-game winning streak when they visit Paycom Center and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Cavs have also won five straight on the road, and my Cavaliers vs. Thunder predictions and NBA picks are backing Cleveland over shorthanded OKC on Sunday, February 22.
Cavaliers vs Thunder prediction
Cavaliers vs Thunder best bet: Cavaliers moneyline (-130)
SGA and Williams aren’t just scorers. Their absence weakens the perimeter defense, a major concern given Donovan Mitchell and James Harden's recent hot hands.
Cleveland seeks an eighth straight win and is 5-0 with Harden in the lineup. The Cavaliers are the deeper, more complete group and are chasing a sixth consecutive road victory.
Rather than lay the points, I’ll back them on the moneyline against the shorthanded Thunder.
Cavaliers vs Thunder same-game parlay
Evan Mobley has cleared his combo prop in ten of 11 games and had 21 points, rebounds, and assists in 19 minutes against Charlotte.
James Harden’s playmaking has stabilized Cleveland’s offense, and he’s dished at least nine in two of his five games with the Cavs, and twice he dropped eight.
Cavaliers vs Thunder SGP
Cavaliers moneyline
Mobley Over 21.5 P/R/A
Harden Over 8.5 assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: Deep'n delicious
Jared McCain has knocked down two or more triples in four of seven games since joining the Thunder.
Cavaliers vs Thunder SGP
Cavaliers moneyline
Mobley Over 21.5 P/R/A
Harden Over 8.5 assists
McCain Over 1.5 threes
Cavaliers vs Thunder odds
Spread: Cavaliers -1 | Thunder +1
Moneyline: Cavaliers -115 | Thunder -105
Over/Under: Over 223.5 | Under 223.5
Cavaliers vs Thunder betting trend to know
The Cleveland Cavaliers have hit the Moneyline in 14 of their last 16 games (+12.10 Units / 25% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Thunder.
How to watch Cavaliers vs Thunder
Location
Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Date
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Tip-off
1:00 p.m. ET
TV
ABC
Cavaliers vs Thunder latest injuries
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Sep 17, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter (2) fist pumps before the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images
For me this is an easy question. Anyone who has a vested interest in the Tampa Bay Rays success knows there’s one team whose presence looms over the franchise, and soon the new owners will seek to undo decades of damage when they build a stadium that shadows over big brother.
Yes, I’m talking about the Yankees.
Nearing 30 years of Rays existence, there is no good reason for the Yankees to still be a 25% market share in the region. Local fans should be local fans! Or at least the next generation should be. The problem, so to speak, is that the Yankees are great neighbors to the place they call home — Tampa.
Charity events, taxes, good relationship with the Bucs… it’s enough to make me sick. We got one blissful year of the Rays wiping their marketing off Dale Mabry, and I can’t wait for that to be permanent.
God only knows how the Yankees and Rays could co-exist once the new stadium is built, and I hope they don’t. Send ‘em to Disney or Miami or Orlando, but Tampa is ours.
