分類: 综合

It’s fair to say that Derrick Rose became the biggest name in Chicago Bulls history since the days of Michael Jordan. Until an ACL injury and subsequent injuries derailed his career, Rose was viewed and played as a true generational star, becoming the first player since MJ to win the MVP award as a Bulls player.

However, that doesn’t come close to clarifying exactly what D-Rose means to Chicago, which the Chicago Cubs’ Pete Crowe-Armstrong might have a fair idea about. The 37-year-old recently spoke about his meeting with Rose, claiming the Bulls legend was everything he wanted.

“That was one of the best days of my life”

Pete Crowe-Armstrong talks about the time he met Chicago legend Derrick Rose 🌹🏀 pic.twitter.com/yuTlDj0rSn

– MLB (@MLB) 25 February 2026

“That was one of the best days of my life. Yeah, D-Rose was big in my house growing up. I’m learning what he really means to the city. He gave me a ton of his time one day, and he reminded me that, like, I have to be there. He really took the time to get to know me and listen to my story,” he said, per a post by MLB on X, before explaining that Rose had the answer to everything he was unsure about.

“It almost felt like he had the answer to everything, either I was unsure about it or, but he made it seem like, he was Chicago, and really is Chicago. But that guy is everything and more that I wanted him to be. He was the best thing ever,” Crowe-Armstrong said.

Rose was drafted first overall by the Bulls in 2008, immediately breathing life into a struggling franchise by earning Rookie of the Year honors and leading the team to a 41–41 record. However, his best season came during 2010–11.

On his way to becoming the youngest MVP in NBA history, Rose led the Bulls to the Eastern Conference Finals, establishing Chicago as a legitimate championship threat for the first time since the Michael Jordan era. Of course, the fairytale was derailed when he suffered an ACL injury during the opening game of the 2012 playoffs, the first of several injuries that ultimately limited his potential.

Yet, as the Cubs star claimed, Rose is and was a Chicagoan, and remains a major source of inspiration for young stars throughout the game.

The Sacramento Kings have not been the best team this season. In fact, if you look at the record they are one of the worst teams in the league, as they are currently 13-46 and in last place in the Western Conference standings. Things are probably about to get even worse for them, as they have closed out their top two playerDomantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine for the remainder of the season due to injuries.

When you’re one of the worst teams in the league, people make fun of you. That’s what happened to the Kings recently, but in the most bizarre fashion, it happened while a reporter was talking to Coby White about the idea of ​​adding him to the team.

The reporter asked, “Is there any appreciation of ‘Hey, they could have sent me to Sacramento’.”

“Yo, come on bro,” White said, laughing.

Reporter: “Is there any appreciation for ‘Hey, they could have sent me to Sacramento'”.

Coby White: “Yo, come on bro.”

The king is catching stray animals 😭

(via @british_buzz)pic.twitter.com/vN5WNFBmzN

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 25 February 2026

At this point, it doesn’t seem like either player would want to be traded to the Kings, especially with the uncertainty surrounding their future. Things have been rough since last season, when Mike Brown was fired, and De’Aaron Fox was traded, and the expectation was that things would improve this season with the arrival of new pieces.

Unfortunately, things have taken a turn for the worse, and the only big positive from this year is that they’ll have a chance to be the top pick in the upcoming draft.

As far as the current roster, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they traded away some of their key players in the offseason, like Sabonis, in order to acquire assets in return. This would signal a true rebuild for the Kings, and given the way things have been going the past few years, it might be the best decision for them.

If they don’t do this, there is every possibility that they will become the laughingstock of the league.

The Minnesota Timberwolves announced Wednesday that they have signed guard Jules Bernard to a two-way contract. As per team policy, financial terms were not disclosed. Bernard will remain with Minnesota’s NBA G League affiliate, the Iowa Wolves, where he has been one of the league’s most productive guards this season.

In 37 G League appearances (33 starts), Bernard is averaging 22.5 points while playing 34.5 minutes per game. He’s shooting 42.5% to 42.9% from the field, 34.9% to 35.3% from three-point range, and 80.1% to 80.6% from the free-throw line. His all-around production included 6.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game. The 26-year-old has scored 30 points six times, including a season-high 38 points against the Long Island Nets on January 18. On February 7, he recorded 30 points with eight three-pointers, along with season highs of 13 rebounds and 13 assists in a 123–120 win over the Maine Celtics.

Bernard previously signed a two-way contract with the Washington Wizards through the 2023–24 season, in which he appeared in 19 games for a total of 149 minutes. He averaged 3.9 points on 45.3% shooting, including 37.9% from three, and 1.4 rebounds in 7.9 minutes per game. He made his NBA debut on December 8, 2023 in a 124–97 loss to the Brooklyn Nets.

Undrafted out of the UCLA Bruins in 2022, the Los Angeles native played four collegiate seasons, appearing in 130 games (65 starts) and posting career averages of 9.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 23.4 minutes per game, while shooting 43.0% from the field and 35.4% from three. As a senior in 2021–22, he averaged 12.8 points and 4.7 rebounds and earned Pac-12 All-Tournament Team honors.

The Timberwolves had a two-way slot open after waiving Johnny Juzang. Bernard is eligible to remain active for up to 14 NBA games for the remainder of the regular season and will need promotion to the standard 15-man roster to qualify for postseason play.

NBA insider Mark J. Spears said Wednesday that he would choose LeBron James over Luka Doncic as the Los Angeles Lakers’ closer in late-game situations, citing James’ versatility and track record in tough times.

Speaking on NBA Today, Spears pointed to the final sequence of the Lakers’ 110-109 loss to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night, when Los Angeles had 6.7 seconds left and a chance to win. James inbounded the ball to Doncic, who then gave James an open look for a contested fadeway 3-pointer over Jonathan Isaac on the left wing.

“There aren’t a lot of players in the NBA who close out games better than LeBron James and in a one-to-two minute span, Luka made three shots, Austin made three shots. LeBron James is standing on the sideline and Desmond Benn is guarding him, he’s taller than Desmond Benn, fifty pounds heavier, and he’s there when they’re doing that one-on-one. And I think as great as Luka is, I want the ball. In LeBron James’ hands because he can take the ball to the basket, pass out to Luka, pass out to Austin, I don’t think he should have taken the ball out at the end of the game… and he’s too close and he didn’t get a chance to pass.

“I think as great as Luca [Doncic] I want the ball to be in LeBron James’ hands because he can take the ball to the basket, pass out to Luka, pass out to Austin [Reaves]…He’s too close and didn’t get a chance to close.

– Mark J. spearspic.twitter.com/WTkSYy3lio

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 25 February 2026

LeBron James, Luka Doncic’s stat lines fuel Lakers close debate

James finished with 21 points, six rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 32 minutes. He shot 8 for 13 from the field and 3 for 4 from the free-throw line, while also knocking down two 3-pointers.

Doncic recorded 22 points, 15 assists and nine rebounds in 38 minutes but struggled with efficiency. He shot 8 of 24 from the field, 2 of 10 from 3-point range, and 4 of 9 from the free-throw line.

The late-game decision has fueled discussion about the roles played on key possessions for the Lakers, who fell to 34-23 with the loss and lost their second consecutive game. A four-time NBA champion and four-time MVP, James has long been considered one of the league’s most reliable finishers, especially in playoff settings. Doncic, meanwhile, has built a reputation as a high-usage playmaker capable of creating shots under pressure.

The Lakers are now trying to regroup as they begin a two-game road trip against the Phoenix Suns (33-26) on Thursday night starting at 6:00 pm PT. With competition tight in the Western Conference standings, clarity in late-game execution could prove crucial as Los Angeles enters the final stretch of the regular season.

The Toronto Raptors have to be very concerned that they can’t buy a win against a top-10 opponent in the NBA. Their troubles against the best teams in the league continued on Wednesday, as they let a very winnable game against the San Antonio Spurs slip through their fingers with a choke job in the fourth quarter, as they ultimately lost 110-107 at home.

The Raptors are now 4-15 against teams with top-10 records, and this could be their most crushing defeat yet. Most of their losses against tough opposition were not very close, as their opponent had their way against Toronto. But this was a game in which they led by double figures in the fourth, but allowed the Spurs to attack them in the final frame, with even Victor Wembanyama struggling with his shot all night.

A possible reason for the Raptors’ poor performance in the end was Scottie Barnes being less than 100 percent healthy. A multipositional destroyer who can play against smaller defenders, Barnes was reportedly playing “on one leg” and he was “playing through pain” as head coach Darko Rajakovic told TSN’s Josh Levenberg after the game.

This is a concern with 23 games left in the season amid the Raptors’ battle for position in the East, as they will need a healthy Barnes to be a threat, as without him, they could be completely disappointing against the best teams in the league.

Scottie Barnes is the Raptors’ best player

A lot was said about the Raptors’ acquisition of Brandon Ingram and how he has given Toronto a legitimate weapon to rely on in crunch time. While Ingram has been very good, people shouldn’t make the mistake of thinking of him as the Raptors’ best player, as that honor still belongs to Barnes.

Barnes can legitimately defend one through five, and while his offensive game isn’t great on the perimeter, his two-way play is incredible. According to PBP stats, his net rating is plus-6.1, which is the best in the team.

No team in the NBA this season has blown more double-digit leads in the fourth quarter than the Toronto Raptors, a trend that reared its ugly head in a 110-107 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic was furious over a non-call in the first half, which came before Toronto gave up a 15-point lead in the final frame. Losing against the league’s better teams has also been a consistent trend.

According to Josh Levenberg of TSN Sports, the Raptors have lost 15 times against the NBA’s top teams.

“The Raptors are 4-15 against top-10 teams. Last night, Darko lamented the lack of focus to close out those games, but he’s going to have to wear that down,” Levenberg reported. “They were in control, up by 12 when they started the fourth without Barnes and Ingram (vs. Wembey). With that went a 7-0 run and gave up momentum. Unforced error.”

The Raptors’ lead was cut to 10 in the fourth quarter. The Spurs immediately made it a game. Devin Vassell’s 21 points led six Spurs players into double figures, including De’Aaron Fox (20 points) and Dylan Harper, who had 15 points off the bench.

Brandon Ingram (20 points) and Immanuel Quickley combined for 40 points on 15 of 34 attempts. The Spurs held the Raptors to 17 points in the final frame.

Scotty Barnes’ injury hurts Raptors’ momentum

Raptors All-Star Scottie Barnes has been hampered by a foot injury, according to reports. As fans were looking for answers after the game, as TSN’s Josh Levenberg reported, Barnes playing through pain was reportedly one of many obstacles the Raptors faced during the second half of their loss to the Spurs.

Barnes was reportedly playing “on one leg” and he was “playing through the pain”, as head coach Darko Rajakovic told TSN’s Josh Levenberg after the game.

With 23 games left in the season, the Raptors’ recent struggles are a new development as they battle for position in the Eastern Conference.

DeMar DeRozan reached a career scoring milestone involving Paul Pierce during the Sacramento Kings’ matchup against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night.

DeRozan is in the 17th season of his NBA career, his second with the Kings. He stands out as one of the most experienced scorers in the league, showing solid nights on the offensive side of the ball.

Heading into Sacramento’s game with Houston, DeRozan has scored 26,391 regular season points throughout his career. This placed him 22nd on the all-time scoring list, behind John Havlicek’s 26,395 points and Pierce’s 26,397 points.

DeRozan needed six points to tie Pierce and seven to move past 20th. He completed the work. The veteran scorer had seven points in the first half, surpassing both Havlicek and Pierce in the process.

DeMar DeRozan, how the Kings played against the Rockets

This was an incredible accomplishment for DeMar DeRozan, surpassing NBA legends Paul Pierce and John Havlicek. However, he couldn’t top it with a win as the Kings suffered a crushing 129-97 defeat to the Rockets.

The game was over by halftime. Sacramento couldn’t find rhythm on defense and gave up 77 points in the first 24 minutes of regulation. The Kings never recovered from that poor start, unable to keep up with Houston’s offense.

Four players scored in double figures for Sacramento in the loss, including DeRozan. He finished with a stat line of 15 points, seven assists, one rebound and one steal. Russell Westbrook led the team with 22 points, five rebounds and three assists. Nick Clifford came next with 15 points and four steals, while Maxime Renaud provided 11 points and eight rebounds.

Sacramento fell to a 13–47 record on the season, finishing at the bottom of the Western Conference standings. They trail the New Orleans Pelicans and Utah Jazz.

The Kings will look to bounce back in their next game while on the road in Texas. They will face the Dallas Mavericks on February 26, tip-off at 8:30 pm ET.

The 2025-26 season remains as unfavorable as ever on the injury front for the Denver Nuggets. Most of their key men have missed significant time due to injuries, and on Wednesday night, it was Jamal Murray’s turn to suffer an illness as he was forced out of the contest against the Boston Celtics early.

The good news is that the Nuggets still took care of business against the Celtics at home, earning a 103-84 win over one of the hottest teams in the association, and the team has proven time and again that they can handle the absence of their key players.

But it seems like Murray should never have suited up for the Nuggets on opening night. After the game, head coach David Edelman revealed that Murray had been heavily medicated beforehand to try to get him healthy enough to play, but he couldn’t move forward easily For the entire game.

“He looked terrible. They gave him all the medications. It didn’t help. All kinds of physical things were happening,” Edelman said, via Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette.

Jamal Murray could be in line for a few days’ rest with the Nuggets

Murray deserves credit for trying to carry on and play despite the illness. But the Nuggets need to prioritize the long game.

The battle for position in the West is as heated as ever, but there’s no reason to risk life and limb in a regular season game.

Murray scored only two points in eight minutes of play, before exiting the game due to illness. The Nuggets have a day off before facing the Oklahoma City Thunder on the road, though it remains to be seen whether Murray will be healthy enough by then.

The popularity of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest is declining, as the most famous players are refusing to compete. Not only are the most recognizable names going begging, even the best dunkers see no justification in putting themselves out there for the glory of being the league’s dunk king. The prestige that the competition once had is no longer there. But Phoenix Suns owner Matt Ishbia is on his way to doing something to try to change players’ minds.

In an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, the Suns owner pledged $2 million to revitalize the Slam Dunk Contest.

“My take on it is how can we bring great players to it. How can we make it a great event. How can we make the fan experience phenomenal. We’re going to make it an amazing event,” Ishbia said. “Let’s do this. We can do this. Tell me what we’re doing?”

McAfee said, “You will invest one million dollars for the winner. And then donate one million dollars to the charity of their choice.”

“Done. Let’s get the best people in there. Let’s make it amazing,” Ishbia responded.

Suns owner Matt Ishbia has one last attempt to revive the NBA Slam Dunk Contest

The 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest is considered by many to be one of the worst ever. Jackson Hayes did a warmup dunk in the actual contest. Jess Richardson risked his life. Carter Bryant tried, but he couldn’t keep up with Keshad Johnson and his bizarre dance moves.

Giving monetary incentives has certainly worked wonders in the past, although it is not at all clear whether this will give the best players a chance to compete again as they already have millions and crores in their bank accounts and will not be incentivized in any way.

Team USA’s decision to leave Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown off the roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics became a hot-button topic. It was a curious call, to say the least, as Brown was coming off winning a championship with the Celtics and being named Finals MVP.

Even when Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard withdrew to focus on recovering from his knee problems, Team USA chose Celtics guard Derrick White over Brown as a replacement.

Brown did not hide his displeasure at being snubbed. Now, he has a good chance to make the roster and prove himself right. But is he still interested in playing for Team USA?

While discussing Team USA’s potential roster for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on “Run It Back”, former NBA player Chandler Parsons said that Brown should be included.

“Jaylen Brown is the biggest thing. They’ve got to find Jaylen Brown. Let go. Let go and put him on the team,” Parsons said.

However, he added that the 29-year-old Brown may only want to play for a different country out of spite.

Parsons said, “I think he’s the type of guy that’s going to get citizenship somewhere else and actually keep it with us.”

“Go to France. Do you have any French somewhere?” Co-host Michelle Beadle responded.

It is unknown whether Brown, who grew up in Marietta, Georgia, has any ancestry other than American, so it may be very difficult for him to obtain a different citizenship before the next Olympics.

If Brown ever surprisingly suits up for France, as Beadle has suggested, he would make Les Bleus even stronger, joining San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, Atlanta Hawks forward Zachary Rissacher and Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr.

France lost to Team USA in the gold medal match of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Detroit Pistons emerged victorious in a highly anticipated battle of the NBA’s top two teams on Wednesday as they defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 124-116 at Little Caesars Arena.

Cade Cunningham was a big contributor for the Pistons, who improved to 43-14, including 23-7 at home. He scored 29 points on 11-of-16 shooting, four rebounds, 13 assists, three steals and three blocks. However, they had a game-high eight turnovers.

Nevertheless, his all-round effort was enough to lead Detroit to the victory. He has now had three blocks in each of his last three games. When asked about it, Cunningham pointed to LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers.

The two-time All-Star said, “I’ve always enjoyed knocking things down and getting blocks. I watched LeBron a lot growing up, so I think it’s something I’ve always been very good at.”

“You know, a little bit of playing hoops and stuff, so that’s always been a part of my game, and it’s finally coming to the NBA.”

“I watched LeBron a lot [James] “Growing up.”

Cade Cunningham speaks on his 3 block against the Thunder tonight

(via @nba)
pic.twitter.com/1xycibUjUY

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 26 February 2026

Of course, James is known for his pursuit disapproval, and he should be thrilled to know that Cunningham was inspired by his trademark move.

The 24-year-old Cunningham is averaging 25.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 9.8 assists and 1.5 steals, along with a career-best 0.9 blocks this season. He has really become a well-rounded player over the last few years, knowing he needs to step up to help the Pistons climb out of the basement.

Cunningham, who was recently asked about his aura, has often acknowledged his responsibilities as Detroit’s go-to man, and it is not within him to contribute much on defense.

The city of Detroit hasn’t had this kind of hope basketball-wise since the mid-2000s. But thanks to Cade Cunningham’s emergence as one of the best players in the association, the Pistons have become one of the best teams in the NBA. Their relentless defense and constant physicality makes them really troublesome to play against and it helped them to a 124-116 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

While the Thunder were missing some key players, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, the win over the defending champions is nothing to scoff at. OKC has been very competitive no matter who they have on the court, and the Pistons did well not to let their defense down in the trap game.

Fans at Little Caesars Arena knew how much it meant for the Pistons to beat the Thunder. After the game, they were so excited and expressing so much of their affection for their star man in Cunningham as were the fans. pounce on him As soon as he gave some autographs.

“We love you! Oh my god!” Some fans can be heard yelling toward the Pistons star.

Via The Detroit Times on X (formerly Twitter):

Cade Cunningham signing autographs for fans after tonight’s game ❤️

pic.twitter.com/aDn2oonCz1

— 26 February 2026

Pistons remain favorites in the East

The Pistons are being slightly underrated by some fans, given that they have not been very proven on the grand stage yet. They made the playoffs last year and lost to the New York Knicks in six games, but mounting a deep playoff run is going to be a different beast than the team has experienced yet.

But their play throughout the season should lead many to believe they are a legitimate contending team. They carry themselves with a lot of swag and their best player is a genuine superstar who steps up in big moments.

Entering Wednesday’s matchup with a long list of injuries, head coach Mark Daigneault and the Oklahoma City Thunder struggled, led by backup center Jaylin Williams, in an effort to upset the Detroit Pistons. Daigneault and the shorthanded Thunder faced the Pistons without four starters. And although Detroit snapped Oklahoma City’s three-game winning streak, Daigneault spoke highly of Williams’ performance.

Williams finished with a career-high 30 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal in a 124–116 loss to the Raptors. Daigneault expansive According to Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman, Williams was praised for his impressive performance for the Thunder.

Daigneault said, “He was unreal tonight. Great toughness and obviously great attack – I think this will be the highest level of his career.” “We helped him against a team that really presses, like we’ve had to do recently. He was a big help for us again tonight.”

Mark Daigneault was asked about Jaylin Williams’ toughness tonight:

“He was unreal tonight. Great toughness and obviously great attacking. I think it will be a career high for him. We faced him against a team that really presses, as we have had to do recently. He… pic.twitter.com/7xYzLWCbYi

– Justin Martinez (@Justintohoops) 26 February 2026

The Thunder’s Aaron Wiggins, who started for All-Star Chet Holmgren alongside Jaylin Williams, finished with 20 points, six assists and four rebounds. Cason Wallace added 23 points on 9-for-17 shooting, including 3-for-6 from deep, and five assists.

Mark Daigneault’s honest opinion on the Thunder’s ‘mental toughness’

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault praised his team for beating good teams without key scorers like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell. The Thunder prevailed without three of their top four scorers in a 116-107 win against the Raptors on Wednesday, which left a lasting impression on Daigneault.

“It’s very hard to win games when you get a lead like that and they come back and tie the game,” Daigneault said. “Even the Cleveland game over the weekend was like that; we got out to an early lead. They came completely back in the game. They took the lead. It takes a lot of mental toughness to get yourself going on the next possession.

“Cason was great all night, but he was huge in that period. He had four points in a row. And then, Isaiah got it. So, he scored seven points right after the tie that got the game going again. But the team showed great mental toughness.”

The Thunder will host the Nuggets on Friday at Paycom Center.

The Golden State Warriors suffered a huge loss in their matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. To recap, the Warriors were missing Stephen Curry, Kristaps Porzingis and Draymond Green, plus a long-term injury sidelined Jimmy Butler for an extended period of time. Even their leading scorer had to sit out for the second consecutive night in De’Anthony Melton’s loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night.

But the Warriors still got back to winning ways; It was a team effort that led to the Dubs’ 133–112 win on the road. Eight different players scored in double figures for the Warriors, and it was rookie guard Will Richard who finished the night as the team’s leading scorer with 21 points on 9-15 shooting from the field and 2-6 shooting from deep.

Richard finished with five rebounds, six assists and three steals to round out a fine effort to lead the Warriors to the win. In doing so, Richard became the fourth rookie to have at least 20 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals in a single game this season, joining Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and Jeremiah Fears as the only players to do so, according to WillRichardMuse on X (formerly Twitter).

It has to be said that the absence of some key players for the Dubs gave Richard a chance to fill up the stat sheet. However, he has shown time and again that he can step up when given the opportunity, and that is exactly what he did.

Warriors’ troubles are increasing amid difficult weather

The hits have kept coming for the Warriors; Curry is currently dealing with a knee injury, and the man he got in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga hasn’t been able to play a few games in a row during his ongoing bout with POTS.

The Warriors will need more from their undrafted players these games, and if Richard can maintain this level of play he should earn himself more minutes.

The Houston Rockets took on the hapless Sacramento Kings in quick action on Wednesday night. They already had a 27-point lead at halftime, and as a result, some of their best players, including Alpern Sengun and Kevin Durant, did not have much need to play extended minutes. But compared to the Kings, the Rockets stars didn’t need to play much time to do their damage.

In fact, in their win over the Kings, Sengun recorded his third triple-double of the 2025-26 campaign, averaging 26 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists in annihilation of the shorthanded Sacramento frontline. In doing so, the Rockets star made a little history.

Despite only being 23 years old, Seungun now has the 10th-most 25/10/10 games by a center in NBA history, as reported by the Real App account on X (formerly Twitter).

Sengun remains the Rockets’ primary offensive center, and has served as the team’s de facto point guard this season amid an injury to Fred VanVleet. There have been tough moments for Sengun and the Rockets this season, but the Turkish star is at his best – a wrecking ball of a scorer in the paint who can make his teammates better by using his focus to create incredible looks.

All’s reportedly good for the struggling Rockets

Even though a lot of trouble is brewing for the Rockets this season, they somehow sit in third place in the Western Conference. It’s a testament to their high performance levels on a game-to-game basis that they remain one of the best teams in a stacked conference, even amid the team’s ridiculous inconsistencies.

It was the kind of win the Rockets needed – a solid win that allowed their best players to play fewer minutes than usual, especially as they faced a tough game against the Orlando Magic for the second straight match.

Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham has been spot-on in the NBA this season. The Pistons are firmly on top of the Eastern Conference after finishing sixth last time out with a 44-38 campaign, one win away from the overall record.

And well, the contributions of MVP contender Cunningham are a major reason behind that improvement. But while his offensive strengths are well-documented, Jalen Duren also pointed to an aspect of Cunningham’s game that doesn’t get talked about enough, according to a post on X by journalist Jeremy Otto.

Jalen Duren says Cade is a great two-way player, even though everyone talks about his offensive skills. 3 more blocks tonight #piston pic.twitter.com/uLT4qph6ef

– Jeremy Otto (@JeremyOttoPxP) 26 February 2026

“Yeah, I mean, 6-7, I mean, doing exactly what he’s supposed to do. He’s a great defender, he’s a great scoring player, you know people know him for being a point-guard, for being a scorer but he’s a great two-way player. He’s been doing that all season, so it’s nothing new. I know when I see him one-on-one on a fast break with a smaller guard, I’m Likes his chances,” Duren said.

While that may be true, it’s hard to praise a player’s defensive efforts when he’s averaging 25.3 points, 9.8 assists and 5.8 rebounds per appearance. However, Cunningham is averaging about 1.5 steals and 0.9 blocks per game.

He boasts a solid defensive rating of around 109.5 while producing 4 defensive rebounds per game, and is undoubtedly making his presence felt on the other end of the court as well. However, Duren may still feel that it is Cunningham’s offensive ability that gets talked about the most, and for very good reason.

The marquee matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Milwaukee Bucks ended in thrilling fashion. The Bucks won 118–116 in the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo, as seven Milwaukee players scored in double figures, led by Kevin Porter Jr., who finished with 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

However, the Cavs’ Jarrett Allen came incredibly close to tying the game with a late layup that was contested by two players. Dennis Schroder initially ran inside the paint, before his missed layup was eventually caught by Allen, who launched his shot with less than a second on the clock and the Cavs trailing 118-116, according to a post on X by ClutchPoints.

so close!

Jarrett Allen’s game-tying shot was still in his hands as time expired

The Bucks won 118-116!
pic.twitter.com/3YHM4E1bgi

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 26 February 2026

However, the ball was released too late and the Bucks got the win. The Cavs were without both Donovan Mitchell and James Harden heading into the game battling injuries.

Allen had a positive game, top-scoring with 27 points and also grabbing 11 boards. It was the fifth consecutive game in which Allen finished with a double-double, and his 9th in 10 games since his spectacular 40-point performance against the Portland Trail Blazers earlier in the month.

He was accompanied by Dennis Schröder, who was the second-highest scorer that night with 26 points and five assists. The Cavs also saw Keon Ellis come off the bench to score 14 points, while Thomas Bryant added 11 points.

However, Milwaukee was the better shooting team on the night, producing an impressive 54.5% accuracy from the field and 42.2% accuracy from beyond the arc. AJ Green and Kyle Kuzma both converted five of their 10 three-point attempts, with Myles Turner also going 3-5 from three-point field.

The Bucks moved to 26-31 for the season and will now face the New York Knicks. Meanwhile, the Cavs will visit the Detroit Pistons and move into fourth place in the Eastern Conference with a 37-23 record, now trailing the Knicks by one game.

The Denver Nuggets host the Boston Celtics at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday night for a dominant showdown. However, Denver received some worrying news in the first half, when star point guard Jamal Murray left the game due to illness.

“Jamal Murray is questionable to return with illness,” Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette reported via a social media post on Twitter from the former star.

Before exiting the game, the former Kentucky Wildcats star point guard had two points on 1-for-3 shooting from the field and an assist in just eight minutes of action.

This story is being updated.

At least from head coach Doc Rivers’ perspective, the Milwaukee Bucks are on a turn, and they’ve gone 7-3 so far in the calendar month of February. This uptick in form may offer a little hope that, perhaps, they can make a run for a late tournament playoff spot – just in time for Giannis Antetokounmpo’s eventual return from a calf injury.

On Wednesday night, the Bucks had a golden opportunity to build on their solid performance as they faced a Cleveland Cavaliers team that rested Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and James Harden in the first night of a back-to-back set. And while the Cavs remain a dangerous team even without those three, the Bucks are fighting an uphill battle, with Kevin Porter Jr. doing everything he can to spark his team.

With the Bucks still leading in the third quarter, Porter got a step on a guy with the same surname as Craig Porter Jr., causing the Cavs defense to go into scramble mode. With Porter in over his head, it was too late for Jarrett Allen to try to compete brutal sting From the Bucks guard, who fired up the crowd at Fiserv Forum.

Kevin Porter Jr. poster on Mister The Lights Too Bright pic.twitter.com/SVoVEhG7kw

– Wondering Basketball (@WonderingBBall) 26 February 2026

kevin porter jr 😤

climbed the stairs
over jarrett allen

No fear. pic.twitter.com/cXAt52Wuhv

– Attention Prop (@Dfs4 Everyone) 26 February 2026

Bucks continue to punch up weight class amid Giannis injury

This is the Bucks second night of a back-to-back, which wasn’t too obvious considering how high Porter jumped over Allen for that poster. Last night, Milwaukee swept the Miami Heat, using an 11-0 run at the end of the game to blow away the Eastern Conference team that is currently eighth in the standings.

Now, the Bucks are currently facing off with the Cavs, which is a testament to their resiliency and excellent conditioning levels. At the time of writing, the game is tied, and anything can still happen in the final few minutes.

It appears that the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year battle is a race between the two horses of Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg and Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Nueppel.

But for former NBA guard Jeff Teague, it’s already been decided.

Watching Knuppel highlight highlights in the Hornets’ 131-99 win against the Chicago Bulls on the road on Tuesday, Teague said that “if he [Knueppel] Not Rookie of the Year, he was robbed. They [are] actually winning the game, that [is] Average 20 marks.”

In that game against the Bulls, Knueppel scored 21 points on 7-for-12 shooting from the field with three 3-pointers, while hitting all four of his attempts from the free-throw line in 23 minutes of action.

Knueppel has certainly attracted more attention among rookies with his play recently, and especially with Flagg sidelined with a foot injury that has kept him from playing since the NBA All-Star break.

Cooper Flagg himself hasn’t been too shaky in his first season in the league, as the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft has been putting up big numbers for the Mavericks when healthy. However, his former Duke Blue Devils teammates are giving him a run for his money in the ROY race.

In fact, Knueppel, the fourth overall pick in 2025, leads all newcomers entering Wednesday with 2.4 VORP (value over replacement player), while Flagg is second with 1.4.

Knueppel also leads all first-year players in points and win shares. And for what it’s worth, he’s 1-0 against Flagg this season, as the Hornets beat Dallas on Jan. 29, in a game best remembered for an incredible duel between the two former Duke teammates, in which Knueppel scored 34 points and Cooper Flagg added 49.

Still, there’s plenty of basketball left to play this season to make this compelling Rookie of the Year race even more interesting.

The game became increasingly intense in the first half, as the Toronto Raptors hosted the San Antonio Spurs at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday.

After a stoppage in the second quarter, the Raptors raced to the other end to try to get a quick bucket. The ball went to Brandon Ingram, who attempted a three-pointer from the top of the key. Stephen Cassel, who was late coming back on defense, challenged Ingram’s shot.

While it appeared Cassel struck Ingram’s arm, no foul was called.

This enraged Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic, as shown in video shared by Raptors reporter Omar Osman. Rajakovic was whistled technical glitch.

Darko Rajkovic is absolutely furious over a non-call, and he faces a technical foul. https://t.co/o09eWDLgIw pic.twitter.com/C2u7ITlBD2

– Omer Osman (@OmerOsman200) 26 February 2026

Rajakovic, 47, was absolutely furious at the referee, but he was probably also lighting a fire under his players.

It seemed to work, as the Raptors took a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter.

Rajakovic has quickly won over fans with his intense approach on the court. But besides that, he can be quite goofy, as proven by his habit of running into the locker room screaming.

Rajakovic’s energetic aura has been praised by his players, including Ingram.

“He brings energy every day. He’s the leader of our team. He makes sure we bring it in practice, in games, in shootouts. He makes sure we have it every time we step on the basketball floor,” Ingram said in a report by John Chidley-Hill of The Canadian Press in November.

The Raptors are looking to bounce back from Tuesday’s loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Dallas Mavericks are set to take on the Sacramento Kings on Thursday. However, it appears the club are already aware of the designation of star rookie Cooper Flagg and newly acquired veteran Khris Middleton for this competition.

Reports indicate that Flagg has officially been ruled out of the game against the Kings, while Middleton is listed as questionable, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. Flagg will miss his fifth consecutive game for the Mavericks. PJ Washington has also been ruled out on the injury report.

“The Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg (left midfoot sprain) will miss his fifth consecutive game on Thursday when Sacramento visits Dallas…Dallas has also ruled out PJ Washington (ankle) and listed Khris Middleton (shoulder) as questionable.”

While Flagg is still dealing with a foot injury, according to Steen, he is still in the running for the Rookie of the Year award. With his return to the air, Steen reminded fans that the 65-game rule does not apply to the Roy Award.

“Cooper Flagg last played for Dallas on Feb. 10, but has missed a total of eight games this season. Also: Remember, the NBA’s 65-game rule does not apply to the Rookie of the Year race.”

The 19-year-old phenom has played 49 games in his debut season in the league. He has been as advertised so far, playing at point guard and averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game, shooting 48.2% from the field and 30.2% from beyond the three-point line.

The Mavericks will continue to monitor Cooper Flagg’s injury in the coming days. Meanwhile, the franchise can reveal the official status of Khris Middleton ahead of the clash against the Kings on Thursday night.

Someone needs to call home. One fan came to Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday to support Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs against the Toronto Raptors and he did something extra.

Supernatural, that is.

wore a fan foreign costume As a nod to Vembanyama’s nickname, as shown in a video posted by Score on X. To appear less suspicious and blend in better with humans, the fan also wore the two-time All-Star’s jersey.

An alien came to see The Alien in Toronto 👽😅 pic.twitter.com/mUHZf0nkXz

-TheScore (@theScore) 25 February 2026

Wembanyama, who led the Spurs to a 41-16 record entering their game against the Raptors, has been compared to an alien – meant as a compliment – ​​because his physical build and skill set seem almost unreal compared to normal players.

With Vembanyama’s supernatural blend of size, talent and mobility, he is almost impossible to stop – and it’s scary to think he is only 22 years old.

They have adopted being called alien as their branding. The logo of his signature Nike shoes is the head of an alien, which Vembanyama created himself.

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers is widely credited with giving the nickname to Wembanyama, who in turn was enthralled by it.

“I’m really glad they said that because I don’t like being called a unicorn. I like it because it’s not from this world. I like being called an alien. It’s really me working to become something unique and original,” the 7-foot-4 center said in a report by Sports Illustrated’s Andy Nesbitt.

Wembanyama’s popularity has grown rapidly since the Spurs made him the No. 1 overall pick in 2023, and many believe he is already the face of the NBA.

If not, definitely from another planet.

The Sacramento Kings entered the season fresh on Wednesday, ending a 16-game losing streak in the NBA. Now they’ve seen Keegan Murray exit the Houston Rockets game with a possible foot ailment.

Murray suffered an NBA injury with about 3:25 left to play in the first quarter at Toyota Center.

Keegan Murray headed to the Kings locker room after getting into the game awkwardly.

Hope he is okpic.twitter.com/KQi9RSYPNe

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 26 February 2026

Murray averages 14.5 points per game for Doug Christie and Sacramento. But now he has been officially ruled out due to a left ankle injury.

UPDATE: The Kings announced that Keegan Murray (left ankle) is out for the remainder of tonight’s game against the Rockets. https://t.co/9qeVZ3CuYW

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 26 February 2026

He was satisfied with only three points in a span of nine minutes. Murray grabbed a rebound and blocked a shot on the defensive side.

Kings are trending towards landing the top pick of the NBA draft

Murray has emerged as one of the better performers in a lost season in Sacramento.

Despite this, the Kings are on their way to achieving another feat: capturing the No. 1 spot in the NBA Draft.

ClutchPoints’ Eric Slater reveals where the Kings stand in the race for the top pick.

The nets lost. The Pelicans won.

Brooklyn is getting more segregation in third place in the lottery standings. pic.twitter.com/Ny0H3aSZ3L

– Eric Slater (@erikslater_) 25 February 2026

Based on current projections, Sacramento remains ahead of the Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets. However, finishing with the league’s worst record does not guarantee the top pick in this scenario.

The Dallas Mavericks benefited from the lottery system last season – earning the top spot despite finishing at 39-43. Cooper Flagg arrived at the move a month later.

Dejounte Murray opened the 2025-26 season with a goal in the New Orleans Pelicans’ 113-109 win over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. He appears to be dedicated to helping his team compete for a possible spot in the play-in tournament at the end of the campaign. He said this in some NSFW post on X while refusing to request a trade from New Orleans.

An account on social media claimed the 29-year-old guard requested a trade from the Pelicans before the deadline. Murray saw the post and claimed it was untrue, shutting down the rumors entirely.

“Let’s clean the air from the f*** at one source,” Murray declared. “I or my agent never requested to be traded out of New Orleans!!! Joe and the entire organization know I was locked in to come back better than ever to help grow this game and build whatever comes next!! It’s about having fun!!”

The nine-year veteran doubled down on his play-in tournament claim, and explained to a sports fan that if the Pelicans play hard in the final stretch of the regular season, they could find themselves competing for a playoff spot.

“Oh!!! Are we a contender? No. Can we finish in the top 6? No. Can we build some momentum by playing together and develop winning habits for the rest of the season? Yes. Can we treat every game like a championship game and win, win, win? Yes. Can we finish last in the play-ins??? Duhhh.”

Dejounte Murray missed most of the season after rupturing his right Achilles tendon in January 2025. In his first game in action, Murray recorded 13 points, two rebounds, three assists and one steal. He also shot 45.4% from the floor and 25.0% from beyond the three-point line.

The Los Angeles Lakers have been a bit of Jekyll and Hyde this season. When things go right, it looks like they can compete with any team in the league. But when things are not going well, the team does not look very competitive.

After being defeated by the Boston Celtics on Sunday, the Lakers suffered a blowout 110-109 loss to the Orlando Magic. The loss dropped Los Angeles to 34–23, two games ahead of the Phoenix Suns in the Pacific Division.

The teams will face off in the desert on Thursday. Thankfully for the Lakers, Phoenix will once again be missing some of their most important pieces.

According to AZ Central’s Duane Rankin, Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, Jordan Goodwin, Haywood Highsmith and Cole Anthony have all been ruled out. Of course, Booker is the biggest loss for the Suns.

Booker strained his right hip last week against the San Antonio Spurs. In the three games since, Phoenix’s offense has been mediocre. The Celtics also beat them by 16 points, 97-81, on Tuesday night. In the first game against the Portland Trail Blazers, they were able to score only 77 points.

With the Lakers likely to play the Big Three, it could prove difficult for the Suns to keep up.

The second unit in Los Angeles could also get a boost. Backup center Jackson Hayes was upgraded to probable on Wednesday, while Rui Hachimura is listed as questionable due to illness.

The Lakers have had their share of troubles, but for the most part the offense has not been a part of them. The defensive end of the court has left a lot to be desired. But with Jalen Green struggling in his return, and the Suns lacking many other scoring options, Thursday appears to be a prime opportunity to get back in the win column.

This game could go a long way in determining the division winner. The Suns have won two of the first three meetings and a Lakers loss would ensure a tiebreak for Phoenix.

As the NBA considers expansion ideas, the conversation in Seattle has naturally turned to which players will ultimately wear the green and gold. Although the league has not yet formally approved new franchises, the groundwork is being laid near the Space Needle. When the SuperSonics finally return, they’ll need cornerstone pieces, and a former Rainier Beach High standout is making a compelling case to be at the top of the wish list. Dejounte Murray makes perfect sense as a target and the New Orleans Pelicans may be willing to make a win-win deal.

Murray was very active on social media and cheering on the Seahawks during their Super Bowl run. The Sounders and Mariners have also gotten some love recently. Financially, his contract would be perfect for an expansion team over the next two seasons. If the NBA takes longer to make a decision, City’s connection could lead to an extension of the 29-year-old’s relatively cheap $30 million player option for 2027-28.

When asked about what caught special attention among the starting five introductions in his first game in 13 months, the former All-Star made sure to mention Seattle several times.

“I mean, save me for last. Call me first. It doesn’t matter. I’m in the NBA, you know, a kid from Seattle. So it’s, it’s a blessing,” Murray shared. “I have a lot of emotions, you know what I’m saying? I had my family here. So, yeah, I’m definitely grateful.”

“Man, (coming back from injury rehab) was great. Like I said, you know, I’m a kid from Seattle. I’m in the NBA, and what I’ve been through, like, I’ve been through a lot,” Murray said. “But I have no excuses. I keep my chest out, chin up, keep smiling and I’m just ready to see where it goes from here. I know God has some great things in store for me on and off the field.”

For a Seattle startup that will need to sell tickets, jerseys and hopes of opening day, there’s no better first target than that kid from Rainier Beach who has never stopped visiting his hometown.

As the Indiana Pacers approach the finish line of the 2025-26 NBA regular season, people are constantly moving in and out of the lineup as the calendar moves closer to March 2026. And while it’s been a disappointing season for many within the organization, things may be about to get a little more fun.

Pacers forward Obi Toppin, who immediately became a fan favorite when he came to the Indiana Pacers in a trade with the New York Knicks, has missed the last 56 games due to a stress fracture in his right foot. Toppin has only played in three games so far this season, playing two complete games to start the year before suffering a stress fracture in the team’s third game of the season.

After missing the last 56 games over 123 days, the Pacers forward has a chance to return to the team’s lineup on Thursday night when the team takes on the Charlotte Hornets. Obi Toppin has been upgraded to “questionable” due to a stress fracture in his right foot, and it looks like he’s ready to return to the court soon.

In addition to Toppin, the Pacers have listed Andrew Nembhard as “questionable”, Pascal Siakam as “questionable” and Aaron Nesmith, Ivica Zubac, Johnny Furphy and Tyrese Haliburton as “out” due to various injuries.

If Toppin does not return Thursday night against the Hornets, his next chance to play will be on Sunday, March 1 against the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Pacers currently have one of the worst records in basketball at 15–44, which is lowest in the East and second worst in the NBA. At this stage of the season, the Pacers are positioning themselves to get a high draft pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

However, the May lottery will decide a lot for the franchise, as the Pacers traded their 2025 first-round pick for protected picks at picks 1-4 and 10-30. So if the Pacers land anywhere from 5-9, the selection will be reported to the LA Clippers, who received the 2029 unprotected first-round pick, along with Benedict Mathurin and Isiah Jackson, in exchange for Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown.

In his three seasons with the Pacers, Obi Toppin has averaged 10.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game, while shooting 54.7 percent from the field and 37.7 percent from three.

After 13 months of Achilles rehabilitation, Dejounte Murray finally made his season debut for the New Orleans Pelicans. However, at a moment when everything could have been about his own comeback, the veteran made sure that the spotlight shifted to the rookie players. Ultimately, Jeremiah Fears and Derrick Queen played big roles in the win over the visiting Golden State Warriors.

Murray played brilliantly (13 points, three assists, two rebounds in 25 minutes), but it was the energy put forth by the first-year players during the decisive third quarter that prompted the All-Stars to sing some postgame praise.

“Yeah, we needed it though. We had some battles in practice. Just got to have games like this where we came out warm, feeling really good to start the game, but then we had to go through some adversity. Thanks for that third quarter. Our young group came through and they won that quarter. They played really well and put us in position to win tonight. At the end of the day, we just have to stick together and do it together.”

The win showed that the Pelicans, who have been battling injuries to James Borrego, have a promising future, even as New Orleans heads into the final stretch of a challenging season. With the playoffs out of reach, minutes have opened up for the rookie class. Thankfully, Jeremiah Fears and Derrick Queen are making the most of the opportunities, both posting All-Rookie worthy numbers across the board.

For a demanding Dejounte Murray-led Pelicans team, the opportunity to mentor a young core is a chance for every veteran to help build something sustainable. As a point guard, this should be a priority. How much have Fears and Queen implemented the 29-year-old’s advice over the past few weeks?

“A lot. Because, like I said, I want to make everybody’s job easier, and it will have an impact on them. But there are guys who already feel that way. You know, you’ve got a guy like Herb Jones who doesn’t ask the coach to draw up a play for him. He’s always aggressive. He sees that no one watches the defense, he’s proactive. Everybody knows him for that,” Murray explained. “But, you know, I think the more we hang out together, have fun and learn to translate each other, it could be really special.”

The Pelicans (15-42) are lottery favorites, but the development of their rookie duo has emerged as a real bright spot. Queen averaged 12.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists; Fears is averaging 13.3 points and 3.1 assists. Murray suggested that his statistics told only part of the story. What impressed him more is how he handled the inevitable ups and downs of an NBA rookie season, especially when the roles changed dramatically.

Murray shared, “We like each other. There’s no egos. There’s no one to yell at.” “You had young guys starting, then they went to the bench. They took it, you know, like they were supposed to take it, and I give them a lot of credit for that. So, it speaks to maturity and what they’re there for. And we’re all here to win and longevity, you know, is important to everybody.”

For a franchise that often looks for stability, Murray looks to be laying the foundation in real time. Joe Dumars ‘executes to perfection’ his plan to earn Dejounte’s trust. It may be difficult to achieve victory this season, but belief in what lies ahead has never been stronger.

After missing much of February due to a calf injury and knee management, Joel Embiid returned after the All-Star break for the Philadelphia 76ers against the Indiana Pacers, where he scored 27 points in 26 minutes in a 21-point win over the Indiana Pacers.

Does Embiid look 100 percent back to his MVP form? No, he looked like someone who hadn’t played a basketball game since February 7th, but even though it took him a step or two longer to get up and down the court, he still gave Jay Huff and company fits on both ends of the court.

One fan who was particularly impressed by Embiid’s return? Former Villanova Wildcats basketball head coach Jay Wright, who took to social media to celebrate “The Process” for his efficiency and intensity on the court.

“To be out for so long and come back with efficiency and intensity is incredible talent!!” Wright wrote. “Joel Embiid, a unique talent, Sixers.”

To be out for so long and come back with efficiency and intensity is incredible talent!! a unique talent @JoelEmbiid @sixers. https://t.co/rLfnPiLWRK

– Jay Wright (@CoachJayWright) 25 February 2026

The most successful basketball coach in the Greater Philadelphia area this century, Wright has been the apple of 76ers fans’ eyes since his first national championship win on the main line, with his 2022 retirement leading many to believe he will make the jump to the pro level for the first time in his career. While so far, that leap hasn’t been made, the fact that Wright remains a 76ers fan has fans in the comments section urging him to return to the bench in place of Nick Nurse, where he can unlock Embiid’s “efficiency and intensity.”

Will this happen? Only time will tell, but if Embiid continues to play like his efforts against the Pacers, the 76ers could get their own banner before “The Process” joins Wright in retirement.

For anyone who doubted Kon Knuppel coming out of the NBA Draft, what are your thoughts now? The Charlotte Hornets drafted a perimeter scorer and an absolute flamethrower of a guy who could be the face of their franchise for many years to come.

Although Cooper Flagg was the rookie getting all the attention early in the year, Knueppel is the one who could walk away with the NBA Rookie of the Year award.

Not only is Nueppel tied for second in the league with LaMelo Ball and Donovan Mitchell in most threes made per game (3.5) this season, but he also leads all players, not just rookies, in total threes made after making his 201st triple on Tuesday night against the Chicago Bulls.

The Hornets rookie has played a total of 58 games and has already made over 200 threes. Not only will he surpass Keegan Murray’s rookie record of 206 made threes during the 2022-23 season, but Knueppel potentially has a chance to surpass the plateau of 300 made threes before the end of the year.

Only Stephen Curry (six times), James Harden, Anthony Edwards, Malik Beasley and Klay Thompson have accomplished such a feat, and Knueppel was able to do so in his first NBA season. Despite only playing 58 games in his NBA career, Knueppel is already achieving things that even Curry wasn’t able to do when he first entered the league.

Between his shooting and scoring numbers, as well as the Hornets’ apparent success in the Eastern Conference standings to become a competitive organization, Knueppel has solidified himself at the top of the NBA rookie rankings with approximately seven weeks remaining in the 2025-26 season.

At the beginning of the year, it was reported that Flagg would win the Rookie of the Year award and would be the face of this year’s NBA rookie class. Well, with Flagg injured and the Dallas Mavericks in no position to compete for the rest of the year, this race for Knueppel is going to be lost at this point.

1. Kon Knuppel – Charlotte Hornets

Previous ranking: #1

Stats: 58 games, 19.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 48.9 FG%, 43.6 3P%

The Hornets have struggled with injuries and lineup changes throughout the season. LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller both missed time due to injury, and several others have been in and out of Charles Lee’s nightly rotation for various reasons. But the one constant in Charlotte has been Knueppel, who has only missed one game this year and has been fantastic throughout the season.

The 20-year-old sharpshooter looks like an aged veteran on the perimeter, and he has such a good understanding of how to move off the ball to open up maximum space for himself. Just like Steph Curry is always on the move and finding open space to make a 3-point attempt, Knueppel is always doing the same and it looks like there will be a clear answer to who will be the best shooter in the NBA when Curry gives it up.

No player has ever had a shooting season like Knueppel in his first year, and he still has 23 games left on the schedule. As mentioned earlier, there is an outside chance he could get close to reaching 300 made threes on the year, which would be a historic feat for Knueppel.

At this point, unless Knueppel gets hurt, it’s hard to imagine anyone else winning the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award.

2. Cooper Flagg – Dallas Mavericks

Previous ranking: #2

Stats: 49 games, 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.2 steals, 48.2 FG%, 30.2 3P%

An MRI revealed that Cooper Flagg missed four consecutive games before the All-Star break due to a sprain in the middle of his left foot. While the Mavericks are clearly in no position to compete for a playoff spot, they won’t take the flag for the rest of the season and tanking.

As good as Flagg has been this season, his impact hasn’t translated into wins in Dallas. The same can’t be said about Knueppel and the Hornets, as their contributions are directly tied to Charlotte winning games. That’s why Knueppel finds himself at the top of these year-end NBA rookie rankings.

What Flagg has done this season can’t be ignored. Although he was the No. 1 pick and had high expectations in his first season, with many saying he was the best US draft prospect since LeBron James, Flagg has lived up to the hype.

Flagg has recorded seven games scoring at least 30 points this season, and four of those have come since January 29, when he scored a career-high 49 points on 20-of-29 shooting against Nueppel and the Hornets. The Mavs’ rookie has All-Star potential, and he will be the face of the franchise alongside Kyrie Irving entering the 2026-27 season.

3. VJ Edgecombe – Philadelphia 76ers

Previous ranking: #3

Stats: 54 games, 15.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals, 42.8 FG%, 36.4 3P%

When Joel Embiid doesn’t play due to rest or injury, VJ Edgecombe suddenly becomes the Philadelphia 76ers’ No. 2 option behind Tyrese Maxey. Edgecombe has been successful in his role this season, and that’s the main reason he was a featured player during All-Star Weekend at the Rising Stars event.

Edgecombe won the Rising Stars MVP, scoring 23 points during the showcase. That’s quite an accomplishment for the 76ers rookie, especially considering he’s been in the shadow of Knueppel and Flagg at the moment.

No rookie in the league has played more minutes than Edgecombe this season, and he’s been on a hot streak, scoring at least 20 points in three of the team’s four games out of the All-Star break.

4. Derrick Queen – New Orleans Pelicans

Previous ranking: #4

Stats: 58 games, 12.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 49.0 FG%

Derrick Queen has been one of the only bright spots for the New Orleans Pelicans this season. Whether or not the Pelicans made the right decision landing Quinn in the 2026 first-round pick is open to interpretation, but the organization has been very pleased with his production and rookie development.

Queen not only leads all rookies in rebounds (422), but because he also leads them in total assists (234). It shows just how much of an impact Quin can make in the low post beyond his flashy footwork and scoring instincts as a new-age big man.

5. Maxime Renaud – Sacramento Kings

Previous ranking: Not ranked

Stats: 51 games, 10.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 55.0 FG%, 25.6 3P%

One of the most surprising newcomers this season has been second-round pick Maxime Renaud for the Sacramento Kings. As a result of various injuries, particularly to star big man Domantas Sabonis, the Kings were forced to throw Renaud into a higher role early in the season, and he has since become the focal point for them in the early going.

Since the beginning of February, Renaud has averaged 13.0 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, while shooting 57.5 percent from the floor. Although his 3-point shooting is no longer what it was a year ago in college, Renaud is making a difference with his double-double-like abilities.

He’s definitely an All-Rookie selection this year.

6. Cedric Coward – Memphis Grizzlies

Previous ranking: #5

Stats: 48 games, 13.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 46.8 FG%, 34.0 3P%

Cedric Coward has slipped slightly in the NBA rookie rankings due to injuries, resulting in him being sidelined and beginning the decline of the Memphis Grizzlies. He recently suffered a severe knee strain, an injury that could sideline Coward for the entire year.

Nevertheless, Coward has proven to be one of the young pillars of the Grizzlies’ rebuild, and he is one of the reasons why the organization decided to part ways with Desmond Benn and Jaren Jackson Jr. Once Ja Morant is traded in the offseason, Coward will have a clear path to becoming the face of the Grizzlies with his two-way abilities on the wing.

7. Trey Johnson – Washington Wizards

Previous ranking: #6

Stats: 44 games, 12.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 43.6 FG%, 37.0 3P%

The Washington Wizards are certainly happy with the new season that Trey Johnson is having. In addition to being a natural scorer anywhere on the court, Johnson has made a name for himself among NBA fans by ranking fifth among all rookies in 3-pointers made (87).

Although his minutes have decreased and he is being monitored closely as he returns from a hip flexor strain, Johnson has recorded at least 10 points in four of his last five games, with all four of his double-digit scoring performances resulting in him playing less than 20 minutes.

8. Dylan Harper – San Antonio Spurs

Previous ranking: Not ranked

Stats: 46 games, 10.9 points, 3.6 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 47.0 FG%, 25.4 3P%

Unlike Knueppel and Flagg, Dylan Harper’s path as a top draft pick has been different as he was not immediately thrust into the spotlight. If you ask Harper, he’s in the perfect situation, not only because he’s on a championship-caliber, young team with the San Antonio Spurs, but he gets to learn from De’Aaron Fox and Stephen Cassel in the backcourt.

There have been clear areas of development in Harper’s game since the start of the season, particularly making the right reads as a scorer off the dribble and as a playmaker. Since the beginning of February, Harper has averaged 12.3 points, 4.4 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game, while shooting a very efficient 55.6 percent from the floor.

9. Igor Demin – Brooklyn Nets

Previous ranking: #9

Stats: 50 games, 10.5 points, 3.2 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 39.6 FG%, 38.5 3P%

Many draft experts said that Egor Demin could not shoot coming out of college and that his game would not translate to the NBA. Well, it seems like a lot of people have Demin mixed up with someone else, as he is everything the Brooklyn Nets hoped for as a reliable 3-point shooting specialist.

Add Demin’s length and athleticism to the equation, and suddenly, the Nets have a young talent they can mold into an all-around impactful guard for years to come. Demin has missed a total of 122 triples this season, the second most among all rookies.

10. Ace Bailey – Utah Jazz

Previous ranking: Not ranked

Stats: 51 games, 11.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 44.5 FG%, 33.2 3P%

Ace Bailey did not have a good start to the season. He struggled to find his shot, and went through early rookie learning stages with the Utah Jazz. Since the start of the new year, Bailey has looked more confident, and he is establishing himself as a premier talent in Utah’s system.

The Jazz newbie has played in 21 games since the calendar flipped to 2026, and he has scored at least 10 points in 16 of those games, including five 20-plus-point games. Bailey has also increased his rebounding efforts, averaging 6.4 rebounds per game in February.

The Utah Jazz have been in full tank mode lately, regularly pulling their starters down during games and most recently having Jaren Jackson Jr. out for the rest of the season due to injury. Now, as the season enters its home stretch, the team has received tough news regarding an injury to its best player, Lauri Markkanen.

“Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen could be out for a while after suffering a concussion in practice Wednesday,” Kevin Reynolds of The Salt Lake Tribune reported.

According to a source familiar with the situation, Markkanen is being evaluated for right ankle and hip injuries, and will undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the ailments.

The news comes amid allegations that the Jazz are intentionally trying to lose games in order to gain a higher pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, which many predict will be loaded with high-end talent. Recently, the NBA issued a hefty fine against Utah’s ownership for their blatant tanking efforts, and given Utah’s history, some fans may be skeptical about this latest injury update regarding Markkanen.

This season, Markkanen is averaging nearly 27 points per game and that’s part of the Jazz’s vision for the long term, as they hope to pair him and Jackson Jr. with another blue-chip prospect in the upcoming draft.

In any case, the Jazz next face off at home against the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday evening. Tipoff from the Delta Center is scheduled for 9:00 pm ET.

The Cleveland Cavaliers head to take on the Milwaukee Bucks in the second night of a home-road match on Wednesday. James Harden is listed as questionable due to a broken thumb, while Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley will be out of action. Meanwhile, the Bucks will not have Giannis Antetokounmpo available for the matchup.

Here’s everything we know about James Harden and Donovan Mitchell’s playing status against the Hornets, in addition to their teammates.

*Watch NBA games live with fuboTV. Get access Save $30)

Injury status of James Harden, Donovan Mitchell for Cavs vs. Bucks

When it comes to the question of whether James Harden and Donovan Mitchell are playing in tonight’s Cavs vs. Bucks matchup, the answer is probably for Beard and not Spida.

Cleveland announced this afternoon that Harden suffered a non-displaced fracture of the distal phalanx of his right hand against the New York Knicks on Tuesday night. Luckily for both him and the team, it’s the thumb of his non-shooting-hand. It appears he plans to play despite the injury, which could keep him out in Milwaukee, depending on whether the Cavs want him to play through it soon.

Mitchell is listed out with a right groin strain, while Mobley is also sidelined with a strain on his left calf. With the Detroit Pistons next on the road on Friday, and the Cavs coming off a five-game-in-seven-night finish, it’s not surprising both are sitting out this one.

Max Strus has yet to make his season debut after recovering from left foot surgery, but Kenny Atkinson provided an encouraging update on his condition moving forward.

The Bucks will be without Giannis Antetokounmpo for the 13th consecutive game due to a calf injury.

Cavs injury report

James Harden: Questionable (fracture in right thumb)

Donovan Mitchell: Out (right waist stretch)

Evan Mobley: Out (Left calf injury maintenance)

Max Strus: Out (left leg surgery)

Tristan Enaruna: Out (Two-Way G League Assignment)

Darius Brown II: Out (Two-Way G League Assignment)

Riley Minix: Out (Two-Way G League Assignment)

bucks injury report

Giannis Antetokounmpo: Out (right calf strain)

Alex Antetokounmpo: Out (Two-Way G League Assignment)

Taurean Prince: Out (neck surgery)

Winning cures all ills, or so the cliché goes. However, defeating the Golden State Warriors did not prevent Dejounte Murray from leading the rebuilding New Orleans Pelicans after a disappointing former All-Star season. The 29-year-old was less modest about what James Borrego has been pushing since last August.

Instead, the veteran guard shared a blunt assessment that balances disappointment with perspective.

Murray cursed, “We didn’t have a king rebound. We were terrible. We were terrible. Like, we should have practiced rebounding yesterday.” “Literally, Herb Jones didn’t rebound. You know what I’m saying? When he rebounds, we all rebound.”

Murray finished with three assists and two boards for 13 points in 25 minutes, so there were smiles in the locker room after the game after the quick hit.

Still, he stuck to one particular game while grading the bigger picture after his first game in nearly 13 months.

“We can get better. I think I’d give us a C+ tonight. It’s beautiful to get a C+ and win a basketball game in the NBA against a good team,” Murray allowed. “I don’t care who’s in, who’s out. Steve Kerr coaches his team very well. He has a system, and he’s put the right players in there to be successful.”

The forgiving grades underlined the bigger picture. Even a “terrible” performance can serve as a useful building block.

“I think we probably got like a C or C+,” Murray reiterated. “We could have been more solid. Like, I had a little turnover there. I think I got fouled, but there’s no excuses. We have to be solid. When teams are stuck and trying to come from behind, we have to stay in our spots and be there for each other. I think that’s my job, but also, you know, it’s a collective unit. I’m a point guard, and like I said, I’m here to make everybody better. I’m here to win, so we have to be better overall. After we win, you can move on from things and, you know, correct those errors.”

Seven of the next nine games are on the road, starting with a six-game trip to the Western Conference. At least the first two games of the trip are against the lottery-picked Utah Jazz. It’s the perfect setup for Dejounte Murray’s Pelicans to let off some steam before summer break.

The plan is complete, the wait is over. Everyone around the training facility and family room can breathe a sigh of relief. More than 13 months after rupturing his right Achilles tendon, Dejounte Murray made his long-awaited season debut for the under-the-microscope New Orleans Pelicans, scoring 13 points, dishing out three assists, and grabbing two rebounds in 25 minutes during a 113-109 win over the Golden State Warriors.

For Murray, getting back on the floor was more than just physical rehabilitation. It was about maintaining a relationship with an organization that made him a priority during the darkest days of recovery.

“Absolutely. You know, for me it was just taking care of myself mentally,” Murray began. “Mainly with my body, I wanted to be in condition to play. Tell my team that I helped in L.A. The Pelicans were doing well, connected, and coming in. They came by probably seven times to check on me and make sure everything was going well. And at the end of the day, Joe Dumars and I talk a lot. And the plan, you know, we made, we executed to perfection. You know, that’s why That Dejounte was able to play today.”

The frequent travel from New Orleans to Los Angeles represents a significant change for a franchise that Murray had publicly criticized just months earlier for failing to provide adequate support during his first injury-plagued season with the team. The relationship began to improve when Dumars took over as head of basketball operations after the previous season.

The new front office began direct conversations with Murray about his concerns and implemented changes based on the guard’s feedback.

“He did very well and it’s all down to the doctors,” Murray explained. “The staff has been great. They came in with our medical staff. On the communication parts, everything, we’ve been communicating since this morning leading up to the game. So, like I said, the win matters. Grateful for that. We got the win and we’re ready to move on from this.”

Murray’s conditioning appeared to be intact in his first game action of the season, even if his shot was not perfect. He wasn’t bothered by the box score, instead pointing to how his body was on the night as the real measure of success.

“The buckets are coming,” shrugged Murray. “I felt like I was active. I felt good doing lateral movements, running up and down. You know, my condition was good. So, it’s just a credit to my hard work and dedication.”

New Orleans came away with the win in Murray’s debut, and the 29-year-old made it clear that the result matters most as Borrego’s rebuilding Pelicans try to build momentum in the offseason. The former All-Star, who averaged 21.1 points, 9.2 assists and 8.3 rebounds during his 2022 All-Star season with the San Antonio Spurs, now has less than two dozen games to demonstrate that he can still be an elite choice to lead a new era of Bayou basketball.

The recent clash between perennial rivals the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics ultimately proved unproductive. Before the matchup, a statue of Pat Riley was unveiled, who declared to his former team that it was time to kick the “Boston A**”.

However, the script was flipped when Jaylen Brown ran the show for the Lakers in a devastating 111–89 loss, even though the historical value of this rivalry was also evident from the number of people watching the game on the NBC stream. According to a post by ClutchPoints on

This may make the performance even more difficult for fans to digest. Before tip-off, the Lakers unveiled a nearly eight-foot bronze statue of legendary coach Pat Riley outside Crypto.com Arena, celebrating the architect of the “Showtime” era who brought four championships to the city as head coach.

The pre-game festivities were to set the tone for a heavyweight clash against their most bitter, historic rivals. Instead, the Lakers were a complete failure despite all three of their Big-3 being fit and firing.

Jaylen Brown was the tip of the spear, leading the offense with a masterclass 32-point, eight-rebound and seven-assist performance. However, it was Sixth Man of the Year Peyton Pritchard who served as the ultimate dagger.

Pritchard scored 30 points off the bench, knocking down six 3-pointers and dishing out eight assists. The duo combined for 38 points in the second half alone and thrashed the Lakers with a barrage of step-back jumpers and offensive drives.

Despite the dysfunction surrounding him, James officially became the first player in NBA history to reach 43,000 career regular season points, accomplishing the feat in the third quarter. Additionally, he made his 1,600th regular season appearance, tying Celtics legend Robert Parish for the second-most games played in league history.

Luka Doncic led the team with 25 points, but struggled with his mid-range efficiency, missing five of his six long two-point attempts, while Austin Reaves (15 points) disappeared completely in the second half, attempting only 10 total shots on the night, allowing 15 points.

Head coach Mark Daigneault and the shorthanded Oklahoma City Thunder saw their 25-point lead disappear in the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors, but still held on for a 116-107 victory on Tuesday. In another Thunder matchup without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City responded with a 15–6 run to earn its third consecutive win without its two leading scorers.

With the game tied at 101, the Thunder’s defense forced back-to-back turnovers, while Cason Wallace (27 points), who tied his career high, and Isaiah Joe (22 points) made key shots to keep the Raptors at bay. Daigneault addressed his team’s poise after a hard-fought win.

“It’s very hard to win games when you get a lead like that and they come back and tie the game,” Daigneault said. “Even the Cleveland game over the weekend was like that; we got out to an early lead. They came completely back in the game. They took the lead. It takes a lot of mental toughness to get yourself going on the next possession.

“Cason was great all night, but he was huge in that period. He had four points in a row. And then, Isaiah got it. So, he scored seven points right after the tie that got the game going again. But the team showed great mental toughness.”

Wallace (11 for 16) and Joe (six threes) combined to make 18 of 30 shots, including 10 for 16 from deep. Alex Caruso led the way with 16 points.

Mark Daigneault impressed with Thunder’s patience amid injuries

Head coach Mark Daigneault praised the Thunder for adapting to playing with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell for such a long period of time, lasting until January. Similar to Sunday’s matchup, where the Thunder faced a 20+ point deficit against the Cavs, the defending champions stayed the course.

For Daigneault, it’s a testament to the Thunder’s ability to quickly adapt and make changes against the Raptors, which, in many ways, has been the story of the defending champions’ regular season.

Daigneault said, “You can’t control your circumstances. We always want to be completely healthy and get along with everyone. But when you get help, you have to make the best of it and we try to be optimistic.” “And we try to be a team that takes the circumstances in our favor, and try to take advantage of every situation, even if it’s a challenge to create some momentum. The guys have done an incredible job.

Daigneault concluded, “They see these types of things as a challenge. And that’s one of the special things about this group of guys. And they’ve done a great job since the break, sure, but also in the break.”

Gilgeous-Alexander (abdominal strain) and Mitchell (abdominal strain/left ankle sprain) will be reevaluated this week, while Williams (right hamstring) will have to wait a week. The Thunder will face the Pistons on Wednesday night on the second night of a back-to-back.

Chris Bosh said he recently experienced a frightening medical emergency that made him think about life and urgency, revealing in a social media video that he woke up “covered in his own blood.”

The NBA Hall of Famer explained how the episode suddenly unfolded without warning in a video posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Wednesday.

“So, I woke up covered in my own blood. It was crazy, it was fast, it was instant. There was no warning. I had no time to prepare for it. I was getting ready to go on a date with my wife and the next thing you know, I was on the ground,” Bosh said. “I won’t go into specifics, but you can see I’m still healing. If I looked different I wouldn’t try to hide it, but it was a scary thing and it came fast. And it really gave me a different perspective on life and how things go – what we do for ourselves, what we do for our family. It’s how we live our lives and no matter what it is, make sure you don’t wait. That’s the thing.” That’s what I get from it. Don’t wait to take action.”

Bosh, 41, did not reveal the exact medical cause of the incident, but emphasized how quickly it happened and how fortunate he felt afterward.

“Because it can come fast, it can come quickly, and I’m lucky to be alive and I feel great about that. And now I’m thinking about how I live my daily life. That’s really it. But don’t wait. Don’t wait to take action — you might be looking to get a promotion, you might be looking to try out for the team, you might want to go on that vacation, it could be a lot of different things that people want to do, that’s what we want to do.” And never do it. So, that’s what I get from this. Don’t wait for it.”

Former NBA champion Chris Bosh opened up about a scary medical scare he recently experienced:

“I woke up covered in my own blood.”

Prayers for Chris 🙏pic.twitter.com/1cdX98lEZT

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 25 February 2026

Chris Bosh reflects on near-death moment years after blood clot diagnosis

He concluded:

“Just do it. You might hit the deck, I don’t know. I’m lucky, I came back. It was just darkness, it was nothing else. I went into the darkness, I came back. I don’t remember any, I have no memories except coming back here. So, don’t wait up.”

Bosh’s medical scare has come several years after his NBA career was cut short due to repeated blood clots, a condition that first surfaced during the 2014–15 season with the Miami Heat. The diagnosis sidelined him for a considerable period of time and ultimately led to his retirement after the 2015–16 campaign. At that time, doctors determined that continued play could pose serious health risks.

Bosh, who won two NBA championships with the Heat, averaged 19.2 points and 8.5 rebounds during his 13-year career, which also included seven seasons with the Toronto Raptors. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.

Although he did not directly link the recent incident to his previous history of blood clots, Bosh’s message focused on urgency and gratitude, underscoring how quickly circumstances can change.

The former All-Star said the experience reshaped his daily outlook, strengthening his belief that action should not be postponed.

The Cleveland Cavaliers got a big win over the New York Knicks on Tuesday night, 109-94. Unfortunately, it appears that James Harden was a casualty in that win, as he has been confirmed injured.

Harden, who is 36, is said to be suffering from a thumb fracture. The organization announced his injury. He is considered questionable for Wednesday’s contest against the Milwaukee Bucks, and an update on his status will be provided before the start of that game.

“Cavaliers guard James Harden injured his right thumb in last night’s 109-94 win over New York,” the franchise said. “A post-game examination by the Cavaliers’ medical staff, followed by X-rays taken today, confirmed a non-displaced fracture of the distal phalanx. Harden will be treated and continued to be evaluated and will be listed as questionable for tonight’s game against Milwaukee. An update on his status will be provided as appropriate.”

Despite the injury, the 11-time All-Star still played 32 minutes in the Cavaliers’ win over the Knicks. He finished the contest with 20 points, two rebounds and four assists while shooting 44.4% from the field and 57.1% from beyond the three-point line. Despite suffering a thumb injury, he was one of the main contributors in the competition.

Although he is dealing with a fracture, it is a good sign that Harden is still considered questionable to play in Wednesday’s game against the Bucks. His situation suggests that, even if he misses time, it could be a short stint. Either way, the Cavaliers will monitor the injury closely. Especially considering that James Harden was brought in to help make the club more competitive in the playoffs.

The Los Angeles Lakers have been going through some ups and downs lately, most recently losing a home game to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday evening. Some are even saying that the Lakers would be better off moving on from LeBron James this summer, as the possibility of him joining a new team has become a real possibility.

Of course, James’ retirement doesn’t seem too far away either, and recently, Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus reported on a big plan the star may have as it relates to NBA expansion.

Pincus reported, “…there is a rumor going around the league that he will be the face of an NBA expansion team in Las Vegas.”

Apparently, James’ longtime friend Rich Paul is also involved in the scheme.

Pincus reported, “One thinking is that he could retire, and his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, could sell the rest of his agency to UTA (United Talent Agency). With the financial backing, they could step into ownership roles.”

Rumors of NBA expansion have been circulating for some time, with Las Vegas listed among the leading candidates along with Seattle, previously home to the SuperSonics.

Pincus said that “the league will allow multiple candidates to choose a position.”

James has become more and more prominent in recent years for his business interests off the court. Meanwhile, Paul has not been a fan of the Lakers this year, as he publicly suggested that the team move on from Austin Reaves via a trade.

However, his potential teaming up with James on an expansion team in Las Vegas would happen long after James’ Lakers days, and the NBA as a whole, are over.

For now, the Lakers will focus on trying to get back in the win column on Thursday against the Phoenix Suns.

Paolo Banchero capped the Orlando Magic’s four-game Western Conference road trip with a 36-point performance in a 110-109 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, but his impact extended beyond scoring. In consecutive matchups against Kawhi Leonard and Luka Doncic, Banchero took over the primary defensive duties, highlighting his ability as an elite two-way player.

Wendell Carter Jr., who recorded 20 points, 11 rebounds and two assists in 36 minutes – including the game-winning putback – praised Banchero’s defensive focus and competitiveness.

“Man, when P gets locked in defensively he’s one of the best in this league. In my opinion he has the potential to be one of the best two-way players to play this game. He had two big challenges the other night with Kawhi and then tonight with Luka. He accepted that challenge. When he’s in that mode, when he’s locked in, man, it unlocks his team and takes us to another level.”

On Sunday, Leonard scored 37 points against Orlando, adding eight rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks, while shooting 14 of 25 from the field. Two nights later, Doncic faced a more disruptive defensive presence from the Magic. The Lakers star finished with 22 points, 15 assists and nine rebounds, but shot 8-for-24 from the field and 2-for-10 from 3-point range while committing two turnovers.

Wendell Carter Jr. on Paolo Banchero’s defense this season:

“When P is off defensively, he’s one of the best in this league. He has the potential to be one of the best two-way players ever…When he’s in that mode, it takes us to another level.” pic.twitter.com/qHDu8BIgJ6

– Julian Ojeda (@jowepafm) 25 February 2026

Paolo Banchero accepts the challenge of protecting elite scorers

Banchero addressed the defensive responsibility of protecting leading scorers throughout the league.

“Yeah, I think it’s just me, you know, accepting the challenge. You know, I think a lot of times, you know, coaches want to, you know, have some better players to guard a guy. They don’t have to expend as much energy. But, you know, getting Jalen out, Franz out, they’re our two best perimeter defenders. And so I know I’ve got to step up on that side of the ball. And I’m a big I feel like I’m a good defender, especially on one on, guarding big guys, big guards.”

He acknowledged the difficulty of controlling the stars but emphasized effort and physicality.

Paolo on defending Kawhi Leonard, Luka Doncic in the last two games:

“With Jalen and Franz out, I know I have to step up. I’m a big guy, I can step up. You can’t stop guys like that, but you can be tough on them – make them miss some, force them to work.” pic.twitter.com/HMurC2OMrI

– Julian Ojeda (@jowepafm) 25 February 2026

“And so guarding guys like that, you can’t stop them from scoring, but you can get your heart on them, make them miss some shots, just make them expend a lot of energy. So that’s just what I’m trying to do. Kawhi obviously had a big night, but getting some stops and making it difficult and, you know, seeing him as a great player and just a creator with the ball in his hands, you know, he just Know what my body is trying to show you, be there when it’s trying to show off, pretend.

Banchero’s offensive output remained steady. Against the Lakers, he added 10 rebounds and six assists while shooting 12 of 22 from the field and 10 of 11 from the free-throw line in 38 minutes.

Magic cover Luka Doncic as Banchero delivers late against Lakers

Head coach Jamahl Mosley emphasized the collective challenge of defending Doncic while highlighting Banchero’s timely shot making.

“Listen, sometimes when he shoots, you just have to hope it doesn’t go in. Because he’s so good and when the game was on the line, he took the big three that put them up by three. And Paolo comes back and hits one. As soon as he goes up in a corner, you know it’s good because that’s what he did. I’ve seen him do it. He did it when we were in Dallas when we played in Portland. I did the same thing. Saw the perfect shot. So you just have to keep mixing up the coverages against him, make it tough, try your best to make it without fouls, and just keep making it tough against him.”

Orlando limited Doncic’s efficiency, holding him below his season average of 32.5 points. With the win, the Magic improved to 31–26 and had road wins over both Los Angeles teams in the same season for the first time since 2012–13.

The Magic return home on Thursday to begin a four-game homestand against the Houston Rockets (35-21). As Orlando continues its push into the Eastern Conference standings, Banchero’s willingness to defend elite scorers while carrying the offensive load underscores the franchise cornerstone’s growing two-way ceiling.

NBA great and basketball analyst Dwyane Wade recently wrote an article for athletic Highlighting the three best leaders he has played with in his career. This piece stays true to his Heat roots, as he highlights Pat Riley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Udonis Haslem.

But missing from the list was LeBron James, who is often considered one of the great leaders in the NBA and was Wade’s co-star when the two won two championships in 2012 and 2013. Regarding Pat Riley, Wade talked about Pat’s attention to detail and ability to remain calm under fire.

“Where Pat was great was his attention to detail. That’s something I try to pride myself on, even now… A lot of times, as a player, your mind, your emotions, your anxiety are all over the place. You make some mistakes, and you start thinking too much. He was a cool guy. Whenever I went over to him during the game, he would put his hand on me and give me a calm feeling and reset me.”

Speaking about Shaq, he talked about his defensive ability and the mentor role that O’Neal played in his early career en route to his first championship.

“He showed me tricks. He showed me how to be a superstar on and off the court. He even gave me the nickname “Flash.” He sat down and talked to me about authenticity and making sure my DNA was in everything I did. It changed the way I went into meetings, it changed my brand and the way I thought about myself.

And as for Udonis Haslem, whom Wade often praises when talking about his Heat tenure, he talked about his ability as a leader and his respect for his voice.

“UD was never one of the top guys when it came to stardom, but he still had the loudest voice in the locker room. When he talked, everyone listened because we knew it wasn’t coming from a selfish place at all. It was coming from a guy who would give everything in his body for you in any game. He’d take penalties for you. He was making the least money as an undrafted guy, but he cared. No. He made sure everyone in the locker room followed the rules, even when LeBron James and Chris Bosh came in.

This article was less about the chemistry on the court and more about his unique experience with these locker room leaders. But Wade has spoken highly of James in other places, and James has spoken candidly about how his partnership with Wade was important to his career.

In comments received after Wade and James’ final game against each other in December 2018, LeBron talked about Wade and their successful pairing.

“I personally think I would have been a lot more successful in this league without D-Wade,” LeBron said. “But I really needed him to accomplish what I wanted to accomplish in this league, and that is to win at the highest level. And that’s when I made the jump, and what he did for me when I went to Miami, I appreciate more than I can express in words. You have to think about how I spent the first 25 years of my life in Akron, Ohio. I spent 18 years in high school, and then the first seven years of my professional career I’m still “I was living in Akron, Ohio, so that’s all I knew.”

Marvin Bagley’s idea came up in the discourse surrounding the Dallas Mavericks’ trade return for Anthony Davis. However, the former No. 2 pick has impressed the Mavericks during his first game since the blockbuster deal.

Bagley had his most efficient performance of the season during Tuesday’s 123-124 win over the Brooklyn Nets. The 6-foot-10 big man posted a team-high 22 points and five rebounds on 10 of 13 shooting in 20 minutes off the bench.

Jason Kidd said of Bagley’s performance, “He’s a really good player.” Talking to him revealed that he has grown up and understands the NBA game a little. Sometimes it takes time. We all want it to happen overnight. But I think the coaching staff, the media, everybody that’s been on this road trip with him has made him comfortable, and you can see how he’s playing. If it’s not in the post, it’s an offensive rebound, and then playing defense for us. So everyone’s confidence is high, and he’s brand new, and it just shows how talented he is.”

Bagley has not been able to find a home in the NBA since being selected No. 2 by the Sacramento Kings in 2018, ahead of Luka Doncic, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Trae Young.

Mavericks’ Bagley makes headlines during first game with Mavs after Anthony Davis trade

The former Duke star changed teams six times during his eight-year NBA career. After spending his first three seasons with the Kings, he saw stints with the Detroit Pistons, Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards before landing in Dallas at this year’s trade deadline.

While Bagley has had a disappointing career, he is making the most of his new opportunity with the rebuilding Mavericks. With Derek Lively sidelined, the 26-year-old is averaging 13.0 points and 8.2 rebounds on 64.3 percent shooting in five appearances with the team.

“Just keep building,” Bagley said of his mindset after Tuesday’s win. “It’s just continuing to learn each other, at least for me and the new guys. Just continuing to gel with the guys that are here, learning the system, and just doing my best every day and giving it my all. That’s my mentality, and it seems like everyone else here has the same mentality. I love being a part of it, and I’m glad I have teammates like that.”

Bagley’s minimum contract is expiring and he will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Atlanta Hawks star Jalen Johnson has drawn immense praise for his game this season. Johnson was named an All-Star for the first time in his career and has picked up a lot of fanfare around the league. His above-the-rim play, penchant for triple-doubles, and all-around skill have often drawn comparisons to Bulls legend Scottie Pippen.

On the Mind the Game podcast in January, LeBron James spoke about Johnson. LeBron James set Johnson’s ceiling as the six-time champion.

“I’ve mentioned Scottie Pippen, man. Obviously, he has a long way to go, but as far as the talent. You look at a guy with long arms, 6-(foot)-9 (or) 6-10, runs like a deer, super athletic. He’s improved his outside touch.

James added, “Putting pressure on the rim. His ability to rebound. He can guard (positions) one through five for the majority of (opposing) ones and fives … And his playmaking. I see that he is going to continue to improve.”

Now, Hawks legend and broadcaster Dominique Wilkins is the latest to compare Johnson to Pippen. In an interview with Casino.org, Wilkins competed against the Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen-led Bulls during his time with the Hawks in the mid-’80s and sees the resemblance.

“Well, I must say he’s a little bit of Scottie Pippen as far as being a point forward. Pippen was a point forward, and was very effective at the position. This guy Jalen, he brings even another element, because the way he rebounds, the way he passes, and he flirts with a triple-double every single night.

Johnson is currently averaging 23.4 points per game, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.1 assists. He is now seen as the number one option on the team following the Hawks’ decision to trade Trae Young to the Wizards.

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic is one of the league’s most electric stars, but he’s getting negative feedback from many NBA forecasters. Often during games, when Luka thinks he has received a foul call or when he feels he has been touched by a defensive player, he is seen arguing and pantomiming the referee. This has angered many media personalities and now ESPN’s Tim McMahon has come into the fray.

in the comments on espn RiseMcMahon went to Doncic to complain to the referee.

“Luka has had two glaring flaws in conditioning and crying throughout his career. The conditioning where he has made major progress, he is crying as much as he has ever seen before… I can tell you that Luka expresses his frustrations at the referees. So the more frustrated he is, the more he is crying, he is crying and he is, sometimes, more concerned about the three guys in the gray jersey and the five guys in the opposite jersey. And look, he is even though There will be defensive problems. It’s hard to play defense if you never cross half court because you’re worried about the call you didn’t get.

McMahon isn’t the only media member who has complained about Doncic’s approach. In a recent edition of his podcast in collaboration with sports agent Rich Paul Game overMax Kellerman ridiculously proposed that if Luka Doncic got a statue, it would be a pose of him arguing with the officials.

“And you know how [Pat] Riley has his idol? Do you know what a statue of Luka Doncic outside of crypto would be like, if he ever gets one? This is what is going to happen. This is the statue of Luca. With your arms outstretched, like this… every single trip, you’re complaining to the ref? Luca. Every trip below the destination? Even when he hits the shot? No, you will not get and-1. It is not possible that the referee will overrule every call of Luka Doncic.

Bill Simmons recently talked about what he sees as Doncic’s foul play bill simmons show podcast.

“The foul play is the worst it’s been in a while. It’s on the edge of not being worth watching. It’s every single play. Now it’s back to where it was, it was at its worst in Dallas when it got so bad that the Mavs finally had to call him out publicly. Yeah. It’s so bad that even LeBron is like, wow. Wow, what is this guy? This guy is really giving up on calls.

In recent episodes of FanDuel TV play it backLou Williams also criticized Doncic, saying that his complaining on fouls caused the Lakers to lose “inches of a game” of basketball.

“Basketball is a game of inches. You lose by one point because you give up possession after possession worrying the referees.”

On paper, Luka is having a great season. He currently ranks first in the league in points, averaging 32.5 per game, and has also added 7.8 rebounds and 8.6 assists. But Tuesday evening’s loss to the Orlando Magic in clutch time has increased criticism of the team and, in particular, of Luka’s behavior in these moments.

The Lakers look to snap their two-game losing streak against the Suns on Thursday at 9 p.m.

The Milwaukee Bucks have been going into battle without Giannis Antetokounmpo for some time now, as he is still trying to recover from his right calf strain. There should be some optimism over his return, as he was spotted working out during pregame, but there are probably still some benchmarks he needs to meet before he is cleared to return to the court.

Head coach Doc Rivers recently gave an update on Antetokounmpo, and it looks like he could be the closer.

“No. He’s done some 3-on-3, 4-on-4. We don’t really need to go to 5-on-5. It doesn’t go from 3 to 4 to 5. Usually 4-on-4 is pretty good… no shock,” Rivers said, via Ari Nehm of The Athletic.

Doc Rivers on what Giannis Antetokounmpo was able to do on the floor yesterday in Milwaukee: “We were in the gym and did some 3-on-3 stuff. 4-on-4 and 3-on-3, I think, live. That was good.”

The next box to examine Antetokounmpo will be live 5-on-5. https://t.co/vDps1y5PyX

– Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) 22 February 2026

Antetokounmpo has been dealing with calf strains for the past few seasons, so he probably knows the process he needs to go through to return. There’s also no doubt that he’s desperate to return to help his teammates as he bids for a chance to make the playoffs in the second half of the season.

Without Antetokounmpo, the Bucks have won few games, and they are getting contributions from several players. One of them is Cam Thomas, who they signed before the All-Star break.

They were recently able to defeat the Miami Heat, and it was Kevin Porter Jr. who led the way, finishing with 32 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.

The Bucks will need a lot of wins to climb up the standings for a potential play-in spot, but with Antetokounmpo, they may have a good chance to do so. The only thing is that they have to hope that the teams above them start losing, which could be a difficult task.

As of now, they can only focus on what they can control and hope that they get their star player back as soon as possible.

On Tuesday evening, the Los Angeles Lakers suffered their second consecutive loss with a close home loss to the Orlando Magic. The Lakers had a chance to win it late, but Luka Doncic missed his dribble and was forced to pass to LeBron James, whose turnaround heave from beyond the arc hit the backboard and the rim.

Much has been said about the Lakers’ perceived roster shortcomings in recent weeks, and now, ESPN NBA analyst Brian Windhorst has added more fuel to the discussion.

“When Luca [Doncic]lebron [James]and Austin Reeves play together, they’re not a good team… when it’s appropriate [Austin & Luka] The Lakers are an excellent team out there,” Windhorst said on First Take, according to X, formerly of NBA Courtside on Twitter.

In fact, James, Doncic and Reeves in many ways have skills that cancel each other out, none of them are good defenders and they all need the ball to perform at their best offensively.

Many have floated the idea that the Lakers will either let James walk or bring him back on a more team-friendly deal this offseason in order to build a more viable roster around Doncic, similar to the Dallas Mavericks team that made the Finals in 2024 before the team inexplicably traded him to Los Angeles.

Doncic and Reeves have created a lethal one-two punch in games played together without James, but when all three are in the lineup, none of them have been able to be their full producers on offense, and the team’s defense has faltered.

Yet, despite this, the Lakers are 11 games above the .500 mark at 34-23, and are not out of position to secure home court advantage in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

The Lakers next play on the road against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday evening.

As the buyout season approaches, Khris Middleton’s future is one that is being monitored heavily around the league. Middleton, an NBA champion with the Milwaukee Bucks and a smooth-shooting wing, could emerge as one of the biggest buyout candidates on the market if he chooses to pursue a buyout.

Middleton was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in the deal that sent Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards at the NBA trade deadline. Since the trade, Middleton has suited up for the Mavericks, playing in four games, and even had a 25-point outing for the Mavericks on Sunday against the Indiana Pacers. But his name is still being discussed as a buyout candidate.

“Is there any chance we can convince Khris Middleton to buy?”.@TheSteinLine I wonder if the Pistons could be a landing spot for the Mavericks small forward @talkhoops

Listen to Deals & Dunks weekdays at 1-2PM ET https://t.co/uGOfTU9PUj pic.twitter.com/kARlVfi6xS

– SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) 24 February 2026

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Mavericks have allowed Middleton to control his own destiny, determining whether he wants to stay with the team for the remainder of the season or seek a buyout to join a contender. This has led Steen to openly consider whether Middleton could be a candidate to join the surging Pistons, who are on top of the Eastern Conference.

“I have to think. There are a handful of contending, playoff-bound teams, and I have to think the Pistons are among them. Wondering, is there a chance we can convince Khris Middleton for a buyout? What I reported last night was basically the Mavericks putting the ball in Khris Middleton’s court. If Khris Middleton wants a buyout to join a playoff-bound team, Dallas Will gladly cooperate.”

The Pistons would be an interesting landing spot for Middleton. Only a few years ago, he was the number two option behind Giannis Antetokounmpo on the Bucks and often found himself taking clutch shots in close game situations. But due to injuries as well as his contract, the Bucks “expired” his time with the organization by trading him to the Wizards in a deal that also included Kyle Kuzma.

Khris Middleton is still proving to be an effective player, averaging 14 points per game and 35% from three in 5 games played with the Mavericks. With the Wizards, his numbers were more modest during the 34 games he played with the team, as he averaged $10.3 points per game and shot 33% from the field. Perhaps a reunion with the Pistons could bode well for Middleton. He was drafted in the second round with the 39th pick by the Pistons in 2012 and was eventually traded to the Bucks in 2013.

The Pistons have emerged as a contender, adopting their old-school physicality and rapid development as players like Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren have emerged as young stars in the league; However, the team lacks consistent shooting on volume. In Monday’s loss to San Antonio, the Pistons made only 7 of their 36 three-point attempts, while the Spurs made 18. Middleton could provide a nice spark in playmaking and shooting for the Pistons as they look to further seize control of the Eastern Conference and make a run at the NBA Finals.

The Pistons will play the Thunder tonight at 7:30 Eastern. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.

The Los Angeles Lakers reached the finish line with a mediocre record of 4-4 in an eight-game homestand after a dramatic 110-109 loss to the Orlando Magic. This came just days after a 111–89 loss to the rival Boston Celtics, dropping them to 34–23 for the season.

DeAndre Ayton, who performed with 21 points and 13 rebounds against the Magic, said something that may also be true for most fans.

“It’s a little frustrating. We’ve still got a lot of opportunities to get in as good a position as we can. It felt weird being 4-4 ​​in the homestand,” he told ESPN, according to ESPN.

“It’s a little frustrating … but we’ve got 24 games left.”
DeAndre Ayton reflected on missed opportunities at home, late defensive lapses and the team’s continued focus on momentum. pic.twitter.com/zTi1NtlcFg

– Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) 25 February 2026

The Lakers played some big teams during this time, including the Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Clippers, and San Antonio Spurs.

“It was a tough loss and played against some very good teams. But… just get back in the lab and get ready for the next game,” Ayton concluded.

The loss against Orlando was particularly worrying. It was their first loss of the season after holding the lead for three quarters, during which they led 25–0 in the matchup.

Despite taking a 12-point lead in the second half, the Lakers’ defense collapsed as Austin Reaves scored all 18 of his points after halftime. They were torched by Paolo Banchero’s 36-point masterpiece, with Wendell Carter Jr.’s game-winning putback coming with just 6.7 seconds remaining.

In fact, Ayton proved to be a ray of hope, much like what happened with LeBron against the Celtics. The 41-year-old became the first NBA player to score over 43,000 points and tied Robert Parish for the second-most regular season games in NBA history with 1,600.

However, the Lakers lost both games, even though they were very much alive until the end against Orlando.

Talisman Anthony Edwards was once again the star man for the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Portland Trail Blazers, finishing the game with 34 points, four assists and four rebounds. However, it was also a historic night for Jaden McDaniels, who became the eighth player in NBA history to record a 13-3-1-2-5 statline.

McDaniel ultimately finished with 29 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and five blocks for the Timberwolves. This statistic was previously posted by a select group of players, the most recent being Victor Vembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs, who did so against the Los Angeles Clippers in 2024, according to a post on X by Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.

Other names on the list are Anthony Davis, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Lamar Odom and Chris Webber, who did it twice. Despite this, the Timberwolves returned to form after a poor performance against Philadelphia, losing only 124–121 to the Trail Blazers.

McDaniels went 12 of 16 shooting and missed 5 of his 6 three-point attempts. He became the first player in NBA history to record at least 25 points on 75 percent shooting, five three-pointers, five blocks and three steals in a single game.

The matchup itself was a tough one with about 15 lead changes. Anthony Edwards led Minnesota’s scoring with 25 points in the first half.

Returning from a one-game suspension, Rudy Gobert dominated the paint with 19 rebounds, 10 points and two blocks. Off the bench, Donte DiVincenzo added 19 points via five three-pointers, helping the Wolves shoot an impressive 17 of 35 from deep.

Of course, the Trail Blazers were valiant throughout as Jrue Holiday top-scored with 22 points, while Jerami Grant added 21 points and Scooter Henderson provided inspiration off the bench with 19 points, six rebounds and five assists. The Timberwolves next face the Los Angeles Clippers, while Portland faces the Chicago Bulls, who are hoping to close the gap on the .500 mark.

Coby White made an emotional return to the United Center, this time as a member of the Charlotte Hornets. His new team scored a big win over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, 131-99.

White was traded to Charlotte before the deadline in a deal that brought Collin Sexton and some second-round picks to Chicago. Due to a calf injury, White was eased into his first game with the Hornets. He scored 10 points on 4-for-9 shooting.

After Charlotte’s impressive win against Chicago, White did not hesitate to meet with his old teammates.

Coby White reunites with some of his former Bulls teammates (who remain). The Hornets handed the Bulls their 10th straight loss, and Chicago is still winless after the deadline. His 99 points tonight tied for his third-fewest points of the season. pic.twitter.com/jijnN7ZybX

– Joel Lorenzi (@JoelXLorenzi) 25 February 2026

Additionally, the former Bulls guard received a warm welcome on the court. During a first quarter timeout, the team played a tribute video for Coby White on the big screen. The montage traces his journey from being drafted out of North Carolina in 2019 to becoming one of the most beloved players among Chicago fans.

Reflecting on the warm reception he received from the crowd, White expressed how much the moment meant to him.

“You really don’t know how much of an impact you have on people. And what an impact people have on me. I get a lot of applause and whatever, but so many people are here tonight, wearing my jersey, calling my name. For me, it’s just trying to be in the moment. And just trying to stay grounded. It’s very humbling to find out how many people you impact through this beautiful game that we play,” the 26-year-old told CHSN. Said through.

The Bulls tried to snap a nine-game losing streak on Tuesday, but the Hornets pushed it to 10. Chicago fell to 24-35 and remains winless this month, while Charlotte improved to 28-31 with seven wins in its last 10 contests.

Before the game, White talked about the direction of Chicago’s season and his understanding of the team’s decision to trade him.

“The way the season was going, we weren’t getting enough wins in a row,” White told the media. “Like I said from the beginning, I support whatever they think is best for the team. This organization believed in me. They gave me the chance and the opportunity to live out my dreams. So, I just want to see the organization succeed.”

Only time will tell how the Bulls’ decision to trade White will turn out. The move gives Chicago an opportunity to reshape the roster, but it remains to be seen if it will lead to better results in the long run.

Meanwhile, the Hornets will aim to keep their momentum going with Coby White back in the lineup after returning from injury. Charlotte will take on the Indiana Pacers in their next game on Thursday.

Recently, the Los Angeles Lakers fell back into the loss column with a crushing home defeat at the hands of the Boston Celtics. It was a tough game for Luka Doncic, who scored 25 points but took 22 shots to get there and dished out just three assists in the loss.

Throughout the game, Doncic could be seen repeatedly complaining to the referees, as has become his trademark throughout his career, and one person who is fed up with these antics is The Ringer’s Zack Lowe.

“Are you playing to foul? Or are you playing basketball? It’s every single possession now. It’s completely out of control … It’s not worth watching,” Lowe, formerly of NBA Courtside, said on Twitter, according to NBA.com.

In fact, Doncic has made a habit of calling fouls as well as yelling at game officials throughout his career, but both seem to have continued to Los Angeles over the past few seasons, dating back to his time with the Dallas Mavericks.

Doncic remains one of the best offensive talents in the league today, and he clearly doesn’t need to flop for calls to get his points, which somehow makes it more frustrating from a monitoring perspective for fans when he does.

Meanwhile, many of the Lakers’ glaring flaws were on full display in the loss against the Celtics, including their lack of perimeter defenders as well as their tendency to play stand-up basketball on offense when things were not going smoothly.

Of course, Doncic is still one of the best players in the NBA, and his presence alone makes Los Angeles a scary opponent for potential playoff teams.

However, for now, this appears to be a strict limit on how far this Lakers team can go, and Doncic’s actions are only adding to the frustration.

LOS ANGELES – Just when the Los Angeles Lakers were starting to get back to 100 percent healthy, they were informed of another injury, this time to backup center Jackson Hayes. Hayes suffered an ankle injury in the first half of the Lakers’ loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday and did not return. Before the Lakers’ game against the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, head coach JJ Redick lamented the fact that Hayes’ absence means the team is losing this special ability that only LeBron James could possess.

“Unfortunately, no one on our team except LeBron can jump as high as him. So we’ll have to make do with Maxi.” [Kleber] And Wando,” Redick said. “And the good news is he’s going day by day. And he has already improved. He did a light court workout today. “Still a little sore, but we’re hopeful he’ll be back this week.”

Jackson Hayes was initially listed as questionable on the Lakers’ injury report for their game against the Magic, but he was downgraded to out just hours before tip-off. Hayes has struggled with ankle problems this season, but for the most part has been an integral part of the Lakers’ rotation.

Hayes is in his third season with the Lakers after initially signing as a free agent in the 2023 offseason. He originally signed a two-year contract with the team, and then re-signed to a one-year contract last offseason. Hayes played admirably as the starting center last year following the departure of Anthony Davis, but Redick ultimately ousted him amid the Lakers’ disappointing playoff run against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

This season, Hayes has appeared in 47 games, including seven starts, in just over 17 minutes per game. He averaged 6.8 points and 3.8 rebounds with a split of 77 percent shooting from the field and 64.1 percent shooting from the free-throw line. Hayes represented the Lakers in the Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend, but was eliminated in the opening round.

With Hayes out of the lineup, the backup center role will fall to the combination of Maxi Kleber and Jared Vanderbilt. Kleber represents the Lakers as a traditional big man in terms of size, while Vanderbilt has operated in small-ball lineups.

The Los Angeles Lakers underwent a change in leadership earlier this season, with longtime franchise owner Jenny Buss deciding to sell a majority share of the franchise to Mark Walter, who is now making some changes to the team’s brain trust. In recent days, the Lakers announced that executive Lon Rosen will be the team’s new president of business operations.

Rosen was the executive vice president and chief marketing officer of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Walter called on him to take on the role as president of the Lakers. With connections made during his time with the Dodgers, Rosen would enlist the help of Dodgers executives Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi, the combo who led L.A.’s operations during consecutive World Series title-winning seasons.

For Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka, this means he will work closely with both of them, collaborating with them on roster personnel matters. According to Dan Woik of The Athletic, Pelinka “will continue to handle basketball operations” while working within an “expanded front office.”

The next few years are going to be important for the Lakers; They have to start completely building around Luka Doncic, which will take them a year or two.

The Lakers front office is poised to play a key role over the next few seasons

The Lakers’ trade for Doncic is one they would make 10 out of 10 times, but the roster they built was designed to maximize the James-Anthony Davis-led core. They are so lacking in defensive infrastructure that it will take a year or two for them to emerge as legitimate contenders in the West.

The team is preparing for the 2027 free agency period, when players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic could potentially hit free agency. It’s unclear whether Pelinka will remain with the Lakers until then, but it’s clear from their front office what the intention is.

The Los Angeles Lakers haven’t been very inspiring in terms of being legitimate title contenders this season, as their defense has been so bad for so long that it’s hard to believe they can field a defense that’s good enough to compete, especially in the loaded West. But they have been excellent in clutch games and they have been good at maintaining leads, which is why they remain in the top six in the West standings despite concerns about the underlying numbers.

However, on Tuesday night, the Lakers failed at the things they should have been good at. They were ahead after three quarters in their contest against the Orlando Magic (80–79 after three), and they were in the midst of a clutch game against a Mideastern Conference team. They somehow lost, as a combination of late-game hesitation and late-game defensive issues doomed the Lakers.

According to X user @dmai21, the Purple and Gold have now lost their first game this season after the Magic broke the Lakers’ hearts 110-109 courtesy of Wendell Carter Jr.’s game-winner after leading after three quarters. They won their first 25 such games this season, but now, the Magic have dealt them a devastating blow.

Lakers’ defensive issues come to the fore in tough times

Luka Doncic suffered a tough shooting night, but began to bounce back toward the end of the game. It looked like he was going to take over the game, but instead, he hesitated to take the last shot, which put LeBron James in such a difficult situation with the clock running out – leading to the Lakers’ loss.

But it is LA’s defense that is to blame for their latest defeat. They allowed the Magic to score 58 points in the paint, with Paolo Banchero repeatedly driving to the basket. The game-winner he allowed came due to his inability to control the defensive boards.

The Lakers are going to have to do some soul-searching if they want to figure it out this season.