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Deandre Ayton released after being detained at Bahamas airport for weed

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 30: Deandre Ayton #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates after scoring against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on January...

It appears Deandre Ayton ran into trouble on his way back to Los Angeles.

According to a report by TMZ, the Lakers big man was temporarily detained at the Lyden Pindling International Airport as authorities searched his bag for marijuana.

Deandre Ayton shoots a free throw during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. NBAE via Getty Images

The Central Division of the Royal Bahamas Police Force said Ayton was allegedly spotted smoking weed on the premises, giving authorities the right to search his bag.

In a stunning twist, the search came up empty and Ayton was released.

However, Ayton’s attorney, Devard Francis, has a different account of what went down.

He told TMZ that his client, Ayton, was briefly help by authorities as they searched his bag for weed. When nothing was found, Ayton was released and no chargers were filed.

Ayton is currently on his way back to Los Angeles as the Lakers will begin practicing this week before returning to action Friday night against the Clippers.

Ayton, a native of the Bahamas, suited up for the Bahamian National team during Olympic qualifying in 2024. He averaged a double-double of 19.5 points and 11.8 rebounds, teaming up with current NBA players Buddy Hield, VJ Edgecombe Jr. and former NBA player Eric Gordon.

A former No. 1 pick, Ayton has been up-and-down for the Lakers this season by averaging 13.2 points and 8.5 rebounds in 28.2 minutes per game.

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Knicks seeking statement win — and revenge — against Pistons coming out of All-Star break

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Pistons Ausur Thompson (right) has been a tough defender for Jalen Brunson this season

The Knicks have an immediate chance coming out of the All-Star break to set a strong tone for the second half of their season — in either direction.

They’ve already been punked by the Pistons, who are six games above them in first place in the Eastern Conference, this season.

The point differentials of 31 and 38 represent the two largest losses for the Knicks this season.

Their scoring totals in those games — 90 and 80 points — are their lowest of the season.

But both those games were in Detroit.

On Thursday, the Knicks finally get to host the Pistons at Madison Square Garden, in what will be the last regular-season matchup between the two teams this year.

It wasn’t just that the Knicks were blown out previously, it was the manner in which it happened.

They were bullied physically, with the Pistons’ aggressive defense throwing them entirely out of rhythm.

Ausar Thompson, who largely guarded Jalen Brunson during their first-round matchup last postseason, has emerged as one of the few defenders who has bothered Brunson, particularly in that second matchup.

“It’s pretty simple. They just physically kicked our ass,” coach Mike Brown said after the first matchup. “There’s no ifs, ands or buts about it.”

That was thematic, and did not change at all in the second meeting. In fact, it worsened.

Pistons Ausur Thompson (right) has been a tough defender for Jalen Brunson this season. Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

“They kicked our behind, starting with me,” Brown said after the second matchup.

Over the first half of the season, the Pistons established themselves as a runaway leader atop the East.

That role was supposed to be there for the Knicks’ taking entering the season, with the Celtics and Pacers weakened without Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton, respectively, due to torn Achilles tendons.

Instead, a roller-coaster first half of the season has the Knicks coming out of the break in third, behind the Pistons and Celtics.

Last year proved that regular-season outcomes don’t always predict playoff results, though.

Jalen Brunson and the Knicks will be seeking their first win of the season over the Pistons on Thursday night. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The Knicks went 1-3 against the Pistons and 0-4 against the Celtics in the regular season last year, then eliminated them in the first and second rounds, respectively.

“I don’t look at regular-season games as a barometer because, come playoffs, it’s a different basketball game,” Brunson said previously. “Especially when you talk about a seven-game series. I’ve been with different teams that went to the Finals or played deep in the playoffs that lost the season series to teams and still won in the playoffs.”

Other than the Pistons, there are reasons to believe the Celtics — sitting a half-game above the Knicks — and the Cavaliers — one game below — can make a jump and rise to another level in the second half of the season.

The Celtics could be getting Tatum back for the playoffs.

He recently began some on-court work and did not rule out a return this year.

And the Cavaliers acquired James Harden from the Clippers just ahead of the deadline, providing Donovan Mitchell with the best co-star he’s had.

“He’s a very dangerous player in our league,” Brunson said of Tatum. “Seeing him go down last year, it sucks to see. You never want to see that from anyone in any sport. The fact that he’s worked so hard to get to where he is and preparing to come back is a testament to who he is. Basketball fans around the world definitely are excited to see his comeback.”

The power dynamic in the East is a bit different than the Knicks likely expected entering the season.

Coming out of the break, though, they have an immediate chance to send a message.

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Rhode Island basketball fans rush court following upset win vs No. 19 Saint Louis

Rhode Island men's basketball pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the 2025-26 college basketball season, giving fans a reason to storm the court.

The Rams handed No. 19 Saint Louis its first Atlantic 10 Conference loss of the season with an 81-76 win at Thomas M. Ryan Center in Kingston, Rhode Island, on Tuesday, Feb. 17. As the clock hit double zeros, fans rushed the court to celebrate the upset victory.

REQUIRED READING: NCAA tournament bracketology: Who is rising in latest March Madness predictions as Selection Sunday nears

The loss dropped Saint Louis to 24-2 on the season and 12-1 in Atlantic 10 play, while Rhode Island improved to 15-11 (6-7). While the loss likely will not be enough to keep the Billikens out of the NCAA Tournament, it is a tough loss to take.

Saint Louis had won 18 straight games since a 78-77 loss to Stanford on Nov. 28. Robbie Avila led the Billikens with 21 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals in the loss.

Jonah Hinton hit nine 3-pointers en route to a 29-point performance on 10-of-17 shooting from the field in the win for the Rams. Myles Corey added 15 points and five rebounds, while Tyler Cochran added 11 points for Rhode Island.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rhode Island basketball fans rush court after win vs No. 19 Saint Louis

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Does the NBA have a tanking issue? Mark Cuban doesn't think so

With NBA commissioner Adam Silver fining teams for tanking and making statements about repercussions, there has been a lot of talk in league circles about the process and strategy of tanking its effectiveness and fairness.

The Utah Jazz received a $500,000 fine and the Indiana Pacers got a $100,000 fine for recent game management and roster decisions, the league announced on Feb. 12.

Tanking, in a nutshell, is strategically and effectively losing games through playing or not playing players that can help win. In the long run, the hope is to position oneself in the draft and in free agency to improve the team long term.

One of the latest sports figures to partake in the conversation was Dallas Mavericks minority owner and basketball advisor Mark Cuban, who took to social media to express his take.

Cuban posted on X, formerly Twitter, saying that "tanking isn't the issue" and went on to explain "why the NBA should embrace tanking," even providing his own experience as a previous majority owner of the Mavericks for more than two decades.

"The NBA has [quite] been misguided thinking that fans want to see their teams compete every night with a chance to win. It’s never been that way that way," Cuban wrote. "When I got into the NBA, they thought they were in the basketball business. They aren’t."

"They are in the business of creating experiences for fans. Few can remember the score from the last game they saw or went to. They can’t remember the dunks or shots. What they remember is who they were with. Their family, friends, a date. That’s what makes the experience special."

Cuban, the Mavericks' majority owner for 23 years and now minority owner, said that fans understand when their team isn't good. What fans prioritize more is hope, he implied.

"Fans know their team can’t win every game. They know only one team can win a ring. What fan that care about their team’s record want is hope. Hope they will get better and have a chance to compete for the playoffs and then maybe a ring," Cuban wrote. "The one way to get closer to that is via the draft. And trades. And cap room. You have a better chance of improving via all 3, when you tank."

MORE: The NBA's tanking crisis — and why Adam Silver can’t ignore it

Did Mark Cuban, Mavericks lose intentionally?

Tanking happens often in the NBA and it has for a better part of the last two decades. At least Cuban said so on X.

He also added that fans "appreciated it" whenever they would willfully lose games.

"We didn’t tank often. Only a few times over 23 years, but when we did, our fans appreciated it. And it got us to where we could improve, trade up to get Luka [Doncic] and improve our team," Cuban wrote on X.

Cuban and the Mavericks acquired Doncic via a trade with the Atlanta Hawks, who selected Doncic with the third overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, for Trae Young, who Dallas chose at the fifth pick, and a protected future first-round pick.

Positioning themselves for that pick, they finished the previous season with a 24–58 record, which included a 3-15 start through their first 18 games, and finished the season winning just two of 14 games.

In the 2025 NBA Draft, the Mavericks received the No. 1 pick, selecting Cooper Flagg out of Duke.

During the 2024-25 season, the Mavericks sent Doncic, along with Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, to the Los Angeles Lakers in a controversial blockbuster trade in return for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a first-round pick.

Dallas finished the 2024-25 season with a 39-43 record, losing in a postseason play-in qualification game to the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Mavericks became the second straight team, after the Hawks, to qualify for postseason play and to receive the first overall pick despite only having a 1.8% chance to win the NBA draft lottery.

The bottom NBA standings in the 2025-26 season

The Sacramento Kings have the worst record in the league at 12-44, just above them are the Washington Wizards at 14-39. Here are the bottom ten teams in the NBA standings through the All-Star break in the 2025-26 season.

Tank-a-thon predicts 2026 NBA Draft through All-Star break

The following order in the 2026 NBA Draft, according to Tankathon.com, predicts the Kings with the No. 1 pick and the Wizards at No. 2.

The Pelicans would have the No. 3 pick but it goes to the Hawks after a they acquired an unprotected 2026 first-round pick from New Orleans during the 2025 NBA Draft as part of a deal for the 13th pick, which was Derik Queen. The Hawks secured the right to the most favorable 2026 first-round pick between the Pelicans and the Bucks.

Here's the hypothetical order of the 2026 NBA Draft as of Feb. 17, according to Tankathon.com:

  • No. 1: Sacramento Kings
  • No. 2: Washington Wizards
  • No. 3: New Orleans Pelicans (traded to Hawks)
  • No. 4: Indiana Pacers
  • No. 5: Brooklyn Nets
  • No. 6: Utah Jazz
  • No. 7: Dallas Mavericks
  • No. 8: Memphis Grizzlies
  • No. 9: Milwaukee Bucks
  • No. 10: Chicago Bulls

Cuban: Bigger issue in NBA than tanking

Cuban stands by that tanking is one of least of the NBA's concerns, or should be. Rather he insisted that the NBA should focus on game attendance.

"The NBA should worry more about fan experience than tanking," Cuban wrote on X. "It should worry more about pricing fans out of games than tanking. You know who cares the least about tanking , a parent who cant afford to bring their three kids to a game and buy their kids a jersey of their [favorite] player. Tanking isn’t the issue. Affordability and quality of game presentation are."

The average cost for a family of four to attend an NBA game during the 2025-26 season is $277.65 for the cheapest available tickets, a parking spot, two beers, two sodas and four hot dogs, according to Bookies.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mark Cuban said tanking for draft position isn't an issue in NBA

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Giancarlo Stanton’s improved health comes with plenty of hope and everything on table for Yankees

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees hitting during live batting practice at spring training, Image 2 shows Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees warms up during team workouts

TAMPA — A year ago at this time, Giancarlo Stanton arrived at spring training with two painful elbows that would delay his season until mid-June.

That double elbow tendinitis, he reiterated Tuesday, is “not going anywhere.” But it appears to be in a much more manageable spot at this point for the Yankees’ 36-year-old slugger, clearing the way for him to at least start camp as a full participant.

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Now the challenge will be trying to stay healthy throughout the year so Stanton can make his presence felt in the middle of the Yankees’ lineup as much as possible.

“There’s always going to be maintenance,” Stanton said Tuesday after the second full-squad workout. “But [the elbows] didn’t hinder me from any work [in the offseason] and that’s the most important.”

Both Stanton and manager Aaron Boone said the designated hitter has been moving around well in the first few days of camp, with Boone saying he looks “real lean.”

Even still, Boone indicated he would likely slow-play Stanton into Grapefruit League games — possibly delaying his spring debut by a week — to be safe, as he often does with veterans.

That proactiveness will extend into the regular season, with Boone planning to give Stanton semi-regular days off, as he did last year, to give him the best chance to stay healthy over the long season.

Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees warms up during team workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 17, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. Getty Images

“I think we had a good schedule there,” said Stanton, who has a history of soft-tissue injuries in his legs. “There were some times maybe I wanted to be out there, but understand the process and the way we got a good rotation of guys in the offense. So it was good.

“I think it’s a never-ending adjustment of the best way for us to be the best and for me to stay out there.”

At least in Boone’s mind, that also includes keeping the outfield in play for Stanton, who may get some games in the field this spring.

Ideally the Yankees will not have to actually play him there during the season, Boone acknowledged, but they want to have the option, and also believe there is a side benefit to it.

Giancarlo Stanton hitting live batting practice during today’s workout at Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees’ Spring Training home in Tampa, Florida. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

“I think when he is doing his outfield work throughout the year — even at times when he’s going weeks where he’s not playing — when he’s out there and moving around, I think it serves him well,” Boone said.

After being delayed by the elbow troubles, Stanton, who made 18 starts in the field last year — all of them to allow Aaron Judge to DH as he came back from a flexor strain — enjoyed his most productive regular season since 2021.

He hit .273 with 24 home runs and a .944 OPS in 77 games, offering hope for what he could still do over the course of a full season if he avoids the injured list.

That will be especially important this season given how much the Yankees need his right-handed bat in the middle of a lineup dominated by lefty bats.

For now, the goal remains simple as Stanton enters the second-to-last year of his contract, still in search of his first ring.

“The point of being a Yankee is being a champion,” he said. “There’s always going to be the sting there without that.”

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Burks, UCF start fast in 82-71 win over TCU to end Knights' three-game losing streak

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Jordan Burks scored 16 of his 23 points before halftime and Themus Fulks scored 14 points and UCF ended a pair of streaks on Tuesday night by beating TCU 82-71.

UCF (18-7, 7-6 Big 12) stopped its three-game losing streak while ending TCU's (16-10, 6-7) three-game winning streak.

Reserve George Beale Jr. added 11 points for UCF.

The Knights built a 9-2 lead and never trailed en route to a 58%-shooting effort (15 of 26) before the break. UCF shot 49% (28 of 57) overall.

Micah Robinson scored 20 points, David Punch 14, Xavier Edmonds 12 and Jayden Pierre and reserve Tanner Toolson 10 each for the Horned Frogs.

Toolson's 3-pointer with 14:37 left before halftime brought TCU within 11-10. Burks countered with his own 3 and Punch followed with a shot in the lane and TCU would never get closer.

UCF went on a 10-2 run to extend the lead to 24-14 with 10:27 before halftime and stayed ahead by double digits with the exception of two seconds late in the second half.

TCU went on a 9-0 run cutting the Knights' 19-point lead to 10, but a Fulks floater pushed the lead to 67-55 with 6:04 left. TCU used a 14-3 run to draw within 78-69 with 59 seconds left before Fulks made two free throws with 57 seconds to go.

Up Next

TCU: Hosts West Virginia on Saturday.

UCF: Travels to face Utah on Saturday.

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Cotie McMahon scores career-high 39, leads No. 17 Ole Miss women over No. 21 Tennessee 94-81

OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — Cotie McMahon scored a career-high 39 points to surpass 2,000 for her career and No. 17 Mississippi beat No. 21 Tennessee 94-81 on Tuesday night.

Ole Miss (21-6, 8-4 Southeastern Conference) never trailed and held a double-digit lead for the entire second half. McMahon's jumper gave the Rebels a 25-point lead with 1:51 left in the third quarter.

McMahon shot 12 of 22 from the floor and 14 of 18 from the free-throw line to go with five assists and 10 rebounds for her fifth double-double this season. She surpassed her previous career-best 33 points on a 3-pointer with 2:12 remaining.

McMahon has 2,038 career points, is the fourth player in program history to surpass 2,000 and the first since Angel Baker (2022-23).

Latasha Lattimore recorded her fourth consecutive double-double and sixth this season, finishing with 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Rebels. Christeen Iwuala chipped in with 16 points and Tianna Thompson scored 12.

Talaysia Cooper scored a season-best 30 points on 12-of-26 shooting to lead Tennessee (16-8, 8-4). Lauren Hurst added 16 points off the bench.

McMahon had 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists in the first half to help Ole Miss build a 44-33 halftime advantage. Iwuala scored 12 first-half points for the Rebels. Cooper scored nine points to pace the Lady Vols.

The matchup was rescheduled from Jan. 26 due to winter weather. The Lady Vols entered having won nine of the last 10 games in the series.

Up next

Tennessee hosts Texas A&M on Thursday.

Ole Miss is home against No. 7 LSU on Thursday.

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Mets playing it cautious with oft-injured Luis Robert Jr. in hopes of unleashing All-Star potential

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows New York Mets’ Luis Robert Jr. fielding a baseball during Spring Training, Image 2 shows New York Mets’ Luis Robert Jr. (l.) and Juan Soto run during Spring Training at Clover Field

PORT ST. LUCIE — Luis Robert Jr.’s various lower body injuries over the last two seasons have largely prevented him from maintaining the level he reached in his 2023 All-Star season with the White Sox.

A physical specimen, the 28-year-old outfielder has only once in his first six seasons surpassed 110 games played. All the talk of his new team, the Mets, unleashing Robert’s potential begins with keeping him on the field.

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“The more games I play, the more opportunity I have to have success and, yes, for me the ultimate goal is to be able to stay out on the field,” Robert said Tuesday through an interpreter. “And once I am able to stay out on the field, I think things are going to turn out the way that I want.”

The Mets saw enough potential in him to last month trade Luisangel Acuña and Truman Pauley to the White Sox for Robert.

It was a move that caught Robert, who had already begun shipping equipment to the White Sox spring training complex in Arizona, by surprise.

Robert had a dismal first half last season, but began showing life after the All-Star break. The fun was short-lived: By late August he was on the injured list with a left hamstring strain, and he never returned to action for the White Sox.

He appeared in 110 games and produced a .223/.297/.364 slash line with 14 homers and 53 RBIs with 33 stolen bases.

“Once the offseason started the focus was to strengthen the parts of mostly the injuries I have dealt with up until now,” Robert said. “That has been the same focus, to try to strengthen everything and make sure I am ready for the season.”

Robert has gold and silver on his resume. He won a Gold Glove in 2020 and a Silver Slugger in 2023, a season in which he blasted 38 homers and posted an .857 OPS.

Luis Robert Jr. runs a fielding drill during Spring Training at Clover Field, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. Corey Sipkin for tNY Post

“The tools are there — elite power, the defensive speed,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “When he is healthy, we saw it in 2023, a lot of the things he can do.”

The Mets won’t push him too hard too fast. Mendoza said the plan is to exclude Robert from early Grapefruit League action, allowing him to build up his legs. Robert will still participate in daily workouts with the team.

It’s an approach the team is also taking with Francisco Alvarez and Brett Baty to ensure their health. Alvarez is returning from thumb ligament surgery and Baty reported to camp with hamstring tightness, according to Mendoza.

“I know that’s the type of process that they have,” Robert said. “I trust in them and whatever they have because they want what’s best for me.”

The Mets have other options for center field, most notably top position player prospect Carson Benge and defensive whiz Tyrone Taylor. Benge could win the starting right field job.

Luis Robert Jr. (l.) runs with Juan Sotod uring Spring Training at Clover Field, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post

Robert was asked the difference between his old surroundings and his new ones.

“It’s just the amount of people that are around,” he said. “When you come to a team like this the expectations are to win. When you have these goals and expectations there are obviously going to be more eyes on the team. I think that has been the biggest difference.”

How did he respond to the news that he had been traded?

“Once I got traded I really can’t explain the emotions that I had,” Robert said. “I was excited, nervous. Sometimes you hear a lot about New York and how big it can be and to play with as many stars as I was going to play with them. I knew I was going to be entering a different stage of my career.”

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San Antonio signs Mason Plumlee to a 10-day contract

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 22: Thomas Bryant #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers guards Mason Plumlee #22 of the Charlotte Hornets during the second quarter at Rocket Arena on December 22, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The San Antonio Spurs are adding some depth to their front court. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Spurs signed veteran center Mason Plumlee to a 10-day contract.

The 35-year-old center will join the team after the Spurs opened up a roster spot by waiving Jeremy Sochan last week. Plumlee started the season with the Charlotte Hornets, but played in only 14 games, averaging 1.9 points and 2.9 rebounds. He last appeared in a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 22. The 13-year veteran has averaged 7.9 points and 6.6 rebounds over his career. This will be Plumlee’s eighth NBA team, but he is most known for his time with the Brooklyn Nets and Denver Nuggets.

Plumlee adds some needed depth and a veteran presence to San Antonio’s locker room. The move closely mirrors what the Spurs did last season by signing Bismack Biyombo, although with less desperation. A healthy Victor Wembanyama and Luke Kornet likely leave Plumlee out of the rotation, but he’s another break-in-case-of-emergency option to go alongside Biyombo and Kelly Olynyk.

Plumlee is best known for his passing and IQ from the center position. He’s averaged 2.4 assists for his career, making quick reads off handoffs and in the short roll. He’s a solid pick-and-roll player due to his strength and IQ. In his prime, he was a good athlete who could contest shots and run the rim for dunks. He doesn’t thrive as a shooter or finisher inside and isn’t well-regarded as a rim protector. More than anything, he’s another big body on a cheap deal who can step in and play spot minutes if the Spurs are shorthanded.

It remains to be seen if Plumlee sticks around for the Spurs’ end-of-the-season run for the playoffs. San Antonio can sign him to a full deal once his 10-day contract is up.

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Warriors' Steph Curry on retirement: 'I don't think it's anytime soon'

Golden State Warriors superstar guard Stephen Curry hears the chatter wondering how long he'll continue his NBA career.

However, the 37-year-old 3-point specialist isn't feeding into that type of talk and says he hasn't given any thought about it in his 17th season.

Curry told People Magazine that he's "not really putting too much pressure on that."

"Thinking about the end robs you of the now,” Curry said. “I’m enjoying the journey of competing and all the work that goes into it. Hopefully that carries me a long way.”

He has shown zero signs of slowing down. Curry has averaged 27.2 points on 46.8/39.1/93.1 shooting splits in 39 games during the 2025-26 regular season.

However, he's faced minor setbacks this season. Curry just recently missed the All-Star Game and the two previous games for the Warriors as he nurses soreness in his right knee.

The Warriors remain eighth in the Western Conference standings at 29-26. If the postseason began today, they would have a play-in game for the No. 7 playoff spot against the Phoenix Suns.

With the Warriors still hanging in contention and Curry as competitive as they come, there is no retirement in the near future.

"I’ll declare itself, whenever the time comes to call it quits, which I don’t think is anytime soon,” Curry told People.

Curry was drafted by the Warriors with the seventh pick of the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft. He since has become a 12-time All-star, four-time NBA champion. two-time league MVP, a Finals MVP and an Olympic gold medalist.

He is arguably the greatest NBA 3-point shooter ever and was named to the NBA's 75th anniversary team.

One thing's for sure: He's playing next season.

Curry signed a one-year, $62.59 million veteran contract extension with Golden State through the 2026-27 season.

He already has agreed to participate in the NBA 3-Point Contest during the 2027 NBA All-Star Weekend in Phoenix following a request from this year's 3-point contest winner Damian Lillard.

Curry is the NBA's all-time leader in 3-point shots made with 4,233.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Stephen Curry asked about retirement: Here's what he said.

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How high can the Warriors rise in the standings, and how far can they fall?

Steph Curry dribbling around Devin Booker.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 30: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors drives past Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns during the game at Footprint Center on November 30, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Warriors 113-105. 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 Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welcome to February Daily Topics at Golden State of Mind. A question (almost) every day this month to give the community a prompt to talk about!

The Golden State Warriors entered the NBA All-Star break with a record of 29-26, which is good for eighth place in the Western Conference standings. And the advanced stats agree with that assessment: the Warriors’ garbage-time adjusted net rating of +1.9 is seventh in the conference.

That, of course, doesn’t tell the whole story. The seven teams ahead of Golden State — and most of the teams behind them — return from the break with their top pieces intact. The same can’t be said for the Dubs. Jimmy Butler III will not suit up for the Warriors again this season, and the team is just 6-11 when he doesn’t play, compared to 23-15 when he does.

On the brighter side, Steph Curry is expected to return from injury when the Warriors get back in action on Thursday night against the Boston Celtics, and the team is hoping to debut Kristaps Porziņģis as well. But, in returning to the glass-half-empty side, Curry has been dealing with a few lingering ailments this year, while Porziņģis has dealt with injuries every year of his career — counting this season, he’s averaged just 47.1 games played over his 11 seasons in the NBA (which includes missing an entire year due to injury).

The Warriors will spend the rest of the year jockeying for position, though they seem unlikely to move much in the standings. It’s almost guaranteed that they won’t fall out of the playoff race: currently they stand a whopping eight games ahead of the first team out, and that team (the Memphis Grizzlies) just hit the reset and rebuild buttons at the deadline. They could fall down a spot or two to one of the lesser play-in positions — they’re just 2.5 games ahead of both the Portland Trail Blazers and LA Clippers.

Moving up seems less likely, but it’s possible, too, if the Dubs get hot or one of the teams ahead of them craters for one reason or another. The first play-in team, the Phoenix Suns, is three games ahead of Golden State. The final teams in the guaranteed playoff spots, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers, are 4.5 games ahead of the Dubs.

So how high can the Warriors rise, and how far can they fall? For me, the answer is boring: I think they’re stuck in the play-in tournament. I could see them rising one spot to have the top seed in the tourney, or falling to the last spot.

What range of outcomes do you see for the Warriors?

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Robert McCray V scores 27 and Florida State rallies in the 2nd half to beat Boston College 80-72

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Robert McCray V scored 18 of his 27 points in the second half, Alex Steen had 13 points and eight rebounds, and Florida State rallied in the second half to beat Boston College 80-72 on Tuesday night.

Florida State trailed by 14 points, 59-45, with 11 minutes remaining before making 11 of its final 14 shots.

Lajae Jones grabbed an offensive rebound and put it in with 2:33 remaining in the second half to give Florida State its first lead, 70-68, since it was 8-5. Then Chauncey Wiggins added a 3-pointer and McCray made a driving layup to make it 75-70 with 50 seconds left.

It was Florida State's largest comeback victory since a 16-point reversal against Wake Forest on Feb. 12, 2025.

Wiggins finished with 11 points and Jones added 10 for Florida State (13-13, 6-7 ACC), which was coming off a 92-point performance against Virginia Tech.

Fred Payne scored 22 points for Boston College (9-17, 2-11) which was looking for its first ACC road win in over two years. Luka Toews and Chase Forte each scored 14 points and Aidan Shaw had 10 points.

Payne and Forte combined to go 6 of 7 from 3-point range, with three makes apiece, in the first half to help Boston College take a 42-32 lead at the break. Toews added two makes from distance as the Eagles went 8 of 12 by halftime.

Boston College finished 11 of 24 from 3-point range.

Up next

Boston College: Continues the road trip at SMU on Saturday.

FSU: Goes on the road to play Clemson on Saturday.

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Javier Baez says failed drug test that led to 2026 WBC ban hurt ‘my family, my reputation’

Javier Báez #28 of the Detroit Tigers runs to first base after hitting a single in the fifth inning against the Cleveland Guardians during game one of the American League Wild Card Series at Progressive Field on September 30, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Javier Báez #28 of the Detroit Tigers runs to first base after hitting a single in the fifth inning against the Cleveland Guardians during game one of the American League Wild Card Series at Progressive Field on September 30, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Javier Báez is taking full responsibility for failing a drug test that will force him to miss the World Baseball Classic. 

The Tigers star is suspended from the tournament after testing positive for marijuana during the 2023 WBC.

“I don’t want to point fingers at anybody because this is all my fault,” Báez said Tuesday, according to The Athletic. “I’m the one that failed the test … It’s just really frustrating that I won’t be able to be there. 

“It really hurts my family, my reputation, but it’s part of it. Other than that, I got a long season to go, and I got to prepare for that.”

Javier Báez of the Detroit Tigers runs off the field during the third inning against the Seattle Mariners in game two of the Division Series at T-Mobile Park on October 05, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. Getty Images

Marijuana use is allowed under Major League Baseball’s drug policy, but is prohibited by the WBC’s governing body, the World Baseball Softball Confederation.  

“I understand the rules,” Báez said. “It’s not like I was taking steroids or anything to last longer or whatever. They made that decision. I’m fine with it, I mean, I’m not fine with it. I just keep my mouth shut.”

Báez failed the test during the last WBC in March 2023. 

The loss of Báez is the latest blow to Team Puerto Rico, which will host Pool A of the WBC starting March 5.

Javier Báez of the Detroit Tigers runs to first base after hitting a single in the fifth inning against the Cleveland Guardians during Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series at Progressive Field on September 30, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. Getty Images

Puerto Rico, which has twice finished runner-up in the tournament, previously lost stars Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor due to insurance issues. 

“One of my dreams is to play in Puerto Rico for Team Puerto Rico with our families, our fans, our island,” Báez said. “Nothing I can do. I’m just happy for all of my teammates that got the chance to represent. I wish them good luck.”

The Tigers star will instead shift his focus to the MLB season, which kicks off in late March.