SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - JANUARY 27: Ace Bailey #19 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the second half of a game against the LA Clippers at Delta Center on January 27, 2026 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
The NBA announced that Ace Bailey will be added to the Rising Stars game over All-Star Weekend.
Jazz forward Ace Bailey will replace fellow rookie Cooper Flagg of the Mavericks on Team Melo in the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars (2/13, 9 PM ET, Peacock).
Bailey has been selected to replace Cooper Flagg who is out with a foot sprain. It’s a big honor for Bailey, who deserved a right to be on the team before the injury to Flagg.
For the season, Bailey is averaging 11.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 44.9% frrom the field and 34.3% from three.
With Bailey’s addition to the team, he will be the sole representative from this Utah Jazz team. Things were going to be pretty quiet for Jazz fans this All-Star week (before Adam Silver decided to obsess over the Jazz tanking). Now, the young wing gets a chance to represent the team and show what he can do. Night after night, Bailey makes an exciting play that hints at a bright future. Now, the entire NBA gets to see it.
PHILADELPHIA - FEBRUARY 9: Jason Richardson #23 of the Golden State Warriors attempts a dunk during the 2002 Slam Dunk Contest on February 9, 2002 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges 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 2002 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to February Daily Topics at Golden State of Mind. A question (almost) every day this month to give the community a prompt to talk about!
The All-Star break is mercifully here. The Golden State Warriors limped to the break — both literally and figuratively — with a team in dire need of a rest and a reset. They’re in eighth place in the Western Conference and very comfortably in a play-in spot, but they’re just 4-7 since Jimmy Butler III suffered a season-ending ACL injury. Steph Curry hasn’t played in a while, and Kristaps Porziņģis has yet to play for the team following a deadline-deal trade.
So the All-Star break — and the week off from playing basketball — is certainly well timed for a Warriors squad that hopes to get Curry and Porziņģis back for Thursday’s return to action against the Boston Celtics.
In the meantime, we get non-Warriors basketball, in the form of the All-Star Game, and all the All-Star festivities.
The Warriors, however, won’t be partaking in the fun.
Golden State has no participants in Friday’s Castrol Rising Stars game, as neither Quinten Post nor Will Richard were selected for the annual rookie-sophomore showdown. Despite being the team that everyone associates with shooting (and for good reason), the Warriors won’t have a representative at Saturday’s State Farm 3-Point Contest, which features the surprising inclusion of Oakland’s own Damian Lillard. They also won’t have a player at the return of the Kia Shooting Stars competition, though former Warrior Corey Maggette will be coming out of retirement for the event. They won’t be included in Saturday’s concluding event, the AT&T Slam Dunk contest, though the mostly no-name field is highlighted, in my eyes at least, by Jace Richardson, the son of a Warriors legend.
And they won’t even have a player on Sunday, as Curry was selected to his 12th All-Star Game (as a starter, no less), but will miss the exhibition while he rehabs his runner’s knee and gears up for a stretch run.
So when it comes to Warriors this weekend, we’re stuck with memories and old highlights. Which got me thinking … what is your favorite Warriors All-Star weekend?
Mine is easy: watching the aforementioned father of Jace, Jason Richardson, who is, in my eyes, the most underrated dunker in basketball history. And what the hell, let’s relive those sensational contests.
Oh yeah. That’s the good stuff.
What are your favorite Warriors All-Star memories?
The NBA slammed the Jazz ($500,000) and Pacers ($100,000) with substantive fines, saying both teams sat healthy players in recent games in violation of the league’s player participation policy.
Both teams are near the bottom of the league, and the decision comes after the Jazz were fined for a similar reason last season.
“Overt behavior like this that prioritizes draft position over winning undermines the foundation of NBA competition and we will respond accordingly to any further actions that compromise the integrity of our games,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “Additionally, we are working with our Competition Committee and Board of Governors to implement further measures to root out this type of conduct.”
Jaren Jackson Jr. attempts a shot during Utah’s Feb. 11 game. NBAE via Getty Images
The NBA hit the Jazz with a fine due to instances on Feb. 7 and 9, against the Magic and Heat, respectively, when the league said Utah took out Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. before the start of the fourth quarter and did not have them play the rest of the night.
The games, respectively, and the league said that “these players were otherwise able to continue to play and the outcomes of the games were thereafter in doubt.”
Jazz owner Ryan Smith did not seem to agree with the NBA’s decision and took to social media to voice his opinion.
“Agree to disagree … Also, we won the game in Miami and got fined? That makes sense,” Smith wrote.
Pascal Siakam is pictured during the Pacers’ Feb. 10 game against the Knicks. Imagn Images
The Pacers’ fine stemmed from a Feb. 3 game, ironically, against the Jazz, when Pascal Siakam and two other Indiana starters “could have played under the medical standard in the Policy, including by playing reduced minutes. Alternatively, the team could have held the players out of other games in a way that would have better promoted compliance with the Policy.”
The fines were handed out just before the start of the All-Star break.
Apr 30, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies left fielder Jordan Beck (27) celebrates with center fielder Brenton Doyle (9) and outfielder Mickey Moniak (22) after the game against the Atlanta Braves at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
“The Rockies are in the midst of changing everything, and that’ll take time. The projections adore both center fielder Brenton Doyle and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, despite relative down seasons for each, and Hunter Goodman provided roughly average catcher defense, which is harder than it sounds. The expected improvement comes from the departure of first baseman Michael Toglia, who rated as among baseball’s weakest defenders, and the expectation that new outfielder and elite speedster Jake McCarthy might help shift Mickey Moniak into more of a DH role. Keep an eye out for third baseman Kyle Karros, who rated well in limited time last year and should get a larger opportunity this season.
So, the Rockies improved by subtraction.
I’ll turn the floor over to the Purple Row night owls: Will the Rockies see improved defensive numbers in 2026, and where will those improvements come from?
OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — Cotie McMahon racked up 21 points and dished five assists as No. 14 Mississippi cruised by Arkansas 80-57 on Thursday night to reach 20 wins for the fifth straight season.
McMahon scored 20 or more points for the fourth straight game and has scored double figures in all but one outing this season.
The Rebels (20-5, 7-3 Southeastern Conference) bounced back from a 64-63 loss at then-No. 21 Alabama last Thursday to comfortably get back into the win column in their first home game in over a month.
Latasha Lattimore added 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season, and Denim DeShields tacked on 12 points for Ole Miss.
Ole Miss took the lead for good just 2:25 into the first quarter on a Lattimore layup and built a double-digit lead before the end of the first frame. They kept the lead the rest of the way, with a 40-27 lead at the half stretching to 20 points after a 7-0 run to open the second half.
For the Razorbacks (11-15, 0-11), Taleyah Jones led in scoring with 16 points, and Bonnie Deas had 14 with eight rebounds. Arkansas struggled at 34% and 19% shooting from the field and beyond the arc, respectively.
"It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness that we mourn the passing of Pirates Hall of Famer Elroy Face, a beloved member of the Pirates family," Pirates chairman Bob Nutting said in a statement. “I was fortunate to get to know Elroy personally, and I will always be proud that we had the chance to honor him with his induction into the Pirates Hall of Fame."
Nicknamed "The Baron of the Bullpen," Face was a groundbreaking pitcher, performing in a role that evolved into the modern-day closer. Face holds the National League record for wins in relief (96). Face also holds Pirates franchise records for appearances (802) and saves (188). His NL record for saves was not broken until 1982, when Hall of Famer Bruce Sutter surpassed Face's total.
It was Face's 1959 season that was his finest. He went 18-1 with a 2.70 ERA over 57 appearances, finishing seventh in NL MVP voting. During his career, he was a three-time league leader in saves and twice led the league in games pitched.
Face spent 15 seasons with the Pirates before pitching briefly with the Detroit Tigers and Montreal Expos to close out his storied career.
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Elroy Face, an All-Star reliever for the Pittsburgh Pirates who saved three games in the 1960 World Series to help them upset the New York Yankees, has died. He was 97.
In a news release Thursday, the Pirates announced they confirmed Face's death. Team historian Jim Trdinich said the club was contacted by Face's son, Elroy Jr., and informed the former pitcher died earlier in the day at an independent senior living facility outside Pittsburgh in North Versailles, Pennsylvania.
No cause of death was provided. Face was eight days shy of his 98th birthday.
“It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness that we mourn the passing of Pirates Hall of Famer Elroy Face, a beloved member of the Pirates family,” team chairman Bob Nutting said in a statement.
“Elroy was a pioneer of the modern relief pitcher — the ‘Baron of the Bullpen’ — and he played a critical role in our 1960 World Series championship."
Selected to six All-Star teams, Face went 104-95 with a 3.48 ERA in 16 major league seasons with Pittsburgh (1953-68), Detroit (1968) and Montreal (1969). He pitched in 848 games, starting only 27, and compiled 191 career saves — although saves didn't become an official statistic until 1969.
The 5-foot-8 right-hander holds the National League record for wins in relief with 96 and the major league mark for relief wins in one season after going 18-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 1959.
He topped the National League with 68 appearances and 61 games finished in 1960, when the underdog Pirates stunned Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra and the mighty Yankees on Bill Mazeroski's famous home run that won Game 7 of the World Series at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh.
Face made four relief appearances in the Series, posting a 5.23 ERA in 10 1/3 innings. He closed out Pirates wins in Games 1, 4 and 5.
Inducted into the Pirates Hall of Fame in 2023, he is the club's career leader in appearances with 802. And the team noted that if saves had been an official stat before 1969, he also would hold that franchise record with 188.
Face was born in Stephentown, New York, on Feb. 20, 1928. He is survived by his three children, Michelle, Valerie and Elroy Jr., and his sister Jacqueline, the Pirates said.
Bronx, New York 9/18/18 Brock Holt #12 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after he strikes out swinging to end the 6th inning in an MLB baseball game at Yankee...
The Red Sox won the 2018 World Series, but not without some clubhouse crossfire.
Postseason hero and longtime Boston infielder Brock Holt revealed an incident from that season in which a teammate allegedly said he would bring a gun to the field and “kill” the entire team.
Brock Holt spent seven seasons with the Red Sox. Paul J. Bereswill
This ultimately led to Holt addressing the 2018 team.
“We had a guy or two in ’18 like that, and we got rid of them,” Holt began.
“We were in Tampa, and we were in a circle stretching before [batting practice], and having a good ol’ time. And this someone looks around at all of us and says, ‘You know what? I’m going to bring a gun to the field tomorrow and kill all of you.’ And then he looks straight at me and says, ‘And you’re gonna be first.’”
Brock Holt tells us an INSANE story about a member of the 2018 Red Sox…who was then quickly released pic.twitter.com/in9Qx5Mhrx
Holt, who spent seven seasons in Boston, said the unnamed Red Sox player was “probably joking,” but the nature of his comments left people around the organization concerned.
“Our strength coach at the time was like, ‘Dude, I got to tell [then-team president Dave Dombrowski].’ And I was like, ‘Please do because I’m the first one that’s going to go.’
“We don’t have a lot of time, let’s get him out of here.”
Andy Barkett, who was the Red Sox’s assistant hitting coach during the 2018 season, appeared to corroborate Holt’s allegations on social media.
Boston Red Sox players celebrate after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in game five of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium. USA TODAY Sports
“True Story…” he posted on X while replying to a clip of the podcast.
The purported incident did not impact the Red Sox on the field.
Boston won 108 regular-season games before steamrolling through the Yankees, Astros and Dodgers en route to the franchise’s ninth world championship.
Holt enjoyed a strong season, .277/.362/.411 with seven home runs and 46 RBIs in 109 games.
The 2015 All-Star also became the first player in MLB history to hit for the cycle in the playoffs, reaching the feat in Game 3 of the ALDS against the Yankees.
After spending 10 MLB seasons with the Pirates, Red Sox, Brewers, Nationals and Rangers, Holt retired from baseball in 2022.
Elroy Face, one of the late-inning reliever pioneers in baseball, died Thursday, the Pirates announced. He was 97.
Face, nicknamed “The Baron of the Bullpen,” emerged as a forerunner for what would later be considered a closer during his 16-year career, which was primarily with the Pirates.
“It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness that we mourn the passing of Pirates Hall of Famer Elroy Face, a beloved member of the Pirates family,” Pirates chairman Bob Nutting said, according to MLB.com. “I was fortunate to get to know Elroy personally, and I will always be proud that we had the chance to honor him with his induction into the Pirates Hall of Fame.
Headshot portrait of American baseball player Elroy Face, of the Pirates in Pittsburgh, Pa. 1960. Getty Images
“Elroy was a pioneer of the modern relief pitcher — the ‘Baron of the Bullpen’ — and he played a critical role in our 1960 World Series championship, leading the league in appearances and recording three saves against the Yankees.
“Our thoughts are with his three children — Michelle, Valerie and Elroy Jr. — and his sister Jacqueline.”
After some struggles as a starter at the beginning of his career, Face was moved to the bullpen full-time during the 1956 season, seeing immediate success.
Face, a native of Stephentown, spent 15 seasons in Pittsburgh, racking up 188 saves, the most in franchise history.
The righty held a 3.46 ERA during his Pirates tenure and was named an All-Star during three straight seasons (1959-61).
Pittsburgh Pirates Elroy Face in action vs New York Yankees in the 1960 World Series. Sports Illustrated via Getty Ima
Face was also a key member of Pittsburgh’s 1960 World Series Championship squad that bested the Yankees in seven games, notching saves in Games 1, 4 and 5.
His most remarkable year came in 1959, when the reliever had an 18-1 record with a 2.70 ERA in 57 appearances, finishing seventh in National League MVP voting.
Face was inducted into the Pirates Hall of Fame in 2023 alongside Bob Friend, Kent Tekulve and Dick Groat.
Elroy Face acknowledges the crowd after being inducted into the Pirates Hall of Fame Class of 2023 before Pittsburgh’s loss to the Cubs at PNC Park on Aug. 26, 2023. Getty Images
Upon that class being announced, Tekulve credited Face for his impact on the future of relief pitchers.
“At one time, relief pitchers were guys who weren’t good enough to start,” Tekulve said at the time.
“But Elroy Face helped relief pitchers become important members of their team — not just an extra piece.”
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 12: Alex Caruso #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder plays defense during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 12, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Milwaukee Bucks just keep on surprising, beating the (admittedly bruised) Oklahoma City Thunder 110-93. Ousmane Dieng led the Bucks with 19 points, six assists, 11 rebounds, and four blocks! That said, Milwaukee had seven guys reach double digits, which is amazing. Isaiah Joe was probably the Thunder’s best player, dropping 17 points. Also, a big shoutout to Nikola Topic, who played his first NBA game tonight after undergoing treatment for testicular cancer. Salute.
The Bucks were able to keep the Thunder at arm’s distance throughout the opening quarter, with AJ Green and Kevin Porter Jr. scoring 12 of Milwaukee’s first 16 points. With both SGA and Jalen Williams out, the Thunder stayed in it through the three-ball, with their first nine points coming from deep; Isaiah Joe was spectacular early for OKC, scoring 11 of their first 20. The Bucks built a small edge to close the quarter, highlighted by an Andre Jackson Jr. put-back slam from the clouds, leading 30-25 after one.
Milwaukee extended its lead to open the second, clearly identifying that the newly acquired Jared McCain could not guard AJ Green, who knocked some threes down in quick succession. However, two big triples from Alex Caruso kept the Thunder close initially, with him later hitting another to cap an 8-0 run and tie the game at 40, four minutes in. The Bucks, however, would respond in a major way, going on an extended 20-4 run! How? Well, the visitors ran a great offence and took advantage of the smaller Thunder lineup, which allowed them to set their defence and force OKC to play in the half-court. The Thunder got some stops to close the half, reducing the deficit to 12, Bucks up 67-55.
Scoring slowed significantly for both teams for most of the third. It was a brick-fest until the final few minutes of the period. The Thunder were getting by on Lue Dort self-created buckets, which never seemed very sustainable, while it was a lot of KPJ and Cam Thomas for the Bucks. Milwaukee’s lead remained at around 10 for most of the quarter, but it was later in the third when some exciting stuff started to happen. Ousmane Dieng nailed a step-back triple, followed by a mid-range jumper off the empty-side pick-and-roll, followed by a Connaughton-esque no-dip three. The Ous’ is loose! This was the run that allowed the Bucks to grab a major edge heading into the fourth, up 89-73.
Believe it or not, the Bucks delivered the knockout blow in the opening 1:29 of the final frame, with AJ Green cashing his fifth triple of the night, followed by Pete Nance knocking his third to put the visitors up 22! OKC would make a few shots to get it down to the 16-point mark, but the Bucks had an answer at every turn (and it truly was a bunch of different contributors). What really stood out is the way Milwaukee was moving the ball; I haven’t seen them cause rotation after rotation like that in a long time. What a game; what a win.
Stat That Stood Out
I mean, Dieng’s four blocks stand out to me. If he can become a true plus on defence… man, that trade could be a steal. Not counting my chickens before they hatch, but it’s exciting.
The 6-foot-6 Serbian had been unavailable after being diagnosed with testicular cancer in October and undergoing chemotherapy.
He received a standing ovation from the home crowd at Paycom Center after checking into the game with 1:55 left in the first quarter.
Topić was the 12th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft by the Thunder. He played in just one preseason game before having surgery and undergoing chemotherapy.
The amazing story of Nikola Topić.
He was diagnosed with testicular cancer in October last year.
Now, four months later, he receives a standing ovation as he makes his NBA debut. pic.twitter.com/qmM1KRv9GK
The prevalence of gambling has yet to create serious issues for the NFL. For the NBA, it's a different story.
Widespread talk of multiple teams tanking in the hopes of landing high in the coming draft lottery has resulted in an uptick in "load management," with healthy players not playing in games.
The NBA has taken action on the issue. Via ESPN.com, the league has fined multiple teams for compromising the integrity of games by sitting players who could have played.
Specifically, the NBA fined the Utah Jazz $500,000 and the Indiana Pacers $100,000.
"Overt behavior like this that prioritizes draft position over winning undermines the foundation of NBA competition and we will respond accordingly to any further actions that compromise the integrity of our games," Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. "Additionally, we are working with our Competition Committee and Board of Governors to implement further measures to root out this type of conduct."
The move comes at a time when some are questioning whether it's time for Silver to go. He succeeded David Stern 12 years ago.
The failure of teams to at all times put their best players on the field undermines both the integrity of the games and the integrity of the wagers on the game. It also creates a new vein of inside information, with those who know that certain players won't play in certain games possessing knowledge that can be leveraged into winning bets.
Part of the problem is that the NBA plays 82 games. The non-contenders are known well before the regular season ends. For the NFL, which plays (for now) 17 games, there are fewer opportunities to overtly tank.
Still, isn't that what the Raiders did by shutting down defensive end Maxx Crosby and tight end Brock Bowers with two games to play? Crosby was livid, to the point that he may truly not want to remain with the team.
The decision of both the NBA and the NFL to welcome millions in sponsorship dollars from sportsbooks raises the stakes. The possibility of a reckoning hovers over both sports. And with the NBA already embroiled in a full-blown gambling scandal, it needs to be vigilant if/when teams aren't trying their best to win.
Even then, it feels like it's just a matter of time before the shit fully hits the fan for both leagues. The problem is that both leagues seem to be content to continue cramming gambling money into their pockets until the consequences come.
There are moments in Los Angeles when basketball feels less like a game and more like a living, breathing fraternity. Wednesday night was one of them.
Luka Dončić hosted his “77x.world” event in L.A., a sleek celebration of his growing global brand, stitched together with fashion, hoops culture and that unmistakable No. 77 swagger.
Fans were given a meet and greet, the room was full of influencers and executives and then a couple familiar faces walked in.
First it was Dončić’s old teammate with the Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki.
The first 7-footer to win the NBA Three-point contest crown came to show his support for the Slovenian star. When Dončić spotted him, his smile said everything. The mentor showing up, unprompted, because that’s what legends do.
SHUTT UP SHUTUP dirk went to luka's heartbreak factory event to support him !!!pic.twitter.com/hoLNihW2ZX
Nowitzki has always played the long game with Luka — part big brother, part wisecracking uncle. After the Lakers beat the Mavericks back in November. Dirk famously teased that Luka wasn’t “good enough” for the postgame interview because Austin Reaves had just dropped 38. The joke landed because the bond is real. It’s layered in trust, in banners, in shared history.
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And speaking of Reaves, he was there too! Dončić’s current co-star was spotted earlier in the evening at a South Bay Lakers game, but he also came to Luka’s factory to support his teammate. Reaves and Dončić like to needle each other, hijack interviews, and toss around the word “friend” like it’s a secret handshake.
CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 11: Cincinnati Reds Chief Operating Officer Phil Castellini pumps up the crowd before The Budweiser All-Star Concert, Part of the Pepsi Concert Series at Paul Brown Stadium on Saturday, July 11, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Preston Mack/MLB via Getty Images) | MLB via Getty Images
Somewhat lost in the news circus today was that Phil Castellini, son of majority Cincinnati Reds owner Bob Castellini, was officially approved to succeed his father as controlling owner of the club. Charlie Goldsmith, formerly of The Enquirer (and now of his Charlie’s Chalkboard newsletter) relayed the news on Twitter earlier Thursday, noting that the AP had quotes about it from a Rob Manfred interview.
The AP reported today from a Rob Manfred press conference that Phil was approved to succeed Bob as the controlling owner. pic.twitter.com/dLwEPCKrcK
This comes at the same time as the 20 year mark of the Castellini family being principal owners of the Reds, and it’s hard to put a defining word, phrase, or even moment on the field alongside that era.
A 20 year old copy of the email sent to Cincinnati Reds fans upon Bob Castellini taking ownership of the team.
It remains to be seen whether the club will fundamentally change with Phil under control. You’ll notice the Williams name in the above copied image, and that’s the same Williams family where former GM Dick Williams came from, too. So, while the first names gradually change when it comes to who’s in charge of this endeavor, always remember that it’s been a consistent family affair during one of the most mediocre stints in the franchise’s otherwise successful history.
DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 24: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on January 24, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks (19-34) head further West, this time to play the Los Angeles Lakers (32-21). The Mavericks have lost eight in a row, a streak that started by a loss to these Los Angeles Lakers a few weeks back. Dallas fell most recently to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night. Los Angeles is looking to avoid a three-game skid of their own, as they’ve lost games most recently to the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.
Here’s the main things you need to know before tipoff.
WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs Los Angeles Lakers
WHAT: Road trippin’, still
WHERE: crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
WHEN: 9:00 pm CST
HOW: Amazon Prime
The injury report is bad again for the Dallas Mavericks. Cooper Flagg is the headliner, missing this game with a foot sprain. Tim MacMahon reported that while Flagg will be out for the All Star break, Dallas expects him to return to play when games resume on February 20th. The Dallas two-way guys are all unlikely to play as well; they’re all listed as doubtful. Naji Marshall and Caleb Martin are each listed as questionable with nagging injuries. On the Laker side of things, Luka Doncic and Deandre Ayton will miss this contest. Otherwise it’s a clean injury report.
With both Cooper Flagg and Luka Doncic out, this game probably becomes unwatchable for most Mavericks fans given the late start time. I do not blame them, but as I run a Mavs website, I try to watch all games.
Keeping a lid on Austin Reaves is the challenge for the Mavericks tonight and it will not be remotely easy. He and LeBron James have good chemistry, so Dallas is going to have to be connected on defense for any of this to really matter. I think they have a chance though, so we’ll see. Naji Marshall missing the game would flip that prediction though.
Be sure to chime in with your predictions in the comments!
Consider joining Josh and me on Pod Maverick live after the game on YouTube, we should start LATE. Thanks so much for spending time with us here at Mavs Moneyball. Let’s go Mavs!
(@lukalexicon) 
