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Knicks Bulletin: ‘One hundred percent, I sacrificed for the team’

NEW YORK - JUNE 22: NBA Draft Prospect, Jeremy Sochan poses for a portrait during media availability and circuit as part of the 2022 NBA Draft on July 22, 2022 at the Westin Times Square in New York City. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Steven Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Knicks basketball is back as New York takes on Detroit for a third and final time this season.

The Pistons won the first two meetings easily, but they have their two brutes—Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart—suspended for Thursday.

Knicks, please.

Mike Brown

On the losses to the Pistons ahead of Thursday’s matchup:

“Yeah it should. They didn’t just win the game. They beat us pretty bad. So for us, I don’t want to say this game is more important than the next game. Every game is extremely important, but there comes a certain point when you’re in competition. If wins and losses are as lopsided as those two losses, that should shake you up a little bit. At the end of the day, we win tomorrow or win the next two games or however many games we play them, that doesn’t necessarily guarantee come playoff time or vice-versa. I’m a firm believer that I’ve been around this thing too long enough to see some teams go 0-4 and still win the series and some teams go 3-4 and still win the series. So that part doesn’t matter, it’s just about how the first two games turned out for us.”

On the need for evaluating Sochan before the playoffs:

“[Sochan] knows the league. The league knows him. He knows the officials and vice-versa, so they’re gonna get an opportunity, but at the end of the day, I’m gonna play who I think is best for us and right now, Jeremy, he hadn’t played for us, so I’ve gotta see — rather quickly — what we have in him before getting to the playoffs.”

On new lineup combinations and Sochan’s fit:

“When we put our rotation together, I try to think of how the group on the floor fits for a lot of different reasons, not just because this guy is a high-level shooter and this guy is not a high level shooter, but can this center play with this power forward? Can this guard play with this guard in terms of being able to bring the ball and handle against pressure? So there are a lot of different–does this group have enough guys that can go defensive rebound? So I try to look at a lot of different combinations when it comes to putting them together or the pros and cons of the individuals when it comes to putting the individuals together, and it’ll be no different with Jeremy or Jose at the end of the day.”

On Sochan’s size and versatility:

“When you look at Jeremy, you like his size right off the bat, especially for a four. OG is of that size but nobody else really is of that size. And you look at the versatility, over the years, he’s been able to guard one through five, and so to have that versatility on that end of the floor is huge, especially if OG’s out. We’re a lot smaller if OG or Josh or they both are out. And then [Jeremy’s] energy, his physicality, all those things that don’t necessarily show up in a stat sheet in my opinion are welcomed by any team.”

On missing OG Anunoby’s presence:

“At that size and skill set, you always miss that when he’s out. But at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who’s in uniform. You’ve gotta go try and play the right way to win but it’s good to see him back on the floor for sure.”

On Sochan’s expected role:

“I’m not sure how many minutes I’m going to play him, but I plan on trying to use him. And hopefully we get to a point where he’s versatile enough to play one through five for us.”

On Mo Diawara’s future with Sochan in tow:

“Mo’s had a good season so far. As a young guy… and, as you guys know, I’ll play young guys. I have played young guys in front of vets before. But I’m going to give Jeremy an opportunity.”

On Landry Shamet as a true professional:

“When you think of a (true professional), you think on time. When you tell him something, he always looks you in the eye, always trying to correct things. Always playing hard. Never making excuses. Sacrificing for his teammates. Always thinking team first. He can play two minutes, come out and be OK. Or he can play 30 minutes in a row, come out and be OK. The maintenance aspect isn’t there. He’s always connected to the group, trying to help others be connected and his competitive spirit is off the charts. He believes in his teammates and the process. He wants to be held accountable. All those things bode well for having someone like (Shamet) on your team.”

Jeremy Sochan

On struggling with his diminishing role in San Antonio:

“Yeah, it’s tough. In my whole career, I’ve never been sitting on the bench and getting DNPs [did not play, coach’s decision]. You go through a process of questioning why or what’s happening. It can get stressful. But at the end of the day, I came from England, where basketball’s not big. I know my worth. I know what I can bring to the team, and I’m blessed that the organization here has seen that.”

On a fresh start in New York:

“I’m super excited to get a fresh slate and show what I can do.”

On what he brings to the Knicks:

“[I bring] energy, the kind of mold that coach has been doing and what the Knicks have been doing and what he wants from me, I feel I can really excel in. I bring versatility, defense, energy, a little bit of that nasty, so I can’t wait.”

On the lack of opportunity in San Antonio:

“Just no real opportunity, in my opinion. And it is what it is. It’s a very deep team. And maybe I didn’t see eye to eye with Coach, and Coach didn’t see anything I could do for the team. And it is what it is. And I’m just blessed to be in an opportunity where I can grow and blossom.”

On choosing New York as a free agent:

“We’ve talked a lot and it’s just seizing whatever opportunity I can get. And I think one of the reasons I picked New York is it’s a really deep roster, a lot of really talented players. I think it’s a pretty cool opportunity to watch and grow from that too. I think I’m still young, too. So just being around players who have established themselves and have done a lot of stuff in this league is a crazy opportunity for me. … I do believe in myself and I do believe I can do well on the court, too. But I do look at it in the bigger picture. And what’s happening here, I think I can be a part of it.”

On the NYC culture:

“Very excited. The culture here, at the Knicks and New York in general, is crazy and very global. And I feel like I’m global, too. So I’m just super excited to be here and just grow with this city and the club.”

On his versatility and level of effort:

“I’m versatile. I can do a little bit of everything, so whatever coach wants me to do, you know, whatever gets me on the court, I’m gonna do it and I’m gonna do it 100 percent.”

On always being himself on court amid comparisons to Draymond Green:

“At the end of the day, I wanna be Jeremy. I wanna be myself. … I bring versatility, defense, energy, a little bit of tenacity, so I can’t wait.”

On fitting Mike Brown’s plans:

“I think I embody what Mike Brown is asking from his players. I’m a quick learner, so I think I’ve been doing pretty well… The way I view everything is team-first. I’m always gonna be there for my teammates on and off the court. I’m bringing energy, positive vibes and I think that’s the most important thing – consistency. Whether that’s on the court, off the court, I’m gonna be myself every time.”

Jalen Brunson

On Knicks lacking intangibles compared to last season:

“We’re very gifted. We’re very talented. But we need the little things that help us be better, the intangibles. We got to that point last year where we had it. We don’t have it right now.”

On his contract sacrifice and future expectations:

“If I’m thinking about playing well to make sure I get paid, that could mess with me. I play best when I have a free mind, and that did that for me. A lot of people say I sacrificed for the team. One hundred percent, I sacrificed for the team. But most importantly, I made sure my family and I are taken care of. … Obviously, we’d love for them to do right by me. I think anyone would. I feel like I sacrificed.”

On regular season vs. playoffs:

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

On the meaning of true professionalism:

“It should be. It’s not as common (as you would think). It’s more than showing up every day. If you’re doing the bare minimum, you’re not a true professional.”

On Shamet’s value around the league:

“He’s also a big asset. He does a lot for the teams he’s on, and other teams see that. It’s who he has been. I’ve seen that from afar playing against him, and it’s even better when you’re playing with him.”

OG Anunoby

On his toenail injury and recovering from it:

“I’m not for sure exactly how or what led up to it, but I had it removed. It’s getting better each day. It’s not even 2 weeks yet. But it’s healing and each day, it’s getting better and better. I have no toenail. I don’t know when it’ll grow back.”

Josh Hart

On Shamet as an example in today’s NBA:

“People come in and they have to learn to be professionals. Depending on where you get drafted to, it can take two, three or four years, especially if you don’t have a good vet. With how things are shaking out now, there’s a lot less vets on teams to hold guys accountable. It’s (rarer) now, and (Shamet) is a great example of that.”

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Mariners Prospect Rankings #17, OF Jared Sundstrom

AMARILLO, TX - JUNE 29: Jared Sundstrom #4 of the Arkansas Travelers slides into third base during the game between the Arkansas Travelers and the Amarillo Sod Poodles at Hodgetown on Sunday, June 29, 2025 in Amarillo, Texas. (Photo by Elisa Chavez/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)

Jared Sundstrom’s surface numbers from the 2025 season do not scream “Top Twenty Prospect” by any stretch of the imagination. A large-bodied outfielder that strikes out nearly 30% of the time and bats right handed isn’t exactly a hot commodity, so what gives? What makes Sundstrom different?

For starters, the tools Sundstrom brings to the table are still very much present. He’s got massive power with fast hands and belts the ball when he makes contact, a necessary trait for a player that’s likely a corner outfielder in the long run. The power comes with swing-and-miss, but he’s been a steady producer throughout his career, making enough contact to get quality results. Plus, with a bounding stride, massive arm, and quick twitch, Sundstrom is a major asset both in the field and on the basepaths; he can play all three outfield positions and went 35/39 in stolen base attempts last season.

Though his season slashline and counting totals look poor at first glance, some major context is necessary to truly understand why his numbers dipped so starkly. Sundstrom epitomizes the player that is destroyed by the confines of Dickey-Stephens Park, home stadium of the Mariners’ Double-A affiliate, and his home/road splits prove it. When playing on the road, Sundstrom slashed .237/.314/.432 with peripherals in line with his career totals. These numbers would reflect a player who made the jump to Double-A and held his own. His home numbers, however, tell a different story. Slashing .198/.276/.307, Sundstrom saw his right-handed power zapped by the windy, cavernous confines of DSP and subsequently had his “back of the baseball card” numbers for the 2025 season destroyed. Encouragingly, Sundstrom’s peripherals were nearly exactly the same on the road as they were at home, strongly pointing to the notion that the ballpark is playing a major role in his struggles.

Sundstrom is far from a flawless prospect, but his talent far eclipses the numbers he produced last season. It’s a boom-or-bust kind of profile that can be tough to evaluate in the low minors, but his performance in Double-A was rather encouraging and reflected a player who’s got the skills to compete in the upper minors. With speed, defensive skills, and gaudy power, Sundstrom has the look of a future big leaguer. Whether it’s a fourth outfielder, bench bat, or starting right fielder isn’t clear at this point in time, but there’s enough here to reason he’s going to end up making it work. Look for him to start the 2026 season in Tacoma and reap the benefits of the bountiful offensive environment that is the PCL.

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Yankees 2026 Season Preview: Luis Gil

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 28: Luis Gil #81 of the New York Yankees speaks to the media during a press conference beforep laying the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game Three of the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium on October 28, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Despite the possibility they could boast the best starting staff in the division by the All-Star break, the Yankees rotation will have a different composition on Opening Day. They will have to lean on their less-heralded arms to weather the early-season absences of Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón as the pair rehab from their respective elbow surgeries. As things stand, their rotation projects as Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, and Ryan Weathers, rounded out by 2024 AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil.

2025 Stats: 11 starts, 57 IP, 4-1, 3.32 ERA (123 ERA+), 4.63 FIP, 5.65 xFIP, 16.8% K%, 13.5% BB%, 0.79 HR/9, 1.40 WHIP, 0.6 fWAR

2026 ZiPS Projections: 19 starts, 93.2 IP, 5-6, 4.61 ERA, 4.59 FIP, 23.3% K%, 11.8% BB%, 1.25 HR/9, 1.34 WHIP, 1.0 fWAR

Fresh off his RoY win, the Yankees refused to include Gil in a rumored trade for Kyle Tucker before the latter was dealt to the Cubs. Should Gil take the next step in his development at the major league level, one could have dreamed of him establishing a ceiling as a frontline starter. Instead, a lat strain robbed him of the first four months of the season, and warning flags popped up in bunches once he returned to play.

The surface-level stats looked encouraging — in nine of his last ten starts he allowed two or fewer runs across at least five innings in each outing to finish the year with a 3.32 ERA. However, looking under the hood revealed a host of problems. He placed among the four worst starters with at least 50 innings pitched in walk rate, K-BB%, xFIP, and SIERA after losing almost 1.5 mph off his average fastball velocity, leading to plummeting strikeout and chase rates. He gave up a ton of pulled fly balls accompanied by career worsts in average exit velocity and hard-hit rate, both of which underlie alarming jumps in expected slugging and expected FIP.

Not to be too harsh, but all of the lingering hope and hype surrounding Gil boils down to a seven-start stretch from the beginning of May through the first week of June in 2024. Without that five-week span, Gil would not have the AL Rookie of the Year award on his mantel, and his career ERA balloons from 3.50 to 4.15 and FIP from 4.25 to 4.70. Obviously, that is not the way baseball works, but it is still revealing how much weight a relatively short stretch exerts when you have a major league sample size of 242 career innings.

To his credit, Gil remained confident in his abilities when queried about the drop in fastball velocity, asserting that it was an area of maturation to pace himself through a start rather than throw max effort on each hitter (and his fastest pitch at 99 mph proves he can still reach back for velo when he needs it). However, Gil has likely reached his ceiling until he can find consistent command with all three pitches. His 12.7-percent career walk rate is second worst among starters with at least 240 innings pitched since Gil’s debut in 2021. He would suffer starts where he lost the feel for two out of three pitches. Being reduced to throwing just his heater or just his changeup batter after batter caused his strikeout, whiff, and chase rates to crater to career-lows — you just are not going to fool the opposition throwing the same pitch over and over.

All this being said, there are two ways to view Gil’s 2026 season. From the broader team perspective, the Yankees really only need Gil to deputize in rotation until Cole and Rodón are ready to go. Indeed, ZiPS projects him as exactly that type of fringy fifth starter. Though almost all projection systems expect his ERA to increase by about a run, each model predicts his strikeout rate to recover accompanied by a career-low walk rate, perhaps banking that a clean bill of health and a full spring training can put his command in a better spot entering the season.

From the individual focused standpoint, it’s a more worrying outlook for Gil. Once one of the crown jewels of the Yankees’ pitching development, Gil is already finding himself leapfrogged by the prospects graduating below him. His prospects as a long-term starter for the Yankees are dimming in the face of the emergence of Schlittler and Warren and the looming graduations of Elmer Rodríguez and (further down the road) Carlos Lagrange to the majors. Volatility does not project well for a starter, and Gil could be ticketed for a move to the bullpen where at least his high-octane stuff can play up in short spurts.

Thus, Gil finds himself at a crossroads entering the 2026 season. His lack of appreciable development since debuting and the recent trend of disappearing strikeouts severely limit his floor and ceiling as a starter. The urgency is accelerated by the crop of starting pitchers on the cusp of the majors threatening to push Gil out of the future rotation pictures, making the upcoming campaign a make-or-break season for the 27-year-old.

See more of the Yankees Previews series here.

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Who will step up for the Red Sox against lefties in 2026?

As teams reported for spring training, the injury news around the league came in fast and furiously last week. From pitchers who dealt with arm injuries in 2025 and did not have them repaired in the offseason — like Pablo Lopez, Blake Snell, Shane Bieber, and Josh Hader, being eased into the preseason — to a trio of hitters in Corbin Carroll, Francisco Lindor, and Jackson Holliday needing surgery on their hamate bones. Anthony Santander missed over four months a year ago and is just now getting surgery on his shoulder, likely to miss most of 2026 as well. Blue Jays fans should be allowed to file a lawsuit for such behavior. 

The lone Red Sox injury of note last week was not to a full-time starting player but is notable nonetheless. Romy Gonzalez is behind schedule in spring training with shoulder inflammation, but “hopes to be ready for Opening Day,” according to Christopher Smith’s article for Mass Live last week. The more alarming details in this piece are that Gonzalez sustained this injury in the September 19-21 series at Tampa Bay last season. He had a setback in early January and then received a PRP injection later in the month. 

As a general rule, much like with the pitchers listed above, if you end the season with an injury and then arrive at camp the next season with the same injury still bothering you, that’s probably not going to end well. Locally, a recent example would be pitcher Kutter Crawford. In a story that was, coincidentally, posted on February 15th of last year, we learned that Crawford had pitched through a knee injury for 90% of the 2024 season, did not get it repaired in the offseason, and that his “status for the start of the season is iffy.” Innocent wording of that nature — just like “Opening Day is in question,” or “a bit behind the other players” — seems to be copied and pasted into all articles this time of year. It rarely ends well. Crawford did not pitch for Boston in 2025. 

Over the past two weeks, the Red Sox notably signed Isiah Kiner-Falefa to a head-scratching $6 million contract for 2026, as well as bringing back three versatile infielders in a trade with the Brewers. Additionally, the team claimed another versatile infielder, Tsung-Che Cheng, off waivers from the Washington Nationals and added him to the 40-man roster, and added second baseman Brendan Rodgers on a minor-league deal. That is a whole lot of ordinary infielders that have been added to the organization in recent weeks. One might even describe it as a plethora of ordinary infielders. “Would you say that we have a plethora of ordinary infielders, Brez?”

This quantity over quality of approach didn’t make much sense until the Gonzalez news came down a week ago, and is a result of waiting until late in the offseason to address clear deficiencies in the lineup. When noted lefty-killer Rob Refsnyder signed with the Mariners in December for $6.25M, it was hard to fault the team for letting him go with all of the outfielders on the roster and the likelihood of Kristian Campbell also shifting to the outfield.

But with Refsnyder gone, if the team is also without Gonzalez for part, or all, of the season, that is a definite concern against left-handed pitching. Gonzalez, Refsnyder, Rafael Devers, and Alex Bregman were the top four hitters in OPS for the Red Sox a year ago against lefties. Without them, someone is going to have to step up. It should also be noted that Gonzalez is the only other player on the expected Opening Day roster with any experience playing first base except for Willson Contreras. And Gonzalez wasn’t just good against southpaws a year ago, he hit the ball hard against most everybody.

Here is a listing of the 13 players currently projected on Roster Resource to make the Opening Day roster, alongside their stats versus left-handed pitching in 2025, sorted by wRC+. I also included Kristian Campbell, who figures to play a key role on the team this season, and could be a replacement for Gonzalez if he misses time. 

For reference, Refsnyder slashed .302/.399/.560 (.959 OPS) with a 159 wRC+ against lefties in 138 plate appearances. After Romy, the top player in the list above, there isn’t much to hang on to. Roman Anthony will continue to improve, but he struck out 39% of the time. Kristian Campbell walked plenty against lefties, but hit just .207 compared to a .227 average against righties. Ceddanne Rafaela posted a .220 batting average. Jarren Duran was at .211. Alex Cora has already noted that Abreu will get more chances to face lefties, but he had a .230 mark a year ago and has a .205 career average against them. The right-handed hitting Kiner-Falefa, in case you wondered if he was brought in to help in this department, walked 1.6% of the time (!!) and had a .536 OPS against lefties, compared to a .668 OPS against right-handers. Marcelo Mayer was barely allowed to face them, but hit .154 in 26 at-bats. 

A few days ago, when asked about Romy’s progress, Cora described it as “a tough offseason” for Gonzalez and that he is “frustrated” as they wait for the PRP injection to kick in. 

For two-plus years now, many of us on this website have noted the lack of lefty-righty balance in both the major league team and with the looming prospects who are now up in the big leagues. Very little has changed in that sense, and now there’s a new weakness — a lack of power in the lineup after the departure of Alex Bregman and Rafael Devers — that has emerged over the past eight months. It will be interesting to see if anyone on the current roster, such as Abreu, Duran, and Mayer, is able to step up against southpaws this season. Or perhaps it will be a name we aren’t even focusing on at this time, from that plethora of infielders that Craig Breslow has acquired so far this month. 

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Best NBA Player Props Today for February 19: Double Dipping

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Thankfully, the NBA returns to action following the All-Star break with a big 10 games on the schedule for hungry basketball bettors to dig into, and I’m double-dipping on some big swings in tonight’s action.

I’m backing a pair of big men who have played limited minutes lately but who should be primed for big performances coming out of the break.

Those and more NBA picks for Thursday, February 26 below.

Best NBA player props today

PlayerPickbet365
76ers  Kelly Oubre Jr.Over 5.5 rebounds+110
Raptors  Jakob PoeltlDouble-double+625
Celtics  Nikola VucevicDouble-double+195
MORE NBA FREE PICKS

Prop #1: Kelly Oubre Jr. Over 5.5 Rebounds

+110 at bet365

The Atlanta Hawks have a great rebounder in All-Star Jalen Johnson. However, the Hawks are not a particularly strong rebounding team. They aren’t even a mediocre one. 

The Hawks own the fourth-worst rebounding rate and surrender the fifth-highest opponent rebounds per game. That means I’m fading them with a Philadelphia 76ers rebounding prop.

My favorite on the board is Kelly Oubre Jr. The Sixers’ wing pulled down 5.7 rebounds per game over his last seven games heading into the break. His number is at 5.5, a number he’s topped four times in that seven-game stretch.

  • Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network Southeast-Atlanta, NBCSP

Prop #2: Jakob Poeltl Double-Double

+625 at bet365

If Jakob Poeltl isn’t a full go for the Toronto Raptors by now, he might never be. 

The Raps' big man played 20 minutes in his return from injury, going for nine points and six rebounds against the Detroit Pistons.

Now, he’s even more rested and gets a great matchup against the Chicago Bulls. Chicago plays really small these days, thanks to injuries and trading away Nikola Vucevic. 

The Bulls surrender the fourth-most points in the paint per game this season and are 28th in rebounding rate over the last five games.

This sets up well for a classic Jak attack.

  • Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: SportsNet, CHSN

Prop #3: Nikola Vucevic Double-Double

+195 at bet365

Speaking of Vucevic, while he isn’t starting for the Boston Celtics, he’s still having the same impact if he were, and is as efficient as he’s ever been. 

Vucevic is averaging 13.7 points and 9.7 rebounds playing 26 minutes per game as a member of the Celtics. He’s also recorded two double-doubles in three games with his new team, and I’m betting he gets another tonight.

He faces the Golden State Warriors, whose best interior presence is still Draymond Green. The Dubs now rank 23rd in rebounding rate. Vuc should clean the glass while hitting double digits in the scoring column.

  • Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: Prime Video

These props are available now at bet365, one of our best betting sites.

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Oilers Have Trade Target To Consider In Jets D-Man

The Edmonton Oilers will undoubtedly be a team to watch once the NHL Olympic roster freeze lifts. With the 2026 NHL trade deadline rapidly approaching, they are expected to be buyers. 

One clear area that the Oilers could look to improve is their defensive group. Their right side, in particular, could use more depth. Due to this, one player who the Oilers should consider making a push for is Winnipeg Jets defenseman Luke Schenn. 

With Schenn being a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) and the Jets currently not holding a playoff spot, the right-shot defenseman has been creating chatter in the rumor mill as a trade candidate. If the Oilers acquired him, he would give them another veteran blueliner to work with. It also doesn't hurt that he has won the Stanley Cup twice in his career as well. 

When looking at a potential fit in the Oilers' lineup for Schenn, he could work well on their bottom pairing. Furthermore, due to his shutdown ability, he would also give the Oilers another potential option for their penalty kill. 

Ultimately, with the Oilers needing more depth and bite on their blueline, bringing in a solid veteran defenseman like Schenn could make sense for them. It will be interesting to see if they make a push for him from here. 

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The Celtics just signed two new players, and here’s why

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 4: Dalano Banton #45 of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers during the Quarterfinals of the In-Season Tournament on December 4, 2023 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 2023 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

TheCeltics are signing Dalano Banton and John Tonje to Ten-Day contracts, upping their total number of rostered players to 14. 

And, if both of those names sound familiar, it’s because they are. 

John Tonje was recently added to the Celtics’ roster on a two-way contract with Boston after being acquired ahead of the trade deadline (in the cost-cutting move that sent Chris Boucher to the Utah Jazz).

Dalanto Banton, meanwhile, returns to Boston after spending most of the past two years with the Portland Trail Blazers. Banton was initially on the Celtics team that won the NBA title in 2024, but he was traded to Portland ahead of the trade deadline and finished out the year with the Trail Blazers. 

Let’s take a look at each player, what they could bring to Boston – and why the Celtics made these moves. 

First – why did the Celtics sign two players to Ten-Day contracts?

As most readers probably know, the Celtics got below the luxury tax line ahead of the trade deadline, after trading Anfernee Simons to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Nikola Vucevic, and salary-dumping Chris Boucher (to the Utah Jazz), Xavier Tillman (to the Charlotte Hornets), and Josh Minott (to the Brooklyn Nets). 

But, they also only had 12 players on the roster, and teams can only carry fewer than 14 players for up to 14 days at a time – and fewer than 28 total days. 

So, on February 19th, the Celtics had no choice but to add two players. In March, they can go back to 12 players in order to stay below the tax line, but eventually they’ll have to carry a full, 14-player roster again. 

Utilizing ten-day contracts allows the Celtics remain below the tax – something that multiple people around the team have stressed is not a mandate from ownership. 

What Dalano Banton brings to the Celtics 

Banton has played for six different NBA teams since being drafted 46th overall in 2021. He’s a 6’8 guard who can score in a variety of ways, but has never been particularly efficient (for his career, Banton has shot 40.3% from the field and 30.4% from three-point range). 

But his shooting has trended upwards of late, and he’s had several pretty successful stints in recent years. 

Banton spent the first two years of his career with the Toronto Raptors, who drafted him, before joining the Celtics. That season, he appeared in 24 games for the Celtics, averaging 7 minutes a night as a member of the Stay Ready crew. 

He was traded to Portland at the midseason trade deadline, where he almost immediately began playing the best basketball of his professional career, averaging 16.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in Portland for the remainder of that season. 

Amid that hot stretch in 2024, Derrick White praised Banton’s play.

“He’s always been talented,” White said. “A guy who can score the ball in many different ways. He’s getting a chance to show that for everybody else. It’s good to see him going out there, being aggressive, and showing the world what he can do. The NBA is kind of tough, where you’re at, your role, and your opportunity. He was always working hard – and he was ready for it.”

Banton returned to the Trail Blazers last season and was once again in the rotation, but with a more reduced role, averaging 8.3 points and 2.4 assists in 16.7 minutes per game. 

This year, he is having a standout season in the G League, averaging 23.7 points, 5.9 assists, and 3.4 rebounds for the Texas Legends, the Dallas Mavericks’ G League affiliate. He signed one ten-day contract with the Los Angeles Clippers on February 8th, and appeared in two games (totalling 10 minutes) ahead of the All-Star break. 

Now, Banton returns to Boston, where he still has fans almost two years later. The former Nebraska star will reunite with Joe Mazzulla and the rest of the Celtics coaching staff – as well as several old teammates from the Celtics’ championship team: Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, Neemias Queta, and Jordan Walsh. 

With Anfernee Simons no longer on the roster, Banton could serve as an emergency ball-handler for the Celtics in the wake of injury. He’s also someone the Celtics know and trust won’t be a negative in the locker room, something that Brad Stevens has routinely stressed is critical. 

Newly-acquired two-way player John Tonje also gets a Ten-Day 

John Tonje, who was drafted 53rd overall in June, has been a standout for the Salt Lake City Stars this season, averaging 18 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. 

That came on the heels of a big-time NCAA Tournament run with the Wisconsin Badgers, in which he averaged 19.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Before Wisconsin, he spent four seasons at Colorado State and one year in Missouri.

And before that? Tonje was teammates with Baylor Scheierman, playing for the since-shuttered Omaha Sports Academy. 

In two games since arriving in Maine, Tonje is averaging 25 points and 5.5 rebounds, shooting 42.5% from the field. 

What Banton and Tonje’s futures hold in Boston remains to be seen, but both guards have the opportunity to play on the second-best team in the Eastern Conference.

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Phillies' new-look bullpen shines against big bats

Phillies' new-look bullpen shines against big bats originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

CLEARWATER, Fla. – The Phillies’ revamped bullpen was the talk of spring training on Thursday.

Brad Keller, Jonathan Bowlan and Kyle Backhus each threw live sessions against the Phillies’ best hitters, a group that included Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber.

The new arms were impressive.

Keller retired Harper and Schwarber on routine fly balls in the first session of the afternoon. Bowlan then struck out Turner and Schwarber in consecutive at-bats. Backhus kept everyone off balance with his funky sidearm delivery from the left side.

Adding Keller, Bowlan and Backhus to a returning nucleus of Jhoan Duran, Orion Kerkering, Jose Alvarado and Tanner Banks makes for a potentially dominant collection of relievers.

“It’s probably the best group of arms that we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Rob Thomson said following Thursday’s workout.

The manager was especially impressed with how Bowlan and Backhus fared against the club’s veteran bats.

“They were really good,” Thomson said. “Bowlan was outstanding. He has a great arm, but he can really spin it too and he was throwing strikes. Backhus is a completely different look for people, that really low sidearm slot with velocity and sink. He filled up the strikes zone with sliders. He’s really difficult on lefthanded hitters.”

The Phillies acquired Bowlan from the Royals in the offseason trade that sent Matt Strahm to Kansas City. Bowlan, a 28-year old righthander with three years of major league experience, posted a 3.86 ERA in 33 relief appearances and one start for the Royals last season.

Backhus came to Philadelphia via a separate offseason trade in which the Phillies sent minor league outfield prospect Avery Owusu-Asiedu to the Diamondbacks. Backhus, a 28-year old lefty, had a 4.62 ERA in 32 relief appearances for Arizona last season as a rookie.   

Keller is the most notable bullpen addition. He received a two-year, $22 million free agent contract after posting a 2.07 ERA in 68 appearances for the Cubs in 2025. The 30-year old righthander is a converted starter who shined in his first full season in a relief role.

Keller has been welcomed with open arms in his new clubhouse.   

“Everything has been awesome,” Keller said. “All the guys here have been great. It’s been amazing. Everyone is super laid-back, which is awesome. Coming into a camp with a lot of veteran guys helps out a ton. I’m just getting my feet underneath me and ready for the season.”

 Keller echoed Thomson’s sentiments about the potential of the Phillies bullpen.

“I’m really excited,” he said. “Obviously we have a lot of dogs down there, a lot of guys who throw hard. I’m just trying to fit right in, go out there and do my job, put up a zero and pass it to the next guy. I’m excited just to be a part of it.”

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Athletics Community Prospect List: Cole Miller Lays Claim To #15

ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 01: An Oakland A's hat on the infield grass before the Saturday afternoon MLB game between the Atlanta Braves and the Oakland A's on June 1, 2024 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

*In an effort to make the nomination voting easier for everyone, I will comment, “NOMINATIONS”, and you may reply to that with your picks and upvote the player you’d like to see on the next nominee list.

We have our third straight right-handed pitcher winning another round of voting, with 20-year-old Cole Miller taking the 15th spot in our CPL. Drafted a couple of years ago but only making his pro debut this past season due to Tommy John surgery, Miller is a project that may take some time but one that has the A’s excited to see his progression. He’s got a wicked fastball that sits mid-90’s and he pairs that with a solid slider and a developing changeup. The A’s are developing him as a starter but a future as a high-leverage arm isn’t a bad floor to have.

Our next nominee will be Yunior Tur, a right-hander that pitched across three levels this past season culminating in a a few starts with the Aviators. A signee out of Cuba in 2023, Tur relies on an improving mid-90’s fastball that’s now touching 99, hard slider that is his second-best pitch, but he’s also been developing the third pitch necessary to be a starter in the big leagues, a splitter. He set a career-high in innings pitched this past season but like Miller, his future might be brightest in the bullpen where he can really let that fastball do some damage to opposing batters. If he continues on his current trajectory Tur will surely be a name to watch as a possible summer option for the big league squad this coming season. We won’t have to wait long because he’s already in camp with the A’s this spring, forgoing a chance to play in the WBC to instead try to impress the A’s coaching staff. Gotta love the commitment.

The process for this public vote is explained below. Please take a moment to read this before participating:

  • Please only vote for one. The player with the most votes at the end of voting will win the ranked spot. The remaining four players move on to the next ballot where they are joined by a new nominee.
  • In the comments, below the official voting, the community will nominate players to be put onto the ballot for the next round. The format for your comment should be “Nomination: Player Name”.
  • If a prospect is traded, his name will be crossed out, and all other players will be moved up a space. If a prospect is acquired, a special vote will be put up to determine where that player should rank.

Click on the link here to vote!

* * *

A’s fans top prospects, ranked:

  1. Leo De Vries, SS
  2. Jamie Arnold, LHP
  3. Gage Jump, LHP
  4. Wei-En Lin, LHP
  5. Braden Nett, RHP
  6. Henry Bolte, OF
  7. Johenssy Colome, SS
  8. Edgar Montero, SS
  9. Steven Echavarria, RHP
  10. Devin Taylor, OF
  11. Mason Barnett, RHP
  12. Tommy White, 3B
  13. Henry Baez, RHP
  14. Zane Taylor, RHP
  15. Cole Miller, RHP

The voting continues! Time for A’s fans to pick the 16th-best prospect the A’s have down on the farm. Here’s a quick rundown on each nominee— the scouting grades (on a 20-to-80 scale) and scouting reports come from MLB Pipeline.

Nominees on the current ballot:

Kade Morris, RHP

Expected level: Triple-A | Age: 23

2025 stats (AA/AAA): 4.38 ERA, 28 starts, 150 IP, 128 K, 48 BB, 16 HR, 4.71 FIP

MLB Pipeline grades and scouting report:

Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 40

Morris runs up his four-seam fastball to about 95-96 mph and also throws a sinker with good arm-side run in the 92-95 range. His mid-80s slider has developed into an above-average secondary offering. His mid-70s curveball provides a good variation of pitch speeds, though he is still working to make it a more consistent pitch, along with his improving upper-80s changeup.

Morris is athletic with his 6-foot-3 frame. His competitive drive stands out whenever he takes the mound. Discovering the right arm slot that allows for the most consistency is the next big step in his development. How that pans out as he moves through the system will likely determine his long-term role, though he profiles as a back-end starter given his overall pitch mix and solid control.

Shotaro Morii, SS/RHP

Expected level: Low-A | Age: 19

2025 stats (Rookie Affiliate): 188 PA, .258/.399/.384, 8 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR, 27 RBI, 36 BB, 47 K, 4 SB

MLB Pipeline grades and scouting report:

Scouting grades (hitter): Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40

Scouting grades (pitcher): Fastball: 55 | Slider: 40 | Curveball: 45 | Splitter: 50 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

At the plate, Morii features a smooth left-handed swing with tremendous balance. His power stands out, as he clubbed 45 home runs as a high schooler. He is considered an advanced hitter with good barrel control. On the mound, his fastball has been clocked as high as 95 mph and sits around 92-93. He also brings a splitter with nasty movement, a true 12-to-6 curveball and a tighter slider with solid bite and depth, though that offering will probably require some fine-tuning. Having only been pitching with regularity for less than two years, Morii’s arm is relatively fresh as he enters the organization.

Morii’s high-octane throwing arm plays well at shortstop, but some evaluators see a possibility of moving to third base as his 6-foot-1 frame fills out. While scouts see Morii’s long-term future in the batter’s box, the A’s plan on giving him every opportunity to succeed as a two-way player, with excitement already building over his impressive physical traits and desire to become one of the next great players out of Japan.

Junior Perez, OF

Expected level: Triple-A | Age: 24

2025 stats (AA/AAA): 587 PA, .231/.348/.473, 29 doubles, 6 triples, 26 HR, 87 RBI, 87 BB, 165 K, 27 SB

Per Billy Owens, Athletics director of player personnel and assistant GM: “Perez is a live-bodied specimen with high-caliber tools. His range and athleticism stand out defensively. Offensively, he can be streaky, but he has displayed plus bat speed, patience and real power. Solid package. Development is not linear. Patience will be required to realize his significant potential.”

Gunnar Hoglund, RHP

Expected level: Triple-A/Majors | Age: 26

2025 stats (Triple-A): 2.43 ERA, 6 starts, 29 2/3 IP, 30 K, 7 BB, 3 HR, 4.17 FIP

2025 stats (Majors): 6.40 ERA, 6 starts, 32 1/3 IP, 23 K, 11 BB, 10 HR, 6.75 FIP

MLB Pipeline grades and scouting report:

Scouting grades: Fastball: 45 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 60 | Overall: 45

Though Hoglund may never get back the electric stuff he possessed earlier in his career, the A’s were encouraged to see his fastball velocity tick back up to the low-90s. He has also experimented with adding a two-seamer and cutter. His low-80s slider now features more sweeping action and works as his main secondary pitch. He has also improved his low-80s changeup, creating a solid three-pitch mix that is enhanced by a strong ability to consistently throw strikes.

Now three years removed from Tommy John, the A’s are hopeful that Hoglund can develop into a solid back-end rotation piece, especially if he can successfully develop a fourth pitch. The Florida native was regularly going deep into starts in his big league cameo (6.40 ERA with 23 strikeouts to 11 walks across 32 1/3 innings) before going down with the injury and is expected to make a full recovery before the 2026 season.

Yunior Tur, RHP

Expected level: Triple-A | Age: 26

2025 stats (A+/AA/AAA): 3.29 ERA, 26 starts (30 appearances), 125 2/3 IP, 130 K, 60 BB, 7 HR, 3.79 FIP

Per The Athletics’ Keith Law:

Tur is 26 but only signed with the A’s before the 2023 season after several seasons pitching in the Serie Nacional in Cuba. He started almost all of last year, going from High A to Triple A, although I think he’s a straight reliever. He comes straight over the top, sitting 96 with some ride along with a 55 splitter and a low-90s cutter that doesn’t miss many bats. The slider is fringy and he’s very north-south because of the arm slot. He could pitch in the big-league bullpen right now.

* * *

Programming Note: Each CPL vote will run for around 48 hours, so don’t delay in making your vote!

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Georgia is facing more reckless driving problems following the arrests of Cole and Ikinnagbon

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Georgia linebackers Chris Cole and Darren Ikinnagbon were arrested on misdemeanor charges of speeding and reckless driving by Athens-Clarke County Police on Wednesday night.

According to jail records, Cole was booked at 9:59 p.m. and released on $26 bail at 10:39 p.m. Ikinnagbon, also charged with following too closely, was booked at 10:27 p.m. and released on $39 bail at 11:08 p.m.

Georgia told The Associated Press on Thursday the school is aware of the charges and gathering information.

“As this is an ongoing legal matter, we will not be providing further comment at this time," the school's statement reads.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart addressed his frustration last season in trying to put an end to driving offenses by players. Georgia had three players leave the program following arrests on driving offenses last season.

The issue took on heightened importance when a crash killed a player and a recruiting staffer in January 2023, shortly after the team celebrated its second straight national championship. Offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy were killed in the crash.

Wide receiver Nitro Tuggle and offensive lineman Marques Easley were suspended from the team on March 20, 2025, atter Tuggle’s arrest for speeding and reckless driving. They eventually left the program.

Also, offensive lineman Nyier Daniels was dismissed from the team on Nov. 24, 2025, following his arrest on multiple charges resulting from a high-speed police chase in the city of Commerce, near Athens.

Cole ranked fourth on the team with 59 tackles and second with seven tackles for losses, including 4.5 sacks, as a sophomore last season. Ikinnagbon appeared in five games and had two tackles as a freshman.

___

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Suns vs. Spurs predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends and best bets for February 19

The San Antonio Spurs (38-16) host the Phoenix Suns (32-23) tonight at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, marking the third matchup of the season between these Western Conference rivals. The Spurs take the court riding high with a six-game winning streak. Victor Wembanyama and co. currently sit second in the Western Conference. Conversely, Phoenix, sitting in seventh, is looking to bounce back following losses in three of their last four heading into the All-Star break.

San Antonio enters this matchup as a heavy favorite despite Phoenix having won the first two matchups against the Spurs this season. San Antonio was playing better heading into the Break, and they have excelled on their home court this season (19-6). The Spurs boast a balanced attack, with Wembanyama (24.4PPG) and De'Aaron Fox (19.4PPG). Defensively, the Spurs have been elite of late allowing only 110.1 points over their last 10 games.

For the Suns, the challenge is maintaining their offensive rhythm without Dillon Brooks (suspension for too many technical fouls). Devin Booker, however, continues to be stellar, averaging 25.2 points and 6.3 assists. Phoenix will need a massive performance from their leader to overcome San Antonio's suffocating defense. Other than Brooks, the Suns will dress a full lineup tonight. They are healthy following the break, with Grayson Allen and Isaiah Livers returning, which provides necessary depth to handle a Spurs team that has, statistically, been the superior squad leading up to this game.

Lets take a closer look at the matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

After 24 years, the NBA is back on NBC and Peacock, combining the nostalgia of an iconic era with the innovative future of basketball coverage. The NBA on NBC YouTube channel delivers fans must-see highlights, analysis, and exclusive and unique content. 

Game Details and How to Watch Live: Suns at Spurs

  • Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026
  • Time: 8:30PM EST
  • Site: Moody Center
  • City: Austin, TX
  • Network/Streaming: Arizona’s Family 3TV, KENS 5, NBA League Pass

Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest NBA Player News for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Game Odds: Suns at Spurs

The latest odds as of Thursday courtesy of DraftKings:

  • Moneyline: Phoenix Suns (+235), San Antonio Spurs (-290)
  • Spread: Spurs -7.5
  • Total: 229.5 points

This game opened Spurs -6.5 with the Total set at 225.5.

Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule! 

Expected Starting Lineups: Suns at Spurs

Phoenix Suns

  • PG Collin Gillespie
  • SG Devin Booker
  • SF Grayson Allen
  • PF Royce O’Neale
  • C Mark Williams

San Antonio Spurs

  • PG De’Aaron Fox
  • SG Devin Vassell
  • SF Stephon Castle
  • PF Julian Champagnie
  • C Victor Wembanyama

Injury Report: Suns at Spurs

Phoenix Suns

  • Dillon Brooks (suspended) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
  • Cole Anthony (recently traded for) is listed as OUT for tonight’s game

San Antonio Spurs

  • Mason Plumlee (conditioning) is listed as OUT for tonight’s game
  • Lindy Waters (knee) is listed as OUT for tonight’s game

Important stats, trends and insights: Suns at Spurs

  • The Spurs are 19-6 at home this season
  • The Suns are 14-13 on the road this season
  • The Spurs are 29-23-2 ATS this season / 13-10-2 at home
  • The Suns are 34-19-2 ATS this season / 17-9-1 on the road
  • The OVER has cashed in 24 of the Suns’ 55 games this season (24-31)
  • The OVER has cashed in 23 of the Spurs’ 55 games this season (23-32)
  • The Spurs are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games
  • Through 6 games in February, Collin Gillespie is averaging4.8 assists per game BUT has reached 4 assists in just 3 of those 6 games
  • Stephon Castle has averaged 5.4 rebounds over 5 games in February but has reached 5 rebounds in just 2 of the 5 games

Rotoworld Best Bet

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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
 
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s Suns and Spurs’ game:

  • Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline
  • Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Suns +7.5 ATS
  • Total: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Game Total UNDER 229.5

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar! 

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: 

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
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Josh Dix leads Creighton to upset of UConn, 2 weeks after mother's death

Connecticut men's basketball held a moment of silence for the late mother of Creighton's Josh Dix ahead of the teams' Big East game on Wednesday, Feb. 18.

Dix paid the No. 5-ranked Huskies back by scoring 13 of his 21 points in the second half to lead the Bluejays to a 91-84 upset victory in Storrs, Connecticut. The massive performance from Dix came two weeks after his mother died from colon cancer.

REQUIRED READING: Mick Cronin is a bully, can't help it. 'John Wooden would be beside himself'

"I really respect this university for doing that and thinking of my mom," Dix said, via ESPN. "I know she would greatly appreciate it. I know she saw that."

Creighton had lost to UConn by 27 points (85-58) on Jan. 31, the game before Dix's mother died. The Bluejays were heavy underdogs on the road on Feb. 18, but were able to find a way to hand the Huskies their first conference home loss of the season.

"That locker room is still healing, and they needed a shot in the arm," Creighton coach Greg McDermott said after the game. "We have been through a lot as a group; we've shed a lot of tears, and they needed something like this. It's a great win for us. I'm not sure I've ever been prouder of a group."

Dix, a transfer from Iowa, has averaged 12.3 points per game for Creighton this season. He did not score and went 0-for-6 from the field in the previous game against the Huskies. Along with the 21 points — which came on 6-of-10 shooting, including 3-of-4 from 3 — Dix also added eight rebounds on Feb. 18.

"I couldn't do it alone," Dix said. "My family, my teammates, my coaches, they all stick by my side. I try not to be alone; I try to be around people who want to see you do well.

"Basketball brings a lot of joy to a lot of people, so that kind of takes your mind of a lot of stuff. They have meant a lot, something like this can either separate you or get you closer to your teammates. They have all been by my side. The last couple of weeks haven't been easy, but they stuck by my side."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Josh Dix, Creighton upset UConn, 2 weeks after star's mother's death

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Jordan Westburg has reportedly had imaging done on his elbow

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 18: Jordan Westburg #11 of the Baltimore Orioles reacts during the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 18, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jordan Westburg reported to Orioles spring training and landed on the “surprise offseason injury” list immediately with a reported sore oblique. Within the last day, rumors swirled up out of places that aren’t usually worth taking seriously as sources of reliable baseball information about concerns about Westburg’s elbow. Unfortunately, those concerns have now hit the mainstream press, with The Baltimore Banner’s Andy Kostka being the first to report that Westburg has had imaging done on his elbow.

As of yet, nothing has been reported by the Orioles regarding this injury. Reporters including Kostka and MASN’s Roch Kubatko tried to pin down manager Craig Albernaz about what was going on with Westburg, whether there were additional concerns for him than just the previously-reported oblique. “He’s physically unable to participate right now,” was the manager’s cagey response, dodging away from directly responding about the elbow.

More concerning for me is this one from the manager, relayed from Kubatko’s article:

Asked about possible concerns within the organization that Westburg is hurt worse than assumed, Albernaz said, “Oh, just want to make sure we’re doing our due diligence and make sure Jordan is in the best chance to play this year.”

I’ve added the bold for emphasis because for me that’s the classic tell about when an injury is worse than anyone with the team has openly said. Until 24 hours ago, there was no indication that there might be any reason why Westburg would not play this year. Even if you were glum about the oblique, that’s not a miss all season injury. Albernaz wouldn’t have referred to it that way.

With Kostka’s report following shortly after that scrum, it’s not looking good. Secret elbow imaging with delays for “due diligence” pretty much only end up one way, even if it is much less common for an infielder to require surgery on the elbow. For now, there’s no precise news.

Exhibition games haven’t even begun yet for the Orioles and we already know they’re going to have to resort to backup plans at multiple positions in the infield. Westburg’s situation added to Jackson Holliday’s broken hamate bone means that second base and third base will have different players on Opening Day than we all would have assumed two weeks ago.

If Westburg is missing a substantial amount of time, the question of whether Coby Mayo can semi-competently handle third base at the major league level is something the Orioles are going to need to figure out over the course of the Grapefruit League schedule. If Mayo is able to do this, and also if he is able to hit like he showed last September, then Westburg’s absence will be far less bruising. If Mayo is not the answer, the team will need to scramble for Plan C.

Recently-acquired infielder Blaze Alexander seems like the candidate to get several weeks worth of starts at second base until Holliday returns to action. That’s not why the Orioles acquired him, since Holliday’s injury hadn’t even happened yet when the Orioles made the trade. The way things have played out, it seems like that’s the use he should get.

Nobody else get hurt for the rest of camp. Thanks!

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Why Celtics signed two players to 10-day deals, and what comes next

Why Celtics signed two players to 10-day deals, and what comes next originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

As the Boston Celtics emerge from the NBA All-Star break, all eyes will be on Jayson Tatum as he gears up for a (potential) return.

But the Celtics also did some end-of-the-roster shuffling Thursday that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Boston officially signed two players to 10-day contracts: free agent Dalano Banton and recently-acquired two-way player John Tonje. With those moves, the Celtics now have 14 players on their active roster and two players on two-way deals (Ron Harper Jr. and Max Shulga), with one open NBA roster spot and one open two-way spot.

Why are Brad Stevens and Co. handing out 10-day contracts instead of pursuing bigger names on the buyout market? The likely explanation boils down to one word: money.

Let’s break it down:

Why Celtics made these moves now

By rule, NBA teams can’t have fewer than 14 players on their roster for more than two weeks at a time. The Celtics were at 12 players exactly two weeks ago — the day of the NBA trade deadline — after a flurry of moves that sent out Anfernee Simons, Josh Minott, Xavier Tillman and Chris Boucher and helped them dip under the luxury tax. (More on that shortly.)

So, the C’s had to add two players to their roster Thursday no matter what, which explains the timing of these moves.

Financial implications of Celtics’ moves

Boston was barely under the luxury tax coming out the All-Star break — roughly $1 million below the $187.9 million threshold. So, if the team’s goal is to remain under that threshold for the rest of the season, even signing a player on the buyout market for the veteran minimum wouldn’t be feasible.

Enter the 10-day contract. Per NBA salary cap analyst Yossi Gozlan, Banton’s deal will cost the Celtics less than $132,000, while Tonje’s deal is for just $73,000, since he was converted from a two-way deal.

In theory, the C’s could continue this pattern — let the 10-day contracts of Banton and Tonje expire, spend a full two weeks with fewer than 14 players, sign two more players to 10-day contracts, go another two weeks with fewer than 14 players, etc. — for the rest of the season to spend as little as possible and stay under the tax.

The Celtics also can promote one of their two-way players (likely Harper) to an NBA deal, which would be prorated for the rest of the season.

The upshot? These moves could be the first step in Boston playing musical chairs with the back end of its roster to stay under the luxury tax.

What are the benefits of staying under the luxury tax?

So, why are the Celtics seemingly jumping through so many hoops to duck under the tax?

As Stevens insisted after the deadline, there’s no mandate from ownership to be below the luxury tax; the C’s were simply taking advantage of an opportunity they “didn’t think would be there” after trading Simons to Chicago in return for Nikola Vucevic.

The benefits of getting below the tax line involve resetting the NBA’s repeater tax, which forces teams to pay multiples on the dollar (starting at $2.50 for every $1) for player contracts. The Celtics have been in the repeater tax for the last several seasons, resulting in massive payrolls that will become even more prohibitive the longer they stay in the luxury tax.

Teams can “reset” those repeater taxes by finishing under the luxury tax in at least two of the next four seasons. So, if Boston stays under the luxury tax this season and next season, it can return to paying normal salary rates as soon as the 2027 offseason.

This may not sound particularly exciting. But that financial flexibility could allow the Celtics to spend big in 2027 free agency to build the latest version of a contender around Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown — all while remaining a legitimate contender in the interim.

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Nets vs. Cavs preview: Back in action

CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 11: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts during the first half against the Washington Wizards at Rocket Arena on February 11, 2026 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
CLEVELAND, OHIO – FEBRUARY 11: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts during the first half against the Washington Wizards at Rocket Arena on February 11, 2026 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

After a few days off, NBA basketball is back. The Brooklyn Nets were off for NBA festivities last weekend and return to action hoping to speed through the rest of the regular season. When we last saw them, they blew an 18 point lead and lost to the Indiana Pacers on February 12.

The opponent tonight is trying to break into the top tier. The Cleveland Cavaliers are trying to get back to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2018. They’re within striking distance of the No. 2 seed and helped the cause after beating up the Washington Wizards on February 11. They’re on a five game winning streak.

Where to follow the game

YES Network on TV. Gotham Sports on streaming. WFAN on radio. Tip after 7 PM.

🤕 Injuries

Nic Claxton sprained his ankle at practice on February 18. He’s out tonight. Josh Minott, newly acquired from the Celtics at the deadline, is with Long Island as is Ben Saraf and the three two-ways. They’re playing at noon today in Birmingham vs. the Pelicans’ G Leaguers, the Squadron. Game can be seen on the G League website.

No Max Strus or Nae’Quan Tomlin.

🏀 The game

Cleveland won the first meeting in October.

Without Claxton, the Nets will turn to Day’ron Sharpe in the starting five. Sharpe has shown himself to be a more than capable big in the NBA and will start for as long as Clax is out. He’ll be matched up on the inside with our old friend Jarrett Allen. Like many of the Cavs, Allen is going to need to exceed expectations in the postseason if they want to get to their first Conference Finals without LeBron James on the team since 1992. Allen and Evan Mobley are tasked with owning the boards and finishing at the rim.

Nolan Traore will get a workout tonight. He’ll be matched up with the amazing Donovan Mitchell and will do what he can to slow him down. Mitchell is one of the leaders in drives to the rim per game and is still one of the game’s best finishers at the rim. Put it all together and it equals a career best 29 points per game on the season. For Traore, games like this will serve as a great measure of his growth and push him to be even better going forward.

This is the first leg of a back-to-back for the Nets. When they’re done, they immediately head out for a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night. The schedule makers certainly aren’t making it easy on the Nets, that’s for sure.

And with this being the first leg of the b2b, Michael Porter Jr will play tonight. MPJ has been out since February 7 with right knee tendinitis. The rest should do him plenty of good and the Nets will turn to him to make things happen against this Cavs defense. In all likelihood he’ll sit in Oklahoma City so there shouldn’t be too many restrictions on him tonight. MPJ scored 31 points in the first meeting between these teams way back in October, and Jordi Fernandez will look to

👀 Player to watch: James Harden

Hey, we know him! James Harden was doing well with the LA Clippers as they surged back up the standings. However, they weren’t going to give him a contract extension, so he left and is here. Somebody got to asking James about loyalty, and here’s what he had to say:

There’s that.

On the court, Harden hopes to be the last piece to a championship puzzle for Kenny Atkinson and friends. A big midseason move like this causes everyone to make some changes so the team is comfortable with the new reality. How have the Cavs been doing on that front? Pretty well, so far. From Brendon Ulen of Fear the Sword:

“We have already seen him play faster with the Cavs. But will he move more off-ball? Will he keep the defense in rotation, or will he let it reset and probe it himself when the ball returns to him? If he allows defensive resets, will this mute the impact of the motion-related leaps Jaylon Tyson and Merrill have made? These are all open questions.

The Cavs could attempt to exclusively play their motion-heavy style and fit James in. The man can do it if he chooses. They could also embrace Harden-ball and effectively run two systems, switching between them based on personnel and situation, especially when Harden is on the floor without Mitchell. One system or two? The correct answer to this question is unknown. Having a clear approach is critical though. The Cavs have the rest of the regular season to figure out what they believe is best.“

This is a make-or-break season for a lot of the Cavaliers, and Harden’s play will determine a lot about what Cleveland’s future will look like.

Egor Dёmin is back from Los Angeles and an appearance in the Rising Stars game. Being in the game was a great opportunity for Dёmin to rub shoulders with some of the game’s brightest young stars and show that he belongs. With the Nets looking to the future, Egor has show that he will be a big part of it. The Cavs allow teams to shoot 37.2% from three point range, third worst in the NBA (the Nets are second worst so prepare to see a bushel of three point attempts tonight!). Finding easy looks for Dёmin will help determine this one and if he can heat up early, it will keep the Nets in it against one of the better teams in the league.

📺 From the Vault

Ones in the air for Jesse Jackson

More reading: Fear the Sword, SB Nation NBA, New York Post, New York Daily News, Clutch Points, Nets Wire, Steve’s Newsletter