Matthew Schaefer #48 of the New York Islanders celebrated with his teammates after he scores a goal during the first period when the New York Islanders played the Pittsburgh Penguins Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at UBS Arena in Elmont, NY.
The Islanders are sputtering to the NHL’s three-week Olympic break, that much is clear. You can see them night after night, treading water and trying to get results better than their play warrants.
Thing is, they have a way of finding a way.
That’s just what they did Tuesday night in a crucial match against the Penguins, overcoming themselves and three different Pittsburgh leads for a mad, mad 5-4 win in overtime at UBS Arena in which they flipped the night’s narrative on its head over the game’s last 10 minutes.
“I just think tonight was massive,” Mat Barzal said after assisting Bo Horvat’s OT winner. “You’re playing a team you’re right there with [in the standings]. Down a goal, up a goal, down a goal. Just a great game.”
The win, plus the loser point for the Penguins, meant the Islanders finished the night a point behind Pittsburgh for second in the Metro. Crucially, though, they kept the Capitals and Blue Jackets both four points behind for third.
All night, it looked like the Islanders were veering toward a third straight defeat that would have warranted some alarm bells.
The Islanders rolled to a 5-4 overtime win over the Penguins on Feb. 3, 2026 at UBS Arena. Robert Sabo for NY Post
They were struggling to generate a forecheck or sustain pressure. There was little physicality in their game. Anthony Duclair was benched early, and the list of players who could have followed him was not at all short. Pittsburgh led just 3-2 entering the third, which often amounts to nothing in the NHL.
It felt, though, like there was a measure of good fortune in the Islanders being that close, even after Bryan Rust’s sharp-angle shot broke a 2-all tie at 14:09 of the second.
Then the Islanders found what they’d been missing, and the night went all haywire.
After Horvat and Matthew Schaefer had scored the Islanders’ first two goals, it was only fitting that their third superstar, Barzal, would score their third, connecting on a blast from the top of the zone 8:35 into the third to tie the game at three and give the Islanders some badly needed momentum.
The momentum lasted all of 2:03 before Justin Brazeau’s tip from Brett Kulak gave Pittsburgh the lead back.
The Islanders weren’t done yet, though, as Ryan Pulock — who, to that point, was having a rough night — connected on a wrist shot to tie it back up with just under five minutes left.
That got it to the extra period, where Horvat’s breakaway ended it, handing the Islanders two of their guttiest points of the season.
“I think just guys responding,” Horvat said. “Us not getting down on ourselves. Not shying away from the fight. … I think just the resiliency here in this room. We have the belief we can do it.
“We got it done.”
Matthew Schaefer (left) celebrates after he scores a goal during the first period of the Islanders’ home overtime win over the Penguins. Robert Sabo for NY Post
The Islanders had taken a 2-1 lead in the first with goals from Horvat and Schaefer after Anthony Mantha had opened the scoring. Under the hood, though, it was less encouraging.
All three defense pairs had been on the ice for at least one goal against, and the Islanders were bleeding traffic around their own net. The fourth line was struggling and so was Jean-Gabriel Pageau, whose linemates shifted all night after Duclair’s benching. The power play, across two chances, accounted for zero shots on goal.
Even Ilya Sorokin, usually the Islanders rock, let in a rare bad goal from Rust.
Two points doesn’t erase those worries, and truth be told, they’ve been building for the better part of a month.
But the Islanders have just one more game to get through, and then comes a three-week exhale in which they’ll hope that rest can solve at least a chunk of their problems.
So, again, they punted away the worries for another day.
“There’s belief in here we can do it the right way and find a way to win any night,” Ryan Pulock said. “This group is resilient. There’s nights where it works and there’s nights where it doesn’t. I feel like every night we push to the end and give it a shot.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Jake Guentzel scored with 14 seconds remaining in overtime after teammate Darren Raddysh forced the extra session by scoring with 26 seconds left in regulation as the Tampa Bay Lightning beat Buffalo Sabres 4-3 on Tuesday night.
Guentzel took a long pass from Nikita Kucherov just outside the blue line of the Sabres' zone, skated in and beat Colten Ellis with a low shot to extend the Lightning's winning streak to four games.
Kucherov had a four-point game with a goal and three assists. Oliver Bjorkstrand also scored and Raddysh finished with a goal and an assist. Guentzel also assisted on Kucherov's goal in the first period. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 23 saves.
Mattias Samuelsson scored twice and Josh Doan added a goal for Buffalo, which was coming off a win over Florida on Monday night and has won six of its last eight games. Ellis made 31 saves.
The teams traded goals in the first period and, after a scoreless second, each scored twice in the third.
After goals by Samuelsson and Bjorkstrand early in the third, Doan appeared to give Buffalo the edge, scoring a power-play goal with just over five minutes remaining. But, Tampa Bay took advantage of an extra skater and struck in the final seconds as Raddysh scored with 26 seconds remaining to force the extra session.
The Atlantic Division-leading Lightning were coming off a 6-5 win over Boston in an NHL Stadium Series game at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday. Tampa Bay rallied from a four-goal deficit and won that game in a shootout.
Tampa Bay was without centers Anthony Cirelli (undisclosed) and Brayden Point (lower body) and winger Nick Paul (undisclosed). Lightning coach Jon Cooper said before the game that Cirelli and Paul would also miss Thursday’s game against Florida. Cirelli was replaced on Canada’s Olympic roster.
Buffalo was without Zach Benson (upper body), Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (lower body) and Jordan Greenway (abdomen). Luukkonen’s injury will keep him off Finland’s roster for the upcoming Milan Cortina Games.
A sellout crowd packed Barclays Center to watch what might have been LeBron James’ last game in New York.
They saw King James give the Nets a royal thrashing.
The Nets got beaten 125-109 by James and his Lakers before a crowd of 18,248 on Tuesday night. And it wasn’t as close as the score would indicate.
This was yet another desultory performance by a team getting all too comfortable with getting blown out and bullied around.
“Man, they just came out and punched us in the face, honestly speaking. Lobs, yeah, they just look like the Globetrotters out there,” Ziaire Williams said. “Honestly it was just pretty embarrassing.”
The Nets (13-36) had already suffered a 54-point loss to the Knicks on Jan. 21 and a 53-point rout at the Pistons on Feb. 1, only the fourth team in NBA history with multiple 50-point losses in the same season. They had a 37-point caning at the Clippers sandwiched in between, just for good measure.
LeBron James slams home a dunk during the first half of the Nets’ 125-109 blowout loss to the Lakers at Barclays Center on Feb. 3, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Tuesday they trailed by 39 before at least trying to make it respectable, rallying rather than wilting. But it was too little and far, far too late.
“Yeah, more of the same. We got to figure something out,” Nic Claxton told The Post. “Like, this is not basketball. We’re supposed to be NBA basketball players. We shouldn’t be getting beat by this much. We shouldn’t get down by this much.”
Michael Porter Jr. led the Nets with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
Day’Ron Sharpe had season highs of 19 points, 14 boards and five assists off the bench, while Williams added 17 points on 7-for-11 shooting in his return from injury.
But Porter, their deadeye shooter, was 0-for-9 from deep. Egor Dëmin, their point guard, had a game-high six turnovers. And Claxton was a staggering minus-30.
The Lakers pulled out a zone defense, and the Nets offense went into abysmal disarray.
Michael Porter Jr. drives to the basket during the first half of the Nets’ blowout home loss to the Lakers. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“They played zone. It’s kind of been a kryptonite I would say for the past couple years for us,” Sharpe said. “We had 20 turnovers and whenever you turn the ball over like that it usually doesn’t work out for you.”
James — who has been in the league longer than most of Brooklyn’s starting lineup have been alive — was the one that looked young and spry. He had 25 points, seven assists, three steals and sailed in for several highlight dunks before checking out with 8:05 remaining to loud applause.
If it was the 41-year-old’s final competitive game in New York — and he hasn’t made any declarative statements about how long he’ll play — it was a solid one.
Ziaire Williams drives down court as LeBron James defends during the Nets’ blowout home loss to the Lakers. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“It’s LeBron James obviously,” Sharpe said. “But he bleeds just like we bleed, so just trying to beat him, for real.”
The Nets were the only ones bleeding, after the Lakers punched them in the mouth.
They trailed by as much as 39, at 83-44 when Luka Doncic (24 points, six rebounds, five assists) hit from behind the arc with 8:08 left in the third.
It was 111-83 when James checked out with 8:05 to play.
The rest was garbage time, and a crowd filled with purple-and-gold-clad Lakers fans cheering for James’ son, Bronny, who scored a couple of late buckets that sent them into a frenzy.
Brooklyn kept pace with Washington, tied for fourth in the lottery odds. They’re a game behind the Indiana Pacers and two clear of the sixth-place Utah Jazz.
DALLAS, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 03: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots over Sam Hauser #30 of the Boston Celtics during the second quarter at American Airlines Center on February 03, 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 shorthanded Dallas Mavericks (19-31) looked lost in Tuesday’s 110-100 loss to the Boston Celtics (32-18) at American Airlines Center, extending their losing streak to five games. The Mavericks were without P.J. Washington (head), Brandon Williams (leg) and D’Angelo Russell (illness) and lost big man Daniel Gafford to yet another ankle injury in their latest loss. The night is dark and full of terrors, y’all.
Jaylen Brown scorched Dallas for 15 points and five rebounds in the first quarter, a sure sign of trouble to come. But Dallas countered with the vaunted one-two punch of Cooper Flagg and Caleb Martin, who combined for 15 points of their own in the first to keep the Mavericks’ heads above water, trailing 32-29 after one. Martin found Flagg running along the baseline in transition for a man-sized alley-oop slam less than five minutes into the proceedings to give the Mavs an early 12-9 lead.
Klay Thompson came off a screen near the top of the key for a 3-pointer to tie the game, 32-32, on Dallas’ first make of the second quarter, but the Celtics responded with a little 9-2 run over the next two minutes to force Mavs’ head coach Jason Kidd into his first timeout of the game, trailing 41-34. The Celtics scored the game’s next eight points after the timeout to extend the run and put the Mavs behind the eight-ball midway through the second.
Finally, Flagg drove down the lane and converted a hard-earned leaner in the lane to stop the bleeding, with five minutes left before halftime, but the Mavs were already down 50-36 at that point. Dallas went nearly four minutes without scoring at one point in the second and shot just 7-of-22 from the field and just 1-of-9 from beyond the arc in the period. Boston led 52-44 at the break after letting the Mavs back in it with a 10-2 run late in the second.
Flagg nailed a contested jumper on the Mavs’ first possession of the third to continue that run, but Brown and the Celtics kept the Mavericks at arm’s length throughout most of the quarter. Flagg recorded a highlight chase-down block on a transition attempt from Baylor Scheierman two minutes later, and Max Christie hit his first 3-pointer of the game with 8:20 left in the third to bring Dallas to within 58-51. Luka Garza knocked down back-to-back 3-balls, though, with 3:30 left in the third to extend the Boston lead to 15, up 78-63.
Brown, who entered the fourth with 25 points and 10 rebounds already to his credit, rested to start the fourth quarter, but the Celtics didn’t miss him much. The lead floated near 20 points for much of the final frame. Flagg, however, continued to pour it in for Dallas. He nailed a 3-pointer with eight minutes remaining to give him 33 points and push his season scoring average to just over 20 points per game. He became the only teenager in NBA history to score 30 or more points in three straight games in the loss, and also the first rookie to score 34 or more in three straight since Trae Young did it in 2018. Flagg finished with 36 points, nine boards and six assists, another otherworldly performance in another hopeless Mavericks’ loss.
Brown came into the game with nine minutes remaining, as the Mavs threatened to get back in it, and scored on a forceful drive through the lane to give him a team-high 27 points on the night. He scored another tear-drop in transition over Flagg with five minutes to play to give Boston a 104-89 advantage. He finished with 33 points and 11 rebounds in the win.
Lack of assets
All you have to do is watch a few games to realize why, as ESPN’s Shams Charania reported earlier on Monday, Dallas’ phone lines remain “wide open” as the NBA Trade Deadline nears. Why would anyone want any of these guys? Flagg is the only winning player on the Mavericks’ roster at this point, and this team is truly hard to watch in long stretches.
Naji Marshall can’t save you, Mavs fans, even as nice as he’s looked this year. None of the guards are bringing any juice right now. Martin is a starter at this point. What are we even doing here?
The Celtics focused all of their energy on slowing Flagg down, forcing the rest of the Mavs to come to the table with literally anything at all. Most of the time, it just wasn’t there. This season is in the sewer. We are waist-deep in the muck.
Gafford goes down, gets back up
Late in the second quarter, Daniel Gafford, one of the most mediocre trade assets the Mavericks have dangled this winter, went down with an apparent ankle injury while moving into position for a rebound. If there was any hope of getting anything for Gafford before Tuesday’s game, the chances of doing so took a big hit as Gafford writhed in pain in the lane and was helped to the locker room with two minutes to go before the half.
Gafford’s right ankle has given him trouble for most of the season, since he sprained it in training camp and missed the first five games of the year. He hasn’t been right since, and his already modest production has been neutered as a result. He appeared to hurt the same ankle on Tuesday.
It was announced midway through the third quarter that Gafford would be available to return against the Celtics. He came back into the game with 5:18 left in the third quarter for some reason and immediately winced with apparent pain in his right shoulder after grabbing his first rebound of the second half.
Gafford skied for a putback dunk on Thompson’s missed jumper with 2:15 left in the third to get to eight points and eight rebounds in just 17 minutes to that point, perhaps giving potential trade suitors something to think about with his all-out effort in the face of what has been a tough season. He ran through Garza on his way to the bucket with 31 seconds left in the third for a basket that was wiped away on review as the Celtics took an 86-67 lead into the fourth quarter.
Thin bench
The Celtics got 26 points from Peyton Pritchard and 16 more from Garza off the bench while the Mavs searched for any production whatsoever from their beleaguered second unit. Boston’s bench outscored Dallas’ 44-22 and helped the Celtics coast to the win. After the Celtics’ 5-of-20 start from 3-point range, Boston made seven of their next 14 from distance to close out the win. Garza made all four of his 3-point attempts, tying a career-high mark in the win.
No Maverick reserve scored more than seven points in Tuesday’s loss.
Nov 18, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) lays up a shot past Portland Trail Blazers guard Caleb Love (2) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images | Soobum Im-Imagn Images
CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 24: Paul Skenes #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws during a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on September 24, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s Tuesday evening here at BCB After Dark: the hippest hangout for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs friends abroad. Come on in and relax for a while. Get out of the cold. We can check your coat for you. There are still a few tables available. Bring your own beverage.
BCB After Dark is the place for you to talk baseball, music, movies, or anything else you need to get off your chest, as long as it is within the rules of the site. The late-nighters are encouraged to get the party started, but everyone else is invited to join in as you wake up the next morning and into the afternoon.
Last night, I asked you if you’d be open to trading Matt Shaw to the Red Sox for a top 100 pitching prospect. When you add up the three “Yes” answers, 52 percent of you would make that deal with 32 percent of you willing to accept either Connelly Early or Payton Tolle in return. Another 48 percent of you would refuse to deal Shaw for such a package. So it was a close vote.
Tonight I’m featuring South African saxophonist Sisonke Xonti’s tribute to a city that I worked in for four years, “Minneapolis.” (I lived across the river in St. Paul.) This is from 2020.
But the Cubs have only a 44 percent chance of winning the division. As you might expect, the Brewers are given the second-best chance at 24 percent. After all they’re the three-time defending division champs and they’ve won the division four of the past five seasons. The Brew Crew certainly seem to have taken a step backwards with the trades of Freddy Peralta and Isaac Collins, but the Brewers have made trades like that before and not lost a step. So it makes sense that the Brewers would be given the second-best chances of winning the division.
We’d assume that the Reds would have the third-best chance. After all, the Reds finished in third last season and made the Wild Card round. They’ve just signed third baseman Eugenio Suárez, and that’s going to be worth a win or two against the Cubs alone, I would guess. The Reds have four excellent young starters in Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Brady Singer and Andrew Abbott. And while they weren’t able to sign Elly De La Cruz to an extension, he still plays for the Reds in 2026.
But according to the Steamer projections, the Reds are not the team threatening to come up from the outside. Instead, they give the Pirates to finish with 82 wins and a 20 percent chance to win the division. The Reds, on the other hand, are projected for 76 wins and only a nine percent chance at the division crown.
The Cardinals are going into a rebuilding phase and are predicted for just 75 wins. I think that’s generous. I think it was also calculated before the Brendan Donovan trade.
So are the Pirates a team to worry about? Of course, they have the chance to beat you everytime Paul Skenes takes the mound. But that was true last year as well. The Pirates only won 71 games with Skenes in 2025 and he went 10-10. Maybe we don’t put much stock in W-L records for pitchers anymore, but that does indicate that Pittsburgh doesn’t win every time Skenes takes the mound.
So why is the projection so bullish on the Pirates that they have them increasing their win total by 11 and being a legitimate threat to win the division? For one, the Pirates have attempted to improve their anemic offense, which was worst in the majors by run scored, by bringing in three new starters to the lineup. Outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia was acquired in a trade with the Red Sox. Second baseman Brandon Lowe came over from the Rays in a three-way deal. And the Pirates added first baseman Ryan O’Hearn in a free agent deal.
On top of that, the Pirates have two really, really good prospects who may be ready to play this year. Right-handed starter Bubba Chandler has already made his major league debut and he was quite solid over four starts. The ZiPS projection system has Chandler being an above-average starter this year.
Then there’s shortstop Konnor Griffin, who is the number-one prospect in all of baseball. Some are calling him the best prospect since Mike Trout. Keith Law of The Athletic was calling him “Willie Mays except he plays shortstop.” I think Law was being a bit hyperbolic there, but the point is that Griffin could be a superstar as early as this year. He’s only played 21 games at the Double-A level so he’ll probably start the season in the minors, but it wouldn’t surprise anyone if Griffin is playing in the majors by May.
Is that enough to make up a 12 game difference from last year over the Reds? I’m not sure. As good as he’s likely to be, Griffin isn’t a 12-win player. Garcia, Lowe and O’Hearn are certainly upgrades on what the Pirates ran out there last year, but none of those three players are what I’d call a star. Garcia is a rookie who played just five games last year. Lowe and O’Hearn had a bWAR last year of 1.9 and 2.4 respectively. Solid everyday starters, but not stars.
So between the Reds and the Pirates, which team is the “dark horse” to watch out for in the NL Central?
Thanks for stopping by tonight. We always enjoy it when you stop by. Please get home safely. Stay warm. Recycle any cans and bottles. Tip your waitstaff. And join us again tomorrow evening for more BCB After Dark.
Feb 3, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Christian Koloko (35) defends Miami Heat forward Simone Fontecchio (0) during the first half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images | Rhona Wise-Imagn Images
In a matchup featuring the two fastest teams in the NBA, the Atlanta Hawks were in South Beach to take on the Miami Heat on Tuesday evening. After dropping two consecutive games against Houston and Indiana, the Hawks were looking to get back to winning ways — and keep the surging Charlotte Hornets* off their tails for the 10-seed in the Eastern Conference.
*winners of seven straight!
The Hawks were without Kristaps Porzingis* (illness) and Onyeka Okongwu (dental fracture) for this one. Meanwhile, Miami were missing Andrew Wiggins (left hamstring tightness), Tyler Herro (ribs), and Norman Powell (personal) — who was named to his first career All-Star game on Sunday.
Atlanta reinserted Christian Koloko into the lineup tonight, as he joined Daniels, Alexander-Walker, Risacher and Jalen Johnson in the starting unit. Davion Mitchell, Pelle Larson, Myron Gardner, Simone Fontecchio and Bam Adebayo started the game for Miami.
Miami’s pace was on display early on, as they raced out to a 9-3 lead with multiple buckets in transition before back-to-back triples from Risacher and Alexander-Walker got Atlanta settled into the contest.
Though Norman Powell was sidelined for this one, Jalen Johnson reminded the Miami crowd that there was still an All-Star competing in tonight’s game — slicing through the lane for this emphatic jam on Jaime Jaquez Jr. mid-way through the quarter to put the Hawks up 17-13.
Miami knotted things at 19, before a 14-4 Hawks run over the last four-and-a-half minutes of the period put the good guys up by 10 heading into the second quarter. Though Risacher gets the highlight for this deft finish in transition — CJ McCollum was instrumental for Atlanta during this run, pouring in 8 points on 3-of-4 shooting off the bench in the opening frame.
Atlanta kept their foot on the gas to open the second quarter. Asa Newell and Jalen Johnson made their presence felt on the interior with back-to-back jams, before a three from Luke Kennard extended the lead to 48-30 at the 7:51 mark of the second.
A mini-run from the Heat brought them as close as 11 points, but the Hawks quickly extinguished any talk of a first-half comeback, closing the quarter on a Jalen Johnson-led 11-5 run to take a 67-50 lead into the locker room.
The biggest difference between the two sides in the first half was the three-point shooting. Atlanta shot 11-for-28 (39.3%) from distance while Miami went just 5-for-19 (26.3%). Jalen Johnson led all scorers at the half with 15 points. Simone Fontecchio was the high man for Miami with 11 points.
Miami looked the better team to start the second half, opening the quarter on a 19-7 run to cut the lead to five at the 7:03 mark of the period. With the Heat gaining momentum, an and-one bucket from Kispert at the 5:37 mark kept Miami at arms length.
True to their nature however, Miami would not concede so easily — cutting the lead to 11 at the 8:52 mark of the fourth, resulting in an early timeout for Quin Snyder. Out of the timeout, a refocused Hawks side put things right, going on an 8-0 run (punctuated by the Mo Gueye triple below) to get the lead back up to 19 with 7:01 remaining.
From there, it was quite comfortable for Atlanta. Both sides cleared their benches with a little over a minute left to play, and the Hawks took home a comfortable 127-115 win.
Jalen Johnson finished with 29 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists — his 9th triple-double of the season. CJ McCollum poured in 26 points (6-for-9 from three-point range) — setting a new Hawks-high for the veteran guard. Nickeil Alexander-Walker chipped in with 19 points.
Atlanta is back in action on Thursday night, taking on the Utah Jazz on their home floor. They’ll be looking to to continue to build momentum as the All Star break approaches.
ELMONT, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 03: Ryan Pulock #6 of the New York Islanders scores a goal on Stuart Skinner #74 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at UBS Arena on February 03, 2026 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Steven Ryan/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
Pregame
The Penguins happily welcome the return of Bryan Rust from his suspension and get Stuart Skinner in net.
Good start for the Penguins, they get an early power play after Scott Mayfield hooks Egor Chinakhov. Smart penalty to take being as Chinakhov was in a similar position to his goal last night, catching a centering feed from Tommy Novak this time and about ready to fire before getting impeded. The Islanders kill the penalty, though Sidney Crosby almost has a highlight reel goal skating by Matthew Schaefer and getting a nice shot away.
Game goes back and forth for a little, the big guys come through. Justin Brazeau dishes to Anthony Mantha who uses his reach to manipulate just how he can lift the puck to the far-side of Ilya Sorokin. 1-0 Pittsburgh.
The period turns sour for the Penguins as the Islanders score two goals in the final 1:19.
The first goal is mostly bad luck compounding, Skinner leaves a rebound off his glove, then Ryan Shea can’t clear the puck out of danger. The opposite happens with it ricocheting off bodies and right back to Bo Horvat. Horvat reaches to it before Shea can recover. 1-1.
As the period nears its end, a delayed penalty call is coming up on Pittsburgh. It never gets called, a long stretch of puck control tires the Pens out and Schaefer is there to hammer one from deep. 2-1 NYI.
Not a good last minute or so for the visitors to see their lead turn into a 2-1 deficit after 20.
Second period
The Pens find a goal to tie the game. Slick setup from Tommy Novak coming from behind the net. Who else but Egor Chinakhov is there to somehow get just far enough away from the reach of Ryan Pulock and still stay in a prime scoring position. Then again, with his release speed and shot velo, almost everywhere in a prime scoring position. 2-2.
ELECTRIC EGOR.
Since he made his Penguins debut on January 1, no one has scored more goals than Egor Chinakhov (8). pic.twitter.com/l6Pnzw3hQJ
Rust gets back on the scoreboard in his first game back from suspension, sneaking a bad angle shot off Sorokin and in. Fittingly the sequence starts with Rust out-working Schaefer to keep a puck alive in the zone, a few seconds later it comes back around behind the net and Rust puts some mustard on a Crosby-esque bank shot that leaks through. 3-2.
Chinakhov and Novak nearly combine for another highlight-reel goal but toss around one too many passes (gahh). Chinakhov does draw his second power play of the game, again for getting impeded as he slipped behind the defense and cut into the net. The power play doesn’t score and the second period wraps up.
Great response period for the Pens, who outshoot NYI 12-5 in the second period and outscore them 2-1 to regain the lead.
Third period
More good work in the early going, it takes until the 13:59 to go mark before NYI gets their first shot of the period, an outside shot that Skinner easily corrals. By then the Pens had four shots, including Malkin nearly scoring from just in front of the net.
Which makes it more frustrating when the Islanders find a tying goal with 11:23 to go. Crosby and Ilya Solovyov bump into each other in front of Skinner with no Islanders around them. Mat Barzal shoots from long range, there’s no one in the lanes to block it. Not sure if that puck deflected off Rakell or Solovyov there, it hits the back of the net. 3-3 game.
The crowd comes to life with something to cheer about and the Pens quiet them with a big answer. Brett Kulak does well to win a puck off the wall and quickly fire it to the net. Justin Brazeau makes a brilliant deflection back across where Sorokin thinks it’s going. 4-3 game, Pittsburgh back in front with 9:20 to go.
Crosby gets the gate for a tripping call and the NYI power play gets a crack at it, they’re unable to generate a shot.
Crosby gets high-sticked, no penalty since it was Karlsson’s stick. The Islanders get back to work, Barzal’s pass clicks off Malkin and right to Pulock. Pulock measures up and beats Skinner cleanly. 4-4 game, 4:36 to go.
The Pens get a close call for a goal, which would have been controversial on Ben Kindel’s part by sticking his leg into Sorokin as Brazeau followed up on a chance.
Pittsburgh takes their timeout, the plans they draw up don’t work out.
Frantic third period leads to extra time.
Overtime
Crosby-Rust-Karlsson start things out, Crosby wins the draw and the Pens get the all-important possession though only for the first 20 seconds. The Pens get it back but Kulak mis-hits the puck and Horvat goes the other way on a breakaway. He makes no mistakes beating Skinner and ending the game.
Some thoughts
It seemed like the Islanders were either lazy/fatigued in their gap control or perhaps surprised by how fast the Penguins looked when they allowed them to slip behind them and then play catch up on rushes up the wall. These teams haven’t seen each other since the early days of the season. These Pens with players like Chinakhov, Novak and even the deceptively fast Mantha aren’t really the Pittsburgh teams of the past few years. Not that these Penguins are excessively fast across the board but it probably caught their opponent off guard that this team isn’t quite as familiar as they might have remembered.
Speaking of growth and changes from the beginning of the season, how amazing is that Schaefer huh? Hard to believe the last time he played the Penguins it was his first night in the NHL. He’s had plenty of highlight moments since then, just seeing how comfortable and much more in control he is out there from where he was in Game 1 in October to now is really remarkable. Schaefer’s already one of the best and most dynamic players out there, scary to think what he’s going to look like in another 1-2-3 years as he gains even more experience.
There’s an old trope that when the second line wingers get too productive they soon find themselves playing on Crosby’s line. That turned out to finally benefit Evgeni Malkin now that *he* has become the productive second line winger. The Pens tried a Chinakhov-Crosby-Malkin line for an o-zone draw. They got too cute with the passing and then someone took a penalty (negated by the Schaefer goal). Humble beginnings, maybe it’ll work out next time.
Sorokin’s been arguably the best goalie in the league by far this season, which might make it all the more surprising he just looked average tonight. Everyone has their off days (see also, the Penguins last night), how she goes sometimes. Probably aren’t too many times when he’s just straight up getting beat (Mantha, Chinakhov shots) or giving up a weak, leaky goal from no angle that he definitely would want back (Rust). It wasn’t like it was bad luck on bounces or instances where traffic was making his life difficult, just maybe a “C” type of game for what’s been an A goalie.
Then again, Skinner had a few he would want back too. That fourth goal, by Pulock, is one that has to be a save. The earlier goal in the third period was a team breakdown, it was also the type of stop Skinner was making when he was in a groove a few weeks ago. Now, not so much. Olympic break suddenly is coming at a good time for him.
Chinakhov has scored a goal in five of his last seven games. Sometimes you see a guy pop a high shooting percentage or maybe string a couple of two-goal games together or hit an empty net or two and can see the inevitable fall coming a mile away. In this case it looks like Chinakhov is still getting started, he’s just scratching the surface of what he could lie ahead. If he (and, to be fair, his linemates) didn’t over-pass the puck so much, there would be even more. They’re generating so many potential looks and his shot is so good that it’s going to find success as long as they keep it going.
The Bob Grove stat of the night is a good one: Pittsburgh recorded their 15,000th regular season goal tonight as a franchise. Only the Original 6 teams have more.
Getting one point on the road is something, based on the first 40 minutes it was a night where the Pens were the better team for the majority of the night, so not getting that second point hurts in that regard.
This has been a crazy stretch of games (five in eight nights) and it’s nearly over. One more to go on Thursday night in Buffalo and then the NHL takes an Olympic pause.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 17: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket against Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half at Rocket Arena on November 17, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Cavaliers are still looking to move backup point guard Lonzo Ball.
The Cavaliers aren't done, either. Cleveland is very much still working towards finding a trade partner to assume Lonzo Ball's $10 million salary, per sources.
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Trading Ball would only help decrease the salary for this season. His non-guaranteed contract for next season could be waived in the summer at no cost. Moving him would only be necessary if you’re trying to duck under the second apron this season. And even at that, trading Ball alone wouldn’t get them under. They would be roughly $3.8 million above the second apron.
Additionally, the Cavs only have two movable second-round picks that they could move to get off of Ball’s salary. They sent one out to Los Angeles in the Harden trade. They may have a difficult time finding a suitor for Ball with their remaining second-rounders.
It’d be unwise to rule out the possibility that the Cavs have another larger deal that they’re trying to work through. If so, moving Ball would be necessary to facilitate something like that. As reported earlier today by ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Cavs have made calls to the Milwaukee Bucks about Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Dallas Mavericks about Anthony Davis.
Trading Ball makes sense regardless of what else the team has planned for the rest of the season. The Cavs have until the Feb. 5 deadline to find a trade partner for Ball.
BROOKLYN, NY - FEBRUARY 3: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on February 3, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Lakers closed their road trip in style, dominating the Nets from start to finish on Tuesday en route to a 125-109 win.
The Lakers scored 45 points in the first quarter, 69 in the first half and built up a 39-point lead before the break. Predictably, the second half was little more than conditioning for the two sides with Brooklyn making the score look much more respectable.
The game began with four of LA’s starters scoring early. Egor Dëmin drained a 3-pointer for the Nets. Brooklyn called a timeout after Deandre Ayton scored on a layup, putting the Lakers up by three. Out of the break, Michael Porter Jr. was fouled from behind the arc and converted on two of his freebies.
Los Angeles missed their first shot of the quarter at the 7:02 mark after starting the game going 7-7 from the field. Jake LaRavia was having a strong first period with six points.
LA extended their scoring run to 18-4 for an 11-point lead. As usual, Luka Dončić was the first Lakers in double figures with 10 points.
Day’Ron Sharpe scored a quick four points off the bench for Brooklyn. Jaxson Hayes had a million dunks, resulting in a quick nine points for Los Angeles.
Austin Reaves returned to action and was in his usual form, drawing a foul and converting on his free throws. At the end of the first, the purple and gold were up by 22.
The Lakers hit a ridiculous 15 of 18 FG’s (83.3%) towards 45 1st Q points, despite missing 6 free throws.
They lead 45-23 in Brooklyn as they try to close this road trip at 5-3.
The second period began with LeBron converting on a layup. Reaves then connected with LeBron for an insane alley-oop that had everyone buzzing.
The Lakers were in complete control of the game as the Nets looked awful. LeBron threw down yet another dunk, dazzling the large group of Laker fans who filled Barclays Center.
LA’s only fault was free throws as they were shooting 61% from the charity stripe.
Reaves was now up to nine points as LA built a 38-point lead. Los Angeles started to play a little sloppy and allowed Brooklyn to score seven in a row as the half was winding down. Still, the Lakers were up by 29 at halftime.
The third period started with LeBron scoring on a layup, forcing a timeout by the Nets. Out of the break, Brooklyn turned the ball over and it led to yet another dunk on the other end by LeBron. Reaves knocked down his first 3-pointer after five attempts.
The Lakers were +6 in the 6:20 that the new projected starters — Luka, AR, Smart, LeBron, DA — played to open the second half.
Brooklyn started making more of their shots, knocking down four triples and shooting 58% from the field. Luka converted on four shots for nine points in the quarter. Brooklyn outscored LA 34 to 31 in the third.
Going into the fourth period, the Lakers were up by 26.
The fourth quarter happened.
Key Player Stats
Luka finished with 24 points, six rebounds and five assists in 29 minutes. LeBron scored 25 points with three rebounds, seven assists and three steals. In Reaves’ return, he ended with 15 points, four rebounds and two steals in 21 minutes.
Hayes had nine points with two assists. LaRavia pitched in with 18 points and five rebounds. Ayton notched seven points and eight rebounds.
The Lakers’ next matchup will be against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday at 7:00 PM PT.
Jordan Staal's breakaway goal with under five minutes to play gave the Carolina Hurricanes a 4-3 victory, squandering the Sens comeback from a 3-1 deficit. The effect of playing back to back games probably played a role as Staal took advantage of a brutal Sens line change for a free pass to the Ottawa net.
Seth Jarvis scored twice while Sebastian Aho had three points. Jake Sanderson and Dylan Cozens each had two points.
The Senators started fast in this one, with Stephen Halliday scoring the fourth goal of his season and career less than three minutes into the first. Jordan Spence took a shot from the left point that Halliday tipped past Carolina goalie Brandon Bussi to give Ottawa a 1–0 lead.
That lead held until under three minutes remaining in the opening period, when Aho tied the game. Carolina won the draw back to the point, and James Reimer stopped both the initial shot and the rebound, but Aho knocked in a bouncing puck to make it 1–1.
It certainly looked like a play that could have been challenged for goalie interference. Jarvis clearly made contact with Reimer (see banner photo) before he reached back to try and grab the puck as it trickled toward the goal line.
Jarvis wasn't done making life miserable for Reimer, scoring twice in a span of just over three minutes in the second period.
The first came immediately after a rare “playing with a broken stick” call on Halliday. The Senators’ penalty kill has been solid lately, but Jarvis was left completely unaccounted for, walking in and picking his spot over Reimer’s left shoulder to make it 2–1 Carolina.
Jarvis struck again shortly after, beating Jake Sanderson wide, cutting to the net, and backhanding it past Reimer for a 3–1 Hurricanes lead.
Ottawa responded late in the period. With just over three minutes left, William Carrier was called for interference on Claude Giroux. On the ensuing power play, Tim Stützle blasted a one-timer from the top of the circle to cut the deficit to 3–2 after 40 minutes.
The Sens power play went to work again early in the third when Sanderson blasted a point shot home, with Stutzle serving as a perfect screen. That tied the game at 3 before the Sens got their foot-shooting guns out.
With just over five minutes to play, with the puck innocently tied up on the boards at centre ice, the Sens made a wholesale line change. The far side D always has to be conservative on a full line change, but Jordan Spence went off with everyone else.
The puck squirted out to Nikolaj Ehlers who quickly hit Staal and there was no Senator right defenseman there to oppose him. He walked in for an easy breakaway and ripped one home, high glove side on Reimer to give the Canes the lead. That stood up as the winner.
The Sens outshot the Canes 25-18 and did a good job of limiting Carolina's chances, but Reimer allowed four goals on those 18 shots.
The Senators will be back at it on Thursday at Philadelphia, their final game before the Olympic break.
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - FEBRUARY 02: Jaren Jackson Jr. #8 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts during the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at FedExForum on February 02, 2026 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
They did it. The Utah Jazz front office pooled its expansive war chest of assets and took aim at a game-changing, contribute-today type of player. From my home in Japan, I woke up to a vibrating hailstorm of NBA alerts, which made my 7:00 alarm entirely obsolete. Much better to be awoken by good news than just another typical day of work, eh?
Jaren Jackson Jr, a versatile and acclaimed 6-foot-10 forward, had spent the first seven years of his NBA career in Memphis. Snagged with the fourth overall pick out of Michigan State back in 2018, JJJ is the second pillar of the Grizzlies’ core to fall, following Desmond Bane, who was jettisoned to Orlando in the offseason.
By dealing Jackson, the Grizzlies have enacted a rebuilding policy upon themselves, discarding the original game plan to start anew. No bear tracks in the freshly laid powder snow.
The bear is in Utah. He is called the Jazz Bear. And his arrival indicates a change in pace for the slow-building Utah Jazz, who marked the path for self-destruction and new beginnings back in 2022, when they sent their once-championship-contending core of Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell, Mike Conley, and company across the National Basketball Association (but mostly to Minnesota, eventually) in the hopes of sprouting new hope from the rubble.
That torch is now carried by the Grizzlies. From this exchange, Memphis adds experimental pieces of Utah’s young core ripe for in-house development, and some draft picks for good measure. Utah, exporting some of their filler youngsters in favor of more experienced and proven imports, has shifted up a gear by adding Jackson. His arrival carries a promise that the Jazz have little intention of losing in the future.
This trade includes eight players and three draft picks, and I’ll break down each piece of the deal right here, right now.
To Utah, From Memphis:
MEMPHIS, TN – JANUARY 23: Jaren Jackson Jr. #8 of the Memphis Grizzlies dribbles the ball during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on January 23, 2026 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Jaren Jackson Jr | 6’10” 242 lbs | Forward/Center
Here’s the big one. The king of the pond. The great fish from which fishing tales are orated. Jaren Jackson Jr is the headliner of the trade, and for good reason. The 2022-23 Defensive Player of the Year, a two-time All-Star, two-time block champion, and three-time All-Defense team member, Jackson is a defensive stalwart who just as naturally spaces the floor on the offensive end, shooting 35% from distance in his career.
Pairing alongside Walker Kessler (assuming Utah doesn’t fumble in restricted free agency), Jackson and Kessler would be the best rim-protecting frontcourt in basketball by a galaxy’s length, ranking second and third for opponent field goal percentage within the restricted area over the past five seasons, both at 52.3%. That’s just ahead of Rudy Gobert, 52.4%.
…the Utah Jazz have recreated Gobert in the aggregate, and tacked on some offensive firepower in the process.
Speaking of Gobert, time is finally unveiling what came of his blockbuster trade back in 2022, as the assets gathered in that exchange have now actualized into Walker Kessler, Keyonte George, and Jaren Jackson Jr. It’s Billy Beane’s dream — the Utah Jazz have recreated Gobert in the aggregate, and tacked on some offensive firepower in the process.
For the Jazz, who might be the worst defense in the entire NBA, adding a legitimate all-world level defender with actual offensive ability is a major net positive. All that, plus the fact that Jackson is just 26 years old, should have the atmosphere buzzing in SLC (but try not to think too long about his $50 million price tag in a few seasons).
Jaren Jackson Jr. in Memphis
franchise rankings:
8th in games 6th in points 7th in rebounds 6th in steals 3rd in blocks 4th in threes
four playoff appearances one conf semis 56 wins in '22 51 wins in '23 DPOY in '22 3x All-Defense (2x 1st) 2x All-Star 2x blocks leader pic.twitter.com/xVtEx5yVuZ
MEMPHIS, TN – DECEMBER 7: John Konchar #46 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks to pass the ball during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on December 7, 2025 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
John Konchar | 6’5” 210 lbs | Guard
The pride of Purdue University Fort Wayne, John Konchar quickly became a fan-favorite in Memphis after being snagged in undrafted free agency in 2019. And how could anyone not love Konchar? His number 46 jersey, his hustle-first, think later mindset, and positional versatility are all reasons why Memphis fell in love with Konchar, though his production and involvement in the Grizzlies’ lineup have taken a bit of a dip in recent years.
With the Jazz, Konchar’s role will likely be similar to that in Memphis: the glue-guy, energizer off the bench who lives to light a fire on the floor and under the feet of his teammates.
Vince Williams Jr. | 6’4” 205 lbs | Guard
Williams was taken out of VCU in the second round back in 2022 as a versatile, switchable defender who can space the floor on offense and hit the occasional three-pointer. In practice, he’s a bit more of a defensive specialist. Horribly inefficient in his fourth NBA season with 35% field goal shooting and 30% from distance, what Williams lacks in reliable shooting, he adds in defensive know-how. For a team like Utah, which has been without competent perimeter defense for far too long (not you, Cody, you’re doing great), Vince Williams’ role is set before him.
MEMPHIS, TN – FEBRUARY 2: Jock Landale #31 of the Memphis Grizzlies boxes out during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on February 2, 2026 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Jock Landale | 6’11” 255 lbs | Center
Landale is another product of the Randy Bennett Aussie pipeline out of Saint Mary’s College. He’s a lifetime bench big who saw his career take an upward turn after joining the Memphis Grizzlies. This season, Landale’s averages have doubled in nearly every category since his inclusion in the starting lineup (courtesy of Zach Edey’s crumbling body).
Landale began his professional career as an artist, playing in the paint. With a wide array of hookshots and old-man-style footwork in the paint, he carved out a niche in the NBA. But in recent years, he’s made a Brook Lopez-esque improvement as a three-point shooter, knocking through 38% of his attempts beyond the arc, of which he’s shot nearly three per game this season. Challenging the 40% threshold is a remarkable improvement, considering the first three years of his career were much closer to 25%. He also shows promise as an offensive rebounder, nearly matching his count of rebounds on the defensive end. Still, that means he collects just six boards per night.
The Utah Jazz are stuffed to capacity at the center position, unfortunately, so the 30-going-on-31 Landale will have to fight for minutes among established giants like Kessler, Nurkic, and now Jaren Jackson Jr.
To Memphis, From Utah:
Three First-Round Draft Picks
These are what the Grizzlies were really after. Dumping your core of three former All-Stars (unless they can’t part with Morant) is a questionable decision without a plan for the future, and Memphis collected some promising future draft picks from a team looking for ways to lighten their load. From Utah’s collection of draft picks, the Grizzlies come away with optimism for the future.
These are the draft picks heading to Memphis:
2027 first-round pick via Utah or Minnesota or Cleveland (most favorable) 2027 first-round pick via Los Angeles Lakers (top-four protected) 2031 first-round pick via Phoenix
The Jazz gave away the most favorable of their many draft picks next year, so it’s official: there is no reason to tank in ‘26-’27. The Utah Jazz have returned to the straight and narrow way of ethical basketball. The social media tanking police can finally stand at ease; Utah is trying to win basketball games again.
This trade is a trailhead for two exciting transitions.
Utah is far from pushing all its chips into the center for this one, however, much like they did the last time they ushered an Earth-shaking trade with the Memphis Grizzlies, giving up a large portion of their future for Mike Conley Jr. back in 2019. They still hold at least one first-round pick in every draft from 2026, with fingers crossed that this year’s pick falls below the eighth pick, keeping it out of Oklahoma City’s white-gloved grip.
Utah obtained the Lakers’ 2027 first-rounder before divine intervention delivered Luka Doncic on a silver platter in Tinseltown. It was with zero tears that this pick was dealt.
It’s with similar dissociation that the Jazz parted with Phoenix’s 2031 first-rounder they worked so hard for last season. Prior to Phoenix’s resurgence this season, Matt Ishbia’s reign seemed self-destructive, with the core of Beal, Booker, and Durant imploding with very little to show for it. But credit to the Suns, they dug themselves out of that hole and managed to acquire Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green from Houston for a 37-year-old Kevin Durant. Phoenix no longer appears destined to scrape the bottom of the standings, and Utah sees more value in JJJ today than they project in a first-round pick five years from now.
This trade is a trailhead for two exciting transitions. For Memphis, a clean slate and all the patience in the world to obtain a franchise cornerstone through the draft. For Utah, the pendulum swings toward competitive basketball. Finally, the Jazz will be gunning for a playoff position again, and a saving light has appeared above the heinous concourses of basketball hell.
TORONTO, CANADA – FEBRUARY 1: Walter Clayton Jr. #13 of the Utah Jazz dribbles up court against the Toronto Raptors during the second half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on February 1, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Walter Clayton Jr | 6’4” 195 lbs | Guard
Of all the players given up in this deal, Utah will miss Clayton the most. A player they traded up to grab in this year’s draft, the former national champion and Final Four Most Outstanding Player entered Utah in hopes of developing quickly and fighting for minutes at point guard.
He has yet to break through as an NBA player, though, buried beneath the supernova of Keyonte George and the steady playmaking of Isaiah Collier. Clayton flashed passing upside in his first 45 games as a pro, but his trademark three-pointer has struggled to catch up, coming in at just 30.8%.
The book is not closed on Clayton as a pro, of course, and with a more straightforward backcourt in Memphis, Walt could see more consistent burn and find his rhythm with the Grizzlies.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JANUARY 10: Taylor Hendricks #0 of the Utah Jazz prepares to shoot a free throw during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on January 10 2026 at Delta Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Alex Goodlett/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Taylor Hendricks | 6’9” 215 lbs | Forward
The Taylor Hendricks experience did not go according to plan in Utah.
Selected ninth overall in 2022, Hendricks was the first draft pick of the Jazz reconstruction. Injuries and inconsistent play plagued Hendricks since entering the NBA, unfortunately, and he never really found his place with the Jazz.
It’s never fair to judge a player’s career when injuries occupy so many chapters, and Taylor Hendricks was a victim of horrific luck in his first two and a half seasons of pro basketball. His broken leg suffered as a sophomore sidelined Hendricks until 2025, and he never quite found his place in Will Hardy’s lineups. The letters DNP have been stamped on Hendricks’ box score a discouraging number of times this season, especially recently. He’s appeared in just 33 games this season.
Given time and patience, Hendricks could develop into a serviceable rotation-level player in the NBA. That potential never materialized with the Jazz.
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – JANUARY 27: Kyle Anderson #2 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the second half against the Los Angeles 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
Kyle Anderson | 6’8” 230 lbs | Forward
Slo Mo is an NBA journeyman who, hilariously enough, enjoyed the best years of his career with Memphis back in ‘18-‘24. Anderson joined the Jazz through a trade with Miami that posted the forward in a veteran role, and he played the part very well for the youth movement in Utah, however briefly.
Anderson, now 32 (going on 50), will likely fill a similar role in Memphis that he did in Utah. He does a bit of everything — scoring, passing, rebounding, defending — despite potentially being the slowest professional athlete on the face of the Earth.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 13: Nickeil Alexander-Walker #7 of the Atlanta Hawks and Georges Niang #31 of the Utah Jazz high five after the game on November 13, 2025 at Delta Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Georges Niang | 6’6” 230 lbs | Forward
Few things have been more disappointing this season than the fact that we never got to witness Georges Niang back in a Utah Jazz jersey after all these years. I wrote a tear-jerking reunion story (historical fiction) before the season about Niang’s return to the Salt Lake Valley, and it brings me great despair that Niang never set foot on the floor.
After being drafted to Indiana in 2016, Niang spent the first five seasons of his career in the Beehive State before bouncing from Philadelphia to Cleveland to Atlanta and back to Utah before, of course, now being dealt to Memphis. Now 32 years old, Niang lands with the Grizzlies as a three-point specialist, who will be ready to plug-and-play in the near future, as his most recent injury update posted Niang as week-to-week.
Player Retained in Utah
Perhaps the most important wrinkle for Utah’s end of the trade is the players they were able to retain while adding Jackson. Truth be told, though the Jazz were hopeful that Clayton and Hendricks would pan out, Utah gave away very little from a personnel standpoint.
The Jazz still have Keyonte George in a breakout season, Ace Bailey, who is seen by many as a foundational piece in Utah’s future, former All-Star Lauri Markkanen, and Walker Kessler, currently out with injury and pending restricted free agency.
But the Jazz didn’t even have to part ways with their most promising youngsters outside the starting lineup, either. Cody Williams, who is finally showing signs of life in his sophomore season, will remain in Utah. As will Brice Sensabaugh, Isaiah Collier, and Kyle Filipowski, all of whom are gradually developing into rotational players in Will Hardy’s depth chart.
2026 marks the end of the line for Utah’s tank, and that is worth celebrating.
Jackson’s addition to the starting lineup makes Utah’s roster one of the most fascinating in the league. A starting five of Keyonte George (6’4”), Ace Bailey (6’9”), Lauri Markkanen (7’1”), Jaren Jackson Jr (6’10”), and Walker Kessler (7’2”) is gargantuan and could be formidable with a few years to mesh.
2026 marks the end of the line for Utah’s tank, and that is worth celebrating. In this deal, the Jazz lost three first-round picks, while maintaining a spot in every single first round moving forward. They gave away two non-foundational youth who still have a long journey of growth before they’re ready to contribute at a high level. Utah will not suffer from the loss of Anderson, and couldn’t possibly miss a player who never even suited up to play.
Whether this version of the Jazz will be competitive in the coming years is yet to be determined, but few can deny that this is a franchise finally moving in the right direction.
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.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Dailyn Swain scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and Texas pulled ahead midway through the second half to beat South Carolina 84-75 on Tuesday night.
Tramon Mark added 18 points for Texas (14-9, 5-5 Southeastern Conference). Camden Heide and Matas Vokietaitis chipped in with 12 points apiece. Texas finished 29-of-36 shooting from the line (81%), with Swain hitting all nine of his free-throw attempts. Heide made three of the Longhorns' seven 3-pointers.
Heide made consecutive 3-pointers to give the Longhorns the lead for good, 56-50, with 10:37 to play. The Gamecocks later used a 5-0 spurt to cut the deficit to 70-68 with 3:23 to go. Swain answered with a jumper and dunk.
Meechie Johnson scored a career-best 35 points on 12-of-21 shooting to lead South Carolina. He also made 10 of 14 free throws. Elijah Strong added 12 points for the Gamecocks (11-12, 2-8), who have four straight and seven of eight.
South Carolina opened on a 16-7 run and didn't trail until Texas closed the first half on 7-3 surge for a 35-31 lead at the break. Vokietaitis scored eight points and Swain added seven. Johnson scored 15 first-half points for the Gamecocks.
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 3: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks and Alexandre Sarr #20 of the Washington Wizards look on during the game on February 3, 2026 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
One day coach Brian Keefe will bring a football to practice and the Wizards will discover they’ve been playing the wrong sport all along. Until then, Washington (13-36) will continue to play their unique brand of NBA hoops. Tonight, they hosted the Knicks (32*-18), and there was so much orange and blue in the crowd that this was essentially a home game for New York. The third-quarter MVP chant for Jalen Brunson shook the shingles on Capital One Arena, and when the Knicks finished with a 132-101 win—their seventh straight—more than half of those in attendance left satisfied.
New York had the game in their grip from the tip, ripping off seven straight points before Washington noticed the game was underway. Josh Hart should be called Elmer because the dude is all glue. He rebounded, pushed the pace, and created clean looks for OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and himself. In a game cut short by injury, Josh recorded just four points, but his seven boards, seven dimes, and endless energy powered him to a +34.
Meanwhile, Brunson sputtered from deep (21 points, 7-16 FG, 1-6 3PT) but delivered on the other end, like when he stepped in front of Sarr to draw a league-leading 14th charge. The Wiz, meanwhile, shot 11-of-31 from deep tonight and mostly survived on midrange jumpers and whatever they could scrounge up in the paint. That old pro Middleton was the only reliable ‘Zard, finishing with 12 points. Bub Carrington scored a very low-calorie 14.
Bridges set the tone on both ends. He finished with 23 points on 8-of-10 from the field, 3-of-4 from deep and two blocks—one at the rim on Coulibaly, another chasing down Carrington on the perimeter. Add Anunoby’s three three-pointers and a 7-of-13 team mark from deep, and the first quarter closed with New York up 38–22.
Second frame, the results were the same. With Tyler Kolek handling point guard duties, the Knicks continued to methodically make their shots and apply defensive screws. Towns was the anchor, scoring at the rim, stepping out for a three, cleaning the glass, and even jumping a passing lane for a steal. He would finish the game with a league-leading 33rd double-double, scoring 19 points, 15 boards, three assists, and two steals in 26 minutes. Not a bad night of work for the All-Star who got piggy-back rides from Sarr all night.
Midway through the second quarter, the floodgates opened. In a 95-second stretch, the Knicks scored 14 unanswered points to go ahead by 29. Washington was doomed. Middleton tried his best, and Sarr showed occasional flashes, but undercut them with turnovers and fouls. But Washington was doomed.
By the break, New York was ahead 72-45, with their biggest halftime lead of the season. They had outshot the home team from the field, 55% to 39%, and from deep, 50% to 33%. New York had assists on 16 of their 24 made field goals, won the boards (27-20), and blocked five shots. In the first half, Towns led all scorers with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Middleton had seven points for the hosts.
The Knicks brought the same dominance to Q3. OG (19 points, 6-of-11 FG) and Mikal scored on cuts and floaters while Brunson mixed drives, free throws, and a pull-up three to keep the lead in the 20s. Washington found a smattering of offense from Carrington and Middleton, but they could never gain ground. Nor did they have an answer for KAT, who scored at will in the paint, scrubbed the boards, and cleaned up at the free-throw line. The lead reached 32. Even when the Knicks fell into a shooting lull, Washington couldn’t get their act together. The only bummer of the period was when Josh Hart left the game, limping to the locker room. Otherwise, the sailing was smooth. Knicks up 102-71 going into the fourth.
Washington continued to take their lumps in the final frame. The lead ballooned to 41, so Coach Brown fielded a bench crew of Kolek, Jordan Clarkson, Dillon Jones, Trey Jemison, and Ariel Hukporti. Kolek had a rough shooting night (3 points, 1-0f-7 FG), but logged six assists and two turnovers in his 21 minutes. The rest of the bench contributed meaningfully, too. Huk protected the rim plus scored 12 points, nine boards, and a three-pointer (!); Mohamed Diawara scored five points and facilitated two dimes in four minutes before an ankle injury cut short a promising performance; and Landry Shamet chipped in 14 points, making 4-of-6 from range.
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Quoth Jaybugkit, “Good stuff, no drama stress free team win.” Now our heroes zip back to NYC for a tilt with the Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets tomorrow. Safe travels, Knickerbockers.
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 03: Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks goes to the basket against Alex Sarr #20 of the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on February 3, 2026 in Washington, DC. 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 Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Oh boy. This was not a good game at all. The Washington Wizards lost to the New York Knicks, 132-101 on Tuesday night at Capital One Arena.
Washington never led in this game and were behind by as many as 41 points at one point in the fourth quarter. That tells you all you need to know about how this game went.
Mikal Bridges scored 23 points on 8-of-10 shooting in the game. For Washington, Will Riley led with 17 points. The biggest statistical disparity here was that the Knicks dished a total of 34 assist while the Wizards only nasty 19 assists themselves. Even if the Wizards evened up the assist margin, they probablty would have still lost, but it wouldn’t have been so lopsided.
I’m just not in a good mood right now, so less is more with this recap.
The Wizards’ next game is on Thursday when they head on the road to play the Detroit Pistons. Tip off is at 7 p.m. ET. See you then.
