SCOTTSDALE — Carson Whisenhunt has felt strong all spring, and since the start of camp, he has talked about his optimism that he’ll look much sharper than he did as a rookie. But early in a simulated game Thursday, a pitch felt different coming out of his hand. It felt just a bit better than the others, and he snuck a peak at the scoreboard.
“I was like, ‘I kinda want to see where I’m at,'” he said later. “I was not expecting to see 97.”
There were a lot of 97 mph fastballs for Whisenhunt in two innings against teammates, along with plenty at 96. As a rookie last year, Whisenhunt hit 95 mph just once, topping out at 95.3 mph but averaging 92.6 in five starts.
The velocity Thursday opened plenty of eyes in the seats behind home plate, where just about the entire front office was sitting. Even Whisenhunt was surprised. His velocity had been good in bullpen sessions, but he planned to be sitting around 95 mph in the simulated game.
“That was a little different,” he said, smiling. “I’m feeling a lot better than I did last year. I’m moving better (and) the mechanics, especially — everything is kind of flowing right now. I’m trying not to overdo it but it came out hot today.”
Whisenhunt dealt with a back strain late last season, but in the offseason he focused on making sure he was physically ready for what will be an important spring. He also made some mechanical adjustments to tap into more of the velocity he had in the minors. He was 94-97 mph throughout his first full professional season and topped out at 98.
“Last year I was sinking into my back hip a lot more and getting lower and I feel like it was kind of blocking velo, so to speak,” he said. “Now I’m a little more upright, not sinking as much, but still trying to get in my back hip a little bit, and then just kinda throwing the s— out of it. That’s the best way to put it.”
With the first spring games two days away, there is no obvious spot for Whisenhunt on the initial roster. The rotation is currently full and he’s probably too good of a starting prospect to be put in the bullpen in April. The Giants likely would want him to stay stretched out, and they have enough lefty relief options in camp at the moment.
But Whisenhunt certainly made a statement Thursday about how ready he might be when a starter is needed. In addition to the fastball, he showed off what has long been one of the best left-handed changeups in the game, getting three strikeouts on the pitch. He also mixed in his new cutter, a pitch he learned from assistant pitching coach Christian Wonders.
“I’m just trying to get a little bit more feel with it,” he said of the cutter. “It’s still new so I’m playing around with the grip a little bit and finger pressure on certain aspects of it. But it was good today.”
The NHL Olympic Break is coming to a close. The New York Islanders returned to practice, and now their first game back from break is just one week away.
The Islanders currently hold a four-point lead over the Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals for third place in the Metropolitan Division. Columbus holds two games in hand, while the Islanders have one in hand on the Capitals.
The Islanders are also just one point back of the Pittsburgh Penguins for second place in the division, with the Penguins holding two games in hand.
The standings are tight. The Islanders even play Columbus in New York's second game after the break in Columbus, on Saturday, February 28.
The Islanders will play a total of five games in eight days after break, all of which comes before the ninth day, which is also the NHL Trade Deadline.
Once everything resets and the roster freeze melts away, time's going to fly. The Islanders have a ginormous opportunity in front of them.
Not only do they enter with a playoff spot, but on Wednesday, Sidney Crosby suffered an injury while playing for Team Canada. He's been labeled as day-to-day, but it makes the Penguins that much more vulnerable.
So far in his nine months running the franchise, Islanders' General Manager Mathieu Darche has shown a willingness to make deals, but he's also been extremely calculated.
He made the Noah Dobson trade and got back a haul for the defenseman. He signed Maxim Shabanov and Jonathan Drouin, though neither have scored the way the franchise maybe hoped.
Alexander Romanov suffered a regular-season-ending shoulder injury, and Darche didn't rush into a deal. He allowed his younger plays to receive turns at trying to fill the hole, but it became apparent the Islanders needed a proper fix.
Darche then went out and acquired Carson Soucy for a third-round pick, a more-than-fair price for what the defenseman brings.
Meanwhile, it had become clear that the Islanders needed improved forward depth, ideally someone who could be versatile throughout the lineup. Maxim Tsyplakov was also on the outs, and with another year at $2.25 million, clearing his salary would help.
24 hours after the Soucy deal, Darche acquired Ondrej Palat, along with the New Jersey Devils' third and sixth round picks in 2026 and 2027 respectively.
Now's the time for the bigger splash. The Eastern Conference remains wide open. Ilya Sorokin is the favorite to win the Vezina Trophy. Matthew Schaefer is the heavy favorite to win the Calder Trophy and has two more seasons on an entry-level deal.
The Islanders need to acquire a game-breaking top-six forward. The Islanders have the second-fewest goals allowed in the Eastern Conference, trailing only the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Yet, the Islanders have the third-fewest goals per game and fourth-fewest actual goals in the Eastern Conference.
There's a multitude of options available. The St. Louis Blues are open for business, with Jordan Kyrou being the clearest, potentially best option. Kyrou's on a contract worth $8.125 million per year on the books.
Kyrou's scored 30+ goals in three straight seasons, but the Blues are potentially looking at a total rebuild. Kyrou's name has floated around these parts before, and there are ways to make this trade work:
Sticking in the Central Division, with Darche's ties to the Lightning already showing up in his acquisition of Palat, rumors of a deal for Steven Stamkos from the Nashville Predators sprang up, along with whispers about Michael Bunting:
Then, there's the dark-horse option. Returning to the negotiating table with the Canadiens, to look at acquiring Patrik Laine on the cheap.
Laine's biggest knocks are two-fold: he's been injury-prone, and his two-way game isn't the strongest. Laine's just now returning from an injury, too.
There's also the issue of his contract, with an $8.7 million AAV, but he's a pending UFA and the Canadiens have signalled a willingness to retain money.
The Islanders could likely acquire Laine for a mid-round draft pick, but it's a huge dice roll. Laine's only played five games this season, but what he'd bring would be undeniable.
The Islanders have craved someone who just shoots the puck religiously, and that's what Laine does.
What do all those players and options have in common?
They're scorers, and good ones at that. The Islanders can be smart. They've got just a hair over $6 million in cap space, and they're loaded with trade assets.
Whether Darche goes for a home-run swing at Kyrou, or a cheaper, but potentially perfect fit in Laine, he can't just stand pat, either.
There's a window open, one the Islanders can charge through and try to contend to win this year, right now. The Islanders know this, and surely have some internal plans ready to go.
In 15 days, we'll know exactly what plan it is and how it affects the Islanders now and later.
The Atlanta Hawks head north to face the Philadelphia 76ers for the third time this season as Eastern Conference foes go head-to-head at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Atlanta has been letting it fly this season, and in a high-scoring matchup, my Hawks vs. 76ers predictions expect Onyeka Okongwu to bury multiple triples.
Here are my free NBA picks for Thursday, February 19.
Hawks vs 76ers prediction
Hawks vs 76ers best bet: Onyeka Okongwu Over 1.5 threes (-165)
Onyeka Okongwu's ability to stretch the floor should be front and center tonight against a lackluster Philadelphia 76ers perimeter defense.
Across its last 10 games, Philadelphia has surrendered the fourth-highest 3-point percentage to opponents at 38.7%. With Joel Embiid out, Okongwu will get favorable matchups against Andre Drummond and Adem Bona.
The Atlanta Hawks have let it fly this season, averaging the 10th-most 3-point attempts (39.2). Okongwu has hit two or more triples in seven straight games and 18 of 28 road matchups.
Hawks vs 76ers same-game parlay
Nickeil Alexander-Walker leads Atlanta with three triples made per game. He's recorded at least that many 3-pointers in 18 of 30 games on the road, and he reached the mark in four of his last five away games.
The 76ers have hit the Over in 16 of 29 home games, and the Hawks have gone Over in 18 of 31 on the road.
Hawks vs 76ers SGP
Onyeka Okongwu Over 1.5 threes
Nickeil Alexander-Walker Over 2.5 threes
Over 237.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Treys for days
Tyrese Maxey is averaging 3.3 triples this season, and he's knocked down four or more in 15 of 28 home games.
Hawks vs 76ers SGP
Onyeka Okongwu Over 1.5 threes
Nickeil Alexander-Walker Over 2.5 threes
Tyrese Maxey Over 3.5 threes
Over 237.5
Hawks vs 76ers odds
Spread: Hawks +1 | 76ers -1
Moneyline: Hawks -105 | 76ers -115
Over/Under: Over 237.5 | Under 237.5
Hawks vs 76ers betting trend to know
The Atlanta Hawks have hit the game total Over in 16 of their last 25 away games (+6.10 Units / 22% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Hawks vs. 76ers.
How to watch Hawks vs 76ers
Location
Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Date
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Tip-off
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN SE-ATL, NBCSP
Hawks vs 76ers latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
PEORIA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 18: Walker Buehler #10 of the San Diego Padres poses for a portrait during photo day at Peoria Sports Complex on February 18, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Diego Padres have not added a big-name pitcher since the re-signing of Michael King earlier this offseason. Instead, the Padres have picked up players on one-year or minor league deals seemingly hoping that quantity will deliver quality. The Padres added Griffin Canning, German Marquez and Walker Buehler. Lincoln Zdunich of Gaslamp Ball believes that San Diego is looking for at least one of these arms to play a significant role in 2026.
Padres News:
Projected rankings for the Padres as a team and the individual players came out and Cheri Bell of Gaslamp Ball thinks San Diego may be being overlooked. In almost all areas the 2026 team has improved over the 2025 team that finished second in the NL West and made the postseason. The Padres have a chance to prove the projections wrong if they can make a return to the playoffs as they are not expected to do so.
The Padres had a busy holiday weekend making additions to the roster and extending general manager A.J. Preller and AJ Cassavell of MLB.com provides a recap of all the moves now that all the players have shown up in Peoria, Ariz.
Catcher Luis Campusano is out of options and potentially out of time with the Padres. HE has the support of new manager Craig Stammen, and the belief is that he has the support of his teammates as well. If Campusano can produce at the major league level he could have a significant role this season, but if he cannot, he may find himself with another organization.
Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune points out the fact that Walker Buehler in brown and gold is an odd sight considering all the time he spent in Dodger blue, but Acee also believes the Padres coaches and players are hoping Buehler can make the rotation. Although it will be strange to root for a player the Friar Faithful vehemently rooted against not too long ago, the odds of Buehler making the team could receive a boost if San Diego employs a six-man rotation.
Front office executives from around MLB were apparently not fans of newly acquired Nick Castellanos. Jayson Stark of The Athletic wrote an article where he spoke with executives about which player subtraction would benefit their former team. The answer he got was Castellanos and this poll was conducted prior to him being released by the Philadelphia Phillies.
Baseball news:
With the unceremonious departure of Tony Clark as the head of the MLBPA on Tuesday, the need for a new executive director became evident. The MLBPA named Bruce Meyer as the interim executive director, Wednesday.
The Atlanta Braves are already absorbing injuries to their pitching staff, and they have yet to play their first game of the spring. Spencer Schwellenbach had surgery to clean up his elbow which will land him on the 60-day IL. Hurston Waldrep is expected to have the same procedure and he rook will start the season on the 60-day IL.
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 10: Triston Casas #36 of the Boston Red Sox looks on during a spring training workout at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 10, 2026 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There was a long stretch of Red Sox history in which you could roll into spring training and write down the guy who would dominate the DH position in permanent ink.
For 14 years from 2003 through 2016, it belonged to David Ortiz. Then, after he retired and the Sox tried Hanley Ramirez there for a season in 2017, J.D. Martinez took over and led the team in games played from the position for five years from 2018 through 2022. Basically, if you wanted to get in the lineup and your last name didn’t end in a z, you’d better have a glove, and you better have spot where you could play every day.
But those days, much like the balls those guys hit, are long gone. Starting with Martinez’s final year in Boston in 2022, the Red Sox have now had four different guys lead the team in games from the DH slot in the last four seasons. And given the makeup of this roster going into 2026, we might be about to go five-for-five.
First up, here’s the guys who have played the most games at DH for the Red Sox over the last four years:
2022: J.D. Martinez (139 games)
2023: Justin Turner (98 games)
2024: Masataka Yoshida (101 games)
2025: Rafael Devers (RIP) (73 games)
Secondly, as a quick side note, not have having a permanent DH really changes the way you build a roster. Back in the days of Ortiz and Martinez, any other everyday position player signed or traded for had to make sense in some specific spot. But now, you can have overflow — because hey, “if both guys are good and you have extra at-bats, the other guy can just DH. Problem solved!”
Well, Craig Breslow and company have taken that theory and pushed it to its limit as, right now, I don’t have a clue who is going to get the most at-bats at DH in 2026.
It could be Jarren Duran, who might get displaced from the outfield for most of the season if Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu stay healthy and anchor down at their positions.
It could be Masataka Yoshida, who, if healthy, may bounce back offensively and doesn’t have anywhere to go defensively on this roster.
It could be Triston Casas, who still has serious upside power after a pair of injury plagued seasons and is now a less obvious fit at first base with Willson Contreras on the roster.
It could even be Kristian Campbell, who, unlike the other three guys I just mentioned, is right handed. He might work his way into the lineup against left-handed starters if his retooled swing sticks better than his glove at any one position.
Or who knows — it could be somebody else who gets shuffled in the deck we’re not even thinking about right now. Who do you think will lead the 2026 Red Sox in games played at DH?
Talk about this and whatever else you’d like, and, as always, be good to one another.
The Orlando Magic begin a West Coast road trip this evening as they visit the lowly Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center.
My Magic vs Kings predictions are targeting Jalen Suggs to pick apart Sacramento’s poor defense with his playmaking.
Read more in my NBA picks for Thursday, February 19, ahead of this 10 p.m. ET tip.
Magic vs Kings prediction
Magic vs Kings best bet: Jalen Suggs Over 6.5 assists (-110)
Jalen Suggs leads the Orlando Magic in assists with 5.5 per night. He was dropping dimes pre-All-Star break as well, cashing the Over in three of his last four contests.
The Gonzaga product dished out 10 assists in back-to-back games to end the first half of the campaign, and he also had 11 dimes only a few days before that against the Brooklyn Nets.
The Sacramento Kings’ perimeter defense is horrendous, allowing 9.1 assists per game to point guards. Franz Wagner is also out indefinitely, which means Suggs will need to facilitate the rock even more. Tonight’s matchup is an opportunity to cook.
Magic vs Kings same-game parlay
Paolo Banchero wasn’t playing great to end the first half, only cashing the Over in points once in six games. However, with Wagner out and Orlando up against a poor Kings squad, it’s a chance to start the second half on the right foot.
He’s also played a lot better on the road in 2025-26, averaging 23 points compared to just 19.5 at home. Banchero averaged 23.5 PPG across two meetings with Sacramento last season as well.
Desmond Bane has been the Magic’s best player this month, hitting the Over in points in four straight. That includes a 31-point eruption in his final contest before the ASG break.
Magic vs Kings SGP
Jalen Suggs Over 6.5 assists
Paolo Banchero Over 22.5 points
Desmond Bane Over 21.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Put it on Black
Anthony Black has hit the Over in triples in three of his last four, and he’s averaging 1.7 makes on the road.
Magic vs Kings SGP
Jalen Suggs Over 6.5 assists
Paolo Banchero Over 22.5 points
Desmond Bane Over 21.5 points
Anthony Black Over 1.5 made threes
Magic vs Kings odds
Spread: Magic -8.5 (-110) | Kings +8.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Magic -380 | Kings +300
Over/Under: Over 223.5 (-110) | Under 223.5 (-110)
Magic vs Kings betting trend to know
The Orlando Magic have hit the 1H Game Total Under in 29 of their last 45 games (+11.00 Units / 21% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Kings.
How to watch Magic vs Kings
Location
Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
Date
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Tip-off
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN FL, NBCSCA
Magic vs Kings latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 1: Head Coach Joe Mazzulla and Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics high five during the game against the Sacramento Kings on January 1, 2026 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Celtics have a treat coming out of All-Star break: a four-game west coast swing that includes games at the Warriors, Lakers, Suns and Nuggets and a back-to-back.
Boston is set to face four teams that if the playoffs started today, would all be participating.
They all present different issues. The Warriors will be without Stephen Curry, but teams without their best player are always tough to play because you are not always sure what to prepare for. The Lakers have a dynamic offense that we have not seen a lot of but Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves all present a lot of issues for any defense. Phoenix is one of the toughest teams in the NBA and has found ways to win games all season. Finally, Denver has a lot of injuries but they keep winning ball games and they have the dynamic Nikola Jokic-Jamal Murray pick and roll which always gives the Celtics problems.
The Warriors and Lakers have some uncertainty around them.
As mentioned, Stephen Curry will not play in this game for Golden State due to a knee injury. Another guy who is on the injury report is former Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis, who was acquired by the Warriors at the deadline and has yet to play for the team. It is unclear whether or not he will play in the game but I am excited to see how Golden State will incorporate him into their lineup when he is back on the floor. It is his and Al Horford’s first game against their former team so there will be a lot of hugs postgame, I am sure.
For the Lakers, we just have not seen a lot of Doncic, James and Reaves this season with all three players missing time at different times. The trio has played just 152 minutes together this season. Of course, they can score but the Lakers can’t get a stop with those three guys on the floor, giving up 119.7 points per 100 possessions in the limited sample. How much will Lakers coach JJ Redick stagger them with having one or two of them on the bench?
The Phoenix Suns are one of the most unexpected storylines in the NBA this season and when push comes to shove, they just win ball games. 32-23 on the season, the Suns are currently 7th in the Western Conference. If the Suns are among the most unexpected stories in the NBA, Dillon Brooks is among the most shocking. He is still getting a lot of technical fouls but he has been the Suns 2nd best player this season. After being told he would not be brought back to the Grizzlies “under any circumstance” to see Brooks flourish with now his 3rd team is great. Phoenix is a tough team that will give Boston their best game.
Lastly, Boston heads to Denver on the 2nd leg of a back to back. This will be a tough one. In the altitude after traveling in late from playing the night before. The Celtics will face an uphill battle in this game. They won’t use that as an excuse, Joe Mazzulla teams are great on 2nd nights of back to backs, Boston is 36-13 in these instances since the 2022-23 season. Denver’s defense has been iffy to say the least. They give up a lot of shots at the rim and the Celtics don’t take many shots at the rim so it will be interesting to see if the C’s try and exploit that weakness.
West coast road trips are hard and even harder when you play four good teams in one trip. That doesn’t mean Boston is not up for the challenge. The goal, of course, is 4-0 but a 3-1 trip is something I would sign up for right now. It will be fun to see how the Celtics respond to this challenge coming out of the All-Star break.
The Toronto Raptors come out of the All-Star break already with more wins than they had all of last season.
The next goal? Earn home-court advantage in an opening-round playoff matchup.
That means taking care of business when they are 5.5-point favorites, which is exactly what they are when they open the second half of the season by visiting the Chicago Bulls on Thursday, February 19.
My Raptors vs. Bulls predictions and NBA picks are focused on Immanuel Quickley, who will be key to taking the first step to achieving that goal.
Raptors vs Bulls prediction
Raptors vs Bulls best bet: Immanuel Quickley Over 2.5 3-pointers (-115)
There’s one Toronto Raptors player who wasn’t happy that the team went on break.
Immanuel Quickley was raining threes before the All-Star break, shooting a ridiculous 47.5% from beyond the arc over his last five games, hitting three or more threes in all five.
If there’s a team that IQ can stay hot against, it’s the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls rank dead-last in opponent 3P% and allow the sixth-most made threes per game.
That includes Quickley hitting three treys against the Bulls back on February 5. He drains three more on Thursday night.
Raptors vs Bulls same-game parlay
The Bulls also get burned by the extra pass. Chicago allows the fourth-most assists per possession this season.
RJ Barrett is my favorite candidate to go Over his assists prop, which is sitting at 3.5. Barrett is averaging 3.6 assists per game this season and has dished out four or more dimes in four of his last five games.
Toronto didn’t even have Barrett in the lineup when they last played the Bulls on February 5, where the Raps rolled over this remade Bulls roster 123-107 as 7.5-point faves. I expect something similar here.
Raptors vs Bulls SGP
Immanuel Quickley Over 2.5 3-pointers
RJ Barrett Over 3.5 assists
Raptors -5.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Raptors roundball
The Raptors will get contributions from all over the court on their way to another win over the Bulls.
Raptors vs Bulls SGP
Immanuel Quickley Over 2.5 3-pointers
RJ Barrett Over 3.5 assists
Brandon Ingram Over 21.5 points
Scottie Barnes Over 7.5 rebounds
Raptors vs Bulls odds
Spread: Raptors -5.5 | Bulls +5.5
Moneyline: Raptors -210 | Bulls +175
Over/Under: Over 233 | Under 233
Raptors vs Bulls betting trend to know
The Bulls have only covered in 18 of their last 50 games for -15.00 Units and a -27% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Bulls.
How to watch Raptors vs Bulls
Location
United Center, Chicago, IL
Date
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
TSN, CHSN
Raptors vs Bulls latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
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
So much kvetching about the state of the rotation, which is understandable given the injury news before Spring Training games have even begun.
But, let’s pivot slightly: we know the deals that have already happened. Which ones should the Braves have made?
For me, the big money deals were too big and inflated for the production they offered, but that shouldn’t be surprising at this point. The played-in-another-league-last-year deals (Tatsuya Imai, Cody Ponce) are a lot more modest, but still fairly risky — I would’ve preferred them be more like pillow deals.
That said, a lot of mid-tier deals, I think would’ve been good to make. Sure, the Braves may not want to add a mid-tier guy, but I don’t see those deals as substantially constraining flexibility. We’ve talked at length about Chris Bassitt at this point, and his salary is pretty reasonable. Steven Matz looks like he has a great chance to produce surplus on his contract. I’m not very excited about the Justin Verlander, Nick Martinez, and Dustin May deals, but they’re not terrible.
Foster Griffin was an interesting signing for the Nationals given the low, short commitment. Wouldn’t have minded that one.
There were a handful for quantity-for-quality-ish trades of starters. In particular, Shane Baz and Ryan Weathers come to mind. Those moves would’ve been the opposite of Chris Bassitt in a way since they wouldn’t necessarily add a reliable arm, but would just diversify a high degree of risk further. Even the MacKenzie Gore deal, while on the pricier side because Gore is a pricier pitcher production-wise, seemed okay.
I think that’s largely where I come out — either one of the Bassitt/Matz/Griffin deals, or one of the Baz/Weathers/Gore deals would’ve been nice. I don’t think the Braves have much interest in Zack Littell, but maybe if they give him a pretty cheap deal, that could be Bassitt-lite. They probably don’t have interest for the same reason they apparently had little inclination to engage on Bassitt, though.
In sports, marriages, and baby juggling, sometimes the third time’s a charm. After losing to them twice this season, by a combined 69 points, the very determined Knicks (35*-20) host the Detroit Pistons (40-13) at Madison Square Garden tonight. Gluttons for punishment? We think not!
Both teams are coming in hot for this potential playoff preview and their first game post-All-Star break. New York has won eight of their last ten tries, including a marvelous 49-point evisceration of the Sixers, while the Pistons have also won eight of ten. Right before the schedule break, Detroit needed just 46 second-half points to beat the respectable Raptors by 18.
We’ve tried to mentally expunge the last game between the Knicks and the Pistons (and the one before that, too). On February 6, Motown won 118-80 in Detroit, and Cade Cunningham led all scorers with 28 points. For New York—playing without Karl-Anthony Towns, we hasten to add—Jalen Brunson tallied 20.
The surging Pistons rank second in defensive rating at 109.2 and net rating at +8. They average 117.2 points per game, tenth in the league; lead everybody in steals at 10.6 and blocks at 6.3; and rank fourth in offensive rebounds at 13.1. They step to the foul line more often than 27 other teams, choosing to attack inside the arc (first in 2-pointers made) rather than outside (27th in three-point attempts).
For Bickerstaff’s boys, Cunningham averages 25.3 points and leads the team with 9.6 APG. Jalen Duren puts up 17.7 points and hauls in 10.4 boards, Duncan Robinson scores 12.3 points and shoots 40% from three, and Tobias Harris adds 13.4 points per game. Defensive pest Ausar Thompson also contributes 10.2 points and six boards.
Detroit plays bruising basketball and to beat them, your frontcourt must stand tall. We expect the newest Knick Jeremy Sochan—6’8” tall with a seven-foot wingspan—to help with that off the bench. Acquired after the Spurs released him last week, Sochan plans to make his Madison Square Garden debut this evening.
The Pistons’ likely starting five will be Cunningham, Robinson, Thompson, Harris, and Paul Reed. Fellow guitar noodlers, do you also automatically affix Smith to his name? It’s an annoying mental tic of mine, one which—
Wait! Where’s Jalen Duren? you ask. Well, the former Knick was suspended, along with Isaiah Stewart, for brawling with the Hornets. Beef Stew? More like Beef Stupid—
Wait! Duren was a Knick? you ask. That’s right, we briefly had him in our grasp. On Draft Night 2022, Duren was drafted by Charlotte, then immediately traded to New York, who dealt him to Detroit as a way to sweeten a Kemba Walker dump. In return, the Knicks got a 2025 1st-round draft pick, a conditional 2025 1st-round pick, and a trade exception. Later, those picks went to Brooklyn in the Mikal Bridges trade, and the Nets used the 19th selection of 2025 on Nolan Traoré.
So, you continue, there’s an alternate universe where the Knicks kept Duren, grooming him to replace Mitchell Robinson, and the Mikal Bridges trade never happened? Well, yes. Now shut up and let me finish this dumb preview.
Prediction
ESPN gives the Knicks a 57% chance to win. Their AI predictor might still be drunk from a long All-Star weekend—or, like us, it saw the injury report. For the Knicks, OG Anunoby is expected to play, recovering from a toenail avulsion (gross, do not Google). That means, save for Miles McBride, New York will have a full complement of players, while the Pistons will lack two important frontcourt pieces. Salivating? I should be wearing a bib.
If they contain Cade, set the pace, play consistently on both ends, and drink in the loving vibes of a raucous home crowd, our heroes should win tonight and tomorrow morning be declared Finals Favorites by all the knee-jerk reactionary jerks in the media. Lose, and we’ll endure all those same jerks saying they’re pretenders, should blow it up, go for (gag) LeBron, yadda yadda.
Forget that noise. Tonight, New York will get stellar minutes from its starters, punch-in-the-mouth defense from their newest bench players (the aforementioned Sochan and Jose “Eats for free in NYC” Alvarado), and one of their most important wins of the season. New York by four. LGK!
Game Details
Date: Thursday, February 20, 2026 Time: 7:30 PM ET Place: Madison Square Garden, NYC TV: MSG Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky
* Should be one more, but the NBA Cup Final was a figment of your imagination.
Mercedes chief attacks backlash over engine loophole
Vote on legality of power plant ‘a storm in a teacup’
Toto Wolff, the Mercedes principal, has snapped back at “utter bullshit” about a potential fuel problem a day after the FIA proposed a mid-season rule change over the team’s controversial engine.
It was announced on Wednesday that a vote will take place over whether a regulation change should be implemented from August onwards over the legality of Mercedes’ engine, after they were adjudged to have found a loophole that allowed them to deliver a higher limit when their engine is at operating temperature.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 30: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers guards Jalen Johnson #1 of the Atlanta Hawks during the game on November 30, 2025 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The NBA is back, and so is Sixers basketball as the regular season heads into its final stretch. After the All-Star break, where VJ Edgecombe earned Rising Stars MVP honors and Tyrese Maxey’s team won the All-Star Game, the Sixers return looking to snap a two-game losing streak. They begin by hosting the Atlanta Hawks before heading out on a three-game road trip.
The Sixers and Hawks last met in December, when Atlanta escaped with a narrow 120–117 win. A lot has changed for the Hawks since then. Trae Young is gone, now in Washington, and in his place are CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. Meanwhile, Jalen Johnson has taken a major leap. In the middle of a breakout season, he has emerged as the franchise cornerstone as the organization shifts its focus toward building around him.
Philadelphia did a strong job containing Johnson in that previous matchup, holding him to 5-for-17 shooting. Slowing him down again will be a priority. Johnson has been outstanding this season, averaging 23.3 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists through 50 games while shooting 50.2 percent from the field, 35.3 percent from three, and 77.8 percent from the free-throw line.
Even without Young, Atlanta still has plenty of scoring around its new centerpiece. Nickeil Alexander-Walker has revitalized his career and developed into a legitimate two-way threat, putting up 20.1 points per game while shooting 37.3 percent from deep. McCollum is adding 18.8 points per contest, and recent addition Jonathan Kuminga will be looking to make his mark after moving on from Golden State.
On the Sixers’ side, things have been just as fluid. Over the past few weeks, they’ve basically held open tryouts, cycling through two-way and 10-day contracts while the roster sorted itself out after an eventful, or depending on your perspective, completely uneventful trade deadline. Stability has not exactly been the theme.
Charles Bassey and Patrick Baldwin Jr.’s 10-day deals have expired. In their place, Cameron Payne returns from overseas, Jabari Walker is back in the mix, and two-way players Dalen Terry and Tyrese Martin join the fold (though the Warker and Martin moves are not official yet).
Now that things are beginning to stabilize, this matchup feels like a chance for the Sixers to reset before heading out on the road. With the revolving door of short-term additions finally slowing down, they’ll look to build some continuity and turn the page heading into the trip.
Prior to the break, Joel Embiid missed two games for knee management. The team downplayed any real concern, but Embiid will not suit up for this game with a different reasoning (more on that below). Without Embiid, and with Paul George serving his suspension, the offense has leaned heavily on Tyrese Maxey and whoever else could generate a decent look. It hasn’t exactly been a formula for consistent firepower or playmaking.
The time off should help across the board, not just for Embiid. Maxey has been logging a league-leading workload, and VJ Edgecombe hasn’t been far behind. For the 20-year-old, this is the most basketball he’s played at any point in his life. Getting close to a full week off should give the Sixers’ backcourt some much-needed fresh legs heading into the stretch regular season run.
The Sixers will be without Embiid (knee management, shin soreness) and George (suspension). Johni Broome and MarJon Beauchamp are doubtful with G League assignments. For Atlanta, Kuminga is the only key player out, as he rehabs from a knee injury.
The Sixers looked like a shell of themselves heading into the All-Star break. Maybe it was tired legs. Maybe it was trade deadline whiplash. Maybe it was the constant roster shuffle or the lack of availability. Most likely, it was all of the above. Either way, this is a chance to reset and get back on track, starting tonight.
As it stands, they sit just 1.5 games above the final playoff spot in the six seed, so there isn’t much room for error. The upcoming road trip includes some very winnable games, making this stretch even more important. A win at home followed by at least a 2-1 showing on the trip would put them in solid position as they push to secure a playoff berth.
Now it’s about which version of this team shows up. Do they look refreshed and reenergized after the break, or does this turn into a repeat of their earlier matchups with Atlanta, when they fell just short? We’ll soon find out.
Game Details
When: Wednesday, February 19, 7:00 p.m. ET Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic Follow:@LibertyBallers
Lots has occurred while the Vancouver Canucks have been at the 2026 Winter Olympics, though back in BC, trade rumblings have begun to emerge. With the 2026 Trade Deadline on March 6 approaching faster than expected, trade chatter has once again resurfaced, this time with Elias Pettersson and Evander Kane towards the forefront.
The first potential move to gain some traction was in regards to Kane, who has been publicly available since long before the Olympic break. The most recent reports regarding Kane have come from a variety of places. On Tuesday’s segment of Donnie & Dhali, CHEK TV’s Rick Dhaliwal noted that “there’s interest in Evander Kane,” naming teams like the Colorado Avalanche, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Los Angeles Kings as organizations that could be interested. Notably, the Kings were previously reported to have been in-on a potential Kane trade.
With this being said, on Wednesday, Thomas Drance of The Athletic also noted that any market on Kane is “virtually non-existent,” which doesn’t come as a major surprise given the cost for his production. Kane is one of three Canucks forwards who are pending UFAs, the other two being Olympians Teddy Blueger and David Kämpf.
Jan 21, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson (40) and forward Evander Kane (91) during a stop in play against the Washington Capitals in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Another name who has re-emerged in trade discussions has been Pettersson, who seemingly hasn’t been able to escape rumours regardless of what he does. The forward made a great impression in Sweden’s 5–3 win against Slovakia at the 2026 Winter Olympics, so much so that he’s been connected to the Kings as well. According to Kevin Baxter of the Los Angeles Times, with Los Angeles forward Kevin Fiala sustaining an injury that will keep him out of the remainder of the 2025–26 season, the Kings could be on the hunt for a player to help take on his role. This sentiment was echoed by Ben Kuzma of The Province, who reported that Pettersson’s performance during this particular game “increased” Los Angeles’ interest in the forward.
Where things get dicey is with Pettersson’s limited play time in Sweden’s 2–1 overtime loss to the U.S. on Wednesday. The forward logged only nine minutes total throughout the game and did not play in a single shift after the second period. Pettersson was not the only player to not skate in the remainder of the game, however, as Elias Lindholm also did not play during the third period or overtime. If Pettersson is truly up for trade, which would mean he’ll need to waive his no-move-clause, an ice-time reduction that severe won’t help him prove his talents.
The NHL Trade Deadline occurs on March 6 at 12:00 pm PT. The league’s Olympic trade-freeze, which started on February 4 at 12:00 pm PT, ends on February 22 at 8:59 pm PT.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 12: Klay Thompson #31 of the Dallas Mavericks walks off the court during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on February 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Wally Skalij/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks fully leaned into a new era for the organization this season after hearing the calls from MFFLs everywhere — first, by firing general manager Nico Harrison; and next, severing ties to the major connection to the Luka Doncic trade by moving Anthony Davis. The trade deadline reset the books for the future to build around Cooper Flagg. Yes, there are still pieces of the past on the team (for now) — six players from the 2024 NBA Finals team are still in Dallas. But there is no doubt the direction this team is heading and who is at its core.
In the coming months the team will hire a new general manager, someone who according to recent reporting from The Athletic’s Christian Clark will be valued for their previous experience and unlikely to be an “out-of-the-box” hire. That’s good, great in fact. The team previously took the creative approach and it netted them sending away one of the league’s best players overnight in exchange for 29 games of backbreaking fun. A stabilizing force in the front office is smart.
And while they can’t afford creativity there, they can absolutely afford creativity in rebranding the franchise.
We’ve been loud about this in the past. I did a deep dive on this nearly seven years ago to the day. It is baffling this team essentially has the same visual identity they had 25 years ago. And for those who haven’t been paying attention at home you won’t be surprised to learn that their artwork looks 25 years old.
Screenshot
They introduced a new-millenia inspired design in 2001 and haven’t looked back, or forward for that matter. Since then they’ve basically hit shuffle on a three-song playlist, surprised when the same song keeps playing and we’re tired of the hits.
The team has been forgiven of their sins by reintroducing green alternate jerseys recently. It feels so obvious that those retro designs are a hit and should be folded into the core design. But even if it isn’t, we can’t keep looking at this a quarter century later.
Especially when they’ve passed up several obvious opportunities recently to revamp their look, aligning with logical shifts in mini-eras:
2019: The team traded their way to Doncic, and after spending a full season next to Dirk Nowitzki, Doncic ushered in a new era. This was the spring I last made this plea. It made too much sense, and yet the Mavericks (and Mark Cuban) did nothing.
Summer of 2024: The Mavericks had just been sold to the Adelson’s at the start of the year, were fresh off a finals run, and at the time it felt like the start of something new in Dallas. They did nothing.
Summer of 2025: We’ve already walked through what led to this moment. If the Mavericks were smart they would have rebranded after drafting Cooper Flagg. But they (Nico) believed they were actually contenders and not, in fact, starting a new era. They were starting a new era.
So why not now? The team is officially Flagg’s. This summer they will draft in the top eight and conceivably add Cooper’s future longterm running mate. Trying to pin it to the timeline of a new arena doesn’t make sense — we’re at least five years from that time. It would be one thing if this look felt cool in a retro way, felt timeless in a classic way. But the basketball branding look of AOL instant messenger isn’t timeless.
The time to do it is now. Give new life to the look of the Mavericks brand identity, as they build what this franchise looks like in a fully new era. One that isn’t connected to former times, one that doesn’t overlap with franchise cornerstones. Make this team fully Flagg’s.
Feb 11, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller (24) back on defense against Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) during the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
As we enter the home stretch of the 2025-26 NBA season, there’s no denying that it’s been a topsy-turvy couple of months for the Atlanta Hawks. At the end of November, Atlanta’s record stood at 13-8, they had picked up nine wins in their last twelve outings and were sitting as the five-seed in the East – perched above teams like Boston, Cleveland and Philadelphia in the conference standings.
Now, 11 weeks and 22 losses later, I wouldn’t blame you for wondering whether that late November surge will be remembered as the apex of the Hawks season.
December was not kind to Atlanta, and in retrospect, proved to be a watershed month for the franchise. Amid a nebulous, illness-related absence for Kristaps Porzingis*, as well as an unsuccessful attempt to reintegrate Trae Young into the lineup**, Atlanta managed just three wins in their next 14 games, slipping all the way down to the 10-seed in the East.
*After appearing in 12 out of the Hawks first 21 games, Kristaps Porzingis played just twice in the month of December – scoring 25 points on 9-for-13 shooting (4-for-7 from downtown) in a 1-point loss to Denver on December 5th, then chipping in with 16 points in 17 minutes in a New Years Eve drubbing of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
**Young was sidelined from October 30th to December 17th due to an MCL sprain suffered early in the season. His return to action coincided with a six-game losing streak before the team shut him down and eventually traded him on January 7th.
Atlanta’s defense, which had played a vital role in their early-season success, deserves the brunt of the blame for their December woes. After allowing 113.1 points per 100 possessions through the first 21 games of the season (good for the 11th-ranked defensive unit in the league), the Hawks allowed 119.8 points per 100 possessions in December – a mark which ranked 27th in the league over that span.
While Porzingis’ absence and Young’s presence* did nothing to aid their efforts on the less glamorous end of the floor, looking at the raw shooting numbers, though there wasn’t a significant change in where their opponents were shooting from, the most damaging difference between October/November and December was seen in their opponent’s three-point accuracy – with their opponents converting 37.8% of their looks from the perimeter in the month of December (fifth-highest opponent 3P% over this span) after shooting just 34% through the first 21 games of the season (seventh-lowest opponent 3P% over this span).
In addition to their opponents shooting better from the perimeter, another factor that negatively impacted Atlanta’s defense in December was that they weren’t forcing as many turnovers as they were early on in the season. Per cleaningtheglass, the Hawks pressured their opponents into committing turnovers on 16.2% of their possessions (the fourth-highest rate in the league) through the first 21 games of the season, however in December, that number dropped to 14.2% – slightly below the league average.
After that disastrous December, the first seven weeks of 2026 have been marked by fluidity up and down the roster. Young was shipped off to Washington on January 7th, with CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert coming Atlanta’s way in the trade.
Porzingis continued to play sporadically – suiting up in three out of Atlanta’s first four games of the new year before reclaiming his spot on the injury report due to a bout with left Achilles tendonitis. Atlanta would eventually trade him to Golden State for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield at the trade deadline on February 5th, bringing the Latvian’s stint in Atlanta to an end after playing in just 17 out of a possible 52 games this season.
With Porzingis’ spot in the rotation up for grabs, the Hawks gave in-house options Mouhamed Gueye and Asa Newell an extended look as the back-up ‘5’, though when neither played impressed, the team went out and signed fourth-year big, Christian Koloko to a two-way contract on January 16th for some additional depth at the position. Koloko got his first taste of action on January 21st, logging 11 minutes in a two-point victory against Memphis, and played valiantly in each of the next six games before being replaced in the rotation by veteran big-man, Jock Landale* – who was acquired by the Hawks on deadline day for cash considerations. Coming out of the All-Star break, the spot appears to be Landale’s to lose.
*Landale had averaged 11.3 points and 6.5 rebounds in 24 minutes per game on 51/38/67 shooting splits (FG/3PT/FT) across 45 appearances (25 starts) for the Memphis Grizzlies this season before being traded to Atlanta.
Still, integrating McCollum and Kispert as well as settling on a back-up ‘5’ weren’t the only rotation questions the Hawks have faced since the calendar flipped. After exploding for a season-high 25 points against New Orleans on January 7th, Zaccharie Risacher missed the next three weeks due to a bone contusion in his left knee. Onyeka Okongwu was sidelined for four games after suffering a gruesome dental fracture against the Celtics on January 28th. Both Dyson Daniels and Jalen Johnson have missed time due to nagging lower body injuries.
The Hawks were active in the trade market as well. In addition to the transactions outlined above, on February 1st they traded fan-favorite, Vit Krejci, to the Portland Trail Blazers for two future second-round picks and Duop Reath (who was subsequently waived). On February 5th, they flipped Luke Kennard to the Los Angeles Lakers in return for Gabe Vincent and a future second-rounder.
Amid all the changes, the Hawks have gone 10-11 since the beginning of January, and with 26 games remaining in the regular season, find themselves in a precarious position as far as the 2025-26 season is concerned*. With a record of 26-30, they are clinging to the 10-seed in the East – sitting just 1.5 games ahead of Chicago and Milwaukee for a spot in the Play-In tournament.
*Thanks to their front office’s maneuvering, Atlanta has ample cap space this summer.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo slated to return to action for Milwaukee, the Charlotte Hornets surging (9-1 over their last 10 games), and teams like Miami and Orlando still playing hard-nosed hoops, postseason basketball is far from guaranteed for the Hawks. We’ll find out what this team is made of over the next few weeks.
Entering this crucial stretch of the season, here’s my projection of Atlanta’s depth chart, with a look at the updated cap sheet below (salary figures from Spotrac).
Ahead of the home-stretch, these are two burning questions facing the Atlanta Hawks.
What’s wrong with the offense?
While the Hawks have patched things up on defense since December – allowing 113.3 points per 100 possessions since January 1st (similar to their performance through the first 21 games) – their offense has crumbled, with the team managing just 111 points per 100 possessions over this span, a mark which ranks 27th* in the NBA. It would be easy to pin this drop-off on the departure of Trae Young, who, for all of his flaws, remains one of the best offensive floor-raisers in the league, however I would push back on this notion given that the Hawks posted a 115.3 offensive rating between October 31st and December 15th (22 games) when Young was sidelined with an MCL sprain.
*Tied with the Sacramento Kings – never a good sign.
Comparing Atlanta’s offensive performance from that stretch without Young to their offense since January 1st, a few things stand out. First, while the Hawks have continued to play fast, they have actually done a better job taking care of the ball in the new year, posting an offensive turnover rate of 12.6% since January 1st, the fourth-lowest mark in the league and a vast improvement from their early season stretch without Young, when they were committing turnovers on 15.6% of their possessions.
Additionally, while the Hawks free-throw and offensive rebounding rates have remained quite low, the main thing that’s hurt their offense has been the dramatic decline in shooting efficiency – with Atlanta ranking just 22nd in effective field-goal percentage since January 1st after ranking seventh during the early season stretch.
Taking a closer look at their offensive shot profile, while the Hawks have indeed shot slightly worse from the perimeter, the driving factor behind this drop off has been the team’s struggles at the basket. Since January 1st, the Hawks have shot just 62.3% within five feet – the second-worst mark in the league, and a far cry from their rim efficiency from earlier in the season, when they were converting these looks at close to a 70% clip.
Looking at the individual player’s finishing numbers below, the culprits begin to emerge. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, whose finishing wasn’t great to begin with, has shot just 55% at the rim since January 1st. Onyeka Okongwu, who was converting these looks at a 71% clip earlier in the season, has shot just 59% over this span. New addition, Corey Kispert, who has shot 73% at the rim for his career hasn’t been able to replicate this form in Atlanta, shooting just 57% at the rim in a Hawks uniform. Mouhamed Gueye and Zaccharie Risacher have seen significant declines as well, shooting just 52% and 57% respectively since January 1st.
Additionally, while Jalen Johnson has continued to finish at a high rate, he’s seen a significant decline in his rim-attempts over the past few weeks – averaging just 4.3 attempts per game since January 1st compared to 5.8 attempts per game during the early season stretch.
It’s unclear what’s behind this drop off in the team’s finishing ability. The Hawks are playing just as fast, and are getting out in transition at the same exact rate as they were during the early season stretch. If I had to guess, I would say that the fluidity in the rotation as well as the process of integrating their new players took a bit of a toll on the team’s spacing, leading to more difficult attempts at the rim – though if that has indeed been the case, these issues should be ironed out as this new group grows more comfortable playing with each other.
I also think that Jalen Johnson taking 1.5 fewer rim-attempts per game since January 1st is significant, as he is the team’s best rim finisher. If the Hawks are going to turn things around, I’d expect him to be a big part of the improvement – directly (getting to the basket more) or indirectly (using his playmaking prowess to create cleaner looks at the rim for his teammates).
All that to say, this team’s ability to finish at the rim is the no. 1 area to watch for me coming out of the All-Star break.
What will Kuminga bring to the table?
Speaking of rim finishing, it is quite important to note that the Hawks added a dynamic finisher at the trade deadline in 23 year-old Jonathan Kuminga, formerly of the Golden State Warriors. While it’s unclear when Kuminga will make his Hawks debut – he’s been sidelined since January 23rd due to a bone bruise in his left knee – the former no. 7 pick has shot 71.6% at the rim for his career (on 3.6 attempts per game) and should help the Hawks put pressure on the rim on offense.
While Kuminga’s finishing hasn’t been up to his usual standards this season (62.7% in 20 appearances for Golden State), this has been an extremely strange season for the 23 year-old.
Kuminga has long been dissatisfied with his situation in Golden State, where the franchise’s push to maximize the twilight of Steph Curry’s career clashed with their ability/willingness to afford him the runway required to reach his potential. Last year was the final year of Kuminga’s rookie contract, and over the summer, despite Kuminga voicing his desire to play elsewhere, his status as a restricted free agent proved to be a difficult hurdle in negotiations with other teams, and ultimately, he returned to the Warriors on a two-year deal – with a team-option for the second season.
After starting the first 12 games of the 2025-26 season, Kuminga suffered a knee injury, and never found a consistent role when he was cleared to return. He appeared in just eight more games for Golden State, before requesting a trade on January 15th – the first day he was eligible to be traded after signing a new contract this summer.
It was a peculiar situation, and one that was hard to assess from the outside looking in (no matter how hard ESPN tries), but regardless, I did go back and watch most of Kuminga’s actions from this season. The two clips below are just a taste of the level of athleticism that he brings to the table, and despite the down year efficiency-wise, I remain bullish on his finishing ability.
I mean… holy smokes.
Still, it’s important to remember that Kuminga is far from a finished product. A few areas for him to improve on offense include his shot selection, decision making and outside shooting.
As far as the shot selection, I’d like to see Kuminga cut down the number of mid-range attempts he takes and increase the number of rim-attempts as the latter is a more efficient shot. Kuminga’s rim shooting frequency was upwards of 40% in each of his first three seasons, however last year just 31% of his attempts came from this area of the floor, with the number rising to 34.5% this season. Conversely, he’s taken roughly 40% of his looks from the mid-range over the past two seasons. If he can eschew some of these mid-range looks for some more attempts at the rim in Atlanta, I like the fit on offense.
In terms of his decision making, Kuminga posted the highest turnover rate of his career (4.7 turnovers per 100 possessions) this season in Golden State – with many of these turnovers coming down to simply making a bad read, or losing control of the ball on the gather*. Given how fast Atlanta plays, how Kuminga finds the balance between being aggressive on offense and taking care of the ball will be an important area to watch when he returns to the court.
*To be frank, they looked like turnovers one might expect to see from a rookie forward, not a fifth-year player.
Last but not least, Kuminga’s outside shot has been fairly inconsistent throughout his career (33.1% on 4 attempts per 75 possessions), and while I don’t expect him to suddenly evolve into a high-volume outside shooter in Atlanta, it would be nice to see some improvement in this area before the team makes a decision on his second-year option.
On the defensive side of the ball, Kuminga has the athletic tools to be a high-level defender and has ranked in the 77th percentile or better in defensive-EPM in each of the past three seasons per dunksandthrees. While his steal/block rates have ranked right around the average for his position, he has ranked in the 75th percentile or better in Bball-Index’s defensive positional versatility metric (indicating the extent to which he guarded various positions) and has rated favorably in their perimeter isolation defensive metric in each year after his rookie season. He won’t be a liability on the defensive end.
Atlanta will have to wait a little longer to see Kuminga in action – as it was announced yesterday that he is ‘progressing’ in his recovery from a bone bruise in his left knee and will be re-evaluated in one week. Given how strange his situation was in Golden State, Kuminga is viewed as one of the most enigmatic players in the entire league, and will have a lot to prove over the final eight weeks of the 2025-26 season.
