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NBA power rankings 2025-26: Thunder remain on top, Pistons second as focus turns to trade deadline

This week's NBA Power Rankings will lean heavily into talk about the NBA trade deadline on Thursday (Feb. 5, 3 PM ET), but there's more going on than just rumors.

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

(39-11, last week No. 1)
The team that could put together the best offer for Giannis Antetokounmpo — or anyone else — likely will be quiet at the trade deadline. They may look to add a little depth along the front line, but think small moves, not big. OKC's dominant win over Denver on Sunday on NBC and Peacock was a stark reminder of why they don't need to do anything at the trade deadline — 29 other teams are chasing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder.

2. Detroit Pistons

(36-12, last week No. 3)
Detroit is heading into the trade deadline with the same attitude Oklahoma City had a couple of years ago: We know we may need to add to our roster to contend for a title, but we want to see what this group can do on its own, first. Expect a quiet deadline, but depending on how the playoffs go, this could be an interesting summer in the Motor City. Congratulations to J.B. Bickerstaff, who will be coaching his first All-Star Game this year, and two of his players — Cade Cunningham and deserving reserve Jalen Duren — will join him in Los Angeles.

3. San Antonio Spurs

(33-16, last week No. 5)
Much like Detroit, San Antonio is happy to take this core into the playoffs and see what their young stars can do. That said, the Spurs are looking for more shooting, and if the right deal pops up, they could act — this team is not lacking for picks or young players to make a deal. Coach Mitch Johnson will be in Los Angeles coaching his first All-Star Game. It will be interesting to see whether he is handed the World team featuring his star, Victor Wembanyama.

4. Houston Rockets

(30-17, last week No. 2)
Houston will be without Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams for the rest of the season, and with that could be looking to add a floor general point guard or some more size on the front line at the trade deadline. Of the teams in the top five of this ranking, the Rockets could be the most aggressive, but with Kevin Durant in the fold, they are as "win now" a team as it gets. Durant will be in Los Angeles for his 16th All-Star Game, but for my money, Alperen Sengun was the biggest snub out there. He deserved a spot more than LeBron, going just on play the past year.

5. New York Knicks

(31-18, last week No. 9)
Winners of five in a row and it's all about the Knicks' defense — this team has given up less than a point per possession over its last five games. Coach Mike Brown said after the win Sunday over the Lakers that they had simplified some of their defensive rotations, and that seems to have really worked for this squad. The Knicks are in a million trade deadline rumors, but if Giannis Antetokounmpo is staying put for now (as it increasingly appears he is) then New York may ride with this core to the playoffs — and defending like this the Finals are within reach.

6. Boston Celtics

(31-18, last week No. 4)
The fact that this is in now way a "gap year" for the Celtics — whether Jayson Tatum returns or not (and if he has any questions or doubts, he should not) — has the team on the hunt for a center who can help out Neemias Queta and Luka Garza in the playoffs. The centers the Celtics want (hello, Ivica Zubac) are not available, but there are plenty of bigs on the market who can provide some front-line depth. Daniel Gafford would be the best fit if they can pry him out of Dallas, but Day'Ron Sharpe from Brooklyn could also be in play.

7. Minnesota Timberwolves

(31-19, last week No. 12)
Minnesota has found itself in the middle of the Antetokounmpo trade rumors — reportedly, he likes the idea of playing next to Anthony Edwards (who wouldn't) — but that seems a long shot at the deadline. The more likely trade is for a point guard who can help them at a position of need, and the Bulls' Coby White would be the best fit on the board. It has been a roller coaster January for the Timberwolves: They won 6-of-7, then lost five straight, and now have won four straight, including a big win over the Thunder last week. The best test this week comes on Sunday against a hot Clippers team.

8. Phoenix Suns

(30-20, last week No. 8)
Phoenix is no one-man show: It went 3-2 the past couple of weeks without Devin Booker, and that included wins over Detroit and Cleveland. Phoenix is 4-5 without Booker this season, which is a far cry from last season when it won just one game without him. Booker was rightfully voted an All-Star by the coaches. While the Suns were at the heart of trade rumors the past few deadlines, they seem to be sitting this one out.

9. Cleveland Cavaliers

(30-21, last week No. 7)
The Cavaliers are 13-5 in their last 18 and are doing it without Darius Garland and now Evan Mobley — but now help is on the way in the form of Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder. This trade was a huge win for the Cavaliers: They got rid of De'Andre Hunter's contract and saved money (more than $45 million in salary and taxes) while adding better perimeter defense and shooting in Ellis, and some point guard depth (and defense) with Schroder. Count the Cavaliers out in the East at your own risk.

10. Denver Nuggets

(33-17, last week No. 6)
Nikola Jokic is back — and back to putting up MVP-level numbers every time he steps on the court. However, a loss Sunday to the Thunder is a reminder that the margin for error for this team is slim if the goal is to get back to the Finals, and Denver remains without three starters: Anthony Gordon, Christian Braun, and Cameron Johnson. Don't expect any big trade deadline moves, at most, there is something on the fringes to add depth. Things don't get easier this week on the road against Detroit and New York.

11. Los Angeles Lakers

(29-19, last week No. 13)
It's the worst kept secret in the league that the Lakers are looking for wing defenders and depth at the trade deadline and Sunday's loss to the Knicks was a perfect illustration of why: Marcus Smart, Jarred Vanderbilt and Jake LaRavia are the Lakers' best perimeter defenders, JJ Redick needs them on the court, yet they combined to shoot 2-of-13 (15.4%) from 3-point range. Keon Ellis is off the market, but the Lakers are still looking for help at the trade deadline (Sacramento flipping De'Andre Hunter is not out of the question).

12. Golden State Warriors

(27-23, last week No. 11)
No team is pushing harder to make the Antetokounmpo trade happen before the deadline than the Warriors — their potential offer of four first-round picks, Jonathan Kuminga and matching salary might be the best deal on the table. That said, if it happens, the deal likely sends Draymond Green out of town, not the injured Jimmy Butler. If the Antetokounmpo deal does not happen, Golden State will be looking for a smaller trade (possibly including Kuminga) to acquire a player who can create shots and help make up some of what they lose without Butler.

13. Philadelphia 76ers

(27-21, last week No. 14)
The Paul George 25-game suspension doesn't change much in Philadelphia, really. They will miss him (they are 6.9 points per 100 possessions better with him on the court), but he'll be back March 25 and rested for the playoffs. This roster without George will be put to the test on a five-game road trip through the West, starting Monday against Paul George's old team, the Clippers. The biggest highlight of last week for the 76ers? Easily Tyrese Maxey game-winner against Kings (give Nick Nurse some love for a high-level play call).

14. Toronto Raptors

(30-21, last week No. 10)
Toronto has the mix of contracts and picks to make any deal, which is why they constantly get mentioned as a team lined up to take a big swing at Antetokounmpo, or Anthony Davis (who very likely isn't getting traded in the coming days), or any other potential star. Will they? Probably not, although don't be shocked if they take a flier on a young player with potential that another team is ready to walk away from. Scottie Barnes is headed to Los Angeles as an All-Star and it's well deserved — Brandon Ingram has a legitimate case as a snub.

15. Miami Heat

(27-24, last week No. 15)
Miami gets mentioned as a place on Giannis Antetokounmpo's list of places he wants to go (as much as we really know anything about that "list"), but good luck putting together a trade at the deadline that makes any sense for the Bucks. Milwaukee wants picks, Miami does not have enough of them. The Heat face some big decisions about where the franchise is headed, but they don't have to face those at the deadline. Congratulations to Norman Powell, a deserving All-Star reserve who has proven over the past couple of seasons that he can play at this level.

16. Charlotte Hornets

(22-28, last week No. 20)
There is no hotter team in the NBA — winners of six in a row, the Hornets are 1.5 games behind the Hawks for the final play-in spot in the East (and just two games back of the No. 9 seed Bulls). Charlotte has been on the fringes of trade talks — they are willing to be a third team to help facilitate a deal, and some teams have checked on the availability of wing Miles Bridges — but most likely, this is a quiet deadline in Charlotte.

17. Los Angeles Clippers

(23-25, last week No. 16)
No Clippers made the All-Star team for a game about to be played in their building in less than two weeks — and Kawhi Leonard is the biggest snub on the board. James Harden had a case, too, but Leonard has been playing at an All-NBA level this season (27.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game with elite defense) and deserved to be in the game. As for the trade deadline, the Clippers do not want to take on long-term money in any deal, but if they can find some affordable guard help, they might jump at it.

18. Orlando Magic

(25-23, last week No. 19)
Orlando needs to add shooting. Desperately. They may not want to make a big move at the trade deadline, but maybe they can find a shooter another team is ready to move on from and take a flyer on someone like Dalton Knecht? Franz Wagner would have been an All-Star the way he was playing, but he is sidelined with another injury. The good news is Jalen Suggs is back in the rotation. Orlando has a chance to get its season rolling in the right direction starting Thursday, when it begins a winnable four-game homestand (the Jazz, Nets, and two against the Bucks).

19. Chicago Bulls

(24-26, last week No. 17)
The Bulls have already done a smart bit of business at the trade deadline, acquiring Dario Šarić and getting a couple of second-round picks for their trouble (while waiving Jevon Carter). Chicago could be a seller at the trade deadline with a lot of teams interested in guards Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu (who made his case with a very strong game against Miami last week, scoring 29 points).

20. Atlanta Hawks

(24-27, last week No. 23)
Atlanta made its big deadline trade and pivot a while ago, sending out Trae Young. It also traded away wing Vit Krejčí — who they didn't need anymore since getting Corey Kispert in the Young deal — and acquired the injured but promising Duop Reath from Portland. We'll see if they have another deadline move. While, in theory, the Hawks could make one of the best Giannis Antetokounmpo offers, it would have to involve All-Star Jalen Johnson, and Atlanta wants to build something organic with the guys they have, not make a splashy all-in move.

21. Portland Trail Blazers

(23-27, last week No. 18)
The Trail Blazers trading for Vit Krejčí was clearly only the first domino — other trades are coming. The question is what. Portland is a popular third team in Giannis Antetokounmpo trade constructions because it controls future Milwaukee picks, but most of those trades shortchange Portland. Expect the Blazers to do something before Thursday afternoon. Also, congratulations to Deni Avdija on his first All-Star selection, it is well deserved.

22. Dallas Mavericks

(19-30, last week No. 21)
There will be no big Anthony Davis trade (at least not until the offseason), but don't expect the Mavericks to be quiet at the deadline. There are a lot of teams calling about big man Daniel Gafford and wing Naji Marshall. What the Mavericks want back is simple: players and picks on Cooper Flagg's timeline. He is the future, the Mavericks are and should be building around him.

23. Memphis Grizzlies

(18-29, last week No. 22)
Jaren Jackson Jr. was snubbed by the All-Star voters, but that does not mean that Memphis is going to trade him. While the Grizzlies were working the phones and finding no serious market for Ja Morant — that Morant-to-New Orleans-for-Jordan-Poole-and-Dejounte-Murray rumor was never real — Jackson was the player other teams wanted to talk about. Memphis wants to keep the former Defensive Player of the Year. Look for a quiet trade deadline in Memphis, unless you ask about their owners' business dealings.

24. Milwaukee Bucks

(18-29, last week No. 24)
Every eye in the league is trained on Milwaukee, and a whole lot of other potential trades are hung up because teams are holding onto their players and picks just in case they need them in an Antetokounmpo deal. If — as league sources have consistently told NBC Sports is going to happen — the Antetokounmpo saga drags out into the offseason, it will impact the trade deadline as some teams keep their powder dry to take their chances in the offseason. Expect the Milwaukee front office to try to come up with one more "mortgage the future" trade this summer to bring in a star, keep Giannis happy, and get him to sign that max extension next October, even if getting him to agree to that seems like a long shot.

25. New Orleans Pelicans

(13-38, last week No. 25)
Joe Dumars was not making Trey Murphy III or Herb Jones available unless there was a "Desmond Bane-sized package" coming back to New Orleans. There wasn't. There are no Zion Williamson talks (again, the market for his services is nowhere near what the Pelicans would want in return). That doesn't mean it's going to be a completely quiet trade deadline in New Orleans, there is a lot of chatter about big man Yves Missi being on the move. Still, the real decisions about this franchise's direction were pushed back into the summer.

26. Indiana Pacers

(13-36, last week No. 29)
One of the hot trade rumors of the past week is about the Pacers sending wing Bennedict Mathurin out in a deal, with a number of teams at least testing the waters. Indiana is also looking for help at the center spot, with rumors of them talking to the Nets about Day'Ron Sharpe and the Pelicans about Yves Missi. Congratulations to Pascal Siakam, who was named an All-Star reserve for the East — he deserves it, but there was a lot of speculation that the team's struggles would hold him back. The coaches saw through that and voted for him.

27. Washington Wizards

(13-35, last week No. 30)
The Wizards made their bold move, trading for Trae Young — and they don't plan to sit him for the rest of the season, Wizards general manager Will Dawkins told Mark Medina of EssentiallySports. "It's important because Trae has a decision to make. He's got the power of choice as a free agent. So you want to make sure that he's comfortable playing with the young guys, to have the opportunity to play with Alex (Sarr) and to play with Bilal (Coulibaly) and see when they move and how they fit positionally. We have a lot of questions on our team and how we play moving forward."

28. Utah Jazz

(15-35, last week No. 26)
Lauri Markkanen is not getting traded at the deadline (it looks like a quiet one overall in Utah), and the Finnish star was also one of the big All-Star Game snubs, something he talked about with Kevin Reynolds of The Salt Lake Tribune. "I think I've played at that level. The NBA is really talented and there are a lot of high-level players. Obviously, that is an individual goal of mine. I hope I make it and, like I said, I've played at that level."

29. Brooklyn Nets

(13-35, last week No. 28)
A few weeks ago, Michael Porter Jr. was at the top of the list of players expected to be traded at the deadline, but that has proven to be more smoke than fire, and now it looks like he will be in Brooklyn into the summer. There has been plenty of interest from other teams in big men Day'Ron Sharpe and Nic Claxton (particularly Sharpe), so don't be shocked if a deal gets done.

30. Sacramento Kings

(12-39, last week No. 27)
No team is working harder to be a seller at the trade deadline. The Kings have already traded Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder, but they are still talking to teams about Domantas Sabonis (a lot of interest) and Zach LaVine (some interest). They also could flip just-acquired De'Andre Hunter. However, there is not much of a market for DeMar DeRozan at the deadline.

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Dillon Brooks named Western Conference Player of the Week

Jan 30, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Phoenix Suns wing Dillon Brooks was named the Western Conference Player of the Week for the week of January 26th-February 1st, the NBA announced today.

This honor marks the first career Player of the Week for Brooks. A much-deserved recognition of his stellar play.

In 4 games on the week, Brooks averaged 28.8 points on 53.5% shooting (54.3 3PFG%), 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.0 steals while guiding the Suns to a 3-1 record. This boost in performance from Brooks was much needed with Devin Booker sidelined.

On the night of a “Dillon The Villain” t-shirt giveaway for Suns fans, he scored a career-high 40 points in a 114-96 win over the Pistons. He followed that performance with a game-high 27 points the next night in a 126-113 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Brooks scored 25-plus points in the first three games of the week, setting a new career-long streak with four straight games scoring at least 25 points. In short, he’s on an absolute heater.

In 44 games this season, Brooks is averaging a career-high 21.1 points per game, 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.1 steals, while shooting a career-best 44.6% from the field and 36.0% from three-point range.

Per Suns PR, he became the 5th player in franchise history with 800-plus points and 40-plus steals through the first 40 games with the Suns (Stephon Marbury, Walter Davis, Tom Chambers, Charles Barkley) and recorded his 1,000th-career three-pointer on Feb. 1 against the Clippers.

He may not have been rewarded with an All-Star appearance, but he took home the honors of an award he hadn’t received in his nine-year NBA career. Well deserved for the Villain.

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A visit to the Cubs Sloan Park complex

MESA, Arizona — I decided to head over to Sloan Park Monday, as I heard the equipment truck that left Chicago Friday was going to arrive. You can see the truck at the top of this post; here are some more photos of Cubs staffers unloading equipment:

While I was there I headed over toward Field 1, the main practice field at the Sloan Park complex. There was a bit of batting practice going on. Here are Carson Kelly and Dylan Carlson chatting, Kelly sporting a full beard:

Here’s Carlson taking a swing in the cage:

Also near Field 1 is the new building for players and staff that was completed over the winter. This building will host the Pitch Lab and some additional batting cages:

On the buildings on the right field side of Sloan Park itself, the team has put up 10 large photos of players. These were obviously done before Alex Bregman was signed, otherwise they surely would have included him:

Pitcher and catcher official report day is a week from Wednesday, Feb. 11, though as you can see, some players are already working out in Mesa. Baseball isn’t too far away!

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Arizona Diamondbacks 2026 Non-Roster Invitees, Part 1

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Tommy Henry #47 of the Arizona Diamondbacks poses for a photo during the Arizona Diamondbacks Photo Day at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Pitchers and catchers may not have reported yet, but I figured I need to get an early jump on our usual review of the non-roster invitees to spring training. That’s because there are an awful lot of them this season. The team announced the list on Friday, and there are thirty-two non-roster invitees, in addition to a full 40-man roster. I hope the locker room at Salt River Fields is big enough for everyone. As noted there, that compares to the fewer than twenty present last year – and there may still be some further additions to come, if the rumblings out of the front-office are to be believed.

These players may not be on the 40-man roster yet. But they still “matter”. Of those nineteen NRI in camp last year, over half ended up appearing in the big leagues. Five were pitchers (Kyle Backhus, Jeff Brigham, José Castillo, Christian Montes De Oca, Juan Morillo) and another five were position players (Tristin English, Aramis Garcia, Garrett Hampson, Connor Kaiser and Ildemaro Vargas). Garcia and Vargas are back in the same situation this spring. Should Vargas appear for the D-backs in 2026, it will be his seventh season doing so. That would be more than franchise cornerstones like Justin Upton, Steve Finley and Gerardo Parra.

But let’s begin our review – which will likely take much of the month to complete! – with the left-handed pitchers who will be reporting to Salt River Fields next week.

Spencer Giesting (70)

An 11th-round pick in 2022, out of the University of North Carolina, Giesting split time in 2025 between Double-A Amarillo and Triple-A Reno. His numbers at the former stop were excellent, especially considering its status as the most hitter-friendly park in the minors: a 3.67 ERA, compared to a team figure a hair below five. Spencer did struggle after moving to the (relatively pitcher-friendly!) Aces, with a 6.47 ERA across seventeen starts. But he was more than four years younger than average for that level. Giesting also finished strongly, with a 3.14 ERA over his final five starts, and being named the team’s minor-league pitcher of the month for September.

Tommy Henry (47)

This is obviously a name you should recognize, since at one point Henry (pictured top) looked set to become a regular member of the big-league rotation. He made sixteen starts in 2023, and had a 4.15 ERA when elbow inflammation ended his season in July. Sadly, Tommy hasn’t been the same since. His ERA ballooned to over seven in 2024, and he barely got a cup of coffee last year, making just two appearances before that elbow required Tommy John surgery in June. Henry was designated for assignment in November, but re-signed to a minor-league contract the following month. He obviously won’t be doing much in camp, since he is still recovering from that surgery.

Yu-Min Lin (89)

It kinda feels like we’ve been taking about Lin for a while, but he only signed with the D-backs in 2022. Hopefully, he will arrive on time this year: he was late to spring training in 2025 due to obligatory military service back in his home country of Taiwan. He made 23 starts for Reno, and labored a bit, with an ERA of 6.64. But he only turned 22 in July, so like Giesting, is very young for Triple-A. One three-game stretch, where he allowed 18 ER over 6.1 innings, was definitely a factor; he then rebounded with three ER over 17 innings. Yu-Min should start in Reno again, but I would not be surprised if he were to reach the major leagues this season.

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Ask Pinstripe Alley: Yankees mailbag questions request

Ask Pinstripe Alley

We’re finally in the home stretch of the offseason. Spring training is just a couple of weeks away, and before we know it the 2026 Yankees will be taking the field and playing ball with the goal of avenging their disappointing finish last year. This is true moreso than most teams that got bounced because general manager Brian Cashman largely decided to run back the roster from last year, with the biggest get of the offseason being re-signing Cody Bellinger on top of some tweaks to the bullpen.

Now that the roster speculation is all said and done, it’s time to critique the final result and where it stands relative to the league. Are the Yankees well-suited to take back the division, or has the challenge grown even more? What was their biggest miss of the offseason, and what kind of grade would you give their work overall? If you have questions like these, or anything else on your mind, send ‘em in for a chance to be featured in our Yankees mailbag.

Answers will run on Friday afternoon. All questions received by the night of February 5th will be considered. You can leave your submissions in the comment section below or by e-mail to pinstripealleyblog [at] gmail [dot] com.

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Nick Saban, Predators minority owner, on committee to find new GM

Nashville Predators owner Bill Haslam said that Nick Saban, who purchased a minority stake in the team in December 2025, will be on the search committee to find a new general manager after Barry Trotz announced his retirement on Feb. 2.

Saban, the former Alabama football coach and current analyst on ESPN's "College GameDay," is a longtime fan of the Predators.

CAA will coordinate the search, with Haslam as the leader of the committee. Trotz also will be assisting in the search.

" . . . Nick Saban, our newest owner, who has a little familiarity with helping winning organizations, has agreed to be on the search committee as well," Haslam said during the news conference at Bridgestone Arena.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nick Saban, Predators minority owner, on search committee for new GM

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Hurricanes Defenseman Back Following Gruesome Injury

Defenseman Charles Alexis Legault has been activated off of injured reserve and reassigned to the Chicago Wolves the Carolina Hurricanes announced on Monday.

After getting his hand sliced open from a skate blade on Nov. 9 following a fight in Toronto, Legault had surgery to repair the extensor tendons on his right hand and was given a three to four month recovery timeline.

However, it looks like he was a quick healer as he'll returning to the ice just a week before the three-month mark.

Legault, 22, played in eight games with the Hurricanes this season after a plethora of injuries depleted the team's blueline.

He made the most of his opportunity and even scored his first NHL goal as well.

Legault has played in 65 AHL games throughout his career, with three goals and 14 total points in that span, since being drafted in the fifth round of the 2023 draft.

The 6-foot-4 defender will be a big boost for the Chicago Wolves as they battle to secure a spot in the postseason.

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Goalie Fight A Rare Feat In Montreal Canadiens History

Goalie fights seem to be all the rage in the NHL these days. On January 19, Sergei Bobrovsky and Alex Nedeljkovic dropped the gloves in a match between the Florida Panthers and the San Jose Sharks; on the following day, it was the talk of the virtual town that is the internet. Then, on Sunday, with his team down 5-2 against the Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy decided to try to wake up his team by fighting Jeremy Swayman. The Bolts’ netminder had the upper hand, and the tide turned after the bout, with the Florida outfit completing the comeback for a 6-5 overtime win.

After seeing two goalie fights break out in the last two weeks and seeing the reaction to the event, it’s clear that fans and media alike enjoy seeing netminders drop the gloves. Still, it generally remains a rare feat in the Montreal Canadiens’ game. There was nearly one back in November 2023 when the Habs were taking on the Bruins at the Bell Centre, when Swayman, who had lost his mask following a scrum around his net, stared at Samuel Montembeault at the other end of the ice and extended a challenge, but the Becancour native declined the invite.

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It wouldn’t have been the first time a goalie fight broke out in a Canadiens-Bruins match, though. In February 2011, a young Carey Price took on Tim Thomas after the Bruins goalie skated the length of the ice to stop Price from getting involved in the scrum around his net. It wasn’t much of a fight in the end, but the gloves and masks came off as the two goalies tried to exchange punches at center ice before falling to the ice. The Habs’ netminder said afterwards that they were play-fighting more than anything else.

Price could have been involved in another one when he lost his cool and punched Kyle Palmieri with his blocker in a game against the New Jersey Devils on December 9, 2016, but their respective teammates and the referees jumped in to stop him. Cory Schneider who had started skating towards the Canadiens’ net retreated to his own cage and Price picked up a four-minute penalty for roughing.

But there was one time when a Canadiens goaltender was involved in a real fight: during the Good Friday Massacre. On April 20, 1984, the Habs were taking on the Quebec Nordiques in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, and there was no love lost between the provincial rivals. No less than 14 fights broke out in that game, one of which included each team’s backup netminder: Richard Sevigny for the Sainte-Flanelle, and Clint Malarchuk for the Nordiques.

Given Montembeault’s reaction to Swayman’s invite in 2023, it would be surprising to see the Quebec drop the gloves in the future, but given how Jakub Dobes plays the game, it wouldn’t be shocking if he did. The 24-year-old is quite aggressive in net and doesn’t shy away from discreetly hitting rivals with his stick at times, and he does get involved in trash-talking. In last year’s series against the Washington Capitals, it was his trash-talking that led to the Caps getting in his way as he tried to exit the ice at the end of the second period, which led to the famous Josh Anderson-Tom Wilson fight in the visitors’ bench.

While fights aren’t everybody’s cup of tea, there’s no denying that goalie fights are generally very well-received by fans and that their teammates seem to enjoy them as well.

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Boston Celtics Daily Links 2/2/26

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 30: The sneakers worn by Dylan Cardwell #32 of the Sacramento Kings during the game against the Boston Celtics on January 30, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Herald Anfernee Simons, Jaylen Brown lead Celtics to blowout of Bucks

Celtics, Bucks celebrate history in inaugural NBA Pioneers Classic

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Braden Schneider Loves ‘Being A Ranger’ But Knows The Future Is Out Of His Control

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

With New York Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury announcing the team’s intentions to retool the roster, trade rumors have begun to run rampant regarding multiple players. 

That includes Braden Schneider, who, throughout his Rangers tenure, hasn’t been the subject of much trade speculation. 

For many years, Schneider was perceived to be part of the Blueshirts’ core and someone who would emerge as a cornerstone piece of the future.

However, for essentially the first time in his Rangers tenure, there has been serious chatter that the team will look to move Schneider. 

The 24-year-old defenseman is set to become a restricted free agent after the 2025-26 season comes to a close, leaving his future in New York uncertain. 

Schneider reiterated that he loves playing for the Rangers, but what ultimately may transpire before the March 6th NHL Trade Deadline is out of his control. 

“I don't have any social media or anything like that, so it's not like I'm running into it a whole lot,” Schneider said of trade rumors. “Obviously, you hear about the noise and stuff, and it sucks to hear because of the expectation that we had this year. 

“I love being a Ranger, it's awesome. Just the results this year it makes it tough. It's one of those things that you understand. It's stuff that at this point is out of our control, and whatever happens happens, but I keep my focus here in this room with my teammates and still trying to get wins and get better each day.”

Through 56 games this season, Schneider described his game as “up and down”. 

Despite continuing to provide a physical presence for the Rangers and attempting to make subtle improvements in creating chances offensively, Schneider’s plus/minus rating of -14 is the lowest of his career. 

Holding himself to a high standard when it comes to defending, Schneider has been frustrated with the number of goals against he’s been on the ice for.

“I feel like this year, it’s crazy because we’ve been getting scored against a lot. I take a lot of pride in obviously not getting scored against and being a mindless player. On a team that’s struggling you always want to do more,” Schneider said. “I think throughout the course of the year, I've done a better job at getting pucks to the net, whereas earlier on, it was really hitting a lot of shin pads or missed the net or missing chances that you should capitalize on, and things like that… 

“I think it's hard to feel good about your game at times. My main goal is not to get points or anything like that, it is to get wins. When you are not getting wins, you feel like you need to do more.”

Schneider’s rise into the Rangers’ lineup came as the team was experiencing some incredible success, including two trips to the Eastern Conference Final. 

The young blueliner is learning more about the business side of hockey, watching the same core group of players being broken up over the past year and a half, and is really reaching a boiling point now. 

A lot could change both for the Rangers and for Schneider from an individual standpoint, and he knows that he must be prepared for all possible scenarios. 

“It's probably the hardest thing about being a professional hockey player is building these relationships with these guys over a course of a couple years, and you don't perform as a team, and it's time to make changes,” Schneider said. “That's the way it goes, and it sucks. You always wish that you could have had the results to keep the team together, because we really do have a great group of guys in here. It's sad to see some guys go but at the same time, it's the business of things. I think everyone understands what the expectation is when you're not not meeting it, you're gonna have to make those decisions. So it's a double edged sword, where it's sad, but at the same time, you have to understand what's going on.”

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NBA fines Jason Kidd $35,000 for ripping refs in profanity-laced rant

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd reacting during a game, Image 2 shows Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) defends a shot by Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) during a basketball game

Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd has been fined $35,000 by the NBA, the league announced Monday.

The NBA levied the punishment because Kidd publicly criticized officiating and used profane language during a media interview following the Mavericks’ 111-107 loss to the Houston Rockets on Jan. 31.

Kidd’s comments came after a controversial call late in the game in which the head coach thought Dallas guard Cooper Flagg was fouled on a contested layup. Instead, it was ruled clean, potentially contributing to the Mavericks’ four-point loss. Kidd didn’t mince words in his postgame press conference, not hesitating to call out the game’s officiating.

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd reacts against the Minnesota Timberwolves. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

“I saw a foul. The referees were unacceptable. It’s a foul, and he needs to be at the free throw line,” Kidd said of Flagg. “Now, does he make both? That’s up to the player, but the referees did not do their job. They were terrible.”

Kidd went off on an expletive-filled tirade when he was asked about criticism surrounding his usage of his prized rookie. He then refused to answer any further questions from media members.

“I don’t give a f–k what you guys write. Because you guys have never played the game,” Kidd said. “And so, I build players. So, I know what the f—k I’m doing. So, to take criticism, it only makes me better.”

The loss to the Rockets marked their fourth in a row as they continue to slide further down the standings. They enter Monday’s slate one spot out of a playoff berth in the Western Conference, three-and-a-half games behind the Portland Trail Blazers, and 14.5 games behind the San Antonio Spurs in the Southwest division.

Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) defends against a shot by Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32). Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Dallas continues to feel the effects of trading star guard Luka Doncic to the Lakers a year ago. The Mavericks did add 2025 No. 1 pick Flagg, who is having a stellar season, upping his scoring average to 19.8 points per game after 49- and 34-point efforts against Charlotte and Houston, respectively.

Meanwhile, Doncic trade piece and No. 1 scoring option Anthony Davis is currently out with a hand injury he suffered in January.

Kidd is in his fifth year with the Mavericks, trying to turn this season around. He steered Dallas to the NBA Finals in 2023-24, losing to the Boston Celtics. But since then, the Mavericks have yet to show that same level of success, especially after Doncic was shipped off last February.

Now, his fine after Dallas’ defeat to the Rockets is yet another setback across two disappointing years.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo landing spots: Trade partners for Bucks as deadline nears

Now more than ever, it’s a near inevitability that Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are nearing the end of their relationship.

It may come before the Thursday, Feb. 5 trading deadline, or it may come in the offseason, but Antetokounmpo has reportedly indicated that he’s ready to move on from the Bucks. Milwaukee, understandably, has started to listen to offers and may consider shipping the two-time Most Valuable Player before the deadline.

Yet, even if a deal cannot be reached by then, the Bucks could still move Antetokounmpo over the offseason, when suitors would have more financial flexibility and draft capital available to package in an offer.

With that said, which teams can actually present compelling cases to land the versatile star?

Here are potential landing spots for Giannis Antetokounmpo:

Chicago Bulls

This is an option that has come on strong over the past few days. The Bulls have been caught somewhere between trying to contend in the East but coming up short and showing hesitation to fully rebuild. A trade for Antetokounmpo would indicate Chicago is going all-in.

The Bulls, however, have a mix of young players and draft capital. Chicago can package several first-round picks and pick swaps over the next few drafts, so the question will come down to how Milwaukee views Chicago's players. Point guard Josh Giddey (23) and shooting guard Ayo Dosunmu (26) are the most appealing trade chips, but the Bulls will also probably try to unload guard Coby White (25) or center Zach Collins (28).

As with any team that would be looking to swing a deal, it would be hard to part with these high-value assets unless Antetokounmpo would commit to his new franchise for the long-term. Chicago is close to Milwaukee, and that might provide some comfort for Antetokounmpo.

Miami Heat

This is going to depend on what the Bucks are actually prioritizing in a return, but the Heat may have a compelling case. Miami has more depth than star power and it has some younger players with promise who could be part of a Bucks rebuild.

The centerpiece would be 2024-25 All-Star guard Tyler Herro (26 years old), who has had injury concerns, but who has been a steady scoring threat when on the floor. Second-year center Kel’el Ware (21) is another intriguing player who has excellent rebounding ability; Ware ranks seventh in the NBA in rebounds this season (435), despite playing considerably fewer minutes than the players ahead of him. Ware has had motor concerns, but he’s an excellent lob threat and can stretch the floor with shooting range.

Miami can also offer a combination of Jaime Jaquez Jr. (24), Pelle Larsson (24), Nikola Jović (22), Kasparas Jakučionis (19) and two first-round draft picks. And, if Miami can move Andrew Wiggins (perhaps to the Lakers, say), the Heat could potentially recoup another pick to package in an Antetokounmpo deal.

Golden State Warriors

Whereas Miami has a blend of talent and draft capital, the Warriors have an abundance of picks. Golden State can trade up to four first-round draft picks, but it lacks young and promising players that might entice the Bucks. Jonathan Kuminga is the lone piece in that equation, and — even then — he has been inconsistent and has frequently played himself out of Steve Kerr's rotation.

In fact, just to make the salaries work, Golden State would need to include costly veterans like Draymond Green (turns 36 in early March) or Jimmy Butler (36; torn anterior cruciate ligament). For a team that would be looking to rebuild, those are simply not exciting options. For Milwaukee to like this deal, it would need to think that the post-Stephen Curry years would lead to lean seasons, and therefore more desirable draft picks. It might be hard, however, for Bucks general manager Jon Horst to justify a trade that ships Antetokounmpo if there's no promising young player attached to it.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Reportedly, Minnesota is being aggressive in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, but it may lack the draft capital to pull it off. All of which means the Timberwolves would need to include a third or fourth team to execute the deal.

What they do have is early- and mid-career players who may tempt Milwaukee. Jaden McDaniels (25), Terrence Shannon Jr. (25), Rob Dillingham (21) and Joan Beringer (19) are the young pieces. But, given that the Timberwolves would need to involve another team(s?), veterans like Julius Randle and Naz Reid could potentially need to be involved.

The Bucks would certainly listen, but there's no question this doesn't get done unless other teams reroute first-round draft picks toward Milwaukee.

New York Knicks

This had reportedly been Antetokounmpo’s preferred landing spot, given its market size, ability to compete for championships and proximity to international airports that can get him to his native Greece with relative ease.

And while the Knicks do have some interesting assets that could entice the Bucks, New York doesn't have draft capital or young players with promise.

For one, the easy assumption is that forward-center Karl-Anthony Towns would be a seamless swap, but Milwaukee just signed center Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million contract that keeps him with the Bucks through the 2027-28 season, with a player option for the following year.

Turner and Towns have similar skill sets, and Towns feels like a redundancy in Milwaukee. The Bucks are probably more intrigued by wings OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, with whom New York might be less willing to part. The Knicks would almost certainly require the addition of a third or fourth team to facilitate the deal.

The Bucks reportedly prefer younger talent and draft capital, neither of which the Knicks necessarily have, at least right now. Towns is 30, Bridges 29, Anunoby 28. Backup point guard Miles McBride is 25, but he would need to be a secondary piece in any deal. For this to work, the Knicks would need to get creative in finding ways to sweeten their package.

Either way, an ESPN report Monday, Feb. 2 indicated that the Knicks aren't aggressively pursuing Antetokounmpo and like their core. An alternative read of this report is that New York may be trying to preserve optics if it received an indication that the Bucks didn't express interest in their package.

Atlanta Hawks

This looks like another interesting spot because the Hawks do have a balance of both young talent and draft capital. For one, the Hawks already own a massively valuable draft pick, an unprotected 2026 first-rounder that’s the most favorable between the Pelicans and the Bucks. New Orleans currently has the NBA’s third-worst winning percentage and the Bucks are 18-27. There’s a high likelihood that this pick will be a high lottery selection.

The Hawks may not want to part with that selection, but Atlanta nonetheless has plenty of draft capital and swaps it can offer.

The Bucks, though, may want to get talented forward Jalen Johnson in return. The Hawks have built their team around Johnson and may not make him available. That would complicate things, as Zaccharie Risacher, rookie Asa Newell and Luke Kennard likely won’t be enough to sway Milwaukee.

The field

Could the Phoenix Suns be a player in a package led by Jalen Green, a dynamic but inconsistent athlete who has played just four games this year? Could the Cleveland Cavaliers feel they need to make a drastic shift to contend, potentially packaging Evan Mobley in a deal? Could the Dallas Mavericks send veterans like Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson to Milwaukee? What about a young team like the Washington Wizards, who have more young players than veterans?

What about teams that are already contenders like the Houston Rockets or San Antonio Spurs? Could they tear up their current (and successful) builds for a push to compete? This seems less likely.

There’s always the possibility of the infamous mystery team that could be lurking. The reality is, of the 29 teams in the NBA aside from the Bucks, all but one or two of them are probably discussing if there’s a viable path to get him.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Giannis Antetokounmpo landing spots, best Bucks trade partners