Feb 4, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers Darius Garland gets a hug from Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) during the second half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers drastically shook up the core of what was a 64-win team last season. They sent out former All-Star Darius Garland for James Harden in hopes of raising their playoff floor and ceiling.
There’s pressure to win now. That’s what happens when you have a group that has been so successful in the regular season but has failed to reach its goals in the playoffs.
Donovan Mitchell feels that pressure as well. He’s never gotten out of the second round of the playoffs, which is noteworthy considering how good a player he’s been.
Any move that drastically alters the foundation of the team should be signed off on by Mitchell. He’s the one who’s going to be tasked with making it work on the court. By all accounts, the Harden for Garland trade has Mitchell’s approval.
Koby Altman, Cavs president of basketball operations, wanted to make clear that even though this is a trade that has Mitchell’s blessing, it wasn’t motivated by any pressure Mitchell put on the organization.
“The great news is Donovan’s all in on Cleveland,” Altman said on Thursday afternoon.
“He’s bought in pre-trade, coming into the season, all of it. He’s laying down roots here. He loves the city. He loves what we’re doing as an organization. I think, of course, you want feedback from your best player, but that’s not Donovan’s job. Donovan’s job is not to run into my office and tell me to go get this player or make this move. Do we want his input? Absolutely. Just like I want my head coach’s input, just like I want my staff’s input.”
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One of the things this trade crystallized was the fact that the Cavs are completely on Mitchell’s timeline, and rightfully so. As enticing as it is to try to play the long game on two separate timelines, that doesn’t work unless you’re the Gregg Popovich San Antonio Spurs.
Mitchell is a top-10 player right now. There’s no guarantee either Mobley or Garland will ever be at that level. Not maximizing the window you have with the second most talented player in team history would be inexcusable.
From that perspective, every move that the Cavs make is about Mitchell. The fact that his current contract could run out at the end of next season provides a sense of urgency. Mitchell has made it clear that he loves this city and that he also wants to compete for championships. It’s on the Cavs to make sure that the second part remains true.
That said, this trade wasn’t Mitchell’s decision to make. The Cavs executed this deal because they believe it helps them win a championship. In this instance, Mitchell and the team’s best interests lined up.
“A lot goes into decision-making and evaluation, and there’s future outlooks that we wouldn’t even talk to Donovan about from a financial implication standpoint,” Altman said. “All of this goes into your process when you have to make a decision like this. It’s not fair to label Donovan as the one that was driving this or forcing our hand or anything like that. Donovan’s been an incredible partner. Austin Brown, his representation, they’ve been incredible.
“I think they’re happy. I think he’s happy about what we did, but certainly not the driving force behind it, and it’s not fair to label him as such.”
Mar 15, 2024; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Rob Dillingham (0) drives past Texas A&M Aggies guard Manny Obaseki (35) during the second half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
The NBA Trade Deadline has come and gone, and some former Kentucky Wildcats are on the move.
In one case, two former Wildcats are now on the same team in the Windy City.
Nick Richards and Rob Dillingham were both traded to the Chicago Bulls on Thursday. Richards was actually originally traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, but his time in Milwaukee was, let’s just say, brief after a third team was added to the deal, involving Milwaukee, Phoenix, and Chicago.
Richards averaged 14.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game in his third and final season at Kentucky in 2019-20, a season halted before Kentucky even took the floor at the SEC Tournament in Nashville due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
After forgoing his senior season to enter the 2020 NBA Draft, he was drafted 42nd overall by the Charlotte Hornets. He played a little over four seasons with the Hornets before spending parts of the last two seasons in Phoenix with Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns.
In addition, Rob Dillingham was traded to Chicago from the Minnesota Timberwolves. The former Wildcat averaged 4.5 points as a rookie with the Timberwolves, a team that advanced to the Western Conference Finals in 2025.
Dillingham was traded to the Timberwolves on draft night after being originally drafted by the San Antonio Spurs. He was the SEC Sixth Man of the Year in 2024, averaging 15.2 points and shooting 44.4% from 3-point range.
Here’s to hoping we get to see both Cats shine in Chicago.
The Bucks and Suns have expanded this to a three-team deal to include the Chicago Bulls: Ousmane Dieng to Milwaukee and Nick Richards to Chicago, sources said. https://t.co/aD5AgbZ9Df
Minnesota traded Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller and four second-round picks to Chicago for Dosunmu and Julian Phillips, sources said. https://t.co/bVhLA9Sb3f
Feb 3, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye (18) and forward Jalen Johnson (1) react against the Miami Heat during the second half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images | Rhona Wise-Imagn Images
The new look Atlanta Hawks (25-27) take on the new look Utah Jazz (16-35).
Players available:
Dyson Daniels (starter)
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (starter)
Zaccharie Risacher (starter)
Jalen Johnson (starter)
Jock Landale (starter)
CJ McCollum
Corey Kispert
Keaton Wallace
Mouhamed Gueye
Asa Newell
Christian Koloko
Please join in the comments below as you follow along.
Where, When, and How to Watch and Listen
Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
Start Time: 7:30 PM EDT
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Southeast (FDSNSE)
Radio: Sports Radio 92.9 the Game (WZGC-FM)
Streaming: FanDuel Sports Network app, Fubo (out of market), NBA League Pass (out of market), Youtube TV (NBA League Pass out of market)
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey released an affidavit backing the NCAA in its eligibility case against Alabama’s Charles Bediako, who is playing in the SEC for the Crimson Tide over two years after signing an NBA two-way contract.
“I respectfully ask the Court to uphold the NCAA eligibility rules challenged in this case, which are essential to the integrity of college sports, to the educational mission they serve, and to the opportunities they provide for current and future student-athletes,’' Sankey said in the affidavit.
Bediako played at Alabama from 2021-23 before entering the draft but going unselected. Bediako never appeared in an NBA game, but he did play in the NBA G League before suing the NCAA in hopes of having his college eligibility reinstated.
Since being granted a temporary restraining order in Tuscaloosa Circuit Court enabling him to play for Alabama, the 7-foot Bediako has appeared in four games and has averaged 9.5 points and 5.0 rebounds. An injunction hearing on Bediako’s case is set for Friday.
Bediako had filed the lawsuit after the NCAA had denied Alabama's appeal to allow him to play for the Tide.
Tuscaloosa Circuit Court Judge James Roberts, who issued the temporary restraining order, has since recused himself from the case. The NCAA had sought this recusal while noting Roberts had made donations to the University of Alabama.
Bediako is the first player with collegiate experience to sign an NBA contract and return to college basketball. The court case could perhaps entice more players with NBA experience to pursue a second stint in college.
“Permitting former professional athletes to return to competition creates a competitive disadvantage and fundamental unfairness for current student-athletes who have not pursued a professional sports career but instead have maintained their commitment to the collegiate athletics model, fulfilling the academic standards and participating actively in an educational community while also participating in college sports,” Sankey said in his affidavit.
“It is also unfair to college sports programs that have operated within the existing framework for college athletics and thus have not sought to add former professional athletes to their rosters.”
Darren Heitner, a lawyer representing Bediako, noted on X that the NCAA has waived eligibility rules regarding other former professional athletes. One of the athletes he specified is Baylor’s James Nnaji, who played professionally in Europe for four years and was drafted in 2023 but never signed an NBA contract.
“These waivers demonstrate selective enforcement, undermining Sankey’s assertion that inconsistent application fuels disruption,” Heitner said in his X post. “Courts in similar cases have highlighted such inconsistencies as evidence of arbitrary decision-making. Also, Sankey’s reliance on outdated principles of amateurism and academic integration is not aligned with the current realities of college athletes and the proliferation of NIL deals.
“Furthermore, Sankey is a lay witness who can offer opinions based on personal knowledge, but this affidavit is littered with conclusory statements that are not tied to specific facts or data. Finally, Sankey is not only biased but has a conflict of interest while serving in the role of SEC Commissioner.”
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 4: Jaylon Tyson #20 drives to the basket against Kobe Sanders #4 of the Los Angeles Clippers in the first half at Intuit Dome on February 4, 2026 in Inglewood, 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
It’s not easy to stay in the moment while prepping for the future. We’ve seen teams burn themselves by prioritizing one over the other, or waiting too long to go all-in on their window. The Cleveland Cavaliers are trying to be one of the rare teams that thread the needle—and Jaylon Tyson is a key part of that.
“We talk about Evan Mobley as our future,” Koby Altman said in a press conference held after the NBA’s trade deadline. “We need to start adding Jaylon Tyson to that conversation.”
Cleveland has undergone some sizeable changes over the last few days. Just this week, they traded De’Andre Hunter and two-time All-Star Darius Garland. These trades can be seen as win-now moves that increase their chances of winning a title in the present, but potentially put their long-term future in jeopardy.
But Tyson’s emergence has made them more comfortable taking risks. The freshly turned 23-year-old is averaging 14 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists on elite efficiency and has given the franchise a new cornerstone to build on.
“Jaylon has been a revelation for us,” said Altman. “And so creating a pathway for him to be successful, minutes for him to be successful certainly went into that decision-making process, and we couldn’t be more excited about him.”
Specifically on the Hunter deal, it’s hard to see the Cavs trading away one of their only true wings if Tyson doesn’t make the leap he has. Tyson wasn’t expected to be in the rotation, let alone contending for starter minutes, even when the team reaches full strength. He’s now a member of the NBA’s Rising Stars squad, and it’s unclear what his ceiling should be. Could he one day grow into an All-Star? That’s not a question we thought we’d be asking so soon.
This type of breakout is what makes the NBA exciting. The landscape of a franchise can change so quickly as one talent makes another expendable. Altman didn’t say that directly, but we can assume the Cavs wouldn’t have felt as confident trading Hunter, or even Garland, if Tyson didn’t look as good as he has.
“Man… Coming from last year to this year, it’s like a different player,” Kenny Atkinson said after last night’s win in LA. “And now I’m kicking myself, ‘why didn’t we give him more opportunity last year?”
So, Tyson is now embedded in the future of this franchise. He’s designated himself valuable enough to bet on. Now all he has left is to continue proving his worth.
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - NOVEMBER 13: Lauri Markkanen #23 of the Utah Jazz hugs Nickeil Alexander-Walker #7 of the Atlanta Hawks after the game at Delta Center on November 13, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Not to sound arrogant, but I feel empathetic toward the Atlanta Hawks right now. They’re a team that sincerely felt capable of competing in the playoffs at the dawn of this season, but are now torn to pieces. Atlanta’s former self can be seen in just the scraps left behind in the trade deadline, but despite now being without franchise centerpiece Trae Young or the recently departed Kristaps Porzingis (it’s getting very difficult tracking the Latvian these days), the Hawks, as currently constructed, appear much the same in capability.
Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels are excellent, don’t get me wrong, and adding Jonathan Kuminga from Golden State is, at least, somewhat interesting. But sitting on a 25-27 record, and dangling from the cliff of the Play-In Tournament, a team that was in the Eastern Conference Finals just… five years ago? Really, it’s been that long already?
The Hawks are stuck in the middle. They don’t own their own first-round pick this season, so they have no incentive to drop in the standings. With some fascinating pieces at their disposal (I haven’t even mentioned Mr. Number One Pick, Zaccharie Risacher, or beloved former Jazzman Nickeil Alexander-Walker), and the comfort of youth as their aid, Atlanta has nowhere to go but up. At least in theory, right?
The question is whether they’re capable of taking that forward step.
The Jazz, unlike their Thursday night matchup in Atlanta, have every reason to bottom out this season. The Oklahoma City Thunder salivate at the idea of Utah’s first-round pick falling into their hands, and should it slide below the eighth slot, OKC will get to feast. Nobody, and I mean nobody, wants to see the Thunder grab yet another steal of the draft in the late lottery. The Jazz have a five-game cushion between themselves and that dreaded ninth space in the tank race.
Adding Jackson will make the Utah Jazz a better basketball team, yes, but the Jazz have no intention of cashing in on their newly acquired talent until October. They, too, delicately and precariously balance on the perilous cliff of the NBA standings, but unlike the Hawks, who are left sitting at the midway point pondering either direction, Utah’s road map is clear.
Utah’s new toys won’t be on display in this matchup, unfortunately, but if you’d like to take one last look at the pre-JJJ Jazz, here’s your chance.
How to watch Utah Jazz vs Atlanta Hawks:
Date: Thursday, Feb 5, 2026 Time: 5:30 PM MT Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA Channel: KJZZ, Jazz+ Odds: ATL -9.5
Calvin Barrett is a writer, editor, and prolific Mario Kart racer located in Tokyo, Japan. He has covered the NBA and College Sports since 2024.
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 30: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts during the fourth quarter of a game against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on January 30, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Tanner Pearson/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The trade deadline has passed. Some teams drastically improved their teams, but most who did are thinking about next season. Others made it clear that winning is not their priority and shed talent to get ready for what could be an epic tank race. The Spurs stood pat, showing trust in their core
Now that the dust has settled, it’s time to look at the winners and losers. But we’ll skip the anticlimactic Giannis drama (for the most part) and some other high-profile stories and focus on some that have probably received less attention.
Winner: The 2027 Indiana Pacers, title contenders
The Pacers completed one of the biggest trades of the day by acquiring former Clippers center Ivica Zubac for Isaiah Jackson, Ben Mathurin, their protected 2026 pick, and an unprotected 2019 pick. It would normally be a head-scratcher to see the worst team in the East go for what looks like a win-now move, but the Pacers are not a normal bottom-dweller. They reached the Finals last year, but lost Tyrese Haliburton in the process and parted ways with long-time starting center Myles Turner in the offseason.
Now they have filled the hole left by Turner with a better player and are ready to welcome back Haliburton next season with arguably a stronger roster than the one that won the East last year. The fact that they accomplished that while able to attach a top-4 protection to their pick is impressive. There’s a real possibility the 2027 Pacers will have their core plus Zubac and one of the top picks of the stacked 2026 draft. The deal might not look great in a few years if the team can’t stay competitive, but in the short term, it looks like a slam dunk.
Loser: Kawhi Leonard, with the Clippers’ season on his shoulders
It’s hard to feel sorry for Leonard for many well-reported reasons, but it is pretty brutal that in a season in which he was looking healthy and on his way to leading his team to the play-in at worst, the front office decided to go younger by landing the oft-injured Darius Garland and to trade the defensive anchor of the team, leaving them suceptible to even a short absence by Kawhi. Rough times for the former Spur, who might miss the playoffs for the first time while healthy.
Winner: people who were tired of hearing about Jonathan Kuminga
It finally happened. The Warriors traded Kuminga. They packaged the young forward alongside Buddy Hield and acquired Kristaps Porzingis from the Hawks. Now Kuminga will join a young, occasionally fun, mercifully irrelevant team in which he might still struggle to get the playing time and touches he craved, but will do so without getting the constant attention he got from some fans and media simply because he was on the Warriors.
Kuminga could turn out to be a good player, and it’s not his fault that he was stuck in a bad situation while playing for a team that gets so much coverage. But it was at first surprising and then often annoying to see so much discourse surrounding a player who averages 12 points, four rebounds, and two assists for his career. Hopefully, he’ll start to get attention for what he can do on the floor instead of the drama that characterized his Warriors tenure.
Loser: The Dallas Mavericks, still picking up the pieces of the Nico disaster
The Mavericks were put in a terrible position by a general manager who has been fired, and were facing a fork in the road: either continue to tread water this year, wait for Kyrie Irving to get healthy and hope that the frail Anthony Davis somehow becomes durable as he ages, or pivot away from the core Harrison built and focus on the superstar in the making they lucked into. They chose the latter, which seems like the smart option, but it’s still impossible to consider them a winner, for several reasons.
First, they arguably got less for Davis than the Clippers got for Zubac. Second, they still have an imbalanced roster with little guard play after the move, which means Jason Kidd will continue to play Cooper Flagg as the main initiator. Third, they will still have to deal with the talented but mercurial Irving, who will return from injury next season at age 34, armed with a player option for the season after that one, which he could use to force his way out in a market that is not paying much for small guards. There’s still a lot of work to be done in Dallas.
Winner: The Washington Wizards, risking it all for relevance
It might seem contradictory to faintly praise the Mavericks for trading Davis and then celebrating the team that traded for him, but context matters. The Wizards have been bad for a few years, but have not been rewarded by the basketball gods with a superstar in the draft for their suffering. They have a collection of interesting young players but no centerpiece, and Davis can be that when he’s healthy. Plus, they traded Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, two middling first-rounders, and three second-rounders for him and not Luka freaking Doncic.
The move makes even more sense after the team acquired another high-profile star at a low price in Trae Young. Washington is so far down in the standings that they will likely get a high lottery pick even if their new additions play, so they could go into next season with a group of Young and Davis as their offensive and defensive fulcrums, respectively, alongside Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Tre Johnson, Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George and a prized rookie. That’s not bad for a team that tried to build slowly, failed, and was hoping to return to relevance. The extensions that they’ll offer Young and Davis could come back to bite them, but they should at least be fun for a while, which is a major step up for them.
Loser: Shams Charania, getting clowned by an NBA team
This is funny but also savage from Doc Rivers and the Bucks.
Just In: Conversations have started about @ShamsCharania’s future, and discussing whether the ESPN Senior NBA Insider’s best fit is staying on Giannis’ All-Star Celebrity team or elsewhere. pic.twitter.com/IS6XMlQSPf
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 28: Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic looks on against the Miami Heat during the first quarter of the game at Kaseya Center on January 28, 2026 in Miami, Florida. 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 Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The trade deadline came and went on Thursday. In a decade worth of deadlines, Sean Marks doesn’t typically make a big midseason move unless his hand is forced (e.g. Big 3 trades). The loudest move he made at this year’s deadline wasn’t a trade — they waived Cam Thomas.
“Super excited ready to actually help and contribute to another team,” Thomas told Marcus Spears. “My next team is getting elite scoring, good playmaking and a good combo guard.”
So that’s that. Other moves include:
🔁 Brooklyn Nets Deadline
Three-team trade: Nets get: Ochai Agbaji + 2032 2nd-round pick from Raptors, cash considerations from Clippers. Clippers get: draft rights to Vanja Marinkovic Raptors get: Chris Paul (likely to be waived)
Trade with Nuggets: Nets get: Hunter Tyson (F), 2032 2nd-round pick Nuggets get: 2026 2nd-round pick (the less favorable of Clippers/Hawks)
Trade with Celtics: To Nets: Josh Minott From Celtics: TBA
🏀 Game Details
⚫ WHO: Brooklyn Nets (13-36) at Orlando Magic (25-24) ⚪ WHEN: 7:00 PM ET ⚫ WHERE: Kia Center ⚪ WATCH: YES Network / Gotham Sports App
💬 DISCUSSION
Share thoughts and react, but please be respectful. NetsDaily prides itself on being a safe space for Nets and basketball fans alike to have healthy conversation. Reach out to Anthony Puccio or Net Income with any issues.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - DECEMBER 20: Brandin Podziemski #2 of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket during the game against the Phoenix Suns on December 20, 2025 at Chase Center in San Francisco, 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Who: Phoenix Suns (31–20) vs. Golden State Warriors (27-24) When: 8:00 pm Arizona Time Where: Mortgage Matchup Center — Phoenix, Arizona Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports, Prime Listen: KMVP 98.7
The NBA Trade Deadline has finally wrapped up. It was fireworks for the rest of the league while Phoenix stayed under the radar.
The Suns got under the tax apron and picked up a useful rotation piece or two (depending on if they keep Anthony) in Amir Coffey and Cole Anthony. The Suns shipped out Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis to Milwaukee.
Suns guard Grayson Allen on Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis being traded to Milwaukee for Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey: "Those guys were great teammates. They were a great part of our team. Their energy, work ethic. Their attitude in practice. Attitude towards the group even… https://t.co/UFjn8SOgUapic.twitter.com/NW507zVqV8
I am a believer in Coffey becoming a useful depth piece, but Anthony enters a deep guard rotation.
The Warriors, meanwhile, made a significant move last night, sending Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to Atlanta for big man Kristaps Porzingis.
It’s another late tipoff tonight — 8 pm local time here in Arizona. Phoenix is 17-7 at home and has won 4 of its last 5 contests. This will be the fourth and final meeting between the teams, with Golden State leading the season series 2-1.
Probable Starters
Injury Report
Suns injury update: Jalen Green (right hamstring injury management/left hip contusion) OUT. #Suns
Jalen Green — OUT (Right Hamstring Management/Left Hip Contusion)
Warriors
Stephen Curry — OUT (Knee)
Seth Curry — OUT (Back)
De’Anthony Melton — QUESTIONABLE (Knee)
Jimmy Butler — OUT (ACL)
What to Watch For
The Warriors enter this one on a two-game skid after losses to the Pistons and 76ers on their home floor. They lost Jimmy Butler for the season, and Steph Curry is out, not to mention Hield and Kuminga, who they just shipped out for Porzingis.
We will get a shorthanded Warriors team that will play freely and, despite the lack of firepower or household names, should not be taken lightly.
The “Uncs” (Draymond and Horford) will bring that veteran presence and keep the young guys in check. In their latest contest against the 76ers, they had eight players score 8 points or more, so expect a balanced attack from guys looking to prove themselves in an increased role. Moses Moody will likely be the Warriors’ top scoring option tonight alongside the pesky Brandin Podziemski. Gui Santos is another name to watch, as he’s scored in double figures in four straight contests.
Dillon Brooks vs. Draymond Green is another subplot to watch, as these two have expressed how they feel about each other publicly on multiple occasions. A Draymond Green ejection IS on my bingo card tonight.
Yeah, we are 100% going to get a Draymond-Brooks scuffle/altercation tonight.
It's been building up for years. Steph is out. Draymond has nothing to lose tonight. Gotta be on the lookout for that. pic.twitter.com/6on1gJgb9I
The Suns will be without Devin Booker for a 7th straight game, so again, it’s going to be about “the others”. Collin Gillespie will look to pick up where he left off in Portland, where he dropped a career-high 30 points while splashing in 8 threes. Jordan Goodwin will need to wreak havoc, and of course, buckets from Grayson and Dillon will be essential.
The main key for Phoenix will again come on the defensive side. Just because the Warriors are down several guys does not mean they can play like it and expect to win. Mark Williams is always an interesting play against teams like the Warriors, who go small and aim to punish “traditional” centers, so we could see plenty of Oso tonight depending on the game flow.
A bounce-back game from Dillon Brooks is needed after he struggled for 11 points on 3 of 17 shooting on Tuesday night. The Suns will look to kick off their four-game homestand with a win.
I think the Suns get it done at home against a shorthanded Warriors team. No such thing as an easy win in today’s NBA, so expect the Dubs to make Phoenix work for it.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 04: Jared McCain #20 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers confer against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at the United Center on November 04, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Joel Embiid has been through a lot since the Philadelphia 76ers drafted him in 2014. He has dealt with tragedy in his personal life, disappointments in his professional life, and too many injuries to list concisely. This year, however, things have looked up. Say what you will about how Joel may have treated his conditioning and dietary habits when he was younger, but the man is currently doing everything possible for both his physical and mental health. He has also done the right things as a teammate, graciously stepping aside to allow Tyrese Maxey to assume the mantle as the team’s top player, in both general demeanor and on-court usage.
Good results have followed. Embiid is on pace to play his most games since the 2022-23 season with numbers that could have reasonably made him an NBA All-Star. The Sixers are also winning games, currently riding a season-best five-game winning streak that has them fifth place in the Eastern Conference at 29-21. The East has no true juggernaut, so you can certainly make the argument that Philadelphia has a puncher’s chance to make a serious run come springtime. Embiid certainly thought so, as he uncharacteristically spoke out in advance of the NBA trade deadline, imploring ownership to let things play out, at a minimum.
“Obviously, we’ve been ducking the tax past couple of years, so hopefully, we’ll keep the same team. I love all the guys that are here. I think we got a shot.
“I don’t know what they’re gonna do, but I hope we get a chance to just go out and compete because we’ve got a good group of guys in this locker room. The vibes are great. Like I said, in the past we’ve been I guess ducking the tax, so hopefully we think about improving because I think we have a chance.”
Did the front office heed the call from its franchise player of the last 10-plus years? Did they improve on the margins to bolster some holes in the rotation? Did they take a big swing to really go after things? No, you must be new to the city of Philadelphia. You see, instead, they actively went out and made the team worse in order to save ownership money.
Jared McCain to Oklahoma City for lukewarm draft capital is criminal. Here’s a guy who is a huge fanbase favorite and beloved in the locker room, who by every account, has an incredible work ethic to improve. So you sell him at an absolute low point in his value, for a draft pick in the low-20s and some seconds, with which you’ll be incredibly lucky to get a player in the future who is as good as McCain.
In the present, you can say McCain wasn’t having a great season, but he was still the team’s fourth guard. Who they replaced with no one! And he seemed to be rounding into form coming off the injuries. He had three games just last week where he hit four or more threes. Did you see how happy his teammates were for him in that Bucks game? And you just go out and completely kill all those vibes for a few million dollars.
There were good teams in the East who also made moves to duck the tax, but those teams also made meaningful improvements. They didn’t trade away a 21-year-old in his second season for picks that do nothing to help their current team.
What is Joel Embiid supposed to think? He has been killing himself to get his body back in playing shape to help this team, he literally issues a public cry for help for management not to cheap out again this year, and they say to heck with that, not only are we going to duck the tax yet again, but we’re going to ship off an incredibly well-liked player with nothing but upside in the process. Why is Joel going to go to war for a franchise that clearly doesn’t care enough to put his wishes over a couple more positive lines on the balance sheet?
I’m so frustrated with this organization. The McCain move is unfathomable, and they also do the Eric Gordon money-saving move, which is ultimately a big nothingburger, but you still shake your head that Josh Harris and company put in the call to find some more pennies in the couch cushions. And they spin it all as necessary to give Dominick Barlow a standard contract, when they could have done that months ago. None of this is about giving Barlow a well-deserved deal. They’ve been playing two-way day calculation games forever now in order to save money. They had an open roster spot nearly all year in order to save money (when another actual NBA player sure could have helped win games a few times). And now this senseless McCain trade to save money. It all comes down to money and it’s gross.
Fans should be livid. All the players on the team should be upset. They’ve been playing their hearts out this year and not only did no reinforcements arrive, but they sent a beloved teammate away. But I can’t help but think of Joel first and foremost, who said ‘Please don’t do this’ and they spit in his face by doing it anyway. I don’t know how many healthy-ish years Embiid will have left. I hope plenty more. But this organization sure is wasting one of them. I’m furious at them, and sad for him.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 20: Collin Gillespie #12 of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket on Quinten Post #21 of the Golden State Warriors in the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on December 20, 2025 in San Francisco, 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors take on the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night. The game will be played at 7:00PM PT in Phoenix and can be watched on NBC Sports Bay Area.
Golden State enters the matchup having lost two straight games, most recently a 113–94 defeat against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night. Despite playing shorthanded without Stephen Curry, the Warriors managed to keep pace early thanks to a strong first quarter that featured eight made threes.
The Warriors trailed by just five points at halftime, but the game slipped away in the third quarter. Golden State was outscored 26–16 in the period, struggled to generate consistent offense, and finished the night with 20 turnovers while getting overwhelmed on the glass, 56–33.
What to watch for tonight:
The NBA trade deadline has now passed, and the Warriors emerged with significant changes to their roster. The biggest of them being that Jonathan Kuminga’s tenure with the team has officially come to an end as Golden State agreed to trade him along with Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for former All-Star big man Kristaps Porzingis. The team also moved Trayce Jackson-Davis to the Toronto Raptors for a second-round pick.
BREAKING: The Golden State Warriors are trading Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks for Kristaps Porzingis, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/eqNWwCupEZ
This means that the Warriors will once again be undermanned heading into Thursday’s matchup against the Suns, especially with Curry already ruled out as he continues to deal with runner’s knee. Golden State should look to replicate their formula from Tuesday, where they shot 39.6 percent from three and 47.4 percent from the field as a team. That level of efficiency — along with limiting turnovers — will be necessary to give the Warriors a puncher’s chance of snapping their two-game skid in Phoenix.
De’Anthony Melton is now questionable tonight for the Warriors in Phoenix with left knee soreness @NBCSWarriors
No Steph Curry, plus Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield and Trayce Jackson-Davis are off the roster
Jarvis had played for Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off but wasn't part of the initial roster for the Olympic team.
Point, injured on Jan. 12, is the second Lightning player to be unable to go to Milan. Anthony Cirelli was hurt in the Stadium Series game and was replaced on Team Canada by Florida Panthers playoff MVP Sam Bennett, who also played in the 4 Nations.
The Lightning had a league-leading 10 Olympians but are now down to eight, falling behind the Panthers' nine. The Panthers got injured Brad Marchand (Canada) and Anton Lundell (Finland) back in their last game.
The Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild are tied with the Lightning with eight representatives.
Injury status on other NHL Olympians
Injured New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes isn't playing on Thursday, but The Athletic reported he's good to go for Team USA.
The Washington Capitals activated goalie Logan Thompson (Canada) from the injured list, and he started on Thursday night against the Nashville Predators. Thompson stopped 27 of the 29 shots he faced as the Capitals won 4-2.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JANUARY 27: Cam Thomas #24 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on from the bench during the second half against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on January 27, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Jeremy Chen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Contrary to recency bias, there were good times between Cam Thomas and the Brooklyn Nets — a lot of them.
“They loved me and I loved their vibe. I felt like everything was in place… I just felt like it was just a match made in heaven. All our personalities connected,” said a smiling 19-year-old Cam Thomas on Draft night.
“He has an elite skill. You watch him play. You watch him find his shot, hit his shot — that’s a very, very high level,” Sean Marks said of Thomas in response.
In case you’ve forgotten, Sean Marks traded Landry Shamet to get a second late first-rounder so he could have two late picks, one for Day’Ron Sharpe of North Carolina, who he loved, and one for Cam Thomas, whom they were willing to take a chance on.
Five years later, separation was inevitable, driven by what you might call “irreconcilable differences” in style and on another, by the new CBA, which stripped teams of flexibility and offered harsher tax penalties. Those changes made it risky for Brooklyn to lock Thomas into a big long-term deal, so after four years, he took the qualifying offer, a rare for restricted free agents.
According to reliable sources, he turned down two offers: one for two years and $30 million, and another — a one-year, $9.5 million team option. He didn’t make a counter offer. Cam Thomas believed in himself and his ability to overcome hamstring issues that had kept him off in street clothes for 53 games last season. He switched agents twice in two years.
It was all a big gamble but it gave him control of his destiny in 2027.
Nets fans were split, often virulently, on Thomas. A hefty long-term deal made little sense when Brooklyn was the only team with real cap space. The simplest: why bid against yourself? Cam was saying the same thing to himself the whole time too.
This isn’t about who’s right or wrong. It won’t look good if he goes somewhere and contributes to winning basketball (which was the Nets overriding concern with him.) It’s often forgotten that Thomas entered the NBA when the Nets were championship contenders. But ultimately it’s a sad tale, no matter how it shakes out for the Nets or Cam Thomas.
They had the most skilled team in the NBA when Thomas was drafted. He was influenced by multiple future Hall-of-Famers, coached by one already in Springfield. He didn’t need to be anything other than the spark behind those guys.
This isn’t about reliving the past, it’s about understanding how a young player became a product of his environment.
“I was pretty steady because I felt like the team I was going to is a championship-level team.
We’re going to be winning games. We’re going to be playing for something,” Thomas continued.
“For him to continue to learn under three of the greatest scorers the league has right now will be great for him. The other part of it is that he is fearless. He’s not afraid. I think that’s what we’re looking for. Guys with that competitive edge to them and a chip on their shoulder,” Marks added in 2021.
He came into the league with riches. Kevin Durant was basically his mentor during those days and it was easy to understand why. Thomas was quiet, similar to KD, maybe a little awkward too, but his mantra was also similar to the now Houston Rocket: “Hoopers Hoop.”
“I feel like Cam has a bright future,” Durant said about Thomas on Jan. 1. “It just takes somebody to believe in his talent and his skill. Scorers and guys that score the basketball at a high rate they get taken for granted in this league a bit. We’re so used to loving defenders and playmakers and guys that can be connectors, sometimes scorers get taken for granted.”
The former Net isn’t wrong and whoever he signs with will have to appreciate his scoring prowess.
It wasn’t all bad. Sometimes it was undeniable great! Thomas became the youngest player ever in Nets history to score 40 or more points in three consecutive games. He’s up there with Nets greats — he’s recorded 10+ 40-point games in his career, tying him with Kevin Durant for the third-most in Nets NBA history, behind Vince Carter and Kyrie Irving. He brought the Nets back from the largest deficit ever — 28 points — at the Garden no less, hitting a 28-footer. As Steve Nash, who had taken some big shots in his career, remarked post-game, “I wouldn’t have taken that shot.” But Cam Thomas as full of confidence as any 20-year-old can be did.
But things can get messed up in the National Basketball League. The Big Three, mentors all, left in famous huffs. The head coach at the time of his 40/40/40 streak said of that accomplishment he wished they had resulted in wins. Coaches, the front office and teammates begged for better defense, better playmaking, fewer sulks, less “shit ain’t funny” or profanity-filled tweets directed at a writer. There were moments that seemed to put him on the high road. But his hamstring issues — three strains last season, one this year — just exacerbated things.
In the end, the Nets did not believe that he contributed to winning. That was the bottom line. He had his fans inside, among them the owner, it should be noted. And outside, the playgrounds loved him. He was always the most popular player at the Practice in the Park.
And let’s be real: this season was a disaster. Ending it earlier may have been wiser. He suffered a left hamstring injury which cost him yet another 20 games in November and December. If his stock was ‘low’ before, it was lower at the deadline. He remained a liability on defense and it didn’t seem like he was engaged. Hard to blame him or the Nets.
Another perspective is that he didn’t have much of a chance to prove himself. He was already a fish out of water but his availability has been too limited for someone ready for a big contract. Thomas, who sat on the second night of back-to-backs, hasn’t started a game since November 5. He took 12.8 shots per game — the lowest since his second year in the league.
Cam could’ve handled the situation better. His response to Zach Lowe was unnecessary and he does not hold a good poker face. Then came the breaking point…
Cam Thomas is not with Brooklyn as the Nets are in the process of departing for tomorrow night's game against Orlando, sources say. Thomas is officially out for personal reasons.
At just 24, the Nets will find out whether they made a mistake with Cam Thomas soon enough. But as long as Sean Marks has been GM of the Nets, it’s been highlighted how he does the right thing by players and agents. That’s up for debate in this situation, dependent on how Thomas turns out. He is a homegrown player. He did take pride in being part of the Brooklyn Nets, although in his valedictory with Marc Spears, it was all about the future, not the past, the team he’s headed to, not the one he just left….
NBA free agent guard Cam Thomas to @andscape: “Super excited ready to actually help and contribute to another team. My next team is getting elite scoring, good playmaking and a good combo guard.” https://t.co/yr4a9z4nDD
But now he’s on his way. There are already stories and tweets about who might be interested in him. He seems to believe he’ll be back on the court again soon.
He arrived in Brooklyn believing he was joining something special. For a few years, he did. Now both sides move on, carrying equal parts promise and disappointment. At 24, Thomas’ career is still wide open but this chapter will always feel like unfinished business for both him and the Nets.
While the Detroit Red Wings were reportedly interested in acquiring skilled winger Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers, it was former Red Wings general manager Ken Holland who ultimately landed one of the biggest prizes on the open trade market.
Holland, who is in his first season as general manager of the Los Angeles Kings, acquired Panarin from the New York Rangers on Wednesday afternoon, and sent forward prospect Liam Greentree and a conditional third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft to the Rangers in return.
What's more, Panarin won't just be a rental for the Kings. Holland acted quickly, signing their new prize forward to a two-year, $22 million extension.
“Obviously, we made the deal today to make our team better," Holland said. "We signed him to a two-year extension. We weren’t going to do it as a rental. He didn’t want to go anywhere as a rental. He wanted to find a home, so we’re thrilled that he wanted to waive the no-trade (clause) to come to LA. We’re happy that we were able to get him to a two-year extension, and after two years, I’m hoping that we’re working on another extension, but (I’ll) worry about that down the road." Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.
Holland is no stranger to pulling off major blockbuster acquisitions via free agency or trade, dating back to his time with the Red Wings, when he brought in players such as Dominik Hasek, Brett Hull, Luc Robitaille, Marian Hossa, and Brian Rafalski.
"I think it was just a matter of these types of players with this resume are very, very difficult to find, and we had an opportunity to add one today," Holland said of Panarin.
The Kings, who have not won a postseason series since their 2014 Stanley Cup win, just bolstered their lineup with one of the top forwards in the game without having to give up much to acquire him.
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PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson is set to make his season debut Friday after recovering from a torn left hamstring.
Trail Blazers interim head coach Tiago Splitter told reporters, including The Oregonian, on Thursday that Henderson would play Friday when Portland hosts the Memphis Grizzlies.
Henderson, 22, tore his left hamstring during an offseason workout in September and has been working his way back ever since. He has averaged 13.3 points, 5.2 assists and 3.1 rebounds over two seasons since the Trail Blazers selected him with the third overall pick in the 2023 draft.
